Heaven Official's Blessing

Chapter 121-130

Chapter 121-130

Ch.121:? ?Combined? ?Spirit;? ?Coffin? ?Boat? ?Enters? ?the? ?Demon? ?Sea? ?2? ?

?

Just? ?as? ?the? ?words? ?left? ?his? ?lips,? ?the? ?two? ?suddenly? ?felt? ?weightless? ?once? ?more? ?and? ?their? ?

positions? ?changed? ?from? ?lying? ?to? ?upright? ?–? ?that? ?coffin? ?boat? ?abruptly? ?rose? ?up? ?and? ?swiftly? ?

plunged,? ?forcefully? ?flipping? ?upside? ?down!? ?

?

Hua? ?Cheng? ?had? ?his? ?arms? ?tight? ?around? ?Xie? ?Lian’s? ?waist,? ?his? ?other? ?hand? ?shielding? ?his? ?

head,? ?and? ?he? ?exclaimed,? ?“Hold? ?on? ?tight? ?to? ?me!”? ?

?

If? ?this? ?was? ?the? ?outside,? ?all? ?the? ?spinning? ?can? ?be? ?three? ?times? ?more? ?violent? ?and? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?

would? ?be? ?able? ?to? ?deal? ?with? ?it,? ?yet? ?the? ?problem? ?was? ?they? ?were? ?trapped? ?inside? ?a? ?narrow,? ?

tight? ?space,? ?their? ?limbs? ?unable? ?to? ?stretch? ?out,? ?and? ?they? ?were? ?left? ?ignorant? ?of? ?what? ?was? ?

happening? ?outside.? ?Tense? ?and? ?anxious.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?wondered,? ?“What? ?if? ?the? ?coffin? ?boat? ?

breaks?”? ? ?

?

“Don’t? ?worry.? ?Even? ?if? ?it? ?breaks,? ?I’m? ?here,? ?you? ?won’t? ?sink.”? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?said.? ?

?

At? ?this? ?moment,? ?they? ?were? ?both? ?pressed? ?against? ?each? ?other? ?firmly,? ?and? ?Hua? ?Cheng’s? ?

words? ?were? ?uttered? ?through? ?the? ?brush? ?of? ?his? ?lips? ?over? ?Xie? ?Lian’s? ?hair,? ?and? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?could? ?

almost? ?feel? ?the? ?slight? ?trembling? ?of? ?his? ?adam’s? ?apple,? ?his? ?mind? ?going? ?astray.? ?Then,? ?his? ?

attention? ?was? ?stolen? ?away? ?by? ?another? ?wave? ?of? ?violent? ?rolling.? ?It? ?was? ?like? ?this? ?boat? ?had? ?

become? ?a? ?toy? ?being? ?jostled? ?about? ?by? ?a? ?toddler,? ?shaking? ?and? ?swinging? ?it? ?unceasingly.? ?

Without? ?any? ?other? ?choice,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?embraced? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?tightly? ?with? ?one? ?hand,? ?and? ?the? ?

other? ?held? ?on? ?to? ?the? ?edge? ?of? ?the? ?coffin.? ?

?

Amidst? ?that? ?chaos,? ?the? ?two? ?dipped? ?and? ?dropped,? ?flipped? ?and? ?flopped? ?into? ?who? ?knows? ?

how? ?many? ?different? ?positions,? ?banging? ?heavily? ?into? ?all? ?sorts? ?of? ?different? ?parts? ?of? ?each? ?

other,? ?thoroughly? ?rubbing? ?against? ?one? ?another.? ?Even? ?though? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?had? ?the? ?

appearance? ?of? ?a? ?young? ?man,? ?it? ?was? ?only? ?having? ?been? ?tumbled? ?about? ?like? ?this? ?did? ?Xie? ?

Lian? ?realize? ?that? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?was? ?solid? ?and? ?hard? ?from? ?top? ?to? ?bottom.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?was? ?going? ?

starry-eyed? ?from? ?this? ?torment? ?and? ?when? ?the? ?feeling? ?finally? ?faded? ?for? ?a? ?moment,? ?he? ?found? ?

that? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?was? ?now? ?on? ?top? ?of? ?him,? ?pressing? ?down? ?heavily,? ?suffocating? ?him.? ? ?

?

With? ?great? ?difficulties,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?raised? ?a? ?hand? ?and? ?grabbed? ?onto? ?the? ?arm? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?had? ?

supporting? ?himself? ?up? ?next? ?to? ?his? ?body? ?and? ?softly? ?groaned,? ?his? ?head? ?spinning,? ?“Is? ?it? ?over? ?

yet...”? ?

?

For? ?some? ?reason,? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?didn’t? ?respond.? ?Yet? ?before? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?finished? ?his? ?sentence,? ?

his? ?breathing? ?suddenly? ?hitched.? ?Because,? ?he? ?suddenly? ?noticed? ?that? ?a? ?certain? ?body? ?part? ?

of? ?his? ?was? ?experiencing? ?an? ?unthinkable? ?shift.? ?

?

“...................”? ?

?

In? ?an? ?instant,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?was? ?feeling? ?more? ?incredulous? ?than? ?if? ?he? ?was? ?to? ?see? ?a? ?steel? ?tree? ?

blossom.? ?At? ?least,? ?if? ?he? ?saw? ?a? ?steel? ?tree? ?blossom,? ?his? ?mind? ?wouldn’t? ?be? ?as? ?blank.? ?

?

A? ?horrifying? ?embarrassment? ?and? ?awkwardness? ?battered? ?him? ?more? ?violently? ?than? ?the? ?

tempest? ?was? ?battering? ?the? ?coffin? ?outside.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?hastily? ?closed? ?his? ?knees.? ?However,? ?

closing? ?his? ?knees? ?didn’t? ?seem? ?to? ?be? ?the? ?right? ?move? ?and? ?he? ?seemed? ?to? ?have? ?touched? ?

something? ?he? ?shouldn’t? ?have? ?because? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?grunted? ?brusquely,? ?“Don’t? ?move!”? ? ?

?

That? ?grunt? ?was? ?deep? ?and? ?sharp,? ?and? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?quickly? ?flattened? ?his? ?legs? ?again.? ?But? ?if? ?he? ?

didn’t? ?close? ?his? ?knees,? ?he? ?was? ?scared? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?might? ?notice? ?his? ?body’s? ?reaction,? ?in? ?

which? ?case? ?he? ?might? ?as? ?well? ?just? ?smash? ?his? ?own? ?head? ?against? ?the? ?coffin? ?and? ?die.? ?This? ?

could’ve? ?been? ?explained? ?away? ?by? ?‘unavoidable? ?natural? ?reaction’,? ?but? ?the? ?awkward? ?thing? ?

was,? ?there? ?was? ?already? ?that? ?incident? ?on? ?that? ?island.? ?Once? ?or? ?twice? ?he? ?could? ?say? ?it? ?was? ?

unintentional,? ?but? ?after? ?third? ?or? ?fourth? ?times,? ?how? ?could? ?he? ?possibly? ?explain? ?himself?? ?

?

Under? ?such? ?a? ?dire? ?situation,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?blurted,? ?“No!? ?San? ?Lang...? ?don’t,? ?don’t? ?touch? ?me!”? ? ?

?

After? ?a? ?brief? ?moment? ?of? ?silence,? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?said? ?with? ?a? ?dark? ?voice,? ?“Very? ?well.? ?Let’s? ?

break? ?out? ?of? ?here.”? ? ?

?

It? ?was? ?like? ?he? ?was? ?absolved? ?and? ?he? ?cried,? ?“GO!”? ? ?

?

Suddenly,? ?another? ?vicious? ?weightlessness? ?attacked,? ?and? ?the? ?the? ?coffin? ?that? ?contained? ?the? ?

two? ?was? ?thrusted? ?into? ?the? ?air!? ? ?

?

At? ?the? ?same? ?time,? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?and? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?both? ?smacked? ?their? ?palm? ?on? ?either? ?side? ?of? ?

the? ?coffin? ?and? ?instantly? ?it? ?cracked? ?into? ?pieces.? ?The? ?two? ?broke? ?out? ?of? ?the? ?boat? ?and? ?the? ?pair? ?

leapt? ?out? ?under? ?the? ?moonlight.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?looked? ?back? ?and? ?saw? ?a? ?giant? ?water? ?dragon? ?

dangle? ?broken? ?pieces? ?of? ?that? ?coffin? ?in? ?its? ?mouth,? ?roaring? ?in? ?the? ?pouring? ?rain,? ?baring? ?its? ?

sharp? ?teeth,? ?as? ?if? ?raging? ?at? ?the? ?empty? ?casket? ?it? ?thought? ?was? ?full? ?of? ?food.? ?It? ?must’ve? ?been? ?

that? ?water? ?dragon? ?just? ?then? ?that? ?was? ?throwing? ?the? ?coffin? ?boat? ?about? ?in? ?its? ?mouth,? ?

snapping? ?here? ?and? ?twisting? ?there.? ?

?

That? ?coffin? ?boat? ?had? ?gone? ?to? ?sea? ?at? ?first? ?and? ?drifted? ?for? ?a? ?while,? ?but? ?it? ?was? ?dragged? ?back? ?

by? ?that? ?water? ?dragon.? ?The? ?two? ?landed? ?and? ?returned? ?to? ?the? ?Black? ?Water? ?Island? ?once? ?

more.? ?Back? ?at? ?the? ?beach,? ?there? ?were? ?two? ?more? ?figures? ?and? ?it? ?was? ?the? ?Water? ?Master? ?Wu? ?

Du? ?and? ?General? ?Pei.? ?Shi? ?Wudu? ?still? ?had? ?his? ?spiritual? ?seal? ?out,? ?beckoning? ?the? ?rain? ?and? ?

winds? ?as? ?if? ?he? ?was? ?going? ?to? ?summon? ?that? ?water? ?dragon.? ?Pei? ?Ming? ?patted? ?his? ?shoulder,? ?

“Water? ?Master-xiong!? ?Just? ?take? ?it? ?easy,? ?will? ?you?? ?This? ?round? ?is? ?over? ?but? ?who? ?knows? ?when? ?

the? ?next? ?round? ?will? ?come,? ?so? ?just? ?save? ?your? ?energy? ?for? ?now.”? ?

?

Turns? ?out,? ?that? ?sudden? ?pouring? ?rain? ?just? ?now? ?was? ?the? ?accompaniment? ?to? ?Shi? ?Wudu’s? ?

Heavenly? ?Calamity.? ?The? ?storm? ?was? ?calming? ?down? ?and? ?Shi? ?Wudu? ?threw? ?his? ?hand,? ?turning? ?

to? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?and? ?Xie? ?Lian,? ?questioning,? ?“What’s? ?with? ?you? ?two?”? ? ?

?

“...”? ?

?

Pei? ?Ming? ?piped? ?up? ?too,? ?“Yea,? ?Your? ?Highness.? ?Why? ?don’t? ?you? ?two? ?explain? ?yourselves?? ?

What’s? ?going? ?on?? ?What? ?are? ?you? ?two? ?doing? ?in? ?there?”? ? ?

?

When? ?that? ?coffin? ?boat? ?exploded,? ?the? ?disposition? ?of? ?their? ?tight? ?embrace? ?was? ?open? ?for? ?all? ?to? ?

see.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?blinked? ?and? ?was? ?about? ?to? ?speak? ?when? ?he? ?suddenly? ?realized? ?that? ?both? ?he? ?

and? ?Hua? ?Cheng,? ?after? ?having? ?tumbled? ?around? ?inside? ?that? ?narrow? ?coffin? ?boat,? ?both? ?have? ?

their? ?hair? ?mussed? ?and? ?their? ?clothes? ?disheveled,? ?appearing? ?as? ?inappropriate? ?as? ?one? ?could? ?

imagine.? ?And? ?after? ?having? ?wiped? ?away? ?the? ?rain? ?off? ?his? ?face,? ?his? ?cheeks? ?were? ?still? ?burning.? ?

?

Hua? ?Cheng? ?took? ?a? ?step? ?forward,? ?shielding? ?him.? ?A? ?moment? ?later? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?softly? ?cleared? ?

his? ?throat,? ?“...Nothing’s? ?going? ?on.? ?Just...? ?the? ?coffin’s? ?too? ?small.”? ?

?

Shi? ?Wudu? ?was? ?puzzled,? ?“I? ?wasn’t? ?asking? ?about? ?that.”? ? ?

?

Pei? ?Ming? ?pointed? ?at? ?all? ?the? ?leftover? ?wood? ?pieces? ?they? ?left? ?behind? ?on? ?the? ?beach? ?and? ?

asked,? ?“The? ?coffin? ?was? ?made? ?on? ?the? ?spot,? ?right?? ?Why? ?didn’t? ?you? ?build? ?a? ?bigger? ?one?”? ? ?

?

“...”? ?

?

The? ?design? ?of? ?the? ?coffin? ?boat? ?was? ?decided? ?by? ?both? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?and? ?Xie? ?Lian,? ?and? ?at? ?the? ?

time? ?it? ?seemed? ?neither? ?of? ?them? ?thought? ?of? ?building? ?it? ?bigger,? ?so? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?could? ?only? ?laugh? ?

awkwardly,? ?“You’re? ?right.? ?Haha,? ?haha.? ?Did? ?My? ?Lords? ?only? ?just? ?drift? ?close? ?to? ?this? ?island?”? ? ?

?

“That’s? ?right.”? ?Pei? ?Ming? ?replied,? ?“Water? ?Master-xiong? ?battled? ?against? ?the? ?currents? ?of? ?this? ?

Black? ?Water? ?Demon? ?Lair? ?and? ?we? ?only? ?just? ?made? ?it? ?to? ?this? ?island.? ?Didn’t? ?expect? ?to? ?see? ?a? ?

coffin? ?drift? ?about? ?on? ?the? ?surface? ?of? ?the? ?Black? ?Water? ?Demon? ?Lair? ?seas,? ?what? ?a? ?curious? ?

sight.”? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?could? ?feel? ?his? ?heart? ?dropping,? ?and? ?he? ?smiled,? ?“Really? ?curious? ?indeed.”? ? ?

?

“You.”? ?Shi? ?Wudu? ?said.? ?

?

He? ?turned? ?to? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?and? ?squinted,? ?“On? ?the? ?ship,? ?didn’t? ?you? ?say? ?that? ?only? ?coffin? ?wood? ?

that? ?has? ?carried? ?the? ?deceased? ?won’t? ?sink? ?in? ?the? ?Black? ?Water? ?Demon? ?Lair?”? ? ?

?

Pei? ?Ming? ?pulled? ?out? ?his? ?sword? ?and? ?said? ?leisurely,? ?“Yea.? ?There’s? ?the? ?coffin? ?wood,? ?but? ?

where’s? ?the? ?deceased?”? ?

?

Hua? ?Cheng? ?smiled? ?too,? ?“If? ?you’re? ?so? ?concerned? ?with? ?who’s? ?dead,? ?I? ?suggest? ?you? ?go? ?kill? ?

yourself.”? ?

?

Pei? ?Ming? ?pointed? ?the? ?sword? ?at? ?him,? ?“Such? ?arrogance.? ?As? ?expected? ?of? ?Crimson? ?Rain? ?

Sought? ?Flower!”? ?

?

As? ?suspected,? ?he? ?had? ?already? ?guessed.? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?burst? ?out? ?laughing,? ?and? ?seeing? ?that? ?

a? ?fight? ?was? ?about? ?to? ?start,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?blocked? ?in? ?front? ?of? ?Hua? ?Cheng,? ?“My? ?Lords,? ?please? ?

calm? ?yourselves.? ?There’s? ?no? ?need? ?to? ?worry,? ?San? ?Lang? ?is? ?on? ?this? ?journey? ?out? ?of? ?

generosity.”? ? ?

?

“San? ?Lang?”? ?Pei? ?Ming? ?wondered,? ?“I’ve? ?never? ?heard? ?of? ?how? ?Crimson? ?Rain? ?Sought? ?Flower? ?

ranked? ?from? ?whatever? ?house.? ?Generous?? ?Your? ?Highness,? ?are? ?you? ?sure? ?that’s? ?the? ?word? ?to? ?

describe? ?him?”? ?

?

Shi? ?Wudu? ?had? ?to? ?stand? ?in? ?the? ?spotlight? ?so? ?he? ?pushed? ?Pei? ?Ming? ?aside? ?and? ?said? ?sharply,? ?

“Are? ?you? ?the? ?one? ?messing? ?things? ?up? ?on? ?this? ?trip?? ?What’s? ?your? ?intention? ?in? ?luring? ?us? ?here? ?

to? ?the? ?Black? ?Water? ?Demon? ?Lair?? ?Where’s? ?Qingxuan?”? ? ?

?

“This? ?is? ?someone? ?else’s? ?territory,? ?did? ?you? ?think? ?I? ?want? ?to? ?be? ?here?”? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?

answered.? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?was? ?already? ?used? ?to? ?these? ?kinds? ?of? ?situations? ?and? ?changed? ?the? ?subject? ?with? ?

practised? ?ease,? ?“Has? ?the? ?Lord? ?Wind? ?Master? ?not? ?been? ?found? ?yet?? ?Didn’t? ?General? ?Pei? ?go? ?

looking? ?for? ?them?”? ?

?

Pei? ?Ming? ?flipped? ?open? ?his? ?arms,? ?“They? ?were? ?fished? ?up? ?at? ?first,? ?but? ?a? ?giant? ?wave? ?from? ?

Water? ?Master-xiong? ?came? ?and? ?flushed? ?them? ?away.”? ?

?

“Don’t? ?mislead,? ?Pei-xiong.”? ?Shi? ?Wudu? ?said,? ?“I? ?can’t? ?raise? ?waves.? ?Those? ?creatures? ?in? ?the? ?

sea? ?kept? ?coming? ?one? ?after? ?the? ?other,? ?you? ?couldn’t? ?find? ?them? ?in? ?the? ?first? ?place!”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?quickly? ?said,? ?“Calm? ?down,? ?calm? ?down.? ?Um...? ?Lord? ?Wind? ?Master? ?is? ?together? ?with? ?

Lord? ?Earth? ?Master? ?so? ?there? ?shouldn’t? ?be? ?any? ?big? ?troubles.”? ? ?

?

Shi? ?Wudu? ?humphed,? ?“Earth? ?Master?? ?What? ?good? ?is? ?the? ?Earth? ?Master!? ?Mediocre? ?and? ?

average,? ?he’s? ?not? ?a? ?martial? ?god? ?either,? ?his? ?spiritual? ?powers? ?aren’t? ?even? ?as? ?strong? ?as? ?

Qingxuan’s.”? ?Then,? ?he? ?seemed? ?to? ?suddenly? ?remember? ?that? ?Shi? ?Qingxuan? ?no? ?longer? ?

possessed? ?any? ?trace? ?of? ?spiritual? ?powers,? ?and? ?his? ?face? ?fell,? ?falling? ?silent.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?

however,? ?thought? ?every? ?spiritual? ?stream? ?had? ?their? ?focus,? ?so? ?although? ?Ming? ?Yi? ?wasn’t? ?a? ?

martial? ?god? ?and? ?his? ?spiritual? ?powers? ?weren’t? ?exactly? ?strong,? ?but? ?he? ?still? ?wasn’t? ?as? ?horrible? ?

as? ?the? ?Water? ?Master? ?described.? ?Besides,? ?the? ?skills? ?the? ?Earth? ?Master? ?showed? ?that? ?time? ?at? ?

the? ?Banyue? ?Pass? ?wasn’t? ?bad;? ?even? ?if? ?he? ?wasn’t? ?the? ?best,? ?he? ?wasn’t? ?the? ?worst.? ? ?

?

Pei? ?Ming? ?said? ?too,? ?“Don’t? ?be? ?too? ?worried? ?just? ?yet.? ?As? ?long? ?as? ?they? ?don’t? ?run? ?into? ?the? ?

Demon? ?Xuan,? ?Lord? ?Earth? ?Master? ?should? ?be? ?able? ?to? ?take? ?care? ?of? ?things.”? ? ?

?

Hua? ?Cheng? ?laughed,? ?“The? ?Heavenly? ?Calamity? ?is? ?already? ?pursuing? ?you? ?everywhere,? ?

fighting? ?you.? ?You? ?made? ?a? ?huge? ?mess? ?of? ?his? ?lair,? ?and? ?you? ?actually? ?dare? ?hope? ?that? ?the? ?lair? ?

master? ?hasn’t? ?noticed?”? ?

?

Suddenly,? ?Shi? ?Wudu’s? ?face? ?twitched,? ?and? ?took? ?out? ?a? ?golden? ?longevity? ?locket? ?out? ?of? ?the? ?

collar? ?of? ?his? ?robes.? ?Pei? ?Ming? ?asked,? ?“Water? ?Master-xiong,? ?did? ?something? ?happen?”? ? ?

?

That? ?golden? ?longevity? ?locket? ?seemed? ?to? ?be? ?vibrating? ?in? ?his? ?palm,? ?and? ?Shi? ?Wudu? ?said,? ?

“Qingxuan? ?is? ?close? ?by...? ?and? ?he’s? ?hurt!”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?took? ?a? ?look? ?at? ?that? ?golden? ?locket? ?and? ?it? ?looked? ?exactly? ?the? ?same? ?as? ?the? ?one? ?Shi? ?

Qingxuan? ?was? ?wearing? ?that? ?day,? ?the? ?one? ?he? ?removed? ?to? ?build? ?the? ?protection? ?array? ?and? ?

left? ?behind? ?in? ?the? ?end.? ?“Is? ?the? ?Lord? ?Wind? ?Master? ?still? ?wearing? ?that? ?longevity? ?locket?? ?I? ?

recall? ?he? ?removed? ?it? ?before.”? ? ?

?

“I? ?picked? ?it? ?up? ?and? ?put? ?it? ?around? ?him? ?again.”? ?Shi? ?Wudu? ?said.? ?

?

Turns? ?out,? ?those? ?two? ?longevity? ?lockets? ?were? ?forged? ?by? ?the? ?golden? ?core? ?of? ?the? ?two? ?

brothers.? ?When? ?they? ?were? ?near? ?each? ?other? ?and? ?one? ?was? ?hurt,? ?the? ?lockets? ?would? ?call? ?out? ?

to? ?each? ?other,? ?and? ?the? ?closer? ?they? ?were? ?to? ?each? ?other? ?the? ?stronger? ?the? ?cry.? ?This? ?wasn’t? ?a? ?

casted? ?spell? ?but? ?a? ?natural? ?attribute? ?and? ?so? ?it? ?was? ?unaffected? ?by? ?the? ?powers? ?of? ?the? ?Demon? ?

Lair.? ?Shi? ?Wudu? ?removed? ?the? ?longevity? ?locket? ?from? ?around? ?his? ?neck? ?and? ?dangled? ?the? ?

chain? ?from? ?his? ?hand,? ?holding? ?his? ?arm? ?out? ?straight? ?and? ?slowly? ?turned? ?in? ?a? ?circle.? ?When? ?he? ?

was? ?facing? ?a? ?certain? ?direction,? ?the? ?vibration? ?of? ?that? ?golden? ?locket? ?abruptly? ?grew? ?stronger.? ?

?

It? ?was? ?the? ?direction? ?to? ?the? ?forest,? ?towards? ?unfathomably? ?deep? ?heart? ?of? ?this? ?lonely? ?island.? ?

Shi? ?Wudu? ?said? ?grimly,? ?“Looks? ?like? ?Qingxuan? ?is? ?on? ?this? ?island? ?right? ?now.”? ? ?

?

Then,? ?he? ?strode? ?in? ?large? ?steps? ?towards? ?that? ?forest.? ?Naturally,? ?Pei? ?Ming? ?followed? ?along.? ?

Xie? ?Lian? ?contemplated,? ?since? ?the? ?Wind? ?and? ?Earth? ?Masters? ?were? ?both? ?on? ?the? ?island? ?and? ?

the? ?Wind? ?Master? ?seemed? ?to? ?be? ?injured? ?and? ?bleeding,? ?then? ?they? ?should? ?be? ?found? ?first? ?and? ?

worry? ?about? ?the? ?rest? ?later.? ?“My? ?Lords,? ?there? ?are? ?minions? ?hidden? ?inside? ?the? ?forest,? ?be? ?

careful? ?of? ?ambush.”? ?

?

Hua? ?Cheng? ?came? ?to? ?follow? ?too? ?and? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?was? ?going? ?to? ?grab? ?for? ?his? ?hand? ?at? ?first,? ?but? ?

then? ?he? ?remembered? ?his? ?disgraceful? ?state? ?back? ?inside? ?the? ?coffin? ?boat,? ?and? ?the? ?

outstretched? ?hand? ?shrank? ?back? ?in? ?spite? ?of? ?himself.? ?In? ?the? ?end,? ?he? ?tugged? ?onto? ?Hua? ?

Cheng’s? ?sleeve,? ?not? ?daring? ?to? ?look? ?at? ?the? ?face? ?of? ?the? ?other.? ?Pei? ?Ming? ?however,? ?looked? ?

back? ?frequently,? ?and? ?appeared? ?to? ?be? ?very? ?interested,? ?“Crimson? ?Rain? ?Sought? ?Flower,? ?Your? ?

Highness,? ?the? ?two? ?of? ?you? ?really? ?are? ?stuck? ?together? ?like? ?glue.? ?A? ?Ghost? ?King? ?like? ?yourself? ?

following? ?after? ?us? ?so? ?openly,? ?aren’t? ?you? ?even? ?going? ?to? ?try? ?to? ?avoid? ?suspicion?”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?replied? ?languidly,? ?“What? ?is? ?General? ?Pei? ?saying?? ?Under? ?these? ?circumstances,? ?it’s? ?

less? ?suspicious? ?if? ?he? ?came? ?along.? ?Otherwise? ?if? ?My? ?Lords? ?were? ?to? ?run? ?into? ?any? ?dangers,? ?

how? ?can? ?he? ?hope? ?to? ?clear? ?his? ?name? ?if? ?My? ?Lords? ?were? ?to? ?suspect? ?him?”? ?

?

“He’s? ?made? ?it? ?to? ?the? ?title? ?of? ?Supreme,? ?so? ?what’s? ?the? ?difference? ?if? ?he’s? ?in? ?front? ?of? ?our? ?eyes? ?

or? ?not?? ?Would? ?it? ?not? ?be? ?easy? ?for? ?him? ?to? ?simply? ?create? ?a? ?clone?”? ?Pei? ?Ming? ?said.? ?

?

Just? ?as? ?the? ?words? ?left? ?his? ?lips,? ?a? ?sharp? ?sound? ?ripped? ?through? ?the? ?air.? ?Pei? ?Ming? ?raised? ?his? ?

hand? ?and? ?caught? ?a? ?stealth? ?arrow,? ?“So? ?there? ??is?? ?something,? ?that? ?was? ?close!? ?Water? ?

Master-xiong,? ?be? ?careful...”? ? ?

?

Before? ?he? ?finished? ?speaking? ?there? ?were? ?more? ?swishing? ?sounds? ?and? ?several? ?more? ?stealth? ?

arrows? ?came? ?flying? ?towards? ?him.? ??Cling? ?clang?.? ?Pei? ?Ming? ?swept? ?his? ?sword? ?around? ?and? ?

wondered? ?woefully,? ?“What? ?the? ?hell?”? ? ?

?

Shi? ?Wudu? ?laughed? ?out? ?loud,? ?“Pei-xiong,? ?I? ?think? ?you? ?best? ?watch? ?yourself? ?instead!”? ?Then? ?

he? ?quickened? ?his? ?pace.? ?

?

If? ?it? ?was? ?only? ?ambushing? ?arrows? ?from? ?somewhere? ?hidden? ?it? ?wasn’t? ?anything? ?to? ?be? ?afraid? ?

of,? ?just? ?really? ?annoying.? ?Irritated,? ?Pei? ?Ming? ?flattened? ?a? ?field? ?of? ?shrubberies? ?and? ?soon? ?

picked? ?out? ?a? ?few? ?little? ?minions,? ?“You? ?guys? ?got? ?guts!”? ? ?

?

Those? ?little? ?ghosts? ?looked? ?scrawny? ?and? ?sallow? ?skinned,? ?only? ?the? ?lowest? ?of? ?minions,? ?and? ?

hanging? ?from? ?his? ?hand,? ?they? ?were? ?terrified? ?by? ?the? ?general? ?into? ?little? ?balls,? ?begging? ?for? ?

mercy.? ?They? ?were? ?only? ?guarding? ?the? ?door? ?after? ?all,? ?so? ?fighting? ?intruders? ?couldn’t? ?be? ?

helped.? ?After? ?scaring? ?them? ?with? ?some? ?words? ?Pei? ?Ming? ?let? ?them? ?go.? ?However,? ?when? ?they? ?

ran? ?into? ?more? ?cunning? ?and? ?vicious? ?ones? ?later,? ?Pei? ?Ming? ?squashed? ?them? ?into? ?a? ?ball? ?and? ?

dribbled? ?as? ?they? ?made? ?their? ?way.? ?The? ?four? ?of? ?them? ?brushed? ?away? ?branches? ?and? ?pushed? ?

their? ?way? ?through? ?bushes? ?through? ?the? ?thick? ?forest,? ?walking? ?for? ?who? ?knows? ?how? ?long? ?but? ?

the? ?golden? ?locket? ?in? ?Shi? ?Wudu’s? ?hand? ?was? ?crying? ?louder? ?and? ?louder.? ?Finally,? ?they? ?

reached? ?a? ?large? ?empty? ?area? ?within? ?the? ?middle? ?of? ?the? ?forest.? ?

?

The? ?heart? ?of? ?the? ?forest? ?was? ?a? ?lake,? ?and? ?the? ?four? ?walked? ?towards? ?it.? ?Suddenly,? ?Pei? ?Ming? ?

spoke? ?up,? ?“Crimson? ?Rain? ?Sought? ?Flower,? ?if? ?you? ?keep? ?this? ?prank? ?up,? ?I? ?won’t? ?be? ?able? ?to? ?

tolerate? ?you? ?any? ?longer.”? ?

?

Both? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?and? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?looked? ?to? ?him,? ?then? ?looked? ?at? ?each? ?other.? ?Pei? ?Ming? ?

frowned,? ?“If? ?you? ?want? ?to? ?fight? ?then? ?challenge? ?me? ?like? ?a? ?man.? ?Pei? ?isn’t? ?like? ?those? ?

thirty-three? ?heavenly? ?officials,? ?I’m? ?not? ?afraid? ?of? ?you.? ?Shoving? ?me? ?every? ?now? ?and? ?then? ?is? ?

meaningless.”? ?

?

Hua? ?Cheng? ?raised? ?his? ?brows,? ?“Gege,? ?you? ?have? ?to? ?believe? ?me.? ?That’s? ?got? ?nothing? ?to? ?do? ?

with? ?me.”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?intervened,? ?“General? ?Pei,? ?he? ?doesn’t? ?play? ?those? ?meaningless? ?pranks.”? ?

?

Pei? ?Ming? ?was? ?doubtful,? ?“Really?”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?became? ?alarmed,? ?“Be? ?careful,? ?it? ?might? ?be? ?something? ?else? ?on? ?this? ?island? ?stirring? ?

trouble.”? ? ?

?

Pei? ?Ming? ?stopped? ?talking.? ?Just? ?then,? ?Shi? ?Wudu? ?slowed? ?his? ?pace,? ?“It’s? ?here.”? ?

?

That? ?golden? ?longevity? ?locket? ?seemed? ?to? ?be? ?crying? ?at? ?its? ?hardest? ?at? ?this? ?place,? ?meaning? ?

Shi? ?Qingxuan? ?was? ?somewhere? ?here.? ?Yet,? ?everything? ?here? ?could? ?be? ?seen? ?clearly;? ?other? ?

than? ?a? ?lake,? ?there? ?was? ?nothing? ?else.? ? ?

?

“Could? ?there? ?be? ?an? ?underground? ?palace?”? ?Pei? ?Ming? ?wondered.? ?

?

Shi? ?Wudu? ?stared? ?at? ?the? ?surface? ?of? ?the? ?water,? ?and? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?said,? ?“It’s? ?also? ?possible? ?that? ?

it’s? ?at? ?the? ?bottom? ?of? ?the? ?waters.”? ? ?

?

However,? ?this? ?lake? ?of? ?the? ?Black? ?Water? ?Island? ?shouldn’t? ?be? ?entered? ?so? ?randomly,? ?lest? ?one? ?

be? ?unable? ?to? ?resurface? ?once? ?in.? ?The? ?surface? ?of? ?that? ?lake? ?was? ?calm? ?without? ?ripples,? ?

appearing? ?like? ?a? ?giant? ?mirror,? ?reflecting? ?the? ?blanched? ?moon? ?hung? ?high? ?in? ?the? ?night? ?sky? ?

without? ?stars? ?or? ?clouds.? ?The? ?four? ?walked? ?along? ?the? ?edge? ?of? ?the? ?lake.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?was? ?still? ?

thinking? ?of? ?how? ?to? ?investigate? ?the? ?bottom? ?of? ?the? ?lake? ?when? ?without? ?warning,? ?a? ?terrified? ?

scream? ?ripped? ?through? ?the? ?night? ?air.? ?

?

The? ?one? ?leading? ?the? ?group? ?was? ?Shi? ?Wudu,? ?the? ?one? ?bringing? ?up? ?the? ?rear? ?was? ?Pei? ?Ming.? ?

The? ?three? ?in? ?front? ?all? ?looked? ?back,? ?and? ?the? ?one? ?who? ?screamed? ?was? ?the? ?little? ?ghost? ?Pei? ?

Ming? ?had? ?captured? ?on? ?the? ?road.? ?Its? ?skull? ?was? ?gone? ?and? ?black? ?blood? ?was? ?spurting? ?meters? ?

high? ?from? ?its? ?neck,? ?the? ?head? ?that? ?was? ?flung? ?into? ?the? ?air? ?was? ?screaming? ?piercingly.? ? ?

?

“General? ?Pei,? ?what? ?are? ?you? ?doing? ?killing? ?it? ?so? ?suddenly?”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?asked.? ?

?

Pei? ?Ming? ?however,? ?exclaimed,? ?“NO!”? ?But? ?before? ?he? ?could? ?explain,? ?his? ?body? ?sank,? ?one? ?

knee? ?hitting? ?the? ?ground.? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?laughed,? ?“There’s? ?no? ?need? ?for? ?such? ?formalities? ?

either?”? ? ?

?

Yet,? ?Pei? ?Ming’s? ?expression? ?was? ?starkly? ?shocked? ?and? ?he? ?shouted,? ?“WATER? ?

MASTER-XIONG,? ?WATCH? ?OUT!!!”? ?

?

However,? ?what’s? ?there? ?to? ?watch? ?out? ?for?? ?Other? ?than? ?the? ?four? ?of? ?them? ?by? ?the? ?lake,? ?there? ?

was? ?nothing? ?else!? ? ?

?

It? ?was? ?as? ?if? ?Pei? ?Ming? ?was? ?bound? ?by? ?something? ?invisible;? ?Shi? ?Wudu? ?was? ?rushing? ?over? ?to? ?

help? ?when? ?suddenly? ?a? ?flash? ?of? ?chilling? ?light? ?from? ?the? ?air? ?greeted? ?him? ?instead.? ?He? ?dodged? ?

just? ?in? ?time,? ?yet? ?a? ?trail? ?of? ?blood? ?was? ?still? ?sliced? ?across? ?one? ?of? ?his? ?cheeks.? ?He? ?wiped? ?it? ?with? ?

his? ?hand? ?and? ?his? ?face? ?dropped.? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?placed? ?himself? ?in? ?front? ?of? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?to? ?shield? ?him? ?and? ?said,? ?“The? ?invisibility? ?

spell?!”? ? ?

?

Pei? ?Ming? ?finally? ?broke? ?free? ?of? ?the? ?thing? ?that? ?was? ?formlessly? ?constraining? ?him,? ?and? ?he? ?

shouted,? ?“GATHER? ?AROUND!? ?DON’T? ?BREAK? ?UP!”? ? ?

?

Shi? ?Wudu? ?didn’t? ?care? ?for? ?that? ?much;? ?the? ?moment? ?he? ?felt? ?that? ?longevity? ?locket? ?start? ?crying? ?

again? ?he? ?started? ?charging? ?around? ?the? ?lake,? ?frantically? ?calling? ?out,? ?“QINGXUAN!? ?

QINGXUAN!”? ? ?

?

It? ?was? ?a? ?chaotic? ?situation,? ?however? ?it? ?was? ?precisely? ?amidst? ?this? ?ruckus? ?that? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?

suddenly? ?noticed? ?something? ?exceedingly? ?unnerving.? ?

?

Along? ?the? ?edge? ?of? ?the? ?lakeshore,? ?the? ?area? ?was? ?flat? ?and? ?empty,? ?nothing? ?to? ?be? ?seen.? ?

However,? ?the? ?lakeshore? ?reflected? ?on? ?the? ?lake’s? ?surface? ?was? ?different.? ?

?

In? ?the? ?reflection,? ?the? ?other? ?shore? ?of? ?the? ?lake? ?stood? ?a? ?charcoal? ?black? ?building.? ?That? ?

building? ?was? ?chillingly? ?gloomy,? ?looking? ?nothing? ?like? ?a? ?residence? ?but? ?more? ?so? ?a? ?prison.? ?

There? ?was? ?no? ?door,? ?only? ?a? ?set? ?of? ?windows? ?high? ?above,? ?unforgivingly? ?sealed? ?by? ?rows? ?of? ?

iron? ?bars.? ?From? ?between? ?those? ?iron? ?bars? ?peeked? ?a? ?pale? ?white? ?hand,? ?waving? ?desperately? ?

as? ?if? ?begging? ?for? ?help.? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?whipped? ?his? ?head? ?up? ?and? ?looked? ?to? ?the? ?shore? ?before? ?him? ?and? ?there? ?was? ?

veritably? ?nothing? ?besides? ?Shi? ?Wudu? ?holding? ?out? ?the? ?longevity? ?locket.? ?When? ?he? ?looked? ?

down? ?again,? ?the? ?reflection? ?in? ?the? ?lake? ?also? ?veritably? ?showed? ?that? ?chilling? ?iron? ?prison.? ?Shi? ?

Wudu? ?was? ?searching? ?around? ?right? ?before? ?that? ?iron? ?prison? ?but? ?he? ?couldn’t? ?see? ?it.? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?blurted? ?out,? ?“My? ?LordS!? ?I? ?FOUND? ?IT!? ?LOOK...”? ?

?

Just? ?then,? ?his? ?pupils? ?suddenly? ?shrank.? ?Something? ?new? ?was? ?reflected? ?within? ?the? ?Black? ?

Water? ?Lake.? ?

?

A? ?shadowy? ?figure? ?had? ?appeared? ?soundlessly? ?behind? ?both? ?him? ?and? ?Hua? ?Cheng.? ?

?

?

———-? ?

?

?MXTX? ?Author? ?Notes:? ?And? ?so? ?that? ?day,? ?the? ?crown? ?prince? ?who’d? ?always? ?thought? ?

himself? ?indifferent? ?to? ?X? ?suddenly? ?discovered? ?he? ?was? ?rock? ?hard~? ?

?

?

———? ?

?

?

Ch.122:? ?The? ?Nether? ?Water? ?Manor;? ?Black? ?Robes? ?White? ?Bones? ?

?

Yet? ?on? ?the? ?shore,? ?there? ?was? ?not? ?a? ?single? ?soul? ?behind? ?them!? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?had? ?carried? ?Fang? ?Xin? ?on? ?him? ?the? ?entire? ?journey,? ?and? ?the? ?moment? ?he? ?saw? ?the? ?

reflection? ?he? ?immediately? ?swung? ?the? ?sword? ?back.? ?That? ?black? ?shadow? ?was? ?clearly? ?

stabbed,? ?yet? ?it? ?felt? ?like? ?a? ?ball? ?of? ?waves? ?was? ?stabbed? ?instead,? ?and? ?it? ?broke? ?up? ?into? ?a? ?series? ?

of? ?ripples? ?before? ?it? ?disappeared? ?on? ?the? ?spot.? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?also? ?raised? ?his? ?brows? ?slightly,? ?

glancing? ?in? ?the? ?direction? ?of? ?where? ?that? ?black? ?shadow? ?disappeared? ?and? ?knitted? ?his? ?brows.? ? ?

?

Soon? ?after,? ?more? ?and? ?more? ?shadowy? ?figures? ?appeared? ?in? ?the? ?water? ?reflection,? ?their? ?

blanched? ?faces? ?and? ?pale? ?hands? ?the? ?only? ?things? ?eye-catching? ?in? ?the? ?blackened? ?night.? ?Xie? ?

Lian? ?unsheathed? ?his? ?sword? ?and? ?swept,? ?shouting,? ?“GENERAL? ?PEI!? ?GO? ?TO? ?THE? ?

WATERS? ?AND? ?LOOK? ?AT? ?THE? ?REFLECTIONS!? ?THE? ?REFLECTIONS? ?IN? ?THE? ?WATER? ?

CAN? ?REVEAL? ?THOSE? ?CREATURES!”? ? ?

?

If? ?they? ?weren’t? ?in? ?the? ?Demon? ?Lair,? ?those? ?little? ?ghosts? ?wouldn’t? ?be? ?able? ?to? ?come? ?near? ?a? ?

heavenly? ?official? ?at? ?all.? ?Pei? ?Ming? ?wasn’t? ?able? ?to? ?see? ?the? ?enemy? ?earlier,? ?yet? ?now? ?that? ?he? ?

could? ?observe? ?through? ?the? ?water,? ?he? ?watched? ?the? ?reflection? ?and? ?easily? ?took? ?care? ?of? ?the? ?

crowd? ?of? ?ghosts? ?surrounding? ?him? ?with? ?but? ?two? ?swings? ?of? ?his? ?sword.? ?Shi? ?Wudu? ?also? ?finally? ?

noticed? ?the? ?strange? ?reflections? ?and? ?he? ?knelt? ?by? ?the? ?waters,? ?shouting? ?into? ?the? ?lake? ?with? ?his? ?

head? ?down,? ?“QINGXUAN?? ?ARE? ?YOU? ?THERE?!”? ?

?

That? ?water? ?was? ?black,? ?that? ?iron? ?prison? ?was? ?also? ?black,? ?and? ?melded? ?into? ?one,? ?it? ?was? ?hard? ?

to? ?notice;? ?only? ?that? ?one? ?hand? ?was? ?white.? ?Suddenly,? ?a? ?face? ?appeared? ?between? ?the? ?iron? ?

bars,? ?and? ?it? ?was? ?Shi? ?Qingxuan!? ?

?

He? ?didn’t? ?seem? ?to? ?be? ?able? ?to? ?see? ?the? ?Shi? ?Wudu? ?outside? ?the? ?iron? ?prison,? ?and? ?his? ?

expression? ?was? ?one? ?of? ?chilling? ?terror.? ?His? ?two? ?hands? ?clutched? ?the? ?iron? ?bars,? ?desperately? ?

trying? ?to? ?squeeze? ?his? ?head? ?out,? ?looking? ?like? ?he? ?was? ?crying? ?for? ?help? ?yet? ?not? ?a? ?single? ?sound? ?

passed? ?through.? ?He? ?didn’t? ?yell? ?for? ?very? ?long? ?before? ?suddenly,? ?several? ?shrivelled,? ?

decaying? ?hands? ?grabbed? ?at? ?his? ?head,? ?pulled? ?at? ?this? ?face,? ?his? ?neck,? ?his? ?shoulders,? ?and? ?

yanked? ?him? ?down!? ?

?

Seeing? ?this,? ?Shi? ?Wudu? ?cursed? ?and? ?was? ?about? ?to? ?jump? ?right? ?into? ?the? ?water? ?when? ?Pei? ?Ming? ?

pulled? ?him? ?back,? ?“Water? ?Master-xiong,? ?you? ?can’t!? ?Can’t? ?you? ?tell? ?this? ?is? ?a? ?trap?? ?You? ?can’t? ?

manipulate? ?the? ?waters? ?of? ?the? ?South? ?Sea,? ?and? ?as? ?a? ?Water? ?God,? ?if? ?you? ?enter? ?someone? ?

else’s? ?water? ?territory,? ?aren’t? ?you? ?just? ?asking? ?to? ?be? ?butchered?”? ? ?

?

Shi? ?Wudu? ?patted? ?his? ?shoulder? ?and? ?only? ?said? ?this:? ?“Then? ?help? ?me? ?guard? ?the? ?outside.”? ?

Then? ?he? ?shoved? ?him? ?away,? ?leapt? ?and? ?jumped? ?into? ?the? ?Black? ?Water? ?Lake!? ? ?

?

The? ?moment? ?he? ?entered? ?the? ?waters? ?he? ?sank? ?right? ?down.? ?Pei? ?Ming? ?called? ?out,? ?“WATER? ?

MASTER-XIONG!”? ?But? ?he? ?couldn’t? ?follow? ?because? ?he? ?knew? ?that? ?this? ?lake? ?was? ?most? ?

likely? ?a? ?‘boundary’.? ?Much? ?like? ?the? ?mechanisms? ?setup? ?in? ?ancient? ?graves,? ?outsiders? ?could? ?

open? ?the? ?tomb? ?gates? ?and? ?intrude,? ?but? ?once? ?inside,? ?the? ?doors? ?would? ?close? ?automatically? ?

and? ?would? ?not? ?open? ?from? ?the? ?inside,? ?leaving? ?the? ?intruders? ?to? ?die? ?trapped? ?within.? ?It’d? ?be? ?

hard? ?pressed? ?to? ?say? ?that? ?this? ?‘boundary’? ?didn’t? ?have? ?a? ?similar? ?mechanism.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?

called? ?out,? ?“General? ?Pei!? ?Don’t? ?go? ?in.? ?There’s? ?a? ?corpse? ?right? ?by? ?your? ?feet,? ?hurry? ?back? ?to? ?

the? ?beach? ?and? ?build? ?a? ?coffin? ?to? ?prepare? ?for? ?evacuation.? ?I’ll? ?go? ?in!”? ? ?

?

“Your? ?Highness?? ?Will? ?you? ?be? ?alright?!”? ?Pei? ?Ming? ?asked.? ?

?

“Your? ?spiritual? ?powers? ?are? ?pretty? ?much? ?cut? ?down? ?coming? ?to? ?this? ?place,? ?so? ?we’re? ?equals? ?

now.? ?I’m? ?more? ?experienced? ?than? ?you? ?fighting? ?with? ?bare? ?fists!”? ? ?

?

Pei? ?Ming? ?then? ?glanced? ?at? ?the? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?standing? ?next? ?to? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?and? ?recalled? ?that? ?he? ?

could? ?float? ?on? ?the? ?water? ?surface,? ?so? ?the? ?two? ?of? ?them? ?were? ?much? ?more? ?useful? ?than? ?he? ?

would? ?be? ?here,? ?not? ?less,? ?so? ?without? ?further? ?ado,? ?he? ?picked? ?up? ?the? ?corpse? ?of? ?that? ?little? ?

ghost? ?and? ?rushed? ?out? ?of? ?the? ?woods.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?turned? ?to? ?face? ?Hua? ?Cheng,? ?“San? ?Lang,? ?will? ?

you? ?lend? ?me? ?a? ?little? ?spiritual? ?power? ?again...? ?just? ?a? ?little,? ?a? ?little? ?little? ?bit? ?is? ?enough!”? ? ?

?

Without? ?a? ?word,? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?gave? ?his? ?small? ?back? ?a? ?gentle? ?pat.? ?When? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?swung? ?

Fang? ?Xin? ?again,? ?a? ?giant? ?pillar? ?like? ?white? ?light? ?flashed? ?and? ?every? ?little? ?ghost? ?on? ?scene? ?was? ?

killed? ?by? ?the? ?strike.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?was? ?speechless? ?for? ?a? ?moment? ?and? ?instantly? ?sheathed? ?the? ?

sword.? ?“I’m? ?off!”? ? ?

?

The? ?two? ?jumped? ?into? ?the? ?water? ?at? ?the? ?same? ?time.? ?However,? ?at? ?the? ?bottom? ?of? ?the? ?Black? ?

Water? ?Lake,? ?other? ?than? ?the? ?abnormally? ?cold? ?lake? ?water,? ?there? ?wasn’t? ?anything? ?strange.? ?

This? ?water? ?was? ?also? ?different? ?than? ?the? ?ship-sinking? ?waters? ?of? ?the? ?Black? ?Water? ?Demon? ?

Lair,? ?and? ?one? ?could? ?obviously? ?float? ?within,? ?not? ?unlike? ?a? ?normal? ?lake.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?was? ?puzzled? ?

and? ?swam? ?downwards? ?directly.? ?It? ?didn’t? ?take? ?long? ?for? ?him? ?to? ?reach? ?the? ?bottom? ?but? ?there? ?

wasn’t? ?any? ?strange? ?mechanism? ?to? ?be? ?seen? ?and? ?he? ?didn’t? ?see? ?Lord? ?Wind? ?Master? ?or? ?Lord? ?

Water? ?Master? ?either.? ?He? ?knitted? ?his? ?brows? ?and? ?mused? ?for? ?a? ?moment? ?before? ?he? ?swam? ?

back? ?up.? ?Moments? ?later,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?broke? ?through? ?the? ?surface? ?and? ?sucked? ?in? ?a? ?few? ?

breaths,? ?wiping? ?wetness? ?off? ?of? ?his? ?face,? ?and? ?it? ?was? ?only? ?then? ?did? ?he? ?realize? ?that? ?the? ?

landscapes? ?upon? ?the? ?shore? ?had? ?transformed!? ? ?

?

Next? ?to? ?the? ?Black? ?Water? ?Lake,? ?there? ?stood? ?an? ?iron? ?prison,? ?and? ?it? ?was? ?the? ?exact? ?same? ?one? ?

reflected? ?in? ?the? ?waters? ?earlier.? ?

?

However,? ?other? ?than? ?the? ?prison,? ?everything? ?else? ?on? ?the? ?shoreside? ?was? ?still? ?exactly? ?the? ?

same.? ?It? ?was? ?also? ?overly? ?quiet,? ?adding? ?to? ?the? ?hauntingness? ?of? ?the? ?place.? ?Shi? ?Wudu? ?had? ?

already? ?climbed? ?ashore? ?and? ?was? ?just? ?smashing? ?against? ?the? ?giant? ?lock? ?on? ?that? ?iron? ?prison? ?

with? ?a? ?giant? ?boulder.? ?He? ?was? ?the? ?heavenly? ?official? ?who? ?controlled? ?water,? ?now? ?that? ?he? ?

entered? ?the? ?domain? ?of? ?another? ?who? ?could? ?control? ?water? ?and? ?he? ?lost? ?the? ?ability? ?to? ?

manipulate? ?water,? ?he? ?was? ?like? ?a? ?beast? ?with? ?fangs? ?and? ?claws? ?removed.? ?When? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?

and? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?climbed? ?ashore,? ?the? ?moment? ?Shi? ?Wudu? ?saw? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?his? ?eyes? ?lit? ?up? ?and? ?

he? ?raised? ?his? ?hand,? ?“A? ?martial? ?god!? ?Thank? ?god!? ?Quick,? ?use? ?your? ?martial? ?god? ?ways? ?to? ?take? ?

care? ?of? ?this!”? ? ?

?

“...”? ?

?

Will? ?everyone? ?now? ?understand? ?the? ?benefits? ?of? ?a? ?martial? ?god?? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?thought? ?internally? ?

as? ?he? ?silently? ?approached? ?and? ?gave? ?the? ?lock? ?a? ?kick,? ?cracking? ?it? ?soundly.? ?Another? ?kick? ?

and? ?the? ?prison? ?gates? ?opened.? ?Shi? ?Wudu? ?rushed? ?to? ?go? ?in? ?and? ?cried,? ?“QING—”? ?

?

Yet? ?before? ?he? ?even? ?charged? ?in,? ?a? ?crowd? ?came? ?rushing? ?out? ?instead,? ?wailing? ?and? ?howling,? ?

“OH? ?OH? ?OH? ?OH? ?OH? ?AH? ?AH? ?AH? ?AH? ?AH? ?WU? ?WU? ?WU? ?WU? ?WAH? ?WAH? ?WAH? ?WAH? ?WAH!”? ?

?

Those? ?people? ?were? ?all? ?disheveled? ?and? ?unkempt,? ?emaciated? ?and? ?gaunt,? ?their? ?eyes? ?blank,? ?

their? ?ragged? ?clothes? ?covering? ?nothing,? ?revealing? ?rows? ?of? ?ribs.? ?They? ?were? ?so? ?filthy? ?it? ?was? ?

like? ?they? ?hadn’t? ?bathed? ?in? ?over? ?ten? ?years;? ?their? ?hands? ?were? ?swinging? ?and? ?grabbing? ?

randomly,? ?pounding? ?at? ?their? ?own? ?chests? ?and? ?stopping? ?in? ?their? ?steps,? ?they? ?roared? ?and? ?

cried? ?incoherently,? ?exceedingly? ?horrifying,? ?and? ?they? ?streamed? ?out? ?like? ?a? ?wave? ?of? ?polluted? ?

waters,? ?leaving? ?Shi? ?Wudu? ?in? ?petrified? ?shock.? ?

?

