Heaven Official's Blessing

Chapter 181-190

Chapter 181-190

Book? ?4:? ?White-Clothed? ?Calamity? ?

MXTX? ?Author? ?Notes:? ?This? ?book? ?is? ?set? ?in? ?the? ?past? ?timeline;? ?this? ?is? ?about? ?the? ?first? ?banishment? ?after? ?

the? ?fall? ?of? ?XianLe.? ?Follows? ?after? ?Book? ?2.? ?Not? ?too? ?long~? ?

——————————————————————————————————————————-? ?

Ch.181:? ?Lantern? ?Night;? ?Penny? ?for? ?a? ?Wandering? ?Soul? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?jolted? ?awake? ?in? ?horror.? ?

?

His? ?body? ?was? ?drenched? ?in? ?cold? ?sweat? ?from? ?the? ?scare? ?and? ?he? ?shot? ?up? ?from? ?his? ?rest,? ?burying? ?his? ?

face? ?in? ?his? ?hands.? ?

?

The? ?reason? ?he? ?was? ?woken? ?from? ?shock? ?was? ?because? ?of? ?a? ?dream.? ?Within? ?the? ?dream,? ?both? ?his? ?

father? ?and? ?mother? ?hung? ?themselves? ?and? ?committed? ?suicide.? ?He? ?saw? ?it,? ?but? ?there? ?was? ?no? ?joy? ?nor? ?

grief,? ?no? ?tears? ?to? ?flow,? ?and? ?he? ?woodenly? ?prepared? ?to? ?prepare? ?himself? ?another? ?white? ?silk? ?band.? ?

Just? ?as? ?he? ?was? ?sticking? ?his? ?head? ?into? ?the? ?knot,? ?he? ?saw? ?below? ?there? ?was? ?a? ?white? ?clad? ?man? ?

wearing? ?the? ?crying-smile? ?mask? ?jeering? ?at? ?him,? ?and? ?his? ?heart? ?jolted,? ?the? ?knot? ?tightened,? ?and? ?a? ?

crushing? ?suffocation? ?came.? ?Then? ?he? ?woke? ?up.? ?

?

It? ?was? ?already? ?daylight? ?outside? ?the? ?window,? ?and? ?from? ?the? ?exterior? ?came? ?a? ?voice,? ?“Your? ?Highness!? ?

Are? ?you? ?awake?”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?answered? ?offhandedly,? ?“I’m? ?awake!”? ? ?

?

It? ?was? ?only? ?after? ?having? ?violently? ?panted? ?for? ?a? ?good? ?while? ?did? ?he? ?realize? ?that? ?he? ?wasn’t? ?sitting? ?on? ?

a? ?futon,? ?instead? ?it? ?was? ?a? ?sheet? ?of? ?straw? ?mat? ?under? ?his? ?body.? ?Although? ?it? ?was? ?layered? ?with? ?many? ?

batches? ?of? ?hay,? ?extraordinarily? ?soft,? ?but? ?to? ?him? ?it? ?still? ?wasn’t? ?quite? ?comfortable.? ?Even? ?now? ?he? ?still? ?

wasn’t? ?used? ?to? ?such? ?simple? ?and? ?crude? ?bedding.? ?

?

The? ?one? ?who? ?called? ?for? ?him? ?just? ?now? ?was? ?Feng? ?Xin.? ?He? ?went? ?out? ?early? ?in? ?the? ?morning? ?and? ?had? ?

just? ?brought? ?back? ?food,? ?and? ?was? ?still? ?urging? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?from? ?the? ?outside? ?to? ?go? ?take? ?his? ?meal.? ?Xie? ?

Lian? ?acknowledged? ?him? ?and? ?crawled? ?up.? ?

?

That? ?sense? ?of? ?suffocation? ?in? ?the? ?dream? ?was? ?too? ?real? ?and? ?his? ?hand? ?unconsciously? ?felt? ?his? ?neck.? ?

