Heaven Official's Blessing

Chapter 171-180 - End? ?of? ?Book? ?3? ?

Chapter 171-180

Ch.171:? ?The? ?Last? ?Princess;? ?Throat? ?Slit? ?Before? ?Palace? ?Gates? ?

?

“I’ve? ?never? ?had? ?the? ?fortune? ?to? ?meet? ?the? ?Rain? ?Master,? ?so? ?I? ?didn’t? ?know? ?the? ?Rain? ?Master? ?is? ?a? ?

princess...”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?said.? ?

?

On? ?the? ?other? ?side,? ?Xuan? ?Ji? ?gritted? ?her? ?teeth,? ?“What...? ?did? ?you? ?do...? ?why...? ?can’t...? ?I? ?move?!”? ? ?

?

The? ?Rain? ?Master? ?pulled? ?her? ?eyes? ?away? ?from? ?Pei? ?Ming? ?and? ?said? ?gently,? ?“I’ve? ?brought? ?the? ?YuLong*? ?

Sword.”? ?

?

“The? ?YuLong? ?Sword?”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?wondered.? ?

?

“It’s? ?the? ?sacred? ?guardian? ?sword? ?of? ?the? ?Kingdom? ?of? ?YuShi,? ?wielded? ?by? ?all? ?of? ?its? ?rulers? ?in? ?history.? ?

After? ?the? ?Rain? ?Master? ?ascended,? ?she? ?forged? ?it? ?as? ?a? ?spiritual? ?device,? ?and,? ?naturally,? ?possessed? ?

the? ?power? ?to? ?stupefy? ?the? ?people? ?of? ?YuShi.? ?Xuan? ?Ji? ?was? ?a? ?traitor,? ?fear? ?and? ?guilt? ?still? ?consumed? ?her? ?

heart,? ?so? ?of? ?course? ?she? ?could? ?do? ?naught? ?but? ?obey.? ?

?

The? ?Rain? ?Master? ?told? ?her? ?not? ?to? ?move,? ?and? ?so? ?she? ?couldn’t? ?move.? ?Rong? ?Guang? ?exclaimed,? ?“If? ?

you? ?can’t? ?move,? ?I’ll? ?do? ?it? ?myself!”? ?Then,? ?just? ?as? ?he? ?was? ?about? ?to? ?stab? ?Pei? ?Ming? ?again,? ?before? ?his? ?

blade? ?even? ?pierced? ?half? ?an? ?inch? ?there? ?was? ?an? ?explosion? ?of? ?red? ?smoke,? ?and? ??CLUNK!?? ?The? ?sword? ?

that? ?pierced? ?Pei? ?Ming’s? ?chest? ?disappeared.? ?A? ?tiny? ?blade? ?no? ?longer? ?than? ?a? ?finger? ?fell? ?to? ?the? ?

ground,? ?and? ?Rong? ?Guang? ?yelled? ?furiously,? ?“WHAT’S? ?GOING? ?ON?? ?WHY? ?CAN’T? ?I? ?MOVE? ?

EITHER??”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?and? ?the? ?others? ?finally? ?stopped? ?watching? ?from? ?afar,? ?and? ?walked? ?out.? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?glanced? ?

at? ?that? ?tiny? ?toy-like? ?MingGuang? ?sword? ?on? ?the? ?ground? ?and? ?smirked,? ?“Much? ?better.”? ? ?

?

“Let? ?him? ?go,? ?Xuan? ?Ji.”? ?The? ?Rain? ?Master? ?said.? ?

?

Xuan? ?Ji’s? ?hands? ?started? ?to? ?drop? ?uncontrollably? ?from? ?Pei? ?Ming’s? ?neck,? ?but? ?she? ?refused? ?to? ?yield,? ?

her? ?hands? ?quivering,? ?“I? ?WON’T!? ?I? ?ALREADY? ?CAUGHT? ?HIM,? ?I? ?WON’T? ?LET? ?HIM? ?GO!”? ? ?

?

“If? ?you? ?must? ?grab? ?hold? ?of? ?something? ?to? ?feel? ?better,? ?why? ?not? ?pick? ?up? ?what? ?you’ve? ?tossed? ?away,? ?and? ?

hold? ?it? ?in? ?your? ?hands? ?anew?”? ?The? ?Rain? ?Master? ?said.? ?

?

The? ?powers? ?of? ?that? ?sacred? ?guardian? ?sword? ?was? ?too? ?strong? ?after? ?all,? ?and? ?Xuan? ?Ji? ?was? ?forcibly? ?

yanked? ?off,? ?falling? ?back? ?to? ?the? ?ground,? ?unkempt? ?and? ?miserable,? ?“What? ?right? ?do? ?you? ?have? ?to? ?

discipline? ?me?? ?Do? ?you? ?really? ?take? ?yourself? ?for? ?the? ?ruler? ?of? ?the? ?kingdom?? ?I? ?think? ?you’ve? ?forgotten? ?

how? ?your? ?queenship? ?came? ?to? ?be!? ?I? ?WON’T? ?ACKNOWLEDGE? ?YOU!? ?I? ?WON’T!”? ? ?

?

The? ?Rain? ?Master? ?was? ?silent.? ?On? ?the? ?side,? ?Ban? ?Yue? ?snatched? ?the? ?opportunity? ?and? ?hurled? ?out? ?a? ?

pot,? ?sucking? ?Xuan? ?Ji? ?in? ?instantly,? ?and? ?swiftly? ?sealed? ?it!? ?

?

And? ?so,? ?the? ?source? ?of? ?all? ?the? ?mess? ?was? ?finally? ?subdued.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?approached? ?Pei? ?Ming’s? ?side? ?

and? ?helped? ?him? ?up,? ?“General? ?Pei’s? ?alright?”? ? ?

?

“This? ?won’t? ?kill? ?me.”? ?Pei? ?Ming? ?said.? ?“I? ?say,? ?Your? ?Highness,? ?did? ?you? ?all? ?perhaps? ?arrive? ?for? ?a? ?while? ?

already?”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian,? ?“...Haha,? ?what? ?do? ?you? ?mean.”? ? ?

?

Pei? ?Ming? ?picked? ?up? ?the? ?tiny? ?little? ?sealed? ?Ming? ?Guang? ?sword? ?now? ?in? ?his? ?hand,? ?“Crimson? ?Rain? ?

Sought? ?Flower,? ?how? ?tough? ?is? ?your? ?seal?? ?It? ?won’t? ?just? ?break? ?with? ?some? ?pressure,? ?would? ?it?”? ?

?

“Of? ?course? ?not.”? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?replied,? ?“Unless? ?you? ?hold? ?the? ?hilt? ?and? ?apply? ?spiritual? ?powers,? ?and? ?

mentally? ?give? ?it? ?permission? ?for? ?it? ?to? ?be? ?released,? ?otherwise? ?the? ?seal? ?won’t? ?break? ?by? ?accident? ?or? ?by? ?

deception? ?no? ?matter? ?what.”? ? ?

?

Only? ?then? ?did? ?Pei? ?Ming? ?heave? ?a? ?long? ?sigh.? ?As? ?for? ?the? ?farmers? ?who? ?escaped? ?Qi? ?Rong’s? ?capture,? ?

they? ?all? ?rushed? ?forward,? ?“LORD? ?RAIN? ?MASTER!”? ? ?

?

The? ?ones? ?on? ?this? ?side? ?turned? ?around.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?inclined? ?his? ?head? ?in? ?a? ?bow,? ?“Queen? ?YuShi.”? ? ?

?

The? ?Rain? ?Master? ?had? ?dismounted? ?the? ?black? ?ox,? ?rope? ?in? ?hand,? ?and? ?she? ?also? ?bowed? ?her? ?head? ?to? ?

return? ?the? ?courtesy,? ?“Your? ?Royal? ?Highness.”? ? ?

?

During? ?this? ?greeting,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?inadvertently? ?saw? ?her? ?neck? ?and? ?was? ?slightly? ?taken? ?aback,? ?but? ?then? ?

soon? ?said,? ?“Back? ?then? ?during? ?XianLe’s? ?draught,? ?that? ?my? ?lord? ?would? ?lend? ?me? ?your? ?Rain? ?Master? ?

Hat? ?and? ?aid? ?me? ?in? ?my? ?time? ?of? ?need,? ?I? ?was? ?never? ?able? ?to? ?thank? ?you? ?in? ?person,? ?and? ?now? ?my? ?wish? ?

has? ?come? ?true? ?today.”? ?Then,? ?he? ?bent? ?forward? ?and? ?bowed? ?deeply.? ?The? ?Rain? ?Master? ?stood? ?there,? ?

still,? ?and? ?waited? ?until? ?his? ?bow? ?was? ?over? ?before? ?she? ?said,? ?“I? ?had? ?thought,? ?if? ?I? ?didn’t? ?let? ?Your? ?Royal? ?

Highness? ?bow? ?this? ?once,? ?my? ?lord? ?might? ?never? ?relax.? ?Now? ?that? ?it’s? ?over,? ?let? ?us? ?forget? ?this? ?affair.”? ? ?

?

The? ?tone? ?of? ?her? ?voice? ?was? ?clear? ?and? ?serene,? ?slow? ?and? ?calm? ?with? ?a? ?bit? ?of? ?a? ?smile,? ?looking? ?

particularly? ?tranquil.? ?Suddenly,? ?a? ?voice? ?called? ?out,? ?“Hey? ?Pei? ?Ming,? ?isn’t? ?this? ?embarrassing?? ?

Needing? ?a? ?woman? ?to? ?save? ?you,? ?and? ?it’s? ?that? ?Yu? ?Shi? ?Huang? ?no? ?less!? ?Hehehahahaha...”? ?

?

The? ?Rain? ?Master’s? ?demeanor? ?remain? ?unchanged,? ?still? ?very? ?at? ?ease,? ?but? ?Pei? ?Ming? ?didn’t? ?look? ?that? ?

comfortable? ?anymore.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?noticed? ?this? ?and? ?quickly? ?slapped? ?a? ?talisman? ?on? ?that? ?little? ?sword? ?to? ?

seal? ?its? ?mouth.? ?The? ?ox? ?held? ?by? ?the? ?Rain? ?Master? ?also? ?suddenly? ?started? ?blowing? ?harsh? ?breaths? ?in? ?

Pei? ?Ming’s? ?direction,? ?shaking? ?its? ?head? ?and? ?swinging? ?its? ?tail.? ?Although? ?it? ?wasn’t? ?aiming? ?at? ?Hua? ?

Cheng,? ?but? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?knew? ?that? ?when? ?bulls? ?saw? ?red? ?they’d? ?get? ?angry,? ?and? ?recalled? ?the? ?many? ?

painful? ?experiences? ?of? ?having? ?been? ?chased? ?and? ?struck,? ?so? ?he? ?quickly? ?blocked? ?in? ?front? ?of? ?Hua? ?

Cheng,? ?afraid? ?that? ?ox? ?would? ?be? ?further? ?provoked? ?by? ?the? ?red? ?colour? ?of? ?Hua? ?Cheng’s? ?robes.? ?Pei? ?

Ming? ?had? ?to? ?say? ?something? ?at? ?this? ?point,? ?thus,? ?he? ?scratched? ?his? ?nose,? ?and? ?said? ?politely,? ?“My? ?

thanks? ?to? ?Queen? ?YuShi? ?for? ?rescuing? ?Little? ?Pei.”? ? ?

?

The? ?Rain? ?Master? ?was? ?also? ?courteous,? ?“It’s? ?nothing.”? ? ?

?

Ban? ?Yue? ?came? ?over? ?and? ?tugged? ?on? ?the? ?Rain? ?Master’s? ?sleeve,? ?“Lord? ?Rain? ?Master,? ?Pei? ?Su? ?gege? ?

passed? ?out? ?from? ?hunger...”? ?

?

Hua? ?Cheng? ?looked? ?up? ?and? ?swept? ?a? ?look,? ?“Let’s? ?go? ?back? ?up? ?first.”? ? ?

?

Ban? ?Yue’s? ?problem? ?was? ?most? ?effectively? ?solved? ?by? ?people? ?of? ?YuShi? ?Country.? ?Since? ?the? ?Rain? ?

Master? ?ruled? ?agriculture,? ?food? ?often? ?never? ?left? ?their? ?persons.? ?Once? ?they? ?were? ?back? ?above? ?

ground,? ?night? ?had? ?passed? ?and? ?the? ?sun? ?had? ?come? ?out.? ?The? ?Rain? ?Master? ?instantly? ?retrieved? ?seeds? ?

from? ?the? ?satchel? ?on? ?the? ?ox,? ?found? ?a? ?field,? ?and? ?planted? ?them? ?on? ?the? ?spot.? ?It? ?didn’t? ?take? ?long? ?before? ?

a? ?small? ?field? ?of? ?crops? ?were? ?grown.? ?Those? ?who? ?had? ?been? ?starving? ?all? ?cheered.? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?remembered? ?that? ?Gu? ?Zi? ?probably? ?hadn’t? ?eaten? ?well? ?in? ?the? ?past? ?few? ?days? ?either,? ?and? ?

woke? ?him? ?up.? ?However,? ?the? ?first? ?thing? ?Gu? ?Zi? ?asked? ?for? ?when? ?he? ?woke? ?up? ?was? ?where? ?his? ?dad? ?was,? ?

and? ?had? ?thought? ?his? ?dad? ?deserted? ?him? ?again.? ?He? ?cried? ?and? ?sobbed? ?for? ?a? ?good? ?while,? ?and? ?Xie? ?

Lian? ?had? ?no? ?choice? ?but? ?to? ?give? ?him? ?that? ?extremely? ?ugly? ?daruma? ?doll? ?to? ?hold.? ?When? ?Gu? ?Zi? ?heard? ?

this? ?was? ?his? ?dad,? ?it? ?was? ?like? ?he? ?was? ?given? ?treasure? ?and? ?stopped? ?crying,? ?hugging? ?it? ?tightly? ?as? ?he? ?

ate.? ?

?

Meanwhile,? ?Xie? ?Lian,? ?Hua? ?Cheng,? ?the? ?Rain? ?Master,? ?and? ?Pei? ?Ming? ?stood? ?on? ?the? ?side? ?to? ?discuss? ?

serious? ?business.? ?

?

They? ?could? ?already? ?see? ?that? ?‘Kiln’? ?up? ?ahead.? ?Upon? ?closer? ?look,? ?the? ?lower? ?half? ?of? ?the? ?mountain? ?

was? ?large? ?patches? ?of? ?crimson? ?red? ?like? ?that? ?of? ?blood,? ?and? ?the? ?upper? ?half? ?was? ?covered? ?with? ?harsh? ?

layers? ?of? ?snow.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?spoke? ?up,? ?“Not? ?just? ?General? ?Pei? ?Junior,? ?but? ?Ban? ?Yue,? ?Gu? ?Zi,? ?and? ?the? ?

others? ?must? ?all? ?stay? ?here.? ?They? ?can’t? ?go? ?onwards? ?anymore.? ?If? ?the? ?need? ?arises,? ?we? ?might? ?have? ?to? ?

climb? ?the? ?snowy? ?mountain.”? ? ?

?

Pei? ?Ming? ?was? ?dabbing? ?medicinal? ?smoke? ?from? ?a? ?small? ?bottle? ?over? ?his? ?wounds,? ?shaking? ?his? ?head? ?

as? ?he? ?sighed,? ?“I’ve? ?been? ?unlucky? ?this? ?entire? ?way,? ?hurdles? ?after? ?hurdles.”? ? ?

?

Those? ?words? ?really? ?did? ?describe? ?his? ?journey? ?thus? ?far,? ?incredibly? ?unfortunate,? ?and? ?he? ?was? ?feeling? ?

quite? ?miserable.? ?The? ?Rain? ?Master? ?was? ?sitting? ?poised? ?next? ?to? ?Xie? ?Lian,? ?and? ?after? ?some? ?

contemplation,? ?she? ?said,? ?“Your? ?Highness,? ?your? ?mission? ?this? ?time? ?is? ?to? ?subdue? ?all? ?monsters? ?and? ?

ghosts? ?who? ?possess? ?the? ?potential? ?to? ?become? ?a? ?Supreme.? ?Then,? ?there? ?is? ?one? ?that? ?you? ?may? ?need? ?

to? ?watch? ?out? ?for.”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?became? ?excited,? ?“Did? ?Lord? ?Rain? ?Master? ?run? ?into? ?something? ?on? ?the? ?road?”? ? ?

?

The? ?Rain? ?Master? ?nodded? ?slightly,? ?“Yes.? ?On? ?the? ?way? ?here,? ?I’ve? ?met? ?a? ?young? ?man? ?dressed? ?in? ?

white.”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?let? ?out? ?a? ?soft? ?“ah”? ?and? ?said,? ?“The? ?one? ?my? ?lord? ?speak? ?of,? ?we’ve? ?also? ?caught? ?wind? ?of? ?him? ?

on? ?the? ?road.? ?Many? ?of? ?the? ?monsters? ?and? ?ghosts? ?were? ?afraid? ?of? ?him,? ?and? ?we? ?almost? ?ran? ?into? ?him? ?

too.? ?Have? ?my? ?lord? ?seen? ?him? ?in? ?person?? ?How? ?did? ?you? ?get? ?away?”? ? ?

?

“Much? ?ashamed.”? ?The? ?Rain? ?Master? ?said,? ?“If? ?it? ?wasn’t? ?for? ?this? ?Protection? ?Steed’s? ?astounding? ?leg? ?

power? ?and? ?that? ?young? ?man’s? ?lack? ?of? ?interest? ?in? ?disputes,? ?it? ?would’ve? ?been? ?difficult? ?to? ?say? ?how? ?the? ?

meeting? ?would’ve? ?ended.”? ? ?

?

“How? ?did? ?he? ?look? ?like?”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?pressed.? ?

?

“It? ?wasn’t? ?clear,”? ?The? ?Rain? ?Master? ?said,? ?“Because? ?his? ?head? ?was? ?wrapped? ?in? ?bandages.”? ?

?

Head? ?wrapped? ?in? ?bandages?!? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?was? ?dumbfounded,? ?“Was? ?it? ?Lang? ?Ying?!”? ? ?

?

Pei? ?Ming? ?frowned,? ?“Your? ?Highness? ?knows? ?him?”? ? ?

?

“I’m? ?not? ?too? ?sure.”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?replied,? ?then? ?instantly? ?turned? ?to? ?Hua? ?Cheng,? ?“San? ?Lang,? ?Lang? ?Ying? ?is? ?

in? ?the? ?Ghost? ?City? ?for? ?sure,? ?right?”? ? ?

?

Hua? ?Cheng? ?also? ?looked? ?serious,? ?and? ?only? ?answered? ?after? ?a? ?pause,? ?“He? ?was,? ?but? ?whether? ?if? ?he? ?is? ?

still? ?is? ?hard? ?to? ?say.? ?Gege,? ?why? ?don’t? ?you? ?verify? ?further?”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?thus? ?continued? ?his? ?questions,? ?“Lord? ?Rain? ?Master,? ?you? ?said? ?this? ?white? ?clad? ?young? ?man? ?

had? ?his? ?head? ?wrapped? ?in? ?bandages,? ?was? ?he? ?about? ?ten? ?years? ?of? ?age,? ?or? ?maybe? ?a? ?bit? ?older?? ?Either? ?

way,? ?a? ?scrawny? ?boy.”? ? ?

?

Yet? ?unexpected,? ?the? ?Rain? ?Master? ?replied,? ?“No.? ?That? ?young? ?man? ?was? ?about? ?sixteen? ?or? ?seventeen,? ?

and? ?his? ?body? ?type? ?was? ?close? ?to? ?that? ?of? ?Your? ?Highness.”? ? ?

?

“Huh?”? ?Now? ?this? ?was? ?completely? ?out? ?of? ?Xie? ?Lian’s? ?expectations.? ?“Sixteen,? ?seventeen?? ?Lang? ?Ying? ?

isn’t? ?that? ?old.”? ? ?

?

So? ?was? ?it? ?him?? ?Based? ?on? ?the? ?current? ?information,? ?nothing? ?could? ?be? ?concluded.? ?Pei? ?Ming? ?tossed? ?

that? ?little? ?medicinal? ?bottle? ?aside? ?after? ?he? ?was? ?done? ?and? ?said,? ?“Either? ?way,? ?we’ll? ?all? ?end? ?up? ?in? ?the? ?

Kiln? ?in? ?the? ?end,? ?so? ?let’s? ?just? ?wait? ?and? ?see.”? ? ?

?

He? ?was? ?a? ?martial? ?god? ?after? ?all,? ?and? ?his? ?recovery? ?speed? ?was? ?curiously? ?fast.? ?With? ?just? ?a? ?bottle? ?of? ?

medicine,? ?that? ?severe? ?wound? ?was? ?already? ?pretty? ?much? ?healed.? ?The? ?Rain? ?Master? ?inclined? ?her? ?

head,? ?“Why? ?doesn’t? ?General? ?Pei? ?have? ?a? ?sword?”? ? ?

?

Pei? ?Ming? ?hadn’t? ?expected? ?that? ?she? ?would? ?actively? ?ask? ?himself? ?that? ?question,? ?and? ?hadn’t? ?figured? ?

out? ?how? ?to? ?best? ?respond,? ?and? ?on? ?the? ?side,? ?Pei? ?Su? ?who? ?was? ?finally? ?conscious,? ?answered? ?while? ?

eating? ?a? ?roasted? ?sweet? ?potato,? ?“General,? ?Pei’s,? ?sword? ?was,? ?snapped.”? ? ?

?

When? ?the? ?Rain? ?Master? ?heard? ?this,? ?she? ?contemplated? ?for? ?a? ?moment? ?before? ?removing? ?her? ?own? ?

sword,? ?and? ?handed? ?it? ?to? ?Pei? ?Ming? ?in? ?both? ?hands.? ?

?

There? ?wasn’t? ?anything? ?off? ?about? ?her? ?expression,? ?and? ?both? ?her? ?words? ?and? ?actions? ?were? ?very? ?

well-mannered.? ?However,? ?Pei? ?Ming’s? ?face? ?changed? ?slightly,? ?looking? ?as? ?if? ?she? ?was? ?giving? ?him? ?a? ?

poisonous? ?snake.? ?After? ?some? ?hesitation,? ?he? ?said,? ?“Thanks,? ?but? ?this? ?is? ?the? ?Rain? ?Master’s? ?sacred? ?

guardian? ?sword.? ?It’s? ?probably? ?inappropriate? ?wielded? ?in? ?my? ?hands.”? ?

?

“General? ?Pei? ?is? ?a? ?martial? ?god,? ?a? ?skilled? ?swordsman.”? ?The? ?Rain? ?Master? ?said,? ?“Since? ?we? ?are? ?here? ?

to? ?prevent? ?the? ?birth? ?of? ?a? ?new? ?ghost? ?king,? ?then? ?this? ?sword? ?would? ?be? ?more? ?effective? ?if? ?wielded? ?by? ?

you? ?rather? ?than? ?me.”? ? ?

?

Pei? ?Ming? ?hesitated? ?for? ?another? ?good? ?while? ?but? ?in? ?the? ?end? ?still? ?very? ?politely? ?declined,? ?“Pei? ?thanks? ?

Queen? ?YuShi? ?for? ?her? ?kindness.? ?But? ?there’s? ?no? ?need.”? ? ?

?

Seeing? ?this,? ?the? ?Rain? ?Master? ?no? ?longer? ?pushed.? ?The? ?few? ?of? ?them? ?then? ?chatted? ?for? ?a? ?bit,? ?and? ?the? ?

Rain? ?Master? ?also? ?inquired? ?whether? ?if? ?they? ?had? ?any? ?news? ?of? ?the? ?Wind? ?Master.? ?Only? ?then? ?did? ?Xie? ?

Lian? ?learn? ?that? ?the? ?Rain? ?Master? ?had? ?also? ?sent? ?for? ?a? ?search,? ?but? ?it? ?was? ?fruitless,? ?and? ?he? ?couldn’t? ?

help? ?but? ?sigh.? ?

?

The? ?group? ?of? ?them? ?decided? ?that? ?they? ?shall? ?rest? ?for? ?another? ?two? ?hours? ?before? ?continuing? ?on? ?their? ?

way.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?walked? ?off? ?for? ?a? ?bit? ?and? ?had? ?wanted? ?to? ?just? ?find? ?a? ?tree? ?to? ?lean? ?against? ?and? ?lie? ?down? ?

for? ?a? ?bit,? ?but? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?dug? ?out? ?a? ?bunch? ?of? ?ropes? ?and? ?cloth? ?from? ?who? ?knows? ?where,? ?and? ?set? ?up? ?

two? ?swinging? ?hammock? ?beds? ?between? ?two? ?trees.? ?The? ?two? ?of? ?them? ?climbed? ?in,? ?and? ?there? ?was? ?

ample? ?space,? ?very? ?comfortable? ?to? ?lie? ?in.? ?After? ?lying? ?for? ?a? ?bit,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?had? ?his? ?arms? ?pillowing? ?the? ?

back? ?of? ?his? ?head,? ?and? ?wondered? ?in? ?confusion,? ?“San? ?Lang,? ?why? ?won’t? ?General? ?Pei? ?take? ?Lord? ?Rain? ?

Master’s? ?sword?”? ? ?

?

A? ?martial? ?god? ?lost? ?his? ?weapon? ?but? ?he’s? ?not? ?anxious? ?to? ?find? ?another? ?one?? ?Was? ?he? ?waiting? ?to? ?be? ?

beat?? ?

?

Hua? ?Cheng? ?also? ?pillowed? ?his? ?arms? ?behind? ?his? ?head? ?and? ?replied? ?leisurely,? ?“Someone? ?like? ?Pei? ?

Ming,? ?while? ?he? ?loves? ?women,? ?he? ?might? ?not? ?think? ?highly? ?of? ?women.? ?Since? ?he? ?had? ?to? ?be? ?saved,? ?and? ?

by? ?a? ?woman,? ?and? ?one? ?he? ?knew? ?in? ?the? ?past? ?no? ?less,? ?he? ?must? ?be? ?quite? ?frustrated,? ?thinking? ?it’s? ?

embarrassing.? ?Besides,? ?the? ?Rain? ?Master? ?had? ?disciplined? ?his? ?descendant? ?before,? ?so? ?perhaps? ?he? ?

felt? ?the? ?Rain? ?Master? ?was? ?trying? ?to? ?make? ?fun? ?of? ?him.? ?How? ?could? ?he? ?possibly? ?take? ?the? ?sword?”? ? ?

?

“Sigh,? ?what? ?nonsensical? ?pride.”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?commented.? ?“By? ?the? ?way,? ?San? ?Lang,? ?did? ?you? ?see?? ?

There’s? ?an? ?old? ?scar? ?on? ?Lord? ?Rain? ?Master’s? ?neck.”? ? ?

?

“I? ?don’t? ?need? ?to? ?see? ?to? ?know.”? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?said,? ?“She’s? ?the? ?‘Princess? ?Who? ?Slit? ?Her? ?Throat’? ?after? ?

all.”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?pulled? ?himself? ?up? ?slightly,? ?“I? ?knew? ?it.”? ? ?

?

Hua? ?Cheng? ?rose? ?too,? ?“Did? ?gege? ?notice? ?that? ?the? ?Rain? ?Master? ?speaks? ?slowly?? ?That’s? ?also? ?caused? ?

by? ?the? ?old? ?scar? ?on? ?her? ?neck.”? ? ?

?

“Ah!? ?And? ?here? ?I? ?thought? ?it? ?was? ?because? ?of? ?her? ?personality.”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?said,? ?“As? ?a? ?princess,? ?why? ?

did? ?she? ?have? ?to? ?slit? ?her? ?own? ?throat?? ?Xuan? ?Ji’s? ?“Have? ?you? ?forgotten? ?how? ?your? ?queenship? ?came? ?to? ?

be”? ?also? ?makes? ?one? ?curious.? ?How?? ?did?? ?her? ?queenship? ?come? ?to? ?be?”? ? ?

?

“It’s? ?a? ?long? ?story,? ?but? ?I’ll? ?make? ?it? ?short.”? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?replied.? ?

?

Turns? ?out,? ?while? ?Yu? ?Shi? ?Huang? ?certainly? ?was? ?of? ?royal? ?descent? ?from? ?the? ?Kingdom? ?of? ?YuShi,? ?but,? ?

first,? ?she? ?was? ?daughter;? ?second,? ?she? ?was? ?born? ?from? ?a? ?concubine? ?of? ?the? ?lowest? ?rank,? ?so? ?her? ?

status? ?wasn’t? ?high.? ?With? ?her? ?introverted? ?personality? ?and? ?awkwardness,? ?the? ?fifteen? ?older? ?brothers? ?

and? ?sisters? ?above? ?and? ?the? ?younger? ?brothers? ?and? ?sisters? ?below,? ?each? ?and? ?every? ?one? ?of? ?them? ?was? ?

more? ?in? ?favour? ?than? ?she? ?was.? ? ?

?

The? ?Royal? ?Cultivation? ?Hall? ?of? ?the? ?Kingdom? ?of? ?YuShi? ?was? ?the? ?Temple? ?of? ?YuLong,? ?and? ?throughout? ?

history,? ?every? ?ruler? ?would? ?select? ?a? ?royal? ?descendant? ?to? ?go? ?and? ?cultivate,? ?to? ?pray? ?for? ?prosperity? ?

and? ?peace? ?to? ?express? ?sincerity? ?to? ?the? ?heavens.? ?It? ?sounded? ?grand,? ?but? ?in? ?truth? ?it? ?was? ?hard? ?labour.? ?

The? ?method? ?of? ?cultivation? ?the? ?Temple? ?of? ?YuLong? ?practiced? ?was? ?hard? ?labour;? ?no? ?servants? ?or? ?any? ?

item? ?of? ?comfort? ?was? ?permitted,? ?and? ?once? ?they’re? ?there? ?they? ?had? ?to? ?do? ?manual? ?labour? ?too.? ?In? ?the? ?

past,? ?this? ?position? ?was? ?pushed? ?around,? ?and? ?some? ?would? ?even? ?spend? ?an? ?impressive? ?fortune? ?to? ?

find? ?a? ?replacement.? ?However,? ?when? ?this? ?generation? ?came? ?around,? ?there? ?was? ?no? ?selection? ?

process.? ?Yu? ?Shi? ?Huang? ?was? ?decided? ?on? ?from? ?the? ?get? ?go.? ?

?

“No? ?wonder? ?Xuan? ?Ji? ?sounded? ?like? ?she? ?didn’t? ?think? ?highly? ?of? ?the? ?Rain? ?Master.”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?remarked.? ?

?

“Of? ?course.”? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?said,? ?“Xuan? ?Ji? ?might? ?not? ?be? ?a? ?princess,? ?but? ?she? ?also? ?came? ?from? ?an? ?

impressive? ?background? ?with? ?many? ?suitors.? ?She? ?was? ?much? ?more? ?valued? ?in? ?the? ?eyes? ?of? ?royalty? ?

and? ?nobility.”? ?However,? ?now? ?that? ?Xuan? ?Ji? ?had? ?ruined? ?herself? ?like? ?this,? ?no? ?wonder? ?she? ?couldn’t? ?

stand? ?the? ?Rain? ?Master? ?who? ?still? ?planted? ?fields? ?so? ?tranquilly.? ?The? ?Rain? ?Master? ?urged? ?her? ?to? ?let? ?go,? ?

but? ?in? ?Xuan? ?Ji’s? ?eyes,? ?her? ?words? ?were? ?probably? ?seen? ?as? ?condescendingly? ?sarcastic.? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?shook? ?his? ?head.? ?While? ?they? ?were? ?both? ?from? ?a? ?royal? ?background? ?and? ?both? ?entered? ?the? ?

royal? ?cultivation? ?halls,? ?the? ?Rain? ?Master’s? ?experience? ?was? ?completely? ?different? ?than? ?his.? ?

?

In? ?an? ?case,? ?after? ?that,? ?the? ?Rain? ?Master? ?spent? ?her? ?days? ?in? ?peace? ?and? ?cultivation? ?in? ?the? ?Temple? ?of? ?

YuLong.? ?Until? ?one? ?day,? ?a? ?few? ?esteemed? ?guests? ?came? ?to? ?from? ?the? ?Kingdom? ?of? ?XuLi.? ?

?

XuLi? ?and? ?YuShi? ?didn’t? ?immediately? ?fall? ?out;? ?there? ?was? ?some? ?forced? ?civility? ?and? ?false? ?courtesy? ?at? ?

first.? ?In? ?order? ?to? ?maintain? ?the? ?bogus? ?peace,? ?the? ?Kingdom? ?of? ?XuLi? ?sent? ?a? ?few? ?royalties,? ?generals,? ?

and? ?civil? ?officials? ?to? ?attend? ?the? ?national? ?banquet? ?of? ?the? ?Kingdom? ?of? ?YuShi,? ?and? ?pay? ?a? ?visit? ?to? ?

YuShi’s? ?royal? ?cultivation? ?hall? ?while? ?they? ?were? ?at? ?it.? ? ?

?

That? ?day,? ?Yu? ?Shi? ?Huang? ?was? ?cleaning? ?the? ?shingles? ?on? ?the? ?roof? ?of? ?the? ?temple,? ?and? ?when? ?she? ?was? ?

about? ?to? ?come? ?down,? ?she? ?found? ?someone? ?had? ?taken? ?the? ?ladder? ?away.? ?

?

The? ?people? ?at? ?the? ?bottom? ?saw? ?someone? ?stuck? ?on? ?top? ?of? ?the? ?roof,? ?unable? ?to? ?come? ?down,? ?and? ?all? ?

thought? ?it? ?funny,? ?and? ?even? ?the? ?princesses? ?and? ?princes? ?of? ?YuShi? ?were? ?snickering? ?with? ?their? ?

mouths? ?covered.? ?Only? ?a? ?general? ?of? ?XuLi? ?who,? ?after? ?chuckling,? ?leapt? ?up? ?and? ?brought? ?her? ?down.? ?

?

This? ?general? ?was? ?of? ?course? ?Pei? ?Ming.? ?Just? ?then,? ?a? ?voice? ?spoke? ?up? ?suddenly,? ?“That? ?guy? ?Pei? ?Ming,? ?

he’s? ?like? ?that? ?no? ?matter? ?where? ?he? ?goes,? ?like? ?a? ?dog? ?that? ?needs? ?to? ?piss? ?and? ?mark? ?his? ?territory? ?

everywhere.”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?was? ?instantly? ?pulled? ?back? ?to? ?the? ?present? ?by? ?that? ?malicious? ?and? ?vulgar? ?comparison.? ?

When? ?he? ?looked? ?back,? ?he? ?picked? ?up? ?the? ?unbelievably? ?shrunken? ?little? ?sword? ?and? ?said,? ?“General? ?

Rong,? ?when? ?did? ?you? ?break? ?free? ?of? ?the? ?mouth? ?sealing? ?talisman?? ?It? ?seems? ?you? ?really? ?want? ?to? ?talk.”? ? ?

?

“Let? ?this? ?ancestor? ?speak!”? ?Rong? ?Guang? ?said,? ?“I? ?know? ?every? ?sordid? ?affair? ?Pei? ?Ming? ?has? ?had,? ?three? ?

days? ?and? ?three? ?nights? ?won’t? ?be? ?enough? ?to? ?tell? ?it? ?all!? ?He? ?knew? ?XuLi? ?was? ?going? ?to? ?invade? ?YuShi? ?but? ?

still? ?he? ?went? ?and? ?seduced? ?all? ?the? ?princesses? ?in? ?the? ?most? ?favour,? ?and? ?they? ?were? ?all? ?crazy? ?for? ?him,? ?

fighting? ?each? ?other? ?over? ?jealousy.? ?Don’t? ?you? ?think? ?that’s? ?a? ?little? ?immoral?”? ? ?

?

It? ?certainly? ?wasn’t? ?nice.? ?To? ?smile? ?and? ?laugh? ?with? ?me? ?yesterday,? ?then? ?invade? ?and? ?trample? ?my? ?

home? ?today.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?felt? ?a? ?little? ?sorry.? ?“Did? ?Queen? ?YuShi? ?and? ?General? ?Pei? ?share? ?a? ?good? ?

relationship? ?back? ?then? ?too?”? ? ?

?

“There? ?was? ?no? ?relationship.”? ?Rong? ?Guang? ?said,? ?“That? ?guy? ?Pei? ?Ming? ?has? ?only? ?ever? ?met? ?Yu? ?Shi? ?

Huang? ?twice.? ?There? ?were? ?too? ?many? ?beauties? ?in? ?YuShi;? ?he’d? ?forgotten? ?her? ?the? ?next? ?day.”? ? ?

?

In? ?this? ?world,? ?it? ?wasn’t? ?only? ?women? ?who? ?fall? ?out? ?fast;? ?men? ?fall? ?out? ?even? ?faster,? ?the? ?only? ?difference? ?

being? ?the? ?end? ?result.? ?When? ?women? ?fell? ?out,? ?it? ?might? ?be? ?over? ?after? ?some? ?slaps? ?or? ?scratching,? ?but? ?

when? ?men? ?fell? ?out,? ?the? ?end? ?could? ?very? ?well? ?be? ?your? ?death.? ?When? ?XuLi? ?no? ?longer? ?wished? ?to? ?

maintain? ?a? ?false? ?peace,? ?they? ?made? ?up? ?some? ?excuse? ?to? ?invade,? ?and? ?Pei? ?Ming? ?lead? ?the? ?army? ?and? ?

charged? ?all? ?the? ?way? ?to? ?the? ?Palace? ?Gates,? ?forcing? ?the? ?king? ?of? ?YuShi? ?at? ?the? ?time? ?to? ?hide? ?deep? ?

within? ?the? ?palace,? ?holding? ?on? ?to? ?the? ?very? ?last? ?line? ?of? ?defense.? ?However,? ?Pei? ?Ming? ?only? ?needed? ?to? ?

apply? ?a? ?bit? ?of? ?pressure? ?and? ?he? ?could? ?crack? ?that? ?snail? ?shell-like,? ?delicate? ?layer? ?of? ?protection? ?that? ?is? ?

the? ?palace.? ?

?

But,? ?he? ?didn’t? ?crush? ?them? ?so? ?simply,? ?and? ?instead,? ?did? ?something? ?else? ?under? ?Rong? ?Guang’s? ?

suggestion.? ?

?

The? ?XuLi? ?troops? ?brought? ?over? ?hundreds? ?of? ?felons? ?on? ?the? ?death? ?row? ?from? ?YuShi,? ?dressed? ?them? ?up? ?

as? ?normal? ?civilians,? ?and? ?dragged? ?them? ?before? ?the? ?palace? ?gates.? ?Then,? ?he? ?told? ?King? ?YuShi? ?if? ?he? ?

should? ?come? ?out? ?himself? ?and? ?kowtow? ?three? ?times? ?to? ?show? ?penance? ?for? ?oppressing? ?his? ?people,? ?

kill? ?himself? ?in? ?atonement,? ?then? ?he? ?would? ?let? ?those? ?civilians? ?go? ?and? ?not? ?lay? ?a? ?single? ?finger? ?on? ?any? ?

of? ?the? ?remaining? ?members? ?of? ?the? ?royal? ?house.? ?If? ?he? ?should? ?refuse,? ?Pei? ?Ming? ?would? ?chop? ?off? ?those? ?

civilians’? ?heads.? ?He? ?gave? ?the? ?royalties? ?three? ?days? ?time,? ?and? ?every? ?day? ?in? ?the? ?three? ?days,? ?a? ?new? ?

group? ?would? ?be? ?killed.? ?After? ?three? ?days? ?pass,? ?they? ?would? ?invade? ?the? ?palace? ?to? ?kill? ?the? ?royals? ?then? ?

kill? ?the? ?rest? ?of? ?the? ?civilians.? ?

?

“General? ?Rong,? ?what? ?a? ?shrewd? ?but? ?beautiful? ?move.”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?remarked.? ?

?

Rong? ?Guang? ?wasn’t? ?mad? ?and? ?was? ?even? ?pleased,? ?“I’ll? ?take? ?that? ?as? ?a? ?compliment.”? ? ?

?

The? ?reason? ?XuLi? ?used? ?to? ?invade? ?YuShi? ?became? ?thus:? ?“The? ?King? ?of? ?YuShi? ?was? ?negligent? ?and? ?

oppressive? ?in? ?his? ?rule,? ?and? ?out? ?of? ?justice,? ?XuLi? ?shall? ?save? ?and? ?rescue? ?the? ?suffering? ?YuShi? ?

people”,? ?a? ?beautiful? ?move.? ?

?

If? ?King? ?YuShi? ?refused? ?to? ?come? ?out,? ?then,? ?he? ?was? ?selfish? ?and? ?didn’t? ?love? ?his? ?people.? ?The? ?awkward? ?

thing? ?was,? ?King? ?YuShi? ?had? ?always? ?publicized? ?that? ?he? ?loved? ?his? ?people? ?like? ?his? ?children,? ?so? ?if? ?his? ?

words? ?and? ?actions? ?didn’t? ?match,? ?it? ?would? ?for? ?sure? ?produce? ?resentment? ?in? ?the? ?people,? ?thinking? ?

they’ve? ?been? ?deceived,? ?“Didn’t? ?you? ?say? ?you? ?loved? ?your? ?people? ?like? ?your? ?children?? ?Why? ?would? ?

you? ?turn? ?around? ?and? ?have? ?the? ?civilians? ?be? ?sacrificed? ?for? ?the? ?sake? ?of? ?royalty?”? ?This? ?would? ?then? ?

destroy? ?their? ?loyalty? ?to? ?the? ?YuShi? ?royalty.? ?

?

After? ?killing? ?that? ?group? ?of? ?‘civilians’,? ?they? ?could? ?then? ?announce? ?that? ?they? ?were? ?felons? ?already? ?on? ?

the? ?death? ?row? ?anyway,? ?doomed? ?to? ?die,? ?and? ?they? ?were? ?only? ?used? ?to? ?reveal? ?the? ?lies? ?and? ?

selfishness? ?of? ?YuShi? ?royalties.? ?Such? ?an? ?immense? ?contrast,? ?it? ?would? ?surely? ?calm? ?the? ?growing? ?

fears? ?in? ?the? ?hearts? ?of? ?the? ?YuShi? ?people,? ?which? ?would? ?make? ?things? ?so? ?much? ?easier? ?for? ?XuLi’s? ?

subsequent? ?takeover.? ?

?

However,? ?if? ?King? ?YuShi? ?really? ?did? ?come? ?out? ?and? ?killed? ?himself,? ?whatever,? ?there’d? ?be? ?no? ?

difference,? ?it’d? ?save? ?them? ?the? ?hassle.? ?Besides,? ?they? ?firmly? ?believed? ?that? ?King? ?YuShi? ?would? ?never? ?

come? ?out? ?to? ?kill? ?himself? ?in? ?atonement.? ?Or? ?rather,? ?no? ?monarch? ?would? ?be? ?willing? ?to? ?end? ?their? ?life? ?in? ?

humiliation.? ?To? ?bow? ?before? ?civilians? ?and? ?enemy? ?troops,? ?admit? ?one’s? ?own? ?mistakes? ?then? ?go? ?die?? ?

Dream? ?on!? ? ?

?

Yet? ?unexpectedly,? ?after? ?only? ?one? ?day,? ?just? ?as? ?Pei? ?Ming? ?was? ?about? ?to? ?order? ?for? ?the? ?execution? ?of? ?

the? ?first? ?group? ?of? ?‘civilians’,? ?the? ?ruler? ?of? ?YuShi? ?actually? ?did? ?emerge.? ?

?

The? ?palace? ?gates? ?opened,? ?the? ?monarch? ?with? ?the? ?sacred? ?guardian? ?sword? ?‘YuLong’? ?hung? ?at? ?the? ?

waist? ?had? ?walked? ?out,? ?kneeled? ?before? ?the? ?people? ?and? ?kowtowed? ?three? ?times,? ?then? ?the? ?sword? ?was? ?

pulled,? ?slashing? ?the? ?throat,? ?splashing? ?the? ?gates? ?with? ?blood.? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?could? ?already? ?guess? ?what? ?had? ?happened,? ?“Was? ?it? ?Lord? ?Rain? ?Master? ?who? ?had? ?come? ?

out?”? ? ?

?

“It? ?was.”? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?replied.? ?

?

Later,? ?it? ?was? ?after? ?thoroughly? ?interrogating? ?the? ?palace? ?attendants? ?and? ?others? ?of? ?royal? ?descent? ?that? ?

they? ?found? ?out? ?what? ?happened.? ?Pei? ?Ming? ?and? ?Rong? ?Guang,? ?and? ?other? ?soldiers? ?were? ?yelling? ?

outside? ?the? ?palace,? ?pacing? ?back? ?and? ?forth,? ?laughing? ?nonstop,? ?exceedingly? ?arrogant.? ?Within? ?the? ?

palace? ?on? ?the? ?other? ?hand,? ?was? ?utter? ?chaos,? ?crying? ?and? ?wailing? ?filled? ?the? ?air.? ?There? ?was? ?naturally? ?

no? ?way? ?King? ?YuShi? ?would? ?go? ?out? ?to? ?kill? ?himself,? ?and? ?he? ?sat? ?upon? ?his? ?throne,? ?his? ?face? ?grim? ?and? ?

pale.? ?Meanwhile,? ?after? ?all? ?the? ?brothers? ?and? ?sisters? ?who? ?usually? ?fought? ?each? ?other? ?so? ?hard? ?to? ?gain? ?

favours? ?howled? ?and? ?wailed? ?for? ?so? ?long,? ?when? ?they? ?still? ?didn’t? ?see? ?the? ?king? ?move? ?a? ?muscle,? ?they? ?

each? ?began? ?to? ?very? ?carefully? ?try? ?to? ?persuade? ?him.? ?There? ?were? ?all? ?kinds? ?of? ?reasons;? ?what? ?‘this? ?is? ?

for? ?the? ?people”,? ?“even? ?if? ?you? ?die? ?your? ?name? ?will? ?go? ?down? ?in? ?history”,? ?“if? ?this? ?keeps? ?up,? ?the? ?people? ?

are? ?doomed”,? ?everything? ?came? ?out.? ?Yet,? ?nothing? ?worked,? ?and? ?soon,? ?a? ?day? ?was? ?going? ?to? ?pass.? ?

Some? ?of? ?the? ?sons? ?were? ?growing? ?anxious? ?and? ?they? ?roared? ?at? ?their? ?father? ?in? ?their? ?agitated? ?state.? ?

?

The? ?king? ?hadn’t? ?even? ?died? ?yet,? ?and? ?he? ?was? ?instantly? ?outraged,? ?swinging? ?his? ?staff? ?out? ?to? ?beat? ?

them.? ?If? ?this? ?was? ?before,? ?then? ?those? ?sons? ?and? ?grandsons? ?would? ?surely? ?never? ?retaliate,? ?but? ?now? ?

that? ?they? ?were? ?in? ?a? ?critical? ?state,? ?no? ?one? ?cared.? ?Thus,? ?one? ?of? ?the? ?princes? ?couldn’t? ?endure? ?it? ?and? ?

fought? ?back.? ?Yet? ?the? ?back? ?punch? ?was? ?too? ?powerful,? ?knocking? ?the? ?sixty? ?some? ?years? ?old? ?king? ?down,? ?

his? ?head? ?covered? ?with? ?blood,? ?unable? ?to? ?get? ?back? ?up.? ?

?

The? ?group? ?of? ?princes? ?and? ?princesses? ?were? ?stupefied? ?at? ?first,? ?but? ?soon? ?after,? ?they? ?realized? ?they? ?

were? ?still? ?angry,? ?and? ?restarted? ?discussing? ?how? ?to? ?drag? ?the? ?unconscious? ?king? ?out,? ?and? ?how? ?to? ?

complete? ?the? ?difficult? ?request? ?of? ?kowtowing? ?and? ?atoning.? ?Even? ?ridiculous? ?ideas? ?like? ?to? ?hang? ?him? ?

like? ?stringed? ?puppets? ?to? ?control? ?him? ?were? ?part? ?of? ?the? ?heated? ?discussion,? ?and? ?the? ?king’s? ?eyes? ?

reddened? ?from? ?rage? ?as? ?he? ?listened.? ?After,? ?they? ?then? ?decided? ?that? ?they’ll? ?find? ?two? ?people? ?to? ?carry? ?

the? ?old? ?king? ?out? ?to? ?complete? ?the? ?atonement.? ?However,? ?now? ?there? ?was? ?a? ?new? ?problem.? ?Who? ?

should? ?those? ?two? ?people? ?be?? ?It? ?was? ?a? ?dangerous? ?position? ?to? ?be? ?in;? ?who? ?knows? ?if? ?that? ?Pei? ?Ming? ?

would? ?just? ?shoot? ?an? ?arrow? ?and? ?kill? ?them? ?dead? ?if? ?he? ?wasn’t? ?happy.? ?

?

The? ?dispute? ?and? ?arguments? ?went? ?on? ?and? ?on,? ?on? ?and? ?on.? ?Suddenly,? ?the? ?sixteenth? ?princess? ?who? ?

had? ?always? ?stood? ?there? ?silently? ?and? ?unnoticeably,? ?said? ?something? ?to? ?the? ?old? ?king? ?who? ?was? ?lying? ?

on? ?the? ?ground.? ?

?

Yu? ?Shi? ?Huang? ?said,? ?“Please? ?pass? ?the? ?throne? ?to? ?me.”? ? ?

?

King? ?YuShi? ?watched? ?this? ?daughter? ?he? ?barely? ?looked? ?at? ?in? ?all? ?his? ?life,? ?and? ?in? ?the? ?corner? ?of? ?his? ?eye,? ?

a? ?crummy? ?drop? ?of? ?tear? ?finally? ?rolled? ?down.? ?

?

However,? ?it? ?was? ?only? ?the? ?one? ?drop.? ?

?

Thus,? ?in? ?less? ?than? ?an? ?hour,? ?in? ?the? ?crudest? ?and? ?most? ?rushed? ?succession? ?ceremony? ?in? ?the? ?history? ?

of? ?the? ?Kingdom? ?of? ?YuShi,? ?the? ?monarch? ?who? ?was? ?the? ?least? ?likely? ?to? ?become? ?queen? ?was? ?born.? ? ?

?

The? ?new? ?Queen? ?of? ?YuShi? ?slit? ?her? ?own? ?throat,? ?and? ?blood? ?poured? ?like? ?a? ?fountain,? ?no? ?doubt? ?beyond? ?

saving.? ?Pei? ?Ming? ?had? ?never? ?thought? ?things? ?would? ?progress? ?like? ?this,? ?and? ?he? ?was? ?completely? ?

stunned? ?at? ?the? ?time.? ?Rong? ?Guang? ?cursed? ?loudly,? ?yelling? ?how? ?did? ?things? ?turn? ?out? ?like? ?this?? ?How? ?

could? ?they? ?do? ?this!? ?To? ?have? ?someone? ?insignificant? ?die,? ?not? ?only? ?could? ?they? ?not? ?destroy? ?the? ?

people’s? ?loyalty,? ?they? ?couldn’t? ?kill? ?the? ?old? ?crook? ?either.? ? ?

?

Although? ?even? ?the? ?soldiers? ?of? ?XuLi? ?couldn’t? ?bear? ?to? ?watch? ?anymore? ?and? ?rushed? ?to? ?save? ?the? ?

queen,? ?in? ?the? ?end? ?her? ?injury? ?was? ?too? ?great,? ?and? ?the? ?medical? ?officers? ?all? ?said? ?she? ?couldn’t? ?be? ?

saved.? ?Thus,? ?in? ?the? ?end,? ?they? ?could? ?only? ?keep? ?their? ?promise,? ?and? ?not? ?touch? ?the? ?civilians? ?nor? ?

temporarily? ?lay? ?fingers? ?on? ?the? ?royalty.? ?They? ?sent? ?this? ?‘monarch’? ?to? ?the? ?Temple? ?of? ?YuLong,? ?to? ?have? ?

her? ?breathe? ?her? ?last? ?before? ?burying? ?her? ?in? ?the? ?royal? ?mausoleum? ?at? ?the? ?Temple? ?of? ?YuLong.? ?

