Heaven Official's Blessing

Chapter 161-170

Chapter 161-170

Ch.161:? ?This? ?Jade? ?Refuses? ?to? ?be? ?a? ?Thrown? ?Away? ?Brick? ?3? ?

?

It? ?became? ?bustling? ?and? ?lively? ?on? ?the? ?other? ?end,? ?and? ?the? ?heavenly? ?official? ?on? ?this? ?side? ?was? ?

shocked,? ?“Eh?? ?You–? ?you’re? ?not? ?His? ?Highness? ?Qi? ?Ying???”? ? ?

?

Only? ?then? ?did? ?the? ?others? ?explain? ?laughingly,? ?their? ?hands? ?hugging? ?their? ?stomachs,? ?“You? ?got? ?the? ?

wrong? ?person,? ?my? ?brother!? ?Did? ?you? ?forget?? ?There? ?are? ?two? ?martial? ?gods? ?ruling? ?the? ?west,? ?one? ?is? ?Yin? ?

Yu? ?and? ?the? ?other? ?is? ?Qi? ?Ying.? ?They’re? ?shixiong? ?and? ?shidi? ?of? ?the? ?same? ?sect,? ?the? ?one? ?in? ?front? ?of? ?you? ?

is? ?His? ?Highness? ?Yin? ?Yu,? ?hahaha...”? ?

?

That? ?heavenly? ?official? ?quickly? ?said,? ?“Oh? ?oh? ?oh,? ?I’ve? ?gotten? ?the? ?wrong? ?person,? ?how? ?embarrassing,? ?

hahaha,? ?I’m? ?too? ?ignorant? ?of? ?the? ?world,? ?and? ?have? ?only? ?heard? ?more? ?about? ?Qi? ?Ying...”? ?He? ?trailed? ?off,? ?

but? ?Yin? ?Yu? ?had? ?already? ?closed? ?his? ?eyes? ?like? ?he? ?was? ?too? ?tired? ?for? ?words? ?and? ?had? ?given? ?up? ?on? ?

socializing.? ?Someone? ?had? ?noticed? ?things? ?not? ?going? ?right? ?and? ?elbowed? ?that? ?heavenly? ?official,? ?and? ?

only? ?then? ?did? ?he? ?noticed? ?what? ?he? ?said? ?was? ?hurtful.? ?He? ?haha-ed? ?and? ?quickly? ?remedied,? ?“Ahem? ?

ahem,? ?I’ll? ?take? ?my? ?leave? ?now,? ?Your? ?Highness? ?Yin...? ?Yin? ?Yue,? ?Ah,? ?no? ?no? ?no,? ?Your? ?Highness? ?Yin? ?

Yu!? ?Let’s? ?get? ?together? ?again? ?sometimes,? ?happy? ?Mid? ?Autumn,? ?hahaha...”? ?

?

While? ?he? ?said? ?he? ?was? ?taking? ?his? ?leave,? ?he? ?raised? ?his? ?glass? ?and? ?cheered,? ?heading? ?to? ?Quan? ?Yi? ?

Zhen’s? ?direction.? ?On? ?the? ?other? ?end,? ?there? ?was? ?already? ?a? ?large? ?crowd? ?of? ?heavenly? ?officials,? ?all? ?

fighting? ?to? ?greet? ?Quan? ?Yi? ?Zhen,? ?the? ?sea? ?of? ?people? ?thick? ?and? ?the? ?person? ?in? ?the? ?centre? ?couldn’t? ?be? ?

seen.? ? ?

?

It? ?appeared? ?that? ?this? ?was? ?soon? ?after? ?Quan? ?Yi? ?Zhen? ?had? ?ascended,? ?but? ?he? ?already? ?erected? ?his? ?

own? ?palace? ?and? ?was? ?at? ?the? ?height? ?of? ?his? ?popularity,? ?unlike? ?how? ?he? ?was? ?disliked? ?later.? ?Although? ?

the? ?two? ?were? ?both? ?martial? ?gods? ?of? ?the? ?west,? ?his? ?prominence? ?was? ?significantly? ?greater? ?than? ?that? ?of? ?

Yin? ?Yu,? ?and? ?the? ?people? ?all? ?swarmed? ?over,? ?practically? ?leaving? ?only? ?He? ?Xuan? ?who? ?still? ?sat? ?there? ?

drinking? ?his? ?soup,? ?the? ?table? ?empty? ?and? ?quiet.? ?It? ?was? ?awkward? ?no? ?matter? ?if? ?he? ?stood? ?or? ?sat,? ?so? ?a? ?

moment? ?later,? ?Yin? ?Yu? ?suddenly? ?said,? ?“Let’s? ?head? ?back.”? ?

?

The? ?two? ?left? ?their? ?seats? ?and? ?no? ?one? ?noticed.? ?Jian? ?Yu? ?was? ?enraged,? ?“Those? ?shallow,? ?fairweathered? ?

people!? ?And? ?they’re? ?heavenly? ?officials? ?no? ?less!? ?Back? ?when? ?that? ?brat? ?first? ?joined? ?the? ?Upper? ?Court,? ?

they? ?all? ?gave? ?him? ?the? ?cold? ?shoulder,? ?complaining? ?to? ?you? ?all? ?day? ?everyday.? ?Now? ?look? ?at? ?them.? ?That? ?

brat’s? ?ascended,? ?he’s? ?got? ?lanterns,? ?and? ?they? ?praised? ?him? ?to? ?the? ?skies!? ?They? ?change? ?attitudes? ?

faster? ?than? ?flipping? ?a? ?page,? ?what? ?immovable? ?status?? ?What? ?young? ?and? ?capable?? ?His? ?devotees? ?are? ?

all? ?mental? ?just? ?like? ?him!? ?Only? ?idiots? ?would? ?worship? ?someone? ?with? ?brain? ?damage!”? ? ?

?

Just? ?then,? ?Shi? ?Qing? ?Xuan? ?walked? ?over? ?with? ?a? ?glass? ?of? ?wine,? ?and? ?Yin? ?Yu? ?whispered,? ?“Don’t? ?talk? ?

anymore,? ?let’s? ?get? ?out? ?of? ?here!”? ? ?

?

It? ?was? ?only? ?seeing? ?someone? ?come? ?that? ?Jian? ?Yu? ?finally? ?shut? ?his? ?mouth.? ?Shi? ?Qing? ?Xuan? ?was? ?

puzzled,? ?“Yin? ?Yu,? ?are? ?you? ?going? ?back?? ?Didn’t? ?Qi? ?Ying? ?just? ?come?? ?I? ?heard? ?him? ?say? ?last? ?time? ?that? ?

the? ?two? ?of? ?you? ?haven’t? ?seen? ?each? ?other? ?for? ?a? ?long? ?time? ?and? ?even? ?asked? ?me? ?what? ?you’ve? ?been? ?up? ?

to.? ?Are? ?you? ?going? ?to? ?go? ?catch? ?up? ?a? ?little? ?with? ?him?”? ? ?

?

Yin? ?Yu? ?forced? ?a? ?smile,? ?“No,? ?I’m? ?not? ?feeling? ?too? ?well,? ?so? ?I’ll? ?head? ?back? ?first.”? ? ?

?

Shi? ?Qing? ?Xuan? ?didn’t? ?think? ?too? ?deeply? ?of? ?it,? ?and? ?when? ?he? ?saw? ?the? ?‘Earth? ?Master’? ?sitting? ?behind? ?

them,? ?he? ?laughed? ?cheerfully,? ?“Then? ?you? ?go? ?and? ?rest? ?easy,? ?and? ?we’ll? ?get? ?together? ?next? ?time.? ?

Ming-xiong!? ?I? ?told? ?you? ?not? ?to? ?sit? ?there!? ?Come? ?come? ?come,? ?come? ?over? ?to? ?my? ?table...”? ? ?

?

They? ?waited? ?until? ?Shi? ?Qing? ?Xuan? ?walked? ?away? ?and? ?stopped? ?caring? ?for? ?them? ?before? ?Jian? ?Yu? ?

lowered? ?his? ?voice? ?and? ?continued? ?to? ?grumble,? ?“Catch? ?up? ?my? ?ass!? ?That? ?brat? ?won’t? ?have? ?much? ?time? ?

to? ?be? ?so? ?proud? ?before? ?the? ?rug? ?gets? ?pulled? ?from? ?under? ?his? ?feet? ?and? ?suffers? ?a? ?crushing? ?defeat.? ?I? ?

eagerly? ?await? ?that? ?day!”? ? ?

?

He? ?kept? ?grousing,? ?aggravating? ?Yin? ?Yu’s? ?silent? ?frustration,? ?“Just? ?drop? ?it,? ?and? ?stop? ?being? ?so? ?

resentful.”? ? ?

?

“Drop? ?it,? ?drop? ?it,? ?that’s? ?all? ?you? ?say,? ?“drop? ?it”.”? ?Jian? ?Yu? ?complained,? ?“How? ?can? ?this? ?be? ?dropped?? ?

When? ?he? ?first? ?came? ?up,? ?if? ?it? ?wasn’t? ?for? ?you? ?always? ?going? ?around? ?wiping? ?his? ?ass? ?and? ?begging? ?for? ?

forgiveness,? ?he? ?would’ve? ?long? ?been? ?kicked? ?out? ?already.? ?I? ?really? ?can’t? ?watch? ?this? ?anymore,? ?I’m? ?

frustrated? ?for? ?you!”? ?

?

The? ?two? ?had? ?already? ?swiftly? ?returned? ?to? ?the? ?Palace? ?of? ?Yin? ?Yu.? ?Compared? ?to? ?the? ?exceptionally? ?

liveliness? ?of? ?the? ?Palace? ?Grand? ?Opening? ?Ceremony,? ?the? ?halls? ?now? ?were? ?desolate? ?and? ?deserted? ?

with? ?very? ?few? ?lower? ?ranked? ?officials? ?attending? ?to? ?them.? ?After? ?closing? ?the? ?gates,? ?Yin? ?Yu’s? ?voice? ?

grew? ?louder,? ?“Don’t? ?say? ?anymore!? ?I? ?don’t? ?want? ?to? ?hear!? ?It’s? ?very? ?normal? ?for? ?an? ?ascended? ?heavenly? ?

official? ?to? ?erect? ?a? ?palace,? ?he? ?didn’t? ?do? ?anything? ?out? ?of? ?line.? ?Since? ?you? ?get? ?irritated? ?just? ?talking? ?

about? ?him? ?then? ?why? ?must? ?you? ?mention? ?him?”? ?

?

“Don’t? ?think? ?me? ?speaking? ?out? ?of? ?turn,? ?but? ?someone? ?must? ?remind? ?you.? ?Yin? ?Yu,? ?domain? ?in? ?the? ?west? ?

is? ?only? ?so? ?big,? ?and? ?there’s? ?only? ?so? ?many? ?devotees.? ?He’s? ?robbed? ?so? ?many;? ?that? ?wolf? ?monster? ?was? ?

totally? ?wrenched? ?away? ?by? ?him!? ?Look? ?at? ?the? ?state? ?of? ?you? ?now,? ?your? ?domain’s? ?shrinking? ?smaller? ?

and? ?smaller,? ?just? ?how? ?much? ?do? ?you? ?have? ?left?? ?How? ?can? ?you? ?maintain? ?your? ?standing? ?if? ?this? ?keeps? ?

up?”? ? ?

?

“How? ?is? ?it? ?considered? ?robbing?”? ?Yin? ?Yu? ?said,? ?“It’s? ?not? ?like? ?he? ?held? ?anyone? ?at? ?knifepoint? ?to? ?worship? ?

him,? ?everyone’s? ?willing.? ?Besides,? ?that? ?wolf? ?monster...”? ?

?

He? ?sighed? ?and? ?said? ?frankly,? ?“I? ?really? ?couldn’t? ?have? ?defeated? ?it.? ?It? ?was? ?useless? ?praying? ?to? ?me,? ?so? ?

of? ?course? ?they? ?went? ?to? ?him.”? ?

?

Jian? ?Yu? ?held? ?his? ?head,? ?his? ?heart? ?aching,? ?“I? ?just...? ?I’m? ?just? ?scared? ?that? ?if? ?this? ?fight? ?continues,? ?we’d? ?

have? ?nothing? ?left.? ?Fuck,? ?even? ?those? ?lower? ?ranking? ?officials? ?are? ?all? ?ass? ?kissers,? ?each? ?of? ?them? ?

using? ?empty? ?excuses? ?to? ?quit? ?to? ?slip? ?away? ?to? ?other? ?heavenly? ?officials,? ?what? ?a? ?bunch? ?of? ?no-good? ?

asshats!”? ?

?

Yin? ?Yu? ?sighed? ?again,? ?sitting? ?down? ?on? ?the? ?prayer? ?cushion,? ?“What? ?fight...? ?why? ?care? ?for? ?such? ?a? ?

thing?? ?What? ?must? ?leave? ?will? ?always? ?leave? ?in? ?the? ?end,? ?and? ?what? ?should? ?remain? ?will? ?naturally? ?stay.? ?

I? ?didn’t? ?ascend? ?to? ?fight? ?over? ?power? ?with? ?anyone,? ?nor? ?fight? ?over? ?domains,? ?so? ?why? ?can’t? ?you? ?let? ?this? ?

go?”? ? ?

?

As? ?they? ?say,? ?“one? ?mountain? ?has? ?no? ?room? ?for? ?two? ?tigers”,? ?just? ?look? ?at? ?the? ?present? ?example:? ?Feng? ?

Xin? ?and? ?Mu? ?Qing? ?who? ?were? ?both? ?stationed? ?in? ?the? ?south? ?had? ?been? ?going? ?at? ?each? ?other’s? ?throats? ?

for? ?years.? ?If? ?they? ?weren’t? ?in? ?the? ?same? ?territory,? ?things? ?might? ?be? ?a? ?little? ?better,? ?but? ?“enemies? ?are? ?

destined? ?to? ?meet”,? ?where? ?one? ?is? ?renown? ?and? ?ascends? ?is? ?one’s? ?domain.? ?The? ?people? ?of? ?the? ?past? ?in? ?

one’s? ?mortal? ?life? ?will? ?often? ?end? ?up? ?crowding? ?together? ?after? ?ascension.? ?In? ?the? ?heavens,? ?in? ?the? ?

mortal? ?realm,? ?as? ?gods? ?as? ?humans,? ?life? ?is? ?just? ?awkward? ?like? ?that.? ?There? ?was? ?no? ?reason? ?for? ?Quan? ?

Yi? ?Zhen? ?to? ?abandon? ?the? ?west? ?and? ?move? ?to? ?a? ?different? ?territory.? ?The? ?two? ?were? ?in? ?the? ?middle? ?of? ?

their? ?argument? ?when? ?there? ?was? ?someone? ?suddenly? ?banging? ?loudly? ?on? ?the? ?doors.? ?Jian? ?Yu? ?called,? ?

“WHO? ?IS? ?IT?!”? ?

?

“It’s? ?me.”? ?The? ?person? ?outside? ?the? ?door? ?replied.? ?

?

Jian? ?Yu? ?turned? ?to? ?Yin? ?Yu? ?angrily? ?and? ?said? ?under? ?his? ?breath,? ?“...Why? ?did? ?this? ?stinkin’? ?brat? ?come?”? ? ?

?

Yin? ?Yu? ?gestured? ?for? ?him? ?to? ?go? ?to? ?the? ?back,? ?and? ?he? ?schooled? ?his? ?expression? ?before? ?going? ?forward? ?

to? ?open? ?the? ?doors.? ?Sure? ?enough,? ?standing? ?just? ?outside? ?was? ?Quan? ?Yi? ?Zhen.? ?He? ?seemed? ?to? ?have? ?

grown? ?taller? ?again? ?since? ?the? ?last? ?time,? ?about? ?the? ?same? ?height? ?as? ?when? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?first? ?met? ?him,? ?and? ?

had? ?finally? ?stopped? ?perching? ?on? ?windows.? ?

?

When? ?Yin? ?Yu? ?spoke,? ?he? ?sounded? ?fairly? ?calm,? ?“Yi? ?Zhen,? ?it’s? ?you.? ?Are? ?you? ?not? ?attending? ?the? ?Mid? ?

Autumn? ?Banquet?? ?Why? ?have? ?you? ?come?”? ? ?

?

Quan? ?Yi? ?Zhen? ?followed? ?him? ?into? ?the? ?grand? ?hall,? ?and? ?the? ?moment? ?he? ?spoke? ?it? ?was? ?something? ?

blunt,? ?“It’s? ?my? ?birthday.”? ? ?

?

“...”? ?

?

So? ?the? ?Mid? ?Autumn? ?Festival? ?was? ?Quan? ?Yi? ?Zhen’s? ?birthday,? ?and? ?he? ?had? ?come? ?looking? ?for? ?his? ?

birthday? ?present.? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?had? ?also? ?heard? ?that? ?Yin? ?Yu,? ?as? ?shixiong,? ?would? ?always? ?gift? ?Quan? ?Yi? ?Zhen? ?a? ?present? ?on? ?

his? ?birthdays.? ?It? ?was? ?probably? ?due? ?to? ?the? ?many? ?awkwardness? ?that? ?this? ?year,? ?there? ?wasn’t? ?one.? ?By? ?

Shi? ?Qing? ?Xuan’s? ?words? ?back? ?at? ?the? ?Mid? ?Autumn? ?Banquet,? ?Yin? ?Yu? ?had? ?probably? ?been? ?avoiding? ?

him? ?on? ?purpose? ?for? ?some? ?time? ?now.? ?When? ?someone? ?started? ?avoiding? ?meetings? ?and? ?stopped? ?

giving? ?gifts,? ?those? ?who? ?were? ?a? ?bit? ?more? ?sensitive? ?would’ve? ?noticed? ?and? ?wouldn’t? ?ever? ?have? ?gone? ?

to? ?ask? ?for? ?gifts.? ?Yet? ?here? ?he? ?was,? ?never? ?thinking? ?anything? ?was? ?wrong,? ?and? ?came? ?knocking? ?in? ?full? ?

confidence.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?had? ?never? ?seen? ?anything? ?more? ?tragically? ?awkward.? ?If? ?he? ?wasn’t? ?touching? ?

foreheads? ?with? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?right? ?now? ?he? ?would’ve? ?slapped? ?his? ?own? ?face? ?to? ?cover? ?his? ?own? ?eyes? ?

so? ?he? ?wouldn’t? ?have? ?to? ?watch? ?anymore.? ?

?

Yin? ?Yu? ?puffed? ?a? ?dry? ?laugh,? ?“...Ah,? ?that’s? ?right,? ?today’s? ?your? ?birthday.? ?But,? ?it’s? ?been? ?busy? ?here? ?in? ?

the? ?palace? ?recently,? ?so...”? ?

?

When? ?Quan? ?Yi? ?Zhen? ?heard,? ?his? ?eyes? ?widened,? ?“There’s? ?nothing?”? ? ?

?

Yin? ?Yu? ?seemed? ?to? ?think? ?things? ?weren’t? ?right? ?so? ?when? ?the? ?words? ?reached? ?his? ?lips? ?they? ?made? ?a? ?

u-turn,? ?“No,? ?I? ?didn’t? ?forget.? ?It’s? ?in? ?the? ?back,? ?just? ?wait? ?a? ?moment.”? ? ?

?

Quan? ?Yi? ?Zhen? ?sat? ?himself? ?down? ?on? ?the? ?spot,? ?resting? ?both? ?his? ?hands? ?on? ?his? ?knees,? ?nodding? ?

energetically,? ?looking? ?very? ?hopeful.? ?Yin? ?Yu? ?fled? ?to? ?the? ?side? ?chamber,? ?and? ?Jian? ?Yu? ?was? ?sitting? ?

there? ?grimly.? ?Of? ?course? ?Yin? ?Yu? ?hadn’t? ?prepare? ?anything,? ?so? ?the? ?moment? ?he? ?entered? ?the? ?room? ?he? ?

flipped? ?through? ?all? ?the? ?drawers? ?and? ?dressers,? ?chests? ?and? ?shelves,? ?but? ?he? ?couldn’t? ?find? ?anything? ?

proper? ?for? ?the? ?occasion,? ?so? ?he? ?called? ?out? ?to? ?Jian? ?Yu,? ?“Help? ?me? ?find? ?something,? ?quick,? ?something? ?

that? ?can? ?temporarily? ?be? ?used? ?as? ?a? ?gift.”? ? ?

?

Jian? ?Yu? ?grabbed? ?a? ?rag? ?cloth? ?on? ?the? ?side? ?and? ?threw? ?it? ?onto? ?the? ?ground,? ?stomping? ?at? ?it? ?twice? ?before? ?

saying? ?hatefully,? ?“Give? ?this? ?to? ?him.? ?“? ? ?

?

“Jian? ?Yu!”? ?Yin? ?Yu? ?berated.? ?

?

“Even? ?gifting? ?something? ?like? ?this? ?is? ?still? ?more? ?than? ?what? ?he? ?deserves.”? ?Jian? ?Yu? ?spat.? ?“I? ?can’t? ?

believe? ?he’s? ?shameless? ?enough? ?to? ?come!”? ? ?

?

Yin? ?Yu? ?said? ?woefully,? ?“You? ?don’t? ?understand? ?anything.? ?In? ?the? ?years? ?past? ?I’ve? ?always? ?gifted? ?him? ?

something,? ?if? ?I? ?don’t? ?give? ?him? ?anything? ?this? ?year? ?it’d? ?seem? ?too? ?deliberate.? ?Anything? ?will? ?do,? ?as? ?

long? ?as? ?the? ?intention’s? ?there.? ?How? ?about? ?this.? ?Go? ?find? ?me? ?that? ?Golden? ?Exorcism? ?Armlet? ?that? ?we? ?

got? ?last? ?time?? ?It’s? ?not? ?quite? ?appropriate? ?but? ?at? ?least? ?it’s? ?something.”? ? ?

?

He? ?had? ?to? ?urge? ?a? ?couple? ?times? ?before? ?Jian? ?Yu? ?went? ?angrily.? ?Yin? ?Yu? ?returned? ?to? ?the? ?grand? ?hall? ?

then,? ?and? ?sat? ?in? ?front? ?of? ?Quan? ?Yi? ?Zhen,? ?“Just? ?wait? ?for? ?a? ?moment.? ?Things? ?are? ?a? ?bit? ?disorganized? ?

right? ?now? ?so? ?I? ?sent? ?Jian? ?Yu? ?to? ?look? ?for? ?your? ?gift.? ?By? ?the? ?way,? ?what? ?have? ?you? ?been? ?up? ?to? ?lately?? ?

Things? ?have? ?been? ?going? ?smoothly,? ?I? ?presume?? ?I? ?heard? ?the? ?number? ?of? ?worshippers? ?of? ?your? ?palace? ?

had? ?increased? ?five? ?fold? ?these? ?past? ?few? ?months,? ?congratulations.”? ? ?

?

Quan? ?Yi? ?Zhen? ?replied,? ?“I? ?don’t? ?know? ?any? ?worshippers,? ?I’m? ?just? ?doing? ?me? ?and? ?they? ?came? ?crowding? ?

my? ?temples? ?for? ?some? ?reason,? ?weird.? ?I? ?slayed? ?a? ?wolf? ?monster? ?recently.”? ? ?

?

Yin? ?Yu’s? ?smile? ?became? ?stiffer.? ?What? ?he? ?couldn’t? ?take? ?on,? ?Quan? ?Yi? ?Zhen? ?took? ?on? ?so? ?effortlessly.? ?

This? ?was? ?very? ?much? ?like? ?how? ?you? ?just? ?couldn’t? ?win? ?over? ?a? ?girl? ?you? ?loved,? ?and? ?she? ?ignored? ?you? ?

completely,? ?but? ?when? ?she? ?ran? ?into? ?the? ?arms? ?of? ?someone? ?else? ?in? ?tears,? ?this? ?someone? ?else? ?couldn’t? ?

even? ?be? ?bothered? ?to? ?spare? ?her? ?a? ?look? ?and? ?instead,? ?turned? ?around? ?to? ?tell? ?you? ?how? ?she? ?was? ?only? ?

average,? ?nothing? ?to? ?be? ?amazed? ?by.? ?Truly,? ?what? ?a? ?bitter? ?feeling.? ?Quan? ?Yi? ?Zhen? ?talked? ?on? ?for? ?a? ?bit,? ?

then? ?suddenly? ?said,? ?“I? ?saw? ?you? ?earlier? ?at? ?the? ?Mid? ?Autumn? ?Banquet.? ?I? ?wanted? ?to? ?talk? ?to? ?you? ?but? ?

you? ?left? ?so? ?quickly.”? ? ?

?

When? ?he? ?finally? ?stopped? ?talking? ?so? ?excitedly? ?about? ?the? ?recent? ?battles? ?of? ?his? ?domain,? ?Yin? ?Yu? ?finally? ?

exhaled? ?in? ?relief.? ?“Oh,? ?there? ?was? ?a? ?little? ?something,? ?so? ?I? ?came? ?back? ?early.”? ? ?

?

Quan? ?Yi? ?Zhen? ?nodded,? ?“Someone? ?told? ?me? ?that? ?it’s? ?because? ?they? ?greeted? ?you? ?as? ?the? ?wrong? ?

person.”? ?

?

Hearing? ?this,? ?Yin? ?Yu’s? ?face? ?instantly? ?dropped? ?but? ?Quan? ?Yi? ?Zhen? ?didn’t? ?notice? ?at? ?all,? ?his? ?lips? ?

curving? ?upwards,? ?“It’s? ?too? ?funny,? ?so? ?stupid!”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?couldn’t? ?bear? ?to? ?watch? ?anymore? ?and? ?he? ?buried? ?his? ?face? ?in? ?Hua? ?Cheng’s? ?arms,? ?“This...? ?

this,? ?this,? ?this,? ?is? ?too? ?tragic? ?to? ?watch.”? ? ?

?

Of? ?course? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?believed? ?wholeheartedly? ?that? ?Quan? ?Yi? ?Zhen? ?thought? ?it? ?was? ?funny? ?that? ?others? ?

made? ?a? ?silly? ?mistake,? ?and? ?at? ?the? ?same? ?time? ?did? ?not? ?realize? ?at? ?all? ?just? ?how? ?not? ?funny? ?this? ?was? ?to? ?

Yin? ?Yu,? ?but? ?this? ?didn’t? ?change? ?the? ?fact? ?that? ?if? ?the? ?other? ?two? ?were? ?going? ?to? ?continue? ?this? ?awkward? ?

conversation,? ?he? ?was? ?going? ?to? ?die? ?from? ?suffocation.? ?Thankfully,? ?before? ?he? ?suffocated,? ?Jian? ?Yu? ?

finally? ?came? ?around? ?with? ?a? ?gift? ?box.? ?He? ?passed? ?the? ?gift? ?box? ?to? ?Yin? ?Yu? ?and? ?went? ?away? ?to? ?the? ?back? ?

again? ?without? ?a? ?word.? ?Yin? ?Yu? ?also? ?looked? ?like? ?he? ?just? ?received? ?absolution,? ?and? ?passed? ?the? ?box? ?on? ?

directly? ?to? ?Quan? ?Yi? ?Zhen.? ?He? ?seemed? ?to? ?be? ?ecstatic? ?and? ?hopped? ?up? ?on? ?the? ?spot? ?to? ?receive? ?the? ?

box.? ?However,? ?Yin? ?Yu’s? ?smile? ?was? ?already? ?laced? ?with? ?fatigue,? ?“Why? ?don’t? ?you? ?open? ?it? ?after? ?you? ?go? ?

back?”? ? ?

?

Quan? ?Yi? ?Zhen? ?nodded,? ?“Ok.? ?I’ll? ?head? ?back? ?now.? ?I’m? ?going? ?out? ?for? ?patrol? ?next? ?month,? ?if? ?shixiong? ?is? ?

free,? ?come? ?with? ?me.”? ? ?

?

Yin? ?Yu? ?couldn’t? ?listen? ?to? ?anymore? ?of? ?anything? ?he’d? ?say,? ?and? ?offhandedly? ?placated? ?him? ?with? ?an? ?

alright.? ?Once? ?the? ?boy? ?was? ?sent? ?off,? ?Jian? ?Yu? ?came? ?out? ?cussing,? ?slamming? ?the? ?doors,? ?“WHO? ?DOES? ?

HE? ?THINK? ?HE? ?IS?!? ?DID? ?HIS? ?MOM? ?DROP? ?HIM? ?ON? ?THE? ?HEAD? ?HUNDREDS? ?OF? ?TIMES? ?AT? ?

BIRTH??? ?IF? ?NOT? ?THEN? ?HE’S? ?HERE? ?TO? ?MOCK? ?YOU? ?ON? ?PURPOSE.? ?WHAT,? ?“I? ?DON’T? ?KNOW? ?

ANY? ?WORSHIPPERS”,? ?WHAT? ?PATROL,? ?IS? ?HE? ?TRYING? ?TO? ?SHOW? ?OFF?? ?WHAT? ?A? ?

MALICIOUS? ?HEART!”? ? ?

?

This? ?time? ?when? ?he? ?yelled,? ?Yin? ?Yu? ?didn’t? ?stop? ?him.? ?Silently,? ?he? ?headed? ?to? ?the? ?back? ?chambers? ?and? ?

never? ?did? ?emerge? ?again.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?instinctively? ?felt? ?the? ?gift? ?box? ?Quan? ?Yi? ?Zhen? ?took? ?away? ?was? ?

problematic,? ?“Could? ?it? ?be?? ?It’s? ?the? ?Brocade? ?Immortal? ?in? ?that? ?box?”? ? ?

?

“You? ?guessed? ?it.”? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?said.? ?

?

“Then? ?Jian? ?Yu? ?should’ve? ?been? ?the? ?one? ?responsible? ?for? ?the? ?crime? ?of? ?the? ?Brocade? ?Immortal? ?

incident,? ?so? ?why? ?was? ?Yin? ?Yu’s? ?punishment? ?so? ?heavy-handed? ?later?”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?asked.? ?

?

“Gege? ?will? ?find? ?out? ?three? ?days? ?after.”? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?replied.? ?

?

He? ?said? ?three? ?days,? ?and? ?three? ?days? ?went? ?by.? ?Rays? ?of? ?sunshine? ?startlingly? ?shone? ?through? ?into? ?the? ?

quiet? ?Palace? ?of? ?Yin? ?Yu,? ?and? ?Yin? ?Yu? ?sluggishly? ?walked? ?into? ?the? ?side? ?chambers,? ?seeming? ?to? ?be? ?

rummaging? ?for? ?something.? ?He? ?flipped? ?through? ?the? ?chests? ?and? ?delved? ?through? ?the? ?drawers.? ?

However,? ?unexpectedly,? ?as? ?he? ?rummaged? ?he? ?suddenly? ?fumbled? ?out? ?a? ?shiningly? ?golden? ?armlet? ?

that? ?was? ?covered? ?in? ?charmed? ?spells? ?from? ?the? ?desk.? ?He? ?didn’t? ?care? ?for? ?it? ?at? ?first? ?and? ?placed? ?it? ?

aside,? ?but? ?then? ?a? ?moment? ?later,? ?he? ?suddenly? ?picked? ?it? ?up? ?and? ?called? ?out,? ?“Jian? ?Yu?”? ? ?

?

Jian? ?Yu? ?entered? ?the? ?room,? ?“What? ?is? ?it?”? ? ?

?

Yin? ?Yu? ?held? ?up? ?that? ?armlet? ?and? ?questioned? ?puzzledly,? ?“Why? ?is? ?the? ?Golden? ?Exorcism? ?Armlet? ?here?? ?

Didn’t? ?you? ?gift? ?it? ?to? ?him?? ?Didn’t? ?I? ?have? ?you? ?wrap? ?this? ?up? ?in? ?a? ?gift? ?box?”? ? ?

?

Jian? ?Yu? ?humphed,? ?“Gift? ?him?? ?He? ?doesn’t? ?even? ?deserve? ?a? ?drop? ?of? ?your? ?spit!”? ? ?

?

Yin? ?Yu? ?was? ?exasperated,? ?“You? ?didn’t? ?actually? ?gift? ?him? ?that? ?foot? ?cleaning? ?cloth?? ?Why? ?must? ?you? ?

offend? ?people?”? ?However,? ?Jian? ?Yu? ?only? ?smiled? ?cryptically,? ?“I? ?didn’t.? ?I? ?gave? ?him? ?something? ?better.”? ? ?

?

Yin? ?Yu’s? ?face? ?instantly? ?changed? ?and? ?didn’t? ?think? ?things? ?light? ?anymore,? ?“What?? ?I? ?was? ?wondering? ?

why? ?I? ?couldn’t? ?find? ?it? ?anywhere.? ?That? ?robe? ?can? ?manipulate? ?minds,? ?it? ?can? ?suck? ?blood!”? ?Then? ?he? ?

turned? ?to? ?hurry? ?away,? ?but? ?Jian? ?Yu? ?grabbed? ?him,? ?“Why? ?so? ?anxious!? ?That? ?robe? ?can? ?manipulate? ?

minds,? ?that’s? ?true,? ?but? ?you’re? ?the? ?one? ?who? ?gave? ?it? ?to? ?him,? ?so? ?no? ?one? ?else? ?can? ?control? ?him.? ?As? ?for? ?

the? ?blood? ?sucking,? ?maybe? ?it’ll? ?be? ?effective? ?on? ?mortals,? ?but? ?I? ?doubt? ?it’ll? ?do? ?anything? ?to? ?heavenly? ?

officials.? ?Look,? ?it’s? ?been? ?three? ?days? ?and? ?nothing’s? ?happened? ?to? ?him!”? ? ?

?

Yin? ?Yu? ?gave? ?it? ?a? ?some? ?thought? ?and? ?paced? ?back? ?and? ?forth? ?in? ?the? ?side? ?chambers.? ?Jian? ?Yu? ?

continued,? ?“Besides,? ?isn’t? ?that? ?brat? ?capable?? ?Young? ?and? ?capable,? ?let’s? ?see? ?just? ?how? ?capable? ?he? ?

is.”? ? ?

?

In? ?the? ?end,? ?Yin? ?Yu? ?still? ?threw? ?his? ?hands? ?together,? ?“That? ?won’t? ?do!? ?We? ?don’t? ?know? ?just? ?how? ?

dangerous? ?that? ?thing? ?is,? ?if? ?anything? ?happens? ?then? ?we’re? ?done? ?for!? ?How? ?can? ?you? ?take? ?things? ?so? ?

lightly?!? ?Sigh!”? ? ?

?

Then,? ?without? ?any? ?regard? ?for? ?Jian? ?Yu’s? ?calls,? ?he? ?dashed? ?out,? ?bumping? ?into? ?many? ?heavenly? ?

officials? ?on? ?the? ?way,? ?rushing? ?into? ?the? ?Palace? ?of? ?Qi? ?Ying.? ?The? ?person? ?in? ?question? ?wasn’t? ?there,? ?so? ?

he? ?grabbed? ?hold? ?of? ?people? ?everywhere,? ?asking? ?anxiously,? ?“Where’s? ?Qi? ?Ying?? ?I’ve? ?something? ?

urgent,? ?I? ?need? ?to? ?find? ?him!”? ? ?

?

“Qi? ?Ying?”? ?The? ?others? ?said,? ?“His? ?Highness? ?Qi? ?Ying? ?is? ?in? ?a? ?meeting? ?at? ?the? ?Great? ?Martial? ?Hall!? ?All? ?

the? ?top? ?ranking? ?martial? ?gods? ?of? ?the? ?Upper? ?Court? ?are? ?there? ?today...”? ?

?

Yin? ?Yu? ?didn’t? ?finish? ?listening? ?before? ?he? ?ran? ?off.? ?It? ?was? ?only? ?once? ?he? ?reached? ?the? ?Great? ?Martial? ?Hall? ?

that? ?he? ?realized? ?he? ?couldn’t? ?enter.? ?First? ?of? ?all,? ?this? ?meeting? ?only? ?summoned? ?the? ?“top? ?ranking? ?

martial? ?gods? ?of? ?the? ?Upper? ?Court”? ?and? ?he? ?wasn’t? ?called;? ?second? ?of? ?all,? ?even? ?if? ?he? ?went? ?in? ?he? ?

wouldn’t? ?be? ?able? ?to? ?talk? ?about? ?the? ?matter? ?in? ?front? ?of? ?everyone,? ?so? ?he? ?could? ?only? ?wait? ?outside? ?the? ?

hall.? ?Through? ?the? ?windows,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?swept? ?a? ?glance,? ?and? ?sure? ?enough,? ?there? ?were? ?a? ?number? ?of? ?

familiar? ?faces,? ?like? ?Feng? ?Xin,? ?Mu? ?Qing,? ?Pei? ?Ming,? ?who? ?were? ?in? ?the? ?hall,? ?all? ?listening? ?intently.? ?What? ?

Yin? ?Yu? ?saw,? ?however,? ?was? ?Quan? ?Yi? ?Zhen? ?donned? ?with? ?an? ?impressive,? ?shining? ?armour.? ?

?

He? ?appeared? ?perfectly? ?normal,? ?rather,? ?it? ?was? ?Ling? ?Wen? ?who? ?was? ?standing? ?next? ?to? ?Jun? ?Wu? ?on? ?the? ?

throne? ?who? ?was? ?distracted,? ?making? ?frequent? ?mistakes,? ?so? ?much? ?so? ?that? ?Jun? ?Wu? ?had? ?to? ?speak? ?

up,? ?“Ling? ?Wen?? ?Ling? ?Wen?”? ? ?

?

He? ?called? ?her? ?a? ?few? ?time? ?before? ?Ling? ?Wen? ?snapped? ?out? ?of? ?it,? ?“What?? ?What? ?is? ?it?”? ?

?

Jun? ?Wu? ?chuckled,? ?“What’s? ?with? ?you? ?today?? ?You? ?keep? ?staring? ?at? ?Qi? ?Ying.? ?Are? ?you? ?perhaps? ?like? ?

me,? ?and? ?think? ?his? ?new? ?armour? ?is? ?quite? ?nice?”? ? ?

?

The? ?few? ?martial? ?gods? ?in? ?the? ?hall? ?also? ?started? ?laughing,? ?and? ?Ling? ?Wen? ?mumbled? ?an? ?apology,? ?

wiping? ?away? ?the? ?cold? ?sweat? ?on? ?her? ?forehead? ?unnoticeably.? ?However,? ?the? ?hand? ?gripping? ?the? ?brush? ?

was? ?still? ?trembling.? ?

?

If? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?was? ?present? ?at? ?the? ?time,? ?he? ?probably? ?would’ve? ?just? ?smiled.? ?However,? ?now? ?he’s? ?

perfectly? ?aware? ?that? ?Ling? ?Wen? ?must’ve? ?been? ?feeling? ?afflicted? ?and? ?perturbed? ?seeing? ?Quan? ?Yi? ?Zhen? ?

wearing? ?and? ?flashing? ?that? ?bloody? ?robe? ?she? ?herself? ?created? ?hundreds? ?of? ?years? ?ago.? ?

?

Yin? ?Yu? ?paced? ?around? ?outside? ?the? ?hall,? ?sometimes? ?squatting,? ?sometimes? ?standing,? ?agitated? ?and? ?

jittery.? ?At? ?last? ?the? ?meeting? ?ended,? ?and? ?Quan? ?Yi? ?Zhen? ?was? ?the? ?first? ?to? ?come? ?out.? ?When? ?he? ?saw? ?Yin? ?

Yu? ?outside,? ?he? ?greeted,? ?“Shixiong,? ?why? ?are? ?you? ?here?”? ? ?

?

Yin? ?Yu? ?instantly? ?rose? ?to? ?his? ?feet? ?and? ?incoherently? ?said? ?a? ?few? ?words? ?before? ?immediately? ?getting? ?to? ?

the? ?point,? ?“Your? ?armour...”? ?

?

“It’s? ?great!”? ?Quan? ?Yi? ?Zhen? ?replied,? ?“The? ?emperor? ?and? ?Ling? ?Wen? ?complimented? ?it? ?earlier.? ?Thank? ?

you,? ?shixiong.”? ? ?

?

“...”? ?

?

Yin? ?Yu? ?spoke? ?with? ?a? ?forced? ?calm,? ?“It’s? ?good? ?indeed,? ?but? ?the? ?person? ?who? ?forged? ?the? ?armour? ?said? ?

there’s? ?a? ?little? ?problem? ?and? ?wants? ?you? ?to? ?bring? ?it? ?over? ?for? ?some? ?tweaking.”? ? ?

?

If? ?he? ?ordered? ?for? ?Quan? ?Yi? ?Zhen? ?to? ?“take? ?off? ?this? ?armour”? ?directly,? ?he? ?would? ?risk? ?for? ?Quan? ?Yi? ?Zhen? ?

to? ?discover? ?himself? ?manipulated? ?after? ?the? ?fact,? ?and? ?it? ?wouldn’t? ?be? ?good? ?if? ?the? ?matter? ?should? ?be? ?

found? ?out,? ?so? ?Yin? ?Yu? ?couldn’t? ?afford? ?for? ?him? ?to? ?notice? ?anything? ?amiss,? ?which? ?was? ?why? ?he? ?could? ?

only? ?make? ?the? ?request? ?in? ?such? ?a? ?roundabout? ?way.? ?However,? ?Quan? ?Yi? ?Zhen? ?was? ?puzzled,? ?“What? ?

problem?? ?I? ?don’t? ?think? ?there’s? ?any? ?problems.”? ? ?

?

It? ?was? ?also? ?awkward? ?to? ?ask? ?for? ?a? ?gift? ?already? ?given? ?to? ?be? ?returned? ?after? ?all,? ?and? ?Yin? ?Yu? ?thought? ?

really? ?hard? ?on? ?what? ?to? ?say? ?when? ?Quan? ?Yi? ?Zhen? ?spoke? ?again,? ?“By? ?the? ?way,? ?shixiong,? ?next? ?month? ?

we? ?can? ?go? ?patrol? ?together.”? ? ?

?

Yin? ?Yu? ?instantly? ?looked? ?up,? ?a? ?little? ?dumbfounded,? ?“What?”? ? ?

?

“I? ?don’t? ?think? ?my? ?name? ?is? ?on? ?the? ?list? ?for? ?patrol?”? ?He’d? ?almost? ?forgotten? ?about? ?the? ?whole? ?business? ?

with? ?the? ?Brocade? ?Immortal.? ? ?

?

Quan? ?Yi? ?Zhen? ?looked? ?quite? ?happy? ?and? ?excited,? ?“There? ?is.? ?I? ?mentioned? ?you? ?earlier,? ?and? ?the? ?

emperor? ?said? ?he? ?could? ?consider? ?it.”? ? ?

?

“...”? ?

?

In? ?that? ?flash? ?of? ?a? ?second,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?could? ?almost? ?see? ?waves? ?of? ?hot? ?blood? ?rushing? ?to? ?Yin? ?Yu’s? ?head.? ?

?

Years? ?of? ?built? ?up? ?resentment? ?and? ?pent? ?up? ?grievances? ?finally? ?exploded? ?in? ?this? ?very? ?moment.? ?Yin? ?

Yu? ?yelled,? ?“WHAT’S? ?WRONG? ?WITH? ?YOU??”? ? ?

?

This? ?was? ?the? ?very? ?first? ?time? ?Quan? ?Yi? ?Zhen? ?saw? ?Yin? ?Yu? ?so? ?angry,? ?and? ?he? ?blinked,? ?confusion? ?filled? ?

his? ?face.? ?A? ?few? ?heavenly? ?officials? ?who? ?were? ?passing? ?by? ?also? ?snuck? ?peeks? ?over.? ?Yin? ?Yu? ?hugged? ?

his? ?head,? ?“DID? ?I? ?SAY? ?I? ?WANTED? ?TO? ?GO??? ?WHAT’S? ?THE? ?PATROL? ?OF? ?MARTIAL? ?GODS? ?GOT? ?

TO? ?DO? ?WITH? ?ME??? ?I? ?DIDN’T? ?BEG? ?YOU? ?SO? ?WHO? ?ARE? ?YOU? ?TO? ?MENTION? ?ME? ?TO? ?THE? ?

EMPEROR??”? ? ?

?

Outsiders? ?might? ?not? ?know? ?why? ?Yin? ?Yu? ?was? ?losing? ?his? ?cool? ?like? ?this,? ?but? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?could? ?understand? ?

perfectly.? ?After? ?all,? ?to? ?an? ?extremely? ?proud? ?martial? ?god,? ?this? ?was? ?a? ?great? ?humiliation.? ?

?

The? ?Patrol? ?of? ?Martial? ?Gods? ?was? ?a? ?ceremony? ?that? ?only? ?the? ?highest? ?ranking? ?martial? ?gods? ?of? ?the? ?

