Heaven Official's Blessing

Chapter 131-140

Chapter 131-140

Ch.? ?131:? ?Separating? ?Colours;? ?Textile? ?House? ?Wide? ?Open? ?2? ?

?

The? ?Wind? ?Master? ?once? ?told? ?him? ?that? ?this? ?person? ?was? ?probably? ?Yin? ?Yu,? ?since? ?there? ?were? ?

only? ?a? ?handful? ?of? ?heavenly? ?officials? ?who? ?were? ?banished? ?in? ?recent? ?years.? ?Thus,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?

asked,? ?“How? ?do? ?I? ?address? ?you,? ?good? ?sir?”? ?

?

That? ?ghost? ?masked? ?man? ?replied,? ?“Please,? ?Your? ?Highness.? ?I’m? ?nothing? ?more? ?than? ?a? ?

nameless? ?servant.”? ? ?

?

Entering? ?that? ?abandoned? ?textile? ?house,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?was? ?taken? ?aback.? ?There? ?were? ?all? ?sorts? ?

of? ?clothing? ?hung? ?on? ?racks? ?upon? ?racks? ?of? ?wooden? ?stacks:? ?wedding? ?robes,? ?government? ?

attire,? ?ladies? ?satin,? ?uniforms,? ?children’s? ?clothes...? ?there? ?were? ?also? ?very? ?simple? ?and? ?vulgar? ?

bloody? ?hemp? ?shirts,? ?as? ?if? ?they? ?were? ?afraid? ?people? ?couldn’t? ?tell? ?they? ?were? ?wicked.? ?Piles? ?

and? ?piles,? ?layers? ?and? ?layers,? ?haunting? ?and? ?eerie,? ?heavy? ?in? ?the? ?essence? ?of? ?evil,? ?like? ?each? ?

and? ?every? ?one? ?was? ?a? ?live? ?corpse? ?standing.? ?Even? ?if? ?they? ?weren’t? ?the? ?Brocade? ?Immortal,? ?

they? ?certainly? ?wouldn’t? ?be? ?anything? ?good? ?either.? ?

?

Long? ?fabrics? ?of? ?various? ?dyes? ?hung? ?high? ?upon? ?the? ?stacks;? ?some? ?pale? ?white,? ?some? ?filthy.? ?It? ?

had? ?been? ?a? ?long? ?time? ?since? ?anyone? ?had? ?minded? ?them.? ?Quan? ?Yizhen? ?was? ?squatting? ?next? ?

to? ?a? ?large? ?black? ?barrel? ?of? ?dye,? ?his? ?head? ?poked? ?in,? ?inspecting? ?the? ?dyes? ?inside? ?that? ?had? ?a? ?

funny? ?colour,? ?a? ?fluid? ?emitting? ?a? ?strange? ?smell.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?was? ?afraid? ?that? ?the? ?next? ?second? ?

he? ?was? ?going? ?to? ?dip? ?his? ?finger? ?in? ?and? ?lick? ?it? ?to? ?see,? ?and? ?hastily? ?dragged? ?him? ?away.? ?Seeing? ?

that? ?outside? ?the? ?yard,? ?a? ?band? ?of? ?ghosts? ?and? ?monsters? ?were? ?all? ?bound? ?by? ?a? ?single? ?iron? ?

chain,? ?hugging? ?their? ?heads? ?crouching,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?wondered,? ?“What...?”? ? ?

?

That? ?ghost? ?masked? ?man? ?answered,? ?“The? ?monsters? ?and? ?ghosts? ?that? ?were? ?selling? ?the? ?

Brocade? ?Immortal? ?in? ?the? ?Ghost? ?City? ?and? ?all? ?the? ?other? ?places? ?recently? ?are? ?all? ?here.? ?A? ?total? ?

of? ?ninety-eight? ?pieces? ?of? ?clothing? ?have? ?been? ?collected.”? ? ?

?

Ninety-eight? ?pieces.? ?And? ?they? ?were? ?all? ?caught? ?in? ?a? ?very? ?short? ?amount? ?of? ?time.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?

was? ?slightly? ?touched.? ?The? ?ghost? ?masked? ?man? ?continued,? ?“If? ?there? ?are? ?any? ?new? ?strange? ?

movements,? ?we? ?will? ?also? ?capture? ?them? ?in? ?the? ?shortest? ?time? ?possible? ?for? ?Your? ?Highness.”? ? ?

?

Hearing? ?this,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?couldn’t? ?help? ?but? ?say,? ?“There’s? ?no? ?need.? ?Please? ?tell? ?San...? ?Hua? ?

Chengzhu? ?that? ?there’s? ?really? ?no? ?need? ?to? ?trouble? ?him? ?like? ?this.? ?I? ?can? ?do? ?this? ?myself? ?too.”? ?

The? ?result? ?would? ?be? ?the? ?same,? ?it? ?would? ?just? ?take? ?a? ?little? ?more? ?time? ?and? ?energy,? ?that’s? ?all.? ?

He? ?was? ?a? ?titled? ?heavenly? ?official? ?working? ?for? ?the? ?heavens? ?after? ?all,? ?and? ?even? ?if? ?there? ?

weren’t? ?many? ?worshippers,? ?he’s? ?still? ?got? ?a? ?job? ?to? ?do.? ? ?

?

That? ?ghost? ?masked? ?man? ?replied,? ?“Naturally,? ?chengzhu? ?understands? ?that? ?Your? ?Highness? ?

is? ?capable? ?of? ?doing? ?this? ?effortlessly.? ?But? ?this? ?is? ?also? ?precisely? ?why? ?he? ?hopes? ?My? ?Lord? ?

won’t? ?waste? ?energy? ?on? ?small? ?errands? ?that? ?anyone? ?can? ?do.? ?Your? ?Highness’? ?time? ?and? ?effort? ?

should? ?be? ?spent? ?on? ?more? ?important? ?matters.”? ?

?

“...”? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?hesitated,? ?but? ?in? ?the? ?end? ?still? ?asked,? ?“May? ?I? ?ask? ?how? ?your? ?chengzhu? ?is? ?doing? ?

right? ?now...”? ?

?

Lang? ?Ying? ?was? ?nonchalantly? ?swaying? ?about? ?next? ?to? ?Xie? ?Lian,? ?and? ?that? ?ghost? ?masked? ?

man? ?replied,? ?“Chengzhu? ?is? ?very? ?busy? ?at? ?the? ?moment.”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?quickly? ?replied,? ?“Oh.? ?Then? ?that’s? ?good.? ?Hopefully? ?everything? ?goes? ?well? ?for? ?him.? ?I? ?

wish? ?him? ?success.”? ? ?

?

They? ?questioned? ?every? ?single? ?ghost? ?and? ?demon? ?that? ?were? ?bound,? ?and? ?each? ?and? ?

everyone? ?were? ?adamant? ?that? ?their? ?product? ?was? ?from? ?the? ?distribution? ?of? ?a? ?mysterious? ?

masked? ?person,? ?and? ?they? ?didn’t? ?seem? ?to? ?be? ?lying.? ?But? ?a? ?place? ?like? ?the? ?Ghost? ?City,? ?how? ?

many? ?hundreds? ?of? ?masked? ?individuals? ?roamed? ?the? ?streets? ?in? ?a? ?day?? ?

?

The? ?interrogation? ?was? ?fruitless,? ?and? ?so? ?that? ?ghost? ?masked? ?man? ?pulled? ?on? ?that? ?chain,? ?and? ?

bid? ?farewell? ?as? ?he? ?led? ?those? ?yapping? ?ghosts? ?away.? ?However,? ?those? ?ninety-eight? ?pieces? ?of? ?

ghost? ?clothing? ?were? ?left? ?behind.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?only? ?felt? ?that? ?in? ?all? ?his? ?time? ?collecting? ?scraps? ?

and? ?old? ?clothing,? ?he? ?had? ?never? ?seen? ?so? ?many? ?clothes.? ?Flipping? ?through? ?them,? ?he? ?

suspected? ?that? ?most? ?likely? ?not? ?a? ?single? ?one? ?was? ?the? ?real? ?thing,? ?and? ?he? ?said? ?to? ?Quan? ?

Yizhen,? ?“Qi? ?Ying,? ?why? ?don’t? ?you? ?come? ?and? ?take? ?a? ?look?”? ?

?

However,? ?Quan? ?Yizhen? ?only? ?ruffled? ?his? ?loose,? ?curly? ?hair,? ?and? ?shook? ?his? ?head,? ?“Too? ?

many.”? ?

?

Too? ?many? ?ghost? ?robes.? ?Every? ?single? ?cloth? ?emitted? ?the? ?essence? ?of? ?evil,? ?affecting? ?each? ?

other,? ?making? ?one? ?lose? ?the? ?ability? ?to? ?judge.? ?

?

This? ?was? ?akin? ?to? ?someone? ?who? ?possessed? ?a? ?sharp? ?sense? ?of? ?taste,? ?who? ?although? ?they? ?

could? ?differentiate? ?between? ?the? ?flavours? ?of? ?pear? ?and? ?apple? ?candied? ?stuffings,? ?if? ?

ninety-eight? ?different? ?kinds? ?of? ?fruity? ?stuffings? ?were? ?mixed? ?together? ?and? ?have? ?the? ?person? ?

try,? ?they? ?would? ?lose? ?their? ?sense? ?of? ?taste? ?completely.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?was? ?trying? ?to? ?think? ?of? ?

another? ?method,? ?but? ?when? ?he? ?turned? ?his? ?head? ?around? ?to? ?look,? ?he? ?saw? ?Quan? ?Yizhen? ?had? ?

picked? ?up? ?a? ?robe? ?and? ?was? ?just? ?about? ?to? ?pull? ?it? ?onto? ?his? ?person? ?directly.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?hastily? ?

stopped? ?him? ?and? ?hung? ?the? ?robe? ?back? ?onto? ?the? ?rack,? ?“Stop,? ?stop,? ?stop.? ?Qi? ?Ying,? ?let’s? ?

agree? ?on? ?this:? ?first,? ?don’t? ?put? ?random? ?things? ?in? ?your? ?mouth,? ?and? ?second,? ?don’t? ?put? ?on? ?

random? ?clothes.? ?Those? ?are? ?all? ?very? ?dangerous? ?actions.”? ? ?

?

However,? ?Quan? ?Yizhen? ?pointed? ?to? ?behind? ?him,? ?“Then? ?what? ?about? ?him?”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?suddenly? ?smelled? ?something? ?burning,? ?and? ?when? ?he? ?followed? ?the? ?direction? ?of? ?

where? ?Quan? ?Yizhen? ?was? ?pointing? ?to? ?look,? ?he? ?saw? ?Lang? ?Ying? ?had? ?found? ?some? ?stick? ?from? ?

a? ?random? ?corner? ?and? ?lit? ?it? ?on? ?fire,? ?and? ?he? ?was? ?holding? ?that? ?flaming? ?stick,? ?setting? ?the? ?hem? ?

of? ?a? ?ghost? ?robe? ?ablaze,? ?looking? ?serenely? ?stoic.? ?

?

“...Don’t...? ?play? ?with? ?fire? ?either???”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?exclaimed.? ?

?

That? ?ghost? ?robe? ?seemed? ?to? ?be? ?in? ?pain? ?from? ?the? ?burning,? ?and? ?the? ?hem? ?started? ?rolling? ?

upwards,? ?twisting? ?like? ?mad,? ?trying? ?to? ?get? ?away,? ?looking? ?more? ?like? ?a? ?live? ?eel? ?than? ?a? ?piece? ?

of? ?clothing,? ?painting? ?a? ?rather? ?cruel? ?picture.? ?Yet,? ?although? ?there? ?was? ?the? ?smell? ?of? ?burning,? ?

there? ?was? ?no? ?trace? ?of? ?the? ?fabric? ?being? ?burnt? ?at? ?all.? ?It? ?appeared? ?that? ?the? ?essence? ?of? ?evil? ?on? ?

those? ?ghost? ?robes? ?had? ?soaked? ?in? ?enough? ?for? ?them? ?to? ?escape? ?fire? ?disasters.? ? ?

?

Hearing? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?telling? ?him? ?not? ?to? ?play? ?with? ?fire,? ?Lang? ?Ying? ?tossed? ?that? ?fire? ?stick? ?down? ?

and? ?stepped? ?on? ?it? ?to? ?put? ?out? ?the? ?flames,? ?looking? ?every? ?bit? ?obedient? ?again.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?didn’t? ?

know? ?whether? ?to? ?laugh? ?or? ?cry? ?and? ?he? ?walked? ?over,? ?“Why? ?are? ?you? ?so...? ?today?”? ?

?

He? ?stopped? ?mid-speech,? ?his? ?expression? ?suddenly? ?became? ?serious.? ? ?

?

He? ?saw,? ?not? ?far? ?away,? ?a? ?long? ?and? ?flowy? ?white? ?fabric? ?that? ?was? ?hung? ?high? ?up? ?on? ?a? ?wooden? ?

rack,? ?gently? ?fluttering? ?in? ?the? ?night? ?breeze.? ?Upon? ?the? ?fabric? ?was? ?the? ?shadow? ?of? ?a? ?human? ?

figure? ?and? ?it? ?was? ?slowly? ?moving.? ?This? ?figure? ?did? ?not? ?have? ?a? ?head.? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?pulled? ?Lang? ?Ying? ?behind? ?him? ?and? ?immediately? ?unsheathed? ?his? ?sword,? ?

“EVERYONE,? ?WATCH? ?OUT!”? ?

?

The? ?swing? ?of? ?the? ?sword? ?cut? ?the? ?fabric? ?and? ?the? ?shadow? ?in? ?half.? ?However,? ?when? ?the? ?fabric? ?

landed? ?on? ?the? ?ground,? ?there? ?was? ?not? ?a? ?single? ?soul? ?in? ?the? ?back,? ?the? ?headless? ?shadow? ?had? ?

disappeared.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?hadn’t? ?had? ?the? ?chance? ?to? ?rush? ?up? ?to? ?check? ?before? ?something? ?

behind? ?him? ?made? ?him? ?shudder.? ?He? ?whipped? ?his? ?head? ?around? ?and? ?his? ?pupils? ?shrank.? ?

Somehow,? ?a? ?beautifully? ?dressed? ?woman? ?had? ?soundlessly? ?appeared? ?behind? ?him.? ?

?

No!? ?It? ?wasn’t? ?a? ?woman,? ?it? ?was? ?a? ?robe!? ?

?

What? ?he? ?cut? ?in? ?half? ?just? ?now? ?was? ?also? ?a? ?robe,? ?and? ?once? ?it? ?fell? ?to? ?the? ?ground? ?it? ?was? ?

covered? ?by? ?other? ?textiles.? ?From? ?all? ?around,? ?suddenly? ?there? ?were? ?a? ?bunch? ?of? ?humanoid? ?

figures? ?emerging,? ?swaying? ?and? ?rocking? ?slowly,? ?gathering? ?towards? ?the? ?three? ?of? ?them.? ?

Turns? ?out,? ?before? ?they? ?knew? ?it,? ?all? ?ninety-eight? ?pieces? ?of? ?ghost? ?robes? ?that? ?were? ?hung? ?in? ?

the? ?yard,? ?in? ?the? ?hallways,? ?within? ?the? ?entire? ?textile? ?house? ?had? ?all? ?struggled? ?free? ?of? ?the? ?

racks!? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?was? ?dumbfounded,? ?“They? ?were? ?all? ?fine? ?before,? ?what’s? ?going? ?on?”? ? ?

?

Beside? ?him? ?came? ?a? ?low? ?voice,? ?“The? ?arousal? ?of? ?millions? ?of? ?ghosts.”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?turned? ?his? ?head? ?to? ?look,? ?and? ?the? ?one? ?who? ?spoke? ?was? ?Lang? ?Ying.? ?Although? ?he? ?

didn’t? ?show? ?any? ?nervousness,? ?his? ?veins? ?were? ?popping? ?on? ?the? ?back? ?of? ?his? ?pale? ?hands,? ?

very? ?obviously? ?being? ?affected? ?by? ?something? ?as? ?well.? ?

?

Another? ?wave? ?of? ?demonic? ?arousal!? ?The? ?closer? ?to? ?the? ?day? ?Mount? ?Tong’lu? ?opens? ?its? ?gates,? ?

the? ?stronger? ?its? ?tremors? ?in? ?the? ?ears? ?of? ?ghosts? ?became? ?to? ?remind? ?them.? ?The? ?first? ?thing? ?Xie? ?

Lian? ?thought? ?of? ?was:? ?How’s? ?San? ?Lang???? ?

?

However,? ?the? ?current? ?situation? ?didn’t? ?give? ?him? ?much? ?time? ?to? ?think.? ?While? ?his? ?mind? ?was? ?

spinning? ?rapidly,? ?twenty? ?or? ?so? ?ghost? ?robes? ?had? ?already? ?pressed? ?over.? ?Quan? ?Yizhen? ?didn’t? ?

blink? ?or? ?think? ?before? ?his? ?fist? ?was? ?swung? ?out.? ?If? ?this? ?fist? ?landed? ?on? ?the? ?wall? ?or? ?the? ?ground,? ?

then? ?surely? ?the? ?earth? ?would? ?move,? ?the? ?mountains? ?shake,? ?boulders? ?and? ?ground? ?crack.? ?But? ?

this? ?thousand? ?tonned? ?fist? ?was? ?beaten? ?on? ?some? ?clothes.? ?Just? ?think,? ?even? ?children’s? ?

games? ?knew? ?in? ?‘rock,? ?paper,? ?cloth’,? ?cloth? ?wraps? ?rock.? ?That? ?lightly? ?flowing,? ?soft? ?and? ?supple? ?

cloth? ?was? ?perfect? ?for? ?subduing? ?fists!? ?No? ?matter? ?how? ?hard? ?his? ?fists,? ?that? ?fabric? ?could? ?just? ?

wrap? ?around? ?it? ?softly? ?and? ?incur? ?no? ?damage,? ?and? ?only? ?Xie? ?Lian’s? ?sword? ?could? ?do? ?anything.? ?

However,? ?those? ?ghost? ?robes? ?were? ?light? ?in? ?their? ?evasion,? ?a? ?simple? ?spring? ?back? ?could? ?bring? ?

several? ?feet? ?between? ?them,? ?and? ?since? ?they? ?barely? ?had? ?any? ?weight,? ?there? ?was? ?practically? ?

no? ?sound? ?or? ?breath,? ?so? ?detecting? ?their? ?movements? ?to? ?avoid? ?their? ?ambush? ?was? ?much? ?

more? ?difficult? ?compared? ?to? ?avoiding? ?humans.? ?

?

Usually? ?it? ?was? ?people? ?who? ?picked? ?clothes.? ?Now,? ?it? ?was? ?clothes? ?picking? ?people.? ?Those? ?

ninety-eight? ?pieces? ?of? ?ghost? ?robes? ?were? ?eagerly? ?searching? ?for? ?a? ?body? ?that? ?fitted? ?them,? ?a? ?

person? ?they? ?fancy.? ?Amongst? ?people,? ?it’s? ?women? ?who? ?loved? ?picking? ?clothes;? ?amongst? ?

ghost? ?robes,? ?it? ?was? ?women’s? ?clothes? ?who? ?loved? ?picking? ?people.? ?Some? ?ten? ?different? ?

coloured? ?and? ?styled? ?female? ?long? ?dresses? ?crazily? ?pressed? ?themselves? ?against? ?Xie? ?Lian,? ?

and? ?even? ?the? ?sword? ?couldn’t? ?force? ?them? ?away.? ?This? ?battle? ?was? ?even? ?more? ?rigorous? ?than? ?

a? ?group? ?of? ?women? ?who? ?saw? ?a? ?pretty? ?robe? ?they? ?fancied? ?and? ?were? ?fighting? ?over? ?it.? ?In? ?that? ?

moment,? ?it? ?was? ?as? ?if? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?was? ?surrounded? ?by? ?blooming? ?flowers? ?and? ?silk,? ?squeezed? ?

between? ?those? ?female? ?robes? ?being? ?pulled? ?from? ?all? ?directions.? ? ?

?

Quan? ?Yizhen? ?pulled? ?off? ?several? ?children’s? ?clothes? ?that? ?were? ?stubbornly? ?trying? ?to? ?lower? ?

themselves? ?over? ?his? ?head? ?and? ?tossed? ?them? ?aside.? ?Looking? ?at? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?puzzled,? ?he? ?

wondered,? ?“How? ?come? ?those? ?women’s? ?clothes? ?all? ?like? ?you?”? ? ?

?

“Maybe? ?because? ?they? ?think? ?I? ?look? ?friendlier???”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?answered.? ?

?

However,? ?not? ?a? ?single? ?ghost’s? ?robe? ?went? ?to? ?harass? ?Lang? ?Ying.? ?Perhaps? ?it? ?was? ?because? ?

he? ?was? ?also? ?a? ?ghost,? ?and? ?knew? ?they? ?couldn’t? ?scrape? ?any? ?benefits? ?off? ?of? ?him,? ?and? ?so? ?they? ?

didn’t? ?approach.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?swung? ?his? ?sword? ?horizontally? ?and? ?sliced? ?a? ?number? ?of? ?women? ?

dresses,? ?but? ?the? ?ghost? ?robes? ?that? ?were? ?cut? ?in? ?half? ?still? ?moved? ?as? ?they? ?willed,? ?and? ?

somehow? ?were? ?even? ?more? ?agile? ?in? ?dodging.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?saw? ?from? ?the? ?corner? ?of? ?his? ?eyes? ?

several? ?ghost? ?robes? ?sneaking? ?towards? ?the? ?window? ?and? ?shouted,? ?“CLOSE? ?THE? ?DOOR,? ?

CAST? ?AN? ?ARRAY!? ?DON’T? ?LET? ?THEM? ?OUT!”? ? ?

?

With? ?them? ?two? ?gods? ?and? ?one? ?ghost? ?they? ?could? ?still? ?deal? ?with? ?the? ?situation,? ?but? ?if? ?those? ?

ghost? ?robes? ?snuck? ?out? ?to? ?seek? ?trouble? ?with? ?others? ?then? ?it’d? ?be? ?troublesome.? ?However,? ?his? ?

shout? ?seemed? ?to? ?be? ?too? ?late.? ?The? ?yard? ?to? ?the? ?textile? ?house? ?was? ?open? ?air,? ?and? ?there? ?was? ?

already? ?a? ?long? ?robe? ?that? ?fluttered? ?its? ?expansive? ?sleeves,? ?flying? ?into? ?the? ?air? ?like? ?a? ?giant? ?bat,? ?

jetting? ?towards? ?the? ?night? ?sky.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?cried? ?‘What? ?a? ?pain!’? ?mentally? ?and? ?shouted,? ?“Qi? ?

Ying!? ?I’ll? ?leave? ?the? ?textile? ?house? ?to? ?you!”? ?Then,? ?he? ?tipped? ?his? ?foot? ?and? ?leapt? ?out? ?of? ?the? ?

wall,? ?catching? ?the? ?hem? ?of? ?that? ?ghost? ?long? ?robe.? ?

?

With? ?the? ?added? ?weight? ?of? ?an? ?entire? ?person,? ?that? ?long? ?robe? ?tried? ?to? ?flutter? ?its? ?sleeves? ?as? ?

hard? ?as? ?it? ?could? ?to? ?no? ?avail,? ?and? ?pummeled? ?to? ?the? ?ground? ?with? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?still? ?holding? ?its? ?

fold? ?in? ?a? ?deadly? ?grip.? ?However,? ?it? ?was? ?exceedingly? ?cunning,? ?and? ??RIIIPPP!? ??It? ?tore? ?off? ?its? ?

own? ?corner? ?like? ?a? ?warrior? ?chopping? ?off? ?his? ?own? ?arm,? ?and? ?it? ?hastily? ?slipped? ?away? ?from? ?Xie? ?

Lian’s? ?hands.? ?It? ?just? ?so? ?happened? ?that? ?a? ?passerby? ?was? ?on? ?his? ?way? ?home? ?after? ?a? ?night? ?of? ?

drinking,? ?and? ?seeing? ?a? ?headless? ?creature? ?flying? ?at? ?him,? ?he? ?screamed? ?from? ?fright,? ?

“AAAAAAHHHHHH? ?A? ?HEADLESS? ?GHOST!? ?IT’S? ?HEADLESS!”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?immediately? ?charged? ?over? ?and? ?seized? ?that? ?robe? ?again? ?to? ?show? ?it? ?to? ?that? ?

passerby,? ?comforting? ?him,? ?“Don’t? ?be? ?scared,? ?don’t? ?be? ?scared!? ?See!? ?It’s? ?not? ?headless,? ?it? ?

has? ?nothing!”? ? ?

?

That? ?passerby? ?looked,? ?and? ?sure? ?enough? ?it? ?was? ?completely? ?empty? ?inside? ?the? ?folds? ?of? ?that? ?

robe,? ?nothing!? ?This? ?was? ?definitely? ?more? ?horrifying? ?than? ?a? ?headless? ?ghost,? ?and? ?his? ?eyes? ?

rolled? ?back,? ?fainting? ?on? ?the? ?spot.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?quickly? ?caught? ?him? ?and? ?gently? ?laid? ?him? ?on? ?the? ?

ground,? ?“So? ?sorry!? ?I’ll? ?take? ?care? ?of? ?this? ?immediately.”? ? ?

?

After? ?that? ?wave? ?of? ?riot? ?was? ?over,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?finally? ?was? ?able? ?to? ?seize? ?all? ?the? ?ghost? ?robes? ?

that? ?flew? ?out? ?of? ?the? ?textile? ?house.? ?He? ?counted? ?all? ?of? ?them,? ?making? ?sure? ?not? ?a? ?single? ?piece? ?

was? ?missing,? ?before? ?letting? ?out? ?a? ?sigh? ?of? ?relief.? ? ?

?

With? ?things? ?thus,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?said,? ?“I? ?suppose? ?we? ?can? ?only? ?use? ?Qi? ?Ying’s? ?simple,? ?crude? ?

method.? ?Let’s? ?try? ?each? ?of? ?these? ?robes? ?on? ?and? ?see.”? ? ?

?

He? ?didn’t? ?mind? ?trying? ?them? ?on? ?himself,? ?but? ?it? ?was? ?harder? ?to? ?say? ?for? ?his? ?two? ?other? ?partners.? ?

If? ?later? ?he? ?did? ?actually? ?put? ?on? ?the? ?Brocade? ?Immortal,? ?who? ?knows? ?if? ?they? ?would? ?be? ?able? ?to? ?

deal? ?with? ?any? ?accidents? ?that? ?may? ?happen.? ?In? ?the? ?end,? ?it? ?was? ?decided? ?he? ?would? ?stand? ?

watch? ?while? ?the? ?other? ?two? ?dressed.? ?

?

Thus,? ?both? ?Lang? ?Ying? ?and? ?Quan? ?Yizhen? ?peeled? ?off? ?their? ?outer? ?robe? ?and? ?started? ?fitting? ?

one? ?robe? ?after? ?the? ?other,? ?and? ?with? ?every? ?new? ?robe,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?would? ?give? ?out? ?simple? ?

commands? ?like? ?“jump”? ?or? ?“spin? ?around”? ?to? ?see? ?if? ?they? ?would? ?obey.? ?

?

However,? ?after? ?trying? ?out? ?every? ?single? ?one? ?of? ?the? ?ninety-eight? ?robes,? ?each? ?of? ?the? ?two? ?

trying? ?on? ?forty? ?to? ?fifty? ?of? ?them,? ?there? ?didn’t? ?seem? ?to? ?be? ?any? ?strange? ?reactions.? ?It’d? ?appear? ?

that? ?in? ?this? ?pile? ?of? ?ghost? ?robes,? ?not? ?a? ?single? ?one? ?was? ?the? ?Brocade? ?Immortal,? ?and? ?they? ?

worked? ?all? ?night? ?for? ?nothing.? ?

?

Lang? ?Ying? ?and? ?Quan? ?Yizhen? ?squatted? ?on? ?the? ?ground? ?in? ?their? ?single? ?layer? ?while? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?

sat? ?among? ?a? ?ground? ?piled? ?high? ?with? ?all? ?sorts? ?of? ?clothes.? ?Supporting? ?his? ?forehead? ?with? ?his? ?

hand,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?mumbled,? ?“There? ?really? ?is? ?no? ?value? ?in? ?buying? ?fakes...”? ? ?

?

After? ?sitting? ?there? ?for? ?a? ?while,? ?he? ?went? ?to? ?seek? ?Ling? ?Wen? ?in? ?the? ?communication? ?array,? ?

“Ling? ?Wen,? ?I’ve? ?collected? ?some? ?ghost? ?robes? ?here,? ?and? ?even? ?though? ?the? ?real? ?Brocade? ?

Immortal? ?is? ?probably? ?not? ?in? ?this? ?pile,? ?they’re? ?still? ?rather? ?evil;? ?a? ?little? ?troublesome? ?to? ?deal? ?

with.? ?Can? ?you? ?send? ?someone? ?down? ?to? ?take? ?them? ?away?”? ? ?

?

“Acknowledged.? ?I’ll? ?go? ?coordinate? ?immediately.? ?How? ?many? ?pieces? ?have? ?you? ?gathered?”? ?

Ling? ?Wen? ?answered.? ?

?

“Ninety-eight? ?pieces.”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?replied.? ?

?

“...”? ?

?

Ling? ?Wen? ?remarked,? ?“Your? ?Highness? ?truly? ?is? ?a? ?capable? ?man,? ?having? ?collected? ?more? ?than? ?

what? ?I’ve? ?reported? ?to? ?you.”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?softly? ?cleared? ?his? ?throat,? ?“It? ?actually? ?wasn’t? ?me...”? ?

?

But? ?before? ?he? ?finished? ?his? ?sentence,? ?there? ?was? ?another? ?familiar? ?chill? ?that? ?ran? ?down? ?his? ?

spine.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?shuddered? ?and? ?looked? ?up.? ? ?

?

In? ?front? ?of? ?him,? ?upon? ?a? ?number? ?of? ?light? ?and? ?flowy? ?white? ?cloths? ?was? ?the? ?black? ?shadow? ?of? ?a? ?

human? ?silhouette.? ?

?

This? ?time,? ?it? ?wasn’t? ?headless? ?nor? ?was? ?it? ?fluttering.? ?The? ?one? ?standing? ?behind? ?those? ?long? ?

curtain-like? ?fabrics? ?was? ?very? ?much? ?a? ?man.? ?It? ?was? ?easy? ?to? ?see? ?that? ?it? ?was? ?a? ?very? ?tall? ?young? ?

man,? ?and? ?even? ?the? ?disheveled? ?strands? ?of? ?hair? ?could? ?be? ?clearly? ?seen? ?on? ?the? ?edge? ?of? ?that? ?

silhouette.? ?

?

?

————? ?

?

Ch.132:? ?The? ?Ninety-Ninth? ?Ghost? ?Robe? ?Hiding? ?in? ?Danger? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?instantly? ?shot? ?to? ?his? ?feet,? ?“THE? ?BROCADE? ?IMMORTAL?!”? ? ?

?

Naturally,? ?that? ?silhouette? ?didn’t? ?respond? ?and? ?didn’t? ?move? ?either,? ?only? ?standing? ?there,? ?still.? ?

Xie? ?Lian? ?pressed? ?his? ?hands? ?down? ?on? ?the? ?shoulders? ?of? ?the? ?other? ?two? ?and? ?whispered,? ?

“Don’t? ?move.”? ? ?

?

A? ?moment? ?later,? ?a? ?night? ?breeze? ?blew? ?by,? ?and? ?that? ?silhouette? ?of? ?a? ?man? ?seemed? ?to? ?have? ?

sighed? ?before? ?dispersing,? ?gone? ?with? ?the? ?wind.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?abruptly? ?stood? ?up.? ?Just? ?then,? ?

outside? ?the? ?door? ?of? ?the? ?textile? ?house? ?suddenly? ?came? ?a? ?knocking? ?sound.? ?The? ?three? ?all? ?

looked? ?towards? ?it? ?and? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?raised? ?his? ?voice,? ?“Who? ?is? ?it?”? ?

?

The? ?voice? ?of? ?a? ?man? ?rang? ?from? ?outside? ?the? ?door,? ?“Your? ?Highness,? ?it’s? ?me.”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?went? ?over? ?to? ?open? ?the? ?door,? ?and? ?outside? ?the? ?textile? ?house? ?was? ?a? ?man? ?with? ?an? ?

open? ?countenance,? ?his? ?form? ?immaculate? ?and? ?chaste,? ?and? ?he? ?entered? ?with? ?his? ?hands? ?on? ?

his? ?sides.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?was? ?slightly? ?bewildered,? ?“Ling? ?Wen,? ?why? ?did? ?you? ?come? ?yourself?”? ? ?

?

Ling? ?Wen? ?fixed? ?his? ?sleeves,? ?“Since? ?I? ?heard? ?Your? ?Highness? ?say? ?things? ?were? ?difficult,? ?I? ?

figure? ?your? ?typical? ?heavenly? ?officials? ?wouldn’t? ?be? ?able? ?to? ?assist,? ?so? ?I’ve? ?come? ?to? ?see? ?

things? ?for? ?myself.? ?Greetings,? ?Your? ?Highness? ?Qi? ?Ying.? ?Why? ?are? ?you? ?sitting? ?on? ?the? ?ground?? ?

What’s? ?wrong?? ?What’s? ?with? ?that? ?look?”? ? ?

?

It? ?was? ?Ling? ?Wen? ?in? ?male? ?form.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?walked? ?to? ?that? ?cloth? ?curtain? ?and? ?flipped? ?it? ?open,? ?

and? ?sure? ?enough? ?there? ?was? ?nothing? ?behind.? ?A? ?moment? ?later,? ?he? ?turned? ?his? ?head,? ?“The? ?

Brocade? ?Immortal? ?showed? ?itself.”? ?

?

Ling? ?Wen? ?was? ?amazed,? ?“What?”? ? ?

?

“It? ?should? ?be? ?it,? ?I’m? ?sure? ?of? ?it.”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?said,? ?“It? ?was? ?a? ?young? ?man,? ?very? ?tall? ?in? ?height,? ?

maybe? ?two? ?inches? ?taller? ?than? ?me.? ?Judging? ?by? ?his? ?bone? ?structure,? ?he? ?must? ?be? ?someone? ?

skilled? ?in? ?martial? ?arts.”? ? ?

?

Ling? ?Wen? ?was? ?somewhat? ?doubtful,? ?“Your? ?Highness,? ?are? ?you? ?sure?? ?In? ?the? ?past? ?so? ?many? ?

years,? ?there’s? ?never? ?been? ?word? ?that? ?the? ?Brocade? ?Immortal? ?had? ?shown? ?itself? ?to? ?anyone.? ?

Besides,? ?didn’t? ?you? ?say? ?that? ?none? ?of? ?these? ?ninety-eight? ?pieces? ?of? ?ghost? ?robes? ?were? ?the? ?

real? ?thing?? ?Could? ?it? ?be? ?someone? ?in? ?disguise? ?and? ?playing? ?tricks?”? ? ?

?

“I’m? ?afraid? ?that’s? ?not? ?possible,”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?replied,? ?“After? ?that? ?wave? ?of? ?chaos? ?was? ?over,? ?to? ?

prevent? ?ghost? ?robes? ?from? ?sneaking? ?out? ?and? ?harassing? ?mortals,? ?we? ?shut? ?the? ?door? ?and? ?

windows? ?and? ?set? ?an? ?array.? ?Things? ?inside? ?couldn’t? ?get? ?out? ?and? ?things? ?outside? ?couldn’t? ?

come? ?in.? ?There’s? ?only? ?the? ?three? ?of? ?us? ?in? ?the? ?textile? ?house,? ?no? ?one? ?can? ?plot? ?anything.? ?

?

Humming? ?for? ?a? ?moment,? ?Ling? ?Wen? ?said,? ?“Then? ?the? ?real? ?thing? ?must’ve? ?run? ?into? ?a? ?special? ?

circumstance,? ?or,? ?what? ?you? ?all? ?saw? ?was? ?a? ?silhouette? ?of? ?a? ?vengeful? ?spirit? ?possessing? ?one? ?

of? ?the? ?ghost? ?robes?”? ?

?

Lang? ?Ying? ?and? ?Quan? ?Yizhen? ?were? ?crouched? ?on? ?the? ?ground,? ?both? ?in? ?a? ?state? ?of? ?spacing? ?

out.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?and? ?Ling? ?Wen? ?stood? ?with? ?their? ?arms? ?crossed,? ?assuming? ?the? ?appearance? ?of? ?

adults,? ?and? ?were? ?in? ?serious? ?discussion.? ?Finally,? ?Ling? ?Wen? ?suggested,? ?“Why? ?don’t? ?I? ?take? ?

these? ?ghost? ?robes? ?to? ?the? ?Palace? ?of? ?Ling? ?Wen? ?and? ?have? ?my? ?people? ?examine? ?them?? ?If? ?that? ?

won’t? ?work,? ?then? ?we? ?can? ?make? ?inquiries? ?at? ?the? ?next? ?meeting.? ?I’m? ?sure? ?someone? ?in? ?the? ?

Upper? ?Court? ?is? ?an? ?expert.”? ? ?

?

Giving? ?the? ?idea? ?a? ?thought,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?nodded,? ?“That’s? ?probably? ?a? ?good? ?idea.? ?But,? ?this? ?was? ?

a? ?mission? ?we’re? ?responsible? ?for? ?after? ?all,? ?I? ?still? ?want? ?to? ?be? ?a? ?little? ?more? ?thorough.? ?Since? ?

the? ?real? ?Brocade? ?Immortal? ?is? ?mixed? ?in? ?here,? ?let? ?me? ?think? ?of? ?a? ?few? ?more? ?ways? ?to? ?bring? ?it? ?

out.? ?If? ?there’s? ?still? ?no? ?results? ?by? ?tomorrow? ?then? ?I’ll? ?pass? ?the? ?ninety-eight? ?ghost? ?robes? ?to? ?

you.”? ?After? ?all,? ?this? ?affair? ?wasn’t? ?under? ?the? ?jurisdiction? ?of? ?the? ?Palace? ?of? ?Ling? ?Wen.? ? ?

?

“There’s? ?no? ?need? ?for? ?Your? ?Highness? ?to? ?be? ?so? ?polite.”? ?Ling? ?Wen? ?said,? ?“Oh,? ?if? ?you’ll? ?be? ?

sending? ?them? ?over? ?tomorrow,? ?it? ?should? ?be? ?a? ?hundred? ?and? ?one? ?pieces,? ?right?”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?was? ?taken? ?aback,? ?“Why? ?are? ?there? ?suddenly? ?three? ?more?”? ?Then? ?it? ?dawned? ?on? ?

him.? ?“You’re? ?suspicious? ?of? ?the? ?robes? ?we’re? ?wearing? ?right? ?now?”? ? ?

?

“It’s? ?not? ?impossible.”? ?Ling? ?Wen? ?said.? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?lifted? ?the? ?sleeve? ?corner? ?of? ?his? ?cultivation? ?robes? ?so? ?worn? ?that? ?threads? ?were? ?loose,? ?

“I’ve? ?worn? ?this? ?robe? ?for? ?several? ?years? ?now,? ?it? ?definitely? ?wouldn’t? ?have? ?issues.? ?The? ?one? ?

Lang? ?Ying? ?is? ?wearing? ?right? ?now? ?was? ?newly? ?bought,? ?but? ?he? ?didn’t? ?obey? ?my? ?words? ?so? ?it? ?

shouldn’t? ?be? ?problematic? ?either.”? ?He? ?told? ?Lang? ?Ying? ?not? ?to? ?work? ?but? ?Lang? ?Ying? ?still? ?

chopped? ?wood;? ?he? ?told? ?him? ?to? ?stay? ?home? ?like? ?a? ?good? ?boy? ?but? ?Lang? ?Ying? ?still? ?came? ?out.? ?

?

However,? ?Ling? ?Wen? ?shook? ?his? ?head,? ?“That’s? ?not? ?what? ?I? ?meant.? ?Your? ?Highness,? ?you? ?might? ?

not? ?be? ?aware? ?of? ?this,? ?but? ?the? ?essence? ?of? ?evil? ?of? ?the? ?Brocade? ?Immortal? ?is? ?strong,? ?and? ?

since? ?it’s? ?here,? ?that? ?essence? ?would? ?affect? ?other? ?normal? ?clothing.? ?In? ?any? ?case,? ?just? ?to? ?be? ?

safe,? ?don’t? ?wear? ?the? ?clothes? ?you? ?have? ?on? ?anymore? ?and? ?do? ?something? ?about? ?them.”? ?

?

Hearing? ?this,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?quickly? ?peeled? ?off? ?the? ?outer? ?robes? ?of? ?both? ?Lang? ?Ying? ?and? ?Quan? ?

Yizhen,? ?“Don’t? ?wear? ?this? ?anymore,? ?don’t? ?wear? ?this.? ?Take? ?it? ?off,? ?take? ?it? ?off.? ?Then,? ?I’ll? ?wrap? ?

up? ?the? ?clothes? ?and? ?bring? ?them? ?to? ?the? ?Palace? ?of? ?Ling? ?Wen? ?tomorrow.”? ? ?

?

“I’ll? ?send? ?people? ?to? ?come? ?pick? ?them? ?up?”? ?Ling? ?Wen? ?said.? ?

?

“No? ?need,? ?no? ?need.”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?said,? ?“It’s? ?already? ?embarrassing? ?enough? ?to? ?trouble? ?you? ?

every? ?time.? ?Your? ?palace? ?is? ?busy,? ?I? ?can? ?handle? ?this? ?myself.”? ? ?

?

The? ?next? ?day,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?arduously? ?wrapped? ?a? ?huge? ?pile? ?of? ?clothes,? ?and? ?carried? ?those? ?

large? ?bundles? ?by? ?himself? ?to? ?ascend? ?to? ?the? ?Heavenly? ?Court.? ?

?

Ling? ?Wen? ?had? ?already? ?been? ?waiting? ?for? ?him? ?in? ?the? ?palace? ?for? ?a? ?long? ?time,? ?and? ?today,? ?it? ?

didn’t? ?seem? ?as? ?hectically? ?bustling? ?as? ?before? ?with? ?gods? ?running? ?back? ?and? ?forth.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?

unwrapped? ?the? ?large? ?bundles? ?of? ?ghost? ?robes;? ?colourful? ?clothes? ?burst? ?out? ?and? ?spread? ?

about.? ?He? ?wiped? ?at? ?the? ?sweat? ?at? ?the? ?corner? ?of? ?his? ?forehead? ?as? ?Ling? ?Wen? ?walked? ?over? ?

leisurely,? ?“Have? ?you? ?made? ?any? ?discoveries?”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?sighed? ?helplessly,? ?“Much? ?ashamed,? ?it’s? ?been? ?fruitless.? ?I? ?apologize? ?in? ?advance;? ?

since? ?there’s? ?no? ?helping? ?hands,? ?it? ?couldn’t? ?be? ?helped? ?if? ?things? ?are? ?a? ?bit? ?scattered.? ?There? ?

was? ?so? ?much? ?chaos? ?yesterday? ?I? ?don’t? ?know? ?if? ?what? ?I’ve? ?brought? ?is? ?all? ?of? ?the? ?robes.? ?I? ?keep? ?

feeling? ?like? ?I’m? ?missing? ?one? ?or? ?two? ?pieces,? ?but? ?I’m? ?not? ?sure? ?either.”? ?

?

“That’s? ?a? ?non? ?issue.”? ?Ling? ?Wen? ?said.? ?Then? ?she? ?looked? ?down? ?and? ?roughly? ?counted,? ?

“There? ?really? ?are? ?missing? ?pieces.? ?Your? ?Highness,? ?it? ?seems? ?the? ?clothes? ?that? ?little? ?ghost? ?

next? ?to? ?you? ?was? ?wearing? ?isn’t? ?included? ?in? ?here?”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian’s? ?right? ?hand? ?clenched? ?into? ?a? ?fist? ?and? ?lightly? ?tapped? ?his? ?left? ?palm,? ?“Ah,? ?you’re? ?

right!? ?I? ?remember? ?now.? ?Lang? ?Ying? ?had? ?gotten? ?used? ?to? ?draping? ?that? ?robe? ?over? ?himself? ?and? ?

I? ?forgot? ?to? ?collect? ?it.? ?I’ll? ?go? ?grab? ?it? ?right? ?now.”? ? ?

?

Ling? ?Wen? ?chuckled,? ?“No? ?rush.? ?Take? ?care,? ?Your? ?Highness.”? ? ?