?

Yet? ?no? ?one? ?had? ?imagined,? ?that? ?very? ?night,? ?in? ?that? ?moment? ?when? ?Yu? ?Shi? ?Huang? ?took? ?in? ?her? ?last? ?

breath,? ?the? ?divine? ?statue? ?of? ?the? ?Rain? ?Master? ?over? ?her? ?head? ?sighed.? ?

?

Thunder? ?roared? ?and? ?lightning? ?crackled;? ?the? ?new? ?Rain? ?Master? ?had? ?ascended.? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?mused,? ?“No? ?wonder? ?General? ?Pei? ?looked? ?like? ?that? ?when? ?he? ?saw? ?that? ?sword.”? ? ?

?

?

——-? ?

?

?[?????]? ?YuLong? ?-? ?means? ?the? ?Rain? ?Dragon? ?

?

?

——-? ?

?

Ch.172:? ?Ride? ?the? ?Black? ?Ox;? ?Flying? ?Hooves? ?Mount? ?the? ?Kiln? ?

?

That? ?was? ?the? ?sacred? ?guardian? ?sword? ?Yu? ?Shi? ?Huang? ?used? ?to? ?slash? ?her? ?own? ?throat,? ?so? ?of? ?course!? ?It? ?

was? ?a? ?spiritual? ?device? ?for? ?sure,? ?but? ?it? ?was? ?also? ?a? ?weapon.? ?Rong? ?Guang? ?said,? ?“Yu? ?Shi? ?Huang? ?sure? ?

is? ?generous,? ?otherwise? ?she? ?was? ?doing? ?it? ?on? ?purpose? ?to? ?scare? ?him.? ?Think? ?he’d? ?dare? ?use? ?YuLong?? ?

Hahaha...”? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?couldn’t? ?contain? ?it? ?anymore,? ?“I? ?don’t? ?think? ?so.? ?There? ?wasn’t? ?any? ?need? ?to? ?be? ?so? ?shrewd?”? ?

Then? ?he? ?slapped? ?on? ?another? ?talisman? ?to? ?seal? ?Rong? ?Guang’s? ?mouth.? ?It? ?just? ?so? ?happened? ?that? ?

right? ?then,? ?Pei? ?Ming? ?also? ?called? ?out? ?from? ?the? ?distance,? ?“Your? ?Highness,? ?Crimson? ?Rain? ?Sought? ?

Flower,? ?are? ?you? ?two? ?rested?? ?Time? ?to? ?put? ?the? ?beds? ?away? ?and? ?let’s? ?get? ?on? ?the? ?road.”? ? ?

?

The? ?resting? ?time? ?wasn’t? ?that? ?long? ?in? ?the? ?first? ?place,? ?and? ?time? ?passed? ?while? ?they? ?were? ?chatting.? ?

?

The? ?others? ?stayed? ?behind? ?while? ?Xie? ?Lian,? ?Hua? ?Cheng,? ?and? ?Pei? ?Ming? ?set? ?off.? ?The? ?Rain? ?Master? ?

had? ?a? ?steed,? ?and? ?offered? ?to? ?give? ?them? ?a? ?ride? ?to? ?send? ?them? ?to? ?the? ?foot? ?of? ?the? ?Kiln? ?mountain.? ?Xie? ?

Lian? ?thanked? ?her? ?graciously.? ?That? ?black? ?ox? ?shook? ?and? ?transformed,? ?and? ?became? ?three? ?times? ?

bigger? ?than? ?its? ?previous? ?size,? ?now? ?with? ?room? ?to? ?carry? ?six? ?people? ?on? ?its? ?back.? ?Its? ?front? ?legs? ?

lowered? ?to? ?the? ?ground,? ?laying? ?his? ?body? ?low,? ?and? ?the? ?Rain? ?Master? ?mounted,? ?riding? ?at? ?the? ?very? ?

front.? ?Pei? ?Ming? ?was? ?next,? ?but? ?he? ?left? ?a? ?large? ?space? ?between? ?the? ?two? ?of? ?them.? ?The? ?last? ?were? ?Xie? ?

Lian? ?and? ?Hua? ?Cheng.? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?mounted? ?and? ?that? ?black? ?ox? ?rose? ?to? ?its? ?feet,? ?now? ?incredibly? ?tall? ?in? ?height.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?felt? ?that? ?

smooth? ?and? ?shiny? ?black? ?coat? ?and? ?was? ?amazed,? ?“Lord? ?Rain? ?Master’s? ?steed? ?truly? ?is? ?magical.? ?San? ?

Lang,? ?I? ?think? ?you? ?might’ve? ?mentioned? ?it? ?before,? ?but? ?how? ?did? ?it? ?come? ?to? ?be? ?again?”? ? ?

?

The? ?black? ?ox? ?spread? ?its? ?four? ?hooves? ?and? ?started? ?running,? ?the? ?landscapes? ?on? ?either? ?sides? ?quickly? ?

disappearing? ?behind,? ?incredibly? ?fast? ?and? ?steady.? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?was? ?sitting? ?behind? ?Xie? ?Lian,? ?lightly? ?

hugging? ?his? ?waist,? ?as? ?if? ?afraid? ?he? ?might? ?fall,? ?“It? ?was? ?the? ?door? ?knocker? ?of? ?one? ?of? ?the? ?side? ?doors? ?at? ?

the? ?Temple? ?of? ?YuLong,? ?the? ?royal? ?cultivation? ?hall? ?of? ?YuShi.”? ?

?

Turns? ?out,? ?there? ?was? ?a? ?small? ?custom? ?at? ?the? ?Temple? ?of? ?YuLong:? ?when? ?one? ?saw? ?a? ?golden? ?beast? ?

upon? ?the? ?door? ?knocker,? ?one? ?would? ?rub? ?it? ?to? ?add? ?a? ?bit? ?of? ?the? ?aura? ?of? ?life.? ?When? ?devotees? ?visited,? ?

what? ?they? ?usually? ?rubbed? ?were? ?mostly? ?dragons,? ?tigers,? ?herons,? ?and? ?other? ?such? ?holy? ?beasts;? ?

people? ?didn’t? ?typically? ?rubbed? ?oxen,? ?so? ?it? ?was? ?rather? ?deserted? ?and? ?lonely.? ?Thus,? ?while? ?Yu? ?Shi? ?

Huang? ?was? ?cultivating? ?at? ?the? ?Temple? ?of? ?YuLong,? ?every? ?time? ?when? ?she? ?went? ?to? ?seek? ?water? ?and? ?

passed? ?that? ?door,? ?she? ?would? ?rub? ?the? ?head? ?of? ?that? ?ox.? ?The? ?door? ?knocker? ?soaked? ?in? ?her? ?essence? ?of? ?

life,? ?and? ?when? ?the? ?Rain? ?Master? ?ascended,? ?the? ?ox? ?ascended? ?with? ?her.? ?As? ?for? ?the? ?others,? ?she? ?

appointed? ?no? ?one? ?else.? ?

?

The? ?black? ?ox? ?sped? ?rapidly,? ?and? ?Xie? ?Lian’s? ?body? ?was? ?leaning? ?back? ?slightly? ?from? ?the? ?force,? ?almost? ?

like? ?he? ?was? ?sitting? ?in? ?Hua? ?Cheng’s? ?embrace,? ?and? ?he? ?smiled? ?as? ?he? ?listened,? ?“There? ?sure? ?isn’t? ?

anything? ?San? ?Lang? ?doesn’t? ?know,? ?it’s? ?like? ?no? ?tales? ?or? ?classics? ?can? ?trip? ?you? ?up.”? ? ?

?

Hua? ?Cheng? ?smiled? ?too,? ?“Is? ?there? ?anything? ?else? ?gege? ?wants? ?to? ?know?? ?I’ll? ?tell? ?you? ?everything? ?if? ?it’s? ?

within? ?my? ?knowledge.”? ? ?

?

Pei? ?Ming? ?sat? ?in? ?front? ?of? ?them? ?and? ?didn’t? ?try? ?to? ?chat? ?with? ?the? ?Rain? ?Master,? ?so? ?he? ?was? ?listening? ?in? ?on? ?

them,? ?“Indeed,? ?Lord? ?Ghost? ?King.? ?Your? ?Highness,? ?why? ?don’t? ?you? ?ask? ?about? ?Crimson? ?Rain? ?Sought? ?

Flower’s? ?background?? ?See? ?if? ?he’ll? ?answer? ?you?”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian’s? ?smile? ?faltered.? ?

?

To? ?inquire? ?after? ?the? ?background? ?of? ?a? ?Ghost? ?King? ?was? ?quite? ?rude.? ?To? ?raise? ?an? ?inappropriate? ?

example,? ?in? ?Xie? ?Lian’s? ?mind,? ?this? ?kind? ?of? ?personal? ?secret? ?was? ?no? ?different? ?than? ?asking? ?for? ?the? ?size? ?

of? ?a? ?man’s? ?manhood.? ?He? ?instantly? ?changed? ?the? ?subject,? ?“General? ?Pei!”? ? ?

?

“What?”? ?Pei? ?Ming? ?asked.? ?

?

“There’s? ?bumps? ?up? ?ahead,? ?watch? ?out!”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?exclaimed.? ?

?

“What? ?are? ?you? ?talking? ?about?”? ? ?

?

Just? ?as? ?the? ?words? ?left? ?his? ?lips,? ?the? ?black? ?ox? ?carrying? ?the? ?four? ?of? ?them? ?mooed? ?a? ?long? ?cry? ?as? ?deep? ?

as? ?a? ?bell,? ?and? ?Pei? ?Ming? ?was? ?flung? ?off.? ?

?

He? ?was? ?stupefied,? ?“What? ?the? ?heck?”? ? ?

?

This? ?was? ?truly? ?never? ?heard? ?of? ?nor? ?seen.? ?Flinging? ?aside,? ?mistakes? ?happen? ?after? ?all,? ?but,? ?why? ?not? ?

fling? ?off? ?the? ?one? ?at? ?the? ?front? ?or? ?the? ?back,? ?and? ?it? ?just? ?had? ?to? ?be? ?the? ?one? ?in? ?the? ?middle?? ?Was? ?that? ?

even? ?possible?? ? ?

?

The? ?ox? ?never? ?paused? ?in? ?its? ?steps,? ?and? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?looked? ?back? ?from? ?ahead,? ?his? ?hollers? ?trailing? ?back,? ?

“Didn’t? ?I? ?say? ?there? ?were? ?bumps? ?ahead? ?and? ?to? ?watch? ?out,? ?General? ?Pei...”? ? ?

?

Throughout? ?the? ?entire? ?journey,? ?Pei? ?Ming? ?was? ?flung? ?seven? ?to? ?eight? ?times,? ?and? ?the? ?four? ?riding? ?the? ?

Rain? ?Master’s? ?protection? ?steed? ?finally? ?arrived? ?at? ?the? ?foot? ?of? ?the? ?Kiln? ?mountain.? ?

?

The? ?Kiln? ?used? ?to? ?be? ?a? ?lusciously? ?green? ?mountain? ?sitting? ?in? ?the? ?heart? ?of? ?the? ?royal? ?capital,? ?its? ?

sceneries? ?beautiful? ?and? ?elegant,? ?much? ?like? ?Mount? ?TaiCang,? ?and? ?at? ?its? ?foot? ?was? ?the? ?majestic? ?royal? ?

capital,? ?the? ?most? ?prosperous? ?imperial? ?city.? ?

?

This? ?imperial? ?city? ?used? ?to? ?be? ?buried? ?deep? ?underground,? ?but? ?it? ?probably? ?resurfaced? ?after? ?going? ?

through? ?many? ?earthquakes,? ?emerging? ?back? ?above? ?ground.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?sat? ?on? ?the? ?black? ?ox? ?and? ?his? ?

eyes? ?roamed? ?the? ?surroundings? ?for? ?a? ?moment? ?and? ?was? ?about? ?to? ?dismount? ?when? ?he? ?saw? ?Hua? ?

Cheng? ?was? ?standing? ?there? ?with? ?his? ?hand? ?out? ?towards? ?him.? ?Xie? ?Lian’s? ?heart? ?skipped? ?a? ?beat? ?and? ?

gave? ?him? ?his? ?hand? ?before? ?hopping? ?down,? ?“There? ?must? ?be? ?a? ?divine? ?temple? ?here? ?in? ?the? ?imperial? ?

city? ?too,? ?right?”? ? ?

?

“There? ?certainly? ?is.”? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?replied.? ?

?

Although? ?Pei? ?Ming? ?fell? ?seven? ?to? ?eight? ?times? ?during? ?the? ?ride,? ?but,? ?as? ?expected? ?of? ?a? ?martial? ?god,? ?he? ?

was? ?very? ?sturdy? ?and? ?when? ?he? ?walked? ?he? ?didn’t? ?limp? ?even? ?once,? ?and? ?even? ?reached? ?out? ?to? ?pat? ?the? ?

ox’s? ?neck.? ?He? ?piped? ?up,? ?“The? ?tallest? ?building? ?in? ?the? ?city? ?must? ?either? ?be? ?the? ?palace? ?or? ?the? ?divine? ?

temple,? ?I’m? ?guessing.”? ? ?

?

Hua? ?Cheng? ?replied,? ?“No.? ?The? ?WuYong? ?Temple? ?in? ?the? ?imperial? ?city? ?is? ?on? ?top? ?of? ?the? ?mountain.? ?

?

He? ?pointed.? ?Sure? ?enough,? ?halfway? ?up? ?the? ?deep? ?crimson? ?mountain? ?was? ?a? ?corner? ?of? ?an? ?eave? ?

peeking? ?out,? ?but? ?the? ?majority? ?of? ?the? ?building? ?itself? ?was? ?hiding? ?behind? ?the? ?misty? ?red? ?shadow.? ?Xie? ?

Lian? ?wondered,? ?“Why? ?is? ?that? ?mountain? ?red...”? ? ?

?

He? ?didn’t? ?get? ?to? ?finish? ?his? ?question? ?when? ?suddenly,? ?that? ?ox? ?roared? ?and? ?threw? ?its? ?head? ?back.? ?They? ?

were? ?already? ?moving? ?ahead,? ?but? ?startled,? ?they? ?looked? ?back.? ?That? ?ox? ?was? ?already? ?rolling? ?on? ?the? ?

ground,? ?and? ?the? ?rope? ?was? ?tightly? ?gripped? ?in? ?the? ?Rain? ?Master’s? ?hand? ?never? ?loosened,? ?“What’s? ?

going? ?on?”? ? ?

?

That? ?ox? ?let? ?out? ?a? ?human? ?scream,? ?“AAAAHHHHHHHH–!!!”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?was? ?further? ?away? ?and? ?hadn’t? ?seen? ?clearly? ?what? ?was? ?happening,? ?but? ?he? ?did? ?see? ?the? ?Rain? ?

Master,? ?who? ?upon? ?hearing? ?that? ?cry,? ?pulled? ?out? ?YuLong? ?and? ?struck? ?down? ?towards? ?the? ?black? ?ox!? ?

?

The? ?shine? ?of? ?the? ?blade? ?flashed,? ?and? ?something? ?black? ?and? ?furry? ?was? ?flung? ?away,? ?crashing? ?against? ?

a? ?wall? ?on? ?the? ?street,? ?splashing? ?a? ?large,? ?astringent? ?red? ?flower.? ?It? ?was? ?a? ?corpse-eating? ?rat!? ?

?

What? ?screamed? ?earlier? ?wasn’t? ?that? ?black? ?ox,? ?but? ?that? ?corpse-eating? ?rat? ?who? ?climbed? ?onto? ?the? ?ox? ?

when? ?no? ?one? ?was? ?looking? ?and? ?bit? ?into? ?it.? ?Although? ?the? ?rat? ?was? ?at? ?the? ?brink? ?of? ?death,? ?it? ?was? ?still? ?

screaming,? ?“Your? ?Royal? ?Highness? ?–? ?Your? ?Highness? ?Your? ?Highness? ?Your? ?Highness!? ?SAVE? ?ME? ?

SAVE? ?ME? ?SAVE? ?ME!”? ? ?

?

BOOM!? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian’s? ?heart? ?lurched,? ?his? ?ears? ?ringing,? ?and? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?instantly? ?pulled? ?him? ?behind? ?his? ?

person,? ?raised? ?his? ?hand? ?and? ?that? ?corpse-eating? ?rat? ?was? ?instantly? ?blown? ?to? ?a? ?ball? ?of? ?misty? ?blood.? ?

Yet,? ?the? ?little? ?eyes? ?still? ?stuck? ?on? ?the? ?wall? ?was? ?still? ?shimmering? ?in? ?madness.? ? ?

?

“Lord? ?Rain? ?Master,? ?I? ?suggest? ?you? ?check? ?over? ?your? ?steed.”? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?said.? ?

?

The? ?Rain? ?Master? ?felt? ?and? ?turned? ?over? ?the? ?black? ?ox’s? ?hair? ?and? ?said,? ?“It’s? ?just? ?a? ?scratch.”? ? ?

?

However,? ?there? ?were? ?more? ?and? ?more? ?human? ?voices? ?rising? ?from? ?all? ?around.? ?

?

“Cough,? ?cough? ?cough,? ?take? ?me? ?away,? ?take? ?me? ?away!”? ? ?

?

“I? ?should’ve? ?fled? ?a? ?long? ?time? ?ago...”? ?

?

“We? ?shouldn’t? ?have? ?believed? ?his? ?nonsense,? ?what? ?a? ?wrongful? ?death!”? ? ?

?

“Gege,? ?gege?? ?Your? ?Highness!”? ? ?

?

That? ?last? ?line? ?was? ?particularly? ?clear? ?and? ?it? ?was? ?Hua? ?Cheng’s? ?voice.? ?Only? ?then? ?did? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?

snapped? ?out? ?of? ?it,? ?“Sorry!”? ? ?

?

Hua? ?Cheng? ?looked? ?serious,? ?“Did? ?you? ?understand? ?what? ?they? ?were? ?saying? ?again?”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?nodded.? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?reached? ?out? ?and? ?covered? ?his? ?ears,? ?“Don’t? ?listen? ?to? ?them.? ?Those? ?

words? ?weren’t? ?directed? ?at? ?you.”? ? ?

?

“I? ?know.”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?said.? ?

?

Thousands? ?upon? ?thousands? ?of? ?corpse-eating? ?rats? ?came? ?swarming? ?towards? ?the? ?four? ?of? ?them,? ?

pouring? ?in? ?like? ?black? ?tide.? ?This? ?was? ?the? ?imperial? ?city,? ?the? ?population? ?much? ?denser? ?than? ?the? ?city? ?

before,? ?which? ?meant? ?there? ?were? ?more? ?deceased,? ?providing? ?a? ?more? ?abundant? ?meal? ?for? ?the? ?rats.? ?

Thus,? ?their? ?numbers? ?were? ?quite? ?impressive.? ?They? ?were? ?being? ?heavily? ?surrounded.? ?Pei? ?Ming? ?was? ?

growing? ?serious,? ?a? ?thin? ?layer? ?of? ?protection? ?aura? ?covered? ?him,? ?“You? ?all? ?leave? ?first,? ?I’ll? ?lead? ?them? ?

away...”? ?

?

Yet? ?unexpectedly,? ?before? ?he? ?finished,? ?that? ?large,? ?ocean-like? ?flock? ?of? ?rats? ?screeched? ?and? ?dashed? ?

in? ?a? ?particular? ?direction? ?–? ?they? ?were? ?running? ?towards? ?the? ?Rain? ?Master!? ?

?

Before? ?anyone? ?had? ?noticed,? ?the? ?Rain? ?Master? ?had? ?already? ?remounted? ?her? ?black? ?ox,? ?and? ?was? ?

running? ?away? ?in? ?the? ?opposite? ?direction.? ?That? ?ox? ?had? ?already? ?made? ?a? ?distance? ?of? ?some? ?tens? ?of? ?

meters? ?away,? ?but? ?it? ?wasn’t? ?going? ?too? ?fast;? ?it? ?was? ?fast? ?enough? ?that? ?the? ?corpse-eating? ?rats? ?couldn’t? ?

keep? ?up,? ?but? ?slow? ?enough? ?that? ?the? ?rats? ?still? ?kept? ?her? ?in? ?sight,? ?keeping? ?the? ?perfect? ?distance? ?to? ?lead? ?

them? ?away? ?without? ?them? ?catching? ?up.? ?Yu? ?Shi? ?Huang? ?called? ?out? ?from? ?the? ?distance,? ?“My? ?lords? ?

please? ?go? ?forth? ?on? ?your? ?way,? ?I? ?can? ?lead? ?them? ?away.”? ? ?

?

As? ?the? ?Rain? ?Master? ?moved? ?riding? ?her? ?ox,? ?she? ?scattered? ?white? ?and? ?full? ?grains? ?of? ?rice? ?along? ?the? ?

way.? ?Rats? ?loved? ?rice? ?by? ?nature? ?after? ?all,? ?and? ?who? ?knows? ?how? ?many? ?years? ?it’d? ?been? ?since? ?they? ?

last? ?saw? ?such? ?full? ?and? ?white? ?large? ?grains? ?of? ?rice,? ?and? ?they? ?rushed? ?after? ?her.? ?What? ?Pei? ?Ming? ?had? ?

wanted? ?to? ?do? ?was? ?robbed? ?by? ?the? ?Rain? ?Master,? ?and? ?his? ?expression? ?was? ?conflicted.? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?

dropped? ?his? ?hands? ?and? ?said,? ?“Gege,? ?let’s? ?go.”? ? ?

?

When? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?heard? ?the? ?voices? ?of? ?those? ?corpse-eating? ?rats? ?his? ?head? ?would? ?throb,? ?so? ?when? ?the? ?

voices? ?were? ?gone? ?he? ?let? ?out? ?a? ?breath? ?of? ?relief? ?and? ?nodded.? ?However,? ?Pei? ?Ming? ?turned? ?to? ?them,? ?

“You’re? ?going? ?to? ?leave? ?just? ?like? ?that?”? ? ?

?

“Yea?”? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?said.? ?

?

Pei? ?Ming? ?frowned,? ?“The? ?Rain? ?Master? ?can’t? ?possibly? ?take? ?care? ?of? ?that? ?on? ?her? ?own,? ?it’s? ?crazy? ?to? ?run? ?

off? ?like? ?that.”? ?Then? ?after? ?some? ?thought,? ?he? ?finally? ?came? ?to? ?a? ?decision,? ?“Your? ?Highness,? ?you? ?both? ?

go? ?on? ?first.? ?If? ?I? ?can? ?catch? ?up? ?after? ?then? ?we’ll? ?meet? ?up? ?at? ?the? ?divine? ?temple!”? ?Then? ?he? ?turned? ?

around? ?and? ?went? ?off? ?to? ?chase? ?after? ?the? ?Rain? ?Master.? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?was? ?perplexed,? ?“How? ?come? ?General? ?Pei? ?doesn’t? ?think? ?the? ?Rain? ?Master? ?can? ?take? ?care? ?of? ?

herself?? ?Wasn’t? ?the? ?situation? ?just? ?now? ?more? ?than? ?obvious? ?that? ?Lord? ?Rain? ?Master? ?is? ?more? ?than? ?

capable?”? ? ?

?

Hua? ?Cheng? ?laughed,? ?“He? ?probably? ?can’t? ?stand? ?being? ?protected? ?by? ?a? ?woman.”? ? ?

?

Without? ?wasting? ?any? ?time,? ?the? ?two? ?crossed? ?through? ?the? ?imperial? ?city? ?and? ?the? ?innumerous? ?empty? ?

shelled? ?stone? ?people,? ?and? ?ran? ?towards? ?that? ?big? ?mountain.? ?

?

They? ?finally? ?set? ?foot? ?on? ?the? ?Kiln.? ?

?

The? ?reason? ?why? ?this? ?mountain? ?looked? ?like? ?it? ?was? ?dyed? ?in? ?the? ?colour? ?of? ?blood? ?was? ?because? ?the? ?

forests? ?on? ?this? ?mountain? ?were? ?all? ?red.? ?They? ?weren’t? ?maples,? ?but? ?they? ?were? ?crimson? ?like? ?maples,? ?

the? ?colour? ?of? ?blood.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?could? ?also? ?smell? ?the? ?stench? ?of? ?blood.? ?It? ?seemed,? ?the? ?nutrients? ?of? ?the? ?

plants? ?here? ?were? ?plenty? ?of? ?resentment? ?and? ?human? ?blood.? ?

?

This? ?fourth? ?WuYong? ?Temple? ?was? ?built? ?halfway? ?up? ?the? ?Kiln,? ?the? ?largest? ?of? ?the? ?four? ?temples,? ?and? ?in? ?

comparison,? ?also? ?the? ?most? ?well? ?maintained.? ?Within? ?the? ?halls? ?were? ?also? ?many? ?stone? ?people,? ?their? ?

poses? ?and? ?expressions? ?all? ?different.? ?The? ?two? ?ran? ?straight? ?for? ?the? ?grand? ?hall,? ?and? ?when? ?they? ?

entered,? ?sure? ?enough? ?there? ?was? ?a? ?mural.? ?However,? ?after? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?swept? ?a? ?look.? ?He? ?said,? ?“It? ?

appears? ?someone’s? ?come? ?before? ?us.”? ? ?

?

Within? ?the? ?grand? ?hall? ?was? ?only? ?one? ?mural.? ?The? ?other? ?two? ?walls,? ?while? ?the? ?walls? ?themselves? ?were? ?

fine,? ?but? ?their? ?surfaces? ?were? ?already? ?slashed? ?and? ?destroyed.? ?

?

This? ?was? ?the? ?first? ?time? ?they’ve? ?encountered? ?this.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?was? ?slightly? ?dumbfounded,? ?“Who? ?

could’ve? ?done? ?this?”? ? ?

?

They? ?didn’t? ?even? ?know? ?who? ?painted? ?the? ?murals,? ?and? ?now? ?they? ?had? ?to? ?add? ?the? ?mystery? ?of? ?the? ?

mural? ?destroyer? ?into? ?the? ?mix.? ?Still,? ?they? ?were? ?short? ?on? ?time,? ?so? ?they? ?studied? ?the? ?mural? ?that? ?was? ?

left.? ?With? ?just? ?one? ?glance,? ?not? ?even? ?a? ?close? ?examination,? ?and? ?all? ?the? ?hairs? ?on? ?Xie? ?Lian’s? ?back? ?

were? ?raised.? ?

?

“WHAT? ?IS? ?THIS?!”? ? ?

?

This? ?mural? ?was? ?completely? ?different? ?than? ?those? ?of? ?the? ?other? ?three? ?temples.? ?There? ?was? ?only? ?one? ?

person? ?in? ?the? ?painting,? ?however,? ?the? ?colours? ?were? ?dark,? ?the? ?lines? ?and? ?faces? ?were? ?extremely? ?

twisted,? ?the? ?appearance? ?of? ?the? ?person? ?couldn’t? ?be? ?discerned? ?at? ?all,? ?only? ?that? ?it? ?was? ?a? ?civilian? ?in? ?

tattered? ?clothing.? ?

?

But? ?that? ?was? ?nothing.? ?What? ?made? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?shrink? ?back? ?in? ?chills? ?was,? ?this? ?person? ?appeared? ?to? ?be? ?

in? ?excruciating? ?pain,? ?he’s? ?ripped? ?his? ?own? ?clothing,? ?and? ?exposed? ?his? ?own? ?flesh.? ?

?

Upon? ?his? ?body? ?there? ?were? ?three? ?faces,? ?and? ?each? ?one? ?was? ?as? ?contorted? ?as? ?his? ?own!? ?

?

It? ?was? ?the? ?human? ?face? ?disease!? ?

?

Under? ?such? ?a? ?shock,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?unconsciously? ?hugged? ?his? ?head? ?and? ?mumbled,? ?“...It’s? ?the? ?same.? ?

It’s? ?exactly? ?the? ?same!”? ?

?

The? ?Crown? ?Prince? ?of? ?WuYong? ?had? ?also? ?encountered? ?the? ?human? ?face? ?disease!? ?

?

Why? ?was? ?this? ?person’s? ?experience? ?almost? ?exactly? ?the? ?same? ?as? ?his?!? ?

?

Hua? ?Cheng? ?saw? ?how? ?quickly? ?things? ?were? ?going? ?downhill? ?and? ?he? ?steadied? ?him,? ?“Your? ?Highness,? ?

don’t? ?look? ?anymore.”? ? ?

?

After? ?some? ?hesitation,? ?he? ?pulled? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?over? ?and? ?pressed? ?him? ?into? ?his? ?embrace,? ?the? ?tone? ?of? ?his? ?

voice? ?firm? ?but? ?gentle,? ?“...Alright!? ?Your? ?Highness,? ?listen? ?to? ?me.? ?Listen? ?to? ?me...? ?All? ?the? ?murals? ?

before? ?were? ?shown? ?chronologically;? ?the? ?last? ?one? ?had? ?the? ?Crown? ?Prince? ?of? ?WuYong? ?build? ?a? ?sky? ?

bridge,? ?so? ?the? ?next? ?one? ?should’ve? ?been? ?an? ?event? ?that? ?came? ?right? ?after.? ?But,? ?this? ?mural? ?doesn’t? ?

connect? ?to? ?the? ?last? ?one? ?at? ?all,? ?the? ?timeline? ?doesn’t? ?make? ?sense,? ?isn’t? ?that? ?right?”? ? ?

?

Just? ?now,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?was? ?overly? ?shaken? ?by? ?the? ?image? ?of? ?the? ?human? ?face? ?disease,? ?its? ?shadows? ?too? ?

great? ?in? ?his? ?heart,? ?which? ?was? ?why? ?he? ?was? ?petrified.? ?However,? ?he? ?also? ?came? ?around? ?really? ?fast,? ?

and? ?instantly? ?began? ?thinking,? ?“You’re? ?right...? ?there? ?must? ?be? ?something? ?missing? ?in? ?between.? ?

Someone? ?had? ?destroyed? ?the? ?previous? ?two? ?murals? ?before? ?we? ?came.”? ? ?

?

“Since? ?this? ?person? ?destroyed? ?the? ?other? ?two? ?murals,? ?then? ?why? ?didn’t? ?they? ?destroy? ?this? ?one? ?too?”? ?

Hua? ?Cheng? ?asked,? ?“Why? ?did? ?they? ?leave? ?just? ?this? ?one?? ?And? ?it? ?just? ?had? ?to? ?be? ?the? ?one? ?of? ?the? ?human? ?

face? ?disease?”? ? ?

?

“There? ?are? ?two? ?possibilities.”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?said,? ?“First,? ?they? ?might? ?have? ?thought? ?leaving? ?this? ?mural? ?

behind? ?was? ?inconsequential,? ?and? ?it? ?didn’t? ?matter? ?if? ?it? ?remained.? ?They? ?were? ?more? ?concerned? ?with? ?

us? ?seeing? ?the? ?other? ?two.”? ? ?

?

“And? ?the? ?second?”? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?asked.? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?said? ?slowly,? ?“This? ?person? ?actually? ?destroyed? ?all? ?three? ?murals? ?and? ?this? ?one? ?was? ?painted? ?

on? ?afterwards.? ?It’s? ?fake.”? ? ?

?

“En.”? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?replied,? ?“It? ?could? ?very? ?well? ?be? ?that? ?all? ?the? ?murals? ?we’ve? ?seen? ?along? ?the? ?way? ?are? ?

fake.? ?We’re? ?already? ?very? ?close? ?to? ?the? ?answer,? ?so? ?before? ?that,? ?don’t? ?start? ?overthinking? ?things? ?on? ?

your? ?own,? ?alright?”? ? ?

?

Having? ?been? ?buried? ?in? ?his? ?arms? ?for? ?so? ?long,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?finally,? ?completely? ?tossed? ?out? ?that? ?mural? ?

from? ?his? ?brain,? ?and? ?only? ?then? ?did? ?he? ?notice? ?the? ?position? ?the? ?two? ?of? ?them? ?were? ?in,? ?and? ?was? ?about? ?

to? ?pull? ?himself? ?away? ?from? ?the? ?hold,? ?“How? ?embarrassing? ?San? ?Lang,? ?I? ?got? ?overly? ?agitated? ?just? ?

now...”? ?

?

However,? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?didn’t? ?allow? ?him? ?to? ?break? ?away,? ?and? ?instead? ?pulled? ?him? ?in? ?closer,? ?smiling,? ?

“Nothing? ?to? ?be? ?embarrassed? ?about,? ?but...”? ?

?

He? ?lowered? ?his? ?head? ?and? ?said,? ?“There’s? ?actually? ?a? ?third? ?possibility.”? ?

?

The? ?bottom? ?half? ?of? ?Xie? ?Lian’s? ?face? ?was? ?still? ?buried? ?in? ?his? ?shoulder,? ?and? ?Hua? ?Cheng’s? ?voice? ?was? ?

right? ?next? ?to? ?his? ?ear,? ?extremely,? ?extremely? ?soft,? ?and? ?other? ?than? ?Xie? ?Lian,? ?no? ?one? ?else? ?could? ?hear.? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian’s? ?breath? ?hitched? ?slightly,? ?and? ?he? ?heard? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?whisper,? ?“The? ?third? ?possibility? ?is,? ?it? ?

wasn’t? ?that? ?this? ?person? ?didn’t? ?want? ?to? ?destroy? ?all? ?the? ?murals,? ?but? ?they? ?didn’t? ?make? ?it? ?in? ?time.? ?Just? ?

as? ?they? ?were? ?destroying? ?the? ?other? ?two,? ?we’d? ?come,? ?so? ?now,? ?they’re? ?hiding? ?in? ?the? ?grand? ?hall? ?this? ?

very? ?moment.”? ? ?

?

?

——? ?

?

Ch.173:? ?Cave? ?of? ?Ten? ?Thousand? ?Gods;? ?Faces? ?of? ?Ten? ?Thousand? ?Gods? ?Hidden? ?

?

Hua? ?Cheng’s? ?breath? ?was? ?warm? ?but? ?his? ?words? ?made? ?one’s? ?heart? ?cold.? ? ?

?

Hiding? ?in? ?the? ?grand? ?hall?? ?

?

A? ?thought? ?flashed,? ?and? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?instantly? ?hugged? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?back.? ?

?

Of? ?course? ?he? ?wasn’t? ?hugging? ?him? ?because? ?he? ?was? ?afraid.? ?If? ?there? ?really? ?was? ?someone? ?hiding? ?

there? ?and? ?they? ?haven’t? ?noticed,? ?then? ?that? ?meant? ?this? ?was? ?someone? ?powerful.? ?If? ?that? ?person? ?

should? ?notice? ?anything? ?off,? ?then? ?they? ?might? ?be? ?forced? ?to? ?make? ?a? ?move.? ?Thus,? ?if? ?it? ?was? ?only? ?Hua? ?

Cheng? ?hugging? ?him,? ?being? ?so? ?intimate,? ?then? ?it? ?would? ?easily? ?arouse? ?suspicious.? ?If? ?both? ?of? ?them? ?

were? ?embracing? ?each? ?other,? ?then? ?it? ?might? ?appear? ?more? ?normal.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?scanned? ?their? ?

surroundings? ?inconspicuously,? ?and? ?whispered,? ?“Where? ?do? ?you? ?think? ?that? ?person? ?is?”? ? ?

?

There? ?was? ?only? ?one? ?giant? ?door? ?to? ?the? ?grand? ?hall,? ?and? ?that? ?was? ?where? ?they? ?entered.? ?It? ?was? ?

completely? ?empty? ?within? ?the? ?hall,? ?nothing? ?out? ?of? ?place,? ?and? ?not? ?even? ?a? ?stage? ?or? ?box? ?for? ?hiding? ?

anyone.? ?Other? ?than? ?them,? ?there? ?were? ?only? ?the? ?temple? ?attendants? ?that? ?were? ?turned? ?into? ?stone.? ?

?

The? ?two? ?whispered? ?at? ?the? ?same? ?time,? ?“The? ?shells.”? ? ?

?

The? ?insides? ?of? ?those? ?stone? ?people? ?were? ?all? ?hollow,? ?which? ?meant,? ?they? ?served? ?as? ?hiding? ?spots.? ?

Humans? ?couldn’t? ?hide? ?there,? ?but? ?ghosts? ?certainly? ?could!? ?

?

After? ?confirming? ?that? ?fact,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?sensed? ?something? ?and? ?looked? ?up.? ?When? ?he? ?saw? ?a? ?stone? ?

person? ?about? ?6? ?meters? ?behind? ?Hua? ?Cheng,? ?his? ?pupils? ?shrank.? ?

?

That? ?seemed? ?to? ?have? ?been? ?a? ?young? ?man? ?who? ?had? ?a? ?higher? ?status? ?and? ?was? ?fairly? ?calm.? ?Since? ?

what? ?these? ?statues? ?recorded? ?were? ?the? ?deaths? ?of? ?the? ?WuYong? ?people,? ?most? ?were? ?hugging? ?their? ?

heads? ?wailing? ?or? ?curled? ?into? ?balls,? ?and? ?this? ?was? ?one? ?of? ?the? ?very? ?few? ?who? ?were? ?standing.? ?

However,? ?what? ?made? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?notice? ?him? ?wasn’t? ?his? ?pose? ?but? ?his? ?face.? ?

?

Although? ?the? ?face? ?was? ?blurry,? ?but? ?he? ?could? ?still? ?see? ?on? ?the? ?face? ?of? ?that? ?stone? ?person,? ?the? ?left? ?side? ?

was? ?a? ?crescent? ?smile? ?and? ?the? ?right? ?side? ?was? ?a? ?crying? ?face!? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?blurted,? ?“IT’S? ?THAT? ?ONE!”? ?Then? ?he? ?pulled? ?out? ?his? ?sword? ?and? ?struck? ?as? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?

called? ?out,? ?“Gege?”? ? ?

?

That? ?stone? ?person? ?was? ?slashed? ?into? ?pieces,? ?leaving? ?broken? ?fragments? ?of? ?the? ?shell? ?all? ?over? ?the? ?

floor,? ?however,? ?there? ?was? ?nothing? ?inside.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?didn’t? ?dare? ?to? ?let? ?it? ?slide,? ?and? ?turned? ?over? ?every? ?

piece? ?of? ?the? ?shards.? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?caught? ?his? ?hand,? ?“Gege!? ?What? ?did? ?you? ?see? ?just? ?now?”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?picked? ?up? ?and? ?showed? ?him? ?a? ?few? ?of? ?the? ?fragments,? ?“San? ?Lang,? ?this? ?stone? ?person,? ?his? ?

face...? ?was? ?the? ?White? ?No-Face’s? ?mask.”? ? ?

?

Hua? ?Cheng’s? ?face? ?changed? ?slightly? ?but? ?still? ?he? ?said,? ?“Wait? ?a? ?moment.”? ?

?

Then? ?he? ?gathered? ?and? ?put? ?together? ?all? ?the? ?pieces,? ?reconstructing? ?a? ?complete? ?face.? ?When? ?the? ?two? ?

looked,? ?they? ?were? ?silent.? ?

?

Just? ?now,? ?what? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?saw? ?was? ?clearly? ?a? ?half? ?crying,? ?half? ?smiling? ?demon? ?mask,? ?but? ?this? ?head? ?

that? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?had? ?put? ?together? ?was? ?a? ?blurred? ?face,? ?not? ?unlike? ?the? ?other? ?stone? ?statues.? ?

?

Was? ?it? ?a? ?hallucination?? ?Or? ?did? ?he? ?fall? ?for? ?an? ?illusionment? ?spell?? ?

?

Sitting? ?around? ?wouldn’t? ?get? ?them? ?answers,? ?and? ?the? ?two? ?searched? ?all? ?over? ?the? ?hall,? ?smashing? ?

every? ?stone? ?person.? ?After? ?some? ?thought,? ?they? ?felt? ?that? ?perhaps? ?someone? ?had? ?rushed? ?to? ?climb? ?the? ?

mountain? ?before? ?them,? ?and? ?decided? ?not? ?to? ?stick? ?around? ?to? ?wait? ?for? ?Pei? ?Ming,? ?and? ?instead? ?went? ?

straight? ?towards? ?the? ?summit.? ? ?

?

The? ?mountain? ?body? ?of? ?the? ?Kiln? ?seemed? ?to? ?have? ?a? ?peculiar? ?gravity,? ?grounding? ?them? ?and? ?

forbidding? ?them? ?from? ?keeping? ?light? ?on? ?their? ?feet? ?to? ?fly.? ?Thus,? ?they? ?could? ?only? ?climb? ?by? ?foot.? ?The? ?

higher? ?they? ?hiked,? ?the? ?steeper? ?the? ?path? ?became,? ?and? ?the? ?colder? ?the? ?air? ?grew.? ?First,? ?it? ?was? ?a? ?thin? ?

layer? ?of? ?snow.? ?Then,? ?as? ?they? ?went? ?up,? ?the? ?snow? ?became? ?thicker,? ?and? ?could? ?almost? ?swallow? ?half? ?a? ?

boot.? ?After? ?four? ?hours,? ?the? ?accumulated? ?snow? ?finally? ?went? ?past? ?their? ?knees,? ?making? ?climbing? ?

more? ?and? ?more? ?arduous.? ?

?

Since? ?they? ?were? ?walking? ?nonstop,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?didn’t? ?feel? ?cold,? ?and? ?was? ?instead? ?covered? ?with? ?a? ?thin? ?

sheen? ?of? ?sweat,? ?his? ?face? ?powdery? ?white? ?with? ?red? ?cheeks.? ?He? ?wiped? ?away? ?his? ?sweat? ?with? ?the? ?back? ?

of? ?his? ?hand? ?and? ?looked? ?back,? ?about? ?to? ?talk? ?to? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?when? ?suddenly,? ?his? ?step? ?fell? ?hollow,? ?

and? ?his? ?entire? ?person? ?dropped? ?short? ?by? ?two? ?feet!? ?

?

His? ?body? ?sank? ?into? ?the? ?heavy? ?snow,? ?and? ?thankfully? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?had? ?been? ?following? ?close? ?behind? ?

him,? ?and? ?quite? ?naturally? ?pulled? ?him? ?up,? ?“Gege,? ?be? ?careful.”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?stood? ?next? ?to? ?him? ?and? ?looked? ?back? ?to? ?see? ?where? ?he? ?sank,? ?and? ?a? ?large? ?chunk? ?of? ?that? ?

spot? ?had? ?caved? ?in,? ?revealing? ?a? ?dark,? ?deep? ?hole? ?leading? ?to? ?who? ?knows? ?where.? ?If? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?didn’t? ?

grab? ?hold? ?of? ?the? ?edge? ?in? ?time? ?or? ?if? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?moved? ?too? ?slow,? ?then? ?he? ?would’ve? ?fallen? ?in? ?for? ?

sure.? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?added,? ?“There? ?are? ?many? ?hollow? ?ditches? ?in? ?this? ?area.? ?I? ?still? ?remember? ?their? ?

general? ?locations? ?so? ?just? ?follow? ?close? ?to? ?me.? ?Take? ?your? ?time? ?and? ?it’ll? ?be? ?fine.? ?Gege? ?walked? ?too? ?

fast? ?just? ?now.”? ? ?

?

So? ?it? ?turns? ?out,? ?the? ?body? ?of? ?the? ?mountain? ?beneath? ?the? ?snow? ?was? ?quite? ?weak,? ?and? ?there? ?were? ?

large? ?and? ?small? ?holes? ?everywhere,? ?but? ?just? ?how? ?many? ?and? ?how? ?deep? ?was? ?unknown.? ?However,? ?

Hua? ?Cheng? ?actually? ?remembered? ?where? ?they? ?all? ?were? ?as? ?they? ?climbed.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?puffed? ?a? ?breath,? ?

“Alright.? ?Let’s? ?stick? ?closer? ?together.? ?We? ?can’t? ?yell? ?or? ?make? ?loud? ?noises? ?on? ?a? ?snowy? ?mountain? ?

anyway,? ?so? ?if? ?anything? ?happens,? ?it? ?wouldn’t? ?be? ?easy? ?to? ?call? ?for? ?help? ?either...”? ?

?

Yet? ?unexpectedly,? ?just? ?as? ?the? ?words? ?left? ?his? ?mouth,? ?angry? ?roars? ?came? ?from? ?up? ?ahead,? ?“ARE? ?YOU? ?

DONE–!!”? ?

?

“...”? ?

?

Which? ?good? ?brother? ?dared? ?to? ?yell? ?like? ?this? ?on? ?such? ?a? ?steep? ?and? ?perilous? ?snowy? ?mountain?!? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?looked? ?towards? ?the? ?sound? ?feeling? ?dumbfounded,? ?and? ?saw? ?within? ?that? ?world? ?covered? ?with? ?

snow,? ?there? ?were? ?two? ?little? ?black? ?dots? ?currently? ?in? ?a? ?brawl.? ?One? ?of? ?them? ?held? ?a? ?longbow,? ?shooting? ?

arrows? ?nonstop.? ?The? ?other? ?held? ?a? ?sabre,? ?swinging? ?like? ?a? ?tiger,? ?striking? ?down? ?every? ?single? ?arrow.? ?

Both? ?the? ?blade? ?and? ?the? ?arrows? ?held? ?a? ?sheen? ?of? ?spiritual? ?light.? ?Both? ?parties? ?were? ?shouting? ?curses? ?

at? ?the? ?other,? ?and? ?that? ?man? ?holding? ?the? ?blade? ?yelled,? ?“I? ?ALREADY? ?SAID? ?THAT? ?LITTLE? ?BASTARD? ?

WASN’T? ?KILLED? ?BY? ?ME,? ?I’M? ?LOOKING? ?FOR? ?THEM? ?TOO!”? ? ?

?

It? ?was? ?Nan? ?Feng? ?and? ?Fu? ?Yao!? ? ?

?

Without? ?going? ?into? ?why? ?they? ?were? ?here? ?too,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?was? ?about? ?to? ?blurt? ?out? ?“shut? ?up!”? ?but? ?then,? ?

his? ?reacted? ?in? ?time? ?and? ?swallowed? ?it? ?before? ?he? ?yelled? ?too.? ?If? ?he? ?roared? ?the? ?same? ?way? ?they? ?did,? ?

and? ?the? ?three? ?of? ?them? ?screamed? ?at? ?each? ?other,? ?how? ?could? ?all? ?the? ?snow? ?on? ?the? ?mountain? ?still? ?be? ?

bound???? ?

?

Hua? ?Cheng? ?hugged? ?his? ?arms? ?and? ?cocked? ?an? ?eyebrow,? ?“Don’t? ?they? ?know? ?that? ?yelling? ?on? ?a? ?snowy? ?

mountain? ?would? ?cause? ?an? ?avalanche?”? ? ?

?

“They? ?can’t? ?be? ?that? ?foolish?!”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?said,? ?“Maybe? ?they? ?know,? ?but? ?they’re? ?like? ?that...? ?when? ?

they’re? ?angry? ?they? ?stop? ?caring? ?for? ?anything!”? ? ?

?

Nan? ?Feng? ?and? ?Fu? ?Yao? ?were? ?both? ?extremely? ?pissed? ?off,? ?cursing? ?while? ?fighting,? ?but? ?because? ?they? ?

were? ?too? ?far? ?away,? ?their? ?words? ?were? ?broken? ?and? ?what? ?they? ?were? ?fighting? ?over? ?couldn’t? ?be? ?heard,? ?

and? ?they? ?completely? ?did? ?not? ?notice? ?there? ?were? ?others? ?who? ?had? ?come.? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?wanted? ?to? ?rush? ?up? ?to? ?pull? ?them? ?apart,? ?but? ?with? ?the? ?heavy? ?snow? ?dragging? ?down? ?his? ?pace? ?

and? ?deep? ?holes? ?under,? ?there? ?was? ?no? ?way? ?he? ?could? ?immediately? ?make? ?it? ?there? ?to? ?stop? ?them.? ?Xie? ?

Lian? ?ran? ?for? ?two? ?steps? ?before? ?he? ?stepped? ?into? ?another? ?hole,? ?and? ?he? ?stopped,? ?“We? ?can’t? ?just? ?let? ?

them? ?keep? ?fighting? ?like? ?this!”? ? ?

?

Just? ?as? ?he? ?said? ?so,? ?a? ?silver? ?butterfly? ?flew? ?by? ?like? ?a? ?sharp? ?arrow,? ?and? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?was? ?startled? ?at? ?first,? ?

but? ?soon? ?after? ?he? ?relaxed.? ?

?

Good? ?idea!? ?If? ?neither? ?of? ?them? ?could? ?make? ?it? ?there? ?in? ?time,? ?then? ?why? ?not? ?just? ?let? ?a? ?wraith? ?butterfly? ?

fly? ?up? ?and? ?pass? ?word? ?first?? ?

?

That? ?silver? ?butterfly’s? ?speed? ?was? ?extremely? ?fast? ?as? ?expected,? ?and? ?it? ?only? ?took? ?three? ?shouts? ?

before? ?it? ?made? ?it? ?to? ?the? ?other? ?side.? ?However,? ?before? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?had? ?tried? ?to? ?pass? ?word,? ?he? ?saw? ?Hua? ?

Cheng’s? ?expression? ?grew? ?cold.? ?He? ?noticed? ?something? ?wrong? ?and? ?asked,? ?“What’s? ?wrong?”? ? ?

?

The? ?smile? ?on? ?Hua? ?Cheng’s? ?lips? ?had? ?disappeared? ?completely,? ?replaced? ?by? ?a? ?face? ?that? ?was? ?as? ?

frigid? ?as? ?this? ?snowy? ?mountain.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?pressed,? ?“San? ?Lang,? ?what’s? ?going? ?on?”? ? ?

?

Hua? ?Cheng’s? ?lips? ?twitched? ?and? ?didn’t? ?answer? ?before? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?suddenly? ?felt? ?panic? ?for? ?some? ?

reason,? ?and? ?whipped? ?his? ?head? ?around? ?to? ?look? ?to? ?the? ?top,? ?his? ?eyes? ?widening.? ?

?

Up? ?ahead? ?by? ?the? ?snowy? ?bluffs,? ?a? ?giant? ?chunk? ?of? ?white? ?mountain? ?body? ?trembled,? ?then? ?collapsed.? ?

?

On? ?the? ?other? ?end,? ?Nan? ?Feng? ?and? ?Fu? ?Yao? ?who? ?were? ?in? ?the? ?heat? ?of? ?the? ?fight? ?also? ?sensed? ?this? ?

soundless? ?pressure,? ?and? ?both? ?looked? ?up,? ?and? ?finally? ?noticed? ?what? ?was? ?about? ?to? ?happen.? ?

?

The? ?next? ?moment.? ?That? ?mountain? ?mass? ?was? ?like? ?a? ?thousand? ?mile? ?embankment,? ?when? ?it? ?broke? ?it? ?

broke? ?completely,? ?carrying? ?with? ?it? ?a? ?wave? ?of? ?snow? ?tsunami,? ?rumbling? ?and? ?rolling? ?as? ?it? ?pushed? ?

down? ?towards? ?them!? ?

?

They? ?really? ?caused? ?an? ?avalanche!!!? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?grabbed? ?Hua? ?Cheng’s? ?hand,? ?turned? ?and? ?ran.? ?But? ?after? ?making? ?his? ?first? ?couple? ?steps? ?he? ?

remembered? ?the? ?other? ?two? ?further? ?up? ?ahead? ?were? ?much? ?closer? ?to? ?the? ?charging? ?avalanche? ?and? ?

stopped? ?in? ?his? ?steps? ?abruptly,? ?looking? ?back.? ?Sure? ?enough,? ?the? ?other? ?two? ?had? ?ceased? ?fire? ?to? ?flee? ?

together.? ?Fu? ?Yao? ?didn’t? ?run? ?for? ?very? ?far? ?before? ?stepping? ?into? ?a? ?hole,? ?over? ?half? ?of? ?his? ?body? ?sunken,? ?

and? ?snow? ?buried? ?over? ?his? ?chest.? ?Nan? ?Feng? ?ran? ?faster? ?than? ?him? ?but? ?also? ?looked? ?back,? ?hesitating? ?

for? ?a? ?moment? ?seeming? ?to? ?want? ?to? ?save? ?him.? ?However,? ?that? ?wave? ?of? ?snow? ?had? ?already? ?attacked!? ?