Upper? ?Court? ?could? ?participate? ?in.? ?During? ?the? ?procession? ?of? ?this? ?patrol,? ?the? ?chosen? ?martial? ?gods? ?

could? ?demonstrate? ?their? ?might? ?and? ?subdue? ?and? ?disperse? ?monsters? ?and? ?demons.? ?Not? ?only? ?could? ?

this? ?help? ?spread? ?their? ?name? ?and? ?increase? ?the? ?number? ?of? ?worshippers,? ?there? ?was? ?also? ?the? ?

opportunity? ?to? ?spar? ?with? ?fellow? ?participating? ?martial? ?gods,? ?improve? ?their? ?skills? ?and? ?build? ?their? ?

relationships.? ?In? ?any? ?case,? ?this? ?was? ?a? ?grand? ?affair,? ?and? ?there? ?was? ?a? ?certain? ?demand? ?for? ?

prominent? ?foundation? ?and? ?high? ?skills? ?for? ?the? ?attending? ?martial? ?gods;? ?for? ?example,? ?having? ?at? ?least? ?

four? ?thousand? ?temples? ?or? ?ranking? ?in? ?the? ?top? ?ten.? ?

?

With? ?Yin? ?Yu’s? ?qualifications,? ?he? ?for? ?sure? ?wouldn’t? ?be? ?eligible? ?to? ?participate? ?in? ?the? ?Patrol? ?of? ?Martial? ?

Gods.? ?Even? ?if? ?he? ?could? ?go? ?and? ?was? ?able? ?to? ?gain? ?actual? ?benefits,? ?those? ?who? ?were? ?aware? ?of? ?his? ?

status? ?would? ?for? ?sure? ?talk.? ?Those? ?with? ?thick? ?skins? ?might? ?not? ?care,? ?countless? ?small? ?heavenly? ?

officials? ?would? ?fight? ?to? ?squeeze? ?themselves? ?in,? ?but? ?Yin? ?Yu? ?was? ?clearly? ?someone? ?who? ?wasn’t? ?thick? ?

skinned,? ?and? ?knowing? ?deep? ?down? ?he? ?didn’t? ?have? ?the? ?qualifications,? ?how? ?could? ?he? ?possibly? ?

depend? ?on? ?the? ?connections? ?of? ?someone? ?else? ?to? ?force? ?himself? ?in?? ?Besides,? ?this? ?someone? ?else? ?

was? ?Quan? ?Yi? ?Zhen? ?who? ?once? ?depended? ?on? ?him? ?to? ?escape? ?expulsion? ?from? ?heaven!? ? ?

?

Quan? ?Yi? ?Zhen? ?didn’t? ?get? ?it? ?at? ?all.? ?He? ?probably? ?thought? ?it? ?was? ?a? ?good? ?deed? ?and? ?so? ?he? ?mentioned? ?

it,? ?and? ?didn’t? ?think? ?there? ?was? ?any? ?need? ?to? ?care? ?for? ?anything? ?else.? ?However,? ?because? ?Yin? ?Yu? ?

looked? ?truly? ?furious,? ?for? ?the? ?first? ?time,? ?Quan? ?Yi? ?Zhen? ?seemed? ?to? ?want? ?to? ?say? ?something? ?but? ?

stopped,? ?looking? ?like? ?he? ?didn’t? ?dare? ?to? ?speak.? ?A? ?moment? ?later,? ?he? ?mumbled,? ?“Shixiong,? ?why? ?are? ?

you? ?mad?? ?Did? ?I? ?do? ?something? ?wrong?”? ? ?

?

“...”? ?

?

Those? ?words? ?again!? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?practically? ?wanted? ?to? ?beg? ?him? ?to? ?stop? ?talking.? ?As? ?for? ?Yin? ?Yu,? ?veins? ?popped? ?on? ?his? ?

forehead,? ?teetering? ?on? ?the? ?edge? ?of? ?a? ?meltdown,? ?and? ?he? ?pulled? ?at? ?his? ?own? ?hair,? ?“ENOUGH!? ?I’VE? ?

HAD? ?ENOUGH!? ?I’M? ?GOING? ?MAD!? ?I’M? ?GOING? ?FUCKING? ?MAD? ?BECAUSE? ?OF? ?YOU!”? ?Then? ?he? ?

pointed? ?at? ?the? ?Great? ?Martial? ?Hall,? ?“QUAN? ?YI? ?ZHEN,? ?DON’T? ?TALK? ?TO? ?ME? ?ANYMORE!? ?GO? ?TAKE? ?

BACK? ?YOUR? ?RECOMMENDATION!? ?STOP? ?ADDING? ?TO? ?MY? ?TROUBLES!? ?NOW!? ?RIGHT? ?THIS? ?

SECOND!”? ? ?

?

After? ?he? ?roared,? ?without? ?another? ?word,? ?Quan? ?Yi? ?Zhen? ?instantly? ?turned? ?and? ?dashed? ?back? ?into? ?the? ?

Great? ?Martial? ?Hall.? ?Yin? ?Yu? ?blinked,? ?and? ?only? ?then? ?did? ?he? ?remember? ?Quan? ?Yi? ?Zhen? ?was? ?still? ?

wearing? ?that? ?Brocade? ?Immortal,? ?and? ?his? ?actions? ?weren’t? ?because? ?he? ?knew? ?himself? ?to? ?be? ?wrong? ?

and? ?wanted? ?to? ?rectify? ?things,? ?but? ?because? ?he? ?was? ?being? ?controlled? ?by? ?that? ?Brocade? ?Immortal!? ? ?

?

Within? ?the? ?Great? ?Martial? ?Hall,? ?the? ?few? ?martial? ?gods? ?who? ?haven’t? ?yet? ?left? ?were? ?all? ?watching? ?in? ?

confusion? ?as? ?Quan? ?Yi? ?Zhen? ?came? ?blazing? ?back? ?in.? ?Yin? ?Yu? ?was? ?outside? ?the? ?hall,? ?slightly? ?trembling,? ?

and? ?he? ?yelled? ?again,? ?“STOP!”? ? ?

?

Quan? ?Yi? ?Zhen? ?almost? ?made? ?it? ?to? ?Jun? ?Wu? ?when? ?he? ?braked? ?abruptly,? ?and? ?indeed? ?came? ?to? ?a? ?stop.? ?It? ?

was? ?only? ?a? ?good? ?moment? ?later? ?before? ?he? ?was? ?bewildered,? ?“What’s? ?with? ?me? ?just? ?now?”? ? ?

?

Jun? ?Wu? ?also? ?knitted? ?his? ?brows,? ?“Qi? ?Ying,? ?don’t? ?move!? ?Come? ?and? ?have? ?me? ?take? ?a? ?look.? ?I? ?saw? ?your? ?

eyes? ?weren’t? ?focused? ?just? ?now,? ?surrounded? ?by? ?the? ?aura? ?of? ?evil,? ?it? ?seemed? ?you’ve? ?been? ?casted? ?an? ?

evil? ?spell.”? ? ?

?

Quan? ?Yi? ?Zhen? ?scratched? ?his? ?head,? ?feeling? ?confused,? ?“Alright.”? ?And? ?moved? ?to? ?go? ?forward.? ?Without? ?

any? ?choice,? ?Yin? ?Yu? ?could? ?only? ?command,? ?“COME? ?BACK!? ?LEAVE!”? ? ?

?

The? ?moment? ?he? ?gave? ?the? ?command,? ?Quan? ?Yi? ?Zhen? ?instantly? ?turned? ?around,? ?running? ?out? ?of? ?the? ?

hall? ?madly,? ?right? ?in? ?Yin? ?Yu’s? ?direction.? ?Perhaps? ?it? ?was? ?because? ?rage? ?filled? ?his? ?mind? ?or? ?perhaps? ?he? ?

was? ?going? ?crazy? ?from? ?distress,Yin? ?Yu? ?started? ?running? ?too? ?in? ?confusion,? ?his? ?steps? ?all? ?messed? ?up,? ?

looking? ?very? ?much? ?like? ?a? ?fleeing? ?criminal.? ?Jun? ?Wu? ?couldn’t? ?pretend? ?he? ?didn’t? ?see,? ?and? ?he? ?rose? ?to? ?

his? ?feet,? ?“TAKE? ?THEM? ?DOWN!”? ? ?

?

The? ?martial? ?gods? ?all? ?acknowledged,? ?“YES,? ?MY? ?LORD!”? ? ?

?

Yin? ?Yu? ?was? ?falling? ?deeper? ?in? ?despair,? ?his? ?mind? ?in? ?complete? ?disarray,? ?and? ?he? ?roared? ?while? ?

covering? ?his? ?face,? ?“LEAVE!? ?LEAVE? ?RIGHT? ?NOW!? ?TAKE? ?OFF? ?YOUR? ?CLOTHES!”? ? ?

?

Quan? ?Yi? ?Zhen’s? ?eyes? ?were? ?blank,? ?running? ?rapidly? ?while? ?removing? ?his? ?armour.? ?Yet? ?unexpectedly,? ?a? ?

number? ?of? ?martial? ?gods? ?came? ?surrounding? ?them? ?halfway,? ?going? ?straight? ?for? ?an? ?arrest.? ?Seeing? ?that? ?

there? ?were? ?people? ?obstructing? ?him? ?from? ?obeying? ?his? ?command,? ?violence? ?flashed? ?in? ?Quan? ?Yi? ?

Zhen’s? ?eyes,? ?and? ?his? ?fists? ?flew? ?out,? ?taking? ?over? ?ten? ?of? ?the? ?martial? ?gods? ?in? ?sight? ?as? ?targets? ?and? ?

punched? ?through? ?a? ?chain? ?of? ?holes!? ?

?

“AAAAHHHHH!!? ?MURDER!!!? ?MURDER? ?IN? ?THE? ?UPPER? ?COURT–!!!!”? ?

?

Series? ?of? ?screams? ?and? ?blood? ?filled? ?the? ?air,? ?and? ?Yin? ?Yu? ?was? ?already? ?petrified,? ?his? ?face? ?white? ?as? ?a? ?

sheet.? ?It? ?was? ?probably? ?only? ?Ling? ?Wen? ?who? ?possessed? ?a? ?face? ?paler? ?than? ?him.? ?

?

He? ?had? ?never? ?imagined? ?that? ?this? ?Brocade? ?Immortal? ?was? ?so? ?powerful,? ?so? ?incredible? ?evil!? ?Things? ?

were? ?going? ?completely? ?out? ?of? ?control!? ?

?

?

———? ?

?

Ch.162:? ?This? ?Jade? ?Refuses? ?to? ?be? ?a? ?Thrown? ?Away? ?Brick? ?4? ?

?

The? ?lower? ?ranking? ?officials? ?that? ?charged? ?forward? ?to? ?apprehend? ?couldn’t? ?block? ?Quan? ?Yi? ?Zhen’s? ?

fists? ?at? ?all? ?and? ?all? ?perished? ?on? ?the? ?spot.? ?Seeing? ?the? ?situation? ?growing? ?severe,? ?Feng? ?Xin,? ?Pei? ?Su,? ?

Lang? ?Qian? ?Qiu? ?all? ?leapt? ?over? ?to? ?surround? ?Quan? ?Yi? ?Zhen,? ?ready? ?to? ?attack.? ?Yin? ?Yu? ?cried,? ?“IGNORE? ?

HIM!? ?DON’T? ?TOUCH? ?HIM!? ?HE? ?WON’T? ?KILL? ?ANYMORE!”? ? ?

?

As? ?long? ?as? ?they? ?didn’t? ?prevent? ?Quan? ?Yi? ?Zhen? ?from? ?completing? ?his? ?command,? ?he? ?wouldn’t? ?cause? ?

harm.? ?However,? ?Quan? ?Yi? ?Zhen? ?had? ?already? ?killed? ?over? ?ten? ?martial? ?heavenly? ?officials,? ?so? ?who? ?

would? ?continue? ?to? ?let? ?him? ?run? ?free?? ?Of? ?course? ?no? ?one? ?would? ?believe? ?in? ?Yin? ?Yu’s? ?words.? ?If? ?it? ?was? ?

someone? ?with? ?fast? ?reactions? ?and? ?could? ?remain? ?calm? ?in? ?the? ?midst? ?of? ?chaos,? ?they? ?would’ve? ?

instantly? ?shouted? ?“Drop? ?to? ?the? ?ground,? ?surrender? ?and? ?don’t? ?move”? ?or? ?a? ?command? ?to? ?that? ?effect,? ?

but? ?things? ?were? ?happening? ?too? ?fast,? ?there? ?was? ?no? ?time? ?to? ?react.? ?Yin? ?Yu? ?had? ?never? ?experienced? ?

any? ?incidents? ?of? ?this? ?sort,? ?plus? ?he? ?was? ?already? ?in? ?distress,? ?his? ?ability? ?to? ?make? ?decisions? ?

completely? ?out? ?of? ?sorts,? ?making? ?one? ?mistakes? ?after? ?the? ?other;? ?one? ?wrong? ?step? ?and? ?the? ?rest? ?of? ?the? ?

steps? ?in? ?shambles.? ?Just? ?as? ?Yin? ?Yu? ?was? ?running? ?around? ?with? ?his? ?head? ?cut? ?off,? ?Mu? ?Qing? ?suddenly? ?

appeared? ?behind? ?behind? ?him,? ?“Trying? ?to? ?get? ?away?”? ? ?

?

Only? ?then? ?did? ?Yin? ?Yu? ?realized? ?he? ?was? ?also? ?fleeing? ?without? ?direction? ?and? ?he? ?instantly? ?braked,? ?

trying? ?to? ?explain? ?himself,? ?“I? ?wasn’t...? ?”? ?But? ?Mu? ?Qing? ?didn’t? ?wait? ?for? ?him? ?to? ?speak? ?before? ?twisting? ?

his? ?arm? ?behind? ?his? ?back,? ?and? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?heard? ?a? ?crisp? ??CRACK?,? ?Yin? ?Yu’s? ?face? ?twisting.? ?

?

As? ?a? ?martial? ?god,? ?to? ?be? ?subdued? ?by? ?another? ?martial? ?god? ?whose? ?ability? ?and? ?strength? ?were? ?greater? ?

was? ?a? ?double? ?whammy? ?to? ?both? ?the? ?body? ?and? ?the? ?mind.? ?As? ?for? ?Pei? ?Ming? ?who? ?was? ?only? ?watching? ?

the? ?fight? ?on? ?the? ?side? ?without? ?participating,? ?he? ?commented? ?from? ?the? ?distance,? ?“How? ?come? ?it’s? ?like? ?

his? ?strength? ?suddenly? ?exploded?”? ? ?

?

He? ?was? ?referring? ?to? ?Quan? ?Yi? ?Zhen? ?of? ?course.? ?Quan? ?Yi? ?Zhen? ?was? ?already? ?quite? ?capable? ?in? ?

combat,? ?but? ?with? ?the? ?Brocade? ?Immortal? ?on? ?him,? ?the? ?level? ?increased? ?twofold.? ?When? ?other? ?martial? ?

gods? ?faced? ?him? ?one? ?on? ?one,? ?it? ?was? ?actually? ?two? ?against? ?one? ?and? ?it? ?wasn’t? ?fair,? ?but? ?since? ?no? ?one? ?

knew? ?the? ?secret? ?within,? ?they? ?were? ?too? ?embarrassed? ?to? ?attack? ?him? ?jointly,? ?because? ?wouldn’t? ?it? ?be? ?

pathetic? ?otherwise?? ?As? ?they? ?fought,? ?Quan? ?Yi? ?Zhen? ?ran? ?down? ?the? ?main? ?street? ?of? ?the? ?Heavenly? ?

Court? ?while? ?covered? ?head? ?to? ?toe? ?in? ?blood,? ?and? ?when? ?he? ?suddenly? ?saw? ?a? ?palace? ?on? ?the? ?road? ?and? ?

dashed? ?right? ?in? ?head? ?first.? ?The? ?crowd? ?shouted,? ?“HE? ?ENTERED? ?THE? ?PALACE? ?OF? ?YIN? ?YU!”? ? ?

?

The? ?command? ?Yin? ?Yu? ?gave? ?him? ?was? ?to? ?‘leave’? ?but? ?he? ?didn’t? ?say? ?where,? ?so? ?Quan? ?Yi? ?Zhen? ?went? ?

randomly.? ?Several? ?martial? ?gods? ?also? ?followed? ?him? ?in.? ?Since? ?everyone? ?else? ?was? ?clear? ?of? ?mind,? ?

they? ?held? ?back? ?while? ?fighting? ?Quan? ?Yi? ?Zhen,? ?but? ?he? ?didn’t? ?care? ?for? ?anyone? ?and? ?fought? ?with? ?all? ?

he’s? ?worth? ?against? ?anyone? ?who? ?would? ?obstruct? ?his? ?orders.Thus,? ?this? ?enraged? ?the? ?other? ?martial? ?

gods.? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?shouted,? ?“THIS? ?BRAT? ?REEKS? ?OF? ?EVIL,? ?LET’S? ?BEAT? ?HIM? ?DOWN? ?FIRST? ?AND? ?

TALK? ?LATER!”? ? ?

?

Everyone? ?had? ?that? ?very? ?intention,? ?and? ?the? ?moment? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?shouted,? ?no? ?one? ?stayed? ?reserved? ?

any? ?longer,? ?and? ?they? ?all? ?rushed? ?in,? ?surrounding? ?him? ?to? ?beat? ?him? ?to? ?a? ?pulp.? ?Swords? ?swung,? ?palms? ?

blasted,? ?fists? ?flew,? ?legs? ?kicked;? ?half? ?of? ?that? ?already? ?deteriorating? ?Palace? ?of? ?Yin? ?Yu? ?instantly? ?

collapsed!? ?

?

When? ?Yin? ?Yu,? ?who? ?was? ?still? ?being? ?restrained? ?by? ?Mu? ?Qing,? ?saw? ?with? ?his? ?own? ?eyes? ?his? ?palace? ?fall? ?

apart? ?from? ?the? ?brawl,? ?his? ?eyes? ?bulged? ?and? ?he? ?yelled,? ?“PLEASE? ?STOP? ?FIGHTING!”? ? ?

?

As? ?if? ?that? ?would? ?stop? ?the? ?martial? ?gods,? ?but? ?Quan? ?Yi? ?Zhen? ?heard? ?his? ?order? ?and? ?suddenly? ?arrested? ?

his? ?fists.? ?Now? ?he’d? ?done? ?it.? ?All? ?the? ?swords,? ?blasts,? ?fists,? ?and? ?kicks? ?all? ?landed? ?heavily? ?on? ?Quan? ?Yi? ?

Zhen;? ?another? ?tragedy!? ?

?

Lang? ?Qian? ?Qiu? ?didn’t? ?have? ?the? ?time? ?to? ?hold? ?back? ?his? ?longsword,? ?and? ?struck? ?it? ?deep? ?into? ?Quan? ?Yi? ?

Zhen’s? ?shoulder.? ?Thank? ?goodness? ?his? ?sword? ?was? ?dull? ?and? ?he? ?instantly? ?stopped? ?his? ?attack? ?so? ?

Quan? ?Yi? ?Zhen? ?wasn’t? ?sliced? ?into? ?two.? ?Lang? ?Qian? ?Qiu? ?shouted,? ?“STOP? ?FIGHTING,? ?IT? ?LOOKS? ?

LIKE? ?HE? ?CAN’T? ?MOVE? ?ANYMORE!”? ? ?

?

Feng? ?Xin? ?wiped? ?the? ?blood? ?off? ?this? ?face,? ?“Fucking? ?finally!”? ? ?

?

Quan? ?Yi? ?Zhen? ?laid? ?on? ?the? ?ground? ?stiffly? ?like? ?he? ?was? ?bound? ?by? ?ropes.? ?On? ?the? ?side,? ?Mu? ?Qing? ?tied? ?

Yin? ?Yu’s? ?wrists? ?with? ?the? ?Immortal? ?Binding? ?rope? ?before? ?letting? ?go? ?of? ?him.? ?Yin? ?Yu? ?fell? ?to? ?the? ?ground? ?

in? ?a? ?daze,? ?and? ?he? ?looked? ?dumbfoundedly? ?at? ?the? ?mess? ?that? ?was? ?his? ?Palace? ?of? ?Yin? ?Yu.? ?Scanning? ?

around,? ?his? ?eyes? ?moved? ?back? ?onto? ?Quan? ?Yi? ?Zhen? ?who? ?dropped? ?to? ?the? ?floor? ?before? ?him.? ?Quan? ?Yi? ?

Zhen? ?seemed? ?to? ?really? ?have? ?a? ?strong? ?life? ?force;? ?even? ?after? ?being? ?beaten? ?to? ?a? ?pulp? ?by? ?several? ?

martial? ?gods? ?just? ?now,? ?his? ?body? ?practically? ?contorted,? ?he? ?didn’t? ?lie? ?for? ?very? ?long? ?before? ?he? ?

suddenly? ?sat? ?up? ?again? ?straight,? ?confused,? ?“What’s? ?going? ?on?”? ? ?

?

“...”? ?

?

The? ?martial? ?gods? ?were? ?all? ?going? ?to? ?go? ?mad? ?from? ?rage,? ?and? ?they? ?all? ?shouted? ?at? ?the? ?same? ?time,? ?

“YOU’RE? ?IN? ?BIG? ?TROUBLE? ?NOW!”? ? ?

?

Ling? ?Wen? ?had? ?been? ?following? ?and? ?watching? ?closely? ?behind,? ?and? ?she? ?finally? ?exhaled,? ?her? ?face? ?

pale,? ?but? ?she? ?somehow? ?still? ?managed? ?to? ?coordinate? ?help? ?as? ?she? ?raised? ?two? ?pressed? ?fingers? ?to? ?

her? ?temple? ?and? ?cried? ?in? ?the? ?spiritual? ?communication? ?array,? ?“MEDICAL? ?OFFICIALS,? ?

EMERGENCY? ?AID,? ?NOW!”? ? ?

?

Quan? ?Yi? ?Zhen? ?was? ?still? ?very? ?confused.? ?He? ?looked? ?back? ?and? ?saw? ?Yin? ?Yu? ?sitting? ?on? ?the? ?ground,? ?so? ?

he? ?crawled? ?to? ?stand? ?up,? ?seeming? ?to? ?want? ?to? ?help? ?him? ?up.? ?Seeing? ?that? ?completely? ?oblivious? ?face? ?

matched? ?with? ?a? ?background? ?of? ?his? ?smashed? ?divine? ?palace,? ?Yin? ?Yu? ?was? ?still? ?silent? ?but? ?his? ?face? ?

was? ?slowly? ?contorting.? ?

?

Quan? ?Yi? ?Zhen? ?didn’t? ?know? ?what’s? ?transpired? ?at? ?all,? ?and? ?asked,? ?“Shixiong,? ?what? ?are? ?you? ?doing?”? ?

?

“...”? ?

?

It? ?was? ?like? ?Yin? ?Yu? ?suddenly? ?lost? ?all? ?sanity.? ?He? ?puffed? ?an? ?abrupt? ?laugh? ?then? ?shout? ?with? ?eyes? ?

brimming? ?red,? ?“GO? ?DIE!”? ? ?

?

Hearing? ?that? ?cry,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?along? ?with? ?the? ?many? ?heavenly? ?officials? ?present? ?all? ?widened? ?their? ?eyes? ?

instantly.? ?Having? ?received? ?the? ?order,? ?Quan? ?Yi? ?Zhen? ?immediately? ?took? ?action? ?without? ?thinking,? ?

grabbing? ?a? ?sword? ?from? ?the? ?ground,? ?and? ?with? ?the? ?sword? ?in? ?one? ?hand? ?and? ?pulling? ?up? ?his? ?own? ?hair? ?

with? ?the? ?other,? ?he? ?aimed? ?for? ?his? ?own? ?throat.? ?

?

The? ?moment? ?he? ?moved,? ?the? ?first? ?reaction? ?of? ?the? ?martial? ?gods? ?was? ?he? ?was? ?going? ?to? ?sneak? ?attack? ?

so? ?they? ?jumped? ?back? ?multiple? ?feet? ?away.? ?Yet,? ?they? ?had? ?never? ?expected? ?that? ?he? ?was? ?actually? ?

going? ?to? ?slit? ?his? ?own? ?throat,? ?and? ?by? ?then? ?it? ?was? ?too? ?late? ?for? ?them? ?to? ?snatch? ?his? ?sword,? ?and? ?they? ?all? ?

roared? ?at? ?him.? ?Yin? ?Yu? ?was? ?also? ?astounded? ?but? ?he? ?still? ?hadn’t? ?yet? ?come? ?to? ?and? ?turned? ?away.? ?Blood? ?

was? ?about? ?to? ?splatter? ?when? ?Jun? ?Wu’s? ?figure? ?suddenly? ?flashed? ?behind? ?Quan? ?Yi? ?Zhen!? ?

?

CRACK? ?CRACK? ?CRACK? ?CRACK?,? ?within? ?an? ?instant,? ?all? ?four? ?of? ?Quan? ?Yi? ?Zhen’s? ?limbs? ?were? ?

dislodged.? ?

?

Then,? ?Jun? ?Wu? ?chopped? ?precisely? ?on? ?the? ?back? ?of? ?Quan? ?Yi? ?Zhen’s? ?neck? ?and? ?Quan? ?Yi? ?Zhen? ?lost? ?

consciousness? ?completely,? ?falling? ?back? ?to? ?the? ?ground? ?in? ?a? ?heap,? ?his? ?entire? ?body? ?no? ?longer? ?

resembling? ?that? ?of? ?a? ?human,? ?his? ?blood? ?puddling? ?around? ?him.? ?Finally,? ?everyone,? ?including? ?Xie? ?

Lian,? ?sighed? ?a? ?breath? ?in? ?relief.? ?Everyone,? ?but? ?Jun? ?Wu.? ?

?

He? ?turned? ?around,? ?his? ?expression? ?showing? ?neither? ?rage? ?nor? ?joy? ?but? ?exceedingly? ?grim,? ?and? ?he? ?

turned? ?to? ?Yin? ?Yu,? ?“With? ?things? ?progressed? ?thus,? ?I? ?trust? ?you? ?have? ?an? ?explanation?”? ? ?

?

Yin? ?Yu? ?had? ?his? ?head? ?buried? ?deeply? ?in? ?his? ?hands,? ?and? ?only? ?when? ?he? ?heard? ?him? ?did? ?he? ?

subconsciously? ?look? ?up,? ?“I? ?don’t? ?know? ?anything.? ?I’m? ?not? ?involved.? ?It’s? ?not? ?me.? ?It’s...!”? ? ?

?

However,? ?he? ?trailed? ?off? ?as? ?he? ?suddenly? ?snapped? ?out? ?of? ?it,? ?looking? ?like? ?he? ?suddenly? ?realized? ?just? ?

exactly? ?what? ?had? ?come? ?out? ?of? ?his? ?mouth.? ? ?

?

Under? ?so? ?many? ?eyes,? ?he? ?told? ?Quan? ?Yi? ?Zhen? ?to? ?go? ?die,? ?and? ?Quan? ?Yi? ?Zhen? ?heeded!? ? ?

?

It? ?was? ?impossible? ?for? ?anyone? ?not? ?to? ?have? ?gotten? ?a? ?clue.? ?Mu? ?Qing? ?spoke? ?up,? ?“My? ?Lord,? ?Qi? ?Ying’s? ?

reaction? ?just? ?now? ?must’ve? ?been? ?borne? ?from? ?some? ?wicked? ?spell? ?casted? ?upon? ?him.? ?There? ?must? ?be? ?

something? ?on? ?him? ?that? ?makes? ?him? ?follow? ?Yin? ?Yu’s? ?commands.? ?But? ?what,? ?we? ?don’t? ?know.”? ? ?

?

Naturally,? ?Ling? ?Wen? ?who? ?was? ?standing? ?on? ?the? ?side? ?knew? ?exactly? ?what? ?that? ?something? ?was,? ?but? ?

she? ?didn’t? ?dare? ?speak? ?a? ?word.? ?Just? ?coordinating? ?helping? ?hands? ?on? ?scene? ?was? ?as? ?much? ?as? ?she? ?

could? ?do.? ?Lang? ?Qian? ?Qiu? ?said? ?in? ?disbelief,? ?“There’s? ?such? ?a? ?thing? ?in? ?this? ?world???”? ?

?

Just? ?then,? ?someone? ?pushed? ?aside? ?the? ?crowd? ?to? ?rush? ?in,? ?and? ?it? ?was? ?Jian? ?Yu.? ?It? ?was? ?obvious? ?that? ?

he? ?had? ?been? ?out? ?chasing? ?after? ?and? ?looking? ?for? ?Yin? ?Yu? ?before? ?coming? ?back,? ?and? ?hadn’t? ?yet? ?known? ?

what’s? ?happened,? ?“What? ?are? ?you? ?all? ?doing?? ?What...? ?What’s? ?happened? ?to? ?our? ?Palace? ?of? ?Yin? ?Yu?? ?

HOW? ?DID? ?IT? ?BECOME? ?LIKE? ?THIS?!? ?WHO? ?SMASHED? ?IT??”? ? ?

?

Jun? ?Wu? ?approached? ?Yin? ?Yu? ?languidly,? ?“He? ?heeded? ?your? ?orders.? ?How? ?are? ?you? ?controlling? ?him?”? ? ?

?

His? ?voice? ?wasn’t? ?harsh,? ?but? ?there? ?was? ?the? ?oppressive? ?air? ?of? ?power,? ?exceedingly? ?suffocating,? ?and? ?

to? ?be? ?looked? ?down? ?upon? ?from? ?high? ?above,? ?it? ?added? ?another? ?layer? ?of? ?fear? ?in? ?one’s? ?heart.? ?It? ?wasn’t? ?

like? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?never? ?committed? ?major? ?mistakes,? ?but? ?he? ?had? ?never? ?seen? ?Jun? ?Wu? ?like? ?this? ?before.? ?It? ?

seemed,? ?Jun? ?Wu? ?had? ?really? ?let? ?him? ?off? ?easy.? ? ?

?

Yin? ?Yu’s? ?mind? ?was? ?already? ?in? ?disarray,? ?and? ?as? ?far? ?as? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?could? ?see,? ?his? ?mind? ?wasn’t? ?very? ?

strong? ?either,? ?his? ?ability? ?to? ?react? ?in? ?situations? ?weak,? ?and? ?at? ?a? ?time? ?like? ?this,? ?he? ?couldn’t? ?utter? ?a? ?

single? ?word.? ?Seeing? ?that? ?he? ?wasn’t? ?responding,? ?Jun? ?Wu? ?said,? ?“Just? ?as? ?well.? ?Even? ?if? ?you? ?won’t? ?

speak? ?I? ?already? ?know.? ?It’s? ?that? ?armour.”? ? ?

?

He’s? ?done? ?for.? ?Finished.? ?Everything? ?was? ?doomed.? ?

?

Yin? ?Yu? ?crouched? ?on? ?the? ?ground,? ?hugging? ?his? ?head? ?anew? ?as? ?waves? ?of? ?talk? ?started? ?from? ?all? ?around? ?

him:? ? ?

?

“Astonishing...? ?I? ?have? ?never? ?witnessed? ?anything? ?more? ?inconceivable? ?in? ?the? ?heavens!”? ? ?

?

“A? ?heavenly? ?official? ?manipulating? ?another? ?heavenly? ?official? ?to? ?have? ?him? ?kill? ?without? ?reservations.? ?

He’s? ?murdered? ?over? ?ten? ?officials? ?and? ?then? ?he’d? ?tell? ?him? ?to? ?go? ?die?!”? ? ?

?

“What? ?a? ?vile? ?heart...”? ?

?

Among? ?the? ?crowds,? ?when? ?Jian? ?Yu? ?figured? ?out? ?such? ?a? ?major? ?incident? ?had? ?happened,? ?his? ?face? ?also? ?

blanched.? ?Still,? ?he? ?gritted? ?his? ?teeth? ?and? ?charged? ?out,? ?kneeling? ?on? ?the? ?ground,? ?“My? ?Lord!? ?THAT? ?

ARMOUR? ?WAS,? ?WAS,? ?IT? ?WAS? ?ME? ?WHO? ?GAVE? ?IT? ?TO? ?QUAN? ?YI? ?ZHEN,? ?IT? ?HAD? ?NOTHING? ?TO? ?

DO? ?WITH? ?YIN? ?YU!”? ? ?

?

Only? ?then? ?did? ?Yin? ?Yu? ?seemed? ?to? ?stir,? ?and? ?he? ?croaked,? ?“Jian? ?Yu...”? ? ?

?

Jian? ?Yu? ?braced? ?himself? ?and? ?cried? ?loudly,? ?“I? ?HAD? ?ONLY? ?WANTED? ?TO? ?TEACH? ?THAT? ?BRAT? ?A? ?

LESSON,? ?BUT? ?I? ?HADN’T? ?THOUGHT...? ?THAT? ?IT? ?WOULD? ?CAUSE? ?SUCH? ?A? ?MAJOR? ?

INCIDENT...”? ?

?

On? ?the? ?side,? ?Quan? ?Yi? ?Zhen? ?was? ?still? ?unconscious,? ?lying? ?in? ?a? ?pool? ?of? ?his? ?own? ?blood,? ?and? ?the? ?

Medicine? ?Masters? ?and? ?heavenly? ?officials? ?had? ?rushed? ?to? ?the? ?scene,? ?surrounding? ?him.? ?Jian? ?Yu? ?

said,? ?“I’ve? ?always? ?hated? ?that? ?brat? ?but? ?Yin? ?Yu? ?had? ?always? ?treated? ?him? ?with? ?courtesy,? ?many? ?here? ?

can? ?stand? ?witness? ?to? ?this.? ?He? ?didn’t? ?know? ?anything? ?about? ?the? ?armour!”? ? ?

?

However,? ?at? ?this? ?point,? ?it? ?was? ?too? ?late.? ?There? ?was? ?no? ?one? ?who? ?would? ?believe? ?Yin? ?Yu? ?wasn’t? ?

involved? ?at? ?all? ?anymore.? ?Instantly,? ?someone? ?piped? ?up,? ?“You’re? ?only? ?a? ?low? ?ranking? ?official? ?in? ?the? ?

Palace? ?of? ?Yin? ?Yu? ?yet? ?you? ?already? ?hate? ?him? ?to? ?the? ?point? ?of? ?causing? ?him? ?harm.? ?It’s? ?easy? ?to? ?imagine? ?

that? ?the? ?master? ?heavenly? ?official? ?you? ?serve? ?wouldn’t? ?be? ?any? ?better.”? ? ?

?

There? ?were? ?even? ?taunts,? ?“He? ?didn’t? ?know? ?anything?? ?If? ?he? ?didn’t? ?know? ?anything,? ?why? ?would? ?he? ?tell? ?

him? ?to? ?“go? ?die”?? ?Don’t? ?tell? ?me? ?he’s? ?only? ?joking.”? ? ?

?

If? ?it’s? ?said? ?Yin? ?Yu’s? ?reactions? ?were? ?all? ?reasonable,? ?that? ?he? ?only? ?lost? ?himself? ?from? ?distress,? ?then,? ?

his? ?last? ?words? ?of? ?“go? ?die”? ?negated? ?everything? ?and? ?could? ?not? ?break? ?him? ?free? ?of? ?condemnation.? ?

?

Thinking? ?back,? ?when? ?Ling? ?Wen? ?first? ?told? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?this? ?story,? ?she? ?said? ?Yin? ?Yu? ?was? ?“playing? ?a? ?

prank”,? ?which? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?could? ?now? ?appreciate? ?it? ?as? ?her? ?trying? ?to? ?help? ?Yin? ?Yu? ?cover? ?up? ?a? ?little.? ?Jian? ?

Yu? ?couldn’t? ?believe? ?it,? ?“What?? ?Stop? ?talking? ?nonsense,? ?how? ?can? ?Yin? ?Yu? ?say? ?anything? ?of? ?the? ?sort?? ?

He’s? ?always? ?been? ?polite? ?and? ?courteous? ?with? ?that? ?brat,? ?why? ?would? ?he? ?tell? ?him? ?to? ?“go? ?die”?? ?Yin? ?Yu,? ?

you? ?didn’t? ?say? ?it,? ?right?? ?You? ?didn’t? ?say? ?something? ?like? ?that?? ?You? ?wouldn’t? ?have? ?said? ?it!”? ?

?

However,? ?Yin? ?Yu? ?didn’t? ?answer? ?him,? ?and? ?instead,? ?closed? ?his? ?eyes.? ?Jian? ?Yu? ?just? ?wouldn’t? ?accept? ?it,? ?

and? ?everyone? ?around? ?had? ?become? ?speechless,? ?“We? ?all? ?heard? ?it? ?with? ?our? ?own? ?ears,? ?how? ?can? ?it? ?be? ?

denied?”? ?

?

Jian? ?Yu? ?quickly? ?said,? ?“There? ?must’ve? ?been? ?a? ?misunderstanding!? ?There’s? ?so? ?much? ?you? ?all? ?don’t? ?

know!”? ? ?

?

“No? ?matter? ?the? ?kind? ?of? ?misunderstanding,? ?whether? ?if? ?we? ?know? ?or? ?not,? ?there’s? ?no? ?

misunderstanding? ?great? ?enough? ?for? ?one? ?to? ?want? ?to? ?kill? ?one’s? ?own? ?shidi?”? ? ?

?

Hearing? ?this,? ?Yin? ?Yu? ?and? ?Jian? ?Yu? ?were? ?both? ?silenced.? ?That? ?heavenly? ?official? ?continued,? ?“I? ?heard? ?

ever? ?since? ?Quan? ?Yi? ?Zhen? ?went? ?independent? ?and? ?erected? ?his? ?own? ?palace,? ?the? ?people? ?of? ?the? ?

Palace? ?of? ?Yin? ?Yu? ?stopped? ?caring? ?for? ?him.? ?Every? ?time? ?Quan? ?Yi? ?Zhen? ?visited,? ?the? ?excuse? ?was? ?

always? ?no? ?one? ?was? ?around.? ?I? ?was? ?confused? ?at? ?first,? ?so? ?turns? ?out? ?it? ?was? ?because? ?they? ?couldn’t? ?

stand? ?him? ?eh...”? ? ?

?

“Speaking? ?of,? ?didn’t? ?someone? ?mistake? ?the? ?wrong? ?person? ?at? ?the? ?Mid? ?Autumn? ?Banquet? ?the? ?other? ?

day?? ?I? ?saw? ?how? ?dark? ?their? ?faces? ?got? ?at? ?the? ?time.”? ?

?

Those? ?were? ?all? ?undeniable? ?truths,? ?but? ?the? ?conclusion? ?was? ?wrong,? ?“Oh,? ?I? ?know? ?of? ?that? ?incident? ?too,? ?

it? ?was? ?pretty? ?awkward,? ?but? ?it’s? ?still? ?not? ?bad? ?enough? ?to? ?want? ?to? ?harm? ?someone...”? ? ?

?

“Yea,? ?it’s? ?a? ?little? ?too? ?small-minded...”? ?

?

Jian? ?Yu’s? ?eyes? ?were? ?seeing? ?red,? ?and? ?he? ?shouted,? ?“I? ?ALREADY? ?SAID? ?His? ?Highness? ?HAD? ?

NOTHING? ?TO? ?DO? ?WITH? ?THIS,? ?I’M? ?THE? ?ONE? ?WHO? ?COMMITTED? ?THE? ?CRIME!? ?I? ?ADMIT? ?TO? ?

EVERYTHING,? ?IS? ?THAT? ?NOT? ?ENOUGH?!”? ? ?

?

Yet,? ?even? ?if? ?Yin? ?Yu? ?was? ?to? ?jump? ?into? ?the? ?Yellow? ?River,? ?he? ?wouldn’t? ?be? ?able? ?to? ?wash? ?himself? ?clean.? ?

In? ?the? ?eyes? ?of? ?others,? ?this? ?was? ?only? ?enough? ?to? ?prove? ?that? ?Yin? ?Yu? ?had? ?a? ?malicious? ?but? ?loyal? ?

subordinate.? ?Besides,? ?only? ?two? ?words? ?were? ?enough? ?to? ?shut? ?down? ?all? ?arguments,? ?“Well,? ?“go? ?die”? ?

didn’t? ?come? ?out? ?of? ?anyone? ?else’s? ?mouths!”? ? ?

?

Things? ?were? ?becoming? ?more? ?and? ?more? ?heated,? ?and? ?Jun? ?Wu? ?said? ?darkly,? ?“Take? ?them? ?all? ?down.? ?

Ling? ?Wen,? ?stay? ?here? ?and? ?watch? ?over? ?Qi? ?Ying.”? ? ?

?

Ling? ?Wen? ?inclined? ?her? ?head? ?to? ?acknowledge? ?the? ?command,? ?and? ?Jun? ?Wu? ?stalked? ?out? ?of? ?the? ?

Palace? ?of? ?Yin? ?Yu.? ?Several? ?martial? ?heavenly? ?officials? ?pulled? ?Yin? ?Yu? ?to? ?his? ?feet,? ?and? ?Yin? ?Yu? ?was? ?

heart-stricken,? ?“Let? ?it? ?go,? ?Jian? ?Yu.? ?Don’t? ?say? ?anymore.”? ? ?

?

Jian? ?Yu? ?was? ?also? ?pulled? ?up? ?and? ?bound? ?with? ?the? ?Immortal-Binding? ?rope,? ?and? ?he? ?cried,? ?“It’s? ?always? ?

“let? ?it? ?go,? ?let? ?it? ?go”,? ?this? ?time? ?you? ?mustn’t? ?let? ?it? ?go!? ?Let? ?it? ?go? ?and? ?you’ll? ?be? ?finished!? ?You’ll? ?be? ?

banished!? ?You’ll? ?be? ?banished? ?for? ?sure!”? ? ?

?

However,? ?Yin? ?Yu? ?only? ?sighed,? ?“Let? ?it? ?go.? ?If? ?it’s? ?banishment? ?then? ?so? ?be? ?it.? ?Even? ?if? ?I? ?stay? ?here...? ?

there’s? ?no? ?meaning? ?to? ?it.”? ? ?

?

Jian? ?Yu? ?cried? ?bitterly,? ?“...? ?YOU,? ?YOU? ?SHOULD? ?NEVER,? ?EVER? ?HAVE? ?SAID? ?THOSE? ?WORDS.? ?

JUST? ?THOSE? ?TWO? ?WORDS? ?AND? ?YOU’VE? ?LOST? ?ALL? ?HOPE? ?OF? ?TURNING? ?THIS? ?AROUND!? ?

YOU’D? ?USUALLY? ?NEVER? ?CURSE? ?FOR? ?HIM? ?TO? ?GO? ?DIE,? ?SO? ?WHY? ?OF? ?ALL? ?TIMES? ?YOU? ?HAD? ?

TO? ?SAY? ?IT? ?NOW?? ?THOSE? ?WORDS!”? ? ?

?

It? ?was? ?like? ?Yin? ?Yu? ?suddenly? ?aged? ?for? ?ten? ?years,? ?and? ?his? ?eyes? ?had? ?lost? ?its? ?light.? ?He? ?himself? ?

seemed? ?to? ?be? ?a? ?little? ?lost,? ?and? ?he? ?shook? ?his? ?head,? ?“I? ?don’t? ?know? ?why? ?either,? ?I’m? ?just...? ?Sigh,? ?I? ?

don’t? ?want? ?to? ?argue? ?anymore.”? ? ?

?

He? ?stumbled? ?a? ?couple? ?steps? ?as? ?he? ?was? ?being? ?taken? ?away,? ?and? ?Jian? ?Yu? ?suddenly? ?cried,? ?“WHY?!”? ?

?

Everyone? ?turned? ?to? ?look? ?at? ?him.? ?Jian? ?Yu? ?cried,? ?“IT’S? ?NOT? ?LIKE? ?YOU? ?DIDN’T? ?WORK? ?AS? ?HARD!? ?

YOU’RE? ?STRONGER? ?THAN? ?HIM? ?BY? ?TEN? ?THOUSAND? ?FOLD,? ?BETTER? ?THAN? ?HIM? ?BY? ?A? ?

MILLION? ?FOLD!? ?QUAN? ?YI? ?ZHEN? ?IS? ?NOTHING!? ?SO? ?WHAT? ?IF? ?I? ?HATE? ?HIM?? ?WHY? ?IS? ?IT? ?THAT? ?

HE’S? ?LIKE? ?THAT,? ?AND? ?YOU’RE? ?LIKE? ?THIS.? ?WHY? ?ISN’T? ?IT? ?HIM? ?WHO’S? ?BANISHED??”? ? ?

?

He? ?gritted? ?his? ?teeth? ?in? ?resentment,? ?so? ?filled? ?with? ?hate? ?for? ?the? ?reality? ?of? ?things,? ?so? ?filled? ?with? ?hate? ?

tears? ?rolled? ?down? ?his? ?cheeks.? ?But,? ?there? ?were? ?many? ?things? ?in? ?this? ?world? ?that? ?just? ?by? ?working? ?hard? ?

wouldn’t? ?be? ?enough.? ?

?

Perhaps? ?he? ?knew? ?this? ?in? ?his? ?heart,? ?but? ?he? ?just? ?couldn’t? ?accept? ?it,? ?unable? ?at? ?all? ?to? ?swallow? ?this? ?

resentment.? ?