He? ?had? ?only? ?wanted? ?to? ?verify? ?whether? ?if? ?there? ?really? ?was? ?a? ?strangle? ?mark? ?left? ?behind? ?by? ?a? ?knotted? ?

white? ?silk? ?band,? ?yet? ?unexpectedly,? ?he? ?had? ?actually? ?felt? ?something.? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?was? ?shaken? ?at? ?first,? ?and? ?he? ?rushed? ?to? ?grab? ?a? ?mirror? ?tossed? ?on? ?the? ?ground? ?not? ?far? ?away,? ?

but? ?when? ?he? ?looked? ?at? ?his? ?reflection,? ?he? ?realized? ?it? ?was? ?a? ?band? ?of? ?black? ?collar? ?encircling? ?around? ?

his? ?neck.? ?Thus,? ?he? ?finally? ?calmed,? ?and? ?remembered? ?everything.? ?

?

It? ?was? ?the? ?cursed? ?shackle.? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian’s? ?fingers? ?probed? ?at? ?it.? ?

?

Once? ?banished? ?to? ?become? ?a? ?mortal,? ?other? ?than? ?aging? ?slower? ?than? ?normal? ?humans,? ?there? ?weren’t? ?

many? ?other? ?privileges.? ?However,? ?when? ?Jun? ?Wu? ?first? ?fabricated? ?Xie? ?Lian’s? ?cursed? ?shackle,? ?he? ?still? ?

showed? ?some? ?mercy? ?and? ?left? ?him? ?room? ?to? ?accommodate.? ? ?

?

While? ?this? ?cursed? ?shackle? ?locked? ?away? ?his? ?spiritual? ?powers,? ?it? ?also? ?sealed? ?his? ?age? ?and? ?flesh? ?body? ?

at? ?the? ?same? ?time,? ?allowing? ?him? ?to? ?neither? ?age? ?nor? ?die.? ?Furthermore,? ?Jun? ?Wu? ?told? ?him,? ?if? ?you? ?

managed? ?to? ?ascend? ?again,? ?then? ?everything? ?in? ?your? ?previous? ?life? ?shall? ?be? ?forgiven,? ?and? ?this? ?thing? ?

would? ?be? ?removed.? ?

?

But,? ?to? ?wear? ?such? ?a? ?thing? ?on? ?the? ?body? ?was? ?no? ?different? ?than? ?a? ?criminal? ?whose? ?face? ?was? ?branded? ?

as? ?a? ?sinner,? ?no? ?doubt? ?a? ?bone-deep? ?humiliation.? ?Having? ?thought? ?this,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?reached? ?out? ?to? ?the? ?

side? ?and? ?grabbed? ?a? ?white? ?silk? ?band,? ?ready? ?to? ?pull? ?it? ?over? ?his? ?head.? ?Yet? ?the? ?moment? ?he? ?raised? ?his? ?

hand? ?he? ?suddenly? ?recalled? ?that? ?terrifying? ?feeling? ?of? ?his? ?neck? ?slowly? ?being? ?strangled? ?from? ?the? ?

dream? ?and? ?he? ?hesitated.? ?However,? ?in? ?the? ?end? ?he? ?still? ?pulled? ?it? ?out? ?and? ?wrapped? ?it? ?thoroughly? ?

around? ?his? ?neck? ?and? ?the? ?bottom? ?half? ?of? ?his? ?face? ?before? ?going? ?out.? ?

?

Feng? ?Xin? ?and? ?Mu? ?Qing? ?were? ?already? ?waiting? ?for? ?him? ?outside.? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?had? ?brought? ?back? ?

steaming? ?hot? ?steamed? ?buns? ?and? ?Mu? ?Qing? ?was? ?slowly? ?munching? ?at? ?it.? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?passed? ?two? ?over? ?

to? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?but? ?when? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?saw? ?those? ?dull? ?and? ?dried? ?crude? ?buns? ?he? ?lost? ?his? ?appetite,? ?so? ?he? ?

shook? ?his? ?head,? ?refusing? ?them.? ? ?

?

“Your? ?Highness,? ?you? ?have? ?to? ?eat? ?something? ?in? ?the? ?morning.? ?We? ?have? ?to? ?work? ?afterwards,? ?and? ?it’s? ?

not? ?labour? ?that’d? ?can? ?be? ?done? ?with? ?just? ?sitting? ?around.”? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?said.? ?

?

Mu? ?Qing? ?didn’t? ?bother? ?looking? ?up,? ?“Yea,? ?even? ?if? ?you? ?don’t? ?eat? ?this? ?there’s? ?nothing? ?else? ?to? ?eat.? ?You? ?

can? ?faint? ?again? ?but? ?you’d? ?still? ?have? ?to? ?eat? ?this? ?in? ?the? ?end.”? ? ?