?

The? ?moment? ?right? ?before? ?they? ?were? ?going? ?to? ?be? ?swallowed,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?released? ?RuoYe.? ?That? ?white? ?

silk? ?bandage? ?leapt? ?out? ?into? ?the? ?distance? ?and? ?took? ?no? ?time? ?to? ?accurately? ?looped? ?around? ?Fu? ?Yao? ?

and? ?Nan? ?Feng,? ?yanking? ?them? ?up.? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?said? ?darkly,? ?“Gege!? ?Leave? ?them,? ?don’t? ?bother!”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?held? ?onto? ?RuoYe? ?tightly,? ?dragging? ?the? ?two? ?as? ?he? ?ran,? ?“I? ?can’t!? ?They? ?might? ?fall? ?into? ?a? ?hole? ?

and? ?get? ?buried? ?by? ?snow!”? ? ?

?

“Too? ?late!”? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?said.? ?

?

“What?!? ?So? ?fast??”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?exclaimed.? ?

?

He? ?looked? ?up,? ?and? ?that? ?overbearing? ?shadow? ?came? ?crashing? ?down? ?overhead.? ?

?

When? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?turned? ?back? ?to? ?save? ?Nan? ?Feng? ?and? ?Fu? ?Yao,? ?that? ?moment? ?he? ?delayed? ?and? ?the? ?

wave? ?of? ?snow? ?swallowed? ?him? ?whole.? ?The? ?cold? ?and? ?heavy? ?wave? ?of? ?snow? ?surged? ?without? ?rest,? ?

breaking? ?him? ?and? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?apart.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?was? ?falling? ?all? ?over? ?from? ?the? ?force,? ?tumbling? ?down? ?

with? ?the? ?white? ?wave,? ?but? ?still? ?managed? ?to? ?keep? ?struggling? ?somehow.? ?However,? ?there? ?was? ?too? ?

much? ?snow,? ?the? ?surge? ?too? ?powerful,,? ?and? ?time? ?and? ?time? ?again? ?covered? ?over? ?Xie? ?Lian’s? ?head,? ?

bringing? ?series? ?of? ?sudden? ?suffocation.? ?In? ?the? ?end,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?shouted,? ?“SAN? ?LANG!”,? ?unable? ?to? ?

hang? ?on,? ?and? ?was? ?buried? ?down? ?after? ?all,? ?disappearing? ?within? ?the? ?icy? ?snow? ?current.? ?

?

...? ?

?

An? ?unknown? ?amount? ?of? ?time? ?had? ?passed? ?before? ?the? ?snowy? ?mountain? ?was? ?finally? ?calmed.? ?

?

A? ?good? ?moment? ?later,? ?in? ?that? ?field? ?of? ?flattened? ?snow,? ?a? ?hand? ?suddenly? ?bursted? ?out!? ? ?

?

This? ?hand? ?felt? ?all? ?around? ?the? ?snow,? ?then,? ?an? ?arm? ?poked? ?out,? ?then? ?a? ?shoulder,? ?then? ?finally,? ?a? ?head.? ?

Soon? ?after,? ?a? ?person? ?crawled? ?out.? ?He? ?shook? ?out? ?his? ?head? ?and? ?heaved? ?a? ?long? ?sigh.? ?It? ?was? ?Xie? ?

Lian.? ?

?

To? ?forcibly? ?dig? ?himself? ?out? ?of? ?that? ?heavy? ?layer? ?of? ?accumulated? ?snow? ?felt? ?about? ?the? ?same? ?as? ?

digging? ?himself? ?out? ?of? ?a? ?grave.? ?Xie? ?Lian’s? ?face? ?and? ?hands? ?were? ?all? ?red? ?from? ?frostbite,? ?pretty? ?much? ?

numb,? ?but? ?he? ?only? ?rubbed? ?his? ?face? ?a? ?couple? ?times? ?before? ?looking? ?up,? ?looking? ?lost.? ?

?

In? ?that? ?blanket? ?of? ?whiteness,? ?there? ?was? ?not? ?a? ?trace? ?of? ?red.? ?

?

However,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?couldn’t? ?just? ?yell? ?randomly? ?either.? ?If? ?he? ?caused? ?another? ?avalanche? ?then? ?

everything? ?would? ?be? ?over,? ?so? ?he? ?could? ?only? ?rise? ?to? ?his? ?feet,? ?walking? ?aimlessly? ?alone? ?in? ?that? ?snowy? ?

world,? ?and? ?called? ?out? ?in? ?a? ?small? ?voice? ?as? ?he? ?walked,? ?“San? ?Lang?? ?Nan? ?Feng?? ?Fu? ?Yao?”? ? ?

?

He? ?was? ?clearly? ?going? ?in? ?the? ?same? ?direction? ?they? ?were? ?going? ?before,? ?but? ?now,? ?it? ?seemed? ?to? ?be? ?

much? ?colder? ?than? ?when? ?he? ?and? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?walked? ?together.? ?RuoYe? ?was? ?also? ?unwrapped? ?from? ?

his? ?hand.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?was? ?puzzled;? ?RuoYe? ?shouldn’t? ?have? ?unwrapped.? ?Even? ?if? ?he? ?let? ?go,? ?RuoYe? ?

would? ?still? ?bind? ?itself? ?to? ?him,? ?so? ?what? ?happened?? ?

?

He? ?knew? ?something? ?was? ?wrong? ?but? ?he? ?couldn’t? ?tell? ?what,? ?and? ?continued? ?walking? ?in? ?a? ?daze.? ?

Suddenly? ?from? ?within? ?the? ?snowy? ?winds? ?ahead,? ?someone? ?had? ?emerged.? ?White? ?robes? ?black? ?hair,? ?

his? ?sleeves? ?flapping? ?in? ?the? ?wind? ?as? ?he? ?walked? ?over? ?slowly? ?with? ?his? ?head? ?down.? ?

?

Seeing? ?this? ?traveler,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?was? ?delighted? ?and? ?went? ?forward,? ?“My? ?friend!? ?You...”? ?

?

But? ?just? ?as? ?those? ?words? ?left? ?his? ?lips,? ?that? ?man? ?looked? ?up.? ?On? ?his? ?face,? ?was? ?a? ?white? ?and? ?chilling? ?

mask,? ?half? ?of? ?it? ?smiling,? ?the? ?other? ?half? ?crying.? ?

?

It? ?was? ?like? ?someone? ?had? ?stabbed? ?him? ?with? ?a? ?blade,? ?and? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?screamed.? ?

?

And? ?after? ?he? ?screamed,? ?he? ?opened? ?his? ?eyes? ?and? ?shot? ?up.? ?It? ?was? ?after? ?taking? ?in? ?some? ?harsh? ?

breaths? ?before? ?he? ?shakenly? ?noticed? ?that? ?at? ?that? ?moment,? ?he? ?wasn’t? ?walking? ?in? ?the? ?snowy? ?

mountain? ?at? ?all,? ?but? ?was? ?lying? ?in? ?a? ?dark,? ?shadowy? ?place.? ?

?

So? ?it? ?was? ?a? ?dream.? ?

?

No? ?wonder.? ?Something? ?always? ?felt? ?off? ?in? ?dreams,? ?and? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?exhaled? ?a? ?long? ?breath? ?as? ?he? ?

relaxed,? ?wiping? ?away? ?the? ?cold? ?sweat? ?on? ?his? ?forehead.? ?After? ?feeling? ?things? ?about? ?for? ?a? ?bit,? ?he? ?

found? ?beneath? ?him? ?was? ?rocks? ?covered? ?with? ?a? ?blanket? ?of? ?grass,? ?Fang? ?Xin? ?hung? ?at? ?his? ?waist? ?and? ?

RuoYe? ?was? ?clearly? ?wrapped? ?around? ?his? ?arm.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?steadied? ?himself? ?and? ?ignited? ?a? ?palm? ?torch,? ?

illuminating? ?the? ?place? ?he? ?was? ?sitting? ?in,? ?calling? ?out? ?at? ?first? ?moment,? ?“San? ?Lang?? ?Are? ?you? ?there?”? ? ?

?

Yet? ?unexpectedly,? ?the? ?moment? ?the? ?flames? ?brightened? ?the? ?place,? ?he? ?instantly? ?noticed? ?right? ?next? ?to? ?

him? ?in? ?the? ?darkness? ?stood? ?another? ?person,? ?soundless? ?and? ?silent.? ?

?

This? ?was? ?no? ?small? ?surprise,? ?and? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?was? ?instantly? ?covered? ?in? ?sweat,? ?his? ?hand? ?on? ?Fang? ?Xin? ?

immediately.? ?That? ?someone? ?should? ?be? ?standing? ?at? ?such? ?a? ?close? ?distance? ?to? ?him,? ?there? ?was? ?no? ?

way? ?he? ?couldn’t? ?have? ?noticed!? ?

?

However,? ?when? ?he? ?looked? ?closer,? ?that? ?cold? ?sweat? ?went? ?away.? ?Turns? ?out,? ?it? ?wasn’t? ?alive,? ?but? ?a? ?

stone? ?statue.? ?

?

And,? ?it? ?wasn’t? ?the? ?same? ?as? ?those? ?stone? ?statues? ?of? ?the? ?victims? ?fallen? ?in? ?the? ?volcano? ?eruption;? ?this? ?

was? ?clearly? ?a? ?sculpture,? ?and? ?it? ?was? ?that? ?of? ?a? ?divine? ?statue.? ?

?

With? ?the? ?palm? ?torch? ?in? ?hand,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?went? ?around? ?once? ?and? ?verified? ?that? ?the? ?place? ?he? ?laid? ?was? ?a? ?

cavern.? ?Within? ?this? ?cavern,? ?a? ?divine? ?statue? ?was? ?erected? ?and? ?worshipped,? ?its? ?pose? ?elegant,? ?the? ?

folds? ?of? ?its? ?robes? ?and? ?flowing? ?lines? ?were? ?all? ?sculpted? ?exquisitely.? ?However,? ?there? ?was? ?something? ?

peculiar.? ?

?

The? ?face? ?of? ?this? ?divine? ?statue? ?was? ?covered? ?by? ?a? ?light? ?veil.? ?

?

That? ?light? ?veil? ?flowed? ?like? ?mist,? ?and? ?while? ?it? ?covered? ?the? ?face? ?of? ?the? ?divine? ?statue,? ?quite? ?strange,? ?

but? ?it? ?wasn’t? ?ugly.? ?Instead,? ?it? ?added? ?a? ?mysterious? ?beauty.? ?However,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?had? ?never? ?seen? ?a? ?

heavenly? ?official? ?whose? ?statues? ?had? ?faces? ?covered,? ?and? ?he? ?reached? ?out? ?unconsciously? ?to? ?pull? ?

that? ?light? ?veil? ?off? ?when? ?a? ?voice? ?came? ?from? ?behind,? ?“Gege.”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?whipped? ?around? ?and? ?saw? ?at? ?the? ?entrance? ?of? ?the? ?cavern? ?was? ?a? ?figure? ?in? ?red? ?who? ?

appeared? ?out? ?of? ?nowhere.? ?It? ?was? ?Hua? ?Cheng.? ?The? ?face? ?of? ?that? ?divine? ?statue? ?was? ?instantly? ?tossed? ?

to? ?the? ?back? ?of? ?his? ?mind? ?and? ?he? ?rushed? ?up,? ?“San? ?Lang!? ?Thank? ?goodness,? ?I? ?was? ?just? ?wondering? ?

where? ?you? ?were.? ?Are? ?you? ?alright?? ?Are? ?you? ?hurt?? ?That? ?avalanche? ?just? ?now? ?was? ?too? ?sudden.”? ? ?

?

Hua? ?Cheng? ?walked? ?in,? ?“I’m? ?fine.? ?How’s? ?gege?”? ? ?

?

“Nothing? ?is? ?ever? ?the? ?matter? ?with? ?me.”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?said,? ?“What? ?is? ?this? ?place?”? ? ?

?

After? ?exiting? ?the? ?cavern? ?did? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?notice? ?there? ?was? ?a? ?long? ?corridor? ?outside.? ?It? ?didn’t? ?seem? ?

short,? ?and? ?who? ?knows? ?where? ?it? ?lead? ?to.? ?It? ?seemed,? ?this? ?was? ?a? ?fairly? ?large? ?underground? ?space.? ?Xie? ?

Lian? ?was? ?already? ?used? ?to? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?having? ?the? ?answers? ?to? ?everything,? ?yet? ?this? ?time,? ?Hua? ?

Cheng? ?replied,? ?“I? ?don’t? ?know.? ?Most? ?likely? ?under? ?the? ?snowy? ?mountain.”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?was? ?amazed,? ?“And? ?here? ?I? ?thought? ?it? ?was? ?a? ?shelter? ?San? ?Lang? ?found.? ?I? ?can’t? ?believe? ?not? ?

even? ?you? ?know? ?where? ?this? ?is?”? ? ?

?

“No.”? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?said.? ?

?

Well? ?this? ?was? ?a? ?first.? ?

?

Hua? ?Cheng? ?had? ?memorized? ?where? ?every? ?ditch? ?was? ?on? ?the? ?mountain? ?path? ?but? ?he? ?didn’t? ?know? ?

what? ?this? ?place? ?was.? ?This? ?cave? ?wasn’t? ?small? ?either,? ?had? ?he? ?never? ?discovered? ?it? ?before?? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?couldn’t? ?help? ?but? ?feel? ?a? ?little? ?perplexed? ?but? ?didn’t? ?press? ?on,? ?and? ?instead? ?raised? ?his? ?palm? ?

torch? ?higher,? ?“How? ?did? ?we? ?get? ?here?”? ? ?

?

Hua? ?Cheng? ?also? ?summoned? ?a? ?few? ?silver? ?butterflies,? ?letting? ?them? ?flutter? ?about? ?with? ?faint? ?light,? ?and? ?

replied? ?softly,? ?“Maybe? ?we? ?all? ?made? ?a? ?misstep? ?and? ?fell? ?through? ?a? ?ditch.? ?It? ?can’t? ?have? ?been? ?

someone? ?who? ?put? ?us? ?here? ?intentionally.”? ?

?

Hearing? ?him? ?say? ?so,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?couldn’t? ?help? ?but? ?recall? ?that? ?dream? ?he? ?had? ?just? ?now,? ?and? ?a? ?slight? ?

chill? ?went? ?down? ?his? ?spine.? ?Recalling? ?another? ?thing,? ?he? ?asked,? ?“We’re? ?here,? ?then? ?where’s? ?Nan? ?

Feng? ?and? ?Fu? ?Yao?”? ? ?

?

Hua? ?Cheng? ?replied? ?unsympathetically,? ?“Probably? ?buried? ?in? ?the? ?snow.? ?Who? ?cares,? ?they’re? ?

heavenly? ?officials.? ?This? ?won’t? ?kill? ?them.”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?didn’t? ?know? ?whether? ?to? ?laugh? ?or? ?cry,? ?“Even? ?if? ?this? ?won’t? ?kill? ?them,? ?if? ?no? ?one? ?could? ?help? ?dig? ?

them? ?out,? ?then? ?it? ?still? ?doesn’t? ?feel? ?great? ?buried? ?for? ?a? ?few? ?decades.? ?Maybe? ?they’ve? ?fallen? ?in? ?here? ?

too?? ?Let’s? ?search? ?for? ?them.? ?Oh? ?by? ?the? ?way,? ?San? ?Lang,? ?when? ?your? ?silver? ?butterfly? ?went? ?forward? ?

earlier,? ?what? ?did? ?you? ?hear? ?them? ?say?”? ? ?

?

Hua? ?Cheng? ?snickered,? ?“It’s? ?just? ?meaningless? ?arguments,? ?what? ?else? ?can? ?it? ?be?”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?didn’t? ?think? ?it? ?was? ?that? ?simple,? ?otherwise? ?Hua? ?Cheng’s? ?sudden? ?change? ?of? ?expression? ?

when? ?that? ?wraith? ?butterfly? ?flew? ?over? ?couldn’t? ?be? ?explained.? ?Even? ?now,? ?while? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?was? ?

snickering,? ?his? ?eyes? ?were? ?unkind.? ?However,? ?if? ?he? ?wasn’t? ?going? ?to? ?tell,? ?then? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?wasn’t? ?going? ?

to? ?ask.? ?The? ?two? ?walked? ?along? ?the? ?long? ?corridor? ?of? ?the? ?stone? ?cave.? ?

?

Only? ?having? ?walked? ?for? ?a? ?while? ?did? ?they? ?discover? ?that? ?the? ?formation? ?of? ?this? ?stone? ?cave? ?

underneath? ?the? ?snow? ?was? ?much? ?more? ?complex? ?than? ?they? ?thought.? ?It? ?wasn’t? ?just? ?the? ?one? ?path? ?

going? ?all? ?the? ?way,? ?but? ?there? ?were? ?many? ?forks? ?in? ?the? ?road? ?going? ?to? ?various? ?other? ?caverns,? ?big? ?and? ?

small.? ?

?

Within? ?every? ?cavern? ?there? ?was? ?a? ?divine? ?statue;? ?some? ?tall,? ?some? ?short,? ?some? ?boyish? ?some? ?

youthful,? ?the? ?robes? ?were? ?ever? ?changing,? ?the? ?poses? ?all? ?different:? ?reposing,? ?standing,? ?sitting? ?

composedly,? ?sword? ?wielding,? ?dancing,? ?all? ?sorts.? ?The? ?level? ?of? ?skill? ?were? ?different? ?too;? ?some? ?of? ?the? ?

sculpting? ?work? ?was? ?rough? ?and? ?unrefined? ?while? ?others? ?were? ?so? ?extraordinarily? ?exquisite? ?they? ?

could? ?be? ?called? ?otherworldly.? ?They? ?probably? ?weren’t? ?sculpted? ?by? ?the? ?same? ?person.? ?

?

As? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?looked? ?along? ?the? ?way,? ?he? ?couldn’t? ?help? ?but? ?exclaim? ?in? ?awe,? ?“This...? ?this? ?place? ?is? ?a? ?

Cave? ?of? ?Ten? ?Thousand? ?Gods.? ?The? ?one? ?who? ?built? ?this? ?cave? ?must? ?be? ?an? ?incredibly? ?devout? ?

believer.”? ? ?

?

However,? ?all? ?the? ?divine? ?statues? ?had? ?the? ?same? ?peculiarity.? ?All? ?of? ?their? ?faces? ?were? ?covered? ?by? ?a? ?

light? ?veil.? ? ?

?

Some? ?had? ?their? ?entire? ?bodies? ?covered,? ?exceedingly? ?strange.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?really? ?was? ?quite? ?curious,? ?

and? ?wanted? ?to? ?pull? ?off? ?the? ?veil? ?of? ?one? ?of? ?the? ?divine? ?statues? ?to? ?see? ?its? ?face,? ?but? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?spoke? ?

up? ?behind? ?him? ?“Gege,? ?I? ?suggest? ?you? ?don’t.”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?looked? ?back? ?and? ?asked,? ?“Why? ?not?? ?I? ?think? ?these? ?statues? ?are? ?a? ?bit? ?weird.”? ? ?

?

Hua? ?Cheng? ?approached? ?him? ?and? ?explained,? ?“It’s? ?precisely? ?because? ?it’s? ?weird? ?that? ?it’s? ?best? ?you? ?

don’t.? ?If? ?this? ?face? ?was? ?covered,? ?then? ?there’s? ?a? ?reason? ?why? ?it’s? ?covered.? ?The? ?head? ?is? ?the? ?place? ?

where? ?a? ?person’s? ?spiritual? ?energy? ?is? ?gathered,? ?so? ?if? ?the? ?veil? ?is? ?removed,? ?who? ?knows? ?what? ?would? ?

happen? ?with? ?all? ?the? ?spiritual? ?energy? ?gathered? ?by? ?these? ?weird? ?statues.”? ? ?

?

His? ?speech? ?sounded? ?pretty? ?out? ?there,? ?but? ?it? ?made? ?sense.? ?If? ?the? ?veil? ?was? ?removed? ?and? ?woken? ?

something? ?within? ?those? ?statues,? ?then? ?things? ?wouldn’t? ?be? ?funny? ?anymore.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?contemplated? ?

then? ?dropped? ?his? ?hand? ?in? ?the? ?end,? ?“I? ?was? ?only? ?curious? ?which? ?deity? ?this? ?is,? ?that’s? ?all.”? ? ?

?

Hua? ?Cheng? ?said? ?lightly,? ?“This? ?is? ?the? ?Kingdom? ?of? ?WuYong,? ?so? ?it’s? ?probably? ?the? ?Crown? ?Prince? ?of? ?

WuYong.? ?Nothing? ?amazing.”? ? ?

?

However,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?said,? ?“I? ?don’t? ?think? ?so.”? ? ?

?

“Oh?? ?What? ?do? ?you? ?mean?”? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?asked.? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?gazed? ?at? ?him,? ?“From? ?all? ?the? ?murals? ?we’ve? ?seen? ?along? ?the? ?way,? ?the? ?style? ?of? ?dress? ?of? ?the? ?

Crown? ?Prince? ?of? ?WuYongAnd? ?the? ?people? ?of? ?WuYong? ?are? ?very? ?different? ?from? ?the? ?style? ?of? ?dress? ?of? ?

these? ?divine? ?statues.? ?So,? ?I? ?think? ?these? ?statues? ?probably? ?have? ?nothing? ?to? ?do? ?with? ?the? ?Crown? ?

Prince? ?of? ?WuYong.? ?In? ?fact,? ?this? ?might? ?not? ?have? ?been? ?sculpted? ?by? ?someone? ?of? ?WuYong.”? ? ?

?

Hua? ?Cheng? ?smiled? ?brightly? ?at? ?him,? ?“Is? ?that? ?right?? ?Gege? ?really? ?has? ?an? ?eye? ?for? ?detail.”? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?also? ?smiled,? ?“Nah.? ?It’s? ?just,? ?the? ?style? ?of? ?these? ?statues,? ?whether? ?it? ?be? ?the? ?sculpting,? ?the? ?

dress,? ?the? ?details? ?in? ?which? ?the? ?flowing? ?lines? ?are? ?carved,? ?they? ?all? ?look? ?more? ?the? ?style? ?of? ?the? ?later? ?

periods.? ?For? ?example...? ?XianLe’s? ?style.”? ? ?

?

Hua? ?Cheng? ?raised? ?his? ?brows,? ?“It? ?seems,? ?gege? ?is? ?also? ?deeply? ?gifted? ?in? ?this? ?area.”? ? ?

?

“Nah.? ?One? ?would? ?gain? ?some? ?knowledge? ?after? ?seeing? ?so? ?much? ?of? ?something? ?like? ?statues,? ?it’s? ?

nothing.”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?said.? ?

?

Although? ?he? ?couldn’t? ?quite? ?put? ?his? ?fingers? ?on? ?it,? ?but? ?his? ?instincts? ?told? ?him? ?that? ?since? ?earlier,? ?there’s? ?

been? ?something? ?off? ?about? ?Hua? ?Cheng.? ?And? ?after? ?having? ?talked? ?to? ?this? ?point,? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?was? ?

starting? ?to? ?become? ?subtly? ?nervous.? ?

?

?

————? ?

Ch.174:? ?Cave? ?of? ?Ten? ?Thousand? ?Gods;? ?Faces? ?of? ?Ten? ?Thousand? ?Gods? ?Hidden? ?2? ?

?

However,? ?he? ?still? ?didn’t? ?press? ?on? ?it,? ?“Since? ?San? ?Lang? ?thinks? ?it’s? ?best? ?not? ?to? ?look? ?at? ?them,? ?then? ?let’s? ?

stay? ?cautious.”? ?

?

Hua? ?Cheng? ?nodded? ?lightly? ?and? ?the? ?two? ?continued? ?onwards.? ?Just? ?then,? ?they? ?came? ?to? ?another? ?fork? ?

in? ?the? ?road,? ?and? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?went? ?straight? ?for? ?the? ?left.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?paused? ?in? ?his? ?step? ?and? ?didn’t? ?

follow.? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?looked? ?back,? ?“What? ?is? ?it?”? ? ?

?

“San? ?Lang’s? ?never? ?come? ?to? ?this? ?cave? ?before,? ?right?”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?asked.? ?

?

“Naturally.”? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?replied.? ?

?

“Then? ?how? ?come? ?San? ?Lang? ?is? ?so? ?sure? ?we? ?should? ?go? ?left?”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?questioned.? ?

?

“Not? ?so? ?much? ?sure,”? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?said,? ?“I’m? ?just? ?going? ?blindly.”? ? ?

?

“Since? ?you’ve? ?never? ?come? ?here? ?before,? ?how? ?can? ?you? ?go? ?blindly?? ?Shouldn’t? ?we? ?consider? ?which? ?

way? ?to? ?go? ?more? ?carefully?”? ? ?

?

Hua? ?Cheng? ?smiled,? ?“It’s? ?precisely? ?because? ?I’ve? ?never? ?come? ?before? ?that? ?we? ?should? ?go? ?blindly.? ?

Either? ?way? ?we? ?know? ?nothing? ?of? ?the? ?formation? ?of? ?this? ?place,? ?so? ?we? ?might? ?as? ?well? ?boldly? ?bet? ?on? ?our? ?

luck,? ?and? ?my? ?luck? ?has? ?always? ?been? ?better.”? ? ?

?

Although? ?that? ?certainly? ?made? ?sense,? ?but? ?actually,? ?every? ?time? ?the? ?two? ?went? ?out,? ?he? ?had? ?always? ?let? ?

Xie? ?Lian? ?decide? ?the? ?way.? ?It? ?wasn’t? ?often? ?that? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?took? ?the? ?initiative? ?to? ?lead.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?

nodded? ?and? ?the? ?two? ?were? ?just? ?about? ?to? ?enter? ?the? ?tunnel? ?on? ?the? ?left? ?when? ?suddenly,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?

spoke? ?up,? ?“Wait!? ?–? ?San? ?Lang,? ?do? ?you? ?hear? ?that?”? ? ?

?

“What?”? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?asked.? ?

?

“On? ?the? ?right,”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?said,? ?“There? ?are? ?voices.”? ? ?

?

Hua? ?Cheng? ?face? ?changed? ?subtly,? ?and? ?after? ?listening? ?intently? ?for? ?a? ?while,? ?he? ?said,? ?“Gege,? ?I? ?think? ?

you’ve? ?heard? ?wrong.? ?There’s? ?nothing.”? ? ?

?

“There? ?is!”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?exclaimed,? ?“Listen? ?closely,? ?it’s? ?a? ?man’s? ?voice!”? ?

?

Hua? ?Cheng? ?tried? ?listening? ?again? ?and? ?frowned,? ?“I? ?really? ?don’t? ?hear? ?anything.”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?was? ?taken? ?aback? ?and? ?he? ?wondered? ?to? ?himself,? ?‘Am? ?I? ?hallucinating? ?again?’? ?

?

“Your? ?Highness,? ?this? ?is? ?fishy,? ?there? ?might? ?be? ?tricks.”? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?said,? ?“I? ?suggest? ?we? ?talk? ?after? ?

getting? ?out? ?first.”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?hesitated? ?for? ?a? ?moment? ?but? ?in? ?the? ?end? ?still? ?said,? ?“No!? ?It? ?might? ?be? ?Nan? ?Feng? ?and? ?Fu? ?Yao,? ?

I? ?best? ?go? ?take? ?a? ?look? ?after? ?all!”? ? ?

?

Then? ?he? ?ran? ?off? ?down? ?the? ?path? ?while? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?called? ?after? ?him,? ?“Gege!? ?Don’t? ?run? ?off!”? ? ?

?

However,? ?hearing? ?that? ?faint? ?yelling,? ?the? ?other? ?party? ?must’ve? ?fallen? ?into? ?an? ?extremely? ?dangerous? ?

state? ?and? ?couldn’t? ?allow? ?any? ?delay.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?didn’t? ?dare? ?to? ?be? ?careless? ?either,? ?and? ?quickly? ?ran? ?

down? ?the? ?path? ?to? ?the? ?right.? ?The? ?deeper? ?he? ?went? ?down? ?the? ?tunnel,? ?the? ?clearer? ?the? ?angry? ?roars? ?of? ?a? ?

man? ?could? ?be? ?heard.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?was? ?delighted,? ?‘It? ?really? ?is? ?Nan? ?Feng? ?and? ?Fu? ?Yao!’? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?didn’t? ?know? ?how? ?long? ?he? ?spent? ?going? ?down? ?the? ?winding? ?tunnel,? ?but? ?in? ?the? ?end? ?he? ?finally? ?

found? ?the? ?source? ?of? ?the? ?voices,? ?and? ?it? ?was? ?a? ?giant? ?cave.? ?There? ?were? ?no? ?divine? ?statues? ?in? ?this? ?

cave? ?but? ?a? ?deep? ?pit? ?instead,? ?and? ?that? ?was? ?where? ?Nan? ?Feng? ?and? ?Fu? ?Yao’s? ?voices? ?were? ?coming? ?

from.? ?It? ?seemed,? ?they? ?were? ?both? ?trapped? ?at? ?the? ?bottom? ?of? ?the? ?pit? ?unable? ?to? ?climb? ?up.? ?However,? ?

they? ?were? ?still? ?energetically? ?yelling? ?at? ?each? ?other,? ?so? ?there? ?shouldn’t? ?be? ?any? ?life? ?threatening? ?

troubles? ?for? ?the? ?moment.? ?It? ?was? ?too? ?dark? ?down? ?below? ?to? ?see? ?anything? ?clearly,? ?and? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?

cupped? ?his? ?hands? ?around? ?his? ?mouth? ?and? ?shouted? ?from? ?above,? ?“HEY–!!? ?WHAT’S? ?HAPPENED? ?TO? ?

YOU? ?GUYS?”? ? ?

?

When? ?the? ?two? ?at? ?the? ?bottom? ?of? ?the? ?pit? ?heard? ?someone? ?was? ?here,? ?they? ?instantly? ?stopped? ?their? ?

arguing,? ?and? ?Fu? ?Yao’s? ?voice? ?came,? ?“YOUR? ?HIGHNESS?? ?IS? ?THAT? ?YOU?? ?HURRY? ?AND? ?PULL? ?US? ?

UP!”? ? ?

?

Nan? ?Feng? ?on? ?the? ?other? ?hand,? ?didn’t? ?speak.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?was? ?puzzled,? ?“You? ?guys? ?can’t? ?climb? ?up? ?on? ?

your? ?own?? ?This? ?pit? ?isn’t? ?that? ?deep? ?though,? ?what’s? ?happening? ?down? ?there?”? ? ?

?

It? ?might? ?be? ?because? ?he’s? ?been? ?fighting? ?the? ?entire? ?way,? ?so? ?Fu? ?Yao? ?was? ?full? ?of? ?fire? ?at? ?the? ?moment,? ?

“RUBBISH!? ?IF? ?WE? ?COULD? ?CLIMB? ?UP? ?ON? ?OUR? ?OWN? ?WE? ?WOULD’VE? ?DONE? ?IT? ?ALREADY!? ?

YOUR? ?HIGHNESS,? ?DON’T? ?YOU? ?HAVE? ?EYES?”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?squinted,? ?“I? ?can’t? ?see? ?that? ?clearly.? ?Do? ?you? ?still? ?have? ?spiritual? ?power?? ?Can? ?you? ?light? ?a? ?

palm? ?torch? ?so? ?I? ?can? ?see? ?what? ?the? ?situation? ?is? ?down? ?there?? ?If? ?you? ?can’t? ?then? ?I’ll? ?throw? ?a? ?fireball? ?

down...”? ?Yet? ?unexpectedly,? ?before? ?he? ?finished? ?his? ?sentence,? ?the? ?two? ?at? ?the? ?bottom? ?yelled? ?in? ?

unison,? ?“DON’T!!!”? ? ?

?

The? ?sound? ?of? ?of? ?them? ?stopping? ?him? ?was? ?close? ?to? ?alarm? ?and? ?terror.? ?Fu? ?Yao? ?then? ?yelled,? ?

“ABSOLUTELY? ?DO? ?NOT? ?LIGHT? ?ANY? ?FIRES!”? ? ?

?

If? ?he? ?couldn’t? ?light? ?fires,? ?then? ?he’d? ?have? ?to? ?use? ?other? ?ways? ?to? ?illuminate? ?the? ?place.? ?Xie? ?Lian’s? ?first? ?

reaction? ?was? ?looking? ?back,? ?“San? ?Lang...”? ? ?

?

However,? ?San? ?Lang? ?didn’t? ?follow? ?after? ?him.? ?There? ?was? ?no? ?one? ?behind? ?him.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?was? ?slightly? ?

taken? ?aback;? ?at? ?first? ?he? ?felt? ?slightly? ?worried,? ?then? ?after,? ?it? ?was? ?confusion.? ?He? ?couldn’t? ?have? ?lost? ?his? ?

way?? ?

?

Ever? ?since? ?they’ve? ?entered? ?this? ?Cave? ?of? ?Ten? ?Thousand? ?Gods,? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?had? ?been? ?acting? ?quite? ?

strange,? ?but? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?couldn’t? ?quite? ?put? ?his? ?fingers? ?on? ?exactly? ?how.? ?He? ?looked? ?to? ?his? ?left? ?and? ?right? ?

and? ?suddenly? ?discovered? ?that? ?on? ?his? ?own? ?shoulder? ?rested? ?a? ?tiny? ?little? ?silver? ?butterfly,? ?and? ?he? ?tried? ?

touching? ?it? ?lightly,? ?“...Hello?”? ? ?

?

When? ?that? ?wraith? ?butterfly? ?felt? ?his? ?touch,? ?it? ?fluttered? ?its? ?wings? ?a? ?couple? ?times? ?but? ?didn’t? ?fly? ?away,? ?

and? ?only? ?seemed? ?to? ?be? ?showing? ?him? ?its? ?flapping.? ?On? ?this? ?journey,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?had? ?heard? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?

tell? ?him? ?that? ?his? ?silver? ?butterflies? ?were? ?divided? ?into? ?various? ?categories.? ?He? ?didn’t? ?know? ?what? ?

category? ?this? ?one? ?belonged? ?to,? ?what? ?it? ?was? ?responsible? ?for,? ?but? ?whatever? ?it? ?was? ?made? ?for,? ?it? ?could? ?

at? ?least? ?shine? ?some? ?light.? ?Thus,? ?he? ?asked,? ?“Can? ?you? ?go? ?down? ?to? ?take? ?a? ?look? ?for? ?me?”? ? ?

?

Sure? ?enough,? ?that? ?silver? ?butterfly? ?flapped? ?its? ?wings? ?and? ?flew? ?down.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?called? ?out,? ?“Thank? ?

you!”? ?and? ?waited? ?until? ?it? ?reached? ?the? ?bottom? ?of? ?the? ?pit.? ?Once? ?the? ?soft? ?silver? ?light? ?illuminated? ?the? ?

situation? ?below,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?couldn’t? ?help? ?but? ?widen? ?his? ?eyes.? ?

?

At? ?the? ?bottom? ?of? ?the? ?dark? ?pit? ?was? ?a? ?field? ?of? ?haunting? ?white,? ?the? ?entire? ?hole? ?covered? ?with? ?a? ?thick? ?

layer? ?of? ?a? ?bed? ?of? ?silk!? ?

?

Nan? ?Feng? ?and? ?Fu? ?Yao? ?were? ?both? ?wrapped? ?into? ?two? ?cocoons? ?among? ?the? ?silk? ?chrysalis,? ?like? ?two? ?

little? ?flies? ?stuck? ?in? ?a? ?spider? ?web.? ?They? ?were? ?both? ?black? ?and? ?blue? ?in? ?the? ?face,? ?their? ?heads? ?covered? ?

in? ?blood,? ?but? ?who? ?knows? ?if? ?that? ?was? ?caused? ?by? ?their? ?mutual? ?beatings? ?earlier.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?couldn’t? ?

help? ?but? ?pat? ?himself? ?on? ?the? ?back? ?for? ?not? ?doing? ?things? ?recklessly,? ?otherwise? ?if? ?he? ?did? ?throw? ?a? ?torch? ?

down,? ?the? ?entire? ?pit? ?would? ?probably? ?be? ?set? ?ablaze? ?instantly.? ? ?

?

“What’s? ?going? ?on?”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?asked,? ?“Is? ?that? ?cobweb?? ?Could? ?this? ?be? ?the? ?nest? ?of? ?a? ?spider? ?spirit?”? ? ?

?

“WHO? ?KNOWS!”? ?Fu? ?Yao? ?yelled,? ?“EITHER? ?WAY? ?WE? ?CAN’T? ?BREAK? ?FREE!”? ? ?

?

It? ?seemed? ?he? ?was? ?desperate? ?to? ?escape.? ?Nan? ?Feng? ?on? ?the? ?other? ?hand,? ?had? ?an? ?unreadable? ?

expression,? ?and? ?looked? ?as? ?if? ?he? ?was? ?going? ?to? ?call? ?for? ?help? ?at? ?first? ?too,? ?but? ?when? ?he? ?saw? ?the? ?one? ?

who’d? ?come? ?was? ?Xie? ?Lian,? ?he? ?stifled? ?and? ?swallowed? ?his? ?words? ?and? ?said? ?instead,? ?“Don’t? ?come? ?

down? ?yet,? ?this? ?silk? ?is? ?really? ?tough.? ?Once? ?it? ?gets? ?on? ?to? ?you? ?it’ll? ?be? ?hard? ?to? ?break? ?free.”? ?

?

“I? ?won’t? ?come? ?down.”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?said.? ?

?

After? ?deliberating? ?for? ?a? ?moment,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?tied? ?one? ?end? ?of? ?RuoYe? ?to? ?the? ?hilt? ?of? ?Fang? ?Xin? ?and? ?was? ?

going? ?to? ?lower? ?the? ?sword? ?down? ?to? ?try? ?and? ?see.? ?Yet? ?unexpectedly,? ?RuoYe? ?only? ?snuck? ?down? ?

halfway? ?through? ?before? ?those? ?cobwebs? ?discovered? ?it? ?and? ?rapidly? ?shot? ?upward,? ?as? ?if? ?ready? ?to? ?

show? ?what? ?they’re? ?made? ?out? ?of.? ?RuoYe? ?backed? ?away? ?in? ?terror,? ?yet,? ?it? ?was? ?still? ?too? ?late,? ?and? ?those? ?

cobwebs? ?caught? ?on,? ?tied? ?a? ?knot,? ?and? ?yanked? ?it? ?down,? ?pulling? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?down? ?as? ?well.? ? ?

?

He? ?had? ?never? ?imagined? ?that? ?this? ?cobweb? ?was? ?actually? ?this? ?strong? ?and? ?sharp!? ?

?

The? ?moment? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?fell? ?into? ?the? ?pit,? ?those? ?white? ?strings? ?of? ?silk? ?instantly? ?charged? ?forward? ?and? ?

tied? ?him? ?up? ?nicely.? ?The? ?rest? ?of? ?the? ?cobwebs? ?were? ?then? ?slowly? ?crawling? ?about,? ?further? ?securing? ?the? ?

‘cocoon’? ?on? ?Nan? ?Feng? ?and? ?Fu? ?Yao’s? ?bodies.? ?Fu? ?Yao? ?was? ?going? ?mad? ?with? ?rage,? ?“How? ?come? ?you? ?

fell? ?too?? ?Now? ?look? ?at? ?us,? ?three? ?dumb? ?fools!? ?Let’s? ?all? ?just? ?die? ?here? ?together!”? ? ?

?

“What? ?are? ?you? ?griping? ?about?”? ?Nan? ?Feng? ?shot? ?back,? ?“This? ?only? ?happened? ?because? ?he? ?was? ?trying? ?

to? ?save? ?us!”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?on? ?the? ?other? ?hand,? ?was? ?tumbling,? ?“Hahaha,? ?hahaha,? ?hahahaha...”? ?

?

The? ?other? ?two? ?looked? ?at? ?him? ?dumbfoundedly,? ?and? ?Fu? ?Yao? ?said,? ?“Did? ?you? ?hurt? ?your? ?brain? ?on? ?the? ?

way? ?down?? ?Have? ?you? ?lost? ?your? ?mind?”? ? ?

?

Tears? ?were? ?rolling? ?down? ?from? ?the? ?corners? ?of? ?Xie? ?Lian’s? ?eyes,? ?and? ?he? ?said? ?with? ?much? ?difficulty,? ?

“N...? ?No,? ?hahaha...? ?what’s? ?with? ?these? ?cobwebs...? ?what? ?are? ?they...? ?so? ?ticklish,? ?I? ?can’t...? ?

hahahaha...”? ?

?

When? ?he? ?fell? ?down,? ?that? ?silk? ?bed? ?very? ?gently? ?caught? ?him,? ?and? ?the? ?cobwebs? ?that? ?came? ?to? ?bind? ?him? ?

were? ?also? ?very? ?gentle? ?and? ?tame,? ?and? ?while? ?they? ?were? ?apprehending? ?him,? ?they? ?brushed? ?softly? ?

here? ?and? ?there,? ?like? ?they? ?were? ?tickling? ?him.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?curled? ?into? ?a? ?ball,? ?tenaciously? ?fighting? ?back,? ?

“No,? ?don’t,? ?wait!? ?Stop!? ?Stop!? ?I? ?give!? ?STOP? ?

!!!”? ?Only? ?then? ?did? ?the? ?white? ?silk? ?bind? ?his? ?hands? ?behind? ?his? ?back? ?and? ?stopped.? ?Nan? ?Feng? ?and? ?Fu? ?

Yao? ?watched? ?him,? ?and? ?a? ?moment? ?later,? ?Fu? ?Yao? ?said? ?grumpily,? ?“How? ?come? ?those? ?cobwebs? ?were? ?

so? ?tough? ?in? ?binding? ?us? ?but? ?so? ?loose? ?when? ?binding? ?him?? ?Not? ?even? ?his? ?face? ?is? ?covered.”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?finally? ?caught? ?his? ?breath? ?and? ?said,? ?“Aren’t,? ?aren’t? ?your? ?faces? ?uncovered? ?too?”? ?

?

Fu? ?Yao? ?rolled? ?his? ?eyes? ?and? ?replied,? ?“They? ?were? ?covered,? ?but? ?after? ?we? ?came? ?to? ?we? ?used? ?our? ?teeth? ?

to? ?bite? ?them? ?through,? ?otherwise? ?there? ?would’ve? ?been? ?no? ?way? ?we? ?could? ?make? ?noise.”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?tried? ?struggling? ?for? ?a? ?bit? ?but? ?that? ?cobweb? ?was? ?indeed? ?tough? ?and? ?unyielding.? ?Plus,? ?he? ?was? ?

laughing? ?too? ?hard? ?earlier,? ?his? ?ribs? ?were? ?in? ?pain,? ?so? ?he? ?was? ?temporarily? ?out? ?of? ?commission,? ?and? ?

decided? ?instead? ?to? ?relax? ?a? ?bit,? ?lying? ?himself? ?down? ?flat,? ?“So? ?how? ?did? ?you? ?two? ?end? ?up? ?here?”? ? ?

?

“Don’t? ?know.”? ?Fu? ?Yao? ?replied,? ?“When? ?the? ?avalanche? ?happened,? ?snow? ?came? ?covering? ?down? ?like? ?

the? ?sky? ?was? ?collapsing,? ?and? ?by? ?the? ?time? ?we? ?woke? ?up? ?we? ?were? ?already? ?here.”? ? ?

?

“No? ?no? ?no,”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?said,? ?“I? ?meant? ?why? ?did? ?you? ?both? ?come? ?to? ?Mount? ?TongLu?”? ? ?

?

When? ?this? ?subject? ?was? ?raised? ?Fu? ?Yao? ?became? ?enraged,? ?“I? ?was? ?pursuing? ?that? ?female? ?ghost? ?Lan? ?

Chang? ?and? ?that? ?fetus? ?spirit,? ?who? ?knows? ?why? ?HE’s? ?here!”? ? ?

?

“Me?!? ?I’m? ?here? ?to? ?chase? ?after? ?that? ?mother? ?and? ?child? ?too...”? ?Nan? ?Feng? ?answered.? ?

?

Fu? ?Yao? ?spat,? ?“Then? ?why? ?didn’t? ?you? ?go? ?chase? ?them?? ?Why? ?did? ?you? ?hit? ?me??? ?I...? ?My? ?general? ?

already? ?said? ?that? ?fetus? ?spirit? ?has? ?got? ?nothing? ?to? ?do? ?with? ?him,? ?he? ?didn’t? ?kill? ?them!? ?His? ?good? ?heart? ?

taken? ?for? ?a? ?donkey’s? ?liver,? ?truly,? ?there’s? ?no? ?point? ?in? ?being? ?a? ?good? ?person!”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?mediated? ?out? ?of? ?habit,? ?“Alright,? ?alright,? ?stop? ?arguing,? ?I? ?understand? ?the? ?situation? ?now.? ?

Stop? ?fighting? ?for? ?now,? ?stop? ?your? ?arguing.? ?You? ?even? ?caused? ?the? ?avalanche? ?just? ?now,? ?so? ?can? ?you? ?

just? ?take? ?a? ?break?? ?Let’s? ?think? ?of? ?a? ?way? ?out? ?together.”? ? ?

?

However,? ?Nan? ?Feng? ?was? ?also? ?incensed,? ?“Does? ?your? ?general? ?not? ?know? ?what? ?he’s? ?usually? ?like?? ?He? ?

has? ?no? ?reason? ?to? ?complain? ?if? ?people? ?are? ?suspicious? ?of? ?him!”? ? ?

?

Fu? ?Yao? ?glared,? ?“What? ?did? ?you? ?say?!? ?I? ?dare? ?you? ?say? ?that? ?again!”? ? ?

?

Nan? ?Feng? ?was? ?glaring? ?harder? ?than? ?him,? ?“I? ?DO? ?DARE!? ?I’ll? ?say? ?it? ?again:? ?it? ?wasn’t? ?like? ?you? ?had? ?any? ?

good? ?intentions,? ?you? ?only? ?want? ?to? ?show? ?benevolence? ?to? ?those? ?you? ?can’t? ?stand? ?so? ?you? ?can? ?be? ?all? ?

pleased? ?with? ?yourself? ?in? ?secret.? ?You’re? ?just? ?satisfying? ?yourself? ?and? ?waiting? ?to? ?watch? ?others? ?make? ?

a? ?fool? ?of? ?themselves.? ?Don’t? ?give? ?me? ?that? ?“good? ?heart? ?taken? ?for? ?donkey? ?liver”,? ?and? ?don’t? ?think? ?

yourself? ?a? ?good? ?person!? ?Genuinely? ?good? ?people? ?aren’t? ?like? ?you,? ?YOU’VE? ?NEVER? ?BEEN? ?ONE!”? ? ?

?

Veins? ?popped? ?on? ?Fu? ?Yao’s? ?forehead,? ?his? ?lips? ?twitching,? ?“THIS? ?IS? ?ALL? ?YOUR? ?IMAGINATION,? ?

PURE? ?NONSENSE!”? ? ?

?

Nan? ?Feng? ?shouted,? ?“WHETHER? ?OR? ?NOT? ?IT’S? ?NONSENSE? ?YOU? ?KNOW? ?BEST,? ?HOW? ?WOULD? ?I? ?

NOT? ?KNOW? ?YOU!”? ? ?

?

Fu? ?Yao’s? ?veins? ?were? ?now? ?popping? ?all? ?the? ?way? ?down? ?to? ?his? ?neck,? ?“WHAT? ?RIGHT? ?DO? ?YOU? ?HAVE? ?

TO? ?LECTURE? ?ME?? ?LOOKING? ?DOWN? ?ON? ?PEOPLE? ?FROM? ?SO? ?HIGH? ?UP,? ?CAREFUL? ?YOU? ?

MIGHT? ?FALL? ?AND? ?BREAK? ?A? ?LEG!”? ? ?

?

“I’M? ?STRONGER? ?THAN? ?YOU? ?IN? ?EVERYTHING!”? ?Nan? ?Feng? ?yelled? ?back,? ?“DID? ?YOU? ?THINK? ?NO? ?

ONE? ?KNOWS? ?OF? ?THAT? ?SHITTY? ?DEED? ?YOU’VE? ?DONE?!”? ? ?

?

Just? ?the? ?mention? ?of? ?it? ?and? ?Fu? ?Yao? ?seemed? ?to? ?be? ?even? ?more? ?furious,? ?“...YES!? ?I? ?ADMIT? ?I? ?DID? ?IT!? ?

BUT? ?HOW? ?MUCH? ?STRONGER? ?ARE? ?YOU? ?THAN? ?ME?? ?TAKING? ?YOURSELF? ?FOR? ?THE? ?MODEL? ?

OF? ?LOYALTY,? ?DIDN’T? ?YOU? ?DITCH? ?THE? ?BOSS? ?WHEN? ?THE? ?WIFE? ?CAME? ?ALONG?? ?THE? ?WIFE? ?

AND? ?THE? ?SON? ?BECAME? ?MORE? ?IMPORTANT?!? ?EVERYONE’S? ?DOING? ?THINGS? ?FOR? ?

THEMSELVES,? ?IT’S? ?THE? ?SELF? ?THAT’S? ?PRIORITY!? ?AREN’T? ?YOU? ?EMBARRASSED? ?HANGING? ?

ON? ?TO? ?THAT? ?OLD? ?SHITTY? ?DEED? ?OVER? ?MY? ?HEAD?”? ?

?

When? ?he? ?heard? ?“wife? ?and? ?son”,? ?Nan? ?Feng? ?was? ?completely? ?outraged,? ?“YOU? ?FUCKING...? ?YOU!? ?...? ?

I?? ?You?”? ?

?

Although? ?the? ?two? ?couldn’t? ?move,? ?they? ?were? ?already? ?at? ?each? ?other’s? ?throats,? ?and? ?did? ?not? ?realize? ?

the? ?way? ?they? ?addressed? ?each? ?other? ?had? ?already? ?went? ?from? ?“your? ?general”? ?“my? ?general”? ?to? ?“you”? ?

“me”,? ?and? ?because? ?they? ?were? ?overly? ?aggravated,? ?they? ?completely? ?did? ?not? ?notice? ?if? ?they? ?were? ?

exposing? ?something,? ?and? ?only? ?now? ?did? ?they? ?come? ?around.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?had? ?long? ?stopped? ?talking.? ?

?

Nan? ?Feng? ?and? ?Fu? ?Yao? ?both? ?whipped? ?their? ?heads? ?over? ?to? ?look? ?in? ?Xie? ?Lian’s? ?direction,? ?and? ?saw? ?Xie? ?

Lian? ?silently? ?flipped? ?on? ?the? ?silk? ?bed,? ?turning? ?over? ?and? ?only? ?showed? ?them? ?his? ?back,? ?“Um...? ?I? ?saw? ?

nothing.? ?I? ?meant,? ?I? ?didn’t? ?hear? ?anything.”? ? ?

?

“...”? ?

?

“...”? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?faced? ?the? ?stone? ?wall? ?and? ?said? ?gently,? ?“Are? ?you? ?two? ?going? ?to? ?keep? ?going?? ?Um,? ?as? ?for? ?

what? ?you? ?were? ?discussing,? ?I? ?won’t? ?comment? ?on? ?anything? ?else,? ?but? ?I? ?actually? ?do? ?think? ?that? ?the? ?wife? ?

and? ?the? ?son? ?are? ?the? ?most? ?important.? ?There’s? ?nothing? ?wrong? ?with? ?that.? ?It’s? ?basic? ?human? ?

sentiment.? ?These? ?are? ?all? ?really? ?old? ?gripes,? ?so? ?let’s? ?not? ?stew? ?ourselves? ?in? ?it? ?and? ?think? ?of? ?a? ?way? ?to? ?

escape? ?first....”? ? ?