?

However,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?didn’t? ?move? ?to? ?leave,? ?and? ?instead? ?he? ?stood? ?still? ?on? ?the? ?spot,? ?his? ?

expression? ?growing? ?dim.? ?Ling? ?Wen? ?was? ?about? ?to? ?order? ?for? ?the? ?heavenly? ?officials? ?under? ?

her? ?command? ?to? ?come? ?take? ?the? ?ghost? ?robes? ?away,? ?but? ?when? ?she? ?turned? ?around? ?and? ?saw? ?

he? ?was? ?still? ?there,? ?with? ?just? ?the? ?two? ?of? ?them? ?in? ?the? ?hall,? ?she? ?was? ?puzzled,? ?“Your? ?Highness,? ?

do? ?you? ?have? ?something? ?else? ?to? ?say?”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?watched? ?her? ?with? ?an? ?unreadable? ?expression,? ?“Nothing? ?much.? ?Only,? ?I? ?was? ?

thinking,? ?if? ?I? ?really? ?did? ?bring? ?you? ?the? ?real? ?Brocade? ?Immortal,? ?if? ?I? ?turned? ?around,? ?would? ?you? ?

hide? ?the? ?real? ?thing? ?away?”? ? ?

?

“...”? ?

?

Ling? ?Wen’s? ?smile? ?was? ?fading? ?but? ?still? ?was? ?extremely? ?polite,? ?“Your? ?Highness?”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?watched? ?her? ?serenely,? ?“From? ?the? ?very? ?beginning,? ?I’ve? ?had? ?this? ?inkling.”? ?

?

“What? ?of?”? ?Ling? ?Wen? ?asked? ?languidly.? ?

?

“Normal? ?people,? ?typical? ?demons? ?and? ?ghosts? ?don’t? ?dare? ?to? ?break? ?in? ?to? ?the? ?Great? ?Martial? ?

Temple.? ?If? ?someone? ?was? ?familiar? ?with? ?the? ?Great? ?Martial? ?Hall? ?enough? ?to? ?steal? ?objects? ?that? ?

were? ?sealed? ?away? ?and? ?still? ?escape? ?capture,? ?then? ?I’m? ?afraid? ?other? ?than? ?Jun? ?Wu? ?himself,? ?

there’s? ?only? ?you,? ?Ling? ?Wen? ?Zhen? ?Jun.”? ?

?

After? ?all,? ?the? ?Palace? ?of? ?Ling? ?Wen? ?roamed? ?all? ?the? ?palaces? ?day? ?in? ?day? ?out,? ?and? ?could? ?be? ?

said? ?to? ?be? ?more? ?than? ?familiar? ?with? ?everyone’s? ?domains.? ? ?

?

Ling? ?Wen? ?grinned,? ?“Your? ?Highness,? ?your? ?reasoning? ?is? ?a? ?little? ?too? ?matter? ?of? ?fact.? ?“The? ?

person? ?with? ?the? ?easiest? ?access? ?is? ?the? ?one? ?who’s? ?the? ?most? ?suspicious”.? ?Based? ?on? ?that? ?

train? ?of? ?thought,? ?then? ?wouldn’t? ?Jun? ?Wu? ?robbing? ?himself? ?be? ?more? ?likely?”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?nodded.? ?“I? ?must? ?admit? ?you’re? ?not? ?wrong.? ?But,? ?what? ?made? ?me? ?start? ?to? ?think? ?

things? ?suspicious? ?was? ?that? ?Half? ?Maquillage? ?Woman.”? ? ?

?

“What? ?about? ?the? ?Half? ?Maquillage? ?Woman?”? ?Ling? ?Wen? ?asked.? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?replied,? ?“She? ?had? ?in? ?her? ?possession? ?the? ?fake? ?Brocade? ?Immortal,? ?and? ?just? ?so? ?

happened? ?to? ?come? ?to? ?my? ?door.? ?How? ?can? ?things? ?be? ?so? ?coincidental?? ?Besides,? ?it? ?was? ?like? ?

she? ?might? ?as? ?well? ?have? ?written? ?‘suspicious’? ?on? ?her? ?face,? ?like? ?she? ?was? ?scared? ?I? ?wouldn’t? ?

be? ?suspicious? ?of? ?her? ?being? ?the? ?culprit.? ?Her? ?intention? ?was? ?too? ?obvious.”? ? ?

?

“Oh?? ?What? ?intentions?”? ? ?

?

“Didn’t? ?she? ?already? ?say? ?it? ?herself?”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?said,? ?“‘Exchange? ?old? ?for? ?new’.? ?What? ?she? ?

wanted? ?was? ?the? ?old? ?clothes? ?in? ?my? ?Puqi? ?Shrine!”? ? ?

?

In? ?retrospect,? ?when? ?the? ?Brocade? ?Immortal? ?was? ?stolen,? ?the? ?Great? ?Martial? ?Hall? ?found? ?out? ?

really? ?fast? ?and? ?immediately? ?started? ?investigating? ?the? ?moment? ?they? ?realized.? ?Therefore,? ?

the? ?thief? ?might? ?not? ?dare? ?to? ?keep? ?it? ?in? ?their? ?own? ?hands? ?and? ?would? ?instead? ?hide? ?it? ?away? ?

first.? ?Then,? ?where? ?would? ?be? ?the? ?best? ?hiding? ?place?? ? ?

?

Hide? ?leaves? ?among? ?forests.? ?

?

If? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?wanted? ?to? ?hide? ?the? ?Brocade? ?Immortal,? ?he? ?would? ?turn? ?it? ?into? ?an? ?extremely? ?

inconspicuous? ?and? ?normal-looking? ?hemp? ?robe? ?and? ?toss? ?it? ?in? ?the? ?mortal? ?realm,? ?but? ?

keeping? ?an? ?eye? ?on? ?it? ?from? ?afar.? ?Normally,? ?not? ?many? ?would? ?want? ?to? ?buy? ?such? ?a? ?coarsely? ?

made? ?robe.? ?However,? ?the? ?life? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?led? ?couldn’t? ?be? ?said? ?to? ?be? ?normal,? ?and? ?he? ?himself? ?

had? ?been? ?wearing? ?the? ?same? ?worn? ?edged? ?cultivation? ?robe? ?for? ?the? ?past? ?several? ?years;? ?the? ?

money? ?he? ?had? ?could? ?only? ?afford? ?such? ?clothing.? ?Besides,? ?as? ?long? ?as? ?the? ?clothing? ?kept? ?him? ?

warm? ?and? ?was? ?clean,? ?that? ?was? ?all? ?he? ?asked? ?for? ?and? ?wasn’t? ?picky.? ?Plus,? ?he? ?was? ?the? ?kind? ?

of? ?person? ?who? ?possessed? ?the? ?incredible? ?ability? ?to? ?pick? ?out? ?the? ?most? ?dangerous? ?article? ?of? ?

clothing? ?in? ?the? ?big? ?discount? ?bin? ?out? ?of? ?countless? ?other? ?clothing.? ?Thus,? ?in? ?a? ?

self-congratulating? ?cheer? ?at? ?the? ?major? ?discount,? ?he? ?bought? ?and? ?brought? ?home? ?that? ?

legendary? ?Brocade? ?Immortal.? ?

?

“Your? ?Highness,? ?what? ?you’re? ?saying? ?is? ?a? ?little? ?too? ?much? ?now.”? ?Ling? ?Wen? ?said,? ?“You’re? ?

from? ?a? ?martial? ?god? ?background? ?after? ?all,? ?so? ?just? ?thinking? ?about? ?it? ?you’d? ?know? ?that? ?the? ?Half? ?

Maquillage? ?Woman? ?would? ?be? ?instantly? ?subdued? ?by? ?you? ?if? ?she? ?approached? ?your? ?door.? ?

She? ?wouldn’t? ?be? ?able? ?to? ?take? ?any? ?robes? ?away,? ?old? ?or? ?new.”? ?

?

“She? ?certainly? ?couldn’t? ?take? ?anything? ?away,? ?but? ?who? ?said? ?she? ?had? ?to?? ?If? ?there? ?were? ?no? ?

further? ?incidents,? ?how? ?would? ?she? ?be? ?dealt? ?with?”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?said.? ?

?

If? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?had? ?thought? ?that? ?Half? ?Maquillage? ?Woman? ?had? ?in? ?her? ?hand? ?the? ?real? ?Brocade? ?

Immortal,? ?then? ?he? ?would? ?for? ?sure? ?report? ?it? ?to? ?Ling? ?Wen,? ?and? ?then,? ?Ling? ?Wen? ?would? ?most? ?

likely? ?descend? ?herself.? ?Like? ?the? ?day? ?before,? ?she? ?would? ?probably? ?tell? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?that? ?for? ?the? ?

sake? ?of? ?security,? ?all? ?the? ?clothes? ?needed? ?to? ?be? ?brought? ?back? ?to? ?the? ?Palace? ?of? ?Ling? ?Wen? ?to? ?

be? ?assessed.? ?

?

It? ?really? ?was? ?too? ?bad? ?that? ?Quan? ?Yizhen? ?was? ?there? ?too? ?at? ?the? ?time.? ?And,? ?it? ?was? ?unexpected? ?

that? ?he? ?was? ?experienced? ?after? ?only? ?having? ?worn? ?the? ?Brocade? ?Immortal? ?once,? ?and? ?could? ?

directly? ?determine? ?that? ?the? ?Brocade? ?Immortal? ?the? ?Half? ?Maquillage? ?Woman’s? ?hand? ?was? ?

fake.? ?Which? ?meant? ?it? ?was? ?no? ?longer? ?easy? ?nor? ?logical? ?for? ?Ling? ?Wen? ?to? ?take? ?away? ?all? ?the? ?

clothes? ?in? ?Puqi? ?Shrine.? ?

?

All? ?of? ?Xie? ?Lian’s? ?information? ?was? ?provided? ?by? ?Ling? ?Wen,? ?and? ?she? ?could? ?also? ?make? ?

inquiries? ?openly;? ?Xie? ?Lian’s? ?whereabouts? ?and? ?movements? ?were? ?fully? ?in? ?her? ?grasp.? ?When? ?

that? ?Half? ?Maquillage? ?Woman? ?was? ?exposed,? ?Ling? ?Wen? ?immediately? ?sent? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?new? ?

communication? ?through? ?the? ?array,? ?and? ?told? ?him? ?the? ?Ghost? ?City? ?distributed? ?many? ?

counterfeits? ?in? ?need? ?of? ?management,? ?throwing? ?new? ?missions? ?at? ?him? ?to? ?give? ?him? ?no? ?time? ?

in? ?thinking? ?too? ?deeply? ?about? ?anything? ?that? ?might? ?be? ?questionable.? ? ?

?

“I? ?don’t? ?know? ?if? ?those? ?counterfeits? ?were? ?distributed? ?by? ?you,? ?but,? ?it? ?was? ?indeed? ?you? ?who? ?

provided? ?me? ?with? ?information.? ?With? ?this? ?step,? ?you? ?probably? ?wanted? ?to? ?divert? ?me? ?away? ?

from? ?Puqi? ?Shrine? ?before? ?coming? ?for? ?Lang? ?Ying.”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?said.? ?

?

Yet? ?unexpectedly,? ?Lang? ?Ying? ?also? ?followed? ?along? ?and? ?came? ?out.? ?

?

“I? ?don’t? ?know? ?if? ?the? ?Brocade? ?Immortal? ?showing? ?himself? ?so? ?suddenly? ?was? ?within? ?your? ?

anticipation,? ?but? ?for? ?you,? ?thinking? ?fast? ?and? ?changing? ?course? ?of? ?action? ?shouldn’t? ?be? ?

something? ?hard.”? ?

?

With? ?so? ?many? ?ghost? ?robes? ?indiscernible? ?whether? ?real? ?or? ?fake,? ?there? ?would? ?surely? ?be? ?a? ?

chance? ?to? ?slip? ?the? ?real? ?Brocade? ?Immortal? ?away? ?amidst? ?the? ?chaos,? ?and? ?with? ?the? ?Brocade? ?

Immortal? ?showing? ?himself,? ?Ling? ?Wen? ?could? ?also? ?use? ?it? ?as? ?an? ?excuse? ?to? ?appear? ?

personally;? ?openly? ?collecting? ?away? ?all? ?clothing? ?on? ?site.? ?As? ?for? ?how? ?things? ?would? ?be? ?

assessed? ?and? ?how? ?the? ?real? ?thing? ?was? ?determined,? ?the? ?explanation? ?of? ?that? ?silhouette,? ?it? ?

would? ?all? ?depend? ?on? ?Ling? ?Wen.? ?

?

Having? ?listened? ?to? ?this? ?point,? ?Ling? ?Wen? ?made? ?a? ?pause? ?hand? ?gesture,? ?“Your? ?Highness,? ?

please? ?stop? ?right? ?there.? ?So,? ?you? ?believe? ?that? ?Lang? ?Ying,? ?that’s? ?his? ?name,? ?right?? ?You? ?think? ?

that? ?the? ?robe? ?he? ?was? ?wearing? ?was? ?the? ?Brocade? ?Immortal?? ?Don’t? ?forget,? ?once? ?he? ?put? ?it? ?on? ?

he? ?still? ?didn’t? ?obey? ?your? ?every? ?order,? ?am? ?I? ?wrong?? ?You? ?said? ?so? ?yourself.? ?You? ?have? ?to? ?

know? ?that? ?the? ?Brocade? ?Immortal’s? ?powers? ?are? ?extremely? ?strong,? ?and? ?even? ?a? ?Ghost? ?King? ?

is? ?no? ?exception? ?if? ?he? ?was? ?to? ?run? ?into? ?it.”? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?replied,? ?“You? ?also? ?said,? ?‘it? ?must’ve? ?run? ?into? ?a? ?special? ?circumstance’.? ?As? ?for? ?what? ?

exactly? ?is? ?a? ?special? ?circumstance,? ?I’m? ?sure? ?you’re? ?more? ?well-informed? ?on? ?that? ?subject,? ?

pray? ?tell? ?you? ?can? ?answer? ?that? ?question? ?for? ?me.”? ? ?

?

Ling? ?Wen’s? ?frowned? ?slightly? ?and? ?clenched? ?her? ?firsts.? ?She? ?said? ?softly,? ?“Your? ?Highness,? ?

does? ?this? ?mean? ?you? ?have? ?deemed? ?me? ?the? ?thief?? ?Pardon? ?my? ?honesty,? ?but? ?this? ?makes? ?me? ?

somewhat...? ?displeased.”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?inclined? ?his? ?head? ?slightly,? ?“I? ?apologize.”? ?

?

“Apology? ?accepted”? ?Ling? ?Wen? ?said,? ?“However,? ?Your? ?Highness,? ?if? ?you? ?must? ?be? ?adamant? ?

about? ?this,? ?you? ?can,? ?as? ?long? ?as? ?you? ?have? ?the? ?evidence.? ?After? ?all,? ?this? ?has? ?been? ?nothing? ?

but? ?speculation.”? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?replied? ?slowly,? ?“Before? ?today,? ?I? ?didn’t? ?have? ?any? ?evidence.? ?In? ?fact,? ?I? ?didn’t? ?have? ?

anything? ?before? ?stepping? ?into? ?the? ?Palace? ?of? ?Ling? ?Wen.? ?But,? ?I’ve? ?gotten? ?it? ?since? ?we? ?started? ?

this? ?conversation.”? ? ?

?

Ling? ?Wen? ?made? ?a? ?welcome? ?hand? ?gesture,? ?“Please.”? ? ?

?

“The? ?evidence? ?is,? ?just? ?now,? ?you? ?never? ?bothered? ?to? ?count? ?the? ?exact? ?number? ?of? ?those? ?

ghost? ?robes.”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?said.? ?

?

Ling? ?Wen’s? ?expression? ?barely? ?changed,? ?however,? ?her? ?brows? ?seemed? ?to? ?stiffen? ?slightly.? ?

Xie? ?Lian? ?continued,? ?“The? ?ghost? ?robes? ?I’ve? ?brought? ?were? ?indeed? ?lacking,? ?but? ?it? ?wasn’t? ?just? ?

the? ?one? ?missing.? ?In? ?fact,? ?I’ve? ?only? ?brought? ?eighty-eight? ?pieces? ?–? ?a? ?total? ?of? ?ten? ?robes? ?are? ?

missing!”? ? ?

?

“Every? ?piece? ?of? ?clothing? ?I? ?consider? ?suspicious? ?I? ?kept? ?and? ?didn’t? ?bring? ?it? ?over.? ?You? ?never? ?

thought? ?the? ?count? ?was? ?off? ?yet? ?with? ?one? ?glance? ?you? ?noticed? ?the? ?one? ?Lang? ?Ying? ?was? ?

wearing? ?wasn’t? ?here.? ?So,? ?pray? ?tell,? ?how? ?did? ?you? ?know? ?it? ?was? ?that? ?particular? ?one? ?that? ?was? ?

missing?”? ?

?

Ling? ?Wen? ?raised? ?her? ?hand,? ?“Please? ?wait.”? ?

?

Without? ?hurry,? ?she? ?recounted? ?all? ?the? ?ghost? ?robes? ?on? ?the? ?ground? ?once? ?more,? ?and? ?

discovered? ?it? ?was? ?indeed? ?eighty-eight? ?pieces? ?of? ?clothing.? ?Maintaining? ?her? ?impassive? ?

tone,? ?she? ?replied,? ?“I? ?suppose? ?you? ?can? ?say? ?no? ?one? ?is? ?perfect? ?and? ?there’s? ?always? ?going? ?to? ?

be? ?something? ?overlooked.”? ? ?

?

“Very? ?well.”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?said,? ?“Since? ?you’ve? ?counted? ?seriously? ?this? ?time? ?and? ?should’ve? ?

looked? ?over? ?every? ?single? ?piece,? ?then,? ?let? ?me? ?tell? ?you? ?something:? ?did? ?you? ?not? ?notice?? ?The? ?

robe? ?Lang? ?Ying? ?wore? ?yesterday? ?was? ?among? ?those? ?eighty-eight? ?ghost? ?robes!”? ? ?

?

“Your? ?Highness,? ?what? ?are? ?you? ?trying? ?to? ?say?”? ?Ling? ?Wen? ?asked.? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?crouched? ?down? ?and? ?pulled? ?out? ?a? ?robe? ?from? ?the? ?pile? ?of? ?random? ?clothing,? ?shaking? ?

it? ?open,? ?and? ?it? ?was? ?a? ?plain,? ?white? ?hemp? ?robe.? ?“The? ?one? ?Lang? ?Ying? ?wore? ?yesterday? ?was? ?

this? ?one,? ?isn’t? ?it? ?right? ?here?? ?How? ?come? ?you? ?didn’t? ?notice? ?it? ?when? ?you? ?were? ?counting? ?just? ?

now?”? ? ?

?

“Your? ?Highness? ?should? ?also? ?know? ?that? ?there’s? ?nothing? ?special? ?about? ?this? ?hemp? ?robe,? ?so? ?

you? ?can’t? ?blame? ?me? ?for? ?not? ?recognizing? ?it? ?with? ?just? ?a? ?glance.”? ?Ling? ?Wen? ?replied.? ?

?

“It? ?really? ?is? ?nothing? ?to? ?write? ?home? ?about.”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?said.? ?“Then,? ?you,? ?Ling? ?Wen? ?Zhen? ?Jun? ?

who? ?is? ?so? ?competent? ?and? ?reliable,? ?hardworking? ?and? ?cautious,? ?why? ?would? ?you? ?say? ?so? ?

rashly? ?that? ?such? ?an? ?inconspicuous? ?robe? ?was? ?missing? ?when? ?you? ?haven’t? ?fully? ?counted?”? ? ?

?

Ling? ?Wen’s? ?smile? ?did? ?not? ?falter,? ?“There? ?are? ?too? ?many? ?robes,? ?my? ?eyes? ?glazed? ?over;? ?scrolls? ?

are? ?piled? ?high? ?like? ?a? ?mountain,? ?I’m? ?overwhelmed.”? ? ?

?

“Your? ?eyes? ?didn’t? ?glaze? ?over,? ?it’s? ?the? ?opposite.”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?said,? ?“Your? ?eyes? ?are? ?too? ?sharp.? ?

Let? ?me? ?tell? ?you? ?a? ?second? ?thing:? ?I? ?actually? ?didn’t? ?bring? ?the? ?robe? ?Lang? ?Ying? ?wore? ?yesterday.? ?

The? ?one? ?in? ?my? ?hands? ?right? ?now? ?is? ?another? ?one? ?I? ?replicated? ?based? ?on? ?that? ?original? ?one? ?–? ?

but,? ?I? ?was? ?careful? ?with? ?the? ?details? ?in? ?this? ?replica,? ?so? ?how? ?were? ?you? ?able? ?to? ?tell? ?with? ?just? ?

one? ?look? ?that? ?the? ?real? ?one? ?Lang? ?Ying? ?wore? ?isn’t? ?here?”? ? ?

?

Ling? ?Wen? ?was? ?puzzled,? ?“Fake? ?or? ?not,? ?either? ?way? ?I? ?didn’t? ?see? ?it.? ?Your? ?Highness,? ?have? ?you? ?

worked? ?too? ?hard? ?on? ?cases? ?and? ?do? ?you? ?always? ?think? ?too? ?much?? ?Why? ?would? ?you? ?spend? ?all? ?

this? ?effort? ?in? ?creating? ?a? ?replica?”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?lifted? ?that? ?white? ?hemp? ?robe? ?and? ?said? ?softly,? ?“...This? ?hemp? ?robe? ?was? ?but? ?a? ?

random? ?one? ?I? ?pulled? ?from? ?the? ?pile.? ?What? ?“replica? ?based? ?on? ?the? ?original”? ?or? ?“careful? ?with? ?

the? ?details”,? ?it’s? ?all? ?nonsense? ?I? ?made? ?up? ?just? ?now.? ?As? ?you? ?said,? ?why? ?would? ?I? ?waste? ?my? ?

time? ?to? ?make? ?a? ?replica?? ?You’ve? ?been? ?tricked.? ?This? ?one? ?isn’t? ?even? ?the? ?same? ?colour? ?as? ?the? ?

robe? ?Lang? ?Ying? ?wore? ?yesterday,? ?but? ?I? ?questioned? ?you? ?holding? ?it? ?in? ?front? ?of? ?you,? ?and? ?never? ?

once? ?did? ?you? ?think? ?it? ?strange?”? ? ?

?

“...”? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?stared? ?at? ?Ling? ?Wen? ?intently,? ?“Ling? ?Wen,? ?right? ?now,? ?I? ?only? ?need? ?you? ?to? ?answer? ?a? ?

very? ?simple? ?question:? ?what? ?was? ?the? ?colour? ?of? ?the? ?robe? ?Lang? ?Ying? ?wore? ?yesterday?”? ? ?

?

Ling? ?Wen? ?didn’t? ?immediately? ?speak,? ?only? ?raising? ?her? ?eyelashes? ?slowly.? ?

?

That? ?white? ?hemp? ?robe? ?fell? ?to? ?the? ?ground? ?as? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?said,? ?“As? ?the? ?esteemed? ?number? ?one? ?

civil? ?god,? ?countless? ?thousands? ?of? ?scrolls? ?detailing? ?the? ?matters? ?of? ?the? ?Upper? ?Court? ?all? ?

passed? ?through? ?your? ?hands,? ?so? ?your? ?memory? ?shouldn’t? ?be? ?this? ?bad.? ?How? ?come? ?you? ?can’t? ?

even? ?recall? ?the? ?colour? ?of? ?the? ?robe? ?Lang? ?Ying? ?wore? ?yesterday?”? ? ?

?

“You? ?can’t? ?answer,? ?because? ?you’re? ?guarded? ?against? ?my? ?potential? ?trickery;? ?you? ?daren’t? ?

answer? ?so? ?easily,? ?because? ?you? ?never? ?knew? ?what? ?colour? ?it? ?was? ?in? ?the? ?first? ?place.? ?Because? ?

yesterday,? ?what? ?you? ?saw? ?him? ?wear? ?was? ?only? ?a? ?headless,? ?sleeveless,? ?ragged? ?cloth? ?sack!”? ? ?

?

He? ?enunciated? ?every? ?word,? ?“The? ?Brocade? ?Immortal? ?takes? ?on? ?thousands? ?of? ?forms,? ?but? ?

that’s? ?no? ?doubt? ?nothing? ?more? ?than? ?an? ?illusionment? ?spell.? ?However,? ?no? ?matter? ?how? ?

powerful? ?that? ?illusionment? ?spell? ?is,? ?it? ?will? ?always? ?be? ?ineffective? ?to? ?one? ?individual? ?–? ?the? ?one? ?

who? ?created? ?it!”? ? ?

?

“No? ?matter? ?what? ?form? ?it? ?took? ?on,? ?in? ?the? ?eyes? ?of? ?the? ?creator,? ?it? ?will? ?always? ?be? ?its? ?true? ?form.? ?

Earlier,? ?you? ?glanced? ?through? ?those? ?eighty-eight? ?ghost? ?robes? ?and? ?didn’t? ?see? ?a? ?headless,? ?

sleeveless? ?strange? ?cloth? ?sack,? ?so? ?of? ?course? ?you? ?were? ?able? ?to? ?determine? ?immediately? ?that? ?

the? ?Brocade? ?Immortal? ?isn’t? ?in? ?the? ?pile!”? ? ?

?

?

————–? ?

?

Ch.133:? ?Seen? ?Through? ?the? ?Ghost? ?King;? ?Play? ?the? ?Ghost? ?King? ?

?

At? ?first,? ?he? ?had? ?only? ?planned? ?on? ?keeping? ?the? ?suspicious? ?ghost? ?robes? ?and? ?thoroughly? ?

examine? ?them? ?again? ?himself,? ?but? ?he? ?hadn’t? ?realized? ?that? ?with? ?Ling? ?Wen’s? ?one? ?offhanded? ?

comment,? ?he? ?would? ?catch? ?this? ?huge? ?fault? ?in? ?her? ?lies.? ?The? ?moment? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?wrapped? ?his? ?

head? ?around? ?it,? ?he? ?went? ?with? ?the? ?flow? ?and? ?tricked? ?her? ?the? ?entire? ?way.? ?In? ?the? ?end,? ?he? ?

actually? ?blew? ?apart? ?Ling? ?Wen’s? ?armour.? ?

?

Ling? ?Wen? ?stood? ?there? ?frozen.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?said,? ?“Of? ?course,? ?you? ?can? ?deny? ?all? ?this.? ?But? ?it’d? ?be? ?

easy? ?to? ?prove? ?whether? ?it’s? ?real? ?or? ?fake.? ?Once? ?I? ?bring? ?forth? ?that? ?robe? ?and? ?present? ?it? ?to? ?the? ?

Great? ?Martial? ?Hall,? ?have? ?it? ?change? ?its? ?form? ?before? ?the? ?Heavenly? ?Emperor? ?then? ?ask? ?you? ?

whether? ?or? ?not? ?you? ?can? ?tell? ?what? ?it? ?looks? ?like,? ?everything? ?will? ?become? ?clear.”? ? ?

?

When? ?that? ?Brocade? ?Immortal? ?roamed? ?the? ?mortal? ?realm? ?it? ?had? ?sucked? ?the? ?blood? ?of? ?over? ?

five? ?hundred? ?people;? ?it? ?was? ?an? ?object? ?of? ?great? ?evil.? ?If? ?Ling? ?Wen? ?had? ?only? ?broken? ?into? ?the? ?

Great? ?Martial? ?Temple? ?to? ?steal? ?the? ?brocade? ?robe? ?and? ?hadn’t? ?had? ?the? ?chance? ?to? ?use? ?it? ?to? ?

harm? ?anyone,? ?then? ?it? ?wasn’t? ?a? ?crime? ?too? ?great? ?that? ?it? ?couldn’t? ?be? ?forgiven.? ?However,? ?Ling? ?

Wen? ?was? ?first? ?appointed? ?as? ?a? ?deputy? ?general? ?before? ?she? ?ascended.? ?The? ?earliest? ?time? ?

when? ?stories? ?of? ?the? ?Brocade? ?Immortal? ?first? ?broke? ?out? ?was? ?much? ?later? ?than? ?the? ?years? ?Ling? ?

Wen? ?spent? ?as? ?a? ?deputy? ?general.? ?

?

Which? ?meant,? ?this? ?was? ?after? ?Ling? ?Wen? ?had? ?entered? ?her? ?duties? ?in? ?the? ?heavenly? ?realm;? ?

that? ?she? ?created? ?the? ?Brocade? ?Immortal? ?as? ?a? ?heavenly? ?official!? ?

?

That? ?a? ?heavenly? ?official? ?whose? ?duty? ?was? ?to? ?protect? ?mortals? ?turned? ?around,? ?seduced? ?and? ?

murdered? ?a? ?mortal? ?should? ?already? ?call? ?for? ?a? ?severe? ?sentence.? ?The? ?mortal? ?who? ?was? ?

seduced? ?and? ?murdered? ?was? ?also? ?a? ?future? ?heavenly? ?official.? ?Alas,? ?this? ?affair? ?would? ?not? ?be? ?

so? ?forgivingly? ?handled.? ?Ling? ?Wen? ?sighed,? ?“Your? ?Highness,? ?you? ?really? ?are...”? ?

?

After? ?a? ?pause,? ?she? ?said,? ?“Maybe? ?it’s? ?just? ?my? ?bad? ?luck? ?that? ?this? ?mission? ?was? ?given? ?to? ?you.? ?

Although? ?there’s? ?only? ?the? ?two? ?of? ?us? ?here? ?in? ?Ling? ?Wen? ?Hall? ?today? ?and? ?we’ve? ?got? ?centuries? ?

of? ?friendship? ?between? ?us,? ?but,? ?I? ?think,? ?if? ?I? ?pleaded? ?for? ?you? ?to? ?keep? ?an? ?eye? ?closed? ?on? ?this? ?

based? ?on? ?our? ?years? ?of? ?friendship? ?you? ?probably? ?won’t? ?agree? ?to? ?it,? ?and? ?would? ?instead? ?

encourage? ?me? ?to? ?turn? ?myself? ?in? ?to? ?the? ?Great? ?Martial? ?Hall,? ?am? ?I? ?right?”? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?sighed? ?too.? ?Although? ?he? ?and? ?Ling? ?Wen? ?had? ?known? ?each? ?other? ?for? ?centuries,? ?it? ?

had? ?always? ?been? ?pure? ?business,? ?and? ?they? ?had? ?never? ?become? ?closer.? ?Their? ?relationship? ?

wasn’t? ?bad,? ?and? ?even? ?when? ?he? ?ascended? ?for? ?the? ?third? ?time,? ?while? ?everyone? ?taunted? ?him? ?

as? ?the? ?Rubbish? ?God,? ?Ling? ?Wen? ?never? ?looked? ?down? ?on? ?him.? ?On? ?the? ?contrary,? ?she? ?had? ?

given? ?him? ?even? ?more? ?assistance? ?and? ?took? ?care? ?of? ?him.? ?But? ?this? ?Brocade? ?Immortal? ?

mission? ?just? ?had? ?to? ?land? ?on? ?his? ?head,? ?and? ?once? ?the? ?truth? ?was? ?revealed,? ?while? ?it? ?was? ?hard? ?

to? ?report? ?it,? ?it? ?was? ?even? ?more? ?impossible? ?not? ?to? ?report? ?it.? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?replied? ?earnestly,? ?“My? ?luck? ?is? ?bad? ?too,”? ? ?

?

Ling? ?Wen? ?crossed? ?her? ?arms? ?and? ?shook? ?her? ?head,? ?“Your? ?Highness,? ?someone? ?like? ?you...? ?

sometimes? ?you’re? ?smart,? ?but? ?sometimes? ?you’re? ?not? ?very? ?smart? ?either;? ?sometimes? ?you’re? ?

soft-hearted,? ?but? ?sometimes? ?you’re? ?cold-hearted? ?too.”? ?

?

After? ?a? ?pause,? ?she? ?asked,? ?“So? ?where? ?is? ?that? ?robe? ?now?”? ? ?

?

“It’s? ?in? ?my? ?keep.”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?replied,? ?“I? ?will? ?personally? ?deliver? ?it? ?to? ?the? ?Great? ?Martial? ?hall? ?

after.”? ? ?

?

Ling? ?Wen? ?nodded,? ?seemingly? ?having? ?nothing? ?more? ?to? ?say.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?added,? ?“So,? ?can? ?you? ?

tell? ?me,? ?how? ?come? ?when? ?Lang? ?Ying? ?wore? ?the? ?Brocade? ?Immortal? ?its? ?effects? ?didn’t? ?work?”? ? ?

?

“I? ?can? ?probably? ?guess.”? ?Ling? ?Wen? ?said,? ?“But,? ?if? ?Your? ?Highness? ?wants? ?to? ?know? ?the? ?answer,? ?

will? ?you? ?first? ?agree? ?to? ?a? ?request?”? ? ?

?

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

?

“Will? ?you? ?let? ?me? ?see? ?it?”? ?Ling? ?Wen? ?said,? ?“The? ?Brocade? ?Immortal.”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?was? ?taken? ?aback.? ?Ling? ?Wen? ?continued,? ?“I? ?only? ?need? ?one? ?day’s? ?time.? ?After? ?all,? ?if? ?I? ?

am? ?to? ?turn? ?myself? ?in? ?to? ?the? ?Great? ?Martial? ?Hall,? ?there? ?may? ?not? ?be? ?any? ?opportunities? ?to? ?see? ?

it? ?after.? ?Don’t? ?be? ?mistaken.? ?I’m? ?not? ?going? ?to? ?do? ?anything.? ?It’s? ?just,? ?yesterday? ?when? ?you? ?

said? ?it? ?showed? ?itself,? ?I? ?was? ?shocked.”? ?

?

She? ?shook? ?her? ?head,? ?her? ?eyes? ?unfocused.? ?“...It’s? ?been? ?so? ?many? ?years,? ?yet? ?I? ?have? ?never? ?

seen? ?Bai? ?Jing? ?appear.”? ?

?

“So? ?the? ?name? ?of? ?that? ?young? ?warrior? ?is? ?Bai? ?Jing?”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?asked.? ?

?

Ling? ?Wen? ?seemed? ?to? ?snap? ?out? ?of? ?it,? ?“Oh.? ?Yes.? ?But,? ?people? ?usually? ?call? ?him? ?Xiao? ?Bai*.”? ? ?

?

“Xiao? ?Bai?”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?wondered,? ?“That? ?sounds? ?like...”? ?Like? ?they? ?were? ?calling? ?a? ?dog,? ?or? ?like? ?

they? ?were? ?calling? ?an? ?idiot.? ?Ling? ?Wen? ?chuckled,? ?“It’s? ?the? ?meaning? ?you’re? ?thinking? ?of.? ?I? ?gave? ?

him? ?the? ?name? ?Bai? ?Jing.? ?No? ?one? ?ever? ?calls? ?him? ?that,? ?so? ?not? ?many? ?knew? ?this? ?name.? ?But,? ?if? ?

you? ?call? ?him? ?by? ?that? ?name,? ?he’ll? ?be? ?happy.”? ?

?

In? ?the? ?legend? ?of? ?the? ?Brocade? ?Immortal,? ?the? ?way? ?the? ?girl? ?that? ?young? ?man? ?loved? ?treated? ?

him? ?only? ?made? ?one? ?think? ?it? ?cruel? ?and? ?horrid;? ?if? ?there? ?wasn’t? ?any? ?bone-deep? ?hatred,? ?then? ?it? ?

was? ?pure? ?cold-bloodedness.? ?Yet,? ?when? ?Ling? ?Wen? ?talked? ?of? ?that? ?young? ?man,? ?her? ?tone? ?

was? ?friendly;? ?there? ?was? ?neither? ?affection? ?nor? ?hatred.? ?“So? ?will? ?you?? ?If? ?Your? ?Highness? ?is? ?

worried? ?I’ll? ?run? ?away,? ?you? ?can? ?have? ?Ruoye? ?bind? ?me.? ?I’m? ?not? ?a? ?martial? ?god,? ?I? ?won’t? ?be? ?able? ?

to? ?escape.”? ?

?

For? ?some? ?reason,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?felt? ?he? ?should? ?trust? ?Ling? ?Wen.? ?After? ?humming? ?for? ?a? ?moment,? ?

he? ?nodded? ?his? ?head? ?slowly.? ?“Very? ?well.”? ? ?

?

The? ?two? ?left? ?the? ?Palace? ?of? ?Ling? ?Wen? ?like? ?nothing? ?was? ?the? ?matter.? ?When? ?they? ?strolled? ?

down? ?the? ?Great? ?Martial? ?Avenue,? ?they? ?still? ?greeted? ?other? ?passing? ?heavenly? ?officials? ?as? ?

usual.? ?Ling? ?Wen? ?looked? ?the? ?same? ?as? ?always,? ?giving? ?nothing? ?away? ?that? ?the? ?hands? ?in? ?her? ?

sleeves? ?were? ?tied? ?firmly? ?by? ?Ruoye.? ?They? ?didn’t? ?go? ?very? ?far? ?when? ?they? ?bumped? ?into? ?the? ?

Pei? ?Ming? ?who? ?had? ?just? ?returned? ?from? ?his? ?street? ?patrol,? ?and? ?the? ?two? ?greeted? ?each? ?other,? ?

standing? ?on? ?the? ?side? ?of? ?the? ?road? ?making? ?perfunctory? ?greetings? ?and? ?snide? ?comments.? ?Pei? ?

Ming? ?stared? ?at? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?the? ?entire? ?time,? ?and? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?was? ?slightly? ?alarmed,? ?“Why? ?is? ?

General? ?Pei? ?looking? ?at? ?me? ?like? ?that?”? ? ?

?

Pei? ?Ming? ?rubbed? ?his? ?chin? ?and? ?replied? ?earnestly,? ?“Not? ?gonna? ?lie,? ?Your? ?Highness,? ?every? ?

time? ?I? ?see? ?you? ?now? ?I? ?feel? ?anxious? ?and? ?my? ?body? ?tenses,? ?like? ?whoever? ?walks? ?next? ?to? ?you? ?

will? ?have? ?something? ?happen? ?to? ?them.? ?So? ?when? ?I? ?see? ?you? ?walking? ?with? ?Ling? ?Wen,? ?my? ?

heartbeat? ?quickened.? ?Ling? ?Wen,? ?you? ?best? ?be? ?careful? ?the? ?next? ?little? ?while.”? ? ?

?

Ling? ?Wen? ?laughed,? ?“How? ?can? ?that? ?be?? ?General? ?Pei,? ?please? ?stop? ?joking.”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?

however,? ?didn’t? ?know? ?whether? ?to? ?laugh? ?or? ?cry.? ?On? ?some? ?level,? ?Pei? ?Ming’s? ?instincts? ?were? ?

quite? ?accurate.? ?

?

Once? ?back? ?at? ?Puqi? ?Shrine,? ?from? ?afar? ?as? ?they? ?approached? ?they? ?could? ?see? ?Lang? ?Ying? ?was? ?

leaning? ?against? ?the? ?old? ?tree? ?in? ?front? ?of? ?the? ?shrine,? ?his? ?left? ?hand? ?playfully? ?spinning? ?the? ?

broom? ?without? ?care,? ?and? ?a? ?mound? ?of? ?golden? ?fallen? ?leaves? ?piled? ?next? ?to? ?his? ?feet.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?

squinted? ?and? ?watched? ?him? ?for? ?a? ?good? ?while? ?before? ?putting? ?weight? ?into? ?his? ?steps? ?to? ?

purposely? ?make? ?himself? ?heard.? ?Lang? ?Ying? ?didn’t? ?look? ?back,? ?but? ?he? ?must’ve? ?noticed? ?their? ?

presence? ?and? ?very? ?naturally? ?changed? ?his? ?pose,? ?continuing? ?to? ?sweep? ?before? ?turning? ?

around? ?and? ?acting? ?like? ?he? ?only? ?just? ?saw? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?and? ?Ling? ?Wen? ?approach.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?

lightly? ?cleared? ?his? ?throat,? ?“Sweeping? ?again?”? ? ?

?

Lang? ?Ying? ?nodded.? ?Seeing? ?him? ?like? ?this,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?couldn’t? ?hold? ?back? ?and? ?patted? ?his? ?head? ?

like? ?an? ?elder? ?would? ?and? ?praised,? ?“What? ?a? ?good? ?child.”? ? ?

?

Lang? ?Ying? ?accepted? ?the? ?gesture? ?simply.? ?Ling? ?Wen? ?watched? ?them? ?without? ?comment,? ?and? ?

Xie? ?Lian? ?led? ?her? ?as? ?he? ?opened? ?the? ?door? ?to? ?Puqi? ?Shrine,? ?“It’s? ?in? ?here...”? ?

?

Yet? ?unexpectedly,? ?the? ?moment? ?he? ?opened? ?the? ?door? ?he? ?saw? ?a? ?figure? ?crouched? ?in? ?front? ?of? ?

the? ?donation? ?box,? ?once? ?again? ?sneakily? ?stuffing? ?gold? ?bars? ?in.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?quickly? ?ran? ?up? ?to? ?

drag? ?him? ?away,? ?“Qi? ?Ying,? ?stop? ?stuffing? ?it,? ?that’s? ?really? ?enough.? ?I? ?haven’t? ?even? ?taken? ?out? ?

the? ?ones? ?you? ?stuffed? ?in? ?last? ?time,? ?it’s? ?all? ?stuck.”? ? ?

?

Ling? ?Wen? ?nodded,? ?“Greetings,? ?Your? ?Highness? ?Qi? ?Ying.”? ? ?

?

Qi? ?Ying? ?acknowledged? ?her? ?too,? ?“Hi.”? ?

?

There? ?was? ?a? ?wooden? ?rack? ?standing? ?right? ?in? ?the? ?centre? ?of? ?Puqi? ?Shrine,? ?and? ?upon? ?the? ?rack? ?

hung? ?a? ?plain? ?hemp? ?robe.? ?Of? ?course,? ?that? ?was? ?only? ?what? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?sees.? ?Ling? ?Wen? ?

approached,? ?looked? ?at? ?it? ?solemnly? ?for? ?a? ?while,? ?but? ?that? ?robe? ?did? ?not? ?react.? ?She? ?turned? ?her? ?

head? ?slightly,? ?“My? ?Lords,? ?I? ?want? ?to? ?look? ?at? ?it? ?alone,? ?is? ?that? ?alright?”? ? ?

?

“That’s? ?fine.”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?said.? ?

?

Ruoye? ?had? ?her? ?hands? ?bound? ?and? ?she? ?wasn’t? ?a? ?martial? ?god,? ?so? ?technically? ?she? ?couldn’t? ?

start? ?anything.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?wasn’t? ?that? ?worried,? ?and? ?he? ?laid? ?a? ?hand? ?on? ?Quan? ?Yizhen’s? ?

shoulder,? ?“Let’s? ?go? ?out.”? ? ?

?

At? ?least? ?this? ?case? ?was? ?considered? ?closed,? ?and? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?was? ?relaxing.? ?It? ?just? ?so? ?happened? ?

the? ?neighbours? ?all? ?gifted? ?him? ?a? ?batch? ?of? ?fruits? ?and? ?vegetables,? ?so? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?took? ?them? ?to? ?

the? ?kitchen,? ?ready? ?to? ?cook.? ?This? ?was? ?what? ?they? ?called? ?an? ?undefeated? ?spirit.? ?After? ?so? ?

many? ?days,? ?Quan? ?Yizhen? ?seemed? ?to? ?have? ?taken? ?his? ?Puqi? ?Shrine? ?as? ?some? ?sort? ?of? ?happy? ?

farm,? ?leaping? ?up? ?and? ?down,? ?sometimes? ?climbing? ?trees,? ?sometimes? ?stealing? ?squashes,? ?

sometimes? ?snagging? ?fish,? ?sometimes? ?catching? ?frogs.? ?In? ?a? ?moment? ?of? ?Xie? ?Lian’s? ?

carelessness,? ?Quan? ?Yizhen? ?snuck? ?into? ?the? ?kitchen? ?and? ?swiped? ?a? ?yam.? ?Feeling? ?the? ?spot? ?

empty? ?on? ?the? ?counter,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?turned? ?his? ?head? ?and? ?saw? ?Quan? ?Yizhen? ?had? ?the? ?yam? ?

dangling? ?in? ?his? ?mouth? ?slipping? ?out,? ?hurrying? ?away? ?like? ?a? ?fish? ?who? ?escaped? ?the? ?net.? ?Xie? ?