?

Feng? ?Xin? ?glared? ?at? ?him,? ?“Watch? ?your? ?tone.”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?had? ?ascended? ?for? ?a? ?few? ?years? ?and? ?had? ?long? ?forgotten? ?what? ?it? ?was? ?like? ?to? ?eat.? ?A? ?few? ?days? ?

ago? ?he? ?nearly? ?fainted,? ?and? ?it? ?was? ?only? ?after? ?that? ?he? ?realized? ?it? ?was? ?because? ?he? ?hadn’t? ?had? ?

anything? ?to? ?eat? ?for? ?several? ?days.? ?This? ?was? ?the? ?incident? ?Mu? ?Qing? ?was? ?referring? ?to.? ?Sitting? ?on? ?the? ?

side,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?didn’t? ?want? ?those? ?two? ?to? ?start? ?fighting? ?so? ?early? ?in? ?the? ?morning? ?so? ?he? ?changed? ?the? ?

subject? ?immediately,? ?“Let’s? ?go.? ?We? ?don’t? ?even? ?know? ?if? ?we’ll? ?find? ?any? ?work? ?yet? ?today.”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?of? ?the? ?past? ?was? ?of? ?a? ?noble? ?and? ?prestigious? ?status,? ?and? ?since? ?he? ?possessed? ?a? ?celestial? ?

body,? ??unneeding? ??of? ?mortal? ?sustenance,? ?naturally? ?there? ?was? ?no? ?need? ?to? ?worry? ?over?? ?making? ?a? ?

living.? ?However,? ?the? ?him? ?now,? ?while? ?he? ?was? ?still? ?a? ?crown? ?prince,? ?the? ?Kingdom? ?of? ?XianLe? ?was? ?

already? ?no? ?more;? ?while? ?he? ?was? ?still? ?a? ?god,? ?he? ?had? ?long? ?since? ?been? ?banished.? ?Now? ?that? ?he? ?was? ?

basically? ?no? ?different? ?than? ?a? ?mortal,? ?naturally? ?he? ?needed? ?to? ?concern? ?himself? ?with? ?how? ?to? ?live? ?his? ?

days.? ?The? ?profession? ?of? ?cultivators? ?was? ?of? ?course? ?catching? ?ghosts? ?and? ?performing? ?services,? ?but? ?it? ?

wasn’t? ?like? ?there? ?were? ?demons? ?and? ?monsters? ?for? ?you? ?to? ?catch? ?or? ?rituals? ?to? ?be? ?performed? ?

everyday,? ?so,? ?a? ?majority? ?of? ?the? ?time? ?they? ?still? ?needed? ?to? ?find? ?some? ?casual,? ?temporary? ?work,? ?like? ?

helping? ?with? ?transporting? ?goods? ?or? ?some? ?manual? ?labour.? ?

?

But? ?even? ?such? ?small? ?errand-like? ?jobs? ?might? ?not? ?be? ?so? ?easily? ?grabbed,? ?since? ?up? ?until? ?now,? ?there? ?

were? ?much? ?too? ?many? ?impoverished? ?civilians? ?who? ?were? ?displaced.? ?When? ?these? ?paupers? ?saw? ?

there? ?was? ?work,? ?they? ?didn’t? ?even? ?need? ?payment;? ?with? ?just? ?a? ?bun? ?and? ?half? ?a? ?bowl? ?of? ?rice? ?and? ?

they’d? ?be? ?willing? ?to? ?labour,? ?swarming? ?up? ?to? ?fight? ?for? ?the? ?work,? ?so? ?how? ?could? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?and? ?

company? ?possibly? ?compete?? ?Even? ?if? ?they? ?managed? ?to? ?grab? ?something,? ?after? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?

deliberated,? ?he? ?might? ?still? ?think? ?that? ?others? ?needed? ?the? ?work? ?more.? ?Sure? ?enough,? ?after? ?walking? ?

the? ?streets? ?for? ?a? ?good? ?while,? ?they? ?still? ?found? ?nothing.? ?

?