?

Fu? ?Yao? ?cut? ?him? ?off,? ?“...You? ?already? ?knew?”? ? ?

?

Since? ?it? ?didn’t? ?seem? ?he? ?could? ?get? ?away? ?with? ?it? ?any? ?longer,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?could? ?only? ?concede,? ?“Yea...”? ?

?

Fu? ?Yao? ?said? ?in? ?disbelief,? ?“When? ?did? ?you? ?find? ?out?? ?How? ?did? ?you? ?find? ?out?”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?didn’t? ?have? ?the? ?heart? ?to? ?tell? ?the? ?truth? ?and? ?said? ?instead,? ?“I’ve? ?forgotten.”? ? ?

?

The? ?real? ?answer? ?was,? ?a? ?very,? ?very? ?long? ?time? ?ago.? ?Since? ?Mount? ?YuJun? ?he? ?already? ?had? ?a? ?faint? ?

suspicion,? ?and? ?by? ?the? ?time? ?they? ?made? ?it? ?to? ?the? ?BanYue? ?Pass,? ?he? ?had? ?already? ?verified? ?the? ?truth.? ? ?

?

What? ?junior? ?martial? ?officials? ?from? ?the? ?Middle? ?Court?? ?They? ?didn’t? ?exist.? ?“Nan? ?Feng”? ?and? ?“Fu? ?Yao”? ?

were? ?only? ?little? ?clones? ?created? ?by? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?and? ?Mu? ?Qing!? ?

?

It? ?was? ?like? ?Fu? ?Yao? ?couldn’t? ?believe? ?his? ?real? ?identity? ?was? ?so? ?easily? ?seen? ?through,? ?and? ?was? ?

relentless,? ?“When? ?exactly? ?did? ?you? ?find? ?out?? ?How? ?did? ?you? ?find? ?out?? ?There? ?must’ve? ?been? ?

something? ?that? ?gave? ?it? ?away,? ?what? ?was? ?the? ?flaw?!”? ? ?

?

“...”? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?really? ?couldn’t? ?bear? ?to? ?tell? ?the? ?truth.? ?There? ?wasn’t? ?anything? ?to? ?give? ?away,? ?since? ?those? ?two? ?

had? ?flaws? ?all? ?over!? ?

?

The? ?three? ?technically? ?grew? ?up? ?together? ?after? ?all,? ?how? ?could? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?not? ?be? ?familiar? ?with? ?the? ?way? ?

they? ?behaved? ?and? ?spoke?? ?From? ?the? ?sloppy? ?fake? ?names? ?to? ?the? ?never-changing? ?personalities,? ?it? ?

was? ?too? ?easy? ?to? ?guess.? ?If? ?he? ?couldn’t? ?guess? ?who? ?were? ?under? ?those? ?two? ?skins,? ?then? ?he? ?would’ve? ?

lived? ?all? ?those? ?years? ?for? ?nothing.? ?

?

But,? ?some? ?things? ?were? ?best? ?not? ?to? ?be? ?said? ?by? ?the? ?person? ?himself,? ?and? ?some? ?things? ?were? ?best? ?not? ?

to? ?be? ?done.? ?For? ?example,? ?in? ?minding? ?the? ?appearance? ?of? ?a? ?heavenly? ?official,? ?one? ?couldn’t? ?easily? ?

roll? ?eyes? ?or? ?cuss,? ?but? ?in? ?a? ?different? ?identity,? ?he? ?could? ?be? ?much? ?more? ?open? ?and? ?relaxed.? ?Thus,? ?Xie? ?

Lian? ?never? ?felt? ?the? ?need? ?to? ?expose? ?them.? ?

?

Fu? ?Yao,? ?no,? ?now? ?he? ?should? ?be? ?called? ?Mu? ?Qing.? ?Mu? ?Qing? ?gritted? ?his? ?teeth? ?and? ?said? ?chillingly,? ?

“...So,? ?you? ?had? ?already? ?known? ?who? ?we? ?were? ?for? ?a? ?long? ?time,? ?but? ?you? ?never? ?said? ?anything,? ?and? ?

was? ?only? ?watching? ?us? ?play? ?acting? ?quietly,? ?right?”? ? ?

?

?

————-? ?

Ch.175:? ?Cave? ?of? ?Ten? ?Thousand? ?Gods;? ?Faces? ?of? ?Ten? ?Thousand? ?Gods? ?Revealed? ?

?

Seeing? ?that? ?he? ?was? ?taking? ?things? ?quite? ?hard,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?contemplated? ?and? ?in? ?the? ?end? ?went? ?with? ?the? ?

guidance? ?route,? ?“Actually,? ?it’s? ?not? ?that? ?big? ?of? ?a? ?deal...”? ?

?

Mu? ?Qing? ?sneered,? ?“I? ?knew? ?I? ?was? ?right!? ?Is? ?it? ?fun?? ?Were? ?you? ?enjoying? ?watching? ?me? ?act?? ?HM???”? ? ?

?

Now? ?that? ?they’re? ?being? ?honest? ?with? ?each? ?other,? ?Mu? ?Qing? ?was? ?now? ?tearing? ?him? ?a? ?new? ?but? ?real? ?

one.? ?On? ?the? ?side,? ?Nan? ?Feng,? ?no,? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?was? ?also? ?looking? ?rather? ?awkward? ?at? ?first,? ?but? ?he? ?really? ?

couldn’t? ?stand? ?listening? ?to? ?Mu? ?Qing? ?anymore,? ?“Watch? ?your? ?tone!”? ? ?

?

Mu? ?Qing? ?is? ?pale? ?faced? ?and? ?thin? ?skinned,? ?and? ?when? ?blood? ?rushed? ?to? ?his? ?face? ?it? ?was? ?very? ?obvious,? ?

and? ?his? ?entire? ?face? ?was? ?flustered.? ?He? ?whipped? ?his? ?head? ?around,? ?“What? ?tone?? ?Don’t? ?forget? ?you’re? ?

one? ?of? ?the? ?jokes!? ?I’m? ?not? ?so? ?generous? ?as? ?you,? ?having? ?been? ?someone’s? ?entertainment? ?for? ?so? ?long? ?

and? ?still? ?have? ?no? ?complaints!”? ? ?

?

“I? ?wasn’t? ?trying? ?to? ?watch? ?you? ?guys? ?make? ?fools? ?of? ?yourselves.”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?said.? ?

?

Feng? ?Xin? ?also? ?added,? ?“Stop? ?thinking? ?people? ?are? ?as? ?narrow-minded? ?as? ?you.? ?Even? ?when? ?that? ?shitty? ?

deed? ?of? ?yours? ?landed? ?you? ?in? ?Heaven’s? ?Prison? ?His? ?Highness? ?still? ?tried? ?to? ?help? ?you...”? ?

?

“HA!? ?Well? ?thanks? ?so? ?much.? ?But? ?me? ?ending? ?up? ?in? ?Heaven’s? ?Prison? ?was? ?all? ?thanks? ?to? ?your? ?son!? ?

WHAT!? ?WANNA? ?FIGHT?!? ?NOT? ?AFRAID? ?TO? ?HAVE? ?A? ?SON? ?BUT? ?AFRAID? ?OF? ?TALK??”? ? ?

?

Feng? ?Xin? ?really? ?wanted? ?to? ?knock? ?him? ?dead? ?for? ?having? ?raised? ?the? ?subject? ?of? ?his? ?son.? ?

Unfortunately,? ?all? ?three? ?of? ?them? ?were? ?bound? ?into? ?balls? ?by? ?that? ?cobweb? ?at? ?the? ?moment? ?so? ?they? ?

couldn’t? ?move? ?a? ?muscle? ?and? ?could? ?only? ?curse? ?at? ?each? ?other,? ?all? ?manners? ?and? ?class? ?gone.? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?saw? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?was? ?getting? ?red? ?in? ?the? ?face? ?from? ?anger,? ?and? ?was? ?afraid? ?the? ?moment? ?he? ?

got? ?aggravated? ?he? ?would? ?start? ?his? ?whole? ?martial? ?god? ?cursing? ?the? ?streets? ?act,? ?so? ?he? ?tried? ?wiggling? ?

a? ?bit,? ?rolled? ?a? ?few? ?times,? ?and? ?rolled? ?to? ?Mu? ?Qing’s? ?side,? ?“Mu? ?Qing,? ?Mu? ?Qing?? ?Can? ?you? ?try? ?turning? ?

around? ?a? ?bit?”? ?

?

Mu? ?Qing? ?stopped? ?his? ?yelling? ?and? ?took? ?a? ?breath,? ?“What? ?do? ?you? ?want?”? ? ?

?

“Feng? ?Xin? ?is? ?too? ?far,? ?I? ?can’t? ?roll? ?over,? ?but? ?since? ?these? ?cobwebs? ?can? ?be? ?ripped? ?apart? ?by? ?teeth,? ?I? ?

want? ?to? ?try? ?and? ?see? ?if? ?I? ?can? ?break? ?the? ?bind? ?on? ?your? ?wrists.”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?explained.? ?

?

Mu? ?Qing? ?glared? ?at? ?him? ?for? ?a? ?moment,? ?his? ?expression? ?suddenly? ?cold? ?like? ?a? ?dead? ?fish? ?watching? ?the? ?

heavens,? ?“No? ?thanks.”? ? ?

?

“I? ?really? ?do? ?want? ?to? ?help.”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?said? ?helplessly.? ?

?

“Your? ?Highness? ?possesses? ?the? ?body? ?of? ?a? ?thousand? ?gold,? ?I? ?can’t? ?possibly? ?trouble? ?your? ?greatness.”? ?

Mu? ?Qing? ?said? ?coldly.? ?

?

Feng? ?Xin? ?cussed,? ?“WHAT? ?THE? ?ACTUAL? ?FUCK!? ?WHAT? ?ARE? ?YOU? ?BEING? ?ALL? ?SARCASTIC? ?

FOR? ?AT? ?A? ?TIME? ?LIKE? ?THIS??? ?HE’S? ?HELPING? ?YOU? ?TRYING? ?TO? ?SAVE? ?YOU,? ?SO? ?HOW? ?DOES? ?

HE? ?OWE? ?YOU? ?ANYTHING? ?HUH!”? ? ?

?

Mu? ?Qing’s? ?head? ?shot? ?up,? ?“Who? ?asked? ?him? ?for? ?help?? ?Xie? ?Lian!? ?Why? ?must? ?you? ?always? ?show? ?up? ?at? ?

a? ?time? ?like? ?this??”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?was? ?a? ?little? ?taken? ?aback,? ?and? ?suddenly? ?remembered? ?vaguely? ?that? ?Mu? ?Qing? ?seemed? ?to? ?

have? ?asked? ?him? ?the? ?same? ?thing? ?a? ?long? ?time? ?ago.? ?How? ?did? ?he? ?answer? ?then?? ?He? ?couldn’t? ?

remember.? ?“Is? ?there? ?something? ?wrong? ?with? ?showing? ?up? ?at? ?times? ?like? ?these?”? ? ?

?

Mu? ?Qing? ?laid? ?back? ?down,? ?“Either? ?way? ?I? ?don’t? ?need? ?your? ?help.”? ? ?

?

“Why?”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?questioned,? ?“Sometimes? ?one? ?does? ?need? ?the? ?help? ?of? ?others? ?in? ?order? ?to? ?get? ?by.”? ? ?

?

“Don’t? ?bother? ?with? ?him? ?anymore.”? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?said,? ?“He’s? ?just? ?a? ?show-off? ?and? ?thinks? ?you? ?helping? ?

him? ?would? ?make? ?him? ?lose? ?face.”? ? ?

?

Mu? ?Qing? ?and? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?were? ?choking? ?each? ?other’s? ?throats? ?on? ?the? ?side? ?while? ?that? ?wraith? ?butterfly? ?

danced? ?leisurely? ?around? ?Xie? ?Lian,? ?shimmering? ?its? ?faint? ?silver? ?light,? ?unhurried? ?and? ?calm,? ?and? ?it? ?

made? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?remember? ?something? ?so? ?he? ?immediately? ?changed? ?the? ?subject,? ?“Stop? ?arguing,? ?you? ?

two.? ?It’s? ?more? ?a? ?joke? ?if? ?others? ?were? ?to? ?see? ?you? ?like? ?this.? ?There’ll? ?be? ?someone? ?coming? ?to? ?get? ?us? ?

out? ?in? ?a? ?bit.”? ? ?

?

Mu? ?Qing? ?said? ?derisively,? ?“None? ?in? ?the? ?heavens? ?nor? ?earth? ?will? ?heed? ?calls? ?in? ?this? ?hellish? ?place,? ?

who’s? ?gonna? ?come? ?save? ?us?? ?Unless? ?it’s...”? ? ?

?

Before? ?he? ?finished? ?he? ?thought? ?of? ?a? ?person,? ?and? ?the? ?end? ?of? ?his? ?thought? ?stopped? ?abruptly.? ?Feng? ?

Xin? ?however,? ?asked? ?directly,? ?“Crimson? ?Rain? ?Sought? ?Flower’s? ?come? ?with? ?you?”? ? ?

?

Mu? ?Qing? ?was? ?doubtful,? ?“You? ?trust? ?him? ?that? ?much?? ?You? ?sure? ?he’s? ?gonna? ?come?”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?was? ?confident,? ?“He? ?will? ?come.”? ? ?

?

Although? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?had? ?been? ?behaving? ?oddly? ?this? ?entire? ?way,? ?and? ?there? ?were? ?several? ?times? ?he? ?

was? ?almost? ?suspicious? ?that? ?the? ?one? ?next? ?to? ?him? ?was? ?a? ?fake? ?Hua? ?Cheng,? ?but,? ?instincts? ?also? ?told? ?

him? ?that? ?was? ?impossible.? ?Mu? ?Qing? ?added,? ?“Even? ?if? ?he? ?came,? ?how? ?would? ?he? ?find? ?this? ?cave?”? ? ?

?

Feng? ?Xin? ?suggested,? ?“Why? ?don’t? ?we? ?holler? ?some? ?more?? ?The? ?more? ?people? ?the? ?louder? ?the? ?voices.”? ? ?

?

“No? ?need.”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?said,? ?“We? ?only? ?need? ?to? ?sit? ?and? ?wait.? ?No,? ?just? ?lie? ?down? ?and? ?wait.? ?Because? ?

Hua? ?Cheng? ?and? ?I? ?are? ?joined? ?by? ?a? ?red? ?string...”? ? ?

?

Before? ?he? ?even? ?finished? ?his? ?sentence? ?he? ?could? ?see? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?and? ?Mu? ?Qing’s? ?faces? ?twitching,? ?like? ?

some? ?worm? ?had? ?crawled? ?into? ?their? ?ears.? ?“...What’s? ?with? ?those? ?faces?”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?asked,? ?“Don’t? ?get? ?

me? ?wrong.? ?The? ?red? ?string? ?I’m? ?talking? ?about? ?isn’t? ?something? ?so? ?frivolous? ?as? ?the? ?‘red? ?string? ?of? ?fate’,? ?

it’s? ?a? ?spiritual? ?device.? ?Just? ?a? ?spiritual? ?device.”? ? ?

?

Only? ?then? ?did? ?the? ?two? ?stopped? ?their? ?twitching.? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?replied,? ?“Oh,? ?I? ?see.”? ?Mu? ?Qing? ?on? ?the? ?

other? ?hand,? ?was? ?doubtful,? ?“And? ?what? ?kind? ?of? ?spiritual? ?device? ?is? ?that?? ?What? ?does? ?it? ?do?”? ? ?

?

“It’s? ?quite? ?useful.”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?said.? ?“It’s? ?a? ?red? ?string? ?tied? ?on? ?both? ?our? ?hands? ?with? ?an? ?invisible? ?

connection? ?in? ?between.? ?One? ?can? ?use? ?this? ?red? ?string? ?to? ?find? ?the? ?other,? ?and? ?as? ?long? ?as? ?one? ?is? ?still? ?

breathing,? ?the? ?red? ?string? ?will? ?never? ?break...”? ?

?

Before? ?he? ?even? ?finished? ?the? ?other? ?two? ?couldn’t? ?listen? ?anymore? ?and? ?cut? ?him? ?off,? ?“HOW? ?IS? ?THAT? ?

DIFFERENT? ?THAN? ?THE? ?‘RED? ?STRING? ?OF? ?FATE’?? ?IT’S? ?EXACTLY? ?THE? ?SAME? ?THING!”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?was? ?taken? ?aback,? ?“No,? ?I? ?don’t? ?think? ?so...? ?it’s? ?different!”? ? ?

?

“Think? ?a? ?bit? ?for? ?yourself? ?how? ?it’s? ?different,? ?will? ?you?? ?It’s? ?very? ?much? ?the? ?same? ?thing,? ?alright?!”? ?Mu? ?

Qing? ?exclaimed.? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?pondered? ?over? ?it? ?and? ?discovered,? ?it’s? ?true!? ?The? ?meaning? ?and? ?function? ?of? ?this? ?spiritual? ?

device? ?really? ?was? ?quite? ?similar? ?to? ?that? ?‘red? ?string? ?of? ?fate’? ?the? ?more? ?he? ?thought? ?about? ?it.? ?Just? ?as? ?he? ?

thought? ?he? ?shouldn’t? ?ponder? ?more? ?on? ?it? ?anymore,? ?a? ?voice? ?came? ?from? ?above,? ?“Gege?? ?Are? ?you? ?

down? ?there?”? ? ?

?

The? ?moment? ?he? ?heard? ?that? ?voice,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?felt? ?himself? ?relax? ?and? ?instantly? ?looked? ?up,? ?“SAN? ?

LANG!? ?I’M? ?DOWN? ?HERE!”? ? ?

?

Then? ?he? ?turned? ?to? ?the? ?other? ?two? ?in? ?the? ?pit,? ?“You? ?see?? ?I? ?told? ?you? ?he’d? ?come.”? ? ?

?

Seeing? ?how? ?happy? ?he? ?looked,? ?both? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?and? ?Mu? ?Qing? ?wore? ?complicated? ?expressions.? ?Hua? ?

Cheng? ?didn’t? ?peek? ?a? ?head? ?over? ?the? ?edge,? ?but? ?they? ?could? ?all? ?hear? ?his? ?helpless? ?voice,? ?“Gege,? ?I? ?said? ?

not? ?to? ?run? ?off.? ?Now? ?what? ?should? ?we? ?do.”? ?

?

Hearing? ?his? ?tone? ?of? ?voice,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?was? ?taken? ?aback? ?and? ?his? ?delight? ?faltered,? ?“Huh?? ?Is? ?this? ?

cobweb? ?difficult? ?to? ?deal? ?with?? ?Can? ?E-Ming? ?not? ?slash? ?through? ?it? ?either?”? ? ?

?

He? ?seemed? ?to? ?have? ?heard? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?say? ?faintly,? ?“What’s? ?difficult? ?isn’t? ?this? ?silk...”? ?But? ?he? ?wasn’t? ?

sure? ?if? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?actually? ?said? ?it.? ?A? ?brief? ?moment? ?later,? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?said? ?softly,? ?“E-Ming’s? ?not? ?in? ?

a? ?good? ?state? ?right? ?now.”? ? ?

?

XIe? ?Lian? ?thought? ?it? ?strange,? ?wasn’t? ?E-Ming? ?perfectly? ?fine? ?and? ?energetic? ?the? ?last? ?time?? ?How? ?was? ?it? ?

in? ?a? ?bad? ?state? ?now?? ?

?

Next? ?to? ?him,? ?Mu? ?Qing? ?humphed,? ?“No? ?need? ?to? ?ask? ?him? ?anymore.? ?How? ?can? ?the? ?scimitar? ?E-Ming? ?be? ?

in? ?a? ?bad? ?state?? ?He’s? ?clearly? ?looking? ?for? ?an? ?excuse? ?not? ?to? ?help.”? ? ?

?

“Don’t? ?say? ?that.”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?said.? ?He? ?felt? ?it? ?was? ?more? ?possible? ?that? ?E-Ming? ?was? ?being? ?disciplined? ?

and? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?wouldn’t? ?allow? ?it? ?to? ?come? ?out.? ?Just? ?as? ?he? ?was? ?thinking? ?this,? ?a? ?black? ?shadow? ?

flashed? ?from? ?above,? ?and? ?the? ?next? ?moment,? ?a? ?red? ?clad? ?figured? ?soundlessly? ?landed? ?right? ?by? ?Xie? ?

Lian’s? ?side,? ?and? ?he? ?leaned? ?down? ?to? ?hold? ?his? ?hand.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?turned? ?his? ?gaze? ?on? ?him? ?and? ?hurriedly? ?

said,? ?“San? ?Lang,? ?why? ?did? ?you? ?jump? ?down? ?too?? ?Watch? ?out? ?for? ?those? ?cobwebs!”? ? ?

?

Sure? ?enough,? ?the? ?white? ?silk? ?strings? ?at? ?the? ?bottom? ?of? ?the? ?pit? ?came? ?attacking.? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?didn’t? ?

bother? ?looking? ?back.? ?He? ?casually? ?waved? ?his? ?hand? ?and? ?hundreds? ?of? ?silver? ?butterflies? ?shielded? ?his? ?

back,? ?forming? ?a? ?butterfly? ?armour,? ?and? ?started? ?fighting? ?with? ?those? ?cobwebs? ?ruthlessly.? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?

ripped? ?off? ?the? ?white? ?silk? ?binding? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?and? ?hugged? ?his? ?waist? ?with? ?his? ?left? ?arm? ?while? ?his? ?right? ?

hand? ?shook? ?out? ?a? ?red? ?umbrella,? ?“Let’s? ?go!”? ? ?

?

The? ?other? ?remaining? ?two? ?saw? ?he? ?had? ?zero? ?intention? ?of? ?saving? ?them? ?and? ?was? ?completely? ?

dumbfounded,? ?“Have? ?you? ?two? ?forgotten? ?something?”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?hadn’t? ?yet? ?spoken? ?but? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?looked? ?back,? ?“Oh,? ?that’s? ?right.”? ? ?

?

Then,? ?the? ?heavily? ?wrapped? ?Fang? ?Xin? ?went? ?flying? ?straight? ?into? ?his? ?hand.? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?handed? ?the? ?

sword? ?to? ?Xie? ?Lian,? ?“Gege,? ?your? ?sword.”? ? ?

?

“...”? ?

?

That? ?was? ?what? ?was? ?forgotten?!? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?and? ?Mu? ?Qing? ?both? ?cried,? ?“HEY!!!”? ? ?

?

Hua? ?Cheng? ?hugged? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?closer,? ?flinging? ?his? ?right? ?hand? ?to? ?open? ?that? ?red? ?umbrella,? ?“Gege,? ?

hold? ?on? ?tight? ?to? ?me!”? ?And? ?that? ?umbrella? ?started? ?flying? ?up,? ?taking? ?the? ?two? ?of? ?them? ?with? ?it.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?

hugged? ?him? ?tightly? ?as? ?instructed,? ?and? ?just? ?as? ?they? ?were? ?about? ?six? ?meters? ?off? ?the? ?ground,? ?the? ?cries? ?

of? ?the? ?other? ?two? ?started? ?and? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?didn’t? ?know? ?whether? ?to? ?cry? ?or? ?laugh,? ?“I? ?won’t? ?forget!”? ?Then? ?

he? ?released? ?RuoYe? ?from? ?his? ?right? ?hand.? ? ?

?

That? ?white? ?silk? ?bandage? ?wrapped? ?itself? ?around? ?the? ?two? ?giant? ?cocoons? ?a? ?few? ?times? ?and? ?pulled? ?

them? ?out? ?of? ?the? ?pit? ?together.? ?Halfway? ?up,? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?called? ?out,? ?“WAIT!? ?Wait!? ?I’ve? ?left? ?something? ?

behind!”? ? ?

?

“What? ?is? ?it?”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?called? ?back? ?from? ?above.? ?

?

“A? ?sword!”? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?shouted,? ?“It’s? ?fallen? ?to? ?the? ?corner!”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?looked? ?down? ?and? ?sure? ?enough,? ?in? ?the? ?corner? ?of? ?all? ?that? ?white? ?silk,? ?the? ?hilt? ?of? ?a? ?sword? ?was? ?

somewhat? ?visible.? ?Thus,? ?he? ?made? ?RuoYe? ?extend? ?another? ?stretch? ?and? ?wrapped? ?that? ?sword? ?too,? ?

taking? ?them? ?all? ?out? ?together.? ?Finally,? ?the? ?four? ?all? ?made? ?it? ?back? ?to? ?above? ?ground.? ?

?

RuoYe? ?threw? ?the? ?two? ?thick? ?cocoons? ?onto? ?the? ?ground,? ?and? ?instantly? ?wrapped? ?itself? ?back? ?onto? ?Xie? ?

Lian’s? ?wrist,? ?like? ?it? ?was? ?terrified? ?of? ?that? ?white? ?silk? ?that? ?was? ?so? ?much? ?like? ?itself? ?but? ?much? ?more? ?

aggressive? ?and? ?evil,? ?trembling? ?slightly.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?soothed? ?it? ?while? ?cutting? ?off? ?the? ?cobwebs? ?on? ?the? ?

two? ?with? ?Fang? ?Xin.? ?The? ?moment? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?and? ?Mu? ?Qing? ?could? ?move,? ?they? ?both? ?leapt? ?to? ?their? ?feet? ?

and? ?ripped? ?at? ?the? ?rest? ?of? ?the? ?cobwebs.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?handed? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?the? ?sword? ?RuoYe? ?helped? ?bring? ?

up,? ?but? ?when? ?he? ?looked? ?down,? ?he? ?was? ?amazed,? ?“This? ?is...? ?HongJing?? ?Nan? ?Feng,? ?your? ?general? ?

repaired? ?the? ?sword?”? ? ?

?

It? ?was? ?an? ?offhand? ?comment,? ?but? ?the? ?moment? ?the? ?words? ?left? ?his? ?lips? ?he? ?realized? ?how? ?bad? ?it? ?

sounded.? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?and? ?Mu? ?Qing? ?were? ?still? ?in? ?the? ?forms? ?of? ?“Nan? ?Feng”? ?and? ?“Fu? ?Yao”? ?at? ?the? ?

moment,? ?so? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?had? ?accidentally? ?forgotten? ?that? ?their? ?identities? ?were? ?already? ?exposed,? ?and? ?

was? ?still? ?going? ?along? ?with? ?their? ?acts? ?subconsciously.? ?While? ?the? ?original? ?intent? ?was? ?to? ?be? ?

considerate,? ?but? ?the? ?effect? ?of? ?this? ?consideration? ?wasn’t? ?great,? ?and? ?the? ?two? ?fell? ?into? ?a? ?strange? ?

silence.? ?

?

Feng? ?Xin? ?couldn’t? ?hide? ?his? ?expression? ?and? ?awkwardness? ?floated? ?onto? ?his? ?face.? ?He? ?transformed? ?

back? ?to? ?his? ?real? ?self? ?and? ?took? ?the? ?sword,? ?“...Yes,? ?it’s? ?repaired.? ?There? ?are? ?plenty? ?of? ?ghosts? ?on? ?

Mount? ?TongLu? ?after? ?all,? ?so? ?using? ?it? ?to? ?flash? ?around? ?makes? ?things? ?somewhat? ?easier.”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?peeked? ?at? ?the? ?main? ?culprit? ?who? ?shattered? ?HongJing? ?next? ?to? ?him? ?and? ?cleared? ?his? ?throat? ?

softly,? ?“Sorry? ?for? ?the? ?trouble.”? ?After? ?all,? ?it? ?really? ?wasn’t? ?easy? ?to? ?repair? ?a? ?sword? ?shattered? ?to? ?bits.? ?

?

Mu? ?Qing? ?also? ?transformed? ?back? ?to? ?his? ?real? ?self? ?and? ?dusted? ?off? ?the? ?rest? ?of? ?the? ?cobwebs,? ?“It’s? ?good? ?

that? ?it’s? ?fixed.? ?After? ?all,? ?so? ?many? ?of? ?the? ?monsters? ?and? ?demons? ?are? ?adept? ?at? ?disguises,? ?so? ?if? ?one? ?

isn’t? ?good? ?at? ?using? ?the? ?brain,? ?one? ?could? ?only? ?escape? ?being? ?deceived? ?using? ?HongJing.”? ? ?

?

Feng? ?Xin? ?was? ?pissed,? ?“Who? ?are? ?you? ?calling? ?brainless? ?so? ?passive-aggressively?? ?Think? ?I? ?can’t? ?

tell?”? ? ?

?

Here? ?they? ?go? ?again.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?shook? ?his? ?head? ?and? ?turned? ?to? ?Hua? ?Cheng,? ?“San? ?Lang,? ?I? ?ran? ?off? ?too? ?

quickly? ?earlier,? ?sorry? ?for? ?leaving? ?you? ?behind.”? ? ?

?

Hua? ?Cheng? ?tucked? ?that? ?umbrella? ?away? ?and? ?replied,? ?“Don’t? ?worry.? ?As? ?long? ?as? ?gege? ?doesn’t? ?run? ?off? ?

like? ?that? ?again.”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?grinned,? ?but? ?just? ?as? ?he? ?was? ?about? ?to? ?speak,? ?he? ?suddenly? ?saw? ?Mu? ?Qing? ?glance? ?at? ?Hua? ?

Cheng,? ?his? ?gaze? ?stopped? ?and? ?stared,? ?his? ?expression? ?odd,? ?so? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?said? ?instead,? ?“Mu? ?Qing?? ?

What’s? ?with? ?you?”? ? ?

?

Hearing? ?his? ?question,? ?Mu? ?Qing? ?immediately? ?snapped? ?out? ?of? ?it,? ?and? ?gave? ?him? ?a? ?look,? ?“Nothing.? ?

I’ve? ?never? ?seen? ?Crimson? ?Rain? ?Sought? ?Flower? ?like? ?this? ?and? ?thought? ?it? ?was? ?curious,? ?that’s? ?all.”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?couldn’t? ?fully? ?believe? ?in? ?this? ?explanation.? ?While? ?this? ?certainly? ?should? ?be? ?the? ?first? ?time? ?Mu? ?

Qing? ?had? ?seen? ?Hua? ?Cheng’s? ?true? ?appearance,? ?but? ?it? ?wasn’t? ?like? ?he? ?hadn’t? ?seen? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?in? ?his? ?

sixteen,? ?seventeen? ?year? ?old? ?form,? ?and? ?the? ?two? ?skins? ?weren’t? ?that? ?different,? ?so? ?why? ?that? ?look?? ? ?

?

The? ?four? ?left? ?that? ?cave,? ?and? ?after? ?only? ?a? ?few? ?steps,? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?was? ?astonished,? ?“...What? ?is? ?this? ?

place?”? ? ?

?

Mu? ?Qing? ?was? ?also? ?stunned,? ?“What’s? ?going? ?on?”? ? ?

?

They? ?were? ?trapped? ?at? ?the? ?bottom? ?of? ?the? ?cobweb? ?pit? ?earlier,? ?so? ?they? ?never? ?had? ?the? ?chance? ?to? ?

investigate? ?the? ?situation? ?outside,? ?which? ?was? ?why? ?the? ?moment? ?they? ?came? ?out,? ?they? ?were? ?quite? ?

shocked? ?to? ?see? ?that? ?beneath? ?this? ?great? ?snowy? ?mountain,? ?there? ?was? ?actually? ?such? ?a? ?mysterious,? ?

otherworldly? ?place? ?with? ?cave? ?after? ?caves? ?filled? ?with? ?innumerous? ?differing? ?divine? ?statues.? ? ?

?

“This? ?is? ?a? ?Cave? ?of? ?Ten? ?Thousand? ?God’s.”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?explained.? ?

?

Mu? ?Qing? ?scanned? ?around? ?their? ?surroundings? ?and? ?mumbled,? ?“Who? ?knows? ?how? ?manys? ?years? ?and? ?

how? ?much? ?blood? ?and? ?sweat? ?it’d? ?take? ?to? ?build? ?something? ?like? ?this.? ?This? ?really? ?is...? ?really? ?is....”? ?

?

He? ?seemed? ?at? ?a? ?loss? ?in? ?finding? ?words? ?to? ?describe? ?it.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?could? ?understand? ?his? ?feelings.? ?After? ?

all,? ?a? ?stone? ?cave? ?was? ?meant? ?for? ?cultivation? ?and? ?worshipping? ?gods,? ?and? ?back? ?then,? ?his? ?parents? ?

had? ?also? ?constructed? ?caves? ?for? ?him.? ?What? ?heavenly? ?official? ?wouldn’t? ?be? ?astounded? ?by? ?such? ?a? ?

gigantic? ?Cave? ?of? ?Ten? ?Thousand? ?Gods?? ?If? ?one? ?of? ?their? ?own? ?statues? ?was? ?to? ?be? ?worshipped? ?in? ?such? ?

a? ?place,? ?surely? ?their? ?divine? ?state? ?would? ?be? ?greatly? ?benefitted.? ? ?

?

Feng? ?Xin? ?was? ?confused,? ?“What? ?god? ?is? ?worshipped? ?in? ?this? ?cave?? ?Why? ?are? ?the? ?faces? ?all? ?veiled?”? ? ?

?

“Naturally,? ?it’s? ?to? ?prevent? ?us? ?future? ?passersby? ?to? ?see.”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?replied.? ?

?

“Now? ?that’s? ?strange.”? ?Mu? ?Qing? ?said,? ?“They? ?could’ve? ?just? ?smashed? ?the? ?heads? ?of? ?the? ?statues,? ?so? ?

why? ?must? ?they? ?go? ?through? ?this? ?trouble?? ?If? ?you? ?really? ?wanted? ?to? ?see? ?it,? ?a? ?thin? ?veil? ?like? ?this? ?can’t? ?

prevent? ?anything.”? ? ?

?

As? ?he? ?spoke,? ?he? ?went? ?up? ?to? ?peel? ?away? ?the? ?veil? ?of? ?the? ?nearest? ?divine? ?statue.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?hadn’t? ?yet? ?

have? ?the? ?chance? ?to? ?stop? ?him? ?when? ?there? ?was? ?a? ?chilling? ?flash,? ?and? ?the? ?tip? ?of? ?a? ?silver? ?blade? ?hung? ?

not? ?inches? ?away? ?from? ?Mu? ?Qing’s? ?fingers.? ?

?

This? ?sudden? ?murderous? ?intent? ?instantly? ?made? ?the? ?air? ?among? ?the? ?four? ?tense.? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?was? ?

alarmed,? ?“What? ?are? ?you? ?doing?”? ? ?

?

Even? ?with? ?the? ?blade? ?before? ?him,? ?Mu? ?Qing? ?didn’t? ?appear? ?scared? ?at? ?all,? ?“Your? ?scimitar? ?looks? ?just? ?

fine,? ?so? ?why? ?the? ?“it’s? ?not? ?in? ?a? ?good? ?state”?”? ? ?

?

Hua? ?Cheng? ?was? ?right? ?behind? ?him,? ?and? ?said? ?lazily,? ?“Didn’t? ?anyone? ?teach? ?you? ?not? ?to? ?touch? ?things? ?

randomly? ?while? ?in? ?other? ?people’s? ?territory?”? ? ?

?

“It’s? ?not? ?your? ?territory? ?so? ?what? ?justice? ?are? ?you? ?upholding?”? ?Mu? ?Qing? ?countered.? ?

?

Hua? ?Cheng? ?said? ?flatly,? ?“I? ?just? ?don’t? ?want? ?to? ?cause? ?unnecessary? ?trouble.? ?This? ?is? ?Mount? ?TongLu? ?

after? ?all,? ?who? ?knows? ?what? ?would? ?happen? ?if? ?the? ?veils? ?are? ?removed.”? ? ?

?

“I? ?can’t? ?believe? ?there’d? ?be? ?a? ?day? ?that? ?an? ?arrogant? ?character? ?like? ?Crimson? ?Rain? ?Sought? ?Flower? ?

would? ?be? ?afraid? ?to? ?cause? ?unnecessary? ?trouble.”? ?Mu? ?Qing? ?said.? ?Then,? ?his? ?hand? ?moved? ?downward,? ?

trying? ?again? ?to? ?touch? ?the? ?robe? ?of? ?that? ?statue.? ?The? ?scimitar? ?E-Ming? ?followed? ?after? ?and? ?pointed? ?at? ?

him? ?once? ?more.? ?

?

“This? ?time? ?I’m? ?only? ?trying? ?to? ?feel? ?the? ?material? ?of? ?the? ?stone,? ?not? ?removing? ?the? ?veil,? ?so? ?why? ?is? ?

Crimson? ?Rain? ?Sought? ?Flower? ?stopping? ?me? ?again?”? ?Mu? ?Qing? ?questioned.? ?

?

Hua? ?Cheng? ?smiled? ?fakely,? ?“I’m? ?stopping? ?you? ?from? ?starting? ?trouble.”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?put? ?himself? ?between? ?the? ?two? ?and? ?said,? ?“Stop,? ?stop.? ?It’s? ?not? ?like? ?we? ?have? ?to? ?see? ?what? ?god? ?

is? ?being? ?worshipped? ?here.? ?We? ?shouldn’t? ?stick? ?around? ?for? ?too? ?long,? ?let’s? ?leave? ?first.? ?Don’t? ?forget,? ?

we? ?still? ?have? ?a? ?mission? ?to? ?accomplish.”? ? ?

?

Hua? ?Cheng? ?stared? ?at? ?Mu? ?Qing’s? ?hand,? ?“Since? ?gege? ?says? ?so,? ?then,? ?have? ?him? ?put? ?his? ?hand? ?away? ?

and? ?I’ll? ?let? ?this? ?go.”? ? ?

?

“Mu? ?Qing,? ?back? ?off,? ?alright?”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?pleaded.? ?

?

Mu? ?Qing? ?glared? ?at? ?him,? ?“Are? ?you? ?nuts?? ?Why? ?isn’t? ?it? ?him? ?who? ?backs? ?off? ?first?? ?What? ?if? ?I? ?back? ?off? ?and? ?

he? ?doesn’t?”? ? ?

?

Between? ?a? ?heavenly? ?official? ?and? ?a? ?ghost,? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?would? ?naturally? ?choose? ?to? ?stand? ?on? ?the? ?side? ?

of? ?the? ?heavenly? ?official,? ?“At? ?most? ?we’ll? ?accept? ?having? ?both? ?sides? ?back? ?off? ?at? ?the? ?same? ?time.”? ? ?

?

Hua? ?Cheng? ?showed? ?no? ?signs? ?of? ?backing? ?off,? ?“You? ?wish.”? ? ?

?

Seeing? ?that? ?neither? ?side? ?would? ?back? ?down,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?rested? ?his? ?hand? ?on? ?Mu? ?Qing’s? ?arm? ?and? ?

urged? ?gently,? ?“Mu? ?Qing,? ?drop? ?it.? ?After? ?all,? ?you’re? ?the? ?one? ?who? ?started? ?this? ?first,? ?so? ?you? ?should? ?be? ?

the? ?first? ?one? ?to? ?let? ?go,? ?alright?? ?Think? ?of? ?it? ?as? ?giving? ?me? ?some? ?face?? ?I? ?swear? ?if? ?you? ?back? ?off? ?San? ?

Lang? ?will? ?keep? ?his? ?promise.”? ? ?

?

Although? ?Mu? ?Qing? ?wasn’t? ?too? ?willing,? ?but? ?after? ?staying? ?in? ?stalemate? ?for? ?a? ?brief? ?moment,? ?he? ?still? ?

slowly? ?dropped? ?his? ?hand,? ?and? ?they? ?returned? ?to? ?the? ?road.? ?Finally,? ?that? ?taut? ?string? ?was? ?relaxed,? ?and? ?

Xie? ?Lian? ?also? ?sighed? ?a? ?breath? ?of? ?relief.? ?It? ?just? ?so? ?happened? ?that? ?they’ve? ?come? ?to? ?another? ?fork? ?in? ?

the? ?road,? ?and? ?he? ?turned? ?to? ?Hua? ?Cheng,? ?“Which? ?way? ?do? ?you? ?think? ?we? ?should? ?go? ?this? ?time?”? ? ?

?

Hua? ?Cheng? ?seemed? ?to? ?have? ?casually? ?picked? ?a? ?path,? ?“Then,? ?this? ?way.”? ? ?

?

Feng? ?Xin? ?and? ?Mu? ?Qing? ?were? ?walking? ?behind? ?them? ?and? ?seemed? ?to? ?be? ?at? ?each? ?other’s? ?throats? ?

again,? ?but? ?between? ?their? ?arguments,? ?Mu? ?Qing? ?demanded,? ?“How? ?did? ?you? ?two? ?pick?? ?Why? ?this? ?

way?”? ? ?

?

The? ?two? ?in? ?front? ?turned? ?their? ?heads? ?back,? ?“It’s? ?random.”? ? ?

?

Feng? ?Xin? ?frowned,? ?“How? ?can? ?you? ?pick? ?randomly?? ?Let’s? ?not? ?go? ?blindly? ?lest? ?we? ?drop? ?into? ?some? ?pit? ?

again.”? ? ?

?

Hua? ?Cheng? ?smiled,? ?“Even? ?if? ?we? ?drop? ?into? ?a? ?pit? ?I? ?have? ?ways? ?to? ?take? ?His? ?Highness? ?out.? ?You? ?can? ?

follow? ?if? ?you? ?want,? ?if? ?you? ?don’t? ?then? ?you? ?can? ?go? ?off? ?by? ?yourselves.? ?But? ?to? ?be? ?honest,? ?I? ?don’t? ?want? ?

to? ?rescue? ?you? ?again.”? ? ?

?

“YOU–!”? ? ?

?

But,? ?that? ?was? ?the? ?way? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?spoke,? ?and? ?no? ?matter? ?if? ?there? ?was? ?a? ?smile? ?on? ?his? ?face? ?and? ?his? ?

tone? ?was? ?endlessly? ?polite,? ?it? ?still? ?sounded? ?more? ?than? ?fake.? ?The? ?more? ?he? ?smiled? ?fakely,? ?the? ?more? ?it? ?

enraged? ?people,? ?so? ?much? ?so? ?that? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?tucked? ?an? ?arrow? ?upon? ?his? ?bow.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?knew? ?that? ?he? ?

wouldn’t? ?actually? ?shoot? ?and? ?said,? ?“Sorry? ?about? ?this,? ?Feng? ?Xin.? ?But? ?in? ?our? ?current? ?situation,? ?it? ?really? ?

makes? ?no? ?difference? ?which? ?way? ?we? ?go.”? ? ?

?

Hua? ?Cheng? ?laughed? ?heartily,? ?“Ooh,? ?I’m? ?scared.? ?Looks? ?like? ?I? ?best? ?stay? ?far? ?away? ?from? ?you.”? ?He? ?

said? ?as? ?he? ?flicked? ?his? ?brows? ?at? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?and? ?really? ?did? ?walked? ?further? ?away.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?knew? ?he? ?

was? ?only? ?trying? ?to? ?leave? ?the? ?other? ?two? ?behind? ?and? ?smiled? ?as? ?he? ?shook? ?his? ?head,? ?ready? ?to? ?follow? ?

after? ?him? ?when? ?suddenly,? ?Mu? ?Qing? ?reached? ?out? ?and? ?pulled? ?him? ?to? ?a? ?stop.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?looked? ?back,? ?

bewildered,? ?“Mu? ?Qing?? ?What? ?is? ?it?”? ? ?

?

Yet? ?unexpectedly,? ?Mu? ?Qing? ?didn’t? ?answer.? ?He? ?grabbed? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?and? ?ran? ?straight? ?for? ?the? ?other? ?

path,? ?shouting,? ?“NOW!”? ? ?

?

Ahead,? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?also? ?noticed? ?something? ?wrong? ?and? ?turned? ?back? ?to? ?look.? ?Yet,? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?had? ?

already? ?punched? ?the? ?stone? ?wall,? ?and? ?boulders? ?rumbled? ?as? ?they? ?crashed,? ?blocking? ?the? ?road.? ?The? ?

two? ?swiftly? ?went? ?forward? ?and? ?in? ?the? ?flash? ?of? ?a? ?second,? ?slapped? ?on? ?fifty? ?or? ?so? ?talismans? ?on? ?the? ?

rocks.? ?Thus,? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?and? ?the? ?three? ?of? ?them? ?were? ?now? ?separated? ?by? ?this? ?pile? ?of? ?boulders.? ?

?

Turns? ?out,? ?the? ?two? ?of? ?them? ?weren’t? ?fighting? ?behind? ?earlier,? ?and? ?were? ?actually? ?discussing? ?how? ?to? ?

conduct? ?this? ?sudden? ?attack!? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?was? ?dumbfounded,? ?“What? ?are? ?you? ?guys? ?doing?”? ? ?

?

He? ?struggled? ?free? ?of? ?Mu? ?Qing? ?and? ?wanted? ?to? ?check? ?up? ?on? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?who? ?was? ?blocked? ?behind? ?

but? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?tripped? ?him,? ?and? ?together? ?with? ?Mu? ?Qing,? ?they? ?each? ?grabbed? ?one? ?of? ?his? ?arms? ?and? ?

started? ?dragging? ?him? ?away,? ?running? ?as? ?he? ?exclaimed,? ?“Let’s? ?get? ?away,? ?quick!? ?Those? ?talismans? ?

won’t? ?last? ?for? ?too? ?long!”? ? ?

?

Mu? ?Qing? ?reprimanded,? ?“And? ?you? ?had? ?to? ?ask? ?what? ?we’re? ?doing?? ?Can’t? ?you? ?tell? ?just? ?how? ?weird? ?he? ?

was? ?being?”? ? ?

?

“How? ?is? ?he? ?weird?”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?questioned.? ?

?

“I? ?think? ?you’ve? ?really? ?gone? ?stupid.? ?Weird? ?is? ?written? ?all? ?over? ?him,? ?you’re? ?the? ?only? ?blind? ?one!”? ?Mu? ?

Qing? ?exclaimed.? ?

?

Feng? ?Xin? ?roared,? ?“STOP? ?TALKING? ?AND? ?RUN!!!? ?FUCK,? ?I? ?THINK? ?THE? ?WRAITH? ?BUTTERFLIES? ?

HAVE? ?CAUGHT? ?UP!”? ? ?

?

Mu? ?Qing? ?shouted,? ?“BLOCK? ?THE? ?CAVE? ?ENTRANCE!”? ? ?

?

Thus,? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?punched? ?as? ?he? ?ran,? ?and? ?many? ?of? ?the? ?cave? ?entrances? ?were? ?wholly? ?blocked? ?by? ?the? ?

giant? ?rocks? ?knocked? ?down.? ?The? ?two? ?dragged? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?and? ?fled? ?through? ?the? ?endlessly? ?winding? ?

long,? ?underground? ?corridor,? ?and? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?was? ?going? ?dizzy? ?from? ?all? ?the? ?turns.? ?He? ?shouted,? ?“STOP!? ?

STOP!”? ? ?

?

After? ?having? ?run? ?a? ?long? ?way,? ?those? ?two? ?finally? ?stopped? ?to? ?catch? ?their? ?breaths.? ?Taking? ?advantage? ?

of? ?this? ?break,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?said,? ?“No,? ?I? ?meant,? ?what? ?did? ?you? ?two? ?suddenly? ?drag? ?me? ?away?? ?Did? ?you? ?

notice? ?something?”? ? ?

?

Feng? ?Xin? ?still? ?had? ?both? ?his? ?hands? ?on? ?his? ?knees? ?supporting? ?himself? ?up,? ?breathing? ?harshly,? ?“Let? ?

him,? ?tell? ?you? ?again.”? ? ?

?

Mu? ?Qing? ?straightened? ?up? ?and? ?turned? ?to? ?Xie? ?Lian,? ?“It’s? ?so? ?obvious? ?but? ?you? ?didn’t? ?see?? ?That? ?pearl!? ?

Do? ?you? ?still? ?remember? ?that? ?pearl?”? ?

?

“What? ?pearl?”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?asked.? ?

?

Mu? ?Qing? ?enunciated? ?each? ?word,? ?“That? ?pair? ?of? ?deep? ?red? ?coral? ?pearls? ?earrings? ?that? ?made? ?part? ?of? ?

the? ?God-Pleasing? ?Martial? ?Warrior? ?costume? ?for? ?the? ?ShangYuan? ?Heavenly? ?Ceremony,? ?that? ?pearl? ?

you? ?lost!”? ? ?

?

“...”? ?

?

It? ?took? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?a? ?long? ?while? ?but? ?he? ?still? ?couldn’t? ?remember,? ?and? ?he? ?tugged? ?at? ?his? ?earlobe,? ?looking? ?

lost,? ?“Were? ?my? ?earrings? ?at? ?the? ?time? ?red? ?coral? ?pearls?? ?Did? ?I? ?lose? ?one?”? ? ?

?

The? ?corners? ?of? ?Mu? ?Qing’s? ?lips? ?twitched? ?and? ?he? ?said? ?furiously,? ?“You? ?two? ?even? ?wrongfully? ?accused? ?

me? ?of? ?stealing? ?that? ?pearl,? ?how? ?can? ?you? ?not? ?remember? ?something? ?like? ?this?”? ? ?

?

“It’s? ?been? ?eight? ?hundred? ?years? ?after? ?all...”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?said,? ?but? ?Feng? ?Xing? ?rebuked,? ?“Stop? ?making? ?

shit? ?up,? ?no? ?one? ?wronged? ?you,? ?you’re? ?the? ?one? ?who? ?imagined? ?things? ?all? ?by? ?yourself!”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?waved? ?his? ?hand,? ?“Stop? ?fighting,? ?stop? ?fighting.? ?Why? ?are? ?you? ?suddenly? ?talking? ?about? ?that? ?

pearl? ?now?”? ? ?

?

“Because? ?that? ?pearl’s? ?been? ?found!”? ?Mu? ?Qing? ?exclaimed,? ?“Did? ?you? ?not? ?see? ?that? ?red? ?bead? ?tied? ?in? ?

Hua? ?Cheng’s? ?hair?”? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?widened? ?his? ?eyes,? ?“Are? ?you? ?saying...”? ?

?

Mu? ?Qing? ?stated? ?with? ?conviction,? ?“I? ?am!”? ? ?

?

“...”? ?

?

So? ?that? ?was? ?why? ?Mu? ?Qing? ?had? ?that? ?weird? ?look? ?in? ?his? ?eyes? ?when? ?he? ?saw? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?earlier.? ?Xie? ?

Lian? ?questioned,? ?“Why? ?would? ?he? ?have? ?that? ?red? ?coral? ?pearl?? ?You? ?sure? ?you? ?didn’t? ?remember? ?

wrong?”? ? ?

?

Mu? ?Qing? ?cut? ?him? ?off,? ?“I? ?searched? ?for? ?that? ?pearl? ?for? ?a? ?whole? ?year,? ?and? ?I’ve? ?never? ?stopped? ?looking? ?

for? ?it.? ?Anyone? ?can? ?remember? ?wrong? ?but? ?me!”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?crossed? ?his? ?arms? ?and? ?tucked? ?them? ?in? ?his? ?sleeves,? ?contemplated,? ?and? ?furrowed? ?his? ?

brows,? ?“I? ?still? ?think? ?you? ?might’ve? ?been? ?mistaken.? ?There’s? ?no? ?reason? ?for? ?that? ?pearl? ?to? ?be? ?in? ?his? ?

hands?? ?Don’t? ?high? ?quality? ?red? ?coral? ?pearls? ?all? ?look? ?pretty? ?much? ?the? ?same?? ?Besides,? ?San? ?Lang? ?

has? ?always? ?liked? ?collecting? ?rare? ?treasures.? ?He’s? ?even? ?got? ?antiques? ?that? ?are? ?thousands? ?of? ?years? ?

old.”? ? ?

?

Mu? ?Qing? ?nodded,? ?“Fine.? ?Very? ?well.? ?You? ?think? ?I’m? ?wrong?? ?Fine.? ?Then? ?look? ?at? ?this.”? ? ?

?