?

Listening? ?to? ?his? ?cries,? ?Yin? ?Yu’s? ?steps? ?became? ?too? ?heavy? ?for? ?him? ?to? ?move.? ?

?

He? ?buried? ?his? ?face? ?in? ?his? ?hands? ?and? ?fell? ?to? ?the? ?ground? ?in? ?a? ?heap? ?before? ?the? ?Palace? ?of? ?Yin? ?Yu,? ?and? ?

he? ?roared,? ?“ENOUGH!? ?I? ?ALREADY? ?SAID? ?DON’T? ?SAY? ?ANYMORE!!!? ?PLEASE,? ?JUST? ?LET? ?ME? ?

GO!”? ? ?

?

He? ?covered? ?his? ?ears? ?and? ?cried? ?until? ?he? ?was? ?hoarse,? ?“PLEASE? ?STOP? ?REPEATEDLY? ?

REMINDING? ?ME,? ?STOP? ?TALKING,? ?PLEASE,? ?I? ?BEG? ?YOU? ?TO? ?ALL? ?STOP? ?TALKING!!!”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?couldn’t? ?bear? ?to? ?watch? ?any? ?longer,? ?“...That’s? ?enough.”? ? ?

?

Thus,? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?dispersed? ?the? ?scene,? ?and? ?the? ?two? ?lightly? ?separated? ?their? ?foreheads.? ?

?

After? ?having? ?touched? ?foreheads? ?for? ?so? ?long,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?felt? ?it? ?a? ?bit? ?numb? ?and? ?a? ?bit? ?itchy? ?even,? ?his? ?

front? ?uncomfortably? ?warm.? ?He? ?wanted? ?to? ?raise? ?his? ?hand? ?to? ?rub? ?at? ?it,? ?but? ?his? ?limbs? ?couldn’t? ?move.? ?

Hua? ?Cheng? ?seemed? ?to? ?have? ?detected? ?his? ?little? ?discomfort,? ?and? ?raised? ?his? ?hand? ?to? ?help? ?him? ?rub? ?

like? ?it? ?was? ?the? ?most? ?natural? ?thing? ?to? ?do? ?in? ?the? ?world? ?before? ?dropping? ?his? ?hand.? ?Outside? ?by? ?the? ?

stone? ?wall,? ?the? ?ghost? ?mask? ?wearing? ?Yin? ?Yu? ?had? ?been? ?pacing? ?back? ?and? ?forth,? ?and? ?after? ?a? ?while,? ?he? ?

turned? ?to? ?Quan? ?Yi? ?Zhen? ?and? ?said? ?coldly,? ?“You? ?want? ?to? ?come? ?out?”? ? ?

?

He? ?intentionally? ?changed? ?his? ?voice.? ?Quan? ?Yi? ?Zhen? ?nodded,? ?“I? ?do.”? ? ?

?

Yin? ?Yu? ?replied,? ?“Very? ?well.? ?Look? ?here!”? ?Then,? ?in? ?the? ?blink? ?of? ?an? ?eye? ?with? ?flashing? ?speed,? ?the? ?

shovel? ?was? ?whacked? ?against? ?Quan? ?Yi? ?Zhen’s? ?head!? ?

?

CLUNK!?? ?Quan? ?Yi? ?Zhen? ?instantly? ?dropped? ?silent.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?was? ?stunned,? ?“No? ?way.? ?He? ?whacked? ?

him? ?dead??? ?He? ?really? ?killed? ?him??”? ? ?

?

Hua? ?Cheng? ?laughed? ?heartily,? ?“Don’t? ?worry? ?gege,? ?he’s? ?not? ?dead,? ?just? ?fainted.”? ? ?

?

After? ?the? ?shovel? ?was? ?swung,? ?Yin? ?Yu? ?exhaled? ?a? ?breath.? ?In? ?the? ?end,? ?he? ?seemed? ?to? ?have? ?decided? ?to? ?

dig? ?Quan? ?Yi? ?Zhen? ?out? ?of? ?the? ?wall? ?after? ?all,? ?and? ?raised? ?the? ?Earth? ?Master? ?shovel,? ?digging? ?through? ?

the? ?wall? ?shovel? ?by? ?shovel.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?understood.? ?

?

If? ?Yin? ?Yu? ?was? ?to? ?save? ?Quan? ?Yi? ?Zhen? ?directly,? ?Yin? ?Yu? ?wouldn’t? ?be? ?able? ?to? ?fight? ?him? ?and? ?win,? ?and? ?he? ?

risk? ?exposing? ?his? ?identity,? ?which? ?would? ?be? ?distressful.? ?The? ?relationship? ?between? ?the? ?two? ?shixiong? ?

and? ?shidi? ?truly? ?was? ?distressful? ?to? ?the? ?extreme,? ?and? ?who’s? ?the? ?more? ?distressed? ?couldn’t? ?even? ?be? ?

compared.? ?It? ?was? ?probably? ?for? ?the? ?best? ?that? ?Yin? ?Yu? ?pretended? ?not? ?to? ?know? ?him.? ? ?

?

“San? ?Lang,? ?should? ?we? ?maybe? ?also? ?think? ?of? ?a? ?way? ?to? ?get? ?out? ?of? ?here? ?now?”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?said.? ?

?

Hua? ?Cheng? ?seemed? ?to? ?be? ?enjoying? ?himself? ?hanging? ?where? ?they? ?were,? ?“Hm?? ?Already?”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?didn’t? ?know? ?whether? ?to? ?laugh? ?or? ?cry,? ?“Well,? ?yeah?? ?You? ?want? ?to? ?live? ?in? ?here?”? ? ?

?

“If? ?it’s? ?with? ?gege,? ?I? ?don’t? ?see? ?why? ?not.”? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?said,? ?“Alright,? ?fine.? ?I? ?was? ?joking.”? ?He? ?schooled? ?

his? ?expression? ?and? ?reached? ?out? ?to? ?cover? ?Xie? ?Lian’s? ?ears.? ?

?

“What’s? ?this?”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?asked.? ?

?

Hua? ?Cheng? ?smiled,? ?“I’m? ?too? ?lazy? ?to? ?walk? ?out,? ?so? ?might? ?as? ?well? ?just? ?blow? ?the? ?whole? ?place? ?up.”? ? ?

?

“...”? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?was? ?just? ?thinking? ?whether? ?if? ?they? ?would? ?blow? ?up? ?others? ?who? ?were? ?also? ?swallowed? ?by? ?the? ?

mountain? ?spirit? ?when? ?his? ?expression? ?changed? ?suddenly,? ?“Wait.”? ? ?

?

Hua? ?Cheng? ?bore? ?the? ?same? ?expression? ?and? ?dropped? ?his? ?hands.? ?The? ?two? ?listened? ?intently,? ?and? ?a? ?

moment? ?later,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?whispered,? ?“Did? ?you? ?hear? ?that?”? ? ?

?

Hua? ?Cheng? ?also? ?lowered? ?his? ?voice,? ?“I? ?did.”? ? ?

?

Yin? ?Yu? ?was? ?on? ?one? ?side? ?of? ?the? ?stone? ?wall? ?digging? ?holes? ?with? ?the? ?Earth? ?Master? ?shovel,? ?and? ?on? ?the? ?

other? ?side? ?of? ?the? ?stone? ?wall,? ?there? ?was? ?someone? ?else? ?who? ?was? ?talking.? ?

?

There? ?weren’t? ?any? ?silver? ?butterflies? ?spying,? ?they? ?heard? ?the? ?voice? ?directly? ?themselves,? ?because? ?

that? ?person? ?was? ?standing? ?really,? ?really? ?close? ?to? ?the? ?stone? ?wall,? ?almost? ?pressing? ?against? ?it? ?and? ?

speaking.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?held? ?his? ?breath? ?to? ?listen,? ?but? ?could? ?only? ?hear? ?muffled,? ?intermittent,? ?indistinct? ?

words,? ?like? ?“ate? ?them?”,? ?“Upper? ?Court”,? ?“martial? ?gods”.? ?His? ?mind? ?whizzed,? ?and? ?he? ?exchanged? ?a? ?

look? ?with? ?Hua? ?Cheng,? ?then? ?tried? ?with? ?difficulty? ?to? ?move? ?closer? ?towards? ?the? ?voice.? ?

?

That? ?voice? ?belonged? ?to? ?a? ?man,? ?and? ?he? ?seemed? ?to? ?be? ?conversing? ?with? ?someone? ?because? ?every? ?

time? ?he? ?said? ?something,? ?he? ?would? ?pause? ?for? ?a? ?moment.? ?Yet,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?didn’t? ?hear? ?any? ?sounds? ?

from? ?the? ?one? ?he? ?was? ?conversing? ?with.? ?Maybe? ?it? ?was? ?because? ?the? ?other? ?was? ?further? ?away.? ?

?

Once? ?they? ?shuffled? ?over? ?silently,? ?that? ?voice? ?became? ?somewhat? ?clearer.? ?Although? ?words? ?were? ?still? ?

somewhat? ?blurred? ?here? ?and? ?there,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?at? ?least? ?heard? ?fuller? ?sentences.? ?

?

That? ?man? ?said,? ?“His? ?Highness? ?the? ?crown? ?prince? ?has? ?also? ?come.? ?I? ?don’t? ?want? ?to? ?take? ?this? ?step,? ?I’m? ?

sure? ?you’re? ?the? ?same,? ?but? ?he’s? ?beyond? ?saving.”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?wondered? ?inwardly,? ?‘Me?? ?How? ?am? ?I? ?beyond? ?saving?? ?Wait,? ?this? ?voice...’? ?

?

This? ?voice? ?was? ?very? ?familiar;? ?he? ?must’ve? ?heard? ?it? ?before,? ?and? ?had? ?heard? ?it? ?for? ?a? ?long,? ?long? ?time,? ?

not? ?just? ?the? ?once? ?or? ?twice.? ?But? ?since? ?it? ?was? ?a? ?long,? ?long? ?time? ?ago,? ?he? ?couldn’t? ?match? ?the? ?voice? ?to? ?

the? ?man? ?instantly.? ?Just? ?as? ?he? ?was? ?thinking? ?really? ?hard,? ?that? ?man? ?added,? ?“Then? ?let? ?him? ?end? ?here.”? ? ?

?

Suddenly,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?remembered? ?who? ?this? ?voice? ?belonged? ?to.? ?

?

He? ?twitched? ?his? ?lips? ?and? ?muttered? ?without? ?a? ?sound,? ?“Guoshi?!”? ? ?

?

The? ?person? ?on? ?the? ?other? ?side? ?of? ?the? ?stone? ?wall? ?had? ?the? ?exact? ?same? ?voice? ?as? ?the? ?esteemed? ?

master? ?who? ?once? ?taught? ?him? ?in? ?the? ?Kingdom? ?of? ?XianLe!? ?

?

?

——–? ?

?

Ch.163:? ?Riddle? ?of? ?the? ?Mysterious? ?Guoshi? ?Confounding? ?Minds? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian’s? ?heart? ?started? ?racing? ?wildly,? ?and? ?even? ?his? ?fingertips? ?were? ?slightly? ?trembling.? ?However,? ?

he? ?remained? ?composed? ?and? ?didn’t? ?make? ?a? ?sound,? ?only? ?lifting? ?his? ?head? ?a? ?little? ?to? ?whisper? ?next? ?to? ?

Hua? ?Cheng’s? ?ear,? ?“...San? ?Lang,? ?don’t? ?move.? ?The? ?voice? ?out? ?there? ?sounds? ?a? ?lot? ?like? ?my? ?master.? ?

Let’s? ?not? ?be? ?discovered...”? ?

?

Although? ?very? ?similar,? ?he? ?couldn’t? ?say? ?for? ?sure? ?either? ?since? ?it? ?wasn’t? ?like? ?there? ?weren’t? ?people? ?

who? ?shared? ?similar? ?voices.? ?Besides,? ?he? ?hadn’t? ?seen? ?the? ?Guoshi? ?for? ?centuries,? ?so? ?he? ?could? ?very? ?

well? ?remembered? ?wrong.? ?If? ?they? ?didn’t? ?make? ?any? ?reckless? ?moves? ?and? ?only? ?observed? ?quietly? ?to? ?

see? ?how? ?things? ?would? ?progress,? ?perhaps? ?they? ?would? ?learn? ?more? ?secrets.? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?also? ?bowed? ?

his? ?head? ?slightly,? ?hugging? ?his? ?waist,? ?“Alright...? ?you? ?don’t? ?move? ?either.”? ? ?

?

Rocks? ?and? ?earth? ?crushed? ?at? ?them? ?from? ?all? ?around,? ?forcing? ?their? ?bodies? ?to? ?press? ?tightly? ?against? ?

one? ?another,? ?their? ?faces? ?brushing,? ?their? ?ears? ?warm.? ?Although? ?it? ?wasn’t? ?the? ?right? ?time,? ?a? ?thought? ?

flashed? ?through? ?Xie? ?Lian’s? ?mind,? ?‘“To? ?die? ?buried? ?together”? ?doesn’t? ?feel? ?so? ?bad.’? ?Just? ?then,? ?that? ?

voice? ?sounded? ?again,? ?“What? ?about? ?the? ?other? ?two?? ?Where? ?have? ?they? ?run? ?off? ?to?”? ? ?

?

‘The? ?other? ?two’?? ?There? ?are? ?two? ?more? ?companions?? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?wanted? ?to? ?listen? ?closely? ?to? ?find? ?out? ?just? ?who? ?the? ?other? ?person? ?conversing? ?was,? ?but? ?the? ?

strange? ?thing? ?was,? ?after? ?the? ?‘Guoshi’? ?–? ?he? ?would? ?address? ?him? ?as? ?‘Guoshi’? ?for? ?now? ?–? ?after? ?he? ?

posed? ?the? ?question,? ?there? ?wasn’t? ?any? ?response.? ?

?

It? ?really? ?was? ?strange.? ?In? ?such? ?a? ?distance,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?and? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?could? ?both? ?hear? ?‘Guoshi’’s? ?

question,? ?and? ?technically,? ?his? ?voice? ?wasn’t? ?loud? ?and? ?he? ?wasn’t? ?yelling? ?at? ?the? ?top? ?of? ?this? ?lungs,? ?so? ?

the? ?other? ?party? ?shouldn’t? ?be? ?too? ?far? ?away? ?either.? ?If? ?they? ?should? ?respond,? ?then? ?at? ?least? ?some? ?voice? ?

would? ?be? ?heard.? ?Yet,? ?there? ?really? ?was? ?nothing? ?to? ?be? ?heard.? ?

?

‘Guoshi’? ?spoke? ?up? ?again,? ?“Thank? ?them? ?for? ?their? ?efforts,? ?but? ?there’s? ?no? ?need? ?to? ?worry? ?about? ?the? ?

small-fries? ?anymore,? ?nothing? ?will? ?come? ?of? ?them.? ?We’ve? ?got? ?more? ?important? ?things? ?to? ?do? ?right? ?

now.”? ? ?

?

‘What’s? ?going? ?on?’? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?wondered,? ?‘This? ?clearly? ?shows? ?he’s? ?gotten? ?a? ?response? ?and? ?is? ?talking? ?

to? ?someone?’? ? ?

?

The? ?‘Guoshi’? ?outside? ?was? ?almost? ?like? ?he? ?was? ?talking? ?to? ?himself? ?or? ?having? ?a? ?conversation? ?with? ?air.? ?

A? ?creepy? ?image? ?appeared? ?in? ?Xie? ?Lian’s? ?head? ?and? ?he? ?immediately? ?brushed? ?it? ?off,? ?thinking? ?there? ?

might? ?be? ?another? ?possibility,? ?which? ?was? ?‘Guoshi’? ?could? ?hear? ?that? ?person’s? ?voice? ?but? ?no? ?one? ?else? ?

could.? ?

?

Suspicion? ?was? ?growing? ?thicker? ?and? ?thicker? ?in? ?his? ?head,? ?and? ?he? ?listened? ?with? ?more? ?and? ?more? ?

intensity,? ?turning? ?over? ?each? ?word? ?the? ?‘Guoshi’? ?uttered? ?in? ?his? ?mind? ?as? ?‘Guoshi’? ?added,? ?“Is? ?that? ?all? ?

the? ?people? ?inside? ?the? ?mountain?? ?In? ?any? ?case,? ?let’s? ?bring? ?them? ?all? ?to? ?the? ?Kiln? ?first,? ?I’ll? ?think? ?of? ?a? ?

way? ?to? ?take? ?care? ?of? ?them? ?one? ?by? ?one? ?then.? ?The? ?faster? ?the? ?better,? ?they? ?must? ?get? ?there? ?within? ?two? ?

days.”? ? ?

?

The? ?Kiln!? ?

?

And,? ?within? ?‘two? ?days’.? ?The? ?Distance? ?Shortening? ?array? ?couldn’t? ?be? ?used? ?within? ?Mount? ?TongLu,? ?so? ?

how? ?could? ?they? ?get? ?there? ?in? ?two? ?days?? ?And? ?what? ?was? ?this? ?‘take? ?care? ?of? ?them’?? ? ?

?

After? ?a? ?pause,? ?that? ?voice? ?continued,? ?“Call? ?the? ?other? ?two? ?over,? ?let’s? ?go? ?to? ?the? ?Kiln? ?together.? ?In? ?

order? ?to? ?face? ?His? ?Highness? ?the? ?crown? ?prince,? ?not? ?a? ?single? ?one? ?of? ?us? ?should? ?be? ?missing.? ?Right? ?

now? ?he’s? ?still? ?not? ?yet? ?awakened.? ?If? ?he? ?should? ?wake...? ?it’s? ?hard? ?to? ?imagine? ?what? ?he? ?will? ?do? ?this? ?

time.”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?was? ?shocked.? ?Was? ?he? ?talking? ?about? ?him?? ?

?

Right? ?then,? ?there? ?was? ?the? ?sounds? ?of? ?explosion? ?within? ?the? ?mountain? ?body.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?heard? ?the? ?

Guoshi? ?outside? ?question,? ?“What’s? ?going? ?on?”? ? ?

?

Inside? ?the? ?stone? ?wall,? ?he? ?also? ?turned? ?to? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?to? ?ask,? ?“What’s? ?going? ?on?”? ? ?

?

“Something’s? ?happened? ?on? ?the? ?other? ?side.”? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?whispered.? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?hadn’t? ?yet? ?responded? ?and? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?already? ?pressed? ?his? ?forehead? ?with? ?his.? ?In? ?Xie? ?

Lian’s? ?right? ?eye,? ?the? ?situation? ?with? ?Yin? ?Yu? ?and? ?Quan? ?Yi? ?Zhen? ?on? ?the? ?other? ?side? ?of? ?the? ?cave? ?

appeared? ?once? ?more.? ?And,? ?this? ?should? ?be? ?what? ?had? ?happened? ?a? ?little? ?earlier.? ?Yin? ?Yu? ?finally? ?dug? ?

out? ?Quan? ?Yi? ?Zhen? ?from? ?the? ?stone? ?wall,? ?laboriously? ?dragged? ?him? ?down? ?and? ?heaved? ?a? ?sigh.? ?Yet? ?

unexpected,? ?the? ?unconscious? ?Quan? ?Yi? ?Zhen? ?suddenly? ?leapt? ?to? ?his? ?feet? ?and? ?pulled? ?the? ?mask? ?off? ?of? ?

Yin? ?Yu’s? ?face!? ? ?

?

Quan? ?Yi? ?Zhen? ?was? ?actually? ?only? ?pretending? ?to? ?have? ?fainted? ?earlier!? ? ?

?

Now? ?that? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?thought? ?about? ?it,? ?Quan? ?Yi? ?Zhen? ?would? ?be? ?extremely? ?familiar? ?with? ?Yin? ?Yu’s? ?habit? ?

of? ?pacing? ?when? ?thinking,? ?the? ?way? ?he? ?spoke,? ?his? ?strength? ?when? ?he? ?hit,? ?and? ?perhaps? ?the? ?moment? ?

Yin? ?Yu’s? ?shovel? ?was? ?swinging? ?down? ?his? ?way,? ?he? ?had? ?already? ?known? ?who? ?was? ?behind? ?the? ?mask.? ?It? ?

was? ?just,? ?it? ?was? ?inconceivable? ?that? ?there’d? ?come? ?a? ?day? ?someone? ?like? ?Quan? ?Yi? ?Zhen? ?would? ?know? ?

to? ?use? ?deception.? ?Although? ?it? ?was? ?nothing? ?more? ?than? ?the? ?most? ?ordinary? ?of? ?tricks,? ?but? ?when? ?it? ?was? ?

Quan? ?Yi? ?Zhen? ?who? ?used? ?it,? ?it? ?could? ?be? ?considered? ?completely? ?out? ?of? ?this? ?world,? ?which? ?was? ?why? ?

no? ?one? ?was? ?prepared.? ? ?

?

Underneath? ?the? ?mask? ?was? ?that? ?terrified? ?and? ?dimly? ?pale? ?face? ?of? ?Yin? ?Yu,? ?obviously? ?stunned? ?from? ?

surprise.? ?Quan? ?Yi? ?Zhen? ?however,? ?was? ?fiercely? ?thrilled,? ?jumping? ?with? ?his? ?head? ?covered? ?in? ?blood,? ?

“SHIXIONG!”? ? ?

?

Yin? ?Yu? ?looked? ?like? ?he? ?saw? ?something? ?extremely? ?horrifying,? ?his? ?lips? ?twisting,? ?then? ?abruptly,? ?he? ?

hugged? ?his? ?head,? ?“YOU’VE? ?GOT? ?THE? ?WRONG? ?PERSON!”? ? ?

?

Having? ?roared,? ?he? ?bolted.? ?As? ?he? ?ran,? ?he? ?blasted? ?at? ?the? ?person? ?behind? ?him? ?to? ?block? ?him,? ?“DON’T? ?

COME? ?NEAR? ?ME!? ?DON’T? ?FOLLOW? ?ME!”? ? ?

?

Quan? ?Yi? ?Zhen? ?also? ?dashed? ?after? ?him,? ?completely? ?ignoring? ?the? ?blasts? ?and? ?only? ?yelled,? ?

“SHIXIONG!? ?IT’S? ?ME!”? ? ?

?

Yin? ?Yu? ?couldn’t? ?help? ?but? ?roar? ?out? ?an? ?expletive,? ?“GODAMMIT,? ?IT’S? ?BECAUSE? ?IT’S? ?YOU? ?THAT? ?I’M? ?

TERRIFIED!? ?DON’T? ?FOLLOW? ?ME!”? ? ?

?

The? ?two? ?ran? ?and? ?fought? ?the? ?entire? ?way,? ?causing? ?the? ?mountain? ?to? ?rumble? ?from? ?the? ?blasts.? ?Over? ?on? ?

this? ?side,? ?the? ?Guoshi? ?was? ?puzzled,? ?“What? ?are? ?they? ?doing? ?over? ?there?? ?What’s? ?with? ?all? ?the? ?noise?”? ?

?

There? ?was? ?still? ?no? ?one? ?who? ?answered? ?him? ?but? ?the? ?Guoshi? ?seemed? ?to? ?have? ?gotten? ?his? ?response,? ?

“I? ?see.? ?Kids? ?these? ?days,? ?so? ?energetic.? ?I’ll? ?take? ?my? ?leave? ?first.? ?Let’s? ?get? ?together? ?again? ?once? ?you’re? ?

close? ?to? ?the? ?Kiln.”? ?

?

He? ?was? ?going? ?to? ?leave.? ?Hearing? ?this,? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?covered? ?Xie? ?Lian’s? ?ears? ?anew,? ?and? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?

closed? ?his? ?eyes.? ?A? ?moment? ?later,? ?there? ?was? ?a? ?violent? ?tremor? ?from? ?all? ?around,? ?and? ?the? ?stone? ?wall? ?

that? ?had? ?been? ?pushing? ?against? ?their? ?bodies? ?was? ?finally? ?blown? ?apart.? ?The? ?two? ?leapt? ?out? ?together,? ?

landing? ?lighting? ?on? ?their? ?feet,? ?and? ?breathed? ?fresh? ?air? ?once? ?more.? ?However,? ?on? ?the? ?outside? ?was? ?an? ?

empty? ?cave;? ?there? ?was? ?no? ?Guoshi? ?nor? ?that? ?mysterious? ?second? ?person,? ?their? ?figures? ?completely? ?

gone.? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?and? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?exchanged? ?a? ?look.? ?They? ?weren’t? ?in? ?a? ?hurry? ?to? ?give? ?chase? ?and? ?they? ?

hadn’t? ?yet? ?separated? ?when? ?from? ?the? ?cave? ?adjacent? ?to? ?them? ?came? ?charging? ?a? ?black? ?clad? ?man.? ?It? ?

was? ?Yin? ?Yu.? ?He? ?waved? ?the? ?Earth? ?Master? ?shovel? ?and? ?dashed? ?madly? ?towards? ?the? ?two,? ?

“CHENGZHU!!!? ?Your? ?Highness!!!”? ? ?

?

Behind? ?him,? ?Quan? ?Yi? ?Zhen? ?who? ?was? ?head? ?covered? ?in? ?blood? ?from? ?the? ?blows? ?also? ?came? ?rushing? ?in.? ?

Hua? ?Cheng? ?didn’t? ?bother? ?looking? ?up? ?and? ?only? ?flicked? ?his? ?hand.? ?There? ?was? ?a? ??BOOM?? ?sound;? ?Quan? ?

Yi? ?Zhen? ?instantly? ?raised? ?both? ?arms? ?to? ?block,? ?yet,? ?the? ?move? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?used? ?couldn’t? ?be? ?blocked? ?

by? ?fists.? ?After? ?smokes? ?dispersed,? ?what? ?was? ?left? ?where? ?Quan? ?Yi? ?Zhen? ?stood? ?was? ?a? ?daruma? ?doll? ?

with? ?big,? ?wide? ?eyes,? ?looking? ?very? ?innocent.? ?It? ?was? ?the? ?same? ?trick? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?used? ?on? ?Lang? ?Qian? ?

Qiu? ?last? ?time.? ?Only? ?then? ?did? ?Yin? ?Yu? ?stop? ?his? ?crazed? ?run,? ?wiping? ?his? ?sweat? ?away? ?as? ?he? ?

approached,? ?“I’m? ?eternally? ?grateful,? ?Chengzhu.”? ? ?

?

“Did? ?you? ?really? ?have? ?to? ?be? ?so? ?scared?”? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?asked.? ?

?

Yin? ?Yu? ?was? ?still? ?shaken,? ?and? ?he? ?smiled? ?bitterly,? ?“Truth? ?to? ?be? ?told,? ?right? ?now? ?when? ?I? ?see? ?His? ?

Highness? ?Qi? ?Ying,? ?I? ?only? ?want? ?to? ?run? ?for? ?as? ?far? ?away? ?as? ?possible.”? ? ?

?

When? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?heard,? ?he? ?found? ?it? ?funny? ?but? ?could? ?sympathize.? ?It? ?seemed,? ?Quan? ?Yi? ?Zhen’s? ?

‘personality’? ?is? ?now? ?a? ?severe? ?shadow? ?in? ?Yin? ?Yu’s? ?heart.? ?That? ?daruma? ?doll? ?was? ?still? ?on? ?the? ?ground,? ?

wide-eyed? ?as? ?it? ?swayed? ?heavily? ?back? ?and? ?forth? ?without? ?anyone? ?caring.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?felt? ?pity? ?for? ?it? ?and? ?

was? ?about? ?to? ?pick? ?it? ?up? ?when? ?he? ?suddenly? ?felt? ?the? ?ground? ?shake,? ?his? ?body? ?also? ?falling? ?over? ?along? ?

with? ?the? ?tremors,? ?almost? ?shaking? ?harder? ?than? ?that? ?daruma? ?doll.? ?He? ?quickly? ?steadied? ?himself,? ?

“What’s? ?going? ?on?? ?Earthquake?”? ? ?

?

Although? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?didn’t? ?need? ?help,? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?still? ?held? ?his? ?arm? ?to? ?help? ?steady? ?him,? ?and? ?he? ?

turned? ?to? ?Yin? ?Yu,? ?“Open? ?a? ?tunnel? ?and? ?go? ?out? ?to? ?take? ?a? ?look.”? ? ?

?

Yin? ?Yu? ?recovered? ?extremely? ?fast? ?and? ?acknowledged,? ?“Yes? ?sir!”? ? ?

?

Then? ?he? ?picked? ?up? ?his? ?Earth? ?Master? ?shovel,? ?rapidly? ?and? ?concisely? ?dug? ?out? ?a? ?hole? ?in? ?a? ?small? ?

amount? ?of? ?time.? ?Sunlight? ?from? ?the? ?outside? ?shone? ?through;? ?when? ?Yin? ?Yu? ?took? ?a? ?look,? ?surprise? ?filled? ?

his? ?face.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?asked,? ?“Your? ?Highness? ?Yin? ?Yu,? ?is? ?it? ?an? ?earthquake? ?or? ?is? ?the? ?mountain? ?

collapsing?”? ? ?

?

“It’s? ?neither!”? ?Yin? ?Yu? ?answered,? ?“This? ?mountain? ?spirit...? ?it’s? ?running!”? ? ?

?

Running?? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?and? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?exchanged? ?a? ?look? ?and? ?both? ?ran? ?up? ?to? ?look? ?outside? ?the? ?

mountain? ?spirit.? ?

?

It? ?really? ?was? ?running!? ?Outside? ?the? ?body? ?of? ?the? ?mountain,? ?all? ?the? ?sceneries,? ?the? ?landscapes? ?were? ?

rapidly? ?speeding? ?behind,? ?almost? ?reduced? ?to? ?nothing? ?but? ?colourful? ?streaks.? ?From? ?the? ?looks? ?of? ?it,? ?it? ?

was? ?like? ?they? ?were? ?riding? ?a? ?fast? ?running? ?horse? ?carriage,? ?or? ?like? ?they? ?were? ?sitting? ?on? ?the? ?shoulders? ?

of? ?a? ?giant? ?running? ?wild!? ?

?

Hills,? ?rivers,? ?fields,? ?forests,? ?they? ?were? ?all? ?trampled? ?beneath? ?the? ?feet? ?of? ?this? ?mountain? ?spirit,? ?

crushed? ?to? ?make? ?way.? ?Whooshing? ?whirlwinds? ?blew? ?in? ?from? ?the? ?hole? ?and? ?the? ?hair? ?and? ?ribbon? ?

bands? ?all? ?started? ?dancing? ?in? ?the? ?air.? ?Yin? ?Yu? ?remarked,? ?“By? ?the? ?speed? ?of? ?this? ?run,? ?it’ll? ?probably? ?only? ?

take? ?two? ?days? ?to? ?reach? ?the? ?Kiln...”? ?

?

Two? ?days?? ?Hearing? ?this? ?it? ?dawned? ?on? ?Xie? ?Lian.? ?

?

No? ?wonder!? ?No? ?wonder? ?they? ?couldn’t? ?hear? ?the? ?responding? ?voice? ?of? ?‘the? ?other? ?person’,? ?and? ?no? ?

wonder? ?the? ?Guoshi? ?requested? ?for? ?the? ?other? ?to? ?bring? ?them? ?to? ?the? ?Kiln? ?within? ?two? ?days.? ?

?

Because? ?at? ?the? ?time,? ?‘Guoshi’? ?wasn’t? ?talking? ?to? ?another? ?person,? ?he? ?was? ?talking? ?to? ?this? ?mountain? ?

spirit!? ?

?

Hua? ?Cheng? ?must’ve? ?figured? ?it? ?out? ?too,? ?“Just? ?as? ?well.? ?Borrowing? ?its? ?strength,? ?we? ?won’t? ?need? ?to? ?

walk? ?so? ?slowly? ?anymore.? ?Once? ?we’re? ?there,? ?that? ?person? ?outside? ?the? ?stone? ?wall? ?will? ?show? ?himself? ?

again.? ?We’ll? ?know? ?what? ?he? ?wants? ?then.”? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?however,? ?was? ?looking? ?somber.? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?noticed? ?and? ?asked,? ?“Gege,? ?what’s? ?wrong?”? ? ?

?

“What? ?did? ?he? ?mean,? ?not? ?yet? ?awakened?”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?asked.? ?

?

That? ?voice? ?earlier? ?said? ?“right? ?now? ?he’s? ?still? ?not? ?yet? ?awakened.? ?If? ?he? ?should? ?wake...? ?it’s? ?hard? ?to? ?

imagine? ?what? ?he? ?will? ?do? ?this? ?time.”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?said,? ?“If? ?that? ?man? ?really? ?was? ?my? ?master,? ?and? ?he? ?was? ?

talking? ?about? ?me,? ?then? ?what? ?did? ?he? ?mean? ?by? ?all? ?that?”? ? ?

?

“Gege,? ?don’t? ?think? ?too? ?much? ?right? ?now.”? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?said,? ?“First,? ?that? ?man? ?might? ?not? ?be? ?your? ?

master;? ?second,? ?the? ?‘crown? ?prince’? ?he? ?spoke? ?of? ?might? ?not? ?be? ?you.”? ? ?

?

“But? ?if? ?it? ?was?”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?urged,? ?“I? ?have? ?some? ?baseless? ?guesses,? ?will? ?you? ?hear? ?me? ?out? ?and? ?see? ?if? ?

they? ?make? ?sense?”? ? ?

?

“Very? ?well.? ?Gege,? ?do? ?tell.”? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?said.? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?started,? ?“Assuming? ?that? ?man? ?is? ?my? ?master,? ?the? ?three? ?mountains:? ?Old? ?Age,? ?Sickness,? ?

and? ?Death,? ?have? ?Birth? ?missing.? ?He? ?can? ?communicate? ?with? ?the? ?mountain? ?spirits.? ?He’s? ?a? ?person,? ?

but? ?the? ?one? ?conversing? ?with? ?him? ?is? ?a? ?mountain? ?spirit.? ?In? ?their? ?conversation? ?they? ?mentioned? ?‘the? ?

other? ?two’,? ?and? ?it? ?might? ?be? ?the? ?other? ?two? ?mountain? ?spirits.? ?There? ?are? ?four? ?of? ?them.? ?I? ?was? ?thinking,? ?

do? ?the? ?three? ?mountain? ?spirits? ?all? ?possess? ?human? ?consciousness?? ?Or? ?perhaps,? ?they? ?were? ?

transformed? ?from? ?people? ?from? ?the? ?beginning,? ?and? ?Guoshi? ?was? ?the? ?‘Birth”? ?who? ?never? ?appeared!”? ? ?

?

He? ?was? ?thinking? ?more? ?and? ?more,? ?his? ?heart? ?beating? ?rapidly? ?in? ?his? ?chest,? ?and? ?he? ?continued,? ?“Mount? ?

TongLu? ?used? ?to? ?be? ?part? ?of? ?the? ?Kingdom? ?of? ?WuYong.? ?‘Birth,? ?Old? ?Age,? ?Sickness,? ?Death’? ?are? ?a? ?set? ?

of? ?four;? ?coincidentally,? ?the? ?Crown? ?Prince? ?of? ?WuYong? ?also? ?have? ?four? ?Guardian? ?Gods;? ?and? ?there? ?

were? ?also? ?four? ?Guoshis? ?who? ?taught? ?me? ?when? ?I? ?grew? ?up? ?in? ?XianLe!? ?Do? ?countries? ?typically? ?have? ?

that? ?many? ?Guoshis?? ?I? ?didn’t? ?think? ?anything? ?of? ?it? ?in? ?the? ?past,? ?but? ?now? ?I? ?realized? ?there’s? ?normally? ?

not? ?that? ?many.? ?Do? ?you? ?think? ?this? ?is? ?a? ?coincidence?? ?Or? ?is? ?there? ?a? ?deeper? ?meaning? ?in? ?all? ?this?”? ? ?

?

Hua? ?Cheng? ?replied,? ?“There’s? ?no? ?deeper? ?meaning.? ?Maybe? ?it? ?just? ?so? ?happens? ?there’s? ?four.? ?Aren’t? ?

the? ?Four? ?Famous? ?Sights? ?also? ?four?? ?There? ?weren’t? ?four? ?in? ?the? ?Four? ?Calamities,? ?so? ?one? ?had? ?to? ?be? ?

forced? ?into? ?its? ?ranks.”? ? ?

?

However,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?was? ?still? ?following? ?his? ?train? ?of? ?thoughts,? ?“But? ?if? ?it’s? ?true,? ?that? ?my? ?four? ?masters? ?

were? ?the? ?four? ?Guardian? ?Gods? ?of? ?the? ?Crown? ?Prince? ?of? ?WuYong,? ?why? ?did? ?they? ?come? ?to? ?XianLe? ?to? ?

become? ?Guoshis? ?of? ?XianLe?? ?Why? ?did? ?they? ?come? ?to? ?teach? ?me?? ?Is? ?there? ?something? ?about? ?me? ?that? ?

I? ?myself? ?wasn’t? ?aware? ?of?? ?Could? ?it? ?be,? ?that? ?I’m? ?actually...”? ?

?

He? ?was? ?going? ?off? ?like? ?someone? ?possessed,? ?and? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?gripped? ?his? ?shoulders,? ?speaking? ?

with? ?conviction,? ?“It’s? ?not? ?possible!? ?I? ?can? ?swear,? ?you? ?are? ?you.? ?You’re? ?not? ?anyone? ?else.? ?Trust? ?me.? ?

Don’t? ?read? ?too? ?much? ?into? ?things? ?and? ?imagine? ?what’s? ?not? ?there.”? ?

?

Other? ?than? ?his? ?parents,? ?Guoshi? ?was? ?someone? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?was? ?the? ?closest? ?and? ?most? ?familiar? ?with.? ?

Although? ?Guoshi? ?often? ?dismissed? ?him? ?and? ?was? ?often? ?reserved? ?because? ?he? ?was? ?wary? ?of? ?Xie? ?

Lian’s? ?position,? ?but? ?overall,? ?he? ?was? ?a? ?good? ?teacher.? ?To? ?suddenly? ?discover? ?he? ?might? ?not? ?know? ?

someone? ?he? ?thought? ?he? ?was? ?familiar? ?with? ?was? ?something? ?that’d? ?easily? ?confound? ?the? ?heart.? ?Hua? ?

Cheng? ?softened? ?his? ?voice,? ?“Alright,? ?gege.? ?Think? ?back? ?carefully,? ?what? ?was? ?the? ?Guoshi? ?of? ?XianLe’s? ?

background?”? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?mulled? ?over? ?the? ?question,? ?“...I’m? ?not? ?sure.”? ? ?

?

Really,? ?he? ?actually? ?couldn’t? ?remember? ?where? ?his? ?master? ?came? ?from.? ?Humming? ?for? ?a? ?moment,? ?Xie? ?

Lian? ?said,? ?“Guoshi? ?was? ?Guoshi? ?before? ?I? ?was? ?born,? ?I? ?only? ?know? ?that? ?he? ?was? ?called? ?Mei? ?Nian? ?Qing,? ?

but? ?needless? ?to? ?say,? ?that? ?must? ?be? ?a? ?fake? ?name.? ?I’ve? ?also? ?thought? ?this? ?before? ?in? ?the? ?past;? ?Guoshi? ?

is? ?such? ?an? ?incredible? ?character,? ?how? ?come? ?he? ?didn’t? ?ascend?? ?If? ?that? ?was? ?him? ?just? ?now,? ?then? ?the? ?

years? ?he’s? ?spent? ?in? ?this? ?world? ?must? ?be? ?many? ?more? ?than? ?me.”? ? ?

?

“We’ll? ?take? ?care? ?of? ?things? ?as? ?they? ?come.”? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?said,? ?“Remember? ?that? ?if? ?anything? ?should? ?

happen,? ?I’m? ?here.? ?I? ?will? ?always? ?be? ?on? ?your? ?side.”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?stared? ?at? ?him,? ?stunned? ?and? ?speechless.? ?A? ?moment? ?later,? ?a? ?small? ?smile? ?appeared? ?on? ?his? ?

face.? ? ?

?

Yin? ?Yu’s? ?sense? ?of? ?presence? ?was? ?already? ?faint,? ?and? ?since? ?he? ?didn’t? ?speak? ?the? ?whole? ?time,? ?he? ?was? ?

practically? ?forgotten.? ?Only? ?now? ?did? ?he? ?speak? ?up,? ?“Chengzhu,? ?do? ?we? ?need? ?to? ?go? ?find? ?the? ?others?”? ? ?

?

They’ve? ?come? ?out,? ?but? ?who? ?knows? ?which? ?corner? ?Pei? ?Ming? ?and? ?the? ?others? ?were? ?being? ?digested? ?by? ?

the? ?mountain? ?spirit? ?after? ?having? ?been? ?swallowed.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?quickly? ?replied,? ?“Yes!? ?Let’s? ?go? ?find? ?

them? ?together.? ?Please? ?wait,? ?Your? ?Highness? ?Yin? ?Yu.”? ?

?

“Your? ?Highness,? ?there’s? ?no? ?need? ?to? ?call? ?me? ?Your? ?Highness...? ?I’m? ?not? ?a? ?heavenly? ?official? ?of? ?the? ?

Upper? ?Court? ?anymore.”? ?Yin? ?Yu? ?said.? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?smiled,? ?“Then? ?you? ?can? ?just? ?call? ?me? ?by? ?my? ?name? ?too,? ?no? ?need? ?to? ?be? ?so? ?polite.? ?I? ?also? ?

haven’t? ?been? ?a? ?crown? ?prince? ?in? ?a? ?long? ?time.”? ? ?

?

Yin? ?Yu? ?glanced? ?at? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?standing? ?behind? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?and? ?hastily? ?replied,? ?“I...? ?daren’t.? ?I? ?

shouldn’t.? ?I? ?can’t.”? ? ?

?

“What’s? ?the? ?concern?”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?said? ?and? ?took? ?a? ?couple? ?steps? ?out,? ?ready? ?to? ?pick? ?up? ?Quan? ?Yi? ?Zhen? ?

the? ?daruma? ?doll? ?when? ?a? ?figure? ?suddenly? ?dropped? ?from? ?the? ?sky? ?and? ?fell? ?heavily? ?before? ?him,? ?the? ?

sound? ?of? ?bones? ?cracking? ?loud? ?and? ?crisp? ?in? ?the? ?air.? ?

?

?

———–? ? ?

?

Ch.164:? ?Riddle? ?of? ?the? ?Mysterious? ?Guoshi? ?Confounding? ?Minds? ?2? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian’s? ?first? ?reaction? ?was? ?to? ?reach? ?for? ?Fang? ?Xin? ?and? ?strike.? ?Good? ?thing? ?he? ?had? ?good? ?habits,? ?

and? ?before? ?he? ?struck? ?he? ?swept? ?a? ?glance,? ?forcing? ?himself? ?to? ?brake? ?in? ?mid? ?action,? ?“General? ?Pei?”? ? ?

?

That? ?man? ?flipped? ?over? ?and? ?leapt? ?to? ?his? ?feet.? ?It? ?was? ?Pei? ?Ming.? ?He? ?dusted? ?off? ?his? ?shoulders,? ?looking? ?

amazingly? ?at? ?ease,? ?and? ?glanced? ?at? ?them,? ?“Looks? ?like? ?Your? ?Highness? ?and? ?My? ?Lord? ?Ghost? ?King? ?are? ?

enjoying? ?yourselves? ?here.”? ?

?

“Not? ?too? ?bad,? ?not? ?too? ?bad.”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?said,? ?“But? ?General? ?Pei,? ?are? ?you? ?alright?? ?I? ?seemed? ?to? ?have? ?

heard? ?a? ?cracking? ?sound...”? ?

?

“Oh,? ?it’s? ?nothing.”? ?Pei? ?Ming? ?said,? ?“Thanks? ?for? ?Your? ?Highness’? ?concern.? ?That? ?cracking? ?sound? ?

wasn’t? ?my? ?bones? ?but? ?the? ?bones? ?of? ?this? ?one.”? ?He? ?raised? ?an? ?object,? ?and? ?it? ?was? ?the? ?femur? ?of? ?that? ?

unlucky? ?man,? ?the? ?bones? ?already? ?bent? ?and? ?broken.? ?He? ?added,? ?“Thank? ?goodness? ?for? ?this? ?good? ?

brother’s? ?help? ?that? ?Pei? ?Ming? ?was? ?able? ?to? ?dig? ?out? ?an? ?escape? ?route? ?in? ?this? ?mountain? ?spirit’s? ?body.? ?

Even? ?though? ?it’s? ?the? ?bone? ?of? ?a? ?man,? ?it’s? ?still? ?a? ?fairly? ?solid? ?good? ?man.”? ? ?

?