“Can? ?we? ?not? ?find? ?something? ?more? ?stable? ?and? ?respectable? ?to? ?do?”? ?Mu? ?Qing? ?grumbled.? ?

?

“Rubbish.? ?If? ?it? ?existed? ?we? ?would’ve? ?long? ?since? ?gotten? ?it.”? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?said,? ?“Don’t? ?respectable? ?jobs? ?

need? ?to? ?have? ?faces? ?shown?? ?Who? ?doesn’t? ?recognize? ?His? ?Highness’? ?face?? ?If? ?he? ?was? ?recognized,? ?

how? ?would? ?the? ?work? ?remain? ?stable?”? ? ?

?

Mu? ?Qing? ?stopped? ?talking.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?on? ?the? ?other? ?hand,? ?wrapped? ?the? ?white? ?bandage? ?covering? ?his? ?

lower? ?half? ?of? ?the? ?face? ?tighter.? ?Indeed,? ?if? ?anyone? ?was? ?to? ?recognize? ?who? ?he? ?was,? ?then? ?they? ?would? ?

have? ?to? ?either? ?flee? ?or? ?they’d? ?be? ?beaten? ?and? ?chased? ?away.? ?And? ?for? ?example,? ?if? ?they? ?were? ?to? ?enlist? ?

for? ?a? ?security? ?guard? ?job,? ?who? ?would? ?possibly? ?be? ?comfortable? ?enough? ?to? ?hire? ?someone? ?with? ?an? ?

unknown? ?background,? ?a? ?security? ?guard? ?who? ?wouldn’t? ?even? ?show? ?his? ?face?? ?They? ?couldn’t? ?go? ?and? ?

take? ?up? ?assassination? ?jobs? ?either,? ?so? ?their? ?choices? ?were? ?very? ?limited.? ?

?

It? ?was? ?impossible? ?for? ?gods? ?to? ?worry? ?over? ?hunger.? ?However,? ?mortals? ?needed? ?to? ?eat.? ?Ever? ?since? ?Xie? ?

Lian? ?was? ?young? ?he? ?had? ?never? ?had? ?to? ?consider? ?these? ?kinds? ?of? ?affairs,? ?and? ?this? ?was? ?truly? ?the? ?first? ?

time? ?in? ?over? ?tens? ?of? ?years? ?that? ?this? ?problem? ?gripped? ?him.? ?However,? ?if? ?gods? ?didn’t? ?even? ?know? ?what? ?

starvation? ?felt? ?like,? ?how? ?could? ?they? ?possibly? ?understand? ?the? ?feelings? ?of? ?a? ?starving? ?worshipper?? ?

How? ?could? ?they? ?possibly? ?empathize?? ?At? ?this? ?point,? ?he? ?could? ?only? ?take? ?this? ?experience? ?as? ?a? ?form? ?

of? ?training.? ?

?

Just? ?then,? ?there? ?was? ?a? ?sudden? ?cacophony? ?of? ?gongs? ?and? ?drums? ?from? ?not? ?far? ?in? ?the? ?distance,? ?and? ?

a? ?large? ?crowd? ?gathered? ?to? ?see? ?what? ?was? ?happening.? ?The? ?three? ?followed? ?with? ?the? ?flow? ?and? ?went? ?

up? ?to? ?watch,? ?and? ?there? ?were? ?a? ?few? ?martial? ?artists? ?and? ?clowns? ?hollering? ?with? ?all? ?their? ?might? ?within? ?

the? ?crowd.? ?It? ?was? ?a? ?street? ?busker.? ?Mu? ?Qing? ?tried? ?suggesting? ?again,? ?“If? ?all? ?else? ?fails,? ?why? ?don’t? ?we? ?

go? ?busk?”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?was? ?also? ?considering? ?the? ?same? ?thing,? ?but? ?before? ?he? ?responded,? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?was? ?already? ?

replying? ?as? ?he? ?watched,? ?“What? ?foolishness? ?are? ?you? ?spouting?? ?His? ?Highness’? ?body? ?is? ?worth? ?a? ?

thousand? ?gold,? ?how? ?can? ?he? ?go? ?do? ?something? ?like? ?that?”? ? ?

?

Mu? ?Qing? ?rolled? ?his? ?eyes,? ?“We’ve? ?carried? ?bricks? ?already,? ?so? ?how? ?is? ?busking? ?any? ?different?”? ? ?