Lian? ?cried,? ?“It’s? ?not? ?cooked? ?yet,? ?don’t? ?eat? ?it!”? ? ?

?

Yet? ?it? ?was? ?precisely? ?because? ?it? ?wasn’t? ?cooked? ?that? ?it? ?had? ?to? ?be? ?eaten? ?quickly.? ?Once? ?Xie? ?

Lian? ?cooked? ?it? ?it? ?wouldn’t? ?be? ?edible? ?anymore.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?shook? ?his? ?head,? ?then? ?he? ?saw? ?

Lang? ?Ying? ?walking? ?over? ?and? ?his? ?eyes? ?turned? ?crescent,? ?“Lang? ?Ying,? ?are? ?you? ?free?? ?Come? ?

help? ?me? ?chop? ?some? ?vegetables.”? ? ?

?

Lang? ?Ying? ?was? ?just? ?about? ?to? ?snatch? ?back? ?that? ?yam? ?Quan? ?Yizhen? ?snagged,? ?but? ?hearing? ?

Xie? ?Lian’s? ?charge,? ?he? ?came? ?over? ?to? ?help? ?without? ?a? ?second? ?thought.? ?He? ?picked? ?up? ?the? ?

butcher? ?knife? ?on? ?the? ?cutting? ?board,? ?pressing? ?down? ?on? ?the? ?cabbage,? ?he? ?started? ?cutting? ?it? ?

knife? ?by? ?knife,? ?taking? ?his? ?task? ?very? ?seriously.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?watched? ?him,? ?then? ?turned? ?his? ?head? ?

over? ?to? ?wash? ?the? ?rice? ?as? ?he? ?chatted,? ?“Lang? ?Ying,? ?you’ve? ?seen? ?quite? ?a? ?number? ?of? ?gods? ?

and? ?ghosts? ?that? ?have? ?come? ?to? ?our? ?little? ?Puqi? ?Shrine? ?now,? ?right?”? ? ?

?

Each? ?of? ?them? ?more? ?bizarre? ?than? ?the? ?next.? ?Lang? ?Ying? ?answered? ?from? ?behind? ?him,? ?“En.”? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?continued,? ?“Then,? ?let? ?me? ?ask? ?you:? ?if? ?you? ?had? ?to? ?pick,? ?who? ?among? ?those? ?gods? ?

and? ?ghosts? ?is? ?the? ?handsomest?”? ? ?

?

Lang? ?Ying? ?was? ?chopping? ?the? ?vegetables? ?wordlessly,? ?seeming? ?to? ?be? ?thinking? ?hard.? ?Xie? ?

Lian? ?raised? ?his? ?brows? ?slightly,? ?“Tell? ?me.? ?Just? ?say? ?whatever’s? ?truth? ?in? ?your? ?mind.”? ? ?

?

Thus,? ?Lang? ?Ying? ?answered,? ?“You.”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?laughed,? ?“Besides? ?me.”? ? ?

?

“The? ?one? ?in? ?red.”? ?Lang? ?Ying? ?said.? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?was? ?going? ?to? ?burst? ?a? ?gut? ?trying? ?to? ?contain? ?his? ?laugh.? ? ?

?

He? ?responded? ?with? ?a? ?serious? ?voice,? ?“En.? ?I? ?think? ?so? ?too.”? ? ?

?

After? ?a? ?pause,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?asked? ?again,? ?“Then,? ?who? ?do? ?you? ?think? ?is? ?the? ?strongest?”? ? ?

?

Lang? ?Ying? ?still? ?answered? ?with,? ?“The? ?one? ?in? ?red.”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?swiftly? ?continued? ?his? ?questions? ?without? ?skipping? ?a? ?beat,? ?“Who’s? ?the? ?richest?”? ? ?

?

“The? ?one? ?in? ?red.”? ? ?

?

“Who? ?do? ?you? ?admire? ?the? ?most?”? ?

?

“The? ?one? ?in? ?red.”? ? ?

?

“Who’s? ?the? ?dumbest?”? ? ?

?

“The? ?one? ?in? ?green.”? ? ?

?

Those? ?questions? ?were? ?coming? ?one? ?after? ?the? ?other? ?without? ?pause,? ?but? ?he? ?was? ?actually? ?

able? ?to? ?change? ?his? ?answer? ?in? ?time,? ?which? ?came? ?to? ?show? ?how? ?fast? ?his? ?mind? ?worked? ?and? ?

how? ?fast? ?his? ?reactions? ?were.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?commented,? ?“It? ?seems? ?you? ?quite? ?like? ?that? ?gege? ?

dressed? ?in? ?red.? ?His? ?name? ?is? ?Hua? ?Cheng,? ?do? ?remember? ?it.? ?So,? ?does? ?this? ?mean? ?you? ?think? ?

he’s? ?a? ?very? ?good? ?person?”? ? ?

?

Unwittingly,? ?the? ?knife? ?in? ?Lang? ?Ying’s? ?hand? ?seemed? ?to? ?have? ?increased? ?a? ?little? ?in? ?speed,? ?

“Very? ?good.”? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?said,? ?“Then,? ?once? ?we’re? ?free,? ?do? ?you? ?think? ?we? ?should? ?invite? ?him? ?over? ?as? ?a? ?guest? ?

again?”? ? ?

?

“En.? ?Of? ?course.? ?It’s? ?a? ?must.”? ?Lang? ?Ying? ?replied.? ?

?

“I? ?think? ?so? ?too.”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?said,? ?“But,? ?his? ?subordinate? ?said? ?he’s? ?very? ?busy? ?lately,? ?so? ?he? ?

must? ?be? ?very? ?busy? ?doing? ?very? ?serious? ?things.? ?I? ?think? ?it’s? ?best? ?if? ?we? ?don’t? ?go? ?disturb? ?him.”? ? ?

?

After? ?that? ?comment,? ?the? ?crunching? ?sound? ?of? ?Lang? ?Ying? ?chopping? ?vegetables? ?suddenly? ?

became? ?more? ?heavy-handed.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?held? ?onto? ?the? ?edge? ?of? ?the? ?stove? ?to? ?support? ?

himself,? ?his? ?guts? ?spraining? ?from? ?holding? ?back? ?his? ?laugh.? ?Suddenly,? ?Quan? ?Yizhen? ?poked? ?a? ?

head? ?in? ?from? ?the? ?window,? ?taking? ?a? ?bite? ?of? ?the? ?yam? ?and? ?swept? ?a? ?look.? ?Then? ?he? ?said? ?to? ?

Lang? ?Ying,? ?“You’ve? ?chopped? ?it? ?to? ?shreds,? ?it? ?won’t? ?taste? ?good? ?anymore.”? ? ?

?

“Hm?? ?What? ?did? ?you? ?say?”? ?Lang? ?Ying? ?threatened.? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?turned? ?his? ?head? ?to? ?look;? ?the? ?cabbage? ?wasn’t? ?just? ?shredded,? ?it? ?was? ?nothing? ?but? ?

tiny? ?scraps? ?at? ?this? ?point.? ?He? ?cleared? ?his? ?throat? ?softly,? ?“My? ?gosh,? ?your? ?knife? ?work? ?is? ?really? ?

bad.”? ? ?

?

“...”? ?

?

Throwing? ?all? ?sorts? ?of? ?seasonings? ?into? ?the? ?pot,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?clapped? ?his? ?hands? ?and? ?decided? ?to? ?

let? ?it? ?all? ?simmer? ?for? ?two? ?hours? ?and? ?left? ?the? ?kitchen.? ?He? ?glanced? ?at? ?Ling? ?Wen;? ?she? ?was? ?still? ?

properly? ?in? ?the? ?shrine,? ?so? ?he? ?continued? ?to? ?do? ?his? ?chores.? ?From? ?the? ?pile? ?of? ?logs? ?he? ?

fumbled? ?out? ?a? ?larger? ?piece? ?of? ?a? ?plank,? ?borrowed? ?brush? ?and? ?ink? ?from? ?the? ?village? ?head’s? ?

house,? ?then? ?sat? ?in? ?front? ?of? ?the? ?door,? ?a? ?hand? ?holding? ?the? ?plank? ?and? ?the? ?other? ?holding? ?the? ?

brush,? ?lost? ?in? ?thought.? ?Lang? ?Ying? ?walked? ?over? ?too? ?and? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?looked? ?up.? ?He? ?asked? ?

warmly,? ?“Lang? ?Ying,? ?can? ?you? ?read?? ?Do? ?you? ?know? ?how? ?to? ?write?”? ? ?

?

“I? ?do.”? ?Lang? ?Ying? ?replied.? ?

?

“Then? ?how’s? ?your? ?writing?”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?asked.? ?

?

“Mediocre.”? ?Lang? ?Ying? ?replied.? ?

?

“That’s? ?alright,”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?said,? ?“As? ?long? ?as? ?it’s? ?legible.? ?Come? ?give? ?me? ?a? ?hand? ?again.”? ? ?

?

He? ?passed? ?the? ?plank? ?and? ?brush? ?over? ?to? ?Lang? ?Ying? ?and? ?smiled,? ?“Our? ?shrine? ?doesn’t? ?have? ?

an? ?establishment? ?plaque.? ?How? ?about? ?you? ?write? ?one? ?up? ?for? ?me?”? ?

?

“...”? ?

?

Under? ?Xie? ?Lian’s? ?urging,? ?Lang? ?Ying? ?picked? ?up? ?the? ?brush.? ?That? ?little? ?brush? ?in? ?his? ?hand? ?

seemed? ?to? ?weigh? ?a? ?thousand? ?tonnes,? ?unable? ?to? ?be? ?moved? ?no? ?matter? ?what.? ?

?

Finally,? ?a? ?moment? ?later,? ?he? ?seemed? ?to? ?have? ?conceded? ?defeat? ?and? ?put? ?down? ?the? ?brush? ?

and? ?plank.? ?A? ?helpless? ?voice? ?sounded? ?from? ?behind? ?the? ?bandages,? ?“...Gege,? ?I’m? ?wrong.”? ? ?

?

That? ?voice? ?didn’t? ?belong? ?to? ?Lang? ?Ying? ?at? ?all,? ?it? ?was? ?clearly? ?Hua? ?Cheng.? ?Only,? ?it? ?was? ?more? ?

crisp? ?than? ?normal,? ?the? ?sound? ?of? ?a? ?boy.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?was? ?leaning? ?against? ?the? ?wall? ?on? ?the? ?side? ?

with? ?his? ?arms? ?crossed,? ?and? ?having? ?watched? ?him? ?struggle? ?for? ?so? ?long? ?and? ?finally? ?

surrendered,? ?he? ?really? ?couldn’t? ?hold? ?back? ?anymore.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?dropped? ?to? ?the? ?ground? ?

laughing,? ?“San? ?Lang? ?really? ?is? ?so? ?busy!”? ? ?

?

?

———? ?

?

?[?????]? ?‘Bai? ?Jing’? ?means? ?White? ?Brocade.? ?The? ?word? ?white? ?also? ?means? ?‘blank’.? ?‘Xiao? ?

Bai’? ?Little? ?White? ?is? ?like? ?a? ?pet? ?name? ?like? ?‘Spot’,? ?and? ?‘Bai? ?Chi’,? ?one? ?who? ?is? ?blank? ?in? ?

the? ?mind,? ?means? ?idiot.? ?

?

——–? ?

?

Ch.134:? ?Seen? ?Through? ?the? ?Ghost? ?King;? ?Play? ?the? ?Ghost? ?King? ?2? ?

?

At? ?first,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?had? ?felt? ?since? ?they? ?haven’t? ?seen? ?each? ?other? ?for? ?a? ?long? ?time,? ?he? ?missed? ?

him? ?dearly.? ?Even? ?though? ?this? ?“a? ?long? ?time”? ?was? ?nothing? ?more? ?than? ?a? ?few? ?days.? ?Yet? ?who? ?

knew? ?that? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?had? ?always? ?been? ?right? ?by? ?his? ?side,? ?hiding,? ?and? ?suddenly,? ?Xie? ?

Lian’s? ?mood? ?brightened,? ?all? ?of? ?his? ?previous? ?worries? ?and? ?anxieties? ?completely? ?forgotten.? ?

He? ?was? ?laughing? ?so? ?hard? ?he? ?was? ?having? ?trouble? ?getting? ?up.? ? ?

?

“Gege,? ?you? ?played? ?me.”? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?accused.? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?picked? ?up? ?the? ?brush? ?and? ?plank? ?and? ?said,? ?“Don’t? ?turn? ?this? ?on? ?me,? ?San? ?Lang? ?

played? ?me? ?first.? ?Let? ?me? ?guess...? ?you’ve? ?been? ?around? ?ever? ?since? ?I? ?broke? ?the? ?stove,? ?

right?”? ? ?

?

Hua? ?Cheng? ?complimented,? ?“Ah,? ?that’s? ?indeed? ?the? ?case.? ?Gege,? ?how? ?did? ?you? ?know?? ?

You’re? ?so? ?amazing!”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?waved? ?his? ?hand,? ?“What,? ?amazing?? ?San? ?Lang,? ?if? ?you? ?want? ?to? ?disguise? ?yourself? ?

as? ?someone? ?else,? ?don’t? ?be? ?so? ?lazy.? ?It’d? ?really? ?be? ?amazing? ?if? ?I? ?couldn’t? ?tell.? ?And? ?here? ?I? ?

thought? ?there? ?was? ?a? ?second? ?person? ?who? ?could? ?eat...? ?ahem,? ?but,? ?“Who’s? ?the? ?

handsomest?? ?Who’s? ?the? ?strongest?? ?Who’s? ?the? ?richest?? ?Who? ?do? ?you? ?admire? ?the? ?most?”? ?

Hahahaha...”? ? ?

?

“...Gege,? ?please? ?forget? ?that? ?ever? ?happened.”? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?said? ?softly.? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?refused? ?resolutely,? ?“No.? ?I? ?will? ?remember? ?this? ?forever.”? ? ?

?

Hua? ?Cheng? ?said? ?woefully,? ?“Gege,? ?although? ?I’m? ?happy? ?you’re? ?so? ?happy,? ?but,? ?is? ?it? ?really? ?

that? ?funny?”? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?hugged? ?his? ?belly,? ?“Of? ?course!? ?Only? ?after? ?having? ?met? ?you? ?did? ?I? ?rediscover? ?that? ?it’s? ?

such? ?a? ?simple? ?thing? ?to? ?be? ?happy,? ?hahaha...”? ? ?

?

Hearing? ?this,? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?blinked,? ?and? ?Xie? ?Lian’s? ?laughter? ?quieted? ?a? ?bit,? ?realizing? ?what? ?he? ?

just? ?said? ?was? ?a? ?little? ?too? ?revealing.? ?Now? ?that? ?he’d? ?calmed? ?down,? ?even? ?he? ?thought? ?it? ?was? ?a? ?

little? ?sappy.? ?Clearing? ?his? ?throat? ?softly,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?rubbed? ?at? ?the? ?corner? ?of? ?his? ?eyes? ?and? ?

forced? ?himself? ?to? ?school? ?his? ?own? ?expression,? ?“Alright,? ?enough? ?playing? ?around.? ?Where’s? ?

the? ?real? ?Lang? ?Ying?? ?Why? ?are? ?you? ?disguised? ?as? ?him?? ?Bring? ?him? ?back? ?now.”? ? ?

?

Hua? ?Cheng? ?replied? ?languidly,? ?“I’ve? ?temporarily? ?sent? ?him? ?to? ?the? ?Ghost? ?City? ?as? ?a? ?guest.”? ?

?

Since? ?it? ?was? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?who? ?took? ?him? ?away,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?wasn’t? ?worried? ?at? ?all.? ?He? ?nodded? ?

and? ?was? ?about? ?to? ?speak? ?again? ?when? ?the? ?wooden? ?door? ?creaked? ?open.? ?Ling? ?Wen? ?walked? ?

out? ?from? ?within? ?Puqi? ?Shrine? ?with? ?her? ?hands? ?at? ?her? ?sides,? ?“Your? ?Highness.”? ? ?

?

Hua? ?Cheng? ?had? ?no? ?intention? ?of? ?revealing? ?his? ?identity? ?so? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?didn’t? ?mention? ?it? ?either,? ?

pretending? ?he? ?was? ?still? ?Lang? ?Ying? ?in? ?front? ?of? ?others.? ?Seeing? ?Ling? ?Wen’s? ?solemn? ?

expression,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?unconsciously? ?became? ?serious? ?too,? ?his? ?smile? ?completely? ?gone,? ?

“What? ?is? ?it?? ?The? ?Brocade? ?Im...? ?Is? ?something? ?wrong? ?with? ?Bai? ?Jing?”? ? ?

?

“No.? ?There’s? ?nothing? ?wrong? ?with? ?him.”? ?Ling? ?Wen? ?said,? ?“It’s? ?just,? ?there? ?seems? ?to? ?be? ?a? ?

weird? ?smell? ?coming? ?from? ?the? ?kitchen.? ?Is? ?Your? ?Highness? ?cooking? ?something?”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?quickly? ?replied,? ?“Oh,? ?I? ?am.? ?I’m? ?cooking.”? ? ?

?

After? ?some? ?thought,? ?Ling? ?Wen? ?used? ?a? ?courteous? ?tone? ?to? ?say? ?very? ?discourteously,? ?

“Please? ?clean? ?it? ?away,? ?Your? ?Highness.? ?Whatever? ?you’re? ?cooking,? ?it’s? ?probably? ?ruined? ?by? ?

now.”? ? ?

?

“...”? ?

?

Two? ?hours? ?later,? ?the? ?evening? ?had? ?come.? ? ?

?

Inside? ?Puqi? ?Shrine,? ?at? ?the? ?altar? ?table,? ?Hua? ?Cheng,? ?Ling? ?Wen,? ?and? ?Quan? ?Yizhen? ?sat? ?

around? ?the? ?little? ?wooden? ?table? ?in? ?a? ?circle.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?brought? ?out? ?a? ?pot? ?from? ?the? ?kitchen? ?and? ?

laid? ?it? ?on? ?the? ?table.? ?The? ?moment? ?he? ?opened? ?the? ?cover,? ?he? ?revealed? ?many? ?snow? ?white? ?

and? ?cute,? ?round? ?and? ?smooth? ?little? ?meatballs,? ?sitting? ?sagely? ?in? ?the? ?pot.? ?

?

“Didn’t? ?you? ?stew? ?with? ?water?? ?Why? ?did? ?it? ?turn? ?into? ?meatballs?”? ?Quan? ?Yizhen? ?demanded.? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?introduced,? ?“This? ?dish? ?is? ?called? ?“Incorruptible? ?Chastity? ?Meatballs”*.”? ? ?

?

“Didn’t? ?you? ?stew? ?with? ?water?? ?Why? ?did? ?it? ?turn? ?into? ?meatballs?”? ?Quan? ?Yizhen? ?demanded.? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?continued? ?his? ?presentation,? ?“Because? ?kneading? ?meatballs? ?requires? ?a? ?delicate? ?

strength,? ?not? ?too? ?hard,? ?not? ?too? ?light,? ?so? ?a? ?lot? ?of? ?time? ?and? ?effort? ?went? ?into? ?this.”? ? ?

?

“Didn’t? ?you? ?stew? ?with? ?water?? ?Why? ?did? ?it? ?turn? ?into? ?meatballs?”? ?Quan? ?Yizhen? ?demanded.? ?

?

“...”? ?

?

Since? ?Quan? ?Yizhen? ?really? ?was? ?too? ?relentless,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?explained? ?warmly,? ?“I? ?did? ?use? ?water? ?

to? ?stew,? ?you’re? ?right.? ?But? ?because? ?there? ?was? ?a? ?little? ?problem? ?with? ?controlling? ?the? ?fire? ?and? ?

time,? ?the? ?entire? ?pot? ?was? ?boiled? ?dry,? ?so? ?I? ?added? ?new? ?seasonings? ?and? ?made? ?meatballs? ?

instead.”? ?

?

Hearing? ?this,? ?Ling? ?Wen? ?praised? ?wholeheartedly,? ?“Your? ?Highness? ?truly? ?thinks? ?outside? ?the? ?

box,? ?incomparable? ?in? ?all? ?of? ?history,? ?this? ?servant? ?is? ?steeped? ?in? ?deep? ?respect.”? ?

?

“Thank? ?you,? ?thank? ?you,? ?your? ?praise? ?is? ?too? ?high.”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?said.? ?

?

“It’s? ?not.”? ?Ling? ?Wen? ?said,? ?“At? ?least,? ?I? ?believe,? ?there? ?will? ?definitely? ?not? ?be? ?another? ?in? ?history? ?

who? ?can? ?create? ?a? ?dish? ?called? ?“Incorruptible? ?Chastity? ?Meatballs”.”? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?passed? ?the? ?chopsticks? ?around,? ?“Who? ?knows,? ?who? ?knows.? ?Everyone,? ?please.”? ? ?

?

Ling? ?Wen? ?and? ?Quan? ?Yizhen? ?took? ?the? ?chopsticks? ?with? ?their? ?right? ?hand,? ?and? ?their? ?left? ?

reached? ?for? ?the? ?cold? ?buns? ?sitting? ?at? ?the? ?edge? ?of? ?the? ?table? ?at? ?the? ?same? ?time.? ?Only? ?Hua? ?

Cheng? ?reached? ?for? ?an? ?Incorruptible? ?Chastity? ?Meatball,? ?delivering? ?it? ?to? ?his? ?own? ?mouth,? ?

and? ?after? ?a? ?moment,? ?he? ?remarked,? ?“Pretty? ?good.”? ? ?

?

Seeing? ?this,? ?Quan? ?Yizhen’s? ?eyes? ?widened.? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?then? ?added,? ?“The? ?flavour’s? ?a? ?bit? ?

light.”? ? ?

?

“Ok.? ?Duly? ?noted.”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?said.? ?

?

Watching? ?with? ?wide-eyes? ?the? ?boy? ?covered? ?in? ?bandages? ?next? ?to? ?him? ?eat? ?several? ?glowing,? ?

smooth? ?like? ?cement? ?meatballs? ?and? ?give? ?such? ?sincere? ?feedback,? ?Quan? ?Yizhen? ?seemed? ?to? ?

be? ?completely? ?persuaded.? ?After? ?some? ?thought,? ?he? ?also? ?reached? ?for? ?a? ?meatball.? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?maintained? ?his? ?smile.? ?He? ?smiled? ?and? ?watched? ?Quan? ?Yizhen? ?swallow? ?it.? ?He? ?

smiled? ?as? ?his? ?face? ?turned? ?pale.? ?He? ?smiled? ?as? ?he? ?fell? ?to? ?the? ?ground,? ?unable? ?to? ?get? ?back? ?

up.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?continued? ?smiling? ?as? ?he? ?asked,? ?“Is? ?something? ?the? ?matter?”? ? ?

?

Hua? ?Cheng? ?answered,? ?“Probably? ?ate? ?too? ?fast? ?and? ?choked.”? ? ?

?

Ling? ?Wen? ?grinned.? ?Just? ?then,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?suddenly? ?heard? ?a? ?familiar? ?voice? ?rang? ?in? ?his? ?ear,? ?

“Gege.”? ? ?

?

It? ?wasn’t? ?the? ?mumbling? ?voice? ?of? ?Lang? ?Ying,? ?and? ?it? ?wasn’t? ?the? ?crisp? ?and? ?lazy? ?voice? ?of? ?boy? ?

Hua? ?Cheng? ?either,? ?but? ?the? ?voice? ?of? ?the? ?usual? ?Hua? ?Cheng.? ?He? ?was? ?speaking? ?to? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?

through? ?their? ?private? ?communication? ?array.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?raised? ?his? ?lashes? ?slightly? ?and? ?

responded,? ?“What? ?is? ?it?”? ? ?

?

“Ling? ?Wen? ?is? ?someone? ?cruel? ?and? ?cunning,? ?heartless? ?and? ?merciless.? ?Now? ?that? ?you’ve? ?

brought? ?her? ?back,? ?things? ?might? ?not? ?end? ?so? ?easily.”? ?

?

This? ?was? ?the? ?first? ?time? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?had? ?ever? ?heard? ?anyone? ?make? ?such? ?comments? ?about? ?

Ling? ?Wen.? ?After? ?some? ?pondering,? ?he? ?replied,? ?“It? ?seems? ?to? ?me? ?she? ?harbours? ?some? ?good? ?

will? ?towards? ?that? ?Brocade? ?Immortal,? ?that? ?shouldn’t? ?be? ?false.”? ? ?

?

“Harbouring? ?good? ?will? ?and? ?being? ?merciless? ?don’t? ?conflict.? ?She’s? ?the? ?number? ?one? ?civil? ?god? ?

in? ?the? ?heavens,? ?her? ?eyes? ?and? ?ears? ?are? ?everywhere? ?and? ?her? ?arms? ?are? ?far-reaching.? ?Gege? ?

needs? ?to? ?guard? ?against? ?her? ?looking? ?for? ?helpers.”? ?

?

“General? ?Pei?”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?asked.? ?

?

“Shouldn’t? ?be? ?him,”? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?replied,? ?“If? ?the? ?Water? ?Tyrant? ?was? ?still? ?around? ?then? ?she? ?

would? ?definitely? ?ask? ?the? ?Water? ?Tyrant? ?to? ?suppress? ?the? ?matter,? ?because? ?Shi? ?Wudu? ?always? ?

aids? ?relations? ?and? ?not? ?logic.? ?But? ?if? ?it? ?was? ?Pei? ?Ming,? ?as? ?long? ?as? ?you? ?tell? ?him? ?the? ?truth? ?of? ?

everything,? ?he? ?might? ?not? ?choose? ?to? ?aid? ?corruption.? ?Gege,? ?be? ?careful.”? ? ?

?

“Alright,? ?I? ?will? ?be? ?careful.”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?said,? ?“Good? ?thing? ?a? ?day? ?goes? ?by? ?fast.”? ? ?

?

However,? ?Hua? ?Cheng’s? ?voice? ?in? ?his? ?ear? ?was? ?dark,? ?“No.? ?Gege,? ?you’ve? ?misunderstood.? ?I’m? ?

telling? ?you? ?to? ?be? ?careful? ?of? ?something? ?else.? ?Someone’s? ?here.”? ? ?

?

Just? ?then,? ?a? ?series? ?of? ?clinkling,? ?clinkling,? ?crisp? ?sound? ?of? ?bells? ?entered? ?Xie? ?Lian’s? ?ears.? ?

Hua? ?Cheng? ?frowned? ?slightly.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?looked? ?through? ?the? ?cracks? ?of? ?the? ?window? ?and? ?saw? ?

a? ?middle? ?aged? ?cultivator? ?with? ?a? ?bell? ?in? ?his? ?hand,? ?swaying? ?as? ?he? ?approached? ?the? ?entrance? ?

to? ?Puqi? ?Village.? ?

?

That? ?cultivator? ?had? ?donned? ?a? ?cultivation? ?robe? ?that? ?was? ?luxurious,? ?a? ?treasure? ?chest? ?

carried? ?on? ?his? ?back,? ?and? ?the? ?chest? ?was? ?covered? ?with? ?yellow? ?charms.? ?That? ?bell? ?rang? ?as? ?he? ?

walked.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?had? ?an? ?eye? ?for? ?these? ?things,? ?and? ?recognized? ?it? ?was? ?a? ?good? ?tool.? ?If? ?there? ?

were? ?any? ?normal? ?monsters? ?and? ?demons? ?about,? ?their? ?heads? ?would? ?throb? ?when? ?they? ?hear? ?

the? ?sound? ?of? ?that? ?bell,? ?and? ?would? ?back? ?away? ?themselves.? ?Before? ?the? ?cultivator? ?got? ?

closer,? ?a? ?few? ?other? ?large,? ?white? ?browed? ?and? ?yellow? ?robed? ?monks? ?joined? ?him? ?with? ?staffs? ?in? ?

their? ?hands.? ?

?

Soon,? ?a? ?crowd? ?of? ?fifty? ?to? ?sixty? ?gathered? ?as? ?if? ?they? ?had? ?all? ?planned? ?this? ?meeting.? ?

Unsurprised? ?to? ?see? ?one? ?another? ?present,? ?they? ?surrounded? ?Puqi? ?Shrine.? ?

?

That? ?band? ?wasn’t? ?just? ?for? ?show,? ?their? ?bodies? ?were? ?hung? ?with? ?various? ?spiritual? ?tools,? ?their? ?

hands? ?and? ?feet? ?steady,? ?very? ?obviously? ?skilled.? ?Heavenly? ?officials? ?take? ?spiritual? ?power? ?

from? ?the? ?offerings? ?of? ?their? ?worshippers,? ?and? ?some? ?cultivators? ?and? ?monks? ?could? ?also? ?

receive? ?spiritual? ?power? ?from? ?the? ?heavenly? ?officials? ?they? ?worship.? ?These? ?monks? ?and? ?

cultivators? ?might? ?even? ?possess? ?great? ?spiritual? ?powers? ?than? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?the? ?heavenly? ?official.? ?

To? ?have? ?so? ?many? ?come? ?all? ?of? ?a? ?sudden,? ?it? ?must? ?not? ?be? ?anything? ?good.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?knitted? ?

his? ?brows? ?slightly,? ?sensing? ?the? ?newcomers? ?didn’t? ?come? ?in? ?peace.? ?

?

Hua? ?Cheng? ?put? ?down? ?his? ?bowl? ?and? ?chopsticks? ?and? ?rose? ?to? ?his? ?feet.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?heard? ?his? ?

humph? ?in? ?the? ?private? ?communication? ?array,? ?“Old? ?monks? ?and? ?foul? ?cultivators? ?dare? ?chase? ?

me? ?all? ?the? ?way? ?here.? ?I’m? ?sorry? ?to? ?have? ?brought? ?troubles? ?to? ?your? ?door,? ?gege,? ?I’ll? ?go? ?divert? ?

them? ?away.”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?grabbed? ?him,? ?“Don’t? ?move.”? ? ?

?

Ling? ?Wen? ?was? ?bewildered,? ?“What’s? ?going? ?on?”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?spoke? ?to? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?through? ?the? ?private? ?communication? ?array,? ?“Don’t? ?go.? ?Tell? ?

me? ?honestly,? ?is? ?the? ?reopening? ?of? ?Mount? ?TonLu? ?really? ?affecting? ?you?”? ? ?

?

“No.”? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?replied.? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?stared? ?at? ?the? ?eyes? ?behind? ?the? ?bandages? ?intently,? ?“Stop? ?lying.? ?You’re? ?the? ?

Supreme? ?Ghost? ?King.? ?You? ?had? ?no? ?need? ?to? ?be? ?afraid? ?of? ?mortals? ?like? ?them,? ?so? ?why? ?

wouldn’t? ?you? ?just? ?beat? ?them? ?down? ?and? ?chase? ?them? ?away? ?directly,? ?and? ?would? ?rather? ?divert? ?

them? ?away?? ?You? ?weren’t? ?playing? ?a? ?prank? ?at? ?all? ?changing? ?to? ?this? ?form,? ?right?”? ? ?

?

With? ?the? ?reopening? ?of? ?Mount? ?Tong’lu,? ?the? ?stronger? ?the? ?ghosts? ?and? ?demons,? ?the? ?more? ?

they? ?felt? ?the? ?effects.? ?The? ?first? ?time? ?the? ?ghosts? ?were? ?aroused,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?had? ?witnessed? ?with? ?

his? ?own? ?eyes? ?just? ?how? ?much? ?misery? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?suffered.? ?And? ?as? ?the? ?date? ?to? ?the? ?

reopening? ?of? ?the? ?gates? ?approached,? ?the? ?tremors? ?would? ?only? ?grow.? ?Under? ?these? ?

circumstances,? ?if? ?it? ?was? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?himself,? ?he? ?would? ?choose? ?to? ?temporarily? ?seal? ?his? ?own? ?

true? ?from? ?and? ?transform? ?into? ?a? ?small? ?creature,? ?store? ?his? ?spiritual? ?powers,? ?and? ?avoid? ?going? ?

berserk,? ?waiting? ?for? ?the? ?official? ?opening? ?of? ?the? ?gates? ?to? ?be? ?over? ?before? ?removing? ?the? ?seal.? ?

?

Thus,? ?although? ?this? ?could? ?avoid? ?the? ?torment? ?of? ?aggravation,? ?but? ?because? ?his? ?powers? ?

were? ?sealed,? ?this? ?gave? ?others? ?the? ?opportunity? ?to? ?ambush? ?him.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?cussed,? ?“Qi? ?

Rong,? ?you...”? ? ?

?

That? ?night,? ?Qi? ?Rong? ?had? ?threatened? ?that? ?he? ?was? ?going? ?to? ?bring? ?forth? ?all? ?the? ?cultivators? ?

and? ?monks? ?that? ?were? ?aggrieved? ?against? ?Hua? ?Cheng,? ?but? ?he? ?hadn’t? ?imagined? ?it? ?wasn’t? ?a? ?

bluff.? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?shook? ?his? ?head? ?lightly,? ?“Gege,? ?they’re? ?only? ?here? ?for? ?me.? ?It’ll? ?be? ?fine? ?

once? ?I’m? ?gone.? ?Although? ?in? ?my? ?current? ?form? ?I? ?can’t? ?kill? ?them? ?with? ?just? ?a? ?move,? ?but? ?I? ?can? ?at? ?

least? ?still? ?make? ?them? ?get? ?lost.”? ? ?

?

However,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?threatened,? ?“If? ?you? ?leave? ?now,? ?don’t? ?ever? ?come? ?back? ?to? ?see? ?me? ?

again.”? ? ?

?

“...”? ?

?

“Your? ?Highness!”? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?cried.? ?

?

Hua? ?Cheng? ?had? ?always? ?been? ?carefree? ?but? ?meticulously? ?mindful.? ?In? ?the? ?past,? ?he? ?had? ?

helped? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?multiple? ?times,? ?and? ?now? ?that? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?finally? ?had? ?the? ?chance? ?to? ?help? ?him,? ?

how? ?could? ?he? ?possibly? ?allow? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?to? ?leave? ?by? ?himself?? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?said? ?darkly,? ?“Sit? ?down.? ?I’ll? ?go? ?meet? ?with? ?them.”? ? ?

?

Quan? ?Yizhen? ?opened? ?his? ?eyes? ?with? ?great? ?difficulties,? ?and? ?asked? ?whilst? ?in? ?a? ?haze,? ?“Did...? ?

someone? ?come?? ?Do? ?you...? ?need? ?me? ?to? ?beat? ?them? ?down?”? ? ?

?

“...”? ? ?

?

His? ?voice? ?was? ?hoarse.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?helped? ?close? ?his? ?eyes,? ?“Qi? ?Ying,? ?just? ?keep? ?lying? ?there.? ?

Also,? ?you? ?can’t? ?beat? ?mortals? ?like? ?that,? ?it’ll? ?cost? ?you? ?merits.”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?pressed? ?himself? ?against? ?the? ?wooden? ?door? ?to? ?listen? ?for? ?any? ?movements? ?outside.? ?

Some? ?villagers? ?who? ?were? ?still? ?out? ?and? ?about? ?who? ?only? ?just? ?finished? ?their? ?work? ?for? ?the? ?day? ?

and? ?hadn’t? ?yet? ?gone? ?home? ?for? ?dinner? ?were? ?surprised? ?to? ?see? ?so? ?many? ?cultivators? ?and? ?

monks? ?so? ?suddenly,? ?and? ?they? ?asked,? ?“What’s? ?all? ?the? ?masters? ?doing? ?gathering? ?here?? ?Are? ?

you? ?all? ?here? ?for? ?Xie? ?Daozhang?”? ? ?

?

A? ?monk? ?filled? ?with? ?murderous? ?intent? ?clapped? ?his? ?hands? ?together? ?in? ?prayer,? ?“Amitabha? ?

Buddha.? ?Dear? ?donor,? ?did? ?you? ?all? ?know? ?that? ?this? ?place? ?has? ?been? ?invaded? ?by? ?wicked? ?

creatures?”? ? ?

?

“What?!”? ?The? ?villagers? ?were? ?shocked,? ?“WICKED? ?CREATURES???? ?WHAT? ?KIND? ?OF? ?

WICKED? ?CREATURES?”? ?

?

Another? ?monk? ?replied? ?mysteriously,? ?“A? ?one? ?of? ?a? ?kind? ?Ghost? ?King? ?who? ?brings? ?chaos? ?to? ?the? ?

world!”? ? ?

?

“W-what? ?should? ?we? ?do?!”? ?The? ?villagers? ?exclaimed.? ?

?

The? ?cultivator? ?dressed? ?in? ?luxurious? ?robes? ?who? ?was? ?the? ?first? ?to? ?arrive? ?said,? ?“Leave? ?it? ?to? ?us!? ?

Today,? ?all? ?of? ?us? ?who? ?walk? ?the? ?same? ?paths? ?are? ?gathered? ?here? ?for? ?this? ?very? ?reason,? ?the? ?

chance? ?of? ?a? ?lifetime? ?to? ?capture? ?that? ?evil? ?thing!”? ?Then? ?he? ?was? ?about? ?to? ?walk? ?up? ?when? ?the? ?

village? ?head? ?pushed? ?him? ?back.? ?That? ?cultivator? ?glared,? ?“Who? ?are? ?you?? ?What? ?are? ?you? ?

doing?”? ? ?

?

The? ?village? ?head? ?said,? ?“Um,? ?masters.? ?I’m? ?the? ?village? ?head? ?of? ?this? ?village.? ?We’re? ?very? ?

thankful? ?you’re? ?all? ?here,? ?but,? ?hehe,? ?to? ?tell? ?the? ?truth,? ?you? ?all? ?look? ?very? ?expensive...”? ? ?

?

“...”? ?

?

That? ?luxuriously? ?dressed? ?cultivator? ?said,? ?“We’ve? ?come? ?to? ?defeat? ?evil,? ?did? ?you? ?think? ?we’re? ?

here? ?for? ?rewards?!”? ?Then? ?he? ?was? ?about? ?to? ?charge? ?ahead? ?again,? ?but? ?the? ?villagers? ?all? ?

stopped? ?them? ?again.? ?The? ?monks? ?and? ?cultivators? ?were? ?growing? ?irritated? ?but? ?they? ?couldn’t? ?

forcefully? ?break? ?people? ?up? ?either,? ?so? ?they? ?demanded? ?impatiently,? ?“What? ?now?!”? ? ?

?

The? ?village? ?head? ?rubbed? ?his? ?hands,? ?“If? ?it’s? ?free? ?then? ?that’s? ?great,? ?thank? ?the? ?masters? ?for? ?

coming? ?here? ?to? ?defeat? ?evil? ?on? ?a? ?benevolent? ?heart.? ?But...? ?it’s? ?just,? ?work? ?here? ?in? ?this? ?village? ?

are? ?all? ?taken? ?cared? ?of? ?by? ?Xie? ?Daozhang.? ?It’s? ?hard? ?on? ?me? ?as? ?the? ?village? ?head? ?if? ?the? ?

masters? ?are? ?here? ?to? ?rob? ?Xie? ?Daozhang’s? ?work.”? ?

?

The? ?band? ?of? ?monks? ?and? ?cultivators? ?looked? ?at? ?each? ?other,? ?“Xie? ?Daozhang?”? ? ?

?

Thus,? ?they? ?gathered? ?around? ?to? ?discuss,? ?“Was? ?there? ?any? ?well? ?known,? ?capable? ?cultivation? ?

house? ?with? ?the? ?name? ?Xie? ?in? ?this? ?trade?”? ?

?

“Doesn’t? ?seem? ?like? ?it.”? ? ?

?

“Either? ?way? ?I’ve? ?never? ?heard? ?of? ?him.? ?Probably? ?some? ?nobody.”? ?

?

“If? ?we? ?haven’t? ?then? ?he’s? ?not? ?well? ?known.? ?Forget? ?it.”? ? ?

?

After? ?their? ?discussion,? ?that? ?luxuriously? ?dressed? ?cultivator? ?turned? ?back? ?around,? ?“The? ?Xie? ?

Daozhang? ?you? ?speak? ?of,? ?is? ?he? ?the? ?one? ?living? ?in? ?this? ?place?”? ?

?

The? ?villagers? ?answered,? ?“Yea.”? ?Then? ?they? ?shouted,? ?“Xie? ?Daozhang!? ?Xie? ?Daozhang!? ?Your? ?

fellow? ?tradesmen? ?are? ?here!? ?There’s? ?so? ?many? ?of? ?them!? ?Are? ?you? ?home?”? ? ?

?

A? ?yellow? ?robed? ?old? ?monk? ?put? ?his? ?hands? ?together? ?in? ?prayer,? ?“Amitabha? ?Buddha.? ?It? ?doesn’t? ?

matter? ?if? ?that? ?Xie? ?Daozhang? ?isn’t? ?here.? ?But? ?that? ?wicked? ?creature? ?is? ?hiding? ?in? ?this? ?house? ?

right? ?now!”? ? ?

?

The? ?villagers? ?were? ?stunned,? ?“HUH???!”? ?

?

Just? ?then,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?pushed? ?the? ?door? ?out? ?and? ?came? ?out? ?leisurely.? ?“I’m? ?here.? ?What’s? ?going? ?

on,? ?everyone?”? ? ?

?

The? ?villagers? ?immediately? ?exclaimed,? ?“Daozhang,? ?these? ?eminent? ?monks? ?and? ?cultivators? ?

all? ?say? ?that? ?in? ?your? ?house,? ?there’s? ?a...? ?a...? ?ghost...”? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?smiled,? ?“Eh?? ?You? ?all? ?can? ?tell?”? ? ?

?

“What? ?a? ?fast? ?admittance!”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?threw? ?out? ?a? ?pot,? ?“That’s? ?right,? ?there? ?really? ?is? ?a? ?ghost!”? ? ?

?

That? ?luxuriously? ?dressed? ?cultivator? ?caught? ?the? ?pot? ?and? ?was? ?delighted? ?at? ?first,? ?but? ?when? ?

he? ?opened? ?it,? ?his? ?smile? ?collapsed,? ?“A? ?Half? ?Maquillage? ?Woman?”? ? ?

?

Then? ?he? ?tossed? ?the? ?pot? ?back,? ?looking? ?very? ?obviously? ?displeased,? ?“Don’t? ?play? ?pretend,? ?my? ?

friend.? ?A? ?vulgar? ?monster? ?like? ?this? ?can’t? ?even? ?be? ?considered? ?as? ?a? ?‘Fierce’!? ?You? ?know? ?

exactly? ?what? ?we’re? ?referring? ?to.”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?caught? ?the? ?pot? ?and? ?felt? ?the? ?strength? ?of? ?this? ?man’s? ?throw? ?wasn’t? ?weak,? ?definitely? ?

someone? ?who? ?had? ?cultivated? ?arduously? ?for? ?years,? ?and? ?someone? ?considerable.? ?A? ?number? ?

of? ?monks? ?said? ?to? ?the? ?luxuriously? ?dressed? ?cultivator,? ?“Dao-Xiong,? ?this? ?cultivator? ?looks? ?to? ?

be? ?bursting? ?with? ?the? ?essence? ?of? ?evil? ?from? ?his? ?body,? ?could? ?he? ?maybe? ?be...”? ?

?

That? ?luxuriously? ?dressed? ?cultivator? ?said,? ?“Whether? ?if? ?he? ?is? ?or? ?not,? ?I,? ?Heaven’s? ?Eye,? ?can? ?

tell? ?with? ?but? ?a? ?look!”? ? ?

?

Then,? ?he? ?gave? ?a? ?loud? ?shout,? ?bit? ?his? ?finger? ?and? ?drew? ?a? ?line? ?on? ?his? ?forehead,? ?and? ?a? ?

seeming? ?third? ?eye? ?grew? ?on? ?his? ?face.? ?Seeing? ?his? ?skill,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?also? ?praised? ?mentally,? ?and? ?

he? ?leaned? ?against? ?the? ?door,? ?admiring? ?his? ?performance.? ?That? ?luxuriously? ?dressed? ?

cultivator? ?glared,? ?and? ?stared? ?at? ?him? ?intently? ?for? ?a? ?moment,? ?“I? ?knew? ?it...? ?There’s? ?essence? ?

of? ?evil!? ?SUCH? ?A? ?HEAVY? ?ESSENCE? ?OF? ?EVIL!!!? ?GHOST? ?KING!? ?YOU? ?DID? ?CHANGE? ?

FACE? ?AFTER? ?ALL!”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?was? ?stunned.? ?

?