Just? ?as? ?he? ?finished,? ?from? ?not? ?far? ?away,? ?a? ?second? ?figure? ?dropped? ?from? ?the? ?sky,? ?falling? ?down? ?and? ?

landing? ?heavily.? ?The? ?group? ?of? ?them? ?walked? ?over? ?to? ?see,? ?and? ?this? ?time? ?it? ?was? ?Pei? ?Su.? ?In? ?the? ?curve? ?

of? ?his? ?arms? ?was? ?Ban? ?Yue? ?being? ?shielded,? ?and? ?Ban? ?Yue’s? ?arms? ?were? ?holding? ?those? ?two? ?black? ?clay? ?

pots? ?that? ?contained? ?Ke? ?Mo? ?and? ?Rong? ?Guang.? ?The? ?two? ?of? ?them? ?were? ?ashen? ?faced? ?and? ?disheveled? ?

but? ?there? ?didn’t? ?seem? ?to? ?be? ?anything? ?serious,? ?and? ?they? ?quickly? ?crawled? ?up.? ?Pei? ?Su? ?spat? ?out? ?a? ?few? ?

mouthfuls? ?of? ?dust,? ?“Gen,? ?eral!? ?Your? ?highne,? ?ss.”? ? ?

?

Pei? ?Ming? ?glanced? ?up,? ?“Looks? ?like? ?this? ?mountain? ?spirit? ?doesn’t? ?think? ?we’re? ?tasty? ?enough,? ?and? ?spat? ?

us? ?out.”? ? ?

?

Hua? ?Cheng? ?and? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?exchanged? ?a? ?look? ?and? ?said? ?quietly,? ?“Not? ?necessarily.? ?Perhaps,? ?

someone? ?told? ?it? ?to? ?spat? ?you? ?out.”? ? ?

?

Pei? ?Ming? ?took? ?a? ?few? ?steps? ?and? ?noticed? ?the? ?abnormal? ?ground? ?shaking,? ?and? ?he? ?furrowed? ?his? ?

brows,? ?“What’s? ?with? ?this? ?mountain?? ?Why? ?is? ?it? ?shaking? ?to? ?hard?”? ? ?

?

“Because? ?it’s? ?currently? ?carrying? ?us? ?and? ?running? ?towards? ?the? ?Kiln.”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?replied.? ?

?

Pei? ?Ming? ?walked? ?to? ?that? ?hole? ?Yin? ?Yu? ?dug? ?and? ?looked? ?outside,? ?“So? ?fast!? ?That’ll? ?help? ?save? ?us? ?some? ?

footwork.”? ? ?

?

However,? ?until? ?now,? ?there? ?was? ?still? ?another? ?person? ?missing.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?asked,? ?“Where’s? ?Ling? ?

Wen?”? ? ?

?

Hua? ?Cheng? ?seemed? ?to? ?have? ?used? ?his? ?right? ?eye? ?to? ?take? ?a? ?look? ?and? ?replied,? ?“The? ?silver? ?butterfly? ?

resting? ?on? ?his? ?back? ?was? ?swallowed? ?by? ?the? ?mountain? ?spirit.? ?He’s? ?gone.”? ? ?

?

Which? ?meant,? ?Ling? ?Wen? ?and? ?the? ?Brocade? ?Immortal? ?could? ?now? ?move? ?as? ?they? ?will.? ?That? ?was? ?no? ?

joke.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?hurriedly? ?exclaimed,? ?“Let’s? ?go? ?find? ?him!”? ? ?

?

Thus,? ?the? ?group? ?of? ?them? ?started? ?running? ?about? ?the? ?body? ?of? ?this? ?mountain? ?spirit.? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?

released? ?another? ?few? ?hundred? ?wraithe? ?butterflies? ?to? ?conduct? ?a? ?search,? ?and? ?in? ?the? ?end,? ?it? ?led? ?them? ?

to? ?another? ?hole.? ?

?

This? ?hole? ?was? ?forcibly? ?blown? ?out,? ?its? ?edges? ?jagged,? ?and? ?beyond? ?it? ?was? ?the? ?sceneries? ?of? ?

landscapes? ?rapidly? ?flying? ?by,? ?whooshing? ?wild? ?winds? ?pouring? ?straight? ?into? ?the? ?mountain? ?body,? ?

making? ?howling? ?cries? ?like? ?that? ?of? ?demons.? ?After? ?Ling? ?Wen? ?was? ?spat? ?out? ?by? ?the? ?mountain? ?spirit,? ?he? ?

probably? ?blew? ?this? ?hole? ?himself? ?and? ?ran? ?away.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?looked? ?down? ?from? ?the? ?edges? ?of? ?the? ?hole? ?

and? ?frowned,? ?“What? ?should? ?we? ?do? ?now?? ?The? ?destructive? ?power? ?of? ?that? ?Brocade? ?Immortal? ?is? ?too? ?

strong,? ?we? ?can’t? ?just? ?leave? ?it? ?be.”? ? ?

?

“Don’t? ?worry.”? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?said,? ?“He’s? ?heading? ?for? ?the? ?Kiln? ?anyway,? ?so? ?we’re? ?really? ?just? ?taking? ?

different? ?paths? ?to? ?go? ?to? ?the? ?same? ?destination.”? ? ?

?

Once? ?everyone? ?gathered? ?around,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?briefly? ?gave? ?an? ?account? ?of? ?what? ?he? ?had? ?overheard? ?

earlier,? ?leaving? ?out? ?some? ?fine? ?details.? ?After? ?he? ?was? ?done,? ?the? ?group? ?of? ?them? ?sat? ?down? ?to? ?space? ?

out.? ?After? ?all,? ?there? ?weren’t? ?any? ?monsters? ?to? ?fight? ?right? ?now,? ?and? ?they? ?didn’t? ?need? ?to? ?make? ?the? ?

journey? ?themselves,? ?so? ?it? ?was? ?rather? ?empty? ?and? ?boring.? ?

?

Since? ?Yin? ?Yu? ?said? ?he? ?really? ?didn’t? ?know? ?how? ?to? ?communicate? ?with? ?Quan? ?Yi? ?Zhen,? ?and? ?just? ?seeing? ?

his? ?face? ?gave? ?him? ?a? ?headache,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?also? ?felt? ?it? ?wouldn’t? ?be? ?wise? ?to? ?release? ?him,? ?so? ?he? ?was? ?

temporarily? ?kept? ?in? ?the? ?form? ?of? ?the? ?daruma? ?doll.? ?Pei? ?Ming? ?was? ?bored? ?so? ?he? ?kept? ?slapping? ?at? ?the? ?

doll? ?to? ?play.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?saw? ?how? ?that? ?daruma? ?doll? ?was? ?wobbling? ?heavily? ?and? ?felt? ?sorry? ?for? ?it,? ?so? ?he? ?

chided,? ?“General? ?Pei,? ?please? ?stop? ?playing.”? ? ?

?

Pei? ?Ming? ?complied.? ?However,? ?when? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?grew? ?drowsy? ?and? ?dozed? ?off? ?leaning? ?against? ?the? ?

mountain? ?wall,? ?he? ?started? ?slapping? ?at? ?it? ?again.? ?There? ?was? ?no? ?one? ?to? ?mind? ?him,? ?and? ?Yin? ?Yu? ?who? ?

was? ?guarding? ?the? ?hole,? ?mentally? ?calculating? ?how? ?much? ?distance? ?was? ?traveled,? ?looked? ?over? ?from? ?

the? ?distance.? ?Many? ?a? ?times? ?he? ?looked? ?like? ?he? ?wanted? ?to? ?say? ?something? ?but? ?in? ?the? ?end? ?nothing? ?

was? ?said,? ?yet? ?unexpectedly,? ?in? ?extreme? ?joy? ?tragedies? ?were? ?born;? ?Pei? ?Ming? ?was? ?slapping? ?around? ?

when? ?suddenly,? ?Pei? ?Su? ??THUD!?? ?And? ?keeled? ?over.? ?Pei? ?Ming? ?instantly? ?forgot? ?all? ?about? ?playing? ?and? ?

gripped? ?Pei? ?Su,? ?“Little? ?Pei?? ?What’s? ?wrong?!”? ? ?

?

Yin? ?Yu? ?quietly? ?walked? ?over? ?and? ?picked? ?up? ?the? ?daruma? ?doll? ?and? ?set? ?it? ?down? ?next? ?to? ?Xie? ?Lian.? ?Hua? ?

Cheng? ?was? ?annoyed,? ?“What’s? ?with? ?all? ?the? ?noise,? ?he? ?won’t? ?die.? ?Can’t? ?you? ?see? ?His? ?Highness? ?is? ?

asleep?”? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?was? ?dozing? ?for? ?a? ?while? ?and? ?sure? ?enough,? ?was? ?woken? ?by? ?the? ?noise.? ?The? ?moment? ?he? ?

woke? ?he? ?found? ?he? ?was? ?leaning? ?against? ?Hua? ?Cheng’s? ?shoulder.? ?Hua? ?Cheng’s? ?voice? ?sounded? ?right? ?

next? ?to? ?his? ?ear,? ?“Gege? ?is? ?awake?”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?rubbed? ?at? ?his? ?eyes,? ?and? ?next? ?to? ?him,? ?Quan? ?Yi? ?Zhen? ?was? ?swaying? ?back? ?and? ?forth,? ?

“What’s? ?going? ?on?”? ? ?

?

“It’s? ?nothing.”? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?replied,? ?“If? ?you’re? ?sleepy? ?you? ?can? ?take? ?another? ?nap.? ?We’ll? ?be? ?there? ?

soon? ?enough.”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?saw? ?across? ?from? ?them? ?was? ?Pei? ?Ming? ?clutching? ?Pei? ?Su’s? ?collar,? ?violently? ?shaking? ?him,? ?

and? ?he? ?was? ?slightly? ?shocked,? ?now? ?more? ?than? ?awake.? ?Thinking? ?something? ?was? ?the? ?matter,? ?he? ?

went? ?up? ?to? ?see,? ?then? ?he? ?said,? ?“Oh,? ?don’t? ?worry,? ?General? ?Pei.? ?General? ?Pei? ?Junior? ?is? ?just? ?tired? ?and? ?

hungry,? ?and? ?couldn’t? ?hang? ?on? ?for? ?the? ?moment.”? ?

?

Pei? ?Su? ?was? ?mortal? ?right? ?now? ?after? ?all,? ?and? ?having? ?struggled? ?for? ?so? ?long? ?without? ?food? ?and? ?water,? ?

nor? ?with? ?Xie? ?Lian’s? ?extensive? ?experience? ?in? ?starvation? ?and? ?beatings? ?where? ?one? ?meal? ?could? ?

sustain? ?him? ?for? ?three? ?days? ?and? ?taking? ?ten? ?beatings? ?meant? ?nothing,? ?Pei? ?Su? ?couldn’t? ?hang? ?on? ?any? ?

more? ?and? ?had? ?finally? ?collapsed.? ?Pei? ?Ming? ?remarked,? ?“The? ?mortal? ?body? ?is? ?so? ?inconvenient.? ?Does? ?

anyone? ?have? ?anything? ?to? ?eat?”? ? ?

?

No? ?one? ?responded.? ?Ban? ?Yue? ?took? ?out? ?a? ?pot,? ?“I’m? ?sorry,? ?but? ?I? ?only? ?have? ?this...”? ?It? ?was? ?that? ?pot? ?

filled? ?with? ?Toppled? ?Phoenixes.? ?Pei? ?Ming? ?yelled,? ?“Why? ?are? ?you? ?still? ?holding? ?on? ?to? ?that? ?thing?? ?Throw? ?

it? ?out!”? ? ?

?

They? ?were? ?noisy? ?and? ?rowdy,? ?and? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?turned? ?to? ?Xie? ?Lian,? ?“See,? ?I? ?told? ?you? ?it? ?was? ?nothing.? ?

Why? ?not? ?take? ?another? ?nap.”? ? ?

?

That? ?mountain? ?spirit? ?ran? ?for? ?a? ?good? ?whole? ?day,? ?and? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?could? ?see? ?the? ?skies? ?were? ?turning? ?

dark? ?outside,? ?“How? ?long? ?have? ?we? ?been? ?running? ?now?”? ? ?

?

Yin? ?Yu? ?had? ?been? ?counting? ?by? ?that? ?hole? ?and? ?answered,? ?“We’ve? ?run? ?close? ?to? ?eight? ?hundred? ?miles.”? ? ?

?

This? ?was? ?definitely? ?much? ?faster? ?than? ?when? ?they? ?walked.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?also? ?came? ?to? ?the? ?edge? ?of? ?the? ?

hole.? ?He? ?was? ?only? ?going? ?to? ?take? ?a? ?casual? ?look? ?at? ?first,? ?but? ?when? ?his? ?eyes? ?swept? ?their? ?

surroundings,? ?he? ?suddenly? ?saw? ?something? ?and? ?instantly,? ?the? ?hairs? ?on? ?his? ?back? ?stood? ?up,? ?“What’s? ?

that? ?down? ?there?”? ? ?

?

Looking? ?down? ?from? ?this? ?mountain? ?spirit,? ?in? ?the? ?black? ?of? ?night,? ?below? ?on? ?the? ?ground,? ?was? ?a? ?giant? ?

human? ?face!? ? ?

?

That? ?face? ?bore? ?crescent? ?eyes,? ?its? ?lips? ?curled? ?upwards,? ?and? ?was? ?smiling? ?creepily.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?took? ?a? ?

step? ?back? ?in? ?spite? ?of? ?himself.? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?was? ?behind? ?him? ?and? ?held? ?him.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?steadied? ?his? ?

mind? ?and? ?looked? ?closer? ?again.? ?Turns? ?out,? ?that? ?‘face’? ?was? ?merely? ?an? ?image? ?formed? ?by? ?collective? ?

hills? ?and? ?ravines,? ?an? ?optical? ?illusion.? ?However,? ?this? ?illusion? ?looked? ?very? ?real,? ?and? ?with? ?but? ?a? ?

glance? ?it? ?was? ?a? ?shocking? ?sight.? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?wondered,? ?“What’s? ?that? ?gully? ?that? ?resembles? ?the? ?‘eyelids’? ?and? ?‘lips’?”? ?

?

Hua? ?Cheng? ?replied,? ?“That’s? ?the? ?WuYong? ?River,? ?the? ?main? ?river? ?of? ?WuYong.? ?Its? ?source? ?is? ?in? ?the? ?

high? ?mountains,? ?and? ?the? ?melted? ?snow? ?formed? ?this? ?river.? ?Of? ?course,? ?it’s? ?now? ?dried? ?out? ?completely.? ?

But? ?to? ?have? ?reached? ?here,? ?it? ?means? ?we’re? ?very? ?close? ?to? ?the? ?Kiln? ?now.”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?nodded? ?and? ?asked? ?again,? ?“Then? ?the? ?‘nose’?”? ? ?

?

Hua? ?Cheng? ?answered,? ?“It’s? ?a? ?lively? ?city? ?next? ?to? ?the? ?shore? ?of? ?WuYong? ?River.? ?Wanna? ?go? ?down? ?and? ?

see?”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?inclined? ?his? ?head,? ?“Is? ?there? ?anything? ?worth? ?seeing? ?down? ?there?”? ? ?

?

“There’s? ?another? ?Divine? ?Temple? ?of? ?WuYong? ?in? ?that? ?city.”? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?said.? ?

?

If? ?there? ?was? ?a? ?temple? ?then? ?there? ?was? ?the? ?possibility? ?of? ?a? ?mural.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?instantly? ?said,? ?“Let’s? ?go!”? ? ?

?

He? ?couldn’t? ?wait? ?to? ?learn? ?more? ?about? ?this? ?Crown? ?Prince? ?of? ?WuYong.? ?Pei? ?Ming? ?also? ?piped? ?up,? ?

“Let’s? ?go!? ?We? ?have? ?to? ?find? ?something? ?edible? ?for? ?Little? ?Pei.? ?How? ?do? ?we? ?go? ?down?”? ? ?

?

Hua? ?Cheng? ?waved? ?his? ?hand,? ?and? ?a? ?few? ?silver? ?butterflies? ?appeared? ?fluttering? ?next? ?to? ?everyone,? ?

shimmering? ?their? ?light,? ?and? ?they? ?rested? ?on? ?everyone’s? ?shoulders,? ?backs,? ?heads,? ?and? ?sleeves.? ?

Others? ?who? ?saw? ?these? ?little? ?silver? ?butterflies? ?might? ?grumble? ?and? ?wonder? ?whether? ?if? ?they? ?could? ?

possibly? ?bring? ?them? ?anywhere,? ?but? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?didn’t? ?say? ?a? ?word? ?before? ?releasing? ?RuoYe? ?and? ?tied? ?

everyone? ?together.? ?This? ?way,? ?they? ?wouldn’t? ?lose? ?each? ?other? ?in? ?mid? ?air.? ?Yin? ?Yu? ?made? ?the? ?hole? ?

larger? ?so? ?there? ?was? ?enough? ?space? ?for? ?at? ?least? ?five? ?to? ?six? ?people? ?to? ?go? ?through? ?at? ?the? ?same? ?time.? ?

Preparations? ?complete,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?and? ?company? ?all? ?came? ?to? ?the? ?edge? ?of? ?the? ?hole,? ?“Everyone,? ?get? ?

ready? ?–”? ?

?

“Wait!”? ?Pei? ?Ming? ?called? ?out.? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?turned? ?to? ?look,? ?“General? ?Pei,? ?is? ?something? ?the? ?matter?”? ?

?

“There’s? ?something? ?that? ?I’ve? ?been? ?meaning? ?to? ?ask.”? ?Pei? ?Ming? ?said,? ?“What’s? ?that? ?on? ?your? ?hands?”? ? ?

?

Following? ?his? ?gaze,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?looked? ?down? ?and? ?saw? ?his? ?own? ?hand.? ?He? ?raised? ?it? ?and? ?only? ?then? ?did? ?

he? ?realize? ?that? ?the? ?red? ?string? ?knotted? ?on? ?both? ?his? ?and? ?Hua? ?Cheng’s? ?fingers? ?were? ?still? ?connected.? ?

?

“...”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?softly? ?cleared? ?his? ?throat,? ?“Th-This? ?is...? ?a? ?spiritual? ?device? ?for? ?contact? ?of? ?sorts.”? ? ?

?

“Oh.”? ?Pei? ?Ming? ?said,? ?“Wouldn’t? ?it? ?be? ?inconvenient?? ?It’s? ?a? ?string? ?after? ?all,? ?what? ?if? ?you? ?trip? ?on? ?it? ?or? ?it? ?

gets? ?entangled? ?somewhere,? ?accidents? ?will? ?happen.”? ? ?

?

His? ?reminder? ?made? ?a? ?lot? ?of? ?sense,? ?but? ?for? ?some? ?mysterious? ?reason,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?wasn’t? ?too? ?willing? ?to? ?

have? ?this? ?string? ?cut? ?off.? ?Seeing? ?his? ?hesitant? ?expression? ?like? ?he? ?was? ?struggling? ?internally,? ?Hua? ?

Cheng? ?took? ?a? ?look? ?and? ?smiled,? ?“It? ?certainly? ?is? ?a? ?little? ?inconvenient? ?like? ?this.”? ? ?

?

Then,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?saw? ?the? ?red? ?string? ?disappear? ?between? ?their? ?fingers.? ?“Now? ?it’s? ?much? ?more? ?

practical.”? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?said.? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?stared? ?at? ?the? ?empty? ?air? ?where? ?that? ?red? ?string? ?disappeared,? ?a? ?little? ?dumbfounded.? ?It? ?only? ?

connected? ?them? ?for? ?a? ?short? ?while? ?before? ?it? ?was? ?gone.? ?Although? ?it? ?wasn’t? ?anything? ?major,? ?no,? ?it? ?

should? ?be? ?said? ?that? ?it? ?was? ?something? ?extremely? ?miniscule,? ?still,? ?he? ?was? ?a? ?little? ?forlorn.? ?Afraid? ?

someone? ?would? ?notice,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?squeezed? ?a? ?smile,? ?“Let’s? ?go!? ?Ready? ?–? ?JUMP!”? ? ?

?

That? ?mountain? ?spirit? ?was? ?still? ?charging? ?forward? ?by? ?itself,? ?and? ?didn’t? ?notice? ?at? ?all? ?that? ?the? ?little? ?

people? ?the? ?size? ?of? ?grasshoppers? ?had? ?leapt? ?off? ?from? ?its? ?own? ?body.? ?Enveloped? ?by? ?a? ?circle? ?of? ?

wraithe? ?butterflies,? ?the? ?group? ?of? ?them? ?landed? ?lightly? ?like? ?feathers? ?without? ?a? ?hair? ?harmed.? ?The? ?

place? ?of? ?their? ?landing? ?was? ?the? ?bridge? ?of? ?the? ?‘nose’? ?of? ?that? ?giant? ?smiling? ?face.? ?

?

After? ?straightening? ?up,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?was? ?perplexed.? ?He? ?scanned? ?around,? ?“San? ?Lang,? ?is? ?there? ?a? ?

WuYong? ?temple? ?and? ?a? ?city? ?here?”? ? ?

?

“There? ?is.”? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?said.? ?

?

“But...? ?there’s? ?nothing? ?here?”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?remarked.? ?

?

It? ?was? ?true.? ?He? ?had? ?thought? ?when? ?they’ve? ?landed? ?on? ?the? ?ground,? ?he? ?would? ?see? ?the? ?same? ?sight? ?of? ?

a? ?small? ?town? ?like? ?that? ?of? ?the? ?first? ?divine? ?temple,? ?that? ?he? ?could? ?see? ?streets,? ?shops,? ?residences,? ?

wells,? ?temples,? ?etc.? ?However,? ?what? ?was? ?before? ?him? ?was? ?a? ?field? ?of? ?flat? ?land,? ?empty? ?and? ?barren? ?

without? ?a? ?trace? ?that? ?a? ?city? ?had? ?ever? ?existed.? ?Pei? ?Ming? ?was? ?carrying? ?Pei? ?Su,? ?and? ?he? ?stepped? ?a? ?leg? ?

on? ?a? ?boulder,? ?“Where’s? ?this? ?‘lively? ?city’?”? ? ?

?

“Under? ?your? ?feet.”? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?said.? ?

?

“What?”? ? ?

?

The? ?group? ?crowded? ?over.? ?Under? ?Pei? ?Ming’s? ?foot? ?was? ?that? ?boulder,? ?and? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?asked,? ?“Is? ?there? ?

some? ?sort? ?of? ?a? ?secret? ?mechanism?”? ? ?

?

“Come? ?stand? ?here.”? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?said.? ?

?

He? ?pulled? ?out? ?the? ?scimitar? ?E-Ming,? ?aimed? ?the? ?tip? ?downwards,? ?and? ?struck? ?into? ?the? ?ground? ?right? ?

next? ?to? ?the? ?boulder.? ?The? ?tip? ?of? ?that? ?scimitar? ?pierced? ?into? ?the? ?ground,? ?and? ?at? ?first,? ?there? ?was? ?a? ?

cracking? ?sound,? ?and? ?small? ?cobweb? ?like? ?fractures? ?split? ?the? ?earth.? ?Then,? ?those? ?fractures? ?spread? ?

rapidly,? ?the? ?cracks? ?bigger? ?and? ?bigger,? ?the? ?fissures? ?deeper? ?and? ?deeper.? ?Finally,? ?that? ?entire? ?section? ?

of? ?the? ?ground? ?caved? ?in? ?with? ?a? ?boom,? ?revealing? ?a? ?chilling? ?dark? ?hole.? ?

?

Hua? ?Cheng? ?jumped? ?in? ?first.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?hadn’t? ?realized? ?he? ?would? ?take? ?the? ?first? ?leap,? ?and? ?he? ?rushed? ?

to? ?the? ?edge? ?of? ?the? ?hole,? ?“SAN? ?LANG?”? ? ?

?

A? ?moment? ?later,? ?Hua? ?Cheng’s? ?voice? ?came? ?from? ?below,? ?“Everything’s? ?fine? ?down? ?here.? ?You? ?can? ?

come? ?down? ?now.”? ? ?

?

So? ?it? ?turns? ?out,? ?he? ?went? ?down? ?first? ?to? ?scout.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?sighed? ?a? ?breath? ?of? ?relief? ?and? ?instantly? ?

jumped? ?in? ?too.? ?The? ?others? ?then? ?followed? ?one? ?after? ?the? ?other.? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?reached? ?for? ?Xie? ?Lian’s? ?

hand? ?and? ?pulled? ?him? ?up.? ? ?

?

“It’s? ?so? ?dark? ?in? ?here.”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?noted.? ?

?

Just? ?as? ?he? ?said? ?so,? ?several? ?silver? ?butterflies? ?lit? ?up? ?in? ?the? ?darkness,? ?dancing? ?languidly,? ?and? ?a? ?

number? ?of? ?ghost? ?fires? ?also? ?appeared,? ?instantly? ?illuminating? ?the? ?deeper? ?parts? ?of? ?this? ?hole.? ?What? ?

appeared? ?before? ?them? ?was? ?a? ?long? ?street.? ?

?

A? ?thousand? ?years? ?ago,? ?this? ?would’ve? ?been? ?a? ?bustling? ?street,? ?packed? ?full? ?of? ?shops? ?and? ?large? ?

houses.? ?The? ?boulder? ?Pei? ?Ming? ?stepped? ?on? ?earlier? ?was? ?the? ?rooftop? ?of? ?one? ?of? ?those? ?buildings.? ?Xie? ?

Lian? ?looked? ?up,? ?“I? ?see.? ?So? ?this? ?city? ?was? ?buried?? ?Buried? ?by? ?what?? ?Earthquake?? ?Landslide?? ?Or...”? ?

?

“Volcanic? ?ash.”? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?said.? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?whipped? ?his? ?head? ?around? ?to? ?look? ?at? ?him.? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?added,? ?“Volcanic? ?ash? ?of? ?about? ?

seven? ?meters? ?in? ?thickness? ?buried? ?the? ?entire? ?city? ?underground.? ?What? ?you? ?all? ?see? ?right? ?now? ?is? ?a? ?

part? ?of? ?what? ?the? ?demons? ?and? ?monsters? ?that? ?had? ?come? ?to? ?Mount? ?TongLu? ?for? ?the? ?trial? ?had? ?dug? ?out.? ?

There? ?are? ?many? ?more? ?sections? ?that? ?are? ?still? ?buried? ?deep? ?within? ?the? ?ashes.? ?

?

Which? ?meant,? ?the? ?apocalypse? ?in? ?the? ?Crown? ?Prince? ?of? ?WuYong’s? ?dream? ?had? ?come? ?true!? ?

?

Pei? ?Ming? ?put? ?Pei? ?Su? ?down? ?on? ?the? ?roadside? ?and? ?said,? ?“Nevermind? ?all? ?that? ?for? ?now.? ?Is? ?there? ?water?? ?

If? ?there’s? ?nothing? ?to? ?eat,? ?a? ?couple? ?sips? ?of? ?water? ?is? ?good? ?too.”? ? ?

?

“If? ?we’re? ?lucky,? ?you’ll? ?find? ?underground? ?water? ?deep? ?down? ?under.”? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?said.? ?

?

Thus,? ?Pei? ?Ming? ?and? ?Ban? ?Yue? ?left? ?to? ?go? ?find? ?water.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?was? ?still? ?deep? ?in? ?thought? ?when? ?Hua? ?

Cheng? ?walked? ?over,? ?“Gege,? ?look? ?at? ?your? ?hand.”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?followed? ?his? ?direction? ?without? ?much? ?thought,? ?and? ?only? ?after? ?he? ?looked? ?did? ?he? ?discover? ?

that? ?while? ?the? ?red? ?string? ?was? ?gone,? ?the? ?bright? ?red? ?knot? ?on? ?his? ?third? ?finger? ?was? ?still? ?there.? ?

?

Hua? ?Cheng? ?had? ?explained? ?before? ?that? ?when? ?the? ?red? ?string? ?between? ?them? ?breaks,? ?the? ?knot? ?would? ?

disappear,? ?so? ?what’s? ?going? ?on?? ? ?

?

Seeing? ?him? ?stunned,? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?smiled,? ?“It’s? ?just? ?a? ?small? ?camouflage? ?spell,? ?that’s? ?all.? ?The? ?red? ?

string? ?is? ?hidden;? ?the? ?distance? ?is? ?now? ?unrestricted? ?and? ?you? ?won’t? ?have? ?to? ?worry? ?about? ?tripping? ?

over? ?it,? ?but? ?it? ?didn’t? ?actually? ?break.? ?As? ?long? ?as? ?the? ?affinity? ?knot? ?is? ?still? ?there,? ?then? ?the? ?person? ?on? ?

the? ?other? ?end? ?of? ?the? ?red? ?string? ?is? ?safe.? ?Once? ?we’re? ?close? ?to? ?the? ?Kiln,? ?dangers? ?will? ?increase.? ?We? ?

don’t? ?know? ?what’s? ?ahead? ?of? ?us? ?just? ?yet,? ?so? ?I? ?thought,? ?this? ?red? ?string? ?still? ?can’t? ?be? ?untied.? ?What? ?do? ?

you? ?think?”? ? ?

?

Learning? ?that? ?the? ?red? ?string? ?was? ?still? ?there,? ?Xie? ?Lian’s? ?lips? ?curved? ?upwards? ?in? ?spite? ?of? ?himself,? ?but? ?

the? ?moment? ?he? ?realized? ?it,? ?he? ?immediately? ?straightened? ?his? ?expression,? ?and? ?replied? ?very? ?

seriously,? ?“Oh,? ?yes.? ?If? ?that’s? ?the? ?case,? ?then? ?we? ?can? ?know? ?whether? ?if? ?the? ?other? ?is? ?safe? ?at? ?a? ?

moment’s? ?notice.? ?It’s? ?a? ?very? ?practical? ?spell.”? ? ?

?

Hua? ?Cheng? ?also? ?flashed? ?a? ?smile,? ?but? ?it? ?soon? ?disappeared,? ?“But,? ?Your? ?Highness,? ?there’s? ?

something? ?I? ?must? ?say.”? ? ?

?

Hearing? ?him? ?sound? ?so? ?solemn,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?asked,? ?“What? ?is? ?it?”? ? ?

?

“I? ?know? ?you? ?can’t? ?die,? ?and? ?you’re? ?not? ?afraid? ?to? ?die,? ?but? ?no? ?matter? ?how? ?tough? ?you? ?are,? ?don’t? ?think? ?

yourself? ?incapable? ?of? ?getting? ?hurt.”? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?said.? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?was? ?taken? ?aback.? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?continued,? ?“Not? ?dying? ?doesn’t? ?mean? ?not? ?getting? ?hurt,? ?and? ?

it? ?definitely? ?doesn’t? ?mean? ?it? ?doesn’t? ?hurt.? ?When? ?you? ?see? ?something? ?strange? ?and? ?dangerous,? ?don’t? ?

just? ?touch? ?it.? ?Find? ?me.? ?Let? ?me? ?take? ?care? ?of? ?it.”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?suddenly? ?recalled? ?earlier? ?when? ?he? ?touched? ?those? ?skulls? ?covered? ?with? ?corpse? ?poison? ?

with? ?his? ?hands,? ?Hua? ?Cheng’s? ?expression? ?instantly? ?turned? ?dark.? ?He? ?wondered? ?inwardly,? ?was? ?Hua? ?

Cheng? ?perhaps? ?angry? ?because? ?of? ?this? ?then?? ?

?

If? ?that? ?was? ?truly? ?the? ?case,? ?then? ?he? ?really? ?didn’t? ?know? ?what? ?to? ?say.? ?It? ?was? ?a? ?moment? ?before? ?he? ?

complied,? ?“Alright.? ?I? ?won’t? ?do? ?that? ?anymore.”? ? ?

?

Hearing? ?his? ?sincere? ?promise,? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?seemed? ?to? ?be? ?satisfied.? ?He? ?nodded? ?and? ?was? ?just? ?about? ?

to? ?turn? ?and? ?continue? ?onwards? ?when? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?called,? ?“San? ?Lang,? ?wait!”? ? ?

?

Hua? ?Cheng? ?looked? ?back.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?chewed? ?on? ?his? ?words? ?for? ?a? ?good? ?moment? ?before? ?finally? ?

arduously? ?squeezing? ?out? ?softly,? ?“...You? ?too.? ?If? ?there’s? ?something? ?dangerous,? ?you? ?don’t? ?touch,? ?I? ?

won’t? ?touch? ?either,? ?alright?”? ? ?

?

Hearing? ?this,? ?a? ?side? ?of? ?Hua? ?Cheng’s? ?lips? ?lifted.? ?He? ?took? ?a? ?step? ?closer? ?and? ?was? ?about? ?to? ?speak? ?

when? ?they? ?suddenly? ?heard? ?Pei? ?Ming’s? ?voice? ?from? ?not? ?too? ?far? ?away,? ?“What? ?is? ?this?”? ? ?

?

“Looks? ?like? ?people.”? ?Ban? ?Yue? ?said.? ?

?

“Indeed!”? ?Pei? ?Ming? ?remarked,? ?“But? ?why? ?would? ?people? ?turn? ?into? ?something? ?like? ?this?”? ?

?

Hua? ?Cheng? ?and? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?exchanged? ?a? ?look? ?and? ?walked? ?towards? ?where? ?their? ?voices? ?were? ?coming? ?

from.? ?“Turn? ?into? ?what?”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?asked.? ?

?

?

———? ?

?

Ch.165:? ?Saint? ?Born? ?Under? ?the? ?Ominous? ?Star? ?

?

Pei? ?Ming? ?and? ?the? ?others? ?had? ?entered? ?the? ?yard? ?of? ?a? ?residence,? ?probably? ?in? ?search? ?of? ?a? ?well.? ?Xie? ?

Lian? ?entered? ?the? ?yard? ?and? ?commented? ?offhandedly,? ?“The? ?houses? ?on? ?this? ?street? ?are? ?all? ?so? ?

impressive.”? ? ?

?

Hua? ?Cheng? ?replied,? ?“The? ?Kiln? ?is? ?situated? ?in? ?the? ?imperial? ?capital,? ?the? ?heart? ?of? ?the? ?Kingdom? ?of? ?

WuYong,? ?and? ?this? ?place? ?is? ?close? ?to? ?the? ?Kiln,? ?or? ?rather,? ?close? ?to? ?what? ?was? ?the? ?imperial? ?capital? ?two? ?

thousand? ?years? ?ago,? ?so? ?it’s? ?also? ?a? ?place? ?of? ?wealth.? ?Since? ?it’s? ?mostly? ?prominent? ?figures? ?and? ?

government? ?officials? ?who? ?live? ?here,? ?they’re? ?naturally? ?impressive.”? ?

?

There? ?certainly? ?was? ?a? ?well,? ?only,? ?the? ?sight? ?near? ?that? ?well? ?was? ?exceedingly? ?horrifying.? ?There? ?were? ?

seven? ?to? ?eight? ?people? ?sprawled? ?over? ?the? ?edge? ?of? ?the? ?well? ?as? ?if? ?they? ?were? ?dying? ?of? ?thirst? ?but? ?still? ?

perished? ?after? ?having? ?struggled? ?to? ?make? ?it? ?there.? ?Upon? ?a? ?closer? ?inspection,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?blinked,? ?

“This...? ?rather? ?than? ?say? ?they’re? ?people,? ?they’re? ?more? ?like? ?stone? ?statues?”? ? ?

?

They? ?were? ?of? ?course? ?not? ?live? ?humans,? ?but? ?they? ?weren’t? ?corpses,? ?and? ?definitely? ?were? ?not? ?

skeletons.? ?Each? ?of? ?them? ?were? ?coarsely? ?made,? ?ashen? ?white? ?‘stone? ?statues’.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?was? ?about? ?

to? ?reach? ?out? ?and? ?touch? ?when? ?next? ?to? ?him,? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?gave? ?him? ?a? ?look.? ?He? ?immediately? ?

remembered? ?the? ?two? ?had? ?only? ?just? ?promised? ?each? ?other? ?not? ?to? ?touch? ?anything? ?strange? ?and? ?

dangerous,? ?so? ?he? ?forced? ?down? ?the? ?impulse.? ?Now? ?thinking? ?about? ?it,? ?who? ?in? ?the? ?world? ?would? ?sculpt? ?

so? ?many? ?terrifying? ?statues?? ?They? ?should? ?be? ?people? ?indeed,? ?but? ?had? ?transformed? ?into? ?this? ?form? ?

for? ?some? ?reason.? ? ?

?

The? ?front? ?doors? ?of? ?this? ?home? ?was? ?wide? ?open,? ?and? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?looked? ?to? ?the? ?inside? ?of? ?the? ?house? ?and? ?

saw? ?there? ?were? ?two? ?more? ?people? ?lying? ?on? ?the? ?ground,? ?their? ?positions? ?twisted? ?in? ?a? ?tight? ?embrace.? ?

Although? ?their? ?faces? ?were? ?blurred? ?and? ?their? ?expressions? ?unclear,? ?but? ?judging? ?by? ?their? ?action? ?one? ?

could? ?already? ?sense? ?terror? ?filled? ?their? ?hearts.? ?There? ?was? ?a? ?bundle? ?of? ?something? ?tightly? ?hugged? ?

between? ?the? ?two,? ?and? ?on? ?a? ?closer? ?look,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?realized? ?that? ?it? ?must’ve? ?been? ?a? ?baby.? ?

?

What? ?had? ?happened? ?was? ?more? ?than? ?clear.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?said,? ?“Those? ?outside? ?were? ?this? ?household’s? ?

servants,? ?and? ?the? ?ones? ?inside? ?should? ?be? ?the? ?master’s? ?family? ?of? ?three.”? ? ?

?

“En.”? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?said,? ?“After? ?the? ?volcano? ?erupted,? ?the? ?WuYong? ?River’s? ?flow? ?became? ?running? ?

lava.? ?The? ?residents? ?who? ?lived? ?in? ?the? ?high? ?plains? ?weren’t? ?burnt? ?to? ?death? ?by? ?the? ?lava? ?or? ?blazing? ?

fires,? ?but? ?they? ?couldn’t? ?escape? ?the? ?blanketing? ?volcanic? ?ash? ?and? ?died? ?from? ?suffocation.”? ?

?

The? ?enveloping? ?volcanic? ?ash? ?instantly? ?wrapped? ?their? ?whole? ?bodies? ?and? ?formed? ?a? ?layer? ?of? ?hard? ?

shells? ?on? ?the? ?surface,? ?preserving? ?the? ?last? ?moments? ?of? ?those? ?people,? ?transforming? ?them? ?into? ?

stone? ?statues.? ?

?

That? ?old? ?well? ?was? ?of? ?course? ?long? ?since? ?dried? ?out.? ?Pei? ?Ming? ?wasn’t? ?interested? ?in? ?studying? ?the? ?

faces? ?of? ?the? ?dead? ?either,? ?so? ?he? ?left,? ?carrying? ?Pei? ?Su? ?with? ?him,? ?and? ?continued? ?the? ?search? ?for? ?water.? ?

Suddenly,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?noticed? ?something? ?strange,? ?and? ?flipped? ?into? ?the? ?house,? ?crouching? ?down? ?next? ?

to? ?the? ?stone? ?bodies? ?of? ?the? ?family? ?of? ?three.? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?entered? ?too? ?and? ?asked,? ?“What? ?did? ?you? ?

want? ?to? ?see?”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?furrowed? ?his? ?brows? ?slightly,? ?“I? ?just? ?think? ?their? ?positions? ?are? ?a? ?bit? ?strange.? ?These? ?two? ?

adults? ?are? ?holding? ?each? ?other? ?tightly? ?with? ?one? ?arm,? ?but? ?the? ?other? ?arm...”? ?The? ?other? ?arm? ?was? ?

tucked? ?in? ?their? ?chests,? ?like? ?they? ?were? ?gripping? ?onto? ?something? ?firmly.? ? ?

?

“You? ?want? ?to? ?see? ?what’s? ?in? ?their? ?hands?”? ?Hua? ?cheng? ?asked.? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?only? ?just? ?nodded? ?when? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?tapped? ?once? ?on? ?the? ?joint? ?stone? ?statues.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?

exclaimed,? ?“Wait,? ?wouldn’t? ?this? ?be? ?too? ?disrespectful? ?to? ?their? ?remai...”? ?However,? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?

moved? ?faster? ?than? ?he? ?did,? ?and? ?the? ?family? ?of? ?three? ?instantly? ?broke? ?into? ?a? ?pile? ?of? ?shattered? ?ashen? ?

white? ?shards.? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?said? ?quietly,? ?“No? ?need? ?to? ?be? ?too? ?concerned.? ?They’ve? ?long? ?been? ?dead,? ?

and? ?the? ?remains? ?were? ?already? ?no? ?more.”? ? ?

?

In? ?that? ?pile? ?of? ?shards? ?were? ?nothing.? ?Those? ?‘stone? ?statues’? ?were? ?hollow? ?on? ?the? ?inside.? ?

?

Although? ?on? ?the? ?surface,? ?the? ?volcanic? ?ash? ?formed? ?a? ?solid? ?protection? ?shell,? ?but? ?the? ?corpse? ?

wrapped? ?inside? ?would? ?still? ?rot? ?and? ?break? ?down.? ?After? ?the? ?rotting? ?was? ?done,? ?what’s? ?left? ?was? ?only? ?

this? ?layer? ?of? ?ashen? ?shell? ?on? ?the? ?surface.? ?

?

All? ?lives? ?must? ?come? ?to? ?an? ?end,? ?leaving? ?behind? ?only? ?that? ?which? ?had? ?never? ?lived? ?in? ?the? ?everlasting.? ?

?

Within? ?the? ?blocks? ?and? ?pieces? ?of? ?those? ?ashen? ?shards? ?on? ?the? ?ground? ?were? ?some? ?not? ?yet? ?fully? ?

rotten? ?through? ?pieces? ?of? ?cloth? ?and? ?the? ?accessories? ?on? ?the? ?hosts’? ?bodies,? ?such? ?as? ?rings,? ?earrings,? ?

necklaces,? ?etc.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?felt? ?what? ?this? ?couple? ?were? ?gripping? ?at? ?the? ?face? ?of? ?death? ?couldn’t? ?possibly? ?

be? ?those? ?jewelries,? ?and? ?was? ?picking? ?through? ?them? ?when? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?picked? ?up? ?something? ?and? ?

handed? ?it? ?to? ?him.? ?

?

“What’s? ?this?”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?asked.? ?

?

“It’s? ?what? ?they? ?were? ?clutching? ?in? ?their? ?hands.”? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?said.? ?

?

It? ?was? ?a? ?pendant,? ?a? ?shimmering? ?golden? ?plate? ?and? ?something? ?akin? ?to? ?bones? ?were? ?hanging? ?off? ?of? ?

the? ?chain.? ?Upon? ?the? ?golden? ?plate? ?was? ?engraved? ?patterns,? ?and? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?lightly? ?dusted? ?off? ?the? ?

ashes? ?on? ?the? ?surface? ?to? ?look? ?at? ?the? ?details,? ?“The? ?ominous? ?star*?”? ? ?

?

What? ?was? ?depicted? ?on? ?the? ?golden? ?plate? ?was? ?a? ?celestial? ?drawing.? ?Gold? ?for? ?the? ?heavens,? ?agate? ?for? ?

stars,? ?this? ?was? ?what? ?they? ?called? ?the? ?sign? ?of? ?the? ?‘Ominous? ?Star’,? ?which? ?was? ?the? ?celestial? ?phase? ?of? ?

when? ?the? ?Star? ?of? ?Glowing? ?Befuddlement? ?stood? ?still? ?in? ?the? ?Heart? ?Constellation.? ?

?

The? ?Star? ?of? ?Glowing? ?Befuddlement? ?had? ?historically? ?been? ?seen? ?as? ?the? ?Star? ?of? ?War? ?and? ?Death,? ?and? ?

when? ?it? ?rested? ?within? ?the? ?Heart? ?Constellation,? ?it? ?was? ?even? ?more? ?ominous? ?a? ?sign,? ?especially? ?

towards? ?rulers? ?and? ?emperors? ?and? ?other? ?such? ?leaders,? ?so? ?why? ?was? ?such? ?a? ?celestial? ?drawing? ?

engraved? ?on? ?an? ?accessory?? ? ?

?

No,? ?this? ?shouldn’t? ?have? ?been? ?an? ?accessory.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?fumbled? ?through? ?the? ?shards? ?of? ?the? ?shells? ?

again? ?for? ?a? ?while? ?and? ?found? ?the? ?other? ?two? ?pendants? ?that? ?looked? ?exactly? ?the? ?same.? ?There? ?were? ?

three? ?in? ?total,? ?even? ?the? ?baby? ?in? ?this? ?couple’s? ?arms? ?had? ?one.? ?Under? ?what? ?circumstances? ?would? ?the? ?

same? ?accessory? ?be? ?kept? ?three? ?times?? ?

?

“This? ?couldn’t? ?be? ?a? ?protection? ?charm,? ?could? ?it?”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?wondered.? ?

?

Only? ?protection? ?charms? ?could? ?give? ?those? ?at? ?the? ?brink? ?of? ?death? ?the? ?urge? ?to? ?grip? ?them? ?tightly,? ?to? ?

pray? ?madly? ?with? ?the? ?last? ?vestiges? ?of? ?hope? ?amidst? ?terror.? ? ?