However,? ?they? ?were? ?only? ?trying? ?to? ?escape;? ?they? ?didn’t? ?stick? ?around? ?to? ?harass,? ?and? ?so? ?

even? ?if? ?Shi? ?Wudu? ?was? ?momentarily? ?stunned,? ?he? ?didn’t? ?care? ?for? ?them? ?and? ?continued? ?to? ?

charge? ?into? ?the? ?building,? ?“QING—!”? ?

?

Yet? ?before? ?he? ?could? ?even? ?make? ?a? ?few? ?steps,? ?he? ?staggered? ?in? ?his? ?step? ?and? ?almost? ?fell? ?–? ?

that? ?ground? ?was? ?extremely? ?slippery!? ?There? ?was? ?also? ?a? ?rotten? ?stench? ?emanating? ?from? ?

within? ?the? ?iron? ?prison? ?that? ?was? ?hard? ?to? ?describe,? ?and? ?even? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?who? ?was? ?still? ?outside? ?

could? ?smell? ?it,? ?holding? ?his? ?breath.? ?Shi? ?Wudu? ?thus? ?covered? ?his? ?orifices? ?with? ?his? ?sleeve? ?and? ?

continued? ?to? ?charge? ?in,? ?finally? ?able? ?to? ?yell? ?the? ?full? ?name,? ?“QINGXUAN?!”? ? ?

?

It? ?was? ?pitch? ?black? ?within? ?the? ?prison,? ?and? ?all? ?around? ?them? ?were? ?muffled? ?sobbing? ?and? ?

strange? ?murmured? ?chattering.? ?Moments? ?later,? ?a? ?weak? ?voice? ?came,? ?“...ge...”? ? ?

?

Sure? ?enough.? ?Shi? ?Qingxuan? ?was? ?sitting? ?brokenly? ?in? ?the? ?deepest? ?part? ?of? ?the? ?iron? ?prison,? ?

leaning? ?against? ?a? ?wall.? ?On? ?the? ?wall? ?was? ?that? ?sole? ?tall? ?window? ?of? ?the? ?iron? ?prison,? ?and? ?the? ?

moonlight? ?leaking? ?through? ?the? ?window? ?illuminated? ?his? ?person,? ?making? ?him? ?look? ?white? ?as? ?

a? ?sheet.? ?Next? ?to? ?him? ?was? ?surrounded? ?by? ?a? ?number? ?of? ?filthy? ?creatures.? ?Some? ?had? ?rotten? ?

sores? ?covering? ?their? ?entire? ?bodies,? ?some? ?were? ?imitating? ?the? ?cries? ?of? ?a? ?pig,? ?some? ?were? ?

pecking? ?grain? ?like? ?they? ?were? ?chickens,? ?and? ?some? ?were? ?hugging? ?Shi? ?Qingxuan,? ?wailing? ?

and? ?calling? ?him? ?baby,? ?all? ?of? ?them? ?insane.? ?

?

Shi? ?Qingxuan? ?had? ?once? ?been? ?an? ?esteemed? ?heavenly? ?official,? ?and? ?never? ?once? ?had? ?he? ?

ever? ?fallen? ?to? ?such? ?a? ?state.? ?Shi? ?Wudu? ?immediately? ?went? ?up? ?and? ?shot? ?out? ?a? ?blast,? ?“GET? ?

LOST!? ?WHAT? ?KIND? ?OF? ?GHOSTS? ?ARE? ?THESE?!”? ? ?

?

He? ?and? ?Shi? ?Qingxuan? ?resembled? ?each? ?other,? ?yet? ?their? ?auras? ?were? ?completely? ?different.? ?

Although? ?his? ?spiritual? ?powers? ?were? ?cut? ?down? ?right? ?now,? ?his? ?might? ?was? ?even? ?more? ?

domineering,? ?and? ?those? ?mad? ?men? ?scrambled? ?away? ?in? ?fear.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?couldn’t? ?help? ?but? ?

feel? ?sympathy? ?and? ?Shi? ?Qingxuan? ?also? ?chided,? ?“Ge,? ?don’t? ?fight,? ?they’re? ?not? ?little? ?ghosts.? ?

They’re? ?all...? ?live? ?people!”? ?

?

Sure? ?enough,? ?although? ?each? ?of? ?those? ?figures? ?looked? ?more? ?demonic? ?than? ?demons,? ?but? ?

when? ?looked? ?closely,? ?they? ?were? ?all? ?in? ?fact? ?humans.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?couldn’t? ?help? ?but? ?be? ?taken? ?

aback,? ?‘Why? ?would? ?the? ?Black? ?Water? ?Demon? ?Xuan? ?lock? ?up? ?a? ?bunch? ?of? ?those? ?people? ?

here?’? ?he? ?wondered.? ?

?

Shi? ?Wudu? ?however,? ?didn’t? ?care? ?for? ?them? ?at? ?all.? ?He? ?held? ?up? ?that? ?longevity? ?locket? ?in? ?one? ?

hand,? ?and? ?the? ?other? ?grabbed? ?hold? ?of? ?Shi? ?Qingxuan? ?arm,? ?“How? ?did? ?you? ?come? ?here?? ?

Where? ?are? ?you? ?hurt?”? ? ?

?

Shi? ?Qingxuan? ?really? ?was? ?quite? ?dirty,? ?but? ?other? ?than? ?a? ?scratch? ?on? ?his? ?leg? ?that? ?was? ?bleeding? ?

a? ?bit,? ?there? ?didn’t? ?seem? ?to? ?much? ?else.? ?“I? ?don’t? ?know? ?how? ?we? ?got? ?here.? ?A? ?wave? ?surged? ?

and? ?knocked? ?us? ?out? ?and? ?when? ?we? ?came? ?to,? ?we? ?were? ?already? ?here.? ?This? ?is? ?just? ?a? ?small? ?

scratch,? ?it’s? ?nothing? ?serious!? ?Ming-xiong’s? ?injuries? ?are? ?more? ?severe.”? ?

?

Only? ?then? ?did? ?the? ?others? ?realize? ?that? ?Ming? ?Yi? ?was? ?lying? ?on? ?the? ?ground? ?nearby,? ?looking? ?

ashen,? ?but? ?not? ?ashen? ?from? ?displeasure.? ?Patches? ?of? ?purple? ?and? ?blue? ?covered? ?his? ?face? ?and? ?

Xie? ?Lian? ?asked,? ?“What’s? ?happened? ?to? ?Lord? ?Earth? ?Master?”? ? ?

?

“Seemed? ?he? ?was? ?bitten? ?by? ?those? ?creatures? ?in? ?the? ?sea,”? ?Shi? ?Qingxuan? ?replied,? ?“Those? ?

Skeleton? ?Fish? ?have? ?green? ?moss? ?on? ?their? ?teeth? ?and? ?bones,? ?and? ?they’re? ?all? ?poisonous!? ?I? ?

gave? ?him? ?all? ?the? ?medicine? ?I? ?had? ?on? ?me,? ?but...? ?sigh.”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?squatted? ?down? ?and? ?was? ?going? ?to? ?look? ?him? ?over? ?carefully,? ?but? ?he? ?almost? ?fainted? ?

from? ?the? ?disgusting? ?stench? ?of? ?the? ?place.? ?Looking? ?around,? ?there? ?were? ?some? ?wooden? ?

buckets? ?placed? ?about,? ?and? ?within? ?those? ?buckets? ?were? ?all? ?swills,? ?emanating? ?an? ?astringent? ?

and? ?musty? ?smell.? ?There? ?was? ?even? ?the? ?rotten? ?stink? ?of? ?sores? ?and? ?blood,? ?and? ?the? ?horrifying? ?

stench? ?of? ?chamber? ?pots? ?that? ?hadn’t? ?been? ?emptied? ?for? ?months.? ?

?

Shi? ?Wudu? ?couldn’t? ?tolerate? ?it? ?any? ?longer,? ?“Such? ?a? ?disgusting? ?hobby,? ?it? ?seems? ?this? ?

Ship-Sinking? ?Black? ?Water? ?doesn’t? ?have? ?any? ?sense? ?of? ?class? ?either.? ?Qingxuan,? ?let’s? ?go!”? ? ?

?

He? ?pulled? ?Shi? ?Qingxuan? ?up? ?and? ?started? ?to? ?drag? ?him? ?out? ?but? ?Shi? ?Qingxuan? ?spoke? ?up,? ?“I’m? ?

fine,? ?no? ?need? ?to? ?assist? ?me.”? ?Then? ?he? ?went? ?to? ?carry? ?Ming? ?Yi? ?before? ?slowly? ?moving? ?out? ?of? ?

the? ?iron? ?prison.? ?

?

However,? ?it? ?was? ?easier? ?to? ?come? ?than? ?go.? ?The? ?boundary? ?passage? ?in? ?the? ?Black? ?Water? ?

Lake? ?was? ?already? ?sealed? ?shut.? ?They? ?entered? ?the? ?waters? ?a? ?few? ?times? ?and? ?emerged? ?

through? ?the? ?surface? ?but? ?the? ?sceneries? ?never? ?changed,? ?proving? ?that? ?they? ?were? ?truly? ?kept? ?

within? ?the? ?boundary? ?of? ?the? ?Black? ?Water? ?Lake,? ?unable? ?to? ?leave.? ?

?

“Where’s? ?General? ?Pei?”? ?Shi? ?Qingxuan? ?asked.? ?

?

“I? ?made? ?Pei-xiong? ?stay? ?outside.? ?He? ?should? ?be? ?able? ?to? ?think? ?of? ?a? ?way.”? ?Shi? ?Wudu? ?replied.? ?

?

“I? ?told? ?General? ?Pei? ?to? ?go? ?build? ?a? ?coffin? ?boat? ?so? ?the? ?moment? ?we? ?get? ?out? ?we? ?can? ?evacuate.”? ?

Xie? ?Lian? ?said.? ?

?

“If? ?he’s? ?completed? ?the? ?coffin? ?boat? ?then? ?it’s? ?also? ?fine? ?if? ?he? ?goes? ?back? ?to? ?report? ?first? ?before? ?

coming? ?back? ?for? ?us.”? ?Shi? ?Wudu? ?said.? ?

?

However,? ?Ming? ?Yi? ?was? ?wounded,? ?and? ?while? ?they? ?weren’t? ?sure? ?how? ?powerful? ?the? ?poison? ?

was,? ?it? ?was? ?still? ?better? ?to? ?leave? ?as? ?soon? ?as? ?possible,? ?so? ?they? ?might? ?not? ?be? ?able? ?to? ?wait? ?

that? ?long.? ?After? ?some? ?contemplation,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?said,? ?“This? ?Black? ?Water? ?Demon? ?Xuan? ?

might? ?live? ?in? ?seclusion? ?out? ?here? ?in? ?the? ?sea? ?but? ?there’s? ?no? ?way? ?he’d? ?never? ?leave.? ?Surely? ?

he? ?wouldn’t? ?have? ?to? ?cross? ?an? ?entire? ?Black? ?Water? ?Demon? ?Lair? ?every? ?time? ?he? ?wants? ?to? ?go? ?

out?”? ?

?

“You’re? ?very? ?right.”? ?Shi? ?Wudu? ?said,? ?“There? ?must? ?be? ?a? ?place? ?on? ?this? ?island? ?that? ?can? ?cast? ?

the? ?Distance? ?Shortening? ?spell.”? ?

?

Shi? ?Wudu? ?didn’t? ?particularly? ?care? ?for? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?at? ?first,? ?but? ?now? ?that? ?they’re? ?shouldering? ?

hardships? ?together? ?and? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?saved? ?Shi? ?Qingxuan? ?time? ?and? ?time? ?again,? ?naturally? ?he? ?

now? ?looked? ?at? ?him? ?differently,? ?and? ?agreed? ?without? ?any? ?scrooge.? ?Just? ?then,? ?Ming? ?Yi? ?

slightly? ?raised? ?a? ?hand,? ?and? ?Shi? ?Qingxuan? ?asked,? ?“Ming-xiong?? ?What? ?do? ?you? ?want? ?to? ?

say?”? ? ?

?

Looking? ?like? ?he? ?was? ?trying? ?to? ?save? ?strength,? ?Ming? ?Yi? ?didn’t? ?speak,? ?and? ?only? ?raised? ?that? ?

hand? ?higher.? ?The? ?others? ?looked? ?to? ?the? ?direction? ?of? ?his? ?raised? ?hand? ?and? ?saw? ?in? ?the? ?deep? ?

of? ?the? ?forest? ?stood? ?a? ?black,? ?gloomy? ?building.? ?

?

Ming? ?Yi? ?dropped? ?his? ?hand? ?and? ?croaked,? ?“That? ?place...? ?what’s? ?it? ?for,? ?do? ?you? ?know?”? ?

?

“No.”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?said,? ?“We? ?didn’t? ?see? ?it? ?on? ?the? ?way? ?here.”? ? ?

?

Shi? ?Wudu? ?squinted,? ?“That? ?must? ?be? ?the? ?Nether? ?Water? ?Manor? ?of? ?that? ?Black? ?Demon? ?Xuan.”? ?

?

In? ?rumours,? ?the? ?residence? ?of? ?Black? ?Demon? ?Xuan? ?was? ?called? ?the? ?‘Nether? ?Water? ?Manor’.? ?

Making? ?the? ?decision,? ?Shi? ?Wudu? ?said,? ?“Let’s? ?go.”? ? ?

?

He? ?actually? ?started? ?walking? ?towards? ?the? ?manor? ?without? ?any? ?fear? ?of? ?retribution.? ?Although? ?it? ?

seemed? ?tactlessly? ?rude,? ?but? ?under? ?the? ?current? ?circumstances,? ?what? ?other? ?choice? ?did? ?they? ?

have?? ?

?

If? ?it’s? ?said? ?that? ?they? ?were? ?spinning? ?about? ?in? ?someone? ?else’s? ?backyard? ?earlier,? ?then? ?now? ?

they’re? ?about? ?to? ?go? ?break? ?in? ?through? ?someone? ?else’s? ?front? ?doors.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?whispered? ?to? ?

Hua? ?Cheng,? ?“San? ?Lang,? ?if? ?this? ?is? ?awkward? ?for? ?you,? ?you? ?don’t? ?need? ?to? ?come.”? ? ?

?

However,? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?also? ?looked? ?somber? ?and? ?said,? ?“Quicken? ?your? ?pace,? ?gege.? ?Leave? ?

here? ?as? ?soon? ?as? ?possible.”? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?nodded? ?and? ?stopped? ?speaking.? ?However,? ?he? ?could? ?tell? ?faintly? ?that? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?

seemed? ?to? ?have? ?scruples,? ?and? ?it? ?wasn’t? ?about? ?the? ?master? ?of? ?this? ?land? ?but? ?something? ?

else.? ?

?

He’d? ?always? ?thought? ?there? ?was? ?something? ?off,? ?and? ?he? ?thought? ?of? ?all? ?the? ?little? ?questions? ?

that? ?have? ?been? ?piling? ?up? ?for? ?a? ?while? ?now,? ?and? ?they? ?were? ?making? ?him? ?feel? ?anxious.? ?Soon,? ?

the? ?group? ?crossed? ?through? ?the? ?forest,? ?disregarding? ?that? ?band? ?of? ?insane? ?mad? ?men? ?

running? ?about,? ?and? ?came? ?before? ?that? ?haunting? ?black? ?building.? ?

?

It? ?was? ?then? ?did? ?they? ?realize? ?that? ?this? ?‘Nether? ?Water? ?Manor’? ?was? ?in? ?fact? ?a? ?large? ?palace,? ?its? ?

build? ?and? ?make? ?were? ?very? ?similar? ?to? ?the? ?exquisit? ?Wind? ?Master? ?Palace? ?and? ?Water? ?Master? ?

Palace.? ?The? ?palace? ?doors? ?were? ?tightly? ?shut,? ?and? ?after? ?the? ?group? ?of? ?them? ?hiked? ?up? ?the? ?

countless? ?steps? ?and? ?stood? ?before? ?the? ?gates,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?knocked? ?on? ?the? ?doors? ?and? ?called? ?

out? ?brightly,? ?“Pardon? ?the? ?intrusion!? ?We? ?have,? ?by? ?accident,? ?offended? ?bluntly.? ?We? ?deeply? ?

apologize.”? ? ?

?

No? ?one? ?answered.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?steadied? ?his? ?mind? ?and? ?slowly? ?pushed? ?open? ?the? ?palace? ?

doors.? ?

?

At? ?first,? ?based? ?on? ?Xie? ?Lian’s? ?years? ?of? ?experience? ?and? ?past? ?patterns,? ?even? ?if? ?there? ?was? ?

something? ?inside? ?it? ?wouldn’t? ?come? ?out? ?and? ?greet? ?the? ?moment? ?the? ?doors? ?open.? ?Yet? ?he? ?had? ?

to? ?eat? ?his? ?own? ?words.? ?With? ?the? ?first? ?look? ?and? ?there? ?was? ?something? ?petrifying.? ?

?

In? ?the? ?grand,? ?spacious? ?centre? ?of? ?the? ?great? ?hall? ?sat? ?a? ?person.? ?And? ?this? ?person,? ?dressed? ?in? ?

all? ?black,? ?its? ?face? ?snow? ?white? ?–? ?was? ?a? ?corpse!? ?

?

Instantly? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?shut? ?the? ?doors? ?soundly.? ?

?

He? ?thought,? ?‘Did? ?I? ?maybe? ?open? ?the? ?doors? ?incorrectly?? ?Something? ?like? ?that? ?shouldn’t? ?

show? ?itself? ?so? ?fast?’? ?

?

He? ?had? ?wanted? ?to? ?try? ?greeting? ?again? ?and? ?start? ?over? ?but? ?Shi? ?Wudu? ?had? ?already? ?walked? ?

past? ?him? ?and? ?pushed? ?open? ?the? ?doors,? ?humphing,? ?“We’ve? ?already? ?come,? ?so? ?what? ?does? ?it? ?

matter? ?if? ?he? ?doesn’t? ?welcome? ?us?”? ? ?

?

The? ?group? ?slowly? ?stepped? ?into? ?the? ?palace? ?and? ?stealthily? ?approached? ?that? ?set? ?of? ?skeleton? ?

dressed? ?in? ?black.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?examined? ?it? ?carefully? ?and? ?wondered,? ?“Who? ?does? ?this? ?corpse? ?

belong? ?to?? ?Why? ?is? ?it? ?being? ?worshipped? ?here?”? ? ?

?

Ming? ?Yi? ?knitted? ?his? ?brows,? ?“...Wasn’t,? ?General? ?Pei,? ?left? ?behind?? ?It? ?can’t? ?be? ?him?”? ? ?

?

That? ?really? ?could? ?be? ?a? ?possibility.? ?Shi? ?Wudu? ?was? ?slightly? ?stunned? ?and? ?looked? ?it? ?over? ?a? ?

few? ?more? ?times? ?and? ?immediately? ?refuted,? ?“It? ?shouldn’t? ?be.? ?The? ?body? ?shape? ?of? ?this? ?set? ?of? ?

bones? ?is? ?flatter? ?than? ?General? ?Pei.”? ? ?

?

Suddenly,? ?Shi? ?Qingxuan? ?said,? ?“Wait.”? ? ?

?

The? ?group? ?looked? ?to? ?him? ?and? ?Shi? ?Qingxuan? ?said,? ?“Isn’t? ?the? ?answer? ?obvious?? ?This? ?is? ?the? ?

Nether? ?Water? ?Manor.? ?The? ?only? ?one? ?that? ?could? ?be? ?worshipped? ?in? ?the? ?Nether? ?Water? ?Manor? ?

is? ?naturally...”? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?understood? ?what? ?he? ?wanted? ?to? ?say,? ?“Black? ?Water? ?Demon? ?Xuan?”? ? ?

?

?

———? ?

?

?

Ch.123:? ?The? ?Nether? ?Water? ?Manor;? ?Black? ?Robes? ?White? ?Bones? ?2? ?

?

Then,? ?he? ?dismissed? ?the? ?idea,? ?“That’s? ?not? ?possible.”? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?glanced? ?in? ?Hua? ?Cheng’s? ?direction,? ?“Ashes? ?are? ?the? ?life? ?source? ?of? ?those? ?in? ?the? ?

ghost? ?realm,? ?it’s? ?their? ?fatal? ?weakness.? ?How? ?can? ?something? ?so? ?important? ?be? ?so? ?easily? ?

displayed? ?out? ?in? ?the? ?open?”? ? ?

?

This? ?fact? ?was? ?something? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?told? ?him? ?himself? ?when? ?they? ?first? ?met.? ?For? ?some? ?

reason,? ?he? ?said? ?it? ?so? ?matter? ?of? ?factly? ?yet? ?in? ?his? ?mind? ?he? ?subconsciously? ?remembered? ?the? ?

other? ?things? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?had? ?also? ?said.? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?was? ?also? ?watching? ?him? ?intently? ?and? ?

Xie? ?Lian? ?lost? ?himself? ?for? ?a? ?moment.? ?He? ?then? ?immediately? ?turned? ?his? ?head? ?away? ?and? ?

cleared? ?his? ?throat? ?softly.? ?

?

“Then...? ?whose? ?bones? ?could? ?this? ?belong? ?to?”? ?Shi? ?Qingxuan? ?wondered.? ?

?

The? ?group? ?of? ?them? ?surrounded? ?that? ?haunting? ?skeleton? ?and? ?started? ?examining? ?it.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?

spoke? ?up,? ?“First,? ?it’s? ?a? ?man.”? ? ?

?

“We? ?see? ?that.”? ?The? ?group? ?said.? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?continued,? ?“Second,? ?this? ?man’s? ?hands? ?and? ?feet? ?should? ?be? ?fairly? ?dextrous,? ?

especially? ?his? ?fingers.? ?He? ?should? ?have? ?practiced? ?some? ?sort? ?of? ?martial? ?arts? ?but? ?his? ?skills? ?

might? ?not? ?be? ?strong.? ?Majority? ?of? ?exceptional? ?martial? ?artists? ?trained? ?in? ?a? ?pure? ?body,? ?the? ?

bone? ?structure? ?shouldn’t? ?be? ?like? ?this.”? ? ?

?

Shi? ?Wudu? ?however,? ?only? ?swept? ?his? ?eyes? ?over? ?the? ?corpse? ?a? ?couple? ?times? ?before? ?turning? ?

away,? ?“As? ?long? ?as? ?that? ?thing? ?won’t? ?stand? ?in? ?our? ?way,? ?it? ?doesn’t? ?matter? ?who? ?he? ?is.? ?Lord? ?

Earth? ?Master,? ?where? ?do? ?you? ?think? ?we? ?can? ?cast? ?the? ?Distance? ?Shortening...”? ?

?

However,? ?before? ?he? ?finished? ?his? ?sentence? ?that? ?skeleton? ?suddenly? ?raised? ?its? ?head? ?and? ?

lunged? ?at? ?him? ?without? ?warning!? ?

?

Fortunately,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?reacted? ?swiftly? ?and? ?chopped? ?it? ?down? ?with? ?his? ?hand,? ?and? ?that? ?

skeleton? ?fell? ?to? ?the? ?ground? ?into? ?a? ?heap? ?of? ?broken? ?bones.? ?Shi? ?Qingxuan? ?exclaimed,? ?“Ge!”? ? ?

?

In? ?the? ?group? ?of? ?five,? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?would? ?never? ?give? ?a? ?helping? ?hand? ?to? ?protect? ?anyone? ?else,? ?

and? ?Xie? ?Lian,? ?being? ?the? ?only? ?martial? ?god,? ?suddenly? ?appeared? ?extremely? ?important.? ?

Although? ?Shi? ?Wudu? ?was? ?attacked,? ?he? ?still? ?remained? ?rather? ?calm,? ?and? ?had? ?only? ?backed? ?

one? ?step? ?earlier? ?too.? ?“What’s? ?with? ?this? ?skeleton?? ?Does? ?it? ?still? ?have? ?lingering? ?souls? ?

possessing? ?it?”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?squatted? ?down? ?and? ?turned? ?over? ?the? ?bones,? ?studying? ?the? ?pile,? ?then? ?shook? ?his? ?

head,? ?“That’s? ?weird.”? ?

?

“What’s? ?weird?”? ?Shi? ?Wudu? ?asked.? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?rose? ?to? ?his? ?feet,? ?“This? ?skeleton? ?clearly? ?doesn’t? ?have? ?a? ?single? ?piece? ?of? ?a? ?soul? ?left,? ?

otherwise? ?when? ?we? ?came? ?close? ?earlier? ?we? ?would? ?have? ?noticed? ?any? ?odd? ?movements.”? ?

?

“If? ?that’s? ?the? ?case,? ?then? ?how? ?can? ?it? ?still? ?savagely? ?rise? ?and? ?harm? ?so? ?suddenly?”? ?Shi? ?Wudu? ?

asked.? ?

?

Humming? ?for? ?a? ?moment,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?answered,? ?“I? ?think,? ?it’s? ?terminal? ?lucidity.”? ? ?

?

Shi? ?Qingxuan? ?was? ?puzzled,? ?“Terminal? ?lucidity?? ?Doesn’t? ?that? ?only? ?happen? ?to? ?the? ?living?? ?I? ?

mean,? ?those? ?on? ?the? ?verge? ?of? ?death...? ?still? ?counts? ?as? ?the? ?living.”? ?

?

“The? ?dead? ?is? ?the? ?same,”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?explained,? ?“For? ?example,? ?the? ?Seventh? ?Day*? ?is? ?also? ?a? ?

form? ?of? ?terminal? ?lucidity,? ?when? ?the? ?souls? ?of? ?the? ?deceased? ?return? ?to? ?greet? ?family? ?on? ?the? ?

seventh? ?day.? ?In? ?fact,? ?it’s? ?the? ?same? ?for? ?anything.? ?I? ?think,? ?Lord? ?Water? ?Master? ?must’ve? ?

provoked? ?it? ?earlier,? ?which? ?was? ?why? ?it? ?suddenly? ?gathered? ?the? ?last? ?of? ?its? ?strength? ?and? ?made? ?

such? ?a? ?move.”? ? ?

?

Because? ?it? ?made? ?sense,? ?Shi? ?Wudu? ?was? ?valuing? ?his? ?words? ?more? ?and? ?more,? ?“Then? ?

according? ?to? ?Your? ?Highness,? ?what? ?was? ?the? ?provocation?”? ? ?

?

“It? ?was? ?either? ?something? ?you? ?said? ?or? ?something? ?on? ?you.”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?said.? ?

?

“What? ?did? ?I? ?say?”? ?Shi? ?Wudu? ?wondered.? ?

?

Ming? ?Yi? ?blew? ?out? ?a? ?breath,? ?“...’As? ?long? ?as? ?that? ?thing? ?won’t? ?stand? ?in? ?our? ?way,? ?it? ?doesn’t? ?

matter? ?who? ?he? ?is’.”? ?

?

Shi? ?Qingxuan? ?scratched? ?his? ?head,? ?puzzled,? ?“Was? ?there? ?something? ?wrong? ?with? ?that?? ?

Could? ?this? ?good? ?brother? ?have? ?a? ?bad? ?temper?”? ? ?

?

Nothing? ?conclusive? ?could? ?come? ?from? ?further? ?discussion,? ?so? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?said,? ?“Either? ?way? ?

the? ?souls? ?have? ?dispersed,? ?so? ?let? ?it? ?go.”? ?He? ?then? ?picked? ?up? ?the? ?bones? ?and? ?placed? ?them? ?

upon? ?the? ?altar? ?anew,? ?clapping? ?his? ?hands? ?in? ?prayer? ?and? ?bowed? ?a? ?few? ?times.? ?Shi? ?Qingxuan? ?

came? ?over? ?too? ?and? ?randomly? ?bowed? ?a? ?couple? ?times.? ? ?

?

The? ?five? ?of? ?them? ?then? ?wandered? ?about? ?the? ?Nether? ?Water? ?Manor.? ?There? ?wasn’t? ?anyone? ?

there? ?so? ?it? ?seemed? ?that? ?legendary? ?Black? ?Water? ?Demon? ?Xuan? ?wasn’t? ?home.? ?The? ?

framework? ?of? ?the? ?Water? ?Manor? ?was? ?complex;? ?there? ?were? ?many? ?big? ?and? ?small? ?side? ?

chambers? ?within,? ?but? ?there? ?was? ?one? ?that? ?was? ?particularly? ?hidden? ?and? ?narrow,? ?its? ?doors? ?

had? ?strange? ?spells? ?drawn? ?upon? ?it,? ?the? ?very? ?leftover? ?trace? ?of? ?having? ?the? ?Distance? ?

Shortening? ?spells? ?casted.? ?

?

It? ?seemed? ?that? ?on? ?this? ?Black? ?Water? ?Island,? ?there? ?was? ?indeed? ?a? ?place? ?that? ?the? ?Distance? ?

Shortening? ?array? ?could? ?be? ?used,? ?and? ?that? ?place? ?was? ?this? ?tiny? ?side? ?chamber.? ?To? ?set? ?a? ?

chamber? ?specifically? ?as? ?a? ?connection? ?point,? ?the? ?amount? ?of? ?spiritual? ?powers? ?required? ?

would? ?be? ?much? ?less? ?than? ?if? ?one? ?was? ?to? ?draw? ?a? ?completely? ?new? ?array.? ?Since? ?they? ?didn’t? ?

have? ?much? ?spiritual? ?powers? ?at? ?their? ?disposal,? ?this? ?was? ?perfect.? ?Ming? ?Yi? ?was? ?the? ?expert,? ?

and? ?with? ?just? ?a? ?glance? ?he? ?stated,? ?“This? ?array? ?only? ?allows? ?for? ?one? ?direction.”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?understood,? ?“Which? ?means? ?that? ?it? ?can? ?only? ?send? ?forth,? ?but? ?one? ?cannot? ?be? ?sent? ?

here? ?from? ?elsewhere,? ?correct?”? ? ?

?

Ming? ?Yi? ?nodded,? ?“So? ?the? ?spiritual? ?powers? ?needed? ?can? ?be? ?further? ?cut? ?down.”? ? ?

?

“Isn’t? ?that? ?exactly? ?what? ?we? ?need?”? ?Shi? ?Qingxuan? ?said,? ?“We? ?only? ?need? ?to? ?leave.? ?This? ?is? ?

great!? ?Let’s? ?get? ?outta? ?here,? ?don’t? ?let? ?that? ?Black? ?Water? ?master? ?discover? ?us.”? ?Then,? ?with? ?

Ming? ?Yi? ?in? ?one? ?arm,? ?he? ?was? ?about? ?to? ?push? ?open? ?the? ?doors? ?with? ?his? ?other? ?hand? ?when? ?

Ming? ?Yi? ?shouted? ?sharply,? ?“Stop!? ?There’s? ?a? ?trap!”? ? ?

?

Hearing? ?this,? ?Shi? ?Qingxuan? ?stumbled? ?back? ?three? ?feet,? ?“What? ?trap?!”? ? ?

?

Ming? ?Yi? ?was? ?also? ?dragged? ?back? ?for? ?three? ?feet? ?along? ?with? ?him? ?and? ?was? ?speechless? ?for? ?a? ?

moment.? ?Then? ?he? ?gestured? ?for? ?Shi? ?Qingxuan? ?to? ?assist? ?him? ?again? ?and? ?they? ?went? ?back? ?to? ?

the? ?door.? ?Ming? ?Yi? ?looked? ?over? ?the? ?spells? ?on? ?that? ?door? ?for? ?a? ?while? ?before? ?stating? ?firmly,? ?“It’s? ?

a? ?trap.? ?Arrays? ?drawn? ?in? ?this? ?chamber? ?at? ?most? ?can? ?only? ?send? ?one? ?person? ?away? ?at? ?a? ?time.”? ? ?

?

“That’s? ?a? ?thing?”? ?Shi? ?Qingxuan? ?exclaimed,? ?“Then? ?what? ?happens? ?if? ?two? ?people? ?are? ?sent? ?

together???”? ? ?

?

Ming? ?Yi? ?answered? ?coldly,? ?“When? ?those? ?two? ?reached? ?their? ?destination,? ?you’ll? ?find? ?they? ?will? ?

have? ?been? ?crushed? ?into? ?one? ?person.”? ? ?

?

“...”? ?

?

Among? ?those? ?present,? ?only? ?Ming? ?Yi? ?was? ?the? ?expert? ?when? ?it? ?came? ?to? ?this.? ?The? ?rest? ?was? ?

one? ?water? ?god,? ?one? ?wind? ?god,? ?and? ?one? ?martial? ?god,? ?none? ?of? ?them? ?particularly? ?familiar? ?in? ?

this? ?area.? ?Xie? ?Lian’s? ?first? ?reaction? ?was? ?to? ?look? ?at? ?Hua? ?Cheng,? ?and? ?seeing? ?that? ?he? ?was? ?

only? ?watching? ?that? ?array? ?with? ?a? ?dark? ?look? ?but? ?didn’t? ?voice? ?any? ?objections,? ?it? ?seemed? ?Ming? ?

Yi? ?wasn’t? ?lying.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?hummed,? ?“If? ?that’s? ?really? ?the? ?case,? ?then? ?should? ?ignorant? ?

intruders? ?try? ?to? ?use? ?this? ?array? ?to? ?escape,? ?they’d? ?result? ?in? ?an...? ?atrocious? ?end.? ?No? ?wonder? ?

it’s? ?a? ?trap.”? ?

?

Just? ?then,? ?there? ?was? ?rumbling? ?in? ?the? ?skies? ?outside.? ?Twisted? ?lightning? ?crawled? ?across? ?the? ?

gloomy? ?clouds,? ?flashing? ?white? ?and? ?blue? ?upon? ?the? ?faces? ?inside? ?the? ?Nether? ?Water? ?Manor,? ?

making? ?them? ?appear? ?like? ?five? ?menacing? ?ghosts.? ?The? ?group? ?all? ?looked? ?at? ?each? ?other? ?and? ?

Shi? ?Qingxuan? ?said,? ?“Ge,? ?it’s? ?another...”? ?

?

Shi? ?Wudu’s? ?face? ?was? ?dropping? ?and? ?he? ?didn’t? ?respond.? ?However,? ?everyone? ?knew? ?that? ?this? ?

was? ?his? ?Heavenly? ?Calamity? ?in? ?pursuit? ?of? ?him? ?again.? ?Pei? ?Ming’s? ?casual? ?words? ?faintly? ?

echoed? ?in? ?Xie? ?Lian’s? ?mind? ?again,? ?“Water? ?Master-xiong,? ?you’re? ?really? ?unlucky? ?this? ?time...”? ?

?

“Since? ?we? ?can? ?use? ?the? ?Distance? ?Shortening? ?array? ?here,? ?then? ?let’s? ?hurry? ?and? ?get? ?out? ?of? ?

here.”? ?Shi? ?Qingxuan? ?urged,? ?“If? ?a? ?Heavenly? ?Lightning? ?is? ?to? ?strike? ?here? ?and? ?destroy? ?the? ?

Water? ?Manor,? ?then...”? ?Then? ?this? ?would? ?surely? ?cause? ?greater? ?animosity.? ?To? ?dismantle? ?a? ?

heavenly? ?official’s? ?temple? ?was? ?to? ?destroy? ?their? ?brand,? ?it? ?would? ?build? ?deep? ?hatred.? ?

Although? ?it’s? ?unclear? ?whether? ?the? ?ghost? ?realm? ?held? ?the? ?same? ?taboo,? ?no? ?one? ?would? ?want? ?

to? ?have? ?their? ?house? ?demolished? ?for? ?no? ?reason.? ?

?

“Then? ?Lord? ?Earth? ?Master,? ?you? ?must? ?go? ?first.? ?You’re? ?wounded.”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?said.? ?

?

However,? ?Ming? ?Yi? ?shook? ?his? ?head,? ?“The? ?array? ?will? ?need? ?to? ?be? ?redrawn? ?after? ?every? ?use.? ?

None? ?of? ?you? ?know? ?how? ?to? ?draw? ?it? ?so? ?I? ?have? ?to? ?stay? ?behind? ?to? ?repair? ?the? ?array.”? ?

?

“Then? ?Ming-xiong,? ?I’ll? ?stay? ?with? ?you? ?and? ?go? ?second? ?last.”? ?Shi? ?Qingxuan? ?said.? ?

?

“What? ?are? ?you? ?saying?”? ?Shi? ?Wudu? ?said,? ?“If? ?you...? ?even? ?if? ?you? ?stay? ?you’d? ?be? ?of? ?no? ?use.? ?

Leave? ?now? ?and? ?go? ?to? ?the? ?East? ?Sea!”? ? ?

?

However,? ?Shi? ?Qingxuan? ?countered,? ?“Everyone’s? ?about? ?equally? ?useless? ?right? ?now,? ?so? ?it? ?

doesn’t? ?matter.? ?This? ?whole? ?thing? ?had? ?nothing? ?to? ?do? ?with? ?Ming-xiong? ?but? ?he? ?had? ?to? ?suffer? ?

like? ?this,? ?I...”? ?He? ?sighed,? ?“I? ?feel? ?really? ?bad.”? ? ?

?

“We’re? ?all? ?being? ?sent? ?to? ?the? ?same? ?location? ?anyway,? ?it? ?won’t? ?take? ?long,? ?so? ?what? ?are? ?you? ?

afraid? ?of?”? ?Shi? ?Wudu? ?said.? ?

?

If? ?this? ?was? ?before,? ?Shi? ?Wudu? ?had? ?only? ?needed? ?to? ?say? ?a? ?few? ?words? ?and? ?Shi? ?Qingxuan? ?

would? ?listen.? ?Yet? ?things? ?weren’t? ?the? ?same? ?now,? ?and? ?Shi? ?Qingxuan? ?wasn’t? ?listening,? ?

asking? ?instead,? ?“If? ?we? ?left? ?first,? ?what? ?about? ?General? ?Pei?? ?Wouldn’t? ?he? ?be? ?left? ?behind?”? ? ?

?

Shi? ?Wudu? ?also? ?noticed? ?that? ?his? ?younger? ?brother? ?wasn’t? ?as? ?obedient? ?anymore? ?and? ?his? ?

expression? ?grew? ?complicated.? ?A? ?moment? ?later? ?he? ?replied,? ?“It’s? ?fine,? ?Pei-xiong’s? ?

stubbornly? ?resilient.? ?He? ?can? ?hang? ?on? ?until? ?we? ?get? ?reinforcements? ?from? ?heaven.”? ? ?

?

“...”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?didn’t? ?know? ?whether? ?to? ?laugh? ?or? ?cry.? ?Although? ?his? ?instincts? ?told? ?him? ?the? ?

Water? ?Master? ?wasn’t? ?wrong? ?and? ?didn’t? ?mean? ?any? ?harm,? ?but? ?still? ?he? ?suddenly? ?felt? ?pity? ?for? ?

Pei? ?Ming.? ?After? ?a? ?pause,? ?he? ?said,? ?“Wait.”? ?

?

The? ?group? ?looked? ?to? ?him.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?said,? ?“Lord? ?Earth? ?Master,? ?are? ?you? ?sure? ?this? ?chamber? ?

can? ?really? ?start? ?up? ?the? ?Distance? ?Shortening? ?array?? ?Won’t? ?there? ?be? ?any? ?issues?? ?I? ?don’t? ?

think? ?it’s? ?wise? ?to? ?just? ?use? ?it? ?so? ?carelessly,? ?why? ?not? ?test? ?it? ?first?”? ? ?

?

Ming? ?Yi’s? ?hand? ?really? ?did? ?stop,? ?“How?? ?If? ?we? ?must? ?test? ?it? ?we’ll? ?still? ?need? ?a? ?volunteer.”? ? ?

?

Shi? ?Qingxuan? ?raised? ?his? ?hand,? ?“Then? ?I? ?volunteer.”? ? ?

?

Hua? ?Cheng? ?hadn’t? ?spoken? ?throughout? ?the? ?whole? ?thing? ?but? ?now? ?he? ?crossed? ?his? ?arms? ?and? ?

said,? ?“Sorry? ?to? ?interrupt.? ?Have? ?you? ?all? ?never? ?thought? ?of? ?a? ?problem?”? ?

?

“And? ?what? ?esteemed? ?opinion? ?does? ?My? ?Lord? ?have?”? ?Ming? ?Yi? ?asked.? ?

?

“How? ?would? ?you? ?know? ?if? ?the? ?volunteer? ?has? ?reached? ?the? ?predetermined? ?destination?”? ?Hua? ?

Cheng? ?pointed? ?out.? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?blinked,? ?“That’s? ?right.? ?Lord? ?Earth? ?Master? ?did? ?say? ?this? ?array? ?only? ?goes? ?one? ?

direction.”? ? ?

?

Which? ?meant,? ?once? ?sent? ?out,? ?that? ?person? ?would? ?not? ?be? ?able? ?to? ?return? ?and? ?let? ?the? ?others? ?

know? ?whether? ?if? ?they’ve? ?reached? ?the? ?destination? ?safely.? ?Where? ?they? ?were? ?now? ?was? ?also? ?

isolated? ?from? ?the? ?outside? ?world,? ?the? ?spiritual? ?communication? ?arrays? ?blocked,? ?so? ?it? ?

seemed? ?they’ve? ?come? ?to? ?a? ?dead? ?end.? ?It? ?seemed? ?they’ve? ?all? ?forgotten? ?that? ?fact? ?just? ?now.? ?

?

Hua? ?Cheng? ?concluded,? ?“So,? ?it’s? ?completely? ?meaningless? ?to? ?keep? ?discussing? ?this? ?issue.? ?

It’s? ?just? ?one? ?word:? ?go? ?or? ?leave.? ?End? ?this? ?swiftly.? ?Scared?? ?Then? ?stay? ?behind.”? ? ?

?

Although? ?he? ?was? ?smiling,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?could? ?sense? ?that? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?was? ?slightly? ?restless? ?as? ?

if? ?he? ?wanted? ?to? ?leave? ?this? ?place? ?as? ?soon? ?as? ?possible.? ?This? ?restlessness? ?should’ve? ?been? ?

around? ?ever? ?since? ?they? ?were? ?brought? ?back? ?by? ?Shi? ?Wudu’s? ?water? ?dragons,? ?and? ?it? ?was? ?

only? ?getting? ?worse.? ? ?

?

Shi? ?Wudu? ?didn’t? ?want? ?to? ?wait? ?anymore? ?either.? ?That? ?Heavenly? ?Thunder? ?was? ?exploding? ?

next? ?to? ?his? ?ears,? ?and? ?if? ?he? ?didn’t? ?leave? ?it? ?would? ?strike? ?sooner? ?than? ?later,? ?and? ?no? ?one? ?

would? ?have? ?a? ?good? ?time.? ?Thus,? ?he? ?charged? ?into? ?that? ?side? ?chamber? ?and? ?slammed? ?the? ?

door.? ?Ming? ?Yi? ?immediately? ?completed? ?the? ?array.? ?When? ?the? ?door? ?was? ?opened? ?once? ?more,? ?

faint? ?smoke? ?wafted? ?from? ?the? ?inside? ?but? ?it? ?was? ?empty? ?within.? ?

?

“Done.? ?Next.”? ?Ming? ?Yi? ?said.? ?

?

“Then,? ?Your? ?Highness...”? ?Shi? ?Qingxuan? ?started,? ?but? ?before? ?he? ?could? ?finish? ?Ming? ?Yi? ?had? ?

already? ?grabbed? ?him? ?and? ?stuffed? ?him? ?inside,? ?closing? ?the? ?door,? ?completing? ?the? ?array.? ?The? ?

second? ?time? ?the? ?door? ?opened,? ?Ming? ?Yi? ?looked? ?at? ?the? ?remaining? ?two.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?spoke? ?up,? ?

“San? ?Lang,? ?why? ?don’t? ?you? ?go? ?first?”? ? ?

?

However,? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?pulled? ?him? ?along? ?and? ?said? ?darkly,? ?“Gege,? ?we? ?go? ?together.”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?was? ?taken? ?aback,? ?“But? ?couldn’t? ?this? ?array? ?only? ?allow? ?for? ?one? ?at? ?a? ?time...”? ?

?

“I’m? ?not? ?alive,? ?don’t? ?worry.”? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?said.? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?still? ?felt? ?rather? ?concerned? ?for? ?some? ?reason? ?but? ?he? ?couldn’t? ?put? ?his? ?fingers? ?on? ?it.? ?

Hua? ?Cheng? ?brought? ?him? ?through? ?the? ?door? ?and? ?said? ?to? ?the? ?Ming? ?Yi? ?outside,? ?“Puqi? ?Shrine.”? ? ?

?

Ming? ?Yi? ?nodded? ?silently.? ?That? ?set? ?of? ?doors? ?slowly? ?closed? ?before? ?Xie? ?Lian,? ?and? ?through? ?the? ?

closing? ?crack,? ?he? ?glanced? ?at? ?Ming? ?Yi’s? ?dark? ?expression,? ?wondering? ?in? ?spite? ?of? ?himself,? ?

“Can? ?Lord? ?Earth? ?Master? ?really? ?hold? ?on?”? ? ?

?

Hua? ?Cheng? ?closed? ?the? ?door? ?with? ?his? ?own? ?hand,? ?waited? ?for? ?a? ?moment,? ?then? ?reopened? ?it.? ?

What? ?appeared? ?before? ?the? ?two? ?was? ?already? ?the? ?interior? ?of? ?Puqi? ?Shrine.? ?It? ?was? ?the? ?middle? ?

of? ?the? ?night;? ?Qi? ?Rong? ?was? ?sleeping? ?sprawled? ?out? ?like? ?he? ?died? ?a? ?violent? ?death,? ?and? ?he? ?

hogged? ?all? ?the? ?blankets,? ?his? ?snores? ?roaring? ?to? ?the? ?skies.? ?Guzi? ?used? ?to? ?have? ?a? ?good? ?

sleeping? ?form,? ?but? ?perhaps? ?with? ?his? ?cheap? ?dad’s? ?bad? ?influence,? ?now? ?he? ?was? ?also? ?spread? ?

out? ?on? ?top? ?of? ?Qi? ?Rong’s? ?stomach? ?like? ?a? ?dead? ?fish.? ?Lang? ?Ying? ?himself? ?was? ?curled? ?neatly? ?in? ?

the? ?corner? ?and? ?was? ?covered? ?by? ?a? ?few? ?shirts.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?lifted? ?the? ?blanket? ?covering? ?Qi? ?

Rong,? ?suppressed? ?the? ?urge? ?to? ?smother? ?his? ?face,? ?and? ?covered? ?the? ?two? ?small? ?children.? ?

?

“So...? ?we’re? ?back?”? ?He? ?whispered.? ?

?

Hua? ?Cheng? ?closed? ?the? ?door? ?behind? ?him,? ?“En.? ?It’s? ?over.”? ?

?

“Not? ?yet,? ?I? ?don’t? ?think.”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?said,? ?“We? ?don’t? ?know? ?if? ?Lord? ?Wind? ?Master? ?and? ?the? ?others? ?

have? ?returned? ?yet.”? ?

?

He? ?lightly? ?pushed? ?the? ?door? ?open? ?and? ?only? ?raised? ?his? ?voice? ?once? ?he? ?was? ?outside? ?the? ?

shrine,? ?calling? ?the? ?spiritual? ?communication? ?array? ?that? ?was? ?temporarily? ?set? ?up? ?from? ?before,? ?

“Lord? ?Earth? ?Master?? ?Are? ?you? ?all? ?back?”? ?

?

There? ?was? ?no? ?response.? ?Thinking? ?that? ?Ming? ?Yi? ?might? ?not? ?have? ?acted? ?that? ?quick,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?

entered? ?the? ?communication? ?array? ?of? ?the? ?Heavenly? ?Court.? ?He? ?wouldn’t? ?have? ?known? ?had? ?

he? ?not? ?entered,? ?but? ?once? ?he? ?had? ?he? ?jumped? ?in? ?surprise.? ?It? ?was? ?complete? ?chaos? ?inside.? ?

Every? ?heavenly? ?official? ?was? ?yelling,? ?and? ?even? ?Ling? ?Wen? ?was? ?throwing? ?a? ?fit,? ?“DON’T? ?

THROW? ?EVERY? ?USELESS? ?INFORMATION? ?MY? ?WAY,? ?HOW? ?MUCH? ?DO? ?YOU? ?THINK? ?I? ?

HAVE? ?TO? ?GO? ?THROUGH? ?EVERYDAY?? ?DON’T? ?YOU? ?ALL? ?KNOW? ?TO? ?USE? ?YOUR? ?

BRAINS? ?A? ?LITTLE? ?BEFORE? ?ASKING? ?ME?!”? ? ?

?

“Ling? ?Wen!”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?called? ?out? ?hastily,? ?“Have? ?Lord? ?Water? ?Master? ?and? ?the? ?others? ?not? ?

return?!”? ? ?

?

As? ?if? ?she? ?changed? ?into? ?a? ?completely? ?different? ?person,? ?Ling? ?Wen? ?instantly? ?caught? ?hold? ?of? ?

him,? ?“Your? ?Highness!? ?Why? ?is? ?your? ?voice? ?suddenly? ?so? ?loud...? ?have? ?you? ?returned? ?from? ?the? ?

East? ?Sea?? ?Where? ?did? ?Lord? ?Water? ?Master? ?and? ?General? ?Pei? ?go??? ?How? ?come? ?there’s? ?been? ?

no? ?communication?”? ? ?

?

“I? ?came? ?back? ?from? ?the? ?South? ?Sea.”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?said.? ?

?

“The? ?South? ?Sea?”? ?

?

“The? ?South? ?Sea,? ?Black? ?Water? ?Demon? ?Lair.”? ? ?

?

Ling? ?Wen? ?was? ?dumbfounded,? ?“But...? ?how? ?did? ?you? ?all? ?end? ?up? ?over? ?there?!? ?We? ?never? ?

touch? ?that? ?place.? ?Are? ?ol’? ?Pei? ?and? ?the? ?others? ?there? ?too?”? ? ?

?

“It’s? ?a? ?long? ?story,”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?said,? ?“Lord? ?Water? ?Master? ?was? ?fighting? ?the? ?trial? ?and? ?

accidentally? ?entered? ?the? ?Black? ?Water? ?Demon? ?Lair.? ?We? ?finally? ?escaped.? ?He? ?and? ?Lord? ?

Wind? ?Master? ?returned? ?before? ?I? ?did,? ?so? ?they? ?should’ve? ?reached? ?the? ?East? ?Sea? ?by? ?now,? ?did? ?

you? ?not? ?see? ?them?”? ? ?

?

“No!”? ?Ling? ?Wen? ?said,? ?“The? ?East? ?Sea? ?had? ?calmed? ?down? ?a? ?long? ?time? ?ago,? ?and? ?those? ?two? ?

hundred? ?something? ?fishermen? ?have? ?all? ?been? ?rescued,? ?but? ?there’s? ?no? ?trace? ?of? ?them? ?on? ?

the? ?shores? ?or? ?in? ?the? ?sea!”? ?

?

“How? ?can? ?that? ?be?!”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?exclaimed,? ?“Unless...”? ? ?

?

Unless? ?what?? ?

?

Ling? ?Wen? ?asked? ?anxiously,? ?“Unless? ?what?? ?Your? ?Highness?? ?Your? ?Highness? ?do? ?you? ?still? ?

have? ?something? ?to? ?say?? ?Should? ?we? ?send? ?heavenly? ?officials? ?to? ?the? ?South? ?Sea? ?right? ?now?”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?muttered,? ?“It’s? ?too? ?late.”? ? ?

?

He? ?shut? ?down? ?the? ?communication? ?array? ?and? ?whipped? ?around,? ?“San? ?Lang.”? ? ?

?

Hua? ?Cheng? ?seemed? ?to? ?already? ?expect? ?what? ?he? ?was? ?going? ?to? ?ask? ?and? ?was? ?silent? ?with? ?his? ?

hands? ?clenched? ?at? ?his? ?sides,? ?watching? ?him? ?solemnly.? ?“Did? ?you? ?and? ?that? ?person? ?reach? ?an? ?

agreement? ?a? ?long? ?time? ?ago?”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?asked.? ?

?

Hua? ?Cheng? ?didn’t? ?immediately? ?respond? ?but? ?just? ?as? ?he? ?moved? ?his? ?lips,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?quickly? ?

said,? ?“No? ?no? ?no,? ?don’t? ?tell? ?me!? ?You? ?don’t? ?have? ?to? ?answer? ?me.? ?If? ?you? ?had? ?long? ?reached? ?an? ?

agreement? ?with? ?someone? ?else,? ?I? ?certainly? ?wouldn’t? ?want? ?you? ?to? ?become? ?someone? ?who’d? ?

go? ?back? ?on? ?their? ?word? ?because? ?of? ?me.? ?It’s? ?my? ?fault? ?for? ?asking? ?you? ?so? ?suddenly,? ?I? ?didn’t? ?

mean? ?to? ?put? ?you? ?in? ?a? ?difficult? ?situation.”? ? ?

?

“I’m? ?sorry,? ?Your? ?Highness.”? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?said.? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?shook? ?his? ?head,? ?“Don’t? ?apologize.? ?I? ?should’ve? ?figured? ?this? ?out? ?a? ?long? ?time? ?ago.? ?It? ?

must? ?be? ?due? ?to? ?some? ?sort? ?of? ?agreement? ?that? ?you? ?couldn’t? ?interfere? ?and? ?couldn’t? ?tell? ?me? ?

the? ?truth? ?directly.”? ? ?