?

“Carrying? ?bricks? ?is? ?feeding? ?ourselves? ?with? ?our? ?own? ?physical? ?strength,”? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?said,? ?“Busking? ?is? ?

to? ?entertain? ?the? ?masses,? ?to? ?amuse? ?them? ?by? ?making? ?fools? ?of? ?ourselves,? ?so? ?of? ?course? ?it’s? ?different!”? ?

Then,? ?one? ?of? ?the? ?clowns? ?who? ?was? ?hopping? ?about? ?tripped? ?and? ?fell.? ?The? ?crowd? ?roared? ?with? ?

laughter? ?as? ?he? ?pulled? ?himself? ?up? ?and? ?bent? ?at? ?the? ?waist? ?to? ?bow,? ?picking? ?up? ?some? ?scattered? ?coins? ?

tossed? ?on? ?the? ?ground.? ?Seeing? ?this,? ?a? ?deep? ?sense? ?of? ?rejection? ?rolled? ?up? ?in? ?Xie? ?Lian’s? ?mind,? ?and? ?he? ?

shook? ?his? ?head? ?forcefully,? ?striking? ?out? ?“busking”? ?as? ?a? ?viable? ?path? ?of? ?employment.? ?When? ?Mu? ?Qing? ?

saw,? ?he? ?said,? ?“Fine.? ?Then? ?let’s? ?start? ?pawning? ?stuff.”? ? ?

?

“We’ve? ?already? ?pawned? ?a? ?lot? ?of? ?stuff,”? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?said,? ?“Otherwise? ?we? ?wouldn’t? ?have? ?made? ?it? ?until? ?

now.? ?The? ?rest? ?can’t? ?be? ?pawned.”? ? ?

?

Suddenly,? ?behind? ?the? ?crowd? ?came? ?waves? ?of? ?surprised? ?shouts,? ?and? ?someone? ?yelled,? ?“THE? ?

SOLDIERS? ?ARE? ?HERE!? ?THE? ?SOLDIERS? ?ARE? ?HERE!”? ? ?

?

Hearing? ?that? ?the? ?soldiers? ?had? ?come,? ?the? ?bustling? ?crowd? ?watching? ?the? ?show? ?broke? ?up.? ?Soon? ?after,? ?

a? ?band? ?of? ?soldiers? ?with? ?weapons? ?in? ?their? ?hands,? ?donned? ?in? ?shiny? ?new? ?armours,? ?their? ?airs? ?

impressive,? ?strutted? ?down? ?the? ?street,? ?interrogating? ?anyone? ?who? ?appeared? ?suspicious.? ?The? ?three? ?

hid? ?in? ?the? ?crowd? ?and? ?heard? ?people? ?beside? ?them? ?talk:? ? ?

?

“Who? ?are? ?they? ?trying? ?to? ?catch?”? ? ?

?

“Don’t? ?worry,? ?they’re? ?not? ?here? ?to? ?arrest? ?us.? ?I? ?heard? ?they’re? ?trying? ?to? ?capture? ?the? ?XianLe? ?royals? ?

who? ?had? ?escaped.”? ? ?

?

“Apparently? ?someone? ?saw? ?suspicious? ?characters? ?around? ?here,? ?so? ?the? ?city’s? ?been? ?really? ?strict? ?in? ?

searches? ?lately.”? ? ?

?

“For? ?real?!? ?My? ?goodness,? ?have? ?they? ?actually? ?fled? ?to? ?this? ?place?”? ? ?

?

Hearing? ?this,? ?the? ?three? ?exchanged? ?looks? ?and? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?whispered,? ?“Let’s? ?hurry? ?back? ?and? ?see.”? ? ?

?

The? ?other? ?two? ?nodded.? ?They? ?silently? ?left? ?the? ?crowd? ?separately,? ?and? ?only? ?after? ?having? ?walked? ?for? ?a? ?

while? ?without? ?garnering? ?attention? ?before? ?they? ?met? ?up? ?again,? ?dashing? ?away.? ?

?