How? ?could? ?he,? ?an? ?esteemed,? ?titled? ?heavenly? ?official,? ?have? ?essence? ?of? ?evil? ?on? ?him?? ?He? ?

was? ?just? ?thinking? ?this? ?man? ?might? ?have? ?some? ?skill? ?but? ?how? ?did? ?he? ?turn? ?around? ?and? ?start? ?

spewing? ?nonsense? ?so? ?quickly?? ? ?

?

Hearing? ?him,? ?the? ?fifty? ?to? ?sixty? ?masters? ?in? ?the? ?gathering? ?all? ?looked? ?like? ?they? ?were? ?about? ?to? ?

face? ?a? ?great? ?enemy,? ?and? ?each? ?of? ?them? ?struck? ?their? ?fighting? ?stance.? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?said? ?to? ?

Xie? ?Lian? ?in? ?the? ?private? ?communication? ?array,? ?“Those? ?people? ?are? ?so? ?annoying.”? ?

?

“It’s? ?fine.? ?It’s? ?alright.? ?You? ?just? ?sit.”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?replied.? ?

?

A? ?moment? ?later,? ?that? ?luxuriously? ?dressed? ?cultivator? ?spoke? ?up? ?again? ?but? ?confused,? ?

“...That’s? ?not? ?right?”? ?

?

The? ?monks? ?next? ?to? ?him? ?asked,? ?“What’s? ?not? ?right?”? ? ?

?

That? ?luxuriously? ?dressed? ?cultivator? ?rubbed? ?that? ?blood? ?mark? ?on? ?his? ?forehead,? ?“This? ?is? ?

weird.? ?I’m? ?looking? ?at? ?this? ?man,? ?but? ?he’s? ?sometimes? ?covered? ?in? ?the? ?essence? ?of? ?evil,? ?

sometimes? ?glowing? ?with? ?spiritual? ?light,? ?and? ?sometimes? ?dim? ?and? ?listless...? ?this? ?is? ?really? ?

weird.”? ? ?

?

“Huh?? ?How? ?can? ?that? ?be?? ?Dao-xiong,? ?can? ?you? ?really? ?do? ?this?? ?If? ?you? ?can’t,? ?let? ?us? ?handle? ?

this.”? ?

?

“Yea,? ?how? ?can? ?he? ?be? ?that? ?strange?”? ? ?

?

That? ?luxuriously? ?dressed? ?cultivator? ?said? ?angrily,? ?“What?? ?Think? ?I? ?can’t? ?do? ?this?? ?If? ?I? ?can’t,? ?

you? ?think? ?you? ?can?? ?I,? ?Heaven’s? ?Eye,? ?has? ?been? ?running? ?in? ?the? ?trade? ?for? ?so? ?many? ?years,? ?

and? ?I’ve? ?rarely? ?gotten? ?anything? ?wrong!”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?rubbed? ?his? ?forehead,? ?shook? ?his? ?head? ?and? ?asked? ?gently,? ?“Then,? ?why? ?don’t? ?you? ?

take? ?a? ?look? ?and? ?tell? ?me? ?which? ?part? ?of? ?me? ?has? ?the? ?strongest? ?essence? ?of? ?evil?”? ? ?

?

Heaven’s? ?Eye? ?rubbed? ?his? ?forehead? ?hard,? ?and? ?after? ?looking? ?again? ?for? ?a? ?moment,? ?he? ?

exclaimed? ?firmly,? ?“YOUR? ?LIPS!”? ?

?

“................”? ?

?

?

———? ?

?

?[?????????]? ?‘Clean? ?as? ?Jade;? ?Clear? ?like? ?Ice’? ?is? ?the? ?idiom? ?that? ?means? ?Incorruptible? ?

Chastity.? ?It’s? ?usually? ?an? ?idiom? ?used? ?to? ?describe? ?girls.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?is? ?using? ?the? ?idiom’s? ?

imagery? ?to? ?describe? ?his? ?cute? ?little? ?meatballs.? ?

?

?MXTX? ?Author? ?Notes:? ?Something? ?like? ?Essence? ?of? ?Evil? ?can’t? ?be? ?washed? ?away? ?so? ?

easily? ?with? ?just? ?brushing? ?teeth? ?and? ?gargling? ?water...? ?Holy? ?water? ?has? ?to? ?be? ?used.? ?

(Very? ?bitter? ?and? ?very? ?peculiar)? ?

My? ?amusement? ?in? ?allowing? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?create? ?new? ?recipes? ??weapons?? ?is? ?just? ?a? ?teeny? ?

bit? ?less? ?than? ?letting? ?Hua? ?Hua? ?change? ?new? ?clothes.? ?

?

?

——–? ?

?

Ch.135:? ?My? ?Puqi? ?Shrine? ?Will? ?Collapse? ?Supremely? ?

?

“That’s? ?right,? ?it’s? ?your? ?lips!”? ? ?

?

Heaven’s? ?Eye? ?proclaimed? ?with? ?such? ?certainty? ?yet? ?all? ?the? ?monks? ?and? ?cultivators? ?were? ?

perplexed,? ?“Why? ?is? ?it? ?the? ?lips?”? ? ?

?

“How? ?can? ?the? ?essence? ?of? ?evil? ?only? ?be? ?on? ?the? ?lips?? ?A? ?Lip? ?Balm? ?Spirit?”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian’s? ?hands? ?instantly? ?flew? ?to? ?cover? ?his? ?mouth? ?without? ?thinking.? ?

?

He? ?hadn’t? ?thought? ?that? ?the? ?essence? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?had? ?stained? ?on? ?him? ?after? ?having? ?

embraced? ?and? ?kissed? ?an? ?entire? ?night? ?at? ?Qiandeng? ?Temple? ?hadn’t? ?faded.? ? ?

?

Heaven’s? ?Eye? ?pointed? ?at? ?him,? ?“Well,? ?well,? ?well,? ?do? ?you? ?all? ?see?? ?He’s? ?conscious? ?of? ?his? ?

guilt!”? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?immediately? ?dropped? ?his? ?hands,? ?and? ?forced? ?himself? ?to? ?suppress? ?the? ?urge? ?to? ?turn? ?

around? ?and? ?see? ?what? ?expression? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?wore? ?after? ?having? ?heard,? ?even? ?though? ?his? ?

face? ?was? ?covered? ?in? ?bandages? ?and? ?nothing? ?could? ?be? ?mustered? ?anyway.? ?He? ?explained? ?

gently,? ?“Um,? ?my? ?fellow? ?Dao? ?friend,? ?you’ve? ?mistaken.? ?Actually,? ?it’s? ?because? ?my? ?living? ?is? ?a? ?

little? ?strained,? ?so? ?each? ?household? ?item? ?is? ?used? ?for? ?various? ?purposes,? ?like? ?this? ?pot.”? ?

?

He? ?raised? ?the? ?clay? ?pot? ?in? ?his? ?hand? ?and? ?said? ?earnestly,? ?“Although? ?I? ?use? ?this? ?to? ?catch? ?

ghosts? ?sometimes,? ?but? ?normally? ?I? ?use? ?it? ?to? ?pickle? ?vegetables.? ?The? ?pickles? ?pickled? ?in? ?this? ?

pot? ?have? ?a? ?unique? ?flavour,? ?once? ?you? ?eat? ?it? ?you’ll? ?naturally...? ?if? ?you? ?don’t? ?believe? ?me,? ?you? ?

can? ?all? ?try? ?it? ?yourself.”? ?

?

...Technically,? ?this? ?wasn’t? ?impossible.? ?The? ?monks? ?and? ?cultivators? ?were? ?all? ?somewhat? ?

doubtful,? ?but? ?the? ?villagers? ?all? ?covered? ?their? ?mouths? ?too,? ?“HUH?? ?Xie? ?Daozhang,? ?do? ?you? ?

mean? ?to? ?say? ?that? ?all? ?the? ?pickles? ?you? ?gave? ?us? ?from? ?before? ?were? ?pickled? ?like? ?this? ?too?”? ? ?

?

“Then? ?won’t? ?our? ?mouths? ?all? ?be? ?full? ?of? ?the? ?essence? ?of? ?evil? ?too?”? ? ?

?

Usually? ?when? ?the? ?villagers? ?offered? ?him? ?fruits? ?and? ?vegetables,? ?he? ?would? ?return? ?his? ?

gratitude? ?by? ?giving? ?them? ?his? ?pickled? ?vegetables.? ?He? ?quickly? ?waved? ?his? ?hand,? ?“Don’t? ?

worry,? ?the? ?jars? ?I? ?use? ?to? ?pickle? ?for? ?everyone? ?are? ?different!”? ? ?

?

Heaven’s? ?Eye? ?said? ?angrily,? ?“Are? ?you? ?dumb? ?in? ?the? ?head?!? ?Aren’t? ?you? ?afraid? ?eating? ?stuff? ?

like? ?this? ?will? ?cut? ?down? ?your? ?lifespan?? ?Stop? ?wasting? ?your? ?breath,? ?there’s? ?still? ?people? ?hidden? ?

in? ?your? ?shrine? ?and? ?it’s? ?not? ?just? ?one? ?person!? ?Move? ?aside!”? ? ?

?

This? ?time,? ?afraid? ?that? ?the? ?village? ?head? ?will? ?stop? ?him? ?again,? ?before? ?he? ?even? ?finished? ?

speaking? ?he? ?charged? ?forward.? ?Seeing? ?the? ?situation? ?change? ?so? ?quickly,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?hurriedly? ?

backed? ?into? ?the? ?house,? ?picked? ?up? ?the? ?passed? ?out? ?Quan? ?Yizhen? ?from? ?the? ?ground,? ?madly? ?

shook? ?his? ?collar? ?and? ?cried? ?next? ?to? ?his? ?ear,? ?“Qi? ?Ying!? ?Listen? ?well!? ?I? ?am? ?going? ?to? ?feed? ?you? ?

that? ?Incorruptible? ?Chastity? ?Meatball!”? ? ?

?

Hearing? ?this,? ?Quan? ?Yizhen’s? ?eyes? ?suddenly? ?flashed? ?open.? ?At? ?the? ?same? ?time,? ?Heaven’s? ?

Eye? ?who? ?just? ?charged? ?in? ?shrieked,? ?covered? ?his? ?forehead,? ?and? ?leapt? ?back? ?out.? ?“DON’T? ?

ANYONE? ?GO? ?IN!? ?THERE’S? ?AN? ?AMBUSH!”? ? ?

?

Sure? ?enough,? ?the? ?crowd? ?of? ?monks? ?and? ?cultivators? ?didn’t? ?dare? ?to? ?move,? ?and? ?they? ?

gathered? ?around? ?to? ?shield? ?him,? ?“Heaven’s? ?Eye-xiong,? ?what? ?did? ?you? ?see?”? ? ?

?

Heaven’s? ?Eye? ?said,? ?“I? ?didn’t? ?see? ?anything,? ?only? ?an? ?immense,? ?blinding? ?white? ?light!”? ? ?

?

“Oh? ?no,? ?Dao-xiong!? ?Your? ?heaven’s? ?eye? ?is? ?smoking!”? ? ?

?

Heaven’s? ?Eye? ?felt? ?his? ?forehead,? ?and? ?sure? ?enough,? ?that? ?red? ?mark? ?on? ?his? ?forehead? ?had? ?

turned? ?into? ?a? ?black? ?mark,? ?and? ?it? ?was? ?emitting? ?a? ?soft? ?waft? ?of? ?white? ?smoke? ?like? ?that? ?of? ?a? ?

blown? ?out? ?candle.? ?Shocked? ?and? ?dismayed,? ?he? ?exclaimed,? ?“What...? ?WHAT?!”? ? ?

?

Ling? ?Wen? ?lazily? ?put? ?down? ?her? ?half? ?eaten? ?steamed? ?bun? ?and? ?wondered,? ?“It’s? ?so? ?noisy? ?

outside,? ?what’s? ?going? ?on?”? ? ?

?

A? ?monk? ?said,? ?“Heaven’s? ?Eye-xiong,? ?look,? ?there? ?are? ?two? ?children? ?and? ?a? ?woman? ?plus? ?this? ?

cultivator? ?inside? ?that? ?shrine.? ?There? ?are? ?four? ?people.? ?Which? ?one? ?is? ?‘him’?”? ? ?

?

Heaven’s? ?Eye? ?rubbed? ?hard? ?at? ?his? ?forehead,? ?but? ?he? ?just? ?couldn’t? ?reopen? ?his? ?eye.? ?That? ?ball? ?

of? ?white? ?light? ?was? ?the? ?spiritual? ?aura? ?of? ?Quan? ?Yizhen.? ?When? ?a? ?heavenly? ?official? ?sensed? ?

themselves? ?about? ?to? ?face? ?extreme? ?danger? ?and? ?their? ?lives? ?challenged,? ?the? ?spiritual? ?aura? ?

shielding? ?their? ?body? ?would? ?explosively? ?expand.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?was? ?using? ?that? ?moment? ?of? ?when? ?

that? ?blinding,? ?strong? ?light? ?exploded? ?to? ?blind? ?that? ?cultivator? ?Heaven’s? ?Eye.? ?It? ?wasn’t? ?like? ?

Xie? ?Lian? ?ruined? ?ten? ?years? ?of? ?his? ?cultivation,? ?he? ?just? ?wouldn’t? ?be? ?able? ?to? ?open? ?his? ?eye? ?in? ?

the? ?next? ?few? ?days,? ?that’s? ?all.? ?Then,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?picked? ?up? ?the? ?plate? ?holding? ?the? ?meatballs.? ?

Quan? ?Yizhen? ?was? ?fully? ?awake? ?now,? ?and? ?he? ?grabbed? ?Xie? ?Lian’s? ?hand? ?forcefully,? ?croaking,? ?

“I? ?won’t? ?eat? ?it.”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?reversed? ?the? ?hold? ?and? ?held? ?his? ?hand,? ?“Don’t? ?be? ?scared,? ?this? ?isn’t? ?for? ?you!”? ? ?

?

The? ?band? ?of? ?masters? ?heavily? ?surrounding? ?Puqi? ?Shrine? ?all? ?shared? ?looks? ?with? ?each? ?other,? ?

and? ?almost? ?uniformly? ?shouted,? ?rushing? ?forward.? ?However,? ?before? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?could? ?meet? ?

them,? ?they? ?were? ?bounced? ?away? ?by? ?an? ?invisible? ?barrier.? ? ?

?

From? ?the? ?skies? ?above,? ?a? ?deep? ?voice? ?sounded,? ?“You? ?old? ?monks? ?and? ?foul? ?cultivators? ?are? ?

like? ?flies,? ?have? ?you? ?all? ?become? ?obsessed? ?with? ?harassment?? ?You? ?dare? ?pursue? ?me? ?all? ?the? ?

way? ?here,? ?are? ?you? ?all? ?tired? ?of? ?living?!”? ?

?

“Hua,? ?Hua,? ?Hua...”? ?

?

He? ?stuttered? ?‘Hua’? ?several? ?times? ?but? ?in? ?the? ?end,? ?Heaven’s? ?Eye? ?still? ?succumbed? ?to? ?Hua? ?

Cheng’s? ?might? ?and? ?didn’t? ?dare? ?call? ?him? ?by? ?his? ?full? ?name.? ?Instead? ?he? ?stammered,? ?“...HUA? ?

CHENGZHU!? ?Stop,? ?stop? ?bluffing.? ?We? ?all? ?know? ?that? ?you’ve? ?been? ?affected? ?by? ?the? ?imminent? ?

opening? ?of? ?Mount? ?Tong’lu? ?and? ?sealed? ?away? ?your? ?powers.? ?You? ?can’t? ?possibly? ?be? ?as? ?

insolent? ?as? ?you? ?usually? ?are? ?right? ?now.? ?Sur,? ?sur,? ?surrender? ?yourself...”? ?

?

Although? ?the? ?more? ?he? ?spoke? ?the? ?less? ?strength? ?there? ?was? ?in? ?his? ?words,? ?still? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?could? ?

sense? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?was? ?really? ?angry? ?now,? ?and? ?immediately,? ?he? ?rushed? ?back? ?inside? ?to? ?pick? ?

him? ?up.? ?He? ?whispered,? ?“Don’t? ?say? ?anymore!? ?Stop? ?wasting? ?your? ?powers,? ?store? ?your? ?

strength.? ?Leave? ?everything? ?to? ?me!”? ? ?

?

Hua? ?Cheng’s? ?body? ?was? ?tense? ?at? ?first,? ?but? ?after? ?he? ?was? ?picked? ?up,? ?he? ?seemed? ?to? ?have? ?

calmed? ?down? ?slowly,? ?and? ?replied? ?with? ?a? ?low? ?voice,? ?“Alright.”? ? ?

?

Holding? ?him,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?could? ?sense? ?that? ?Hua? ?Cheng’s? ?age? ?seemed? ?to? ?have? ?shrunken? ?

again,? ?and? ?was? ?probably? ?no? ?more? ?than? ?a? ?child? ?of? ?twelve? ?or? ?thirteen,? ?and? ?he? ?couldn’t? ?help? ?

but? ?be? ?worried.? ?With? ?one? ?arm? ?holding? ?Hua? ?Cheng,? ?and? ?the? ?other? ?hand? ?clutching? ?Fang? ?

Xin,? ?he? ?walked? ?out,? ?“Have? ?you? ?all? ?never? ?thought? ?that? ?the? ?Green? ?Ghost? ?Qi? ?Rong? ?was? ?

deceiving? ?you? ?all?”? ? ?

?

Yet? ?unexpectedly,? ?when? ?they? ?heard? ?him,? ?the? ?monks? ?and? ?cultivators? ?all? ?looked? ?confused.? ?

Heaven’s? ?Eye? ?asked,? ?“Green? ?Ghost? ?Qi? ?Rong?? ?Deceive? ?us? ?what?? ?Why? ?would? ?he? ?deceive? ?

us?”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?frowned? ?slightly,? ?“Wasn’t? ?it? ?him? ?who? ?told? ?you? ?all? ?to? ?come? ?here?”? ? ?

?

Heaven’s? ?Eye? ?clicked? ?his? ?tongue,? ?“Who? ?do? ?you? ?think? ?we? ?are?? ?That? ?we? ?need? ?a? ?‘Savage’? ?

to? ?pass? ?us? ?information?? ?Why? ?would? ?we? ?float? ?on? ?the? ?same? ?boat? ?as? ?him?!”? ? ?

?

It? ?wasn’t? ?Qi? ?Rong?? ?Then? ?how? ?did? ?information? ?leak?? ?

?

Before? ?he? ?could? ?think? ?on? ?it? ?more,? ?the? ?monks? ?and? ?cultivators? ?had? ?already? ?started? ?their? ?

attacks.? ?With? ?a? ?swing? ?of? ?his? ?sword,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?warded? ?off? ?a? ?number? ?of? ?swords? ?and? ?several? ?

staffs.? ?A? ?monk? ?questioned,? ?“Amitabha? ?Buddha,? ?why? ?must? ?this? ?Dao? ?friend? ?protect? ?this? ?

creature? ?of? ?evil?”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?wouldn’t? ?back? ?down? ?an? ?inch? ?and? ?replied,? ?“Master,? ?no? ?matter? ?what,? ?it’s? ?not? ?nice? ?

to? ?ambush? ?people? ?when? ?they’re? ?down.”? ? ?

?

Heaven’s? ?Eye? ?shouted,? ?“He’s? ?a? ?ghost,? ?not? ?a? ?person!? ?Don’t? ?twist? ?rotten? ?logic? ?you? ?

immature? ?young’un!”? ? ?

?

Spiritual? ?staffs? ?and? ?treasured? ?swords? ?and? ?blades? ?all? ?came? ?attacking? ?at? ?once,? ?and? ?if? ?Xie? ?

Lian? ?used? ?Fang? ?Xin? ?he? ?might? ?just? ?hurt? ?mortals.? ?By? ?creed? ?of? ?justice,? ?mortals? ?could? ?hit? ?

heavenly? ?officials? ?but? ?heavenly? ?officials? ?could? ?not? ?hit? ?mortals,? ?because? ?they? ?must? ?be? ?

tolerant,? ?generous,? ?compassionate,? ?and? ?loving? ?towards? ?mortals,? ?not? ?fighting? ?with? ?them.? ?If? ?

one? ?dared? ?hit? ?a? ?mortal? ?then? ?merits? ?would? ?be? ?taken.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?wasn’t? ?as? ?unrestrained? ?and? ?

wealthy? ?as? ?Quan? ?Yizhen;? ?he? ?didn’t? ?have? ?too? ?many? ?merits? ?in? ?the? ?first? ?place,? ?if? ?more? ?is? ?

taken? ?away? ?he’d? ?be? ?going? ?in? ?the? ?negatives.? ?Thus,? ?he? ?put? ?away? ?his? ?sword? ?and? ?shouted,? ?

“RUOYE,? ?COME!? ?QI? ?YING,? ?WATCH? ?LING? ?WEN!”? ? ?

?

When? ?Ruoye? ?bound? ?men? ?it? ?was? ?always? ?aggrieved,? ?but? ?when? ?it? ?bound? ?women? ?it’d? ?change? ?

face.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?had? ?to? ?call? ?for? ?it? ?twice? ?before? ?it? ?reluctantly? ?peeled? ?itself? ?off? ?of? ?Ling? ?Wen’s? ?

hands.? ?The? ?next? ?second,? ?a? ?white? ?flash? ?whipped? ?past? ?the? ?hands? ?of? ?tens? ?of? ?people,? ?and? ?

when? ?their? ?strength? ?became? ?unsteady? ?they? ?could? ?no? ?longer? ?hold? ?on? ?to? ?their? ?spiritual? ?

tools.? ?Bewildered,? ?they? ?all? ?wondered,? ?“What? ?spiritual? ?tool? ?is? ?that?”? ? ?

?

“Was? ?that? ?a? ?spiritual? ?tool?? ?...How? ?come? ?it? ?looks? ?like? ?a? ?white? ?cloth? ?for? ?hanging? ?to? ?me?? ?It? ?

reeks? ?of? ?evil...”? ?

?

“Whaddayaknow,? ?this? ?brat? ?actually? ?has? ?a? ?couple? ?moves!”? ? ?

?

Unexpectedly,? ?just? ?as? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?was? ?in? ?the? ?midst? ?of? ?fending? ?off? ?those? ?masters,? ?Ling? ?Wen? ?

shook? ?her? ?head,? ?cleaned? ?her? ?sleeves? ?and? ?rose? ?to? ?her? ?feet,? ?“Thank? ?you? ?for? ?your? ?warm? ?

hospitality.? ?I? ?will? ?take? ?my? ?leave? ?now.”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?was? ?taken? ?aback,? ?“Ling? ?Wen,? ?the? ?day’s? ?not? ?over? ?yet!? ?Where? ?are? ?you? ?going?? ?Are? ?

you? ?going? ?to? ?break? ?your? ?vow?”? ? ?

?

“That’s? ?right.? ?I’m? ?going? ?to? ?break? ?my? ?vow.”? ?Ling? ?Wen? ?said.? ?

?

Her? ?voice? ?was? ?confident? ?and? ?determined,? ?like? ?she? ?was? ?saying? ?she? ?was? ?about? ?to? ?slay? ?evil? ?

by? ?heaven’s? ?will.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?couldn’t? ?retaliate.? ?A? ?brief? ?moment? ?later,? ?he? ?stated,? ?“The? ?one? ?

who? ?leaked? ?information? ?wasn’t? ?Qi? ?Rong,? ?it? ?was? ?you.”? ? ?

?

Ling? ?Wen? ?smiled,? ?“I? ?may? ?not? ?be? ?a? ?martial? ?god? ?and? ?was? ?bound? ?by? ?Ruoye,? ?but? ?one? ?can? ?

accomplish? ?much? ?with? ?just? ?the? ?communication? ?array.”? ? ?

?

He? ?knew? ?it!? ?But,? ?how? ?did? ?Ling? ?Wen? ?know? ?that? ?bandaged? ?boy? ?was? ?Hua? ?Cheng?? ?She? ?

barely? ?spoke? ?to? ?him,? ?barely? ?saw? ?him,? ?even? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?hadn’t? ?figured? ?it? ?out? ?as? ?fast? ?as? ?she? ?

did!? ?

?

Seeing? ?that? ?she? ?was? ?about? ?to? ?take? ?her? ?stately? ?leave? ?but? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?still? ?couldn’t? ?get? ?away,? ?

he? ?shouted,? ?“QI? ?YING!? ?DON’T? ?LET? ?HER? ?GET? ?AWAY!”? ? ?

?

Although? ?he? ?ate? ?an? ?Incorruptible? ?Chastity? ?Meatball? ?earlier,? ?but? ?Quan? ?Yizhen? ?can? ?move? ?

himself? ?off? ?the? ?ground? ?now,? ?his? ?strength? ?returning.? ?Besides,? ?Ling? ?Wen? ?was? ?a? ?civil? ?god,? ?

she? ?was? ?powerless? ?and? ?Quan? ?Yizhen? ?could? ?stop? ?her? ?using? ?not? ?even? ?a? ?finger.? ?Hearing? ?

Quan? ?Yizhen? ?acknowledge? ?“OK!”? ?From? ?afar,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?relaxed? ?and? ?went? ?back? ?to? ?fighting? ?

the? ?crowd.? ?A? ?moment? ?later,? ?there? ?was? ?a? ?sudden? ?rumble,? ?and? ?the? ?roof? ?of? ?Puqi? ?Shrine? ?was? ?

punched? ?through,? ?the? ?silhouette? ?of? ?a? ?figure? ?blown? ?high? ?into? ?the? ?air.? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?looked? ?back? ?around,? ?shocked,? ?and? ?shouted? ?to? ?the? ?interior? ?of? ?the? ?shrine,? ?“QI? ?

YING!? ?DON’T? ?FIGHT? ?LIKE? ?THAT!”? ? ?

?

It’s? ?nothing? ?for? ?martial? ?gods? ?to? ?get? ?tossed? ?around;? ?martial? ?gods? ?all? ?grew? ?up? ?getting? ?

beaten.? ?But? ?no? ?matter? ?how? ?you? ?look? ?at? ?it? ?Ling? ?Wen? ?was? ?a? ?lady? ?heavenly? ?official,? ?and? ?a? ?

civil? ?god? ?at? ?that,? ?if? ?Quan? ?Yizhen? ?fought? ?so? ?ruthlessly,? ?she’d? ?be? ?pulverized!? ?

?

Yet,? ?the? ?figure? ?who? ?walked? ?out? ?leisurely? ?said,? ?“Bai? ?Jing,? ?don’t? ?fight? ?like? ?that.”? ? ?

?

That? ?voice? ?was? ?cold? ?and? ?crisp,? ?very? ?obviously? ?belonging? ?to? ?Ling? ?Wen.? ?Yet? ?in? ?the? ?moment? ?

she? ?walked? ?out,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?felt? ?he? ?saw? ?a? ?fleeting? ?illusion,? ?like? ?the? ?one? ?who? ?came? ?out? ?wasn’t? ?

Ling? ?Wen,? ?but? ?an? ?extremely? ?tall? ?young? ?man,? ?his? ?aura? ?of? ?vengeance? ?roaring? ?to? ?the? ?

heavens.? ?However,? ?when? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?focused? ?his? ?eyes,? ?it? ?was? ?still? ?the? ?lone? ?figure? ?of? ?Ling? ?

Wen.? ? ?

?

Ling? ?Wen? ?was? ?a? ?civil? ?god,? ?that’s? ?for? ?certain.? ?If? ?she? ?had? ?hidden? ?her? ?strength? ?intentionally? ?

in? ?the? ?past,? ?she? ?still? ?couldn’t? ?deceive? ?Xie? ?Lian,? ?so? ?how? ?could? ?she? ?suddenly? ?blow? ?Quan? ?

Yizhen? ?into? ?the? ?sky???? ?

?

Hua? ?Cheng? ?whispered,? ?“Gege? ?be? ?careful,? ?she’s? ?put? ?on? ?that? ?robe.”? ? ?

?

So? ?that’s? ?it!? ?Although? ?on? ?the? ?surface? ?it? ?looks? ?like? ?Ling? ?Wen? ?was? ?still? ?clad? ?in? ?black,? ?but? ?a? ?

layer? ?of? ?simmering? ?black? ?aura? ?was? ?shielding? ?her,? ?seeming? ?like? ?she? ?had? ?changed? ?into? ?a? ?

completely? ?different? ?person.? ?The? ?killing? ?intent? ?was? ?running? ?wild? ?but? ?her? ?blanched? ?face? ?

was? ?extremely? ?calm,? ?and? ?this? ?formed? ?a? ?peculiar? ?contrast.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?tried? ?testing? ?the? ?

waters? ?by? ?lunging? ?at? ?her? ?with? ?his? ?sword,? ?and? ?Ling? ?Wen? ?deflected? ?the? ?blow? ?by? ?a? ?wave? ?of? ?

her? ?sleeve.? ?Coincidentally,? ?Quan? ?Yizhen? ?came? ?crashing? ?down? ?from? ?above,? ?and? ?fell? ?to? ?the? ?

ground? ?with? ?a? ?bang? ?just? ?in? ?time? ?to? ?witness? ?this? ?scene.? ?Instantly,? ?his? ?eyes? ?lit? ?up,? ?

“Beautiful!”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian’s? ?eyes? ?lit? ?up? ?too? ?and? ?also? ?exclaimed,? ?“Beautiful!”? ? ?

?

Ling? ?Wen’s? ?move? ?just? ?now? ?was? ?truly? ?a? ?beautiful? ?one.? ?No,? ?it? ?should? ?be? ?said,? ?the? ?move? ?the? ?

Brocade? ?Immortal? ?used? ?to? ?help? ?Ling? ?Wen? ?block? ?the? ?attack!? ?

?

When? ?that? ?Brocade? ?Immortal? ?was? ?donned? ?on? ?others,? ?either? ?they? ?lose? ?their? ?minds? ?or? ?their? ?

blood? ?was? ?sucked? ?dry.? ?However,? ?when? ?donned? ?on? ?Ling? ?Wen,? ?not? ?a? ?single? ?weapon? ?could? ?

pierce? ?through,? ?and? ?she? ?could? ?even? ?attack? ?proactively,? ?instantly? ?allowing? ?a? ?civil? ?god? ?blow? ?

a? ?Martial? ?God? ?of? ?the? ?West? ?away.? ?No? ?one’s? ?ever? ?heard? ?that? ?Brocade? ?Immortal? ?had? ?this? ?

incredible? ?ability? ?before.? ?Who? ?would’ve? ?thought? ?that? ?after? ?she’s? ?chopped? ?off? ?the? ?head? ?

and? ?limbs? ?of? ?the? ?Brocade? ?Immortal,? ?it? ?would? ?still? ?allow? ?itself? ?to? ?be? ?used? ?by? ?her?? ?

?

Now,? ?not? ?only? ?the? ?villagers? ?of? ?Puqi? ?village? ?were? ?shocked,? ?even? ?the? ?band? ?of? ?monks? ?and? ?

cultivators? ?were? ?stunned.? ?Heaven’s? ?Eye? ?exclaimed,? ?“What,? ?beautiful?!? ?Is? ?it? ?so? ?good? ?to? ?be? ?

hit?? ?Is? ?there? ?anyone? ?normal? ?inside? ?that? ?shrine?? ?I? ?think? ?not? ?a? ?single? ?soul? ?there? ?is? ?human!”? ? ?

?

Quan? ?Yizhen? ?was? ?itching? ?to? ?spar,? ?and? ?he? ?leapt? ?to? ?his? ?feet? ?to? ?attack? ?once? ?more.? ?Ling? ?Wen? ?

said? ?in? ?a? ?low? ?voice,? ?“I? ?said,? ?don’t? ?linger? ?around!”? ? ?

?

Those? ?words? ?were? ?directed? ?at? ?the? ?Brocade? ?Immortal,? ?but? ?her? ?body? ?wouldn’t? ?listen? ?to? ?her,? ?

and? ?her? ?elbow? ?blocked? ?Quan? ?Yizhen’s? ?punch? ?before? ?they? ?proceeded? ?to? ?start? ?an? ?all-out? ?

brawl.? ?Fighting? ?and? ?parrying,? ?parrying? ?and? ?fighting,? ?the? ?blows? ?of? ?fists? ?and? ?palms? ?shocked? ?

the? ?old? ?walls? ?of? ?Puqi? ?Shrine? ?and? ?it? ?shook? ?like? ?it? ?was? ?ready? ?to? ?collapse.? ?As? ?expected? ?of? ?

the? ?Brocade? ?Immortal? ?with? ?the? ?potential? ?to? ?ascend;? ?Quan? ?Yizhen? ?was? ?falling? ?behind.? ?Xie? ?

Lian? ?couldn’t? ?help? ?but? ?cry,? ?“Um...? ?excuse? ?me,? ?can? ?you? ?both? ?fight? ?further? ?away?? ?Further? ?

away? ?please!”? ? ?

?

But? ?before? ?he? ?finished? ?his? ?sentence,? ?those? ?monks? ?and? ?cultivators? ?came? ?surrounding? ?him? ?

again,? ?some? ?forty? ?to? ?fifty? ?blades,? ?swords,? ?axes,? ?staffs,? ?all? ?crashing? ?forward,? ?and? ?Xie? ?

Lian’s? ?face? ?dropped,? ?raising? ?his? ?hands,? ?“WAIT,? ?DON’T!? ?NOOO!!!”? ?

?

And? ?amidst? ?that? ?tragic? ?wail,? ?the? ?Puqi? ?Shrine? ?that? ?had? ?withstood? ?countless? ?battering? ?but? ?

still? ?remained? ?standing? ?finally,? ?truly,? ?completely,? ?collapsed.? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?was? ?dumbfounded,? ?desolation? ?filled? ?his? ?heart.? ?“I? ?just? ?knew? ?none? ?of? ?my? ?houses? ?

would? ?last? ?for? ?over? ?half? ?a? ?year.? ?Now? ?I? ?really? ?need? ?to? ?beg? ?for? ?donations? ?for? ?

reconstruction...”? ? ?

?

“Gege,? ?don’t? ?be? ?sad.? ?It’s? ?just? ?a? ?house,? ?there’s? ?plenty? ?around.”? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?comforted.? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?tried? ?to? ?make? ?himself? ?stay? ?strong,? ?but? ?then? ?Heaven’s? ?Eye? ?came? ?stumbling? ?over,? ?

his? ?hand? ?covering? ?his? ?forehead,? ?and? ?he? ?pointed? ?at? ?him,? ?“You? ?young’un? ?with? ?nothing? ?but? ?

tricks!? ?You? ?dare? ?ruin? ?my? ?cultivation!? ?Who’s? ?your? ?master?? ?What? ?generation? ?do? ?you? ?belong? ?

to?? ?Which? ?temple? ?are? ?you? ?registered? ?under?? ?What? ?sort? ?of? ?god? ?do? ?you? ?worship?!”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?whipped? ?his? ?head? ?over,? ?and? ?a? ?biting? ?chill? ?flashed? ?before? ?his? ?face.? ?He? ?

straightened? ?and? ?stated? ?solemnly,? ?“You? ?ask? ?who? ?I? ?am?? ?LISTEN? ?WELL!? ?—? ?I,? ?AM? ?THE? ?

EMINENT? ?HIGHNESS? ?THE? ?CROWN? ?PRINCE!? ?You? ?riotous? ?radicals,? ?BOW? ?DOWN? ?

BEFORE? ?ME!”? ? ?

?

His? ?voice? ?roared? ?like? ?thunder? ?in? ?clear? ?skies,? ?and? ?there? ?were? ?actually? ?a? ?few? ?who? ?almost? ?

fell? ?to? ?their? ?knees,? ?and? ?didn’t? ?snap? ?out? ?of? ?it? ?until? ?their? ?companions? ?pulled? ?them? ?up,? ?“What? ?

are? ?you? ?doing?? ?Are? ?you? ?actually? ?kneeling?”? ?

?

“Th-that’s? ?weird,? ?I? ?did? ?it? ?before? ?I? ?realized? ?it...”? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?proclaimed? ?sharply:? ? ?

?

“I,? ?AM? ?OVER? ?EIGHT? ?HUNDRED.? ?OLDER? ?THAN? ?ALL? ?OF? ?YOU? ?COMBINED.? ?I’VE? ?

CROSSED? ?MORE? ?BRIDGES? ?THAN? ?ALL? ?THE? ?ROADS? ?YOU’VE? ?WALKED.”? ?

?

“I,? ?POSSESS? ?SHRINES? ?AND? ?TEMPLES? ?ACROSS? ?THIS? ?LAND;? ?MY? ?DEVOTEES? ?AND? ?

WORSHIPPERS? ?ARE? ?SPREAD? ?TO? ?ALL? ?FOUR? ?SEAS.? ?IF? ?YOU? ?DON’T? ?KNOW? ?MY? ?

NAME,? ?IT’S? ?BECAUSE? ?YOU? ?ARE? ?IGNORANT? ?AND? ?UNLEARNED? ?OF? ?THE? ?WORLD!”? ?

?

“I,? ?DO? ?NOT? ?WORSHIP? ?GODS.”? ?

?

“I,? ?AM? ?GOD!”? ? ?

?

When? ?the? ?mob? ?heard? ?this? ?speech? ?that? ?was? ?so? ?shameless? ?yet? ?spoken? ?with? ?an? ?

incomparably? ?impressive? ?air,? ?they? ?were? ?all? ?stunned,? ?and? ?subconsciously? ?dropped? ?their? ?

jaws.? ?“...HUH???”? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?made? ?up? ?all? ?that? ?nonsense? ?because? ?he? ?was? ?waiting? ?for? ?this? ?very? ?moment.? ?He? ?

flung? ?that? ?plate? ?in? ?his? ?hand,? ?and? ?all? ?those? ?white? ?little? ?meatballs? ?shot? ?out? ?through? ?the? ?air? ?

like? ?iron? ?pellets,? ?scattered? ?in? ?all? ?directions,? ?and? ?without? ?any? ?misses,? ?they? ?were? ?hurled? ?

right? ?into? ?the? ?open? ?mouths? ?of? ?all? ?those? ?people? ?in? ?shock.? ?Then? ?he? ?wiped? ?away? ?his? ?sweat,? ?

“Will? ?everyone? ?please? ?forget? ?everything? ?I? ?just? ?said.? ?I’m? ?actually? ?only? ?just? ?a? ?scrap? ?

collector!”? ? ?

?

Everyone? ?who? ?ate? ?a? ?meatball? ?instantly? ?dropped? ?their? ?faces,? ?“HUH?!? ?WE,? ?WE’VE? ?BEEN? ?

HAD!”? ? ?

?

A? ?few? ?who? ?were? ?quicker? ?on? ?their? ?feet? ?stopped? ?the? ?meatball? ?with? ?their? ?swords,? ?but? ?when? ?

they? ?brought? ?the? ?swords? ?before? ?their? ?eyes,? ?those? ?meatballs? ?were? ?actually? ?still? ?spinning? ?

rapidly,? ?creating? ?sparks? ?with? ?the? ?blades? ?from? ?the? ?friction.? ?The? ?mob? ?were? ?terrified,? ?

“WHAT...? ?WHAT? ?IS? ?THIS? ?HIDDEN? ?WEAPON?!?!? ?Incomparably? ?solid? ?with? ?a? ?peculiar? ?

shine,? ?could? ?this? ?be?? ?The? ?legendary...”? ?

?

“That’s? ?right!”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?claimed,? ?“It’s? ?the? ?legendary? ?Incorruptible? ?Chastity? ?Pellets!? ?

Exceedingly? ?poisonous,? ?and? ?if? ?eighty-one? ?cups? ?of? ?clean? ?water? ?aren’t? ?drunken? ?within? ?a? ?

day? ?to? ?detox,? ?then? ?they? ?will? ?explode? ?in? ?your? ?stomach!”? ? ?

?

Although? ?no? ?one? ?had? ?ever? ?heard? ?of? ?such? ?a? ?thing? ?before,? ?but? ?the? ?mob? ?grew? ?even? ?more? ?

horrified,? ?“OI!? ?IS? ?IT? ?REALLY? ?THAT? ?POISONOUS?”? ?

?

“Either? ?way? ?we? ?gotta? ?go? ?drink? ?water!? ?The? ?antidote? ?is? ?only? ?water!? ?Let’s? ?get? ?outta? ?here!? ?GO? ?

FIND? ?WATER!!!”? ? ?

?

In? ?an? ?instant,? ?a? ?large? ?number? ?of? ?the? ?crowd? ?who? ?fell? ?for? ?the? ?trick? ?fled.? ?

?

On? ?the? ?other? ?side,? ?Ling? ?Wen? ?was? ?fighting? ?more? ?and? ?more? ?aggressively,? ?and? ?she? ?actually? ?

had? ?both? ?her? ?hands? ?strangling? ?Quan? ?Yizhen? ?as? ?she? ?picked? ?him? ?up.? ?Obviously? ?having? ?the? ?

upper? ?hand? ?but? ?Ling? ?Wen? ?didn’t? ?look? ?pleased? ?at? ?all,? ?and? ?she? ?barked? ?with? ?a? ?low? ?voice,? ?

“Bai? ?Jing!? ?Are? ?you? ?going? ?to? ?kill? ?him?? ?There’s? ?no? ?need? ?to? ?fight? ?anymore,? ?let’s? ?just? ?go!!!”? ? ?

?

Fortunately,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?had? ?one? ?meatball? ?left,? ?and? ?just? ?as? ?Ling? ?Wen? ?said? ?the? ?word? ?“go”,? ?

with? ?his? ?swift? ?hands? ?he? ?lobbed? ?a? ?meatball? ?into? ?her? ?mouth.? ?

?

Instantly,? ?the? ?light? ?in? ?Ling? ?Wen’s? ?eyes? ?was? ?extinguished,? ?like? ?it? ?was? ?sucked? ?out? ?by? ?the? ?

thing? ?she? ?swallowed,? ?and? ?the? ?black? ?aura? ?surrounding? ?her? ?person? ?also? ?lightened? ?a? ?shade.? ?

?

With? ?an? ?expression? ?like? ?she? ?was? ?forcing? ?back? ?the? ?urge? ?to? ?vomit,? ?she? ?glanced? ?at? ?Xie? ?Lian,? ?

her? ?lips? ?soundlessly? ?quivering,? ?then? ?after? ?enduring? ?for? ?a? ?while,? ?she? ?threw? ?Quan? ?Yizhen? ?

onto? ?the? ?ground,? ?and? ?left? ?with? ?her? ?hand? ?supporting? ?her? ?temple.? ?

?

Quan? ?Yizhen? ?jumped? ?to? ?his? ?feet,? ?chasing? ?after? ?her.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?had? ?wanted? ?to? ?follow? ?after? ?

them? ?too,? ?but? ?that? ?mob? ?of? ?monks? ?and? ?cultivators? ?blocked? ?his? ?way? ?and? ?they? ?shouted,? ?

“EVERYONE,? ?HANG? ?ON!? ?MORE? ?REINFORCEMENTS? ?ARE? ?ON? ?THEIR? ?WAY!”? ? ?

?

More?!? ?He? ?couldn’t? ?stay? ?in? ?Puqi? ?Village? ?any? ?longer,? ?he? ?best? ?leave? ?first? ?and? ?think? ?later.? ?In? ?

hot? ?pursuit? ?of? ?Ling? ?Wen,? ?Quan? ?Yizhen? ?soon? ?disappeared.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?cradled? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?in? ?

his? ?arms? ?and? ?said,? ?“Hold? ?on? ?tight? ?to? ?me!”? ?Then,? ?tipping? ?his? ?feet? ?to? ?bolt,? ?he? ?surpassed? ?the? ?

mob? ?and? ?fled.? ?

?

Hua? ?Cheng? ?followed? ?his? ?instruction? ?and? ?embraced? ?him? ?tightly.? ?For? ?some? ?reason,? ?this? ?

scene? ?felt? ?familiar? ?to? ?Xie? ?Lian,? ?but,? ?he? ?had? ?no? ?time? ?to? ?reminisce? ?the? ?past;? ?this? ?affair? ?

needed? ?to? ?be? ?reported? ?to? ?court? ?as? ?soon? ?as? ?possible.? ?Without? ?thinking,? ?he? ?sent? ?a? ?

message? ?to? ?the? ?private? ?communication? ?array:? ?“Ling? ?Wen,? ?something’s? ?happened!? ?I...”? ?

?

Ling? ?Wen:? ?“...I? ?know.”? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian:? ?“...So? ?sorry? ?to? ?bother? ?you.”? ?