?

It? ?wasn’t? ?like? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?hadn’t? ?tried? ?to? ?stop? ?him? ?but? ?he? ?didn’t? ?obstruct? ?Xie? ?Lian’s? ?desire? ?

either,? ?and? ?only? ?accompanied? ?him? ?on? ?the? ?trip,? ?protecting? ?him? ?the? ?whole? ?way,? ?even? ?with? ?a? ?

plan? ?to? ?break? ?away? ?already? ?prepared.? ?Only,? ?there? ?was? ?always? ?something? ?that? ?dragged? ?

Xie? ?Lian? ?deeper? ?into? ?the? ?heart? ?of? ?the? ?affair.? ? ?

?

“I? ?should? ?be? ?thanking? ?you? ?instead.”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?said.? ?

?

“You’ve? ?figured? ?everything? ?out?”? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?asked.? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?nodded.? ?“Pretty? ?much.? ?In? ?fact,? ?I? ?should’ve? ?figured? ?it? ?out? ?a? ?long? ?time? ?ago,? ?but? ?he? ?

really? ?is? ?incredible.? ?I’d? ?often? ?think? ?too? ?much? ?too,? ?dismissing? ?my? ?own? ?suspicions,? ?and? ?

always? ?end? ?up? ?overlooking? ?the? ?most? ?straightforward? ?possibilities.”? ? ?

?

After? ?a? ?pause,? ?he? ?continued,? ?“And,? ?that? ?person? ?really? ?gave? ?you? ?a? ?lot? ?of? ?face.? ?To? ?

peacefully? ?send? ?me? ?away,? ?he? ?put? ?in? ?considerable? ?effort? ?and? ?wasted? ?much? ?time? ?

detouring.”? ?

?

“Your? ?Highness,”? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?said,? ?“This? ?whole? ?thing? ?ends? ?here.? ?It’s? ?over.”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?sighed,? ?“I? ?also? ?wish? ?that’s? ?the? ?case.? ?But,? ?he? ?might? ?have? ?crossed? ?the? ?line.”? ? ?

?

After? ?some? ?silence,? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?said? ?gently,? ?“But? ?you’ve? ?come? ?back? ?and? ?there’s? ?no? ?way? ?

for? ?you? ?to? ?return? ?to? ?the? ?Demon? ?Lair.? ?Let? ?them? ?take? ?care? ?of? ?their? ?own? ?affairs? ?now.”? ? ?

?

“Don’t? ?be? ?so? ?sure.”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?said.? ?

?

Hearing? ?this,? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?froze.? ?

?

“I? ?suddenly? ?thought? ?of? ?an? ?idea? ?just? ?now.? ?I’ve? ?a? ?way? ?to? ?connect? ?with? ?Lord? ?Wind? ?Master.”? ?

Xie? ?Lian? ?said.? ?

?

He? ?raised? ?his? ?hands? ?and? ?started? ?forming? ?a? ?hand? ?seal,? ?“So,? ?sorry,? ?San? ?Lang,? ?but? ?I? ?have? ?to? ?

go? ?back? ?for? ?a? ?bit.”? ? ?

?

Seeing? ?that? ?hand? ?seal,? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?instantly? ?understood.? ?Clearly? ?he? ?hadn’t? ?expected? ?this? ?

move? ?and? ?his? ?eyes? ?widened,? ?“...gege?”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?enunciated:? ?“SOUL–SHIFTING–SPELL!”? ? ?

?

After? ?closing? ?his? ?eyes,? ?that? ?familiar? ?weightless? ?sensation? ?invaded,? ?like? ?his? ?soul? ?was? ?

pulled? ?out? ?and? ?whipped? ?into? ?the? ?air? ?before? ?plunging,? ?and? ?when? ?he? ?opened? ?his? ?eyes? ?

again,? ?what? ?was? ?before? ?him? ?wasn’t? ?Hua? ?Cheng’s? ?face? ?but? ?an? ?endless? ?black? ?night? ?and? ?

mountainous? ?woods? ?speedily? ?backing? ?away? ?on? ?either? ?sides.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?could? ?also? ?hear? ?

harsh? ?breathing? ?coming? ?from? ?his? ?own? ?mouth? ?and? ?violent? ?heart? ?beats.? ?

?

Success!? ?

?

The? ?Soul? ?Shifting? ?Spell? ?wasn’t? ?used? ?often? ?and? ?burns? ?an? ?abundance? ?of? ?spiritual? ?power.? ?It? ?

was? ?stronger? ?than? ?spiritual? ?communication? ?and? ?also? ?more? ?wicked? ?and? ?rare,? ?so? ?spiritual? ?

barriers? ?generally? ?wouldn’t? ?include? ?that? ?spell? ?in? ?its? ?blockage.? ?

?

That? ?day,? ?he? ?and? ?Shi? ?Qingxuan? ?had? ?used? ?the? ?Soul? ?Shifting? ?Spell,? ?and? ?since? ?then? ?Shi? ?

Qingxuan? ?hadn’t? ?yet? ?had? ?time? ?to? ?seal? ?his? ?spiritual? ?consciousness? ?before? ?he? ?lost? ?his? ?

powers? ?and? ?turned? ?into? ?a? ?mortal.? ?This? ?was? ?like? ?the? ?two? ?had? ?exchanged? ?the? ?keys? ?to? ?each? ?

other’s? ?house? ?and? ?made? ?use? ?of? ?each? ?other’s? ?home.? ?After? ?switching? ?back,? ?Shi? ?Qingxuan? ?

should’ve? ?immediately? ?change? ?the? ?locks? ?on? ?his? ?door? ?so? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?wouldn’t? ?be? ?able? ?to? ?

re-enter,? ?but? ?he? ?didn’t.? ?So,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?could? ?still? ?use? ?the? ?key? ?from? ?before? ?and? ?open? ?Shi? ?

Qingxuan’s? ?door.? ?Only,? ?Shi? ?Qingxuan? ?could? ?no? ?longer? ?open? ?Xie? ?Lian’s? ?door.? ?Thus,? ?the? ?

two? ?were? ?now? ?using? ?the? ?same? ?body,? ?and? ?Xie? ?Lian’s? ?body? ?should’ve? ?gone? ?limp? ?and? ?

collapsed.? ?Maybe? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?caught? ?him?? ? ?

?

Shi? ?Qingxuan? ?was? ?breathless? ?as? ?he? ?ran,? ?terrified,? ?as? ?if? ?something? ?was? ?chasing? ?him? ?and? ?

he? ?was? ?fleeing.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?listened? ?intently? ?and? ?against? ?the? ?wind,? ?a? ?series? ?of? ?howls? ?and? ?

wails? ?came? ?from? ?behind? ?–? ?it? ?was? ?that? ?band? ?of? ?insane? ?crazies? ?that? ?were? ?locked? ?up? ?at? ?the? ?

iron? ?prison.? ?They? ?seemed? ?to? ?really? ?like? ?Shi? ?Qingxuan,? ?or? ?rather,? ?it? ?should? ?be? ?described? ?

as? ?‘yearning? ?for’.? ?They? ?pursued? ?relentlessly? ?with? ?their? ?eyes? ?rolled? ?back? ?and? ?their? ?tongues? ?

out,? ?and? ?Shi? ?Qingxuan’s? ?ribs? ?and? ?lungs? ?were? ?burning,? ?wanting? ?to? ?cry? ?but? ?no? ?tears,? ?

wanting? ?to? ?scream? ?but? ?no? ?voice.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?could? ?sense? ?the? ?way? ?he? ?ran? ?was? ?without? ?

method,? ?and? ?if? ?it? ?continued,? ?he? ?wouldn’t? ?last? ?long,? ?so? ?he? ?took? ?over? ?the? ?control? ?of? ?the? ?body? ?

directly.? ?“Lord? ?Wind? ?Master!”? ? ?

?

He? ?was? ?using? ?Shi? ?Qingxuan’s? ?mouth? ?to? ?speak,? ?and? ?Shi? ?Qingxuan? ?was? ?so? ?surprised? ?he? ?

almost? ?bit? ?his? ?tongue,? ?“WHO?!? ?WHO’S? ?IN? ?MY? ?BODY?!?!?”? ?

?

“My? ?Lord,? ?calm? ?down!”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?said,? ?“I’ve? ?come? ?back? ?to? ?find? ?you? ?using? ?the? ?Soul? ?Shifting? ?

Spell!? ?Give? ?me? ?the? ?body,? ?I’ll? ?help? ?you? ?run.”? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?felt? ?the? ?corners? ?of? ?Shi? ?Qingxuan’s? ?eyes? ?stream? ?two? ?lines? ?of? ?hot? ?tears,? ?“YOUR? ?

HIGHNESS?!? ?WHAT? ?A? ?COMFORT!!!? ?YOU’RE? ?SO? ?RELIABLE!!!? ?THANK? ?YOU!!!”? ? ?

?

“No? ?need? ?for? ?thanks!”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?said,? ?“Listen? ?to? ?me,? ?Lord? ?Wind? ?Master,? ?run? ?away!”? ? ?

?

“AM? ?I? ?NOT? ?RUNNING? ?RIGHT? ?NOW?!”? ?Shi? ?Qingxuan? ?exclaimed.? ?

?

“I? ?don’t? ?mean? ?like? ?this,”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?explained,? ?“I? ?meant,? ?you? ?need? ?to? ?escape...”? ?Just? ?as? ?he? ?

spoke,? ?several? ?insane,? ?filthy? ?maniacs? ?jumped? ?out? ?from? ?the? ?woods? ?next? ?to? ?them? ?and? ?

lunged? ?at? ?Shi? ?Qingxuan? ?all? ?at? ?once.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?cracked? ?his? ?knuckles? ?and? ?he? ?leapt,? ?giving? ?

them? ?thirty? ?rounds? ?of? ?power? ?kicks,? ?knocking? ?those? ?lunatics? ?onto? ?the? ?ground? ?unable? ?to? ?

rise.? ?Shi? ?Qingxuan? ?was? ?shocked? ?with? ?eyes? ?wide,? ?“Did? ?I? ?do? ?that?? ?That’s? ?amazing.? ?Martial? ?

gods? ?are? ?so? ?awesome!? ?I? ?want? ?to? ?be? ?a? ?martial? ?god? ?too,? ?now.”? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?however,? ?killed? ?his? ?joy? ?earnestly,? ?“My? ?Lord,? ?you? ?can’t.? ?Your? ?body? ?isn’t? ?cut? ?out? ?for? ?

becoming? ?a? ?martial? ?god...”? ? ?

?

The? ?two? ?conversed? ?using? ?the? ?same? ?body,? ?as? ?if? ?it? ?was? ?one? ?person? ?asking? ?and? ?answering? ?

their? ?own? ?questions,? ?and? ?from? ?another’s? ?perspective,? ?it? ?was? ?truly? ?bizarre.? ?“Lord? ?Wind? ?

Master,? ?where’s? ?Lord? ?Water? ?Master?”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?asked.? ?

?

Shi? ?Qingxuan? ?scanned? ?around? ?and? ?said,? ?“I? ?don’t? ?know? ?where? ?both? ?Ming-xiong? ?and? ?my? ?

brother? ?went.? ?Earlier? ?when? ?I? ?opened? ?the? ?door,? ?I? ?found? ?I? ?was? ?still? ?at? ?the? ?Nether? ?Water? ?

Manor,? ?and? ?I? ?was? ?only? ?sent? ?to? ?a? ?different? ?chamber.? ?I? ?don’t? ?know? ?where? ?things? ?went? ?

wrong...”? ?

?

Suddenly,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?tipped? ?his? ?foot? ?and? ?leapt? ?up,? ?flying? ?into? ?a? ?tree.? ?Shi? ?Qingxuan? ?didn’t? ?

understand? ?why? ?but? ?having? ?his? ?body? ?lift? ?and? ?move? ?so? ?freely? ?was? ?a? ?curious? ?feeling,? ?so? ?he? ?

allowed? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?to? ?control? ?his? ?body? ?as? ?he? ?will,? ?lightly? ?and? ?skillfully? ?climbing? ?atop? ?a? ?tree? ?

branch.? ?“Your? ?Highness,? ?why? ?did? ?you? ?so? ?suddenly...”? ?

?

Before? ?he? ?finished? ?his? ?sentence? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?covered? ?his? ?mouth.? ?

?

Actually,? ?it? ?was? ?also? ?his? ?own? ?mouth.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?quickly? ?climbed? ?to? ?the? ?tip? ?of? ?the? ?branch? ?and? ?

sat,? ?hiding? ?within? ?dense? ?leaves.? ?Soon? ?after,? ?a? ?slender? ?shadow? ?stumbled? ?into? ?view? ?at? ?the? ?

end? ?of? ?the? ?road.? ?Looking? ?closely,? ?it? ?was? ?Ming? ?Yi.? ?

?

His? ?face? ?still? ?looked? ?ashen,? ?adding? ?an? ?air? ?of? ?gloom? ?to? ?his? ?handsomeness,? ?but? ?he? ?could? ?

still? ?somewhat? ?walk.? ?Shi? ?Qingxuan? ?was? ?overjoyed? ?and? ?dropped? ?his? ?hands? ?ready? ?to? ?call? ?

out? ?to? ?him? ?when? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?raised? ?his? ?hands? ?again? ?and? ?covered? ?his? ?mouth.? ?This? ?time? ?he? ?

used? ?both? ?hands,? ?smothering? ?so? ?firmly? ?he? ?could? ?hardly? ?breathe.? ?Shi? ?Qingxuan? ?wasn’t? ?

someone? ?rash,? ?and? ?knew? ?that? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?must’ve? ?acted? ?for? ?a? ?reason? ?so? ?he? ?stopped? ?

struggling.? ?He? ?watched? ?as? ?Ming? ?Yi? ?walked? ?past? ?them? ?down? ?that? ?little? ?path? ?before? ?Xie? ?

Lian? ?loosened? ?his? ?hands? ?slightly? ?and? ?stealthily? ?slipped? ?off? ?the? ?tree,? ?sneaking? ?through? ?the? ?

thick? ?woods.? ?

?

Having? ?dashed? ?for? ?a? ?while,? ?Shi? ?Qingxuan? ?looked? ?back? ?around? ?and? ?whispered,? ?“Your? ?

Highness,? ?why? ?didn’t? ?you? ?let? ?me? ?call? ?out? ?to? ?Ming-xiong? ?earlier?”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?didn’t? ?respond? ?but? ?his? ?body? ?suddenly? ?froze.? ?Shi? ?Qingxuan? ?turned? ?his? ?head? ?back? ?

again? ?and? ?his? ?pupils? ?violently? ?shrank.? ?

?

Ming? ?Yi,? ?who? ?had? ?clearly? ?been? ?long? ?gone,? ?was? ?standing? ?right? ?in? ?front? ?of? ?him.? ?Or? ?rather,? ?

them.? ?

?

Ming? ?Yi? ?seemed? ?to? ?be? ?supporting? ?himself? ?up? ?with? ?an? ?arm? ?on? ?a? ?tree? ?and? ?he? ?frowned,? ?

“...Why? ?are? ?you? ?here? ?too?”? ? ?

?

Shi? ?Qingxuan? ?blurted,? ?“I...”? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?didn’t? ?say? ?a? ?word? ?but? ?moved? ?a? ?hand? ?behind? ?his? ?back? ?and? ?waved,? ?gesturing? ?for? ?

him? ?to? ?absolutely? ?not? ?give? ?away? ?that? ?there’s? ?a? ?third? ?‘person’? ?present.? ?Shi? ?Qingxuan? ?

understood? ?but? ?Ming? ?Yi’s? ?brows? ?seemed? ?to? ?knit? ?tighter,? ?“What’s? ?your? ?hand? ?doing? ?behind? ?

your? ?back?? ?Are? ?you? ?hiding? ?something?”? ? ?

?

Shi? ?Qingxuan? ?immediately? ?flipped? ?open? ?both? ?hands? ?to? ?show? ?him,? ?“NO!”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?could? ?feel? ?that? ?his? ?own? ?blood? ?run? ?cold? ?and? ?his? ?knees? ?go? ?weak.? ?It? ?seemed,? ?

although? ?Ming? ?Yi? ?was? ?also? ?very? ?dependable? ?in? ?Shi? ?Qingxuan’s? ?mind,? ?this? ?sudden? ?

appearance? ?also? ?gave? ?him? ?quite? ?the? ?fright.? ?

?

Ming? ?Yi? ?looked? ?bewildered,? ?“I? ?didn’t? ?mean? ?for? ?you? ?to? ?actually? ?show? ?me.”? ?

?

Although? ?his? ?expression? ?was? ?one? ?of? ?disgust,? ?it? ?was? ?nevertheless? ?something? ?familiar,? ?so? ?

Shi? ?Qingxuan? ?sighed? ?a? ?breath? ?of? ?relief,? ?the? ?goosebumps? ?popped? ?up? ?on? ?half? ?his? ?body? ?

slowly? ?fading? ?away.? ?While? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?was? ?hugely? ?anxious,? ?he? ?didn’t? ?dare? ?to? ?speak? ?rashly? ?

right? ?this? ?moment.? ?

?

“Where’s? ?Lord? ?Water? ?Master?”? ?Ming? ?Yi? ?asked.? ?

?

“You? ?haven’t? ?seen? ?my? ?brother? ?either?”? ?Shi? ?Qingxuan? ?asked,? ?“I’m? ?almost? ?looking? ?for? ?him? ?

everywhere.? ?Didn’t? ?you? ?say? ?you? ?can? ?send? ?us? ?out? ?of? ?the? ?Black? ?Water? ?Island?? ?How? ?come? ?

His? ?Highness? ?went? ?back? ?but? ?we’re? ?still? ?here?”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?listened? ?and? ?grew? ?even? ?more? ?apprehensive.? ?Although? ?he? ?did? ?his? ?best? ?to? ?

suppress? ?the? ?“hahaha,? ?hahaha”? ?that’d? ?no? ?doubt? ?appear? ?when? ?Shi? ?Qingxuan? ?was? ?overly? ?

nervous,? ?but? ?to? ?speak? ?so? ?calmly? ?wasn’t? ?like? ?Shi? ?Qingxuan? ?either.? ?Thus,? ?he? ?pulled? ?at? ?his? ?

hair? ?wildly? ?and? ?pointed? ?at? ?Ming? ?Yi,? ?yelling,? ?“MING-XIONG!!!? ?Didn’t? ?I? ?tell? ?you? ?to? ?practice? ?

more? ?when? ?you’ve? ?got? ?the? ?time?? ?You? ?didn’t? ?draw? ?wrong? ?cause? ?you’re? ?rusty,? ?did? ?you?!!”? ? ?

?

Although? ?slightly? ?exaggerated? ?but? ?it? ?was? ?pretty? ?effective.? ?Sure? ?enough,? ?Ming? ?Yi? ?didn’t? ?

notice? ?anything? ?amiss? ?and? ?his? ?face? ?dropped,? ?“Get? ?lost!? ?Draw? ?it? ?yourself? ?if? ?you’ve? ?got? ?the? ?

skills.”? ? ?

?

Although? ?that’s? ?what? ?he? ?said,? ?still? ?he? ?walked? ?over.? ?Shi? ?Qingxuan? ?was? ?still? ?frozen? ?on? ?the? ?

spot? ?so? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?quickly? ?moved? ?for? ?him,? ?grabbing? ?Ming? ?Yi’s? ?shoulders,? ?“Ming-xiong,? ?

how’s? ?your? ?injuries?? ?The? ?poison? ?isn’t? ?manifesting? ?further,? ?is? ?it?”? ? ?

?

Ming? ?Yi? ?shook? ?his? ?head,? ?“It’s? ?fine.? ?Let’s? ?find? ?Lord? ?Water? ?Master? ?first.”? ? ?

?

Shi? ?Qingxuan? ?nodded? ?and? ?the? ?two? ?slowly? ?made? ?way.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?couldn’t? ?find? ?any? ?chance? ?

to? ?warn? ?him,? ?feeling? ?more? ?distressed? ?and? ?uptight? ?with? ?each? ?step.? ?Suddenly,? ?he? ?felt? ?his? ?

mouth? ?open? ?slightly,? ?and? ?it? ?was? ?Shi? ?Qingxuan? ?who? ?was? ?soundlessly? ?moving? ?his? ?lips.? ?Xie? ?

Lian? ?immediately? ?became? ?spirited? ?and? ?carefully? ?discerned? ?the? ?shapes? ?he? ?was? ?forming.? ?

He? ?had? ?said:? ?‘Just? ?what? ?exactly? ?is? ?going? ?on?’? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?was? ?afraid? ?Ming? ?Yi? ?who? ?was? ?so? ?close? ?by? ?would? ?notice? ?so? ?he? ?lowered? ?his? ?head? ?

slightly? ?and? ?responded? ?with? ?simply? ?lip? ?movement? ?too:? ?‘He’s? ?fake.’? ?

?

The? ?moment? ?the? ?words? ?left? ?his? ?lips? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?could? ?feel? ?a? ?thin? ?layer? ?of? ?goosebumps? ?

popping? ?on? ?his? ?arms.? ?

?

Shi? ?Qingxuan’s? ?eyes? ?bulged? ?and? ?asked? ?with? ?his? ?lips,? ?‘Fake?!? ?Then? ?who? ?is? ?he?!’? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?gave? ?his? ?answer? ?wordlessly.? ?

?

He? ?said:? ?‘The? ?Reverend? ?of? ?Empty? ?Words.”? ?

?

Shi? ?Qingxuan? ?sucked? ?in? ?a? ?breath? ?and? ?Ming? ?Yi’s? ?voice? ?came? ?from? ?overhead,? ?“What? ?is? ?it?”? ? ?

?

Shi? ?Qingxuan? ?sucked? ?that? ?breath? ?in? ?all? ?the? ?way? ?then? ?exhaled,? ?his? ?voice? ?trembling,? ?“I’m? ?

scared.”? ?

?

After? ?a? ?moment? ?of? ?silence,? ?Ming? ?Yi? ?said,? ?“It’s? ?too? ?early? ?to? ?be? ?scared? ?now.”? ? ?

?

If? ?this? ?was? ?before,? ?then? ?his? ?words? ?would? ?no? ?doubt? ?be? ?interpreted? ?as? ?a? ?twisted? ?form? ?of? ?

comfort.? ?However,? ?right? ?now? ?it? ?reeked? ?of? ?an? ?unspeakable? ?chill,? ?like? ?it? ?was? ?some? ?sort? ?of? ?

threat.? ?

?

Shi? ?Qingxuan? ?lowered? ?his? ?head? ?and? ?lipped? ?to? ?Xie? ?Lian,? ?“No? ?way.? ?The? ?Reverend? ?of? ?

Empty? ?Words? ?can’t? ?shapeshift!”? ?

?

Truthfully,? ?when? ?the? ?words? ?left? ?Xie? ?Lian’s? ?mouth? ?he? ?also? ?felt? ?‘Reverend? ?of? ?Empty? ?Words’? ?

wasn’t? ?quite? ?appropriate.? ?Rather,? ?it? ?was? ?too? ?disrespectful;? ?too? ?impertinent.? ?A? ?few? ?days? ?

ago,? ?the? ?‘Reverend? ?of? ?Empty? ?Words’? ?Shi? ?Qingxuan? ?bumped? ?into? ?was? ?no? ?more? ?than? ?a? ?

minion? ?or? ?a? ?pathetic? ?clone,? ?or,? ?some? ?leftover? ?crumbs.? ?Thus,? ?he? ?gave? ?a? ?second? ?answer:? ?

?

‘Black? ?Water? ?Demon? ?Xuan.’? ?

?

Shi? ?Qingxuan? ?tripped.? ?“What’s? ?with? ?you? ?now?”? ?Ming? ?Yi? ?demanded.? ?

?

Shi? ?Qingxuan’s? ?teeth? ?were? ?chattering,? ?“I? ?want? ?to? ?die...”? ?

?

Ming? ?Yi? ?responded? ?coldly,? ?“Dream? ?on.”? ?

?

That? ?again.? ?That? ?same? ?frosty? ?tone? ?of? ?voice? ?with? ?those? ?equally? ?icy,? ?cruel? ?words.? ?It? ?was? ?no? ?

different? ?than? ?before,? ?yet? ?now,? ?they? ?took? ?on? ?a? ?completely? ?different? ?meaning.? ?However,? ?

this? ?was? ?far? ?from? ?over.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?soundlessly? ?gave? ?a? ?third? ?name:? ?

?

‘He? ?Xuan.’? ?

?

Shi? ?Qingxuan? ?seemed? ?to? ?not? ?be? ?able? ?to? ?take? ?anymore.? ?

?

His? ?heart? ?was? ?beating? ?like? ?drums? ?and? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?noticed? ?too.? ?Coincidentally,? ?they? ?were? ?just? ?

crossing? ?a? ?small? ?creek,? ?and? ?making? ?the? ?decision? ?on? ?the? ?spot,? ?he? ?said,? ?“Ming-xiong,? ?I? ?

think? ?you? ?best? ?rest? ?a? ?bit? ?before? ?we? ?continue? ?our? ?search!”? ?

?

“What? ?time? ?do? ?we? ?have? ?to? ?rest? ?right? ?now?”? ?Ming? ?Yi? ?said.? ?

?

“You’re? ?poisoned.? ?The? ?more? ?you? ?move? ?the? ?more? ?the? ?poison? ?will? ?fester.”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?said,? ?

“And? ?even? ?if? ?you? ?won’t? ?rest,? ?a? ?mortal? ?like? ?myself? ?gotta? ?rest.? ?Sit? ?down,? ?I’ll? ?go? ?get? ?you? ?some? ?

water.”? ?

?

Thus,? ?keeping? ?his? ?hands? ?and? ?feet? ?steady? ?without? ?revealing? ?any? ?shivers,? ?he? ?made? ?Ming? ?

Yi? ?sit? ?down? ?on? ?the? ?grass? ?and? ?he? ?himself? ?went? ?by? ?the? ?creek,? ?borrowing? ?the? ?sounds? ?of? ?the? ?

current? ?to? ?speak? ?with? ?a? ?low? ?voice.? ?Shi? ?Qingxuan? ?cupped? ?a? ?palm? ?full? ?of? ?water? ?and? ?

splashed? ?it? ?on? ?his? ?own? ?face,? ?calming? ?down.? ?Then? ?he? ?whispered,? ?“Your? ?Highness,? ?what? ?

are? ?you? ?saying???? ?Just? ?who? ?is? ?the? ?person? ?behind? ?me???? ?Did? ?one? ?of? ?the? ?three? ?shapeshift? ?

into? ?Ming-xiong???? ?Or? ?did? ?they? ?all? ?possess? ?Ming-xiong???”? ?

?

“Lord? ?Wind? ?Master,? ?calm? ?down!”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?said,? ?“It’s? ?not? ?them,? ?it’s? ?him!? ?The? ?one? ?that’s? ?

next? ?to? ?you? ?right? ?now? ?is? ?only? ?one? ?person.? ?From? ?the? ?very? ?beginning? ?it? ?had? ?always? ?been? ?

the? ?one? ?person.? ?No? ?one? ?shapeshifted.? ?No? ?one? ?was? ?possessed!”? ?

?

Shi? ?Qingxuan? ?mumbled,? ?“But,? ?but? ?Ming-xiong,? ?he...”? ?

?

“Don’t? ?call? ?him? ?Ming-xiong? ?anymore.? ?The? ?real? ?Ming-xiong? ?is? ?already? ?dead!”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?

said.? ?

?

Shi? ?Qingxuan? ?exclaimed,? ?“How? ?do? ?you? ?know?? ?Did? ?you? ?see?”? ? ?

?

“I? ?wasn’t? ?the? ?only? ?one? ?who? ?saw,”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?said,? ?“You? ?saw? ?it? ?too.? ?The? ?real? ?Lord? ?Earth? ?

Master? ?was? ?that? ?skeleton? ?worshipped? ?inside? ?the? ?Nether? ?Water? ?Manor!? ?Why? ?did? ?you? ?think? ?

he? ?couldn’t? ?control? ?the? ?Earth? ?Master? ?Crescent? ?Moon? ?Shovel? ?well?? ?Because? ?that? ?didn’t? ?

belong? ?to? ?him? ?in? ?the? ?first? ?place!? ?The? ?one? ?behind? ?you,? ?several? ?hundreds? ?of? ?years? ?ago? ?his? ?

original? ?name? ?was? ?He? ?Xuan.? ?He? ?cultivated? ?into? ?a? ?Supreme? ?and? ?changed? ?his? ?name? ?to? ?

Black? ?Water? ?Demon? ?Xuan.? ?He? ?devoured? ?the? ?Reverend? ?of? ?Empty? ?Words? ?and? ?sent? ?that? ?

creature? ?to? ?find? ?you.? ?He? ?imprisoned? ?and? ?murdered? ?the? ?real? ?Earth? ?Master,? ?and? ?took? ?on? ?his? ?

name,? ?assuming? ?his? ?position? ?in? ?the? ?heavens!!!”? ? ?

?

Just? ?as? ?the? ?words? ?left? ?his? ?lips,? ?his? ?entire? ?person? ?suddenly? ?froze.? ?

?

A? ?hand? ?had? ?slapped? ?onto? ?his? ?shoulder? ?without? ?warning.? ?

?

?

———-? ?

?

?[???]? ?Seventh? ?Day? ?-? ?It’s? ?a? ?common? ?belief? ?that? ?spirits? ?of? ?the? ?dead? ?returns? ?home? ?

on? ?the? ?seventh? ?day? ?of? ?death.? ?

?

?MXTX? ?Author? ?Notes:?? ?So? ?Black? ?Water? ?had? ?actually? ?already? ?shown? ?up,? ?and? ?he’s? ?

been? ?hanging? ?around? ?before? ?everyone’s? ?eyes.? ?

?

The? ?Wind? ?Master? ?had? ?never? ?met? ?the? ?real? ?Ming? ?Yi;? ?the? ?one? ?before? ?him? ?had? ?always? ?

been? ?the? ?one? ?person,? ?and? ?it’s? ?the? ?same? ?for? ?all? ?of? ?you? ?too.? ?

?

Certified? ?number? ?one? ?best? ?actor? ?of? ?this? ?book!? ?

?

I’ve? ?held? ?this? ?back? ?for? ?so,? ?so? ?long,? ?now? ?I? ?feel? ?great.? ??Please? ?don’t? ?spoil? ?this? ?for? ?

others? ?who? ?haven’t? ?read? ?it? ?yet!!!? ?Don’t? ?hint? ?at? ?it? ?or? ?spoil? ?this? ?in? ?the? ?forums!? ??It? ?

really? ?affects? ?the? ?reading? ?experience!!? ?It? ?won’t? ?be? ?fun? ?then.? ?Don’t? ?spoil!? ?Don’t? ?

spoil!!? ?Important? ?things? ?must? ?be? ?said? ?three? ?times!!!? ? ?

?

?

———-? ?

?

Ch.124:? ?Unravel? ?the? ?Dead? ?Knot;? ?Water? ?Master? ?Battles? ?Demon? ?Xuan? ?

TW:? ?Violence? ?

?

Ming? ?Yi’s? ?voice? ?came? ?from? ?behind? ?them,? ?“What? ?are? ?you? ?grumbling? ?about? ?all? ?by? ?yourself?”? ?

?

Shi? ?Qingxuan’s? ?body? ?stiffened,? ?“I...? ?I...? ?I...”? ?

?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?wanted? ?to? ?help? ?him? ?respond? ?but? ?the? ?tongue? ?was? ?refusing? ?control.? ?It? ?couldn’t? ?be? ?

helped;? ?his? ?most? ?trusted,? ?beloved? ?friend? ?turned? ?out? ?to? ?be? ?the? ?one? ?he? ?feared? ?the? ?most,? ?

hiding? ?next? ?to? ?him? ?by? ?his? ?side.? ?Now? ?that? ?there? ?was? ?no? ?one? ?around,? ?who? ?knows? ?what? ?he? ?

was? ?going? ?to? ?do;? ?who? ?wouldn’t? ?be? ?scared?? ?

?

Suddenly,? ?Ming? ?Yi’s? ?fingers? ?dug? ?in,? ?pain? ?flared? ?in? ?Shi? ?Qingxuan’s? ?shoulder,? ?and? ?he? ?was? ?

pushed? ?downward.? ?

?

A? ?pale? ?white? ?hand? ?suddenly? ?lunged? ?out? ?from? ?out? ?of? ?the? ?creek? ?and? ?grabbed? ?for? ?Shi? ?

Qingxuan’s? ?neck.? ?

?

A? ?water? ?ghoul!? ?

?

With? ?Ming? ?Yi’s? ?push,? ?that? ?hand? ?missed.? ?Then,? ?he? ?blasted? ?it? ?with? ?his? ?palm,? ?and? ?screams? ?

came? ?from? ?the? ?waters.? ?That? ?creature? ?was? ?probably? ?obliterated? ?by? ?the? ?blast.? ?Shi? ?

Qingxuan? ?sat? ?on? ?the? ?ground,? ?having? ?fallen? ?over,? ?and? ?Ming? ?Yi? ?pulled? ?him? ?up,? ?“Do? ?you? ?

have? ?something? ?wrong? ?with? ?your? ?brain,? ?washing? ?your? ?face? ?with? ?just? ?any? ?water? ?from? ?the? ?

Black? ?Water? ?Demon? ?Lair?”? ? ?

?

“...”? ?

?

Shi? ?Qingxuan? ?used? ?the? ?creek? ?water? ?that? ?had? ?been? ?soaking? ?the? ?corpses? ?of? ?water? ?ghouls? ?

just? ?now? ?to? ?calm? ?down? ?and? ?should? ?be? ?feeling? ?disgusted,? ?yet? ?he? ?had? ?no? ?mind? ?to? ?notice? ?

those? ?details.? ?His? ?face? ?and? ?hair? ?were? ?still? ?dripping,? ?drenched? ?like? ?a? ?drowned? ?dog,? ?lost? ?

and? ?forlorn,? ?and? ?he? ?dazedly? ?let? ?‘Ming? ?Yi’? ?pull? ?him? ?up,? ?and? ?dazedly? ?followed? ?after? ?him.? ?

?

Truthfully,? ?when? ?thinking? ?about? ?it? ?closely,? ?everything? ?relating? ?to? ?this? ?‘Ming-xiong’? ?had? ?

always? ?reeked? ?of? ?dubiousness.? ? ?

?

He? ?was? ?the? ?Earth? ?Master.? ?Therefore,? ?very? ?matter? ?of? ?factly,? ?every? ?Distance? ?Shortening? ?

array? ?on? ?the? ?road? ?was? ?drawn? ?by? ?him.? ?That? ?should’ve? ?been? ?his? ?specialty? ?technique,? ?yet? ?it? ?

had? ?frequent? ?issues.? ?

?

Leaving? ?Puqi? ?Shrine,? ?the? ?four? ?of? ?them? ?were? ?sent? ?to? ?the? ?town? ?of? ?Fu? ?Gu? ?for? ?some? ?unknown? ?

reason,? ?and? ?problems? ?also? ?occurred? ?when? ?both? ?the? ?Wind? ?and? ?Water? ?Masters? ?were? ?being? ?

transported? ?out? ?of? ?the? ?Black? ?Water? ?Island.? ?Was? ?it? ?the? ?transportation? ?chamber? ?that? ?had? ?

been? ?wasted? ?through? ?the? ?years? ?in? ?need? ?of? ?repairs?? ?Was? ?it? ?something? ?else? ?causing? ?

troubles?? ?Was? ?the? ?culprit? ?behind? ?the? ?scenes? ?too? ?omnipotent?? ? ?

?

Why? ?think? ?so? ?much?? ?The? ?simplest? ?answer? ?was? ?it? ?was? ?Ming? ?Yi? ?who? ?had? ?meddled? ?in? ?

everything!? ?

?

The? ?first? ?time? ?the? ?Wind? ?Master? ?was? ?taken? ?away? ?by? ?the? ?‘Reverend? ?of? ?Empty? ?Words’? ?it? ?

was? ?‘Ming? ?Yi’? ?who? ?lost? ?sight? ?of? ?him;? ?the? ?Wind? ?Master? ?who? ?lost? ?his? ?spiritual? ?powers? ?was? ?

also? ?first? ?discovered? ?by? ?him;? ?the? ?one? ?who? ?stayed? ?by? ?Shi? ?Qingxuan’s? ?side? ?and? ?knew? ?

inside? ?and? ?out? ?of? ?his? ?fears? ?and? ?actions? ?was? ?him;? ?the? ?one? ?who? ?knew? ?the? ?Wind? ?Master’s? ?

verbal? ?password? ?and? ?could? ?command? ?the? ?‘Reverend? ?of? ?Empty? ?Words’? ?to? ?threaten? ?Shi? ?

Qingxuan? ?to? ?open? ?the? ?doors? ?to? ?that? ?protection? ?array? ?at? ?the? ?Terrace? ?of? ?Cascading? ?Wine? ?

was? ?also? ?him.? ?

?

At? ?that? ?time,? ?he? ?cracked? ?the? ?establishment? ?plaque? ?to? ?the? ?Temple? ?of? ?Wind? ?and? ?Water? ?with? ?

his? ?own? ?hands? ?without? ?feeling,? ?and? ?maybe? ?it? ?was? ?done? ?out? ?of? ?necessity,? ?or,? ?maybe? ?he? ?

was? ?doing? ?it? ?on? ?purpose? ?in? ?the? ?first? ?place.? ?

?

Under? ?the? ?guise? ?of? ?an? ?excuse? ?to? ?openly? ?dismantle? ?the? ?establishment? ?plaque? ?of? ?his? ?

enemy? ?and? ?his? ?enemy? ?had? ?to? ?be? ?grateful? ?too,? ?what? ?daring? ?arrogance.? ?

?

With? ?little? ?odd? ?actions? ?such? ?as? ?these,? ?it? ?wasn’t? ?like? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?was? ?never? ?suspicious,? ?and? ?

he? ?had? ?tried? ?to? ?probe,? ?asking? ?those? ?three? ?questions.? ?Yet? ?he? ?had? ?never? ?thought? ?that? ?

something? ?this? ?inconceivable,? ?this? ?audacious,? ?could? ?happen:? ?that? ?a? ?ghost? ?had? ?

impersonated? ?a? ?heavenly? ?official? ?and? ?had? ?always? ?been? ?hiding? ?amongst? ?them!? ? ?

?

The? ?Ship-Sinking? ?Black? ?Water? ?had? ?always? ?been? ?low-key?? ?

?

To? ?exist? ?under? ?a? ?different? ?identity? ?for? ?years,? ?of? ?course? ?he’s? ?low-key.? ?

?

‘Ming-Yi’s’? ?response? ?at? ?the? ?time? ?really? ?didn’t? ?have? ?any? ?flaws.? ?He? ?had? ?devoured? ?the? ?

Reverend? ?of? ?Empty? ?Words? ?and? ?possessed? ?its? ?powers,? ?able? ?to? ?command? ?it? ?like? ?a? ?minion.? ?

A? ?Supreme? ?Ghost? ?King? ?could? ?naturally? ?override? ?its? ?might,? ?unfettered? ?by? ?the? ?restrictions? ?

of? ?its? ?unique? ?trait.? ?If? ?he? ?wanted? ?to? ?speak? ?the? ?truth? ?then? ?he? ?could? ?speak? ?the? ?truth,? ?if? ?he? ?

wished? ?to? ?deceive? ?he? ?could? ?speak? ?lies.? ?

?

That? ?set? ?of? ?skeletons? ?had? ?dexterous? ?hands? ?and? ?feet,? ?corresponding? ?with? ?the? ?identity? ?of? ?

the? ?Earth? ?Master.? ?Why? ?worship? ?it? ?in? ?the? ?Nether? ?Water? ?Manor?? ?It? ?had? ?to? ?be? ?done.? ?That? ?

was? ?the? ?remains? ?of? ?a? ?heavenly? ?official? ?after? ?all;? ?if? ?it? ?wasn’t? ?treated? ?with? ?solemn? ?respect? ?

and? ?carelessly? ?buried,? ?it? ?wouldn’t? ?rest? ?in? ?peace? ?and? ?the? ?coffin? ?would? ?not? ?hold.? ?Thus,? ?he? ?

could? ?only? ?regard? ?it? ?with? ?grand? ?formalities? ?and? ?worship? ?it? ?within? ?his? ?own? ?halls.? ?

?

However,? ?what? ?made? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?guess? ?his? ?identity? ?wasn’t? ?just? ?this,? ?but? ?that? ?lunge.? ?

?

The? ?Water? ?Master? ?asked? ?why? ?the? ?skeleton? ?would? ?experience? ?terminal? ?lucidity?? ?Ming? ?Yi? ?

answered? ?in? ?a? ?rush? ?to? ?say? ?it? ?was? ?“As? ?long? ?as? ?that? ?thing? ?won’t? ?stand? ?in? ?my? ?way,? ?it? ?doesn’t? ?

matter? ?who? ?he? ?is”,? ?but? ?in? ?actuality,? ?what? ?really? ?provoked? ?the? ?real? ?Ming? ?Yi? ?wasn’t? ?that,? ?but? ?

the? ?words? ?after? ?–? ?“Lord? ?Earth? ?Master”!? ?Because,? ?he? ?was? ?the? ?real? ?Earth? ?Master!? ? ?

?

And? ?the? ?one? ?impersonating? ?him? ?was? ?standing? ?right? ?before? ?him,? ?nonchalantly? ?and? ?

intentionally? ?leading? ?them? ?astray.? ?

?

Sometimes,? ?‘Ming? ?Yi’? ?would? ?also? ?do? ?the? ?opposite? ?on? ?purpose? ?and? ?pull? ?them? ?back? ?on? ?

track? ?to? ?escape? ?suspicion.? ?For? ?example,? ?he? ?said? ?to? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?“You? ?really? ?do? ?have? ?spies? ?

in? ?the? ?heavens”.? ?Yet? ?wasn’t? ?that? ?spy? ?himself?? ?That? ?was? ?why? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?responded? ?so? ?

ironically,? ?“Don’t? ?you? ?already? ?know? ?that?”? ?Implying,? ?“Why? ?play? ?pretend?”? ? ?

?

However,? ?the? ?word? ?‘spy’? ?was? ?probably? ?inaccurate.? ?An? ?agreement? ?was? ?more? ?likely? ?

between? ?those? ?two.? ?Such? ?as,? ?an? ?exchange? ?of? ?information.? ?

?

The? ?two? ?Supreme? ?Ghost? ?Kings? ?cooperated? ?out? ?of? ?mutual? ?benefit,? ?so? ?it? ?was? ?a? ?win-win? ?

situation.? ?Black? ?Water? ?snuck? ?into? ?the? ?Heavenly? ?Court? ?and? ?grasped? ?all? ?movements? ?of? ?the? ?

heavenly? ?realm,? ?big? ?and? ?small,? ?and? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?on? ?the? ?other? ?hand,? ?took? ?root? ?in? ?the? ?

mortal? ?realm,? ?expanding? ?the? ?number? ?of? ?worshippers.? ?Besides? ?this,? ?whether? ?if? ?they? ?

cooperated? ?in? ?other? ?matters,? ?it? ?wasn’t? ?known.? ?

?

Jun? ?Wu? ?sending? ?the? ?‘Earth? ?Master’? ?to? ?infiltrate? ?Ghost? ?City? ?was? ?no? ?different? ?than? ?flooding? ?

the? ?Temple? ?of? ?the? ?Dragon? ?King*,? ?sending? ?thieves? ?to? ?a? ?bandit’s? ?lair.? ?

?

Up? ?until? ?now,? ?there? ?were? ?probably? ?only? ?two? ?accidents? ?that? ?arose? ?while? ?he? ?was? ?

undercover.? ?The? ?first? ?one? ?was? ?that? ?spell? ?of? ?Ascending? ?Fire? ?Dragon.? ?

?

An? ?impostor? ?obviously? ?wouldn’t? ?do? ?something? ?so? ?pointless.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?was? ?more? ?inclined? ?

to? ?think? ?that? ?the? ?one? ?who? ?casted? ?that? ?Ascending? ?Fire? ?Dragon? ?spell? ?was? ?the? ?real? ?Ming? ?Yi? ?

who? ?managed? ?to? ?escape.? ?

?

In? ?order? ?to? ?disguise? ?oneself? ?as? ?someone? ?completely? ?different? ?and? ?sneak? ?into? ?the? ?

Heavenly? ?Court,? ?one? ?must? ?be? ?able? ?to? ?have? ?a? ?thorough? ?understanding? ?of? ?that? ?person.? ?

Thus,? ?the? ?impersonated? ?must? ?be? ?kept? ?alive? ?so? ?small? ?details? ?such? ?as? ?experiences,? ?skills,? ?

spiritual? ?device? ?manipulation,? ?etc.,? ?could? ?be? ?dug? ?out? ?little? ?by? ?little.? ?The? ?fake? ?Ming? ?Yi? ?more? ?

than? ?likely? ?kidnapped? ?and? ?imprisoned? ?the? ?real? ?Ming? ?Yi? ?right? ?after? ?he? ?passed? ?his? ?

Heavenly? ?Calamity? ?but? ?not? ?yet? ?ascended.? ?Otherwise? ?if? ?the? ?real? ?Ming? ?Yi? ?had? ?already? ?

made? ?contact? ?with? ?other? ?heavenly? ?officials,? ?it’d? ?be? ?easy? ?for? ?the? ?imposter? ?to? ?be? ?

discovered.? ?

?

That? ?was? ?an? ?accident,? ?so? ?when? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?received? ?the? ?news? ?he? ?had? ?to? ?back? ?to? ?help? ?

his? ?partner? ?deal? ?with? ?the? ?aftermath.? ?Coincidentally,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?also? ?received? ?the? ?mission? ?

from? ?Jun? ?Wu:? ?Ghost? ?City? ?rescue.? ?

?

He? ?didn’t? ?think? ?so? ?at? ?the? ?time,? ?but? ?thinking? ?back? ?now,? ?he? ?realized? ?maybe? ?that? ?operation? ?

went? ?a? ?little? ?too? ?smoothly?? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?really? ?did? ?rescue? ?the? ?‘Earth? ?Master’? ?from? ?the? ?

dungeons? ?of? ?Paradise? ?Manor,? ?but? ?how? ?did? ?he? ?find? ?the? ?dungeon? ?in? ?the? ?first? ?place?? ? ?

?

Wasn’t? ?it? ?because? ?he? ?first? ?saw? ?the? ?cursed? ?shackle? ?of? ?Hua? ?Cheng’s? ?subordinate,? ?the? ?one? ?

who? ?wore? ?a? ?demon? ?mask,? ?then? ?saw? ?him? ?sneaking? ?about? ?Paradise? ?Manor?? ? ?

?

Something? ?like? ?a? ?cursed? ?shackle? ?was? ?a? ?sign? ?of? ?humiliation,? ?and? ?normally? ?when? ?heavenly? ?

officials? ?were? ?banished,? ?they? ?would? ?hide? ?it? ?away.? ?So? ?why? ?did? ?that? ?masked? ?man? ?wear? ?it? ?on? ?

his? ?wrist? ?so? ?openly?? ?And? ?why? ?did? ?he? ?hide? ?it? ?afterwards?? ?Besides? ?‘carelessness’,? ?the? ?

other? ?explanation? ?was? ?it? ?was? ?done? ?intentionally? ?to? ?grab? ?Xie? ?Lian’s? ?attention,? ?so? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?

could? ?follow? ?along? ?and? ?discover? ?the? ?‘imprisoned’? ?fake? ?Earth? ?Master.? ?The? ?real? ?Ming? ?Yi? ?

who? ?had? ?set? ?off? ?the? ?distress? ?signal? ?was? ?probably? ?killed? ?after? ?this.? ?Because? ?his? ?corpse? ?

couldn’t? ?be? ?destroyed? ?but? ?his? ?flesh? ?couldn’t? ?be? ?kept? ?to? ?allow? ?others? ?to? ?find? ?clues? ?of? ?his? ?

identity,? ?he? ?was? ?dissolved? ?to? ?nothing? ?but? ?white? ?bones.? ?

?

The? ?second? ?accident? ?was? ?after? ?Shi? ?Qingxuan? ?was? ?spooked? ?by? ?the? ?Reverend? ?of? ?Empty? ?

Words,? ?he? ?sought? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?for? ?help.? ?

?

It? ?was? ?obvious? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?didn’t? ?want? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?to? ?be? ?pulled? ?into? ?this? ?affair,? ?which? ?was? ?

why? ?at? ?the? ?time,? ?Ming? ?Yi? ?declared? ?“Coming? ?here? ?was? ?not? ?my? ?intention”.? ?Afterwards? ?when? ?

they? ?were? ?at? ?the? ?Terrace? ?of? ?Cascading? ?Wine,? ?when? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?went? ?away? ?it? ?was? ?

probably? ?to? ?meet? ?up? ?with? ?Ming? ?Yi? ?and? ?question? ?what? ?was? ?going? ?on.? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?didn’t? ?have? ?the? ?chance? ?to? ?explain? ?all? ?of? ?this? ?to? ?Shi? ?Qingxuan? ?in? ?detail,? ?but? ?Shi? ?

Qingxuan? ?himself? ?must’ve? ?gradually? ?thought? ?each? ?detail? ?through? ?too,? ?the? ?hands? ?hiding? ?

under? ?his? ?sleeves? ?trembling.? ?

?

The? ?two? ?walked? ?side? ?by? ?side,? ?and? ?Xie? ?Lian’s? ?mind? ?was? ?churning;? ?just? ?where? ?had? ?Shi? ?

Wudu? ?gone?? ? ?

?

The? ?first? ?one? ?to? ?cross? ?through? ?that? ?array? ?to? ?leave? ?was? ?Shi? ?Wudu,? ?and? ?the? ?last? ?one? ?was? ?

‘Ming? ?Yi’,? ?so? ?he? ?shouldn’t? ?have? ?been? ?able? ?to? ?jump? ?over? ?Shi? ?Qingxuan? ?to? ?do? ?anything? ?to? ?

Shi? ?Wudu,? ?which? ?meant? ?there? ?were? ?three? ?possibilities:? ?first,? ?Shi? ?Wudu? ?was? ?sent? ?

somewhere? ?else;? ?second,? ?there’s? ?something? ?else? ?waiting? ?where? ?Shi? ?Wudu? ?was? ?sent? ?and? ?

he? ?had? ?already? ?fallen? ?victim;? ?third,? ?Shi? ?Wudu? ?left? ?on? ?his? ?own.? ?

?

If? ?it? ?was? ?the? ?first? ?or? ?second? ?possibility,? ?then? ?there? ?was? ?no? ?reason? ?for? ?Ming? ?Yi? ?to? ?keep? ?

acting? ?in? ?front? ?of? ?Shi? ?Qingxuan? ?right? ?now,? ?searching? ?for? ?Shi? ?Wudu.? ?Having? ?thought? ?this? ?

far,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?suddenly? ?heard? ?‘Ming? ?Yi’? ?ask,? ?“Where’s? ?your? ?golden? ?locket?”? ? ?

?

Shi? ?Qingxuan? ?was? ?momentarily? ?puzzled? ?but? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?was? ?immediately? ?filled? ?with? ?dread.? ?

Ming? ?Yi? ?asked? ?a? ?couple? ?times? ?before? ?Shi? ?Qingxuan? ?responded,? ?“Huh?”? ? ?

?

‘Ming? ?Yi’? ?said? ?gruffly,? ?“Didn’t? ?you? ?say? ?those? ?two? ?golden? ?longevity? ?lockets? ?were? ?forged? ?by? ?

the? ?golden? ?cores? ?of? ?you? ?and? ?your? ?brother,? ?and? ?if? ?the? ?master? ?is? ?hurt? ?they? ?would? ?cry?”? ? ?

?

“...”? ?

?

Shi? ?Qingxuan? ?told? ?Ming? ?Yi? ?everything,? ?so? ?naturally? ?he? ?also? ?knew? ?how? ?that? ?spiritual? ?

device? ?worked.? ?Which? ?meant,? ?he? ?was? ?going? ?to? ?use? ?the? ?golden? ?locket? ?to? ?find? ?Shi? ?Wudu!? ?

?

“But...? ?but,? ?my? ?scratches? ?are? ?healed!”? ?Shi? ?Qingxuan? ?said.? ?

?

“That’s? ?easy? ?to? ?solve.”? ?‘Ming? ?Yi’? ?said? ?coldly.? ?Then,? ?he? ?raised? ?his? ?arm? ?slightly.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?

was? ?alarmed,? ?was? ?he? ?going? ?to? ?cut? ?Lord? ?Wind? ?Master???? ?He? ?tensed? ?in? ?defense,? ?however,? ?

Ming? ?Yi? ?squeezed? ?the? ?gash? ?on? ?his? ?own? ?arm? ?instead.? ?

?

The? ?gash? ?that? ?had? ?already? ?ceased? ?bleeding? ?oozed? ?again.? ?“Give? ?me? ?the? ?locket,? ?I’ll? ?wear? ?

it.”? ?He? ?said.? ?

?

“...”? ?

?

Seeing? ?this,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?couldn’t? ?help? ?but? ?be? ?awed.? ?

?