?

“It? ?is.”? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?said,? ?“I’ve? ?dug? ?through? ?a? ?part? ?of? ?this? ?city? ?too,? ?and? ?I’ve? ?discovered? ?this? ?

protection? ?charm? ?on? ?quite? ?a? ?number? ?of? ?these? ?statues.”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?hummed,? ?“The? ?people? ?of? ?WuYong? ?worshipped? ?their? ?crown? ?prince,? ?so? ?this? ?should? ?be? ?the? ?

protection? ?charm? ?of? ?the? ?crown? ?prince.? ?But? ?why? ?draw? ?this? ?celestial? ?phase? ?on? ?the? ?protection? ?

charm?? ?Does? ?the? ?crown? ?prince? ?have? ?any? ?connection? ?to? ?the? ?ominous? ?star?? ? ?

?

“Because? ?the? ?day? ?he? ?was? ?born,? ?it? ?was? ?the? ?celestial? ?phase? ?of? ?the? ?ominous? ?star.”? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?said.? ?

“So,? ?the? ?people? ?of? ?WuYong? ?used? ?this? ?celestial? ?phase? ?to? ?symbolize? ?him.”? ? ?

?

“How? ?did? ?San? ?Lang? ?find? ?this? ?out?”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?asked.? ?

?

Hua? ?Cheng? ?flipped? ?the? ?gold? ?plate? ?over,? ?“It’s? ?written? ?on? ?it.”? ? ?

?

Sure? ?enough,? ?on? ?the? ?back? ?side? ?was? ?engraved? ?a? ?column? ?of? ?characters.? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?explained,? ?

“These? ?words? ?mean? ?“Saint? ?Born? ?Under? ?the? ?Ominous? ?Star”.? ?Maybe? ?now? ?in? ?the? ?present,? ?having? ?

the? ?Star? ?of? ?Glowing? ?Befuddlement? ?rest? ?in? ?the? ?Heart? ?Constellation? ?is? ?a? ?grave? ?omen,? ?but? ?things? ?

might? ?be? ?different? ?two? ?thousand? ?years? ?ago.”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?stroked? ?that? ?line? ?of? ?words,? ?his? ?heart? ?slowly? ?sinking,? ?since,? ?the? ?day? ?he? ?was? ?born,? ?it? ?was? ?

also? ?the? ?sign? ?of? ?the? ?ominous? ?star!? ? ?

?

Was? ?this? ?not? ?too? ?coincidental?? ?

?

He? ?rose? ?to? ?his? ?feet,? ?“Let’s? ?go? ?to? ?the? ?divine? ?temple.”? ? ?

?

The? ?two? ?walked? ?down? ?the? ?long? ?street? ?side? ?by? ?side.? ?Pei? ?Ming? ?and? ?the? ?others? ?weren’t? ?fruitful? ?in? ?

their? ?search? ?in? ?the? ?area,? ?so? ?they? ?followed? ?along? ?too.? ?There? ?were? ?many? ?remnants? ?of? ?carriages? ?on? ?

the? ?streets,? ?some? ?resting? ?by? ?the? ?roadside,? ?some? ?completely? ?overturned? ?on? ?the? ?ground.? ?There? ?

were? ?also? ?a? ?number? ?of? ?scattered? ?stone? ?people? ?lying? ?on? ?the? ?ground,? ?each? ?with? ?bizarre? ?

mannerisms,? ?but? ?the? ?majority? ?had? ?gone? ?back? ?to? ?their? ?own? ?homes? ?to? ?escape? ?the? ?disaster,? ?so? ?

those? ?were? ?homeless? ?beggars? ?or? ?travelers? ?who? ?couldn’t? ?make? ?it? ?home? ?in? ?time.? ?The? ?cries? ?and? ?

struggles? ?in? ?that? ?moment? ?before? ?death? ?were? ?all? ?preserved,? ?and? ?the? ?group? ?of? ?them? ?traversed? ?

through? ?this? ?bizarre? ?sight.? ?

?

Hua? ?Cheng? ?pointed? ?out? ?for? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?which? ?ones? ?were? ?residences? ?of? ?wealthy? ?merchants,? ?which? ?

ones? ?belongs? ?to? ?the? ?entertainment? ?district.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?couldn’t? ?help? ?but? ?ask,? ?“San? ?Lang,? ?the? ?

Kingdom? ?of? ?WuYong? ?had? ?fallen? ?for? ?over? ?two? ?thousand? ?years,? ?and? ?there? ?weren’t? ?any? ?descendants? ?

left,? ?so? ?how? ?did? ?you? ?learn? ?to? ?read? ?their? ?words?”? ? ?

?

He? ?couldn’t? ?have? ?just? ?forcibly? ?learned? ?from? ?nothing,? ?there? ?should’ve? ?been? ?a? ?door? ?to? ?the? ?method.? ?

“It’s? ?not? ?too? ?difficult,”? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?said,? ?“Gege? ?can? ?see? ?that? ?some? ?WuYong? ?characters? ?are? ?very? ?

close? ?to? ?the? ?modern? ?characters.”? ? ?

?

“It’s? ?true.”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?said,? ?“The? ?two? ?words? ?‘WuYong’? ?are? ?indeed? ?very? ?close? ?to? ?the? ?modern? ?

characters.”? ? ?

?

“Right.? ?So,? ?those? ?two? ?words? ?were? ?the? ?first? ?few? ?of? ?the? ?WuYong? ?words? ?I’ve? ?learned.”? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?

explained,? ?“There’s? ?a? ?few? ?more? ?that? ?are? ?like? ?this,? ?and? ?when? ?mixed? ?in? ?a? ?phrase,? ?the? ?rest? ?of? ?the? ?

words? ?can? ?be? ?deduced.? ?There? ?are? ?some? ?that? ?have? ?the? ?same? ?character? ?but? ?different? ?meaning,? ?but? ?

not? ?too? ?many.”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?nodded,? ?and? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?continued,? ?“And? ?then,? ?there? ?are? ?words? ?that? ?show? ?up? ?more? ?

frequently.? ?Like? ?those? ?two.”? ? ?

?

He? ?pointed? ?at? ?two? ?buildings? ?on? ?the? ?street,? ?“It’s? ?easy? ?to? ?tell? ?what? ?kind? ?of? ?place? ?this? ?is.? ?On? ?the? ?

signs,? ?the? ?words? ?on? ?the? ?top? ?are? ?different? ?but? ?the? ?ones? ?on? ?the? ?bottom? ?are? ?the? ?same.? ?Therefore,? ?

what? ?the? ?bottom? ?words? ?mean? ?could? ?be? ?easily? ?determined,? ?either? ?a? ?tavern? ?or? ?a? ?restaurant.? ?There? ?

are? ?many? ?ways? ?to? ?do? ?this.? ?If? ?gege? ?wants? ?to? ?know? ?more,? ?I’ll? ?tell? ?you? ?all? ?about? ?it? ?when? ?there’s? ?time.”? ?

?

So? ?that? ?was? ?it.? ?There? ?were? ?actually? ?people? ?in? ?this? ?world? ?who? ?could? ?use? ?their? ?own? ?powers? ?to? ?figure? ?

everything? ?out? ?without? ?any? ?help.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?couldn’t? ?help? ?but? ?be? ?awed.? ?

?

The? ?divine? ?temple? ?of? ?WuYong? ?was? ?still? ?the? ?grandest? ?and? ?the? ?most? ?impressive? ?building? ?in? ?the? ?city.? ?

The? ?group? ?of? ?them? ?arrived? ?before? ?the? ?temple,? ?but? ?before? ?they? ?entered,? ?Pei? ?Ming? ?suddenly? ?spoke? ?

up,? ?“What’s? ?that? ?noise?”? ? ?

?

Squeak? ?squeak? ?squeak,? ?squeak? ?squeak? ?squeak.? ?The? ?noise? ?came? ?from? ?afar,? ?and? ?dispersed? ?from? ?

afar.? ?“Rats?”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?wondered.? ?

?

“Not? ?your? ?typical? ?rats.? ?But,? ?if? ?there’s? ?rats? ?then? ?that? ?means? ?there’s? ?water? ?nearby.”? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?said.? ?

?

When? ?they? ?entered? ?the? ?temple,? ?this? ?time,? ?there? ?were? ?no? ?traces? ?of? ?burning? ?on? ?the? ?walls.? ?They? ?

could? ?see? ?by? ?just? ?raising? ?their? ?heads? ?the? ?immense,? ?vibrant? ?colours? ?of? ?the? ?mural.? ?However,? ?this? ?

time,? ?there? ?wasn’t? ?only? ?one? ?mural,? ?but? ?left,? ?centre,? ?right,? ?three? ?sets!? ?There? ?was? ?a? ?mural? ?on? ?each? ?

of? ?the? ?three? ?walls!? ?

?

The? ?group? ?of? ?them? ?came? ?before? ?the? ?first? ?mural? ?and? ?looked? ?up.? ?The? ?Crown? ?Prince? ?of? ?WuYong? ?

was? ?sitting? ?upon? ?the? ?clouds,? ?his? ?body? ?shone? ?with? ?golden? ?light.? ?However,? ?his? ?expression? ?was? ?

severe.? ?In? ?his? ?left? ?hand? ?was? ?a? ?ball? ?of? ?light,? ?and? ?within? ?the? ?glow? ?was? ?a? ?small? ?mountain? ?that? ?was? ?

spewing? ?flames;? ?in? ?his? ?right? ?hand? ?his? ?five? ?fingers? ?were? ?pressed? ?together,? ?his? ?palm? ?facing? ?forward,? ?

seeming? ?to? ?be? ?waving.? ?

?

Below? ?was? ?a? ?palace,? ?and? ?in? ?the? ?palace? ?stood? ?over? ?ten? ?people,? ?each? ?of? ?their? ?attires? ?and? ?

accessories? ?lavish? ?and? ?sumptuous,? ?and? ?each? ?of? ?their? ?gestures? ?were? ?different.? ?Some? ?had? ?their? ?

arms? ?wide? ?open,? ?some? ?were? ?donning? ?armours? ?and? ?carrying? ?bows,? ?and? ?some? ?were? ?ponting? ?into? ?

the? ?far? ?distance? ?with? ?an? ?agitated? ?expression.? ?

?

The? ?details? ?of? ?the? ?painting? ?were? ?complex? ?and? ?abundant,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?studied? ?it? ?for? ?a? ?good? ?while? ?

before? ?turning? ?around,? ?“Let? ?me? ?tell? ?what? ?I’ve? ?gathered? ?from? ?this? ?painting?”? ? ?

?

“This? ?ball? ?of? ?light? ?held? ?in? ?the? ?left? ?hand? ?of? ?the? ?Crown? ?Prince? ?of? ?WuYong? ?contains? ?the? ?scene? ?of? ?a? ?

small? ?volcanic? ?eruption,? ?which? ?meant? ?he? ?had? ?told? ?his? ?dream? ?to? ?those? ?down? ?below.? ?As? ?for? ?the? ?

gesture? ?of? ?his? ?right? ?hand,? ?it’s? ?obviously? ?a? ?rejection,? ?so? ?he? ?must? ?be? ?dismissing? ?something.”? ?

?

“What? ?is? ?he? ?dismissing?”? ?Pei? ?Ming? ?asked.? ?

?

“That’ll? ?depend? ?on? ?the? ?actions? ?of? ?the? ?people? ?below.”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?replied,? ?“This? ?palace? ?is? ?situated? ?in? ?

the? ?mortal? ?realm,? ?lavish? ?and? ?glamourous,? ?so? ?it? ?should? ?be? ?the? ?royal? ?palace.? ?These? ?people? ?should? ?

be? ?the? ?royalties? ?and? ?nobility? ?of? ?WuYong.? ?This? ?one? ?with? ?his? ?arms? ?wide? ?open,? ?judging? ?by? ?the? ?

action,? ?he? ?should? ?be? ?making? ?the? ?‘expand’? ?gesture.? ?Expand? ?what?? ?That’s? ?told? ?by? ?what’s? ?in? ?his? ?

hand.”? ? ?

?

The? ?crowd? ?looked? ?closer,? ?and? ?what’s? ?in? ?his? ?hand? ?was? ?a? ?map.? ?Pei? ?Ming? ?was? ?more? ?than? ?familiar? ?

with? ?what? ?that? ?meant,? ?“Expand? ?the? ?territory!”? ? ?

?

“Yes.”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?said,? ?“And? ?these? ?generals? ?are? ?all? ?donned? ?in? ?armours,? ?looking? ?ready? ?to? ?be? ?

dispatched? ?and? ?are? ?ready? ?to? ?go? ?into? ?battle.? ?There? ?are? ?also? ?those? ?on? ?the? ?side? ?pointing? ?the? ?way.? ?

Look,? ?their? ?directive? ?actions? ?are? ?very? ?obvious,? ?it’s? ?like? ?they’re? ?saying? ?‘go? ?there,? ?fight? ?there’.”? ?

?

“With? ?this,? ?the? ?meaning? ?of? ?this? ?mural? ?becomes? ?easy? ?to? ?understand? ?–? ?combining? ?the? ?points,? ?it? ?

seems? ?the? ?Crown? ?Prince? ?of? ?WuYong? ?had? ?told? ?his? ?prophecy? ?dream? ?to? ?the? ?ministers? ?in? ?the? ?royal? ?

palace.? ?Once? ?the? ?volcano? ?erupts,? ?the? ?consequences? ?would? ?be? ?severe,? ?and? ?it? ?would? ?be? ?a? ?disaster? ?

that? ?could? ?bring? ?ruin? ?to? ?the? ?Kingdom? ?of? ?WuYong.? ?The? ?territory? ?of? ?the? ?kingdom? ?isn’t? ?big? ?enough,? ?

because? ?the? ?volcano? ?is? ?situated? ?right? ?in? ?the? ?centre,? ?so? ?the? ?cities? ?with? ?great? ?significance? ?will? ?

perish.? ?So? ?how? ?should? ?this? ?be? ?solved?”? ?

?

“If? ?their? ?own? ?territory? ?isn’t? ?big? ?enough,? ?then? ?go? ?take? ?over? ?someone? ?else’s.”? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?said.? ?

?

“Right.”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?said,? ?“So,? ?the? ?ministers? ?suggest? ?opening? ?up? ?the? ?borders? ?and? ?invade? ?the? ?

neighbouring? ?country.”? ?

?

“However,? ?the? ?Crown? ?Prince? ?of? ?WuYong? ?doesn’t? ?agree? ?to? ?this? ?method,? ?which? ?is? ?why? ?his? ?right? ?

hand? ?is? ?the? ?gesture? ?of? ?rejection.”? ? ?

?

After? ?analyzing? ?the? ?first? ?mural,? ?the? ?group? ?of? ?them? ?came? ?to? ?the? ?second? ?mural.? ?The? ?colours? ?of? ?this? ?

mural? ?was? ?much? ?gloomier? ?than? ?the? ?previous? ?one,? ?perhaps? ?it? ?was? ?because? ?what? ?it? ?depicted? ?was? ?

the? ?scene? ?of? ?slaughter? ?on? ?the? ?battlefield.? ?

?

Below? ?on? ?the? ?battlefield,? ?blood? ?flowed? ?like? ?the? ?rivers,? ?and? ?the? ?soldiers? ?on? ?both? ?sides? ?killed? ?

relentlessly.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?could? ?tell? ?which? ?side? ?was? ?the? ?soldiers? ?of? ?WuYong? ?since? ?their? ?armours? ?were? ?

exactly? ?the? ?same? ?as? ?the? ?generals? ?from? ?the? ?previous? ?painting.? ?The? ?WuYong? ?soldiers? ?looked? ?

savage? ?and? ?aggressive,? ?trampling? ?the? ?heads? ?of? ?their? ?enemies? ?under? ?their? ?feet,? ?corpses? ?raised? ?by? ?

halberds,? ?arms? ?and? ?legs? ?and? ?bloody? ?flesh? ?flew? ?in? ?the? ?slaughter,? ?bloody? ?and? ?cruel.? ?There? ?were? ?

even? ?soldiers? ?who? ?reached? ?for? ?children? ?and? ?women? ?huddled? ?in? ?a? ?ball? ?with? ?savage? ?smiles.? ?Truly,? ?

the? ?horrors? ?of? ?war.? ?

?

Above? ?the? ?battlefield? ?the? ?gloomy? ?clouds? ?were? ?thick,? ?yet? ?within? ?the? ?clouds? ?peeked? ?a? ?sliver? ?of? ?white? ?

light.? ?The? ?Crown? ?Prince? ?of? ?WuYong? ?peeked? ?half? ?of? ?his? ?body? ?from? ?the? ?clouds? ?to? ?watch? ?the? ?scene? ?

down? ?below,? ?his? ?expression? ?that? ?of? ?fury.? ?One? ?of? ?his? ?arms? ?were? ?extended? ?out,? ?releasing? ?many? ?

pillars? ?of? ?golden? ?light,? ?and? ?the? ?WuYong? ?soldiers? ?in? ?the? ?light? ?were? ?all? ?sucked? ?up.? ?

?

This? ?painting’s? ?meaning? ?was? ?easier? ?to? ?analyze? ?than? ?the? ?previous? ?one.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?studied? ?it? ?for? ?a? ?

moment? ?before? ?saying? ?softly,? ?“It? ?seems,? ?the? ?generals? ?and? ?ministers? ?didn’t? ?listen? ?to? ?the? ?crown? ?

prince’s? ?advisement? ?and? ?still? ?dispatched? ?armies? ?to? ?invade? ?the? ?neighbouring? ?country.? ?The? ?soldiers? ?

killed? ?too? ?much,? ?even? ?harassing? ?the? ?women,? ?children,? ?and? ?the? ?weak? ?from? ?the? ?other? ?kingdom,? ?so? ?

when? ?the? ?crown? ?prince? ?found? ?out,? ?he? ?was? ?angered,? ?and? ?moved? ?to? ?stop? ?the? ?aggression? ?of? ?the? ?

WuYong? ?soldiers.”? ? ?

?

After? ?Pei? ?Ming? ?heard,? ?he? ?said? ?flatly,? ?“How? ?touching.? ?But? ?to? ?be? ?honest,? ?if? ?one? ?of? ?the? ?kingdoms? ?

must? ?perish,? ?then? ?choosing? ?to? ?protect? ?your? ?own? ?couldn’t? ?be? ?helped.? ?The? ?soldiers? ?charging? ?in? ?the? ?

frontlines,? ?if? ?they? ?haven’t? ?yet? ?been? ?cut? ?down? ?by? ?their? ?enemies,? ?they? ?would’ve? ?died? ?from? ?rage? ?with? ?

their? ?own? ?crown? ?prince.? ?I? ?certainly? ?wouldn’t? ?want? ?to? ?fight? ?for? ?a? ?king? ?like? ?that.”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?chuckled? ?drily? ?a? ?couple? ?times? ?and? ?said? ?a? ?little? ?woefully,? ?“General? ?Pei? ?is,? ?uh,? ?right.”? ?Hua? ?

Cheng? ?on? ?the? ?other? ?hand,? ?only? ?grunted? ?coldly.? ?Pei? ?Ming? ?continued,? ?“So,? ?the? ?volcano’s? ?about? ?to? ?

erupt.? ?What? ?does? ?tHis? ?Highness? ?the? ?crown? ?prince? ?plan? ?to? ?do?? ?He? ?can’t? ?just? ?let? ?his? ?own? ?people? ?

wait? ?for? ?their? ?own? ?deaths?”? ?

?

“Let’s? ?look? ?at? ?the? ?third? ?painting.”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?said,? ?“It? ?should? ?have? ?the? ?answer.”? ? ?

?

The? ?group? ?of? ?them? ?finally? ?came? ?before? ?the? ?last? ?painting.? ?The? ?colours? ?of? ?this? ?mural? ?was? ?an? ?

enormous? ?contrast? ?to? ?the? ?previous? ?one.? ?It? ?had? ?returned? ?to? ?bright? ?and? ?vibrant,? ?filled? ?with? ?holy? ?light.? ?

However,? ?with? ?the? ?first? ?look,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?was? ?shocked? ?to? ?the? ?core,? ?and? ?he? ?widened? ?his? ?eyes.? ?

?

Pei? ?Ming? ?took? ?a? ?look,? ?“My? ?god,? ?is? ?this? ?the? ?idea? ?the? ?Crown? ?Prince? ?of? ?WuYong? ?came? ?up? ?with?? ?Ha!? ?

Daring.? ?Worthy? ?of? ?admiration.”? ? ?

?

On? ?the? ?third? ?mural,? ?at? ?the? ?bottom? ?of? ?the? ?painting? ?was? ?the? ?Kingdom? ?of? ?WuYong.? ?The? ?WuYong? ?

River? ?flowed? ?wildly? ?across? ?the? ?earth,? ?and? ?the? ?crown? ?prince? ?with? ?his? ?four? ?guardian? ?gods? ?were? ?also? ?

in? ?it.? ?However,? ?they? ?weren’t? ?the? ?focal? ?point.? ?Within? ?this? ?painting,? ?the? ?most? ?prominent? ?object,? ?what? ?

was? ?at? ?the? ?centre,? ?was? ?a? ?bridge.? ?

?

A? ?giant? ?bridge? ?shining? ?with? ?white? ?light,? ?was? ?held? ?up? ?by? ?the? ?Crown? ?Prince? ?of? ?WuYongAnd? ?his? ?four? ?

guardians,? ?and? ?the? ?people? ?on? ?the? ?ground? ?were? ?swarming? ?towards? ?the? ?bridge? ?with? ?smiles? ?

covering? ?their? ?faces.? ?

?

This? ?Crown? ?Prince? ?of? ?WuYong? ?had? ?built? ?a? ?bridge? ?that? ?connected? ?the? ?heavens? ?with? ?the? ?intention? ?

of? ?bringing? ?his? ?people? ?to? ?the? ?heavenly? ?realm!? ? ?

?

?

———-? ?

?

?[?????????]? ?The? ?Star? ?of? ?Glowing? ?Befuddlement? ?Resting? ?in? ?the? ?Heart? ?Constellation? ?aka.? ?

The? ?Ominous? ?Star? ?in? ?this? ?translation? ?–? ?Ancient? ?Chinese? ?astronomers? ?believed? ?Mars? ?was? ?

unstable? ?in? ?both? ?position? ?and? ?light,? ?hence? ?they? ?called? ?it? ?“the? ?Star? ?of? ?Glowing? ?

Befuddlement”,? ?and? ?it? ?symbolized? ?‘Ruin’,? ?‘Pestilence’,? ?‘Death’,? ?‘Famine’,? ?‘War’,? ?and? ?other? ?

such? ?bad? ?omens.? ?The? ?Heart? ?Constellation? ?in? ?Chinese? ?astronomy? ?sits? ?in? ?the? ?East? ?by? ?

Scorpio,? ?and? ?symbolized? ?the? ?Crown? ?Prince,? ?the? ?Emperor,? ?and? ?depending? ?on? ?where? ?in? ?the? ?

constellation,? ?the? ?Commoner.? ?Thus,? ?when? ?Mars? ?enters? ?the? ?Heart? ?Constellation? ?and? ?

moves? ?within? ?it,? ?it? ?was? ?often? ?interpreted? ?as? ?major? ?changes? ?in? ?politics? ?and? ?dynasties,? ?the? ?

fall? ?of? ?greatness.? ?

?

?

————-? ?

?

?

Ch.166:? ?Saint? ?Born? ?Under? ?the? ?Ominous? ?Star? ?2? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?was? ?speechless? ?looking? ?at? ?the? ?mural.? ?Pei? ?Ming? ?commented,? ?“He? ?can? ?do? ?that?”? ?

?

“Why? ?not.”? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?countered.? ?

?

Everyone? ?looked? ?to? ?him? ?and? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?continued,? ?“Isn’t? ?appointing? ?generals? ?just? ?bringing? ?

mortals? ?to? ?the? ?heavenly? ?realm?? ?If? ?he’s? ?just? ?pulling? ?everyone? ?within? ?the? ?vicinity? ?of? ?the? ?royal? ?capital? ?

to? ?the? ?heavens? ?temporarily,? ?and? ?once? ?the? ?disaster? ?is? ?over,? ?send? ?them? ?back,? ?why? ?can‘t? ?he? ?do? ?it?”? ? ?

?

“Crimson? ?Rain? ?Sought? ?Flower,? ?don’t? ?make? ?this? ?sound? ?so? ?easy.”? ?Pei? ?Ming? ?said,? ?“My? ?Lord? ?should? ?

know,? ?appointing? ?generals? ?takes? ?spiritual? ?powers.? ?This? ?is? ?how? ?many? ?he’s? ?appointing?”? ? ?

?

To? ?appoint? ?generals? ?in? ?reality? ?was? ?to? ?use? ?one’s? ?own? ?spiritual? ?power? ?to? ?‘nurture’? ?a? ?mortal? ?in? ?the? ?

heavens,? ?to? ?be? ?used? ?by? ?oneself.? ?Otherwise,? ?if? ?there? ?was? ?no? ?restriction,? ?why? ?wouldn’t? ?every? ?

heavenly? ?official? ?appoint? ?all? ?the? ?people? ?they? ?want?? ?Why? ?wouldn’t? ?an? ?emperor? ?just? ?bring? ?up? ?his? ?

entire? ?harem? ?and? ?his? ?entire? ?court,? ?and? ?a? ?general? ?might? ?as? ?well? ?appoint? ?his? ?entire? ?army?? ?

?

“Judging? ?by? ?the? ?relics? ?left? ?behind,? ?the? ?entirety? ?of? ?the? ?Kingdom? ?of? ?WuYong? ?was? ?only? ?about? ?a? ?

hundred? ?thousand? ?in? ?population.? ?The? ?vicinity? ?of? ?the? ?royal? ?capital? ?was? ?probably? ?only? ?about? ?some? ?

ten? ?thousands.”? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?said? ?quietly,? ?“It? ?might? ?be? ?tough...? ?but? ?it’s? ?still? ?doable,? ?though? ?just? ?barely.”? ? ?

?

“Even? ?if? ?it’s? ?only? ?a? ?few? ?tens? ?of? ?thousands,? ?there’s? ?still? ?no? ?heavenly? ?official? ?who’d? ?dare? ?appoint? ?that? ?

many.? ?If? ?he? ?really? ?went? ?through? ?with? ?it,? ?then? ?I? ?can’t? ?tell? ?if? ?he? ?should? ?be? ?congratulated? ?on? ?his? ?

courage? ?or? ?extreme? ?stupidity.? ?At? ?least,? ?there’s? ?definitely? ?no? ?other? ?like? ?him? ?in? ?history.”? ?Pei? ?Ming? ?

said.? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?studied? ?that? ?bridge? ?on? ?the? ?mural,? ?completely? ?engrossed.? ?In? ?his? ?eyes,? ?the? ?faces? ?of? ?that? ?

white? ?clad? ?crown? ?prince? ?and? ?his? ?four? ?guardian? ?gods? ?were? ?looking? ?more? ?and? ?more? ?peculiar,? ?more? ?

and? ?more? ?like? ?his? ?own? ?face? ?and? ?the? ?faces? ?of? ?his? ?four? ?Guoshis.? ?He? ?then? ?recalled? ?the? ?celestial? ?

phase? ?of? ?that? ?ominous? ?star;? ?this? ?story? ?that’s? ?so? ?much? ?like? ?a? ?tale? ?of? ?reincarnation? ?made? ?him? ?eager? ?

to? ?learn? ?what? ?happened? ?next,? ?but? ?at? ?the? ?same? ?time,? ?he? ?felt? ?perhaps? ?he? ?already? ?knew.? ?

?

He? ?didn’t? ?dare? ?to? ?keep? ?looking? ?at? ?that? ?mural? ?anymore? ?and? ?he? ?turned? ?away,? ?asking,? ?“Has? ?water? ?

been? ?found?”? ? ?

?

Ban? ?Yue? ?was? ?dragging? ?Pei? ?Su? ?and? ?replied,? ?“That? ?gege? ?went? ?to? ?look.”? ? ?

?

She? ?was? ?referring? ?to? ?Yin? ?Yu.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?glanced? ?at? ?Pei? ?Su? ?who? ?had? ?his? ?eyes? ?closed,? ?and? ?humming? ?

for? ?a? ?moment,? ?he? ?still? ?decided? ?to? ?speak? ?up,? ?“I? ?think,? ?when? ?we? ?go? ?onwards? ?to? ?the? ?Kiln? ?later,? ?it’d? ?be? ?

best? ?if? ?General? ?Pei? ?Junior? ?should? ?stay? ?here.”? ? ?

?

Pei? ?Su? ?was? ?in? ?the? ?body? ?of? ?a? ?mortal? ?after? ?all,? ?inconvenient? ?in? ?many? ?ways.? ?Besides,? ?they? ?still? ?didn’t? ?

know? ?what? ?awaited? ?them? ?ahead.? ?Pei? ?Ming? ?squatted? ?down? ?and? ?looked? ?Pei? ?Su? ?over,? ?“Yea,? ?I? ?agree.? ?

But? ?will? ?Your? ?Highness? ?please? ?not? ?tell? ?him? ?the? ?reason? ?in? ?front? ?of? ?him?? ?This? ?child? ?will? ?understand.? ?

Just? ?leave? ?it? ?to? ?me? ?to? ?tell? ?him.”? ? ?

?

“Rest? ?assured,? ?General? ?Pei,? ?I? ?understand.”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?said,? ?“Otherwise? ?I? ?wouldn’t? ?have? ?said? ?it? ?

while? ?he’s? ?still? ?unconscious.”? ? ?

?

Pei? ?Su? ?was? ?once? ?a? ?young? ?martial? ?god? ?with? ?an? ?infinitely? ?bright? ?future? ?in? ?the? ?heavens? ?after? ?all,? ?now? ?

that? ?he? ?was? ?to? ?stay? ?behind? ?because? ?he? ?couldn’t? ?keep? ?up,? ?he’d? ?feel? ?bitter.? ?However,? ?mistakes? ?

must? ?be? ?punished;? ?this? ?was? ?how? ?exile? ?should? ?feel,? ?and? ?so? ?he? ?could? ?only? ?accept? ?it.? ?

?

They? ?remained? ?in? ?the? ?temple? ?and? ?discussed? ?for? ?another? ?while,? ?and? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?wondered,? ?puzzled,? ?

“Where’s? ?Yin? ?Yu?? ?How? ?come? ?he? ?hasn’t? ?come? ?back? ?after? ?so? ?long?? ?Has? ?he? ?not? ?found? ?water? ?yet?”? ? ?

?

Hua? ?Cheng? ?on? ?the? ?other? ?hand,? ?was? ?staring? ?intently? ?at? ?a? ?few? ?wraith? ?butterflies? ?resting? ?on? ?his? ?

fingertips.? ?The? ?butterflies? ?were? ?very? ?useful? ?earlier,? ?and? ?now? ?they’ve? ?all? ?returned? ?to? ?him,? ?tucked? ?

away? ?to? ?save? ?energy.? ?He? ?looked? ?up? ?slightly,? ?“He? ?shouldn’t? ?take? ?this? ?long.”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?grew? ?alarmed? ?and? ?stood? ?up,? ?“Let? ?me? ?go? ?take? ?a? ?look.? ?General? ?Pei,? ?watch? ?over? ?things? ?

here.? ?San? ?Lang,? ?come? ?with? ?me?”? ? ?

?

Of? ?course? ?they? ?would? ?go? ?together.? ?Thus,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?left? ?RuoYe? ?behind? ?and? ?had? ?it? ?tie? ?a? ?protection? ?

circle.? ?The? ?two? ?left? ?the? ?temple? ?and? ?went? ?towards? ?the? ?deeper? ?part? ?of? ?the? ?underground? ?city.? ?

?

There? ?were? ?plenty? ?of? ?houses? ?and? ?clutter? ?of? ?things? ?on? ?the? ?way;? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?picked? ?up? ?a? ?jar? ?that? ?he? ?

rather? ?liked? ?and? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?seemed? ?to? ?have? ?found? ?it? ?funny,? ?“What? ?are? ?you? ?doing? ?picking? ?that? ?

up?”? ? ?

?

“If? ?we? ?find? ?water? ?later? ?we? ?can? ?use? ?this? ?to? ?bring? ?some? ?back? ?for? ?General? ?Pei? ?Junior.”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?said.? ?

He’s? ?gotten? ?used? ?to? ?collecting? ?scraps? ?after? ?all,? ?and? ?he? ?patted? ?the? ?jar? ?in? ?his? ?hands? ?in? ?spite? ?of? ?

himself,? ?“Come? ?to? ?think? ?of? ?it,? ?this? ?is? ?an? ?antique? ?of? ?thousands? ?of? ?years? ?old.”? ?

?

Hua? ?Cheng? ?laughed? ?and? ?said,? ?“If? ?you? ?like? ?stuff? ?like? ?this,? ?come? ?over? ?to? ?my? ?place? ?after.? ?I’ve? ?got? ?a? ?

few? ?items? ?too? ?and? ?you? ?can? ?see? ?if? ?you? ?find? ?anything? ?you? ?like.”? ? ?

?

An? ?incense? ?time? ?later,? ?the? ?two? ?finally? ?heard? ?the? ?faint? ?sound? ?of? ?water? ?flowing.? ?Soon? ?after,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?

exclaimed,? ?“Over? ?there!”? ? ?

?

There? ?was? ?indeed? ?a? ?hidden? ?river? ?at? ?the? ?bottom.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?placed? ?that? ?jar? ?he? ?picked? ?up? ?in? ?the? ?water? ?

and? ?started? ?washing? ?it? ?heartily.? ?Thousands? ?of? ?years? ?worth? ?of? ?ashes? ?had? ?already? ?formed? ?a? ?thick? ?

layer? ?of? ?a? ?shell,? ?it? ?couldn’t? ?be? ?washed? ?off,? ?but? ?just? ?washing? ?off? ?the? ?dust? ?on? ?the? ?surface? ?the? ?jar? ?

would? ?still? ?be? ?passable? ?for? ?use.? ?He? ?filled? ?it? ?with? ?water? ?and? ?lowered? ?his? ?head,? ?ready? ?to? ?take? ?a? ?sip? ?

himself? ?when? ?Hua? ?Cheng,? ?who? ?was? ?surveying? ?the? ?area,? ?turned? ?and? ?saw? ?him,? ?and? ?immediately? ?

cautioned,? ?“Don’t? ?drink? ?it.”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?had? ?already? ?put? ?his? ?face? ?to? ?the? ?jar,? ?but? ?when? ?he? ?heard? ?the? ?stop,? ?he? ?was? ?confused,? ?

“What?”? ? ?

?

Just? ?then,? ?a? ?voice? ?said,? ?“So? ?hot.”? ? ?

?

There? ?were? ?only? ?the? ?two? ?of? ?them? ?on? ?site,? ?so? ?where? ?did? ?this? ?third? ?voice? ?come? ?from?? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?

unconsciously? ?looked? ?to? ?where? ?the? ?voice? ?came? ?from,? ?and? ?that? ?voice? ?came? ?from? ?the? ?jar? ?in? ?his? ?

hand!? ? ?

?

He? ?instantly? ?looked? ?down,? ?and? ?in? ?the? ?jar? ?were? ?two? ?small? ?scarlet? ?red? ?dots,? ?floating? ?in? ?the? ?water? ?

watching? ?him.? ?

?

What’s? ?that? ?thing??? ?No? ?matter? ?how? ?he? ?looked? ?it? ?was? ?a? ?pair? ?of? ?eyes!? ?

?

The? ?moment? ?those? ?eyes? ?matched? ?his,? ?that? ?thing? ?bolted? ?straight? ?for? ?Xie? ?Lian’s? ?face.? ??SPLASH? ?

SPLASH?? ?the? ?waters? ?splashed? ?and? ?Xie? ?Lian’s? ?hands? ?moved? ?swiftly,? ?flinging? ?that? ?jar? ?to? ?meters? ?

away? ?in? ?an? ?instant.? ?It? ?smashed? ?against? ?the? ?wall? ?and?? ?CLUNK!?,? ?the? ?antique? ?of? ?thousands? ?of? ?years? ?

shattered.? ?As? ?for? ?the? ?thing? ?that? ?was? ?hidden? ?in? ?it,? ?it? ?took? ?no? ?time? ?to? ?scurry? ?into? ?the? ?darkness.? ?In? ?

that? ?rush,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?didn’t? ?see? ?what? ?it? ?was? ?clearly,? ?only? ?that? ?it? ?was? ?a? ?big? ?bundle? ?of? ?something? ?

black,? ?“What? ?was? ?that? ?thing?”? ? ?

?

Hua? ?Cheng? ?was? ?shielding? ?in? ?front? ?of? ?him,? ?and? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?was? ?feeling? ?a? ?little? ?woeful,? ?“It? ?wasn’t? ?in? ?

that? ?jar? ?before? ?was? ?it?”? ? ?

?

“No.”? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?said,? ?“It? ?swam? ?into? ?it? ?from? ?the? ?waters.? ?There? ?are? ?often? ?creatures? ?that? ?flock? ?

together? ?and? ?swim? ?in? ?this? ?hidden? ?river,? ?that’s? ?why? ?I? ?told? ?you? ?not? ?to? ?drink? ?it.”? ? ?

?

‘But? ?you’d? ?let? ?General? ?Pei? ?Junior? ?drink? ?it...’? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?thought? ?inwardly.? ?Suddenly,? ?he? ?felt? ?chill? ?on? ?

his? ?back? ?and? ?he? ?shouted,? ?“WHO’S? ?THERE?!”? ? ?

?

In? ?an? ?instant? ?just? ?now,? ?he? ?heard? ?someone? ?cough? ?in? ?the? ?distance!? ?

?

It? ?definitely? ?wasn’t? ?a? ?delusion,? ?and? ?he? ?immediately? ?tensed? ?in? ?alert.? ?Soon? ?after,? ?babbles? ?and? ?

chatters? ?came? ?pouring? ?like? ?the? ?tide? ?and? ?flowed? ?in.? ?From? ?all? ?around? ?the? ?two? ?of? ?them,? ?pairs? ?after? ?

pairs? ?of? ?red? ?dots? ?lit? ?up,? ?and? ?surrounded? ?them,? ?encircling? ?them? ?in? ?the? ?middle.? ?“Don’t? ?worry,? ?they’re? ?

not? ?human.”? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?said.? ?

?

‘It’s? ?precisely? ?because? ?they’re? ?not? ?human? ?that? ?we? ?have? ?to? ?worry,? ?alright....’? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?thought.? ?

?

Listening? ?closely? ?to? ?that? ?chatter,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?deduced? ?what? ?those? ?voices? ?were? ?saying:? ?

?

“Cough,? ?cough,? ?cough...”? ?

?

“So? ?hot? ?so? ?hot...”? ?

?

“I’m? ?burning...”? ?

?

“Wuuuuu”? ?

?

“I’m? ?suffocating...? ?Is? ?anyone? ?there...”? ?

?

“I? ?can’t? ?move,? ?can’t? ?move!”? ? ?

?

Those? ?voices? ?were? ?tiny,? ?but? ?clear? ?and? ?full? ?of? ?pain,? ?like? ?little? ?ants? ?crawling? ?into? ?his? ?ears.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?

was? ?just? ?ready? ?to? ?reach? ?for? ?Fang? ?Xin? ?when? ?a? ?voice? ?cried? ?sharply,? ?“Your? ?Highness,? ?WHERE’S? ?

Your? ?Highness??? ?SAVE? ?ME,? ?SAVE? ?ME!!!”? ? ?

?

That? ?last? ?cry? ?made? ?all? ?the? ?hairs? ?on? ?Xie? ?Lian’s? ?back? ?stand,? ?and? ?in? ?that? ?instant? ?he? ?thought? ?that? ?

voice? ?was? ?calling? ?for? ?him.? ?However,? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?waved? ?his? ?hand,? ?releasing? ?thousands? ?of? ?wraith? ?

butterflies,? ?and? ?they? ?charged? ?at? ?those? ?pairs? ?of? ?red? ?glowing? ?eyes!? ?

?

Where? ?the? ?silver? ?butterflies? ?shimmered? ?their? ?light,? ?they? ?illuminated? ?the? ?countless? ?creatures? ?that? ?

were? ?chattering? ?in? ?the? ?dark.? ?Sure? ?enough,? ?they? ?weren’t? ?human.? ?They? ?were? ?rats!? ? ?

?

Hua? ?Cheng? ?grabbed? ?for? ?him? ?and? ?said,? ?“I’ve? ?said? ?there’s? ?a? ?lot? ?of? ?rats? ?here.? ?Let’s? ?go!”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?was? ?still? ?stunned? ?as? ?he? ?walked,? ?“Are? ?those? ?rats?? ?Why? ?do? ?they? ?look? ?more? ?like? ?cats? ?to? ?

me...”? ?

?

It? ?was? ?true.? ?Those? ?rats? ?were? ?each? ?bigger? ?than? ?a? ?kitten,? ?their? ?hairs? ?black? ?like? ?ink? ?and? ?thick? ?like? ?

needles.? ?Their? ?little? ?red? ?eyes? ?glowed? ?aggressively? ?in? ?the? ?dark,? ?and? ?many? ?were? ?perched? ?on? ?the? ?

walls,? ?watching? ?them? ?closely,? ?speaking? ?the? ?tongues? ?of? ?men,? ?creepy? ?to? ?the? ?extreme.? ?Once? ?the? ?

silver? ?butterflies? ?charged? ?at? ?them? ?they? ?started? ?slaughtering? ?one? ?another;? ?the? ?red? ?and? ?silver? ?lights? ?

flashed? ?and? ?crossed,? ?the? ?state? ?of? ?the? ?battle? ?unknown? ?but? ?very? ?much? ?vicious? ?and? ?violent.? ? ?

?

“Yin? ?Yu? ?couldn’t? ?have? ?been? ?dragged? ?off? ?somewhere? ?by? ?those? ?creatures,? ?could? ?he?”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?

wondered.? ?

?

“He? ?shouldn’t? ?be? ?that? ?useless.? ?It’s? ?probably? ?something? ?else? ?that’s? ?tripped? ?him? ?up.”? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?

replied.? ?

?

The? ?first? ?part? ?made? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?relax? ?slightly,? ?but? ?the? ?last? ?part? ?made? ?him? ?tense? ?again.? ?“Nevermind? ?

how? ?big? ?the? ?rats? ?are,? ?but? ?why? ?are? ?there? ?so? ?many?? ?What? ?do? ?they? ?eat? ?to? ?grow? ?so? ?big?”? ? ?

?

“Simple.”? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?replied,? ?“The? ?dead,? ?of? ?course.? ?Those? ?are? ?all? ?corpse-eating? ?rats.”? ? ?

?

Turns? ?out,? ?when? ?this? ?city? ?was? ?covered? ?by? ?volcanic? ?ash,? ?the? ?people? ?and? ?large? ?domestic? ?beasts? ?

like? ?oxen,? ?horses,? ?lambs,? ?etc? ?had? ?nowhere? ?to? ?hide,? ?but,? ?the? ?rats? ?dug? ?deeply? ?into? ?the? ?

underground,? ?and? ?depended? ?on? ?the? ?air? ?and? ?stored? ?sustenance? ?in? ?the? ?caves? ?in? ?order? ?to? ?survive.? ? ?

?

Once? ?the? ?dust? ?had? ?settles,? ?they? ?emerged? ?from? ?the? ?holes? ?anew,? ?and? ?scour? ?the? ?now? ?hellish? ?city? ?for? ?

food.? ?However,? ?everything? ?was? ?destroyed;? ?everything? ?was? ?either? ?buried? ?by? ?lava? ?or? ?covered? ?in? ?

volcanic? ?ash.? ?They? ?gnawed? ?through? ?many? ?things? ?but? ?couldn’t? ?find? ?food? ?for? ?the? ?longest? ?time.? ?

?

Until? ?one? ?day,? ?they? ?smelled? ?the? ?smell? ?of? ?rot.? ? ?

?

The? ?rotten? ?smell? ?came? ?from? ?those? ?humanoid? ?stone? ?statues.? ?Some? ?corpses? ?were? ?wrapped? ?in? ?a? ?

thinner? ?layer? ?of? ?that? ?ashen? ?shell,? ?and? ?when? ?they? ?started? ?to? ?rot,? ?they? ?wafted? ?a? ?funny? ?stench,? ?and? ?

corpse? ?water? ?flowed.? ?

?

Thus,? ?the? ?starving? ?rats? ?surrounded? ?and? ?bustled? ?next? ?to? ?the? ?statues,? ?biting? ?through? ?small? ?holes? ?

and? ?scurried? ?through? ?into? ?the? ?holes,? ?gnawing? ?at? ?the? ?corpses? ?within.? ?

?