?

An? ?instant? ?later,? ?it? ?was? ?Ling? ?Wen? ?who? ?cut? ?off? ?the? ?communication? ?first.? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?was? ?speechless? ?too.? ?In? ?the? ?past,? ?he? ?had? ?always? ?communicated? ?with? ?Ling? ?Wen? ?

directly,? ?and? ?now? ?that? ?it? ?was? ?Ling? ?Wen? ?herself? ?who? ?was? ?the? ?problem,? ?he? ?hadn’t? ?yet? ?had? ?

the? ?time? ?to? ?wrap? ?his? ?head? ?around? ?it,? ?and? ?actually? ?reported? ?the? ?incident? ?to? ?her,? ?so? ?he? ?

didn’t? ?know? ?whether? ?to? ?laugh? ?or? ?cry? ?either.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?entered? ?the? ?public? ?communication? ?

array? ?and? ?yelled? ?as? ?he? ?dashed? ?with? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?in? ?his? ?arms,? ?“EVERYONE!? ?PLEASE? ?

ALERT? ?THE? ?WHOLE? ?COURT!? ?LING? ?WEN’S? ?RUN? ?AWAY? ?WEARING? ?THE? ?BROCADE? ?

IMMORTAL!!!”? ?

?

?

———–? ?

?

Ch.136:? ?My? ?Puqi? ?Shrine? ?Will? ?Collapse? ?Supremely? ?2? ?

?

Yet? ?unexpectedly,? ?no? ?one? ?in? ?the? ?spiritual? ?communication? ?array? ?was? ?listening? ?to? ?him.? ?It? ?

was? ?like? ?something? ?big? ?had? ?happened,? ?and? ?every? ?heavenly? ?official? ?was? ?blabbering? ?

noisily.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?heard? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?yell,? ?“Your? ?Highness?? ?DID? ?YOU? ?SAY? ?SOMETHING?? ?

IT’S? ?REALLY? ?CHAOTIC? ?HERE? ?RIGHT? ?NOW...”? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?raised? ?his? ?voice,? ?“FENG? ?XIN!? ?I? ?SAID,? ?LING? ?WEN? ?WAS? ?THE? ?ONE? ?WHO? ?

CREATED? ?THE? ?BROCADE? ?IMMORTAL!? ?SHE’S? ?RUN? ?AWAY? ?WEARING? ?IT,? ?WATCH? ?

OUT? ?FOR? ?HER!”? ?

?

“WHAT?!”? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?shouted,? ?“THAT’S? ?HAPPENED?!”? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?was? ?about? ?to? ?expand? ?on? ?the? ?details? ?when? ?the? ?noise? ?by? ?his? ?ear? ?abruptly? ?stopped,? ?

and? ?nothing? ?more? ?could? ?be? ?heard.? ?Taken? ?aback,? ?he? ?tried? ?calling? ?again,? ?“Everyone?? ?Is? ?

everyone? ?still? ?there?”? ? ?

?

He? ?called? ?a? ?couple? ?times? ?but? ?no? ?one? ?answered.? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?spoke? ?up,? ?“It’s? ?no? ?use.? ?The? ?

spiritual? ?communication? ?array? ?of? ?the? ?Upper? ?Court? ?was? ?set? ?up? ?by? ?Ling? ?Wen,? ?she? ?must’ve? ?

broken? ?it? ?up? ?just? ?now.? ?It’ll? ?need? ?to? ?be? ?rebuilt.”? ? ?

?

“Whatever? ?shall? ?we? ?do? ?then?”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?gaped.? ?Usually? ?when? ?he? ?communicated? ?with? ?the? ?

Upper? ?Court,? ?it? ?was? ?either? ?through? ?the? ?spiritual? ?communication? ?array? ?or? ?through? ?Ling? ?

Wen? ?directly,? ?or? ?the? ?Wind? ?Master.? ?He? ?didn’t? ?know? ?the? ?verbal? ?password? ?of? ?any? ?of? ?the? ?

other? ?heavenly? ?officials.? ?Now? ?that? ?he? ?could? ?no? ?longer? ?depend? ?on? ?Ling? ?Wen? ?or? ?the? ?Wind? ?

Master,? ?and? ?the? ?communication? ?array? ?was? ?destroyed,? ?what? ?should? ?he? ?do?”? ? ?

?

Hua? ?Cheng? ?seemed? ?to? ?see? ?through? ?his? ?worries? ?and? ?said,? ?“Don’t? ?worry,? ?didn’t? ?gege? ?

already? ?report? ?the? ?key? ?issue?? ?Not? ?all? ?the? ?heavenly? ?officials? ?of? ?the? ?Upper? ?Court? ?are? ?idiots,? ?

and? ?Jun? ?Wu? ?is? ?also? ?in? ?the? ?Heavenly? ?Court? ?right? ?now.? ?It’ll? ?be? ?fine? ?once? ?the? ?message? ?

passes? ?through.”? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?thought? ?that? ?too? ?and? ?nodded.? ?After? ?his? ?mad? ?dash,? ?they’ve? ?already? ?crossed? ?

through? ?several? ?mountains? ?tops,? ?leaving? ?those? ?masters? ?far? ?behind? ?them,? ?but? ?it? ?seemed? ?

they? ?wouldn’t? ?be? ?able? ?to? ?keep? ?up? ?with? ?the? ?Brocade? ?Immortal? ?and? ?Quan? ?Yizhen? ?after? ?all.? ?

Hua? ?Cheng? ?added,? ?“If? ?gege? ?still? ?wants? ?to? ?investigate? ?the? ?Brocade? ?Immortal,? ?you’ll? ?have? ?

to? ?hurry.”? ? ?

?

However,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?shook? ?his? ?head.? ?“That? ?was? ?before.? ?Qi? ?Ying’s? ?already? ?chasing? ?after? ?

Ling? ?Wen,? ?so? ?right? ?now? ?we’ve? ?got? ?more? ?important? ?matters? ?in? ?our? ?hands.? ?San? ?Lang.”? ?He? ?

stared? ?intently? ?at? ?the? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?in? ?his? ?arms,? ?“Your? ?form...? ?it? ?seems? ?to? ?have? ?changed? ?

again.”? ? ?

?

Before? ?when? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?was? ?disguised? ?as? ?Lang? ?Ying,? ?he? ?was? ?still? ?in? ?the? ?appearance? ?of? ?

a? ?fifteen? ?to? ?sixteen? ?year? ?old? ?boy? ?and? ?it? ?wasn’t? ?easy? ?for? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?to? ?carry? ?him.? ?Even? ?if? ?he? ?

could? ?it? ?didn’t? ?look? ?good.? ?But? ?now,? ?Hua? ?Cheng’s? ?body? ?seemed? ?to? ?have? ?shrunk? ?in? ?size,? ?

looking? ?to? ?be? ?at? ?most? ?eleven? ?or? ?twelve,? ?and? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?could? ?carry? ?him? ?singlehandedly? ?and? ?

have? ?him? ?perch? ?on? ?his? ?arm.? ?Be? ?that? ?as? ?it? ?may,? ?Hua? ?Cheng’s? ?air? ?of? ?steady? ?calm? ?never? ?

changed.? ?“It’s? ?a? ?non? ?issue.? ?Changing? ?form? ?is? ?only? ?a? ?temporary? ?plan.? ?After? ?the? ?whole? ?

thing? ?is? ?over? ?my? ?old? ?self? ?will? ?return.”? ?

?

He? ?unwrapped? ?the? ?bandages? ?on? ?his? ?head? ?as? ?he? ?spoke.? ?On? ?that? ?snow? ?white? ?face,? ?a? ?pair? ?

of? ?deep,? ?black? ?eyes? ?watched? ?Xie? ?Lian,? ?and? ?between? ?his? ?brows? ?were? ?still? ?shadows? ?of? ?that? ?

handsome? ?young? ?man.? ?It? ?was? ?clearly? ?the? ?face? ?of? ?a? ?child,? ?but? ?his? ?air? ?and? ?expression? ?was? ?

the? ?laid? ?backness? ?he? ?always? ?assumed.? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?watched? ?him? ?dazedly,? ?not? ?speaking? ?a? ?word.? ?

?

Hua? ?Cheng? ?frowned? ?slightly,? ?“Your? ?Highness,? ?you...”? ?

?

Suddenly,? ?Xie? ?Lian’s? ?other? ?hand? ?reached? ?out? ?and? ?squeezed? ?his? ?cheek.? ?

?

This? ?was? ?so? ?out? ?of? ?the? ?blue,? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?widened? ?his? ?eyes? ?as? ?his? ?face? ?changed? ?shape? ?

from? ?the? ?squishing,? ?“...GEGE!”? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?laughed,? ?“Hahahahahaha...? ?Sorry? ?San? ?Lang,? ?but? ?you’re? ?too? ?cute? ?I? ?can’t? ?help? ?

myself,? ?hahahaha...”? ?

?

“...”? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?squished? ?him? ?tenderly? ?as? ?he? ?said? ?gently,? ?“Then,? ?San? ?Lang,? ?are? ?you? ?going? ?to? ?

keep? ?changing?? ?Are? ?you? ?going? ?to? ?turn? ?into? ?a? ?toddler? ?of? ?five? ?or? ?six?? ?Or? ?even? ?better,? ?a? ?little? ?

baby?”? ? ?

?

Hearing? ?his? ?hopeful? ?voice,? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?replied? ?helplessly,? ?“I’m? ?afraid? ?I? ?will? ?have? ?to? ?

disappoint? ?gege.”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?dropped? ?his? ?hand? ?and? ?grinned,? ?“Nonsense.? ?San? ?Lang? ?has? ?never? ?disappointed? ?

me.? ?I’m? ?really? ?happy? ?to? ?have? ?this? ?chance? ?to? ?protect? ?you.”? ? ?

?

However,? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?said? ?glumly,? ?“I’m? ?not? ?happy.”? ?

?

“How? ?come?”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?asked.? ?

?

Hua? ?Cheng? ?voice? ?turned? ?cold,? ?“I..? ?hate? ?looking? ?like? ?this!”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?could? ?detect? ?a? ?trace? ?of? ?loathing? ?in? ?his? ?voice? ?and? ?was? ?slightly? ?taken? ?aback.? ?Hua? ?

Cheng? ?lowered? ?his? ?head,? ?“I? ?don’t? ?want? ?you? ?to? ?see? ?me? ?in? ?such? ?a? ?helpless? ?form,? ?and? ?I? ?

absolutely? ?didn’t? ?want? ?you? ?to? ?have? ?to? ?protect? ?me!”? ? ?

?

Maybe? ?it? ?was? ?because? ?Hua? ?Cheng’s? ?age? ?had? ?diminished? ?that? ?even? ?his? ?emotions? ?

seemed? ?to? ?be? ?rippling.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?felt? ?his? ?heart? ?stir? ?and? ?hurriedly? ?hugged? ?him? ?in? ?his? ?

embrace,? ?lightly? ?patting? ?his? ?back? ?as? ?he? ?laughed,? ?“Then? ?according? ?to? ?you,? ?I? ?might? ?as? ?well? ?

just? ?die? ?since? ?you? ?saw? ?me? ?in? ?a? ?mess? ?so? ?many? ?times.? ?Besides,? ?it’s? ?not? ?like? ?you’re? ?

completely? ?useless? ?right? ?now,? ?you’re? ?just? ?temporarily? ?storing? ?your? ?powers,? ?that’s? ?all.”? ? ?

?

“...”? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?buried? ?his? ?face? ?in? ?his? ?shoulder? ?and? ?grumbled? ?in? ?a? ?muffled? ?voice,? ?“It’s? ?not? ?

the? ?same.? ?Your? ?Highness,? ?I? ?have? ?to? ?be? ?the? ?strongest.? ?I? ?have? ?to? ?make? ?myself? ?stronger? ?

than? ?anyone? ?else.? ?Only? ?then? ?can? ?I...”? ?

?

Although? ?his? ?voice? ?was? ?young? ?and? ?tender? ?at? ?the? ?moment,? ?there? ?was? ?still? ?a? ?faint? ?trace? ?of? ?

fatigue.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?soothed,? ?“You’ve? ?always? ?been? ?the? ?strongest.? ?But,? ?you? ?don’t? ?need? ?to? ?be? ?

every? ?waking? ?moment? ?of? ?every? ?day.? ?Just...? ?think? ?of? ?this? ?as? ?giving? ?me? ?some? ?face,? ?and? ?let? ?

me? ?protect? ?you? ?this? ?once.? ?Please?? ?Ok?”? ? ?

?

It? ?was? ?a? ?long? ?time? ?before? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?lifted? ?his? ?head? ?from? ?his? ?hug,? ?and? ?he? ?placed? ?his? ?

hands? ?on? ?Xie? ?Lian’s? ?shoulders,? ?watching? ?him,? ?“Your? ?Highness,? ?wait? ?for? ?me.”? ?

?

“Alright,? ?I’ll? ?wait? ?for? ?you.”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?promised.? ?

?

Hua? ?Cheng? ?assured? ?again? ?very? ?seriously,? ?“Give? ?me? ?a? ?little? ?time,? ?I’ll? ?be? ?back? ?very? ?soon.”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?smiled,? ?“No? ?rush.? ?Go? ?at? ?your? ?own? ?pace.”? ?

?

The? ?next? ?day,? ?the? ?two? ?came? ?to? ?a? ?small? ?town.? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?was? ?holding? ?Hua? ?Cheng’s? ?hand,? ?and? ?the? ?one? ?adult? ?and? ?one? ?child? ?strolled? ?along? ?

the? ?streets,? ?chatting? ?leisurely.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?asked,? ?“With? ?the? ?reopening? ?of? ?Mount? ?Tong’lu,? ?all? ?

the? ?preceding? ?Ghost? ?Kings? ?are? ?affected? ?by? ?the? ?tremors.? ?So? ?does? ?this? ?mean? ?that? ?Black? ?

Water? ?is? ?the? ?same?”? ? ?

?

Hua? ?Cheng? ?had? ?one? ?hand? ?courted? ?behind? ?his? ?back? ?as? ?he? ?held? ?hands? ?with? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?with? ?

the? ?other? ?and? ?replied,? ?“Yes.? ?But? ?our? ?situation’s? ?different,? ?our? ?training? ?methods? ?are? ?

different,? ?so? ?naturally? ?our? ?ways? ?of? ?resisting? ?provocations? ?are? ?also? ?different.”? ?

?

“For? ?example?”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?asked,? ?“How? ?does? ?he? ?resist? ?aggravation?”? ? ?

?

“Hibernation,? ?probably.”? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?replied.? ?

?

The? ?words? ?“Eat? ?when? ?hungry,? ?sleep? ?when? ?full”? ?appeared? ?in? ?Xie? ?Lian’s? ?mind.? ? ?

?

Hua? ?Cheng? ?continued,? ?“When? ?Black? ?Water? ?was? ?a? ?mortal,? ?he? ?suffered? ?the? ?torment? ?of? ?jail.? ?

With? ?only? ?one? ?meal? ?every? ?three? ?days,? ?even? ?if? ?he? ?was? ?given? ?swills? ?he? ?must? ?swallow.? ?

Hunger? ?ruined? ?his? ?stomach;? ?sometimes? ?he’d? ?feed? ?nonstop,? ?sometimes? ?he’d? ?reject? ?eating? ?

anything? ?at? ?all.”? ?

?

“No? ?wonder? ?he? ?was? ?so? ?impressive? ?in? ?devouring? ?everything.”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?mused.? ?

?

In? ?truth,? ?in? ?He? ?Xuan’s? ?situation? ?he? ?could? ?focus? ?on? ?devouring? ?hungry? ?ghosts,? ?because? ?he? ?

possessed? ?that? ?attribute? ?by? ?nature,? ?so? ?hungry? ?ghosts? ?should? ?be? ?more? ?to? ?his? ?taste.? ?Yet? ?in? ?

all? ?the? ?five? ?hundred? ?some? ?ghosts? ?and? ?demons? ?devoured? ?by? ?Black? ?Water? ?Demon? ?Xuan,? ?

the? ?majority? ?were? ?water? ?ghouls.? ?It? ?must? ?be? ?because? ?he? ?remembered? ?the? ?face? ?of? ?Shi? ?

Wudu,? ?and? ?in? ?order? ?to? ?break? ?his? ?water? ?magic,? ?He? ?Xuan? ?did? ?so? ?intentionally.? ?And? ?when? ?he? ?

swallowed? ?too? ?much,? ?after? ?a? ?while? ?he? ?would? ?need? ?to? ?slumber? ?to? ?digest.? ? ?

?

“Indeed.”? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?said,? ?“I? ?might? ?as? ?well? ?mention? ?that? ?Qi? ?Rong? ?feasting? ?on? ?human? ?

flesh? ?was? ?him? ?trying? ?to? ?imitate? ?He? ?Xuan? ?on? ?purpose.”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?was? ?speechless? ?for? ?a? ?moment? ?and? ?thought,? ?‘How? ?can? ?feeding? ?on? ?humans? ?be? ?

the? ?same? ?as? ?feeding? ?on? ?ghosts?’? ?Then? ?after? ?pondering,? ?he? ?asked,? ?“Then? ?that? ?forest? ?of? ?

upside? ?down? ?corpses?? ?Could? ?it? ?be? ?he? ?was? ?trying? ?to? ?imitate? ?you?”? ? ?

?

“Correct.”? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?replied.? ?“Because? ?he? ?wanted? ?to? ?achieve? ?the? ?same? ?bloody? ?rain? ?

sceneries? ?but? ?didn’t? ?know? ?how? ?I? ?did? ?it,? ?so,? ?he? ?simply? ?and? ?vulgarly? ?hangs? ?rows? ?of? ?dead? ?

bodies? ?in? ?the? ?air.”? ?

?

“...”? ?

?

Today,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?could? ?finally? ?understand? ?completely? ?why? ?every? ?time? ?Qi? ?Rong? ?was? ?

mentioned,? ?no? ?one? ?knew? ?what? ?to? ?say.? ?He? ?had? ?all? ?the? ?appearances? ?but? ?none? ?of? ?the? ?class.? ?

Xie? ?Lian? ?sighed? ?as? ?he? ?thought,? ?‘Qi? ?Rong? ?had? ?taken? ?Guzi? ?away,? ?who? ?knows? ?if? ?the? ?poor? ?

child? ?was? ?eaten? ?or? ?abandoned.? ?Wind? ?Master...? ?who? ?knows? ?if? ?Black? ?Water? ?took? ?him? ?

away.? ?Pray? ?they’re? ?both? ?safe.’? ?Then? ?he? ?asked,? ?“What? ?about? ?your? ?Ghost? ?City?? ?Won’t? ?

anyone? ?go? ?stir? ?up? ?trouble? ?there?”? ? ?

?

Hua? ?Cheng? ?replied,? ?“I’ve? ?locked? ?up? ?the? ?Ghost? ?City? ?when? ?I? ?left,? ?and? ?leaked? ?some? ?false? ?

information? ?of? ?my? ?whereabouts.? ?Even? ?if? ?anyone? ?tries? ?to? ?start? ?trouble,? ?if? ?they? ?can’t? ?find? ?me? ?

they? ?won’t? ?be? ?too? ?hard? ?on? ?them.? ?But? ?I’m? ?sure? ?there? ?are? ?plenty? ?of? ?eyes? ?watching? ?that? ?

place? ?right? ?now.”? ?

?

Hua? ?Cheng? ?couldn’t? ?return? ?to? ?the? ?Ghost? ?City? ?and? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?couldn’t? ?take? ?him? ?to? ?the? ?

heavens? ?either,? ?lest? ?he? ?be? ?exposed? ?by? ?a? ?heavenly? ?official,? ?so? ?the? ?two? ?frolicked? ?in? ?the? ?

crowds? ?of? ?the? ?mortal? ?realm? ?without? ?a? ?destination? ?in? ?mind.? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?slightly? ?knitted? ?his? ?brows,? ?“You? ?leaked? ?false? ?information,? ?but? ?Ling? ?Wen? ?leaked? ?

real? ?information.? ?I? ?still? ?don’t? ?understand? ?how? ?she? ?was? ?able? ?to? ?see? ?through? ?your? ?Lang? ?

Ying? ?disguise.”? ?

?

“What? ?I? ?don’t? ?understand? ?is? ?something? ?else.”? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?said.? ?

?

“What?”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?asked.? ?

?

“That? ?foul? ?cultivator? ?Heaven’s? ?Eye,? ?I’ve? ?played? ?him? ?a? ?couple? ?times,? ?his? ?skills? ?aren’t? ?bad.”? ?

Hua? ?Cheng? ?said.? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?agreed,? ?“En.? ?It’s? ?true.? ?He’s? ?really? ?got? ?the? ?talent? ?and? ?put? ?in? ?the? ?effort.”? ? ?

?

“Yea.? ?So,? ?why? ?would? ?he? ?say? ?that? ?gege’s? ?lips? ?are? ?covered? ?in? ?the? ?essence? ?of? ?evil?”? ?Hua? ?

Cheng? ?questioned.? ?

?

“...”? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian’s? ?hands? ?instantly? ?clenched,? ?but? ?when? ?he? ?remembered? ?he? ?was? ?still? ?holding? ?

hands? ?with? ?Hua? ?Cheng,? ?he? ?immediately? ?loosened? ?his? ?grip.? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?pressed? ?with? ?a? ?

low? ?voice,? ?“Gege,? ?don’t? ?blow? ?me? ?off? ?with? ?words? ?you’d? ?use? ?to? ?placate? ?idiots.? ?Tell? ?me? ?just? ?

what? ?exactly? ?did? ?I? ?do? ?to? ?you? ?that? ?night.”? ?

?

“...”? ?

?

‘It’s? ?not? ?what? ?you? ?did? ?to? ?me,? ?more? ?like? ?what? ?I? ?did? ?to? ?you...’? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?thought.? ?Suddenly,? ?

his? ?eyes? ?lit? ?up,? ?“Wait,? ?San? ?Lang,? ?look? ?over? ?there.”? ?

?

“Gege?”? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?questioned.? ?

?

But? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?was? ?already? ?pulling? ?him? ?into? ?a? ?luxurious? ?and? ?lavish? ?store? ?on? ?the? ?road.? ?The? ?

owner? ?at? ?the? ?counter? ?looked? ?the? ?pair? ?of? ?them? ?up? ?and? ?down,? ?the? ?curious? ?combination? ?of? ?a? ?

cultivator? ?and? ?a? ?layman,? ?and? ?asked,? ?“What? ?can? ?I? ?do? ?for? ?you,? ?daozhang?”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?lifted? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?up? ?and? ?smiled,? ?“It’s? ?not? ?for? ?me.? ?It’s? ?for? ?him.”? ? ?

?

Hua? ?Cheng? ?tilted? ?his? ?head? ?in? ?his? ?arms.? ?

?

An? ?incense? ?time? ?later,? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?emerged? ?from? ?the? ?back? ?of? ?the? ?store.? ?

?

Lang? ?Ying’s? ?clothes? ?fit? ?for? ?a? ?fifteen,? ?sixteen? ?year? ?old? ?from? ?before? ?no? ?longer? ?fit? ?the? ?current? ?

Hua? ?Cheng,? ?so? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?picked? ?out? ?a? ?new? ?outfit? ?especially? ?for? ?him.? ?The? ?moment? ?he? ?

emerged,? ?Xie? ?Lian’s? ?eyes? ?brightened.? ?

?

What? ?a? ?skin? ?as? ?white? ?as? ?snow? ?little? ?young? ?master!? ?

?

Donned? ?in? ?a? ?robe? ?as? ?red? ?as? ?maple? ?fire,? ?and? ?a? ?pair? ?of? ?deer? ?leather? ?boots? ?hung? ?with? ?silver? ?

chains,? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?was? ?both? ?handsome? ?and? ?spirited.? ?His? ?raven? ?locks? ?were? ?loose,? ?and? ?

before? ?he? ?only? ?had? ?a? ?thin? ?braid? ?next? ?to? ?his? ?right? ?cheek,? ?but? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?couldn’t? ?help? ?but? ?

braid? ?another? ?one? ?on? ?his? ?left? ?too? ?to? ?match,? ?making? ?him? ?look? ?even? ?more? ?sprightly.? ?What’s? ?

really? ?too? ?much? ?however,? ?was? ?his? ?expression;? ?his? ?eyes? ?were? ?vivacious? ?and? ?bright,? ?his? ?air? ?

calm? ?and? ?steady,? ?looking? ?nothing? ?like? ?a? ?child!? ?Such? ?a? ?contrast,? ?it? ?made? ?one? ?hard? ?to? ?look? ?

away.? ?The? ?ladies? ?shopping? ?in? ?the? ?store? ?were? ?all? ?stunned,? ?and? ?they? ?gathered? ?around? ?in? ?a? ?

circle,? ?their? ?hands? ?clutching? ?their? ?hearts? ?as? ?they? ?cried? ?“Aiyoh? ?aiyoh”? ?in? ?appreciation.? ?

?

Hua? ?Cheng? ?leisurely? ?approached? ?Xie? ?Lian,? ?and? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?clapped? ?lightly,? ?“I? ?knew? ?it.? ?San? ?

Lang? ?looks? ?best? ?in? ?red? ?after? ?all.”? ? ?

?

Hua? ?Cheng? ?helplessly? ?pulled? ?at? ?the? ?little? ?braid? ?on? ?his? ?left? ?and? ?grumbled,? ?“As? ?long? ?as? ?

gege? ?is? ?happy.”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?lowered? ?his? ?arm? ?to? ?seize? ?his? ?hand,? ?and? ?smiled? ?as? ?they? ?went? ?to? ?the? ?storefront,? ?

ready? ?to? ?pay.? ?Hua? ?Cheng’s? ?outfit? ?wasn’t? ?cheap,? ?and? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?didn’t? ?have? ?much? ?money? ?to? ?

spare? ?so? ?usually? ?he? ?wouldn’t? ?have? ?entered? ?such? ?a? ?store.? ?However,? ?he? ?had? ?saved? ?up? ?a? ?

small? ?fortune? ?for? ?renovating? ?the? ?shrine,? ?and? ?now? ?that? ?there’s? ?nothing? ?left? ?to? ?renovate,? ?he? ?

could? ?buy? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?some? ?clothes? ?first? ?before? ?he? ?worried? ?about? ?anything? ?else.? ?Just? ?as? ?

he? ?was? ?counting? ?out? ?his? ?coins? ?one? ?by? ?one,? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?squished? ?over? ?to? ?his? ?side,? ?and? ?

PA!?,? ?slapped? ?a? ?gold? ?foil? ?on? ?the? ?counter.? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian:? ?“...”? ?

?

The? ?owner:? ?“...”? ?

?

The? ?ladies:? ?“...”? ?

?

“There’s? ?no? ?need? ?for? ?change.”? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?said,? ?“Gege,? ?come? ?on,? ?let’s? ?go.”? ? ?

?

He? ?tugged? ?at? ?the? ?corner? ?of? ?Xie? ?Lian’s? ?sleeve? ?then? ?exited? ?the? ?store? ?with? ?his? ?hands? ?at? ?his? ?

sides.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?smiled? ?and? ?took? ?a? ?few? ?steps? ?too? ?when? ?suddenly,? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?backtracked? ?

and? ?came? ?back? ?in,? ?bumping? ?into? ?his? ?arms.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?held? ?his? ?shoulders? ?and? ?asked,? ?

“What’s? ?wrong?”? ?Then? ?he? ?looked? ?up? ?and? ?saw? ?the? ?shadows? ?of? ?a? ?figure? ?in? ?the? ?flowing? ?

crowd? ?on? ?the? ?streets,? ?and? ?his? ?heart? ?lurched? ?too.? ?Coincidentally,? ?the? ?store? ?owner? ?asked,? ?

“Would? ?you? ?two? ?still? ?like? ?to? ?purchase? ?something? ?else?”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?raised? ?his? ?hand,? ?“Yes.? ?Please? ?bring? ?me? ?that? ?robe!”? ? ?

?

?

———-? ?

?

?

?MXTX? ?Author? ?Note:? ?

Hua? ?Hua:? ?That? ?day,? ?His? ?Highness? ?took? ?me? ?to? ?a? ?lavish? ?store? ?to? ?buy? ?brand? ?names? ?

(Huh???? ?

?

The? ?crown? ?prince? ?is? ?good? ?at? ?making? ?pickled? ?veggies.? ?Because? ?eating? ?steamed? ?

buns? ?and? ?porridge? ?all? ?need? ?pickles? ?to? ?match,? ?he’s? ?practiced? ?this? ?for? ?centuries? ?so? ?

he’s? ?experienced.? ?Besides,? ?a? ?majority? ?of? ?the? ?time? ?you? ?don’t? ?need? ?to? ?mind? ?pickles? ?

when? ?making? ?pickles;? ?just? ?leave? ?them? ?in? ?a? ?corner? ?and? ?let? ?chemistry? ?do? ?its? ?work.? ?

Most? ?of? ?his? ?failures? ?come? ?from? ?his? ?intense? ?desire? ?to? ?create? ?something? ?new.? ?

?

———–? ?

?

Ch.137:? ?Upon? ?Barren? ?Hills;? ?Rioting? ?the? ?Black? ?Hearted? ?Inn? ?

?

The? ?store? ?owner? ?was? ?taken? ?aback,? ?“Huh?? ?That? ?one?? ?Daozhang? ?are? ?you? ?sure? ?you’re? ?not? ?

mistaken?”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?confirmed,? ?“Yes,? ?that? ?one!”? ? ?

?

Then? ?he? ?just? ?rushed? ?up? ?himself? ?to? ?grab? ?for? ?that? ?robe,? ?picked? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?up? ?and? ?dashed? ?

to? ?the? ?back? ?of? ?the? ?store,? ?slipping? ?behind? ?a? ?set? ?of? ?curtains.? ?This? ?clothing? ?store? ?was? ?a? ?

daring? ?one? ?and? ?an? ?innovative? ?one? ?at? ?that.? ?There? ?was? ?a? ?small? ?stall? ?inside? ?for? ?changing,? ?so? ?

those? ?who? ?came? ?to? ?purchase? ?clothes? ?could? ?try? ?them? ?on? ?on? ?the? ?spot.? ?The? ?crowd? ?was? ?

taken? ?aback.? ?A? ?moment? ?later,? ?a? ?luxuriously? ?dressed? ?cultivator? ?walked? ?past? ?the? ?clothing? ?

store,? ?grumbling? ?as? ?he? ?rubbed? ?his? ?forehead,? ?and? ?behind? ?him? ?followed? ?a? ?mob? ?of? ?

malicious? ?looking,? ?strange? ?monks? ?and? ?cultivators.? ?When? ?they? ?saw? ?the? ?clothing? ?store? ?had? ?

a? ?large? ?gathering,? ?he? ?barked,? ?displeased,? ?“What? ?are? ?you? ?lookin’? ?at?!”? ? ?

?

“Sigh,? ?forget? ?it,? ?let’s? ?hurry.? ?I? ?need? ?to? ?go? ?to? ?the? ?toilet? ?again!”? ? ?

?

“Wait,? ?Heaven’s? ?Eye-xiong,? ?there’s? ?plenty? ?of? ?people? ?here,? ?why? ?not? ?ask? ?them? ?if? ?they? ?

saw?”? ?

?

“My? ?lady? ?donors,? ?have? ?you? ?all? ?seen? ?a? ?white? ?clad? ?cultivator? ?with? ?a? ?small? ?child? ?covered? ?in? ?

bandages? ?pass? ?by?”? ? ?

?

The? ?crowd? ?was? ?silent? ?but? ?there? ?were? ?some? ?who? ?unconsciously? ?glimpsed? ?to? ?the? ?back? ?of? ?

the? ?store.? ?The? ?mob? ?grew? ?cautious,? ?and? ?made? ?the? ?hand? ?gesture? ?of? ?‘go? ?over? ?and? ?see’.? ?

Heaven’s? ?Eye? ?strode? ?inside,? ?held? ?his? ?breath,? ?and? ?slowly? ?approached? ?those? ?curtains.? ?A? ?

moment? ?later,? ?he? ?yanked? ?it? ?open.? ?Instantly? ?there? ?was? ?a? ?shriek.? ?

?

Behind? ?the? ?curtains? ?sat? ?a? ?woman,? ?her? ?long? ?raven? ?hair? ?hung? ?a? ?loose? ?bun,? ?her? ?neck? ?

slender? ?and? ?white? ?with? ?a? ?black? ?choker? ?and? ?a? ?thin? ?silver? ?chain? ?circled? ?around.? ?Her? ?robe? ?

was? ?half? ?stripped,? ?revealing? ?her? ?snow? ?white? ?shoulder? ?and? ?a? ?small? ?bit? ?of? ?her? ?back,? ?looking? ?

to? ?drape? ?and? ?fall,? ?making? ?one’s? ?face? ?burn? ?and? ?heart? ?race.? ?

?

When? ?the? ?curtains? ?were? ?pulled,? ?the? ?figure? ?of? ?that? ?woman? ?trembled,? ?covering? ?her? ?face? ?

with? ?her? ?sleeves,? ?and? ?whimpered? ?softly,? ?as? ?if? ?she? ?was? ?shocked? ?and? ?terrified? ?by? ?such? ?a? ?

sudden? ?and? ?brutish? ?act.? ?Heaven’s? ?Eye? ?instantly? ?dropped? ?the? ?curtains,? ?“I-I-I-I-I-I’M? ?

SORRY!!!”? ?

?

The? ?band? ?of? ?monks? ?and? ?cultivators? ?who? ?followed? ?after? ?Heaven’s? ?Eye? ?all? ?screamed? ?too,? ?

“WHAT? ?A? ?SIN,? ?WHAT? ?A? ?SIN!”? ?And? ?they? ?all? ?covered? ?their? ?own? ?eyes.? ?Using? ?this? ?chance,? ?

that? ?‘woman’? ?whipped? ?around? ?–? ?who? ?else? ?could? ?it? ?be? ?but? ?Xie? ?Lian?? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?was? ?

sitting? ?in? ?his? ?arms? ?and? ?was? ?only? ?blocked? ?from? ?view? ?by? ?Xie? ?Lian’s? ?body.? ?Although? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?

was? ?a? ?man? ?and? ?his? ?shoulders? ?were? ?wider? ?than? ?the? ?average? ?woman,? ?but? ?he? ?only? ?pulled? ?

down? ?half? ?of? ?his? ?robe? ?to? ?expose? ?the? ?best? ?angle,? ?creating? ?the? ?perfect? ?effect.? ? ?

?

With? ?one? ?arm? ?full? ?of? ?Hua? ?Cheng,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?lifted? ?the? ?skirt? ?with? ?his? ?other? ?hand? ?and? ?dashed? ?

past? ?those? ?screaming? ?monks? ?and? ?cultivators? ?with? ?their? ?eyes? ?covered,? ?fleeing? ?away? ?like? ?

the? ?wind.? ?The? ?store? ?owner? ?and? ?the? ?ladies? ?were? ?all? ?dumbfounded,? ?and? ?seeing? ?him? ?flee,? ?

the? ?store? ?owner? ?had? ?wanted? ?to? ?stop? ?him,? ?but? ?opening? ?and? ?closing? ?his? ?mouth,? ?he? ?looked? ?

down? ?at? ?that? ?gold? ?foil? ?that? ?could? ?easily? ?buy? ?two? ?sets? ?of? ?clothing? ?and? ?more,? ?he? ?shrugged? ?

and? ?stopped? ?caring.? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?dashed? ?madly? ?the? ?entire? ?way? ?with? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?in? ?his? ?arms,? ?leaving? ?nothing? ?but? ?

clouds? ?of? ?dust.? ?The? ?passersby? ?on? ?the? ?streets? ?only? ?saw? ?the? ?blurry? ?shadows? ?of? ?a? ?‘woman’? ?

holding? ?a? ?child? ?fly? ?by,? ?as? ?lithe? ?and? ?ferocious? ?like? ?a? ?jaguar,? ?creating? ?clouds? ?of? ?suffocating? ?

dust,? ?and? ?they? ?choked? ?and? ?coughed,? ?their? ?eyes? ?unbelieving.? ?A? ?small? ?food? ?stall? ?on? ?the? ?

side? ?of? ?the? ?road? ?was? ?covered? ?and? ?the? ?owner? ?started? ?cussing,? ?“WHAT’S? ?WRONG? ?WITH? ?

YOU!”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?spared? ?the? ?time? ?to? ?turn? ?his? ?head? ?and? ?shouted? ?loudly,? ?“EVERYTHING’S? ?

WRONG!? ?I’M? ?SORRY!? ?I’M? ?SORRY!”? ?Just? ?then,? ?he? ?heard? ?wild? ?hollering? ?from? ?behind? ?him,? ?

“STOP? ?RIGHT? ?THERE—!!!”? ? ?

?

He? ?looked? ?back,? ?and? ?it? ?was? ?that? ?mob? ?who? ?had? ?charged? ?out? ?of? ?the? ?clothing? ?store.? ?‘I? ?really? ?

wonder? ?what’s? ?on? ?the? ?minds? ?of? ?people? ?who? ?yell? ?‘stop? ?right? ?there’.? ?It’s? ?obvious? ?the? ?one? ?

they’re? ?yelling? ?to? ?won’t? ?stop.? ?Instead? ?they? ?would? ?just? ?hold? ?their? ?breath? ?and? ?run? ?faster!’? ?Xie? ?

Lian? ?thought,? ?and? ?he? ?immediately? ?put? ?his? ?mind? ?to? ?it,? ?dashing? ?away? ?faster.? ? ?

?

This? ?large? ?fanfare? ?of? ?a? ?crowd? ?running? ?down? ?the? ?streets,? ?dust? ?flew? ?and? ?covered? ?the? ?air,? ?

and? ?now? ?the? ?food? ?stall? ?owner? ?couldn’t? ?even? ?curse? ?anymore,? ?flipping? ?his? ?own? ?pot? ?from? ?

anger,? ?“WHY? ?THE? ?FUCK? ?DO? ?I? ?EVEN? ?BOTHER!”? ? ?

?

After? ?chasing? ?for? ?four? ?hours,? ?sure? ?enough,? ?the? ?monks? ?and? ?cultivators? ?who? ?were? ?yelling? ?

as? ?they? ?ran? ?were? ?finally? ?losing? ?their? ?breaths,? ?their? ?steps? ?slowing.? ?As? ?for? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?who? ?was? ?

experienced? ?in? ?the? ?art? ?of? ?escape? ?soundlessly? ?persevered? ?to? ?the? ?very? ?end.? ?Once? ?they’ve? ?

lost? ?their? ?tail? ?completely,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?put? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?down? ?and? ?stood? ?on? ?the? ?side? ?of? ?the? ?

road? ?gasping? ?for? ?breath.? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?held? ?his? ?shoulders? ?and? ?said? ?in? ?a? ?low? ?voice,? ?“Don’t? ?

breathe? ?too? ?harshly,? ?you’ll? ?hurt? ?yourself.”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?looked? ?up? ?and? ?saw? ?Hua? ?Chen’s? ?small? ?frown? ?but? ?still? ?with? ?the? ?face? ?of? ?a? ?child,? ?he? ?

couldn’t? ?help? ?but? ?laugh? ?out? ?loud,? ?“HAHA,? ?HAHAHA...? ?Ah!”? ? ?

?

He? ?laughed? ?too? ?abruptly;? ?a? ?sharp? ?pain? ?shot? ?up? ?from? ?his? ?ribs? ?so? ?he? ?held? ?his? ?sides.? ?Seeing? ?

that? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?was? ?looking? ?dismayed,? ?he? ?waved? ?his? ?hand,? ?“It’s? ?nothing...? ?eh?? ?Is? ?that? ?

an? ?inn? ?over? ?there?”? ? ?

?

Sure? ?enough,? ?not? ?far? ?in? ?the? ?distance? ?within? ?the? ?steadfast? ?blues? ?of? ?the? ?evening? ?was? ?an? ?inn? ?

peeping? ?with? ?warm? ?yellow? ?glow? ?as? ?if? ?beckoning? ?travelers? ?to? ?go.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?straightened? ?up? ?

and? ?said,? ?“Let’s? ?go? ?in? ?and? ?rest.”? ? ?

?

“Alright,”? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?said.? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?clutched? ?his? ?hand? ?and? ?the? ?two? ?strolled? ?towards? ?the? ?small? ?building.? ?When? ?they? ?

came? ?before? ?the? ?entrance,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?realized? ?that? ?this? ?inn? ?had? ?two? ?levels,? ?much? ?more? ?

lavish? ?than? ?it? ?appeared? ?from? ?afar.? ?The? ?doors? ?were? ?closed,? ?and? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?raised? ?his? ?hand,? ?

knocking? ?lightly,? ?“Anyone? ?there?? ?We’re? ?here? ?to? ?stay? ?the? ?night.”? ?

?

Soon? ?enough,? ?someone? ?called? ?from? ?the? ?inside,? ?“Coming,? ?coming!”? ? ?

?

A? ?moment? ?later,? ?the? ?door? ?opened,? ?and? ?several? ?attendants? ?came? ?forward? ?to? ?greet,? ?their? ?

faces? ?full? ?of? ?smiles,? ?“Good? ?si...”? ?

?

They? ?had? ?wanted? ?to? ?say? ?’good? ?sir’,? ?but? ?seeing? ?the? ?person? ?before? ?them? ?was? ?wearing? ?

women’s? ?robes,? ?they? ?changed,? ?“Mis...”? ?

?

Before? ?the? ?word? ?left? ?their? ?lips,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?emerged? ?fully? ?from? ?the? ?darkness? ?with? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?

in? ?hand.? ?If? ?there’s? ?a? ?child,? ?then? ?it? ?wasn’t? ?an? ?unmarried? ?lady,? ?so? ?they? ?changed? ?again,? ?

“Mada...”? ?

?

‘Madam’? ?was? ?still? ?half? ?on? ?their? ?lips? ?and? ?Xie? ?Lian’s? ?face? ?was? ?fully? ?illuminated? ?by? ?the? ?light? ?

within? ?the? ?inn.? ?Although? ?this? ?person? ?was? ?dressed? ?in? ?women’s? ?robes? ?and? ?had? ?a? ?gentle? ?

countenance,? ?if? ?they? ?must? ?be? ?honest,? ?no? ?matter? ?how? ?they? ?looked? ?it? ?was? ?the? ?face? ?of? ?a? ?

man.? ?The? ?attendants? ?all? ?became? ?mute,? ?and? ?it? ?was? ?a? ?good? ?moment? ?before? ?they? ?went? ?

back? ?to? ?their? ?original? ?greeting,? ?“Good? ?sir,? ?please? ?come? ?inside.”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?smiled? ?as? ?he? ?nodded.? ?The? ?him? ?now? ?was? ?very? ?practiced? ?wearing? ?anything,? ?and? ?

there? ?was? ?not? ?a? ?drop? ?of? ?mental? ?or? ?physical? ?discomfort.? ?With? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?in? ?hand,? ?he? ?

crossed? ?the? ?extremely? ?low? ?threshold,? ?and? ?sat? ?down? ?at? ?a? ?table? ?in? ?the? ?corner? ?of? ?the? ?lobby.? ?

Other? ?than? ?those? ?attendants? ?in? ?the? ?inn,? ?there? ?was? ?no? ?one? ?else.? ?The? ?moment? ?they? ?

entered,? ?the? ?attendants? ?immediately? ?closed? ?the? ?door? ?and? ?gathered? ?around,? ?piling? ?smiles? ?

on? ?their? ?faces.? ?It? ?was? ?more? ?those? ?smiles? ?that? ?were? ?making? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?uncomfortable.? ?

?

He? ?took? ?the? ?menu? ?card? ?and? ?said,? ?“It’s? ?not? ?easy? ?to? ?find? ?an? ?inn? ?in? ?the? ?wild? ?like? ?this,? ?I’m? ?

amazed!”? ? ?

?

The? ?attendants? ?responded,? ?“It’s? ?not? ?easy? ?to? ?have? ?customers? ?in? ?the? ?wild? ?like? ?this? ?either!”? ?

?

For? ?some? ?reason,? ?although? ?they? ?were? ?smiling,? ?those? ?smiles? ?looked? ?like? ?they? ?were? ?

painted? ?on,? ?quite? ?fake.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?didn’t? ?move? ?a? ?muscle? ?or? ?change? ?his? ?expression.? ?He? ?

flipped? ?the? ?menu? ?card,? ?ordered? ?a? ?few? ?dishes,? ?before? ?the? ?attendants? ?merrily? ?left? ?to? ?bring? ?

their? ?orders? ?to? ?the? ?kitchen.? ? ?