If? ?this? ?gesture? ?wasn’t? ?comprised? ?of? ?hidden? ?maliciousness? ?and? ?murderous? ?intent,? ?then? ?

such? ?a? ?person? ?truly? ?was? ?worthy? ?to? ?be? ?befriended!? ?

?

However,? ?Shi? ?Qingxuan? ?was? ?still? ?rooted? ?on? ?the? ?spot,? ?hesitant? ?to? ?move.? ?The? ?moment? ?he? ?

gave? ?the? ?longevity? ?locket,? ?the? ?two? ?golden? ?lockets? ?would? ?cry? ?for? ?each? ?other.? ?Should? ?Shi? ?

Wudu? ?notice,? ?he? ?would? ?for? ?sure? ?come? ?find? ?him? ?directly.? ?‘Ming? ?Yi’? ?furrowed? ?his? ?brows,? ?

“Are? ?you? ?scared? ?stupid?”? ? ?

?

“...No!”? ?Shi? ?Qingxuan? ?said,? ?“Actually,? ?this,? ?this? ?locket,? ?didn’t? ?I? ?tell? ?you?? ?It? ?only? ?works? ?if? ?I’m? ?

the? ?one? ?who? ?wears? ?it.”? ?

?

‘Ming? ?Yi’? ?looked? ?doubtful,? ?“Really?”? ?

?

Shi? ?Qingxuan? ?gripped? ?the? ?longevity? ?locket? ?tightly? ?and? ?nodded? ?his? ?head? ?firmly,? ?“That’s? ?

right!”? ? ?

?

‘Ming? ?Yi’? ?stared? ?at? ?him? ?for? ?a? ?moment? ?but? ?then? ?seemed? ?to? ?abandon? ?the? ?idea.? ?He? ?looked? ?at? ?

the? ?gash? ?on? ?his? ?own? ?arm? ?but? ?didn’t? ?say? ?anything.? ?Just? ?then,? ?that? ?longevity? ?locket? ?around? ?

Shi? ?Qingxuan’s? ?neck? ?suddenly? ?started? ?vibrating.? ?

?

The? ?colours? ?of? ?Shi? ?Qingxuan’s? ?face? ?instantly? ?changed? ?and? ?‘Ming? ?Yi’? ?reacted? ?immediately,? ?

going? ?in? ?the? ?direction? ?the? ?longevity? ?locket? ?was? ?point? ?without? ?pause.? ?

?

The? ?golden? ?lockets? ?cry? ?meant? ?Shi? ?Wudu? ?was? ?hurt.? ?Yet? ?when? ?he? ?entered? ?the? ?array? ?earlier? ?

he? ?was? ?perfectly? ?fine,? ?so? ?what? ?hurt? ?him?? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?could? ?sense? ?that? ?Shi? ?Qingxuan? ?was? ?anxious? ?to? ?go? ?but? ?also? ?not.? ?They? ?were? ?

trapped? ?in? ?the? ?illusion? ?within? ?the? ?Black? ?Water? ?Lake,? ?and? ?there? ?was? ?no? ?one? ?else? ?on? ?the? ?

island.? ?Pei? ?Ming? ?was? ?building? ?a? ?coffin? ?boat? ?outside? ?the? ?boundary? ?waiting? ?for? ?their? ?return.? ?

Shi? ?Qingxuan? ?was? ?mortal? ?right? ?now;? ?if? ?Shi? ?Wudu? ?was? ?hurt,? ?none? ?in? ?heaven? ?or? ?earth? ?could? ?

heed? ?their? ?call.? ?If? ?they? ?were? ?to? ?give? ?themselves? ?up,? ?how? ?could? ?they? ?possibly? ?escape?? ?

?

After? ?rushing? ?for? ?a? ?while,? ?Shi? ?Qingxuan? ?spoke? ?up,? ?“Ming...? ?xiong,? ?I? ?think? ?it’s? ?a? ?trap.? ?It’s? ?

probably? ?best? ?not? ?to? ?go!”? ? ?

?

“What? ?trap?”? ?‘Ming? ?Yi’? ?asked.? ?

?

Shi? ?Qingxuan? ?lied? ?bold-facedly,? ?“How? ?can? ?my? ?brother? ?possibly? ?get? ?hurt?? ?It? ?mustn’t? ?be? ?

him? ?over? ?there.”? ?

?

However,? ?‘Ming? ?Yi’? ?had? ?more? ?reasons? ?and? ?rationale? ?than? ?he? ?did,? ?“We’re? ?in? ?the? ?territory? ?of? ?

a? ?Supreme? ?Demon? ?King.? ?Lord? ?Water? ?Master? ?might? ?not? ?have? ?what? ?it? ?takes? ?to? ?protect? ?

himself.? ?No? ?matter? ?what? ?it? ?is,? ?let’s? ?go? ?take? ?a? ?look? ?first.”? ?

?

Shi? ?Qingxuan? ?couldn’t? ?think? ?of? ?an? ?excuse? ?not? ?to? ?go,? ?and? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?couldn’t? ?come? ?up? ?with? ?

anything? ?either,? ?so? ?he? ?watched? ?silently? ?instead,? ?ready? ?to? ?act? ?at? ?a? ?moment’s? ?notice.? ? ?

?

Following? ?the? ?growing? ?vibrations? ?of? ?the? ?longevity? ?locket,? ?the? ?two? ?walked? ?closer? ?and? ?

closer? ?to? ?the? ?target,? ?and? ?soon? ?they? ?saw? ?Shi? ?Wudu? ?lying? ?on? ?the? ?ground,? ?scruffily? ?curled? ?

up,? ?holding? ?his? ?stomach,? ?looking? ?to? ?be? ?in? ?immense? ?pain.? ?Shi? ?Qingxuan? ?was? ?shocked? ?and? ?

shouted,? ?“GE!”? ?Then? ?he? ?rushed? ?over? ?with? ?Ming? ?Yi? ?close? ?behind.? ?Yet,? ?when? ?they? ?

approached? ?Shi? ?Wudu,? ?he? ?suddenly? ?leapt? ?to? ?his? ?feet? ?and? ?embraced? ?him,? ?bursting? ?out? ?in? ?

crazed? ?laughter.? ?Fully? ?enveloped? ?in? ?his? ?arms,? ?Shi? ?Qingxuan? ?was? ?exceedingly? ?bemused,? ?

and? ?only? ?then? ?did? ?he? ?realize? ?that? ?man? ?bore? ?a? ?twisted? ?face? ?–? ?it? ?wasn’t? ?Shi? ?Wudu!? ?It? ?was? ?

only? ?an? ?insane? ?maniac? ?dressed? ?in? ?Shi? ?Wudu’s? ?robes? ?and? ?wearing? ?that? ?golden? ?locket!? ?

?

He? ?hadn’t? ?yet? ?opened? ?his? ?mouth? ?to? ?speak? ?when? ?Ming? ?Yi,? ?who? ?was? ?next? ?to? ?him,? ?suddenly? ?

collapsed,? ?a? ?small? ?ball-sized? ?black? ?hole? ?appeared? ?on? ?his? ?chest,? ?spilling? ?fresh? ?blood.? ?A? ?

figure? ?in? ?white? ?leapt? ?off? ?a? ?tree,? ?grabbed? ?him? ?and? ?ran,? ?shouting,? ?“RUN!”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?looked? ?closely? ?and? ?saw,? ?this? ?was? ?the? ?real? ?Shi? ?Wudu!? ?

?

“GE?!”? ?Shi? ?Qingxuan? ?exclaimed.? ?

?

Shi? ?Wudu? ?barked? ?with? ?a? ?low? ?voice,? ?“Don’t? ?talk? ?and? ?come? ?with? ?me!? ?He’s? ?no? ?good!”? ? ?

?

In? ?a? ?flash? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?understood.? ?Turns? ?out,? ?Shi? ?Wudu? ?wasn’t? ?one? ?to? ?be? ?underestimated? ?

either.? ?The? ?moment? ?he? ?walked? ?out? ?of? ?the? ?transportation? ?array? ?and? ?saw? ?he? ?was? ?still? ?in? ?the? ?

Nether? ?Water? ?Manor,? ?he? ?had? ?already? ?known? ?something? ?was? ?amiss.? ?He? ?didn’t? ?think? ?things? ?

as? ?complicated? ?as? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?did,? ?and? ?he? ?was? ?much? ?sharper.? ?The? ?first? ?one? ?he? ?suspected? ?

was? ?Ming? ?Yi,? ?so? ?he? ?hid? ?to? ?make? ?himself? ?invisible,? ?watching? ?from? ?the? ?shadows? ?just? ?what? ?

he? ?was? ?up? ?to.? ?He? ?was? ?probably? ?sent? ?to? ?a? ?different? ?location? ?than? ?Shi? ?Qingxuan,? ?otherwise? ?

he? ?would’ve? ?taken? ?Shi? ?Qingxuan? ?along? ?to? ?hide? ?with? ?him.? ?After? ?finding? ?Ming? ?Yi? ?and? ?Shi? ?

Qingxuan? ?together,? ?he? ?dragged? ?a? ?maniac? ?over,? ?dressed? ?it? ?in? ?his? ?outer? ?robes? ?and? ?put? ?the? ?

golden? ?locket? ?around? ?its? ?neck? ?then? ?smacked? ?it? ?with? ?a? ?blast,? ?garnering? ?Ming? ?Yi’s? ?attention? ?

first? ?before? ?ambushing.? ?It? ?was? ?a? ?rather? ?ruthless? ?move,? ?since? ?there? ?wasn’t? ?any? ?solid? ?proof? ?

that? ?Ming? ?Yi? ?did? ?anything,? ?yet? ?Shi? ?Wudu? ?was? ?going? ?straight? ?for? ?his? ?life!? ?

?

Shi? ?Qingxuan? ?couldn’t? ?help? ?but? ?look? ?back,? ?but? ?when? ?he? ?did,? ?he? ?saw? ?the? ?‘Ming? ?Yi’? ?whose? ?

heart? ?was? ?now? ?blasted? ?through,? ?lie? ?for? ?a? ?bit? ?before? ?sitting? ?up,? ?stoically? ?lowered? ?his? ?head? ?

to? ?look? ?at? ?that? ?bloody? ?hole,? ?before? ?slowly? ?rising? ?to? ?his? ?feet.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?could? ?feel? ?Shi? ?

Qingxuan’s? ?blood? ?run? ?cold? ?all? ?the? ?way? ?to? ?his? ?own? ?heart.? ?Even? ?for? ?heavenly? ?officials,? ?who? ?

can? ?move? ?so? ?easily? ?after? ?being? ?struck? ?like? ?this?? ?It? ?had? ?to? ?be? ?something? ?inhuman!? ? ?

?

The? ?two? ?brothers? ?dashed? ?for? ?a? ?while? ?when? ?suddenly,? ?hairs? ?on? ?Xie? ?Lian’s? ?back? ?stood,? ?and? ?

he? ?shouted,? ?“WATCH? ?OUT!”? ?He? ?pulled? ?the? ?Water? ?Master,? ?and? ?a? ?sharp? ?whistling? ?sound? ?

shot? ?through? ?the? ?air,? ?chillingly? ?flashing? ?by.? ?If? ?it? ?wasn’t? ?for? ?Xie? ?Lian’s? ?pull,? ?the? ?Water? ?Master? ?

would’ve? ?lost? ?his? ?head? ?already.? ?

?

It? ?was? ?those? ?invisible? ?creatures? ?from? ?the? ?water’s? ?reflection!? ?

?

Shi? ?Wudu? ?cursed.? ?He? ?flipped? ?out? ?the? ?Water? ?Master? ?fan? ?and? ?swung;? ?several? ?thin? ?and? ?long? ?

water? ?arrows? ?jetted? ?out? ?through? ?the? ?waves? ?on? ?the? ?surface? ?of? ?his? ?fan,? ?encircling? ?their? ?

bodies,? ?forming? ?a? ?protective? ?circle.? ?Now? ?those? ?invisible? ?creatures? ?couldn’t? ?do? ?anything? ?to? ?

them.? ?The? ?two? ?continued? ?to? ?flee,? ?and? ?Shi? ?Qingxuan? ?couldn’t? ?help? ?but? ?looked? ?back? ?again.? ?

This? ?time,? ?he? ?could? ?feel? ?chills? ?down? ?his? ?spine,? ?“He...? ?he’s? ?catching? ?up!”? ? ?

?

Sure? ?enough,? ?‘Ming? ?Yi’? ?was? ?only? ?about? ?twenty? ?feet? ?behind? ?them,? ?walking? ?forward? ?slowly.? ?

Although? ?it? ?looked? ?like? ?his? ?steps? ?were? ?slow,? ?yet? ?with? ?every? ?step,? ?the? ?distance? ?between? ?

him? ?and? ?the? ?two? ?ahead? ?would? ?instantly? ?pull? ?significantly? ?closer,? ?looking? ?like? ?with? ?several? ?

more? ?steps? ?he? ?could? ?touch? ?the? ?hems? ?of? ?their? ?robes.? ?

?

Shi? ?Wudu? ?never? ?looked? ?back,? ?but? ?with? ?one? ?more? ?swing? ?of? ?his? ?fan,? ?twenty? ?to? ?thirty? ?more? ?

razor-sharp? ?dragon-like? ?water? ?arrows? ?shot? ?out? ?from? ?the? ?surface? ?of? ?his? ?fan.? ?Even? ?though? ?

they? ?were? ?made? ?of? ?water,? ?yet? ?they? ?ripped? ?through? ?the? ?air? ?like? ?steel? ?blades.? ?With? ?another? ?

swing,? ?their? ?numbers? ?doubled.? ?Fanning? ?a? ?few? ?times,? ?hundreds? ?of? ?water? ?arrows? ?jetted? ?

towards? ?‘Ming? ?Yi’,? ?attacking? ?him? ?from? ?all? ?around.? ?With? ?but? ?one? ?misstep,? ?his? ?body? ?would? ?

be? ?pierced? ?with? ?holes? ?through? ?his? ?body.? ?Yet,? ?‘Ming? ?Yi’? ?caught? ?the? ?first? ?water? ?arrow? ?with? ?

but? ?his? ?bare? ?hands? ?and? ?yanked? ?like? ?it? ?was? ?a? ?rope,? ?and? ?that? ?Water? ?Master? ?fan? ?was? ?

yanked? ?out? ?of? ?Shi? ?Wudu’s? ?hand!? ?

?

The? ?moment? ?the? ?fan? ?left? ?his? ?hand,? ?the? ?water? ?dragon? ?arrows? ?that? ?were? ?dancing? ?wildly? ?in? ?

the? ?skies? ?instantly? ?dissolved? ?into? ?drizzles,? ?falling? ?from? ?above.? ?Shi? ?Wudu? ?abruptly? ?stopped? ?

in? ?his? ?step? ?and? ?looked? ?at? ?his? ?hand? ?in? ?disbelief.? ?For? ?over? ?hundreds? ?of? ?years,? ?this? ?was? ?the? ?

first? ?time? ?anyone? ?was? ?able? ?to? ?take? ?the? ?Water? ?Master? ?fan? ?from? ?his? ?hand.? ?He? ?knew? ?he? ?

couldn’t? ?escape? ?anymore? ?and? ?finally? ?looked? ?back.? ?That? ?‘Ming? ?Yi’? ?was? ?walking? ?towards? ?

them? ?with? ?steady? ?steps.? ?

?

His? ?entire? ?person? ?seemed? ?to? ?be? ?going? ?through? ?an? ?intricate? ?transformation.? ?With? ?every? ?

step? ?a? ?change? ?happened.? ?That? ?already? ?blanched? ?face? ?seemed? ?to? ?be? ?even? ?paler,? ?the? ?

same? ?bloodless? ?translucence? ?like? ?Hua? ?Cheng,? ?and? ?his? ?forehead? ?becoming? ?sharper,? ?his? ?

brows? ?deeper,? ?which,? ?naturally,? ?made? ?him? ?appear? ?even? ?more? ?somber.? ?On? ?the? ?hems? ?of? ?

his? ?once? ?plain? ?black? ?robes? ?silently? ?and? ?inconspicuously? ?grew? ?patterns? ?of? ?waves? ?weaved? ?

by? ?thin? ?threads,? ?shimmering? ?a? ?mysterious? ?silver? ?glow.? ?Once? ?he? ?had? ?come? ?before? ?the? ?

Wind? ?and? ?Water? ?Masters,? ?his? ?face? ?was? ?still? ?about? ?the? ?same,? ?but? ?he? ?was? ?already? ?a? ?

completely? ?different? ?person.? ?

?

The? ?Earth? ?Master? ?wasn’t? ?a? ?martial? ?god? ?so? ?he? ?was? ?no? ?good? ?at? ?martial? ?arts,? ?his? ?spiritual? ?

powers? ?average.? ?However,? ?the? ?one? ?before? ?them? ?now,? ?was? ?obviously? ?neither.? ?

?

“Just? ?who? ?are? ?you?”? ?Shi? ?Wudu? ?demanded? ?cautiously.? ?

?

‘Ming? ?Yi’? ?seemed? ?to? ?have? ?found? ?the? ?question? ?funny? ?and? ?squinted? ?his? ?eyes,? ?“You’re? ?

standing? ?in? ?my? ?territory? ?and? ?you? ?need? ?to? ?ask? ?who? ?I? ?am?”? ? ?

?

“...Black? ?Water? ?Demon? ?Xuan?”? ?Shi? ?Wudu? ?ventured.? ?

?

‘Ming? ?Yi’? ?glanced? ?at? ?Shi? ?Qingxuan? ?but? ?Shi? ?Qingxuan? ?didn’t? ?react.? ?Shi? ?Wudu? ?continued,? ?

“You’ve? ?always? ?been? ?the? ?Earth? ?Master?? ?Or...”? ?He? ?trailed? ?off? ?as? ?he? ?guessed? ?too.? ?“I? ?see.”? ? ?

?

However,? ?what? ?he? ?figured? ?out? ?was? ?only? ?that? ?Demon? ?Xuan? ?had? ?infiltrated? ?the? ?heavens.? ?

Shi? ?Wudu? ?said,? ?“You? ?and? ?I? ?have? ?always? ?minded? ?our? ?own? ?business;? ?well? ?waters? ?don’t? ?

interfere? ?with? ?rivers,? ?we’ve? ?ruled? ?over? ?our? ?own? ?domains.? ?Intruding? ?in? ?your? ?territory? ?wasn’t? ?

my? ?intention,? ?so? ?why? ?don’t? ?we? ?both? ?take? ?a? ?step? ?back?”? ? ?

?

“Water? ?Tyrant,”? ?‘Ming? ?Yi’? ?said,? ?“So? ?there? ?are? ?also? ?times? ?when? ?you? ?don’t? ?dare? ?to? ?be? ?

tyrannical?”? ? ?

?

Shi? ?Wudu? ?was? ?proud? ?by? ?nature,? ?and? ?hearing? ?this,? ?displeasure? ?flashed? ?across? ?his? ?face.? ?

Though? ?since? ?they? ?were? ?under? ?someone? ?else’s? ?roof? ?and? ?his? ?younger? ?brother? ?was? ?by? ?his? ?

side,? ?he? ?had? ?to? ?lower? ?his? ?head.? ?Still,? ?he? ?wasn’t? ?willing? ?to? ?back? ?down,? ?“If? ?it? ?wasn’t? ?the? ?

wrong? ?place? ?and? ?time,? ?I? ?wouldn’t? ?be? ?afraid? ?of? ?you.”? ? ?

?

‘Ming? ?Yi’? ?took? ?another? ?step? ?forward? ?and? ?said? ?chillingly,? ?“Shi? ?Wudu,? ?look? ?at? ?my? ?face.? ?Do? ?

you? ?know? ?who? ?I? ?am?”? ? ?

?

Shi? ?Wudu? ?watched? ?him? ?with? ?a? ?frown.? ?He? ?had? ?seen? ?the? ?face? ?of? ?the? ?Earth? ?Master? ?a? ?few? ?

times? ?so? ?he? ?didn’t? ?understand? ?what? ?he? ?was? ?trying? ?to? ?say.? ?“You? ?want? ?me? ?to? ?tell? ?you? ?who? ?

you? ?are?”? ?After? ?a? ?pause,? ?he? ?thought? ?he? ?was? ?trying? ?to? ?imply? ?his? ?identity? ?couldn’t? ?be? ?

revealed,? ?so? ?he? ?said,? ?“It? ?doesn’t? ?matter? ?who? ?you? ?are.? ?I? ?swear? ?on? ?my? ?Water? ?Master? ?name,? ?

as? ?long? ?as? ?you? ?don’t? ?involve? ?me? ?or? ?my? ?brother,? ?I? ?won’t? ?care? ?for? ?anything? ?you? ?do...”? ? ?

?

He? ?hadn’t? ?finished? ?his? ?sentence? ?before? ?‘Ming? ?Yi’? ?cut? ?him? ?off? ?icily,? ?“Noble? ?people? ?really? ?are? ?

forgetful.? ?Water? ?Tyrant,? ?how? ?many? ?mortal? ?names? ?and? ?mortal? ?births? ?did? ?you? ?flip? ?through? ?

back? ?then? ?to? ?so? ?arduously? ?find? ?the? ?one? ?me?? ?What,? ?it? ?hasn’t? ?even? ?been? ?a? ?few? ?hundred? ?

years? ?and? ?you’ve? ?already? ?forgotten? ?how? ?I? ?look? ?like?”? ? ?

?

Hearing? ?this,? ?Shi? ?Wudu’s? ?face? ?was? ?starting? ?to? ?twitch? ?little? ?by? ?little.? ?

?

An? ?expression? ?like? ?‘seen? ?a? ?ghost’? ?that? ?only? ?mortals? ?experienced? ?was? ?now? ?showing? ?on? ?his? ?

face? ?for? ?the? ?first? ?time.? ?Shi? ?Wudu’s? ?pupils? ?shrank? ?to? ?the? ?smallest? ?they? ?could? ?and? ?he? ?

blurted,? ?“You’re? ?still? ?alive?!”? ? ?

?

“I’m? ?dead!”? ?He? ?Xuan? ?said? ?coldly.? ?

?

Then,? ?he? ?suddenly? ?raised? ?a? ?hand,? ?pressed? ?his? ?fingers? ?together? ?swung? ?his? ?palm? ?upwards.? ?

Xie? ?Lian? ?felt? ?a? ?sudden? ?pain? ?lunging? ?at? ?his? ?head,? ?and? ?it? ?seemed? ?Shi? ?Qingxuan? ?who? ?was? ?

affected? ?by? ?He? ?Xuan’s? ?spiritual? ?might? ?and? ?fainted.? ?

?

An? ?unknown? ?amount? ?of? ?time? ?went? ?by? ?before? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?slowly? ?came? ?to? ?along? ?with? ?Shi? ?

Qingxuan’s? ?consciousness.? ?Before? ?his? ?eyes? ?were? ?opened? ?he? ?could? ?already? ?feel? ?

something? ?rubbing? ?against? ?him? ?back? ?and? ?forth.? ?

?

As? ?he? ?sluggishly? ?opened? ?his? ?eyes,? ?he? ?found? ?they? ?were? ?several? ?hairy? ?and? ?foul? ?heads.? ?A? ?

band? ?of? ?those? ?insane? ?maniacs? ?surrounded? ?his? ?person,? ?watching? ?his? ?face? ?with? ?nutty? ?

giggles? ?and? ?feeling? ?him? ?all? ?over? ?with? ?their? ?hands.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?was? ?still? ?fairly? ?calm? ?because? ?

he? ?immediately? ?determined? ?that? ?this? ?wasn’t? ?a? ?life-threatening? ?situation;? ?those? ?maniacs? ?

were? ?just? ?a? ?little? ?filthy? ?but? ?not? ?a? ?threat.? ?However,? ?Shi? ?Qingxuan? ?was? ?stunned? ?and? ?

instantly? ?wanted? ?to? ?push? ?them? ?away.? ?Yet,? ?there? ?came? ?loud?? ?cling?? ?and? ??clangs?? ?of? ?iron? ?

shackles,? ?a? ?coldness? ?on? ?his? ?wrists? ?and? ?ankles,? ?and? ?he? ?couldn’t? ?move? ?a? ?limb.? ?He? ?looked? ?

up? ?and? ?turns? ?out? ?he? ?was? ?cuffed? ?onto? ?a? ?wall? ?by? ?several? ?iron? ?chains? ?thick? ?as? ?a? ?wooden? ?

club,? ?his? ?arms? ?raised? ?and? ?suspended.? ? ?

?

Seeing? ?the? ?floors? ?and? ?the? ?ceiling,? ?he? ?was? ?probably? ?back? ?at? ?the? ?Nether? ?Water? ?Manor.? ?Xie? ?

Lian? ?could? ?feel? ?exactly? ?what? ?Shi? ?Qingxuan? ?was? ?feeling? ?and? ?it? ?was? ?a? ?deep? ?searing? ?pain? ?in? ?

his? ?head.? ?He? ?was? ?just? ?about? ?to? ?say? ?“Lord? ?Wind? ?Master,? ?be? ?calm,? ?I’ll? ?teach? ?you? ?how? ?to? ?

break? ?free? ?from? ?cuffs? ?like? ?these...? ?“? ?when? ?suddenly? ?he? ?realized? ?that? ?he? ?couldn’t? ?make? ?a? ?

single? ?sound!? ? ?

?

Perplexed,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?quickly? ?diagnosed? ?himself.? ?A? ?large? ?part? ?of? ?his? ?spiritual? ?powers? ?really? ?

was? ?lost,? ?and? ?although? ?his? ?spirit? ?was? ?still? ?able? ?to? ?remain? ?in? ?Shi? ?Qingxuan’s? ?body,? ?he? ?

could? ?no? ?longer? ?manipulate? ?his? ?body,? ?not? ?even? ?voice? ?any? ?warnings.? ?Could? ?the? ?powers? ?he? ?

borrowed? ?from? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?be? ?all? ?used? ?up?? ?

?

Impossible.? ?He? ?knew? ?exactly? ?how? ?much? ?spiritual? ?powers? ?it? ?took? ?to? ?perform? ?the? ?Soul? ?

Shifting? ?Spell.? ?The? ?powers? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?lent? ?him? ?could? ?only? ?be? ?more? ?and? ?never? ?less.? ?Yet,? ?

he? ?could? ?sense? ?his? ?spiritual? ?powers? ?were? ?rapidly? ?slipping? ?away,? ?driving? ?him? ?nuts? ?and? ?

anxious.? ?Just? ?then,? ?a? ?raspy? ?voice? ?called? ?out? ?from? ?across,? ?“Qingxuan!”? ?

?

Shi? ?Qingxuan’s? ?eyes? ?were? ?bleary,? ?but? ?when? ?he? ?bemusedly? ?looked? ?to? ?where? ?that? ?voice? ?

came? ?from,? ?he? ?saw? ?it? ?was? ?Shi? ?Wudu? ?who? ?was? ?calling? ?him.? ?

?

He? ?wasn’t? ?fettered? ?by? ?any? ?iron? ?shackles,? ?but? ?his? ?white? ?robes? ?were? ?filthy? ?and? ?unkempt.? ?He? ?

was? ?kneeling? ?on? ?the? ?ground,? ?and? ?when? ?he? ?saw? ?Shi? ?Qingxuan? ?come? ?to,? ?he? ?showed? ?a? ?

glad? ?expression,? ?seeming? ?to? ?want? ?to? ?come? ?over? ?but? ?was? ?instantly? ?kicked? ?down? ?by? ?

someone? ?next? ?to? ?him,? ?forcing? ?him? ?to? ?kneel? ?anew.? ?That? ?man? ?stood? ?with? ?fists? ?clenched? ?at? ?

his? ?sides,? ?his? ?expression? ?cold? ?and? ?sinister,? ?his? ?skin? ?so? ?pale? ?it? ?brought? ?shivers,? ?and? ?it? ?was? ?

that? ?Black? ?Water? ?Demon? ?Xuan.? ?Or? ?rather,? ?He? ?Xuan.? ?

?

Behind? ?him? ?was? ?a? ?divine? ?altar,? ?and? ?four? ?obsidian? ?black? ?and? ?smooth? ?urns? ?stood? ?serenely? ?

upon? ?it.? ?Two? ?shredded? ?fans? ?were? ?thrown? ?onto? ?the? ?floor? ?–? ?it? ?was? ?the? ?Wind? ?Master? ?fan? ?and? ?

the? ?Water? ?Master? ?fan.? ?

?

Father,? ?mother,? ?sister,? ?fiancee.? ? ?

?

“Prostrate.”? ?He? ?Xuan? ?said.? ?

?

Shi? ?Wudu’s? ?eyes? ?were? ?fixed? ?on? ?Shi? ?Qingxuan? ?and? ?from? ?his? ?lips? ?he? ?uttered? ?an? ?answer,? ?

“Fine.”? ? ?

?

With? ?that,? ?he? ?actually? ?knelt? ?before? ?the? ?altar? ?and? ??dong?,?? ?dong?,? ??dong?,? ?kowtowed? ?over? ?ten? ?

times? ?before? ?the? ?urns? ?soundly.? ?Then,? ?as? ?he? ?rose? ?slightly,? ?He? ?Xuan? ?stomped? ?down? ?on? ?his? ?

head? ?and? ?said? ?coldly,? ?“Did? ?I? ?permit? ?you? ?to? ?get? ?up?”? ? ?

?

This? ?stomp? ?instantly? ?crushed? ?Shi? ?Wudu’s? ?head? ?onto? ?the? ?floor? ?and? ?he? ?bled? ?from? ?his? ?

orifices.? ?He? ?gritted? ?his? ?teeth,? ?“...no.”? ?

?

The? ?elder? ?brother? ?who? ?was? ?once? ?so? ?proud? ?his? ?head? ?was? ?never? ?bowed? ?was? ?now? ?being? ?

trampled? ?onto? ?the? ?ground? ?by? ?another.? ?Although? ?Shi? ?Qingxuan? ?knew? ?what? ?he? ?had? ?done? ?

deserved? ?a? ?retribution? ?ten? ?times? ?worse? ?than? ?this,? ?but? ?blood? ?was? ?thicker? ?than? ?water,? ?and? ?

in? ?the? ?end? ?he? ?still? ?couldn’t? ?bear? ?to? ?see? ?him? ?like? ?this.? ?“Ge...”? ?

?

Hearing? ?his? ?voice,? ?He? ?Xuan’s? ?chilling? ?eyes? ?swept? ?over.? ?Even? ?if? ?he? ?couldn’t? ?raise? ?his? ?

head,? ?Shi? ?Wudu? ?knew? ?that? ?meek? ?sound? ?wasn’t? ?going? ?to? ?bring? ?anything? ?good,? ?and? ?he? ?

immediately? ?shouted,? ?“YOU? ?BE? ?QUIET!”? ?

?

After? ?pondering? ?for? ?a? ?moment,? ?He? ?Xuan? ?removed? ?the? ?boot? ?from? ?his? ?head.? ?Shi? ?Wudu? ?was? ?

filled? ?with? ?trepidation? ?but? ?he? ?couldn’t? ?get? ?up,? ?and? ?he? ?groaned,? ?“Qingxuan!”? ? ?

?

He? ?Xuan? ?languidly? ?approached.? ?Those? ?insane? ?mad? ?men? ?were? ?terrified? ?of? ?him,? ?and? ?they? ?

scampered? ?away? ?whimpering,? ?though? ?they? ?were? ?still? ?sneaking? ?glimpses? ?at? ?Shi? ?

Qingxuan,? ?as? ?if? ?watching? ?for? ?something? ?on? ?his? ?person.? ?Shi? ?Qingxuan? ?was? ?chained? ?onto? ?

the? ?wall,? ?and? ?he? ?watched? ?as? ?that? ?face? ?he? ?should? ?be? ?more? ?than? ?familiar? ?with? ?but? ?now? ?

dreadfully? ?foreign? ?come? ?closer? ?with? ?every? ?step.? ?

?

He? ?Xuan? ?crouched? ?down? ?in? ?front? ?of? ?him,? ?paused,? ?then? ?asked,? ?“Is? ?the? ?Reverend? ?of? ?Empty? ?

Words? ?scary?”? ?

?

His? ?tone? ?was? ?cool? ?and? ?impassive,? ?but? ?Shi? ?Qingxuan? ?was? ?bug-eyed,? ?his? ?lips? ?quivering,? ?

unable? ?to? ?speak.? ? ?

?

The? ?Reverend? ?of? ?Empty? ?Words? ?back? ?then? ?was? ?already? ?extremely? ?horrifying,? ?yet? ?this? ?

person? ?before? ?him? ?now? ?who? ?had? ?swallowed? ?the? ?Reverend? ?of? ?Empty? ?Words? ?was? ?ten? ?

times,? ?a? ?hundred? ?times? ?more? ?terrifying? ?than? ?the? ?nightmare? ?of? ?his? ?younger? ?years.? ?But? ?this? ?

terror? ?was? ?something? ?he? ?should’ve? ?endured? ?from? ?the? ?beginning.? ?

?

“He? ?Xuan,”? ?Shi? ?Wudu? ?spoke? ?up,? ?“A? ?man? ?must? ?answer? ?to? ?what? ?he? ?has? ?done? ?alone.? ?It? ?was? ?

my? ?idea? ?to? ?use? ?you? ?to? ?prevent? ?his? ?misfortune.? ?This? ?has? ?nothing? ?to? ?do? ?with? ?my? ?little? ?

brother.”? ? ?

?

He? ?Xuan? ?sneered.? ?“Nothing? ?to? ?do? ?with? ?him?”? ? ?

?

He? ?stared? ?at? ?Shi? ?Qingxuan? ?unblinking,? ?enunciating? ?each? ?word,? ?“Your? ?little? ?brother,? ?an? ?

ordinary,? ?common? ?mortal,? ?obtained? ?the? ?ability? ?to? ?ascend;? ?his? ?endless? ?glory? ?was? ?robbed? ?

from? ?my? ?fate,? ?plundered? ?from? ?my? ?divinity.? ?And? ?you? ?tell? ?me? ?that? ?this? ?has? ?nothing? ?to? ?do? ?with? ?

him?”? ? ?

?

Every? ?word? ?was? ?like? ?a? ?blade,? ?and? ?every? ?blade? ?pierced? ?the? ?heart.? ?This? ?was? ?said? ?for? ?Shi? ?

Qingxuan? ?to? ?hear,? ?and? ?even? ?though? ?Shi? ?Qingxuan? ?already? ?knew? ?everything,? ?he? ?still? ?

bowed? ?his? ?head,? ?feeling? ?like? ?he? ?could? ?never? ?hold? ?it? ?high? ?again? ?in? ?his? ?life.? ?Shi? ?Wudu? ?said? ?

with? ?forced? ?calm,? ?“Since...? ?you’ve? ?always? ?been? ?by? ?his? ?side,? ?then? ?you? ?should? ?know? ?very? ?

well? ?that? ?I? ?didn’t? ?deceive? ?you.? ?He’s? ?not? ?one? ?to? ?hide? ?anything,? ?he? ?really? ?didn’t? ?know? ?

anything? ?about? ?this!”? ? ?

?

He? ?Xuan? ?exclaimed? ?sharply,? ?“THAT’S? ?PRECISELY? ?WHY? ?HE’S? ?SO? ?CONTEMPTIBLE!? ?

WHY? ?IS? ?HE? ?ALLOWED? ?TO? ?KNOW? ?NOTHING?!”? ? ?

?

Shi? ?Qingxuan’s? ?head? ?was? ?bowed? ?even? ?lower.? ?

?

What? ?right? ?did? ?he? ?have? ?to? ?suck? ?another’s? ?blood,? ?trample? ?another’s? ?bones? ?to? ?reach? ?the? ?

skies,? ?yet? ?still? ?maintain? ?a? ?peace? ?of? ?mind,? ?enjoying? ?all? ?such? ?luxuries? ?without? ?any? ?sense? ?of? ?

burden?? ? ?

?

He? ?Xuan? ?added,? ?“He? ?didn’t? ?know? ?then,? ?but? ?is? ?he? ?still? ?ignorant? ?now?!”? ? ?

?

Shi? ?Qingxuan? ?looked? ?up? ?and? ?said? ?with? ?a? ?quivering? ?voice,? ?“Ming-xiong,? ?I...”? ? ?

?

“SHUT? ?UP!”? ?He? ?Xuan? ?shouted.? ?

?

His? ?face? ?was? ?almost? ?savage.? ?When? ?Shi? ?Qingxuan? ?saw,? ?a? ?cold? ?shiver? ?went? ?down? ?his? ?

spine,? ?and? ?he? ?fell? ?silent.? ?He? ?Xuan? ?whipped? ?around? ?and? ?started? ?pacing? ?back? ?and? ?forth? ?

within? ?the? ?hall? ?of? ?Nether? ?Water? ?Manor,? ?growling,? ?“I’ve? ?given? ?you? ?chances!”? ?

?

Shi? ?Qingxuan? ?shut? ?his? ?eyes,? ?clenching? ?his? ?fists.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?recalled? ?that? ?excessively? ?

furious? ?“Fine.? ?Very? ?well!”? ?back? ?at? ?the? ?town? ?of? ?Fu? ?Gu,? ?and? ?that? ?scene? ?of? ?‘Ming? ?Yi’? ?blocking? ?

Shi? ?Qingxuan’s? ?path? ?to? ?follow? ?Pei? ?Ming? ?in? ?going? ?to? ?the? ?East? ?Sea.? ?

?

Only,? ?every? ?time,? ?Shi? ?Qingxuan? ?had? ?chosen? ?to? ?help? ?Shi? ?Wudu.? ?

?

He? ?whispered,? ?“...I’m? ?sorry.”? ?

?

He? ?Xuan? ?stopped.? ?He? ?demanded,? ?“And? ?what? ?good? ?is? ?your? ?apology?”? ? ?

?

That? ?row? ?of? ?four? ?urns? ?were? ?placed? ?squarely? ?in? ?front? ?of? ?Shi? ?Qingxuan,? ?as? ?if? ?they? ?too? ?were? ?

jeering? ?at? ?his? ?feather? ?light? ?sorry,? ?drilling? ?misery? ?into? ?his? ?heart,? ?scorching? ?his? ?innards,? ?like? ?

everything? ?he? ?said? ?would? ?be? ?seen? ?through.? ?Shi? ?Qingxuan? ?begged,? ?“...I? ?know? ?it’s? ?futile,? ?

but? ?I...”? ?

?

He? ?Xuan? ?said? ?cooly,? ?“But? ?you? ?what?? ?You? ?know? ?it’s? ?futile? ?but? ?you? ?still? ?want? ?to? ?express? ?

your? ?utmost? ?sincerity,? ?hoping? ?you? ?can? ?move? ?me,? ?that? ?I? ?would? ?let? ?go? ?of? ?this? ?grudge? ?and? ?

dissolve? ?this? ?resentment?”? ? ?

?

Shi? ?Qingxuan? ?hastily? ?said,? ?“NO!? ?No!? ?That’s? ?not? ?what? ?I? ?meant!? ?It’s? ?just..? ?It’s? ?just,? ?I,? ?I,? ?I? ?

really? ?am? ?very? ?sorry? ?I’ve? ?wronged? ?you.? ?Really.? ?Ming...? ?He...? ?Young? ?Master? ?He.? ?I? ?know? ?

both? ?my? ?brother? ?and? ?I? ?are? ?in? ?the? ?wrong.? ?At? ?this? ?point,? ?there’s? ?no? ?turning? ?back,? ?so...”? ?

?

He? ?Xuan? ?was? ?listening? ?intently,? ?“So?”? ?

?

Yet? ?at? ?this? ?very? ?moment,? ?any? ?more? ?words? ?were? ?only? ?sound? ?weak? ?and? ?pathetic.? ?Shi? ?

Qingxuan? ?tried? ?desperately? ?to? ?come? ?up? ?with? ?something? ?but? ?drew? ?a? ?blank,? ?unable? ?to? ?

continue.? ? ?

?

He? ?Xuan? ?said? ?coldly,? ?“Well,? ?talk.? ?Why? ?did? ?you? ?stop?? ?So? ?are? ?you? ?willing? ?to? ?die? ?for? ?your? ?

sins?”? ? ?

?

Shi? ?Qingxuan? ?was? ?taken? ?aback.? ?Shi? ?Wudu? ?couldn’t? ?listen? ?anymore? ?and? ?shouted,? ?“HE? ?

XUAN!!!? ?The? ?offender? ?is? ?me,? ?it’s? ?the? ?Reverend? ?of? ?Empty? ?Words.? ?Qingxuan’s? ?sin? ?doesn’t? ?

deserve? ?death,? ?you...”? ?

?

“And? ?who? ?in? ?my? ?family? ?has? ?sinned?”? ?He? ?Xuan? ?countered,? ?“Who? ?of? ?my? ?family? ?deserved? ?

death?”? ?

?

Shi? ?Wudu? ?choked.? ?He? ?Xuan? ?continued,? ?“Go? ?on.? ?Tell? ?me.? ?Are? ?you? ?willing?”? ?

?

“...I? ?am.”? ?Shi? ?Qingxuan? ?whispered.? ?

?

Hearing? ?this,? ?He? ?Xuan? ?sneered.? ?Since? ?Shi? ?Qingxuan? ?had? ?his? ?head? ?bowed,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?

couldn’t? ?see? ?his? ?expression,? ?but? ?even? ?if? ?he? ?saw,? ?he? ?probably? ?wouldn’t? ?be? ?able? ?to? ?tell? ?what? ?

he? ?was? ?feeling? ?right? ?this? ?moment.? ?

?

Then,? ?He? ?Xuan? ?walked? ?away? ?with? ?his? ?fists? ?by? ?his? ?sides.? ?That? ?band? ?of? ?crazed? ?lunatics? ?

saw? ?him? ?leave? ?and? ?came? ?to? ?surround? ?him? ?once? ?more,? ?hugging? ?Shi? ?Qingxuan’s? ?arms? ?and? ?

thighs? ?refusing? ?to? ?let? ?go.? ?Some? ?were? ?also? ?pulling? ?at? ?his? ?hair,? ?some? ?hooked? ?around? ?his? ?

neck,? ?each? ?of? ?them? ?with? ?mad? ?glints? ?in? ?their? ?eyes,? ?as? ?if? ?they? ?want? ?to? ?eat? ?him? ?alive? ?into? ?

their? ?stomachs.? ?Even? ?though? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?had? ?lived? ?among? ?the? ?homeless? ?before,? ?he? ?too? ?felt? ?

his? ?blood? ?run? ?cold,? ?and? ?he? ?wondered,? ?‘Just? ?who? ?are? ?these? ?people?? ?Why? ?did? ?Demon? ?

Xuan? ?collect? ?such? ?a? ?group? ?of? ?mad? ?men? ?here?’? ?

?

However,? ?Shi? ?Qingxuan? ?only? ?silently? ?endured? ?the? ?pushing? ?and? ?shoving? ?of? ?those? ?mad? ?

men,? ?tolerating? ?their? ?pulling? ?and? ?dragging,? ?scared? ?to? ?make? ?a? ?sound.? ?He? ?Xuan? ?watched? ?

with? ?cold? ?eyes? ?for? ?a? ?while,? ?then? ?he? ?spoke,? ?“Do? ?you? ?know? ?who? ?these? ?people? ?are?”? ?

?

A? ?few? ?decaying? ?stick-like? ?fingers? ?clawed? ?at? ?Shi? ?Qingxuan’s? ?face? ?and? ?felt? ?all? ?over? ?his? ?

person,? ?but? ?he? ?didn’t? ?even? ?dare? ?to? ?breathe,? ?so? ?of? ?course? ?he? ?hadn’t? ?the? ?time? ?to? ?ponder? ?

who? ?those? ?people? ?were,? ?and? ?he? ?shook? ?his? ?head.? ?He? ?Xuan? ?answered,? ?“Vile? ?fates.? ?Sordid? ?

fortunes.? ?Lives? ?lower? ?than? ?beasts.? ?Fates? ?that? ?can? ?drive? ?a? ?man? ?mad.”? ? ?

?

“...”? ?

?

A? ?deep? ?sense? ?of? ?chill? ?crawled? ?into? ?Xie? ?Lian’s? ?heart,? ?and? ?he? ?could? ?roughly? ?guess? ?what? ?He? ?

Xuan? ?planned? ?to? ?do.? ?Shi? ?Wudu? ?also? ?understood? ?in? ?a? ?flash,? ?his? ?eyes? ?bulging,? ?“...? ?YOU?!”? ? ?

?

He? ?Xuan? ?stood? ?between? ?Shi? ?Wudu? ?and? ?Shi? ?Qingxuan? ?and? ?said? ?coldly,? ?“Now,? ?I? ?give? ?you? ?

two? ?options.”? ?

?

He? ?pointed? ?at? ?Shi? ?Wudu? ?first,? ?“Option? ?one.? ?You,? ?pick? ?one? ?from? ?this? ?crowd? ?and? ?exchange? ?

your? ?brother’s? ?fate? ?with? ?him.? ?Then,? ?you? ?make? ?yourself? ?disappear? ?in? ?the? ?mortal? ?realm.”? ?

?

Shi? ?Wudu’s? ?eyes? ?were? ?growing? ?bloodshot,? ?his? ?shoulders? ?starting? ?to? ?shake.? ?He? ?Xuan? ?

continued,? ?“Since? ?you? ?enjoy? ?switching? ?fates? ?so? ?much,? ?you? ?must? ?be? ?quite? ?skilled? ?at? ?it.? ?No? ?

need? ?for? ?me? ?to? ?teach? ?you.”? ? ?

?

If? ?the? ?reasons? ?behind? ?this? ?move? ?was? ?disregarded,? ?then? ?it? ?was? ?truly? ?malicious.? ?Although? ?

Shi? ?Qingxuan’s? ?original? ?fate? ?wasn’t? ?good? ?enough? ?to? ?ascend,? ?it? ?was? ?still? ?a? ?life? ?that? ?was? ?

filled? ?with? ?peaceful? ?luxury? ?and? ?leisure.? ?Looking? ?at? ?those? ?mad? ?men,? ?they? ?were? ?either? ?

wrought? ?with? ?disease? ?and? ?rotten? ?sores,? ?or? ?driven? ?to? ?madness? ?by? ?adversities.? ?No? ?matter? ?

what? ?it? ?was? ?clear? ?that? ?they? ?were? ?all? ?those? ?who? ?suffered? ?wretched? ?and? ?miserable? ?

fortunes.? ?If? ?Shi? ?Qingxuan? ?was? ?to? ?exchange? ?fates? ?with? ?any? ?of? ?them,? ?wouldn’t? ?he? ?fall? ?into? ?

the? ?same? ?tragic? ?state?? ?Those? ?were? ?lives? ?that? ?could? ?drive? ?a? ?man? ?mad,? ?and? ?henceforth? ?he? ?

would? ?suffer? ?endless? ?agony? ?and? ?torment.? ?

?

This? ?trial,? ?it? ?was? ?obvious? ?Shi? ?Wudu? ?had? ?failed? ?to? ?pass? ?his? ?Heavenly? ?Calamity? ?this? ?time.? ?

And? ?now? ?the? ?affair? ?with? ?the? ?Reverend? ?of? ?Empty? ?Words? ?had? ?been? ?outed,? ?he? ?would? ?no? ?

doubt? ?be? ?banished.? ?After? ?being? ?banished? ?to? ?mortal? ?realm,? ?he? ?would? ?not? ?be? ?able? ?to? ?

provide? ?Shi? ?Qingxuan? ?with? ?a? ?good? ?fate? ?any? ?longer.? ?A? ?common? ?mortal? ?with? ?his? ?powers? ?

stripped? ?away? ?and? ?a? ?sordid? ?man? ?suffering? ?vile? ?fortunes,? ?how? ?could? ?they? ?possibly? ?

continue? ?to? ?live? ?their? ?lives?? ?

?

Shi? ?Wudu? ?huffed? ?a? ?breath? ?and? ?gritted? ?his? ?teeth,? ?“And? ?the? ?second? ?option?”? ? ?

?

He? ?Xuan? ?continued,? ?“The? ?second? ?option.? ?You.”? ? ?

?

This? ?time,? ?the? ?one? ?he? ?eyed? ?was? ?Shi? ?Qingxuan.? ?

?

He? ?slowly? ?enunciated? ?each? ?word.? ?“I? ?won’t? ?touch? ?your? ?fate.? ?But,? ?here? ?in? ?this? ?place,? ?chop? ?

off? ?your? ?brother’s? ?head? ?for? ?me.”? ? ?

?

CLANG!?? ?He? ?threw? ?a? ?rusty? ?blade? ?onto? ?the? ?ground.? ?Shi? ?Qingxuan? ?stared? ?at? ?that? ?blade,? ?his? ?

eyes? ?wide.? ?He? ?Xuan? ?continued,? ?“Then,? ?never? ?show? ?yourself? ?before? ?me? ?again,? ?and? ?I? ?will? ?

pretend? ?you’ve? ?never? ?existed? ?in? ?this? ?world.”? ? ?

?

A? ?hatred? ?so? ?deep? ?that? ?it? ?had? ?seeped? ?into? ?his? ?bones? ?for? ?hundreds? ?of? ?years? ?finally? ?erupted? ?

at? ?the? ?peak;? ?anyone? ?could? ?see? ?the? ?colour? ?of? ?fervent? ?madness? ?burning? ?in? ?his? ?eyes.? ?

Anyone? ?could? ?see? ?that? ?he? ?wasn’t? ?bluffing.? ?After? ?a? ?moment? ?of? ?silence,? ?Shi? ?Wudu? ?croaked,? ?

“...I’ll? ?end? ?myself.? ?Let? ?me? ?do? ?it? ?myself.”? ? ?

?

“You’ve? ?no? ?right? ?to? ?bargain? ?with? ?me.”? ?He? ?Xuan? ?said.? ?

?

Shi? ?Wudu? ?looked? ?at? ?Shi? ?Qingxuan? ?and? ?mumbled? ?miserably,? ?“You’re? ?asking? ?for? ?our? ?

lives...”? ?

?

Shi? ?Qingxuan? ?however,? ?wasn’t? ?as? ?despairing? ?as? ?he? ?was,? ?and? ?said? ?hurriedly,? ?“Ge!? ?Ge!? ?

Let’s,? ?let’s? ?choose? ?the? ?first? ?option.? ?The? ?first? ?one.”? ?

?

A? ?moment? ?later,? ?Shi? ?Wudu? ?calmed? ?down.? ?“No.? ?I? ?choose? ?the? ?second? ?one.”? ?

?

“...”? ?Shi? ?Qingxuan? ?was? ?dumbfounded,? ?“Why? ?the? ?second? ?option?? ?Can? ?we? ?not? ?both? ?live?? ?

Ge,? ?I? ?can’t? ?do? ?it,? ?I? ?really? ?can’t.”? ? ?

?

Shi? ?Wudu? ?said? ?furiously,? ?“QUIET!? ?Don’t? ?you? ?understand?? ?To? ?have? ?me? ?lose? ?everything? ?

and? ?watch? ?you? ?become? ?a? ?grimey? ?creature,? ?you? ?think? ?I? ?can? ?do? ?it?!? ?Why? ?don’t? ?I? ?just? ?go? ?

ahead? ?and? ?die? ?from? ?madness!”? ? ?

?

“Ge!”? ?Shi? ?Qingxuan? ?exclaimed,? ?“Nevermind...? ?living? ?is? ?still? ?better? ?than? ?death.? ?Besides,? ?

really,? ?if? ?you? ?think? ?about? ?it,? ?we’ve...? ?we’ve? ?lived? ?for? ?hundreds? ?of? ?years? ?already,? ?it’s? ?time? ?

to...? ?it’s? ?time? ?to...”? ?As? ?he? ?talked? ?he? ?seemed? ?to? ?remember? ?just? ?how? ?well? ?he? ?lived? ?the? ?past? ?

few? ?hundred? ?years,? ?and? ?he? ?was? ?so? ?ashamed? ?he? ?daren’t? ?continue.? ?

?

He? ?Xuan? ?was? ?still? ?watching? ?them? ?coldly.? ?Shi? ?Wudu? ?finally? ?crawled? ?to? ?his? ?feet,? ?grabbed? ?

that? ?blade? ?spotty? ?with? ?rust,? ?and? ?stumbled? ?to? ?the? ?wallside.? ?He? ?grasped? ?his? ?younger? ?

brother’s? ?shoulder? ?and? ?said,? ?“Come!”? ?Then? ?he? ?whispered? ?harshly,? ?“...Go? ?find? ?General? ?

Pei.? ?Ask? ?him? ?to? ?take? ?care? ?of? ?you.”? ? ?

?

That? ?blade? ?was? ?terrifyingly? ?heavy? ?and? ?covered? ?in? ?rust;? ?nevermind? ?killing? ?a? ?man,? ?even? ?

killing? ?a? ?chicken? ?it’d? ?be? ?difficult.? ?If? ?this? ?blade? ?was? ?used? ?to? ?cut? ?off? ?anyone’s? ?head,? ?both? ?the? ?

executioner? ?and? ?the? ?target? ?would? ?suffer? ?great? ?pains.? ?Shi? ?Qingxuan? ?was? ?so? ?horrified? ?he? ?

couldn’t? ?keep? ?a? ?hold? ?of? ?it? ?in? ?his? ?hands,? ?dropping? ?it? ?a? ?number? ?of? ?times? ?on? ?the? ?ground.? ?