He? ?was? ?standing? ?right? ?next? ?to? ?a? ?divine? ?statue,? ?and? ?as? ?he? ?spoke,? ?he? ?yanked? ?off? ?the? ?veil? ?off? ?of? ?the? ?

face? ?of? ?that? ?statue,? ?“Why? ?don’t? ?you? ?take? ?a? ?look? ?at? ?what? ?this? ?is?? ?Surely? ?this? ?can’t? ?be? ?a? ?mistake? ?

either!”? ? ?

?

The? ?moment? ?that? ?veil? ?was? ?pulled? ?off? ?and? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?swept? ?a? ?look,? ?instantly? ?his? ?pupils? ?shrank.? ?

?

The? ?face? ?of? ?that? ?divine? ?statue? ?wasn’t? ?anything? ?deformed? ?to? ?scary.? ?It? ?was? ?a? ?smiling? ?young? ?man? ?in? ?

high? ?spirits,? ?his? ?brows? ?gentle? ?and? ?kind.? ?However,? ?when? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?saw? ?this? ?face,? ?there? ?was? ?an? ?

instant? ?chill? ?that? ?sped? ?down? ?his? ?spine? ?and? ?raised? ?all? ?his? ?hairs.? ?

?

How? ?could? ?it? ?not? ?be? ?shocking?? ?That? ?face? ?was? ?practically? ?from? ?the? ?same? ?mould? ?as? ?Xie? ?Lian’s? ?own!? ? ?

?

To? ?look? ?at? ?this? ?divine? ?statue? ?so? ?up? ?close,? ?it? ?was? ?like? ?staring? ?in? ?a? ?mirror,? ?and? ?even? ?that? ?supposedly? ?

kind? ?smile? ?now? ?appeared? ?disturbing,? ?and? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?couldn’t? ?help? ?but? ?get? ?goosebumps,? ?“This...”? ?

?

Mu? ?Qing? ?said? ?coldly,? ?“Are? ?you? ?still? ?going? ?to? ?tell? ?me? ?I’ve? ?been? ?mistaken?”? ? ?

?

It? ?was? ?with? ?much? ?effort? ?that? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?finally? ?squeezed? ?out,? ?“...Why? ?would? ?there? ?be? ?one? ?of? ?my? ?

divine? ?statues? ?here?”? ? ?

?

Mu? ?Qing? ?however,? ?said,? ?“One?? ?Not? ?just? ?one.? ?Look? ?closely.”? ? ?

?

Then,? ?he? ?yanked? ?off? ?the? ?veil? ?from? ?the? ?face? ?of? ?another? ?divine? ?statue.? ?That? ?face? ?was? ?also? ?

undoubtedly? ?Xie? ?Lian’s? ?face!? ?

?

Pulling? ?off? ?the? ?veils? ?from? ?the? ?faces? ?of? ?five? ?to? ?six? ?divine? ?statues,? ?and? ?they? ?were? ?all? ?exactly? ?the? ?

same!? ?

?

“This? ?is? ?certainly? ?a? ?Cave? ?of? ?Ten? ?Thousand? ?Gods,”? ?Mu? ?Qing? ?said,? ?“But? ?in? ?fact,? ?there’s? ?only? ?one? ?

god? ?being? ?worshipped? ?here!”? ? ?

?

And? ?it? ?was? ?all? ?him!? ?

?

All? ?around? ?them? ?were? ?his? ?own? ?face,? ?it? ?was? ?as? ?if? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?had? ?sunken? ?into? ?a? ?mysterious? ?and? ?

bizarre? ?dream.? ?He? ?felt? ?dizzy? ?and? ?lost? ?for? ?a? ?good? ?while? ?and? ?suddenly? ?realized? ?something,? ?“Wait.? ?

Mu? ?Qing.? ?You? ?didn’t? ?get? ?a? ?chance? ?to? ?see? ?the? ?faces? ?of? ?these? ?statues? ?earlier,? ?right?? ?You? ?were? ?

going? ?to? ?remove? ?the? ?veils? ?but? ?you? ?were? ?stopped.”? ? ?

?

Mu? ?Qing? ?humphed,? ?“I? ?don’t? ?need? ?to? ?see? ?the? ?faces? ?of? ?these? ?statues? ?to? ?know? ?what’s? ?sculpted? ?is? ?

you.”? ?

?

“What? ?do? ?you? ?know?”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?asked.? ?

?

Mu? ?Qing? ?rolled? ?all? ?the? ?silk? ?veils? ?into? ?a? ?ball? ?and? ?tossed? ?it? ?to? ?the? ?side,? ?his? ?veins? ?slightly? ?popping,? ?

“How? ?do? ?I? ?know?? ?Because? ?all? ?the? ?clothes,? ?accessories,? ?daily? ?living? ?were? ?all? ?my? ?part? ?of? ?my? ?

responsibilities? ?back? ?then.? ?I? ?washed? ?for? ?you,? ?I? ?fixed? ?for? ?you,? ?there? ?is? ?nothing? ?in? ?your? ?wardrobe? ?

that? ?is? ?exactly? ?the? ?same? ?under? ?the? ?sky,? ?and? ?these? ?statues? ?are? ?too? ?detailed,? ?everything? ?is? ?there,? ?

exactly? ?the? ?same,? ?completely!? ?Of? ?course? ?I? ?knew? ?who? ?the? ?face? ?belonged? ?to? ?when? ?I? ?saw? ?the? ?

clothes!”? ? ?

?

“...”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?covered? ?his? ?forehead,? ?and? ?started? ?thinking? ?back? ?on? ?all? ?of? ?Hua? ?Cheng’s? ?odd? ?

behaviours? ?along? ?the? ?way.? ?Next? ?to? ?him,? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?said,? ?“The? ?fact? ?that? ?he? ?won’t? ?let? ?us? ?look? ?at? ?

those? ?statues? ?only? ?comes? ?to? ?show? ?he? ?knew? ?exactly? ?what’s? ?weird? ?about? ?them.? ?That? ?whole? ?thing? ?

about? ?how? ?we? ?all? ?dropped? ?in? ?by? ?accident? ?after? ?the? ?avalanche? ?was? ?probably? ?all? ?nonsense.? ?He? ?

must? ?know? ?what? ?this? ?place? ?is.”? ? ?

?

Mu? ?Qing? ?added,? ?“Not? ?just? ?that.? ?I? ?bet? ?he? ?was? ?the? ?one? ?who? ?threw? ?us? ?into? ?that? ?pit? ?full? ?of? ?cobwebs.? ?

He? ?must? ?really? ?want? ?to? ?kill? ?us.”? ?

?

“But...? ?Just? ?what? ?is? ?with? ?those? ?statues?”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?wondered.? ?

?

Looking? ?closely,? ?every? ?single? ?statue? ?here? ?were? ?carved? ?as? ?if? ?they? ?were? ?alive,? ?the? ?details? ?more? ?

than? ?detailed,? ?almost? ?to? ?the? ?point? ?of? ?frightening.? ?It? ?was? ?easy? ?to? ?see? ?just? ?how? ?closely? ?the? ?sculptor? ?

had? ?observed? ?the? ?subject? ?of? ?his? ?divine? ?statues.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?dared? ?say? ?that? ?even? ?the? ?most? ?renown? ?of? ?

sculptors? ?of? ?XianLe? ?back? ?then? ?would? ?not? ?be? ?able? ?to? ?carve? ?to? ?this? ?level? ?of? ?excellence.? ?It? ?was? ?as? ?if? ?

the? ?sculptor’s? ?mind? ?was? ?completely? ?filled? ?with? ?this? ?person,? ?and? ?his? ?eyes? ?only? ?saw? ?this? ?person.? ?

?

The? ?three? ?of? ?them? ?were? ?surrounded? ?by? ?the? ?statues? ?who? ?all? ?bore? ?the? ?same? ?face,? ?and? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?

shuddered? ?violently,? ?“Honestly...? ?what? ?the? ?fuck...? ?too? ?creepy...? ?too? ?fucking? ?realistic.”? ? ?

?

And? ?they? ?were? ?in? ?such? ?great? ?numbers? ?too.? ?

?

“I? ?suspect? ?these? ?statues? ?are? ?some? ?sort? ?of? ?components? ?needed? ?for? ?some? ?wicked? ?spell,? ?let’s? ?

destroy? ?them.”? ?Mu? ?Qing? ?said.? ?Then? ?he? ?moved? ?to? ?chop? ?one? ?with? ?his? ?hand.? ?Xie? ?Lian’s? ?mind? ?was? ?

instantly? ?pulled? ?back? ?to? ?the? ?present? ?and? ?he? ?stopped? ?him,? ?“STOP!”? ? ?

?

Mu? ?Qing? ?looked? ?at? ?him,? ?“Are? ?you? ?sure?? ?This? ?wicked? ?spell? ?could? ?be? ?aimed? ?at? ?you.”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?pondered? ?over? ?it,? ?but? ?in? ?the? ?end? ?still? ?said,? ?“Let’s? ?not? ?act? ?too? ?recklessly.? ?I? ?think? ?the? ?

possibility? ?of? ?it? ?being? ?a? ?wicked? ?spell? ?is? ?very? ?small.”? ? ?

?

“I? ?think? ?it’s? ?quite? ?big.”? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?said,? ?“Honestly,? ?what? ?the? ?fuck....? ?Doesn’t? ?looking? ?at? ?these? ?things? ?

scare? ?you?”? ?

?

Mu? ?Qing? ?stared? ?at? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?who? ?stared? ?right? ?back,? ?“And? ?what’s? ?the? ?basis? ?of? ?your? ?claim?”? ? ?

?

“Nothing.”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?said,? ?“But,? ?these? ?divine? ?statues? ?are? ?carved? ?really? ?nicely,? ?very? ?meticulously? ?

sculpted.? ?If? ?we? ?destroy? ?them? ?before? ?knowing? ?anything,? ?we? ?may? ?end? ?up? ?with? ?regrets.”? ?After? ?a? ?

pause,? ?he? ?added,? ?“San? ?Lang...? ?might? ?have? ?lied? ?to? ?me? ?about? ?something,? ?but,? ?I? ?believe,? ?it’s? ?not? ?

anything? ?that’d? ?be? ?harmful? ?to? ?me.”? ? ?

?

Mu? ?Qing? ?could? ?not? ?believe? ?his? ?ears,? ?“...Did? ?he? ?actually? ?cast? ?something? ?on? ?you? ?to? ?confound? ?your? ?

mind?? ?I? ?think? ?even? ?if? ?he? ?was? ?to? ?write? ?‘suspicious’? ?on? ?his? ?face? ?you’ll? ?suddenly? ?become? ?illiterate.”? ? ?

?

While? ?the? ?two? ?were? ?talking,? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?suddenly? ?appeared? ?as? ?if? ?he? ?was? ?about? ?to? ?face? ?a? ?great? ?

enemy,? ?“WATCH? ?OUT!”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?and? ?Mu? ?Qing? ?both? ?tensed,? ?and? ?demanded,? ?“What? ?is? ?it?”? ? ?

?

“That? ?cobweb? ?is? ?coming? ?at? ?us? ?again!”? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?exclaimed.? ?

?

Sure? ?enough,? ?the? ?palm? ?torchlight? ?illuminated? ?the? ?stone? ?walls? ?ahead,? ?and? ?upon? ?it? ?were? ?large? ?

patches? ?of? ?dense? ?white? ?silk,? ?and? ?the? ?three? ?cursed? ?‘oh? ?crap’? ?mentally,? ?gearing? ?themselves? ?up? ?for? ?

another? ?clash.? ?Yet? ?unexpectedly,? ?that? ?while? ?silk? ?wasn’t? ?as? ?aggressive? ?as? ?the? ?ones? ?in? ?the? ?pit? ?

earlier,? ?and? ?it? ?didn’t? ?move? ?nor? ?did? ?it? ?attack,? ?and? ?was? ?only? ?no? ?different? ?than? ?a? ?normal? ?gecko.? ?The? ?

three? ?waited? ?for? ?a? ?while? ?and? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?said,? ?“Those? ?silk? ?nets? ?don’t? ?seem? ?alive.”? ? ?

?

“If? ?it’s? ?not? ?alive? ?then? ?what? ?is? ?it? ?for?”? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?questioned.? ?

?

Since? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?was? ?now? ?bothered,? ?he? ?went? ?up? ?to? ?study? ?it? ?for? ?a? ?bit,? ?and? ?afterwards? ?he? ?confirmed,? ?

“I? ?think? ?it’s? ?covering? ?something.”? ? ?

?

The? ?three? ?came? ?before? ?the? ?stone? ?wall.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?tried? ?pulling? ?and? ?ripped? ?off? ?a? ?large? ?piece? ?of? ?the? ?

white? ?silk.? ?That? ?white? ?silk? ?was? ?expectedly? ?tough? ?and? ?it? ?wasn’t? ?easy? ?to? ?tear? ?down,? ?but? ?it? ?wasn’t? ?

completely? ?impossible? ?either.? ?

?

What? ?the? ?veils? ?covered? ?was? ?the? ?true? ?face? ?of? ?those? ?divine? ?statues,? ?then? ?what? ?was? ?hidden? ?on? ?the? ?

stone? ?walls?? ?

?

The? ?other? ?two? ?also? ?joined? ?in? ?on? ?the? ?tearing? ?of? ?those? ?cobweb? ?nets,? ?each? ?taking? ?care? ?of? ?different? ?

areas.? ?Soon? ?after,? ?a? ?piece? ?of? ?stone? ?wall? ?was? ?revealed? ?on? ?Xie? ?Lian’s? ?side,? ?“It’s? ?a? ?mural!”? ? ?

?

Upon? ?the? ?stone? ?wall,? ?what? ?those? ?cobwebs? ?were? ?securely? ?hiding,? ?was? ?a? ?giant? ?mural? ?painting.? ?The? ?

entire? ?surface? ?of? ?the? ?wall? ?was? ?filled? ?thick? ?with? ?lines,? ?colours,? ?and? ?little? ?figures.? ?They? ?were? ?divided? ?

into? ?small? ?sections,? ?each? ?with? ?different? ?styles;? ?some? ?coarse? ?and? ?wild,? ?some? ?elegant,? ?some? ?

exquisite,? ?some? ?peculiar.? ?After? ?studying? ?it? ?for? ?a? ?while,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?said,? ?“...He? ?painted? ?this.”? ? ?

?

“He?”? ?Mu? ?Qing? ?echoed,? ?“Hua? ?Cheng?? ?Are? ?you? ?sure?”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?said? ?softly,? ?“Yes.? ?There? ?are? ?words? ?on? ?here,? ?and? ?those? ?words? ?were? ?written? ?by? ?him.”? ? ?

?

He? ?pointed? ?at? ?a? ?blood? ?red? ?little? ?figure? ?on? ?the? ?wall,? ?and? ?right? ?next? ?to? ?it? ?were? ?a? ?bunch? ?of? ?messy,? ?

indiscernible? ?twisted? ?characters,? ?like? ?they? ?were? ?written? ?in? ?a? ?state? ?of? ?a? ?trance? ?or? ?extreme? ?suffering? ?

and? ?the? ?author? ?was? ?venting.? ?Based? ?on? ?those? ?characters,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?could? ?guess? ?that? ?this? ?painted? ?

blood? ?red? ?little? ?figure? ?was? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?himself,? ?but? ?for? ?some? ?unknown? ?reason,? ?he? ?painted? ?himself? ?

really? ?ugly? ?and? ?disfigured.? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?glanced? ?at? ?it? ?and? ?couldn’t? ?help? ?but? ?comment,? ?“This? ?writing...? ?

it’s? ?so? ?ugly? ?I’m? ?blinded.? ?I? ?dare? ?say? ?even? ?I? ?write? ?better? ?than? ?him.”? ? ?

?

A? ?writing? ?uglier? ?than? ?Feng? ?Xin’s? ?was? ?truly? ?ugly? ?beyond? ?saving.? ?Xie? ?Lian’s? ?eyes? ?were? ?

overwhelmed? ?by? ?all? ?the? ?colours;? ?there? ?was? ?so? ?much? ?he? ?didn’t? ?even? ?know? ?where? ?to? ?even? ?start? ?

looking,? ?but? ?once? ?he? ?confirmed? ?this? ?was? ?Hua? ?Cheng’s? ?penmanship,? ?it? ?was? ?like? ?he? ?suddenly? ?

discovered? ?a? ?huge? ?treasure? ?trove,? ?and? ?even? ?his? ?fingertips? ?were? ?slightly? ?trembling.? ?Just? ?then,? ?Mu? ?

Qing? ?seemed? ?to? ?have? ?discovered? ?something? ?not? ?far? ?away? ?and? ?called,? ?“...Your? ?Highness,? ?come? ?

quick.? ?Come? ?quick? ?and? ?see!”? ? ?

?

Only? ?then? ?did? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?snap? ?out? ?of? ?it,? ?“What? ?is? ?it?”? ? ?

?

Feng? ?Xin? ?and? ?Mu? ?Qing? ?were? ?already? ?rendered? ?speechless,? ?and? ?could? ?only? ?point? ?at? ?one? ?of? ?the? ?

paintings? ?on? ?the? ?wall.? ?That? ?painting? ?was? ?considerably? ?large? ?on? ?this? ?wall,? ?and? ?right? ?at? ?the? ?centre? ?

was? ?a? ?tall? ?city? ?fortress? ?tower.? ?Below? ?it? ?was? ?a? ?sea? ?of? ?people? ?surrounding? ?a? ?glamourous? ?stage.? ?The? ?

lines? ?were? ?simple,? ?yet? ?with? ?only? ?a? ?few? ?strokes,? ?it? ?captured? ?the? ?scene? ?exactly.? ?

?

Mu? ?Qing? ?pointed? ?at? ?the? ?centre? ?of? ?the? ?painting? ?and? ?said? ?with? ?a? ?trembling? ?voice,? ?“So...? ?this...? ?this? ?

was? ?him?”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?was? ?also? ?staring? ?at? ?that? ?point.? ?

?

The? ?entire? ?painting? ?was? ?colourless,? ?and? ?within? ?it? ?only? ?two? ?figures? ?had? ?colours.? ?At? ?the? ?bottom? ?

there? ?was? ?a? ?little? ?figure,? ?pure? ?white,? ?and? ?seemingly? ?to? ?be? ?glowing,? ?looking? ?towards? ?the? ?sky? ?with? ?

his? ?hands? ?extended,? ?about? ?to? ?catch? ?the? ?other? ?little? ?figure? ?falling? ?from? ?the? ?fortress? ?tower.? ?

?

And? ?that? ?little? ?figure? ?was? ?blood? ?red,? ?blood? ?red.? ?

?

Mu? ?Qing? ?murmured,? ?“...Is? ?that? ?him?? ?Is? ?that? ?him?? ?That? ?little? ?kid? ?who? ?fell? ?during? ?the? ?ShangYuan? ?

Heavenly? ?Ceremonial? ?Parade?? ?How? ?could? ?it? ?be? ?him?? ?I? ?can’t? ?believe?? ?Crimson? ?Rain? ?Sought? ?

Flower?? ?Is? ?him???”? ? ?

?

Feng? ?Xin? ?patted? ?them? ?madly? ?and? ?pointed? ?to? ?the? ?side,? ?“There’s? ?more? ?in? ?the? ?back!”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?walked? ?over? ?and? ?saw? ?in? ?the? ?other? ?painting,? ?there? ?was? ?a? ?dilapidated? ?little? ?shrine,? ?and? ?

upon? ?the? ?altar? ?was? ?a? ?divine? ?statue,? ?also? ?glowing? ?faintly? ?in? ?white? ?light.? ?It? ?held? ?a? ?sword? ?in? ?one? ?hand? ?

and? ?in? ?the? ?other? ?was? ?a? ?red? ?umbrella? ?being? ?handed? ?downwards.? ?At? ?the? ?bottom? ?was? ?an? ?ugly? ?little? ?

blood? ?red? ?figure,? ?its? ?hands? ?cupped? ?a? ?small? ?flower? ?and? ?was? ?offering? ?it? ?to? ?the? ?statue.? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?suddenly? ?felt? ?his? ?head? ?ache,? ?his? ?hand? ?flying? ?to? ?his? ?temple? ?that? ?was? ?now? ?throbbing? ?and? ?

continued? ?to? ?look.? ?

?

The? ?next? ?painting? ?seemed? ?to? ?be? ?depicting? ?a? ?battlefield.? ?Large? ?bands? ?of? ?soldiers? ?were? ?fixing? ?their? ?

armours? ?ready? ?to? ?attack,? ?and? ?in? ?the? ?sky? ?floated? ?a? ?little? ?white? ?figure,? ?a? ?long? ?sword? ?in? ?one? ?hand,? ?

mighty? ?and? ?glorious.? ?Below,? ?among? ?the? ?dark? ?and? ?thick? ?troops? ?was? ?another? ?little? ?blood? ?red? ?figure,? ?

its? ?head? ?raised,? ?watching? ?the? ?one? ?in? ?the? ?sky.? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?was? ?lost? ?in? ?thought? ?when? ?Feng? ?Xin’s? ?disbelieving? ?voice? ?rang,? ?“This? ?red? ?one,? ?it’s? ?all? ?one? ?

person,? ?right?? ?It’s? ?all? ?him???? ?It’s? ?Hua? ?Cheng?? ?Holy? ?fuck...? ?he’s? ?been? ?following? ?you? ?all? ?this? ?time?!”? ? ?

?

Mu? ?Qing? ?was? ?also? ?looking? ?incredulous,? ?“It’s? ?not? ?just? ?following,? ?he’s? ?also? ?watching.? ?Watching? ?very? ?

closely.? ?Very? ?close.? ?He’s? ?everywhere!? ?Look,? ?this? ?here? ?is? ?the? ?main? ?street,? ?the? ?Buyou? ?forest,? ?what’s? ?

this?? ?BeiZi? ?Hill?? ?My? ?god...? ?was? ?he? ?the? ?one? ?who? ?carved? ?those? ?divine? ?statues?!”? ? ?

?

Feng? ?Xin? ?was? ?practically? ?getting? ?chills? ?looking? ?through? ?those? ?murals,? ?“My? ?fucking? ?god...? ?who? ?the? ?

hell? ?is? ?he?? ?He’s? ?been? ?watching? ?you? ?since? ?eight? ?hundred? ?years? ?ago?!? ?And? ?he? ?is? ?still,? ?even? ?now?? ?

What? ?the? ?fuck!? ?This? ?is? ?terrifying!? ?Is? ?he? ?bewitched?? ?What? ?the? ?hell? ?does? ?he? ?want?? ?Normal? ?

worshippers? ?won’t? ?even? ?do? ?this? ?much,? ?just? ?what? ?the? ?hell? ?does? ?he? ?want??”? ? ?

?

“There? ?must? ?be? ?a? ?plot...? ?there? ?must? ?be!”? ?Mu? ?Qing? ?exclaimed,? ?“Let’s? ?keep? ?looking,? ?there? ?must? ?be? ?

some? ?sort? ?of? ?a? ?clue!”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?was? ?already? ?completely? ?shaken.? ?

?

He? ?stared? ?at? ?that? ?blood? ?red? ?little? ?figure? ?on? ?the? ?wall,? ?unable? ?to? ?wrap? ?his? ?mind? ?around? ?it,? ?and? ?only? ?

felt? ?there? ?were? ?many,? ?many? ?memories? ?that? ?weren’t? ?forgotten? ?but? ?never? ?took? ?heart? ?were? ?fighting? ?

to? ?rush? ?into? ?his? ?brain,? ?pouring? ?in? ?so? ?fast? ?his? ?breathing? ?almost? ?couldn’t? ?keep? ?up? ?anymore.? ?Just? ?

then,? ?he? ?heard? ?the? ?other? ?two? ?on? ?the? ?other? ?side? ?yell,? ?and? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?snapped? ?out? ?of? ?it.? ?“What? ?is? ?it? ?

now?”? ? ?

?

Feng? ?Xin? ?and? ?Mu? ?Qing? ?were? ?both? ?standing? ?before? ?a? ?stone? ?wall,? ?looking? ?like? ?they? ?saw? ?something? ?

egregious.? ?When? ?they? ?saw? ?he? ?was? ?moving? ?towards? ?them,? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?quickly? ?turned? ?around? ?and? ?

stopped? ?him,? ?pushing? ?him? ?away,? ?“Holy? ?fuck,? ?DON’T? ?LOOK!”? ? ?

?

“?? ?What?”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?was? ?bewildered,? ?“What? ?was? ?it?? ?Why? ?can’t? ?I? ?look?”? ? ?

?

Mu? ?Qing’s? ?face? ?was? ?also? ?dark? ?as? ?he? ?exclaimed,? ?“...? ?Let’s? ?stop? ?looking.? ?There’s? ?nothing? ?good? ?

here,? ?let’s? ?just? ?get? ?out? ?of? ?here? ?as? ?soon? ?as? ?possible!”? ? ?

?

The? ?two? ?of? ?them? ?each? ?grabbed? ?one? ?of? ?his? ?arms? ?and? ?started? ?bolting? ?again? ?the? ?entire? ?way.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?

complained? ?as? ?he? ?was? ?getting? ?dragged? ?along,? ?“What? ?are? ?you? ?both? ?doing?? ?I? ?wasn’t? ?done? ?looking? ?

at? ?those? ?murals!!”? ? ?

?

Feng? ?Xin? ?yelled? ?angrily? ?as? ?he? ?ran,? ?“THERE’S? ?NO? ?NEED? ?TO? ?LOOK? ?ANYMORE!? ?THOSE? ?

THINGS? ?SHOULDN’T? ?BE? ?SEEN!? ?MY? ?FUCKING? ?GOD!? ?I? ?HAVE? ?NEVER? ?WITNESSED? ?

ANYTHING? ?LIKE? ?THIS? ?IN? ?MY? ?FUCKING? ?LIFE!? ?SUCH? ?A? ?PERSON!!!”? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?was? ?completely? ?confused,? ?“What? ?have? ?you? ?never? ?witnessed?? ?What’s? ?with? ?San? ?Lang?”? ? ?

?

Mu? ?Qing? ?admonished,? ?“WHAT? ?ARE? ?YOU? ?DOING? ?STILL? ?CALLING? ?HIM? ?SAN? ?LANG?? ?STOP? ?IT!? ?

YOU? ?CAN’T? ?GET? ?AWAY? ?FAST? ?ENOUGH!? ?DON’T? ?GO? ?CLOSE? ?TO? ?HIM? ?ANYMORE? ?IN? ?THE? ?

FUTURE? ?EITHER,? ?HE’S? ?NOT? ?NORMAL,? ?HE’S? ?MENTAL,? ?HE’S? ?CRAZY!!!”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?couldn’t? ?listen? ?anymore,? ?“Why? ?are? ?you? ?two? ?cursing? ?him? ?like? ?this?? ?None? ?of? ?us? ?are? ?really? ?

that? ?normal,? ?okay?”? ? ?

?

“STOP? ?ASKING!”? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?cried,? ?“YOU? ?DON’T? ?UNDERSTAND!? ?HE’S? ?NOT? ?LIKE? ?US!? ?HE’S? ?

CRAZY!? ?TOWARDS? ?YOU,? ?HE,? ?HE...? ?HE...”? ?

?

“Towards? ?me? ?what?”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?demanded,? ?“Please? ?let? ?me? ?go.? ?Let? ?me? ?go? ?back? ?and? ?see? ?for? ?myself,? ?

alright?”? ? ?

?

One? ?wanted? ?to? ?go? ?back,? ?the? ?other? ?two? ?were? ?pulling,? ?and? ?the? ?three? ?were? ?stuck? ?in? ?a? ?stalemate? ?

when? ?suddenly,? ?ahead? ?of? ?them? ?came? ?a? ?chillingly? ?cold? ?voice,? ?“Didn’t? ?I? ?say? ?not? ?to? ?touch? ?things? ?

randomly? ?in? ?someone? ?else’s? ?territory?”? ? ?

?

The? ?three? ?of? ?them? ?froze? ?and? ?turned? ?their? ?heads? ?to? ?look.? ?Ahead? ?stood? ?a? ?red? ?clad? ?figure.? ?Hua? ?

Cheng? ?was? ?leaning? ?against? ?the? ?stone? ?wall,? ?blocking? ?their? ?way,? ?and? ?he? ?smiled,? ?“Otherwise,? ?I? ?can’t? ?

say? ?exactly? ?what? ?would? ?happen.”? ? ?

?

While? ?his? ?face? ?was? ?smiling,? ?his? ?eyes? ?had? ?not? ?a? ?trace? ?of? ?mirth,? ?and? ?was? ?instead? ?dark? ?and? ?

muddied.? ?He? ?hugged? ?one? ?of? ?his? ?arms? ?while? ?the? ?other? ?hand? ?was? ?idly? ?twiddling? ?something? ?small.? ?

?

It? ?was? ?that? ?deep? ?red? ?coral? ?pearl? ?tied? ?on? ?that? ?thin? ?lock? ?of? ?hair.? ?The? ?gentle? ?red? ?luster? ?of? ?that? ?coral? ?

was? ?as? ?bright? ?and? ?dazzling? ?as? ?the? ?red? ?affinity? ?knot? ?between? ?his? ?fingers.? ? ?

?

?

————-? ?

Ch.176:? ?Cave? ?of? ?Ten? ?Thousand? ?Gods;? ?Faces? ?of? ?Ten? ?Thousand? ?Gods? ?Revealed? ?2? ?

?

Those? ?hundreds? ?of? ?charmed? ?talismans? ?and? ?heavy? ?piles? ?of? ?boulders? ?couldn’t? ?stop? ?him? ?at? ?all!? ?

?

Feng? ?Xin? ?and? ?Mu? ?Qing? ?both? ?reacted? ?swiftly;? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?shot? ?out? ?his? ?arrows? ?one? ?after? ?the? ?other? ?

while? ?Mu? ?Qing? ?swung? ?his? ?sabre,? ?sending? ?an? ?air? ?strike? ?towards? ?him,? ?then? ?grabbed? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?and? ?

ran.? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?then? ?employed? ?the? ?same? ?tricks? ?and? ?struck? ?wildly? ?at? ?the? ?rocks? ?as? ?he? ?yelled,? ?“WHAT? ?

THE? ?FUCK!? ?HOW? ?DID? ?HE? ?FIND? ?US? ?SO? ?FAST?”? ? ?

?

“How? ?should? ?I? ?know??”? ?Mu? ?Qing? ?yelled? ?back,? ?“...The? ?red? ?string!? ?The? ?red? ?string!? ?His? ?finger? ?is? ?still? ?

tied? ?with? ?that? ?red? ?string!!”? ? ?

?

When? ?it? ?dawned? ?on? ?the? ?two? ?of? ?them,? ?they? ?both? ?turned? ?back? ?to? ?seize? ?Xie? ?Lian’s? ?hand.? ?As? ?if? ?Xie? ?

Lian? ?would? ?let? ?them.? ?His? ?other? ?hand? ?reached? ?out? ?and? ?held? ?to? ?protect? ?that? ?hand? ?with? ?the? ?red? ?knot? ?

and? ?exclaimed,? ?“YOU? ?CAN’T!”? ? ?

?

Feng? ?Xin? ?exclaimed,? ?“You? ?highness,? ?if? ?you’re? ?tied? ?with? ?this? ?red? ?string,? ?he’ll? ?find? ?us.? ?If? ?you? ?don’t? ?

want? ?him? ?to? ?catch? ?up? ?then? ?it? ?must? ?be? ?untied!”? ? ?

?

However,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?held? ?on? ?to? ?his? ?own? ?hand? ?and? ?said,? ?“Even? ?if? ?he? ?catches? ?up? ?I’m? ?not? ?afraid?? ?I...? ?

want? ?to? ?ask? ?him? ?about? ?this? ?directly.”? ? ?

?

Mu? ?Qing’s? ?eyes? ?widened,? ?“You? ?want? ?to? ?talk? ?to? ?him? ?still?? ?I? ?think? ?he’d? ?have? ?to? ?devour? ?you? ?

completely? ?for? ?you? ?to? ?fully? ?understand? ?just? ?how? ?powerful? ?he? ?is.”? ? ?

?

“But? ?I? ?already? ?know? ?he’s? ?powerful.”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?countered,? ?“You? ?guys? ?won’t? ?tell? ?me? ?what? ?that? ?mural? ?

was? ?and? ?you? ?won’t? ?let? ?me? ?go? ?near? ?him.? ?You? ?can’t? ?convince? ?me? ?of? ?anything? ?like? ?this.”? ? ?

?

“He’s? ?a? ?ghost? ?king,? ?his? ?behaviours? ?are? ?abnormal.? ?Normally? ?people? ?would? ?stay? ?far? ?away? ?with? ?just? ?

these? ?two? ?points? ?without? ?needing? ?anyone? ?to? ?convince? ?them? ?of? ?anything!”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?extended? ?two? ?fingers,? ?“Two? ?choices:? ?either? ?you? ?let? ?me? ?go? ?back? ?and? ?ask? ?him? ?to? ?explain,? ?

or? ?you? ?let? ?me? ?go? ?back? ?to? ?look? ?at? ?that? ?mural.”? ? ?

?

Feng? ?Xin? ?and? ?Mu? ?Qing? ?seemed? ?to? ?have? ?recalled? ?something? ?terrifying,? ?and? ?one? ?had? ?his? ?lips? ?

twitching? ?while? ?the? ?other’s? ?brows? ?could? ?not? ?furrow? ?and? ?deeper,? ?and? ?they? ?both? ?blocked? ?in? ?front? ?of? ?

him,? ?yelling? ?at? ?the? ?same? ?time,? ?“WE’LL? ?ALLOW? ?NEITHER!”? ? ?

?

Thus,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?rolled? ?up? ?his? ?sleeves,? ?“Since? ?you? ?both? ?said? ?no,? ?then? ?let’s? ?solve? ?this? ?with? ?our? ?fists!? ?

Who’s? ?first?? ?Or? ?will? ?you? ?both? ?come? ?at? ?me? ?together?”? ? ?

?

Mu? ?Qing? ?turned? ?to? ?Feng? ?Xin,? ?“You? ?first!”? ?Then? ?he? ?backed? ?away? ?to? ?the? ?side.? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?looked? ?like? ?

he? ?wasn’t? ?too? ?sure? ?if? ?he? ?could? ?win? ?against? ?Xie? ?Lian,? ?but? ?in? ?order? ?to? ?rescue? ?a? ?lost? ?youth,? ?he? ?would? ?

give? ?it? ?his? ?best? ?shot,? ?so? ?he? ?gripped? ?his? ?bow,? ?“VERY? ?WELL!? ?Your? ?Highness,? ?pardon? ?the? ?

insolence!”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?also? ?returned,? ?“Pard...”? ?Yet? ?unexpectedly,? ?before? ?he? ?even? ?finished? ?the? ?opening? ?

courtesy,? ?something? ?hot? ?was? ?tapped? ?onto? ?his? ?back,? ?and? ?someone? ?behind? ?him? ?shouted,? ?“STAY? ?

STILL,? ?DON’T? ?TALK!”? ?And? ?his? ?entire? ?person? ?froze? ?into? ?an? ?iron? ?board.? ?

?

Not? ?just? ?that,? ?his? ?voice? ?couldn’t? ?come? ?out? ?anymore? ?either!? ?

?

Mu? ?Qing? ?came? ?out? ?from? ?behind? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?and? ?said? ?to? ?Feng? ?Xin,? ?“Let’s? ?drag? ?him? ?away.? ?This? ?

talisman? ?can? ?suspend? ?him? ?temporarily,? ?but? ?it? ?won’t? ?last? ?too? ?long.”? ?

?

Feng? ?Xin? ?was? ?slightly? ?dumbfounded,? ?“Why? ?did? ?you? ?ambush? ?him?? ?Didn’t? ?we? ?agree? ?on? ?a? ?one? ?on? ?

one?”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?hadn’t? ?imagined? ?that? ?Mu? ?Qing? ?would? ?immediately? ?go? ?back? ?on? ?his? ?word? ?either.? ?If? ?it? ?wasn’t? ?

because? ?he? ?wholly? ?trusted? ?both? ?of? ?his? ?once? ?subordinates,? ?he? ?wouldn’t? ?have? ?been? ?deceived? ?so? ?

easily? ?either.? ? ?

?

“Who? ?has? ?the? ?time? ?for? ?you? ?to? ?go? ?one? ?on? ?one? ?right? ?now?”? ?Mu? ?Qing? ?said,? ?“He’s? ?doing? ?it? ?on? ?

purpose.? ?It’s? ?easy? ?to? ?see? ?he’s? ?dragging? ?time? ?out? ?for? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?to? ?catch? ?up.? ?Do? ?you? ?not? ?see? ?the? ?

state? ?he’s? ?in? ?right? ?now?? ?Completely? ?infatuated!? ?No? ?matter? ?what? ?you? ?tell? ?him? ?right? ?now? ?nothing? ?will? ?

go? ?through.? ?Maybe? ?once? ?they? ?meet,? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?will? ?only? ?need? ?to? ?humour? ?him? ?with? ?a? ?couple? ?of? ?

sweet? ?words? ?and? ?he’ll? ?believe? ?him,? ?just? ?like? ?one? ?enchanted? ?by? ?a? ?fox? ?spirit*”? ? ?

?

Feng? ?Xin? ?contemplated? ?and? ?felt? ?what? ?Mu? ?Qing? ?said? ?made? ?some? ?sense? ?and? ?sighed,? ?“Your? ?

Highness,? ?it’s? ?not? ?that? ?we’re? ?deceiving? ?you? ?intentionally,? ?but? ?how? ?he? ?is? ?towards? ?you? ?really? ?is...? ?

unseemly.? ?I? ?really? ?can’t? ?say? ?it? ?out? ?loud!? ?Please? ?just? ?come? ?with? ?us.”? ?

?

“Let’s? ?go.”? ?Mu? ?Qing? ?said? ?too.? ?

?

Mu? ?Qing’s? ?words? ?weren’t? ?a? ?suggestion? ?or? ?a? ?plead,? ?but? ?a? ?command.? ?What? ?he? ?slapped? ?on? ?on? ?Xie? ?

Lian’s? ?back? ?earlier? ?must? ?be? ?a? ?commanding? ?spell? ?talisman? ?drawn? ?with? ?his? ?blood.? ?The? ?Command? ?

Talisman? ?could? ?make? ?the? ?target? ?obey? ?the? ?castor’s? ?orders,? ?but? ?in? ?truth,? ?it? ?could? ?only? ?realize? ?simple? ?

commands? ?such? ?as? ?“do? ?not? ?speak”,? ?“walk”,? ?“stop”,? ?“run”,? ?etc.? ?The? ?more? ?complicated? ?commands? ?

were? ?harder? ?to? ?execute,? ?and? ?the? ?talisman? ?couldn’t? ?confound? ?the? ?mind? ?either.? ?Only? ?powerful? ?

ghosts? ?like? ?the? ?Brocade? ?Immortal? ?could? ?perform? ?such? ?a? ?thing.? ?

?

The? ?two? ?speed? ?walked? ?with? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?in? ?tow? ?again? ?but? ?was? ?suddenly? ?stopped? ?by? ?a? ?pile? ?of? ?rubble? ?

blocking? ?the? ?way.? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?saw? ?the? ?path? ?was? ?cut? ?off? ?and? ?wondered,? ?“Why? ?are? ?there? ?rocks? ?here? ?

blocking? ?the? ?way?? ?We? ?can? ?go? ?anymore?”? ? ?

?

“Weren’t? ?you? ?the? ?one? ?who? ?knocked? ?down? ?those? ?rocks?? ?Why? ?are? ?you? ?asking? ?me?”? ?Mu? ?Qing? ?said.? ?

?

Feng? ?Xin? ?questioned,? ?“You? ?were? ?the? ?one? ?leading? ?the? ?way,? ?so? ?you’re? ?the? ?one? ?who? ?messed? ?up.? ?If? ?

we’ve? ?passed? ?through? ?here? ?before,? ?why? ?did? ?we? ?come? ?around? ?back?”? ? ?

?

Mu? ?Qing? ?refused? ?to? ?be? ?questioned,? ?“What? ?a? ?joke,? ?I? ?don’t? ?know? ?the? ?roads? ?here? ?at? ?all,? ?how? ?can? ?I? ?

possibly? ?lead?? ?Weren’t? ?we? ?just? ?running? ?without? ?direction? ?earlier?”? ? ?

?

It? ?looked? ?as? ?if? ?they? ?were? ?about? ?to? ?get? ?into? ?another? ?argument,? ?and? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?waved? ?his? ?hand,? ?

“Nevermind,? ?I’ve? ?got? ?not? ?time? ?to? ?waste? ?my? ?breath? ?on? ?you.? ?Let’s? ?just? ?dig? ?through? ?this!”? ? ?

?

Hua? ?Cheng? ?was? ?pursuing? ?them? ?from? ?behind,? ?so? ?they? ?could? ?only? ?go? ?forward.? ?Retreat? ?was? ?not? ?an? ?

option,? ?otherwise? ?they? ?would? ?run? ?into? ?each? ?other.? ?Blocking? ?roads? ?was? ?easy? ?but? ?digging? ?through? ?

one? ?was? ?much? ?harder.? ?The? ?two? ?made? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?stand? ?obediently? ?in? ?the? ?corner? ?while? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?

punched? ?randomly? ?and? ?Mu? ?Qing,? ?popping? ?veins? ?on? ?his? ?forehead,? ?swung? ?his? ?sabre? ?impressively,? ?

and? ?it? ?was? ?no? ?time? ?before? ?the? ?path? ?was? ?dug? ?through.? ?Rubbles? ?rolled? ?and? ?dust? ?clouded.? ?They? ?

were? ?just? ?about? ?to? ?call? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?over? ?when? ?unexpectedly,? ?once? ?all? ?the? ?dust? ?cleared? ?away,? ?what? ?

stood? ?before? ?them? ?was? ?a? ?red? ?clad? ?figure.? ?Xie? ?Lian’s? ?eyes? ?instantly? ?lit? ?up.? ?It? ?was? ?Hua? ?Cheng!? ? ?

?

His? ?eyes? ?were? ?cold? ?and? ?he? ?stood? ?with? ?hands? ?behind? ?his? ?back,? ?silent? ?and? ?wordless.? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?

blurted? ?on? ?the? ?spot,? ?“WHY? ?WON’T? ?YOU? ?GO? ?AWAY?!”? ? ?

?

He? ?was? ?truly? ?the? ?very? ?definition? ?of? ?persistence.? ?He? ?was? ?clearly? ?left? ?behind? ?in? ?the? ?dust? ?earlier,? ?so? ?

how? ?did? ?he? ?suddenly? ?appear? ?ahead? ?of? ?them? ?the? ?next? ?second???? ?And? ?who? ?knows? ?how? ?long? ?he? ?

had? ?been? ?standing? ?there,? ?waiting? ?soundlessly? ?as? ?they? ?cleared? ?away? ?the? ?obstacle? ?blocking? ?their? ?

way? ?to? ?offer? ?themselves? ?up.? ?Was? ?this? ?not? ?incredibly? ?persistent? ?and? ?creepy?? ?

?

Feng? ?Xin? ?and? ?Mu? ?Qinginstantly? ?backed? ?away? ?for? ?a? ?long? ?stretch.? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?didn’t? ?look? ?at? ?them.? ?

Hie? ?eyes? ?moved? ?to? ?the? ?side? ?and? ?took? ?a? ?step? ?in? ?Xie? ?Lian’s? ?direction.? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?and? ?Mu? ?Qing? ?

realized? ?who? ?he? ?was? ?here? ?for,? ?and? ?instantly? ?flashed? ?to? ?Xie? ?Lian’s? ?side? ?to? ?block? ?before? ?him,? ?

shouting? ?together,? ?“DON’T? ?COME? ?ANY? ?CLOSER!”? ? ?

?

Hua? ?Cheng’s? ?face? ?was? ?extremely? ?dark.? ?

?

Usually,? ?if? ?there? ?was? ?anyone? ?who? ?told? ?Crimson? ?Rain? ?Sought? ?Flower? ?not? ?to? ?go? ?over,? ?he? ?wouldn’t? ?

give? ?a? ?damn,? ?and? ?it’d? ?be? ?more? ?weird? ?if? ?he? ?didn’t? ?laugh? ?and? ?go? ?over? ?anyway.? ?However,? ?this? ?time,? ?it? ?

was? ?as? ?if? ?he? ?was? ?genuinely? ?wary,? ?and? ?didn’t? ?dare? ?to? ?move? ?recklessly,? ?pausing? ?in? ?his? ?step.? ?

?

After? ?a? ?brief? ?moment,? ?he? ?finally? ?spoke? ?up,? ?his? ?words? ?slow,? ?“What? ?do? ?you? ?two? ?mean? ?by? ?this.”? ? ?

?

By? ?his? ?tone? ?he? ?sounded? ?fairly? ?calm.? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?however,? ?was? ?much? ?more? ?straightforward,? ?“You? ?

don’t? ?need? ?to? ?pretend? ?anymore,? ?we? ?know? ?this? ?is? ?your? ?old? ?lair.? ?We’ve? ?already? ?seen? ?what’s? ?with? ?

those? ?divine? ?statues,? ?and? ?those? ?paintings,? ?we’ve? ?seen? ?everything!”? ? ?

?

Hua? ?Cheng? ?wasn’t? ?facing? ?them? ?directly,? ?standing? ?sideways,? ?and? ?hearing? ?him,? ?the? ?hands? ?behind? ?

his? ?back? ?seemed? ?to? ?have? ?jerked,? ?two? ?of? ?the? ?fingers? ?curling? ?up? ?stiffly.? ?

?

“...”? ?

?

He? ?inclined? ?his? ?head? ?and? ?questioned? ?softly,? ?“His? ?Highness,? ?also? ?saw?”? ? ?

?

His? ?voice? ?was? ?very,? ?very? ?low,? ?and? ?while? ?it? ?still? ?sounded? ?unfazed,? ?it? ?was? ?a? ?little? ?cracked,? ?obviously? ?

off.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?cried? ?mentally,? ?‘No!’? ?

?

Truthfully,? ?he? ?didn’t? ?see? ?a? ?lot,? ?but,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?could’t? ?move? ?nor? ?speak? ?at? ?the? ?moment,? ?and? ?could? ?

only? ?lean? ?dutifully? ?against? ?the? ?stone? ?wall? ?in? ?the? ?corner,? ?looking? ?like? ?he? ?was? ?hiding? ?behind? ?the? ?

other? ?two,? ?afraid? ?to? ?face? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?and? ?refusing? ?to? ?speak? ?with? ?him.? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?pulled? ?his? ?bow,? ?

“That’s? ?right.? ?We’ve? ?now? ?understood? ?what...? ?intentions...? ?you? ?have.? ?In? ?respect? ?of? ?you? ?as? ?a? ?ghost? ?

king,? ?if? ?you? ?should? ?still? ?have? ?some? ?dignity,? ?please? ?don’t? ?come? ?near? ?His? ?Highness? ?again.”? ? ?

?

In? ?this? ?moment,? ?Xie? ?Lian’s? ?feelings? ?were? ?like? ?a? ?cottage? ?on? ?fire,? ?black? ?smoke? ?heavy? ?and? ?thick.? ?

Hua? ?Cheng? ?should’ve? ?noticed? ?that? ?there? ?was? ?something? ?wrong? ?with? ?him,? ?and? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?could? ?only? ?

hope? ?that? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?would? ?question? ?him? ?to? ?notice.? ?But,? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?seemed? ?to? ?not? ?be? ?in? ?the? ?

mind? ?to? ?notice? ?anything? ?and? ?only? ?said? ?coldly,? ?“Don’t? ?go? ?near? ?him?? ?And? ?what? ?right? ?and? ?position? ?do? ?

you? ?two? ?have? ?to? ?say? ?that? ?to? ?me?”? ? ?

?

No? ?waiting? ?for? ?their? ?response,? ?Hua? ?Cheng’s? ?eyes? ?flashed? ?dangerously,? ?“But? ?you? ?have? ?reminded? ?

me? ?that? ?we? ?still? ?have? ?unfinished? ?business? ?to? ?settle!”? ?

?

The? ?moment? ?his? ?words? ?ended,? ?countless? ?silver? ?butterflies? ?shot? ?forth? ?towards? ?the? ?two? ?of? ?them,? ?

shrieking.? ? ?

?

Facing? ?such? ?a? ?storm-like? ?attack,? ?the? ?only? ?option? ?was? ?to? ?use? ?spiritual? ?shield.? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?and? ?Mu? ?

Qing? ?both? ?cried,? ?“SHIELD!”? ?

?

That? ?butterfly? ?deluge? ?was? ?blocked? ?by? ?a? ?formless? ?spiritual? ?shield,? ?and? ?shattered? ?into? ?shimmering? ?

silver? ?light? ?in? ?the? ?air,? ?then? ?they? ?rapidly? ?recrystallized? ?into? ?new? ?silver? ?butterflies,? ?and? ?attacked? ?once? ?

more,? ?completely? ?unstoppable.? ?They? ?backed? ?away? ?as? ?they? ?blocked,? ?and? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?steadily? ?

moved? ?forward? ?step? ?by? ?step.? ?The? ?whirlwinds? ?raised? ?by? ?his? ?spiritual? ?aura? ?stirred? ?his? ?raven? ?hair? ?

and? ?it? ?danced? ?wildly? ?with? ?the? ?gusts;? ?and? ?under? ?the? ?blinding? ?light? ?of? ?the? ?silver? ?butterflies,? ?the? ?mad? ?

fury? ?and? ?violence? ?brimming? ?in? ?his? ?eyes? ?were? ?completely? ?exposed.? ?To? ?just? ?keep? ?shielding? ?like? ?this? ?

was? ?too? ?passive,? ?and? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?and? ?Mu? ?Qing? ?exchanged? ?a? ?look,? ?agreeing? ?to? ?attack? ?directly,? ?and? ?

they? ?held? ?the? ?spiritual? ?shield? ?as? ?they? ?charged,? ?each? ?flashing? ?their? ?own? ?weapon.? ?The? ?three? ?thus? ?

started? ?fighting? ?in? ?this? ?narrow? ?stone? ?corridor.? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?engaged? ?with? ?the? ?wraith? ?butterflies? ?while? ?

Mu? ?Qing? ?faced? ?Hua? ?Cheng.? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?flung? ?out? ?an? ?arm? ?and? ?the? ?scimitar? ?E-Ming? ?appeared? ?in? ?

his? ?left? ?hand,? ?ready? ?to? ?strike? ?back!? ?

?

This? ?was? ?the? ?first? ?time? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?witnessed? ?E-Ming? ?fight? ?seriously.? ?The? ?scimitar? ?was? ?long? ?and? ?

slender,? ?chillingly? ?murderous,? ?its? ?silver? ?light? ?threatening? ?–? ?It? ?was? ?indeed,? ?genuinely? ?a? ?wicked? ?

blade? ?overflowing? ?with? ?evil!? ?

?

?

This? ?battle? ?was? ?truly? ?exciting;? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?stood? ?his? ?ground? ?in? ?a? ?one? ?against? ?two? ?faceoff,? ?and? ?Xie? ?

Lian? ?watched? ?unblinkingly? ?with? ?held? ?breath,? ?and? ?soon,? ?the? ?tip? ?of? ?the? ?E-Ming? ?blade? ?flicked,? ?

sending? ?Mu? ?Qing’s? ?sabre? ?into? ?the? ?rocks.? ?Although? ?Mu? ?Qing? ?still? ?had? ?the? ?hilt? ?in? ?his? ?grip,? ?he? ?

couldn’t? ?pull? ?his? ?weapon? ?out.? ?In? ?his? ?moment? ?of? ?shock,? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?already? ?swung? ?his? ?fist? ?and? ?

punched? ?him? ?squarely? ?in? ?the? ?jaw,? ?sending? ?his? ?entire? ?person? ?practically? ?flying? ?in? ?the? ?air,? ?the? ?hilt? ?

finally? ?loosened? ?from? ?his? ?grip.? ?On? ?the? ?other? ?end,? ?each? ?of? ?the? ?arrowheads? ?of? ?Feng? ?Xin’s? ?arrows? ?

were? ?snapped? ?by? ?the? ?wraith? ?butterflies’? ?sharp? ?wings,? ?and? ?there? ?were? ?ultimately? ?too? ?many? ?in? ?

numbers,? ?difficult? ?to? ?deal? ?with!? ?