?

Hua? ?Cheng? ?was? ?playing? ?with? ?his? ?chopsticks,? ?“Gege,? ?we’ve? ?entered? ?a? ?shady? ?

establishment? ?run? ?by? ?ghosts.”? ? ?

?

“En.”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?acknowledged.? ?

?

If? ?it? ?wasn’t? ?anything? ?weird,? ?then? ?a? ?small? ?inn? ?with? ?one? ?level? ?and? ?a? ?couple? ?of? ?attendants? ?in? ?

the? ?wild? ?like? ?this? ?was? ?already? ?quite? ?amazing;? ?why? ?was? ?there? ?such? ?a? ?lavish? ?establishment? ?

with? ?so? ?many? ?attendants?? ?

?

Of? ?course,? ?this? ?wasn’t? ?any? ?strong? ?evidence.? ?The? ?main? ?reason? ?was? ?because? ?the? ?moment? ?

Xie? ?Lian? ?entered? ?the? ?inn,? ?he? ?could? ?smell? ?the? ?thick,? ?fresh,? ?stench? ?of? ?blood.? ? ?

?

Normal? ?people? ?probably? ?wouldn’t? ?notice? ?this? ?stench? ?of? ?blood,? ?but? ?for? ?someone? ?as? ?

experienced? ?and? ?senses? ?as? ?sharp? ?as? ?Xie? ?Lian,? ?the? ?heaviness? ?had? ?reached? ?the? ?point? ?

where? ?he? ?couldn’t? ?ignore? ?it.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?said,? ?“There’s? ?more? ?people? ?on? ?the? ?second? ?level,? ?I? ?

hear? ?their? ?footsteps.? ?I? ?wonder? ?if? ?they’re? ?travelers? ?who? ?are? ?also? ?here? ?staying? ?the? ?night.”? ? ?

?

If? ?they? ?were,? ?then? ?they? ?must? ?be? ?rescued.? ?The? ?two? ?sat? ?across? ?from? ?each? ?other? ?and? ?put? ?

their? ?faces? ?together,? ?talking? ?in? ?whispers? ?for? ?a? ?long? ?while? ?when? ?the? ?attendants? ?finally? ?

brought? ?their? ?dishes.? ?“Coming!”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?was? ?about? ?to? ?speak? ?but? ?caught? ?a? ?slight? ?movement? ?from? ?the? ?outside.? ?He? ?

immediately? ?rose? ?to? ?his? ?feet,? ?“We’re? ?going? ?to? ?go? ?rest? ?in? ?our? ?rooms,? ?can? ?I? ?trouble? ?you? ?to? ?

bring? ?our? ?food? ?upstairs?”? ?

?

“No? ?problem,? ?no? ?problem!”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?held? ?Hua? ?Cheng’s? ?hand? ?and? ?lifted? ?his? ?skirt? ?with? ?his? ?other? ?hand? ?with? ?practiced? ?

ease? ?and? ?they? ?went? ?upstairs.? ?He? ?looked? ?back,? ?“Oh,? ?by? ?the? ?way,? ?if? ?anyone? ?asks? ?about? ?us,? ?

please? ?tell? ?them? ?you’ve? ?never? ?seen? ?us.”? ?

?

“No? ?problem,? ?no? ?problem!”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?hurried? ?up? ?the? ?stairs.? ?It? ?wasn’t? ?long? ?before? ?the? ?brash? ?sound? ?of? ?someone? ?

knocking? ?the? ?doors? ?came? ?and? ?a? ?gruff? ?voice? ?called,? ?“Open? ?up,? ?open? ?up!”? ? ?

?

The? ?attendants? ?opened? ?the? ?door? ?with? ?smiles? ?on? ?their? ?faces.? ?The? ?crowd? ?who? ?poured? ?in? ?

was? ?Heaven’s? ?Eye? ?and? ?that? ?mob? ?of? ?relentless? ?monks? ?and? ?cultivators!? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?and? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?had? ?already? ?entered? ?their? ?room? ?on? ?the? ?second? ?level? ?by? ?then.? ?

As? ?they? ?shut? ?the? ?doors? ?behind? ?them,? ?they? ?could? ?hear? ?people? ?who? ?had? ?just? ?entered? ?the? ?

inn? ?yelling? ?“TOILET? ?TOILET? ?TOILET!”? ?and? ?running? ?for? ?the? ?stalls? ?while? ?others? ?demanded,? ?

“BOSS!? ?DO? ?YOU? ?GOT? ?WATER?!”? ? ?

?

Seeing? ?so? ?many? ?people? ?come? ?in? ?all? ?at? ?the? ?same? ?time,? ?the? ?attendants? ?were? ?overjoyed,? ?

“There? ?is,? ?there? ?is,? ?please? ?wait,? ?it’s? ?coming!”? ? ?

?

“Sigh,? ?I’m? ?so? ?stuffed!”? ?Heaven’s? ?Eye? ?complained,? ?“Unbelievable.? ?That? ?whatsmacallit? ?

‘Incorruptible? ?Chastity? ?Pellets’? ?really? ?is? ?some? ?tenacious? ?poison.? ?I’ve? ?only? ?drunken? ?some? ?

twenty? ?cups,? ?how? ?long? ?will? ?it? ?take? ?before? ?I? ?reach? ?eighty-one?”? ? ?

?

“...”? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?hadn’t? ?imagined? ?that? ?those? ?monks? ?and? ?cultivators? ?were? ?actually? ?so? ?honest.? ?He? ?

told? ?them? ?to? ?drink? ?eighty-one? ?cups? ?of? ?water? ?and? ?so? ?they? ?really? ?planned? ?on? ?drinking? ?

exactly? ?eighty-one? ?cups? ?of? ?water.? ?One? ?of? ?the? ?monks? ?replied,? ?“Amitabha? ?Buddha.? ?This? ?

monk? ?has? ?already? ?drunken? ?twenty-five? ?cups? ?of? ?water,? ?and? ?I? ?have? ?to? ?say,? ?it’s? ?been? ?very? ?

effective? ?as? ?an? ?antidote.? ?This? ?monk? ?is? ?feeling? ?much? ?better? ?already.”? ? ?

?

Hearing? ?this,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?didn’t? ?know? ?whether? ?to? ?laugh? ?or? ?cry,? ?and? ?he? ?fumbled? ?around? ?

looking? ?to? ?see? ?if? ?there? ?might? ?be? ?any? ?cracks? ?he? ?could? ?peek? ?through.? ?He? ?saw? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?

half? ?crouched? ?on? ?the? ?ground? ?by? ?the? ?side? ?calling? ?him,? ?“Gege,? ?look? ?over? ?here.”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?crouched? ?down? ?too? ?and? ?looked? ?to? ?where? ?he? ?was? ?pointing? ?on? ?the? ?ground? ?but? ?

there? ?wasn’t? ?anything? ?wrong? ?with? ?it.? ?“What’s? ?over? ?here?”? ? ?

?

Suddenly,? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?poked,? ?and? ?a? ?small? ?hole? ?instantly? ?appeared? ?on? ?the? ?solid? ?floor,? ?a? ?

thin? ?ray? ?of? ?light? ?coming? ?through.? ?“Here.? ?Now? ?we? ?can? ?see.”? ? ?

?

“...”? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?leaned? ?down? ?and? ?peeked? ?down? ?through? ?that? ?hole.? ?The? ?mob? ?was? ?gathered? ?at? ?a? ?

long? ?table? ?in? ?the? ?middle? ?of? ?the? ?lobby,? ?and? ?Heaven’s? ?Eye? ?slapped? ?the? ?table,? ?“HMPH!? ?We? ?

were? ?too? ?careless? ?this? ?time.? ?Next? ?time? ?if? ?we? ?see? ?that? ?evil? ?cultivator,? ?we? ?won’t? ?give? ?him? ?

any? ?chance? ?to? ?take? ?advantage? ?of? ?us!? ?We? ?must? ?take? ?down? ?Hua,? ?Hua,? ?Hua? ?Chengzhu,? ?

and? ?eradicate? ?evil? ?in? ?the? ?name? ?of? ?heaven!”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?whispered,? ?“San? ?Lang,? ?just? ?how? ?have? ?you? ?offended? ?them?”? ? ?

?

Hua? ?Cheng? ?didn’t? ?answer,? ?but? ?someone? ?had? ?already? ?asked? ?for? ?Xie? ?Lian,? ?“That’s? ?right,? ?I? ?

never? ?asked,? ?but? ?how? ?come? ?you’re? ?all? ?here? ?to? ?catch? ?that? ?ghost? ?king?? ?What’s? ?the? ?story?”? ? ?

?

Thus,? ?the? ?mob? ?began? ?a? ?meeting? ?to? ?exchange? ?condemnation.? ? ?

?

“Just? ?talking? ?about? ?it? ?brings? ?anger? ?to? ?my? ?heart!? ?Twenty? ?years? ?ago,? ?there? ?was? ?a? ?village? ?

where? ?a? ?pig? ?monster? ?went? ?mad,? ?and? ?overthrew? ?the? ?master’s? ?house.? ?The? ?house? ?

collapsed,? ?the? ?whole? ?family’s? ?dead.? ?That? ?pig? ?fled? ?to? ?the? ?Ghost? ?City.? ?I’d? ?only? ?just? ?entered? ?

the? ?trade? ?at? ?the? ?time? ?so? ?I? ?went? ?after? ?it,? ?but? ?was? ?beaten? ?to? ?a? ?pulp? ?by? ?a? ?bunch? ?of? ?ghosts? ?

and? ?had? ?no? ?choice? ?but? ?to? ?escape.? ?What? ?humiliation!? ?He? ?also? ?sent? ?a? ?lackey? ?to? ?tell? ?me? ?that? ?

there? ?was? ?no? ?reason? ?why? ?you? ?can? ?eat? ?a? ?whole? ?family? ?of? ?pigs? ?but? ?a? ?pig? ?can’t? ?slaughter? ?a? ?

whole? ?family? ?in? ?revenge.? ?If? ?the? ?pig? ?didn’t? ?seek? ?revenge? ?then? ?it’s? ?your? ?lucky? ?day,? ?if? ?it? ?did? ?

then? ?you? ?deserved? ?it.? ?Now? ?tell? ?me,? ?what? ?is? ?that? ?rotten? ?logic!”? ? ?

?

“What? ?a? ?coincidence!? ?Our? ?sect? ?experienced? ?something? ?similar,? ?but? ?it? ?was? ?over? ?a? ?rooster? ?

spirit!”? ? ?

?

“Our? ?story’s? ?simple.? ?Because? ?the? ?god? ?we? ?worshipped? ?in? ?our? ?sect? ?was? ?one? ?of? ?the? ?one’s? ?

he? ?listed? ?for? ?that? ?challenge,? ?so? ?no? ?matter? ?how? ?many? ?temples? ?we? ?build? ?he’d? ?burn? ?them? ?

down.? ?What? ?an? ?outrage!? ?Absolutely? ?unreasonable!”? ? ?

?

“Me? ?too,? ?me? ?too.? ?You? ?all? ?know? ?of? ?my? ?shixiong,? ?right?? ?Talented? ?with? ?infinite? ?future!? ?He? ?only? ?

had? ?one? ?small? ?vice:? ?he? ?loved? ?playing? ?women.? ?Decades? ?ago,? ?a? ?little? ?prostitute? ?ghost? ?

seduced? ?my? ?shixiong? ?and? ?sucked? ?him? ?dry? ?into? ?a? ?human? ?jerky,? ?and? ?that? ?Hua,? ?Hua,? ?Hua,? ?

that? ?ghost? ?king? ?dared? ?shelter? ?her.”? ?

?

The? ?criticisms? ?were? ?flaming? ?down? ?below,? ?but? ?above? ?them,? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?looked? ?bored,? ?not? ?

even? ?bothering? ?to? ?give? ?a? ?taunting? ?smirk.? ?Heaven’s? ?Eye? ?said,? ?“I? ?think? ?I’ve? ?heard? ?of? ?your? ?

shixiong? ?before.? ?Wasn’t? ?he? ?that? ?guy? ?who? ?under? ?the? ?pretense? ?of? ?conducting? ?rituals? ?and? ?

ceremonies? ?would? ?confound? ?and? ?force? ?himself? ?on? ?married? ?women?? ?The? ?one? ?who? ?was? ?

locked? ?up? ?for? ?three? ?months?”? ? ?

?

“Ahem? ?ahem? ?ahem!”? ?

?

It? ?just? ?so? ?happened? ?that? ?at? ?that? ?moment? ?the? ?attendants? ?brought? ?their? ?food? ?over,? ?and? ?

crowd? ?hurriedly? ?diverted? ?attention,? ?“Food’s? ?here,? ?food’s? ?here,? ?come? ?come? ?come,? ?let’s? ?say? ?

no? ?more,? ?Heaven’s? ?Eye-xiong,? ?let’s? ?eat.”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?straightened? ?up,? ?glanced? ?at? ?the? ?dishes? ?the? ?inn? ?attendants? ?brought? ?over,? ?and? ?

Hua? ?Cheng? ?said,? ?“No? ?need? ?to? ?keep? ?looking,? ?they’ll? ?keel? ?over? ?the? ?moment? ?they? ?eat? ?that? ?

stuff.”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?said? ?in? ?a? ?low? ?voice,? ?“This? ?is? ?going? ?to? ?be? ?troublesome.”? ? ?

?

Although? ?that? ?mob? ?of? ?monks? ?and? ?cultivators? ?were? ?relentless? ?and? ?extremely? ?annoying,? ?

still? ?they? ?couldn’t? ?just? ?let? ?them? ?croak? ?in? ?this? ?peculiar,? ?shady? ?establishment.? ?Yet? ?it? ?wasn’t? ?a? ?

good? ?idea? ?to? ?raise? ?alarm? ?either.? ?Just? ?then,? ?Heaven’s? ?Eye? ?spoke? ?up,? ?“Stop!”? ?

?

He? ?stared? ?at? ?those? ?dishes? ?and? ?blocked? ?the? ?others,? ?his? ?eyes? ?sharp? ?and? ?flashing.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?

praised? ?mentally,? ?‘He? ?does? ?have? ?some? ?skill!”? ? ?

?

The? ?others? ?wondered,? ?“Heaven’s? ?Eye-xiong,? ?what’s? ?wrong?”? ? ?

?

Heaven’s? ?Eye? ?reached? ?out? ?with? ?one? ?finger? ?and? ?wiped? ?around? ?the? ?edges? ?of? ?a? ?plate,? ?then? ?

he? ?raised? ?that? ?finger? ?high? ?in? ?the? ?air,? ?yelling? ?in? ?rage,? ?“SO? ?MUCH? ?GREASE? ?FROM? ?JUST? ?

ONE? ?WIPE? ?OF? ?A? ?FINGER!? ?The? ?plates? ?aren’t? ?washed? ?clean,? ?what? ?kind? ?of? ?business? ?are? ?

you? ?guys? ?running? ?around? ?here?!”? ?

?

“...”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?had? ?thought? ?he? ?noticed? ?something? ?off,? ?but? ?he? ?hadn’t? ?imagined? ?it? ?was? ?a? ?different? ?

kind? ?of? ?off.? ?Although? ?he? ?was? ?a? ?little? ?speechless,? ?but? ?the? ?results? ?were? ?all? ?the? ?same.? ?The? ?

moment? ?Heaven’s? ?Eye? ?complained,? ?the? ?others? ?began? ?to? ?gripe? ?too,? ?“My? ?gosh,? ?it’s? ?true!? ?

What? ?is? ?this,? ?it’s? ?all? ?sticky? ?like? ?spit...? ?wait!? ?THERE’S? ?HAIR? ?IN? ?THIS? ?DISH!”? ? ?

?

Someone? ?reached? ?out? ?with? ?their? ?chopsticks? ?to? ?stir? ?around,? ?and? ?sure? ?enough? ?a? ?few? ?

strands? ?of? ?black? ?hair? ?were? ?stirred? ?out,? ?“HOLY? ?SHIT? ?WHAT’S? ?GOING? ?ON? ?WITH? ?YOUR? ?

KITCHEN?? ?WHO? ?THE? ?HELL’S? ?IN? ?THE? ?BACK?”? ? ?

?

The? ?attendants? ?rubbed? ?their? ?hands? ?and? ?smiled,? ?“Um...? ?we? ?recently? ?butchered? ?a? ?few? ?pigs,? ?

so? ?those? ?are? ?probably? ?pig? ?hairs!”? ? ?

?

Yet,? ?when? ?the? ?chopsticks? ?picked? ?at? ?those? ?hairs,? ?the? ?more? ?they? ?pulled? ?the? ?longer? ?the? ?hairs? ?

became,? ?longer? ?and? ?longer,? ?“WHAT? ?KIND? ?OF? ?PIGS? ?HAVE? ?HAIRS? ?THIS? ?LONG?? ?IS? ?

YOUR? ?BOSS? ?LADY? ?WASHING? ?HER? ?HAIR? ?IN? ?THE? ?KITCHEN?!”? ? ?

?

“Take? ?this? ?all? ?away? ?and? ?redo? ?them!”? ?

?

“Yessir? ?yessir!”? ?The? ?attendants? ?hurriedly? ?acquiesced,? ?“We’ll? ?redo? ?everything,? ?

immediately!? ?My? ?Lords? ?please? ?drink? ?water,? ?drink? ?water.”? ? ?

?

‘Drinking? ?water? ?won’t? ?be? ?good? ?either,’? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?thought,? ?‘There? ?must? ?be? ?something? ?in? ?the? ?

water? ?too!’? ?

?

Before? ?the? ?attendants? ?walked? ?away,? ?when? ?water? ?had? ?just? ?about? ?reached? ?the? ?lips? ?of? ?the? ?

mob,? ?Heaven’s? ?Eye? ?called? ?out? ?again,? ?“Get? ?back? ?here!”? ? ?

?

The? ?attendant? ?returned,? ?smiling? ?apologetically,? ?“Does? ?My? ?Lord? ?daozhang? ?need? ?anything? ?

else?”? ? ?

?

“Let? ?me? ?ask? ?you,? ?have? ?you? ?seen? ?a? ?very? ?bizarre? ?woman? ?with? ?a? ?small? ?child? ?come? ?by?”? ?

Heaven’s? ?Eye? ?asked.? ?

?

So? ?he? ?did? ?inquire? ?after? ?all.? ?‘Thank? ?goodness? ?I’ve? ?instructed? ?for? ?them? ?not? ?to? ?tell? ?him.’? ?Xie? ?

Lian? ?thought.? ?Yet? ?who? ?knew,? ?just? ?as? ?he? ?was? ?thinking? ?this,? ?that? ?attendant? ?responded? ?

without? ?pause,? ?“Oh,? ?I? ?have!”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian:? ?“???”? ? ?

?

The? ?mob? ?was? ?shocked,? ?and? ?they? ?put? ?down? ?their? ?waters,? ?lowering? ?their? ?voice,? ?“Where? ?are? ?

they?”? ?

?

That? ?attendant? ?also? ?lowered? ?his? ?voice,? ?“Upstairs!”? ? ?

?

The? ?mob? ?were? ?instantly? ?on? ?high? ?alert,? ?their? ?gazes? ?whipping? ?upwards.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?swiftly? ?

blocked? ?that? ?hole? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?poked? ?out? ?with? ?his? ?finger.? ?A? ?moment? ?later,? ?there? ?were? ?

creeping? ?sounds? ?of? ?a? ?group? ?of? ?people? ?who? ?were? ?coming? ?upstairs.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?skulked? ?to? ?the? ?

door,? ?listening? ?to? ?the? ?footsteps,? ?and? ?it? ?seemed? ?that? ?attendant? ?had? ?lead? ?that? ?mob? ?up,? ?

sneaking? ?towards? ?them.? ?His? ?left? ?arm? ?held? ?Hua? ?Cheng,? ?his? ?sword? ?clutched? ?in? ?his? ?right? ?

hand,? ?Ruoye? ?next? ?to? ?his? ?person? ?shielding? ?them,? ?all? ?weapons? ?at? ?the? ?ready,? ?he? ?was? ?tense? ?

and? ?on? ?guard.? ?However,? ?those? ?footsteps? ?passed? ?right? ?by? ?their? ?door? ?and? ?continued? ?deep? ?

into? ?the? ?long? ?hallway.? ?Puzzled,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?pressed? ?against? ?the? ?door? ?and? ?looked? ?out? ?

through? ?the? ?cracks.? ?That? ?mob? ?passed? ?by? ?this? ?room? ?and? ?was? ?surrounding? ?the? ?entrance? ?to? ?

another? ?room.? ?

?

Inside? ?that? ?room? ?seemed? ?to? ?be? ?a? ?person;? ?faint? ?light? ?filtered? ?through? ?the? ?papered? ?windows? ?

and? ?reflected? ?the? ?silhouette? ?of? ?a? ?woman? ?sitting? ?by? ?the? ?tableside.? ?

?

?

———? ?

?

Ch.138:? ?Upon? ?Barren? ?Hills;? ?Rioting? ?the? ?Black? ?Hearted? ?Inn? ?2? ?

?

He? ?would’ve? ?never? ?imagined? ?that? ?the? ?attendant? ?would? ?actually? ?keep? ?their? ?word? ?and? ?didn’t? ?

give? ?them? ?away.? ?It? ?was? ?someone? ?else? ?they? ?spoke? ?of.? ?

?

It? ?seemed,? ?other? ?than? ?the? ?two? ?of? ?them,? ?there? ?was? ?another? ?‘very? ?bizarre? ?woman’? ?with? ?a? ?

small? ?child? ?that? ?had? ?come? ?to? ?this? ?inn? ?to? ?lodge? ?for? ?the? ?night.? ?

?

Heaven’s? ?Eye? ?and? ?his? ?group? ?eyed? ?each? ?other? ?and? ?made? ?hand? ?gestures? ?almost? ?uniformly? ?

around,? ?ready? ?to? ?kick? ?the? ?door? ?open.? ?Suddenly,? ?the? ?light? ?inside? ?the? ?room? ?was? ?

extinguished? ?and? ?the? ?silhouette? ?disappeared.? ?Following? ?right? ?after? ?was? ?“thud,? ?thud,? ?thud”? ?

a? ?series? ?of? ?fast? ?and? ?hurried? ?footsteps? ?and? ?a? ?woman? ?yanked? ?the? ?door? ?open,? ?cussing,? ?

“WHAT? ?ARE? ?Y’ALL? ?STINKIN’? ?MEN? ?DOING? ?GATHERED? ?OUTSIDE? ?MY? ?DOOR? ?IN? ?THE? ?

MIDDLE? ?OF? ?THE? ?NIGHT?? ?YER? ?GRAND? ?MAMA? ?WANTS? ?TO? ?TAKE? ?A? ?BATH,? ?WHAT? ?

ARE? ?Y’ALL? ?PLANNING?? ?HUH?!”? ? ?

?

This? ?woman? ?was? ?slender? ?and? ?sensuous? ?in? ?figure,? ?her? ?unpainted? ?face? ?heavenly;? ?although? ?

she? ?had? ?the? ?air? ?of? ?a? ?fighting? ?cock,? ?she? ?was? ?nonetheless? ?wholly? ?a? ?woman.? ?She? ?clicked? ?

her? ?tongue,? ?rolled? ?up? ?her? ?sleeves? ?and? ?continued? ?cussing,? ?“AND? ?IT’S? ?A? ?BUNCH? ?OF? ?

MONKS? ?AND? ?CULTIVATORS? ?TOO.? ?AREN’T? ?Y’ALL? ?RELIGIOUS? ?PRIESTS?? ?WHAT? ?

HAPPENED? ?TO? ?ALL? ?YER? ?CHASTITY? ?VOWS?!”? ? ?

?

Some? ?of? ?the? ?monks? ?mumbled,? ?“It’s? ?a? ?misunderstanding,? ?it’s? ?a? ?misunderstanding...”? ?

?

That? ?woman? ?raised? ?her? ?brows? ?impossibly? ?high,? ?raising? ?her? ?hands? ?as? ?if? ?ready? ?to? ?strike,? ?“I? ?

DON’T? ?CARE? ?IF? ?IT’S? ?A? ?MISUNDERSTANDING? ?OR? ?A? ?MEETING,? ?LEAVE? ?NOW? ?OR? ?

THIS? ?GRAND? ?MAMA? ?WILL? ?GRANT? ?Y’ALL? ?A? ?NICE? ?TUB? ?OF? ?BATH? ?WATER!”? ? ?

?

“OI? ?OI? ?OI,? ?LADY? ?DONOR,? ?HOW? ?CAN? ?YOU? ?BE? ?LIKE? ?THIS?? ?WATCH? ?YOUR? ?VIRTUES!”? ? ?

?

“Let’s? ?get? ?outta? ?here...”? ? ?

?

Although? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?didn’t? ?recognize? ?that? ?woman’s? ?face,? ?he? ?still? ?felt? ?her? ?voice? ?and? ?her? ?aura? ?

were? ?extremely? ?familiar.? ?A? ?moment? ?later,? ?he? ?exclaimed? ?in? ?a? ?whisper,? ?“Lan? ?Chang?”? ? ?

?

“That’s? ?right.? ?It’s? ?her.”? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?responded.? ?

?

Seeing? ?the? ?crowd? ?disperse,? ?Lan? ?Chang? ?seemed? ?to? ?let? ?out? ?a? ?sigh? ?of? ?relief,? ?glanced? ?

around? ?and? ?hurriedly? ?went? ?back? ?to? ?her? ?room,? ?shutting? ?the? ?door.? ?She? ?wasn’t? ?covered? ?in? ?

heavy? ?makeup,? ?showing? ?the? ?world? ?a? ?plain? ?face,? ?and? ?while? ?there? ?were? ?quite? ?a? ?number? ?of? ?

wrinkles? ?around? ?her? ?eyes,? ?her? ?age? ?apparent,? ?she? ?was? ?unexpectedly? ?somewhat? ?elegant,? ?

and? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?almost? ?didn’t? ?recognize? ?her.? ?If? ?she? ?had? ?presented? ?herself? ?like? ?this? ?that? ?day? ?

at? ?the? ?Great? ?Martial? ?Hall,? ?Pei? ?Ming’s? ?claim? ?to? ?innocence? ?might? ?not? ?be? ?as? ?convincing.? ?

Before? ?when? ?Mount? ?Tong’lu? ?reopened? ?and? ?the? ?ghosts? ?were? ?aroused? ?for? ?the? ?first? ?time,? ?

there? ?were? ?a? ?significant? ?number? ?of? ?monsters? ?and? ?demons? ?that? ?escaped? ?their? ?seal? ?from? ?

all? ?around,? ?and? ?Lan? ?Chang? ?and? ?the? ?fetus? ?spirit? ?were? ?among? ?them.? ?If? ?the? ?‘very? ?bizarre? ?

woman’? ?the? ?attendant? ?meant? ?was? ?Lan? ?Chang,? ?then? ?didn’t? ?that? ?mean? ?the? ?child? ?she? ?had? ?

with? ?her? ?was...? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?whispered? ?to? ?Hua? ?Cheng,? ?“The? ?fetus? ?spirit? ?must? ?be? ?with? ?her.? ?That? ?creature? ?is? ?

too? ?dangerous,? ?we? ?can’t? ?let? ?them? ?run? ?loose? ?like? ?this.”? ? ?

?

However,? ?the? ?inn? ?they? ?were? ?in? ?was? ?already? ?a? ?shady? ?one,? ?and? ?there? ?was? ?that? ?band? ?of? ?

mortal? ?masters? ?in? ?pursuit? ?of? ?Hua? ?Cheng.? ?It? ?wasn’t? ?going? ?to? ?be? ?easy? ?for? ?them? ?to? ?capture? ?

them? ?under? ?these? ?circumstances.? ?

?

That? ?crowd? ?of? ?monks? ?and? ?cultivators? ?made? ?it? ?to? ?the? ?staircase,? ?and? ?the? ?attendant? ?asked,? ?

“So?? ?Was? ?it? ?not? ?the? ?person? ?My? ?Lords? ?are? ?searching? ?for?”? ? ?

?

“It’s? ?not!”? ?Heaven’s? ?Eye? ?replied,? ?“Sigh!? ?Let? ?me? ?ask? ?you? ?then,? ?have? ?you? ?seen? ?a? ?cultivator? ?

with? ?a? ?small? ?child?”? ? ?

?

The? ?attendant? ?gave? ?it? ?a? ?thought? ?and? ?said,? ?“There? ?isn’t? ?a? ?child,? ?but? ?there? ?is? ?a? ?cultivator? ?

who’s? ?by? ?his? ?lonesome.”? ? ?

?

Hearing? ?this,? ?the? ?mob? ?were? ?spirited? ?once? ?more,? ?and? ?they? ?asked? ?in? ?a? ?low? ?voice,? ?“Where? ?is? ?

he?”? ? ?

?

That? ?attendant? ?replied? ?in? ?a? ?low? ?voice? ?too,? ?“Over? ?here.”? ? ?

?

This? ?time,? ?he? ?was? ?pointing? ?a? ?different? ?room.? ?The? ?crowd? ?eyed? ?each? ?other? ?again,? ?and? ?once? ?

again? ?skulked? ?over? ?with? ?his? ?lead.? ?

?

Yet? ?unexpectedly,? ?this? ?time,? ?when? ?they? ?were? ?still? ?but? ?three? ?feet? ?away? ?from? ?the? ?door,? ?there? ?

was? ?suddenly? ?a? ?sharp? ?sound? ?that? ?broke? ?through? ?the? ?air,? ?and? ?a? ?yellow? ?talisman? ?shot? ?out? ?

from? ?the? ?cracks? ?of? ?the? ?door,? ?brushing? ?past? ?Heaven’s? ?Eye’s? ?cheek? ?and? ?nailed? ?to? ?the? ?wall? ?

behind? ?him.? ?Stunned,? ?the? ?crowd? ?all? ?went? ?to? ?take? ?a? ?look? ?at? ?that? ?talismans,? ?and? ?found? ?it? ?

was? ?half? ?embedded? ?into? ?the? ?wall? ?like? ?a? ?steel? ?plate.? ? ?

?

Several? ?of? ?them? ?were? ?about? ?to? ?charge? ?into? ?the? ?room? ?but? ?Heaven’s? ?Eye? ?stopped? ?them,? ?

“It’s? ?not? ?him!? ?But? ?it’s? ?still? ?someone? ?impressive,? ?don’t? ?anyone? ?be? ?rash? ?and? ?start? ?things.”? ?

Then? ?he? ?courted? ?his? ?hand? ?in? ?greeting? ?and? ?called,? ?“Sorry? ?to? ?have? ?disturbed? ?you,? ?skilled? ?

master.? ?This? ?is? ?but? ?a? ?misunderstanding.”? ? ?

?

The? ?one? ?inside? ?the? ?room? ?didn’t? ?respond,? ?truly? ?the? ?style? ?of? ?a? ?skilled? ?master.? ?The? ?crowd? ?

backed? ?away? ?and? ?someone? ?asked,? ?“Dao-xiong,? ?why? ?did? ?you? ?say? ?it’s? ?not? ?him? ?inside? ?the? ?

room?? ?Wasn’t? ?the? ?hands? ?of? ?that? ?rubbish? ?cultivator? ?who? ?hurled? ?hidden? ?weapons? ?just? ?as? ?

forceful?”? ? ?

?

Rubbish? ?cultivator...? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?had? ?to? ?really? ?think? ?about? ?it? ?before? ?it? ?dawned? ?on? ?him? ?that? ?

the? ?‘hidden? ?weapon’? ?was? ?his? ?Incorruptible? ?Chastity? ?Pellets.? ?‘Well,? ?alright...’? ?

?

Heaven’s? ?Eye? ?replied? ?in? ?a? ?low? ?voice,? ?“Of? ?course? ?it’s? ?not? ?him.? ?They? ?both? ?hurled? ?hidden? ?

weapons,? ?but? ?the? ?hands? ?and? ?strength? ?of? ?the? ?one? ?inside? ?the? ?room? ?was? ?slightly? ?weaker? ?

than? ?that? ?rubbish? ?cultivator...”? ?

?

He? ?hadn’t? ?finished? ?his? ?words? ?before? ?another? ?seven? ?or? ?eight? ?yellow? ?talismans? ?came? ?

shooting? ?from? ?behind? ?them,? ?nailing? ?onto? ?the? ?doors? ?and? ?walls? ?like? ?arrows.? ?The? ?crowd? ?was? ?

terrified? ?and? ?fled? ?downstairs? ?without? ?another? ?word.? ?Seeing? ?everyone? ?had? ?gone,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?

stealthily? ?opened? ?the? ?door,? ?pulled? ?out? ?a? ?yellow? ?talisman? ?from? ?the? ?wall,? ?and? ?returned? ?to? ?

the? ?room.? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?used? ?two? ?fingers? ?to? ?ignite? ?that? ?yellow? ?talisman,? ?and? ?with? ?just? ?a? ?

glance,? ?he? ?lightly? ?tossed? ?it? ?away.? ?“Heaven’s? ?Eye’s? ?eye? ?really? ?isn’t? ?too? ?bad.”? ? ?

?

On? ?the? ?surface? ?of? ?that? ?yellow? ?talisman? ?was? ?a? ?layer? ?of? ?spiritual? ?aura,? ?which? ?was? ?why? ?it? ?

was? ?as? ?sharp? ?as? ?knives,? ?strong? ?as? ?steel? ?when? ?it? ?shot? ?out,? ?and? ?deeply? ?cut? ?into? ?the? ?wall.? ?

?

Earlier? ?however,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?hurled? ?those? ?meatballs? ?with? ?so? ?much? ?might? ?that? ?they? ?shot? ?like? ?

iron? ?pellets,? ?and? ?it? ?was? ?all? ?released? ?through? ?his? ?own? ?control? ?of? ?strength? ?without? ?any? ?

added? ?spiritual? ?powers.? ?After? ?all,? ?he? ?had? ?spent? ?centuries? ?without? ?spiritual? ?might,? ?and? ?had? ?

long? ?gotten? ?used? ?to? ?depending? ?on? ?himself? ?for? ?doing? ?anything? ?instead? ?of? ?depending? ?on? ?

spiritual? ?powers.? ?Heaven’s? ?Eye? ?had? ?used? ?this? ?to? ?determine? ?the? ?difference? ?in? ?strength.? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?couldn’t? ?help? ?but? ?wonder,? ?‘Just? ?how? ?many? ?different? ?kinds? ?of? ?people? ?are? ?gathered? ?

in? ?this? ?inn?? ?Why? ?is? ?there? ?even? ?a? ?cultivator? ?lodging? ?here?? ?Could? ?he? ?also? ?be? ?here? ?for? ?

defeating? ?evil?? ?It’s? ?normal? ?if? ?those? ?mundane? ?monks? ?and? ?cultivators? ?noticed? ?nothing,? ?but? ?

with? ?this? ?individual’s? ?skill? ?level,? ?how? ?can? ?he? ?not? ?sense? ?anything? ?weird? ?about? ?this? ?inn?? ?

Either? ?way,? ?now? ?I? ?absolutely? ?cannot? ?let? ?those? ?monks? ?and? ?cultivators? ?discover? ?San? ?Lang? ?

is? ?here.? ?If? ?they? ?start? ?talking? ?and? ?that? ?individual? ?in? ?the? ?room? ?overhears,? ?that? ?might? ?add? ?one? ?

more? ?to? ?the? ?chase.? ?This? ?one? ?might? ?not? ?be? ?as? ?easy? ?to? ?deal? ?with? ?as? ?the? ?group? ?of? ?them.’? ?

?

The? ?mob? ?went? ?back? ?downstairs? ?and? ?returned? ?to? ?the? ?lobby,? ?sitting? ?back? ?down? ?at? ?that? ?long? ?

table.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?peeked? ?through? ?that? ?hole? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?created? ?and? ?that? ?attendant? ?said,? ?“I’ll? ?

go? ?have? ?the? ?kitchens? ?prepare? ?your? ?orders? ?again? ?right? ?away,? ?pray? ?My? ?Lords? ?please? ?wait? ?a? ?

bit? ?longer,? ?hehehe.”? ? ?

?

“WAIT!? ?Take? ?the? ?waters? ?away? ?too.? ?Wash? ?your? ?cups? ?properly? ?before? ?serving? ?them.”? ? ?

?

“Of? ?course,? ?of? ?course.? ?Hehehe.”? ?

?

That? ?attendant? ?left? ?with? ?a? ?face? ?full? ?of? ?smiles,? ?and? ?was? ?probably? ?headed? ?for? ?the? ?kitchens.? ?

Xie? ?Lian? ?seemed? ?to? ?recall? ?that? ?the? ?kitchen? ?was? ?located? ?behind? ?the? ?inn,? ?so? ?he? ?picked? ?up? ?

Hua? ?Cheng,? ?flipped? ?out? ?of? ?the? ?window? ?to? ?land? ?outside? ?the? ?inn.? ?He? ?circled? ?to? ?the? ?back? ?and? ?

picked? ?up? ?a? ?few? ?small? ?pebbles,? ?clutching? ?them? ?in? ?his? ?hand? ?in? ?case? ?he’d? ?need? ?to? ?use? ?

them? ?later.? ?

?

He? ?skulked? ?to? ?the? ?wall? ?outside? ?the? ?kitchen.? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?poked? ?again,? ?and? ?a? ?small? ?hole? ?

appeared? ?on? ?the? ?wall,? ?as? ?if? ?the? ?wall? ?was? ?made? ?of? ?tofu.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?pressed? ?close? ?to? ?see? ?just? ?

what? ?kind? ?of? ?owner? ?this? ?shady? ?establishment? ?had.? ?

?

The? ?light? ?from? ?the? ?kitchen? ?was? ?dim,? ?only? ?a? ?few? ?dying? ?lamps? ?were? ?lit,? ?and? ?no? ?one? ?could? ?be? ?

seen.? ?But? ?listening? ?carefully,? ?there? ?were? ?crunching? ?sounds? ?coming? ?from? ?some? ?place.? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?changed? ?a? ?couple? ?angles? ?and? ?finally? ?discovered? ?that? ?the? ?sound? ?was? ?coming? ?

from? ?below? ?the? ?stove.? ?His? ?vision? ?was? ?blocked? ?by? ?the? ?stove? ?itself,? ?but? ?next? ?to? ?the? ?stove? ?

counter? ?was? ?a? ?human? ?leg.? ?Obviously? ?the? ?man? ?was? ?already? ?dead,? ?but? ?it? ?was? ?still? ?twitching? ?

along? ?with? ?the? ?sound? ?of? ?munching? ?and? ?savouring.? ? ?

?

Just? ?then,? ?several? ?of? ?the? ?attendants? ?entered? ?the? ?kitchen,? ?“My? ?king...”? ? ?

?

Behind? ?the? ?stovetops,? ?a? ?disheveled,? ?grimy? ?man? ?suddenly? ?raised? ?his? ?head,? ?his? ?mouth? ?

chewing,? ?and? ?he? ?replied? ?blearily,? ?“WHAT?!”? ? ?

?

That? ?man’s? ?lips? ?were? ?covered? ?with? ?fresh? ?blood,? ?his? ?eyes? ?emitting? ?a? ?green? ?glow,? ?and? ?in? ?

his? ?mouth? ?dangled? ?the? ?hand? ?of? ?a? ?human? ?like? ?it? ?was? ?chicken? ?feet.? ?As? ?much? ?as? ?that? ?

expression? ?and? ?figure? ?were? ?horrifying,? ?but? ?it? ?could? ?still? ?be? ?easily? ?seen? ?–? ?it? ?was? ?the? ?man? ?

Qi? ?Rong? ?possessed!? ? ?

?

With? ?stuffed? ?cheeks,? ?he? ?sucked? ?in? ?the? ?fingers? ?of? ?that? ?hand? ?not? ?yet? ?fully? ?eaten,? ?and? ?a? ?

moment? ?later,? ?he? ?spat? ?out? ?a? ?few? ?bones,? ?hitting? ?squarely? ?on? ?the? ?faces? ?of? ?those? ?

attendants.? ?He? ?cussed,? ?“You? ?useless? ?trash? ?born? ?from? ?a? ?pile? ?of? ?shit!? ?Crying? ?like? ?you’re? ?

mourning,? ?and? ?here? ?I? ?thought? ?you’re? ?bringing? ?this? ?ancestor? ?food.? ?Well?? ?Where’s? ?the? ?

humans?? ?Where’s? ?the? ?meat?? ?DIDN’T? ?I? ?GIVE? ?YOU? ?THE? ?POISON? ?ALREADY,? ?WHY? ?ARE? ?

THEY? ?STILL? ?STANDING?”? ? ?

?

It? ?seemed,? ?the? ?one? ?lying? ?on? ?the? ?ground? ?and? ?was? ?currently? ?being? ?munched? ?on? ?was? ?either? ?

the? ?original? ?owner? ?of? ?this? ?establishment? ?or? ?some? ?other? ?traveler? ?who? ?passed? ?by.? ?

?

Those? ?attendants? ?were? ?aggrieved,? ?“My? ?king,? ?it’s? ?not? ?that? ?we’re? ?useless,? ?but? ?that? ?mob? ?of? ?

monks? ?and? ?cultivators? ?kept? ?pushing? ?and? ?making? ?everything? ?difficult.? ?First? ?they? ?scorned? ?

the? ?plates? ?for? ?being? ?too? ?greasy,? ?then? ?they? ?scorned? ?hairs? ?in? ?the? ?dishes.? ?They? ?refuse? ?to? ?eat? ?

anything? ?we’re? ?serving.’? ?

?

Qi? ?Rong? ?chewed? ?and? ?crunched,? ?then? ?sucked? ?on? ?the? ?blood? ?of? ?those? ?ten? ?fingers,? ?“WHAT?? ?

WHAT? ?THE? ?FUCK?!? ?THIS? ?ANCESTOR? ?WILL? ?PERSONALLY? ?COOK? ?THEM? ?AN? ?

EXECUTION? ?MEAL.? ?They? ?should? ?already? ?be? ?crying? ?tears? ?of? ?joy? ?for? ?not? ?making? ?them? ?

kneel? ?and? ?lick? ?off? ?the? ?ground,? ?WHO? ?the? ?FUCK? ?gave? ?them? ?the? ?right? ?to? ?scorn?? ?They? ?

should? ?try? ?eating? ?what? ?cousin? ?crown? ?prince? ?makes,? ?THAT? ?SHIT’S? ?WORSE? ?THAN? ?SHIT,? ?

THOSE? ?FUCKERS? ?SHOULD? ?KNOW? ?TO? ?KNEEL? ?BEFORE? ?THIS? ?ANCESTOR? ?IN? ?

GRATEFULNESS!”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian:? ?“...”? ?

?

“...Gege,? ?don’t? ?pay? ?any? ?mind? ?to? ?what? ?a? ?useless? ?trash? ?says,”? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?comforted.? ?

?

“...Yea.”? ? ?

?

“IT’S? ?ALL? ?CUZ? ?YOU’RE? ?ALL? ?USELESS? ?TRASH,? ?CAN’T? ?EVEN? ?WASH? ?A? ?PLATE? ?

CLEAN!”? ? ?

?

Qi? ?Rong? ?jumped? ?to? ?his? ?feet? ?and? ?cussed? ?as? ?he? ?beat? ?up? ?those? ?attendants.? ?His? ?anger? ?

satisfied,? ?Qi? ?Rong? ?rolled? ?up? ?his? ?sleeves,? ?cleaned? ?his? ?blood-covered? ?lips? ?with? ?a? ?wipe? ?of? ?

his? ?hand,? ?and? ?took? ?up? ?the? ?spatula,? ?clinking? ?and? ?clanking? ?the? ?iron? ?wok,? ?cursing? ?as? ?he? ?

ordered,? ?“GET? ?OVER? ?HERE!!!? ?Open? ?your? ?shitty? ?eyes,? ?I’ll? ?let? ?you? ?witness? ?the? ?skills? ?of? ?this? ?

ancestor!? ?See? ?if? ?you? ?all? ?have? ?anything? ?shitty? ?to? ?say? ?after!”? ?

?

Flames? ?roared? ?to? ?the? ?skies,? ?and? ?soon? ?after,? ?he? ?indeed? ?remade? ?another? ?set? ?of? ?dishes,? ?

and? ?he? ?ordered? ?those? ?attendants? ?to? ?serve? ?them.? ? ?

?

What? ?a? ?set? ?indeed;? ?the? ?meat? ?was? ?abundant,? ?the? ?vegetables? ?fresh,? ?aromatic? ?and? ?alluring.? ?