“Nevermind,? ?ge,? ?nevermind!? ?Didn’t? ?you? ?tell? ?me? ?yourself?? ?Everyone? ?only? ?cares? ?for? ?

themselves? ?in? ?this? ?world,? ?why? ?would? ?anyone? ?take? ?care? ?of? ?us?? ?Haven’t? ?we? ?always? ?taken? ?

cared? ?of? ?each? ?other?? ?Don’t? ?give? ?this? ?thing? ?to? ?me,? ?DON’T? ?GIVE? ?IT? ?TO? ?ME!”? ? ?

?

Shi? ?Wudu? ?shouted,? ?“QINGXUAN!? ?Don’t? ?be? ?so? ?immature!”? ? ?

?

Then,? ?he? ?smiled? ?bitterly,? ?“...Your? ?brother’s? ?been? ?named? ?the? ?Water? ?Tyrant,? ?you? ?know? ?this.? ?

Having? ?surged? ?so? ?many? ?waves? ?over? ?the? ?years,? ?there’s? ?at? ?least? ?a? ?thousand.? ?I’ve? ?enemies? ?

covering? ?the? ?heavens? ?to? ?the? ?earth.? ?It’d? ?be? ?easier? ?if? ?I? ?die.? ?If? ?I? ?die? ?then? ?nothing? ?else? ?will? ?

happen? ?to? ?you.? ?If? ?I? ?don’t? ?die? ?but? ?have? ?nothing,? ?then? ?that’s? ?truly? ?a? ?fate? ?worse? ?than? ?death.? ?If? ?

I’m? ?not? ?the? ?Water? ?God,? ?I? ?can’t? ?take? ?care? ?of? ?you.? ?I? ?won’t? ?even? ?be? ?able? ?to? ?protect? ?myself.? ?

I’m? ?scared? ?that? ?we? ?won’t? ?even? ?last? ?two? ?days...? ?TAKE? ?THIS!”? ? ?

?

Shi? ?Qingxuan? ?was? ?going? ?to? ?weep? ?from? ?horror,? ?and? ?cried? ?uncontrollably,? ?“NO!? ?I? ?CAN’T? ?I? ?

CAN’T? ?I? ?CAN’T,? ?GE,? ?I? ?CAN’T,? ?I? ?REALLY? ?CAN’T!? ?DON’T? ?FORCE? ?ME!? ?DON’T? ?GIVE? ?IT? ?TO? ?

ME!!!? ?HELP,? ?HELP,? ?HELP!!!”? ?

?

He? ?started? ?screaming? ?with? ?every? ?fibre? ?of? ?his? ?being? ?until? ?he? ?was? ?hoarse,? ?crying? ?for? ?help.? ?

Shi? ?Wudu? ?exclaimed,? ?“IT’S? ?ALRIGHT!? ?Don’t? ?be? ?scared,? ?Qingxuan,? ?this? ?won’t? ?hurt? ?as? ?

much? ?as? ?exchanging? ?fate? ?or? ?stripping? ?spiritual? ?power...”? ? ?

?

He? ?Xuan? ?had? ?been? ?infinitely? ?patient? ?up? ?to? ?this? ?point? ?but? ?now? ?he? ?suddenly? ?kicked? ?out.? ?

Without? ?warning,? ?Shi? ?Wudu? ?was? ?knocked? ?to? ?the? ?side? ?and? ?he? ?spat? ?out? ?a? ?mouth? ?full? ?of? ?

blood,? ?tumbling? ?on? ?the? ?ground,? ?unable? ?to? ?get? ?up.? ?Shi? ?Qingxuan? ?yelled? ?from? ?the? ?wall,? ?

“GE!”? ? ?

?

He? ?Xuan? ?said? ?chillingly,? ?“Quiet!? ?Enough? ?of? ?that? ?disgusting? ?display? ?of? ?brotherly? ?love.? ?Open? ?

your? ?eyes? ?and? ?see? ?where? ?you? ?are.? ?No? ?one? ?will? ?be? ?moved? ?by? ?you? ?here.”? ? ?

?

Unexpectedly,? ?after? ?Shi? ?Wudu? ?puked? ?out? ?mouthfuls? ?of? ?blood,? ?he? ?suddenly? ?leapt? ?to? ?his? ?

feet? ?and? ?grabbed? ?for? ?Shi? ?Qingxuan’s? ?neck.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?was? ?stunned,? ?feeling? ?his? ?breathing? ?

stop,? ?and? ?blood? ?rushing? ?to? ?his? ?head.? ?Shi? ?Qingxuan? ?gasped,? ?“...Ge?”? ? ?

?

Shi? ?Wudu? ?gritted? ?through? ?his? ?blood-covered? ?teeth,? ?“Qingxuan!? ?I? ?can’t? ?leave? ?you? ?alone? ?

like? ?this!? ?If? ?I? ?die? ?there’s? ?no? ?way? ?you’ll? ?be? ?able? ?to? ?survive? ?in? ?this? ?world,? ?so? ?you? ?might? ?as? ?

well? ?come? ?with? ?me!”? ? ?

?

Then,? ?he? ?exerted? ?more? ?strength? ?in? ?his? ?hands? ?and? ?gripped? ?harder.? ?Shi? ?Qingxuan’s? ?sight? ?

was? ?going? ?dark,? ?and? ?dying? ?groans? ?were? ?escaping? ?from? ?his? ?throat.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?as? ?shocked? ?to? ?

the? ?core,? ?was? ?the? ?Lord? ?Water? ?Master? ?really? ?going? ?to? ?strangle? ?Lord? ?Wind? ?Master? ?to? ?

death?!? ?

?

Soon? ?after,? ?the? ?pressure? ?on? ?his? ?throat? ?suddenly? ?disappeared;? ?a? ?large? ?amount? ?of? ?fresh? ?air? ?

poured? ?in,? ?and? ?Shi? ?Qingxuan? ?coughed? ?unceasingly? ?from? ?the? ?choking,? ?finally? ?catching? ?his? ?

breath.? ?However,? ?it? ?was? ?He? ?Xuan? ?standing? ?right? ?next? ?to? ?them? ?who? ?had? ?ripped? ?off? ?Shi? ?

Wudu’s? ?two? ?arms? ?from? ?the? ?elbows? ?down? ?that? ?were? ?wringing? ?Shi? ?Qingxuan’s? ?neck.? ?He? ?

Said? ?coldly,? ?“Did? ?I? ?give? ?you? ?a? ?third? ?path?”? ?

?

With? ?two? ?forearms? ?broken? ?off,? ?Shi? ?Wudu? ?was? ?spurting? ?blood? ?like? ?a? ?fountain,? ?yet? ?he? ?

started? ?laughing? ?uproariously.? ?He? ?Xuan? ?tossed? ?the? ?two? ?forearms? ?aside? ?like? ?they? ?were? ?

trash,? ?“What? ?are? ?you? ?laughing? ?about?”? ? ?

?

Shi? ?Wudu? ?waved? ?those? ?empty,? ?blood-soaked? ?long? ?sleeves? ?and? ?said,? ?“I’m? ?laughing? ?at? ?

you!? ?I’m? ?laughing? ?at? ?you? ?thinking? ?you’ve? ?got? ?the? ?upper? ?hand!? ?Did? ?you? ?think? ?you’ve? ?finally? ?

taken? ?your? ?revenge? ?after? ?enduring? ?for? ?so? ?many? ?years?? ?Does? ?it? ?feel? ?good?”? ?

?

“Seeing? ?you? ?broken? ?like? ?this,? ?it? ?does? ?feel? ?good.”? ?He? ?Xuan? ?said.? ?

?

“Is? ?that? ?right?”? ?Shi? ?Wudu? ?said,? ?“Then? ?let? ?me? ?tell? ?you,? ?I? ?feel? ?good? ?too!”? ? ?

?

He? ?used? ?those? ?broken? ?arms? ?that? ?were? ?bleeding? ?profusely? ?to? ?tug? ?He? ?Xuan’s? ?collar,? ?

“Because? ?I? ?see? ?the? ?you? ?right? ?now? ?who? ?is? ?so? ?filled? ?with? ?rage,? ?so? ?filled? ?with? ?suffering,? ?so? ?

filled? ?with? ?hate,? ?yet? ?you? ?are? ?still? ?powerless? ?in? ?bringing? ?your? ?family? ?back.? ?You’re? ?still? ?

nothing? ?more? ?than? ?a? ?ghost? ?in? ?the? ?gutters? ?of? ?the? ?shadows.? ?BE? ?AS? ?MAD? ?AS? ?YOU? ?WANT,? ?

THEY’RE? ?LONG? ?GONE!? ?But? ?me,? ?and? ?my? ?brother,? ?we’ve? ?lived? ?for? ?so? ?long,? ?and? ?we’ve? ?

been? ?heavenly? ?officials? ?for? ?hundreds? ?of? ?years,? ?so? ?even? ?if? ?he? ?can’t? ?be? ?one? ?any? ?longer,? ?

even? ?he? ?can’t? ?live? ?anymore,? ?he? ?still? ?profited.? ?I’M? ?STILL? ?THE? ?VICTOR? ?SO? ?I? ?FEEL? ?EVEN? ?

BETTER? ?THAN? ?YOU!? ?HAHAHAHAHAHAHA...”? ?

?

The? ?more? ?he? ?listened? ?the? ?more? ?He? ?Xuan’s? ?pale? ?face? ?dropped,? ?as? ?if? ?a? ?cold,? ?barren? ?land? ?

had? ?caught? ?on? ?ghost? ?fire,? ?and? ?suddenly,? ?the? ?air? ?in? ?the? ?chamber? ?dropped? ?steeply? ?in? ?

temperature.? ?Shi? ?Qingxuan? ?was? ?terrified? ?to? ?the? ?core? ?and? ?croaked? ?with? ?a? ?hoarse? ?voice,? ?

“...Ge,? ?stop? ?talking.? ?Can? ?you? ?please? ?stop? ?talking.? ?Ge,? ?my? ?god,? ?what? ?are? ?you? ?saying?? ?

What? ?nonsense? ?are? ?you? ?spewing...”? ?

?

He? ?Xuan? ?whipped? ?out? ?his? ?hand? ?and? ?choked? ?Shi? ?Wudu’s? ?neck,? ?“HAVE? ?YOU? ?NO? ?

REMORSE!”? ? ?

?

Shi? ?Wudu? ?laughed? ?wildly,? ?“Remorse?? ?HMPH!? ?WHAT? ?A? ?JOKE!? ?And? ?to? ?think? ?you’re? ?a? ?

Supreme? ?Ghost? ?King,? ?the? ?Ship? ?Sinking? ?Black? ?Water.? ?YOU? ?WANT? ?TO? ?TALK? ?TO? ?ME? ?

ABOUT? ?REMORSE?? ?LET? ?ME? ?TELL? ?YOU,? ?THERE? ?IS? ?NO? ?SUCH? ?THING!”? ? ?

?

Shi? ?Qingxuan? ?wailed? ?and? ?Shi? ?Wudu? ?continued? ?with? ?his? ?head? ?held? ?high,? ?“EVERYTHING? ?I? ?

HAVE? ?TODAY,? ?I? ?FOUGHT? ?FOR? ?MYSELF.? ?I? ?WILL? ?FIGHT? ?FOR? ?WHAT? ?I? ?DON’T? ?HAVE.? ?I? ?

WILL? ?CHANGE? ?FATE? ?I? ?DON’T? ?POSSESS.? ?MY? ?FATE? ?IS? ?UP? ?TO? ?ME? ?AND? ?NOT? ?THE? ?

HEAVENS!”? ? ?

?

This? ?was? ?the? ?first? ?time? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?had? ?heard? ?this? ?interpretation? ?of? ?“My? ?fate? ?is? ?up? ?to? ?me? ?and? ?

not? ?the? ?heavens”,? ?and? ?he? ?was? ?blown? ?away.? ?He? ?Xuan? ?also? ?burst? ?out? ?laughing,? ?sounding? ?

like? ?his? ?eyes? ?were? ?opened? ?to? ?a? ?new? ?world? ?by? ?Shi? ?Wudu’s? ?unshakable? ?tenacity? ?in? ?refusing? ?

to? ?admit? ?wrongs.? ?His? ?expression? ?was? ?growing? ?more? ?and? ?more? ?frightening,? ?and? ?Shi? ?

Qingxuan? ?broke? ?down,? ?“...Gege,? ?I? ?beg? ?you? ?I? ?beg? ?you,? ?please? ?stop? ?talking,? ?please? ?shut? ?

up.? ?Help...”? ?

?

However,? ?Shi? ?Wudu’s? ?smug? ?arrogance? ?was? ?undaunted,? ?“Qingxuan,? ?gege? ?will? ?go? ?ahead? ?

first.? ?I? ?will? ?wait? ?for? ?you? ?down? ?below.? ?Hahahahaha...”? ?

?

Before? ?he? ?finished? ?his? ?sentence,? ?He? ?Xuan? ?placed? ?his? ?hand? ?over? ?his? ?head? ?and? ?gripped? ?

his? ?hair.? ?Shi? ?Qingxuan’s? ?soul? ?was? ?going? ?to? ?leave? ?his? ?body,? ?the? ?iron? ?chains? ?banged? ?and? ?

clanged? ?against? ?the? ?wall? ?madly,? ?“MING-XIONG!? ?MING-XIONG!? ?I’M? ?SORRY,? ?I’M? ?SORRY? ?

I’M? ?SORRY? ?I’M? ?SORRY? ?I’M? ?SORRY? ?I’M? ?SORRY? ?I’M? ?SORRY!? ?WE’RE? ?THE? ?ONES? ?WHO? ?

SINNED!? ?WE’RE? ?THE? ?ONES? ?WHO? ?ARE? ?WRONG.? ?IT’S? ?MY? ?FAULT!? ?MY? ?BROTHER? ?

ONLY? ?DID? ?WHAT? ?HE? ?DID? ?BECAUSE? ?OF? ?ME.? ?MY? ?BROTHER’S? ?GONE? ?MAD,? ?HE’S? ?

CRAZY? ?CAN’T? ?YOU? ?SEE!? ?I...? ?YOU...? ?YOU...”? ?

?

He? ?wanted? ?to? ?beg,? ?to? ?pray? ?for? ?mercy,? ?but? ?his? ?pleas? ?wouldn’t? ?leave? ?his? ?lips,? ?and? ?he? ?could? ?

only? ?use? ?his? ?eyes? ?to? ?kowtow.? ?He? ?Xuan? ?watched? ?him,? ?and? ?in? ?a? ?fleeting? ?moment,? ?he? ?

seemed? ?to? ?have? ?remembered? ?something.? ?He? ?calmed? ?and? ?stopped.? ?

?

Seeing? ?this,? ?it? ?was? ?like? ?there? ?was? ?a? ?thread? ?of? ?hope,? ?and? ?Shi? ?Qingxuan? ?let? ?out? ?a? ?breath? ?of? ?

relief,? ?tears? ?finally? ?rolling? ?down.? ?But? ?before? ?he? ?could? ?speak,? ?he? ?heard? ?He? ?Xuan’s? ?cruel? ?

voice? ?rang,? ?“You’ve? ?called? ?the? ?wrong? ?person.”? ? ?

?

Then,? ?he? ?his? ?hand? ?shot? ?up? ?and? ?wrenched? ?Shi? ?Wudu’s? ?head? ?from? ?his? ?neck!? ?

?

“AAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH–!!!”? ? ?

?

With? ?the? ?head? ?separated? ?from? ?the? ?body,? ?blood? ?erupted? ?from? ?the? ?clean? ?breach? ?of? ?Shi? ?

Wudu’s? ?neck,? ?spraying? ?far? ?onto? ?Shi? ?Qingxuan’s? ?body? ?and? ?face.? ?Finally,? ?Shi? ?Qingxuan? ?

couldn’t? ?take? ?it? ?anymore,? ?and? ?he? ?started? ?screaming? ?like? ?he? ?was? ?crazy.? ?

?

To? ?see? ?a? ?headless? ?corpse? ?stand? ?without? ?collapsing,? ?those? ?mad? ?men? ?found? ?it? ?incredibly? ?

interesting,? ?and? ?they? ?all? ?started? ?freaking? ?in? ?delight,? ?spinning? ?around? ?him? ?in? ?circles,? ?their? ?

bare? ?feet? ?smearing? ?bloody? ?footprints? ?all? ?over.? ?They? ?clapped? ?and? ?cheered? ?as? ?they? ?spun,? ?

“YO? ?YO? ?YO!? ?HE’S? ?DEAD? ?HE’S? ?DEAD!”? ? ?

?

“DEAD,? ?DEAD!? ?HEHEHE!”? ? ?

?

Shi? ?Qingxuan? ?screamed? ?for? ?who? ?knows? ?how? ?long,? ?screamed? ?until? ?it? ?felt? ?like? ?his? ?soul? ?and? ?

spirit? ?had? ?fled,? ?and? ?he? ?couldn’t? ?remember? ?when? ?he? ?had? ?stopped.? ?When? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?came? ?to? ?

along? ?with? ?his? ?consciousness,? ?he? ?was? ?already? ?a? ?lifeless? ?heap? ?on? ?the? ?blood-soaked? ?floor.? ?

?

He? ?Xuan? ?was? ?standing? ?not? ?far? ?from? ?him? ?with? ?Shi? ?Wudu’s? ?head,? ?still? ?with? ?eyes? ?round? ?and? ?

wide,? ?dangling? ?from? ?his? ?hand.? ?He? ?was? ?looking? ?down? ?on? ?Shi? ?Qingxuan,? ?watching? ?from? ?

above.? ?

?

A? ?moment? ?later,? ?He? ?Xuan? ?asked? ?blandly,? ?“Do? ?you? ?have? ?anything? ?else? ?you? ?want? ?to? ?say?”? ? ?

?

“...”? ?

?

Shi? ?Qingxuan’s? ?eyes? ?were? ?dead,? ?his? ?gaze? ?unfocused? ?as? ?he? ?stared? ?at? ?that? ?row? ?of? ?urns? ?

atop? ?the? ?altar? ?before? ?him? ?and? ?those? ?two? ?shredded? ?fans? ?on? ?the? ?ground.? ?It? ?was? ?a? ?long? ?time? ?

before? ?he? ?mumbled,? ?“...I? ?want? ?to? ?die.”? ? ?

?

He? ?Xuan? ?said? ?coldly,? ?“Dream? ?on.”? ? ?

?

Then,? ?He? ?Xuan? ?extended? ?a? ?hand? ?towards? ?him? ?and? ?Shi? ?Qingxuan? ?closed? ?his? ?eyes.? ?

?

At? ?the? ?same? ?time,? ?Xie? ?Lian’s? ?soul? ?was? ?suddenly? ?yanked? ?out? ?and? ?thrusted? ?upward!? ?

?

When? ?he? ?fell? ?back? ?down? ?and? ?reopened? ?his? ?eyes,? ?he? ?was? ?lying? ?limply? ?in? ?the? ?embrace? ?of? ?a? ?

red? ?clad? ?man.? ?With? ?one? ?hand? ?gently? ?grasping? ?his? ?chin,? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?was? ?kissing? ?him? ?

deeply.? ?No? ?wonder? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?felt? ?the? ?spiritual? ?power? ?supporting? ?the? ?Soul? ?Shifting? ?Spell? ?

was? ?slipping? ?away? ?so? ?rapidly.? ?Turns? ?out,? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?used? ?the? ?fastest? ?and? ?most? ?effective? ?

way? ?to? ?suck? ?out? ?all? ?the? ?powers? ?he? ?lent? ?Xie? ?Lian,? ?and? ?successfully? ?brought? ?Xie? ?Lian’s? ?soul? ?

back? ?into? ?his? ?own? ?body.? ?

?

?

—————-? ?

?

?Dragons? ?controlled? ?water? ?and? ?weather? ?in? ?Chinese? ?lore,? ?so? ?this? ?was? ?basically? ?

saying? ?Jun? ?Wu’s? ?actions? ?were? ?futile.? ?

?

?[???????????????]? ?“My? ?fate? ?is? ?up? ?to? ?me? ?and? ?not? ?the? ?heavens”? ?-? ?this? ?is? ?one? ?of? ?the? ?

doctrines? ?of? ?Taoism,? ?a? ?fundamental? ?view? ?on? ?death? ?and? ?destiny.? ?I’m? ?too? ?

emotionally? ?compromised? ?right? ?now? ?to? ?write? ?more? ?about? ?the? ?subject,? ?I’ll? ?do? ?this? ?

tmr.? ?Loll? ? ?

?

—————? ?

?

Ch.125:? ?Unravel? ?the? ?Dead? ?Knot;? ?Water? ?Master? ?Battles? ?Demon? ?Xuan? ?2? ?

?

?

Seeing? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?come? ?to,? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?parted? ?his? ?lips? ?slowly,? ?seeming? ?to? ?pull? ?away.? ?

However,? ?under? ?such? ?dire? ?circumstances,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?couldn’t? ?care? ?for? ?that? ?much? ?anymore.? ?

He? ?raised? ?both? ?his? ?arms,? ?circled? ?them? ?around? ?his? ?neck? ?and? ?moved? ?to? ?suck? ?back? ?the? ?

spiritual? ?powers? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?had? ?sucked? ?away.? ?

?

Clearly? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?hadn’t? ?expected? ?him? ?to? ?do? ?this? ?and? ?it? ?took? ?him? ?by? ?surprise? ?as? ?

spiritual? ?powers? ?flowed? ?back? ?the? ?other? ?way.? ?Afraid? ?he? ?was? ?going? ?to? ?break? ?away,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?

cupped? ?his? ?face? ?with? ?his? ?hands,? ?flipped? ?their? ?bodies? ?over? ?and? ?pushed? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?onto? ?

the? ?ground,? ?pressing? ?him? ?down.? ?A? ?wave? ?of? ?cool? ?currents? ?poured? ?into? ?this? ?body? ?and? ?

streamed? ?down? ?his? ?throat? ?into? ?his? ?stomach,? ?warm? ?and? ?pleasant.? ?Just? ?then,? ?the? ?little? ?

wooden? ?door? ?of? ?Puqi? ?Shrine? ?creaked? ?open,? ?and? ?a? ?giant? ?green? ?caterpillar-like? ?shadow? ?

crawled? ?out? ?of? ?the? ?shrine,? ?“What? ?the? ?fuck,? ?which? ?son? ?of? ?a? ?bitch? ?is? ?this? ?bold?!? ?A? ?thieving? ?

punk?? ?You? ?dare? ?come? ?to? ?MY? ?house? ?to? ?steal,? ?and? ?disturb? ?MY? ?slumber?!? ?Achoo!? ?This? ?

ancestor’s? ?gonna? ?show? ?you? ?a? ?thing...”? ?He? ?trailed? ?off? ?when? ?he? ?saw? ?the? ?two? ?outside? ?the? ?

shrine? ?who? ?looked? ?like? ?they? ?were? ?wrapped? ?in? ?each? ?others? ?arms? ?kissing? ?fervently? ?and? ?

passionately,? ?their? ?silhouettes? ?overlapping,? ?one? ?red? ?one? ?white,? ?who? ?else? ?could? ?they? ?be?? ?

Instantly,? ?he? ?shrieked,? ?“YIIIEEEEEAAAAAAHHHHHHHHH!!”? ?

?

Hua? ?Cheng? ?raised? ?his? ?hand? ?and? ?was? ?originally? ?going? ?to? ?grab? ?for? ?Xie? ?Lian’s? ?shoulder,? ?but? ?

hearing? ?Qi? ?Rong? ?make? ?noise? ?he? ?turned? ?his? ?wrist? ?and? ?Qi? ?Rong? ?yelped? ?as? ?he? ?was? ?thrown? ?

back? ?inside? ?with? ?the? ?door? ?slamming? ?shut? ?behind? ?him? ?with? ?a? ??PANG!? ??Only? ?then? ?did? ?Hua? ?

Cheng? ?rolled? ?them? ?over? ?again? ?and? ?pressed? ?down? ?on? ?Xie? ?Lian’s? ?body.? ?He? ?lifted? ?his? ?face,? ?

his? ?breathing? ?harsh,? ?his? ?eyes? ?dark? ?and? ?shimmering,? ?“Your? ?Highness!”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?didn’t? ?have? ?the? ?time? ?to? ?explain;? ?he? ?lifted? ?his? ?arm? ?and? ?hooked? ?them? ?around? ?Hua? ?

Cheng’s? ?neck,? ?pulling? ?him? ?down? ?once? ?more.? ?Having? ?sucked? ?enough? ?spiritual? ?power,? ?he? ?

choked? ?a? ?cough? ?before? ?crying,? ?“SOUL-SHIFTING-SPELL!”? ? ?

?

This? ?time? ?however,? ?just? ?as? ?his? ?soul? ?was? ?pulled? ?out,? ?before? ?he? ?was? ?even? ?thrown? ?upwards? ?

it? ?was? ?like? ?there? ?was? ?a? ?wall? ?blocking? ?him,? ?and? ?he? ?was? ?heavily? ?rebounded? ?back? ?into? ?his? ?

own? ?body.? ?He? ?“Ah”-ed? ?in? ?shock.? ?Opening? ?his? ?eyes,? ?above? ?him? ?was? ?still? ?that? ?starry? ?night? ?

sky? ?and? ?the? ?anxious? ?face? ?of? ?Hua? ?Cheng.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?sat? ?up? ?and? ?hugged? ?his? ?head,? ?

murmuring,? ?“...I? ?can’t? ?pass? ?through? ?anymore.”? ?

?

Did? ?Shi? ?Qingxuan? ?die?? ?Or? ?did? ?Black? ?Water? ?Demon? ?Xuan? ?reinforced? ?his? ?barrier?? ?No? ?

matter? ?what,? ?either? ?way,? ?he? ?couldn’t? ?return? ?to? ?Shi? ?Qingxuan’s? ?body.? ?Even? ?if? ?he? ?was? ?to? ?

hurry? ?to? ?the? ?South? ?Sea,? ?he’d? ?for? ?sure? ?be? ?too? ?late.? ?

?

Seeing? ?him? ?bemused,? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?said,? ?“Your? ?Highness,? ?I’m? ?sorry.”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?looked? ?at? ?him.? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?added,? ?“But,? ?outsiders? ?can’t? ?possibly? ?interfere? ?in? ?this? ?

affair.”? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?waved? ?his? ?hand,? ?“...You? ?don’t? ?need? ?to? ?apologize.? ?Truthfully,? ?even? ?if? ?I’m? ?there? ?I? ?

won’t? ?be? ?able? ?to? ?do? ?much.”? ?

?

With? ?the? ?Soul? ?Shifting? ?Spell,? ?he? ?could? ?only? ?enter? ?Shi? ?Qingxuan’s? ?body.? ?However,? ?Shi? ?

Qingxuan? ?was? ?no? ?more? ?than? ?mortal,? ?and? ?even? ?if? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?could? ?help? ?him? ?break? ?free? ?of? ?

those? ?shackles,? ?how? ?could? ?he? ?possibly? ?fight? ?against? ?the? ?master? ?of? ?the? ?Black? ?Water? ?

Demon? ?Lair?? ?Even? ?escape? ?was? ?impossible.? ?

?

After? ?he’d? ?gathered? ?himself,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?swiftly? ?returned? ?to? ?the? ?spiritual? ?communication? ?

array? ?of? ?the? ?heavens,? ?“Ling? ?Wen,? ?have? ?you? ?all? ?set? ?off?”? ? ?

?

“Your? ?Highness!”? ?Ling? ?Wen? ?exclaimed,? ?“How? ?come? ?you? ?just? ?went? ?silent? ?for? ?such? ?a? ?long? ?

period? ?of? ?time?? ?We’ve? ?already? ?dispatched? ?a? ?number? ?of? ?heavenly? ?officials? ?over? ?to? ?the? ?

South? ?Sea.? ?His? ?Highness? ?Qi? ?Ying? ?returned,? ?so? ?he? ?will? ?set? ?off? ?in? ?a? ?bit? ?too,? ?but? ?the? ?Black? ?

Water? ?Demon? ?Lair? ?isn’t? ?easy? ?to? ?enter,? ?who? ?knows? ?when? ?we’ll? ?find? ?them.”? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?croaked,? ?“Wait,? ?I’ll? ?go? ?with? ?you? ?all.? ?Maybe? ?I’ll? ?still? ?remember? ?the? ?way.? ?But? ?I’ll? ?

need? ?to? ?trouble? ?you? ?to? ?send? ?someone? ?to? ?pick? ?me? ?up? ?from? ?Puqi? ?Shrine.”? ?

?

“Very? ?well.? ?He’s? ?arrived? ?just? ?now.”? ?Ling? ?Wen? ?said.? ?

?

Slight? ?taken? ?aback,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?turned? ?his? ?head? ?back.? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?had? ?disappeared,? ?but? ?

two? ?junior? ?officials? ?came? ?forward? ?from? ?Puqi? ?Village,? ?and? ?behind? ?them? ?followed? ?a? ?tall,? ?

wavy? ?black? ?haired? ?youth.? ?It? ?was? ?Quan? ?Yizhen.? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?inclined? ?his? ?head? ?to? ?greet? ?him.? ?Quan? ?Yizhen? ?didn’t? ?understand? ?formalities? ?so? ?he? ?

didn’t? ?reciprocate? ?the? ?gesture,? ?but? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?didn’t? ?mind.? ?He? ?looked? ?around? ?but? ?didn’t? ?see? ?

Hua? ?Cheng’s? ?shadow? ?anywhere,? ?and? ?he? ?understood? ?that? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?was? ?giving? ?him? ?

room? ?to? ?deal? ?with? ?this? ?affair.? ?

?

The? ?two? ?and? ?the? ?junior? ?officials? ?left? ?for? ?the? ?South? ?Sea.? ?Following? ?Xie? ?Lian’s? ?suggestion,? ?

they? ?went? ?out? ?of? ?their? ?way? ?to? ?gather? ?over? ?ten? ?hefty? ?coffins? ?that? ?had? ?carried? ?the? ?dead? ?to? ?

prepare? ?for? ?any? ?unexpected? ?situations.? ?After? ?the? ?ship? ?flew? ?through? ?the? ?waters? ?for? ?over? ?six? ?

hours,? ?they? ?ran? ?into? ?a? ?bizarre? ?sight? ?upon? ?the? ?surface? ?of? ?the? ?sea.? ?

?

A? ?number? ?of? ?corpses? ?of? ?giant? ?skeleton? ?fish? ?were? ?floating? ?on? ?the? ?seas’? ?surface? ?and? ?they? ?

collided? ?with? ?the? ?ship.? ?Many? ?heavenly? ?officials? ?were? ?instantly? ?alarmed,? ?“ARE? ?WE? ?

THERE?!”? ? ?

?

“That’s? ?can’t? ?be.”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?said,? ?“If? ?we’ve? ?already? ?entered? ?the? ?Black? ?Water? ?Demon? ?Lair,? ?

the? ?ship? ?won’t? ?keep? ?afloat? ?on? ?the? ?waters? ?and? ?still? ?move? ?this? ?fast? ?too.”? ?

?

However,? ?this? ?was? ?clearly? ?the? ?remains? ?from? ?General? ?Pei? ?and? ?Water? ?Master’s? ?battle? ?the? ?

night? ?before.? ?Quan? ?Yizhen? ?was? ?perched? ?on? ?the? ?side? ?railing? ?of? ?the? ?ship,? ?maintaining? ?that? ?

high? ?difficulty? ?position? ?when? ?suddenly,? ?he? ?said,? ?“There’s? ?a? ?black? ?island? ?ahead.? ?Is? ?that? ?the? ?

one?”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?focused? ?his? ?eyes? ?and? ?sure? ?enough? ?there? ?really? ?was? ?a? ?shadowy? ?island.? ?Also,? ?

from? ?afar,? ?it? ?did? ?indeed? ?resemble? ?that? ?Black? ?Water? ?Island!? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?frowned? ?slightly,? ?“It? ?really? ?does? ?look? ?like? ?it.? ?But? ?how? ?can? ?it? ?be? ?found? ?so? ?easily,? ?

and? ?the? ?ship? ?didn’t? ?sink?? ?Everyone? ?remain? ?vigilant,? ?this? ?might? ?be? ?a? ?trap.”? ?

?

But? ?just? ?as? ?the? ?words? ?left? ?his? ?lips? ?he? ?realized? ?it? ?wasn’t? ?a? ?trap.? ?On? ?the? ?beach? ?there? ?was? ?a? ?

figure,? ?under? ?the? ?bright? ?sun,? ?slashing? ?at? ?logs? ?with? ?the? ?sacred? ?sword? ?meant? ?for? ?killing? ?

enemies? ?making? ?coffins.? ?On? ?the? ?side? ?there? ?were? ?already? ?three? ?completed? ?coffins,? ?and? ?he? ?

was? ?making? ?a? ?fourth? ?just? ?then.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?immediately? ?started? ?waving,? ?“GENERAL? ?PEI!? ?It’s? ?

General? ?Pei!? ?It’s? ?this? ?island? ?without? ?a? ?doubt!”? ?

?

The? ?ship? ?immediately? ?changed? ?direction? ?and? ?steered? ?swiftly? ?over.? ?When? ?Pei? ?Ming? ?saw? ?

that? ?reinforcements? ?had? ?arrived,? ?he? ?didn’t? ?appear? ?particularly? ?delighted,? ?but? ?instead? ?he? ?

threw? ?the? ?sword? ?into? ?the? ?ground,? ?rubbed? ?his? ?nose? ?and? ?asked,? ?sounding? ?grim,? ?“You? ?all? ?

just? ?had? ?to? ?come? ?just? ?as? ?I? ?finish? ?making? ?these,? ?what? ?the? ?heck.”? ? ?

?

“It’s? ?already? ?amazing? ?that? ?anyone? ?even? ?showed? ?up.”? ?Quan? ?Yizhen? ?said.? ?“When? ?everyone? ?

heard? ?it? ?was? ?to? ?save? ?you,? ?no? ?one? ?had? ?time.”? ? ?

?

“...”? ?Pei? ?Ming? ?bore? ?the? ?expression? ?like? ?he? ?didn’t? ?want? ?to? ?bother? ?with? ?children? ?and? ?turned? ?

to? ?Xie? ?Lian,? ?“Your? ?Highness,? ?you? ?went? ?back? ?first?? ?How? ?did? ?you? ?build? ?this? ?ship?? ?How? ?can? ?

it? ?float? ?on? ?the? ?waters? ?of? ?the? ?Demon? ?Lair?”? ? ?

?

“I? ?don’t? ?think? ?it’s? ?the? ?ship,”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?said,? ?“The? ?curse? ?of? ?the? ?Black? ?Water? ?Demon? ?Lair? ?had? ?

dispersed.”? ?

?

Taken? ?aback,? ?Pei? ?Ming? ?tested? ?it? ?with? ?his? ?sword,? ?and? ?sure? ?enough,? ?with? ?but? ?one? ?swing? ?a? ?

field? ?of? ?large? ?trees? ?fell.? ?His? ?spiritual? ?powers? ?had? ?returned.? ?Speechless? ?for? ?a? ?moment,? ?Pei? ?

Ming? ?shook? ?his? ?head,? ?“Had? ?I? ?known,? ?I? ?wouldn’t? ?have? ?worked? ?so? ?hard? ?to? ?build? ?these? ?

coffins.”? ?

?

It? ?was? ?true? ?that? ?he? ?did? ?labour? ?tirelessly? ?all? ?night.? ?He? ?made? ?coffins? ?for? ?four? ?but? ?three? ?of? ?

them? ?were? ?now? ?useless.? ?

?

The? ?group? ?of? ?heavenly? ?officials? ?entered? ?the? ?island? ?and? ?ran? ?straight? ?for? ?the? ?heart? ?of? ?the? ?

forest.? ?The? ?little? ?ghosts? ?ambushing? ?in? ?the? ?woods? ?had? ?never? ?seen? ?such? ?a? ?battle? ?formation? ?

and? ?were? ?all? ?scampering? ?away? ?in? ?terror,? ?fleeing? ?left? ?right? ?and? ?centre.? ?Once? ?they? ?reached? ?

the? ?Black? ?Water? ?Lake? ?within? ?the? ?trees,? ?they? ?didn’t? ?run? ?into? ?any? ?invisible? ?creatures.? ?

Without? ?the? ?disturbance? ?of? ?any? ?foreign? ?spiritual? ?barriers,? ?after? ?some? ?examination? ?they? ?

were? ?able? ?to? ?break? ?the? ?boundary,? ?disperse? ?the? ?illusion,? ?and? ?soon? ?enough,? ?the? ?iron? ?prison? ?

and? ?the? ?Nether? ?Water? ?Manor? ?all? ?appeared? ?before? ?their? ?eyes.? ?

?

Once? ?they? ?entered? ?the? ?Nether? ?Water? ?Manor,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?collected? ?the? ?remains? ?of? ?that? ?black? ?

robed? ?skeleton? ?and? ?tucked? ?it? ?away,? ?holding? ?it? ?in? ?his? ?hands? ?as? ?he? ?ran? ?all? ?over? ?the? ?palace.? ?

Soon,? ?they? ?found? ?that? ?great? ?hall.? ?Upon? ?that? ?mottled? ?wall,? ?the? ?two? ?bloody? ?steel? ?shackles? ?

were? ?already? ?empty.? ?A? ?headless? ?corpse? ?laid? ?on? ?the? ?floor? ?in? ?the? ?middle? ?of? ?the? ?hall,? ?its? ?

blood? ?already? ?run? ?dry,? ?and? ?a? ?group? ?of? ?mad? ?men? ?were? ?throwing? ?random? ?objects? ?at? ?it.? ?The? ?

moment? ?the? ?heavenly? ?officials? ?entered? ?that? ?group? ?of? ?maniacs? ?became? ?even? ?more? ?

excited.? ?

?

When? ?Pei? ?Ming? ?came? ?in,? ?he? ?was? ?stunned? ?for? ?a? ?good? ?while? ?before? ?he? ?finally? ?dared? ?to? ?

recognize? ?who? ?that? ?corpse? ?belonged? ?to.? ?Shaken,? ?he? ?exclaimed,? ?“...Water? ?Master-xiong!”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?was? ?already? ?knowledgeable? ?about? ?this? ?and? ?instructed,? ?“Will? ?everyone? ?please? ?

search? ?here? ?and? ?on? ?this? ?entire? ?island? ?for? ?Lord? ?Wind? ?Master,? ?or...? ?his? ?corpse.”? ?

?

However,? ?no? ?matter? ?how? ?much? ?they? ?looked,? ?there? ?were? ?no? ?traces? ?of? ?Shi? ?Qingxuan? ?on? ?

the? ?island.? ?

?

Had? ?the? ?Black? ?Water? ?Demon? ?Xuan? ?taken? ?the? ?Wind? ?Master? ?away?? ?Or? ?perhaps? ?the? ?Wind? ?

Master? ?was? ?murdered? ?directly? ?and? ?his? ?dead? ?body? ?sunken? ?into? ?the? ?seas,? ?his? ?flesh? ?

devoured? ?by? ?fish?? ?

?

Although? ?Shi? ?Wudu? ?went? ?berserk? ?at? ?the? ?very? ?end? ?and? ?provoked? ?He? ?Xuan? ?to? ?kill? ?violently,? ?

he? ?was? ?now? ?dead,? ?but? ?he? ?wasn’t? ?killed? ?by? ?Shi? ?Qingxuan’s? ?own? ?hands,? ?so? ?would? ?He? ?Xuan? ?

still? ?switch? ?Wind? ?Master’s? ?fate?? ?

?

Chasing? ?away? ?those? ?irritating? ?lunatics,? ?Pei? ?Ming? ?half? ?crouched? ?down? ?on? ?the? ?floor,? ?and? ?

was? ?lost? ?in? ?thought? ?for? ?a? ?long? ?time? ?before? ?he? ?sighed,? ?“Water? ?Master-xiong.? ?You’ve? ?been? ?

proud? ?your? ?whole? ?life? ?but? ?ended? ?like? ?this.? ?I? ?don’t? ?even? ?know? ?if? ?your? ?eyes? ?are? ?closed*.? ?

Truly,? ?the? ?higher? ?you? ?climb,? ?the? ?harder? ?you? ?fall.? ?Life? ?is? ?full? ?of? ?surprises,? ?and? ?one? ?cannot? ?

escape? ?whatever? ?that? ?comes.? ?Even? ?when? ?mortal? ?has? ?become? ?god,? ?we? ?do? ?not? ?have? ?the? ?

good? ?fortune? ?to? ?avoid? ?fate? ?in? ?the? ?end.”? ? ?

?

Quan? ?Yizhen? ?didn’t? ?hold? ?such? ?deep? ?sentiments? ?and? ?ran? ?around? ?soundly? ?within? ?the? ?

Nether? ?Water? ?Manor.? ?When? ?he? ?came? ?by,? ?glanced? ?at? ?the? ?dead? ?body? ?and? ?thought? ?it? ?

strange,? ?“Where’s? ?the? ?head?”? ?

?

“It? ?was? ?taken? ?by? ?the? ?Black? ?Water? ?Demon? ?Xuan.”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?replied.? ?

?

“What? ?grudge,? ?what? ?resentment? ?did? ?the? ?Demon? ?Lair? ?Master? ?hold? ?against? ?him?? ?And? ?

where’s? ?Qingxuan?? ?Earth? ?Master?? ?Did? ?all? ?three? ?Water? ?Earth? ?Wind? ?officials? ?all? ?perish?”? ? ?

?

“It? ?was? ?a? ?great? ?grudge? ?indeed,? ?a? ?great? ?resentment.”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?said,? ?“As? ?for? ?Lord? ?Earth? ?

Master,? ?it? ?depends? ?on? ?which? ?you’re? ?asking? ?after.? ?The? ?real? ?one? ?is? ?in? ?my? ?hands,? ?the? ?fake? ?

one? ?was? ?the? ?one? ?who? ?took? ?away? ?Lord? ?Water? ?Master’s? ?head.”? ?

?

“What?!”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?eyed? ?him? ?and? ?said? ?softly,? ?“General? ?Pei? ?didn’t? ?know,? ?right?? ?Black? ?Water? ?Demon? ?

Xuan’s? ?real? ?surname? ?was? ?He,? ?his? ?courtesy? ?name? ?is? ?Xuan.”? ? ?

?

Hearing? ?this,? ?Pei? ?Ming’s? ?face? ?changed? ?slightly.? ?It? ?seemed,? ?Pei? ?Ming? ?and? ?Ling? ?Wen? ?

weren’t? ?completely? ?in? ?the? ?dark? ?in? ?regards? ?to? ?the? ?things? ?Shi? ?Wudu? ?had? ?done.? ?Only,? ?just? ?

how? ?much? ?they? ?knew? ?wasn’t? ?known.? ?

?

Everything? ?that? ?had? ?to? ?be? ?reported? ?was? ?reported,? ?everything? ?that? ?needed? ?to? ?be? ?dealt? ?with? ?

were? ?dealt.? ?When? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?returned? ?to? ?Puqi? ?village? ?again,? ?an? ?entire? ?day? ?had? ?passed.? ?Xie? ?

Lian’s? ?steps? ?were? ?weary? ?with? ?exhaustion.? ?

?

When? ?he? ?returned? ?to? ?Puqi? ?Shrine? ?and? ?opened? ?the? ?door,? ?he? ?could? ?hear? ?Qi? ?Rong? ?barking? ?

and? ?yelling,? ?“HUA? ?CHENG? ?YOU? ?FUCKER!? ?XIE? ?LIAN? ?YOU? ?DOG? ?FUCKER!? ?HAVE? ?YOU? ?

TWO? ?NO? ?SHAME? ?AAHHH? ?FUCK!? ?WHAT? ?THE? ?HELL? ?WAS? ?THAT? ?IN? ?THE? ?MIDDLE? ?OF? ?

THE? ?NIGHT? ?I’M? ?FUCKING? ?HORRIFIED!!!? ?THIS? ?GRAND? ?MASTER’S? ?EYES? ?ARE? ?

FUCKING? ?BLINDED,? ?YOU? ?FUCKING? ?OWE? ?ME!!!”? ? ?

?

There? ?was? ?nothing? ?but? ?vulgarities? ?and? ?profanities? ?coming? ?out? ?of? ?his? ?mouth? ?and? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?

was? ?immediately? ?reminded? ?of? ?the? ?terrifying? ?image? ?of? ?how? ?he? ?and? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?took? ?turns? ?

holding? ?each? ?other? ?down? ?on? ?the? ?ground? ?sucking? ?powers? ?the? ?night? ?before.? ?He? ?didn’t? ?think? ?

it? ?embarrassing? ?at? ?the? ?time,? ?but? ?now? ?he? ?couldn’t? ?escape? ?and? ?almost? ?threw? ?the? ?door? ?shut? ?

to? ?flee.? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?was? ?leaning? ?his? ?chair? ?back,? ?his? ?boots? ?crossed? ?and? ?stacked? ?on? ?the? ?

table,? ?but? ?the? ?moment? ?he? ?heard? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?push? ?the? ?door? ?in? ?to? ?enter? ?he? ?put? ?his? ?legs? ?down? ?

and? ?casually? ?smacked? ?the? ?back? ?of? ?Qi? ?Rong’s? ?head,? ?knocking? ?him? ?out.? ?He? ?rose? ?to? ?his? ?

feet,? ?“Gege.”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?nodded? ?and? ?closed? ?the? ?door? ?behind? ?him,? ?stepping? ?over? ?the? ?Qi? ?Rong? ?who? ?was? ?

bound? ?like? ?a? ?little? ?green? ?worm? ?on? ?the? ?ground? ?and? ?sat? ?down.? ?“Did? ?Guzi? ?and? ?Lang? ?Ying? ?go? ?

out? ?to? ?play?”? ? ?

?

“Yea,? ?I? ?let? ?them? ?out.? ?You’ve? ?worked? ?hard.”? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?said.? ?

?

“No,? ?you’re? ?the? ?one? ?who? ?worked? ?hard.”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?said.? ?

?

Hua? ?Cheng? ?smiled.? ?Then? ?he? ?said,? ?“I? ?had? ?thought? ?gege? ?would? ?blame? ?me.”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?shook? ?his? ?head,? ?“San? ?Lang? ?doesn’t? ?need? ?to? ?think? ?so? ?much.? ?I? ?really? ?don’t.? ?In? ?fact,? ?

you? ?were? ?right? ?about? ?this? ?whole? ?thing.? ?Outsiders? ?really...? ?can’t? ?possibly? ?interfere.”? ? ?

?

After? ?some? ?thought,? ?he? ?still? ?asked,? ?“San? ?Lang,? ?what? ?do? ?you? ?think? ?that? ?Black? ?Water? ?

Demon? ?Xuan? ?will? ?do? ?to? ?Lord? ?Wind? ?Master?”? ? ?

?

Hua? ?Cheng? ?was? ?silent? ?for? ?a? ?moment? ?before? ?he? ?answered,? ?“I? ?don’t? ?know? ?either.? ?Black? ?

Water? ?is? ?someone? ?rather? ?eccentric.? ?He’s? ?endured? ?by? ?himself? ?for? ?too? ?many? ?years,? ?no? ?one? ?

can? ?know? ?what? ?he’s? ?thinking.”? ?

?

‘No? ?one? ?can? ?know? ?what? ?he’s? ?thinking’? ?–? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?suddenly? ?remembered? ?that? ?this? ?was? ?

also? ?the? ?same? ?remark? ?many? ?of? ?the? ?heavenly? ?officials? ?in? ?the? ?Upper? ?Court? ?had? ?given? ?the? ?

Crimson? ?Rain? ?Sought? ?Flower.? ?

?

The? ?Ship? ?Sinking? ?Black? ?Water? ?emerged? ?from? ?Mount? ?Tong’lu,? ?slaughtering? ?millions? ?of? ?

ghosts.? ?Crimson? ?Rain? ?Sought? ?Flower? ?was? ?the? ?same.? ?He? ?Xuan? ?had? ?endured? ?years? ?by? ?

himself;? ?the? ?time? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?endured? ?alone? ?couldn’t? ?be? ?any? ?less.? ?

?

What? ?made? ?the? ?Ship? ?Sinking? ?Black? ?Water? ?of? ?today? ?was? ?hatred.? ?Then,? ?what? ?about? ?

Crimson? ?Rain? ?Sought? ?Flower?? ?

?

What? ?made? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?the? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?of? ?today?? ?

?

In? ?an? ?instant,? ?much? ?flashed? ?in? ?Xie? ?Lian’s? ?mind,? ?and? ?he? ?shook? ?his? ?head,? ?discarding? ?that? ?

‘noble,? ?gracious? ?special? ?someone’,? ?and? ?organized? ?his? ?thoughts.? ?“But,? ?San? ?Lang,? ?there’s? ?

something? ?I? ?don’t? ?understand.? ?This? ?whole? ?business? ?with? ?the? ?Water? ?Master? ?committing? ?

fraud,? ?it? ?should’ve? ?been? ?done? ?quite? ?covertly.? ?His? ?deception? ?lasted? ?for? ?so? ?long? ?so? ?how? ?did? ?

Black? ?Water? ?learn? ?the? ?truth?? ?If? ?it’s? ?not? ?convenient? ?for? ?you? ?to? ?answer? ?you? ?don’t? ?have? ?to? ?

respond.”? ?

?

“He’s? ?fled? ?and? ?moved? ?his? ?domain? ?and? ?even? ?dropped? ?the? ?fake? ?heavenly? ?official? ?act,? ?so? ?

what’s? ?there? ?to? ?be? ?inconvenient? ?over?”? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?replied,? ?“It’s? ?simple,? ?actually.? ?That? ?

night? ?Black? ?Water? ?died,? ?Shi? ?Wudu? ?had? ?gone? ?to? ?confirm? ?his? ?death.”? ? ?

?

“Because? ?only? ?when? ?the? ?prey? ?is? ?dead? ?that? ?the? ?Reverend? ?of? ?Empty? ?Words? ?would? ?find? ?the? ?

next? ?target?”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?wondered.? ?

?

“Yea.? ?Black? ?Water? ?didn’t? ?know? ?who? ?that? ?person? ?was? ?but? ?remembered? ?that? ?face.? ?It? ?was? ?

only? ?after? ?he? ?became? ?a? ?ghost? ?and? ?knew? ?more? ?of? ?the? ?affairs? ?of? ?heaven? ?and? ?earth? ?did? ?he? ?

discover? ?that? ?that? ?man? ?was? ?the? ?Water? ?God.”? ? ?

?

No? ?wonder.? ?But? ?this? ?was? ?puzzling.? ?Why? ?would? ?an? ?esteemed? ?Water? ?God? ?go? ?observe? ?how? ?

a? ?mortal? ?died? ?out? ?of? ?the? ?blue?? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?asked,? ?“But? ?this? ?shouldn’t? ?make? ?him? ?think? ?of? ?

changing? ?fates?”? ? ?

?

Hua? ?Cheng? ?replied,? ?“That’s? ?why? ?he? ?impersonated? ?the? ?real? ?Earth? ?Master? ?and? ?infiltrated? ?

the? ?heavens? ?to? ?investigate.? ?Pretty? ?brave? ?if? ?I? ?must? ?say? ?so? ?myself.”? ? ?

?

“If? ?not? ?for? ?killing? ?the? ?real? ?Earth? ?Master? ?afterwards? ?and? ?dragging? ?in? ?over? ?two? ?hundred? ?

fishermen,? ?then? ?he? ?really? ?can? ?be? ?called? ?courageous? ?and? ?clever.”? ? ?

?

However,? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?said,? ?“Gege,? ?I? ?don’t? ?know? ?if? ?the? ?real? ?Earth? ?Master? ?was? ?killed? ?by? ?

him.? ?But,? ?the? ?one? ?who? ?dragged? ?those? ?fishermen? ?into? ?the? ?stormy? ?East? ?Sea? ?I’m? ?afraid? ?is? ?

someone? ?else.”? ? ?

?

?

———-? ?

?

?To? ?die? ?with? ?eyes? ?closed? ?is? ?to? ?rest? ?in? ?peace.? ? ?

?

?MXTX? ?Author? ?Notes:? ?I’ve? ?explained? ?this? ?a? ?couple? ?times? ?in? ?the? ?text? ?but? ?I’ll? ?explain? ?

again.? ?In? ?regards? ?to? ?the? ?Reverend? ?of? ?Empty? ?Words,? ?the? ?only? ?way? ?to? ?solve? ?the? ?

situation? ?was? ?ascension.? ?Since? ?most? ?of? ?the? ?heavenly? ?officials? ?in? ?the? ?Middle? ?Court? ?

are? ?useless,? ?and? ?it’s? ?impossible? ?for? ?Shi? ?Wudu? ?to? ?keep? ?his? ?little? ?brother? ?by? ?his? ?side? ?

24/7,? ?appointing? ?Shi? ?Qingxuan? ?to? ?the? ?Middle? ?Court? ?doesn’t? ?solve? ?the? ?problem? ?at? ?

all.? ?

?

?

———? ?

?

Ch.126:? ?Subject? ?Ache? ?of? ?Separation;? ?Restless? ?Heart? ?Strays? ?the? ?Path? ?of? ?Ink? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?was? ?slightly? ?taken? ?aback,? ?“Then? ?who? ?can? ?it? ?be?? ?Technically,? ?a? ?tempest? ?like? ?this? ?

shouldn’t? ?involve? ?more? ?than? ?fifty? ?people.”? ?