?

Victory? ?and? ?defeat? ?were? ?obvious? ?at? ?this? ?point,? ?and? ?from? ?the? ?corners,? ?countless? ?white? ?silk? ?

slithered? ?out,? ?and? ?wrapped? ?those? ?two? ?into? ?two? ?giant? ?cocoons? ?once? ?more;? ?the? ?more? ?they? ?

struggled,? ?the? ?tighter? ?the? ?bind,? ?and? ?Mu? ?Qing? ?tore? ?at? ?that? ?silk? ?as? ?he? ?yelled,? ?“I? ?KNEW? ?IT? ?WAS? ?YOU? ?

WHO? ?THREW? ?US? ?INTO? ?THAT? ?PIT!”? ? ?

?

Feng? ?Xin? ?exclaimed,? ?“This? ?isn’t? ?spider? ?silk!? ?This? ?is...!”? ? ?

?

It? ?dawned? ?on? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?too.? ?It? ?was? ?butterfly? ?silk!? ?

?

Before? ?cocoons? ?were? ?broken? ?through? ?for? ?butterflies? ?to? ?emerge,? ?pupas? ?were? ?formed.? ?Those? ?

spider? ?silk-like? ?strange? ?white? ?silk? ?was? ?completely? ?of? ?Hua? ?Cheng’s? ?making,? ?and? ?it? ?was? ?probably? ?

linked? ?to? ?those? ?exceedingly? ?aggressive? ?wraith? ?butterflies!? ?

?

With? ?the? ?match? ?decided,? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?withdrew? ?the? ?scimitar? ?and? ?jeered,? ?“I? ?threw? ?you? ?in? ?to? ?save? ?

you? ?from? ?disaster.? ?At? ?the? ?end? ?of? ?the? ?day,? ?if? ?it? ?wasn’t? ?for? ?your? ?loud? ?yelling? ?that? ?caused? ?the? ?

avalanche,? ?there? ?would’ve? ?been? ?no? ?chance? ?of? ?you? ?entering? ?this? ?Cave? ?of? ?Ten? ?Thousand? ?Gods.? ?

Why? ?don’t? ?you? ?thank? ?me? ?for? ?saving? ?your? ?puny? ?little? ?lives?”? ? ?

?

Hua? ?Cheng’s? ?original? ?plan? ?was? ?probably? ?waiting? ?out? ?the? ?avalanche,? ?and? ?once? ?the? ?snowy? ?

mountain? ?had? ?quieted? ?down? ?he? ?would? ?take? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?out,? ?leaving? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?and? ?Mu? ?Qing? ?behind? ?

to? ?their? ?own? ?devices.? ?Yet? ?unexpectedly,? ?those? ?two? ?had? ?gnawed? ?through? ?the? ?cocoon? ?and? ?made? ?

noise,? ?leading? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?into? ?discovering? ?them,? ?which? ?consequently? ?caused? ?all? ?the? ?incidents? ?that? ?

followed? ?after.? ?If? ?it? ?wasn’t? ?for? ?all? ?that,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?might? ?have? ?really? ?just? ?followed? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?straight? ?

out? ?without? ?looking? ?at? ?a? ?single? ?divine? ?statue.? ?

?

Yet? ?now,? ?things? ?had? ?evolved? ?into? ?the? ?worst? ?case? ?scenario.? ?Every? ?secret? ?was? ?pulled? ?out? ?and? ?

exposed? ?under? ?the? ?sun.? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian’s? ?heart? ?was? ?anxious? ?but? ?his? ?body? ?still? ?sat? ?obediently? ?in? ?the? ?same? ?spot.? ?The? ?cold? ?in? ?Hua? ?

Cheng’s? ?eyes? ?was? ?growing? ?heavier,? ?and? ?he? ?looked? ?down? ?on? ?Mu? ?Qing? ?from? ?above,? ?asserted? ?in? ?a? ?

light? ?voice,? ?“It? ?seems,? ?the? ?one? ?with? ?the? ?talent? ?for? ?sabres? ?is? ?me.? ?Not? ?you.”? ? ?

?

Mu? ?Qing’s? ?throat? ?was? ?bound? ?by? ?a? ?few? ?bands? ?of? ?white? ?silk,? ?his? ?face? ?alternating? ?between? ?blue? ?and? ?

red? ?from? ?the? ?strangling,? ?foam? ?leaking? ?at? ?the? ?corners? ?of? ?his? ?lips,? ?and? ?he? ?choked? ?out,? ?“You!? ?...? ?

you...?? ?I? ?see,? ?I? ?get? ?it...”? ?

?

Feng? ?Xin? ?was? ?also? ?gritting? ?his? ?teeth,? ?“...What...? ?did? ?you? ?get?”? ? ?

?

Mu? ?Qing? ?said,? ?“I? ?get...? ?why? ?this? ?bastard? ?hates? ?me? ?so? ?much? ?now...? ?it’s? ?probably? ?the? ?same? ?reason? ?

for? ?you!”? ? ?

?

“Wh...? ?cough,? ?what? ?reason?”? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?demanded.? ?

?

Mu? ?Qing? ?said? ?hatefully,? ?“Because? ?he’s? ?mad!? ?Have? ?you? ?forgotten? ?what? ?was? ?on? ?that? ?mural?? ?He’s? ?

that...? ?that? ?young? ?soldier? ?His? ?Highness? ?wanted? ?to? ?promote? ?after? ?returning? ?from? ?BeiZi? ?Hill.? ?His? ?

Highness? ?had? ?said,? ?his? ?sword? ?work? ?was? ?good,? ?well? ?suited? ?for? ?the? ?sabre...? ?cough,? ?cough.”? ? ?

?

“What’s? ?that? ?got? ?to? ?do? ?with? ?the? ?hatred? ?he? ?has? ?for? ?you??”? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?questioned.? ?

?

However,? ?Mu? ?Qing? ?stopped? ?talking.?? ?BAM!? ??Hua? ?Cheng’s? ?punch? ?landed? ?on? ?his? ?face,? ?and? ?he? ?smiled? ?

chillingly,? ?answering? ?for? ?him,? ?“Because,? ?he? ?booted? ?me? ?from? ?the? ?army.”? ? ?

?

Mu? ?Qing? ?had? ?done? ?something? ?like? ?that?!? ? ?

?

Feng? ?Xin? ?was? ?astonished,? ?“...WHAT? ?THE? ?FUCK?!? ?WHY? ?DID? ?YOU? ?BOOT? ?HIM? ?FROM? ?THE? ?

ARMY?? ?DID? ?HE? ?PISS? ?YOU? ?OFF??”? ? ?

?

Mu? ?Qing? ?replied,? ?his? ?face? ?covered? ?in? ?blood,? ?“I? ?only? ?made? ?him? ?go? ?home,? ?it’s? ?not? ?like? ?fighting? ?a? ?war? ?

is? ?a? ?good? ?thing!? ?How? ?should? ?I? ?know? ?he’d? ?end? ?up? ?this? ?crazy,? ?holding? ?grudges? ?until? ?now!...”? ?

?

Before? ?he? ?finished? ?another? ?forceful? ?punch? ?landed,? ??BAM!?,? ?and? ?his? ?face? ?was? ?almost? ?contorted.? ?

Hua? ?Cheng? ?smiled,? ?“Think? ?I? ?can’t? ?guess? ?why? ?you? ?booted? ?me? ?back? ?then?? ?Hm?”? ? ?

?

Mu? ?Qing’s? ?eyes? ?flashed.? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?then? ?snickered,? ?“Isn’t? ?it? ?more? ?than? ?obvious? ?now? ?who? ?the? ?

useless? ?trash? ?is?”? ? ?

?

“...”? ?

?

It? ?was? ?as? ?if? ?Mu? ?Qing? ?was? ?stabbed? ?where? ?it? ?hurt? ?and? ?he? ?spat? ?out? ?a? ?mouthful? ?of? ?blood,? ?then? ?he? ?

said,? ?spitefully? ?slow,? ?“Thank? ?goodness? ?I? ?kicked? ?you? ?out,? ?otherwise? ?if? ?we? ?kept? ?you? ?in? ?the? ?army? ?and? ?

allowed? ?you? ?to? ?get? ?closer? ?to? ?His? ?Highness,? ?were? ?you? ?just? ?going? ?to? ?watch? ?him? ?all? ?day? ?with? ?your? ?

mind? ?full? ?of? ?unspeakable? ?filth?? ?Disgusting!”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian’s? ?heart? ?violently? ?squeezed.? ?By? ?Mu? ?Qing’s? ?last? ?line,? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?already? ?had? ?his? ?fist? ?

raised,? ?but? ?when? ?the? ?word? ?“disgusting”? ?was? ?spat? ?out,? ?the? ?hand? ?in? ?mid? ?air? ?froze,? ?and? ?veins? ?popped? ?

on? ?the? ?back? ?of? ?that? ?pale? ?hand.? ?The? ?fingers? ?clenched? ?and? ?loosened,? ?loosened? ?then? ?clenched.? ?

?

A? ?brief? ?moment? ?later,? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?said? ?chillingly,? ?“I? ?won’t? ?argue? ?with? ?you? ?on? ?that? ?for? ?the? ?moment.? ?

You? ?just? ?tell? ?me? ?now,? ?honestly,? ?was? ?what? ?you? ?both? ?were? ?yelling? ?about? ?before? ?the? ?avalanche? ?

true?”? ? ?

?

Mu? ?Qing’s? ?eyes? ?abruptly? ?widened? ?and? ?he? ?looked? ?over? ?to? ?Feng? ?Xin.? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?also? ?looked? ?over? ?to? ?

them,? ?his? ?eyes? ?round? ?and? ?bulging.? ?

?

Neither? ?of? ?them? ?knew? ?how? ?to? ?respond.? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?said? ?sharply,? ?“My? ?patience? ?is? ?limited.? ?Answer? ?

me? ?on? ?the? ?count? ?of? ?three.? ?One!? ?Two!”? ? ?

?

That? ?he? ?would? ?actually? ?act? ?in? ?such? ?a? ?sweeping? ?manner!? ?Just? ?then,? ?Mu? ?Qing? ?thought? ?of? ?an? ?idea? ?

amidst? ?his? ?panic? ?and? ?he? ?cried,? ?“Your? ?Highness,? ?RUN!!!”? ? ?

?

The? ?moment? ?that? ?command? ?came? ?out,? ?Xie? ?Lian,? ?whose? ?back? ?was? ?taped? ?with? ?a? ?blood? ?talisman,? ?

instantly? ?responded? ?and? ?moved? ?to? ?flee.? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?immediately? ?turned? ?around,? ?and? ?from? ?the? ?

corners? ?two? ?bands? ?of? ?white? ?silk? ?shot? ?out,? ?forcibly? ?binding? ?Xie? ?Lian,? ?and? ?before? ?he? ?even? ?took? ?more? ?

than? ?two? ?steps,? ?he? ?fell? ?to? ?the? ?ground.? ?

?

In? ?this? ?situation,? ?it? ?looked? ?as? ?if? ?he? ?was? ?shaken? ?and? ?shocked? ?this? ?whole? ?time,? ?or? ?was? ?having? ?

difficulties? ?accepting? ?the? ?truth,? ?or? ?unwilling? ?to? ?intercept? ?the? ?fight,? ?standing? ?there? ?in? ?a? ?daze? ?and? ?

finally? ?decided? ?to? ?flee? ?but? ?did? ?not? ?succeed.? ?But? ?the? ?truth? ?was,? ?he? ?had? ?never? ?thought? ?of? ?running? ?

away!? ?

?

Both? ?Xie? ?Lian’s? ?hands? ?and? ?feet? ?were? ?tightly? ?bound? ?by? ?heavy? ?white? ?silk,? ?and? ?he? ?laid? ?sprawled? ?on? ?

the? ?ground,? ?his? ?black? ?hair? ?and? ?white? ?sleeves? ?scattered? ?all? ?over? ?the? ?ground,? ?his? ?bamboo? ?hat? ?rolled? ?

to? ?the? ?side.? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?turned? ?around? ?slowly,? ?and? ?after? ?a? ?long? ?pause,? ?he? ?walked? ?towards? ?him.? ?

He? ?didn’t? ?take? ?more? ?than? ?a? ?few? ?steps? ?before? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?couldn’t? ?hold? ?back? ?and? ?yelled,? ?“HUA? ?

CHENG!”? ? ?

?

Hua? ?Cheng? ?paused? ?in? ?his? ?step? ?and? ?turned? ?his? ?head? ?slightly.? ?

?

Feng? ?Xin? ?forced? ?himself? ?to? ?plead,? ?“Let...? ?Let? ?His? ?Highness? ?go!? ?He’s? ?already? ?suffered? ?enough.? ?

Don’t,? ?to? ?him...”? ? ?

?

Hua? ?Cheng? ?didn’t? ?speak.? ?He? ?came? ?by? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?side,? ?put? ?his? ?hands? ?behind? ?Xie? ?Lian’s? ?knees? ?and? ?

back? ?and? ?swept? ?him? ?up,? ?securing? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?in? ?his? ?carry.? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?leaned? ?against? ?his? ?arm? ?and? ?could? ?see? ?behind? ?the? ?expressions? ?on? ?those? ?two? ?giant? ?white? ?

cocoons.? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?looked? ?like? ?he? ?was? ?witnessing? ?a? ?lamb? ?entering? ?the? ?mouth? ?of? ?a? ?tiger,? ?like? ?Xie? ?

Lian? ?was? ?going? ?to? ?be? ?ripped? ?apart? ?and? ?devoured,? ?and? ?he? ?started? ?yelling.? ?Mu? ?Qing? ?began? ?trying? ?to? ?

use? ?his? ?teeth? ?to? ?bite? ?at? ?the? ?white? ?silk? ?again,? ?but? ?due? ?to? ?the? ?harsh? ?angle,? ?it? ?was? ?all? ?work? ?for? ?

nothing.? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?knew? ?the? ?paths? ?of? ?the? ?Cave? ?of? ?Ten? ?Thousand? ?Gods? ?like? ?the? ?back? ?of? ?his? ?

hand,? ?and? ?after? ?many? ?turns? ?and? ?corners,? ?the? ?figures? ?of? ?those? ?two? ?soon? ?disappeared? ?along? ?with? ?

their? ?voices.? ?

?

?

————–? ?

?

?Fox? ?spirits? ?in? ?Asian? ?folktales? ?are? ?seductresses,? ?known? ?to? ?enchant? ?and? ?charm? ?innocent? ?

people,? ?and? ?make? ?them? ?fall? ?helplessly? ?in? ?love? ?with? ?the? ?spirit.? ?

?

————–? ?

Ch.177:? ?Cave? ?of? ?Ten? ?Thousand? ?Gods;? ?Faces? ?of? ?Ten? ?Thousand? ?Gods? ?Revealed? ?3? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?was? ?carried? ?in? ?Hua? ?Cheng’s? ?arms? ?as? ?they? ?moved? ?deeper? ?into? ?the? ?darkness? ?of? ?the? ?cave’s? ?

innermost? ?dens.? ?

?

The? ?only? ?source? ?of? ?light? ?around? ?them? ?was? ?the? ?softly? ?fluttering? ?silver? ?wraith? ?butterflies.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?

couldn’t? ?see? ?the? ?expression? ?on? ?Hua? ?Cheng’s? ?face? ?clearly,? ?but,? ?he? ?could? ?feel? ?Hua? ?Cheng’s? ?arms? ?

and? ?his? ?entire? ?body? ?were? ?stiff.? ?

?

It? ?wasn’t? ?like? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?had? ?never? ?held? ?him? ?before? ?in? ?the? ?past,? ?but? ?it? ?was? ?very? ?obvious? ?that? ?now,? ?

something? ?had? ?changed,? ?and? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?wouldn’t? ?touch? ?even? ?his? ?neck? ?or? ?hands? ?directly.? ?Xie? ?

Lian? ?kept? ?eyeing? ?Hua? ?Cheng’s? ?face,? ?blinking? ?with? ?force,? ?but? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?kept? ?avoiding? ?his? ?eyes,? ?

refusing? ?to? ?meet? ?them,? ?and? ?entered? ?a? ?cavern? ?chamber? ?as? ?he? ?willed.? ?There? ?was? ?a? ?stone? ?bed? ?

within? ?the? ?cavern? ?chamber? ?and? ?he? ?immediately? ?brought? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?over? ?to? ?set? ?him? ?down.? ?Just? ?as? ?

he? ?was? ?laying? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?down,? ?he? ?suddenly? ?noticed? ?something,? ?checked? ?Xie? ?Lian’s? ?back? ?and? ?

spoke? ?up,? ?“They? ?cast? ?a? ?spell? ?on? ?you?”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?was? ?overjoyed.? ?He’s? ?finally? ?discovered? ?it!? ?

?

However,? ?that? ?it? ?took? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?this? ?long? ?to? ?notice? ?something? ?off? ?about? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?only? ?came? ?to? ?

show? ?just? ?how? ?caught? ?off? ?guard? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?had? ?been? ?earlier.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?was? ?waiting? ?for? ?Hua? ?

Cheng? ?to? ?remove? ?the? ?Command? ?Talisman? ?from? ?his? ?back,? ?yet? ?unexpectedly,? ?even? ?though? ?Hua? ?

Cheng? ?had? ?already? ?reached? ?out,? ?his? ?hand? ?paused? ?halfway,? ?and? ?in? ?the? ?end,? ?withdrew? ?said? ?hand? ?

and? ?laid? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?flat? ?on? ?the? ?bed.? ?

?

Maybe? ?it? ?was? ?so? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?wouldn’t? ?worry,? ?he? ?said? ?quietly,? ?“Your? ?Highness,? ?don’t? ?worry.? ?I? ?won’t? ?kill? ?

those? ?two? ?useless? ?trash? ?for? ?now.? ?Even? ?though? ?I? ?really? ?want? ?to? ?murder? ?them.”? ? ?

?

Also? ?laid? ?upon? ?that? ?stone? ?bed? ?was? ?a? ?layer? ?of? ?thick? ?but? ?soft? ?fresh? ?hay,? ?and? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?was? ?lying? ?on? ?

top? ?of? ?it? ?limply,? ?not? ?a? ?bit? ?worried? ?but? ?so? ?anxious? ?his? ?innards? ?were? ?smoking,? ?and? ?he? ?just? ?couldn’t? ?

understand? ?why? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?wouldn’t? ?release? ?him? ?from? ?the? ?spell.? ?Just? ?as? ?he? ?was? ?trying? ?

desperately? ?to? ?struggle,? ?he? ?saw? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?reach? ?out? ?towards? ?the? ?sash? ?belt? ?around? ?his? ?waist,? ?

and? ?untied? ?that? ?belt.? ?

?

Right? ?then,? ?in? ?that? ?inopportune? ?coincidence,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?could? ?feel? ?the? ?Command? ?Talisman? ?on? ?his? ?

back? ?starting? ?to? ?fade,? ?and? ?his? ?leg? ?jerked? ?hard? ?while? ?an? ?“ah!”? ?escaped? ?his? ?lips.? ?

?

Although? ?it? ?looked? ?like? ?nothing? ?more? ?than? ?a? ?dead? ?fish? ?that? ?twitched? ?for? ?a? ?second? ?in? ?its? ?last? ?

attempt? ?at? ?life,? ?expressing? ?its? ?objection? ?without? ?any? ?real? ?power,? ?but? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?still? ?froze? ?

immediately,? ?and? ?instantly? ?withdrew? ?his? ?hand,? ?“I? ?won’t!”? ? ?

?

As? ?if? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?felt? ?his? ?own? ?tone? ?was? ?too? ?harsh? ?and? ?was? ?afraid? ?he? ?might? ?have? ?scared? ?Xie? ?Lian,? ?

making? ?him? ?feel? ?repulsed,? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?backed? ?away? ?for? ?a? ?few? ?steps? ?and? ?softened? ?his? ?voice,? ?his? ?

expression? ?unreadable,? ?cautious? ?and? ?resigned? ?as? ?he? ?said? ?quietly,? ?“Your? ?Highness,? ?I? ?won’t? ?do? ?

anything? ?to? ?you.? ?Don’t...? ?be? ?scared.”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?finally? ?understood.? ?

?

Hua? ?Cheng? ?still? ?wasn’t? ?sure? ?just? ?what? ?kind? ?of? ?response? ?he? ?would? ?receive? ?from? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?upon? ?

releasing? ?the? ?spell,? ?so? ?he? ?was? ?refusing? ?to? ?hear? ?the? ?response? ?altogether.? ? ?

?

Hua? ?Cheng? ?seemed? ?to? ?be? ?holding? ?back? ?some? ?sort? ?of? ?impulse,? ?and? ?once? ?again? ?employed? ?a? ?voice? ?

full? ?of? ?assurance,? ?speaking? ?softly,? ?“Your? ?Highness,? ?trust? ?me.”? ?

?

But? ?this? ?“trust? ?me”? ?sounded? ?weak? ?compared? ?to? ?the? ?times? ?before? ?when? ?he? ?said? ?the? ?same? ?thing.? ?

Xie? ?Lian? ?wanted? ?to? ?answer? ?him? ?but? ?he? ?couldn’t,? ?and? ?didn’t? ?dare? ?to? ?struggle? ?anymore? ?lest? ?the? ?

misunderstanding? ?deepened,? ?so? ?he? ?could? ?only? ?lie? ?there? ?flatly? ?without? ?moving,? ?waiting? ?for? ?the? ?

power? ?of? ?the? ?Command? ?Talisman? ?to? ?pass.? ?Seeing? ?that? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?didn’t? ?“resist”? ?anymore,? ?Hua? ?

Cheng? ?approached? ?again,? ?reached? ?out? ?and? ?gingerly? ?untied? ?Xie? ?Lian’s? ?belt.? ? ?

?

‘San? ?Lang???’? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?called? ?out? ?mentally.? ?

?

He? ?of? ?course? ?believed? ?wholeheartedly? ?that? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?wouldn’t? ?take? ?advantage? ?of? ?people? ?when? ?

they’re? ?down,? ?but? ?this? ?development? ?was? ?also? ?completely? ?out? ?of? ?his? ?expectations,? ?and? ?he? ?couldn’t? ?

help? ?but? ?widen? ?his? ?eyes.? ?While? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?loosened? ?Xie? ?Lian’s? ?robes,? ?he? ?still? ?tried? ?his? ?best? ?not? ?

to? ?make? ?contact? ?with? ?his? ?body? ?so? ?he? ?took? ?his? ?time,? ?and? ?it? ?was? ?a? ?long? ?time? ?before? ?Xie? ?Lian’s? ?outer? ?

robes? ?were? ?removed,? ?then? ?the? ?under? ?robes.? ?It? ?was? ?only? ?when? ?a? ?wraith? ?butterfly? ?flew? ?to? ?the? ?tip? ?of? ?

Xie? ?Lian’s? ?shoulder? ?and? ?perched,? ?and? ?a? ?warm? ?and? ?tingling? ?feeling? ?crawled? ?up? ?his? ?skin? ?did? ?Xie? ?

Lian? ?realize? ?that? ?his? ?shoulders? ?were? ?red? ?and? ?slightly? ?swollen,? ?skin? ?in? ?some? ?areas? ?cracked? ?even,? ?

and? ?only? ?started? ?to? ?heal? ?after? ?the? ?silver? ?butterfly? ?had? ?perched.? ?

?

They? ?were? ?frostbite? ?injuries? ?leftover? ?from? ?crawling? ?and? ?tumbling? ?all? ?over? ?the? ?frozen? ?mountains.? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?himself? ?hadn’t? ?noticed? ?at? ?all? ?since? ?he? ?wasn’t? ?too? ?sensitive? ?to? ?pain? ?anymore.? ?If? ?he’s? ?

frostbitten? ?then? ?he’s? ?frostbitten,? ?and? ?even? ?if? ?he? ?noticed? ?these? ?injuries? ?he? ?would? ?probably? ?leave? ?

them? ?to? ?heal? ?on? ?their? ?own.? ?However,? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?knew? ?better? ?than? ?him? ?where? ?he? ?was? ?hurt,? ?kept? ?it? ?

on? ?his? ?mind,? ?and? ?had? ?to? ?address? ?the? ?injuries? ?no? ?matter? ?what.? ?

?

Just? ?as? ?he? ?was? ?spacing? ?out,? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?held? ?and? ?raised? ?his? ?arm.? ?There? ?were? ?even? ?more? ?

frostbites? ?on? ?his? ?hands? ?and? ?feet,? ?and? ?because? ?of? ?all? ?the? ?desperate? ?running? ?and? ?pulling,? ?many? ?

places? ?were? ?already? ?bleeding.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?wasn’t? ?afraid? ?of? ?pain,? ?but? ?he? ?was? ?ticklish.? ?Moreover,? ?

many? ?broken? ?memories? ?of? ?the? ?years? ?past? ?floated? ?into? ?his? ?mind? ?in? ?spite? ?of? ?himself.? ?In? ?a? ?dark? ?cave,? ?

the? ?trembling? ?and? ?heated? ?hands? ?of? ?a? ?boy,? ?random? ?panicked? ?touches,? ?irregular? ?breathing? ?and? ?

heart? ?racing...? ?

?

Those? ?memories? ?were? ?originally? ?so? ?diminished? ?they? ?couldn’t? ?be? ?any? ?fainter,? ?and? ?he? ?had? ?long? ?

since? ?sealed? ?them? ?up,? ?thrown? ?them? ?away? ?into? ?a? ?corner.? ?Now? ?that? ?the? ?memories? ?were? ?

resurfacing,? ?they? ?held? ?a? ?surprisingly? ?different? ?taste,? ?making? ?one? ?want? ?to? ?hold? ?the? ?head? ?and? ?

scream.? ?Especially? ?now? ?that? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?was? ?right? ?in? ?front? ?of? ?him,? ?doing? ?practically? ?the? ?same? ?

thing.? ?Both? ?Xie? ?Lian’s? ?face? ?and? ?mind? ?were? ?going? ?to? ?burn? ?up.? ?He? ?was? ?scared? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?might? ?

see,? ?but? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?didn’t? ?look? ?at? ?him? ?at? ?all,? ?keeping? ?to? ?his? ?promise? ?completely,? ?never? ?crossing? ?

the? ?line,? ?and? ?he? ?kept? ?his? ?head? ?slightly? ?turned,? ?averting? ?his? ?gaze? ?from? ?that? ?half? ?exposed? ?white? ?

shoulder.? ?

?

Yet? ?unexpectedly,? ?right? ?then,? ?a? ?voice? ?suddenly? ?popped? ?up? ?from? ?behind? ?Hua? ?Cheng,? ?“Hua? ?Cheng!? ?

You? ?madman,? ?what? ?do? ?you? ?think? ?you’re? ?doing? ?to? ?His? ?Highness?!? ?You’re? ?disgusting!”? ? ?

?

Hua? ?Cheng? ?whipped? ?his? ?head? ?around,? ?and? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?also? ?looked? ?past? ?him,? ?moving? ?his? ?eyes? ?to? ?the? ?

entrance? ?of? ?the? ?cavern? ?chamber.? ?The? ?one? ?who? ?spoke? ?was? ?Mu? ?Qing!? ?

?

Feng? ?Xin? ?was? ?also? ?next? ?to? ?him.? ?The? ?two? ?were? ?only? ?just? ?wrapped? ?into? ?giant? ?cocoons? ?by? ?Hua? ?

Cheng? ?earlier,? ?but? ?they? ?somehow? ?broke? ?free? ?and? ?found? ?this? ?place.? ?

?

When? ?they? ?saw? ?the? ?scene? ?inside? ?the? ?cavern,? ?their? ?faces? ?paled.? ?Xie? ?Lian’s? ?face? ?paled? ?too.? ?

?

Truly,? ?what? ?an? ?awful? ?sight!? ? ?

?

Feng? ?Xin? ?pointed? ?at? ?Hua? ?Cheng,? ?then? ?pointed? ?at? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?whose? ?clothes? ?were? ?half? ?peeled,? ?and? ?it? ?

was? ?a? ?good? ?moment? ?before? ?he? ?could? ?squeeze? ?out,? ?“YOU...? ?YOU...? ?LET? ?HIM? ?GO? ?RIGHT? ?NOW!”? ? ?

?

Hua? ?Cheng? ?instantly? ?pulled? ?Xie? ?Lian’s? ?clothes? ?up? ?and? ?said? ?coldly,? ?“You? ?two? ?useless? ?trash? ?dare? ?

seek? ?us? ?out,? ?I? ?think? ?you’re? ?tired? ?of? ?living.”? ? ?

?

Mu? ?Qing? ?sneered,? ?“Move? ?your? ?filthy? ?hands.? ?You? ?ugly? ?toad? ?wants? ?a? ?taste? ?of? ?swan? ?meat?? ?

Nevermind? ?you? ?dreaming? ?of? ?it? ?for? ?eight? ?hundred? ?years,? ?even? ?if? ?you? ?hope? ?for? ?another? ?thousands? ?

of? ?years,? ?don’t? ?you? ?dare? ?touch? ?a? ?single? ?finger? ?of? ?His? ?Highness’.”? ? ?

?

Hearing? ?this,? ?Xie? ?Lian’s? ?heart? ?jerked,? ?but? ?in? ?between? ?annoyance,? ?he? ?could? ?sense? ?something? ?was? ?

wrong.? ?

?

What? ?was? ?with? ?those? ?two?? ?Even? ?if? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?beat? ?them? ?to? ?a? ?pulp? ?earlier,? ?they? ?shouldn’t? ?be? ?this? ?

rude? ?facing? ?him,? ?especially? ?Mu? ?Qing.? ?It? ?was? ?like? ?they? ?were? ?trying? ?to? ?provoke? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?on? ?

purpose.? ?There? ?was? ?no? ?benefit? ?to? ?provoking? ?Hua? ?Cheng,? ?they? ?couldn’t? ?beat? ?him? ?either,? ?so? ?what? ?

was? ?their? ?goal?? ?Moreover,? ?they? ?were? ?subtly? ?pointing? ?the? ?spear? ?in? ?Xie? ?Lian’s? ?direction? ?in? ?their? ?

tone,? ?like? ?they? ?were? ?begging? ?for? ?chaos? ?to? ?descend,? ?like? ?they? ?were? ?afraid? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?wouldn’t? ?do? ?

something? ?to? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?if? ?he? ?should? ?be? ?enraged.? ?

?

Sure? ?enough,? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?was? ?outraged,? ?and? ?his? ?blanched? ?face? ?was? ?flashing? ?with? ?darkness.? ?He? ?

threatened? ?softly,? ?“Since? ?you? ?both? ?came? ?with? ?the? ?intention? ?to? ?die–”? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?could? ?see? ?that? ?naked? ?murderous? ?intent? ?in? ?his? ?eyes? ?and? ?horror? ?filled? ?his? ?heart,? ?“DON’T!!!”? ? ?

?

Too? ?late.? ?The? ?scimitar? ?was? ?unsheathed,? ?and? ?E-Ming’s? ?cold? ?shimmer? ?flashed.? ?

?

Feng? ?Xin? ?and? ?Mu? ?Qing? ?were? ?both? ?startled,? ?and? ?they? ?unconsciously? ?lowered? ?their? ?heads.? ?

Fortunately,? ?there? ?were? ?no? ?injuries? ?on? ?their? ?bodies.? ?

?

Yet? ?unexpectedly,? ?before? ?they? ?had? ?the? ?chance? ?to? ?breathe? ?relief? ?or? ?return? ?any? ?kind? ?of? ?retaliation,? ?

the? ?next? ?second,? ?their? ?upper? ?half? ?bodies? ?crashed? ?down? ?from? ?their? ?lower? ?half? ?bodies? ?in? ?a? ??THUD!? ?

?

Blood? ?spouted? ?and? ?gushed? ?like? ?mad,? ?spilling? ?to? ?and? ?flooding? ?the? ?ground.? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?had? ?never? ?expected? ?things? ?to? ?develop? ?like? ?this? ?and? ?was? ?already? ?completely? ?dumbstruck,? ?

lying? ?limply? ?on? ?that? ?stone? ?bed.? ?

?

Hua? ?Cheng? ?–? ?he? ?actually? ?slashed? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?and? ?Mu? ?Qing? ?at? ?the? ?waist!? ?

?

Those? ?two? ?hadn’t? ?yet? ?died? ?completely,? ?and? ?they? ?rolled? ?down? ?on? ?the? ?ground,? ?one? ?gritting? ?his? ?teeth,? ?

the? ?other? ?yelling? ?furiously,? ?a? ?sight? ?too? ?tragic? ?to? ?see.? ?Hua? ?Cheng’s? ?expression? ?was? ?frigid? ?as? ?he? ?

sheathed? ?the? ?scimitar,? ?only? ?a? ?small? ?half? ?of? ?his? ?face? ?was? ?spotted? ?with? ?a? ?bit? ?of? ?blood,? ?that? ?tinge? ?of? ?

red? ?matching? ?with? ?the? ?aura? ?of? ?evil? ?between? ?his? ?brows,? ?making? ?him? ?appear? ?even? ?more? ?striking.? ?

?

He? ?stood? ?in? ?that? ?pool? ?of? ?blood? ?for? ?a? ?moment,? ?then? ?he? ?looked? ?back? ?and? ?walked? ?towards? ?Xie? ?Lian.? ?

Xie? ?Lian? ?watched? ?with? ?eyes? ?wide? ?open? ?at? ?Hua? ?Cheng’s? ?approach? ?with? ?a? ?grim? ?expression,? ?and? ?

only? ?then? ?did? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?snap? ?out? ?of? ?it.? ?By? ?then? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?had? ?already? ?come? ?to? ?his? ?side? ?and? ?

clutched? ?one? ?of? ?his? ?hands,? ?pulling? ?him? ?up? ?and? ?pressing? ?him? ?hard? ?into? ?his? ?own? ?embrace,? ?

whispering,? ?“...How? ?can? ?I? ?possibly? ?let? ?go.”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?was? ?wrapped? ?tightly? ?in? ?his? ?arms,? ?unable? ?to? ?speak,? ?and? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?whispered? ?

something? ?else? ?in? ?his? ?ears.? ?His? ?heart? ?pounded? ?wildly,? ?like? ?it? ?was? ?going? ?to? ?jump? ?out? ?of? ?his? ?chest,? ?

and? ?suddenly? ?felt? ?his? ?body? ?loosen.? ? ?

?

The? ?Command? ?Talisman? ?Mu? ?Qing? ?drew? ?up? ?and? ?taped? ?onto? ?his? ?back? ?was? ?finally? ?released.? ?

?

Even? ?though? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?said? ?he? ?wouldn’t? ?let? ?go,? ?after? ?he? ?released? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?from? ?the? ?Command? ?

Talisman,? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?still? ?loosened? ?his? ?hold? ?slightly? ?and? ?let? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?go.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?inhaled? ?deeply,? ?

leapt? ?to? ?his? ?feet,? ?and? ?charged? ?to? ?the? ?pool? ?of? ?blood? ?on? ?the? ?ground,? ?“Feng? ?Xin?? ?Mu? ?Qing?? ?Are? ?you? ?

two? ?alright?!”? ? ?

?

Mu? ?Qing’s? ?injuries? ?were? ?greater,? ?and? ?the? ?corner? ?of? ?his? ?lips? ?was? ?streaming? ?blood,? ?the? ?light? ?in? ?his? ?

eyes? ?faded.? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?still? ?had? ?a? ?breath? ?left,? ?and? ?he? ?grabbed? ?tightly? ?onto? ?Xie? ?Lian’s? ?hand,? ?“Your...? ?

highness...”? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?clutched? ?his? ?hand? ?back,? ?“What?? ?What? ?did? ?you? ?want? ?to? ?say?”? ? ?

?

Feng? ?Xin? ?swallowed? ?a? ?mouthful? ?of? ?blood? ?and? ?gritted,? ?“Watch? ?out...? ?of? ?Hua? ?Cheng...? ?Don’t? ?go? ?

near? ?him...? ?He...? ?is? ?a? ?monster!”? ? ?

?

He? ?looked? ?like? ?he? ?used? ?up? ?all? ?he? ?had? ?to? ?give? ?him? ?this? ?warning? ?before? ?his? ?death,? ?yet? ?

unexpectedly,? ?the? ?expression? ?on? ?Xie? ?Lian’s? ?face? ?gradually? ?calmed,? ?“Monster?”? ? ?

?

He? ?let? ?go? ?of? ?Feng? ?Xin’s? ?hand? ?and? ?rose? ?to? ?his? ?feet,? ?“I’m? ?curious.? ?Is? ?he? ?more? ?of? ?a? ?monster? ?than? ?you? ?

two?”? ? ?

?

Hearing? ?this,? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?was? ?taken? ?aback.? ?Yet? ?right? ?after? ?those? ?words? ?were? ?spoken,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?

pulled? ?out? ?Fang? ?Xin? ?in? ?the? ?flash? ?of? ?a? ?second? ?and? ?pierced? ?through? ?Feng? ?Xin’s? ?heart,? ?nailing? ?him? ?

dead? ?onto? ?the? ?ground!? ?

?

Feng? ?Xin? ?was? ?full? ?of? ?disbelief,? ?“Your? ?Highness,? ?you!? ?...”? ?But? ?before? ?he? ?could? ?finish,? ?his? ?breathing? ?

stopped.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?then? ?pulled? ?Fang? ?Xin? ?out? ?from? ?his? ?heart,? ?shaking? ?it? ?clean? ?of? ?blood,? ?before? ?

retreating? ?to? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?side,? ?the? ?tip? ?of? ?his? ?sword? ?pointing? ?at? ?the? ?corpses? ?of? ?the? ?two? ?on? ?the? ?

ground,? ?“Since? ?blood? ?has? ?spilt,? ?there’s? ?no? ?more? ?need? ?to? ?keep? ?talking? ?through? ?those? ?skins?”? ? ?

?

“Hahaha...”? ?

?

A? ?chilling? ?laugh? ?suddenly? ?came? ?from? ?the? ?ground.? ?Mu? ?Qing,? ?whose? ?body? ?was? ?sliced? ?in? ?half? ?at? ?the? ?

waist,? ?twisted? ?his? ?neck? ?over? ?and? ?laughter? ?was? ?coming? ?from? ?his? ?mouth.? ?

?

His? ?upper? ?half? ?body? ?was? ?sprawled? ?on? ?the? ?ground,? ?and? ?even? ?if? ?he? ?wanted? ?to? ?turn? ?his? ?head,? ?at? ?

most? ?half? ?of? ?his? ?face? ?would? ?be? ?pressed? ?against? ?the? ?ground.? ?However,? ?this? ?head? ?was? ?turned? ?

completely? ?around? ?and? ?off? ?the? ?ground,? ?laughing? ?towards? ?Xie? ?Lian!? ?

?

As? ?suspected.? ?Those? ?two? ?were? ?not? ?the? ?real? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?and? ?Mu? ?Qing,? ?but? ?were? ?instead? ?two? ?

imposters? ?that? ?came? ?from? ?who? ?knows? ?where.? ?

?

The? ?real? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?and? ?Mu? ?Qing? ?were? ?still? ?trapped? ?in? ?giant? ?white? ?cocoons? ?trying? ?to? ?gnaw? ?

themselves? ?free? ?somehow.? ?When? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?was? ?helping? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?release? ?the? ?Command? ?

Talisman? ?just? ?now,? ?this? ?was? ?what? ?he? ?whispered? ?about.? ?

?

Their? ?faces? ?were? ?pale? ?not? ?because? ?they? ?were? ?shocked? ?or? ?horrified,? ?but? ?because? ?they? ?weren’t? ?

human? ?in? ?the? ?first? ?place!? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?was? ?already? ?flashing? ?his? ?sword,? ?and? ?“Feng? ?Xin”? ?and? ?“Mu? ?Qing”? ?both? ?smiled? ?chillingly,? ?

speaking? ?in? ?unison,? ?“Just? ?as? ?you? ?wish.”? ? ?

?

Then,? ?they? ?melted? ?into? ?two? ?puddles? ?of? ?something? ?that? ?resembled? ?thick? ?blood.? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?moved? ?

to? ?shield? ?in? ?front? ?of? ?Xie? ?Lian,? ?and? ?those? ?two? ?puddles? ?of? ?thick? ?blood? ?flowed? ?and? ?solidified,? ?bubble? ?

bubble,? ?bubbling? ?like? ?it? ?was? ?boiling,? ?and? ?soon? ?formed? ?into? ?the? ?shape? ?of? ?a? ?man.? ?Watching? ?that? ?ball? ?

of? ?something? ?contort? ?itself? ?to? ?materialize? ?bit? ?by? ?bit,? ?a? ?series? ?of? ?chills? ?went? ?up? ?Xie? ?Lian’s? ?spine? ?

from? ?his? ?waist? ?to? ?his? ?neck.? ? ?

?

Soon? ?after,? ?“Feng? ?Xin”? ?and? ?“Mu? ?Qing”? ?before? ?them? ?disappeared,? ?and? ?what? ?replaced? ?them? ?was? ?a? ?

tall? ?and? ?slender? ?white? ?clad? ?young? ?man.? ?

?

Judging? ?by? ?his? ?form,? ?this? ?young? ?man? ?was? ?about? ?seventeen? ?or? ?eighteen? ?years? ?of? ?age,? ?and? ?he? ?was? ?

wearing? ?a? ?mask,? ?half? ?of? ?it? ?crying,? ?half? ?of? ?it? ?smiling.? ?While? ?his? ?face? ?couldn’t? ?be? ?seen,? ?a? ?crisp? ?and? ?

bright? ?voice? ?of? ?a? ?youth? ?came? ?from? ?behind? ?his? ?mask.? ?

?

He? ?said? ?warmly,? ?“How? ?are? ?you,? ?Xie? ?Lian.”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian’s? ?lips? ?twitched? ?unconsciously,? ?his? ?mind? ?going? ?numb.? ?Hua? ?Cheng,? ?who? ?was? ?shielding? ?in? ?

front? ?of? ?him,? ?raised? ?his? ?blade? ?and? ?lunged!? ?

?

Against? ?the? ?wicked? ?sharpness? ?of? ?the? ?scimitar? ?E-Ming,? ?that? ?white? ?clad? ?man? ?was? ?completely? ?

unafraid,? ?and? ?he? ?sidestepped,? ?the? ?blade? ?missing? ?him? ?by? ?mere? ?millimeters.? ?Then,? ?in? ?the? ?breath? ?of? ?

a? ?second,? ?he? ?flashed? ?behind? ?Hua? ?Cheng,? ?his? ?hand? ?out,? ?reaching? ?for? ?Xie? ?Lian,? ?looking? ?as? ?if? ?he? ?

wanted? ?to? ?touch? ?his? ?face.? ?A? ?silver? ?light? ?streaked? ?by,? ?and? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?blocked? ?him,? ?shielding? ?in? ?

front? ?of? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?once? ?more,? ?his? ?voice? ?cold,? ?“Move? ?your? ?filthy? ?hands.”? ? ?

?

Hua? ?Cheng? ?actually? ?returned? ?the? ?same? ?phrase? ?back? ?to? ?him.? ?That? ?white? ?clad? ?man’s? ?right? ?hand? ?

was? ?chopped? ?off? ?by? ?E-Ming? ?and? ?it? ?fell? ?to? ?the? ?ground.? ?However,? ?that? ?did? ?not? ?affect? ?him? ?one? ?bit,? ?and? ?

he? ?shook? ?out? ?that? ?expansive? ?sleeve,? ?hiding? ?the? ?broken? ?limb,? ?then,? ?shaking? ?the? ?sleeve? ?back? ?

again,? ?a? ?new? ?hand? ?was? ?grown? ?from? ?where? ?the? ?wound? ?was.? ?His? ?fingers? ?stiffened? ?into? ?claws? ?and? ?

went? ?straight? ?for? ?Hua? ?Cheng’s? ?right? ?eye!? ?

?

That? ?entire? ?process? ?only? ?took? ?the? ?blink? ?of? ?a? ?second.? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?also? ?dodged? ?swiftly,? ?however,? ?

two? ?bloody? ?scratches? ?were? ?still? ?left? ?on? ?the? ?side? ?of? ?a? ?cheek.? ?

?

This? ?was? ?the? ?first? ?time? ?ever? ?that? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?could? ?not? ?overtake? ?the? ?other? ?in? ?speed.? ?His? ?eyes? ?

turned? ?sharp? ?and? ?changed? ?tactics? ?on? ?the? ?spot,? ?calling? ?forth? ?millions? ?of? ?wraith? ?butterflies? ?and? ?they? ?

lunged? ?at? ?the? ?man? ?like? ?crazy.? ?A? ?myriad? ?of? ?butterflies? ?wrapped? ?that? ?white? ?clad? ?man? ?into? ?a? ?silver,? ?

shimmering,? ?human? ?shaped? ?cocoon,? ?but? ?that? ?probably? ?wouldn’t? ?last? ?for? ?long.? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?was? ?

about? ?to? ?grab? ?for? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?when? ?those? ?silver? ?butterflies? ?shrieked,? ?exploding? ?into? ?millions? ?of? ?

scintillating? ?silver? ?powder!? ?

?

Seeing? ?Hua? ?Cheng’s? ?face? ?change,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?knew? ?that? ?things? ?weren’t? ?good,? ?having? ?so? ?many? ?

wraith? ?butterflies? ?destroyed? ?at? ?once.? ?The? ?white? ?clad? ?man? ?who? ?blew? ?apart? ?the? ?wraith? ?butterflies? ?

hid? ?behind? ?the? ?silver? ?powder? ?splattering? ?haphazardly? ?in? ?the? ?air,? ?and? ?struck? ?out? ?with? ?that? ?newly? ?

grown? ?hand,? ?aiming? ?straight? ?for? ?Hua? ?Cheng’s? ?right? ?eye? ?again!? ?

?

This? ?time,? ?it? ?was? ?Xie? ?Lian’s? ?turn? ?to? ?pull? ?our? ?Fang? ?Xin,? ?and? ?he? ?struck? ?down!? ?His? ?strike? ?didn’t? ?just? ?

chop? ?off? ?that? ?white? ?clad? ?man’s? ?entire? ?arm,? ?it? ?practically? ?slashed? ?half? ?of? ?his? ?body.? ?Using? ?this? ?

chance,? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?called? ?out,? ?“Your? ?Highness,? ?let’s? ?go!”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?also? ?knew? ?they? ?shouldn’t? ?remain? ?to? ?fight,? ?so? ?he? ?withdrew? ?and? ?the? ?two? ?rushed? ?out? ?of? ?the? ?

cavern? ?together,? ?bolting? ?down? ?the? ?dark? ?tunnel? ?without? ?any? ?obstacles? ?in? ?their? ?way.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?

exclaimed? ?as? ?he? ?ran,? ?“It’s? ?him!? ?He...? ?really? ?didn’t? ?die!”? ? ?

?

Hua? ?Cheng? ?was? ?the? ?one? ?leading? ?the? ?way,? ?his? ?speed? ?faster? ?but? ?much? ?more? ?at? ?ease,? ?and? ?was? ?

setting? ?up? ?butterfly? ?formations? ?and? ?silk? ?along? ?the? ?way,? ?creating? ?heavy? ?obstacles,? ?“That? ?might? ?not? ?

be? ?the? ?original? ?one.”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?came? ?to? ?an? ?abrupt? ?stop? ?and? ?hugged? ?his? ?head,? ?“No...? ?I? ?can? ?feel? ?it.? ?It? ?must? ?be? ?the? ?original? ?

one!? ?Not? ?only? ?did? ?he? ?not? ?die,? ?he’s? ?become? ?even? ?stronger.? ?Something’s? ?made? ?him? ?to? ?be? ?reborn...? ?

otherwise? ?how? ?could? ?he? ?transform? ?into? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?and? ?Mu? ?Qing’s? ?appearances? ?so? ?easily?? ?It’s? ?very? ?

difficult? ?to? ?impersonate? ?heavenly? ?officials,? ?it? ?should? ?be? ?nearly? ?impossible? ?to? ?create? ?their? ?fake? ?

skins!”? ? ?

?

Hearing? ?his? ?tone? ?was? ?going? ?awry,? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?also? ?stopped? ?and? ?turned? ?around? ?to? ?clutch? ?his? ?

hand,? ?“Your? ?Highness!? ?Don’t? ?be? ?scared.? ?It? ?might? ?not? ?be? ?that? ?he’s? ?become? ?stronger.? ?There’s? ?

another? ?possibility,? ?and? ?it’s? ?that? ?he? ?is? ?very? ?familiar? ?with? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?and? ?Mu? ?Qing!? ?That’s? ?why? ?he? ?

could? ?make? ?their? ?fake? ?skins.? ?This? ?must? ?be? ?someone? ?you? ?all...”? ?

?

Before? ?he? ?finished,? ?Xie? ?Lian’s? ?gaze? ?had? ?fallen? ?to? ?the? ?hand? ?that? ?was? ?clutching? ?his? ?own.? ?Seeing? ?

this,? ?both? ?Hua? ?Cheng’s? ?voice? ?and? ?expression? ?froze.? ?He? ?paled,? ?withdrew? ?his? ?hand,? ?tucking? ?it? ?

behind? ?his? ?back,? ?and? ?turned? ?around? ?to? ?continue? ?onwards.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?however,? ?didn’t? ?follow.? ?“San? ?

Lang.”? ?He? ?called? ?out.? ?

?

Hua? ?Cheng’s? ?body? ?stiffened? ?and? ?he? ?paused? ?in? ?his? ?step,? ?but? ?he? ?did? ?not? ?look? ?back? ?and? ?only? ?

acknowledged,? ?“Your? ?Highness.”? ? ?

?

His? ?voice? ?sounded? ?like? ?he? ?was? ?fairly? ?calm.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?stood? ?behind? ?him? ?and? ?said,? ?“A? ?lot? ?of? ?things? ?

happened? ?just? ?now,? ?and? ?everyone’s? ?all? ?confused? ?and? ?messed? ?up.”? ? ?

?

“En.”? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?answered.? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?continued,? ?“Although? ?we’re? ?all? ?still? ?kind? ?of? ?messed? ?up? ?right? ?now,? ?but,? ?I? ?still? ?want? ?to? ?take? ?

this? ?chance? ?to? ?ask? ?you? ?a? ?question,? ?and? ?I? ?hope? ?you’ll? ?answer? ?me? ?honestly? ?and? ?seriously.”? ? ?

?

“...”? ?

?

“Alright.”? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?said.? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?questioned? ?solemnly,? ?“Just? ?who? ?is? ?that? ?‘noble,? ?gracious,? ?special? ?someone’?”? ? ?

?

Hua? ?Cheng’s? ?hand? ?that? ?was? ?tied? ?with? ?the? ?red? ?affinity? ?knot? ?twitched? ?a? ?couple? ?times? ?unnoticeably.? ?

?

He? ?was? ?silent? ?for? ?a? ?while? ?before? ?slowly? ?answering,? ?“If? ?Your? ?Highness? ?has? ?already? ?found? ?out,? ?then? ?

why? ?ask.”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?nodded,? ?“I? ?see.? ?So? ?I? ?didn’t? ?misunderstand? ?you.? ?It? ?really? ?is? ?true.”? ? ?

?

Hua? ?Cheng? ?didn’t? ?speak.? ?

?

After? ?a? ?pause,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?asked,? ?his? ?voice? ?flat,? ?“You...? ?don’t? ?want? ?to? ?know...? ?how? ?I? ?feel? ?about? ?this?”? ? ?

?

“...”? ?

?

Hua? ?Cheng? ?turned? ?his? ?head? ?slightly? ?like? ?he? ?wanted? ?to? ?look? ?back,? ?but? ?at? ?the? ?same? ?time,? ?afraid? ?to? ?

look? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?in? ?the? ?eyes,? ?so? ?only? ?the? ?two? ?streaks? ?of? ?blood? ?on? ?his? ?cheek? ?could? ?be? ?seen,? ?“Will? ?