Xie? ?Lian? ?returned? ?to? ?the? ?guestroom? ?on? ?the? ?second? ?level? ?and? ?peeked? ?down? ?below,? ?and? ?

those? ?monks? ?and? ?cultivators? ?were? ?all? ?in? ?awe,? ?“This? ?looks? ?good!”? ? ?

?

“Yea!? ?This? ?is? ?so? ?well? ?done,? ?especially? ?this? ?salt? ?and? ?pepper? ?chicken? ?feet,? ?fat? ?and? ?tender...? ?

isn’t? ?it? ?a? ?little? ?too? ?fat? ?and? ?tender?? ?I’ve? ?never? ?seen? ?chicken? ?feet? ?this? ?long?”? ? ?

?

The? ?attendants? ?explained,? ?“Oh!? ?This? ?is? ?our? ?house? ?specialty,? ?it’s? ?not? ?your? ?typical? ?chicken? ?

feet,? ?but? ?a? ?rare,? ?white? ?phoenix? ?chicken? ?feet? ?especially? ?selected? ?with? ?claws? ?removed.? ?

Don’t? ?they? ?look? ?soft? ?and? ?delicate? ?like? ?a? ?girl,? ?seductive? ?and? ?tempting?”? ?

?

“You’re? ?right.? ?But? ?I? ?fancy? ?this? ?fried? ?pig’s? ?skin? ?best;? ?the? ?pig? ?skin? ?is? ?lightly? ?crispy? ?and? ?tender,? ?

the? ?fire? ?controlled? ?just? ?right...? ?wait,? ?why? ?does? ?this? ?pork? ?have? ?tattoos?”? ? ?

?

The? ?attendants? ?explained,? ?“Oh!? ?It’s? ?because? ?our? ?chef? ?wanted? ?to? ?demonstrate? ?his? ?godly? ?

carving? ?skills,? ?so? ?this? ?was? ?intentionally? ?etched? ?to? ?show? ?off? ?a? ?little? ?trick,? ?that’s? ?all.”? ?

?

“This? ?sweet? ?and? ?sour? ?ribs? ?doesn’t? ?seem? ?cooked? ?through? ?and? ?the? ?sauce? ?is? ?too? ?thick,? ?

you’re? ?not? ?trying? ?to? ?cover? ?up? ?anything? ?funny? ?with? ?all? ?the? ?sweet? ?and? ?sour? ?flavour,? ?are? ?

you?”? ? ?

?

The? ?attendants? ?explained,? ?“Oh!? ?Nothing? ?of? ?the? ?sort.? ?Everything? ?in? ?this? ?establishment? ?is? ?

butchered? ?and? ?sold? ?on? ?the? ?day? ?of,? ?it’s? ?just? ?our? ?chef? ?has? ?a? ?stronger? ?taste,? ?that’s? ?all.”? ? ?

?

“...”? ?

?

Seeing? ?how? ?they? ?were? ?praising? ?the? ?dishes? ?endlessly? ?and? ?were? ?about? ?to? ?dig? ?in,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?

really? ?couldn’t? ?hold? ?back? ?anymore? ?and? ?threw? ?a? ?small? ?pebble? ?he? ?picked? ?up? ?earlier,? ?flinging? ?

it? ?out? ?of? ?that? ?small? ?hole.? ?

?

This? ?shot? ?hit? ?the? ?hand? ?Heaven’s? ?Eye? ?was? ?using? ?to? ?raise? ?the? ?tea? ?cup? ?he? ?was? ?going? ?to? ?

drink? ?from? ?to? ?“detox”,? ?and? ?his? ?arm? ?shuddered,? ?spilling? ?the? ?water? ?from? ?the? ?cup.? ?This? ?spill? ?

splashed? ?squarely? ?on? ?the? ?face? ?of? ?one? ?of? ?the? ?attendants? ?who? ?kept? ?smiling.? ?

?

That? ?water? ?wasn’t? ?hot,? ?but? ?it? ?was? ?like? ?boiling? ?water? ?had? ?spilled? ?on? ?that? ?attendant,? ?and? ?it? ?

covered? ?its? ?face? ?wailing,? ?“AAHHH!!!”? ?

?

Now? ?everyone? ?at? ?the? ?table? ?was? ?bewildered,? ?and? ?they? ?all? ?raised? ?their? ?weapons,? ?“WHAT’S? ?

GOING? ?ON?!”? ?

?

Heaven’s? ?Eye? ?seized? ?the? ?hand? ?of? ?that? ?attendant? ?and? ?yanked? ?it? ?aside.? ?The? ?crowd? ?

“AH”-ed.? ?The? ?facial? ?features? ?of? ?that? ?attendant? ?were? ?half? ?melted,? ?as? ?if? ?water? ?had? ?spilled? ?on? ?

a? ?blank? ?sheet? ?of? ?paper? ?and? ?the? ?ink? ?smudged.? ?Blurry? ?and? ?hazy,? ?trails? ?of? ?ink? ?spread? ?along? ?

the? ?cheeks? ?and? ?rolled? ?down.? ?

?

His? ?features? ?and? ?smiles? ?were? ?drawn? ?with? ?a? ?brush!? ?

?

“...”? ?

?

Without? ?missing? ?a? ?beat,? ?the? ?mob? ?flipped? ?the? ?table,? ?and? ?instantly? ?started? ?a? ?brawl? ?with? ?the? ?

attendants.? ?

?

Those? ?attendants? ?were? ?hugging? ?their? ?heads? ?as? ?they? ?were? ?beaten,? ?howling,? ?“MY? ?

LORDS!!!? ?PLEASE? ?STOP!? ?UM,? ?THAT? ?UM,? ?THAT? ?VERY? ?BIZARRE? ?WOMAN? ?WITH? ?A? ?

SMALL? ?CHILD? ?YOU’RE? ?ALL? ?LOOKING? ?FOR!!!? ?THAT? ?STRANGE? ?CULTIVATOR!? ?HE’S? ?

UPSTAIRS!? ?THEY’RE? ?UPSTAIRS!? ?GO? ?FIND? ?THEM!? ?LET? ?US? ?GO!? ?WE’RE? ?ONLY? ?

PART-TIMERS!!!”? ? ?

?

“P’TUI!? ?PART-TIMERS?? ?WHO’RE? ?YOU? ?KIDDING?”? ? ?

?

“TRYIN’? ?TO? ?DECEIVE? ?US?? ?THINK? ?WE’RE? ?THAT? ?EASY?? ?IT’S? ?TOO? ?LATE? ?NOW!”? ?

?

The? ?attendants? ?were? ?aggrieved,? ?“We’re? ?not? ?lying!? ?It’s? ?true!”? ? ?

?

The? ?brawl? ?downstairs? ?was? ?growing? ?wild,? ?and? ?seeing? ?those? ?masters? ?had? ?the? ?

overwhelming? ?upper? ?hand,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?shook? ?his? ?head.? ?He? ?stopped? ?caring? ?and? ?was? ?about? ?

to? ?capture? ?Lan? ?Chang? ?and? ?the? ?fetus? ?spirit? ?amidst? ?this? ?chaos? ?instead? ?when? ?unexpectedly,? ?

before? ?the? ?door? ?was? ?even? ?opened,? ?a? ?shriek? ?came? ?from? ?the? ?corridor.? ?The? ?terrified? ?voice? ?of? ?

Lan? ?Chang? ?rang,? ?“No...? ?I? ?beg? ?you,? ?I? ?don’t? ?want? ?to? ?go!? ?Please,? ?I? ?beg? ?you,? ?let? ?us? ?go!? ?I’ll? ?

kneel? ?and? ?kowtow!”? ? ?

?

The? ?angry? ?voice? ?of? ?a? ?young? ?man? ?said,? ?“Who? ?cares? ?about? ?your? ?prostrating?? ?If? ?you? ?leave,? ?

then? ?what? ?should? ?I...? ?my? ?general? ?do?? ?Fuck,? ?you? ?pair? ?of? ?mother? ?and? ?child? ?really? ?did? ?him? ?in? ?

this? ?time!? ?Enough? ?useless? ?talk,? ?you’re? ?coming? ?with? ?me!”? ? ?

?

Hearing? ?that? ?voice,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?whipped? ?the? ?door? ?open,? ?“It’s? ?you?!”? ? ?

?

In? ?the? ?long? ?corridor,? ?a? ?black? ?clad? ?youth? ?was? ?standing? ?there? ?blocking? ?in? ?front? ?of? ?Lan? ?

Chang,? ?his? ?expression? ?dark.? ?The? ?moment? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?emerged,? ?he? ?looked? ?up? ?slightly? ?and? ?

was? ?flabbergasted,? ?“It’s? ?you?!”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?came? ?out? ?the? ?door,? ?“Fu? ?Yao?? ?Why? ?are? ?you? ?here?”? ? ?

?

Lan? ?Chang? ?saw? ?him? ?and? ?widened? ?her? ?eyes,? ?“...The? ?crown? ?prince?”? ? ?

?

“...”? ?Fu? ?Yao? ?looked? ?him? ?up? ?and? ?down? ?for? ?a? ?moment,? ?his? ?lips? ?twitching,? ?but? ?at? ?least? ?his? ?

eyes? ?didn’t? ?roll.? ?He? ?asked? ?back,? ?“Why? ?are? ?you? ?here? ?too?”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?looked? ?down? ?at? ?himself? ?and? ?hurriedly? ?stripped? ?off? ?the? ?woman’s? ?robe? ?and? ?replied,? ?

“It’s? ?a? ?long? ?story.”? ? ?

?

Just? ?then,? ?Fu? ?Yao? ?noticed? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?standing? ?by? ?his? ?side,? ?and? ?his? ?pupils? ?shrank.? ?

?

?

——–? ?

Ch.139:? ?Upon? ?Barren? ?Hills;? ?Rioting? ?the? ?Black? ?Hearted? ?Inn? ?3? ?

?

Fu? ?Yao? ?blurted,? ?“...YOU?!”? ? ?

?

Hua? ?Cheng? ?humphed? ?coldly? ?and? ?ignored? ?him.? ?As? ?for? ?Lan? ?Chang,? ?the? ?moment? ?she? ?saw? ?

them? ?she? ?turned? ?to? ?bolt.? ?Fu? ?Yao? ?noticed? ?and? ?whipped? ?around,? ?“STOP? ?RIGHT? ?THERE!”? ? ?

?

He? ?hadn’t? ?yet? ?stepped? ?out? ?when? ?a? ?long? ?white? ?silk? ?band? ?flew? ?out? ?and? ?strapped? ?her? ?ankle.? ?

Lan? ?Chang? ?immediately? ?tumbled? ?to? ?the? ?ground,? ?hugging? ?her? ?belly? ?as? ?she? ?flipped? ?over.? ?It? ?

seemed? ?that? ?fetus? ?spirit? ?was? ?hidden? ?in? ?her? ?belly? ?again.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?said? ?as? ?he? ?pulled? ?Ruoye? ?

back,? ?“If? ?you? ?wanted? ?her? ?to? ?stop,? ?you? ?should’ve? ?done? ?this...? ?just? ?shouting? ?is? ?pointless.? ?By? ?

the? ?way,? ?you? ?were? ?talking? ?about? ?your? ?general? ?earlier,? ?what’s? ?happened? ?to? ?your? ?general?”? ? ?

?

Fu? ?Yao? ?didn’t? ?respond.? ?He? ?humphed? ?and? ?went? ?up? ?to? ?seize? ?Lan? ?Chang’s? ?arm,? ?looking? ?like? ?

he? ?really? ?was? ?furious? ?now.? ?Not? ?only? ?did? ?he? ?forcefully? ?grab? ?a? ?woman,? ?his? ?action? ?

unforgiving? ?and? ?hard,? ?but? ?he? ?actually? ?cursed? ?“fuck”? ?earlier;? ?this? ?was? ?not? ?the? ?Fu? ?Yao? ?they? ?

knew? ?from? ?before.? ?Yet? ?unexpectedly,? ?before? ?he? ?was? ?able? ?to? ?pull? ?Lan? ?Chang? ?up,? ?her? ?belly? ?

suddenly? ?swelled? ?up? ?like? ?a? ?balloon,? ?a? ?white? ?figure? ?shot? ?out? ?and? ?shrieked? ?as? ?it? ?lunged? ?at? ?

Fu? ?Yao’s? ?face.? ?

?

It? ?was? ?the? ?fetus? ?spirit!? ?

?

Every? ?time? ?it? ?returned? ?to? ?its? ?mother’s? ?womb? ?it? ?would? ?save? ?up? ?another? ?round? ?of? ?energy.? ?

Thus,? ?this? ?strike? ?was? ?treacherous,? ?and? ?Fu? ?Yao? ?had? ?to? ?focus? ?to? ?fight? ?it,? ?whipping? ?up? ?his? ?

hand? ?to? ?smack.? ?That? ?fetus? ?spirit? ?was? ?beaten? ?back? ?like? ?a? ?ball? ?and? ?hit? ?the? ?wall? ?with? ?a? ?bang,? ?

then? ?it? ?shot? ?towards? ?Xie? ?Lian.? ? ?

?

“Catch? ?it!? ?Don’t? ?let? ?it? ?run? ?away!”? ?Fu? ?Yao? ?shouted.? ?

?

Before? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?had? ?even? ?moved,? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?was? ?already? ?shielding? ?in? ?front? ?of? ?him.? ?That? ?

ball? ?like? ?fetus? ?spirit? ?braked? ?abruptly? ?in? ?front? ?of? ?him,? ?and? ?charged? ?Fu? ?Yao? ?once? ?again.? ?This? ?

bundle? ?of? ?ghost? ?ball? ?was? ?ricocheting? ?and? ?rampaging? ?about? ?the? ?corridor,? ?but? ?it? ?was? ?also? ?

complete? ?mayhem? ?downstairs.? ?They? ?could? ?hear? ?down? ?below? ?the? ?cries? ?of? ?those? ?

‘attendants’? ?begging? ?for? ?mercy:? ?“My? ?Lords,? ?please? ?be? ?magnanimous!? ?Us? ?lowly? ?ones? ?are? ?

also? ?only? ?doing? ?this? ?for? ?a? ?bite? ?to? ?eat!”? ? ?

?

“Yea,? ?we? ?won’t? ?do? ?this? ?anymore!? ?Truth? ?to? ?be? ?told,? ?at? ?most? ?we’d? ?only? ?steal? ?some? ?chickens? ?

nearby? ?to? ?eat,? ?it’s? ?all? ?that? ?green...? ?Green? ?Old? ?Master,? ?who? ?forced? ?us? ?to? ?be? ?his? ?underlings? ?

that? ?we? ?did? ?this,? ?he’s? ?in? ?the? ?kitchen? ?right? ?now!”? ? ?

?

Seeing? ?that? ?the? ?situation? ?had? ?now? ?fallen? ?to? ?complete? ?chaos,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?suddenly? ?

remembered? ?something? ?and? ?leapt? ?down? ?from? ?the? ?second? ?floor.? ?Qi? ?Rong? ?was? ?in? ?the? ?

kitchen,? ?his? ?legs? ?crossed,? ?picking? ?at? ?his? ?teeth? ?cheerfully? ?while? ?waiting? ?for? ?his? ?‘meal’? ?to? ?

serve? ?themselves.? ?Suddenly,? ?there? ?was? ?a? ?large? ?rumbling? ?sound;? ?a? ?figure? ?had? ?kicked? ?

through? ?the? ?wall? ?and? ?leapt? ?in? ?aggressively,? ?“Qi? ?Rong!? ?Where’s? ?Guzi?”? ? ?

?

This? ?classic? ?martial? ?god? ?entrance? ?shocked? ?Qi? ?Rong? ?to? ?his? ?feet,? ?“YOU?!? ?Why? ?are? ?you? ?

here?? ?CAN’T? ?YOU? ?KNOCK? ?LIKE? ?A? ?NORMAL? ?PERSON?!”? ?

?

Without? ?missing? ?a? ?beat,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?went? ?up? ?and? ?smacked? ?him? ?down,? ?pressing? ?him? ?over? ?the? ?

top? ?the? ?chopping? ?board? ?like? ?a? ?duck,? ?“Cut? ?the? ?nonsense!? ?What? ?did? ?you? ?do? ?to? ?the? ?child?”? ? ?

?

Qi? ?Rong? ?grinned? ?a? ?smile? ?full? ?of? ?teeth,? ?“Hehehe,? ?look,? ?isn’t? ?the? ?ground? ?piled? ?with? ?them?”? ? ?

?

What’s? ?the? ?ground? ?piled? ?with?? ?Human? ?bones!? ?

?

Fury? ?blazed? ?in? ?Xie? ?Lian’s? ?heart,? ?and? ?he? ?squeezed? ?harder? ?with? ?force.? ?Qi? ?Rong? ?then? ?

started? ?wailing? ?and? ?howling,? ?“OW? ?OW? ?OW? ?OW? ?ARM!? ?MY? ?ARM’S? ?BROKEN!? ?BROKEN? ?

BROKEN!? ?COUSIN? ?CROWN? ?PRINCE? ?WAIT!? ?OK,? ?OK,? ?OK,? ?I’LL? ?BE? ?HONEST,? ?I? ?LIED,? ?I? ?

DIDN’T? ?EAT? ?HIM!? ?I? ?DIDN’T!? ?I? ?WAS? ?GOING? ?TO? ?BUT? ?I? ?HAVEN’T? ?YET!”? ? ?

?

“Where? ?is? ?he? ?now?”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?demanded.? ?

?

“STOP? ?CRUSHING,? ?STOP? ?CRUSHING!? ?I’ll? ?tell? ?you,? ?that? ?little? ?Feet-Dragger? ?is? ?locked? ?up? ?

in? ?the? ?shed? ?on? ?the? ?side,? ?JUST? ?TAKE? ?A? ?LOOK? ?AND? ?YOU’LL? ?SEE!”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?ordered? ?Ruoye? ?to? ?bind? ?Qi? ?Rong,? ?and? ?opened? ?a? ?small? ?door? ?on? ?the? ?side? ?of? ?the? ?

kitchen.? ?Sure? ?enough,? ?Guzi? ?was? ?curled? ?up? ?inside.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?felt? ?his? ?breath? ?under? ?his? ?nose? ?

and? ?his? ?breathing? ?was? ?steady,? ?his? ?little? ?face? ?red? ?and? ?flushing,? ?looking? ?to? ?be? ?sound? ?

asleep.? ?However,? ?when? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?lifted? ?the? ?child? ?up,? ?he? ?could? ?feel? ?the? ?child’s? ?body? ?was? ?

hot? ?to? ?touch? ?like? ?he? ?was? ?feverish,? ?and? ?Xie? ?Lian’s? ?heart? ?tensed.? ?

?

Just? ?then,? ?those? ?monks? ?and? ?cultivators? ?poured? ?in? ?too,? ?and? ?the? ?moment? ?they? ?entered? ?the? ?

kitchen? ?they? ?stepped? ?on? ?that? ?ground? ?piled? ?with? ?human? ?bones? ?and? ?almost? ?slipped.? ?The? ?

scene? ?was? ?shocking? ?and? ?horrifying,? ?and? ?they? ?all? ?cried,? ?“HUH?? ?IT’S? ?A? ?SHADY? ?

ESTABLISHMENT!”? ? ?

?

“SO? ?ALL? ?THOSE? ?DISHES? ?OUTSIDE...? ?THEY’RE? ?ALL...? ?MADE? ?OF? ?HUMAN? ?FLESH?!”? ? ?

?

“I? ?told? ?you? ?I’ve? ?never? ?seen? ?chicken? ?feet? ?that? ?long!”? ? ?

?

Right? ?at? ?the? ?same? ?time,? ?there? ?was? ?another? ?loud? ?rumbling,? ?and? ?a? ?new? ?hole? ?was? ?punched? ?

through? ?the? ?ceiling,? ?a? ?bundle? ?of? ?white? ?ball? ?crashing? ?down.? ?“WHAT’S? ?THAT?!”? ?The? ?mob? ?

cried.? ?

?

Soon? ?after,? ?Fu? ?Yao? ?jumped? ?down? ?from? ?that? ?hole? ?too,? ?hurling? ?out? ?over? ?ten? ?yellow? ?

talismans? ?from? ?the? ?swing? ?of? ?his? ?hand,? ?yelling,? ?“GET? ?LOST!? ?DON’T? ?GET? ?IN? ?THE? ?WAY? ?

OF? ?MY? ?WORK!”? ? ?

?

“AH!? ?IT’S? ?THE? ?SKILLED? ?MASTER!”? ?The? ?mob? ?cried.? ?

?

Then,? ?Lan? ?Chang? ?dragged? ?herself? ?and? ?rolled? ?down? ?too,? ?“STOP? ?HITTING? ?HIM!”? ? ?

?

“WHA-!? ?A? ?WOMAN!”? ?The? ?mob? ?cried? ?again.? ?

?

Those? ?yellow? ?talismans? ?were? ?shooting? ?like? ?iron? ?nails,? ?like? ?flying? ?blades,? ?and? ?while? ?Xie? ?

Lian? ?dodged? ?with? ?just? ?a? ?slight? ?shift? ?of? ?his? ?body,? ?Qi? ?Rong? ?couldn’t? ?get? ?away,? ?and? ?they? ?all? ?

stabbed? ?squarely? ?onto? ?his? ?back.? ?He? ?wailed? ?pathetically,? ?“GHOST? ?MURDER!!!”? ? ?

?

The? ?mob? ?swarmed? ?over? ?and? ?gathered? ?around? ?him? ?to? ?examine? ?the? ?talismans,? ?gasping? ?in? ?

awe,? ?“Wow,? ?what? ?incredible? ?skill? ?in? ?shooting? ?talismans...”? ? ?

?

A? ?good? ?ol’? ?kitchen? ?was? ?suddenly? ?squished? ?and? ?crowded,? ?loud? ?and? ?noisy.? ?Fu? ?Yao? ?was? ?

chasing? ?that? ?fetus? ?spirit? ?leaping? ?up? ?and? ?down,? ?Lan? ?Chang? ?was? ?chasing? ?after? ?Fu? ?Yao? ?like? ?

she? ?had? ?gone? ?mad.? ?Half? ?of? ?Qi? ?Rong’s? ?face? ?changed? ?shape? ?by? ?the? ?way? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?was? ?

pressing? ?him? ?down? ?on? ?the? ?chopping? ?board,? ?his? ?back? ?turning? ?into? ?a? ?target? ?for? ?those? ?yellow? ?

talismans? ?Fu? ?Yao? ?hurled? ?while? ?being? ?observed? ?by? ?a? ?crowd,? ?and? ?Lan? ?Chang? ?would? ?step? ?

on? ?him? ?from? ?time? ?to? ?time.? ?He? ?lamented? ?pathetically,? ?“WHY?? ?WHY? ?ARE? ?THERE? ?SO? ?

MANY? ?PEOPLE?? ?WHO? ?ARE? ?YOU?? ?AND? ?WHO? ?ARE? ?YOU?? ?IS? ?NO? ?ONE? ?GONNA? ?LET? ?

ME? ?FUCKING? ?EAT???? ?WHY? ?IS? ?IT? ?ALWAYS? ?LIKE? ?THIS? ?NO? ?MATTER? ?WHERE? ?I? ?GO???? ?

WHAT? ?DO? ?Y’ALL? ?HAVE? ?AGAINST? ?ME??”? ? ?

?

As? ?he? ?wailed,? ?his? ?eyes? ?spun? ?and? ?saw? ?through? ?the? ?collapsed? ?wall? ?of? ?the? ?kitchen? ?to? ?the? ?

outside? ?of? ?the? ?inn.? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?looked? ?like? ?he? ?hadn’t? ?noticed? ?the? ?mayhem? ?inside,? ?and? ?

was? ?sitting? ?calmly? ?under? ?a? ?tree? ?with? ?enough? ?leisure? ?to? ?build? ?a? ?golden? ?foil? ?palace.? ?Who? ?

knows? ?how? ?long? ?he’d? ?been? ?playing? ?around,? ?but? ?before? ?him,? ?there? ?was? ?already? ?a? ?

sumptuous? ?little? ?mansion? ?made? ?of? ?over? ?ten? ?gold? ?foils.? ?

?

Qi? ?Rong? ?instantly? ?changed? ?his? ?tune? ?and? ?yelled? ?at? ?the? ?top? ?of? ?his? ?lungs,? ?“EVERYONE? ?

LOOK? ?OUTSIDE,? ?QUICK!? ?THE? ?CRIMSON? ?RAIN? ?SOUGHT? ?FLOWER? ?TURNED? ?INTO? ?A? ?

BRAT!!!? ?IF? ?YOU? ?HOLD? ?GRUDGES? ?AGAINST? ?HIM? ?GO? ?NOW!!!? ?DON’T? ?MISS? ?THIS? ?

CHANCE,? ?IF? ?YOU? ?PASS? ?THROUGH? ?THIS? ?VILLAGE? ?THERE? ?WON’T? ?BE? ?ANOTHER? ?

SHOP...!!!”? ?

?

Before? ?he? ?finished,? ?a? ?chilling,? ?glistening,? ?bloody? ?butcher? ?knife? ?was? ?thrusted? ?into? ?his? ?

mouth? ?between? ?his? ?teeth.? ?The? ?handle? ?of? ?the? ?butcher? ?knife? ?was? ?gripped? ?in? ?Xie? ?Lian’s? ?

hand.? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?smiled,? ?“Hm?? ?What? ?are? ?you? ?yelling? ?about?”? ? ?

?

Qi? ?Rong? ?did? ?not? ?see? ?how? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?was? ?able? ?to? ?thrust? ?that? ?knife? ?into? ?his? ?mouth;? ?he? ?could? ?

only? ?feel? ?chill? ?on? ?his? ?lips? ?and? ?the? ?tip? ?of? ?his? ?tongue? ?sensing? ?there? ?was? ?a? ?sudden? ?new,? ?

extremely? ?sharp? ?object.? ?Although? ?he? ?wasn’t? ?hurt,? ?but? ?if? ?he? ?tried? ?moving? ?even? ?an? ?inch? ?his? ?

mouth? ?was? ?going? ?to? ?bleed,? ?and? ?his? ?voice? ?died? ?in? ?his? ?throat.? ?

?

However,? ?the? ?crowd? ?had? ?already? ?seen? ?the? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?who? ?was? ?stacking? ?a? ?golden? ?foil? ?

palace? ?far? ?outside? ?the? ?inn,? ?“IS? ?THAT? ?HIM?!”? ? ?

?

“PROBABLY!”? ? ?

?

With? ?Guzi? ?in? ?one? ?arm? ?and? ?pulling? ?Ruoye? ?with? ?the? ?other,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?dashed? ?out? ?to? ?get? ?

before? ?the? ?others.? ?Qi? ?Rong? ?was? ?still? ?bound? ?by? ?Ruoye,? ?and? ?he? ?shrieked? ?as? ?he? ?was? ?

dragged? ?along? ?on? ?the? ?ground,? ?“XIE? ?LIAN? ?YOU? ?DOG? ?FUCKER? ?YOU? ?MUST? ?BE? ?DOING? ?

THIS? ?ON? ?PURPOSE? ?I’VE? ?NEVER? ?SEEN? ?ANYONE? ?AS? ?EVIL? ?AS? ?YOU? ?YOU? ?FAKE? ?

WHITE? ?LOTUS? ?AAAAAAHHHHHHHH–”? ?

?

The? ?mob? ?gathered? ?around,? ?“Do? ?we...? ?charge?”? ? ?

?

“Watch? ?out? ?for? ?trickery.? ?How? ?about? ?we? ?observe? ?first?”? ? ?

?

Right? ?at? ?the? ?same? ?time,? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?finished? ?building? ?the? ?little? ?golden? ?palace,? ?and? ?he? ?

rose? ?to? ?his? ?feet,? ?raising? ?his? ?brows? ?as? ?he? ?side? ?eyed? ?the? ?little? ?building? ?he? ?constructed,? ?and? ?

gently? ?kicked.? ?

?

Flop,? ?flop,? ?flop,?? ?the? ?golden? ?palace? ?collapsed.? ?

?

And? ?that? ?inn? ?also? ?rumbled? ?as? ?it? ?crumbled.? ? ?

?

The? ?illusion? ?was? ?broken.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?turned? ?back? ?and? ?looked,? ?and? ?behind? ?wasn’t? ?some? ?inn,? ?

but? ?a? ?collapsed? ?little? ?cottage,? ?the? ?kind? ?that? ?was? ?normal? ?in? ?barren? ?hills? ?such? ?as? ?this.? ?The? ?

inn? ?earlier? ?was? ?created? ?by? ?an? ?illusionment? ?spell.? ?

?

That? ?crowd? ?of? ?monks? ?and? ?cultivators? ?who? ?hadn’t? ?yet? ?decided? ?whether? ?to? ?charge? ?out? ?were? ?

all? ?crushed? ?under,? ?knocked? ?out? ?by? ?rotten? ?logs? ?and? ?ragged? ?straws.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?jogged? ?to? ?

Hua? ?Cheng’s? ?side,? ?“San? ?Lang,? ?won’t? ?using? ?powers? ?like? ?this? ?affect? ?you?”? ? ?

?

Hua? ?Cheng? ?waved? ?his? ?hand? ?composedly? ?and? ?those? ?gold? ?foils? ?all? ?disappeared? ?into? ?thin? ?

air.? ?“Don’t? ?worry,? ?gege,? ?something? ?small? ?like? ?this? ?is? ?nothing.”? ? ?

?

Just? ?then,? ?a? ?piece? ?of? ?a? ?broken? ?roof? ?moved,? ?and? ?Fu? ?Yao? ?poked? ?out? ?pushing? ?a? ?batch? ?of? ?

hay? ?away,? ?exclaiming? ?angrily,? ?“YOU’RE? ?NOT? ?BOTHERED,? ?I’M? ?BOTHERED!”? ? ?

?

He? ?had? ?finally? ?captured? ?that? ?fetus? ?spirit,? ?yet? ?his? ?vision? ?suddenly? ?went? ?dark,? ?and? ?when? ?he? ?

looked? ?up,? ?that? ?rotten? ?roof? ?was? ?splitting? ?and? ?caving? ?in,? ?crumbling? ?right? ?on? ?top? ?of? ?him,? ?

what? ?a? ?disaster!? ?Fu? ?Yao? ?plucked? ?a? ?piece? ?of? ?straw? ?from? ?his? ?hair? ?and? ?stomped? ?out? ?before? ?

Xie? ?Lian? ?and? ?Hua? ?Cheng,? ?glaring? ?at? ?the? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?who? ?was? ?shorter? ?than? ?him? ?right? ?now? ?

and? ?raged,? ?“YOU...? ?You? ?did? ?this? ?on? ?purpose!”? ? ?

?

Hua? ?Cheng? ?blinked? ?but? ?didn’t? ?rebuke,? ?but? ?he? ?didn’t? ?taunt? ?either,? ?only? ?raising? ?his? ?inky? ?

black? ?eyes? ?to? ?look? ?at? ?Xie? ?Lian.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?immediately? ?dropped? ?his? ?arm,? ?grasped? ?his? ?

shoulder? ?and? ?pulled? ?him? ?behind? ?his? ?person,? ?“No? ?no,? ?surely? ?not.? ?Kids? ?don’t? ?know? ?how? ?to? ?

control? ?themselves...? ?so? ?sorry,? ?Fu? ?Yao.”? ? ?

?

Fu? ?Yao? ?watched? ?him? ?in? ?disbelief? ?with? ?his? ?head? ?full? ?of? ?mussed? ?up? ?hair,? ?“...Kids?? ?You? ?

highness,? ?do? ?you? ?really? ?think? ?I’m? ?so? ?blind? ?as? ?to? ?not? ?recognize? ?who? ?this? ?is?”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?replied? ?innocently,? ?“What? ?are? ?you? ?talking? ?about?? ?This? ?is? ?a? ?very? ?normal? ?little? ?kid.”? ? ?

?

“...”? ?

?

Fu? ?Yao? ?stared? ?at? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?and? ?narrowed? ?his? ?eyes,? ?but? ?then? ?behind? ?them? ?came? ?faint? ?

creaking? ?sounds,? ?and? ?it? ?seemed? ?Lan? ?Chang? ?also? ?pushed? ?up? ?a? ?piece? ?of? ?roof? ?and? ?crawled? ?

out.? ?Fu? ?Yao? ?turned? ?back? ?to? ?her.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?sighed? ?a? ?breath? ?of? ?relief,? ?putting? ?Guzi? ?on? ?the? ?

ground,? ?but? ?as? ?he? ?was? ?doing? ?so,? ?a? ?hesitant? ?voice? ?rang? ?by? ?his? ?ears,? ?“...Your? ?Highness?”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?immediately? ?straightened? ?up,? ?“...Feng? ?Xin?”? ? ?

?

It? ?really? ?was? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?on? ?the? ?other? ?end,? ?and? ?it? ?sounded? ?like? ?he? ?also? ?sighed? ?in? ?relief,? ?

“Thank? ?goodness!? ?Your? ?verbal? ?password? ?hasn’t? ?changed? ?after? ?all.”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?soundless? ?gave? ?a? ?dry? ?laugh.? ?Eight? ?hundred? ?years? ?ago? ?when? ?he? ?activated? ?the? ?

verbal? ?password? ?for? ?the? ?first? ?time,? ?it? ?was? ?“Just? ?recite? ?the? ?Ethics? ?Sutra? ?a? ?thousand? ?times”;? ?

eight? ?hundred? ?years? ?later,? ?it? ?never? ?changed,? ?and? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?actually? ?remembered.? ?Xie? ?

Lian? ?remembered? ?the? ?way? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?laughed? ?until? ?he? ?was? ?hoarse? ?when? ?he? ?first? ?heard? ?

that? ?verbal? ?password? ?all? ?those? ?years? ?back,? ?and? ?couldn’t? ?help? ?but? ?feel? ?nostalgic? ?even? ?

though? ?it? ?wasn’t? ?the? ?right? ?time.? ?

?

“Yes,? ?it? ?hasn’t? ?changed.? ?How? ?is? ?it? ?in? ?the? ?Upper? ?Court?? ?Is? ?the? ?Heavenly? ?Emperor? ?informed? ?

of? ?the? ?affair? ?with? ?Ling? ?Wen?”? ? ?

?

Hua? ?Cheng? ?heard? ?he? ?was? ?talking? ?to? ?a? ?heavenly? ?official? ?of? ?the? ?Upper? ?Court? ?and? ?

consciously? ?stepped? ?away,? ?placing? ?his? ?hand? ?on? ?Guzi’s? ?forehead? ?to? ?check? ?if? ?he? ?was? ?sick.? ?

On? ?the? ?side,? ?Feng? ?Xin’s? ?voice? ?grew? ?serious,? ?“It’s? ?not? ?good.? ?He? ?knows.? ?The? ?entire? ?Upper? ?

Court? ?is? ?in? ?chaos? ?right? ?now.”? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?sighed,? ?“All? ?the? ?coordination? ?and? ?arrangement? ?of? ?Upper? ?Court? ?affairs? ?had? ?

always? ?been? ?managed? ?by? ?Ling? ?Wen,? ?so? ?it? ?couldn’t? ?be? ?helped.? ?Could? ?no? ?other? ?civil? ?gods? ?

take? ?her? ?place?”? ?

?

“They? ?have? ?but? ?they’re? ?not? ?effective.”? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?said,? ?“Usually? ?they’re? ?the? ?most? ?diligent? ?in? ?

scorning? ?the? ?Palace? ?of? ?Ling? ?Wen,? ?like? ?they? ?could? ?do? ?the? ?job? ?way? ?better? ?if? ?they? ?had? ?the? ?

position.? ?Now? ?that? ?we? ?need? ?them? ?to? ?take? ?up? ?the? ?task,? ?not? ?a? ?single? ?one? ?can? ?do? ?even? ?half? ?

of? ?what? ?she? ?does.? ?Just? ?the? ?organization? ?and? ?management? ?of? ?news? ?and? ?information? ?

alone? ?made? ?them? ?dizzy;? ?a? ?number? ?of? ?civil? ?gods? ?all? ?dropped? ?and? ?declined? ?the? ?position.”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?shook? ?his? ?head? ?and? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?added,? ?“And? ?not? ?just? ?Ling? ?Wen,? ?but? ?something? ?

happened? ?to? ?Mu? ?Qing? ?too.? ?He? ?was? ?locked? ?up? ?at? ?first,? ?but? ?he? ?beat? ?up? ?and? ?injured? ?the? ?

guarding? ?official? ?and? ?escaped.”? ? ?

?

“What?!”? ? ?

?

Hearing? ?this,? ?on? ?impulse? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?instantly? ?looked? ?to? ?Fu? ?Yao.? ?That? ?black? ?clad? ?youth? ?was? ?

just? ?saying? ?something? ?to? ?Lan? ?Chang,? ?and? ?while? ?there? ?was? ?displeasure? ?on? ?his? ?face,? ?there? ?

was? ?more? ?disquiet.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?walked? ?further? ?away? ?and? ?lowered? ?his? ?voice,? ?“What? ?

happened? ?to? ?Mu? ?Qing?? ?How? ?did? ?it? ?come? ?to? ?this???”? ? ?

?

“He? ?wasn’t? ?just? ?locked? ?up,? ?the? ?entire? ?Palace? ?of? ?Xuan? ?Zhen? ?has? ?been? ?suspended? ?awaiting? ?

investigation.”? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?replied,? ?“It? ?was? ?all? ?because? ?of? ?that? ?fetus? ?spirit.”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian’s? ?voice? ?grew? ?softer,? ?“What? ?happened? ?with? ?the? ?fetus? ?spirit?? ?Was? ?he? ?really? ?related? ?

to? ?the? ?case?”? ? ?

?

“En.”? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?said,? ?“All? ?the? ?demons? ?and? ?monsters? ?sealed? ?everywhere? ?have? ?escaped? ?

this? ?time;? ?Mu? ?Qing? ?was? ?responsible? ?for? ?the? ?female? ?ghost? ?Lan? ?Chang? ?and? ?that? ?fetus? ?spirit,? ?

but? ?he? ?didn’t? ?manage? ?to? ?capture? ?them,? ?letting? ?them? ?get? ?away.? ?But? ?during? ?the? ?pursuit,? ?that? ?

fetus? ?had? ?pointedly? ?recognized? ?Mu? ?Qing? ?and? ?said,? ?the? ?one? ?who? ?carved? ?it? ?out? ?from? ?its? ?

mother’s? ?womb? ?and? ?molded? ?it? ?into? ?a? ?little? ?ghost? ?was? ?Mu? ?Qing.”? ? ?

?

“That’s? ?impossible!”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?blurted,? ?“No? ?way!? ?Even? ?though? ?Mu? ?Qing? ?is? ?someone...? ?

Well,? ?he? ?had? ?no? ?reason? ?to? ?do? ?something? ?like? ?this?”? ? ?

?

“Who? ?knows.”? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?said,? ?“But? ?apparently,? ?there’s? ?a? ?wicked? ?cultivation? ?method? ?

involving? ?the? ?use? ?of? ?dead? ?babies? ?to? ?accelerate? ?ascension.? ?Now? ?there’s? ?a? ?number? ?of? ?

people? ?suspecting? ?whether? ?if? ?his? ?ascension? ?was? ?also? ?problematic,? ?so? ?they? ?planned? ?to? ?

lock? ?him? ?up? ?at? ?first? ?before? ?taking? ?their? ?time? ?to? ?thoroughly? ?investigate? ?all? ?his? ?past? ?actions,? ?

yet? ?who? ?knew? ?he? ?couldn’t? ?sit? ?still? ?and? ?ran? ?away? ?himself.? ?Now? ?everyone? ?believes? ?he’s? ?

guilty? ?and? ?escaped? ?because? ?of? ?the? ?crime.”? ? ?

?

“Wait,? ?wait,? ?wait,? ?wait.”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?said,? ?“This,? ?really? ?isn’t? ?right.? ?If? ?Mu? ?Qing? ?was? ?the? ?

perpetrator,? ?then? ?why? ?didn’t? ?that? ?fetus? ?spirit? ?and? ?Lan? ?Chang? ?recognize? ?him? ?at? ?the? ?Great? ?

Martial? ?Hall? ?at? ?first,? ?and? ?had? ?to? ?accuse? ?him? ?during? ?capture?? ?Isn’t? ?this? ?very? ?obviously? ?

slander?”? ? ?

?

“By? ?the? ?time? ?I’ve? ?found? ?out? ?things? ?have? ?already? ?progressed? ?to? ?this? ?point,? ?so? ?I’m? ?not? ?sure? ?

what’s? ?really? ?happened? ?either.”? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?said,? ?“It? ?seems? ?Lan? ?Chang? ?and? ?the? ?fetus? ?spirit? ?

didn’t? ?know? ?who? ?the? ?spellcaster? ?was? ?either,? ?but? ?when? ?the? ?little? ?ghost? ?was? ?first? ?molded? ?

and? ?emerged,? ?it? ?had? ?a? ?random? ?moment? ?of? ?clarity,? ?broke? ?free? ?of? ?control,? ?and? ?left? ?a? ?scar? ?on? ?

that? ?individual.? ?When? ?that? ?fetus? ?spirit? ?was? ?fighting? ?with? ?Mu? ?Qing,? ?it? ?saw? ?there? ?was? ?also? ?a? ?

bite? ?mark? ?on? ?Mu? ?Qing’s? ?arm,? ?and? ?it? ?was? ?an? ?old? ?wound? ?of? ?hundreds? ?of? ?years.”? ?

?

“...did? ?this? ?bite? ?mark? ?match? ?the? ?cavity? ?of? ?that? ?fetus? ?spirit?”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?asked.? ?

?

“A? ?complete? ?match.”? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?replied.? ?

?

“And? ?how? ?did? ?Mu? ?Qing? ?explain? ?this? ?scar?”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?asked? ?solemnly.? ?

?

“He’s? ?admitted? ?that? ?he’d? ?seen? ?the? ?fetus? ?spirit? ?before,”? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?said,? ?“But? ?he? ?doesn’t? ?

admit? ?himself? ?to? ?be? ?the? ?perpetrator,? ?that? ?he? ?saved? ?that? ?fetus? ?spirit? ?out? ?of? ?benevolence? ?but? ?

was? ?bitten? ?by? ?it.? ?A? ?confession? ?like? ?this,? ?he? ?might? ?as? ?well? ?not? ?have? ?tried? ?to? ?explain? ?

anything.”? ? ?

?

That? ?was? ?true,? ?only? ?because? ?“helping? ?out? ?of? ?kindness”,? ?“love? ?and? ?protect? ?children”,? ?“do? ?

good? ?without? ?leaving? ?name”,? ?in? ?everyone’s? ?minds,? ?were? ?all? ?things? ?Mu? ?Qing? ?would? ?never? ?

do.? ?Mu? ?Qing? ?had? ?always? ?been? ?‘lonesome’,? ?never? ?having? ?shown? ?any? ?unnecessary? ?

kindness,? ?and? ?didn’t? ?really? ?make? ?any? ?intimate? ?friends? ?in? ?the? ?heavens.? ?Now? ?that? ?

something’s? ?happened,? ?no? ?one? ?would? ?believe? ?him? ?even? ?if? ?he? ?tried? ?to? ?argue,? ?and? ?naturally? ?

there? ?was? ?no? ?one? ?to? ?speak? ?on? ?his? ?behalf.? ?This? ?was? ?probably? ?why? ?he? ?chose? ?to? ?run? ?away? ?

and? ?investigate? ?the? ?truth? ?himself.? ?

?

“Things? ?are? ?still? ?out? ?of? ?control? ?here,? ?Your? ?Highness,”? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?said,? ?“Where? ?are? ?you?? ?

The? ?Heavenly? ?Emperor? ?said? ?the? ?gathering? ?of? ?ghosts? ?is? ?probably? ?unstoppable? ?by? ?now.? ?

Hurry? ?back? ?and? ?join? ?the? ?assembly!”? ? ?

?

“I’m? ?currently...”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?started.? ?

?

Before? ?he? ?continued? ?however,? ?Fu? ?Yao’s? ?cold? ?voice? ?suddenly? ?sounded? ?from? ?behind? ?him,? ?

“Who? ?are? ?you? ?talking? ?to?”? ? ?

?

?

——–? ?

?

Ch.140:? ?Sharp? ?Tongues? ?and? ?Pointed? ?Teeth;? ?Winds? ?Swallowed? ?and? ?Arrows? ?