?

“I? ?suspect? ?it? ?might? ?be? ?the? ?same? ?person? ?who? ?sent? ?that? ?empty? ?shelled? ?cultivator? ?that? ?led? ?to? ?

the? ?BanYue? ?Pass? ?incident”? ? ?

?

If? ?that? ?was? ?true,? ?then? ?it? ?did? ?seem? ?like? ?there’s? ?always? ?been? ?a? ?hand? ?that? ?had? ?been? ?pushing? ?

him? ?to? ?the? ?heart? ?of? ?every? ?case? ?every? ?time.? ?Feeling? ?a? ?little? ?baffled,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?wondered,? ?

“What’s? ?that? ?person? ?after?”? ? ?

?

Hua? ?Cheng? ?shook? ?his? ?head? ?but? ?seemed? ?to? ?be? ?deep? ?in? ?thought? ?too.? ?Just? ?then,? ?there? ?was? ?

the? ?laughing? ?sounds? ?of? ?children? ?playing? ?coming? ?from? ?the? ?outside,? ?and? ?his? ?sharp? ?eyes? ?

immediately? ?swept? ?over.? ?Following? ?his? ?gaze,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?looked? ?out? ?of? ?the? ?window,? ?but? ?he? ?

only? ?saw? ?two? ?little? ?children? ?outside? ?playing;? ?Guzi? ?was? ?riding? ?atop? ?of? ?Lang? ?Ying’s? ?

shoulders,? ?looking? ?carefree? ?and? ?cheery.? ?

?

Naturally,? ?the? ?Water? ?Master’s? ?audacious? ?deception? ?in? ?committing? ?a? ?fraudulent? ?

substitution,? ?the? ?Wind? ?Master? ?being? ?a? ?fraud,? ?the? ?Earth? ?Master? ?a? ?fraud? ?too,? ?and? ?that? ?the? ?

Water? ?Master’s? ?head? ?and? ?body? ?were? ?separated,? ?nowhere? ?to? ?be? ?found,? ?these? ?four? ?cases,? ?

each? ?more? ?explosive? ?than? ?the? ?next,? ?blew? ?up? ?the? ?heavens? ?like? ?four? ?bombs,? ?raising? ?a? ?tidal? ?

wave? ?that? ?flooded? ?the? ?Upper? ?and? ?Middle? ?Courts.? ?

?

All? ?of? ?a? ?sudden,? ?everyone? ?was? ?shocked? ?and? ?shaken;? ?no? ?one? ?knew? ?what? ?to? ?say? ?in? ?

regards? ?to? ?the? ?matter,? ?and? ?crickets? ?filled? ?the? ?Great? ?Martial? ?Hall.? ?Even? ?Jun? ?Wu’s? ?hand? ?

didn’t? ?seem? ?able? ?to? ?support? ?his? ?head? ?anymore.? ?

?

Since? ?Ming? ?Yi? ?had? ?never? ?really? ?went? ?out? ?of? ?his? ?way? ?to? ?be? ?friendly? ?with? ?anyone,? ?and? ?only? ?

someone? ?like? ?Shi? ?Qingxuan? ?who? ?enjoyed? ?pestering? ?others? ?and? ?assume? ?overly? ?familiar? ?

relationships? ?managed? ?to? ?be? ?on? ?good? ?terms? ?with? ?him,? ?barely? ?anyone? ?else? ?was? ?close? ?with? ?

him.? ?However,? ?when? ?they? ?realized? ?that? ?one? ?of? ?their? ?own? ?colleagues? ?was? ?that? ?legendary? ?

Supreme? ?Ghost? ?King,? ?the? ?shock? ?was? ?truly? ?too? ?great.? ?

?

In? ?order? ?to? ?play? ?the? ?role? ?of? ?the? ?Earth? ?Master? ?properly,? ?in? ?the? ?past? ?so? ?many? ?years,? ?this? ?

Ghost? ?King? ?had? ?worked? ?hard? ?and? ?diligently,? ?gathering? ?a? ?large? ?number? ?of? ?worshippers? ?in? ?

the? ?mortal? ?realm,? ?and? ?he? ?even? ?managed? ?to? ?make? ?it? ?into? ?the? ?top? ?ten? ?during? ?the? ?Battle? ?of? ?

the? ?Lanterns? ?in? ?the? ?Mid? ?Autumn? ?Festival? ?Banquet,? ?truly? ?terrifying,? ?as? ?expected? ?of? ?a? ?

Supreme? ?Ghost? ?King.? ? ?

?

Without? ?mentioning? ?the? ?grudges? ?between? ?Black? ?Water? ?Demon? ?Xuan? ?and? ?Water? ?Master? ?

Wu? ?Du,? ?but? ?the? ?true? ?murderer? ?behind? ?the? ?real? ?Earth? ?Master? ?Yi? ?was? ?no? ?doubt? ?Black? ?Water? ?

Demon? ?Xuan,? ?no? ?questions? ?about? ?it.? ?Thus,? ?The? ?Upper? ?Court? ?officially? ?released? ?an? ?arrest? ?

warrant.? ?However,? ?everyone? ?knew? ?that? ?if? ?a? ?Supreme? ?Ghost? ?King? ?wanted? ?to? ?hide,? ?he? ?

wouldn’t? ?be? ?so? ?easily? ?found.? ?

?

As? ?they? ?say,? ?once? ?a? ?man? ?falls,? ?all? ?will? ?tread? ?on? ?him.? ?In? ?the? ?past,? ?the? ?Wind? ?and? ?Water? ?

Masters? ?stood? ?in? ?greatness? ?and? ?glory? ?with? ?hundreds? ?at? ?their? ?beck? ?and? ?call.? ?Every? ?time? ?

Shi? ?Wudu? ?appeared? ?he? ?was? ?extolled? ?and? ?celebrated.? ?Yet? ?now? ?with? ?his? ?abrupt? ?death,? ?

suddenly? ?all? ?of? ?his? ?supporters? ?didn’t? ?dare? ?blow? ?a? ?single? ?breath.? ?Shi? ?Qingxuan? ?loved? ?

making? ?friends? ?and? ?was? ?generous,? ?yet? ?those? ?innumerous? ?‘good? ?friends’? ?all? ?disappeared? ?

to? ?who? ?knows? ?where.? ?Pei? ?Ming? ?collected? ?Shi? ?Wudu’s? ?headless? ?corpse,? ?and? ?on? ?the? ?day? ?of? ?

his? ?burial,? ?it? ?was? ?quiet? ?and? ?empty? ?of? ?people.? ?Other? ?than? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?and? ?Ling? ?Wen,? ?there? ?

weren’t? ?many? ?other? ?heavenly? ?officials? ?who? ?showed.? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?noted,? ?in? ?the? ?past? ?recent? ?days,? ?whether? ?or? ?not? ?intentionally,? ?but? ?there? ?were? ?

already? ?a? ?band? ?of? ?people? ?burning? ?down? ?and? ?desecrating? ?the? ?temples? ?of? ?Wind? ?and? ?Water.? ?

Although? ?he? ?couldn’t? ?bear? ?the? ?sight? ?of? ?it? ?and? ?tried? ?to? ?stop? ?them? ?a? ?few? ?times,? ?but? ?as? ?time? ?

went? ?on,? ?when? ?people? ?discover? ?their? ?prayers? ?were? ?no? ?longer? ?answered,? ?the? ?acts? ?of? ?

aggression? ?would? ?only? ?grow? ?worse.? ?He? ?could? ?stop? ?them? ?once,? ?but? ?he? ?couldn’t? ?stop? ?them? ?

forever.? ?In? ?another? ?ten? ?years,? ?perhaps? ?even? ?in? ?only? ?a? ?few? ?years,? ?people? ?would? ?

completely? ?forget? ?the? ?two? ?Wind? ?and? ?Water? ?heavenly? ?officials? ?who? ?used? ?to? ?rule? ?at? ?the? ?

summit? ?of? ?heaven.? ?He? ?couldn’t? ?help? ?but? ?feel? ?melancholic.? ?

?

Once? ?the? ?funeral? ?was? ?over,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?turned? ?to? ?Ling? ?Wen,? ?“The? ?whereabouts? ?of? ?Lord? ?

Wind? ?Master...? ?of? ?Qingxuan? ?is? ?now? ?in? ?your? ?hands.? ?We’re? ?counting? ?on? ?you.”? ?

?

Ling? ?Wen? ?was? ?also? ?looking? ?solemn,? ?having? ?not? ?smiled? ?in? ?days,? ?“Without? ?Your? ?Highness’? ?

appeal? ?I? ?would? ?still? ?do? ?my? ?utmost? ?in? ?my? ?duty.”? ?

?

Pei? ?Ming? ?however,? ?said,? ?“Your? ?Highness,? ?rather? ?than? ?let? ?the? ?Palace? ?of? ?Ling? ?Wen? ?drag? ?

their? ?old? ?broken? ?ox? ?cart? ?feet,? ?why? ?not? ?ask? ?your? ?Crimson? ?Rain? ?Sought? ?Flower? ?directly,? ?see? ?

if? ?he? ?can? ?ask? ?after? ?that? ?Crazy? ?Black? ?Water? ?where? ?he’s? ?taken? ?Qingxuan?? ?He’s? ?taken? ?

Water? ?Master-xiong’s? ?head? ?already,? ?what? ?more? ?does? ?he? ?want?”? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?shook? ?his? ?head? ?and? ?replied? ?helplessly,? ?“General? ?Pei,? ?please? ?don’t? ?think? ?things? ?

so? ?matter-of-factly.? ?If? ?a? ?Supreme? ?Demon? ?King? ?wanted? ?to? ?do? ?something,? ?would? ?he? ?need? ?

to? ?report? ?it? ?to? ?the? ?other?”? ?

?

Thus,? ?Pei? ?Ming? ?didn’t? ?say? ?anything? ?further.? ?

?

When? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?returned? ?to? ?Puqi? ?Shrine,? ?there? ?were? ?many? ?villagers? ?surrounding? ?the? ?

shrine? ?whispering? ?to? ?each? ?other.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?didn’t? ?need? ?to? ?ask? ?to? ?know? ?what? ?was? ?

happening,? ?because? ?right? ?within? ?Puqi? ?Shrine? ?came? ?howling? ?and? ?shrieking.? ?The? ?village? ?

head? ?was? ?scared? ?and? ?nervous,? ?tugging? ?at? ?him,? ?“Daozhang,? ?your? ?mad? ?little? ?cousin,? ?he? ?he? ?

he,? ?he’s...”? ?

?

The? ?excuse? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?had? ?given? ?the? ?world? ?was? ?that? ?Qi? ?Rong? ?was? ?his? ?insane? ?younger? ?

cousin,? ?rejected? ?by? ?others? ?without? ?anyone? ?willing? ?to? ?care? ?for? ?him,? ?so? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?took? ?him? ?in? ?

out? ?of? ?obligation.? ?On? ?some? ?level,? ?this? ?wasn’t? ?a? ?lie.? ? ?

?

“Is? ?he? ?going? ?mad? ?again?? ?Don’t? ?worry,? ?he’s? ?properly? ?locked? ?up.? ?He? ?won’t? ?escape.? ?

Everyone? ?can? ?go? ?home.”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?said.? ?

?

The? ?villagers? ?all? ?murmured,? ?“Oh.? ?Let’s? ?go,? ?let’s? ?go.”? ?Before? ?they? ?dispersed,? ?the? ?village? ?

head? ?gave? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?a? ?basket? ?of? ?eggs,? ?“Um,? ?Daozhang,? ?your? ?Xiao? ?Hua...”? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?was? ?bewildered? ?at? ?first,? ?“???? ?Xiao? ?Hua???”? ?Then? ?it? ?dawned? ?on? ?him,? ?“Oh,? ?San? ?

Lang?”? ?Then? ?he? ?remembered? ?that? ?Hua? ?Cheng’s? ?current? ?identity? ?to? ?the? ?outside? ?world? ?was? ?

his? ?younger? ?brother? ?who? ?ran? ?away? ?from? ?home? ?and? ?came? ?over? ?to? ?play,? ?and? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?

couldn’t? ?help? ?but? ?feel? ?a? ?little? ?flustered.? ? ?

?

“Yea.? ?Your? ?Xiao? ?Hua? ?helped? ?us? ?fix? ?some? ?stuff? ?again? ?today,? ?you’ll? ?have? ?to? ?reward? ?him? ?

properly? ?tonight.”? ?The? ?village? ?head? ?said.? ?

?

“Yea!? ?Give? ?him? ?some? ?supplements,? ?get? ?him? ?strong? ?and? ?buff.? ?He’ll? ?get? ?even? ?better? ?at? ?

labour!”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?couldn’t? ?help? ?but? ?smile,? ?“I? ?will,? ?I? ?will.? ?For? ?sure,? ?for? ?sure.”? ? ?

?

When? ?he? ?opened? ?the? ?door,? ?Lang? ?Ying? ?was? ?already? ?asleep? ?curled? ?up? ?in? ?the? ?corner.? ?Qi? ?

Rong? ?was? ?lying? ?on? ?the? ?ground? ?like? ?a? ?corpse? ?and? ?wailing,? ?looking? ?like? ?his? ?innards? ?were? ?on? ?

fire.? ?Guzi? ?was? ?massaging? ?his? ?shoulders,? ?chopping? ?his? ?back,? ?“Dad,? ?are? ?you? ?better?”? ?

?

“...”? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?removed? ?the? ?bamboo? ?hat? ?from? ?his? ?head? ?and? ?put? ?the? ?eggs? ?down,? ?“What’s? ?with? ?

you?? ?Ate? ?something? ?bad?”? ?

?

Qi? ?Rong? ?spat,? ?“As? ?long? ?as? ?you? ?don’t? ?fucking? ?cook? ?me? ?anything,? ?I? ?won’t? ?suffer? ?

stomachaches? ?even? ?if? ?I? ?were? ?to? ?lick? ?shit? ?and? ?grime? ?on? ?the? ?ground!”? ? ?

?

Listening? ?to? ?him? ?exaggerate,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?tucked? ?his? ?hands? ?across? ?in? ?his? ?sleeves,? ?“Then? ?will? ?

you? ?really? ?try? ?licking? ?those? ?things? ?and? ?see? ?if? ?you? ?get? ?stomachaches?”? ? ?

?

“P’TUI,? ?P’TUI,? ?P’TUI!”? ?Qi? ?Rong? ?spat? ?again,? ?“What? ?the? ?fuck? ?did? ?this? ?old? ?master? ?say?? ?

You’re? ?showing? ?your? ?evil? ?heart? ?again,? ?trying? ?to? ?come? ?up? ?with? ?different? ?ways? ?to? ?torture? ?me!? ?

AIYOYOYOYOYOYO,? ?my? ?good? ?son,? ?that’s? ?good,? ?that’s? ?good,? ?now? ?chop? ?this? ?side.? ?

Hehehehe~? ?Aiiiieee? ?fuck,? ?what? ?the? ?fuck’s? ?going? ?on,? ?I’ve? ?been? ?nothing? ?but? ?aggravated? ?

lately,? ?like? ?a? ?fucking? ?tom? ?cat? ?in? ?rut.? ?AM? ?I? ?SICK?!? ?COUSIN? ?CROWN? ?PRINCE!? ?I’M? ?SICK!? ?

IT? ?MUST? ?BE? ?‘CAUSE? ?YOU’VE? ?BEEN? ?TORTURING? ?ME? ?THAT? ?I’M? ?SICK!? ?You? ?god? ?

fucking? ?snow? ?lotus,? ?you’re? ?out? ?for? ?blood!”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?crouched? ?down? ?and? ?felt? ?his? ?forehead,? ?“Are? ?you? ?burning? ?up?”? ?After? ?a? ?pause? ?he? ?

dropped? ?his? ?hand? ?and? ?frowned,? ?“That’s? ?not? ?it.? ?You’re? ?not? ?faking? ?it,? ?are? ?you?”? ? ?

?

Qi? ?Rong? ?was? ?going? ?to? ?start? ?cussing? ?again? ?and? ?Guzi? ?said? ?pathetically,? ?“Daozhang,? ?my? ?

dad? ?didn’t? ?lie? ?to? ?you.? ?He? ?hasn’t? ?been? ?feeling? ?well? ?lately,? ?and? ?he’s? ?wailed? ?for? ?a? ?long? ?time? ?

today.”? ? ?

?

Watching? ?Qi? ?Rong? ?wiggle? ?on? ?the? ?floor,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?shook? ?his? ?head? ?and? ?rose? ?to? ?his? ?feet? ?

ready? ?to? ?look? ?for? ?the? ?medicine? ?box? ?when? ?he? ?suddenly? ?noticed? ?that? ?the? ?donation? ?box? ?was? ?

heavy.? ?That? ?donation? ?box? ?was? ?newly? ?built? ?by? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?so? ?it? ?shouldn’t? ?have? ?anything? ?

inside.? ?Puzzled,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?took? ?the? ?key? ?out? ?and? ?opened? ?it? ?to? ?see? ?and? ?was? ?flabbergasted.? ?

He? ?was? ?once? ?again? ?blinded? ?by? ?a? ?box? ?full? ?of? ?shining? ?gold? ?bars.? ?

?

PA!?? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?quickly? ?shut? ?the? ?donation? ?box? ?again.? ?

?

Didn’t? ?he? ?already? ?return? ?that? ?box? ?of? ?gold? ?bars? ?given? ?by? ?the? ?Water? ?Master?? ?Who? ?else? ?

would? ?gift? ?him? ?something? ?like? ?this???? ? ?

?

It? ?couldn’t? ?be? ?Hua? ?Cheng;? ?he? ?wouldn’t? ?do? ?something? ?so? ?simple? ?and? ?crude? ?like? ?stuffing? ?

him? ?with? ?gold? ?bars.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?turned? ?his? ?head? ?around? ?and? ?asked,? ?“Qi? ?Rong,? ?did? ?someone? ?

come? ?by?”? ? ?

?

Qi? ?Rong? ?pointed? ?at? ?his? ?face? ?and? ?cussed,? ?“OI,? ?WHAT’S? ?WRONG? ?WITH? ?YOU.? ?DO? ?YOU? ?

REALLY? ?TAKE? ?ME? ?FOR? ?A? ?GUARD? ?DOG?? ?THINK? ?YOU’RE? ?A? ?SUPREME?? ?EVEN? ?A? ?

SUPREME? ?ISN’T? ?THIS? ?SHAMELESS.? ?NOT? ?EVEN? ?THAT? ?SHITTY? ?BLACK? ?WATER? ?AND? ?

HUA? ?CHENG? ?THAT? ?FUCKER? ?DARE? ?TAKE? ?ME? ?FOR? ?A? ?GUARD? ?DOG!”? ? ?

?

BANG!? ??The? ?door? ?of? ?Puqi? ?Shrine? ?was? ?kicked? ?open? ?by? ?someone,? ?and? ?it? ?was? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?

who? ?came? ?in.? ?The? ?moment? ?he? ?saw? ?him? ?Qi? ?Rong? ?instantly? ?became? ?mute,? ?and? ?silently? ?

wriggled? ?to? ?the? ?side,? ?not? ?daring? ?to? ?make? ?any? ?more? ?mentions? ?of? ?what? ?he? ?saw? ?that? ?night.? ? ?

?

“San? ?Lang,? ?you’re? ?back.”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?said.? ?

?

Hua? ?Cheng? ?smiled? ?cheerfully,? ?“Yea.”? ?

?

“Thanks? ?for? ?your? ?hard? ?work.”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?said,? ?“The? ?village? ?head? ?gifted? ?some? ?things? ?to? ?have? ?

me? ?reward? ?you,? ?so? ?we’ll? ?eat? ?something? ?good? ?tonight.”? ? ?

?

“Sounds? ?good.”? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?said,? ?“But,? ?gege,? ?do? ?you? ?want? ?to? ?go? ?over? ?to? ?my? ?place? ?

tonight?”? ?

?

“The? ?Ghost? ?City?”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?asked.? ?

?

“En.”? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?replied,? ?“And? ?take? ?this? ?thing? ?along? ?too.”? ?He? ?pointed? ?at? ?Qi? ?Rong,? ?“See? ?if? ?

there’s? ?any? ?way? ?we? ?can? ?pull? ?his? ?soul? ?out.”? ? ?

?

Humming? ?for? ?a? ?moment,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?acquiesced,? ?“That’s? ?probably? ?a? ?good? ?idea.? ?In? ?any? ?

case,? ?it’s? ?not? ?good? ?to? ?keep? ?dragging? ?our? ?feet? ?on? ?this.”? ?Of? ?course,? ?the? ?most? ?important? ?

reason? ?was? ?because? ?Qi? ?Rong? ?ate? ?too? ?much,? ?and? ?his? ?Puqi? ?Shrine? ?could? ?no? ?longer? ?afford? ?

it.? ? ?

?

When? ?Qi? ?Rong? ?heard? ?they? ?were? ?going? ?to? ?send? ?him? ?to? ?the? ?Ghost? ?City,? ?he? ?was? ?terrified? ?

and? ?objected? ?as? ?hard? ?as? ?he? ?could.? ?However,? ?his? ?objections? ?fell? ?on? ?deaf? ?ears.? ?A? ?blast? ?of? ?

smoke? ?later,? ?he? ?was? ?turned? ?into? ?a? ?green? ?daruma? ?by? ?Hua? ?Cheng,? ?and? ?Guzi? ?carried? ?him? ?in? ?

his? ?hands? ?as? ?they? ?left? ?for? ?the? ?Ghost? ?City.? ?

?

The? ?Ghost? ?City? ?was? ?bustling? ?as? ?always,? ?and? ?walking? ?down? ?the? ?main? ?street,? ?the? ?ghosts? ?all? ?

remembered? ?Xie? ?Lian.? ?Seeing? ?that? ?he? ?had? ?come? ?again,? ?they? ?all? ?shouted,? ?“GRAND? ?

UNCLE!? ?...? ?Ah,? ?no,? ?Chengzhu’s? ?Lord? ?Friend,? ?you’ve? ?come? ?again!”? ?

?

“Quack!? ?Is? ?it? ?because? ?you? ?miss? ?our? ?specialty? ?street? ?food,? ?quack!”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?brought? ?that? ?basket? ?of? ?eggs? ?along? ?and? ?gave? ?them? ?away? ?as? ?souvenirs? ?from? ?the? ?

mortal? ?realm.? ?Many? ?who? ?received? ?the? ?eggs? ?were? ?overjoyed,? ?some? ?deciding? ?to? ?eat? ?it? ?

along? ?with? ?their? ?own? ?blood,? ?and? ?some? ?proclaiming? ?they? ?will? ?hatch? ?an? ?eight? ?feet? ?monster? ?

from? ?their? ?eggs.? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?released? ?the? ?spell? ?on? ?Qi? ?Rong? ?and? ?after? ?a? ?blast? ?of? ?green? ?

smoke,? ?the? ?man? ?possessed? ?by? ?Qi? ?Rong? ?appeared? ?on? ?the? ?street,? ?hugging? ?his? ?head? ?and? ?

crouching? ?in? ?defense,? ?not? ?speaking? ?a? ?word.? ?Some? ?of? ?the? ?ghosts? ?caught? ?the? ?scent? ?on? ?his? ?

body? ?and? ?exclaimed,? ?“Eh?? ?Isn’t? ?this? ?the? ?Green? ?Ghost?”? ? ?

?

The? ?crowd? ?of? ?ghosts? ?all? ?approached? ?and? ?surrounded? ?him,? ?and? ?smelling? ?about? ?they? ?were? ?

all? ?thrilled,? ?“HAHAHAHHAHAHA,? ?IT? ?REALLY? ?IS? ?THE? ?GREEN? ?GHOST!? ?THIS? ?DUMB? ?***? ?

IS? ?HERE? ?AGAIN? ?HAHAHAHAHAHHAHA!”? ?

?

“HAVEN’T? ?YOU? ?BEEN? ?BEATEN? ?ENOUGH? ?LAST? ?TIME? ?HAHAHAHAHA? ?AND? ?YOU? ?

DARE? ?COME? ?AGAIN!”? ?

?

“Watch? ?over? ?the? ?little? ?one,”? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?said,? ?“As? ?for? ?the? ?big? ?one,? ?think? ?of? ?a? ?way? ?to? ?drag? ?

him? ?out? ?without? ?hurting? ?the? ?body.”? ?

?

“YESSIR!? ?MY? ?LORD!”? ? ?

?

Thus,? ?several? ?beautiful? ?female? ?ghosts? ?hugged? ?Guzi,? ?hummed? ?a? ?little? ?lullaby? ?and? ?put? ?him? ?

to? ?sleep.? ?The? ?other? ?demons,? ?monsters,? ?and? ?ghosts? ?then? ?started? ?playing? ?tag? ?with? ?Qi? ?

Rong.? ?One? ?screaming? ?as? ?he? ?fled,? ?and? ?the? ?group? ?of? ?ghosts? ?hot? ?in? ?pursuit? ?behind? ?him.? ?Hua? ?

Cheng? ?and? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?watched? ?for? ?a? ?bit? ?then? ?turned? ?away,? ?heading? ?inside? ?Qiandeng? ?

Temple.? ?

?

The? ?two? ?stepped? ?in? ?to? ?the? ?hall? ?leisurely? ?and? ?approached? ?the? ?altar.? ?That? ?altar? ?was? ?still? ?

covered? ?with? ?brushes,? ?ink,? ?and? ?paper.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?had? ?been? ?feeling? ?rather? ?heavy? ?recently,? ?

and? ?seeing? ?those? ?stationary,? ?he? ?had? ?the? ?intention? ?to? ?relax? ?the? ?mood.? ?He? ?smiled? ?softly,? ?

“Last? ?time? ?when? ?I? ?taught? ?you,? ?I? ?said? ?you’ll? ?need? ?to? ?practice? ?when? ?you’ve? ?got? ?the? ?time.? ?

But,? ?I? ?suppose? ?you? ?haven’t? ?been? ?practicing? ?lately,”? ? ?

?

Hua? ?Cheng? ?cleared? ?his? ?throat,? ?“Gege,? ?you’ve? ?given? ?away? ?my? ?reward? ?to? ?other? ?people,? ?

what? ?will? ?I? ?eat? ?tonight?”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?imitated? ?him? ?and? ?raised? ?his? ?brows? ?slightly,? ?“Don’t? ?change? ?the? ?subject.”? ?

?

“I? ?can? ?practice? ?the? ?sword? ?but? ?not? ?calligraphy.”? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?said,? ?“If? ?gege? ?isn’t? ?beside? ?me? ?

to? ?instruct,? ?I’ll? ?probably? ?go? ?astray? ?practicing? ?all? ?by? ?myself,? ?and? ?get? ?worse? ?the? ?more? ?I? ?

write.”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian’s? ?brows? ?were? ?rising? ?higher,? ?“San? ?Lang? ?is? ?so? ?smart,? ?how? ?can? ?there? ?be? ?anything? ?

you’re? ?no? ?good? ?at?”? ? ?

?

Hua? ?Cheng? ?picked? ?up? ?a? ?brush? ?and? ?dipped? ?it? ?in? ?a? ?bit? ?of? ?ink,? ?looking? ?very? ?humble,? ?“It’s? ?

true.? ?Pray? ?gege? ?teach? ?me.”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?sighed? ?a? ?breath,? ?“Why? ?don’t? ?you? ?write? ?something? ?first.”? ? ?

?

Thus,? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?very? ?seriously? ?wrote? ?two? ?verses.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?watched? ?for? ?a? ?bit? ?but? ?really? ?

couldn’t? ?watch? ?anymore,? ?“...Stop,? ?stop.? ?You...? ?best? ?stop? ?after? ?all.”? ? ?

?

Don’t? ?waste? ?good? ?paper? ?and? ?ink? ?any? ?more.? ?“Oh,”? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?said? ?obediently? ?and? ?really? ?

did? ?stop,? ?putting? ?the? ?brush? ?away.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?shook? ?his? ?head,? ?“San? ?Lang,? ?don’t...? ?don’t? ?tell? ?

anyone? ?that? ?I? ?taught? ?you? ?how? ?to? ?write.”? ? ?

?

“Gege,? ?I? ?tried? ?my? ?best.”? ?Hua? ?cheng? ?pouted.? ?The? ?way? ?he? ?spoke? ?really? ?sounded? ?like? ?he? ?

was? ?aggrieved.? ?A? ?proud? ?Supreme? ?Ghost? ?King;? ?if? ?his? ?name? ?should? ?be? ?announced,? ?all? ?

three? ?realms? ?would? ?shiver? ?in? ?fright.? ?Yet? ?right? ?now? ?he? ?stood? ?like? ?a? ?young? ?student,? ?

obediently? ?listening? ?to? ?Xie? ?Lian’s? ?critique.? ?Having? ?lectured? ?on? ?a? ?few? ?more? ?crucial? ?points,? ?

Xie? ?Lian? ?held? ?his? ?hand? ?again? ?like? ?the? ?last? ?time,? ?“Let’s? ?try? ?again.? ?Be? ?serious? ?this? ?time.”? ?

?

“Alright.”? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?said,? ?

?

The? ?two? ?were? ?immersed? ?in? ?composing.? ?After? ?writing? ?for? ?a? ?while,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?asked? ?casually,? ?

“Why? ?is? ?it? ?still? ?‘Ache? ?of? ?Separation’*?”? ?

?

Hua? ?Cheng? ?also? ?answered? ?casually,? ?“I? ?like? ?this? ?poem.”? ?

?

“I? ?like? ?it? ?too,”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?said,? ?“But,? ?does? ?San? ?Lang? ?have? ?any? ?other? ?poems? ?you? ?like?? ?Once? ?

you’re? ?familiar? ?with? ?copying? ?this? ?poem,? ?you? ?can? ?try? ?copying? ?others.”? ?Roughly? ?counting,? ?

this? ?poem? ?only? ?had? ?so? ?many? ?words.? ?The? ?two? ?of? ?them? ?had? ?written? ?it? ?for? ?over? ?ten? ?times,? ?so? ?

it? ?should? ?be? ?time? ?to? ?change? ?to? ?a? ?different? ?one.? ?However,? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?was? ?adamant,? ?“This? ?

one? ?is? ?fine.”? ? ?

?

Placing? ?the? ?brush? ?down,? ?he? ?blew? ?lightly? ?at? ?the? ?ink? ?and? ?smiled,? ?“If? ?I? ?like? ?something,? ?then? ?

my? ?heart? ?will? ?not? ?have? ?room? ?for? ?any? ?other,? ?and? ?I’ll? ?always? ?treasure? ?it.? ?A? ?thousand? ?times,? ?a? ?

million? ?times,? ?no? ?matter? ?how? ?many? ?years? ?this? ?will? ?not? ?change.? ?This? ?poem? ?is? ?the? ?same.”? ? ?

?

“...”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?gave? ?a? ?small? ?smile,? ?“Is? ?that? ?right.”? ?

?

“En.”? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?replied.? ?

?

“...”? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?released? ?his? ?hand? ?and? ?cleared? ?his? ?throat? ?quietly,? ?“Then,? ?very? ?well.? ?San? ?Lang? ?is? ?

a? ?sentimental? ?man.? ?That’s? ?good...? ?oh,? ?why? ?don’t? ?you? ?practice? ?some? ?more? ?by? ?yourself.? ?

Ah,? ?that’s? ?right.? ?Qi? ?Rong? ?doesn’t? ?seem? ?to? ?be? ?feeling? ?well? ?lately.”? ? ?

?

Hua? ?Cheng? ?put? ?down? ?the? ?paper? ?and? ?picked? ?up? ?the? ?brush? ?again,? ?“How? ?is? ?he? ?unwell?”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?turned? ?around? ?with? ?his? ?back? ?facing? ?Hua? ?Cheng,? ?“He? ?said? ?something? ?like? ?he? ?was? ?

feeling? ?agitated? ?all? ?over.? ?But? ?I’ve? ?looked? ?him? ?over? ?and? ?it? ?didn’t? ?seem? ?to? ?be? ?caused? ?by? ?that? ?

man’s? ?body.? ?It? ?can’t? ?be? ?because? ?the? ?weather’s? ?bad?”? ?

?

Behind? ?him,? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?questioned,? ?“When? ?did? ?this? ?start?”? ? ?

?

“It? ?should? ?be? ?just? ?in? ?the? ?past? ?few? ?days.”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?replied,? ?“Today? ?was? ?especially? ?bad...”? ?

?

Before? ?he? ?finished? ?his? ?sentence,? ?a? ?sense? ?of? ?foreboding? ?suddenly? ?grew? ?in? ?his? ?mind.? ?Just? ?

then,? ?there? ?was? ?a? ?light? ??PA!?? ?sound? ?behind? ?him,? ?like? ?an? ?object? ?was? ?dropped? ?in? ?mid? ?air.? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?whipped? ?around,? ?“SAN? ?LANG?!”? ? ?

?

The? ?brush? ?that? ?was? ?in? ?Hua? ?Cheng’s? ?hand? ?earlier? ?had? ?dropped,? ?landing? ?on? ?the? ?snow? ?

white? ?paper,? ?slashing? ?a? ?long? ?erratic? ?trail? ?of? ?ink.? ?Hua? ?Cheng’s? ?expression? ?was? ?sullen,? ?his? ?

body? ?unsteady,? ?and? ?he? ?held? ?himself? ?up? ?with? ?a? ?hand? ?clutching? ?the? ?edge? ?of? ?the? ?altar,? ?while? ?

the? ?other? ?hand? ?covered? ?his? ?right? ?eye.? ?

?

?

————? ?

?

?[?????]? ?“Ache? ?of? ?Separation”? ?is? ?the? ?title? ?of? ?the? ?poem? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?was? ?writing? ?in? ?

chapter? ?97.? ?

?

?MXTX? ?Author’s? ?Note:? ?Hua? ?Hua? ?is? ?aggravated? ?too!? ?It’s? ?[? ?]? ?season? ?again!? ? ?

?

———–? ?

?

Ch.127:? ?Mount? ?Tong’lu? ?Reopens;? ?All? ?Ghosts? ?Aroused? ?

?

Judging? ?from? ?his? ?expression,? ?it? ?seemed? ?as? ?if? ?his? ?right? ?eye? ?was? ?throbbing? ?and? ?in? ?an? ?

overwhelming? ?amount? ?of? ?pain.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?instantly? ?sprung? ?forward,? ?“Are? ?you? ?okay?”? ?

?

The? ?corner? ?of? ?Hua? ?Cheng’s? ?mouth? ?twitched? ?but? ?he? ?forced? ?the? ?words? ?back.? ?The? ?silver? ?

eyes? ?engraved? ?on? ?top? ?of? ?E’ming’s? ?hilt? ?snapped? ?open? ?and? ?the? ?eyeball? ?started? ?to? ?spin? ?

wildly.? ?Veins? ?popped? ?along? ?the? ?surface? ?of? ?the? ?hand? ?that? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?rested? ?on? ?top? ?of? ?the? ?

altar,? ?threatening? ?to? ?flip? ?the? ?table? ?at? ?any? ?second.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?reached? ?out? ?his? ?hand,? ?wanting? ?

to? ?help,? ?but? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?growled,? ?“Stay? ?back!”? ?

?

Seeing? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?freeze,? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?gritted? ?out? ?through? ?his? ?teeth,? ?“...? ?Your? ?Highness,? ?

please,? ?hurry? ?and? ?get? ?away? ?from? ?me.? ?I? ?might...”? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?cut? ?him? ?off,? ?“How? ?can? ?you? ?tell? ?me? ?to? ?leave? ?when? ?you’re? ?like? ?this?!”? ?

?

Hua? ?Cheng? ?said,? ?his? ?voice? ?nothing? ?but? ?gentle,? ?“If? ?you? ?were? ?to? ?stay? ?here? ?any? ?longer,? ?I-“? ?

?

In? ?that? ?instant,? ?waves? ?after? ?waves? ?of? ?ghostly? ?howls? ?and? ?cries? ?sounded? ?from? ?outside? ?the? ?

Qiandeng? ?Temple.? ?Ghosts? ?were? ?doubling? ?over? ?on? ?the? ?Ghost? ?City? ?Main? ?Street,? ?bawling? ?

their? ?eyes? ?out,? ?clutching? ?their? ?heads? ?and? ?wailing,? ?as? ?if? ?their? ?skulls? ?had? ?split? ?open? ?and? ?

they? ?were? ?on? ?the? ?verge? ?of? ?death.? ?Amidst? ?the? ?chaos,? ?Qi? ?Rong? ?was? ?sprinting? ?fast? ?ahead.? ?

Due? ?to? ?the? ?fact? ?that? ?he? ?was? ?possessing? ?a? ?human’s? ?body,? ?although? ?the? ?flesh? ?body? ?had? ?

diminished? ?his? ?powers,? ?it? ?also? ?acted? ?as? ?a? ?protective? ?barrier? ?against? ?any? ?ghost-effective? ?

attacks.? ?It? ?was? ?solely? ?because? ?of? ?this? ?that? ?Qi? ?Rong? ?was? ?still? ?jumping? ?about? ?resiliently? ?and? ?

seizing? ?this? ?chance? ?to? ?flee.? ?The? ?group? ?of? ?female? ?ghosts? ?that? ?were? ?cradling? ?Guzi? ?had? ?now? ?

fallen? ?onto? ?the? ?ground? ?and? ?crying? ?about? ?their? ?headaches.? ?Unable? ?to? ?sing? ?their? ?hypnotic? ?

melody,? ?Guzi? ?groggily? ?woke? ?up? ?only? ?to? ?see? ?Qi? ?Rong? ?bolting? ?away? ?like? ?a? ?madman.? ?He? ?

jumped? ?to? ?his? ?feet? ?and? ?chased? ?after? ?him? ?while? ?yelling,? ?“Dad!? ?Dad!? ?Wait? ?for? ?me!”? ?

?

As? ?he? ?ran,? ?Qi? ?Rong? ?turned? ?around,? ?stuck? ?out? ?his? ?tongue? ?and? ?made? ?a? ?face,? ?

“LULULULULALALALA,? ?GOOD? ?BOY,? ?DAD’S? ?LEAVING!? ?HAHAHAHHAHAHAHA”? ?

?

Yet? ?Guzi? ?still? ?chased? ?after? ?him? ?relentlessly? ?with? ?his? ?two? ?small? ?pair? ?of? ?legs.? ?Seeing? ?that? ?the? ?

distance? ?between? ?them? ?has? ?grown? ?bigger,? ?he? ?broke? ?out? ?in? ?tears,? ?“Dad!? ?Please? ?don’t? ?

throw? ?me? ?away.? ?Dad,? ?take? ?me? ?with? ?you!”? ?

?

Qi? ?Rong? ?spat? ?out? ?continuously,? ?“GET? ?LOST!? ?GET? ?LOST!? ?DON’T? ?FOLLOW? ?ME!? ?WHAT? ?A? ?

NUISANCE!”? ?

?

A? ?drop? ?of? ?his? ?spit? ?flew? ?so? ?far? ?that? ?it? ?hit? ?Guzi? ?on? ?the? ?forehead? ?and? ?knocked? ?him? ?down? ?on? ?

his? ?butt.? ?He? ?cried? ?even? ?harder,? ?to? ?the? ?point? ?as? ?if? ?his? ?heart? ?was? ?going? ?to? ?break? ?and? ?his? ?

lungs? ?were? ?going? ?to? ?burst.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?couldn’t? ?bear? ?it? ?any? ?longer? ?and? ?he? ?stormed? ?out? ?of? ?

Qiandeng? ?Temple? ?in? ?anger,? ?“Qi? ?Rong!”? ?

?

The? ?moment? ?Qi? ?Rong? ?saw? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?blocking? ?the? ?path? ?in? ?front? ?of? ?him,? ?he? ?spun? ?around? ?in? ?

fear? ?and? ?ran? ?back? ?the? ?way? ?he? ?came? ?from.? ?Along? ?the? ?way,? ?he? ?scooped? ?up? ?Guzi? ?from? ?the? ?

ground? ?and? ?threatened,? ?“DON’T? ?COME? ?ANY? ?CLOSER!? ?COME? ?AND? ?I’LL? ?BITE? ?OFF? ?THE? ?

HEAD? ?OF? ?THIS? ?LITTLE? ?BRAT? ?BEFORE? ?YOUR? ?EYES!!? ?What? ?a? ?good? ?boy,? ?you’re? ?gonna? ?

become? ?your? ?dad’s? ?meal,? ?how? ?filial!? ?Tomorrow? ?dad’ll? ?cook? ?you!? ?You? ?can? ?pick? ?between? ?

being? ?braised? ?or? ?steamed!? ?HAHAHAHAHA!”? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?wasn’t? ?fazed? ?by? ?the? ?threat? ?at? ?all.? ?However,? ?just? ?when? ?he? ?was? ?about? ?to? ?give? ?

chase,? ?a? ?loud? ?crash? ?sounded? ?behind? ?him.? ?As? ?if? ?suddenly? ?struck? ?by? ?fury,? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?had? ?

swept? ?the? ?ink? ?brush? ?and? ?paper? ?pad? ?off? ?the? ?table? ?and? ?to? ?the? ?ground.? ?Fearing? ?for? ?the? ?worst,? ?

Xie? ?Lian? ?couldn’t? ?afford? ?to? ?deal? ?with? ?Qi? ?Rong? ?and? ?turned? ?around,? ?“San? ?Lang...”? ?

?

All? ?of? ?a? ?sudden,? ?he? ?was? ?embraced? ?tightly? ?by? ?Hua? ?Cheng.? ?There? ?was? ?a? ?tremble? ?in? ?his? ?

voice? ?as? ?the? ?Supreme? ?Ghost? ?King? ?whispered,? ?“I? ?lied.? ?Don’t? ?leave? ?me.”? ?

?

“...”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?became? ?as? ?still? ?as? ?a? ?statue? ?locked? ?within? ?the? ?pair? ?of? ?strong? ?arms,? ?“San? ?

Lang?? ?Do? ?you? ?recognize? ?me?”? ?

?

It? ?seemed? ?as? ?if? ?he? ?was? ?at? ?a? ?point? ?where? ?he? ?had? ?lost? ?all? ?senses? ?and? ?wasn’t? ?able? ?to? ?

recognize? ?who? ?was? ?in? ?front? ?of? ?him.? ?He? ?clutched? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?even? ?tighter? ?in? ?his? ?arms? ?and? ?

repeatedly? ?muttered,? ?“...? ?I? ?lied.? ?Don’t? ?leave? ?me.”? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?widened? ?his? ?eyes.? ?Outside? ?the? ?temple,? ?while? ?Guzi? ?wailed? ?uncontrollably,? ?Qi? ?

Rong? ?broke? ?out? ?in? ?a? ?series? ?of? ?hysterical? ?laughter.? ?He? ?cackled,? ?“HEHE!? ?HUA? ?CHENG? ?

YOU? ?FUCKER!? ?!? ?THAT’LL? ?TEACH? ?YOU? ?FOR? ?LOOKING? ?DOWN? ?ON? ?ME? ?ALL? ?THE? ?

TIME!? ?LOOK? ?AT? ?YOU,? ?ALL? ?COCKY? ?ALL? ?DAY!? ?AIN’T? ?THIS? ?KARMA!? ?YOU’RE? ?DONE? ?

FOR!!”? ?

?

Upon? ?hearing? ?this,? ?the? ?ghosts? ?on? ?the? ?streets? ?who? ?were? ?on? ?the? ?verge? ?of? ?exhaustion? ?from? ?

the? ?pain? ?immediately? ?cursed? ?back,? ?“Green? ?Ghost!? ?You? ?piece? ?of? ?useless? ?trash,? ?ya? ?dare? ?to? ?

swear? ?at? ?our? ?lord?!”? ?

?

The? ?annoying? ?ruckus? ?going? ?on? ?around? ?them? ?drove? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?to? ?the? ?edge? ?and? ?even? ?

more? ?infuriated.? ?He? ?raised? ?his? ?hand? ?as? ?if? ?about? ?to? ?blast? ?them? ?to? ?pieces.? ?Instinctively,? ?Xie? ?

Lian? ?hugged? ?him? ?back? ?to? ?keep? ?the? ?hand? ?down.? ?He? ?soothed,? ?“Okay,? ?okay.? ?I? ?won’t? ?leave,? ?I? ?

won’t? ?leave? ?you.”? ?With? ?a? ?flick? ?of? ?his? ?hand,? ?the? ?Qiandeng? ?Temple’s? ?grand? ?doors? ?closed? ?

shut? ?by? ?themselves.? ?To? ?prevent? ?Qi? ?Rong? ?from? ?busting? ?into? ?the? ?temple? ?under? ?these? ?

circumstances,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?shooed,? ?“If? ?you’re? ?gonna? ?scram,? ?then? ?get? ?lost!? ?I? ?don’t? ?have? ?time? ?

for? ?you!? ?If? ?you? ?don’t? ?get? ?lost,? ?then? ?just? ?wait? ?and? ?see? ?what? ?I’ll...? ?-AH!”? ?

?

To? ?his? ?surprise,? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?was? ?unsatisfied? ?with? ?only? ?a? ?shallow? ?embrace,? ?and? ?he? ?

shoved? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?roughly? ?on? ?top? ?of? ?the? ?jaded? ?table.? ?Ink,? ?paper,? ?brushes? ?all? ?fell? ?and? ?

scattered? ?across? ?the? ?floor.? ?Caught? ?up? ?in? ?the? ?struggle,? ?Xie? ?Lian’s? ?hand? ?accidentally? ?glided? ?

past? ?the? ?ink? ?pad? ?stationed? ?on? ?the? ?table,? ?leaving? ?crimson? ?red? ?marks? ?along? ?the? ?paper? ?

underneath? ?him.? ?Upon? ?‘Ache? ?of? ?Separation’,? ?the? ?two? ?characters? ?‘Mount? ?Wu’? ?in? ?the? ?line? ?

“After? ?Mount? ?Wu? ?removed,? ?clouds? ?are? ?no? ?longer? ?clouds”,? ?was? ?now? ?stained? ?with? ?vivid? ?

blood-like? ?markings,? ?making? ?it? ?stunningly? ?beautiful.? ?“San...”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?started.? ?

?

Before? ?he? ?could? ?finish,? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?held? ?him? ?by? ?the? ?shoulders? ?and? ?leaned? ?down? ?to? ?kiss? ?

him.? ?

?

Qi? ?Rong,? ?who? ?had? ?undoubtedly? ?heard? ?something? ?that? ?didn’t? ?sound? ?right,? ?laughed,? ?

“Cousin? ?Crown? ?Prince,? ?you? ?better? ?be? ?careful!? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?is? ?probably? ?like? ?a? ?rabid? ?dog? ?

right? ?now,? ?he’ll? ?bite? ?whoever? ?he? ?sees!? ?I,? ?myself,? ?will? ?personally? ?go? ?and? ?help? ?you? ?spread? ?

the? ?news.? ?There? ?are? ?quite? ?a? ?few? ?monks? ?and? ?cultivators? ?who? ?seek? ?revenge? ?against? ?Hua? ?

Cheng,? ?they? ?might? ?as? ?well? ?come? ?now? ?and? ?take? ?care? ?of? ?him!? ?AHAHAHAHAHA...”? ?Xie? ?

Lian’s? ?heart? ?tightened? ?as? ?Qi? ?Rong’s? ?laughter? ?faded? ?in? ?the? ?distance.? ?If? ?Qi? ?Rong? ?really? ?did? ?

call? ?forth? ?the? ?group? ?of? ?cultivators? ?who? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?had? ?wronged,? ?under? ?the? ?demons’? ?

current? ?weakened? ?condition,? ?how? ?could? ?Ghost? ?City? ?defend? ?itself?? ?

?

Yet,? ?amidst? ?all? ?this,? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?wasn’t? ?allowing? ?him? ?any? ?breaks? ?to? ?think.? ?Although? ?he? ?

wasn’t? ?alive? ?and? ?shouldn’t? ?emit? ?any? ?warmth,? ?in? ?this? ?very? ?moment,? ?his? ?body? ?was? ?burning? ?

hot,? ?as? ?if? ?he? ?was? ?struck? ?by? ?a? ?high? ?fever.? ?With? ?their? ?lips? ?tightly? ?pressed? ?against? ?each? ?

other’s,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?was? ?practically? ?forced? ?to? ?accept? ?the? ?incoming? ?waves? ?of? ?heat.? ?The? ?

hands? ?that? ?were? ?originally? ?trying? ?to? ?push? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?away? ?now? ?sank? ?into? ?the? ?folds? ?of? ?the? ?

red? ?fabric? ?near? ?his? ?shoulders? ?instead.? ?

?

Maybe? ?it? ?was? ?because? ?Hua? ?Cheng’s? ?spiritual? ?energy? ?was? ?too? ?strong,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?felt? ?his? ?

throat,? ?chest,? ?and? ?stomach? ?were? ?filled? ?to? ?the? ?brim? ?by? ?warmth,? ?to? ?the? ?point? ?that? ?it? ?became? ?

uncomfortable.? ?If? ?he? ?continued? ?to? ?endure? ?this,? ?he? ?might? ?just? ?burst? ?under? ?the? ?sheer? ?

amount? ?of? ?power? ?that? ?was? ?being? ?poured? ?in.? ?He? ?tightened? ?his? ?jaw? ?and? ?raised? ?his? ?palm? ?to? ?

slap.? ?Although? ?he? ?did? ?land? ?a? ?blow,? ?but? ?because? ?he? ?really? ?couldn’t? ?bring? ?himself? ?to? ?hit? ?

Hua? ?Cheng,? ?the? ?hand? ?only? ?tapped? ?his? ?shoulder? ?instead,? ?the? ?force? ?neither? ?light? ?nor? ?heavy.? ?

Unfazed,? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?seized? ?his? ?wrist,? ?held? ?it? ?down,? ?and? ?continued? ?the? ?attack? ?on? ?Xie? ?

Lian’s? ?lips.? ?

?

He? ?really? ?couldn’t? ?let? ?this? ?continue? ?any? ?further.? ?This? ?time,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?used? ?both? ?of? ?his? ?

hands.? ?After? ?shoving? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?away,? ?he? ?fled? ?to? ?the? ?side? ?of? ?the? ?altar? ?in? ?panic,? ?panting? ?

for? ?breath.? ?However,? ?with? ?bloodshot? ?eyes,? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?hounded? ?him? ?and? ?followed? ?over,? ?

pressing? ?him? ?against? ?the? ?altar.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?cried,? ?“San? ?Lang!”? ?

?

“...”? ?

?

Perhaps? ?his? ?voice? ?did? ?reach? ?him,? ?for? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?stared? ?at? ?his? ?face? ?for? ?a? ?long? ?time? ?before? ?

suddenly,? ?wrapping? ?him? ?in? ?a? ?bone-crushing? ?hug.? ?

?

Seeing? ?that? ?he? ?had? ?gained? ?some? ?senses? ?and? ?stopped? ?his? ?advances,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?let? ?out? ?a? ?

sigh? ?in? ?relief.? ?However,? ?as? ?he? ?stood? ?in? ?Hua? ?Cheng’s? ?embrace,? ?he? ?felt? ?the? ?unsettling? ?

energy? ?inside? ?of? ?the? ?Supreme? ?fighting? ?to? ?break? ?out.? ?No? ?wonder? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?kissed? ?him? ?

the? ?moment? ?he? ?caught? ?him.? ?With? ?such? ?chaos? ?going? ?on? ?internally,? ?he? ?had? ?to? ?find? ?an? ?outlet? ?

to? ?expel? ?it.? ?Though,? ?in? ?order? ?to? ?fully? ?return? ?him? ?to? ?his? ?normal? ?state,? ?blood? ?must? ?be? ?

drained.? ?However,? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?wasn’t? ?alive,? ?how? ?would? ?he? ?have? ?any? ?blood? ?to? ?let?? ?

?

After? ?a? ?moment? ?of? ?consideration,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?came? ?to? ?a? ?conclusion,? ?“...? ?Forgive? ?me.”? ?

?

He? ?cupped? ?Hua? ?Cheng’s? ?face? ?and? ?voluntarily? ?covered? ?the? ?other’s? ?lips? ?with? ?his? ?own,? ?

gently? ?guiding? ?the? ?turbulent? ?flow? ?of? ?heat? ?into? ?his? ?own? ?body,? ?helping? ?to? ?ease? ?the? ?pain? ?and? ?

suffering? ?of? ?the? ?other.? ?Instinctively,? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?looped? ?his? ?arm? ?around? ?Xie? ?Lian’s? ?waist,? ?

making? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?shiver? ?just? ?the? ?slightest.? ?In? ?the? ?next? ?second,? ?the? ?two? ?were? ?tumbling? ?on? ?

top? ?of? ?the? ?altar.? ?

?

It? ?really? ?wasn’t? ?fair.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?wouldn’t? ?dare? ?touch? ?anywhere? ?on? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?that’s? ?even? ?

slightly? ?dangerous.? ?Yet,? ?because? ?of? ?his? ?cloudy? ?state? ?of? ?mind,? ?Hua? ?Cheng’s? ?fingers? ?were? ?

roaming? ?across? ?every? ?inch? ?of? ?his? ?body? ?shamelessly,? ?making? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?suffer? ?in? ?silent? ?

torment.? ?This? ?altar? ?was? ?originally? ?a? ?place? ?where? ?one? ?would? ?make? ?offerings? ?to? ?a? ?god,? ?but? ?

it? ?now? ?resided? ?a? ?ghost? ?and? ?a? ?god? ?who? ?were? ?entangled? ?in? ?a? ?heated? ?battle? ?of? ?tongues.? ?