The? ?lowest? ?and? ?scummiest? ?of? ?creatures? ?were? ?often? ?those? ?that? ?survive? ?the? ?longest.? ?The? ?corpses? ?

of? ?the? ?dead? ?were? ?wrapped? ?in? ?those? ?ashes,? ?and? ?their? ?terror,? ?rage,? ?frustrations? ?and? ?other? ?such? ?

powerful? ?emotions? ?were? ?also? ?wrapped? ?within.? ?When? ?those? ?rats? ?ate? ?their? ?corpse? ?bodies,? ?those? ?

emotions? ?were? ?eaten? ?too,? ?and? ?could? ?start? ?speaking? ?the? ?human? ?tongue,? ?expressing? ?what? ?those? ?

people? ?had? ?wanted? ?to? ?say? ?at? ?the? ?moment? ?of? ?their? ?death? ?but? ?couldn’t.? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?was? ?enlightened,? ?“I? ?see,? ?that’s? ?why? ?they? ?would? ?say? ?those? ?things.? ?I? ?was? ?wondering? ?why? ?

they? ?would? ?say? ?such? ?words...”? ?

?

Yet? ?unexpectedly,? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?suddenly? ?said,? ?“What? ?did? ?you? ?say?”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?blinked,? ?“What? ?did? ?I? ?say?”? ? ?

?

Hua? ?Cheng? ?stared? ?at? ?him,? ?“What? ?did? ?they? ?say?? ?What? ?did? ?you? ?hear?”? ? ?

?

“San? ?Lang,? ?you? ?didn’t? ?hear?”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?said,? ?“It’s? ?just? ?“so? ?hot”,? ?“it’s? ?suffocating”,? ?“can’t? ?move”,? ?

“save? ?me”,? ?and? ?such...”? ? ?

?

However,? ?before? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?said? ?anything? ?it? ?dawned? ?on? ?Xie? ?Lian.? ?

?

That? ?wasn’t? ?right!? ? ?

?

What? ?those? ?corpse-eating? ?rats? ?repeated? ?was? ?the? ?hatred? ?of? ?the? ?WuYong? ?people,? ?so? ?naturally,? ?it? ?

would? ?be? ?in? ?the? ?WuYong? ?tongue.? ?

?

So,? ?why? ?could? ?he? ?understand? ?the? ?WuYong? ?tongue?!? ? ?

?

?

——–? ?

?

Ch.167:? ?Jealous? ?Ghost? ?King;? ?Three? ?Questions? ?on? ?Where? ?the? ?Friendship? ?Lies? ?

?

Hua? ?Cheng? ?used? ?his? ?own? ?deduction? ?skills? ?and? ?learning? ?capabilities? ?to? ?learn? ?the? ?WuYong? ?

language.? ?He? ?could? ?decipher? ?the? ?meaning? ?of? ?the? ?words,? ?but? ?because? ?there? ?wasn’t? ?anyone? ?alive? ?

who? ?could? ?read? ?those? ?words? ?aloud? ?to? ?him,? ?he? ?couldn’t? ?match? ?the? ?words? ?with? ?the? ?sounds.? ?Which? ?

meant,? ?he? ?couldn’t? ?understand? ?the? ?muttering? ?chatters? ?of? ?those? ?corpse-eating? ?rats.? ?But,? ?Xie? ?Lian,? ?

who? ?had? ?never? ?visited? ?Mount? ?TongLu? ?understood.? ?So? ?what? ?did? ?this? ?mean?? ?

?

With? ?just? ?a? ?glance? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?could? ?guess? ?what? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?was? ?thinking? ?and? ?he? ?immediately? ?said,? ?

“Gege,? ?don’t? ?panic? ?just? ?yet.? ?I’ll? ?repeat? ?those? ?words? ?again? ?to? ?you? ?now,? ?give? ?it? ?a? ?listen.”? ? ?

?

“...Alright.”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?said.? ?

?

Hua? ?Cheng’s? ?memory? ?was? ?exceptional,? ?and? ?once? ?they? ?left? ?where? ?the? ?corpse-eating? ?rats? ?were? ?

gathering,? ?he? ?immediately? ?repeated? ?the? ?words? ?clearly.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?stared? ?at? ?him? ?nervously,? ?and? ?

heard? ?a? ?series? ?of? ?moderately? ?paced? ?and? ?somewhat? ?bizarre? ?pronunciations.? ?Those? ?strange? ?words? ?

had? ?an? ?ancient? ?rhythm? ?to? ?them,? ?and? ?to? ?have? ?them? ?enunciated? ?steadily? ?and? ?controlled? ?through? ?

Hua? ?Cheng’s? ?lips,? ?the? ?notes? ?were? ?deep? ?and? ?beautiful,? ?pleasing? ?to? ?the? ?ears.? ?After? ?concentrating? ?

on? ?the? ?words? ?for? ?a? ?moment,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?said,? ?“I? ?don’t? ?understand? ?it.”? ? ?

?

Now? ?this? ?was? ?strange.? ?He? ?could? ?understand? ?the? ?words? ?those? ?corpse-eating? ?rats? ?spewed,? ?but? ?

now? ?that? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?recited? ?the? ?same? ?words,? ?he? ?couldn’t? ?understand.? ?But? ?it? ?was? ?impossible? ?

what? ?had? ?happened? ?was? ?a? ?delusion.? ?

?

Hua? ?Cheng? ?questioned,? ?“Earlier,? ?when? ?you? ?heard? ?those? ?voices,? ?you? ?understood? ?them? ?instantly,? ?

and? ?knew? ?very? ?naturally? ?what? ?they? ?were? ?saying,? ?right?”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?nodded,? ?“Right.? ?There? ?was? ?never? ?a? ?translation? ?process? ?in? ?my? ?brain.”? ?Which? ?was? ?why? ?he? ?

didn’t? ?realize? ?it? ?was? ?a? ?different? ?language.? ?

?

“I? ?get? ?it.”? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?said.? ?

?

“What? ?did? ?you? ?get?”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?asked.? ?

?

“What? ?you? ?understood? ?wasn’t? ?the? ?WuYong? ?tongue,? ?but? ?the? ?emotions? ?of? ?those? ?who? ?died.”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?understood? ?but? ?at? ?the? ?same? ?time,? ?didn’t.? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?explained? ?further,? ?“Which? ?means,? ?a? ?

long? ?time? ?ago,? ?someone? ?heard? ?the? ?voices? ?of? ?the? ?dead,? ?understood? ?them? ?and? ?remembered? ?them,? ?

then,? ?somehow? ?transplanted? ?this? ?memory? ?to? ?you,? ?infected? ?you? ?with? ?those? ?emotions.? ?Because? ?

that? ?person? ?already? ?knew? ?the? ?WuYong? ?tongue,? ?so,? ?you? ?didn’t? ?need? ?to? ?know? ?the? ?WuYong? ?tongue.? ?

Those? ?voices? ?had? ?always? ?been? ?buried? ?deep? ?within? ?your? ?mind,? ?and? ?the? ?moment? ?you? ?heard? ?them,? ?

you? ?were? ?dragged? ?into? ?those? ?emotions? ?directly.”? ? ?

?

“I? ?see...”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?said,? ?“But,? ?the? ?problem? ?is,? ?who? ?could? ?pass? ?those? ?memories? ?and? ?emotions? ?to? ?

me?? ?And? ?when? ?did? ?they? ?do? ?this?”? ? ?

?

After? ?a? ?pause,? ?he? ?murmured,? ?“...Guoshi?”? ? ?

?

However,? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?said,? ?“Can’t? ?be? ?sure.? ?Gege,? ?you’re? ?already? ?assuming? ?your? ?master? ?is? ?from? ?

WuYong.? ?But,? ?have? ?you? ?ever? ?thought? ?that? ?if? ?that’s? ?the? ?case,? ?then? ?before? ?when? ?we? ?were? ?in? ?the? ?

stomach? ?of? ?the? ?mountain? ?spirit,? ?shouldn’t? ?they? ?be? ?communicating? ?via? ?the? ?WuYong? ?tongue?? ?Why? ?

weren’t? ?they?”? ? ?

?

This? ?wasn’t? ?hard? ?to? ?explain.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?said,? ?“Because? ?the? ?Kingdom? ?of? ?WuYong? ?was? ?destroyed? ?two? ?

thousand? ?years? ?ago,? ?which? ?means,? ?in? ?the? ?past? ?two? ?thousand? ?years,? ?if? ?they? ?really? ?did? ?move? ?about? ?

in? ?this? ?world,? ?then? ?they? ?would? ?more? ?likely? ?use? ?the? ?modern? ?language.? ?So? ?when? ?they? ?

communicate,? ?they? ?would? ?very? ?naturally? ?use? ?the? ?language? ?they’re? ?more? ?fluent? ?in.”? ?

?

Hua? ?Cheng? ?gripped? ?his? ?shoulders,? ?his? ?tone? ?growing? ?harsher,? ?“Gege,? ?don’t? ?keep? ?making? ?yourself? ?

think? ?in? ?that? ?direction.”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?finally? ?turned? ?back? ?to? ?face? ?him,? ?“Fine.? ?Then? ?San? ?Lang,? ?in? ?order? ?to? ?transplant? ?memories? ?

and? ?emotions? ?to? ?another,? ?what? ?kind? ?of? ?requirements? ?must? ?there? ?be? ?usually?”? ? ?

?

Hua? ?Cheng? ?answered,? ?“Two? ?requirements:? ?first,? ?you? ?must? ?trust? ?this? ?person? ?absolutely? ?without? ?

any? ?guard,? ?and? ?should? ?there? ?be? ?a? ?need,? ?the? ?willingness? ?to? ?be? ?led? ?by? ?this? ?person.”? ? ?

?

After? ?a? ?brief? ?moment? ?of? ?contemplation,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?had? ?picked? ?the? ?candidates? ?in? ?his? ?mind.? ?Hua? ?

Cheng? ?continued,? ?“Second,? ?you? ?are? ?powerless? ?to? ?retaliate? ?against? ?this? ?person,? ?they? ?have? ?the? ?

power? ?to? ?oppress? ?you? ?completely,? ?and? ?you? ?hold? ?deep? ?fear? ?towards? ?them.? ?Gege,? ?think? ?carefully.? ?

In? ?these? ?years,? ?who? ?matches? ?these? ?requirements?”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?contemplated? ?for? ?a? ?while,? ?and? ?after? ?some? ?hesitation,? ?answered? ?slowly,? ?“There? ?are? ?three? ?

in? ?total.”? ? ?

?

“Very? ?good.? ?Which? ?three?”? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?asked.? ?

?

“The? ?first? ?one? ?is? ?Guoshi.”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?said.? ?

?

Although? ?he? ?loved? ?his? ?parents? ?deeply? ?and? ?never? ?guarded? ?against? ?them,? ?but? ?deep? ?in? ?his? ?heart,? ?

him? ?and? ?his? ?father? ?walked? ?different? ?paths,? ?thus,? ?he? ?couldn’t? ?say? ?he? ?was? ?willing? ?to? ?be? ?lead? ?by? ?his? ?

father.? ?However,? ?Guoshi? ?who? ?took? ?him? ?in? ?and? ?taught? ?him? ?everything? ?matches? ?the? ?first? ?

requirement.? ?This? ?was? ?expected.? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?asked,? ?“Then,? ?the? ?second? ?one?”? ? ?

?

“Jun? ?Wu.”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?answered.? ?

?

He? ?admired? ?and? ?respected? ?Jun? ?Wu? ?immensely,? ?no? ?need? ?to? ?speak? ?more? ?on? ?the? ?subject,? ?and? ?he? ?

also? ?fulfills? ?the? ?first? ?requirement.? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?didn’t? ?look? ?to? ?be? ?too? ?impressed? ?but? ?he? ?didn’t? ?

comment.? ?“And? ?the? ?last? ?one?? ? ?

?

“The? ?third? ?one,”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?said,? ?“Doesn’t? ?match? ?the? ?first? ?requirement? ?but? ?the? ?second? ?one.”? ? ?

?

Hua? ?Cheng? ?understood.? ?He? ?said? ?darkly,? ?“...White? ?No-Face?”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?closed? ?his? ?eyes? ?and? ?nodded,? ?a? ?hand? ?covering? ?his? ?front,? ?“...I? ?won’t? ?lie? ?to? ?you.? ?Even? ?

though? ?in? ?front? ?of? ?everyone,? ?I? ?might? ?not? ?have? ?revealed? ?this,? ?even? ?to? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?and? ?Mu? ?Qing? ?back? ?

then? ?I? ?had? ?never? ?said? ?anything? ?dispiriting,? ?but? ?I? ?actually...”? ? ?

?

Actually,? ?deep? ?in? ?his? ?heart,? ?he? ?had? ?deeply? ?feared? ?that? ?creature.? ?

?

There? ?was? ?a? ?period? ?of? ?time? ?when? ?even? ?just? ?hearing? ?the? ?name? ?would? ?make? ?him? ?tremble? ?nonstop.? ?

However,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?had? ?never? ?dared? ?to? ?allow? ?anyone? ?see,? ?because? ?he? ?was? ?the? ?very? ?hope? ?in? ?

fighting? ?White? ?No-Face.? ?If? ?even? ?he? ?was? ?scared,? ?then? ?wouldn’t? ?everyone? ?else? ?fall? ?into? ?despair?? ?If? ?

that? ?should? ?happen,? ?then? ?everything? ?would? ?collapse!? ? ?

?

Of? ?course,? ?everything? ?was? ?much? ?better? ?now.? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?gripped? ?his? ?shoulders? ?even? ?harder,? ?“It’s? ?

nothing.? ?It’s? ?nothing? ?shameful? ?to? ?be? ?afraid? ?of? ?something.”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?gave? ?a? ?small? ?flickering? ?smile,? ?“En.? ?I’m? ?just? ?not? ?brave? ?enough,? ?that’s? ?all.”? ? ?

?

Hua? ?Cheng? ?comforted,? ?“You? ?don’t? ?need? ?to? ?be? ?so? ?hard? ?on? ?yourself.? ?Without? ?fear,? ?there? ?is? ?no? ?

courage.”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?was? ?slightly? ?taken? ?aback.? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?continued? ?without? ?pause,? ?“So,? ?is? ?it? ?only? ?those? ?

three?”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?nodded.? ?Which? ?meant,? ?someone? ?among? ?those? ?three? ?was? ?the? ?one? ?who? ?instilled? ?the? ?

memories? ?and? ?emotions? ?of? ?the? ?WuYong? ?people? ?when? ?the? ?volcano? ?erupted.? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?mused,? ?

furrowing? ?his? ?brows,? ?but? ?after? ?a? ?moment? ?of? ?silence,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?suddenly? ?spoke? ?up,? ?“That’s? ?not? ?all? ?of? ?

them.”? ? ?

?

Hua? ?Cheng? ?turned? ?to? ?look? ?at? ?him,? ?“What?”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?sucked? ?in? ?a? ?breath? ?and? ?said,? ?“...I? ?said,? ?it’s? ?not? ?only? ?those? ?three,? ?there’s? ?a? ?fourth? ?person.? ?

This? ?person? ?matches? ?the? ?first? ?requirement.? ?But,? ?he? ?has? ?nothing? ?to? ?do? ?with? ?those? ?memories? ?and? ?

emotions.”? ? ?

?

Hua? ?Cheng? ?had? ?turned? ?around? ?completely,? ?“Oh?? ?How? ?so?? ?Does? ?Your? ?Highness? ?and? ?this? ?person? ?

also? ?share? ?many? ?years? ?of? ?deep? ?friendship?”? ? ?

?

Not? ?so? ?many? ?years,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?thought,? ?but? ?a? ?deep? ?friendship...? ?He? ?thought? ?it? ?counted,? ?but? ?he? ?was? ?

too? ?embarrassed? ?to? ?say? ?it? ?out? ?loud,? ?so? ?he? ?replied? ?ambiguously,? ?“In? ?any? ?case...? ?he? ?might? ?be? ?the? ?

one? ?I? ?trust? ?the? ?most,? ?even? ?more? ?so? ?than? ?my? ?master? ?and? ?Jun? ?Wu.”? ? ?

?

“How? ?does? ?that? ?count?”? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?asked.? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?cleared? ?his? ?throat? ?lightly? ?and? ?said? ?shyly,? ?“It’s? ?embarrassing? ?to? ?say.? ?Because...? ?If? ?I? ?were? ?

to? ?commit? ?a? ?grave? ?mistake,? ?or? ?get? ?into? ?big? ?troubles,? ?the? ?first? ?one? ?I? ?think? ?of? ?is? ?surely? ?him...? ?And,? ?

this? ?trust? ?is? ?not? ?quite? ?the? ?same? ?as? ?what? ?I? ?have? ?for? ?my? ?master? ?and? ?the? ?Emperor...”? ?Before? ?he? ?even? ?

finished? ?he? ?noticed? ?Hua? ?Cheng’s? ?expression? ?was? ?off,? ?and? ?he? ?trailed? ?off,? ?“San? ?Lang?”? ? ?

?

Only? ?then? ?did? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?come? ?to,? ?and? ?he? ?raised? ?his? ?brows,? ?“Oh.? ?It’s? ?nothing,? ?I? ?was? ?thinking? ?of? ?

something? ?else.? ?Your? ?Highness? ?really? ?trust? ?this? ?person? ?so? ?much?”? ? ?

?

Although? ?usually? ?when? ?he? ?raised? ?his? ?brows? ?he? ?was? ?at? ?ease? ?or? ?teasing,? ?this? ?time? ?it? ?didn’t? ?seem? ?

that? ?natural.? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?nodded,? ?“En...? ?Is? ?there? ?a? ?problem?”? ? ?

?

Hua? ?Cheng? ?bowed? ?his? ?head? ?slightly,? ?fixed? ?the? ?silver? ?vambraces? ?by? ?his? ?sleeves,? ?and? ?said,? ?

appearing? ?nonchalant,? ?“Nothing? ?major.? ?But,? ?a? ?personal? ?opinion.? ?It’s? ?best? ?if? ?gege? ?doesn’t? ?trust? ?

others? ?so? ?easily.”? ? ?

?

“...”? ?

?

Hearing? ?him,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?couldn’t? ?be? ?sure? ?if? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?figured? ?out? ?who? ?he? ?was? ?talking? ?about,? ?and? ?

he? ?didn’t? ?dare? ?to? ?reveal? ?anymore,? ?so? ?he? ?only? ?“Oh”-ed.? ?

?

After? ?a? ?pause,? ?he? ?still? ?couldn’t? ?hold? ?back? ?and? ?asked,? ?“San? ?Lang? ?isn’t? ?going? ?to? ?ask? ?who? ?this? ?

person? ?is?”? ? ?

?

“Hm?? ?Me?”? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?said,? ?“Since? ?gege? ?said? ?you? ?trust? ?him? ?and? ?is? ?determined? ?that? ?he? ?has? ?

nothing? ?to? ?do? ?with? ?this? ?affair,? ?then? ?there’s? ?no? ?need? ?to? ?ask.”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?rubbed? ?his? ?forehead,? ?and? ?soon? ?after,? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?said,? ?“But,? ?if? ?gege? ?wants? ?to? ?tell? ?me,? ?

San? ?Lang? ?is? ?happy? ?to? ?listen.”? ? ?

?

Although? ?his? ?words? ?sounded? ?proper,? ?but? ?if? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?followed? ?along? ?and? ?told? ?him? ?now,? ?it’d? ?be? ?

awkward,? ?like? ?he? ?was? ?begging? ?people? ?to? ?ask? ?who? ?he? ?trusted? ?the? ?most? ?was.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?couldn’t? ?tell? ?

whether? ?if? ?it? ?was? ?just? ?courtesy? ?or? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?really? ?didn’t? ?care? ?either.? ?Coincidentally,? ?right? ?then,? ?

the? ?wraith? ?butterflies? ?that? ?had? ?been? ?engaged? ?in? ?a? ?bloody? ?carnage? ?with? ?the? ?corpse-eating? ?rats? ?had? ?

returned.? ?After? ?going? ?through? ?a? ?strenuous? ?battle,? ?the? ?silver? ?butterflies? ?were? ?flying? ?a? ?little? ?low,? ?like? ?

they? ?were? ?dragging? ?with? ?fatigue.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?quickly? ?went? ?up? ?to? ?greet? ?them,? ?reaching? ?out? ?to? ?catch? ?a? ?

particularly? ?tiny? ?little? ?silver? ?butterfly? ?and? ?said,? ?“Thanks? ?for? ?your? ?hard? ?work!”? ? ?

?

Now? ?he’d? ?done? ?it.? ?The? ?butterflies? ?paused? ?in? ?the? ?air,? ?and? ?the? ?next? ?second,? ?it? ?was? ?like? ?they? ?smelled? ?

delicious? ?pastry? ?and? ?they? ?all? ?charged? ?towards? ?him? ?like? ?mad.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?had? ?the? ?little? ?silver? ?butterfly? ?

cupped? ?in? ?his? ?hand? ?was? ?almost? ?stunned.? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?gave? ?a? ?calm? ?cough,? ?and? ?the? ?butterflies? ?

paused? ?again,? ?then? ?they? ?flew? ?towards? ?him? ?properly,? ?landing? ?on? ?the? ?silver? ?vambraces? ?on? ?his? ?

arms,? ?becoming? ?one? ?with? ?the? ?engraved? ?butterfly? ?patterns.? ?

?

The? ?two? ?continued? ?to? ?search? ?for? ?Yin? ?Yu.? ?After? ?walking? ?for? ?a? ?while,? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?suddenly? ?spoke? ?

up,? ?“It’s? ?not? ?Feng? ?Xin,? ?is? ?it?”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?had? ?already? ?started? ?thinking? ?about? ?something? ?else,? ?and? ?when? ?he? ?heard? ?him,? ?he? ?blinked,? ?

“Huh?? ?What?”? ? ?

?

“That? ?person? ?gege? ?spoke? ?of.”? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?said.? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?instantly? ?waved? ?his? ?hand,? ?“Of? ?course? ?not.”? ? ?

?

Hua? ?Cheng’s? ?brows? ?twitched,? ?“...It’s? ?not? ?Mu? ?Qing? ?either,? ?is? ?it?”? ? ?

?

A? ?drop? ?of? ?sweat? ?rolled? ?down? ?Xie? ?Lian’s? ?forehead,? ?“That’s? ?even? ?more? ?impossible.? ?But,? ?why? ?is? ?San? ?

Lang? ?suddenly? ?asking? ?about? ?this? ?again?”? ? ?

?

Hua? ?Cheng? ?smiled,? ?“I? ?thought? ?about? ?it,? ?and? ?suddenly? ?felt? ?the? ?fourth? ?person? ?is? ?the? ?most? ?

suspicious.? ?So,? ?to? ?prevent? ?any? ?surprises,? ?will? ?gege? ?please? ?tell? ?me? ?who? ?this? ?person? ?you? ?trust? ?the? ?

most? ?and? ?have? ?shared? ?many? ?years? ?of? ?deep? ?friendship? ?with? ?is?”? ? ?

?

“...”? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?watched? ?the? ?smile? ?on? ?his? ?face? ?and? ?had? ?a? ?gut? ?feeling? ?that? ?this? ?smile? ?was? ?very? ?fake.? ?Just? ?

as? ?he? ?inhaled? ?deeply? ?and? ?was? ?about? ?to? ?speak,? ?the? ?faint? ?silver? ?light? ?from? ?the? ?scouting? ?silver? ?

butterflies? ?suddenly? ?disappeared.? ?

?

Darkness? ?fell? ?from? ?all? ?around,? ?and? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?swiftly? ?seized? ?Xie? ?Lian’s? ?hand? ?and? ?blitzed? ?to? ?the? ?

side? ?of? ?the? ?street.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?could? ?tell? ?something? ?was? ?wrong? ?and? ?said? ?in? ?a? ?whisper,? ?“San? ?Lang,? ?

something’s? ?coming,? ?right?”? ? ?

?

Even? ?though? ?darkness? ?had? ?come? ?suddenly? ?and? ?nothing? ?could? ?be? ?seen,? ?but? ?he? ?still? ?followed? ?after? ?

Hua? ?Cheng’s? ?steps? ?closely? ?and? ?flawlessly? ?hopped? ?into? ?a? ?house? ?to? ?hide.? ?Hua? ?Cheng’s? ?voice? ?rang? ?

next? ?to? ?his? ?ear,? ?“It’s? ?here.”? ? ?

?

Within? ?the? ?darkness,? ?there? ?was? ?suddenly? ?a? ?very? ?peculiar? ?sound.? ?

?

Dong,? ?dong,? ?dong.? ?

?

Even? ?though? ?it? ?was? ?far? ?away,? ?but? ?each? ?drag? ?sounded? ?exceedingly? ?heavy,? ?and? ?with? ?every? ?sound,? ?

it’d? ?sound? ?much? ?closer? ?than? ?before,? ?its? ?speed? ?astounding.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?kept? ?thinking? ?this? ?sound? ?was? ?

familiar,? ?that? ?he? ?had? ?definitely? ?heard? ?it? ?before,? ?and? ?when? ?that? ?sound? ?was? ?close,? ?he? ?looked? ?to? ?the? ?

outside.? ?

?

Sure? ?enough!? ?On? ?the? ?main? ?streets? ?of? ?the? ?underground? ?city,? ?a? ?woman? ?dressed? ?in? ?wedding? ?robes? ?

appeared.? ?

?

While? ?that? ?woman? ?had? ?donned? ?a? ?wedding? ?robe,? ?the? ?robe? ?itself? ?was? ?ragged? ?and? ?shredded,? ?

chillingly? ?gloomy.? ?Although? ?her? ?face? ?was? ?handsomely? ?beautiful,? ?there? ?was? ?no? ?sign? ?of? ?life.? ?The? ?

glowingly? ?green? ?ghost? ?fire? ?on? ?top? ?of? ?her? ?head? ?also? ?made? ?her? ?blanched? ?face? ?glow? ?green.? ?In? ?her? ?

arms? ?cradled? ?a? ?small? ?child? ?whose? ?face? ?was? ?also? ?pale,? ?but? ?much? ?livelier? ?than? ?her,? ?obviously? ?a? ?live? ?

human.? ?

?

“Bumping? ?into? ?old? ?friends? ?again.”? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?said.? ?

?

It? ?was? ?the? ?female? ?ghost? ?Xuan? ?Ji? ?and? ?Gu? ?Zi!? ? ?

?

?

————? ?

?

Ch.168:? ?Ghost? ?Fire? ?Top;? ?The? ?Unlocking? ?Incantation? ?

?

They’ve? ?come? ?to? ?Mount? ?TongLu? ?too!? ?

?

“Gu? ?Zi? ?is? ?here,? ?does? ?that? ?mean? ?Qi? ?Rong? ?has? ?come? ?too?”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?wondered.? ?

?

“Look? ?at? ?that? ?ball? ?of? ?green? ?light? ?on? ?top? ?of? ?her? ?head,? ?there’s? ?no? ?doubt? ?he? ?has.”? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?said.? ?

?

“...”? ?

?

Gu? ?Zi? ?seemed? ?to? ?be? ?a? ?little? ?afraid? ?of? ?Xuan? ?Ji,? ?his? ?little? ?form? ?still? ?and? ?unmoving? ?in? ?her? ?arms.? ?

However,? ?perhaps? ?it? ?was? ?because? ?Xuan? ?Ji’s? ?body? ?was? ?cold? ?and? ?it? ?wasn’t? ?comfortable,? ?he? ?

secretly? ?wiggled? ?a? ?couple? ?times,? ?but? ?Xuan? ?Ji? ?instantly? ?admonished,? ?“Don’t? ?move!”? ? ?

?

The? ?moment? ?she? ?opened? ?her? ?mouth,? ?with? ?the? ?glow? ?of? ?that? ?ball? ?of? ?green? ?ghost? ?fire,? ?the? ?muscles? ?of? ?

her? ?face? ?appeared? ?even? ?more? ?twisted.? ?That? ?ghost? ?fire? ?was? ?also? ?considered? ?a? ?hallmark? ?sign? ?of? ?

the? ?Green? ?Ghost? ?at? ?this? ?point,? ?exceedingly? ?poor? ?in? ?taste,? ?and? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?felt? ?that? ?any? ?female? ?ghost? ?

who? ?had? ?a? ?normal? ?taste? ?and? ?valued? ?their? ?own? ?image? ?would? ?refuse? ?to? ?wear? ?such? ?a? ?flashy? ?ball? ?of? ?

ghost? ?fire? ?over? ?their? ?heads.? ?Needless? ?to? ?say,? ?it? ?must’ve? ?been? ?Qi? ?Rong? ?who? ?made? ?her? ?wear? ?it.? ?The? ?

green? ?flames? ?and? ?the? ?red? ?wedding? ?robes? ?formed? ?a? ?shocking? ?sight,? ?attacking? ?the? ?eyes,? ?even? ?

more? ?despairing? ?than? ?if? ?a? ?master? ?was? ?to? ?force? ?one? ?to? ?wear? ?an? ?extremely? ?ugly? ?uniform.? ?

?

Gu? ?Zi? ?pleaded,? ?eyes? ?brimming? ?with? ?tears,? ?“Jie? ?jie,? ?my? ?tummy? ?doesn’t? ?feel? ?that? ?good? ?after? ?drinking? ?

that? ?water.”? ? ?

?

Water?? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?broke? ?out? ?into? ?cold? ?seat.? ?That? ?underground? ?water? ?had? ?flocks? ?of? ?corpse-eating? ?

rats? ?swim? ?through,? ?and? ?although? ?it? ?might? ?not? ?be? ?toxic,? ?but? ?children? ?had? ?weaker? ?immunition,? ?and? ?

might? ?get? ?diarrhea? ?after? ?drinking? ?it.? ?Xuan? ?Ji? ?was? ?obviously? ?the? ?type? ?who? ?didn’t? ?like? ?children,? ?and? ?

had? ?no? ?patience? ?for? ?him,? ?“Hang? ?on? ?for? ?a? ?bit.? ?We’re? ?already? ?on? ?our? ?way? ?back.”? ? ?

?

Their? ?backs? ?disappeared? ?and? ?became? ?one? ?with? ?the? ?darkness.? ?No? ?need? ?to? ?say? ?anymore,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?

and? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?quietly? ?trailed? ?after? ?them.? ?Soon? ?after,? ?they? ?followed? ?Xuan? ?Ji? ?and? ?turned? ?a? ?few? ?

corners? ?and? ?entered? ?another? ?main? ?street.? ?At? ?the? ?end? ?of? ?the? ?street? ?was? ?a? ?particularly? ?lavish? ?

house,? ?and? ?there? ?were? ?voices? ?coming? ?from? ?within,? ?so? ?that? ?must? ?be? ?the? ?destination.? ?Under? ?the? ?

guise? ?of? ?the? ?shadows,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?and? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?charged? ?forward? ?first? ?and? ?hopped? ?onto? ?the? ?roof? ?

of? ?that? ?house,? ?and? ?through? ?the? ?cracks,? ?peered? ?down.? ?Sure? ?enough,? ?Qi? ?Rong? ?was? ?sitting? ?in? ?the? ?

centre? ?of? ?the? ?grand? ?hall? ?of? ?that? ?mansion.? ?

?

He? ?had? ?some? ?tens? ?of? ?stone? ?statues? ?carried? ?over,? ?their? ?heads? ?facing? ?him,? ?and? ?because? ?those? ?

stone? ?people? ?were? ?all? ?sprawled? ?on? ?the? ?floor,? ?they? ?looked? ?like? ?they? ?were? ?in? ?complete? ?submission? ?

towards? ?him.? ?He? ?was? ?thus? ?enjoying? ?this? ?“prostration”? ?and? ?munching? ?on? ?an? ?arm,? ?quite? ?pleased? ?

with? ?himself.? ?In? ?the? ?corner? ?sat? ?several? ?farmers,? ?and? ?one? ?of? ?them,? ?with? ?his? ?head? ?bowed? ?and? ?

having? ?practically? ?no? ?sense? ?of? ?presence,? ?was? ?Yin? ?Yu!? ?

?

As? ?they? ?suspected,? ?he? ?was? ?captured? ?by? ?Qi? ?Rong.? ?Although? ?no? ?one? ?was? ?bound? ?by? ?ropes,? ?but? ?

there? ?were? ?balls? ?greasily? ?green? ?ghost? ?fires? ?hovering? ?over? ?every? ?one? ?of? ?their? ?heads.? ?Upon? ?a? ?

closer? ?look,? ?those? ?ghost? ?fires? ?were? ?different? ?than? ?the? ?flashy? ?one? ?on? ?top? ?of? ?Xuan? ?Ji’s? ?head;? ?those? ?

had? ?grown? ?all? ?five? ?senses,? ?their? ?eyes? ?narrowed? ?downwards,? ?their? ?expressions? ?malicious,? ?looking? ?

like? ?wicked? ?wretches,? ?and? ?they? ?were? ?firmly? ?watchful? ?of? ?the? ?person? ?below.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?whispered,? ?

“Those? ?balls? ?of? ?fires? ?must? ?have? ?something? ?to? ?them.”? ?

?

Hua? ?Cheng? ?replied,? ?“That’s? ?Qi? ?Rong’s? ?Ghost? ?Fire? ?Lock.? ?Once? ?that? ?fire? ?eyes? ?you,? ?if? ?you? ?dare? ?

escape,? ?it? ?would? ?activate? ?the? ?spell? ?and? ?be? ?burned? ?to? ?death? ?in? ?an? ?instant.”? ? ?

?

Qi? ?Rong? ?was? ?fully? ?enjoying? ?munching? ?that? ?arm? ?when? ?Xuan? ?Ji’s? ?voice? ?suddenly? ?rang? ?from? ?the? ?

outside,? ?“My? ?Lord,? ?I’ve? ?returned.”? ? ?

?

He? ?immediately? ?threw? ?that? ?arm? ?away? ?and? ?wiped? ?his? ?mouth? ?covered? ?with? ?blood.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?was? ?

slightly? ?amazed;? ?what? ?was? ?that? ?gesture?? ?Afraid? ?someone? ?might? ?see?? ?Could? ?there? ?actually? ?come? ?

a? ?day? ?Qi? ?Rong? ?was? ?embarrassed? ?someone? ?might? ?see? ?the? ?manner? ?in? ?which? ?he? ?ate?? ? ?

?

Before? ?Xuan? ?Ji? ?entered,? ?she? ?put? ?Gu? ?Zi? ?down.? ?Gu? ?Zi? ?ta-ta-ta’ed? ?and? ?ran? ?in,? ?rushing? ?straight? ?to? ?Qi? ?

Rong’s? ?side,? ?but? ?when? ?he? ?saw? ?him? ?he? ?pointed? ?his? ?finger? ?and? ?cried,? ?“Dad? ?is? ?eating? ?bad? ?things? ?in? ?

secret? ?again!”? ? ?

?

“I’m? ?not!”? ?Qi? ?Rong? ?retaliated.? ?

?

“I? ?smelled? ?it!? ?Your? ?mouth? ?reeks? ?when? ?you? ?eat? ?it!”? ?Gu? ?Zi? ?accused.? ?

?

Qi? ?Rong? ?raised? ?his? ?hand? ?and? ?puffed? ?a? ?couple? ?breaths? ?against? ?his? ?palm,? ?and? ?he? ?must’ve? ?smelled? ?

his? ?mouth? ?full? ?of? ?the? ?stench? ?of? ?blood? ?and? ?rot.? ?Without? ?any? ?way? ?to? ?deny? ?it,? ?he? ?became? ?irritated,? ?

“GODDAMMIT!? ?XUAN? ?JI!? ?WHY? ?DID? ?YOU? ?BRING? ?HIM? ?BACK? ?ALL? ?OF? ?A? ?SUDDEN?? ?DIDN’T? ?I? ?

SAY? ?TO? ?TAKE? ?HIM? ?AROUND? ?A? ?BIT? ?LONGER? ?WHEN? ?I’M? ?EATING??”? ? ?

?

Xuan? ?Ji? ?floated? ?in? ?and? ?explained,? ?“He? ?was? ?making? ?a? ?fuss? ?over? ?a? ?tummy? ?ache? ?after? ?drinking? ?water? ?

so? ?I? ?brought? ?him? ?back? ?early.? ?My? ?Lord,? ?please? ?don’t? ?make? ?me? ?take? ?care? ?of? ?children? ?anymore,? ?I? ?

don’t? ?know? ?how? ?to? ?deal? ?with? ?him!”? ? ?

?

Qi? ?Rong? ?glared? ?and? ?accused,? ?“WHAT?!? ?AREN’T? ?YOU? ?A? ?FEMALE? ?GHOST??? ?HOW? ?CAN? ?

FEMALE? ?GHOSTS? ?NOT? ?LIKE? ?TAKING? ?CARE? ?OF? ?CHILDREN??”? ? ?

?

“But? ?this? ?isn’t? ?even? ?my? ?own? ?child!”? ?Xuan? ?Ji? ?countered.? ?

?

Gu? ?Zi? ?tugged? ?at? ?Qi? ?Rong’s? ?hem,? ?“Dad,? ?don’t? ?eat? ?those? ?things? ?anymore,? ?they’re? ?not? ?good? ?for? ?

you...”? ?Qi? ?Rong? ?was? ?growing? ?annoyed? ?by? ?his? ?nagging? ?and? ?reprimanded,? ?“Go? ?go? ?go!? ?Don’t? ?hang? ?

around? ?here? ?to? ?annoy? ?people.? ?What? ?is? ?this,? ?kids? ?nagging? ?grownups,? ?go? ?out? ?and? ?go? ?play? ?by? ?

yourself!”? ?And? ?so? ?Gu? ?Zi? ?could? ?only? ?drag? ?his? ?feet? ?and? ?go? ?out? ?to? ?play? ?with? ?mud? ?by? ?himself.? ?Before? ?

he? ?left? ?he? ?even? ?glanced? ?sadly? ?at? ?the? ?others? ?in? ?the? ?house.? ? ?

?

Only? ?when? ?he? ?was? ?gone? ?did? ?Xuan? ?Ji? ?speak? ?up,? ?“My? ?Lord,? ?I? ?really? ?don’t? ?understand,? ?why? ?must? ?

you? ?bring? ?him? ?along? ?if? ?you? ?think? ?him? ?annoying?? ?He’s? ?been? ?hungry,? ?and? ?thirsty,? ?and? ?teary,? ?and? ?

sickly? ?the? ?entire? ?way.? ?If? ?it? ?wasn’t? ?for? ?bumping? ?into? ?that? ?mountain? ?spirit? ?who? ?carried? ?us,? ?who? ?knows? ?

if? ?he’d? ?still? ?be? ?slowing? ?us? ?down.”? ?

?

Qi? ?Rong? ?laughed? ?wryly,? ?“My? ?cheap? ?son? ?is? ?determined? ?to? ?call? ?me? ?dad,? ?so? ?just? ?let? ?him!? ?Pfft,? ?what? ?

rubbish,? ?of? ?course? ?it’s? ?because? ?I’m? ?gonna? ?eat? ?that? ?little? ?dumb? ?pecker!? ?A? ?small? ?kid’s? ?meat? ?is? ?so? ?

tender,? ?even? ?without? ?seasoning? ?it’ll? ?be? ?flavourful? ?enough!”? ? ?

?

“Then? ?why? ?haven’t? ?you? ?eaten? ?him? ?yet?”? ?Xuan? ?Ji? ?questioned.? ?

?

Green? ?light? ?flashed? ?in? ?Qi? ?Rong’s? ?eyes,? ?“You? ?don’t? ?understand? ?anything!? ?I’ll? ?kill? ?after? ?he’s? ?fattened!? ?

Leave? ?the? ?best? ?for? ?last!? ?Besides,? ?we? ?still? ?have? ?so? ?many? ?supplies? ?left,? ?no? ?need? ?to? ?rush!”? ? ?

?

Xuan? ?Ji? ?stared? ?at? ?Yin? ?Yu,? ?“I? ?think? ?this? ?new? ?one? ?you? ?captured? ?is? ?suspicious.? ?Very,? ?very? ?suspicious.? ?

My? ?Lord,? ?did? ?you? ?find? ?out? ?where? ?exactly? ?he? ?came? ?from?”? ? ?

?

Judging? ?by? ?how? ?much? ?Qi? ?Rong? ?hates? ?Hua? ?Cheng,? ?if? ?he? ?knew? ?Yin? ?Yu? ?was? ?Hua? ?Cheng’s? ?

subordinate,? ?he? ?would’ve? ?immediately? ?eaten? ?him,? ?yet? ?Qi? ?Rong? ?replied,? ?“Yea,? ?I? ?got? ?it.? ?This? ?bastard? ?

came? ?with? ?the? ?Rain? ?Master? ?to? ?help? ?too.”? ? ?

?

A? ?weak? ?sense? ?of? ?presence? ?and? ?a? ?flat? ?personality? ?was? ?sometimes? ?a? ?good? ?thing;? ?people? ?usually? ?

wouldn’t? ?link? ?Yin? ?Yu? ?and? ?Crimson? ?Rain? ?Sought? ?Flower? ?together.? ?It? ?seemed,? ?Yin? ?Yu? ?had? ?

successfully? ?lied? ?about? ?his? ?own? ?identity.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?sighed? ?a? ?breath? ?of? ?relief.? ?Xuan? ?Ji’s? ?face,? ?

however,? ?dropped,? ?“Yu? ?Shi? ?Huang? ?has? ?already? ?chased? ?us? ?here?!”? ? ?

?

“Nah.”? ?Qi? ?Rong? ?said,? ?“This? ?bastard? ?found? ?this? ?underground? ?city? ?by? ?accident,? ?the? ?same? ?as? ?us.? ?The? ?

Rain? ?Master? ?hasn’t? ?found? ?us? ?yet.? ?GOD? ?FUCKING? ?DAMMIT!”? ?He? ?suddenly? ?cussed,? ?“Why? ?is? ?the? ?

Rain? ?Master? ?so? ?hard? ?to? ?deal? ?with?? ?So? ?hot? ?on? ?our? ?trail? ?that? ?we? ?had? ?to? ?come? ?hide? ?here!? ?WE? ?ONLY? ?

GRABBED? ?A? ?COUPLE? ?OF? ?THOSE? ?PLANTERS? ?FROM? ?THE? ?COUNTRY? ?TO? ?EAT,? ?WHY? ?SO? ?

STINGY?? ?A? ?heavenly? ?official? ?too,? ?I? ?just? ?KNEW? ?none? ?of? ?the? ?heavenly? ?officials? ?are? ?any? ?good!? ?SO? ?

NARROW-MINDED? ?AND? ?MISERLY!”? ? ?

?

He’d? ?always? ?cause? ?others? ?harm? ?first? ?and? ?act? ?all? ?self-important? ?after.? ?You? ?were? ?the? ?first? ?one? ?who? ?

wretchedly? ?grabbed? ?someone? ?else’s? ?farmers? ?who? ?were? ?minding? ?their? ?own? ?business,? ?but? ?you? ?had? ?

to? ?turn? ?around? ?and? ?scorn? ?others? ?for? ?not? ?being? ?generous? ?enough? ?to? ?provide? ?you? ?with? ?a? ?few? ?more?!? ?

His? ?speech? ?made? ?Xie? ?Lian’s? ?fists? ?itch.? ? ?

?

“Why? ?don’t? ?we? ?just? ?release? ?those? ?people?”? ?Xuan? ?Ji? ?said.? ?

?

Qi? ?Rong? ?however,? ?seemed? ?to? ?have? ?thought? ?the? ?idea? ?embarrassing? ?and? ?glared,? ?“NO!? ?I? ?already? ?

ate? ?half? ?of? ?them,? ?so? ?even? ?if? ?I? ?release? ?the? ?other? ?half? ?it’d? ?be? ?pointless.? ?FORCE? ?MY? ?HAND? ?AND? ?

THIS? ?ANCESTOR? ?WILL? ?BURN? ?THEM? ?ALL? ?TO? ?THE? ?GROUND!? ?NO? ?ONE? ?WILL? ?BENEFIT? ?FROM? ?

THIS!”? ? ?

?

“I? ?didn’t? ?think? ?things? ?would? ?turn? ?out? ?like? ?this? ?either.? ?The? ?Yu? ?Shi? ?Huang? ?I? ?knew? ?wasn’t? ?like? ?this? ?in? ?

the? ?past,? ?easy? ?to? ?bully.? ?I? ?had? ?thought? ?even? ?if? ?we? ?kidnapped? ?people? ?from? ?YuShi? ?Country? ?

everything? ?would? ?just? ?be? ?swept? ?under? ?the? ?rug? ?and? ?the? ?insult? ?swallowed? ?that? ?I? ?dared? ?make? ?a? ?

move.? ?Who? ?knew? ?it? ?would? ?stir? ?this? ?much? ?trouble,? ?completely? ?unshakable!”? ? ?

?

Xuan? ?Ji? ?actually? ?knew? ?the? ?Rain? ?Master? ?and? ?didn’t? ?seem? ?to? ?hold? ?the? ?lord? ?in? ?high? ?regard.? ?It? ?

seemed,? ?they? ?probably? ?knew? ?each? ?other? ?when? ?they? ?were? ?still? ?mortals.? ?Thinking? ?back? ?on? ?all? ?the? ?

legends,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?whispered,? ?“Could? ?it? ?be? ?that? ?Xuan? ?Ji? ?used? ?to? ?be? ?the? ?general? ?of? ?the? ?Kingdom? ?of? ?