Shredded? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?heaved? ?a? ?sigh? ?and? ?turned? ?around,? ?“Sigh,? ?I? ?wanted? ?to? ?talk? ?to? ?someone,? ?but? ?now? ?

that? ?the? ?spiritual? ?communication? ?array? ?of? ?the? ?Upper? ?Court? ?is? ?in? ?shambles? ?and? ?I? ?don’t? ?

know? ?any? ?other? ?heavenly? ?official’s? ?verbal? ?password,? ?I? ?can’t? ?say? ?anything? ?even? ?if? ?I? ?wanted? ?

to.? ?Fu? ?Yao,? ?do? ?you? ?remember? ?any? ?heavenly? ?official’s? ?verbal? ?password?? ?Just? ?so? ?I? ?can? ?

send? ?some? ?news? ?back? ?and? ?let? ?them? ?know? ?I’m? ?here,? ?and? ?request? ?for? ?some? ?assistance.”? ?

?

He? ?looked? ?at? ?ease? ?and? ?natural,? ?extremely? ?persuasive,? ?and? ?the? ?gloomy? ?clouds? ?on? ?Fu? ?

Yao’s? ?face? ?dispersed.? ?He? ?placated,? ?“Don’t? ?know.? ?The? ?entire? ?heavens? ?is? ?a? ?mess? ?right? ?

now,? ?everyone’s? ?busy.? ?Take? ?care? ?of? ?things? ?yourself.”? ?

?

Just? ?then,? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?spoke? ?up? ?from? ?the? ?side,? ?“Gege,? ?this? ?child? ?has? ?been? ?starving? ?for? ?

two? ?days,? ?and? ?he’s? ?burning? ?up.”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?walked? ?over? ?to? ?check,? ?and? ?sure? ?enough,? ?Guzi’s? ?forehead? ?was? ?so? ?hot? ?an? ?egg? ?

could? ?be? ?fried.? ?Instantly? ?he? ?pulled? ?Qi? ?Rong? ?up? ?and? ?demanded,? ?“How? ?on? ?earth? ?do? ?you? ?

take? ?care? ?of? ?kids?”? ? ?

?

Qi? ?Rong? ?spat? ?with? ?his? ?face? ?covered? ?in? ?blood,? ?“It’s? ?not? ?like? ?this? ?ancestor’s? ?his? ?real? ?dad!? ?It’s? ?

already? ?incredibly? ?compassionate? ?of? ?me? ?not? ?to? ?have? ?eaten? ?him!? ?Mark? ?me? ?down? ?for? ?

merits,? ?quick!”? ? ?

?

“I? ?think? ?it’s? ?more? ?like? ?he? ?wouldn’t? ?taste? ?good? ?feverish? ?that? ?you? ?hadn’t? ?eaten? ?him.”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?

commented.? ?

?

On? ?the? ?side,? ?Lan? ?Chang? ?hesitated? ?for? ?a? ?moment? ?before? ?speaking? ?up,? ?“Is? ?that? ?child? ?sick?? ?

How? ?about? ?I? ?take? ?a? ?look?”? ? ?

?

She? ?was? ?also? ?covered? ?in? ?cuts? ?and? ?bruises? ?from? ?the? ?collapsed? ?beams? ?of? ?that? ?dilapidated? ?

cottage,? ?but? ?she? ?felt? ?sorry? ?for? ?the? ?child? ?and? ?crawled? ?over,? ?cradled? ?Guzi? ?in? ?her? ?arms? ?and? ?

placed? ?her? ?palm? ?over? ?his? ?head,? ?seeming? ?to? ?be? ?using? ?her? ?chilling? ?body? ?to? ?cool? ?Guzi’s? ?

fever.? ?Fu? ?Yao? ?walked? ?over? ?with? ?the? ?fetus? ?spirit? ?wrapped? ?in? ?a? ?ball? ?by? ?a? ?talisman? ?in? ?his? ?

hand,? ?“Time? ?to? ?go.”? ? ?

?

Lan? ?Chang? ?obviously? ?didn’t? ?want? ?to? ?leave,? ?but? ?her? ?son? ?was? ?in? ?his? ?hands? ?so? ?she? ?was? ?

helpless.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?spoke? ?up,? ?“Wait,? ?don’t? ?leave? ?yet.? ?Fu? ?Yao,? ?are? ?you? ?able? ?to? ?

communicate? ?with? ?your? ?general? ?right? ?now?”? ? ?

?

Fu? ?Yao? ?looked? ?at? ?him,? ?“What? ?do? ?you? ?want?”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?chewed? ?on? ?his? ?words,? ?“Actually...”? ?

?

Before? ?he? ?fully? ?said? ?the? ?word,? ?his? ?hand? ?suddenly? ?stretched? ?out? ?and? ?fast? ?like? ?lightning,? ?he? ?

instantly? ?twisted? ?Fu? ?Yao’s? ?arms? ?behind? ?and? ?restrained? ?in? ?a? ?deadly? ?grip? ?before? ?he? ?

continued,? ?“Actually,? ?I? ?already? ?knew? ?he’s? ?in? ?trouble!”? ? ?

?

Fu? ?Yao? ?was? ?careless? ?and? ?allowed? ?himself? ?to? ?be? ?caught,? ?and? ?he? ?was? ?both? ?shocked? ?and? ?

furious,? ?“YOU!? ?YOU? ?SLY–!”? ? ?

?

“No,? ?no.? ?This? ?is? ?all? ?by? ?my? ?own? ?strength? ?alone.? ?You? ?can? ?try? ?ambushing? ?me? ?the? ?same? ?way? ?

and? ?see? ?if? ?you? ?can? ?hold? ?me? ?down.”? ? ?

?

Hua? ?Cheng? ?politely? ?clapped,? ?“I? ?agree.”? ? ?

?

Fu? ?Yao? ?was? ?going? ?to? ?roll? ?his? ?eyes? ?from? ?anger,? ?“THEN? ?WHY? ?DON’T? ?YOU? ?LET? ?ME? ?GO? ?

SO? ?I? ?CAN? ?TRY,? ?HUH??”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?straightened? ?his? ?expression,? ?“Next? ?time,? ?if? ?there’s? ?a? ?chance.? ?Right? ?now? ?we’ve? ?

got? ?more? ?important? ?things? ?to? ?worry? ?about.? ?Fu? ?Yao,? ?will? ?you? ?help? ?me? ?advise? ?your? ?general? ?

to? ?return? ?to? ?the? ?Upper? ?Court?”? ? ?

?

“...Return?”? ? ?

?

Fu? ?Yao’s? ?anger? ?was? ?forcefully? ?suppressed? ?into? ?a? ?low? ?voice,? ?“That’s? ?easy? ?for? ?you? ?to? ?say!? ?If? ?

the? ?one? ?stuck? ?in? ?the? ?situation? ?was? ?you,? ?would? ?you? ?go? ?back?? ?What? ?would? ?you? ?say? ?if? ?

others? ?urge? ?you? ?to? ?return?? ?Go? ?back? ?to? ?be? ?wronged? ?and? ?wait? ?for? ?a? ?conviction?? ?Go? ?back? ?to? ?

wait? ?for? ?death?!”? ? ?

?

“Don’t? ?get? ?riled? ?up,? ?I’m? ?being? ?serious.”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?said,? ?“I’m? ?not? ?being? ?sarcastic.? ?Your? ?

general? ?and? ?I? ?are? ?different,? ?his? ?situation? ?isn’t? ?so? ?hopeless? ?to? ?the? ?point? ?of? ?no? ?return;? ?the? ?

real? ?bad? ?was? ?him? ?running? ?away.? ?If? ?you? ?can? ?connect? ?with? ?him,? ?tell? ?him? ?I? ?can? ?help? ?him? ?

investigate.”? ? ?

?

Fu? ?Yao? ?was? ?stunned,? ?“You.? ?Help? ?him? ?investigate?”? ?

?

“Yea.? ?I’ve? ?done? ?a? ?lot? ?of? ?investigations,? ?so? ?I’m? ?somewhat? ?experienced.? ?More? ?experienced? ?

than? ?him? ?anyway.”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?said.? ?

?

“Your? ?Highness,? ?need? ?I? ?remind? ?you? ?that? ?after? ?you? ?returned? ?to? ?the? ?heavens,? ?how? ?many? ?

heavenly? ?officials? ?have? ?you? ?investigated?”? ?Fu? ?Yao? ?said,? ?“And? ?how? ?many? ?of? ?those? ?

heavenly? ?officials? ?have? ?fallen? ?after? ?you’ve? ?investigated?”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?cleared? ?his? ?throat? ?softly,? ?“That’s? ?different.? ?The? ?problem? ?doesn’t? ?lie? ?with? ?me.? ?If? ?he? ?

really? ?didn’t? ?commit? ?any? ?crimes,? ?then? ?of? ?course? ?I? ?can? ?prove? ?his? ?innocence.”? ? ?

?

Fu? ?Yao? ?puffed? ?a? ?laugh? ?from? ?exasperation? ?and? ?cut? ?him? ?off,? ?“That’s? ?enough!? ?It’s? ?not? ?like? ?no? ?

one? ?knows? ?of? ?the? ?personal? ?grudges? ?between? ?you? ?two.? ?Help? ?him? ?investigate?? ?Would? ?he? ?

even? ?have? ?the? ?chance? ?to? ?flip? ?this? ?around? ?then?? ?If? ?you? ?want? ?to? ?use? ?this? ?chance? ?to? ?drag? ?

him? ?down? ?and? ?laugh? ?at? ?him,? ?just? ?say? ?so? ?instead? ?of? ?acting? ?all? ?fake.”? ? ?

?

Hearing? ?this,? ?Hua? ?Cheng’s? ?face? ?grew? ?dark.? ?A? ?moment? ?later,? ?he? ?smiled,? ?“Nevermind,? ?

gege.? ?This? ?guy? ?doesn’t? ?know? ?how? ?to? ?recognize? ?goodness? ?when? ?he? ?sees? ?it,? ?so? ?why? ?waste? ?

your? ?breath?? ?Some? ?people? ?are? ?simply? ?born? ?ungrateful,? ?and? ?gauges? ?the? ?heart? ?of? ?a? ?man? ?of? ?

integrity? ?with? ?their? ?own? ?wretched? ?closed? ?mindedness.? ?He? ?doesn’t? ?trust? ?you,? ?and? ?well,? ?I? ?

don’t? ?have? ?the? ?time? ?to? ?care? ?for? ?him? ?anyway.? ?Let? ?him? ?struggle? ?and? ?figure? ?things? ?out? ?for? ?

himself.”? ? ?

?

Fu? ?Yao? ?glanced? ?at? ?him? ?and? ?taunted,? ?“‘Kid’?”? ? ?

?

Hua? ?Cheng? ?returned? ?his? ?respects? ?and? ?also? ?mocked,? ?“‘Junior? ?Official’?”? ? ?

?

Fu? ?Yao’s? ?face? ?dropped? ?slightly.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?tightened? ?his? ?hold? ?and? ?said? ?gently,? ?“Well,? ?this? ?

and? ?that? ?are? ?two? ?completely? ?different? ?matters,? ?personal? ?affairs? ?and? ?business? ?shouldn’t? ?be? ?

mixed? ?together.? ?It’s? ?one? ?thing? ?if? ?he? ?and? ?I? ?have? ?a? ?personal? ?grudge,? ?whether? ?if? ?he’s? ?

committed? ?a? ?crime? ?is? ?another? ?thing.? ?Someone? ?like? ?Mu? ?Qing,? ?even? ?though? ?he’s? ?

narrow-minded,? ?petty,? ?sensitive? ?and? ?skeptical,? ?has? ?a? ?bad? ?personality,? ?constantly? ?

guessing,? ?doesn’t? ?say? ?nice? ?things,? ?likes? ?to? ?nag,? ?always? ?offending? ?people? ?and? ?a? ?lot? ?of? ?

people? ?dislike? ?him,? ?has? ?no? ?friends,? ?can? ?remember? ?small,? ?unimportant? ?details? ?for? ?a? ?long? ?

period? ?of? ?time...”? ? ?

?

“...”? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?went? ?on? ?in? ?one? ?breath? ?with? ?a? ?straight? ?face,? ?but? ?in? ?the? ?end? ?he? ?concluded? ?with,? ?

“...But? ?I’ve? ?known? ?him? ?since? ?we? ?were? ?kids? ?after? ?all,? ?he’s? ?still? ?got? ?principles.”? ? ?

?

“...”? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?continued,? ?“He? ?might? ?spit? ?in? ?the? ?cup? ?of? ?someone? ?he? ?doesn’t? ?like,? ?but? ?he? ?would? ?

never? ?poison? ?the? ?water? ?to? ?harm? ?others.”? ? ?

?

“...”? ?

?

Hua? ?Cheng? ?commented? ?flatly,? ?“Really?? ?That’s? ?still? ?gross? ?though.”? ? ?

?

Fu? ?Yao? ?was? ?popping? ?veins,? ?“NO!? ?He? ?would? ?never? ?spit? ?either!”? ? ?

?

“Laxatives? ?then.”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?said.? ?

?

Fu? ?Yao? ?seemed? ?to? ?be? ?suppressing? ?himself,? ?“You...? ?must? ?you? ?describe? ?him? ?this? ?way?? ?Are? ?

you? ?speaking? ?for? ?him? ?or? ?against? ?him?”? ? ?

?

“Sorry,? ?I? ?just? ?couldn’t? ?think? ?of? ?any? ?better? ?examples? ?at? ?the? ?moment.”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?apologized.? ?

?

Fu? ?Yao? ?struggled? ?a? ?bit? ?but? ?couldn’t? ?loosen? ?the? ?hold? ?and? ?demanded? ?in? ?alarm,? ?“Were? ?you? ?

snitching? ?to? ?someone? ?in? ?the? ?heavens? ?earlier?”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?replied? ?heavily,? ?“Not? ?yet.? ?I? ?was? ?just? ?chatting.? ?Don’t? ?worry,? ?I? ?won’t? ?harm? ?your? ?

general.? ?If? ?he? ?really? ?doesn’t? ?want? ?to? ?go? ?back,? ?then? ?why? ?not? ?join? ?me? ?and? ?we? ?can? ?act? ?

together?? ?That? ?way,? ?there’s? ?a? ?witness? ?for? ?anything? ?he’d? ?do,? ?otherwise? ?he? ?wouldn’t? ?be? ?

able? ?to? ?clear? ?himself? ?and? ?things? ?would? ?get? ?worse...”? ?

?

Just? ?then,? ?there? ?was? ?suddenly? ?a? ?roar? ?of? ?crude? ?laughter? ?from? ?behind? ?them.? ?Qi? ?Rong? ?was? ?

staring? ?at? ?Lan? ?Chang’s? ?face? ?and? ?suddenly? ?went? ?mad,? ?“HAHAHAHHAHAHAHA? ?I? ?

WONDERED? ?WHO? ?THIS? ?WAS!? ?ISN’T? ?THIS,? ?ISN’T? ?THIS? ?MY? ?LADY? ?JIAN? ?LAN?”? ? ?

?

Lan? ?Chang? ?was? ?holding? ?Guzi? ?in? ?her? ?arms? ?at? ?first,? ?cooling? ?his? ?temperature,? ?but? ?hearing? ?

him,? ?she? ?shuddered? ?and? ?her? ?eyes? ?widened,? ?“Who? ?are? ?you?? ?How? ?come? ?you? ?also...”? ?

?

Qi? ?Rong? ?snickered,? ?“How? ?do? ?I? ?know?? ?PLEASE!? ?You? ?almost? ?had? ?to? ?call? ?me? ?little? ?cousin!? ?

What,? ?so? ?everyone’s? ?turned? ?into? ?a? ?ghost?? ?Fucking? ?around? ?here? ?and? ?there? ?and? ?it’s? ?all? ?

familiar? ?faces,? ?this? ?world? ?really? ?is? ?small? ?and? ?lively,? ?hehe!”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?frowned,? ?“Qi? ?Rong,? ?have? ?you? ?gone? ?mad? ?again?? ?Who’s? ?Jian? ?Lan?”? ? ?

?

“Heh,? ?cousin? ?crown? ?prince,? ?are? ?you? ?blind? ?or? ?are? ?you? ?playing? ?stupid?”? ?Qi? ?Rong? ?taunted,? ?

“Look? ?closely? ?at? ?who? ?this? ?is,? ?it’s? ?the? ?number? ?one? ?maiden? ?of? ?our? ?Xian? ?Le? ?–? ?the? ?Lady? ?Jian? ?

Lan!? ?Her? ?family’s? ?all? ?politicians? ?and? ?merchants,? ?indescribably? ?grand? ?and? ?glorious.? ?Her? ?

looks? ?are? ?so-so,? ?but? ?her? ?name? ?will? ?be? ?on? ?the? ?charts? ?every? ?time? ?there’s? ?a? ?Xianle? ?beauty? ?

appraisal.? ?So? ?proud? ?her? ?eyes? ?are? ?grown? ?on? ?top? ?of? ?her? ?head;? ?she? ?saw? ?and? ?cared? ?for? ?no? ?

one.? ?She? ?almost? ?entered? ?the? ?harem? ?and? ?was? ?almost? ?elected? ?as? ?a? ?concubine!”? ? ?

?

“What?”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian’s? ?eyes? ?flew? ?to? ?Lan? ?Chang’s? ?face? ?unconsciously.? ?Back? ?then,? ?the? ?king? ?and? ?the? ?

queen? ?did? ?indeed? ?have? ?the? ?intention? ?of? ?electing? ?a? ?concubine? ?for? ?him? ?and? ?summoned? ?a? ?

number? ?of? ?exquisitely? ?selected? ?girls? ?to? ?enter? ?the? ?palace? ?for? ?a? ?banquet? ?just? ?to? ?let? ?him? ?see? ?

if? ?there? ?was? ?anyone? ?who? ?he? ?might? ?fancy.? ?However,? ?young? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?had? ?his? ?whole? ?heart? ?

focused? ?on? ?cultivation,? ?and? ?left? ?the? ?banquet? ?after? ?making? ?only? ?one? ?round,? ?never? ?even? ?

bothering? ?to? ?remember? ?the? ?faces? ?and? ?names? ?of? ?those? ?girls,? ?so? ?he? ?could? ?recall? ?nothing.? ? ?

?

Lan? ?Chang? ?glanced? ?at? ?Fu? ?Yao? ?but? ?Fu? ?Yao? ?only? ?humphed,? ?“My? ?general? ?said? ?nothing? ?of? ?

this.? ?This? ?woman? ?is? ?also? ?a? ?remnant? ?citizen? ?of? ?Xianle,? ?so? ?she? ?must’ve? ?seen? ?you? ?before? ?in? ?

the? ?past.”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?turned? ?to? ?Hua? ?Cheng,? ?and? ?he? ?didn’t? ?look? ?surprised? ?either,? ?so? ?it? ?didn’t? ?seem? ?like? ?

it? ?was? ?something? ?he? ?only? ?just? ?found? ?out.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?turned? ?to? ?Lan? ?Chang? ?and? ?mumbled,? ?

“Were? ?you? ?really...”? ?

?

However,? ?Lan? ?Chang? ?hurriedly? ?covered? ?her? ?ears? ?and? ?cried,? ?“Don’t? ?say? ?it!? ?Don’t? ?say? ?it? ?out? ?

loud!? ?DON’T? ?USE? ?THAT? ?NAME? ?TO? ?ADDRESS? ?ME!!!? ?I’ve...? ?long? ?since? ?changed? ?names.”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?was? ?taken? ?aback? ?at? ?first,? ?but? ?dropped? ?his? ?arm? ?and? ?sighed? ?heavily.? ? ?

?

The? ?daughter? ?from? ?a? ?noble? ?family? ?of? ?bygone? ?years? ?was? ?now? ?a? ?prostitute? ?in? ?the? ?ghost? ?

realm.? ?She? ?changed? ?her? ?name? ?probably? ?because? ?she? ?was? ?afraid? ?to? ?bring? ?shame? ?to? ?her? ?

dead? ?family? ?and? ?wouldn’t? ?admit? ?that? ?the? ?her? ?now? ?was? ?herself.? ?

?

This? ?woman? ?was? ?once? ?his? ?devotee,? ?his? ?citizen,? ?so? ?how? ?could? ?he? ?not? ?sigh.? ?

?

Just? ?then,? ?he? ?suddenly? ?felt? ?warmth? ?on? ?his? ?hand,? ?and? ?when? ?he? ?looked? ?down,? ?it? ?was? ?Hua? ?

Cheng? ?who? ?wasn’t? ?looking? ?at? ?him,? ?but? ?held? ?his? ?hand.? ? ?

?

Although? ?he? ?was? ?currently? ?in? ?the? ?form? ?of? ?a? ?small? ?child? ?and? ?his? ?body? ?temperature? ?was? ?

cool,? ?but? ?when? ?this? ?small,? ?cool? ?hand? ?held? ?his,? ?it? ?was? ?infinitely? ?warm.? ?

?

Qi? ?Rong? ?however,? ?didn’t? ?have? ?any? ?sympathies? ?at? ?all,? ?and? ?clicked? ?his? ?tongue,? ?“Who? ?

would’ve? ?thought? ?the? ?lady? ?Jian? ?Lan? ?who? ?was? ?so? ?out? ?of? ?reach? ?in? ?the? ?past? ?would? ?turn? ?into? ?

such? ?an? ?old? ?and? ?ugly? ?hag? ?now!? ?I? ?never? ?thought? ?you? ?looked? ?that? ?beautiful,? ?and? ?now,? ?my? ?

eyes? ?are? ?certainly? ?sharp,? ?you? ?really? ?don’t? ?look? ?that? ?great!? ?I? ?might? ?as? ?well? ?ask,? ?who’s? ?the? ?

dad? ?of? ?this? ?mutt? ?you? ?gave? ?birth? ?to?”? ? ?

?

His? ?words? ?were? ?extremely? ?classless,? ?and? ?Jian? ?Lan’s? ?face? ?was? ?growing? ?pale.? ?Qi? ?Rong? ?

continued,? ?“It? ?can’t? ?be? ?cousin? ?crown? ?prince?? ?No? ?no,? ?that? ?cousin? ?of? ?mine? ?probably? ?can’t? ?

even? ?get? ?it? ?up,? ?that’s? ?why? ?he? ?spends? ?all? ?this? ?time? ?pretending? ?he’s? ?all? ?chaste? ?with? ?no? ?mind? ?

for? ?women,? ?what? ?a? ?faker.? ?How? ?can? ?he? ?have? ?a? ?son?? ?Oh-OH!? ?How? ?could? ?I? ?forget?? ?After? ?

Xian? ?Le? ?fell? ?wasn’t? ?my? ?lady? ?sold? ?to? ?that? ?kind? ?of? ?place?? ?It? ?must? ?be? ?the? ?seed? ?of? ?some? ?

Yong’an? ?pleb!”? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?couldn’t? ?stand? ?this? ?anymore? ?and? ?was? ?about? ?to? ?go? ?make? ?him? ?shut? ?up? ?but? ?Jian? ?

Lan? ?exploded? ?faster? ?than? ?he? ?did,? ?and? ?slapped? ?Qi? ?Rong? ?soundly,? ?“WHAT’S? ?ALL? ?THAT? ?

GARBAGE? ?YOU’RE? ?SPEWING?!”? ? ?

?

Qi? ?Rong’s? ?nose? ?bled? ?from? ?that? ?slap? ?and? ?he? ?glared,? ?“YOU’RE? ?NOTHING? ?MORE? ?THAN? ?A? ?

FIERCE? ?OR? ?A? ?SEVERE,? ?A? ?NOBODY? ?LIKE? ?YOU? ?DARE? ?HIT? ?ME? ?WHO’S? ?ALMOST? ?A? ?

SUPREME?!”? ? ?

?

Jian? ?Lan? ?spat? ?on? ?his? ?face,? ?then? ?choking? ?his? ?neck,? ?she? ?slapped? ?him? ?twice? ?again,? ?“WHAT? ?

SHITTY? ?SUPREME!? ?YOU? ?SURE? ?KNOW? ?HOW? ?TO? ?BLOW? ?YOURSELF? ?UP!? ?WHO? ?DO? ?

YOU? ?THINK? ?YOU? ?ARE,? ?THINK? ?YOU’RE? ?EVEN? ?WORTH? ?TO? ?BE? ?THOUGHT? ?OF? ?AS? ?

EQUALS? ?WITH? ?THE? ?OTHER? ?THREE? ?SUPREMES?? ?WHAT? ?ARE? ?YOU? ?EVEN? ?GOOD? ?

AT?? ?YOUR? ?THICK? ?SKIN?? ?OF? ?COURSE? ?I? ?DARE? ?HIT? ?YOU!”? ? ?

?

Her? ?words? ?stabbed? ?Qi? ?Rong? ?where? ?it? ?hurt,? ?and? ?Qi? ?Rong? ?became? ?frustrated? ?too,? ?yelling? ?

with? ?his? ?spit? ?flying? ?everywhere,? ?“FOUL? ?SLUT? ?LET? ?GO? ?OF? ?YOUR? ?CHICKEN? ?CLAWS!? ?

THIS? ?ANCESTOR? ?THINKS? ?YOU’RE? ?DIRTY!? ?UGH? ?UGH? ?UGH!!!”? ? ?

?

The? ?two? ?twisted? ?into? ?a? ?fight,? ?however,? ?it? ?was? ?Jian? ?Lan? ?who? ?was? ?pounding? ?Qi? ?Rong? ?single? ?

sidedly;? ?Qi? ?Rong? ?was? ?bound? ?by? ?Ruoye? ?and? ?couldn’t? ?move? ?a? ?muscle,? ?and? ?he? ?howled,? ?

“XIE? ?LIAN!? ?HOW? ?COME? ?YOU? ?WON’T? ?STOP? ?THIS? ?FIGHT? ?THIS? ?TIME??? ?WHERE’S? ?

YOUR? ?SAINTLY? ?HEART??”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?had? ?Fu? ?Yao? ?caught? ?in? ?one? ?hand,? ?and? ?had? ?his? ?head? ?lowered? ?talking? ?to? ?Hua? ?

Cheng,? ?looking? ?like? ?he? ?hadn’t? ?heard? ?Qi? ?Rong’s? ?shrieks.? ?Jian? ?Lan? ?kicked? ?at? ?Qi? ?Rong,? ?her? ?

eyes? ?going? ?red,? ?and? ?spat? ?angrily,? ?“Even? ?if? ?this? ?ol’? ?mistress? ?is? ?wasted? ?by? ?plebs? ?I? ?don’t? ?

want? ?a? ?worm? ?like? ?you? ?touch? ?a? ?single? ?finger!? ?A? ?creature? ?like? ?you? ?unwanted? ?by? ?everyone,? ?

TRASH!? ?Think? ?you’re? ?good? ?enough? ?to? ?call? ?other? ?people? ?plebs!? ?Who? ?are? ?you? ?calling? ?

plebs??”? ? ?

?

Qi? ?Rong? ?was? ?outraged,? ?“Unwanted?? ?ME,? ?TRASH?!? ?A? ?HUSSY? ?WHO’S? ?ROTTEN? ?TO? ?

THE? ?BONES? ?LIKE? ?YOU? ?HAVE? ?THE? ?RIGHT? ?TO? ?SAY? ?THAT? ?TO? ?ME?? ?Who? ?else? ?but? ?plebs? ?

would? ?appreciate? ?looks? ?like? ?yours?!? ?...WAIT!!!? ?PUT? ?DOWN? ?THAT? ?BOULDER!!!”? ? ?

?

As? ?they? ?fought,? ?a? ?wave? ?of? ?rumbling? ?roared? ?from? ?the? ?skies.? ?They? ?all? ?looked? ?up? ?at? ?the? ?

same? ?time,? ?and? ?Fu? ?Yao? ?demanded,? ?“Didn’t? ?you? ?say? ?you? ?didn’t? ?snitch? ?and? ?was? ?only? ?

chatting?”? ? ?

?

Hua? ?Cheng? ?frowned? ?slightly,? ?humphing,? ?“Coming? ?uninvited.”? ? ?

?

A? ?crackle? ?exploded? ?in? ?the? ?night? ?sky,? ?and? ?everyone? ?shut? ?their? ?eyes? ?from? ?that? ?sudden? ?

lightning? ?flash.? ?When? ?they? ?blinked? ?open,? ?not? ?far? ?away? ?was? ?a? ?tall,? ?black? ?clad? ?heavenly? ?

official? ?with? ?a? ?longbow? ?carried? ?on? ?his? ?back? ?who? ?was? ?approaching? ?them? ?in? ?long? ?strides.? ?

“Your? ?Highness!”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?dropped? ?his? ?sleeve? ?and? ?surreptitiously? ?pushed? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?behind? ?him,? ?“Feng? ?

Xin!? ?Why? ?did? ?you? ?come?”? ? ?

?

Feng? ?Xin? ?quickly? ?walked? ?up,? ?“You? ?suddenly? ?stopped? ?responding,? ?so? ?I? ?made? ?inquiries? ?and? ?

found? ?your? ?whereabouts? ?through? ?ripples? ?in? ?spiritual? ?energy.”? ?Then? ?he? ?knitted? ?his? ?brows,? ?

“What’s? ?going? ?on? ?here?? ?What? ?a? ?mess.? ?Did? ?you? ?run? ?into? ?something?”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?was? ?about? ?to? ?answer? ?when? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?noticed? ?the? ?Fu? ?Yao? ?seized? ?in? ?his? ?hand? ?and? ?

the? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?who? ?was? ?standing? ?behind? ?his? ?person.? ?

?

It? ?was? ?a? ?picture? ?completely? ?outside? ?his? ?imagination,? ?and? ?he? ?seemed? ?to? ?not? ?know? ?what? ?to? ?

be? ?more? ?surprised? ?at,? ?“What...”? ?

?

Finally,? ?he? ?pointed? ?at? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?after? ?all? ?and? ?asked,? ?“...What’s? ?with? ?this? ?child?”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?laughed? ?drily,? ?“Cute,? ?right?”? ? ?

?

Feng? ?Xin? ?glared,? ?and? ?watched? ?Hua? ?Cheng’s? ?whose? ?expression? ?didn’t? ?match? ?Xie? ?Lian’s? ?

comment? ?at? ?all? ?and? ?asked? ?doubtfully,? ?“...Cute?? ?But,? ?why? ?do? ?I? ?think? ?he? ?looks? ?a? ?lot? ?like...”? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?replied? ?easily,? ?“Like? ?my? ?son,? ?right?”? ? ?

?

“???? ?When? ?did? ?you? ?have? ?a? ?son?”? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?was? ?shocked.? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?smiled,? ?“I? ?haven’t? ?yet.? ?I’m? ?just? ?saying,? ?that? ?if? ?I? ?do? ?have? ?a? ?son,? ?he? ?must? ?be? ?just? ?as? ?

cute,? ?right?”? ? ?

?

Hua? ?Cheng? ?held? ?his? ?hand? ?and? ?smiled,? ?“Right.”? ?

?

Feng? ?Xin:? ?“...”? ?

?

Fu? ?Yao:? ?“...”? ?

?

“Hahahaha...? ?eh?? ?My? ?lady? ?Lan? ?Chang,? ?don’t? ?run? ?away!”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?called.? ?

?

Feng? ?Xin? ?turned? ?around? ?and? ?saw? ?a? ?woman’s? ?shadow? ?jump? ?away? ?from? ?Qi? ?Rong’s? ?side,? ?

running? ?away? ?wildly,? ?and? ?without? ?a? ?moment? ?of? ?hesitation,? ?he? ?aimed? ?his? ?arrow? ?and? ?locked? ?

on? ?to? ?her? ?legs.? ?

?

Yet? ?unexpectedly,? ?perhaps? ?it? ?sensed? ?its? ?mother? ?was? ?in? ?danger,? ?the? ?fetus? ?spirit? ?that? ?was? ?

tied? ?into? ?a? ?ball? ?by? ?a? ?yellow? ?talisman? ?in? ?Fu? ?Yao’s? ?hand? ?suddenly? ?started? ?quivering,? ?then? ?it? ?

blew? ?up? ?the? ?talisman? ?and? ?shrieked? ?as? ?it? ?lunged? ?at? ?Feng? ?Xin.? ?Jian? ?Lan? ?seemed? ?to? ?have? ?

run? ?away? ?with? ?her? ?head? ?cut? ?off? ?from? ?panic,? ?and? ?only? ?when? ?she? ?heard? ?its? ?voice? ?did? ?she? ?

remember? ?her? ?son? ?was? ?still? ?in? ?the? ?hands? ?of? ?another.? ?She? ?turned? ?around? ?and? ?cried,? ?

“CUOCUO*!”? ? ?

?

This? ?was? ?the? ?first? ?time? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?learned? ?of? ?that? ?fetus? ?spirit’s? ?name.? ?So? ?it? ?was? ?called? ?

Cuocuo.? ?Feng? ?Xin’s? ?arrow? ?changed? ?course,? ?and? ?shot? ?towards? ?that? ?snow? ?white? ?fetus? ?

spirit.? ?However,? ?there? ?was? ?only? ?a? ?crunching? ?sound,? ?and? ?that? ?fetus? ?spirit? ?flipped? ?a? ?couple? ?

times? ?in? ?the? ?air,? ?hopped? ?on? ?to? ?a? ?nearby? ?tree.? ?It? ?had? ?bitten? ?between? ?its? ?teeth? ?that? ?arrow,? ?

and? ?everyone? ?had? ?the? ?chance? ?to? ?see? ?its? ?appearance? ?clearly.? ?

?

Rather? ?than? ?say? ?it? ?was? ?a? ?fetus,? ?it? ?was? ?more? ?like? ?a? ?deformed? ?little? ?monster.? ?Its? ?skin? ?was? ?

blanched? ?white? ?like? ?it? ?was? ?brushed? ?with? ?a? ?layer? ?of? ?powder;? ?its? ?eyes? ?were? ?abnormally? ?big,? ?

shining? ?a? ?peculiar? ?light,? ?and? ?on? ?top? ?of? ?its? ?head? ?were? ?a? ?few? ?yellowing? ?strands.? ?Two? ?rows? ?

of? ?razor-sharp? ?fangs? ?gnawed? ?at? ?Feng? ?Xin’s? ?arrow,? ?biting? ?it? ?clean? ?into? ?two,? ?then? ?spat? ?out? ?

that? ?shimmering? ?arrowhead,? ?nailing? ?it? ?next? ?to? ?Feng? ?Xin’s? ?boots.? ?Then? ?a? ?long,? ?dark? ?red? ?

tongue? ?like? ?that? ?of? ?a? ?snake? ?slithered? ?out? ?of? ?its? ?mouth? ?like? ?it? ?was? ?making? ?provocations.? ?

?

Without? ?another? ?word,? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?reached? ?for? ?another? ?arrow? ?and? ?locked? ?on? ?to? ?it.? ?That? ?

fetus? ?spirit? ?was? ?crawling? ?up? ?and? ?down? ?the? ?tree? ?like? ?a? ?lizard,? ?exceedingly? ?agile,? ?no? ?wonder? ?

Fu? ?Yao? ?couldn’t? ?catch? ?it? ?so? ?easily.? ?Jian? ?Lan? ?cried? ?anxiously,? ?“Don’t? ?fight? ?him,? ?RUN!!!”? ? ?

?

Only? ?blood? ?parents? ?could? ?care? ?for? ?such? ?disgusting? ?monsters.? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?locked? ?on,? ?

loosened? ?the? ?bowstring? ?and? ?the? ?arrow? ?flew.? ?The? ?little? ?leg? ?of? ?that? ?fetus? ?spirit? ?was? ?nailed? ?

through,? ?and? ?it? ?shrieked,? ?unable? ?to? ?crawl? ?any? ?longer.? ?Jian? ?Lan? ?dashed? ?back,? ?reaching? ?out? ?

to? ?pull? ?that? ?arrow? ?out,? ?but? ?because? ?her? ?class? ?was? ?too? ?low,? ?when? ?she? ?touched? ?the? ?

fletchings? ?she? ?was? ?rebounded? ?back? ?and? ?there? ?was? ?even? ?sparks? ?from? ?the? ?blow.? ?She? ?

backed? ?away? ?a? ?couple? ?steps? ?but? ?kept? ?going? ?back? ?to? ?pluck? ?relentlessly,? ?erupting? ?splashes? ?

of? ?sparks.? ?

?

Feng? ?Xin? ?put? ?away? ?his? ?bow? ?and? ?approached,? ?“Alright,? ?time? ?to? ?go? ?back.? ?Don’t? ?add? ?

anymore? ?to? ?our? ?work? ?pile...? ?JIAN? ?LAN?!”? ? ?

?

Jian? ?Lan,? ?who? ?was? ?rebounded? ?again,? ?shuddered? ?when? ?she? ?heard? ?his? ?voice? ?and? ?stopped? ?

moving,? ?quickly? ?turning? ?away.? ?However,? ?Feng? ?Xing? ?pulled? ?her? ?back? ?and? ?asked? ?again,? ?

“Jian? ?Lan?”? ? ?

?

“...”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?could? ?sense? ?trouble? ?and? ?asked,? ?puzzled,? ?“What’s? ?going? ?on?”? ? ?

?

Jian? ?Lan? ?mumbled? ?vaguely? ?with? ?her? ?head? ?down,? ?“You’ve? ?got? ?the? ?wrong? ?person.”? ? ?

?

“What? ?are? ?you? ?talking? ?about?? ?How? ?can? ?I? ?mistake? ?you? ?for? ?anyone? ?else?”? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?

exclaimed,? ?“You? ?look? ?very? ?different? ?now,? ?but? ?I? ?would? ?still? ?not...”? ?

?

But? ?words? ?got? ?stuck? ?in? ?his? ?throat,? ?because? ?before? ?when? ?Jian? ?Lan? ?was? ?Lan? ?Chang? ?and? ?

covered? ?herself? ?in? ?heavy? ?makeup,? ?looking? ?like? ?a? ?wench,? ?he? ?really? ?didn’t? ?recognize? ?her.? ?

?

It? ?couldn’t? ?be? ?helped.? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?still? ?looked? ?exactly? ?the? ?same? ?as? ?he? ?did? ?once? ?upon? ?a? ?time,? ?

but? ?Jian? ?Lan’s? ?transformation? ?truly? ?was? ?too? ?great.? ?

?

Looks,? ?makeup,? ?manners,? ?speech,? ?class...? ?even? ?if? ?her? ?blood? ?parents? ?were? ?to? ?stand? ?

before? ?her? ?they? ?might? ?not? ?recognize? ?their? ?precious? ?daughter.? ? ?

?

Feng? ?Xin? ?was? ?astonished,? ?“...It’s? ?you.? ?It? ?really? ?is? ?you.? ?It? ?has? ?to? ?be? ?you!? ?...I? ?thought? ?you? ?

married,? ?and? ?was? ?living? ?well.? ?How? ?did? ?you...? ?how? ?did? ?you? ?become? ?this? ?way...”? ?

?

Listening? ?to? ?this? ?point,? ?Jian? ?Lan? ?suddenly? ?turned? ?around? ?and? ?shoved? ?him,? ?cussing,? ?“YOU? ?

MOTHER? ?FUCKER!”? ? ?

?

Feng? ?Xin? ?backed? ?away? ?a? ?few? ?steps? ?from? ?her? ?shove,? ?unable? ?to? ?speak.? ?Jian? ?Lan? ?continued? ?

to? ?shove? ?him,? ?pushing? ?his? ?chest? ?back? ?forcefully? ?while? ?she? ?screamed,? ?“I? ?ALREADY? ?SAID? ?

I’M? ?NOT? ?THAT? ?HAG,? ?DO? ?YOU? ?NOT? ?UNDERSTAND? ?HUMAN? ?WORDS?? ?ARE? ?YOU? ?

DUMB? ?IN? ?THE? ?HEAD?!? ?WHAT? ?THE? ?HELL? ?WAS? ?THAT? ?“YOU,? ?IT’S? ?YOU,? ?IT’S? ?REALLY? ?

YOU”?!? ?CAN? ?YOU? ?NOT? ?PRETEND? ?TO? ?NOT? ?KNOW? ?ME?? ?CAN? ?YOU? ?NOT? ?PRETEND? ?

TO? ?NOT? ?RECOGNIZE? ?ME?!? ?OLD? ?MASTER,? ?PLEASE? ?I? ?BEG? ?YOU,? ?LEAVE? ?ME? ?SOME? ?

FACE,? ?YEA?? ?ALRIGHT??”? ? ?

?

Acting? ?like? ?this,? ?she? ?was? ?no? ?different? ?than? ?a? ?shrew? ?on? ?the? ?streets,? ?and? ?this? ?was? ?probably? ?

too? ?different? ?than? ?the? ?Jian? ?Lan? ?in? ?Feng? ?Xin’s? ?memories,? ?so? ?he? ?only? ?looked? ?at? ?her? ?dumbly,? ?

unable? ?to? ?speak.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?was? ?the? ?same.? ?Qi? ?Rong? ?was? ?the? ?one? ?delighted,? ?rolling? ?on? ?the? ?

ground? ?laughing,? ?“HAHAHAHHAHA? ?OH? ?MY? ?FUCKING? ?GOD!? ?COUSIN? ?CROWN? ?

PRINCE!? ?DO? ?YOU? ?SEE? ?WHAT’S? ?HAPPENING?? ?YOU? ?GOT? ?CUCKED? ?BY? ?YOUR? ?MOST? ?

LOYAL? ?DOG!!!”? ? ?

?

Jian? ?Lan? ?violently? ?stomped? ?on? ?Qi? ?Rong? ?a? ?few? ?times,? ?“DOG!? ?A? ?DOG!? ?YOU’RE? ?THE? ?

MOST? ?LIKE? ?A? ?DOG!”? ? ?

?

Strictly? ?speaking,? ?Jian? ?Lan? ?was? ?once? ?selected? ?with? ?the? ?heavy? ?hope? ?of? ?her? ?family? ?on? ?her? ?

shoulders? ?but? ?she? ?had? ?never? ?formally? ?entered? ?the? ?harem,? ?and? ?was? ?thus? ?never? ?elected? ?as? ?

a? ?concubine,? ?so? ?Qi? ?Rong’s? ?delight? ?made? ?no? ?sense.? ?However,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?really? ?didn’t? ?know? ?

what? ?to? ?say? ?anymore.? ?

?

He? ?had? ?never? ?imagined? ?that? ?Feng? ?Xin,? ?who? ?would? ?never? ?speak? ?to? ?a? ?woman? ?if? ?he? ?could? ?

help? ?it,? ?would? ?actually...? ?

?

Just? ?then,? ?that? ?fetus? ?spirit? ?shredded? ?the? ?arrow? ?nailing? ?it? ?down? ?with? ?a? ?crunch,? ?and? ?lunged? ?

at? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?once? ?more.? ?In? ?a? ?moment? ?of? ?carelessness,? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?allowed? ?his? ?arm? ?to? ?be? ?

deeply? ?chomped? ?down? ?and? ?blood? ?immediately? ?seeped? ?out,? ?pouring? ?nonstop.? ?

?

The? ?right? ?arm? ?was? ?the? ?arm? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?used? ?habitually.? ?To? ?a? ?martial? ?god,? ?a? ?habitually? ?used? ?

arm? ?getting? ?injured? ?was? ?nothing,? ?and? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?raised? ?his? ?left? ?hand? ?ready? ?to? ?strike? ?when? ?

Jian? ?Lan? ?cried,? ?“DON’T? ?HIT? ?IT!”? ? ?

?

Feng? ?Xin’s? ?hand? ?abruptly? ?stopped? ?in? ?mid? ?air,? ?and? ?suddenly? ?a? ?terrifying? ?thought? ?was? ?born.? ? ?

?

It? ?wasn’t? ?just? ?him;? ?everyone? ?present? ?all? ?came? ?to? ?think? ?the? ?same? ?thing.? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?allowed? ?

that? ?fetus? ?spirit? ?to? ?gnaw? ?at? ?his? ?arm? ?like? ?a? ?piranha? ?as? ?he? ?looked? ?to? ?Jian? ?Lan,? ?“...? ?Is...? ?

this...?”? ?

?

?

————? ?

?

?‘C’? ?sound? ?in? ?Chinese? ?is? ?pronounced? ?‘Tss’,? ?so? ?“Cuocuo”? ?sounds? ?like? ?“Ts-woh? ?

ts-woh”.? ?“Cuo”? ?means? ?“wrong”? ?or? ?“a? ?mistake”.? ?Doubling? ?a? ?word? ?in? ?a? ?name? ?usually? ?

makes? ?it? ?cute? ?or? ?kiddish.? ?