Although? ?preposterous,? ?the? ?scene? ?was? ?beyond? ?breathtaking.? ?

?

In? ?the? ?past,? ?both? ?parties? ?were? ?more? ?or? ?less? ?clear? ?headed? ?and? ?there? ?was? ?always? ?a? ?

justifiable? ?reason.? ?Committing? ?this? ?sort? ?of? ?act? ?was? ?at? ?least? ?controlled,? ?since? ?there? ?was? ?

nothing? ?beyond? ?just? ?lips? ?covering? ?lips.? ?However,? ?this? ?time,? ?with? ?the? ?roaming? ?hand? ?on? ?top? ?

of? ?the? ?hazey? ?state? ?of? ?mind,? ?it? ?well? ?exceeded? ?the? ?boundary? ?of? ?only? ?lips? ?and? ?teeth.? ?In? ?his? ?

foggy? ?mind,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?finally? ?realized? ?one? ?thing.? ?Although? ?every? ?time? ?it? ?was? ?out? ?of? ?his? ?

control? ?and? ?he? ?had? ?no? ?choice,? ?but? ?in? ?truth,? ?there? ?was? ?a? ?hidden? ?desire? ?he? ?couldn’t? ?hold? ?

back? ?every? ?time.? ?

?

After? ?suffering? ?through? ?the? ?entire? ?night,? ?the? ?unsettling? ?energy? ?inside? ?of? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?finally? ?

began? ?to? ?calm? ?down.? ?The? ?arm? ?that? ?was? ?clutching? ?onto? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?slowly? ?released? ?its? ?grip.? ?

Xie? ?Lian? ?flipped? ?over? ?and? ?sat? ?up.? ?Watching? ?Hua? ?Cheng’s? ?sleeping? ?face,? ?he? ?finally? ?sighed? ?

a? ?breath.? ? ?

?

Thrown? ?to? ?the? ?side,? ?E’ming’s? ?single? ?eyeball? ?was? ?still? ?spinning? ?around? ?frantically.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?

picked? ?up? ?the? ?scimitar,? ?and? ?it? ?was? ?only? ?after? ?a? ?long? ?series? ?of? ?pets? ?that? ?the? ?blade? ?finally? ?

softened? ?into? ?a? ?crescent? ?eye? ?smile,? ?as? ?if? ?it? ?was? ?finally? ?satisfied.? ?Not? ?long? ?after,? ?Hua? ?

Cheng? ?shot? ?up? ?from? ?where? ?he? ?was? ?sleeping,? ?“...Your? ?Highness?!”? ?

?

Hastily,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?adjusted? ?his? ?expression.? ?He? ?turned? ?around? ?and? ?beamed,? ?“You’re? ?

awake?? ?Everything’s? ?fine? ?now.”? ?

?

Hua? ?Cheng? ?did? ?a? ?quick? ?scan? ?around? ?him.? ?Needless? ?to? ?say,? ?it? ?was? ?a? ?giant? ?mess? ?inside? ?

the? ?Qiandeng? ?Temple.? ?His? ?face? ?was? ?uncharacteristically? ?distraught,? ?as? ?if? ?he? ?couldn’t? ?

remember? ?what? ?happened? ?the? ?night? ?before.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?jumped? ?at? ?the? ?chance? ?to? ?speak,? ?his? ?

voice? ?calm? ?and? ?confident,? ?“What? ?happened? ?last? ?night?? ?All? ?your? ?subordinates? ?were? ?

suddenly? ?struck? ?by? ?either? ?a? ?fever? ?or? ?throbbing? ?headache.? ?Everyone? ?was? ?restless.? ?You? ?

were? ?too,? ?and? ?you? ?had? ?quite? ?the? ?temper!”? ?

?

Hua? ?Cheng? ?demanded,? ?“Other? ?than? ?that?”? ?

?

“Other? ?than? ?what?? ?There’s? ?nothing? ?else.”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?blinked.? ?

?

He? ?could? ?feel? ?Hua? ?Cheng’s? ?gaze? ?on? ?him? ?as? ?the? ?Supreme? ?continued? ?to? ?grill? ?him,? ?“Was? ?

there? ?really? ?nothing?? ?Then,? ?how? ?did? ?I? ?calm? ?down?”? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?softly? ?cleared? ?his? ?throat,? ?as? ?if? ?he? ?was? ?slightly? ?embarrassed,? ?“To? ?tell? ?you? ?the? ?

truth,? ?San? ?Lang,? ?please? ?don’t? ?be? ?mad? ?at? ?me.? ?Other? ?than? ?doing? ?this...”? ?He? ?motioned? ?at? ?

E’ming? ?who? ?he? ?was? ?currently? ?petting? ?and? ?admitted,? ?“I,? ?also,? ?cough? ?cough,? ?had? ?a? ?fight? ?

with? ?you.”? ?

?

“...”? ?

?

Hua? ?Cheng? ?looked? ?at? ?him? ?suspiciously,? ?“...we? ?fought?”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?held? ?down? ?his? ?fort? ?and? ?watched? ?him? ?earnestly,? ?“That’s? ?right.? ?Look,? ?the? ?hall? ?is? ?

such? ?a? ?mess? ?because? ?of? ?our? ?fight.”? ?

?

“...”? ?

?

There? ?was? ?a? ?pause? ?before? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?puffed? ?a? ?sigh? ?in? ?relief? ?and? ?rested? ?his? ?head? ?on? ?his? ?

hand.? ?

?

Seeing? ?that? ?he? ?wasn’t? ?hounding? ?for? ?answers? ?anymore,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?finally? ?felt? ?his? ?suspended? ?

heart? ?settle? ?down? ?after? ?and? ?silently? ?released? ?his? ?breath.? ? ?

?

“It? ?opened.”? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?muttered? ?all? ?of? ?a? ?sudden.? ?

?

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

?

Hua? ?Cheng? ?lifted? ?his? ?head,? ?and? ?with? ?a? ?somber? ?voice,? ?he? ?clarified,? ?“Mount? ?Tong’lu? ?

reopened.”? ?

?

The? ?meaning? ?of? ?this? ?announcement? ?couldn’t? ?be? ?clearer? ?for? ?the? ?two.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?widened? ?his? ?

eyes,? ?“A? ?new? ?ghost? ?king...is? ?about? ?to? ?be? ?born?”? ?

?

—? ?

?

When? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?returned? ?to? ?report? ?in,? ?the? ?Heavenly? ?Court? ?was? ?also? ?rumbling? ?with? ?thunder? ?

unceasingly.? ?Stepping? ?into? ?the? ?Great? ?Martial? ?Hall,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?unconsciously? ?looked? ?for? ?

someone? ?to? ?inquire? ?“What’s? ?the? ?matter? ?with? ?Lord? ?Thunder? ?Master?”? ?But? ?only? ?when? ?the? ?

words? ?left? ?his? ?lips? ?did? ?he? ?realize? ?that? ?the? ?spot? ?where? ?the? ?Wind? ?Master? ?once? ?stood? ?was? ?

now? ?empty.? ?The? ?Water? ?Master? ?who? ?stood? ?right? ?up? ?front? ?and? ?the? ?Earth? ?Master? ?who? ?sat? ?in? ?

the? ?corner? ?were? ?all? ?vacant.? ?He? ?was? ?taken? ?aback,? ?his? ?heart? ?sighing,? ?then? ?he? ?looked? ?over? ?

and? ?saw? ?Lang? ?Qing? ?Qiu? ?enter? ?the? ?hall.? ?

?

Having? ?not? ?seen? ?him? ?for? ?so? ?long,? ?his? ?entire? ?person? ?had? ?thinned? ?a? ?size,? ?looking? ?much? ?

gloomier.? ?His? ?eyes? ?met? ?with? ?Xie? ?Lian’s? ?then? ?turned? ?away? ?without? ?a? ?word.? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?scanned? ?around? ?and? ?realized? ?he? ?couldn’t? ?find? ?anyone? ?he? ?could? ?converse? ?with? ?

casually.? ?

?

A? ?voice? ?answered? ?him,? ?“It’s? ?nothing.? ?A? ?Ghost? ?King? ?is? ?about? ?to? ?be? ?born;? ?ghosts? ?cry? ?and? ?

gods? ?sound,? ?the? ?thunder? ?will? ?not? ?stop.”? ? ?

?

The? ?one? ?who? ?responded? ?was? ?Feng? ?Xin.? ?For? ?some? ?reason,? ?when? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?saw? ?him? ?he? ?

couldn’t? ?help? ?but? ?feel? ?an? ?incredible? ?sense? ?of? ?friendliness.? ?However,? ?one? ?of? ?Feng? ?Xin’s? ?

eyes? ?was? ?purple,? ?and? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?couldn’t? ?help? ?but? ?gaze? ?over? ?to? ?the? ?Mu? ?Qing? ?who? ?was? ?

standing? ?far? ?away? ?on? ?the? ?other? ?side? ?of? ?the? ?hall.? ?Mu? ?Qing’s? ?cheek? ?was? ?swollen.? ?It? ?seemed? ?

after? ?building? ?their? ?grudges? ?for? ?so? ?many? ?years,? ?the? ?brawl? ?the? ?last? ?time? ?must’ve? ?been? ?

aggressive.? ?

?

Jun? ?Wu? ?Spoke? ?up,? ?“The? ?reason? ?why? ?I’ve? ?summoned? ?everyone? ?here? ?today,? ?I’m? ?sure? ?

you’re? ?all? ?very? ?aware.”? ?

?

The? ?heavenly? ?officials? ?all? ?acknowledged.? ?Jun? ?Wu? ?continued? ?slowly,? ?“The? ?universe? ?is? ?a? ?

kiln,? ?all? ?sentient? ?beings? ?are? ?copper;? ?in? ?the? ?deep? ?waters? ?and? ?scalding? ?fires,? ?all? ?trials? ?

breathe? ?within.”? ?

?

“Mount? ?Tong’lu? ?is? ?a? ?natural? ?ominous? ?land? ?crawling? ?with? ?malicious? ?tidings,? ?a? ?live? ?volcano? ?

that? ?can? ?erupt? ?at? ?any? ?given? ?time.”? ?

?

“Every? ?few? ?hundred? ?years,? ?the? ?City? ?of? ?Gu? ?within? ?the? ?mountain? ?will? ?open? ?its? ?gates,? ?and? ?

around? ?millions? ?of? ?ghosts.? ?It? ?especially? ?affects? ?the? ?previous? ?Ghost? ?Kings.? ?Every? ?

monsters,? ?demons,? ?and? ?ghosts? ?that? ?thirst? ?to? ?reach? ?the? ?level? ?of? ?Supreme? ?will? ?make? ?their? ?

way? ?to? ?Mount? ?Tong’lu.? ?Once? ?gathered,? ?Mount? ?Tong’lu? ?will? ?be? ?sealed? ?once? ?more,? ?and? ?the? ?

slaughtering? ?will? ?officially? ?begin.”? ?

?

“When? ?the? ?last? ?one? ?remains? ?standing,? ?a? ?new? ?Ghost? ?King? ?will? ?be? ?born.”? ?

?

“The? ?Crimson? ?Rain? ?Sought? ?Flower? ?and? ?the? ?Ship? ?Sinking? ?Black? ?Water? ?are? ?both? ?such? ?

Supreme? ?Ghost? ?Kings? ?who? ?were? ?born? ?thus.? ?The? ?two? ?became? ?Supremes? ?and? ?emerged? ?

from? ?the? ?Mountain.? ?Black? ?Water? ?spent? ?twelve? ?years.? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?spent? ?ten? ?years.”? ?

?

Mu? ?Qing? ?said? ?coldly,? ?“One? ?Black? ?Water,? ?one? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?are? ?both? ?already? ?difficult? ?to? ?deal? ?

with.? ?Just? ?see? ?what? ?they’ve? ?done.? ?If? ?another? ?one? ?comes? ?along,? ?we? ?won’t? ?sleep? ?a? ?wink.”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?commented? ?gently,? ?“General? ?Xuan? ?Zhen,? ?I? ?won’t? ?comment? ?on? ?what? ?Black? ?Water? ?

has? ?done.? ?But,? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?hasn’t? ?done? ?anything? ?really? ?out? ?of? ?line.”? ?

?

Mu? ?Qing,? ?with? ?his? ?puffy,? ?swollen? ?cheeks,? ?gave? ?him? ?a? ?look.? ?Pei? ?Ming? ?spoke? ?up,? ?“They? ??are? ?

quite? ?difficult? ?to? ?deal? ?with.? ?So,? ?we? ?must? ?stop? ?this? ?gathering? ?of? ?millions? ?of? ?ghosts,? ?am? ?I? ?

right?”? ? ?

?

“That’s? ?correct.”? ?Jun? ?Wu? ?said.? ?“The? ?gathering? ?of? ?millions? ?of? ?ghosts? ?will? ?take? ?about? ?a? ?few? ?

months.? ?We? ?will? ?need? ?to? ?stop? ?them? ?before? ?they? ?gather.”? ? ?

?

“What? ?if? ?we? ?don’t? ?stop? ?them? ?in? ?time?? ?Is? ?there? ?any? ?way? ?to? ?rally?”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?asked.? ?

?

“There? ?is.”? ?Jun? ?Wu? ?said,? ?“However,? ?hopefully? ?we? ?will? ?not? ?reach? ?that? ?step.? ?The? ?most? ?

urgent? ?business? ?right? ?now? ?is? ?the? ?arousal? ?of? ?ghosts? ?had? ?started? ?a? ?wave? ?of? ?chaos,? ?and? ?

many? ?of? ?the? ?monsters? ?and? ?demons? ?that? ?had? ?been? ?sealed? ?away? ?have? ?escaped.? ?Many? ?of? ?

these? ?are? ?extremely? ?dangerous? ?inhuman? ?creatures? ?such? ?as? ?that? ?female? ?ghost? ?Xuan? ?Ji,? ?

the? ?fetus? ?spirit,? ?the? ?Brocade? ?Immortal.? ?At? ?this? ?moment? ?they? ?must? ?all? ?be? ?rushing? ?to? ?

towards? ?Mount? ?Tong’lu.? ?They? ?must? ?be? ?immediately? ?apprehended? ?once? ?more.”? ?

?

“They’ve? ?all? ?escaped?”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?remarked,? ?“Then? ?this? ?is? ?certainly? ?quite? ?the? ?chaos.”? ? ?

?

“Which? ?is? ?why? ?I’m? ?afraid? ?every? ?martial? ?god? ?must? ?take? ?heed,? ?and? ?thoroughly? ?investigate? ?

their? ?warranted? ?domains.”? ?Jun? ?Wu? ?said.? ?

?

“Then...? ?what? ?about? ?me?”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?asked.? ?

?

Although? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?was? ?the? ?God? ?of? ?Rubbish? ?at? ?the? ?moment,? ?nevertheless? ?he? ?still? ?

ascended? ?as? ?a? ?martial? ?god? ?the? ?last? ?two? ?times,? ?and? ?he’s? ?basically? ?being? ?used? ?as? ?a? ?martial? ?

god? ?right? ?now? ?too,? ?the? ?only? ?difference? ?was? ?he? ?didn’t? ?have? ?a? ?domain.? ?Humming? ?for? ?a? ?

moment,? ?Jun? ?Wu? ?said,? ?“Xian? ?Le,? ?why? ?don’t? ?you? ?go? ?with? ?Qi? ?Ying.”? ? ?

?

?

——? ?

?

?MXTX? ?Author’s? ?Note:? ?The? ?crown? ?prince? ?is? ?enlightened,? ?so? ?who? ?will? ?confess? ?first~? ?

?

Of? ?course,? ?being? ?aggravated? ?doesn’t? ?mean? ?Hua? ?Hua? ?needed? ?to? ?kiss,? ?but,? ?Hua? ?

Hua? ?really? ?wants? ?to? ?kiss!? ?Of? ?course? ?he? ?also? ?wants? ?to...? ?

?

—–? ?

?

Ch.128:? ?Blinded? ?by? ?the? ?Heart;? ?Brocade? ?Immortal? ?Forged? ?by? ?Blood? ?

?

After? ?a? ?pause,? ?Jun? ?Wu? ?asked,? ?“Where’s? ?Qi? ?Ying?”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?looked? ?around? ?and? ?indeed? ?there? ?wasn’t? ?a? ?shadow? ?of? ?that? ?young? ?martial? ?god.? ?

Perhaps? ?because? ?incidents? ?upon? ?incidents? ?kept? ?happening? ?in? ?the? ?heavens,? ?the? ?Palace? ?

of? ?Ling? ?Wen? ?was? ?so? ?busy? ?it? ?was? ?going? ?to? ?fly? ?off,? ?and? ?Ling? ?Wen? ?also? ?had? ?a? ?few? ?more? ?dark? ?

circles? ?under? ?her? ?eyes.? ?“It’s? ?been? ?a? ?long? ?time? ?since? ?Qi? ?Ying? ?came? ?to? ?these? ?meetings.? ?

We’ve? ?never? ?been? ?able? ?to? ?connect? ?with? ?him.”? ?

?

Some? ?heavenly? ?officials? ?on? ?the? ?side? ?clicked? ?their? ?tongues,? ?“Where? ?did? ?that? ?little? ?brat? ?run? ?

off? ?to? ?again?”? ? ?

?

“Not? ?here? ?again?? ?So? ?envious? ?that? ?he? ?doesn’t? ?need? ?to? ?attend? ?all? ?these? ?meetings.”? ? ?

?

“Since? ?we? ?do? ?not? ?know? ?Qi? ?Ying’s? ?whereabouts,? ?once? ?we? ?find? ?him? ?we? ?will? ?let? ?you? ?know? ?

and? ?have? ?the? ?two? ?of? ?you? ?coordinate.”? ?Jun? ?Wu? ?said.? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?inclined? ?his? ?head? ?in? ?acknowledgement,? ?“Yes,? ?My? ?Lord.”? ? ?

?

The? ?mortal? ?realm? ?was? ?in? ?the? ?midst? ?of? ?autumn,? ?the? ?weather? ?was? ?chilly,? ?and? ?it? ?was? ?so? ?

inside? ?Puqi? ?Shrine.? ?Although? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?wore? ?just? ?the? ?one? ?layer,? ?he? ?didn’t? ?feel? ?cold;? ?

however,? ?on? ?the? ?way? ?home,? ?he? ?still? ?used? ?the? ?money? ?he? ?made? ?from? ?collecting? ?scraps? ?to? ?

buy? ?two? ?new? ?sets? ?of? ?robes? ?for? ?Lang? ?Ying.? ?

?

Hua? ?Cheng? ?had? ?returned? ?to? ?the? ?Ghost? ?City? ?and? ?Qi? ?Rong? ?ran? ?away? ?with? ?Guzi? ?in? ?tow,? ?so? ?

now? ?there? ?was? ?only? ?Lang? ?Ying? ?left? ?in? ?Puqi? ?Shrine.? ?It? ?had? ?felt? ?cramped? ?before,? ?but? ?now? ?it? ?

suddenly? ?became? ?deserted.? ?As? ?he? ?walked,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?could? ?see? ?from? ?afar? ?Lang? ?Ying? ?

sweeping? ?in? ?front? ?of? ?the? ?shrine? ?silently,? ?raking? ?the? ?fallen? ?golden? ?leaves? ?into? ?a? ?pile.? ?

?

Maybe? ?it? ?was? ?all? ?in? ?his? ?mind,? ?but? ?Lang? ?Ying? ?used? ?to? ?slouch,? ?coiled? ?in? ?fear? ?and? ?

nervousness,? ?but? ?now? ?his? ?limbs? ?seemed? ?to? ?be? ?stretched? ?out,? ?finally? ?assuming? ?the? ?

appearance? ?of? ?a? ?cheerful? ?boy,? ?and? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?couldn’t? ?help? ?but? ?feel? ?heartened.? ?He? ?

approached? ?and? ?took? ?the? ?broom,? ?and? ?was? ?just? ?about? ?to? ?bring? ?him? ?inside? ?when? ?the? ?

villagers? ?who? ?had? ?been? ?hiding? ?in? ?wait? ?for? ?some? ?time? ?all? ?ambushed? ?him,? ?aunties? ?and? ?

grandpas,? ?uncles? ?and? ?sisters? ?all? ?clamoured? ?around? ?him,? ?“Daozhang,? ?you’re? ?back!”? ? ?

?

“Did? ?you? ?go? ?collect? ?scraps? ?in? ?town? ?again?? ?You’ve? ?worked? ?hard,? ?you’ve? ?worked? ?hard...? ?

Um,? ?how? ?come? ?we? ?haven’t? ?seen? ?Xiao? ?Hua? ?lately?”? ? ?

?

“Yea,? ?yea,? ?we? ?haven’t? ?seen? ?him? ?for? ?days!? ?We? ?miss? ?the? ?little? ?guy.”? ?

?

“...”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?smiled? ?awkwardly,? ?“Xiao...? ?Hua? ?went? ?back? ?home.”? ?

?

“Huh?”? ?The? ?village? ?head? ?was? ?puzzled,? ?“Which? ?home?? ?I? ?thought? ?this? ?was? ?Xiao? ?Hua’s? ?

home?? ?Isn’t? ?he? ?living? ?with? ?you???”? ?

?

“No,? ?no,”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?replied,? ?“He? ?only? ?came? ?over? ?to? ?play.? ?Now? ?that? ?we’re? ?all? ?busy,? ?we? ?

parted? ?ways.”? ?

?

That? ?night,? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?had? ?hounded? ?him? ?for? ?answers? ?afterwards,? ?but? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?was? ?

stubbornly? ?adamant? ?that? ?the? ?two? ?only? ?had? ?a? ?fight.? ?Now? ?that? ?Mount? ?Tong’lu? ?reopened,? ?

Hua? ?Cheng? ?now? ?had? ?more? ?on? ?his? ?plate.? ?If? ?a? ?new? ?Supreme? ?Ghost? ?King? ?really? ?emerged,? ?it? ?

would? ?mean? ?an? ?assault? ?on? ?all? ?three? ?realms.? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?and? ?Black? ?Water,? ?although? ?one? ?

was? ?flashy? ?and? ?the? ?other? ?low-key,? ?they? ?both? ?had? ?their? ?own? ?styles? ?and? ?more? ?or? ?less? ?knew? ?

their? ?place? ?and? ?kept? ?themselves? ?in? ?order.? ?But? ?who? ?knows? ?what? ?kind? ?of? ?creature? ?would? ?

emerge? ?this? ?time.? ?What? ?if? ?Mount? ?Tong’lu? ?birthed? ?a? ?madman? ?like? ?Qi? ?Rong? ?who? ?would? ?fight? ?

them? ?for? ?their? ?domains,? ?then? ?that’d? ?be? ?rather? ?difficult? ?to? ?deal? ?with.? ?Thus,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?used? ?

the? ?excuse? ?that? ?he? ?was? ?busy? ?and? ?said? ?the? ?two? ?best? ?not? ?see? ?each? ?other? ?for? ?the? ?time? ?being? ?

and? ?focus? ?on? ?their? ?own? ?duties,? ?then? ?the? ?two? ?bid? ?farewell? ?amiably.? ?

?

Although? ?it? ?seemed? ?sudden? ?and? ?cold,? ?like? ?he? ?turned? ?his? ?back? ?on? ?a? ?friend,? ?but? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?

really? ?didn’t? ?know? ?what? ?else? ?to? ?do.? ?

?

He? ?didn’t? ?have? ?the? ?confidence? ?he? ?could? ?hide? ?his? ?feelings? ?right? ?now.? ?

?

Just? ?then,? ?behind? ?him,? ?Lang? ?Ying? ?suddenly? ?spoke? ?up,? ?“Fire.”? ?

?

“...???”? ?

?

Only? ?then? ?did? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?realize? ?that? ?while? ?he? ?was? ?spacing? ?out? ?lost? ?in? ?thought,? ?he? ?

accidentally? ?took? ?up? ?the? ?pot? ?and? ?spatula? ?and? ?ruined? ?all? ?the? ?meat? ?and? ?vegetables? ?he? ?just? ?

brought? ?back? ?to? ?Puqi? ?Shrine.? ?The? ?fire? ?under? ?the? ?pot? ?was? ?meters? ?high,? ?almost? ?scorching? ?

the? ?ceiling,? ?and? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?hastily? ?slapped? ?at? ?the? ?flames? ?to? ?put? ?it? ?out.? ?However,? ?he? ?slapped? ?

too? ?hard? ?and? ?the? ?entire? ?stove? ?collapsed.? ?Much? ?rumbles? ?later,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?stood? ?there? ?dazed? ?

with? ?a? ?pot? ?in? ?hand,? ?not? ?knowing? ?what? ?to? ?do.? ?It? ?was? ?just? ?around? ?meal? ?time? ?and? ?the? ?

villagers? ?were? ?all? ?holding? ?their? ?bowls? ?eating? ?happily? ?outside? ?the? ?door.? ?Surprised? ?by? ?the? ?

ruckus,? ?they? ?all? ?came? ?around? ?again,? ?“WHAT’S? ?HAPPENED?!? ?WHAT’S? ?HAPPENED?!? ?

Daozhang,? ?did? ?your? ?place? ?blow? ?up? ?again?!”? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?quickly? ?opened? ?the? ?window,? ?“It’s? ?nothing,? ?it’s? ?nothing!? ?Cough? ?cough? ?cough? ?

cough...”? ?

?

The? ?village? ?head? ?came? ?over? ?to? ?take? ?a? ?look,? ?“Jeebus,? ?this? ?is? ?an? ?absolute? ?tragedy!? ?

Daozhang,? ?I? ?think? ?it’s? ?best? ?if? ?you? ?call? ?Xiao? ?Hua? ?back.”? ?

?

Wordless? ?for? ?a? ?moment,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?said,? ?“It’s? ?alright.? ?After? ?all...? ?he’s? ?not? ?from? ?my? ?

household.”? ?

?

When? ?he? ?snapped? ?out? ?of? ?it,? ?Lang? ?Ying? ?had? ?already? ?started? ?to? ?help? ?him? ?clean? ?up? ?the? ?

mess? ?on? ?the? ?ground,? ?and? ?a? ?plate? ?of? ?something? ?colourfully? ?red? ?and? ?purple? ?was? ?on? ?the? ?

table? ?–? ?it? ?was? ?randomly? ?plated? ?when? ?he? ?was? ?zoning? ?out.? ?If? ?the? ?thing? ?he? ?made? ?last? ?time? ?

was? ?named? ?‘Love? ?for? ?All? ?Seasons? ?Stew’,? ?then? ?this? ?time? ?it? ?should? ?be? ?named? ?‘Fried? ?Riot? ?of? ?

Colours’.? ?But? ?other? ?than? ?Hua? ?Cheng,? ?there? ?was? ?probably? ?no? ?second? ?person? ?on? ?this? ?earth? ?

who? ?could? ?swallow? ?the? ?stuff.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?himself? ?couldn’t? ?bear? ?the? ?sight? ?of? ?it? ?and? ?turned? ?

around? ?to? ?wash? ?the? ?pot,? ?rubbing? ?his? ?forehead,? ?“Nevermind,? ?don’t? ?eat? ?it.? ?Throw? ?it? ?away.”? ? ?

?

However,? ?after? ?he? ?finished? ?washing? ?the? ?pot? ?and? ?turned? ?around,? ?he? ?saw? ?Lang? ?Ying? ?who? ?

had? ?taken? ?the? ?plate? ?had? ?already? ?silently? ?eaten? ?the? ?food.? ?Stunned,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?immediately? ?

went? ?over? ?to? ?stop? ?him,? ?and? ?held? ?him? ?by? ?the? ?shoulders,? ?“...God,? ?are? ?you? ?alright?? ?Do? ?you? ?

feel? ?bad? ?anywhere???”? ?

?

Lang? ?Ying? ?shook? ?his? ?head.? ?Since? ?his? ?face? ?was? ?completely? ?wrapped? ?in? ?bandages,? ?his? ?

expression? ?was? ?hidden.? ?Even? ?Qi? ?Rong? ?and? ?Black? ?Water? ?would? ?lose? ?their? ?minds? ?when? ?

they? ?ate? ?what? ?he? ?cooked,? ?but? ?Lang? ?Ying? ?was? ?actually? ?able? ?to? ?handle? ?it,? ?so? ?just? ?how? ?

hungry? ?was? ?he?? ?Or? ?did? ?his? ?strength? ?suddenly? ?increase?? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?teased? ?himself? ?and? ?

forced? ?a? ?smile,? ?then? ?cleaned? ?up? ?and? ?went? ?to? ?bed.? ?

?

There? ?were? ?two? ?mats? ?in? ?Puqi? ?Shrine,? ?one? ?for? ?each? ?person.? ?When? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?was? ?reminded? ?

that? ?the? ?mat? ?beneath? ?him? ?was? ?laid? ?upon? ?by? ?both? ?him? ?and? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?together,? ?he? ?

couldn’t? ?sleep,? ?his? ?eyes? ?wide? ?awake,? ?but? ?he? ?didn’t? ?dare? ?to? ?toss? ?and? ?turn? ?lest? ?he? ?rouse? ?

Lang? ?Ying.? ?After? ?much? ?internal? ?struggles,? ?he? ?was? ?just? ?thinking? ?he? ?might? ?as? ?well? ?go? ?out? ?for? ?

a? ?breath? ?of? ?fresh? ?air? ?when? ?suddenly,? ?he? ?heard? ?the? ?window? ?creak.? ?Someone? ?had? ?pushed? ?

open? ?the? ?wooden? ?frame? ?softly? ?and? ?hopped? ?inside.? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian’s? ?back? ?was? ?facing? ?the? ?window,? ?and? ?he? ?laid? ?there? ?on? ?the? ?ground? ?on? ?his? ?side,? ?

shocked.? ?

?

What? ?kind? ?of? ?person? ?would? ?be? ?so? ?hard? ?on? ?themselves? ?as? ?to? ?come? ?steal? ?in? ?Puqi? ?Shrine?? ?

Wasn’t? ?this? ?just? ?labour? ?without? ?returns?? ? ?

?

That? ?person? ?was? ?light? ?on? ?their? ?feet,? ?extremely? ?skilled,? ?and? ?if? ?not? ?for? ?someone? ?like? ?Xie? ?

Lian? ?who? ?was? ?extraordinarily? ?sharp? ?in? ?his? ?senses,? ?no? ?one? ?would’ve? ?noticed.? ?Once? ?he? ?

hopped? ?in,? ?he? ?ran? ?straight? ?for? ?the? ?donation? ?box.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?immediately? ?remembered? ?that? ?

the? ?donation? ?box? ?was? ?full? ?of? ?gold? ?bars? ?before,? ?so? ?was? ?this? ?person? ?here? ?for? ?the? ?gold?? ?But? ?

those? ?gold? ?bars? ?had? ?long? ?been? ?given? ?to? ?Ling? ?Wen? ?to? ?have? ?her? ?find? ?their? ?master.? ?Listening? ?

attentively,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?realized? ?that? ?person? ?wasn’t? ?actually? ?cracking? ?the? ?lock,? ?but? ?was? ?

stuffing? ?something? ?one? ?after? ?the? ?other? ?into? ?the? ?donation? ?box!? ?

?

After? ?that? ?individual? ?had? ?done? ?their? ?work,? ?they? ?seemed? ?to? ?be? ?looking? ?to? ?hop? ?outside? ?of? ?

the? ?window? ?to? ?leave.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?mentally? ?plotted? ?thinking? ?that? ?he’d? ?follow? ?after? ?that? ?person? ?

once? ?they? ?were? ?out? ?to? ?see? ?just? ?where? ?they’re? ?going? ?and? ?who? ?they? ?were.? ?Yet? ?

unexpectedly,? ?when? ?that? ?person? ?passed? ?the? ?altar? ?table? ?and? ?saw? ?it? ?filled? ?with? ?plates,? ?they? ?

seemed? ?to? ?be? ?hungry? ?and? ?didn’t? ?think? ?before? ?munching? ?down? ?on? ?those? ?leftover? ?Fried? ?

Riot? ?of? ?Colours,? ?stuffing? ?a? ?few? ?mouthfuls? ?down? ?their? ?throat.? ?

?

The? ?next? ?second,? ??THUD!? ??And? ?they? ?were? ?knocked? ?out? ?on? ?the? ?ground.? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?immediately? ?turned? ?over? ?and? ?sat? ?up,? ?‘My? ?trouble’s? ?actually? ?saved!’? ?He? ?lit? ?up? ?the? ?

lights? ?to? ?look,? ?and? ?on? ?the? ?ground? ?was? ?a? ?purple? ?faced? ?figure? ?lying? ?flat,? ?and? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?hastily? ?

went? ?to? ?rescue? ?his? ?life,? ?pouring? ?large? ?mouthfuls? ?of? ?water? ?down? ?his? ?throat? ?before? ?that? ?

person? ?slowly? ?came? ?to.? ?The? ?first? ?thing? ?he? ?uttered? ?when? ?he? ?woke? ?was,? ?“WHAT? ?THE? ?HELL? ?

WAS? ?THAT? ?THING!”? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?pretended? ?not? ?to? ?hear? ?and? ?chided? ?solemnly,? ?“Your? ?Highness? ?Qi? ?Ying,? ?you? ?really? ?

are? ?too? ?rash,? ?stuffing? ?whatever? ?you? ?find? ?in? ?your? ?mouth? ?without? ?knowing? ?what? ?it? ?is.”? ?

?

That? ?youth? ?had? ?a? ?straight? ?nose? ?and? ?deep? ?brows,? ?his? ?head? ?full? ?of? ?raven? ?black? ?curly? ?hair;? ?

who? ?else? ?could? ?it? ?be? ?but? ?the? ?Martial? ?God? ?of? ?the? ?West,? ?Quan? ?Yizhen?? ?

?

He? ?glared,? ?“How? ?should? ?I? ?know? ?that? ?anyone? ?would? ?actually? ?poison? ?their? ?own? ?food? ?offered? ?

in? ?their? ?own? ?shrine?”? ? ?

?

“...”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?rubbed? ?his? ?forehead? ?and? ?opened? ?that? ?donation? ?box? ?to? ?see? ?it? ?was? ?filled? ?to? ?

the? ?rim? ?with? ?gold? ?bars.? ?“Was? ?it? ?also? ?you? ?who? ?filled? ?the? ?box? ?last? ?time?”? ?

?

Quan? ?Yizhen? ?nodded.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?asked,? ?“Why? ?are? ?you? ?giving? ?me? ?all? ?this?”? ? ?

?

“Because? ?I? ?have? ?a? ?lot.”? ?Quan? ?Yizhen? ?replied.? ?

?

“...”? ?

?

Truthfully,? ?even? ?if? ?he? ?wouldn’t? ?say? ?it? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?could? ?probably? ?guess? ?that? ?this? ?was? ?most? ?

likely? ?because? ?at? ?the? ?Mid? ?Autumn? ?Banquet,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?slung? ?out? ?a? ?chopstick? ?to? ?cut? ?down? ?

the? ?curtains? ?of? ?the? ?stage.? ?“Take? ?those? ?back? ?with? ?you,? ?I? ?won’t? ?accept? ?rewards? ?without? ?

having? ?done? ?anything.”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?said.? ?

?

Quan? ?Yizhen? ?didn’t? ?say? ?anything,? ?very? ?obviously? ?not? ?listening.? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?didn’t? ?know? ?whether? ?to? ?laugh? ?or? ?cry.? ?Just? ?then,? ?Lang? ?Ying? ?spoke? ?up? ?coldly,? ?“He’s? ?

telling? ?you? ?to? ?take? ?those? ?away.”? ? ?

?

When? ?had? ?he? ?sat? ?up?? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?looked? ?back? ?to? ?glance? ?at? ?him,? ?feeling? ?strange.? ?In? ?the? ?past,? ?

Lang? ?Ying? ?basically? ?made? ?himself? ?invisible,? ?desperately? ?shrinking? ?himself? ?into? ?the? ?

ground,? ?so? ?why? ?did? ?he? ?say? ?so? ?much? ?without? ?prompting? ?today?? ?And? ?using? ?such? ?unfriendly? ?

tones? ?too.? ?But,? ?he? ?didn’t? ?think? ?too? ?much,? ?and? ?figured? ?if? ?anything,? ?he? ?could? ?just? ?give? ?the? ?

box? ?to? ?Ling? ?Wen? ?to? ?stuff? ?it? ?back? ?to? ?Quan? ?Yizhen.? ?He? ?straightened? ?his? ?expression,? ?“Your? ?

Highness,? ?you’ve? ?come? ?just? ?in? ?time.? ?You? ?didn’t? ?attend? ?the? ?meeting? ?at? ?the? ?Great? ?Martial? ?

Hall? ?today,? ?but? ?Jun? ?Wu? ?has? ?given? ?us? ?a? ?mission,? ?have? ?you? ?seen? ?the? ?scroll?? ?Nevermind,? ?

it’s? ?alright,? ?I? ?know? ?you? ?haven’t? ?looked? ?through? ?it.? ?I’ve? ?looked? ?through? ?it? ?already.? ?This? ?time? ?

we’re? ?a? ?team? ?together,? ?and? ?the? ?creature? ?we’re? ?responsible? ?for? ?is? ?called? ?the? ?‘Brocade? ?

Immortal’.”? ?

?

The? ?Venerable? ?of? ?Empty? ?Words? ?was? ?called? ?a? ?‘venerable’? ?because? ?people? ?didn’t? ?dare? ?to? ?

call? ?it? ?a? ?rogue,? ?a? ?hellion,? ?or? ?an? ?annoying? ?devil? ?so? ?directly,? ?so? ?it? ?was? ?a? ?tentative? ?flattery.? ?

Why? ?was? ?that? ?Brocade? ?Immortal? ?venerated? ?as? ?an? ?immortal?? ?This? ?was? ?because? ?

according? ?to? ?legends,? ?that? ?creature? ?truly? ?possessed? ?the? ?ability? ?to? ?become? ?a? ?god? ?once.? ?

?

Legends? ?say? ?many? ?centuries? ?ago,? ?there? ?was? ?a? ?young? ?man? ?in? ?some? ?ancient? ?kingdom,? ?

who? ?although? ?dumb? ?and? ?foolish? ?by? ?nature,? ?his? ?intellect? ?no? ?better? ?than? ?that? ?of? ?a? ?six? ?year? ?

old? ?child,? ?but? ?once? ?on? ?the? ?battlefield? ?he? ?was? ?no? ?longer? ?the? ?same.? ?His? ?martial? ?skills? ?were? ?

extraordinary? ?and? ?was? ?also? ?brave? ?but? ?kind.? ?When? ?two? ?kingdoms? ?collided? ?in? ?battle,? ?his? ?

kingdom? ?was? ?able? ?to? ?claim? ?overwhelming? ?victories? ?because? ?he? ?charged? ?in? ?the? ?front? ?

lines.? ?Because? ?he? ?was? ?mentally? ?weak? ?and? ?had? ?no? ?family,? ?all? ?the? ?rewards? ?he? ?gained? ?from? ?

battle? ?were? ?taken? ?by? ?others,? ?leaving? ?him? ?penniless.? ?No? ?households? ?were? ?willing? ?to? ?have? ?

their? ?daughters? ?marry? ?such? ?a? ?man,? ?and? ?very? ?few? ?girls? ?were? ?willing? ?to? ?come? ?close.? ?That? ?

young? ?man? ?was? ?also? ?dumb? ?to? ?a? ?certain? ?point,? ?and? ?ever? ?since? ?he? ?was? ?young? ?he? ?had? ?

never? ?made? ?any? ?contacts? ?with? ?ladies,? ?never? ?daring? ?to? ?speak? ?a? ?word.? ?

?

However,? ?this? ?person? ?possessed? ?the? ?potential? ?to? ?ascend,? ?and? ?he? ?should’ve? ?risen? ?to? ?the? ?

heavens? ?in? ?a? ?few? ?years.? ?At? ?first,? ?it? ?didn’t? ?matter? ?if? ?no? ?girls? ?liked? ?him,? ?but? ?the? ?sad? ?thing? ?

was,? ?he? ?still? ?fell? ?in? ?love? ?with? ?a? ?girl,? ?and? ?he? ?fell? ?deeply.? ?On? ?the? ?day? ?of? ?his? ?birthday,? ?that? ?girl? ?

sewed? ?him? ?a? ?brocade? ?robe? ?as? ?a? ?gift.? ?

?

Although? ?it? ?was? ?a? ?brocade? ?robe,? ?it? ?was? ?extremely? ?bizarre.? ?It? ?was? ?more? ?like? ?a? ?horrid? ?

pocket.? ?This? ?was? ?the? ?first? ?time? ?in? ?that? ?young? ?man’s? ?life? ?that? ?he? ?received? ?a? ?gift? ?from? ?a? ?girl? ?

he? ?loved,? ?and? ?filled? ?with? ?exalted? ?joy,? ?plus? ?his? ?natural? ?stupidity,? ?he? ?didn’t? ?notice? ?anything? ?

strange? ?with? ?it,? ?eagerly? ?pulling? ?the? ?‘brocade? ?robe’? ?over? ?his? ?body.? ?There? ?weren’t? ?any? ?

sleeves? ?for? ?the? ?arms? ?to? ?go? ?through,? ?so? ?he? ?asked? ?his? ?beloved? ?girl,? ?“How? ?come? ?my? ?arms? ?

can’t? ?stretch? ?out?”? ? ?

?

That? ?girl? ?smiled? ?cheerfully,? ?“This? ?is? ?my? ?first? ?time? ?sewing? ?so? ?I’m? ?not? ?very? ?skilled.? ?But,? ?if? ?you? ?

don’t? ?have? ?any? ?arms? ?then? ?this? ?won’t? ?be? ?a? ?problem?”? ? ?

?

Thus,? ?this? ?young? ?man? ?raised? ?a? ?weapon? ?and? ?chopped? ?off? ?his? ?arms.? ?Now,? ?the? ?robe? ?fit.? ?

However,? ?it? ?wasn’t? ?enough,? ?and? ?he? ?asked? ?again,? ?“How? ?come? ?my? ?legs? ?can’t? ?stretch? ?out?”? ?

?

That? ?girl? ?replied,? ?“If? ?you? ?don’t? ?have? ?any? ?legs? ?then? ?this? ?won’t? ?be? ?a? ?problem?”? ? ?

?

Thus,? ?this? ?young? ?man? ?asked? ?another? ?to? ?chop? ?off? ?his? ?legs? ?too.? ?Finally,? ?he? ?asked,? ?“How? ?

come? ?my? ?head? ?can’t? ?peek? ?out?”? ? ?

?

The? ?conclusion? ?was? ?easily? ?imaginable.? ? ?

?

Originally,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?had? ?also? ?thought? ?the? ?‘Brocade? ?Immortal’? ?was? ?perhaps? ?a? ?monster? ?or? ?a? ?

demon? ?wearing? ?a? ?brocade? ?robe,? ?but? ?turns? ?out? ?it? ?was? ?actually? ?the? ?robe? ?itself.? ?When? ?Mount? ?

Tong’lu? ?reopened? ?and? ?millions? ?of? ?ghosts? ?were? ?roused,? ?someone? ?had? ?robbed? ?away? ?that? ?

robe.? ?Having? ?been? ?smeared? ?by? ?the? ?obsessed? ?blood? ?of? ?that? ?young? ?man,? ?that? ?brocade? ?

robe? ?was? ?forged? ?into? ?an? ?exceedingly? ?malicious? ?and? ?powerful? ?spiritual? ?device,? ?and? ?

throughout? ?the? ?centuries,? ?it? ?changed? ?hands? ?among? ?ghosts,? ?using? ?it? ?to? ?cause? ?harm.? ?

Therefore,? ?never? ?accept? ?any? ?old,? ?used? ?clothing? ?from? ?unknown? ?origins,? ?and? ?if? ?you? ?are? ?to? ?

run? ?into? ?someone? ?who? ?wish? ?to? ?gift? ?you? ?a? ?brocade? ?robe? ?on? ?the? ?street? ?in? ?the? ?middle? ?of? ?the? ?

night,? ?never? ?take? ?it.? ?Should? ?you? ?wear? ?this? ?brocade? ?robe,? ?you? ?will? ?become? ?a? ?pig? ?for? ?

slaughter.? ?

?

Of? ?course,? ?this? ?was? ?only? ?a? ?legend? ?and? ?sounded? ?rather? ?outlandish,? ?and? ?the? ?stories? ?could? ?

very? ?well? ?be? ?made? ?up? ?by? ?people? ?who? ?simply? ?extracted? ?from? ?the? ?unique? ?nature? ?of? ?the? ?

brocade? ?robe.? ?Nevertheless,? ?this? ?Brocade? ?Immortal? ?must? ?be? ?stopped.? ?They? ?must? ?not? ?let? ?

it? ?go? ?to? ?Mount? ?Tong’lu.? ?

?

?

———-? ?

?

?MXTX? ?Author’s? ?Note:? ?First,? ?the? ?real? ?Lang? ?Ying? ?has? ?no? ?relation? ?to? ?Hua? ?Hua? ?

whatsoever.? ?But,? ?believe? ?me,? ?there’s? ?only? ?Hua? ?Hua? ?in? ?this? ?world? ?who? ?can? ?eat? ?the? ?

things? ?the? ?crown? ?prince? ?cooks? ?(So,? ?Hua? ?Hua? ?never? ?left!? ?He? ?switched? ?Lang? ?Ying? ?

out? ?with? ?himself? ?today.)? ? ?

?

I? ?don’t? ?understand? ?why? ?no? ?one? ?noticed? ??_(:?????)_?? ?I? ?thought? ?I? ?made? ?it? ?very? ?obvious? ?

already!!!? ?Since? ?that’s? ?the? ?case,? ?I? ?might? ?as? ?well? ?rip? ?off? ?his? ?mask? ?directly,? ?

hahahahaha!? ? ?

?

———? ?

?

?

?

Ch.129:? ?Blinded? ?by? ?the? ?Heart;? ?Brocade? ?Immortal? ?Forged? ?by? ?Blood? ?2? ?

?

“Your? ?Highness? ?Qi? ?Ying?? ?Your? ?Highness?? ?Are? ?you? ?listening?”? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?reached? ?out? ?and? ?waved? ?his? ?hands? ?in? ?front? ?of? ?Quan? ?Yizhen.? ?Quan? ?Yizhen? ?

seemed? ?to? ?have? ?spaced? ?out? ?and? ?only? ?now? ?did? ?his? ?spirit? ?return? ?to? ?this? ?body.? ?“Oh.”? ?

?

It? ?appeared? ?he? ?wasn’t? ?listening.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?wasn’t? ?in? ?the? ?position? ?to? ?say? ?much? ?so? ?he? ?said? ?

instead,? ?“This? ?mission? ?is? ?urgent,? ?and? ?we? ?have? ?to? ?find? ?that? ?brocade? ?robe.? ?Its? ?original? ?form? ?

is...”? ?

?

Quan? ?Yizhen? ?interrupted,? ?“A? ?sleeveless,? ?headless,? ?gunny? ?sack? ?like? ?blood-soaked? ?robe.”? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?smiled,? ?“So? ?you? ?do? ?know.? ?I? ?thought? ?you? ?didn’t? ?read? ?the? ?scroll.? ?But,? ?since? ?this? ?

robe? ?is? ?a? ?wicked? ?object,? ?extremely? ?magical? ?with? ?thousands? ?of? ?forms.? ?There? ?are? ?millions? ?

of? ?clothes? ?in? ?this? ?world,? ?so? ?to? ?search? ?for? ?such? ?a? ?robe? ?is? ?no? ?different? ?than? ?seeking? ?a? ?

needle? ?in? ?the? ?ocean.”? ?

?

“Oh.”? ?Quan? ?Yizhen? ?said,? ?“Then? ?what? ?should? ?we? ?do?”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?explained,? ?“Ghosts? ?and? ?demons? ?who? ?got? ?their? ?hands? ?on? ?the? ?robe? ?will? ?usually? ?

transform? ?into? ?a? ?merchant,? ?and? ?beseech? ?people? ?to? ?buy? ?or? ?exchange? ?old? ?for? ?new? ?in? ?busy? ?

streets.? ?But? ?that’s? ?from? ?centuries? ?ago,? ?so? ?if? ?anyone? ?was? ?to? ?do? ?this? ?now? ?it’d? ?be? ?more? ?or? ?

less? ?strange.? ?But,? ?their? ?habits? ?and? ?ways? ?of? ?doing? ?things? ?won’t? ?change? ?so? ?easily? ?so? ?fast.? ?

In? ?any? ?case,? ?let’s? ?go? ?into? ?town? ?and? ?see? ?if? ?we? ?can? ?catch? ?wind? ?of? ?any? ?such? ?news.”? ?

?

Ghosts? ?would? ?be? ?more? ?interested? ?in? ?such? ?an? ?object? ?than? ?mortals.? ?Underground? ?

information? ?from? ?the? ?ghost? ?realm? ?would? ?be? ?much? ?faster? ?than? ?in? ?the? ?mortal? ?realm,? ?which? ?

meant,? ?asking? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?directly? ?would? ?surely? ?save? ?a? ?lot? ?of? ?trouble.? ?However,? ?it? ?wasn’t? ?

too? ?long? ?ago? ?when? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?told? ?him? ?they? ?shouldn’t? ?meet? ?for? ?the? ?time? ?being,? ?and? ?it? ?

wouldn’t? ?look? ?good? ?to? ?go? ?back? ?on? ?his? ?words? ?the? ?moment? ?he? ?needed? ?something.? ?Besides,? ?

the? ?Brocade? ?Immortal? ?was? ?only? ?just? ?stolen,? ?and? ?the? ?robber? ?might? ?not? ?dare? ?be? ?so? ?swift? ?in? ?

bringing? ?it? ?out? ?to? ?cause? ?harm.? ?Quan? ?Yizhen? ?nodded,? ?rose? ?to? ?his? ?feet,? ?and? ?followed? ?him? ?

for? ?a? ?few? ?steps.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?noticed? ?that? ?Lang? ?Ying? ?also? ?followed? ?suit? ?so? ?he? ?told? ?him,? ?“You? ?

stay? ?here.”? ? ?

?

Lang? ?Ying? ?shook? ?his? ?head.? ?Before? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?could? ?say? ?anymore,? ?there? ?was? ?a? ?sudden? ?

THUD!?? ?behind? ?him.? ?Quan? ?Yizhen? ?had? ?collapsed? ?again.? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?whipped? ?around,? ?“Are? ?you? ?alright?”? ?

?

That? ?shade? ?of? ?purple? ?was? ?colouring? ?Quan? ?Yizhen’s? ?face? ?again,? ?and? ?a? ?moment? ?later,? ?

unable? ?to? ?hold? ?back? ?any? ?longer,? ?he? ?finally? ?flipped? ?over,? ?crouched? ?onto? ?the? ?floor,? ?and? ?

“WAH”? ?puked? ?all? ?over? ?the? ?floor.? ?

?

“...”? ?

?

After? ?puking,? ?Quan? ?Yizhen? ?rolled? ?over,? ?his? ?face? ?facing? ?upwards,? ?his? ?soul? ?leaving? ?from? ?his? ?

mouth.? ?

?

“Qi? ?Ying...? ?can? ?you? ?still? ?walk?”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?asked? ?carefully.? ?

?

Quan? ?Yizhen? ?had? ?his? ?limbs? ?all? ?stretched? ?out? ?flat,? ?“I? ?think.? ?I? ?can’t.”? ? ?

?

“...”? ?

?

Woeful,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?could? ?only? ?drag? ?Quan? ?Yizhen? ?who? ?had? ?lost? ?all? ?willpower? ?to? ?fight? ?onto? ?

the? ?side? ?and? ?covered? ?him? ?with? ?a? ?blanket,? ?letting? ?him? ?recover? ?for? ?the? ?moment.? ?

?

It? ?took? ?until? ?the? ?next? ?day? ?before? ?Quan? ?Yizhen? ?looked? ?slightly? ?better.? ?Either? ?way,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?

didn’t? ?dare? ?to? ?let? ?him? ?eat? ?anything? ?random,? ?and? ?asked? ?for? ?some? ?porridge? ?from? ?the? ?village? ?

head’s? ?home,? ?bringing? ?it? ?back? ?to? ?fill? ?the? ?stomach? ?of? ?the? ?other? ?two.? ?Quan? ?Yizhen? ?sat? ?in? ?the? ?

spot? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?usually? ?occupied,? ?and? ?for? ?some? ?reason,? ?Lang? ?Ying? ?kept? ?staring? ?at? ?him,? ?

seemingly? ?unfriendly.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?placed? ?the? ?porridge? ?in? ?front? ?of? ?the? ?two? ?and? ?

subconsciously? ?called,? ?“San? ?Lang...”? ?

?

Before? ?the? ?words? ?completely? ?left? ?his? ?lips,? ?the? ?two? ?turned? ?to? ?look? ?at? ?him.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?instantly? ?

froze? ?and? ?only? ?then? ?did? ?he? ?realize? ?what? ?he? ?blurted,? ?and? ?he? ?cleared? ?his? ?throat? ?softly,? ?