Yushi?”? ? ?

?

“Gege? ?guessed? ?right.”? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?said,? ?“That’s? ?exactly? ?the? ?case.”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?was? ?puzzled,? ?“But? ?that’s? ?not? ?right?? ?Lord? ?Rain? ?Master? ?is? ?a? ?descendant? ?of? ?Yushi? ?royalty? ?

with? ?a? ?prestigious? ?status.? ?Xuan? ?Ji? ?was? ?only? ?a? ?general,? ?a? ?lowly? ?official,? ?so? ?how? ?dare? ?she? ?look? ?

down? ?on? ?her? ?monarch?? ?And? ?even? ?say? ?something? ?like? ?“easy? ?to? ?bully”...”? ? ?

?

Just? ?then,? ?Qi? ?Rong? ?replied,? ?“Who? ?cares? ?what? ?Rain? ?Master? ?Dog? ?Master,? ?just? ?wait? ?til? ?this? ?Ghost? ?

King? ?cultivates? ?to? ?a? ?Supreme? ?status? ?in? ?the? ?Kiln,? ?and? ?be? ?born? ?with? ?so? ?much? ?might? ?I’ll? ?shock? ?the? ?

heavens,? ?and? ?everyone? ?must? ?fall? ?at? ?my? ?feet!? ?Kneel? ?before? ?me? ?and? ?eat? ?the? ?mud? ?at? ?my? ?feet!? ?Then,? ?

I’ll? ?tear? ?the? ?Ghost? ?City? ?down,? ?sink? ?that? ?Black? ?Water? ?Island,? ?and? ?even? ?Jun? ?Wu? ?will? ?have? ?to? ?be? ?

careful? ?where? ?he? ?treads.? ?HAHAHAHAHAHahahaha...”? ? ?

?

“...”? ? ?

?

Listening? ?to? ?him? ?make? ?up? ?so? ?much? ?bull,? ?happily? ?imagining? ?his? ?future? ?might,? ?other? ?than? ?wanting? ?to? ?

laugh,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?felt? ?nothing.? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?on? ?the? ?other? ?hand,? ?didn’t? ?even? ?want? ?to? ?spare? ?the? ?energy? ?

to? ?laugh.? ?Qi? ?Rong? ?then? ?said? ?more? ?to? ?Xuan? ?Ji,? ?“Then,? ?I’ll? ?chop? ?off? ?Pei? ?Ming’s? ?cock? ?for? ?you? ?to? ?play,? ?

make? ?him? ?your? ?slave.”? ? ?

?

Hearing? ?that? ?name,? ?Xuan? ?Ji? ?clenched? ?her? ?fists,? ?a? ?trace? ?of? ?life? ?flashing? ?on? ?her? ?pale? ?face,? ?“NO? ?

NEED!? ?As? ?long? ?as? ?My? ?Lord? ?promises? ?to? ?give? ?him? ?to? ?me? ?for? ?me? ?to? ?handle? ?him? ?myself,? ?Xuan? ?Ji? ?will? ?

be? ?plenty? ?grateful!”? ? ?

?

When? ?it? ?didn’t? ?concern? ?Pei? ?Ming,? ?Xuan? ?Ji? ?looked? ?like? ?a? ?somewhat? ?normal? ?female? ?ghost,? ?but? ?the? ?

moment? ?General? ?Pei? ?was? ?mentioned,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?could? ?see? ?a? ?shadow? ?of? ?that? ?mad? ?and? ?obsessed? ?

female? ?ghost? ?from? ?Mount? ?Yu? ?Jun.? ?She? ?had? ?actually? ?placed? ?that? ?absurd? ?hope? ?on? ?Qi? ?Rong;? ?a? ?move? ?

that? ?could? ?only? ?be? ?described? ?as? ?crazy.? ?

?

Of? ?course,? ?they? ?could? ?just? ?go? ?in? ?directly? ?and? ?beat? ?up? ?Qi? ?Rong? ?and? ?Xuan? ?Ji,? ?but? ?those? ?farmers? ?and? ?

Yin? ?Yu? ?are? ?hostages.? ?Qi? ?Rong? ?is? ?thuggish? ?in? ?character,? ?and? ?if? ?with? ?every? ?punch? ?he? ?burns? ?a? ?

person,? ?then? ?they’d? ?be? ?the? ?ones? ?at? ?a? ?loss.? ?Just? ?as? ?he? ?said,? ?if? ?they? ?forced? ?his? ?hand? ?he? ?could? ?very? ?

well? ?burn? ?everyone? ?to? ?the? ?ground.? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?wasn’t? ?the? ?least? ?bit? ?anxious? ?and? ?said,? ?“There’s? ?an? ?

unlocking? ?incantation? ?to? ?Qi? ?Rong’s? ?Ghost? ?Fire? ?Locks.? ?Let’s? ?think? ?of? ?a? ?way? ?to? ?trick? ?it? ?out? ?of? ?him? ?

first.”? ? ?

?

“Who? ?will? ?do? ?this?? ?How? ?to? ?trick? ?him?? ?We? ?certainly? ?can’t? ?be? ?the? ?ones.”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?said.? ?

?

Just? ?as? ?the? ?words? ?left? ?his? ?lips,? ?their? ?eyes? ?fell? ?at? ?the? ?same? ?time? ?on? ?Gu? ?Zi? ?who? ?was? ?playing? ?with? ?

mud? ?outside? ?the? ?mansion.? ?

?

After? ?a? ?momentary? ?pause,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?said,? ?“That? ?won’t? ?do.? ?It’s? ?too? ?dangerous.? ?Qi? ?Rong? ?is? ?already? ?

thinking? ?of? ?eating? ?Gu? ?Zi,? ?what? ?if? ?he? ?catches? ?the? ?deceit...”? ?

?

“Whether? ?if? ?that? ?brain? ?of? ?his? ?can? ?even? ?register? ?tricks? ?aside,”? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?said,? ?“If? ?he? ?plans? ?on? ?

doing? ?anything? ?to? ?the? ?child? ?we? ?can? ?just? ?go? ?and? ?rescue? ?him.? ?Why? ?doesn’t? ?gege? ?worry? ?instead? ?

whether? ?if? ?this? ?child,? ?after? ?having? ?stayed? ?by? ?Qi? ?Rong? ?for? ?so? ?long,? ?had? ?been? ?influenced? ?by? ?him? ?and? ?

whether? ?if? ?his? ?mental? ?state? ?is? ?still? ?normal.”? ? ?

?

Having? ?followed? ?Qi? ?Rong? ?for? ?so? ?long,? ?it? ?really? ?was? ?hard? ?to? ?say? ?whether? ?if? ?he’s? ?turned? ?monstrous.? ?

“Let’s? ?give? ?it? ?a? ?try? ?then?”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?said.? ?

?

Thus,? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?opened? ?his? ?fingers? ?flat? ?and? ?released? ?a? ?teeny? ?tiny? ?silver? ?butterfly? ?from? ?his? ?palm,? ?

and? ?it? ?fluttered? ?down? ?languidly.? ?

?

Qi? ?Rong? ?and? ?Xuan? ?Ji? ?were? ?still? ?talking? ?inside? ?the? ?house,? ?and? ?Gu? ?Zi? ?was? ?thus? ?outside? ?drawing? ?

pictures? ?in? ?the? ?mud,? ?the? ?picture? ?of? ?a? ?big? ?person? ?holding? ?hands? ?with? ?a? ?little? ?person.? ?Suddenly,? ?he? ?

saw? ?a? ?silver? ?butterfly? ?emitting? ?a? ?faint? ?silver? ?light,? ?and? ?he? ?instantly? ?looked? ?up,? ?his? ?eyes? ?wide,? ?and? ?

was? ?just? ?about? ?to? ?go? ?“WOW!”? ?when? ?a? ?whisper? ?of? ?a? ?voice? ?came? ?from? ?that? ?silver? ?butterfly,? ?“Gu? ?Zi,? ?

don’t? ?speak.? ?The? ?moment? ?you? ?speak? ?I’ll? ?be? ?no? ?more.? ?It’s? ?me.? ?Do? ?you? ?remember? ?me?”? ? ?

?

If? ?Gu? ?Zi? ?still? ?yelled,? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?would’ve? ?had? ?the? ?silver? ?butterfly? ?confound? ?his? ?mind,? ?however,? ?Gu? ?

Zi? ?covered? ?his? ?own? ?mouth,? ?indeed? ?obedient.? ?He? ?whispered? ?back,? ?“I? ?remember.? ?It’s? ?the? ?

scrap-collecting? ?gege’s? ?voice.”? ? ?

?

“...Hahaha,? ?what? ?a? ?good? ?memory.”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?laughed? ?awkwardly,? ?“That’s? ?right,? ?that’s? ?me,? ?the? ?

scrap-collecting? ?guy.? ?Sneak? ?over? ?here? ?to? ?the? ?side? ?for? ?a? ?moment,? ?don’t? ?let? ?Qi...? ?don’t? ?let? ?your? ?dad? ?

notice.”? ? ?

?

Gu? ?Zi? ?nodded,? ?rose? ?to? ?his? ?feet? ?and? ?was? ?just? ?about? ?to? ?sneak? ?away? ?when? ?Qi? ?Rong? ?who? ?was? ?inside? ?

the? ?house? ?noticed,? ?and? ?he? ?yelled,? ?“HEY!? ?DON’T? ?RUN? ?AWAY? ?SO? ?BLINDLY,? ?YA? ?HEAR? ?ME?? ?STAY? ?

HERE? ?AND? ?DON’T? ?GO? ?ANYWHERE,? ?THE? ?BIG? ?RATS? ?WILL? ?GET? ?YA!? ?GET? ?BACK? ?HERE!”? ? ?

?

?

——–? ?

?

Ch.169:? ?Ghost? ?Fire? ?Top;? ?The? ?Unlocking? ?Incantation? ?2? ?

?

That? ?silver? ?butterfly? ?instantly? ?flew? ?to? ?the? ?side? ?and? ?hid.? ?Gu? ?Zi’s? ?eyes? ?widened? ?and? ?answered,? ?“I...? ?

I’m? ?going? ?to? ?pee!”? ? ?

?

Qi? ?Rong? ?clicked? ?his? ?tongue,? ?“Kids? ?are? ?so? ?full? ?of? ?shit? ?and? ?piss!”? ?And? ?stopped? ?caring.? ?Gu? ?Zi? ?

fumbled? ?to? ?the? ?side? ?and? ?whispered? ?again,? ?“Scrap? ?gege,? ?scrap? ?gege!”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?was? ?still? ?on? ?the? ?roof,? ?“...Just? ?daozhang? ?is? ?fine.? ?Scrap? ?gege? ?is? ?a? ?little? ?weird,? ?hahaha...? ?Gu? ?

Zi.? ?Those? ?people? ?your? ?dad? ?captured? ?are? ?very? ?pitiful.? ?They? ?are? ?subordinates? ?from? ?someone? ?else’s? ?

household,? ?and? ?their? ?master? ?will? ?keep? ?chasing? ?your? ?dad? ?to? ?beat? ?him? ?up.? ?Will? ?you? ?help? ?let? ?them? ?

go?”? ? ?

?

“I? ?know!”? ?Gu? ?Zi? ?said,? ?“They’re? ?from? ?the? ?house? ?of? ?that? ?big,? ?black? ?ox? ?riding? ?god!”? ?He? ?scratched? ?his? ?

head,? ?“I? ?want? ?to? ?let? ?them? ?go? ?too...? ?but,? ?my? ?dad? ?is? ?sick.? ?He? ?said? ?he? ?has? ?to? ?eat? ?human? ?flesh? ?to? ?get? ?

better,? ?that? ?eating? ?human? ?flesh? ?is? ?very? ?normal.? ?I’m? ?still? ?young,? ?he’ll? ?teach? ?me? ?how? ?to? ?eat? ?when? ?I’m? ?

bigger.? ?I? ?don’t? ?think? ?that’s? ?very? ?good...”? ?

?

It’s? ?more? ?than? ?just? ?not? ?very? ?good!? ?That? ?was? ?a? ?close? ?call,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?thought.? ?Staying? ?too? ?long? ?by? ?Qi? ?

Rong’s? ?side,? ?Gu? ?Zi? ?was? ?starting? ?to? ?go? ?astray.? ?If? ?he? ?continued? ?to? ?go? ?down? ?the? ?wrong? ?path,? ?maybe? ?

he’d? ?recognize? ?everything? ?as? ?normal? ?out? ?of? ?habit,? ?and? ?accept? ?that? ?eating? ?human? ?flesh? ?was? ?a? ?very? ?

normal? ?belief.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?said? ?quickly,? ?“It’s? ?very? ?not? ?good!? ?Eating? ?human? ?flesh? ?will? ?cause? ?a? ?very? ?

severe? ?illness,? ?the? ?ghosts? ?of? ?the? ?eaten? ?will? ?all? ?cling? ?to? ?you? ?and? ?your? ?dad,? ?harass? ?you? ?day? ?and? ?

night.? ?You? ?dad? ?isn’t? ?sick,? ?he’s? ?just? ?a? ?glutton? ?who? ?refuses? ?to? ?stop.? ?You? ?have? ?to? ?think? ?of? ?a? ?way? ?to? ?

stop? ?him? ?from? ?ever? ?eating? ?that? ?anymore,? ?otherwise? ?you’ll? ?become? ?a? ?fatherless? ?child!”? ?

?

“Then? ?what? ?should? ?I? ?do?”? ?Gu? ?Zi? ?was? ?alarmed.? ?

?

Hua? ?Cheng? ?turned? ?to? ?Xie? ?Lian,? ?“Gege,? ?let? ?me.”? ? ?

?

He? ?said? ?a? ?few? ?words? ?to? ?the? ?silver? ?butterfly,? ?and? ?Gu? ?Zi? ?listened? ?on? ?the? ?other? ?end,? ?trying? ?hard? ?to? ?

remember? ?everything.? ?Once? ?he? ?was? ?done,? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?looked? ?up? ?again? ?and? ?told? ?Xie? ?Lian,? ?“Let’s? ?

lead? ?Xuan? ?Ji? ?out? ?of? ?the? ?way? ?first.”? ? ?

?

Inside? ?the? ?house,? ?Xuan? ?Ji? ?said,? ?“I? ?still? ?think? ?this? ?man? ?is? ?suspicious.? ?He? ?said? ?he’s? ?Yu? ?Shi? ?Huang’s? ?

subordinate,? ?but? ?he’s? ?covered? ?with? ?the? ?essence? ?of? ?evil.? ?I? ?don’t? ?think? ?he? ?was? ?truthful? ?at? ?all,? ?I’ll? ?

question? ?him? ?some? ?more.? ?

?

After? ?seeing? ?Gu? ?Zi? ?scurrying? ?away,? ?Qi? ?Rong? ?turned? ?around? ?with? ?his? ?back? ?facing? ?the? ?door? ?and? ?

continued? ?to? ?munch? ?on? ?that? ?arm,? ?replying? ?vaguely,? ?“Sure.”? ?

?

That? ?Xuan? ?Ji? ?would? ?go? ?crazy? ?when? ?running? ?into? ?Pei? ?Ming? ?aside,? ?other? ?times,? ?she? ?was? ?much? ?

more? ?detailed? ?and? ?cautious? ?than? ?Qi? ?Rong,? ?being? ?a? ?woman? ?after? ?all.? ?Besides,? ?Gu? ?Zi? ?was? ?still? ?a? ?

little? ?scared? ?of? ?her,? ?so? ?with? ?her? ?around,? ?he? ?might? ?trip? ?up? ?easier.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?nodded,? ?“How? ?do? ?we? ?

lead? ?her? ?away?”? ? ?

?

The? ?two? ?exchanged? ?a? ?look? ?and? ?said? ?at? ?the? ?same? ?time,? ?“General? ?Pei.”? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?put? ?his? ?hands? ?together? ?in? ?a? ?prayer,? ?“There’s? ?no? ?other? ?way.? ?We’ll? ?have? ?to? ?have? ?him? ?

temporarily? ?sacrifice? ?himself.? ?General? ?Pei,? ?everyone? ?will? ?thank? ?you? ?after? ?they’re? ?saved.”? ? ?

?

Another? ?silver? ?butterfly? ?materialized? ?from? ?the? ?engravings? ?on? ?Hua? ?Cheng’s? ?silver? ?vambrace? ?and? ?

flew? ?next? ?to? ?Xie? ?Lian’s? ?ear.? ?The? ?voices? ?of? ?a? ?man? ?came? ?floating,? ?and? ?it? ?was? ?Pei? ?Ming.? ?Turns? ?out,? ?

just? ?before? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?went? ?away? ?earlier,? ?he? ?still? ?left? ?behind? ?a? ?few? ?silver? ?butterflies,? ?and? ?the? ?

voices? ?of? ?the? ?other? ?side? ?were? ?sent? ?over.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?listened? ?intently? ?for? ?a? ?bit? ?and? ?whispered,? ?“Let’s? ?

cut? ?this? ?up? ?a? ?bit,? ?and? ?use? ?these? ?lines...”? ? ?

?

Xuan? ?Ji’s? ?back? ?was? ?facing? ?the? ?window,? ?eyeing? ?Yin? ?Yu? ?like? ?a? ?hawk,? ?interrogating? ?him.? ?Yin? ?Yu? ?

answered? ?tranquilly,? ?“In? ?YuShi? ?country? ?I’m? ?responsible? ?for? ?taking? ?care? ?of? ?the? ?lost? ?hungry? ?ghosts.? ?

When? ?they? ?come? ?knocking? ?I? ?would? ?gift? ?them? ?a? ?bundle? ?of? ?rice,? ?and? ?send? ?them? ?on? ?their? ?way,? ?which? ?

is? ?why? ?I? ?am? ?covered? ?with? ?the? ?essence? ?of? ?evil.”? ? ?

?

The? ?other? ?hostages? ?were? ?the? ?true? ?famers? ?of? ?YuShi? ?country,? ?and? ?while? ?there? ?certainly? ?were? ?such? ?

relief? ?givers,? ?he? ?was? ?definitely? ?not? ?one? ?of? ?them.? ?They? ?knew? ?he? ?was? ?making? ?things? ?up,? ?but? ?no? ?one? ?

made? ?a? ?sound.? ?Qi? ?Rong? ?chortles,? ?“Ho? ?ho,? ?I’m? ?a? ?hungry? ?ghost? ?too,? ?why? ?not? ?give? ??me?? ?some? ?relief?? ?

Only? ?a? ?couple? ?people? ?were? ?eaten? ?and? ?I’m? ?being? ?chased? ?to? ?death,? ?what? ?is? ?this? ?cheapskate? ?

pretending? ?to? ?be? ?generous?”? ?Xuan? ?Ji? ?on? ?the? ?other? ?hand,? ?only? ?scorned? ?in? ?disdain,? ?“There’s? ?so? ?

many? ?hungry? ?ghosts? ?in? ?the? ?world,? ?how? ?can? ?you? ?bring? ?relief? ?to? ?all?? ?It’s? ?just? ?for? ?show.”? ? ?

?

Just? ?then,? ?a? ?silver? ?butterfly? ?with? ?its? ?light? ?concealed? ?soundlessly? ?flew? ?to? ?behind? ?her? ?person,? ?then? ?

flashed? ?and? ?hid.? ?All? ?the? ?captives? ?saw? ?but? ?they? ?were? ?very? ?composed,? ?and? ?with? ?an? ?unspoken? ?

understanding,? ?everyone? ?pretended? ?they? ?didn’t? ?see? ?anything.? ?Xuan? ?Ji? ?was? ?going? ?to? ?continue? ?the? ?

interroration? ?when? ?suddenly,? ?she? ?seemed? ?to? ?have? ?heard? ?the? ?voice? ?of? ?a? ?man,? ?“...If? ?that’s? ?the? ?case,? ?

...? ?these? ?...? ?first.? ?Do? ?you...? ?any? ?more...?? ?Give...? ?here...”? ? ?

?

The? ?original? ?line? ?was? ?“If? ?that’s? ?the? ?case,? ?roast? ?these? ?rats? ?first.? ?Do? ?you? ?have? ?any? ?more? ?snakes?? ?

Give? ?some? ?here.”? ? ?

?

When? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?first? ?heard? ?Pei? ?Ming? ?say? ?it,? ?he? ?was? ?full? ?of? ?both? ?shock? ?and? ?pity.? ?There? ?must’ve? ?

been? ?corpse-eating? ?rats? ?taken? ?to? ?be? ?normal? ?rats? ?that? ?crawled? ?over? ?and? ?killed? ?by? ?Pei? ?Ming,? ?to? ?be? ?

served? ?as? ?Pei? ?Su’s? ?meal.? ?Would? ?eating? ?that? ?rat? ?cause? ?no? ?problems?? ?It? ?seemed? ?they? ?must? ?hurry? ?

back? ?soon.? ? ?

?

However,? ?after? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?blurred? ?out? ?some? ?words? ?from? ?the? ?line,? ?the? ?effect? ?was? ?mysterious,? ?like? ?

it? ?meant? ?something,? ?but? ?what? ?exactly? ?couldn’t? ?be? ?said.? ?When? ?Xuan? ?Ji? ?heard,? ?she? ?shuddered? ?

violently? ?and? ?whipped? ?her? ?head? ?back.? ?However,? ?that? ?silver? ?butterfly? ?was? ?cunningly? ?agile;? ?it? ?wasn’t? ?

emitting? ?light? ?and? ?the? ?moment? ?she? ?turned? ?around,? ?it? ?had? ?long? ?since? ?fluttered? ?to? ?the? ?side? ?and? ?hid.? ?

Xuan? ?Ji? ?was? ?shaken? ?and? ?she? ?turned? ?back? ?to? ?question? ?the? ?captives,? ?“Did? ?you? ?all? ?hear? ?something? ?

just? ?now?? ?Did? ?you? ?see? ?anything?”? ? ?

?

Yin? ?Yu? ?took? ?the? ?lead,? ?and? ?the? ?rest? ?of? ?the? ?captives? ?all? ?shook? ?their? ?heads.? ?Qi? ?Rong? ?looked? ?over? ?

with? ?his? ?mouth? ?covered? ?in? ?blood,? ?“What? ?did? ?you? ?hear?”? ? ?

?

Xuan? ?Ji? ?was? ?slightly? ?confused,? ?“I? ?thought...? ?I? ?heard? ?Pei? ?Ming’s? ?voice.”? ? ?

?

“You’re? ?probably? ?delusional.”? ?Qi? ?Rong? ?said,? ?“I? ?haven’t? ?heard? ?anything.”? ?That? ?silver? ?butterfly? ?was? ?

pressed? ?closely? ?to? ?Xuan? ?Ji,? ?so? ?no? ?one? ?else? ?could? ?hear? ?the? ?voices? ?it? ?was? ?transmitting.? ?Xuan? ?Ji? ?

was? ?doubtful,? ?“Really?? ?But? ?I? ?feel...? ?maybe? ?he’s? ?closeby.? ?Maybe,? ?this? ?is? ?telepathy?? ?My? ?Lord,? ?why? ?

not,? ?let? ?me? ?go? ?and? ?take? ?a? ?look? ?again?”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?didn’t? ?think? ?it’d? ?be? ?this? ?easy? ?and? ?clenched? ?his? ?fists? ?silently,? ?flashing? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?a? ?smile.? ?

Yet? ?unexpectedly,? ?Qi? ?Rong? ?rained? ?on? ?his? ?parade,? ?“PFFT!? ?Didn’t? ?you? ?go? ?once? ?already?? ?What? ?

telepathy,? ?it’s? ?delusion? ?for? ?sure.? ?You? ?do? ?nothing? ?but? ?think? ?of? ?him? ?eight? ?hundred? ?times? ?a? ?day,? ?of? ?

course? ?you’re? ?delusional.”? ? ?

?

It? ?appeared? ?Xuan? ?Ji? ?was? ?a? ?little? ?convinced? ?by? ?his? ?words,? ?and? ?remained,? ?unsure.? ?Even? ?though? ?this? ?

attempt? ?was? ?a? ?failure,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?wasn’t? ?discouraged,? ?because? ?he’s? ?got? ?a? ?few? ?more? ?lines? ?up? ?his? ?

sleeves.? ?Xuan? ?Ji? ?was? ?just? ?about? ?to? ?continue? ?her? ?interrogation? ?when? ?she? ?once? ?again? ?heard? ?Pei? ?

Ming’s? ?voice,? ?“...You? ?little? ?dummy!? ?Come? ?here,? ?I’ll? ?teach? ?you.”? ? ?

?

Soon? ?after,? ?it? ?was? ?a? ?girl’s? ?voice,? ?“...Please,? ?General? ?Pei.? ?I’ve? ?done? ?it? ?once.? ?I’m? ?experienced? ?now.? ?

Let? ?me? ?do? ?it...”? ? ?

?

That? ?was? ?of? ?course? ?Pei? ?Ming? ?instructing? ?Ban? ?Yue? ?on? ?how? ?to? ?roast? ?corpse-eating? ?rats? ?for? ?Little? ?Pei? ?

to? ?eat,? ?however,? ?once? ?the? ?line? ?fell? ?in? ?Xuan? ?Ji’s? ?ears,? ?it? ?was? ?understood? ?as? ?something? ?completely? ?

different.? ?She? ?screeched,? ?her? ?eyes? ?instantly? ?filled? ?with? ?red,? ?and? ?the? ?ghost? ?fire? ?on? ?top? ?of? ?head? ?

erupted? ?higher? ?like? ?the? ?jealous? ?flames? ?in? ?her? ?heart? ?was? ?blazing.? ?She? ?pulled? ?at? ?her? ?own? ?hair? ?and? ?

screamed,? ?“IT’S? ?HIM!!!? ?IT’S? ?HIM? ?FOR? ?SURE,? ?HE? ?MUST? ?BE? ?HERE,? ?I? ?SENSED? ?IT,? ?MY? ?HEART? ?

SENSED? ?HIM!!!? ?PEI? ?MING!? ?I’M? ?GONNA? ?KILL? ?YOU!!!”? ? ?

?

She? ?screamed? ?as? ?he? ?dragged? ?her? ?two? ?broken? ?legs? ?and? ?‘jumped’? ?out.? ?Qi? ?Rong? ?broke? ?out? ?in? ?

curses,? ?“HEY!? ?OI!? ?XUAN? ?JI!? ?WHAT? ?THE? ?FUCK!? ?HOW? ?CAN? ?YOU? ?RUN? ?THAT? ?FAST? ?WITH? ?

BROKEN? ?LEGS?? ?IS? ?THAT? ?MANWHORE? ?REALLY? ?WORTH? ?IT?!”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?watched? ?as? ?Xuan? ?Ji’s? ?stumbling? ?and? ?wobbling? ?back? ?disappeared? ?and? ?felt? ?somewhat? ?

mournful.? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?probably? ?thought? ?he? ?was? ?worried? ?about? ?the? ?safety? ?of? ?those? ?back? ?at? ?the? ?

temple? ?and? ?said,? ?“No? ?need? ?to? ?worry.? ?The? ?wraith? ?butterfly? ?will? ?lead? ?her? ?in? ?the? ?opposite? ?direction.? ?

Even? ?if? ?she? ?finds? ?them? ?RuoYe? ?is? ?there? ?to? ?shield? ?and? ?she? ?won’t? ?be? ?able? ?to? ?enter? ?the? ?circle.? ?Let’s? ?

end? ?our? ?things? ?here? ?quickly.”? ? ?

?

Now? ?that? ?Xuan? ?Ji? ?was? ?gone,? ?it? ?was? ?time? ?for? ?Gu? ?Zi? ?to? ?enter? ?the? ?stage.? ?He? ?rose? ?to? ?his? ?feet,? ?and? ?

wiped? ?his? ?muddy? ?hands? ?on? ?his? ?butt.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?was? ?still? ?a? ?little? ?worried,? ?“Will? ?it? ?really? ?be? ?alright?”? ? ?

?

Hua? ?Cheng? ?said? ?softly,? ?“Gege,? ?trust? ?me.? ?If? ?this? ?won’t? ?work,? ?we? ?can? ?find? ?another? ?way.? ?There? ?are? ?

plenty? ?of? ?backup? ?plans.? ?If? ?anything,? ?we? ?can? ?make? ?Qi? ?Rong? ?unable? ?to? ?speak? ?for? ?the? ?rest? ?of? ?his? ?life? ?

first? ?then? ?take? ?our? ?time? ?to? ?think? ?of? ?an? ?idea.”? ?

?

“...”? ?

?

Gu? ?Zi? ?entered? ?the? ?house? ?and? ?Qi? ?Rong? ?had? ?already? ?licked? ?clean? ?all? ?the? ?blood? ?on? ?his? ?hands.? ?When? ?

he? ?saw? ?him? ?he? ?called? ?out,? ?“Son,? ?come? ?here? ?and? ?massage? ?chop? ?your? ?daddy’s? ?legs!”? ? ?

?

?Thus,? ?Gu? ?Zi? ?went? ?up? ?to? ?massage? ?chop? ?his? ?legs.? ?After? ?chopping? ?obediently? ?for? ?a? ?while,? ?he? ?asked,? ?

“Dad,? ?those? ?people? ?in? ?the? ?corner,? ?how? ?come? ?they? ?don’t? ?dare? ?move? ?even? ?though? ?they? ?clearly? ?

aren’t? ?bound? ?by? ?ropes?”? ? ?

?

His? ?question? ?energized? ?Qi? ?Rong,? ?“Hehe,? ?of? ?course? ?it’s? ?because? ?they’re? ?so? ?scared? ?of? ?your? ?daddy? ?

that? ?their? ?legs? ?get? ?all? ?wobbly!”? ? ?

?

“...”? ?

?

Gu? ?Zi’s? ?eyes? ?and? ?mouth? ?were? ?open? ?wide? ?and? ?round,? ?“YOU’RE? ?THAT? ?AMAZING?!”? ?

?

Qi? ?Rong’s? ?vanity? ?was? ?greatly? ?satisfied,? ?and? ?he? ?replied,? ?“That’s? ?right!? ?Look? ?here,? ?today? ?I’ll? ?show? ?

you? ?just? ?how? ?amazing? ?your? ?daddy? ?is!? ?You? ?see? ?that? ?ball? ?of? ?fire?? ?The? ?moment? ?I? ?give? ?the? ?command,? ?

WHOOSH? ?And? ?they’ll? ?all? ?burn? ?to? ?death,? ?so? ?of? ?course? ?they’re? ?afraid? ?of? ?me!? ?And? ?two? ?other? ?little? ?

ghosts,? ?remember? ?them,”? ?Gu? ?Zi? ?was? ?nodding? ?like? ?little? ?chicks? ?pecking? ?at? ?grain? ?and? ?Qi? ?Rong? ?

continued,? ?“One? ?is? ?Hua? ?Cheng,? ?the? ?other? ?has? ?the? ?nickname? ?Black? ?Water,? ?they’re? ?two? ?weak? ?ass? ?

nobodies.? ?They’re? ?two? ?wretches? ?pretending? ?to? ?be? ?great? ?and? ?got? ?a? ?little? ?lucky,? ?but? ?in? ?reality,? ?their? ?

titles? ?are? ?hollow.? ?Do? ?you? ?understand? ?what? ?a? ?hollow? ?title? ?means?? ?I’ll? ?teach? ?you.? ?It’s? ?an? ?idiom.? ?It? ?

means? ?on? ?the? ?surface,? ?they? ?look? ?like? ?they’re? ?powerful? ?but? ?when? ?it? ?came? ?to? ?true? ?strength,? ?they’re? ?

nowhere? ?near? ?my? ?level.”? ?

?

Gu? ?Zi? ?looked? ?like? ?he? ?understood? ?but? ?at? ?the? ?same? ?time? ?not.? ?“Oh...”? ?Qi? ?Rong? ?added,? ?“They’re? ?just? ?

lucky!? ?If? ?I? ?had? ?their? ?luck,? ?I? ?would? ?be? ?ten? ?times? ?greater? ?than? ?they’ll? ?ever? ?be!? ?JUST? ?YOU? ?WAIT!? ?This? ?

time,? ?your? ?daddy? ?will? ?break? ?through? ?this? ?trial,? ?and? ?immediately? ?beat? ?them? ?black? ?and? ?blue!? ?NO? ?

ONE? ?WILL? ?DARE? ?LOOK? ?DOWN? ?ON? ?ME!? ?ONLY? ?I? ?GET? ?TO? ?LOOK? ?DOWN? ?ON? ?OTHER? ?

PEOPLE!”? ? ?

?

His? ?determination? ?was? ?blazing,? ?swinging? ?his? ?arms? ?hollering,? ?and? ?although? ?Gu? ?Zi? ?totally? ?did? ?not? ?

understand? ?who? ?or? ?what? ?he? ?was? ?talking? ?about,? ?he? ?still? ?cheered? ?keenly,? ?“YOU? ?CAN? ?DO? ?IT,? ?DAD!”? ? ?

?

“...”? ?

?

On? ?top? ?of? ?the? ?roof,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?slapped? ?a? ?hand? ?to? ?cover? ?his? ?face.? ? ?

?

Qi? ?Rong’s? ?speech? ?of? ?greatness? ?really? ?made? ?him? ?speechless.? ?Thinking? ?that? ?Qi? ?Rong? ?was? ?his? ?little? ?

cousin,? ?he? ?felt? ?really? ?embarrassed? ?and? ?turned? ?to? ?Hua? ?Cheng,? ?“San? ?Lang,? ?this...? ?he...? ?I...”? ?

?

In? ?truth,? ?throughout? ?history,? ?there? ?was? ?no? ?man? ?in? ?the? ?world? ?who? ?didn’t? ?love? ?bragging.? ?A? ?breeze? ?

could? ?blow? ?the? ?handkerchief? ?of? ?a? ?brothel? ?girl? ?into? ?his? ?hand,? ?and? ?he? ?would? ?turn? ?around? ?and? ?say? ?

the? ?most? ?beautiful? ?of? ?renown? ?escorts? ?had? ?fallen? ?in? ?love? ?with? ?him;? ?holding? ?shoes? ?and? ?wiping? ?

benches? ?for? ?the? ?emperor’s? ?mistress’s? ?uncle’s? ?grandson’s? ?cousin’s? ?mistress? ?would? ?for? ?sure? ?

become? ?him? ?being? ?an? ?important? ?administrator? ?at? ?the? ?residence? ?of? ?royal? ?relatives,? ?raising? ?his? ?

status.? ?Thus,? ?men? ?who? ?didn’t? ?brag? ?were? ?a? ?rare? ?species.? ?

?

As? ?for? ?men? ?who? ?love? ?to? ?brag,? ?first,? ?they? ?love? ?to? ?brag? ?to? ?women,? ?second? ?they? ?love? ?to? ?brag? ?to? ?their? ?

sons.? ?Recall? ?when? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?was? ?young,? ?his? ?father? ?also? ?frequently? ?used? ?various? ?discrete? ?and? ?

indiscrete? ?ways? ?to? ?tell? ?him? ?of? ?his? ?heroism? ?and? ?greatness? ?in? ?politics,? ?and? ?this? ?was? ?also? ?precisely? ?

why? ?ever? ?since? ?he? ?was? ?young,? ?he? ?deeply? ?believed? ?his? ?father? ?to? ?be? ?a? ?noble? ?and? ?valiant? ?ruler? ?

whose? ?name? ?would? ?no? ?doubt? ?go? ?down? ?in? ?history.? ?Later,? ?when? ?he? ?found? ?out? ?the? ?truth,? ?it? ?wasn’t? ?the? ?

greatest? ?timing,? ?which? ?was? ?why? ?there? ?was? ?the? ?feeling? ?of? ?“You’re? ?not? ?that? ?amazing? ?after? ?all”,? ?

leaving? ?him? ?greatly? ?disappointed.? ?Thinking? ?of? ?this,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?shook? ?his? ?head? ?and? ?thought? ?it? ?funny,? ?

‘Why? ?would? ?I? ?compare? ?Qi? ?Rong? ?with? ?my? ?father?’? ?

?

That? ?really? ?was? ?out? ?of? ?the? ?blue,? ?but? ?perhaps? ?it? ?was? ?because? ?they? ?both? ?loved? ?to? ?make? ?themselves? ?

bigger? ?than? ?they? ?were.? ?However,? ?whether? ?it? ?be? ?his? ?father? ?or? ?someone? ?else,? ?at? ?least? ?the? ?vaunting? ?

was? ?within? ?normal? ?parameters.? ?Qi? ?Rong? ?had? ?reached? ?the? ?stage? ?of? ?absolute? ?shamelessness? ?and? ?

righteous? ?impudence.? ?No? ?wonder? ?even? ?Black? ?Water? ?who? ?had? ?always? ?kept? ?a? ?low-profile? ?was? ?

disgusted? ?with? ?him,? ?and? ?would? ?find? ?any? ?excuse? ?to? ?beat? ?him? ?up? ?if? ?they? ?should? ?meet.? ?But? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?

was? ?still? ?a? ?little? ?puzzled,? ?how? ?come? ?he? ?only? ?heard? ?Qi? ?Rong? ?curse? ?others? ?but? ?not? ?at? ?him?? ? ?

?

But,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?could? ?also? ?understand? ?a? ?little? ?now? ?why? ?Qi? ?Rong? ?was? ?dragging? ?his? ?feet? ?to? ?devour? ?Gu? ?

Zi.? ?If? ?he? ?was? ?bragging? ?to? ?a? ?normal? ?person? ?or? ?someone? ?who? ?was? ?a? ?bit? ?older? ?with? ?more? ?life? ?

experience,? ?the? ?other? ?might? ?not? ?believe? ?him.? ?Even? ?if? ?they? ?would? ?agree? ?on? ?the? ?surface,? ?it? ?still? ?

wouldn’t? ?feel? ?sincere,? ?or,? ?the? ?reaction? ?would? ?be? ?too? ?greasily? ?exaggerated,? ?like? ?those? ?little? ?minions? ?

under? ?Qi? ?Rong.? ?However,? ?Gu? ?Zi’s? ?praises? ?were? ?different.? ?Every? ?word? ?came? ?from? ?the? ?bottom? ?of? ?

his? ?heart;? ?he? ?truly? ?believed? ?that? ?his? ?dad? ?was? ?the? ?number? ?one? ?most? ?powerful? ?guy? ?in? ?the? ?world!? ?

?

It? ?had? ?probably? ?been? ?a? ?long? ?time? ?since? ?Qi? ?Rong? ?had? ?bragged? ?so? ?heartily? ?and? ?was? ?greatly? ?

satisfied.? ?He? ?threatened,? ?“You? ?gotta? ?be? ?good,? ?ya? ?hear? ?me?? ?If? ?you? ?don’t? ?listen? ?to? ?me,? ?I’ll? ?put? ?a? ?

ghost? ?fire? ?on? ?you? ?too!”? ? ?

?

Sure? ?enough,? ?Gu? ?Zi? ?was? ?scared? ?and? ?hastily? ?covered? ?his? ?own? ?head,? ?“No,? ?I? ?don’t? ?want? ?to? ?wear? ?it...? ?

oh? ?yea,? ?dad.”? ?He? ?remembered? ?what? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?and? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?taught? ?him,? ?and? ?said? ?nervously,? ?

“O-Once? ?you? ?wear? ?this? ?green? ?fire? ?you? ?won’t? ?be? ?able? ?to? ?take? ?it? ?off,? ?right?”? ? ?

?

If? ?he? ?had? ?asked? ?“If? ?you? ?wear? ?it? ?can? ?you? ?take? ?it? ?off?”? ?Qi? ?Rong? ?might? ?not? ?tell? ?the? ?truth,? ?but? ?the? ?

question? ?was? ?“you? ?won’t? ?be? ?able? ?to? ?take? ?it? ?off,? ?right?”? ?It? ?was? ?a? ?question? ?of? ?doubt,? ?of? ?course? ?it? ?was? ?

taught? ?by? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?and? ?Xie? ?Lian.? ?Qi? ?Rong? ?instantly? ?kicked? ?out? ?and? ?sent? ?the? ?head? ?of? ?one? ?of? ?the? ?

stone? ?people? ?flying,? ?“RUBBISH!? ?IF? ?DADDY? ?WANTS? ?TO? ?LOCK,? ?HE’LL? ?LOCK,? ?IF? ?HE? ?WANTS? ?TO? ?

UNLOCK,? ?HE’LL? ?UNLOCK!? ?LOOK!? ?DAD? ?WILL? ?UNLOCK? ?ONE? ?TO? ?SHOW? ?YOU!”? ? ?

?

Then,? ?he? ?pointed? ?at? ?a? ?farmer? ?and? ?yelled,? ?“DOG? ?FUCKER? ?XIE? ?LIAN!”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian:? ?“...”? ?

?

Hua? ?Cheng:? ?“...”? ?

?

The? ?ghost? ?fire? ?on? ?top? ?of? ?that? ?farmer’s? ?head? ?was? ?extinguished,? ?and? ?he? ?leapt? ?to? ?his? ?feet.? ?However,? ?

he? ?didn’t? ?run? ?very? ?far? ?before? ?Qi? ?Rong? ?spat? ?loudly,? ?and? ?another? ?ball? ?of? ?greasily? ?green? ?ghost? ?fire? ?

was? ?spewed? ?from? ?his? ?mouth,? ?and? ?it? ?loomed? ?over? ?the? ?top? ?of? ?that? ?farmer’s? ?head.? ?Qi? ?Rong? ?laughed? ?

boisterously,? ?patting? ?Gu? ?Zi’s? ?head,? ?“What? ?do? ?ya? ?think?? ?Your? ?daddy’s? ?powerful,? ?right?”? ? ?

?

On? ?top? ?of? ?the? ?roof,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?wiped? ?sweat? ?off? ?his? ?face,? ?and? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?looked? ?cool? ?and? ?aloof? ?but? ?

his? ?voice? ?was? ?chilling,? ?“I? ?think? ?that? ?trash? ?wants? ?to? ?be? ?even? ?more? ?garbage? ?than? ?he? ?already? ?is.”? ? ?

?

His? ?knuckles? ?seemed? ?to? ?be? ?cracking,? ?and? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?said? ?hurriedly,? ?“It’s? ?fine,? ?it’s? ?fine.? ?He? ?was? ?more? ?

easily? ?tricked? ?than? ?expected!”? ?They? ?had? ?originally? ?taught? ?Gu? ?Zi? ?many? ?more? ?ways? ?to? ?dig? ?for? ?

information,? ?but? ?it? ?seemed? ?none? ?of? ?that? ?would? ?be? ?used.? ?No? ?wonder? ?Qi? ?Rong? ?hadn’t? ?cursed? ?Xie? ?

Lian? ?at? ?all? ?earlier,? ?so? ?it? ?was? ?because? ?cursing? ?him? ?had? ?become? ?the? ?unlocking? ?incantation.? ?Truly,? ?

his? ?feelings? ?for? ?him? ?are? ?deep.? ?At? ?this? ?point,? ?there? ?was? ?no? ?more? ?need? ?for? ?the? ?two? ?to? ?keep? ?hiding,? ?

and? ?they? ?instantly? ?broke? ?through? ?the? ?roof,? ?jumping? ?down!? ? ?

?

The? ?large? ?rumble? ?made? ?Qi? ?Rong? ?fall? ?off? ?his? ?chair? ?from? ?surprise,? ?“WHO’S? ?THERE??? ?WHO’S? ?

THERE??”? ?And? ?when? ?he? ?saw? ?who? ?it? ?was,? ?“DOG,? ?DOG...”? ?he? ?had? ?probably? ?wanted? ?to? ?curse? ?at? ?

him,? ?but? ?remembering? ?that? ?it? ?was? ?the? ?very? ?important? ?unlocking? ?incantation,? ?Qi? ?Rong? ?quickly? ?

covered? ?his? ?mouth.? ?In? ?the? ?corner,? ?the? ?farmers? ?said,? ?“I? ?think? ?he? ?called? ?out? ?the? ?incantation? ?earlier,? ?

so? ?how? ?about...? ?let’s? ?see? ?if? ?we? ?can? ?unlock? ?each? ?other?”? ? ?

?

“Yea,? ?it’s? ?just? ?some? ?curses,? ?right?? ?Although? ?I? ?feel? ?kind? ?of? ?bad? ?for? ?this? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?person,? ?but? ?it’s? ?not? ?

like? ?he’s? ?here,? ?so? ?it? ?should? ?be? ?alright!”? ? ?

?

Yin? ?Yu? ?however,? ?advised? ?calmly,? ?“Whether? ?if? ?his? ?person? ?is? ?here? ?or? ?not,? ?I? ?suggest? ?you? ?all? ?best? ?not? ?

say? ?it,? ?otherwise? ?the? ?consequences? ?would? ?be? ?worse? ?than? ?right? ?now...”? ? ?

?

On? ?the? ?other? ?end,? ?Qi? ?Rong? ?grabbed? ?Gu? ?Zi? ?to? ?shield? ?in? ?front? ?of? ?his? ?person,? ?changing? ?his? ?tune,? ?