Your? ?Highness...? ?not? ?tell? ?me?”? ? ?

?

Even? ?his? ?voice? ?was? ?cracked.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?said,? ?“I’m? ?sorry.? ?Something? ?like? ?this? ?has? ?to? ?be? ?said? ?clearly.”? ? ?

?

Hua? ?Cheng? ?didn’t? ?need? ?to? ?breathe,? ?but? ?when? ?he? ?heard? ?this? ?he? ?still? ?sucked? ?in? ?a? ?deep? ?breath.? ?

?

Although? ?his? ?face? ?was? ?tragically? ?pale,? ?he? ?still? ?smiled? ?and? ?replied? ?courteously,? ?“That’s? ?true.? ?That’s? ?

for? ?the? ?best.”? ? ?

?

He? ?was? ?like? ?a? ?criminal? ?on? ?death? ?row? ?waiting? ?for? ?his? ?sentence? ?and? ?he? ?closed? ?his? ?eyes.? ?Yet? ?

unexpectedly,? ?his? ?eyes? ?weren’t? ?closed? ?for? ?long? ?before? ?they? ?abruptly? ?blinked? ?open.? ? ?

?

A? ?pair? ?of? ?arms? ?had? ?circled? ?around? ?him? ?from? ?behind,? ?and? ?hugged? ?him? ?with? ?force? ?all? ?of? ?a? ?sudden.? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?had? ?buried? ?his? ?face? ?in? ?his? ?back? ?and? ?also? ?didn’t? ?speak.? ?Though? ?nothing? ?was? ?said,? ?but,? ?it? ?

was? ?enough.? ?

?

It? ?was? ?a? ?good? ?while? ?before? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?felt? ?the? ?person? ?he? ?was? ?hugging? ?turn? ?around,? ?returning? ?the? ?

hold,? ?engulfing? ?him? ?in? ?a? ?tight? ?embrace.? ?

?

He? ?heard? ?Hua? ?Cheng’s? ?staggering? ?voice? ?coming? ?from? ?above,? ?“...Your? ?Highness.? ?You? ?really...? ?will? ?

be? ?the? ?death? ?of? ?me.”? ? ?

?

?

————? ?

Ch.178:? ?Cave? ?of? ?Ten? ?Thousand? ?Gods;? ?Faces? ?of? ?Ten? ?Thousand? ?Gods? ?Revealed? ?4? ?

?

Right? ?at? ?that? ?moment,? ?there? ?was? ?the? ?sound? ?of? ?an? ?explosion? ?in? ?the? ?deep? ?recesses? ?of? ?the? ?cave,? ?

and? ?in? ?the? ?far? ?distance? ?there? ?was? ?a? ?blinding? ?white? ?light? ?slashing? ?through? ?the? ?darkness? ?followed? ?

by? ?the? ?shrieking? ?of? ?silver? ?butterflies.? ?

?

The? ?two? ?both? ?looked? ?up,? ?their? ?faces? ?changed.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?loosened? ?his? ?grip? ?on? ?Hua? ?Cheng’s? ?

sleeves? ?and? ?said,? ?“Let’s? ?talk? ?later!”? ? ?

?

Thus,? ?the? ?two? ?continued? ?forward.? ?Only,? ?this? ?time,? ?there? ?was? ?the? ?added? ?action? ?of? ?tightly? ?holding? ?

onto? ?the? ?other’s? ?hand.? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian’s? ?face? ?was? ?still? ?hot,? ?and? ?he? ?spoke? ?with? ?forced? ?calm? ?like? ?nothing? ?was? ?the? ?matter,? ?“San? ?

Lang,? ?how? ?did? ?you? ?discover? ?that? ?those? ?two? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?and? ?Mu? ?Qing? ?were? ?imposters?? ?Where? ?are? ?

the? ?real? ?ones?”? ? ?

?

Hua? ?Cheng’s? ?in? ?pretty? ?much? ?the? ?same? ?state? ?as? ?him? ?and? ?replied,? ?“I? ?left? ?two? ?wraith? ?butterflies? ?to? ?

monitor? ?those? ?two? ?useless? ?trash,? ?so? ?how? ?could? ?there? ?suddenly? ?be? ?two? ?more?? ?Don’t? ?worry? ?Your? ?

Highness,? ?they’re? ?fine,? ?they? ?won’t? ?die!”? ? ?

?

“Then? ?we? ?have? ?to? ?go? ?release? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?and? ?Mu? ?Qing? ?from? ?the? ?cocoons? ?first.”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?said,? ?

“Otherwise,? ?it’d? ?be? ?bad? ?if? ?he? ?finds? ?them? ?and? ?they? ?have? ?no? ?power? ?to? ?fight? ?back!”? ? ?

?

Hua? ?Cheng? ?answered,? ?“This? ?way,? ?follow? ?me!”? ? ?

?

This? ?Cave? ?of? ?Ten? ?Thousand? ?Gods? ?was? ?indeed? ?his? ?territory,? ?and? ?even? ?when? ?they? ?came? ?across? ?

over? ?five? ?to? ?six? ?different? ?forks? ?in? ?the? ?road,? ?he? ?could? ?immediately? ?and? ?accurately? ?determine? ?which? ?

path? ?to? ?take,? ?and? ?it? ?didn’t? ?take? ?long? ?before? ?they? ?returned? ?to? ?where? ?they? ?first? ?parted.? ?Even? ?at? ?a? ?

distance? ?they? ?could? ?hear? ?those? ?other? ?two? ?were? ?pointing? ?fingers? ?at? ?each? ?other? ?and? ?yelling,? ?“WHY? ?

DID? ?YOU? ?TELL? ?HIS? ?HIGHNESS? ?TO? ?RUN??? ?NOW? ?YOU’VE? ?DONE? ?IT,? ?HE’S? ?BEEN? ?CARRIED? ?

AWAY!”? ? ?

?

“WHAT,? ?AND? ?HAVE? ?HIM? ?STAND? ?AROUND? ?TO? ?BE? ?BUTCHERED??”? ? ?

?

“HUH?? ?YOU? ?JUST? ?WANT? ?HIM? ?TO? ?DISTRACT? ?HUA? ?CHENG? ?AND? ?HAVE? ?HIM? ?LEAD? ?AWAY,? ?AM? ?

I? ?WRONG??”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?didn’t? ?know? ?whether? ?to? ?laugh? ?or? ?cry.? ?The? ?two? ?giant? ?white? ?cocoons? ?on? ?the? ?wall? ?were? ?both? ?

simultaneously? ?gnawing? ?at? ?the? ?silk? ?and? ?yelling? ?at? ?each? ?other,? ?and? ?when? ?they? ?saw? ?him? ?return,? ?

they? ?were? ?so? ?surprised? ?they? ?even? ?forgot? ?to? ?spit? ?out? ?the? ?white? ?silk? ?from? ?their? ?mouths,? ?“How? ?did? ?

you? ?escape?”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian’s? ?bamboo? ?hat? ?was? ?still? ?on? ?the? ?ground? ?where? ?he? ?dropped? ?it,? ?and? ?he? ?quickly? ?picked? ?it? ?up? ?

and? ?tied? ?it? ?around? ?his? ?back.? ?The? ?heavy? ?white? ?silk? ?released? ?those? ?two,? ?retreating? ?back? ?into? ?the? ?

shadows,? ?and? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?and? ?Mu? ?Qing,? ?who? ?were? ?both? ?beaten? ?black? ?and? ?blue,? ?tumbled? ?to? ?the? ?

ground.? ?When? ?they? ?saw? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?emerge? ?from? ?behind? ?Xie? ?Lian,? ?they? ?probably? ?thought? ?they? ?

were? ?about? ?to? ?go? ?through? ?another? ?beating,? ?that? ?things? ?were? ?going? ?to? ?get? ?rough? ?again,? ?and? ?their? ?

faces? ?twitched.? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?was? ?just? ?grabbing? ?for? ?Xie? ?Lian’s? ?arm? ?to? ?pull? ?him? ?back? ?but? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?

grabbed? ?hold? ?of? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?first.? ?

?

“???? ?Your? ?Highness?”? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?was? ?shocked.? ?

?

Hua? ?Cheng? ?was? ?already? ?starting? ?to? ?lead? ?the? ?way,? ?“Gege,? ?this? ?way.”? ? ?

?

As? ?if? ?those? ?two? ?dared? ?to? ?follow? ?him.? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?questioned,? ?“Your? ?Highness,? ?why? ?are? ?you? ?still? ?with? ?

him?”? ? ?

?

Mu? ?Qing? ?then? ?said,? ?“Didn’t? ?I? ?say? ?he’s? ?lost? ?his? ?mind?? ?Completely? ?infatuated.”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?didn’t? ?fight? ?them,? ?and? ?only? ?very? ?gently? ?but? ?firmly? ?held? ?on? ?to? ?Hua? ?Cheng,? ?“There’s? ?no? ?time? ?

to? ?explain? ?now.? ?In? ?any? ?case,? ?let’s? ?get? ?out? ?of? ?here? ?first,? ?there’s? ?an? ?enemy? ?chasing? ?us? ?from? ?behind!”? ? ?

?

Having? ?been? ?held? ?onto? ?in? ?place? ?like? ?this,? ?Hua? ?Cheng’s? ?eyes? ?were? ?twinkling,? ?and? ?a? ?moment? ?later,? ?

he? ?smiled,? ?“I? ?suggest? ?you? ?both? ?hold? ?your? ?tongue? ?and? ?just? ?follow.? ?I’m? ?in? ?a? ?good? ?mood? ?so? ?I? ?won’t? ?

fight? ?you? ?for? ?now.”? ? ?

?

Seeing? ?this,? ?the? ?two? ?wore? ?complicated? ?expressions? ?and? ?were? ?in? ?complete? ?disbelief.? ?In? ?their? ?

thinking,? ?they? ?just? ?couldn’t? ?figure? ?out? ?why? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?could? ?still? ?so? ?nonchalantly? ?walk? ?alongside? ?

such? ?a? ?terrifying? ?bastard? ?ghost? ?who? ?had? ?stalked? ?him? ?for? ?over? ?eight? ?hundred? ?years? ?with? ?a? ?mind? ?full? ?

of? ?unspeakable? ?things.? ?This? ?was? ?practically? ?like? ?playing? ?with? ?fire? ?and? ?getting? ?burnt.? ?Mu? ?Qing? ?was? ?

suspicious,? ?but? ?in? ?the? ?end? ?finally? ?chose? ?to? ?talk? ?about? ?the? ?other? ?point? ?and? ?asked,? ?“You? ?said? ?there’s? ?

an? ?enemy?? ?This? ?Cave? ?of? ?Ten? ?Thousand? ?Gods? ?is? ?his? ?territory? ?so? ?what? ?kind? ?of? ?enemy? ?can? ?there? ?

possibly? ?be?? ?That? ?scratch? ?on? ?his? ?face? ?is? ?also? ?slashed? ?by? ?the? ?enemy?? ?I? ?don’t? ?think? ?there? ?are? ?that? ?

many? ?in? ?the? ?world? ?who? ?can? ?hurt? ?Crimson? ?Rain? ?Sought? ?Flower?”? ? ?

?

“It’s? ?the? ?White? ?No-Face.”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?replied.? ?

?

Hearing? ?this? ?name,? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?and? ?Mu? ?Qing’s? ?faces? ?both? ?changed? ?too,? ?and? ?immediately,? ?without? ?

another? ?world,? ?followed? ?after? ?Xie? ?Lian.? ?Since,? ?they? ?were? ?both? ?more? ?than? ?clear? ?that? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?could? ?

joke? ?and? ?lie? ?about? ?anything? ?except? ?the? ?one? ?person.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?would? ?never? ?lie? ?about? ?him? ?and? ?he? ?

would? ?never? ?mistaken? ?him? ?either.? ? ?

?

This? ?group? ?were? ?just? ?fighting? ?each? ?other? ?to? ?the? ?death? ?in? ?the? ?Cave? ?of? ?Ten? ?Thousand? ?Gods? ?earlier,? ?

and? ?now? ?they? ?were? ?all? ?fleeing? ?together.? ?“Just? ?what? ?is? ?going? ?on??”? ?Mu? ?Qing? ?demanded.? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?thus? ?gave? ?them? ?an? ?account? ?of? ?that? ?white? ?clad? ?man? ?who? ?had? ?transformed? ?into? ?their? ?

appearances,? ?and? ?they? ?were? ?both? ?stunned,? ?“Disguised? ?as? ?us?!? ?How? ?is? ?that? ?possible!”? ?

?

“It’s? ?true!”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?said,? ?“Even? ?though? ?everything? ?was? ?too? ?much? ?of? ?a? ?rush? ?and? ?I? ?didn’t? ?look? ?

closely,? ?but? ?in? ?a? ?glance? ?it? ?was? ?absolutely? ?you? ?two!”? ? ?

?

Feng? ?Xin? ?was? ?dumbfounded,? ?“But? ?how? ?can? ?the? ?White? ?No-Face? ?still? ?exist? ?in? ?this? ?world?? ?Wasn’t? ?he? ?

killed? ?by? ?the? ?Emperor?”? ? ?

?

“It’s? ?easy? ?to? ?imagine? ?that? ?that? ?creature? ?isn’t? ?so? ?easily? ?killed.”? ?Mu? ?Qing? ?said,? ?“Maybe? ?it? ?was? ?killed? ?

at? ?the? ?time,? ?but? ?with? ?the? ?right? ?chance? ?it? ?can? ?certainly? ?revive? ?itself!”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?recalled? ?something? ?and? ?turned? ?to? ?Hua? ?Cheng,? ?“San? ?Lang!? ?Before,? ?just? ?after? ?we? ?entered? ?

Mount? ?TongLu,? ?you? ?suddenly? ?woke? ?up? ?from? ?your? ?hibernating? ?state? ?and? ?urged? ?us? ?to? ?immediately? ?

hide? ?away? ?from? ?something.? ?What? ?you? ?sensed? ?back? ?then,? ?was? ?it? ?him?”? ? ?

?

Hua? ?Cheng? ?nodded? ?lightly,? ?“It? ?was? ?him.”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?mumbled,? ?“I? ?knew? ?it!? ?We? ?later? ?chose? ?the? ?path? ?to? ?the? ?west,? ?but? ?the? ?one? ?who? ?killed? ?

thousands? ?of? ?monsters? ?and? ?demons? ?from? ?the? ?east? ?was? ?also? ?him.? ?He’s? ?reborn? ?but? ?still? ?a? ?little? ?

weak? ?and? ?needed? ?to? ?kill? ?the? ?monsters? ?and? ?demons? ?who? ?entered? ?Mount? ?TongLu? ?to? ?use? ?them? ?as? ?

his? ?stepping? ?stone...? ?and? ?now,? ?he’s? ?recovered,? ?and? ?possibly? ?even? ?stronger? ?than? ?before.”? ? ?

?

After? ?all,? ?he? ?was? ?the? ?world’s? ?first? ?Supreme? ?Ghost? ?King!? ?

?

Just? ?as? ?they? ?were? ?talking,? ?Mu? ?Qing? ?noticed? ?something? ?wrong,? ?“Your? ?Highness,? ?do? ?you? ?know? ?

where? ?he’s? ?taking? ?us?? ?I? ?don’t? ?think? ?this? ?is? ?the? ?way? ?out?”? ? ?

?

However,? ?it? ?was? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?who? ?replied,? ?“Of? ?course? ?this? ?isn’t? ?the? ?way? ?out,? ?because? ?there’s? ?no? ?

way? ?out? ?right? ?now.”? ?

?

Feng? ?Xin? ?was? ?shocked,? ?“What?? ?Isn’t? ?this? ?cave? ?your? ?territory?? ?You? ?can’t? ?be? ?lost? ?either?”? ? ?

?

“Of? ?course? ?not...”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?replied,? ?and? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?answered,? ?“Because? ?the? ?White? ?No-Face? ?is? ?

blocking? ?the? ?path? ?leading? ?to? ?the? ?exit? ?of? ?this? ?cave.? ?If? ?you? ?think? ?you? ?can? ?defeat? ?him? ?in? ?your? ?current? ?

state? ?then? ?by? ?all? ?means,? ?don’t? ?follow? ?me,? ?and? ?I? ?won’t? ?stop? ?you.? ?Please,? ?go? ?ahead.”? ? ?

?

Feng? ?Xin? ?and? ?Mu? ?Qing? ?were? ?both? ?from? ?XianLe? ?after? ?all,? ?and? ?like? ?Xie? ?Lian,? ?they? ?was? ?an? ?

indistinguishable? ?shadow? ?towards? ?that? ?creature? ?in? ?their? ?hearts,? ?and? ?unless? ?absolutely? ?necessary,? ?

they? ?absolutely? ?did? ?not? ?want? ?to? ?face? ?him.? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?gazed? ?upwards,? ?“Can? ?we? ?punch? ?through? ?the? ?

top? ?of? ?the? ?cave? ?directly? ?and? ?get? ?out?”? ? ?

?

Hua? ?Cheng? ?mocked,? ?“It’s? ?the? ?snowy? ?mountain? ?outside,? ?do? ?you? ?want? ?to? ?start? ?another? ?avalanche?”? ?

?

Too? ?bad? ?they? ?left? ?the? ?Earth? ?Master? ?shovel? ?to? ?Yin? ?Yu? ?for? ?emergencies? ?and? ?they? ?didn’t? ?have? ?it? ?on? ?

hand.? ?None? ?of? ?them? ?studied? ?on? ?how? ?to? ?used? ?it? ?either,? ?so? ?they? ?couldn’t? ?soundlessly? ?dig? ?

themselves? ?out.? ?“Then? ?why? ?are? ?we? ?running? ?around? ?aimlessly? ?for?”? ? ?

?

“As? ?long? ?as? ?we? ?run? ?around? ?aimlessly,? ?he? ?will? ?chase? ?after? ?us? ?and? ?therefore? ?leave? ?the? ?path? ?leading? ?

to? ?the? ?exit.”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?explained,? ?“By? ?then? ?the? ?rest? ?of? ?you? ?can? ?use? ?that? ?chance? ?to? ?escape.”? ? ?

?

Mu? ?Qing? ?was? ?sharp? ?and? ?said,? ?“Wait,? ?“the? ?rest? ?of? ?you”?? ?You? ?mean? ?to? ?split?? ?One? ?group? ?be? ?the? ?bait? ?

to? ?lead? ?him? ?away? ?while? ?the? ?other? ?group? ?escape? ?by? ?themselves?”? ? ?

?

“That’s? ?it? ?exactly!”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?said,? ?“The? ?Emperor? ?must? ?be? ?informed? ?that? ?the? ?White? ?No-Face? ?has? ?

reappeared? ?in? ?the? ?world.? ?Once? ?you? ?both? ?get? ?out,? ?find? ?a? ?way? ?to? ?bring? ?this? ?news? ?to? ?the? ?heavens...”? ? ?

?

Mu? ?Qing? ?cut? ?him? ?off,? ?“Wait,? ?wait!? ?You’ve? ?already? ?decided? ?who’s? ?going? ?to? ?be? ?bait? ?and? ?who’s? ?going? ?

to? ?leave?”? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?shook? ?his? ?head,? ?“I? ?didn’t? ?decide? ?this,? ?White? ?No-Face? ?did.”? ? ?

?

Mu? ?Qing? ?understood? ?and? ?didn’t? ?speak? ?anymore.? ?It? ?really? ?wasn’t? ?up? ?to? ?them? ?to? ?decide? ?who? ?gets? ?

pursued.? ?If? ?they? ?must? ?choose? ?the? ?one? ?among? ?them? ?that? ?the? ?White? ?No-Face? ?would? ?be? ?the? ?most? ?

interested? ?in? ?pursuing,? ?then,? ?it? ?was? ?for? ?sure? ?Xie? ?Lian!? ? ?

?

Feng? ?Xin? ?declared? ?without? ?hesitation,? ?“I? ?will? ?stay? ?with? ?you? ?to? ?face? ?him.”? ? ?

?

In? ?the? ?past,? ?if? ?there? ?was? ?any? ?incident,? ?Mu? ?Qing? ?would? ?always? ?be? ?the? ?one? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?send? ?back? ?to? ?

report? ?while? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?would? ?always? ?be? ?the? ?one? ?staying? ?behind? ?to? ?assist? ?him.? ?Now,? ?it? ?seemed? ?the? ?

circumstances? ?were? ?going? ?to? ?repeat.? ?However,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?glanced? ?at? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?and? ?said,? ?

“Thanks!? ?But,? ?there’s? ?no? ?need.? ?San? ?Lang? ?will? ?stay? ?with? ?me.”? ? ?

?

Feng? ?Xin? ?blurted,? ?“How? ?can? ?he? ?be? ?the? ?one? ?to? ?stay?? ?He...”? ?

?

Hua? ?Cheng’s? ?brows? ?furrowed? ?threateningly? ?but? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?replied,? ?“He’s? ?fine.? ?I? ?trust? ?him.”? ? ?

?

His? ?voice? ?was? ?gentle? ?but? ?his? ?demeanour? ?was? ?exceedingly? ?determined,? ?and? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?was? ?

stunned? ?in? ?spite? ?of? ?himself,? ?“Your? ?Highness.”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?patted? ?his? ?shoulder,? ?“You? ?two? ?go? ?together.? ?Mount? ?TongLu? ?has? ?now? ?closed? ?its? ?gates,? ?so? ?

it’s? ?difficult? ?to? ?say? ?if? ?you? ?can? ?even? ?charge? ?out.? ?Besides,? ?don’t? ?you? ?still? ?need? ?to? ?search? ?for...? ?Lan? ?

Chang? ?and? ?the? ?child?”? ? ?

?

With? ?his? ?reminder,? ?Feng? ?Xin’s? ?face? ?grew? ?ashened.? ?A? ?wraith? ?butterfly? ?flew? ?out? ?from? ?the? ?

engravings? ?on? ?the? ?vambrace? ?around? ?Hua? ?Cheng’s? ?wrist,? ?and? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?said,? ?“Follow? ?it.”? ? ?

?

The? ?two? ?looked? ?at? ?Hua? ?Cheng,? ?then? ?at? ?Xie? ?Lian,? ?and? ?in? ?the? ?end,? ?Mu? ?Qing? ?tossed? ?out,? ?“You? ?two? ?

watch? ?yourselves.”? ?Then? ?he? ?turned? ?around? ?to? ?follow? ?after? ?that? ?silver? ?butterfly,? ?dashing? ?into? ?

another? ?tunnel.? ?A? ?brief? ?moment? ?later,? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?followed? ?too.? ?

?

The? ?four? ?thus? ?parted? ?at? ?this? ?fork? ?in? ?the? ?road,? ?and? ?just? ?as? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?was? ?watching? ?their? ?retreating? ?

backs,? ?in? ?the? ?distance? ?came? ?another? ?series? ?of? ?exploding? ?rumbles.? ?The? ?remaining? ?two? ?exchanged? ?

a? ?look? ?and? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?said? ?darkly,? ?“He’s? ?here.”? ? ?

?

“Take? ?me? ?away.”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?said.? ?

?

That? ?white? ?clad? ?man? ?came? ?charging? ?after? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?as? ?expected.? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?continued? ?to? ?set? ?up? ?

wraith? ?butterfly? ?arrays? ?to? ?form? ?obstacles? ?in? ?order? ?to? ?ensure? ?that? ?white? ?clad? ?man? ?will? ?always? ?be? ?

kept? ?at? ?a? ?distance? ?from? ?them,? ?while? ?at? ?the? ?same? ?time,? ?monitor? ?the? ?situation? ?in? ?various? ?paths.? ?

Every? ?time? ?there? ?was? ?an? ?explosion? ?and? ?the? ?shrieks? ?of? ?wraith? ?butterflies? ?however,? ?his? ?expression? ?

would? ?grow? ?grimmer,? ?and? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?also? ?ached? ?as? ?he? ?listened.? ?They? ?winded? ?and? ?turned,? ?rounding? ?

corners? ?after? ?corners,? ?and? ?came? ?to? ?a? ?cavern? ?chamber.? ?He? ?couldn’t? ?help? ?but? ?sigh,? ?“I? ?can’t? ?

believe...? ?this? ?many? ?silver? ?butterflies? ?are? ?lost.”? ? ?

?

While? ?those? ?wraith? ?butterflies? ?didn’t? ?have? ?a? ?good? ?reputation? ?in? ?the? ?external? ?world,? ?but? ?in? ?Xie? ?

Lian’s? ?eyes,? ?they? ?were? ?no? ?more? ?than? ?clever? ?and? ?precious? ?little? ?spirits,? ?and? ?to? ?so? ?vigorously? ?

commit? ?suicidal? ?attacks? ?without? ?stopping? ?if? ?only? ?to? ?delay? ?the? ?steps? ?of? ?the? ?enemy? ?for? ?one? ?moment,? ?

Xie? ?Lian? ?couldn’t? ?help? ?but? ?ache? ?for? ?them.? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?however,? ?only? ?snorted,? ?appearing? ?as? ?if? ?his? ?

eyes? ?could? ?see? ?through? ?the? ?thick? ?rocky? ?walls? ?and? ?said? ?darkly,? ?“Don’t? ?worry.? ?If? ?he? ?kills? ?one,? ?I’ll? ?

make? ?ten? ?more.? ?Fast? ?and? ?furious? ?like? ?the? ?storms,? ?I? ?will? ?never? ?back? ?down.? ?Let’s? ?see? ?who’s? ?the? ?one? ?

left? ?standing? ?in? ?the? ?end.”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian’s? ?heart? ?skipped? ?a? ?beat? ?for? ?some? ?reason? ?and? ?he? ?mumbled? ?inwardly,? ?‘...? ?Oh? ?no,? ?this? ?is? ?

bad.’? ?

?

Even? ?though? ?Hua? ?Cheng’s? ?expression? ?was? ?subconsciously? ?displayed,? ?but? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?really? ?was? ?

quite? ?weak? ?to? ?this? ?aggressive? ?and? ?rebellious? ?confidence? ?of? ?his.? ?

?

After? ?another? ?moment,? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?slowed? ?his? ?pace,? ?and? ?appeared? ?as? ?if? ?he? ?received? ?some? ?sort? ?

of? ?signal,? ?and? ?he? ?turned? ?to? ?Xie? ?Lian,? ?“He’s? ?been? ?lead? ?away.? ?Those? ?two? ?are? ?almost? ?out.”? ? ?

?

“Great!”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?said,? ?“Now? ?we? ?can? ?take? ?our? ?time? ?to? ?think? ?of? ?a? ?way.”? ? ?

?

“En.? ?There’s? ?no? ?rush? ?now.”? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?said,? ?“He’s? ?been? ?left? ?behind? ?for? ?a? ?long? ?distance? ?away,? ?so? ?

we? ?can? ?hide? ?here? ?for? ?now? ?and? ?think? ?of? ?a? ?battle? ?plan.”? ? ?

?

“...”? ?

?

Yet? ?unexpectedly,? ?the? ?mood? ?between? ?the? ?two? ?of? ?them? ?suddenly? ?became? ?a? ?little? ?awkward.? ?

?

It? ?wasn’t? ?the? ?kind? ?of? ?awkwardness? ?that? ?came? ?with? ?embarrassment,? ?but? ?just? ?a? ?bit? ?of? ?unknown? ?

shyness.? ?They? ?were? ?being? ?chased? ?closely? ?by? ?that? ?creature? ?behind? ?them? ?at? ?first,? ?and? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?

and? ?Mu? ?Qing? ?were? ?both? ?present? ?at? ?the? ?time,? ?so? ?this? ?feeling? ?wasn’t? ?obvious.? ?Although? ?he? ?did? ?say? ?

“let’s? ?talk? ?later”,? ?but? ?now? ?that? ?they’ve? ?caught? ?their? ?breaths? ?and? ?it’s? ?already? ?“later”,? ?he? ?had? ?no? ?idea? ?

what? ?to? ?say.? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?coughed? ?lightly? ?twice? ?to? ?clear? ?his? ?throat,? ?raising? ?a? ?finger? ?to? ?scratch? ?at? ?his? ?cheek,? ?but? ?felt? ?

no? ?matter? ?what? ?things? ?were? ?a? ?little? ?uncomfortable.? ?He? ?wanted? ?to? ?speak? ?but? ?then? ?worried? ?if? ?it? ?

would? ?sound? ?too? ?abrupt,? ?or? ?too? ?silly,? ?or? ?overly? ?intentional,? ?and? ?in? ?the? ?end? ?he? ?hoped? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?

would? ?be? ?the? ?first? ?to? ?say? ?something.? ?However,? ?Hua? ?Cheng’s? ?expression? ?was? ?also? ?strained,? ?

appearing? ?like? ?he? ?was? ?thinking? ?very? ?seriously? ?over? ?their? ?battle? ?plans.? ?But,? ?whether? ?if? ?he? ?was? ?

actually? ?thinking? ?was? ?hard? ?to? ?tell,? ?because? ?the? ?hands? ?clenched? ?behind? ?his? ?back? ?seemed? ?to? ?be? ?

shaking? ?slightly.? ?

?

Just? ?then,? ?the? ?two? ?walked? ?past? ?a? ?divine? ?statue.? ?Most? ?of? ?the? ?divine? ?statues? ?within? ?the? ?Cave? ?of? ?Ten? ?

Thousand? ?Gods? ?were? ?all? ?about? ?the? ?same? ?size? ?as? ?the? ?real? ?person? ?himself;? ?this? ?one? ?was? ?more? ?

rough? ?in? ?craftsmanship? ?and? ?its? ?size? ?was? ?also? ?shrunken? ?by? ?half.? ?When? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?passed? ?it,? ?he? ?

casually? ?peeled? ?off? ?the? ?veil? ?that? ?was? ?also? ?covering? ?its? ?head,? ?and? ?his? ?eyes? ?lit? ?up,? ?“San? ?Lang,? ?did? ?

you? ?carve? ?this? ?one? ?too?”? ? ?

?

Hua? ?Cheng? ?looked? ?over? ?and? ?fell? ?silent.? ?It? ?was? ?a? ?moment? ?before? ?he? ?replied,? ?“It’s? ?work? ?from? ?

beginner? ?years.? ?Gege,? ?don’t? ?look? ?anymore.”? ?

?

That? ?must? ?absolutely? ?be? ?the? ?truth,? ?since? ?this? ?divine? ?statue? ?really? ?was? ?extremely? ?ugly.? ?Even? ?

though? ?it? ?was? ?easy? ?to? ?see? ?that? ?the? ?sculptor? ?had? ?done? ?his? ?utmost? ?to? ?carve? ?that? ?perfect? ?form? ?in? ?his? ?

heart,? ?but? ?the? ?skill? ?was? ?limited,? ?his? ?wish? ?unfulfilled,? ?and? ?while? ?it? ?couldn’t? ?be? ?said? ?to? ?be? ?cockeyed? ?

or? ?crooked,? ?it? ?could? ?still? ?be? ?said? ?this? ?little? ?figure? ?was? ?disproportionate? ?and? ?smiled? ?like? ?it? ?was? ?

mentally? ?challenged.? ?

?

Still,? ?despite? ?all? ?that,? ?he? ?still? ?managed? ?to? ?complete? ?every? ?single? ?detail? ?without? ?fault.? ?Thus,? ?Xie? ?

Lian? ?could? ?tell? ?that? ?this? ?was? ?a? ?God-Pleasing? ?Crown? ?Prince? ?statue.? ?Even? ?that? ?pair? ?of? ?red? ?coral? ?

pearl? ?earrings? ?were? ?dotted.? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?silently? ?covered? ?his? ?mouth? ?and? ?turned? ?away.? ?In? ?order? ?to? ?appear? ?natural,? ?he? ?even? ?rubbed? ?

hard? ?at? ?his? ?face.? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?didn’t? ?know? ?what? ?to? ?say? ?and? ?so? ?he? ?pleaded? ?again,? ?“Your? ?Highness,? ?

please? ?don’t? ?look? ?anymore.”? ?He? ?said? ?as? ?he? ?tried? ?to? ?cover? ?that? ?statue? ?again? ?with? ?a? ?veil.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?

quickly? ?said,? ?“Don’t? ?misunderstand!? ?I? ?really? ?think? ?it’s? ?very? ?cute!”? ?But? ?then? ?he? ?thought,? ?wasn’t? ?the? ?

one? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?sculpted? ?him?? ?To? ?praise? ?that? ?this? ?thing? ?was? ?cute,? ?wasn’t? ?it? ?just? ?him? ?praising? ?

himself? ?as? ?cute?? ?Not? ?only? ?was? ?he? ?lying? ?with? ?his? ?eyes? ?wide? ?open,? ?it? ?was? ?also? ?incredibly? ?thick? ?

skinned,? ?so? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?couldn’t? ?help? ?but? ?laugh? ?out? ?loud.? ?Seeing? ?this,? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?also? ?bowed? ?his? ?

head? ?and? ?lowered? ?his? ?lashes? ?as? ?he? ?started? ?to? ?chuckle? ?too.? ?

?

Thus,? ?with? ?the? ?both? ?of? ?them? ?laughing,? ?much? ?of? ?that? ?unknown,? ?anxiously? ?stiff? ?mood? ?was? ?washed? ?

away.? ?

?

They? ?continued? ?forward? ?and? ?passed? ?another? ?statue? ?that? ?was? ?lounging,? ?lying? ?on? ?a? ?stone? ?bed,? ?but? ?

its? ?entire? ?body? ?was? ?covered? ?with? ?a? ?layer? ?of? ?smoke? ?light? ?white? ?satin.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?was? ?very? ?curious? ?

and? ?was? ?just? ?about? ?to? ?uncover? ?the? ?white? ?veil? ?on? ?that? ?divine? ?statue’s? ?body? ?when? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?

seized? ?his? ?wrist? ?all? ?of? ?a? ?sudden,? ?“Your? ?Highness!”? ? ?

?

Ever? ?since? ?they? ?entered? ?this? ?Cave? ?of? ?Ten? ?Thousand? ?Gods,? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?called? ?him? ?“Your? ?

Highness”? ?a? ?majority? ?of? ?the? ?time.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?looked? ?at? ?him,? ?and? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?let? ?go? ?of? ?the? ?hand? ?that? ?

was? ?gripping? ?him,? ?looking? ?like? ?he? ?was? ?still? ?a? ?little? ?uncomfortable.? ?

?

“I? ?already? ?know? ?it’s? ?a? ?statue? ?of? ?me,? ?can? ?I? ?still? ?not? ?look?”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?asked.? ?

?

“If? ?gege? ?wants? ?to? ?look? ?at? ?statues,? ?the? ?best? ?one? ?I’ve? ?sculpted? ?still? ?remains? ?to? ?be? ?seen.? ?I’ll? ?show? ?you? ?

some? ?other? ?time.? ?Don’t? ?look? ?at? ?any? ?of? ?the? ?ones? ?in? ?this? ?cave? ?anymore.”? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?said.? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?didn’t? ?understand,? ?“Why?? ?I? ?think? ?all? ?the? ?divine? ?statues? ?in? ?this? ?Cave? ?of? ?Ten? ?Thousand? ?

Gods? ?are? ?all? ?carved? ?really? ?well,? ?really,? ?really? ?well.? ?I’ll? ?think? ?it? ?a? ?shame? ?if? ?I? ?can’t? ?see? ?them.? ?

Speaking? ?of,? ?those? ?murals...”? ? ?

?

Yet? ?unexpectedly,? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?instantly? ?said,? ?“I’ll? ?go? ?destroy? ?them.”? ?

?

Seeing? ?that? ?he? ?actually? ?was? ?about? ?to? ?move,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?hastily? ?grabbed? ?him,? ?“Don’t? ?don’t? ?dont!? ?Why? ?

destroy? ?them?? ?Just? ?because? ?I? ?saw?? ?Fine? ?fine? ?fine...? ?I’ll? ?tell? ?you? ?the? ?truth.? ?I’ve? ?only? ?actually? ?seen? ?a? ?

little? ?bit,? ?like? ?the? ?ShangYuan? ?Heavenly? ?Ceremonial? ?Procession,? ?the? ?army? ?and? ?the? ?like.? ?I? ?haven’t? ?

seen? ?most? ?of? ?it? ?because? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?and? ?Mu? ?Qing? ?wouldn’t? ?let? ?me,? ?so? ?I? ?have? ?absolutely? ?no? ?idea? ?

what? ?you? ?painted.? ?Don’t? ?go? ?and? ?destroy? ?them!”? ? ?

?

“...”? ? ?

?

Only? ?then? ?did? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?turn? ?around? ?to? ?face? ?him,? ?“Really?”? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?held? ?on? ?to? ?him? ?and? ?replied? ?with? ?the? ?utmost? ?sincerity,? ?“Really.? ?If? ?you? ?don’t? ?want? ?me? ?to? ?

look? ?then? ?I? ?won’t.”? ? ?

?

Hua? ?Cheng? ?seemed? ?to? ?have? ?sighed? ?in? ?relief? ?quietly? ?and? ?smiled,? ?“It’s? ?not? ?anything? ?good? ?to? ?look? ?at? ?

anyway.? ?If? ?you? ?want? ?to? ?see? ?anything,? ?just? ?have? ?me? ?paint? ?it? ?directly.”? ? ?

?

A? ?reaction? ?like? ?this,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?was? ?now? ?even? ?more? ?curious.? ?But,? ?he? ?didn’t? ?want? ?to? ?drive? ?Hua? ?

Cheng? ?to? ?destroy? ?those? ?precious? ?murals? ?himself? ?either,? ?so? ?he? ?could? ?only? ?force? ?down? ?his? ?own? ?

desires.? ?After? ?taking? ?a? ?few? ?steps,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?suddenly? ?frowned,? ?“...Something’s? ?not? ?right.”? ? ?

?

?

————–? ?

?

Ch.179:? ?Cave? ?of? ?Ten? ?Thousand? ?Gods;? ?Faces? ?of? ?Ten? ?Thousand? ?Gods? ?Revealed? ?5? ?

?

“What? ?is? ?it?”? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?asked.? ?

?

He? ?turned? ?around? ?to? ?look? ?at? ?Hua? ?Cheng,? ?“White? ?No-Face.? ?Why? ?would? ?he? ?come? ?to? ?Mount? ?

TongLu?”? ?

?

“Perhaps? ?his? ?powers? ?haven’t? ?recovered? ?completely? ?and? ?wants? ?to? ?borrow? ?the? ?Kiln? ?to? ?be? ?reborn? ?

into? ?this? ?world.”? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?replied.? ?

?

“If? ?that’s? ?the? ?case,? ?that? ?would? ?mean? ?the? ?him? ?now? ?is? ?not...? ?a? ?Supreme?”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?wondered.? ?

?

“That’s? ?not? ?entirely? ?impossible.”? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?said.? ?

?

Earlier,? ?White? ?No-Face? ?impersonated? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?and? ?Mu? ?Qing? ?and? ?suddenly? ?charged? ?out,? ?his? ?

abrupt? ?appearance? ?both? ?shocking? ?and? ?terrifying.? ?On? ?top? ?of? ?that,? ?Xie? ?Lian’s? ?first? ?reaction? ?was? ?“he? ?

can’t? ?be? ?defeated,? ?run? ?away!”,? ?so? ?he? ?grabbed? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?and? ?fled.? ?The? ?two? ?didn’t? ?actually? ?face? ?

him? ?for? ?too? ?long,? ?so,? ?they? ?weren’t? ?able? ?to? ?gauge? ?just? ?what? ?exactly? ?was? ?White? ?No-Face’s? ?current? ?

true? ?strength.? ?

?

Was? ?it? ?all? ?just? ?a? ?bluff?? ?Or? ?was? ?he? ?stronger? ?than? ?he? ?seemed?? ?Exchanging? ?rough? ?blows? ?for? ?no? ?

more? ?than? ?the? ?flash? ?of? ?a? ?second,? ?nothing? ?could? ?be? ?determined.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?muttered,? ?“I? ?

subconsciously? ?thought? ?he? ?was? ?stronger? ?when? ?I? ?only? ?saw? ?those? ?two? ?fake? ?skins,? ?but? ?maybe...? ?he? ?

hasn’t? ?completely? ?recovered? ?right? ?now,? ?and? ?maybe? ?he’s? ?currently? ?at? ?his? ?weakest?? ?Otherwise? ?why? ?

would? ?he? ?come? ?to? ?Mount? ?TongLu?? ?Maybe...? ?I? ?can? ?give? ?it? ?a? ?shot.”? ?

?

See? ?if? ?he? ?could? ?take? ?him? ?down!? ?

?

Hua? ?Cheng? ?immediately? ?replied,? ?“Good.? ?I’ll? ?go? ?fight? ?him”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?instantly? ?snapped? ?out? ?of? ?it? ?and? ?hastily? ?said,? ?“No,? ?don’t.? ?Don’t? ?face? ?him? ?straight? ?on.? ?Just? ?

me? ?giving? ?it? ?a? ?shot? ?is? ?enough!”? ? ?

?

Usually,? ?Supreme? ?Ghost? ?Kings? ?would? ?never? ?face? ?each? ?other? ?in? ?combat? ?so? ?easily,? ?just? ?as? ?how? ?

Ship-Sinking? ?Black? ?Water? ?and? ?Crimson? ?Rain? ?Sought? ?Flower? ?coexisted? ?in? ?peace.? ?The? ?Ghost? ?

Kings? ?weren’t? ?like? ?the? ?heavenly? ?officials? ?of? ?the? ?heavens? ?where? ?their? ?strengths,? ?how? ?big? ?their? ?

palaces,? ?how? ?many? ?worshippers,? ?the? ?parameters? ?of? ?their? ?powers? ?were? ?all? ?well? ?known? ?by? ?anyone? ?

who? ?cared? ?to? ?keep? ?track;? ?they? ?would? ?hide? ?their? ?true? ?strength? ?the? ?same? ?way? ?they? ?hide? ?their? ?pasts.? ?

Since? ?they? ?possessed? ?no? ?knowledge? ?of? ?each? ?other’s? ?strengths? ?and? ?no? ?one? ?knew? ?what? ?the? ?

consequences? ?would? ?be? ?if? ?two? ?Supremes? ?should? ?start? ?fighting,? ?if? ?things? ?could? ?be? ?kept? ?at? ?a? ?

balance? ?then? ?they? ?shall? ?be? ?kept? ?that? ?way.? ?

?

“No? ?need? ?to? ?worry.”? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?said,? ?“Victory? ?or? ?defeat? ?hasn’t? ?been? ?decided? ?yet.? ?Unless? ?gege? ?

actually? ?believes? ?I? ?would? ?let? ?you? ?face? ?him? ?by? ?yourself?”? ? ?

?

“...”? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?shook? ?his? ?head,? ?“It’s? ?not? ?that,? ?San? ?Lang,? ?We’re? ?not? ?the? ?same.? ?He...? ?won’t? ?kill? ?me,? ?I? ?can? ?

swear? ?it.”? ? ?

?

“Why?”? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?questioned.? ?

?

After? ?a? ?moment? ?of? ?hesitation,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?still? ?chose? ?not? ?to? ?answer? ?and? ?only? ?said,? ?“You? ?don’t? ?know? ?

just? ?how? ?terrifying? ?that? ?creature? ?is...? ?“? ?

?

Hua? ?Cheng? ?cut? ?him? ?off? ?grimly,? ?“Your? ?Highness!? ?–? ?I? ?know.”? ? ?

?

Only? ?then? ?did? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?remember? ?that? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?had? ?also? ?joined? ?the? ?XianLe? ?army? ?once,? ?and? ?

had? ?experienced? ?personally? ?the? ?XianLe? ?battlefield,? ?seen? ?with? ?his? ?own? ?eyes? ?the? ?tragedy? ?of? ?fields? ?

piled? ?with? ?corpses.? ?But,? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?wasn’t? ?like? ?him.? ?He? ?had? ?never? ?personally? ?seen? ?that? ?shocking? ?

battle? ?between? ?Jun? ?Wu? ?and? ?White? ?No-Face.? ?He? ?had? ?also? ?never? ?crossed? ?paths? ?with? ?White? ?

No-Face? ?before.? ?

?

Having? ?thought? ?this,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?shook? ?his? ?head? ?with? ?force,? ?“It’s? ?not? ?that? ?I? ?don’t? ?trust? ?you,? ?it’s? ?just,? ?I? ?

just...? ?I? ?don’t? ?want? ?anything? ?to? ?happen? ?to? ?you.”? ? ?

?

Hearing? ?this,? ?Hua? ?Cheng’s? ?eyes? ?twinkled.? ?A? ?moment? ?later? ?he? ?smiled,? ?“Gege,? ?don’t? ?worry.? ?I’m? ?

already? ?dead,? ?so? ?it? ?won’t? ?be? ?so? ?easy? ?for? ?me? ?to? ?die? ?again.? ?Besides,? ?have? ?you? ?forgotten? ?what? ?I’ve? ?

told? ?you? ?before?? ?As? ?long? ?as? ?he? ?doesn’t? ?find? ?my? ?ashes,? ?he? ?can? ?do? ?nothing? ?to? ?me.”? ? ?

?

Only? ?with? ?his? ?reminder? ?did? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?recall? ?there? ?was? ?such? ?a? ?thing? ?and? ?quickly? ?said,? ?“Wait!? ?The? ?

other? ?things? ?aside.? ?San? ?Lang,? ?your...? ?are? ?you? ?ashes? ?properly? ?hidden? ?away?”? ? ?

?

“A? ?long? ?time? ?ago.”? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?replied.? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?nodded,? ?but? ?after? ?a? ?pause,? ?he? ?still? ?couldn’t? ?help? ?but? ?double? ?check,? ?“Are? ?you? ?sure? ?it’s? ?

properly? ?hidden?? ?That? ?place? ?is? ?secure? ?enough?? ?It? ?won’t? ?be? ?found?”? ? ?

?

Hua? ?Cheng? ?answered? ?leisurely,? ?“To? ?me,? ?it’s? ?the? ?safest? ?place? ?in? ?the? ?world.”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?however,? ?didn’t? ?think? ?there’s? ?anything? ?that? ?was? ?absolute? ?in? ?this? ?world? ?and? ?pressed,? ?

“You’re? ?absolutely? ?sure?”? ? ?

?

Hua? ?Cheng? ?smiled? ?cheerfully,? ?“If? ?its? ?hiding? ?place? ?is? ?destroyed,? ?then,? ?there’s? ?no? ?need? ?for? ?me? ?to? ?

exist? ?either.? ?Of? ?course? ?I’m? ?sure.”? ? ?

?

Although? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?really? ?minded? ?what? ?“no? ?need? ?to? ?exist”? ?meant,? ?but? ?they? ?weren’t? ?situated? ?in? ?a? ?

safe? ?place? ?at? ?the? ?moment,? ?and? ?who? ?knows? ?if? ?there? ?were? ?any? ?ears? ?listening,? ?so? ?it? ?wasn’t? ?the? ?right? ?

place? ?to? ?go? ?deeper? ?into? ?this? ?subject? ?and? ?he? ?stopped? ?talking? ?about? ?it.? ?But? ?having? ?talked? ?thus? ?far,? ?

Xie? ?Lian? ?really? ?wanted? ?to? ?ask? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?–? ?just? ?how? ?did? ?he? ?die?? ? ?

?

He? ?really? ?wanted? ?to? ?know,? ?but? ?at? ?the? ?same? ?time? ?he? ?didn’t? ?know? ?how? ?to? ?ask.? ?When? ?mortals? ?die,? ?

the? ?reason? ?why? ?souls? ?could? ?remain? ?in? ?the? ?corporeal? ?earth? ?was? ?all? ?because? ?of? ?obsessive? ?

attachment.? ?In? ?most? ?cases,? ?anguish? ?and? ?resentment? ?were? ?the? ?strongest? ?of? ?their? ?fixation,? ?and? ?in? ?

order? ?to? ?become? ?a? ?Supreme? ?Ghost? ?King,? ?their? ?obsession? ?would? ?have? ?to? ?be? ?even? ?stronger? ?than? ?

most.? ?He? ?was? ?afraid? ?that? ?should? ?he? ?ask,? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?wouldn’t? ?be? ?able? ?to? ?handle? ?it,? ?like? ?if? ?a? ?scar? ?

was? ?stabbed.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?himself? ?might? ?not? ?be? ?able? ?to? ?bear? ?it? ?either.? ?These? ?past? ?eight? ?hundred? ?

years,? ?just? ?how? ?had? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?endured? ?it?? ?

?

Having? ?thought? ?thus? ?far,? ?a? ?horrifying? ?thought? ?suddenly? ?appeared? ?in? ?Xie? ?Lian’s? ?mind? ?and? ?he? ?was? ?

instantly? ?covered? ?in? ?cold? ?sweat.? ?He? ?immediately? ?turned? ?to? ?Hua? ?Cheng,? ?“San? ?Lang!”? ? ?

?

“What? ?is? ?it?”? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?answered.? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian’s? ?fingers? ?were? ?twitching? ?slightly,? ?“I...? ?I’ve? ?another? ?question? ?I? ?want? ?to? ?ask? ?you.”? ? ?

?

“By? ?all? ?means.”? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?replied.? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?stared? ?at? ?him,? ?“In? ?the? ?past? ?eight? ?hundred? ?years,? ?other? ?than? ?having? ?met? ?me? ?in? ?XianLe,? ?

have? ?you? ?met? ?me? ?anywhere? ?else? ?at? ?any? ?other? ?point? ?in? ?time?”? ? ?

?

“...”? ?

?

Hua? ?Cheng? ?turned? ?his? ?head? ?slowly,? ?“Unfortunately,? ?even? ?though? ?I’ve? ?never? ?given? ?up? ?and? ?did? ?my? ?

utmost? ?to? ?find? ?you,? ?I? ?haven’t.”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?pressed? ?on,? ?“Really?”? ? ?

?

Hua? ?Cheng? ?looked? ?him? ?in? ?the? ?eyes,? ?“Really.? ?Why? ?does? ?gege? ?ask?”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?softly? ?sighed? ?a? ?breath? ?of? ?relief? ?and? ?forced? ?a? ?smile,? ?“Nothing,? ?it’s? ?just,? ?in? ?these? ?past? ?

years,? ?how? ?I? ?passed? ?my? ?earlier? ?days? ?wasn’t? ?the? ?prettiest? ?sight,? ?it? ?was? ?all? ?muddled? ?and? ?very? ?much? ?

a? ?failure.? ?I? ?just? ?thought? ?if? ?you? ?had? ?witnessed? ?it? ?it? ?wouldn’t? ?be? ?good.”? ? ?

?

Hua? ?Cheng? ?laughed,? ?“How? ?could? ?that? ?be?”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?however,? ?didn’t? ?laugh? ?at? ?all,? ?“It’s? ?not? ?a? ?joke,? ?I? ?really? ?was? ?quite? ?the? ?failure.”? ? ?

?

Hearing? ?this,? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?withdrew? ?his? ?smile? ?and? ?turned? ?solemn,? ?“That’s? ?okay? ?too.? ?Didn’t? ?Your? ?

Highness? ?already? ?say? ?it? ?yourself?”? ? ?

?

“Me?”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?was? ?confused,? ?“What? ?did? ?I? ?say?”? ? ?

?

Hua? ?Cheng? ?recited? ?languidly,? ?“To? ?me,? ?the? ?one? ?basking? ?in? ?infinite? ?glory? ?is? ?you,? ?the? ?one? ?fallen? ?from? ?

grace? ?is? ?also? ?you.? ?What? ?matters? ?is? ?‘you’,? ?and? ?not? ?the? ?state? ?of? ?you.”? ?

?

He? ?stared? ?at? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?and? ?blinked? ?meaningfully,? ?cocking? ?an? ?eyebrow,? ?“I? ?feel? ?the? ?same? ?way.”? ? ?

?

“...”? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?was? ?stunned? ?for? ?a? ?good? ?moment? ?when? ?suddenly? ?he? ??PA!? ??and? ?slapped? ?his? ?hands? ?to? ?cover? ?

his? ?face,? ?feeling? ?his? ?entire? ?head? ?burning? ?up,? ?“Did,? ?did? ?I? ?say? ?that?!”? ? ?