“Please? ?continue.”? ? ?

?

The? ?two? ?sat? ?at? ?the? ?altar? ?table? ?eating? ?their? ?porridge? ?while? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?took? ?up? ?the? ?axe? ?and? ?

went? ?outside.? ?As? ?he? ?chopped? ?wood,? ?he? ?thought? ?back? ?on? ?the? ?clues? ?the? ?scroll? ?provided:? ?

“The? ?Brocade? ?Immortal? ?was? ?first? ?sealed? ?under? ?a? ?Great? ?Martial? ?Temple,? ?and? ?the? ?seal? ?of? ?

that? ?temple? ?was? ?extremely? ?powerful.? ?Skilled? ?masters? ?filled? ?the? ?ranks? ?of? ?the? ?heavy? ?

security? ?guarding? ?the? ?hall,? ?and? ?a? ?simple? ?arousal? ?of? ?ghosts? ?should? ?not? ?have? ?allowed? ?it? ?to? ?

escape? ?on? ?its? ?own,? ?which? ?meant? ?someone? ?eyed? ?the? ?opportunity? ?and? ?stole? ?it? ?away? ?amidst? ?

the? ?chaos...”? ?

?

Before? ?it? ?was? ?always? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?who? ?chopped? ?wood,? ?and? ?now? ?that? ?he? ?was? ?doing? ?it? ?

himself,? ?for? ?some? ?reason? ?it? ?didn’t? ?feel? ?like? ?the? ?wood? ?he? ?chopped? ?was? ?as? ?good? ?as? ?Hua? ?

Cheng’s.? ?Quan? ?Yizhen? ?drank? ?a? ?few? ?mouthfuls? ?of? ?watery? ?porridge? ?pathetically? ?and? ?fell? ?

over? ?directly? ?to? ?keep? ?sleeping? ?within? ?Puqi? ?Shrine.? ?Lang? ?Ying? ?on? ?the? ?other? ?hand,? ?came? ?

out? ?looking? ?to? ?help? ?out.? ?

?

“There’s? ?no? ?need.? ?San...? ?Lang? ?Ying,? ?heat? ?some? ?water? ?later? ?and? ?take? ?a? ?bath.”? ? ?

?

Now? ?that? ?he? ?thought? ?about? ?it,? ?Lang? ?Ying? ?didn’t? ?seemed? ?to? ?have? ?bathed? ?in? ?a? ?long? ?time.? ?

Ghosts? ?certainly? ?wouldn’t? ?have? ?the? ?trouble? ?of? ?skin? ?oils? ?and? ?grime,? ?but? ?hanging? ?out? ?

outside? ?all? ?day,? ?surely? ?there’s? ?dirt.? ?Still,? ?he? ?couldn’t? ?point? ?it? ?out? ?so? ?straightforwardly? ?lest? ?

he? ?hurt? ?other? ?people’s? ?self-esteem.? ?Lang? ?Ying? ?seemed? ?to? ?be? ?taken? ?aback? ?and? ?didn’t? ?

respond,? ?but? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?had? ?already? ?carried? ?a? ?bundle? ?of? ?logs? ?inside? ?to? ?heat? ?water.? ?“I? ?sold? ?

some? ?scraps? ?in? ?town? ?yesterday? ?and? ?bought? ?you? ?two? ?autumn? ?robes.? ?Once? ?you’re? ?done? ?

bathing,? ?why? ?don’t? ?you? ?see? ?if? ?they? ?fit? ?you?”? ? ?

?

Lang? ?Ying? ?was? ?just? ?putting? ?on? ?the? ?new? ?robes,? ?but? ?hearing? ?him,? ?he? ?turned? ?to? ?leave? ?

without? ?a? ?word.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?grabbed? ?on? ?to? ?him,? ?chiding? ?solemnly,? ?“Don’t? ?go!? ?Bathing? ?is? ?

without? ?question.? ?Don’t? ?worry,? ?I? ?won’t? ?unwrap? ?the? ?bandages? ?on? ?your? ?head.”? ? ?

?

Lang? ?Ying? ?still? ?protested,? ?and? ?went? ?out? ?the? ?door? ?to? ?chop? ?wood? ?gloomily,? ?refusing? ?to? ?come? ?

back? ?in.? ?Exasperated,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?could? ?only? ?go? ?grab? ?some? ?logs,? ?heated? ?the? ?water,? ?and? ?

peeled? ?off? ?his? ?own? ?clothes.? ?Ruoye? ?looped? ?around? ?Xie? ?Lian’s? ?chest,? ?unwrapping? ?itself.? ?

Lang? ?Ying? ?came? ?back? ?in,? ?a? ?large? ?bundle? ?of? ?logs? ?in? ?his? ?carry,? ?and? ?when? ?he? ?saw? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?

with? ?his? ?upper? ?body? ?bare,? ?his? ?eyes? ?instantly? ?widened.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?on? ?the? ?other? ?hand,? ?was? ?

testing? ?the? ?temperature? ?of? ?the? ?water? ?with? ?his? ?hand,? ?thinking? ?it? ?was? ?just? ?right,? ?and? ?was? ?

already? ?submerging? ?into? ?the? ?bath? ?with? ?his? ?underpants? ?on.? ?Seeing? ?Lang? ?Ying? ?come? ?in,? ?he? ?

called? ?out,? ?“Oh,? ?perfect? ?timing.? ?Can? ?you? ?please? ?pass? ?me? ?the? ?scroll? ?that’s? ?hung? ?under? ?the? ?

bamboo? ?hat? ?on? ?the? ?wall?? ?

?

Not? ?only? ?did? ?Lang? ?Ying? ?not? ?come? ?over,? ?he? ?backed? ?all? ?the? ?way? ?outside? ?and? ??PANG!? ??shut? ?

the? ?door.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?was? ?puzzled.? ?Not? ?a? ?moment? ?later,? ?it? ?seemed? ?Lang? ?Ying? ?remembered? ?

something,? ?and? ?forcefully? ?kicked? ?the? ?door? ?open.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?hastily? ?cried,? ?“Don’t? ?kick? ?that? ?

door!? ?That? ?door? ?is...”? ?

?

Lang? ?Ying? ?however,? ?didn’t? ?spare? ?a? ?look? ?at? ?him.? ?He? ?walked? ?straight? ?inside,? ?picked? ?up? ?

Quan? ?Yizhen? ?who? ?was? ?lying? ?on? ?the? ?floor? ?like? ?a? ?stiff? ?corpse,? ?and? ?dragged? ?him? ?out? ?the? ?

door.? ?Quan? ?Yizhen? ?seemed? ?to? ?be? ?deeply? ?asleep,? ?only? ?activity? ?as? ?big? ?as? ?shaking? ?

mountains? ?could? ?wake? ?him? ?up,? ?so? ?he? ?felt? ?nothing? ?while? ?getting? ?dragged? ?away? ?the? ?entire? ?

way.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?didn’t? ?know? ?whether? ?to? ?laugh? ?or? ?cry,? ?“What? ?are? ?you? ?doing?? ?It’s? ?alright,? ?it’s? ?

not? ?like? ?I’m? ?a? ?girl.? ?Come? ?in.”? ? ?

?

When? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?wasn’t? ?around,? ?it? ?wasn’t? ?like? ?he? ?hadn’t? ?bathed? ?inside? ?Puqi? ?Shrine.? ?

After? ?all,? ?Puqi? ?Shrine? ?really? ?was? ?too? ?small,? ?its? ?ability? ?to? ?provide? ?for? ?daily? ?life? ?minimal.? ?That? ?

there? ?was? ?a? ?water? ?barrel? ?for? ?bathing? ?was? ?already? ?plenty;? ?there? ?wasn’t? ?a? ?pool? ?bath? ?with? ?

screens? ?stretching? ?over? ?meters? ?long? ?to? ?let? ?him? ?row? ?a? ?boat? ?while? ?he? ?played? ?and? ?bathed.? ?

However,? ?whether? ?intentional? ?or? ?not,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?had? ?never? ?bathed? ?in? ?front? ?of? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?

before.? ?Since? ?the? ?one? ?before? ?him? ?right? ?now? ?wasn’t? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?but? ?someone? ?else,? ?he? ?

didn’t? ?feel? ?like? ?this? ?was? ?anything.? ? ?

?

“...”? ?

?

Lang? ?Ying? ?flipped? ?Quan? ?Yizhen? ?over,? ?grabbed? ?a? ?few? ?random? ?clothes? ?to? ?pile? ?over? ?his? ?

head,? ?before? ?he? ?himself? ?took? ?that? ?scroll? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?asked? ?for? ?and? ?passed? ?it? ?over? ?with? ?his? ?

head? ?bowed,? ?then? ?continued? ?to? ?sit? ?in? ?the? ?corner.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?on? ?the? ?other? ?hand,? ?rolled? ?open? ?

the? ?scroll? ?and? ?was? ?reading? ?through? ?it? ?carefully? ?while? ?he? ?let? ?his? ?hair? ?loose.? ?

?

Steam? ?warmed? ?his? ?face,? ?giving? ?it? ?a? ?rosy? ?glow.? ?His? ?long? ?hair? ?and? ?lashes? ?were? ?shimmering? ?

black? ?and? ?dripping? ?wet.? ?Suddenly,? ?he? ?felt? ?that? ?thin? ?silver? ?chain? ?on? ?his? ?chest,? ?and? ?at? ?the? ?

end? ?of? ?the? ?chain? ?hung? ?a? ?diamond? ?ring.? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?gripped? ?that? ?ring,? ?closing? ?his? ?fingers? ?tightly? ?around? ?it.? ?Suddenly,? ?at? ?the? ?

peripheral? ?of? ?his? ?vision,? ?he? ?saw? ?on? ?the? ?corner? ?of? ?the? ?altar? ?was? ?a? ?tiny? ?little? ?flower.? ?

?

He? ?subconsciously? ?picked? ?up? ?that? ?flower? ?and? ?brought? ?it? ?before? ?his? ?eyes,? ?feeling? ?his? ?mind? ?

cloud? ?just? ?like? ?the? ?lingering? ?hot? ?air? ?surrounding? ?him,? ?and? ?he? ?needed? ?a? ?hand? ?to? ?wave? ?

away? ?the? ?haze.? ?Just? ?then,? ?a? ?series? ?of? ?knocks? ?sounded? ?outside? ?the? ?door,? ?

?

That? ?sound? ?pulled? ?him? ?out? ?of? ?his? ?thoughts,? ?and? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?placed? ?the? ?flower? ?back.? ?He? ?was? ?

just? ?about? ?to? ?ask? ?who? ?it? ?was? ?when? ?he? ?realized? ?the? ?knocking? ?wasn’t? ?on? ?Puqi? ?Shrine’s? ?door? ?

but? ?the? ?village? ?head’s? ?house? ?next? ?door.? ?

?

In? ?between? ?the? ?knocking,? ?the? ?delicate? ?voice? ?of? ?a? ?woman? ?sounded,? ?“Is? ?anyone? ?home?? ?

Exchange? ?old? ?for? ?new,? ?exchange? ?old? ?for? ?new.? ?I? ?have? ?a? ?brand? ?new? ?robe? ?that? ?I? ?have? ?no? ?

use? ?for? ?and? ?want? ?to? ?find? ?a? ?set? ?of? ?old? ?clothes? ?that? ?I? ?might? ?fancy.? ?Are? ?any? ?masters? ?in? ?the? ?

house? ?willing?? ?Is? ?anyone? ?home?”? ? ?

?

Without? ?him? ?needing? ?to? ?go? ?search,? ?that? ?creature? ?actually? ?came? ?knocking? ?all? ?by? ?itself!? ?

?

She? ?knocked? ?and? ?inquired? ?after? ?every? ?house,? ?yet? ?not? ?a? ?single? ?household? ?opened? ?their? ?

door? ?to? ?her.? ?Naturally.? ?When? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?wasn’t? ?collecting? ?scraps? ?he? ?would? ?open? ?lectures? ?at? ?

Puqi? ?Shrine,? ?educating? ?all? ?those? ?aunties? ?and? ?grannies? ?on? ?hundreds? ?of? ?little? ?tricks? ?of? ?how? ?

to? ?identify? ?evil.? ?To? ?run? ?into? ?such? ?an? ?obviously? ?strange? ?uninvited? ?guest? ?in? ?the? ?middle? ?of? ?the? ?

night,? ?no? ?villagers? ?would? ?pay? ?it? ?any? ?mind.? ?People? ?of? ?today? ?weren’t? ?as? ?easy? ?to? ?deceive? ?as? ?

the? ?olden? ?days.? ?That? ?creature? ?knocked? ?all? ?around? ?but? ?still? ?no? ?one? ?responded.? ?Finally,? ?it? ?

came? ?to? ?Puqi? ?Shrine’s? ?door.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?held? ?his? ?breath,? ?waiting? ?tensely.? ?Yet,? ?it? ?seemed? ?

before? ?that? ?creature? ?even? ?knocked? ?it? ?could? ?feel? ?this? ?wasn’t? ?a? ?place? ?she? ?should’ve? ?come.? ?

With? ?an? ?“Aiyoh”,? ?her? ?footsteps? ?sounded? ?to? ?leave? ?and? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?quickly? ?called? ?out,? ?“WAIT!? ?I? ?

want? ?to? ?exchange!”? ?Then,? ?he? ?whispered? ?to? ?Lang? ?Ying,? ?“Open? ?the? ?door,? ?quickly.? ?Don’t? ?be? ?

scared,? ?nothing? ?will? ?happen!”? ? ?

?

Lang? ?Ying? ?was? ?not? ?scared? ?at? ?all.? ?He? ?went? ?up? ?and? ?opened? ?the? ?door.? ?Outside? ?the? ?door? ?

stood? ?a? ?girl,? ?her? ?figure? ?slender? ?and? ?sensual,? ?and? ?just? ?by? ?the? ?bottom? ?half? ?of? ?her? ?face? ?one? ?

could? ?tell? ?she? ?was? ?lovely? ?and? ?charming.? ?However,? ?she? ?was? ?wearing? ?a? ?headscarf? ?

covering? ?the? ?top? ?half? ?of? ?her? ?face,? ?like? ?she? ?didn’t? ?have? ?any? ?eyes,? ?looking? ?rather? ?unnerving.? ?

?

She? ?glanced? ?inside? ?and? ?covered? ?her? ?mouth? ?as? ?she? ?giggled,? ?“Daozhang,? ?what? ?kind? ?of? ?old? ?

clothes? ?did? ?you? ?want? ?to? ?use? ?to? ?exchange? ?for? ?my? ?new? ?clothes?”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?was? ?still? ?soaking? ?in? ?the? ?water? ?barrel? ?simply? ?to? ?make? ?it? ?lower? ?its? ?guard.? ?He? ?

smiled,? ?“That? ?will? ?depend? ?on? ?what? ?your? ?new? ?clothes? ?look? ?like.”? ?

?

That? ?girl? ?extended? ?an? ?arm? ?and? ?gave? ?it? ?a? ?gentle? ?shake.? ?From? ?her? ?bag? ?a? ?shining? ?brocade? ?

robe? ?was? ?shook? ?out? ?and? ?rolled? ?open? ?to? ?reveal? ?itself,? ?glamourous? ?and? ?beautiful,? ?but? ?the? ?

style? ?seemed? ?to? ?be? ?a? ?bit? ?old? ?and? ?it? ?was? ?emitting? ?an? ?air? ?of? ?evil? ?all? ?over.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?praised,? ?

“Beautiful.? ?Beautiful.? ?Lang? ?Ying,? ?give? ?this? ?lady? ?that? ?set? ?of? ?clothes? ?I? ?brought? ?back? ?from? ?

town.”? ?

?

Lang? ?Ying? ?handed? ?the? ?robe? ?over? ?with? ?only? ?a? ?hand.? ?That? ?girl? ?exchanged? ?the? ?new? ?robe? ?

and? ?giggled,? ?receiving? ?the? ?old? ?robe.? ?As? ?she? ?was? ?about? ?to? ?turn? ?around,? ?her? ?face? ?suddenly? ?

dropped,? ?like? ?something? ?had? ?pinched? ?her? ?hand,? ?and? ?she? ?screamed,? ?throwing? ?the? ?old? ?

robes? ?onto? ?the? ?ground.? ?Within? ?the? ?heap? ?of? ?that? ?hemp? ?robe? ?was? ?Ruoye? ?who? ?was? ?coiled? ?

up? ?in? ?a? ?bundle,? ?having? ?snuck? ?in? ?who? ?knows? ?when,? ?and? ?it? ?peeped? ?out? ?of? ?the? ?sleeve? ?like? ?a? ?

white? ?viper? ?hissing? ?at? ?the? ?girl.? ? ?

?

And? ?that? ?‘girl’? ?wasn’t? ?a? ?girl? ?either.? ?A? ?scream? ?and? ?a? ?jump? ?after,? ?her? ?headscarf? ?was? ?pecked? ?

off? ?by? ?the? ?ambushing? ?Ruoye? ?and? ?it? ?ell? ?to? ?the? ?ground.? ?Although? ?the? ?bottom? ?half? ?of? ?her? ?

face? ?was? ?enchanting,? ?but? ?the? ?top? ?half? ?of? ?her? ?face? ?was? ?full? ?of? ?wrinkles,? ?extremely? ?old,? ?

forming? ?a? ?horrifying? ?contrast? ?–? ?what? ?‘girl’?? ?This? ?was? ?clearly? ?an? ?eighty? ?year? ?old? ?hag!? ? ?

?

?

——–? ?

?

Ch.? ?130:? ?Separating? ?Colours;? ?Textile? ?House? ?Wide? ?Open? ?

?

It’s? ?the? ?Half? ?Maquillage? ?Woman!? ?

?

The? ?Half? ?Maquillage? ?Woman? ?was? ?a? ?vulgar? ?monster? ?formed? ?by? ?the? ?jealousy? ?of? ?older? ?

women? ?towards? ?young? ?girls.? ?They? ?couldn’t? ?accept? ?their? ?own? ?aging? ?and? ?were? ?adamant? ?

that? ?consuming? ?the? ?blood? ?and? ?flesh? ?of? ?young? ?girls? ?could? ?bring? ?back? ?their? ?youth.? ?They? ?

enjoyed? ?squeaking? ?in? ?high? ?pitched? ?voices,? ?faking? ?the? ?sound? ?of? ?a? ?young? ?girl? ?to? ?speak.? ?

However,? ?as? ?they? ?say,? ?“eyes? ?are? ?the? ?windows? ?to? ?the? ?soul’;? ?old? ?age? ?was? ?something? ?they? ?

could? ?not? ?hide? ?no? ?matter? ?how? ?hard? ?they? ?tried,? ?and? ?while? ?the? ?more? ?blood? ?and? ?flesh? ?they? ?

consume,? ?the? ?younger? ?the? ?bottom? ?half? ?of? ?their? ?face? ?appeared,? ?the? ?upper? ?half? ?of? ?the? ?face? ?

that? ?held? ?the? ?eyes? ?would? ?appear? ?older,? ?and? ?the? ?contrast? ?of? ?the? ?face? ?would? ?become? ?even? ?

more? ?stark.? ?Even? ?then,? ?they? ?stubbornly? ?refused? ?to? ?see? ?the? ?wrongs? ?of? ?their? ?ways.? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?emerged? ?from? ?the? ?bath? ?dripping,? ?stepping? ?a? ?foot? ?onto? ?the? ?edge? ?of? ?the? ?water? ?

barrel,? ?ready? ?to? ?leap? ?to? ?take? ?her? ?down,? ?yet? ?it? ?was? ?like? ?Quan? ?Yizhen? ?had? ?returned? ?from? ?

death,? ?and? ?he? ?shot? ?up? ?and? ?slapped.? ?That? ?Half? ?Maquillage? ?Woman? ?really? ?was? ?too? ?weak,? ?

and? ?she? ?was? ?struck? ?to? ?the? ?ground? ?with? ?a? ?wailing? ?cry,? ?“HAVE? ?MERCY!”? ? ?

?

In? ?no? ?hurry,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?grabbed? ?for? ?his? ?cultivation? ?robes? ?and? ?casually? ?draped? ?it? ?over? ?

himself,? ?“So? ?you’re? ?the? ?one? ?who? ?stole? ?the? ?Brocade? ?Immortal?”? ? ?

?

The? ?Half? ?Maquillage? ?Woman? ?immediately? ?cried,? ?“It’s? ?not? ?me,? ?it’s? ?not? ?me!? ?I? ?wouldn’t? ?dare? ?

to? ?break? ?into? ?the? ?Great? ?Martial? ?Temple!”? ? ?

?

That’s? ?true? ?too,? ?if? ?he? ?thought? ?about? ?it.? ?Typical? ?lower? ?class? ?ghosts? ?really? ?didn’t? ?have? ?the? ?

guts? ?to? ?break? ?in? ?to? ?the? ?Great? ?Martial? ?Temples? ?so? ?rashly;? ?they’d? ?be? ?blown? ?away? ?to? ?

smithereens? ?for? ?sure.? ?Besides,? ?this? ?Half? ?Maquillage? ?Woman? ?probably? ?had? ?no? ?connection? ?

to? ?the? ?Brocade? ?Immortal,? ?and? ?with? ?a? ?rough? ?look,? ?her? ?ghost? ?age? ?was? ?probably? ?eighty? ?

something? ?while? ?that? ?Brocade? ?Immortal? ?was? ?said? ?to? ?be? ?centuries? ?old.? ?

?

“Then? ?where? ?did? ?you? ?get? ?your? ?hands? ?on? ?this? ?brocade? ?robe?”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?questioned.? ?

?

That? ?Half? ?Maquillage? ?Woman? ?picked? ?up? ?her? ?headscarf? ?and? ?covered? ?the? ?top? ?half? ?of? ?her? ?

face? ?anew,? ?her? ?voice? ?shrieking? ?high? ?again,? ?“To...? ?to? ?answer? ?daozhang!? ?I...? ?I? ?picked? ?it? ?up? ?

in? ?the? ?Ghost? ?City...”? ?

?

“...”? ?

?

Was? ?that? ?a? ?thing?? ?Picked? ?it? ?up? ?from? ?the? ?Ghost? ?City???? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?was? ?speechless? ?for? ?a? ?moment,? ?then? ?he? ?questioned,? ?“Then? ?who? ?was? ?the? ?one? ?

who? ?sold? ?the? ?brocade? ?robe? ?to? ?you?”? ? ?

?

The? ?Half? ?Maquillage? ?Woman? ?answered? ?anxiously,? ?“Daozhang!? ?I? ?beg? ?you,? ?please? ?let? ?me? ?

off? ?the? ?hook!? ?I? ?don’t? ?know? ?either.? ?It’s? ?not? ?like? ?businesses? ?in? ?the? ?Ghost? ?City? ?need? ?to? ?have? ?

their? ?eighteen? ?generations? ?of? ?ancestry? ?checked!”? ? ?

?

That’s? ?true? ?too.? ?If? ?starting? ?a? ?business? ?in? ?Ghost? ?City? ?required? ?having? ?eighteen? ?generations? ?

of? ?ancestry? ?checked,? ?it? ?wouldn’t? ?be? ?as? ?bustling? ?as? ?it? ?was? ?now.? ?Things? ?could? ?only? ?thrive? ?if? ?

there? ?were? ?room? ?for? ?loopholes.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?interrogated? ?for? ?a? ?while? ?but? ?was? ?fruitless,? ?and? ?

after? ?determining? ?this? ?Half? ?Maquillage? ?Woman? ?was? ?no? ?more? ?than? ?a? ?little? ?minion,? ?he? ?

called,? ?“Qi? ?Ying,? ?have? ?one? ?of? ?your? ?heavenly? ?officials? ?come? ?collect? ?this? ?female? ?ghost,”? ? ?

?

However,? ?Quan? ?Yizhen? ?said,? ?“No.? ?I? ?don’t? ?have? ?any? ?heavenly? ?officials? ?in? ?my? ?palace.”? ?

?

“Not? ?even? ?one?”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?asked,? ?“You’ve? ?never? ?appointed? ?any? ?deputy? ?generals?”? ? ?

?

Quan? ?Yizhen? ?was? ?confidently? ?staunch? ?in? ?his? ?answer,? ?“Not? ?a? ?single? ?one.”? ?

?

“...”? ?

?

So,? ?turns? ?out? ?this? ?Martial? ?God? ?of? ?the? ?West? ?was? ?a? ?lone? ?wolf? ?and? ?had? ?never? ?appointed? ?

anyone,? ?not? ?even? ?a? ?helper? ?to? ?manage? ?the? ?nitty? ?gritty.? ?At? ?least? ?for? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?it? ?was? ?because? ?

he? ?couldn’t? ?afford? ?it.? ?Quan? ?Yizhen’s? ?situation? ?could? ?probably? ?only? ?be? ?explained? ?by? ?his? ?

eccentric? ?character.? ?Without? ?any? ?other? ?choice,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?could? ?only? ?fumble? ?out? ?a? ?clay? ?jar? ?

and? ?seal? ?that? ?Half? ?Maquillage? ?Woman? ?away.? ?Then,? ?he? ?took? ?the? ?brocade? ?robe? ?in? ?Lang? ?

Ying’s? ?hands.? ?When? ?he? ?shook? ?it? ?open? ?to? ?inspect? ?it? ?however,? ?his? ?brows? ?knitted? ?slightly.? ?

?

It? ?certainly? ?was? ?wicked,? ?but,? ?what’s? ?the? ?best? ?way? ?to? ?describe? ?it?? ?In? ?Xie? ?Lian’s? ?opinion,? ?this? ?

type? ?of? ?essence? ?of? ?evil? ?was? ?too? ?superficial,? ?like? ?it? ?was? ?nothing? ?more? ?than? ?layers? ?of? ?

cosmetic? ?foundation,? ?and? ?not? ?emitted? ?from? ?within.? ?Xie? ?Lian’s? ?guts? ?told? ?him? ?that? ?this? ?thing? ?

wasn’t? ?as? ?dangerous? ?as? ?legends? ?say,? ?but? ?still? ?he? ?was? ?high? ?on? ?guard.? ?Just? ?then,? ?Quan? ?

Yizhen? ?took? ?a? ?glimpse? ?at? ?the? ?robe? ?and? ?said,? ?“It’s? ?fake.”? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?was? ?taken? ?aback,? ?“How? ?do? ?you? ?know?”? ? ?

?

“This? ?robe? ?is? ?fake,”? ?Quan? ?Yizhen? ?said,? ?“I’ve? ?seen? ?the? ?real? ?Brocade? ?Immortal? ?before.? ?It’s? ?

way? ?more? ?powerful? ?than? ?this.”? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?was? ?amazed,? ?“When? ?have? ?you? ?seen? ?it?? ?There’s? ?actually? ?quite? ?a? ?number? ?of? ?

people? ?who’ve? ?seen? ?the? ?Brocade? ?Immortal? ?before,? ?but? ?because? ?it? ?was? ?hard? ?to? ?tell,? ?how? ?

do? ?you? ?determine? ?whether? ?if? ?it’s? ?real? ?or? ?fake?”? ? ?

?

But? ?Quan? ?Yizhen? ?stopped? ?talking.? ?Coincidentally,? ?Ling? ?Wen? ?reached? ?out? ?to? ?him? ?via? ?the? ?

spiritual? ?communication? ?array? ?just? ?then,? ?her? ?voice? ?rang? ?in? ?his? ?ear,? ?“Your? ?Highness,? ?we’ve? ?

just? ?received? ?information? ?that? ?there? ?seemed? ?to? ?be? ?a? ?little? ?ghost? ?with? ?the? ?Brocade? ?

Immortal? ?in? ?hand? ?who? ?appeared? ?about? ?twenty? ?miles? ?away? ?from? ?your? ?Puqi? ?Shrine.? ?We’ll? ?

need? ?to? ?trouble? ?you? ?to? ?go? ?take? ?a? ?look.”? ?

?

“Another? ?one?? ?Alright.”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?replied.? ?Then? ?he? ?glanced? ?at? ?Quan? ?Yizhen,? ?and? ?without? ?

making? ?a? ?sound,? ?he? ?asked? ?within? ?the? ?array,? ?“Oh,? ?by? ?the? ?way,? ?another? ?thing.? ?Ling? ?Wen,? ?

has? ?Qi? ?Ying? ?seen? ?the? ?Brocade? ?Immortal? ?before?”? ?

?

“Qi? ?Ying?”? ?Ling? ?Wen? ?said,? ?“He? ?didn’t? ?just? ?see? ?it.? ?It? ?was? ?much? ?more? ?than? ?that.”? ? ?

?

“How? ?do? ?you? ?mean?”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?asked.? ?

?

“It’s? ?complicated.”? ?Ling? ?Wen? ?replied,? ?“But? ?has? ?Your? ?Highness? ?ever? ?heard?? ?The? ?martial? ?

god? ?that? ?ruled? ?the? ?west? ?didn’t? ?used? ?to? ?be? ?the? ?Palace? ?of? ?Qi? ?Ying.? ?It? ?was? ?the? ?Palace? ?of? ?Yin? ?

Yu.”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?recalled? ?that? ?this? ?was? ?something? ?the? ?Wind? ?Master? ?had? ?told? ?him? ?while? ?he? ?

stripped? ?back? ?at? ?the? ?Paradise? ?Manor? ?that? ?one? ?time,? ?and? ?couldn’t? ?help? ?but? ?feel? ?his? ?heart? ?

squeeze,? ?“I’ve? ?heard? ?this? ?before.? ?I? ?heard,? ?the? ?two? ?Highnesses? ?used? ?to? ?be? ?a? ?pair? ?of? ?

shixiong? ?and? ?shidi?”*? ?

?

Turns? ?out,? ?before? ?Yin? ?Yu? ?had? ?ascended,? ?he? ?was? ?the? ?head? ?disciple? ?in? ?their? ?sect.? ?One? ?day,? ?

he? ?saw? ?a? ?brash? ?little? ?street? ?urchin,? ?and? ?in? ?a? ?moment? ?of? ?softheartedness,? ?he? ?asked? ?the? ?

master? ?to? ?take? ?him? ?in.? ?This? ?little? ?child? ?was? ?Quan? ?Yizhen.? ?

?

Disciples? ?of? ?the? ?same? ?generation,? ?Yin? ?Yu? ?had? ?always? ?taken? ?very? ?good? ?care? ?of? ?Quan? ?

Yizhen.? ?He? ?was? ?the? ?first? ?to? ?ascend,? ?and? ?he? ?even? ?appointed? ?Quan? ?Yizhen? ?as? ?a? ?deputy? ?

general.? ?Ling? ?Wen? ?said,? ?“You’ve? ?met? ?Qi? ?Ying? ?a? ?few? ?times,? ?so? ?you? ?should? ?know.? ?He’s? ?a? ?

little? ?bit...”? ?

?

“Ignorant? ?of? ?the? ?ways? ?of? ?the? ?world?? ?That’s? ?a? ?good? ?thing.”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?said.? ?

?

Ling? ?Wen? ?chuckled,? ?“Good? ?or? ?not? ?it? ?depends? ?on? ?the? ?person? ?and? ?the? ?situation.? ?Some? ?

people? ?think? ?he’s? ?a? ?selfish? ?loose? ?cannon,? ?ignorant? ?of? ?manners? ?and? ?doesn’t? ?give? ?people? ?

the? ?respect? ?they? ?deserve.? ?The? ?first? ?few? ?years? ?when? ?he? ?first? ?stepped? ?into? ?the? ?Heavenly? ?

Court,? ?if? ?it? ?wasn’t? ?for? ?His? ?Highness? ?Yin? ?Yu? ?who? ?shielded? ?him,? ?he’d? ?probably? ?be? ?beaten? ?to? ?

death? ?already? ?by? ?who? ?knows? ?how? ?many? ?people.”? ? ?

?

“Those? ?two? ?Highnesses? ?must? ?share? ?a? ?very? ?good? ?relationship? ?then.”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?mused.? ?

?

“It? ?was? ?good? ?at? ?first,”? ?Ling? ?Wen? ?said,? ?“But? ?the? ?sad? ?thing? ?was,? ?later,? ?Qi? ?Ying? ?himself? ?

ascended? ?too.”? ?

?

Both? ?ascended? ?from? ?the? ?West,? ?so? ?what? ?to? ?do?? ?Thus,? ?the? ?two? ?agreed? ?to? ?rule? ?the? ?West? ?

together.? ?

?

A? ?pair? ?of? ?shixiong? ?and? ?shidi? ?watching? ?over? ?a? ?domain? ?together? ?sounded? ?like? ?a? ?beautiful? ?

tale,? ?yet,? ?in? ?the? ?end,? ?a? ?mountain? ?could? ?not? ?support? ?two? ?tigers.? ?

?

If? ?one? ?was? ?to? ?say? ?that? ?Yin? ?Yu’s? ?ability? ?was? ?enough? ?for? ?the? ?heavens? ?to? ?send? ?forth? ?a? ?

Heavenly? ?Calamity,? ?a? ?one? ?in? ?a? ?million,? ?then? ?Quan? ?Yizhen’s? ?ability? ?was? ?good? ?enough? ?to? ?

pass? ?three? ?Heavenly? ?Calamities,? ?and? ?there? ?might? ?not? ?even? ?be? ?one? ?in? ?a? ?million? ?who? ?could? ?

possess? ?this? ?potential.? ?It? ?was? ?alright? ?at? ?the? ?beginning,? ?it? ?wasn’t? ?obvious,? ?but? ?the? ?more? ?

time? ?passed,? ?the? ?larger? ?the? ?skills? ?gap? ?was? ?between? ?the? ?two.? ?Quan? ?Yizhen? ?truly? ?was? ?

asocial;? ?not? ?only? ?did? ?he? ?ignore? ?building? ?relationships? ?with? ?fellow? ?heavenly? ?colleagues,? ?he? ?

never? ?tried? ?to? ?please? ?his? ?devotees? ?either.? ?In? ?fact,? ?other? ?than? ?Yin? ?Yu,? ?he? ?didn’t? ?bother? ?to? ?

remember? ?the? ?names? ?of? ?any? ?other? ?heavenly? ?officials? ?at? ?all,? ?and? ?was? ?even? ?audacious? ?

enough? ?to? ?beat? ?up? ?his? ?followers,? ?telling? ?them? ?to? ?go? ?eat? ?shit.? ?He? ?was? ?as? ?out? ?of? ?line? ?as? ?they? ?

come.? ?Yet,? ?his? ?domain? ?grew? ?bigger? ?and? ?bigger,? ?and? ?his? ?followers? ?increased.? ?In? ?

comparison,? ?the? ?Palace? ?of? ?Yin? ?Yu? ?was? ?losing? ?its? ?shine,? ?and? ?finally? ?became? ?restless.? ?

?

On? ?their? ?birthdays,? ?this? ?pair? ?of? ?shixiong? ?and? ?shidi? ?would? ?always? ?gift? ?each? ?other? ?presents.? ?

One? ?year,? ?on? ?the? ?day? ?of? ?Quan? ?Yizhen’s? ?birthday,? ?Yin? ?Yu? ?gifted? ?him? ?an? ?impressive? ?

armour.? ?

?

“...”? ?

?

“The? ?Brocade? ?Immortal?”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?asked.? ?

?

“That’s? ?right.”? ?Ling? ?Wen? ?said.? ?

?

Not? ?only? ?could? ?this? ?Brocade? ?Immortal? ?suck? ?blood? ?and? ?murder,? ?it? ?also? ?had? ?a? ?wicked? ?

ability:? ?whoever? ?it’s? ?been? ?gifted? ?to? ?will? ?obey? ?any? ?commands? ?of? ?the? ?one? ?who? ?gave? ?the? ?gift.? ?

Since? ?the? ?two? ?shixiong? ?and? ?shidi? ?had? ?maintained? ?a? ?good? ?relationship,? ?Quan? ?Yizhen? ?put? ?

on? ?that? ?armour? ?without? ?any? ?second? ?thoughts.? ?Soon? ?after,? ?seemingly? ?unintentional,? ?Yin? ?Yu? ?

played? ?a? ?prank.? ?Under? ?the? ?control? ?of? ?the? ?Brocade? ?Immortal,? ?Quan? ?Yizhen? ?lost? ?his? ?mind? ?

and? ?did? ?what? ?he? ?was? ?told.? ?If? ?it? ?wasn’t? ?for? ?Jun? ?Wu? ?who? ?noticed? ?something? ?amiss? ?and? ?

stopped? ?him? ?in? ?time,? ?he? ?would’ve? ?almost? ?cut? ?off? ?his? ?own? ?head? ?and? ?dribbled? ?it? ?like? ?a? ?ball.? ?

?

“So,? ?this? ?incident? ?was? ?a? ?huge? ?deal? ?at? ?the? ?time,? ?quite? ?the? ?uproar.”? ?Ling? ?Wen? ?said,? ?“To? ?do? ?

something? ?like? ?harming? ?a? ?fellow? ?heavenly? ?colleague,? ?as? ?an? ?esteemed? ?heavenly? ?official,? ?

Yin? ?Yu? ?was? ?naturally? ?banished? ?immediately.”? ? ?

?

Which? ?meant,? ?after? ?this? ?the? ?two? ?heavenly? ?officials? ?should’ve? ?fallen? ?out.? ?However,? ?when? ?

Xie? ?Lian? ?recalled? ?that? ?silly? ?play? ?the? ?worshippers? ?of? ?the? ?Palace? ?of? ?Qi? ?Ying? ?put? ?on? ?during? ?

the? ?Mid? ?Autumn? ?Festival? ?Banquet,? ?that? ?clown? ?who? ?was? ?jumping? ?up? ?and? ?down? ?behind? ?

Quan? ?Yizhen’s? ?back? ?most? ?likely? ?being? ?Ying? ?Yu,? ?yet? ?at? ?the? ?time,? ?Quan? ?Yizhen’s? ?reaction? ?

was? ?rage,? ?followed? ?by? ?him? ?leaping? ?down? ?to? ?beat? ?up? ?his? ?own? ?worshippers.? ?“I? ?think? ?Qi? ?Ying? ?

should? ?still? ?think? ?very? ?highly? ?of? ?His? ?Highness? ?Yin? ?Yu.? ?Was? ?there? ?maybe? ?a? ?

misunderstanding? ?in? ?all? ?this?”? ? ?

?

“Who? ?knows.”? ?Ling? ?Wen? ?said,? ?“Whether? ?if? ?there’s? ?a? ?misunderstanding,? ?the? ?person? ?in? ?

question’s? ?been? ?banished? ?for? ?so? ?many? ?years? ?now,? ?so? ?who’s? ?to? ?care?”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?nodded? ?and? ?was? ?about? ?to? ?bid? ?farewell? ?when? ?Ling? ?Wen? ?added,? ?“Wait.? ?Your? ?

Highness,? ?there’s? ?more.? ?I? ?wasn’t? ?done? ?earlier.? ?Sixty? ?miles? ?out? ?from? ?your? ?Puqi? ?Shrine? ?also? ?

has? ?an? ?unknown? ?creature? ?appearing? ?with? ?the? ?Brocade? ?Immortal? ?in? ?hand.”? ? ?

?

“...Isn’t? ?that? ?a? ?little? ?too? ?far?? ?Why? ?are? ?there? ?more?”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?asked.? ?

?

“I’m? ?not? ?done.”? ?Ling? ?Wen? ?said,? ?“Listen? ?well,? ?there’s? ?more:? ?forty-two? ?miles? ?out? ?northwest,? ?

fifteen? ?miles? ?out? ?southeast,? ?twenty-two? ?miles? ?out? ?north...”? ?

?

After? ?reporting? ?twenty-seven? ?to? ?eight? ?locations? ?in? ?one? ?breath,? ?Ling? ?Wen? ?finally? ?said,? ?“Yea.? ?

That’s? ?about? ?it? ?for? ?now.”? ? ?

?

By? ?the? ?time? ?she? ?was? ?done? ?reporting,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?had? ?forgotten? ?everything? ?and? ?was? ?feeling? ?

rather? ?woeful,? ?“Your? ?palace? ?is? ?quite? ?efficient? ?this? ?time,? ?huh.? ?But,? ?“for? ?now”?? ?Are? ?you? ?

saying? ?there? ?might? ?be? ?more...?? ?Could? ?the? ?Ghost? ?City? ?be? ?distributing? ?the? ?Brocade? ?

Immortal?”? ? ?

?

“Most? ?likely.”? ?Ling? ?Wen? ?replied.? ?“There? ?are? ?many? ?peddlers? ?with? ?unknown? ?origins? ?in? ?the? ?

Ghost? ?City? ?who? ?often? ?sell? ?counterfeits? ?with? ?a? ?fake? ?skin.? ?Once? ?they’re? ?done? ?selling? ?fakes? ?

they’d? ?change? ?skin,? ?so? ?connoisseurs? ?usually? ?won’t? ?buy? ?anything? ?randomly.? ?Still,? ?there? ?

are? ?nonetheless? ?ghosts? ?who’d? ?consider? ?it? ?as? ?digging? ?for? ?antiques,? ?thinking? ?maybe? ?they’d? ?

hit? ?the? ?jackpot? ?this? ?time.? ?Now? ?that? ?the? ?Brocade? ?Immortal? ?was? ?stolen,? ?many? ?small? ?time? ?

vendors? ?in? ?the? ?ghost? ?realm? ?received? ?news? ?and? ?are? ?using? ?this? ?chance? ?to? ?deceive? ?buyers,? ?

saying? ?any? ?random? ?robe? ?they? ?found? ?is? ?the? ?Brocade? ?Immortal.? ?What’s? ?incredible? ?is? ?that? ?

there’s? ?still? ?many? ?ghosts? ?who’d? ?fall? ?for? ?it,? ?and? ?would? ?try? ?it? ?out? ?on? ?people.? ?It’s? ?really? ?given? ?

us? ?who? ?gather? ?information? ?a? ?lot? ?of? ?headaches.”? ? ?

?

This? ?was? ?completely? ?messing? ?up? ?their? ?search? ?for? ?the? ?real? ?Brocade? ?Immortal;? ?with? ?so? ?

many? ?‘Brocade? ?Immortals’? ?popping? ?up? ?everywhere,? ?who? ?knows? ?which? ?one? ?is? ?the? ?real? ?

one?? ?

?

However,? ?since? ?they? ?took? ?on? ?the? ?mission,? ?they? ?had? ?to? ?come? ?up? ?with? ?a? ?way? ?to? ?complete? ?it.? ?

“I? ?guess,? ?let’s? ?start? ?with? ?the? ?closest? ?one? ?and? ?search? ?one? ?by? ?one.”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?said.? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?didn’t? ?have? ?any? ?spiritual? ?powers,? ?Quan? ?Yizhen? ?didn’t? ?know? ?how? ?to? ?draw? ?the? ?

Distance? ?Shortening? ?array,? ?and? ?neither? ?of? ?the? ?two? ?had? ?deputy? ?officials.? ?But,? ?fortunately,? ?

of? ?the? ?locations? ?Ling? ?Wen? ?reported? ?on,? ?the? ?closest? ?to? ?them? ?was? ?only? ?five? ?miles? ?out;? ?it? ?was? ?

an? ?abandoned? ?textile? ?house.? ?Without? ?further? ?ado,? ?they? ?hastily? ?departed? ?in? ?the? ?middle? ?of? ?

the? ?night.? ?

?

At? ?first? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?was? ?going? ?to? ?make? ?Lang? ?Ying? ?stay? ?back? ?at? ?Puqi? ?Shrine,? ?but? ?he? ?tagged? ?

along? ?himself? ?and? ?refused? ?to? ?be? ?ushered? ?back.? ?Since? ?this? ?trip? ?shouldn’t? ?be? ?too? ?

dangerous? ?and? ?could? ?help? ?grow? ?Lang? ?Ying’s? ?experience,? ?thinking? ?he? ?was? ?going? ?to? ?teach? ?

Lang? ?Ying? ?cultivation? ?anyway,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?brought? ?him? ?along.? ?

?

The? ?three? ?hurried? ?on? ?their? ?way? ?in? ?the? ?night.? ?Suddenly,? ?ahead? ?of? ?them? ?on? ?the? ?road? ?came? ?

creepy? ?voices? ?chanting? ?a? ?work? ?song,? ?“YI? ?YU? ?XI!? ?YI? ?YU? ?XI!”? ? ?

?

Hearing? ?that? ?familiar? ?work? ?song,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?stopped? ?in? ?his? ?step.? ?Ahead? ?in? ?the? ?mist,? ?the? ?

giant? ?contour? ?of? ?a? ?shadow? ?gradually? ?emerged? ?along? ?with? ?those? ?four? ?haunting? ?ghost? ?fires? ?

floating? ?about.? ?Quan? ?Yizhen? ?was? ?about? ?to? ?make? ?a? ?move,? ?ready? ?to? ?beat? ?it? ?down? ?first? ?

before? ?asking? ?questions,? ?but? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?pulled? ?him? ?back,? ?“Don’t? ?worry.? ?I? ?know? ?them.”? ?

?

Sure? ?enough,? ?four? ?golden? ?skeletons? ?carrying? ?a? ?step? ?litter? ?appeared? ?before? ?the? ?three.? ?

Quan? ?Yizhen? ?had? ?never? ?seen? ?anything? ?so? ?magical? ?like? ?it? ?before,? ?and? ?his? ?eyes? ?widened,? ?

bright? ?and? ?shimmering.? ?That? ?head? ?skeleton? ?sang,? ?“Is? ?this? ?Your? ?Highness? ?the? ?Crown? ?

Prince? ?of? ?Xianle?”? ? ?

?

“It? ?is.? ?May? ?I? ?help? ?you?”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?answered.? ?

?

The? ?golden? ?skeleton? ?sang,? ?“Nothing,? ?nothing,? ?only,? ?we? ?brothers? ?have? ?time? ?on? ?our? ?hands? ?

and? ?wanted? ?to? ?inquire? ?if? ?His? ?Highness? ?the? ?Crown? ?Prince? ?is? ?in? ?a? ?hurry,? ?perhaps? ?we? ?can? ?

help? ?give? ?you? ?a? ?ride?”? ? ?

?

The? ?journey? ?wasn’t? ?long? ?so? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?wanted? ?to? ?decline,? ?but? ?Quan? ?Yizhen? ?cut? ?in? ?and? ?

exclaimed? ?“YES!”? ?and? ?was? ?already? ?climbing? ?on? ?enthusiastically,? ?looking? ?like? ?he? ?really? ?

wanted? ?to? ?give? ?this? ?strange? ?but? ?glamourous? ?step? ?litter? ?a? ?try.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?didn’t? ?know? ?whether? ?

to? ?laugh? ?or? ?cry? ?and? ?went? ?up? ?to? ?grab? ?him? ?when? ?suddenly,? ?that? ?step? ?litter? ?tipped,? ?forcefully? ?

tossing? ?Quan? ?Yizhen? ?off? ?of? ?it.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?was? ?going? ?to? ?fall? ?back? ?too,? ?but? ?was? ?steadied? ?by? ?

someone.? ?He? ?blurted,? ?“San...”? ?but? ?when? ?he? ?looked? ?back,? ?it? ?was? ?Lang? ?Ying? ?who? ?had? ?

climbed? ?on? ?without? ?anyone? ?noticing,? ?and? ?he? ?was? ?holding? ?onto? ?Xie? ?Lian’s? ?arm? ?tightly,? ?a? ?

pair? ?of? ?inky? ?black? ?eyes? ?watching? ?him,? ?silent? ?and? ?wordless.? ?

?

The? ?skeletons? ?hastily? ?picked? ?up? ?the? ?step? ?litter,? ?their? ?eight? ?legs? ?spinning? ?like? ?four? ?sets? ?of? ?

fire? ?wheels,? ?dashing? ?away? ?steadily? ?while? ?shouting,? ?“Move,? ?move!? ?Don’t? ?block? ?the? ?way,? ?

don’t? ?block? ?the? ?way!”? ? ?

?

Quan? ?Yizhen? ?was? ?heartlessly? ?thrown? ?onto? ?the? ?ground,? ?but? ?he? ?jumped? ?to? ?his? ?feet,? ?

appearing? ?not? ?to? ?have? ?given? ?up? ?yet? ?and? ?was? ?ready? ?to? ?leap? ?up,? ?but? ?those? ?skeletons? ?were? ?

too? ?fast,? ?and? ?he? ?was? ?always? ?a? ?step? ?behind,? ?so? ?he? ?ended? ?up? ?hot? ?in? ?pursuit? ?right? ?behind,? ?

looking? ?like? ?he? ?really,? ?really,? ?wanted? ?to? ?ride? ?the? ?step? ?litter? ?to? ?get? ?a? ?feel? ?for? ?it.? ?Watching? ?him? ?

chase? ?after? ?so? ?vigorously,? ?Xie? ?Lian,? ?who? ?was? ?riding? ?the? ?step? ?litter,? ?couldn’t? ?help? ?but? ?feel? ?

this? ?was? ?a? ?little? ?mean,? ?like? ?he? ?was? ?bullying? ?a? ?child.? ?Although? ?he? ?knew? ?this? ?step? ?litter? ?

belonged? ?to? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?and? ?he? ?might? ?not? ?appreciate? ?letting? ?other? ?heavenly? ?officials? ?ride? ?

it,? ?still? ?he? ?couldn’t? ?help? ?but? ?ask,? ?“Um...? ?can’t? ?this? ?litter? ?take? ?three? ?people?”? ? ?

?

The? ?skeletons? ?sang,? ?“It? ?can’t,? ?it? ?can’t!? ?It? ?can? ?only? ?seat? ?two? ?people!”? ? ?

?

They? ?ran? ?like? ?fire? ?wheels? ?the? ?entire? ?way,? ?and? ?Quan? ?Yizhen? ?chased? ?them? ?the? ?entire? ?way.? ?

Once? ?at? ?their? ?destination,? ?the? ?golden? ?skeletons? ?dropped? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?and? ?Lang? ?Ying? ?off,? ?then? ?

picked? ?up? ?the? ?step? ?littler? ?and? ?disappeared? ?from? ?sight.? ?Quan? ?Yizhen? ?was? ?never? ?able? ?to? ?

board? ?the? ?vehicle? ?in? ?the? ?end,? ?and? ?was? ?extremely? ?disappointed,? ?watching? ?that? ?step? ?littler? ?

disappear? ?longingly.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?stepped? ?off? ?the? ?litter? ?holding? ?Lang? ?Ying’s? ?hand,? ?and? ?heard? ?

ahead? ?of? ?them? ?loud? ?cries? ?and? ?wails,? ?and? ?they? ?all? ?came? ?from? ?that? ?abandoned? ?Textile? ?

House.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?was? ?puzzled.? ?Didn’t? ?they? ?say? ?this? ?textile? ?house? ?was? ?abandoned?? ?

?

They? ?walked? ?closer? ?and? ?finally? ?made? ?clear? ?of? ?those? ?wailing? ?voices:? ?

?

“THIS? ?LOWLY? ?ONE? ?WON’T? ?EVER? ?DARE? ?TO? ?SELL? ?COUNTERFEITS? ?ON? ?OL’? ?HUA? ?

CHENGZHU’S? ?TERRITORY? ?AGAIN!”? ?

?

“WE? ?REALLY? ?WON’T? ?DARE? ?TO? ?ANYMORE!? ?BUT,? ?PLEASE? ?TELL? ?THE? ?GOOD? ?OL’? ?

CHENGZHU? ?THAT? ?I? ?ALSO? ?GOT? ?THOSE? ?FAKE? ?BROCADE? ?IMMORTALS? ?FROM? ?THE? ?

DISTRIBUTION? ?OF? ?OTHER? ?GHOSTS!? ?I’M? ?A? ?VICTIM? ?TOO!!!”? ? ?

?

The? ?three? ?came? ?before? ?the? ?textile? ?house? ?and? ?bumped? ?into? ?a? ?black? ?clad,? ?ghost? ?masked? ?

man? ?who? ?only? ?just? ?emerged? ?from? ?within,? ?seeming? ?to? ?have? ?been? ?waiting? ?for? ?a? ?long? ?time.? ?

He? ?inclined? ?his? ?head? ?slightly? ?and? ?greeted,? ?“Your? ?Highness.”? ?

?

This? ?voice? ?belonged? ?to? ?that? ?ghost? ?officer? ?who? ?had? ?once? ?helped? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?catch? ?Lang? ?Ying? ?

and? ?brought? ?him? ?to? ?Paradise? ?Manor.? ?And? ?at? ?the? ?time,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?had? ?seen? ?a? ?cursed? ?

shackle? ?on? ?his? ?wrist.? ?

?

?

———-? ?

?

?TGCF? ?is? ?currently? ?undergoing? ?edits,? ?and? ?some? ?passages? ?are? ?still? ?being? ?worked? ?

on.? ?In? ?the? ?early,? ?unedited? ?version? ?of? ?ch.42,? ?Shi? ?Qingxuan? ?had? ?a? ?long? ?spiel? ?on? ?Yin? ?

Yu? ?and? ?Quan? ?Yizhen? ?that’s? ?now? ?been? ?cut? ?out.? ?Perhaps? ?MXTX? ?hasn’t? ?gotten? ?to? ?this? ?

chapter? ?yet? ?to? ?make? ?the? ?plot? ?line? ?up? ?smoothly.? ?