“DOG? ?FUCKED? ?XIE? ?LIAN!? ?YOU’RE? ?SHAMELESS!? ?YOU? ?SPY!? ?CUNNING!”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?was? ?a? ?little? ?woeful,? ?“What? ?the? ?heck? ?is? ?“dog? ?fucked”?”? ?

?

Qi? ?Rong? ?added,? ?“Even? ?if? ?you? ?know? ?the? ?incantation? ?it’s? ?useless!? ?Are? ?you? ?going? ?to? ?curse? ?

yourselves?? ?Would? ?you? ?not? ?care? ?if? ?other? ?people? ?curse? ?you?”? ? ?

?

Hearing? ?this,? ?Hua? ?Cheng’s? ?expression? ?grew? ?darker,? ?and? ?his? ?knuckles? ?cracked? ?a? ?couple? ?more? ?

times,? ?looking? ?like? ?he’s? ?holding? ?back.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?however,? ?was? ?unconcerned,? ?“Yea?? ?It’s? ?nothing.”? ?

Then,? ?he? ?repeated? ?that? ?incantation? ?five? ?to? ?six? ?times? ?without? ?hesitation,? ?since? ?once? ?could? ?only? ?

release? ?one? ?person.? ?The? ?captives? ?all? ?knew? ?by? ?now? ?that? ?he? ?was? ?the? ?one? ?being? ?cursed? ?at? ?in? ?the? ?

incantation,? ?and? ?they? ?couldn’t? ?help? ?but? ?raise? ?their? ?thumbs? ?at? ?him? ?in? ?their? ?hearts,? ?“A? ?real? ?man!”? ? ?

?

However,? ?none? ?of? ?the? ?Ghost? ?Fire? ?Locks? ?on? ?top? ?of? ?their? ?heads? ?were? ?unlocked.? ?Xie? ?Lian’s? ?face? ?

changed? ?slightly,? ?and? ?Qi? ?Rong? ?cackled,? ?“HAHAHAHAHAHA!? ?YOU? ?FELL? ?FOR? ?IT!? ?IF? ?IT? ?WASN’T? ?

ME? ?WHO? ?UNLOCKS? ?IT? ?IT’S? ?POINTLESS!? ?YOU? ?CURSED? ?FOR? ?NOTHING!? ?HAHAHHAHA...”? ?

?

A? ?silver? ?butterfly? ?flew? ?by? ?Gu? ?Zi’s? ?eyes,? ?and? ?he? ?blinked? ?twice,? ?his? ?eyelids? ?drooping,? ?then? ?he? ?fell? ?

asleep? ?soon? ?after.? ?Qi? ?Rong? ?was? ?still? ?cackling? ?by? ?himself? ?when? ?suddenly,? ?a? ?forceful? ?yank? ?of? ?his? ?

sleeve? ?made? ?him? ?spin? ?eighteen? ?times? ?before? ?crashing? ?into? ?the? ?wall,? ?and? ?he? ?blurted,? ?“DOG? ?

FUCKER? ?XIE? ?LIAN!”? ? ?

?

After? ?he? ?cursed,? ?that? ?ball? ?of? ?ghost? ?fire? ?atop? ?of? ?Yin? ?Yu’s? ?head? ?disappeared.? ?Yin? ?Yu? ?leapt? ?to? ?his? ?feet,? ?

and? ?blitzed? ?a? ?good? ?distance? ?away.? ?Qi? ?Rong? ?instantly? ?covered? ?his? ?mouth,? ?and? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?said? ?

pleasantly,? ?“Come? ?come? ?come,? ?don’t? ?worry,? ?don’t? ?hold? ?yourself? ?back.? ?Let? ?yourself? ?go,? ?keep? ?

cursing.”? ? ?

?

As? ?he? ?spoke? ?serenely,? ?he? ?rolled? ?up? ?his? ?sleeves? ?and? ?grabbed? ?a? ?hold? ?of? ?him,? ?and? ?Qi? ?Rong? ?really? ?

couldn’t? ?tell? ?what? ?that? ?stance? ?meant.? ?He? ?yelled? ?with? ?all? ?he’s? ?got,? ?“GO? ?AHEAD!? ?HIT? ?ME!? ?EVEN? ?IF? ?

YOU? ?BEAT? ?ME? ?TO? ?DEATH? ?I? ?WON’T? ?CURSE? ?THAT? ?AGAIN!”? ? ?

?

Next? ?to? ?them,? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?said? ?with? ?an? ?icy? ?voice,? ?“Good.”? ? ?

?

Qi? ?Rong? ?turned? ?back? ?to? ?look,? ?and? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?was? ?smiling? ?at? ?him? ?with? ?a? ?smile? ?that? ?couldn’t? ?be? ?

more? ?fake? ?but? ?it? ?disappeared? ?in? ?the? ?blink? ?of? ?an? ?eye.? ?The? ?next? ?second,? ?his? ?head? ?was? ?rammed? ?

three? ?feet? ?into? ?the? ?ground.? ?

?

“...”? ?

?

Hua? ?Cheng? ?plucked? ?his? ?head? ?out? ?from? ?the? ?ground? ?and? ?he? ?roared,? ?“YOU? ?DARE? ?TREAT? ?ME? ?LIKE? ?

THIS!? ?I’VE? ?HAD? ?IT!? ?I’LL? ?BURN? ?EVERYONE!? ?WE? ?CAN? ?ALL? ?DIE? ?TOGETHER!? ?HUA? ?CHENG? ?

YOU? ?FUCKER!? ?BURN? ?UP!”? ? ?

?

It? ?seemed,? ?that? ?‘Hua? ?Cheng? ?you? ?fucker’? ?was? ?the? ?other? ?matching? ?incantation? ?to? ?start? ?the? ?

incineration.? ?However,? ?after? ?he? ?yelled? ?it,? ?there? ?was? ?no? ?cry? ?nor? ?wails? ?from? ?anyone,? ?and? ?he? ?opened? ?

his? ?eyes? ?in? ?confusion.? ?That? ?group? ?of? ?farmers? ?were? ?all? ?fine? ?and? ?standing? ?at? ?the? ?other? ?end,? ?

watching? ?him.? ?Qi? ?Rong? ?was? ?shocked,? ?“WHAT’S? ?GOING? ?ON?? ?HOW? ?COME? ?NONE? ?OF? ?YOU? ?

DIED?? ?GO? ?DIE!? ?WHO? ?RELEASED? ?YOU??”? ? ?

?

“You? ?did.”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?said.? ?Then,? ?he? ?pointed? ?at? ?a? ?silver? ?butterfly? ?next? ?to? ?him,? ?and? ?that? ?silver? ?butterfly? ?

was? ?broadcasting? ?the? ?exact? ?same? ?roar? ?earlier,? ?“YOU? ?CURSED? ?FOR? ?NOTHING!? ?HAHAHAHA...”? ? ?

?

Turns? ?out,? ?that? ?wraith? ?butterfly? ?had? ?recorded? ?everything? ?and? ?copied? ?his? ?voice,? ?including? ?that? ?

incantation.? ?With? ?one? ?curse,? ?it? ?could? ?unlock? ?infinitely.? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?said,? ?“Leave? ?this? ?plane? ?

yourself.? ?Sorry,? ?no? ?one’s? ?coming? ?with? ?you.”? ? ?

?

Then,? ?another? ?violent? ?punch,? ?and? ?Qi? ?Rong? ?was? ?bashed? ?into? ?the? ?underground.? ?

?

The? ?farmers? ?all? ?went? ?up? ?and? ?circled? ?around? ?to? ?see,? ?“Can...? ?Can? ?that? ?still? ?be? ?fished? ?up?”? ? ?

?

Yin? ?Yu? ?hopped? ?down? ?into? ?the? ?deep? ?hole? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?punched? ?in,? ?and? ?a? ?moment? ?later,? ?jumped? ?

back? ?up,? ?a? ?green? ?daruma? ?doll? ?in? ?his? ?hand.? ?“Chengzhu,? ?Your? ?Highness,? ?it’s? ?been? ?collected.”? ? ?

?

That? ?greasily? ?green? ?daruma? ?doll? ?was? ?baring? ?its? ?teeth,? ?rolling? ?its? ?eyes? ?back,? ?spitting? ?a? ?long? ?

tongue,? ?like? ?it? ?was? ?laughing? ?at? ?someone,? ?but? ?also? ?like? ?it? ?was? ?putting? ?on? ?a? ?spectacle? ?to? ?gain? ?

favour.? ?In? ?any? ?case,? ?it? ?was? ?in? ?extremely? ?poor? ?taste,? ?even? ?children? ?would? ?toss? ?it? ?aside? ?in? ?disgust? ?if? ?

they? ?saw? ?it.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?couldn’t? ?tell? ?if? ?Qi? ?Rong’s? ?own? ?character? ?decided? ?this? ?design? ?or? ?if? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?

purposely? ?made? ?him? ?this? ?way.? ?

?

“Don’t? ?pass? ?that? ?thing? ?to? ?us.? ?Take? ?that? ?thing? ?far,? ?far? ?away.”? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?said.? ?

?

“Yes? ?sir.”? ?Yin? ?Yu? ?acknowledged.? ?

?

To? ?be? ?honest,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?didn’t? ?really? ?want? ?to? ?hold? ?on? ?to? ?that? ?thing? ?either,? ?and? ?he? ?picked? ?up? ?Gu? ?Zi? ?

from? ?the? ?ground.? ?A? ?few? ?wraith? ?butterflies? ?came? ?flying? ?from? ?a? ?different? ?direction? ?and? ?landed? ?on? ?the? ?

back? ?of? ?Hua? ?Cheng’s? ?hand.? ?He? ?looked? ?down? ?to? ?see,? ?then? ?said,? ?“We? ?need? ?to? ?hurry? ?back? ?to? ?the? ?

divine? ?temple.”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?whipped? ?his? ?head? ?around,? ?“Something’s? ?happened? ?over? ?at? ?the? ?divine? ?temple?”? ? ?

?

?

————-? ?

?

Ch.170:? ?Resentful? ?Female? ?Ghost;? ?Flames? ?of? ?Jealousy? ?Burn? ?the? ?Affection? ?

?

Hua? ?Cheng? ?raised? ?his? ?hand? ?slightly,? ?and? ?with? ?that? ?silver? ?butterfly? ?in? ?his? ?palm,? ?he? ?brought? ?it? ?next? ?to? ?

Xie? ?Lian’s? ?ear.? ?In? ?between? ?the? ?twinkling? ?flutters? ?of? ?that? ?silver? ?butterfly’s? ?wings,? ?he? ?heard? ?Pei? ?

Ming’s? ?voice? ?floating? ?over,? ?“Little? ?dummy,? ?did? ?you? ?hear? ?that? ?strange? ?noise?”? ? ?

?

It? ?was? ?probably? ?because? ?Pei? ?Ming? ?had? ?been? ?chasing? ?skirts? ?for? ?a? ?long? ?time,? ?so? ?even? ?if? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?

knew? ?Pei? ?Ming? ?felt? ?nothing? ?for? ?Ban? ?Yue,? ?the? ?way? ?he? ?spoke? ?still? ?made? ?people? ?ponder.? ?Ban? ?Yue? ?

replied? ?grimly,? ?“I’m? ?not? ?a? ?dummy...? ?I? ?heard.? ?That? ?noise? ?was? ?really? ?strange,? ?I? ?don’t? ?think? ?it’s? ?

General? ?Hua? ?coming? ?back.”? ? ?

?

Of? ?course? ?it? ?wasn’t!? ?Because,? ?it? ?was? ?clearly? ?the? ?“Dong!? ?Dong!”? ?sound? ?Xuan? ?Ji? ?makes? ?hopping? ?

with? ?her? ?broken? ?legs!? ?

?

There? ?weren’t? ?a? ?long? ?of? ?“Dong!”s? ?before? ?the? ?other? ?two? ?fell? ?silent,? ?and? ?what? ?followed? ?was? ?the? ?

crazed? ?laughter? ?of? ?a? ?woman,? ?“Hehe,? ?hehehe,? ?hahahahAHAHAH...”? ?

?

That? ?laughter? ?echoed? ?and? ?resounded? ?in? ?the? ?empty? ?underground? ?city,? ?then? ?carried? ?over? ?via? ?the? ?

silver? ?butterfly,? ?some? ?white? ?noise? ?crackled? ?in? ?the? ?transmission,? ?making? ?it? ?sound? ?scarier? ?than? ?if? ?he? ?

heard? ?it? ?in? ?person.? ?Naturally,? ?this? ?was? ?the? ?laugh? ?of? ?the? ?overjoyed? ?and? ?painfully? ?hateful? ?Xuan? ?Ji? ?

who? ?had? ?finally? ?seen? ?Pei? ?Ming? ?once? ?more.? ?

?

“Didn’t? ?the? ?silver? ?butterfly? ?lead? ?her? ?in? ?the? ?opposite? ?direction?”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?asked.? ?

?

Hua? ?Cheng? ?replied,? ?“She’s? ?smarter? ?than? ?expected.”? ? ?

?

Turns? ?out,? ?Xuan? ?Ji? ?had? ?been? ?chasing? ?after? ?that? ?wraith? ?butterfly? ?like? ?mad,? ?curiously? ?fast,? ?and? ?ran? ?

all? ?the? ?way? ?to? ?the? ?end? ?of? ?the? ?main? ?street? ?in? ?no? ?time,? ?but? ?there? ?was? ?no? ?one? ?there.? ?She? ?was? ?once? ?a? ?

female? ?general? ?on? ?the? ?battlefield? ?after? ?all,? ?and? ?instantly? ?noticed? ?she? ?was? ?lead? ?away.? ?Technically,? ?

the? ?moment? ?she? ?noticed? ?she? ?should’ve? ?immediately? ?returned? ?to? ?Qi? ?Rong,? ?but? ?her? ?mind? ?was? ?filled? ?

with? ?Pei? ?Ming,? ?so? ?instead? ?she? ?just? ?turned? ?around? ?and? ?ran? ?in? ?the? ?opposite? ?direction,? ?throwing? ?her? ?

boss? ?Qi? ?Rong? ?completely? ?out? ?of? ?her? ?mind.? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?found? ?it? ?funny? ?for? ?some? ?reason? ?but? ?it? ?was? ?hard? ?to? ?describe? ?the? ?sentiment? ?exactly.? ?He? ?

quickly? ?brought? ?along? ?those? ?escaped? ?captives? ?and? ?the? ?group? ?rushed? ?to? ?the? ?WuYong? ?divine? ?

temple? ?in? ?the? ?centre? ?of? ?the? ?city.? ?That? ?female? ?ghost? ?Xuan? ?Ji? ?had? ?waited? ?for? ?Pei? ?Ming? ?for? ?too,? ?too? ?

long;? ?just? ?by? ?hearing? ?her? ?laughter? ?it? ?was? ?easy? ?to? ?imagine? ?how? ?twistedly? ?crazy? ?her? ?face? ?must? ?be.? ?

Pei? ?Ming? ?was? ?probably? ?also? ?startled? ?by? ?her,? ?and? ?was? ?in? ?shock? ?for? ?a? ?long? ?time? ?before? ?he? ?started,? ?

“You? ?are...”? ?

?

Xuan? ?Ji? ?sneered? ?coldly.? ?Yet? ?unexpectedly,? ?after? ?a? ?pause,? ?Pei? ?Ming? ?asked,? ?“Who? ?are? ?you?”? ? ?

?

“...”? ?

?

Xuan? ?Ji? ?was? ?wild? ?with? ?rage,? ?her? ?voice? ?sharp? ?and? ?trembling,? ?“YOU...? ?YOU’RE? ?TRYING? ?TO? ?PISS? ?

ME? ?OFF? ?ON? ?PURPOSE,? ?RIGHT?? ?YOU? ?ACTUALLY? ?DON’T? ?KNOW? ?WHO? ?I? ?AM?!”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?wiped? ?away? ?a? ?drop? ?of? ?cold? ?sweat? ?and? ?said,? ?“No? ?way,? ?General? ?Pei...? ?is? ?he? ?actually? ?doing? ?

this? ?on? ?purpose? ?or? ?he? ?really? ?didn’t? ?recognize? ?her?”? ? ?

?

“Probably? ?the? ?latter.”? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?said.? ?After? ?all,? ?if? ?the? ?rumours? ?were? ?true,? ?then? ?in? ?these? ?past? ?

centuries? ?Pei? ?Ming? ?had? ?had? ?affairs? ?with? ?at? ?least? ?over? ?a? ?thousand? ?beauties,? ?how? ?could? ?he? ?

remember? ?every? ?one?? ?Especially? ?an? ?old? ?one? ?from? ?so? ?many? ?hundreds? ?of? ?years? ?ago.? ?Besides,? ?that? ?

incident? ?on? ?Mount? ?Yu? ?Jun? ?with? ?the? ?ghost? ?bride? ?was? ?also? ?passed? ?over? ?to? ?Pei? ?Su? ?to? ?manage,? ?he? ?

never? ?appeared? ?himself,? ?and? ?never? ?saw? ?Xuan? ?Ji.? ?Xuan? ?Ji? ?mumbled? ?to? ?herself,? ?“Right.? ?You’re? ?

angering? ?me? ?on? ?purpose.? ?I? ?won’t? ?fall? ?for? ?it.? ?Heh.? ?You? ?want? ?to? ?lie? ?and? ?say? ?you? ?don’t? ?remember? ?me,? ?

you? ?want? ?to? ?lie? ?to? ?me,? ?hehe.”? ? ?

?

Then,? ?she? ?screeched,? ?demanding,? ?“WHO? ?IS? ?THIS? ?LITTLE? ?WHORE?? ?AREN’T? ?YOUR? ?

STANDARDS? ?USUALLY? ?HIGH?? ?WHAT,? ?TRYING? ?DIFFERENT? ?FLAVOURS? ?THIS? ?TIME?”? ? ?

?

Ban? ?Yue:? ?“?”? ? ?

?

Pei? ?Ming:? ?“??”? ? ?

?

Although? ?both? ?made? ?confused? ?noises,? ?but,? ?this? ?resentful? ?tone? ?seemed? ?to? ?have? ?recalled? ?Pei? ?

Ming’s? ?memory,? ?and? ?he? ?knitted? ?his? ?brows? ?slightly,? ?“Xuan? ?Ji?? ?How? ?did? ?you? ?become? ?like? ?this?”? ? ?

?

Only? ?then? ?did? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?remember? ?that? ?the? ?Xuan? ?Ji? ?right? ?now? ?must? ?be? ?disheveled.? ?Her? ?eyes? ?were? ?

red? ?like? ?that? ?of? ?a? ?fierce? ?ghost,? ?donned? ?in? ?bright? ?red? ?bridal? ?robes,? ?the? ?lower? ?hems? ?filthy? ?and? ?

unkempt,? ?crawling? ?sluggishly? ?but? ?dangerously? ?like? ?a? ?crocodile? ?on? ?the? ?ground.? ?This? ?was? ?pretty? ?

much? ?how? ?they? ?saw? ?her? ?just? ?now,? ?and? ?it? ?was? ?really? ?difficult? ?to? ?link? ?her? ?to? ?that? ?female? ?general? ?who? ?

was? ?noble? ?and? ?cool,? ?so? ?no? ?wonder? ?acquaintances? ?couldn’t? ?recognize? ?her? ?at? ?first? ?glance.? ? ?

?

“How? ?did? ?I? ?become? ?like? ?this?? ?YOU? ?DARE? ?ASK? ?HOW? ?I’VE? ?COME? ?TO? ?LOOK? ?LIKE? ?THIS?!? ?ISN’T? ?

IT? ?ALL? ?YOUR? ?FAULT,? ?I? ?DID? ?THIS? ?ALL? ?FOR? ?YOU!”? ? ?

?

“She’s? ?charged? ?at? ?the? ?protection? ?circle.”? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?informed.? ?

?

“No? ?worries,? ?RuoYe? ?can? ?hold? ?her? ?off.”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?said.? ?

?

Just? ?as? ?he? ?said,? ?a? ?shriek? ?was? ?heard? ?from? ?that? ?silver? ?butterfly.? ?Xuan? ?Ji? ?who? ?charged? ?must’ve? ?been? ?

bounced? ?back? ?and? ?sent? ?flying? ?over? ?thirty? ?meters? ?away,? ?and? ?dropped? ?into? ?the? ?darkness? ?once? ?

more.? ?Pei? ?Ming’s? ?voice? ?came,? ?“His? ?Highness’? ?spiritual? ?device? ?is? ?pretty? ?useful.? ?I’ll? ?have? ?to? ?forge? ?

one? ?for? ?myself? ?too? ?sometime.”? ? ?

?

‘If? ?you? ?knew? ?how? ?it? ?was? ?forged? ?you? ?wouldn’t? ?have? ?said? ?so...’? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?thought,? ?but? ?before? ?his? ?

thought? ?was? ?complete,? ?Pei? ?Ming? ?shouted,? ?“WHAT? ?ARE? ?YOU? ?DOING?? ?STOP!”? ? ?

?

Xuan? ?Ji? ?yelled,? ?“DON’T? ?THINK? ?YOU? ?CAN? ?KEEP? ?HIDING? ?IN? ?THERE!”? ? ?

?

RUMBLE? ?RUMBLE!? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?was? ?dumbfounded? ?as? ?he? ?speed? ?walked,? ?“What? ?did? ?she? ?do?”? ? ?

?

“It? ?appears? ?she’s? ?toppled? ?the? ?divine? ?temple,? ?and? ?the? ?stone? ?ceiling? ?collapsed.”? ? ?

?

So? ?that? ?was? ?it.? ?Xuan? ?Ji? ?was? ?bounced? ?back? ?from? ?RuoYe’s? ?protection? ?circle? ?and? ?couldn’t? ?enter? ?the? ?

circle,? ?so? ?she? ?knocked? ?the? ?entire? ?temple? ?down.? ?“Are? ?General? ?Pei? ?and? ?the? ?others? ?alright?? ?Little? ?

Pei? ?and? ?Ban? ?Yue? ?are? ?both? ?there? ?too!”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?asked.? ?

?

“They’re? ?fine.? ?Pei? ?Ming? ?shielded? ?them.”? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?said.? ?

?

The? ?moment? ?that? ?stone? ?ceiling? ?collapsed? ?boomingly,? ?Pei? ?Ming? ?shielded? ?Pei? ?Su? ?and? ?Ban? ?Yue? ?

under? ?his? ?body.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?let? ?out? ?a? ?breath? ?of? ?relief,? ?“Then? ?that’s? ?fine.? ?The? ?protection? ?circle? ?still? ?

won’t? ?break? ?from? ?this.”? ? ?

?

On? ?the? ?other? ?end,? ?Pei? ?Ming? ?was? ?furious,? ?“Are? ?you? ?crazy?? ?Even? ?if? ?you? ?topple? ?the? ?sky? ?you? ?won’t? ?be? ?

able? ?to? ?get? ?in!”? ?However,? ?Xuan? ?Ji? ?laughed? ?evilly,? ?and? ?Ban? ?Yue? ?exclaimed,? ?“General? ?Pei? ?watch? ?

out!”? ? ?

?

“Wha...”? ? ?

?

Those? ?reactions? ?all? ?happened? ?at? ?the? ?same? ?time,? ?and? ?amidst? ?this? ?chaos,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?heard? ?the? ?

sound? ?of? ?a? ?sharp? ?sword? ?piercing? ?a? ?chest.? ?There? ?was? ?no? ?question? ?that? ?it? ?was? ?Pei? ?Ming? ?who? ?was? ?

stabbed.? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?was? ?anxious,? ?“What’s? ?happened?!? ?The? ?protection? ?circle? ?broke?? ?That’s? ?impossible...? ?

wait,? ?sword?!”? ? ?

?

In? ?that? ?instant,? ?he? ?finally? ?understood? ?what? ?Xuan? ?Ji? ?was? ?planning.? ?So? ?that? ?was? ?it!? ?

?

After? ?Xuan? ?Ji? ?had? ?her? ?fill? ?of? ?laughing,? ?she? ?said? ?cooly,? ?“Who? ?said? ?I? ?wanted? ?to? ?enter?”? ? ?

?

Another? ?voice? ?also? ?started? ?laughing,? ?“Hey,? ?Pei? ?Ming,? ?look? ?who’s? ?here!? ?It’s? ?your? ?old? ?sweetheart!”? ? ?

?

Rong? ?Guang!? ? ?

?

Xuan? ?Ji? ?toppling? ?the? ?divine? ?temple? ?wasn’t? ?her? ?throwing? ?a? ?crazy? ?fit? ?from? ?rage,? ?and? ?it? ?wasn’t? ?

because? ?she? ?wanted? ?to? ?enter? ?the? ?protection? ?circle.? ?Her? ?goal? ?was? ?to? ?crush? ?those? ?two? ?

ghost-sealing? ?clay? ?pots? ?Ban? ?Yue? ?placed? ?in? ?the? ?circle,? ?release? ?the? ?ghosts? ?inside,? ?and? ?have? ?them? ?

attack? ?from? ?the? ?inside!? ? ?

?

After? ?Rong? ?Guang? ?escaped? ?the? ?pot,? ?he? ?quickly? ?turned? ?into? ?the? ?form? ?of? ?a? ?sword,? ?and? ?stabbed? ?Pei? ?

Ming.? ?Pei? ?Ming? ?seemed? ?to? ?be? ?trying? ?to? ?pull? ?him? ?out,? ?but? ?Rong? ?Guang? ?was? ?doggedly? ?unyielding,? ?

that? ?sword? ?piercing? ?through? ?his? ?body,? ?“YOU? ?WISH!? ?TIME? ?TO? ?DIE!”? ? ?

?

Pei? ?Ming? ?gritted? ?his? ?teeth,? ?“Is? ?the? ?other? ?pot? ?ok??”? ?To? ?be? ?attacked? ?on? ?both? ?sides,? ?if? ?Ke? ?Mo? ?was? ?

added? ?to? ?the? ?mix,? ?then? ?it’d? ?be? ?game? ?over.? ?Ban? ?Yue? ?answered,? ?“Yes!? ?Ke? ?Mo? ?is? ?still? ?sealed!”? ? ?

?

The? ?situation? ?was? ?growing? ?dire,? ?and? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?was? ?starting? ?to? ?get? ?anxious.? ?Just? ?as? ?he? ?was? ?about? ?

to? ?quicken? ?his? ?pace? ?however,? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?suddenly? ?stopped? ?in? ?his? ?step.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?was? ?startled? ?

and? ?looked? ?back,? ?“San? ?Lang?”? ? ?

?

On? ?the? ?back? ?of? ?Hua? ?Cheng’s? ?hand? ?rested? ?another? ?wraith? ?butterfly,? ?seemingly? ?to? ?be? ?whispering? ?

something? ?to? ?him.? ?After? ?he? ?finished? ?listening? ?to? ?its? ?report,? ?he? ?looked? ?up? ?and? ?smiled,? ?“Gege,? ?no? ?

need? ?to? ?panic.? ?Looks? ?like? ?it’ll? ?be? ?fine? ?even? ?if? ?we? ?don’t? ?rush? ?over.”? ? ?

?

On? ?the? ?other? ?end,? ?with? ?Rong? ?Guang? ?pierced? ?through? ?Pei? ?Ming’s? ?chest,? ?Xuan? ?Ji? ?was? ?a? ?like? ?a? ?red? ?

gecko? ?and? ?gripped? ?his? ?boots? ?before? ?climbing? ?up? ?his? ?leg.? ?With? ?the? ?way? ?she? ?was? ?dressed? ?and? ?that? ?

ghost? ?fire? ?looming? ?over? ?her? ?head,? ?she? ?was? ?the? ?very? ?appearance? ?of? ?a? ?crazy? ?female? ?ghost,? ?and? ?Pei? ?

Ming? ?cried,? ?“YOU–!”? ? ?

?

Xuan? ?Ji? ?murmured,? ?“Pei? ?darling...? ?Pei? ?darling!? ?...”? ?In? ?her? ?current? ?position,? ?it? ?really? ?couldn’t? ?be? ?told? ?

whether? ?if? ?she? ?wanted? ?to? ?strangle? ?him? ?to? ?death? ?or? ?tightly? ?embrace? ?him.? ?Suddenly,? ?in? ?the? ?

peripheral? ?of? ?her? ?vision,? ?she? ?saw? ?Pei? ?Su? ?who? ?was? ?being? ?shielded? ?behind? ?Pei? ?Ming,? ?and? ?recalled? ?

that? ?it? ?was? ?this? ?cold? ?and? ?stoic? ?martial? ?god? ?who? ?apprehended? ?her? ?the? ?last? ?time,? ?and? ?she? ?gritted? ?her? ?

teeth,? ?“YOU? ?LITTLE? ?MUTT!”? ? ?

?

Just? ?as? ?her? ?claws? ?were? ?about? ?to? ?swipe? ?down,? ?another? ?hand? ?seized? ?her? ?wrist.? ?Both? ?wrists? ?were? ?

equally? ?pale,? ?and? ?when? ?she? ?looked? ?to? ?see,? ?it? ?was? ?Ban? ?Yue? ?who? ?stopped? ?her.? ?When? ?Xuan? ?Ji? ?saw? ?

another? ?woman? ?by? ?Pei? ?Ming’s? ?side? ?her? ?heart? ?burned? ?and? ?cried,? ?“I? ?haven’t? ?even? ?come? ?for? ?your? ?

little? ?wretched? ?life,? ?but? ?here? ?you? ?are,? ?giving? ?yourself? ?up? ?to? ?me!”? ? ?

?

Then? ?she? ?grabbed? ?for? ?Ban? ?Yue’s? ?head.? ?However,? ?Ban? ?Yue? ?wasn’t? ?one? ?of? ?those? ?good? ?and? ?

obedient? ?little? ?brides? ?who? ?would? ?stand? ?around? ?and? ?wait? ?to? ?be? ?scratched? ?to? ?death,? ?and? ?Xuan? ?Ji’s? ?

other? ?wrist? ?was? ?seized? ?without? ?fail.? ?Xuan? ?Ji? ?was? ?a? ?female? ?general? ?whilst? ?alive,? ?and? ?knew? ?that? ?her? ?

strength? ?would? ?put? ?most? ?men? ?to? ?shame,? ?and? ?typical? ?female? ?ghosts? ?could? ?only? ?let? ?themselves? ?be? ?

beaten.? ?Yet,? ?she? ?hadn’t? ?thought? ?this? ?little? ?girl,? ?who? ?looked? ?so? ?thin? ?and? ?weak? ?like? ?a? ?simple? ?breeze? ?

could? ?knock? ?her? ?over,? ?possessed? ?such? ?terrifying? ?power? ?in? ?her? ?arms,? ?almost? ?stronger? ?than? ?Xuan? ?

Ji? ?herself!? ?Not? ?only? ?were? ?both? ?her? ?wrists? ?cuffed? ?down? ?unable? ?to? ?move,? ?when? ?the? ?two? ?matched? ?

eyes,? ?Xuan? ?Ji? ?was? ?even? ?more? ?stunned.? ?This? ?little? ?girl’s? ?eyes? ?were? ?full? ?of? ?aggression? ?and? ?

murderous? ?intent,? ?like? ?the? ?shimmers? ?of? ?a? ?blade? ?in? ?combat,? ?and? ?it? ?reminded? ?her? ?of? ?the? ?battlefield.? ?

Her? ?heart? ?lurched? ?and? ?she? ?threw? ?her? ?hands? ?to? ?break? ?free? ?of? ?the? ?hold.? ?Ban? ?Yue? ?picked? ?up? ?Pei? ?Su? ?

and? ?hopped? ?meters? ?away,? ?landing? ?lightly? ?on? ?her? ?feet,? ?“Let? ?go? ?of? ?General? ?Pei!”? ? ?

?

The? ?sword? ?buried? ?in? ?Pei? ?Ming? ?taunted,? ?“Pei? ?Ming? ?you? ?sure? ?are? ?lucky? ?with? ?women.? ?Do? ?you? ?see,? ?

two? ?female? ?ghosts? ?are? ?fighting? ?over? ?you!? ?Hahaha...”? ? ?

?

Xuan? ?Ji? ?clung? ?to? ?Pei? ?Ming? ?like? ?a? ?contorted? ?snake,? ?her? ?ten? ?fingers? ?choking? ?his? ?neck,? ?and? ?she? ?said? ?

coldly,? ?“Your? ?little? ?lover? ?seems? ?to? ?have? ?some? ?skills.”? ? ?

?

Pei? ?Ming? ?coughed? ?out? ?a? ?mouthful? ?of? ?blood,? ?“I? ?don’t!? ?She’s? ?not? ?my? ?lover!”? ? ?

?

“YOU’RE? ?STILL? ?TRYING? ?TO? ?DENY? ?IT?!”? ?Xuan? ?Ji? ?cried,? ?“IF? ?SHE’S? ?NOT? ?YOUR? ?LOVER? ?WHY? ?

WOULD? ?SHE? ?TELL? ?ME? ?TO? ?LET? ?YOU? ?GO?”? ? ?

?

“If? ?my? ?old? ?hag? ?was? ?here? ?she’d? ?also? ?tell? ?you? ?to? ?let? ?me? ?go.? ?By? ?your? ?definition,? ?would? ?she? ?be? ?my? ?

lover? ?too?”? ?Pei? ?Ming? ?countered.? ?

?

Only? ?his? ?frivolous? ?nature? ?could? ?be? ?blamed? ?at? ?this? ?point,? ?calling? ?people? ?‘little? ?dummy’? ?for? ?no? ?good? ?

reason,? ?and? ?Xuan? ?Ji? ?was? ?going? ?mad? ?with? ?jealousy,? ?“What?? ?Afraid? ?to? ?admit? ?it? ?now?? ?Weren’t? ?you? ?

all? ?intimate? ?when? ?calling? ?her?? ?Didn’t? ?you? ?use? ?to? ?be? ?much? ?more? ?open? ?when? ?you? ?got? ?your? ?hands? ?

on? ?a? ?new? ?flame?? ?You’ve? ?always? ?been? ?so? ?honest? ?with? ?me,? ?not? ?caring? ?for? ?my? ?feelings? ?at? ?all.? ?Do? ?

you? ?know? ?how? ?much? ?I’ve? ?suffered?? ?So? ?why? ?are? ?you? ?scared? ?of? ?admitting? ?to? ?it? ?now??? ?General? ?Pei? ?

are? ?you? ?afraid? ?to? ?die? ?now?? ?Or? ?do? ?you? ?really? ?love? ?her? ?so? ?much? ?you? ?couldn’t? ?bear? ?to? ?have? ?me? ?

touch? ?a? ?single? ?finger? ?of? ?hers??”? ?

?

In? ?the? ?far? ?distance? ?away? ?from? ?the? ?divine? ?temple,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?watched? ?this? ?scene? ?play? ?out? ?from? ?afar? ?

and? ?felt? ?he? ?really? ?couldn’t? ?bear? ?to? ?watch? ?anymore,? ?and? ?looked? ?back,? ?“San? ?Lang,? ?how? ?about? ?we? ?

go? ?up? ?and? ?rescue? ?them? ?first?”? ? ?

?

Hua? ?Cheng? ?laughed,? ?“No? ?need? ?to? ?panic,? ?gege.? ?Someone? ?else? ?will? ?show? ?on? ?our? ?behalves.? ?

Besides,? ?even? ?if? ?we? ?go? ?over? ?now,? ?Xuan? ?Ji? ?still? ?won’t? ?release? ?her? ?chokehold? ?on? ?Pei? ?Ming.”? ?

?

That? ?was? ?true.? ?With? ?hostages? ?around,? ?things? ?would? ?indeed? ?be? ?rather? ?inconvenient.? ?Yin? ?Yu? ?and? ?

the? ?farmers? ?were? ?also? ?watching? ?nervously,? ?and? ?they? ?all? ?said,? ?“Yea,? ?I? ?could? ?feel? ?that? ?female? ?

ghost’s? ?love? ?has? ?morphed? ?into? ?hatred,? ?she’s? ?going? ?nuts!”? ? ?

?

“I? ?don’t? ?think? ?so.? ?I’m? ?sure? ?she? ?couldn’t? ?do? ?it.? ?Want? ?to? ?eat? ?some? ?melon? ?seeds?”? ? ?

?

“Give? ?me? ?another? ?handful,? ?thanks.”? ? ?

?

“How? ?can? ?everyone? ?be? ?in? ?the? ?mood? ?to? ?munch? ?on? ?melon? ?seeds?”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?frowned.? ?

?

“THis? ?Highness,? ?didn’t? ?you? ?munch? ?a? ?bunch? ?too?”? ?The? ?people? ?said.? ?

?

“Huh?”? ?Only? ?then? ?did? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?realize? ?that? ?while? ?he? ?was? ?so? ?focused? ?on? ?the? ?show? ?earlier,? ?he? ?

unconsciously? ?received? ?a? ?handful? ?of? ?melon? ?seeds? ?they? ?passed? ?over,? ?and? ?it? ?was? ?all? ?eaten.? ?He? ?

slapped? ?his? ?forehead,? ?“How,? ?how? ?rude? ?of? ?me...”? ? ?

?

On? ?the? ?other? ?end,? ?Pei? ?Ming? ?was? ?at? ?the? ?end? ?of? ?his? ?ropes,? ?“Xuan? ?Ji,? ?can? ?you? ?not? ?think? ?that? ?way? ?

every? ?time?? ?It’s? ?been? ?so? ?many? ?years,? ?why? ?can’t? ?we? ?just? ?shake? ?hands? ?and? ?walk? ?away?? ?Why? ?must? ?

you? ?be? ?like? ?this?”? ? ?

?

Xuan? ?Ji’s? ?hands? ?strangling? ?him? ?squeezed,? ?her? ?almond? ?eyes? ?bulging,? ?“You? ?messed? ?with? ?me? ?first,? ?

and? ?you? ?want? ?to? ?shake? ?hands? ?and? ?walk? ?away?? ?AS? ?IF!”? ? ?

?

Pei? ?Ming? ?sighed,? ?“You? ?really...? ?haven’t? ?changed? ?a? ?bit.? ?It’s? ?precisely? ?because? ?of? ?this? ?that? ?we? ?didn’t? ?

work? ?out.”? ? ?

?

Xuan? ?Ji? ?thrusted? ?her? ?face? ?to? ?his? ?and? ?cried? ?in? ?rage,? ?“LIKE? ?THIS?? ?LIKE? ?WHAT?? ?AM? ?I? ?NOT? ?

BEAUTIFUL? ?ENOUGH?? ?BECAUSE? ?I? ?REFUSED? ?TO? ?GIVE? ?YOU? ?YUSHI’S? ?BATTLE? ?PLANS? ?AND? ?

ARMY? ?SECRETS?? ?YOU? ?REFUSED? ?THEM? ?YOURSELF!? ?YOU? ?SAID? ?YOU? ?DIDN’T? ?LIKE? ?THAT? ?I? ?

WAS? ?STRONG? ?SO? ?I? ?WAS? ?WILLING? ?TO? ?ABANDON? ?EVEN? ?MY? ?LEGS!? ?DO? ?I? ?NOT? ?LOVE? ?YOU? ?

ENOUGH??? ?WHO? ?CAN? ?LOVE? ?YOU? ?MORE? ?THAN? ?ME?? ?BUT? ?YOU?? ?YOU? ?WON’T? ?LOOK? ?MY? ?

WAY,? ?NOT? ?EVEN? ?ONCE? ?IN? ?THESE? ?PAST? ?HUNDREDS? ?OF? ?YEARS!? ?WHEN? ?HAVE? ?YOU? ?EVER? ?

COME? ?TO? ?SEE? ?ME??”? ? ?

?

Pei? ?Ming? ?pushed? ?away? ?the? ?face? ?that? ?was? ?pressed? ?so? ?close? ?to? ?his? ?and? ?shouted,? ?“IT’S? ?BECAUSE? ?I? ?

KNOW? ?THAT? ?YOU’D? ?GO? ?CRAZY? ?IF? ?I? ?COME? ?SEE? ?YOU? ?THAT? ?I? ?DIDN’T? ?VISIT!”? ? ?

?

Xuan? ?Ji? ?grabbed? ?hold? ?of? ?the? ?Ming? ?Guang? ?sword? ?in? ?his? ?chest? ?and? ?stabbed? ?it? ?in? ?a? ?few? ?more? ?inches,? ?

then? ?pulled? ?it? ?out.? ?Pei? ?Ming? ?puked? ?another? ?few? ?large? ?mouthfuls? ?of? ?blood.? ?Xuan? ?Ji? ?yelled,? ?“SAY? ?IT!? ?

IN? ?THE? ?NAME? ?OF? ?YOUR? ?HEAVENLY? ?OFFICIAL? ?STATUS,? ?SWEAR? ?THAT? ?FROM? ?NOW? ?ON? ?

THERE’S? ?ONLY? ?ME.? ?SWEAR? ?THAT? ?YOU’LL? ?NEVER? ?LOOK? ?AT? ?ANOTHER? ?WOMAN? ?AGAIN,? ?

THAT? ?YOUR? ?EYES? ?WOULD? ?ROT? ?IF? ?YOU? ?DO!”? ? ?

?

Rong? ?Guang? ?was? ?also? ?enjoying? ?this,? ?“Hurry? ?and? ?say? ?it,? ?Pei? ?Ming!? ?Say? ?it? ?and? ?you? ?can? ?salvage? ?

your? ?little? ?life!”? ? ?

?

Pei? ?Ming? ?cursed,? ?“SHUT? ?UP!? ?Goddammit.? ?I? ?had? ?never? ?thought? ?despite? ?not? ?dying? ?on? ?the? ?

battlefields? ?and? ?not? ?dying? ?under? ?the? ?world’s? ?most? ?sacred? ?sword,? ?I’d? ?die? ?in? ?the? ?hands? ?of? ?a? ?crazy? ?

female? ?ghost!”? ? ?

?

Not? ?having? ?gotten? ?the? ?answer? ?she? ?desired,? ?Xuan? ?Ji? ?was? ?thoroughly? ?enraged,? ?and? ?her? ?claws? ?shot? ?

out,? ?gripping? ?his? ?head.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?really? ?couldn’t? ?wait? ?any? ?longer,? ?“San? ?Lang,? ?I? ?really? ?think? ?things? ?

are? ?getting? ?out? ?of? ?hand.? ?Will? ?the? ?person? ?you? ?spoke? ?of? ?make? ?it? ?in? ?time?? ?If? ?not? ?then? ?I’ll? ?go!”? ? ?

?

“It’s? ?fine.”? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?said,? ?“Gege,? ?look.? ?Here? ?they? ?come.? ?“? ? ?

?

Just? ?as? ?the? ?words? ?left? ?his? ?lips,? ?the? ?enraged? ?and? ?mad? ?Xuan? ?Ji? ?completely? ?froze.? ?

?

It? ?was? ?as? ?if? ?someone? ?had? ?casted? ?a? ?petrification? ?spell? ?on? ?her,? ?her? ?body? ?and? ?her? ?expression? ?were? ?

all? ?frozen.? ?Pei? ?Ming? ?was? ?already? ?stabbed? ?by? ?her? ?repeatedly? ?for? ?a? ?number? ?of? ?times,? ?his? ?puked? ?

blood? ?covering? ?the? ?floor.? ?From? ?within? ?the? ?darkness? ?came? ?the? ?sound? ?of? ?clean? ?and? ?crisp? ?ox? ?

hooves,? ?steady? ?and? ?calm,? ?click? ?clack,? ?click? ?clack.? ?Soon? ?after,? ?a? ?person? ?riding? ?a? ?black? ?ox? ?

appeared? ?before? ?all.? ? ?

?

The? ?one? ?riding? ?the? ?black? ?ox? ?was? ?a? ?woman? ?in? ?verdant? ?robes,? ?her? ?eyes? ?clear,? ?her? ?expression? ?calm? ?

and? ?quiet.? ?Her? ?head? ?was? ?held? ?high? ?as? ?they? ?approached? ?languidly,? ?like? ?she? ?was? ?watching? ?

something? ?far? ?away.? ?Pei? ?Ming? ?was? ?stunned,? ?“...Queen? ?YuShi.”? ? ?

?

That? ?woman? ?inclined? ?her? ?head? ?and? ?looked? ?at? ?him,? ?her? ?demeanor? ?unchanged,? ?and? ?she? ?gave? ?a? ?

slight? ?smile,? ?bowing? ?her? ?head? ?to? ?return? ?the? ?greeting.? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?was? ?shocked? ?too,? ?“Queen? ?YuShi?”? ? ?

?

Hua? ?Cheng? ?replied,? ?“That’s? ?right.? ?The? ?current? ?Rain? ?Master? ?of? ?the? ?heavens,? ?the? ?sixteenth? ?

princess? ?of? ?the? ?Kingdom? ?of? ?YuShi,? ?Yu? ?Shi? ?Huang,? ?was? ?also? ?the? ?last? ?queen? ?of? ?the? ?Kingdom? ?of? ?

YuShi.”? ?

?

?

———? ?