?

“You? ?did!”? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?said,? ?“Gege,? ?don’t? ?deny? ?it.”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?used? ?his? ?arm? ?to? ?block? ?his? ?face,? ?“I,? ?I? ?don’t? ?think? ?so!”? ? ?

?

“Gege,? ?do? ?you? ?want? ?to? ?watch? ?it?? ?I’ll? ?find? ?it? ?for? ?you.”? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?said.? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian’s? ?head? ?shot? ?up,? ?“???? ?You...? ?did? ?you...? ?No? ?way...? ?San? ?Lang,? ?you...? ?did? ?you? ?record? ?

everything?!”? ? ?

?

“I’m? ?joking,? ?joking.”? ? ?

?

“I? ?honestly? ?don’t? ?believe? ?you...”? ?

?

“Gege,? ?trust? ?me.”? ? ?

?

“I? ?don’t? ?trust? ?you? ?anymore!”? ? ?

?

The? ?two? ?came? ?to? ?a? ?fork? ?in? ?the? ?road,? ?and? ?just? ?then,? ?there? ?was? ?suddenly? ?a? ?breeze? ?and? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?

tilted? ?his? ?body,? ?blocking? ?in? ?front? ?of? ?him,? ?raising? ?an? ?arm? ?as? ?if? ?meaning? ?to? ?shield? ?him.? ?

?

The? ?breeze? ?actually? ?wasn’t? ?anything? ?and? ?naturally? ?didn’t? ?require? ?any? ?sort? ?of? ?blocking? ?at? ?all,? ?but? ?

Hua? ?Cheng’s? ?action? ?came? ?completely? ?naturally.? ?As? ?the? ?wind? ?passed,? ?strands? ?of? ?hair? ?fluttered? ?

irritatingly,? ?and? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?suddenly? ?noticed? ?that? ?when? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?wasn’t? ?looking? ?at? ?him,? ?his? ?

expression? ?and? ?the? ?contours? ?of? ?his? ?face? ?were? ?all? ?cold.? ?Beautiful? ?in? ?his? ?nonchalance,? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?

didn’t? ?even? ?realize? ?he? ?moved? ?without? ?hesitation,? ?as? ?if? ?protecting? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?was? ?an? ?innate? ?ability.? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?blurted? ?again,? ?“San? ?Lang!”? ? ?

?

Hua? ?Cheng? ?tilted? ?his? ?head? ?to? ?look? ?at? ?him,? ?and? ?only? ?then? ?did? ?he? ?flash? ?a? ?smile,? ?“What? ?is? ?it,? ?Your? ?

Highness?”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?felt,? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?probably? ?didn’t? ?notice? ?himself? ?smiling.? ?

?

A? ?clear? ?and? ?powerful? ?voice? ?in? ?his? ?heart? ?told? ?him? ?that? ?this? ?man? ?really? ?took? ?him? ?for? ?a? ?god.? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian’s? ?fingers? ?quietly? ?clenched,? ?“Once? ?we’re? ?out? ?of? ?Mount? ?TongLu,? ?there? ?are? ?many? ?things? ?I? ?

want? ?to? ?tell? ?you.”? ? ?

?

Hua? ?Cheng? ?nodded? ?lightly,? ?“Alright.? ?I? ?look? ?forward? ?to? ?it.”? ? ?

?

“Have? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?and? ?Mu? ?Qing? ?gotten? ?out?”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?asked.? ?

?

“They’re? ?already? ?out.”? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?replied.? ?

?

“Then? ?White? ?No-Face?”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?asked,? ?“He? ?didn’t? ?catch? ?up? ?to? ?us? ?and? ?he? ?didn’t? ?go? ?to? ?stop? ?them?? ?

Where? ?is? ?he? ?now?? ?How? ?far? ?is? ?he? ?away? ?from? ?us?”? ? ?

?

Hua? ?Cheng? ?replied,? ?“He’s...”? ?

?

He? ?hadn’t? ?finished? ?but? ?his? ?face? ?changed,? ?and? ?he? ?pressed? ?two? ?fingers? ?lightly? ?against? ?the? ?brow? ?of? ?

his? ?right? ?eye.? ?A? ?moment? ?later,? ?he? ?said? ?“...He’s? ?disappeared.”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?was? ?shocked,? ?“How? ?could? ?he? ?have? ?disappeared?”? ? ?

?

Hua? ?Cheng? ?was? ?still? ?rather? ?calm? ?and? ?he? ?searched? ?with? ?focus,? ?“He’s? ?disappeared? ?into? ?thin? ?air.”? ? ?

?

Even? ?as? ?a? ?ghost? ?it? ?was? ?impossible? ?to? ?just? ?disappear? ?in? ?thin? ?air? ?within? ?the? ?Cave? ?of? ?Ten? ?Thousand? ?

Gods? ?surrounded? ?by? ?wraith? ?butterflies!? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?blurted,? ?“Let? ?me? ?see?”? ?Then? ?he? ?gripped? ?Hua? ?Cheng’s? ?shoulders? ?with? ?his? ?hands? ?and? ?

tipped? ?his? ?feet? ?slightly,? ?touching? ?his? ?forehead? ?with? ?his.? ?Hua? ?Cheng’s? ?hand? ?lowered? ?to? ?rest? ?on? ?his? ?

waist? ?for? ?a? ?moment.? ?There? ?was? ?a? ?small? ?hesitation? ?like? ?he? ?was? ?going? ?to? ?pull? ?away,? ?but? ?in? ?the? ?end? ?

the? ?hand? ?remained? ?and? ?hugged? ?him? ?even? ?tighter.? ?

?

The? ?scenes? ?that? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?saw? ?moments? ?earlier? ?swiftly? ?flashed? ?before? ?Xie? ?lian’s? ?eyes.? ?That? ?

white? ?clad? ?man? ?came? ?languidly? ?before? ?a? ?stone? ?cavern,? ?and? ?countless? ?wraith? ?butterflies? ?once? ?

again? ?rushed? ?towards? ?him,? ?wrapping? ?him? ?into? ?a? ?shimmering? ?human? ?shaped? ?cocoon.? ?After? ?a? ?

frozen? ?moment,? ?they? ?were? ?shocked? ?away,? ?silver? ?light? ?exploded,? ?crackled,? ?and? ?the? ?silver? ?

butterflies? ?were? ?blown? ?into? ?scintillating? ?glitters.? ?However,? ?after? ?that? ?silver? ?light? ?had? ?settled,? ?he? ?

disappeared!? ?

?

Following? ?that,? ?Hua? ?Cheng’s? ?right? ?eye? ?carried? ?his? ?sight? ?and? ?swept? ?across? ?the? ?situation? ?in? ?

countless? ?many? ?other? ?tunnels? ?but? ?that? ?white? ?clad? ?figure? ?was? ?nowhere? ?to? ?be? ?seen.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?was? ?

puzzled? ?and? ?pulled? ?away? ?slightly,? ?“Did? ?he? ?leave?”? ? ?

?

But,? ?others? ?might? ?not? ?know,? ?but? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?was? ?more? ?than? ?clear? ?that? ?if? ?White? ?No-Face? ?saw? ?him? ?he? ?

would? ?no? ?doubt? ?harass? ?him? ?persistently.? ? ?

?

“Maybe? ?our? ?speculation? ?before? ?was? ?right.”? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?said,? ?“His? ?first? ?objective? ?is? ?to? ?use? ?the? ?Kiln? ?

to? ?regain? ?his? ?Supreme? ?status? ?so? ?he? ?left? ?first.”? ? ?

?

This? ?voice? ?was? ?pressed? ?right? ?against? ?his? ?ear? ?and? ?only? ?then? ?did? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?come? ?to? ?and? ?realize? ?Hua? ?

Cheng’s? ?face? ?was? ?cupped? ?in? ?his? ?hands? ?and? ?he? ?had? ?pulled? ?him? ?to? ?bend? ?slightly? ?at? ?the? ?waist.? ?Xie? ?

Lian? ?quickly? ?let? ?go? ?and? ?cried,? ?“Stop? ?him!”? ? ?

?

Their? ?mission? ?coming? ?to? ?Mount? ?TongLu? ?this? ?time? ?was? ?to? ?prevent? ?any? ?candidates? ?that? ?had? ?the? ?

potential? ?to? ?become? ?a? ?Supreme.? ?The? ?two? ?had? ?been? ?avoiding? ?that? ?white? ?clad? ?man? ?the? ?entire? ?time? ?

earlier,? ?but? ?now? ?that? ?the? ?situation? ?had? ?been? ?cleared,? ?they? ?were? ?now? ?going? ?through? ?the? ?countless? ?

divine? ?statutes? ?in? ?search? ?of? ?him.? ?It? ?didn’t? ?take? ?them? ?long? ?before? ?they? ?came? ?to? ?the? ?place? ?where? ?

that? ?white? ?clad? ?man? ?had? ?disappeared.? ?

?

Sure? ?enough,? ?besides? ?a? ?few? ?divine? ?statues,? ?there? ?was? ?no? ?a? ?single? ?soul.? ?Silver? ?shimmers? ?covered? ?

the? ?ground,? ?and? ?the? ?little? ?silver? ?butterflies? ?that? ?weren’t? ?completely? ?destroyed? ?by? ?the? ?shockwave? ?

were? ?fluttering? ?their? ?broken? ?wings.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?bent? ?down,? ?and? ?thought? ?he? ?didn’t? ?know? ?whether? ?if? ?it’d? ?

work,? ?he? ?still? ?wanted? ?to? ?cup? ?them? ?up.? ?Right? ?then,? ?he? ?heard? ?Hua? ?Cheng’s? ?voice? ?coming? ?from? ?

behind,? ?“...Gege,? ?come? ?here? ?by? ?my? ?side.”? ? ?

?

That? ?voice? ?was? ?laced? ?with? ?suppressed? ?anger,? ?but? ?the? ?rage? ?wasn’t? ?directed? ?at? ?him.? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?looked? ?up? ?and? ?found? ?Hua? ?Cheng’s? ?blazing? ?eyes? ?were? ?staring? ?at? ?a? ?divine? ?statue? ?ahead.? ?

?

It? ?was? ?a? ?divine? ?statue? ?that? ?was? ?covered? ?from? ?head? ?to? ?toe? ?with? ?white? ?veil,? ?unmoving,? ?and? ?its? ?

general? ?contour? ?could? ?be? ?seen.? ?It? ?seemed? ?to? ?pointing? ?a? ?sword? ?and? ?so,? ?one? ?end? ?was? ?protruded? ?

sharply.? ? ?

?

However,? ?at? ?this? ?very? ?moment,? ?at? ?the? ?sharp? ?tip? ?of? ?the? ?sword’s? ?point,? ?a? ?patch? ?of? ?astringent? ?red? ?

was? ?exuding,? ?spreading? ?nonstop,? ?staining? ?and? ?soaking? ?that? ?white? ?silk.? ?

?

There? ?was? ?blood? ?on? ?the? ?sword!? ?

?

Anyone? ?who? ?witnessed? ?this? ?sight? ?could? ?tell? ?there? ?was? ?something? ?strange? ?with? ?this? ?divine? ?statue.? ?

Perhaps,? ?at? ?this? ?moment,? ?what? ?was? ?under? ?the? ?white? ?silk? ?was? ?no? ?longer? ?the? ?original? ?divine? ?statue? ?

but? ?something? ?else.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?leapt? ?to? ?his? ?feet? ?and? ?stood? ?side? ?by? ?side? ?with? ?Hua? ?Cheng,? ?the? ?sword? ?

Fang? ?Xin? ?pointed? ?at? ?that? ?divine? ?statue.? ?With? ?a? ?dark? ?expression,? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?waved? ?his? ?hand,? ?and? ?

that? ?white? ?veil? ?was? ?uncovered.? ?

?

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

?

Under? ?the? ?white? ?veil? ?was? ?a? ?divine? ?statue? ?of? ?him.? ?This? ?was? ?a? ?God-Pleasing? ?Crown? ?Prince? ?statue,? ?

a? ?sword? ?in? ?one? ?hand,? ?flower? ?in? ?the? ?other,? ?smile? ?hung? ?on? ?the? ?face.? ?Only,? ?there? ?was? ?a? ?trace? ?of? ?

blood? ?on? ?that? ?smile.? ?

?

The? ?source? ?of? ?that? ?blood? ?was? ?the? ?sword? ?gripped? ?in? ?its? ?hand.? ?There? ?was? ?a? ?youth? ?pierced? ?upon? ?the? ?

blade,? ?his? ?head? ?wrapped? ?full? ?of? ?bandages,? ?his? ?body? ?covered? ?in? ?blood.? ?It? ?was? ?Lang? ?Ying!? ? ?

?

?

————? ?

?

Ch.180:? ?From? ?the? ?Sealed? ?Kiln? ?One? ?Supreme? ?Shall? ?Emerge? ?

?

His? ?head? ?was? ?dropped? ?to? ?the? ?side? ?as? ?if? ?he? ?had? ?lost? ?consciousness.? ?When? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?saw? ?it? ?was? ?

Lang? ?Ying,? ?he? ?subconsciously? ?moved? ?to? ?save? ?him? ?but? ?quickly? ?stopped? ?in? ?his? ?step,? ?his? ?mind? ?

coming? ?around:? ?There? ?was? ?clearly? ?no? ?one? ?else? ?but? ?White? ?No-Face? ?here? ?earlier,? ?so? ?why? ?would? ?

Lang? ?Ying? ?suddenly? ?appear?? ? ?

?

Seeing? ?that? ?the? ?pure? ?and? ?holy? ?statue? ?of? ?the? ?God-Pleasing? ?Crown? ?Prince? ?was? ?corrupted? ?by? ?

dripping? ?blood,? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?was? ?obviously? ?enraged,? ?his? ?expression? ?radiating? ?dark? ?fury,? ?and? ?the? ?

scimitar? ?E-Ming? ?exuded? ?a? ?chilling? ?aura.? ?“Get? ?the? ?hell? ?down.”? ?He? ?said.? ?

?

As? ?expected,? ?“Lang? ?Ying’s”? ?drooping? ?head? ?righted? ?itself,? ?blinking? ?open? ?his? ?eyes,? ?and? ?slowly? ?

“pulled”? ?himself? ?down? ?from? ?the? ?sword,? ?dropping? ?to? ?the? ?ground.? ?

?

Earlier,? ?when? ?White? ?No-Face? ?blew? ?up? ?that? ?wave? ?of? ?silver? ?butterflies? ?that? ?surrounded? ?to? ?attack? ?

him,? ?he? ?used? ?that? ?moment? ?of? ?blinding? ?silver? ?light? ?to? ?hide? ?himself? ?under? ?the? ?white? ?veil? ?of? ?this? ?

divine? ?statue? ?and? ?transformed? ?into? ?the? ?appearance? ?of? ?Lang? ?Ying.? ?Since? ?he? ?could? ?disguise? ?

himself? ?as? ?Lang? ?Ying,? ?it? ?meant? ?he? ?must’ve? ?seen? ?Lang? ?Ying? ?before? ?somewhere.? ?

?

“Where’s? ?the? ?real? ?Lang? ?Ying?”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?demanded.? ?

?

“Your? ?Highness,? ?maybe? ?there? ?was? ?never? ?a? ?‘real? ?Lan? ?Ying’.”? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?said.? ?

?

If,? ?since? ?the? ?beginning,? ?‘Lang? ?Ying’? ?had? ?never? ?existed,? ?and? ?it? ?was? ?only? ?White? ?No-Face? ?in? ?his? ?

unrecovered? ?form,? ?then? ?everything? ?could? ?be? ?easy? ?to? ?explain.? ?But,? ?when? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?remembered? ?

the? ?little? ?girl? ?Xiao? ?Ying? ?who? ?died? ?on? ?Mount? ?Yu? ?Jun,? ?he? ?would? ?rather? ?this? ?explanation? ?be? ?illogical.? ?

He? ?then? ?swiftly? ?thought? ?of? ?another? ?possibility? ?and? ?said? ?slowly,? ?“Or? ?perhaps...? ?he? ?devoured? ?Lang? ?

Ying.”? ? ?

?

Hearing? ?this,? ?the? ?“Lang? ?Ying”? ?before? ?them? ?started? ?growing? ?taller,? ?his? ?body? ?pulling? ?upwards,? ?the? ?

bandages? ?on? ?his? ?face? ?unwrapping? ?and? ?shedding,? ?revealing? ?that? ?mask? ?inside,? ?and? ?he? ?slightly? ?

lifted? ?his? ?head,? ?seeming? ?to? ?be? ?smiling,? ?“You? ?guessed? ?right.”? ? ?

?

So? ?that? ?was? ?indeed? ?it.? ?

?

White? ?No-Face? ?was? ?certainly? ?pulverized? ?and? ?dispersed? ?by? ?Jun? ?Wu.? ?However,? ?he? ?clung? ?on? ?and? ?

left? ?a? ?wisp? ?of? ?a? ?broken? ?soul? ?drifting? ?in? ?the? ?mortal? ?realm.? ?Who? ?knows? ?how? ?long? ?he? ?drifted,? ?who? ?

knows? ?when? ?it? ?happened,? ?but? ?he? ?found? ?Lang? ?Ying? ?who? ?possessed? ?the? ?same? ?ghost? ?body.? ?He? ?

must’ve? ?used? ?some? ?way? ?to? ?seduce? ?or? ?deceive? ?Lang? ?Ying? ?into? ?making? ?Lang? ?Ying? ?agree? ?to? ?hosting? ?

him? ?on? ?his? ?own? ?body,? ?otherwise,? ?by? ?his? ?remaining? ?weak? ?soul,? ?he? ?might? ?not? ?have? ?had? ?the? ?ability? ?to? ?

devour? ?Lang? ?Ying.? ?He? ?stayed? ?glued? ?on? ?Lang? ?Ying’s? ?body? ?and? ?slowly? ?recovered,? ?and? ?the? ?end? ?

result? ?was? ?what? ?was? ?before? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?and? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?now,? ?ghost? ?devouring? ?ghost,? ?White? ?

No-Face? ?ate? ?his? ?host? ?Lang? ?Ying.? ?Just? ?as? ?how? ?He? ?Xuan? ?devoured? ?the? ?Reverend? ?of? ?Empty? ?Words,? ?

Lang? ?Ying? ?ironically? ?became? ?his? ?slave.? ?

?

It? ?only? ?took? ?a? ?few? ?words? ?before? ?“Lang? ?Ying”? ?had? ?completely? ?transformed? ?into? ?the? ?appearance? ?of? ?

White? ?No-Face.? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?eyed? ?him,? ?“Why? ?would? ?Lang? ?Ying? ?agree? ?to? ?letting? ?you? ?borrow? ?his? ?

spirit? ?body?”? ? ?

?

A? ?request? ?like? ?this? ?was? ?no? ?different? ?than? ?a? ?stranger? ?asking? ?“Please? ?open? ?your? ?doors? ?and? ?let? ?me? ?

in? ?to? ?live? ?in? ?your? ?house? ?and? ?eat? ?your? ?food”.? ?Lang? ?Ying? ?was? ?still? ?a? ?ghost? ?who? ?lived? ?for? ?hundreds? ?of? ?

years? ?after? ?all,? ?and? ?while? ?he? ?was? ?timid? ?and? ?hesitant,? ?he? ?shouldn’t? ?be? ?this? ?foolish.? ?White? ?No-Face? ?

replied? ?warmly,? ?“I? ?can? ?of? ?course? ?answer? ?your? ?question.? ?But,? ?are? ?you? ?sure? ?the? ?one? ?next? ?to? ?you? ?

would? ?want? ?me? ?to? ?say? ?it? ?here?”? ? ?

?

Hua? ?Cheng? ?looked? ?to? ?his? ?side.? ?Xie? ?Lian’s? ?expression? ?was? ?slightly? ?strange? ?and? ?didn’t? ?notice? ?his? ?

gaze? ?at? ?all.? ?White? ?No-Face? ?then? ?said,? ?“Surname? ?Lang,? ?YongAn,? ?the? ?human? ?face? ?disease.? ?Why? ?

did? ?he? ?agree? ?to? ?let? ?me? ?eat? ?him?? ?Can? ?you? ?not? ?guess? ?why?”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian’s? ?face? ?was? ?instantly? ?paled? ?by? ?a? ?shade,? ?the? ?veins? ?on? ?the? ?back? ?of? ?his? ?hands? ?popped? ?and? ?

he? ?slashed? ?with? ?his? ?sword,? ?shouting,? ?“SHUT? ?UP!”? ? ?

?

White? ?No-Face? ?sidestepped? ?and? ?avoided? ?the? ?strike,? ?but? ??CLANG!? ??The? ?attack? ?sliced? ?through? ?the? ?

sword? ?gripped? ?in? ?the? ?hands? ?of? ?his? ?own? ?divine? ?statue.? ?Now? ?he’d? ?done? ?it;? ?the? ?God-Pleasing? ?Crown? ?

Prince? ?statue? ?wielded? ?a? ?broken? ?sword,? ?and? ?the? ?statue? ?itself? ?thus? ?became? ?a? ?ruined? ?artefact.? ?Xie? ?

Lian? ?instantly? ?snapped? ?out? ?of? ?it,? ?like? ?he? ?was? ?suddenly? ?drenched? ?by? ?a? ?bucket? ?of? ?cold? ?water.? ?It? ?was? ?

as? ?if? ?the? ?wraith? ?butterflies? ?were? ?outraged? ?and? ?they? ?swarmed? ?over.? ?White? ?No-Face? ?laughed? ?

emotionlessly,? ?casual? ?and? ?at? ?ease,? ?and? ?using? ?his? ?sleeve? ?to? ?cover? ?his? ?face,? ?he? ?no? ?longer? ?

persisted? ?and? ?swiftly? ?disappeared? ?into? ?the? ?darkness.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?stared? ?at? ?that? ?broken? ?stone? ?sword? ?

on? ?the? ?ground? ?and? ?subconsciously? ?muttered? ?to? ?Hua? ?Cheng,? ?“I’m? ?sorry...”? ?

?

However,? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?said,? ?“Gege? ?don’t? ?be? ?silly.? ?Why? ?apologize? ?to? ?me?? ?He’s? ?gone.? ?Now? ?what?”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?pulled? ?himself? ?together? ?somewhat? ?and? ?replied,? ?“Did? ?he? ?flee?? ?We? ?can’t? ?let? ?him? ?enter? ?the? ?

Kiln!”? ? ?

?

The? ?two? ?chased? ?out? ?of? ?the? ?Cave? ?of? ?Ten? ?Thousand? ?Gods? ?and? ?hiked? ?onto? ?the? ?snowy? ?mountain? ?

once? ?more.? ?Right? ?as? ?they? ?came? ?out,? ?they? ?could? ?feel? ?the? ?earth? ?quake? ?the? ?mountains? ?shake.? ?They? ?

looked? ?upwards? ?and? ?waves? ?of? ?avalanche? ?were? ?crashing? ?down.? ?Compared? ?to? ?the? ?one? ?they? ?

experienced? ?before,? ?this? ?roaring? ?avalanche? ?was? ?only? ?bigger? ?not? ?smaller.? ?It? ?was? ?as? ?if? ?something? ?

buried? ?under? ?the? ?heavy? ?snow? ?was? ?awakened? ?and? ?was? ?roaring.? ?“Can? ?we? ?still? ?make? ?it? ?up? ?there?!”? ?

Xie? ?Lian? ?wondered.? ?

?

Hua? ?Cheng? ?clutched? ?his? ?hand? ?firmly? ?and? ?said,? ?“We? ?can? ?if? ?you? ?follow? ?me!”? ? ?

?

The? ?two? ?went? ?up? ?against? ?the? ?crashing? ?current? ?of? ?ice? ?and? ?snow.? ?Sure? ?enough,? ?while? ?it? ?was? ?difficult? ?

and? ?extremely? ?dangerous,? ?and? ?every? ?step? ?they? ?took? ?they? ?had? ?to? ?take? ?three? ?back,? ?still? ?they? ?

avoided? ?the? ?most? ?violent? ?of? ?the? ?snow? ?and? ?rubble? ?flow? ?and? ?countless? ?pits,? ?creating? ?a? ?path? ?up? ?the? ?

mountain? ?from? ?their? ?tireless? ?charging.? ?

?

Finally,? ?they? ?hiked? ?to? ?the? ?highest? ?point;? ?ice? ?sealed? ?the? ?mountaintop,? ?so? ?thick? ?who? ?knows? ?how? ?

deep? ?and? ?how? ?many? ?layers? ?were? ?frozen? ?beneath.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?felt? ?if? ?he? ?tried? ?going? ?even? ?a? ?bit? ?faster? ?

he? ?would? ?slip,? ?but? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?held? ?his? ?hand? ?and? ?moved? ?forward? ?with? ?steady? ?steps,? ?completely? ?

unafraid.? ?The? ?two? ?came? ?to? ?the? ?mouth? ?of? ?the? ?volcano,? ?and? ?that? ?opening? ?looked? ?like? ?a? ?giant? ?mouth? ?

shouting? ?to? ?the? ?heavens,? ?exceedingly? ?impressive.? ?Looking? ?downwards,? ?it? ?was? ?complete? ?

darkness? ?below.? ?Maybe? ?it? ?was? ?his? ?imagination,? ?but? ?in? ?the? ?deepest? ?recesses? ?there? ?seemed? ?to? ?be? ?

a? ?terrifying? ?red? ?light? ?flashing? ?in? ?intervals,? ?sometimes? ?there,? ?sometimes? ?not.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?felt? ?slight? ?

panic? ?for? ?some? ?reason,? ?and? ?he? ?held? ?down? ?the? ?bamboo? ?hat? ?on? ?his? ?head,? ?making? ?sure? ?it? ?didn’t? ?get? ?

blown? ?away? ?by? ?the? ?snowy? ?winds,? ?“Did? ?he? ?go? ?in? ?already?”? ? ?

?

Hua? ?Cheng? ?only? ?took? ?a? ?glance? ?before? ?his? ?expression? ?turned? ?grim,? ?“Yes.”? ? ?

?

“How? ?do? ?you? ?know?”? ? ?

?

“The? ?Kiln? ?is? ?closing.”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?was? ?taken? ?aback? ?and? ?instantly? ?felt? ?caught? ?off? ?guard,? ?“What’s? ?going? ?on?? ?Why? ?is? ?it? ?closing? ?

so? ?soon?? ?Don’t? ?there? ?need? ?to? ?be? ?at? ?least? ?several? ?ghosts? ?inside? ?before? ?the? ?slaughtering? ?can? ?

begin?”? ? ?

?

“That’s? ?the? ?usual? ?case,”? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?said,? ?“However,? ?if? ?the? ?Kiln? ?believes? ?the? ?entrant? ?has? ?

extremely? ?high? ?potential? ?of? ?breaking? ?through? ?the? ?Kiln,? ?then? ?as? ?long? ?as? ?that? ?ghost? ?makes? ?the? ?

mountain-sealing? ?request,? ?it? ?will? ?close.”? ?After? ?a? ?pause,? ?he? ?added,? ?“That’s? ?what? ?I? ?did? ?back? ?then.”? ? ?

?

“So? ?is? ?he? ?a? ?Supreme? ?or? ?not?”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?asked,? ?“What? ?will? ?happen? ?If? ?a? ?Supreme? ?Ghost? ?King? ?enters? ?

the? ?Kiln? ?again?”? ? ?

?

“It’s? ?the? ?same? ?thing? ?as? ?what? ?would? ?happen? ?to? ?an? ?ascended? ?heavenly? ?official? ?who? ?have? ?gone? ?

through? ?another? ?Heavenly? ?Calamity.”? ?

?

Which? ?meant,? ?if? ?he? ?was? ?already? ?strong,? ?he? ?will? ?become? ?even? ?stronger!? ?

?

If? ?they? ?allow? ?White? ?No-Face? ?to? ?cross? ?the? ?obstacle,? ?then? ?the? ?consequences? ?would? ?be? ?

unimaginable.? ?

?

And? ?after? ?he? ?exited? ?the? ?mountain? ?as? ?a? ?Supreme,? ?the? ?first? ?one? ?he? ?would? ?seek? ?would? ?surely? ?be? ?Xie? ?

Lian.? ?

?

Eyeing? ?that? ?bottomless,? ?infinite? ?abyss? ?for? ?a? ?while,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?said? ?slowly,? ?“San? ?Lang,? ?I...? ?I? ?might? ?

need? ?to? ?go? ?down? ?there? ?to? ?resolve? ?things.”? ?

?

“Go.? ?I’ll? ?come? ?with? ?you.”? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?replied? ?quietly.? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?looked? ?up? ?and? ?gazed? ?at? ?him.? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?looked? ?up? ?too? ?and? ?met? ?his? ?eyes,? ?cocking? ?an? ?

eyebrow? ?as? ?he? ?smirked,? ?“It’s? ?just? ?going? ?down? ?to? ?kill? ?an? ?eyesore? ?and? ?breaking? ?through? ?the? ?Kiln? ?

again,? ?that’s? ?all.? ?It’s? ?not? ?like? ?it’s? ?anything? ?hard.”? ? ?

?

Seeing? ?him? ?so? ?relaxed,? ?Xie? ?Lian’s? ?tensed? ?emotions? ?seemed? ?to? ?have? ?loosened? ?some? ?too,? ?and? ?he? ?

smiled.? ?An? ?instant? ?later,? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?said,? ?“However,? ?there? ?is? ?one? ?thing.”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian:? ?“?”? ? ?

?

He? ?tilted? ?his? ?head? ?and? ?one? ?of? ?Hua? ?Cheng’s? ?arms? ?suddenly? ?snaked? ?around? ?his? ?waist? ?and? ?brought? ?

him? ?into? ?his? ?arms,? ?the? ?other? ?hand? ?lifted? ?his? ?chin? ?gently.? ?Then,? ?his? ?lips? ?were? ?enveloped.? ? ?

?

They? ?kissed? ?and? ?embraced? ?for? ?a? ?long? ?time? ?in? ?the? ?snowstorm? ?before? ?their? ?lips? ?parted? ?slowly.? ?Xie? ?

Lian? ?was? ?dazed? ?for? ?a? ?good? ?moment? ?before? ?he? ?jolted,? ?came? ?to,? ?and? ?became? ?flustered,? ?widening? ?

his? ?eyes,? ?“...Wh-What’s? ?this? ?all? ?of? ?a? ?sudden?!”? ? ?

?

Although? ?it? ?wasn’t? ?the? ?first? ?time? ?they? ?had? ?done? ?something? ?like? ?this,? ?but? ?before? ?they? ?had? ?always? ?

used? ?grand? ?and? ?dignified? ?reasons? ?like? ?“lending? ?spiritual? ?powers”,? ?“transferring? ?air”,? ?“accident”,? ?to? ?

justify? ?their? ?actions.? ?Now? ?that? ?some? ?things? ?had? ?come? ?out? ?into? ?the? ?open,? ?these? ?excuses? ?were? ?

suddenly? ?exposed? ?of? ?their? ?falsehoods,? ?and? ?the? ?meaning? ?of? ?these? ?actions? ?became? ?much? ?more? ?

significant.? ?He? ?nearly? ?didn’t? ?know? ?where? ?to? ?put? ?his? ?hands;? ?to? ?hold? ?on? ?Hua? ?Cheng’s? ?arms? ?or? ?push? ?

against? ?Hua? ?Cheng’s? ?chest?? ?Should? ?he? ?hold? ?back? ?or? ?block? ?Hua? ?Cheng’s? ?face?? ?

?

Next? ?to? ?his? ?ear,? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?seemed? ?to? ?have? ?puffed? ?a? ?breath? ?and? ?he? ?whispered,? ?“...I’ll,? ?lend? ?a? ?bit? ?

of? ?spiritual? ?powers? ?to? ?Your? ?Highness? ?in? ?case? ?of? ?emergencies...? ?will? ?you? ?accept? ?it?”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?unconsciously? ?swallowed? ?and? ?he? ?stuttered,? ?“Th-This? ?is? ?a? ?bit?? ?It? ?seems? ?too? ?much...? ?I? ?

haven’t,? ?I? ?haven’t? ?paid? ?you? ?back? ?for? ?all? ?the? ?times? ?before...”? ?

?

“It’s? ?not? ?much.? ?There’s? ?no? ?rush.? ?Take? ?your? ?time? ?to? ?pay? ?back,? ?the? ?account? ?will? ?clear? ?one? ?day.”? ?Hua? ?

Cheng? ?said.? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?“En,? ?en,? ?en”-ed? ?randomly? ?a? ?couple? ?times,? ?and? ?was? ?just? ?about? ?to? ?run? ?away? ?when? ?Hua? ?

Cheng? ?pulled? ?him? ?to? ?a? ?stop,? ?pointing? ?out,? ?“Your? ?Highness!? ?Where? ?are? ?you? ?running? ?to?? ?You’re? ?

going? ?in? ?the? ?wrong? ?direction.”? ? ?

?

Only? ?then? ?did? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?discover? ?he? ?was? ?running? ?back? ?the? ?way? ?they? ?came? ?and? ?immediately? ?turned? ?

back? ?around,? ?even? ?slipping? ?on? ?the? ?ice? ?once.? ?He? ?quickly? ?pressed? ?down? ?on? ?his? ?bamboo? ?hat,? ?

“N-No.? ?I,? ?I’m? ?just? ?a? ?little? ?cold,? ?thought? ?I’d? ?jog? ?around? ?a? ?bit,? ?warm? ?up...”? ?

?

He? ?put? ?the? ?bamboo? ?hat? ?on? ?but? ?then? ?carried? ?it? ?on? ?his? ?back? ?to? ?carry,? ?then? ?wore? ?it? ?again.? ?Finally,? ?he? ?

held? ?onto? ?Hua? ?Cheng’s? ?hand,? ?gripping? ?it? ?tightly.? ?The? ?two? ?stood? ?side? ?by? ?side? ?and? ?watched? ?that? ?

immense? ?abyss? ?below.? ? ?

?

Hua? ?Cheng’s? ?voice? ?was? ?casual,? ?“After? ?this? ?is? ?all? ?resolved,? ?I’ll? ?show? ?gege? ?my? ?proudest? ?sculpted? ?

statue.”? ? ?

?

“Okay.”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?replied.? ?

?

Then,? ?the? ?two? ?jumped? ?down? ?together.? ?

?

The? ?gusts? ?of? ?wild? ?winds? ?shaved? ?past? ?his? ?ears,? ?a? ?force? ?so? ?strong? ?it? ?was? ?like? ?the? ?crashing? ?waves,? ?

but? ?their? ?hands? ?weren’t? ?separated? ?by? ?that? ?power,? ?and? ?instead? ?they? ?held? ?on? ?even? ?harder.? ?

?

Yet? ?unexpectedly,? ?halfway? ?in? ?the? ?air,? ?Xie? ?Lian’s? ?grip? ?turned? ?empty.? ?

?

It? ?wasn’t? ?that? ?his? ?hand? ?slipped? ?or? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?let? ?go;? ?the? ?hand? ?held? ?in? ?his? ?palm? ?disappeared? ?all? ?of? ?

a? ?sudden,? ?no? ?more? ?substance.? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian’s? ?heart? ?lurched? ?and? ?he? ?shouted,? ?“SAN? ?LANG?!”? ? ?

?

He? ?was? ?falling? ?rapidly,? ?and? ?his? ?cry? ?a? ?moment? ?ago? ?was? ?already? ?over? ?ten? ?miles? ?above? ?his? ?head,? ?his? ?

voice? ?sounding? ?unreal.? ?It? ?was? ?a? ?long? ?time? ?before? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?finally? ?landed? ?steadily.? ?He? ?immediately? ?

rose? ?to? ?his? ?feet? ?and? ?called? ?out,? ?“San? ?Lang?”? ? ?

?

There? ?was? ?no? ?answer.? ?Only? ?a? ?hollow? ?echo? ?told? ?him? ?just? ?what? ?an? ?immense,? ?empty? ?space? ?he? ?was? ?

currently? ?standing? ?in.? ?

?

It? ?was? ?darkness? ?all? ?around? ?except? ?for? ?above,? ?and? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?looked? ?up.? ?Above,? ?there? ?was? ?a? ?snow? ?

white? ?sky? ?and? ?it? ?was? ?gradually? ?shrinking.? ?That? ?must? ?be? ?the? ?mouth? ?of? ?the? ?volcano? ?of? ?the? ?Kiln? ?

slowly? ?closing.? ?

?

But,? ?where? ?did? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?go?? ?

?

Crackle? ?whoosh,? ?and? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?lit? ?up? ?a? ?palm? ?torch,? ?hoping? ?to? ?illuminate? ?and? ?see? ?just? ?what? ?things? ?

were? ?like? ?down? ?here.? ?However,? ?the? ?darkness? ?was? ?immeasurably? ?deep,? ?and? ?this? ?little? ?bit? ?of? ?flames? ?

couldn’t? ?show? ?anything,? ?the? ?firelight? ?itself? ?seeming? ?to? ?be? ?coldly? ?absorbed? ?by? ?the? ?dark? ?void.? ?

Moreover,? ?he? ?accidentally? ?didn’t? ?control? ?his? ?powers? ?well? ?and? ?the? ?flames? ?erupted? ?a? ?little? ?too? ?high,? ?

almost? ?burning? ?his? ?own? ?head,? ?so? ?he? ?quickly? ?tossed? ?that? ?fire? ?onto? ?the? ?ground.? ?Coincidentally,? ?that? ?

firelight? ?brightened? ?the? ?back? ?of? ?a? ?faint? ?white? ?silhouette? ?not? ?far? ?away.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?was? ?instantly? ?

alarmed,? ?“WHO? ?IS? ?IT?!”? ? ?

?

That? ?white? ?silhouette? ?turned? ?around? ?and? ?answered? ?quietly,? ?“You? ?know? ?who? ?I? ?am.”? ? ?

?

Although? ?he? ?answered,? ?but? ?the? ?muscles? ?on? ?that? ?man’s? ?face? ?did? ?not? ?move? ?an? ?inch.? ?Naturally.? ?

Since,? ?it? ?wasn’t? ?the? ?face? ?of? ?a? ?man,? ?but? ?that? ?of? ?a? ?half? ?crying,? ?half? ?smiling? ?mask.? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?blurted,? ?“SAN? ?LANG!”? ? ?

?

Even? ?if? ?he? ?would? ?get? ?uncontrollable? ?chills? ?and? ?terror? ?when? ?he? ?saw? ?this? ?face,? ?but? ?this? ?call? ?wasn’t? ?

because? ?he? ?was? ?scared,? ?but? ?because? ?he? ?was? ?worried.? ?Of? ?course,? ?there? ?was? ?still? ?no? ?one? ?who? ?

answered,? ?and? ?that? ?crying-smiling? ?mask? ?had? ?come? ?closer? ?by? ?another? ?step,? ?“No? ?need? ?to? ?yell? ?

anymore.? ?The? ?Kiln? ?is? ?now? ?sealed? ?shut.? ?There? ?is? ?now? ?only? ?you? ?and? ?me? ?in? ?here,? ?no? ?third? ?person.”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?looked? ?up? ?again? ?subconsciously.? ?Earlier? ?there? ?was? ?still? ?a? ?small? ?snowy? ?white? ?scene? ?of? ?

the? ?sky,? ?but? ?now,? ?that? ?little? ?bit? ?of? ?light? ?was? ?completely? ?swallowed? ?by? ?the? ?darkness? ?around? ?them.? ?

Which? ?meant,? ?the? ?Kiln? ?truly? ?has? ?sealed? ?the? ?mountain.? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?had? ?never? ?expected? ?things? ?would? ?turn? ?out? ?like? ?this.? ?Him,? ?and? ?White? ?No-Face,? ?the? ?two? ?of? ?

them,? ?locked? ?inside? ?the? ?Kiln.? ?

?

Just? ?them? ?two?? ?Why? ?them? ?two?!? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?gripped? ?Fang? ?Xin? ?and? ?pointed? ?the? ?sword? ?at? ?him,? ?“What? ?is? ?going? ?on? ?here?? ?Are? ?you? ?

meddling? ?again?? ?Where? ?is? ?he?? ?Where? ?is? ?he? ?right? ?now?”? ? ?

?

White? ?No-Face? ?clamped? ?the? ?edge? ?of? ?the? ?sword? ?with? ?two? ?fingers,? ?and? ?the? ?other? ?hand? ?flicked? ?upon? ?

the? ?blade,? ?the? ??CLUNG!?? ?Clear? ?and? ?crisp,? ?“He’s? ?gone.”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?watched? ?this? ?move? ?of? ?his? ?and? ?his? ?eyes? ?turned? ?cold,? ?“Explain? ?yourself? ?clearly.? ?What? ?do? ?

you? ?mean? ?“gone”?”? ? ?

?

“He? ?doesn’t? ?want? ?to? ?follow? ?you? ?anymore.? ?He? ?left.? ?Dead.? ?What? ?do? ?you? ?think?”? ?White? ?No-Face? ?

said.? ?

?

“...”? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?first? ?felt? ?his? ?heart? ?drop,? ?then? ?immediately? ?after? ?a? ?violent? ?rage? ?rolled? ?up,? ?and? ?he? ?struck,? ?

“STOP? ?YOUR? ?NONSENSE!”? ? ?

?

White? ?No-Face? ?once? ?again? ?caught? ?that? ?blade? ?effortlessly,? ?“Fine,? ?fine.? ?I? ?was? ?talking? ?nonsense.? ?

Don’t? ?worry,? ?I’ve? ?already? ?sent? ?him? ?outside? ?the? ?Kiln,? ?so? ?even? ?if? ?he? ?wants? ?to? ?rush? ?over? ?now? ?it’d? ?be? ?

too? ?late.”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?really? ?didn’t? ?mind? ?whether? ?if? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?could? ?make? ?it,? ?as? ?long? ?as? ?he? ?was? ?okay,? ?and? ?he? ?

quietly? ?sighed? ?a? ?breath? ?of? ?relief.? ?White? ?No-Face? ?continued,? ?“But,? ?it’s? ?probably? ?for? ?the? ?best? ?that? ?he? ?

doesn’t? ?come? ?in.? ?Otherwise,? ?even? ?if? ?he? ?doesn’t? ?think? ?so? ?now,? ?later? ?when? ?he? ?sees? ?the? ?state? ?of? ?

you,? ?who? ?knows? ?if? ?he’ll? ?still? ?want? ?to? ?be? ?with? ?you.”? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?couldn’t? ?stand? ?him? ?anymore? ?and? ?swung? ?his? ?sword? ?again,? ?yelling,? ?“SHUT? ?UP!? ?I’VE? ?HAD? ?

ENOUGH? ?OF? ?YOU!? ?WHAT? ?DO? ?YOU? ?WANT?? ?JUST? ?WHAT? ?DO? ?YOU? ?WANT??? ?HOW? ?LONG? ?ARE? ?

YOU? ?GOING? ?TO? ?KEEP? ?CLINGING? ?TO? ?ME???”? ? ?

?

White? ?No-Face? ?easily? ?dodged? ?every? ?single? ?one? ?of? ?his? ?strikes,? ?and? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?cried? ?in? ?rage,? ?“Why? ?

haven’t? ?you? ?died?? ?WHY? ?DID? ?YOU? ?COME? ?TO? ?THE? ?Kiln?”? ? ?

?

“Because? ?of? ?you!”? ?White? ?No-Face? ?replied.? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian’s? ?movement? ?faltered,? ?and? ?he? ?huffed? ?a? ?breath,? ?“What? ?do? ?you? ?mean?”? ? ?

?

White? ?No-Face? ?answered? ?languidly,? ?“Because? ?you’ve? ?come.? ?So,? ?I’ve? ?come? ?too.”? ? ?

?

Hearing? ?an? ?answer? ?like? ?this,? ?Xie? ?Lian’s? ?face? ?was? ?going? ?twisted.? ?

?

However,? ?not? ?matter? ?how? ?enraged? ?he? ?was,? ?how? ?strong? ?his? ?murderous? ?intent,? ?it? ?was? ?as? ?if? ?White? ?

No-Face? ?could? ?forever? ?predict? ?what? ?his? ?next? ?strike? ?would? ?be? ?and? ?avoid? ?each? ?attack? ?by? ?mere? ?

millimeters.? ?The? ?more? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?struck,? ?the? ?more? ?he? ?understood? ?a? ?cruel? ?fact:? ?

?

He? ?couldn’t? ?win!? ?

?

“That’s? ?right.”? ?Like? ?he? ?could? ?read? ?his? ?mind,? ?White? ?No-Face? ?said,? ?“You? ?can’t? ?win.”? ? ?

?

The? ?moment? ?those? ?words? ?left? ?his? ?lips,? ?a? ?blade? ?was? ?pierced? ?through? ?Xie? ?Lian’s? ?wrist.? ?Excruciating? ?

pain? ?spread? ?throughout? ?his? ?body,? ?and? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?involuntarily? ?loosened? ?his? ?grip? ?on? ?the? ?sword.? ?The? ?

next? ?second,? ?his? ?hair? ?was? ?grabbed,? ?forcibly? ?yanked? ?back? ?then? ?bashed? ?into? ?the? ?ground!? ? ?

?

His? ?ears? ?were? ?ringing,? ?his? ?nose? ?and? ?mouth? ?were? ?filled? ?with? ?the? ?astringence? ?of? ?blood,? ?and? ?his? ?

head? ?concussed.? ? ?

?

It? ?was? ?a? ?while? ?later? ?before? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?felt? ?a? ?hand? ?pull? ?his? ?head? ?out? ?from? ?the? ?shattered? ?ground,? ?and? ?

a? ?voice? ?came? ?from? ?above,? ?“So? ?sad,? ?so? ?pitiful.”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?choked? ?out? ?a? ?mouthful? ?of? ?blood.? ?White? ?No-Face? ?said,? ?“Every? ?time? ?I? ?meet? ?Your? ?

Highness,? ?you? ?always? ?look? ?like? ?this.? ?Makes? ?one? ?ache.? ?Makes? ?one? ?excited.”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?bit? ?back? ?another? ?mouthful? ?of? ?blood,? ?refusing? ?to? ?let? ?it? ?be? ?coughed? ?out,? ?and? ?he? ?croaked,? ?

“...Don’t? ?be? ?too? ?pleased.? ?I? ?might? ?not? ?be? ?able? ?to? ?win? ?against? ?you? ?right? ?now,? ?but...? ?someone? ?can.? ?

Even? ?if? ?you? ?can? ?emerge? ?from? ?the? ?Kiln,? ?Jun? ?Wu? ?can? ?very? ?well? ?kill? ?you? ?again.”? ? ?

?

Besides,? ?there’s? ?still? ?Hua? ?Cheng!? ?

?

Yet? ?unexpectedly,? ?White? ?No-Face? ?replied,? ?“Who? ?says? ?the? ?one? ?who? ?will? ?emerge? ?from? ?the? ?Kiln? ?

would? ?be? ?me?”? ? ?

?

Hearing? ?this,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?was? ?taken? ?aback.? ?

?

Not? ?him?? ?Who? ?else? ?could? ?it? ?be? ?if? ?not? ?him?? ? ?

?

White? ?No-Face? ?lifted? ?his? ?face? ?to? ?look? ?at? ?his? ?eyes,? ?and? ?he? ?said? ?warmly,? ?“Your? ?Highness,? ?I? ?think,? ?

you? ?might? ?have? ?misunderstood.? ?There? ?certainly? ?will? ?be? ?a? ?Supreme? ?who? ?will? ?emerge? ?from? ?this? ?

Kiln,? ?but,? ?it? ?won’t? ?be? ?me.? ?It? ?would? ?be? ?you.”? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?was? ?shaken? ?to? ?the? ?core,? ?“...What? ?did? ?you? ?say?? ?I’m? ?not...”? ?

?

Before? ?he? ?even? ?finished? ?he? ?understood? ?and? ?instantly? ?his? ?body? ?was? ?covered? ?in? ?cold? ?sweat? ?from? ?

the? ?shock.? ?

?

White? ?No-Face? ?said,? ?“That’s? ?right.? ?That’s? ?exactly? ?it.? ?Congratulations,? ?you’ve? ?finally? ?understood? ?

my? ?real? ?objective.? ?Isn’t? ?this? ?your? ?favourite? ?‘Third? ?Path’?”? ? ?

?

Currently? ?in? ?the? ?Kiln,? ?there? ?was? ?only? ?one? ?supreme? ?and? ?one? ?god,? ?and? ?by? ?the? ?looks? ?of? ?things,? ?there? ?

was? ?only? ?two? ?paths? ?to? ?take.? ?Either? ?White? ?No-Face? ?killed? ?him? ?and? ?emerge? ?from? ?the? ?Kiln;? ?or? ?the? ?

two? ?could? ?be? ?trapped? ?within? ?the? ?Kiln? ?forever,? ?escaping? ?an? ?erstwhile? ?dream.? ?

?

However,? ?there? ?was? ?actually? ?a? ?third? ?path.? ?

?

As? ?long? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?kill? ?himself? ?right? ?now,? ?become? ?a? ?ghost? ?and? ?kill? ?White? ?No-Face,? ?then? ?he? ?can? ?

become? ?a? ?Supreme? ?and? ?break? ?through? ?the? ?Kiln!? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?finally? ?snapped? ?out? ?of? ?his? ?shock,? ?“DON’T? ?EVEN? ?THINK? ?ABOUT? ?IT!? ?Are? ?you? ?crazy?? ?Just? ?

what? ?do? ?you? ?want?? ?Why? ?must? ?you? ?do? ?this??? ?Have? ?me? ?become? ?a? ?Supreme?? ?I’m? ?not? ?as? ?crazy? ?as? ?

you!? ?Even? ?if? ?you? ?want? ?me? ?to? ?kill? ?you? ?there? ?was? ?no? ?way? ?I? ?can? ?defeat? ?you,? ?the? ?Kiln? ?won’t? ?recognize? ?

such? ?a? ?Supreme!”? ? ?

?

It? ?was? ?the? ?honest? ?truth.? ?To? ?excel? ?as? ?a? ?person? ?didn’t? ?mean? ?one? ?could? ?excel? ?as? ?a? ?god;? ?and? ?to? ?be? ?

able? ?to? ?become? ?god? ?didn’t? ?mean? ?one? ?could? ?become? ?a? ?ghost.? ?However,? ?White? ?No-Face? ?said,? ?

“Really?? ?Don’t? ?be? ?so? ?sure.”? ? ?

?

Then,? ?his? ?other? ?hand? ?reached? ?out.? ?With? ?the? ?firelight? ?not? ?too? ?far? ?away,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?could? ?see? ?that? ?a? ?

mask? ?appeared? ?in? ?that? ?other? ?hand.? ?The? ?exact? ?same? ?one? ?as? ?the? ?one? ?on? ?White? ?No-Face’s? ?face.? ?

?

“Do? ?you? ?remember? ?this? ?cry-smiling? ?mask?”? ?White? ?No-Face? ?asked,? ?“It? ?suits? ?you.”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian’s? ?eyes? ?bulged,? ?and? ?terror? ?was? ?like? ?a? ?tide? ?of? ?insects,? ?dense? ?and? ?packed? ?as? ?they? ?crawled? ?

into? ?his? ?mind.? ?He? ?forced? ?out? ?weakly,? ?“...Take? ?it? ?away,? ?take? ?it? ?away...? ?TAKE? ?IT? ?AWAY!”? ? ?

?

White? ?No-Face? ?started? ?laughing,? ?“It? ?seems,? ?Your? ?Highness’? ?memory? ?isn’t? ?that? ?great.? ?If? ?that’s? ?the? ?

case,? ?let? ?me? ?help? ?you? ?remember,? ?hm?”? ? ?

?

Then,? ?without? ?giving? ?him? ?a? ?chance? ?to? ?protest,? ?that? ?tragically? ?pale? ?cry-smiling? ?mask? ?melted? ?with? ?

the? ?infinite? ?darkness? ?as? ?it? ?was? ?heavily? ?pressed? ?onto? ?Xie? ?Lian’s? ?face.? ?

?

?

———–? ?

?

?

End? ?of? ?Book? ?3? ?