They? ?ran? ?up? ?to? ?a? ?desolate? ?piece? ?of? ?woods? ?up? ?on? ?a? ?small? ?mountain,? ?and? ?from? ?afar? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?could? ?

see? ?a? ?thick? ?column? ?of? ?smoke? ?coming? ?from? ?within? ?the? ?woods.? ?His? ?heart? ?dropped? ?heavily;? ?could? ?

the? ?YongAn? ?soldiers? ?have? ?already? ?discovered? ?this? ?place? ?and? ?set? ?off? ?fires? ?to? ?murder?? ? ?

?

They? ?ran? ?closer,? ?and? ?there? ?was? ?a? ?broken? ?little? ?cottage? ?hidden? ?in? ?the? ?trees,? ?possibly? ?left? ?behind? ?by? ?

some? ?past? ?unknown? ?hunter.? ?The? ?thick? ?smoke? ?was? ?coming? ?from? ?inside? ?this? ?cottage? ?and? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?

blurted,? ?“MOTHER!? ?WHAT’S? ?GOING? ?ON,? ?ARE? ?YOU? ?THERE?”? ? ?

?

After? ?his? ?shout,? ?a? ?woman? ?emerged? ?in? ?greeting? ?and? ?called? ?out? ?happily,? ?“My? ?son?? ?You’ve? ?come?”? ? ?

?

It? ?was? ?the? ?queen.? ?She? ?was? ?dressed? ?plainly? ?and? ?thinned? ?quite? ?a? ?bit,? ?slightly? ?different? ?than? ?her? ?

affluent? ?lady? ?appearance? ?of? ?the? ?past.? ?Seeing? ?that? ?his? ?mother? ?was? ?fine? ?and? ?her? ?face? ?was? ?full? ?of? ?

delight,? ?obviously? ?unbothered,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?relaxed? ?but? ?then? ?quickly? ?asked,? ?“What’s? ?with? ?the? ?

smoke?”? ? ?

?

The? ?queen? ?replied,? ?embarrassed,? ?“...It’s? ?not? ?really? ?anything.? ?I? ?just? ?wanted? ?to? ?do? ?a? ?little? ?cooking? ?

today...”? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?didn’t? ?know? ?whether? ?to? ?laugh? ?or? ?cry? ?and? ?said,? ?“Don’t!? ?What? ?cooking?? ?Just? ?settle? ?with? ?the? ?

food? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?and? ?Mu? ?Qing? ?bring? ?you? ?everyday.? ?This? ?smoke? ?is? ?too? ?conspicuous;? ?where? ?there’s? ?

smoke,? ?there’s? ?people,? ?you’ll? ?attract? ?the? ?YongAn? ?soldiers.? ?We? ?bumped? ?into? ?them? ?in? ?the? ?city? ?

earlier.? ?This? ?city? ?will? ?also? ?tighten? ?their? ?security,? ?we’ll? ?need? ?to? ?move? ?to? ?a? ?different? ?place? ?again.”? ?

?

Feng? ?Xin? ?and? ?Mu? ?Qing? ?entered? ?the? ?cottage? ?to? ?put? ?the? ?smoke? ?out,? ?and? ?the? ?queen? ?didn’t? ?dare? ?to? ?

be? ?negligent? ?either,? ?so? ?she? ?went? ?to? ?the? ?back? ?rooms? ?to? ?talk? ?to? ?the? ?king.? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?came? ?out? ?and? ?

whispered,? ?“Your? ?Highness,? ?are? ?you? ?not? ?going? ?to? ?go? ?see? ?his? ?majesty?”? ? ?

?

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

?

The? ?two? ?of? ?them,? ?father? ?and? ?son,? ?one? ?was? ?the? ?king? ?of? ?a? ?fallen? ?kingdom,? ?the? ?other? ?was? ?a? ?

banished? ?god,? ?just? ?who? ?was? ?the? ?more? ?pathetic,? ?the? ?more? ?ashamed? ?really? ?couldn’t? ?be? ?compared.? ?

If? ?they? ?were? ?to? ?be? ?forced? ?to? ?sit? ?down? ?to? ?face? ?each? ?other,? ?they’d? ?only? ?glare? ?at? ?one? ?another? ?instead? ?

of? ?having? ?a? ?heart? ?to? ?heart,? ?so? ?if? ?they? ?could? ?avoid? ?seeing? ?each? ?other,? ?it’d? ?be? ?for? ?the? ?best.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?

called? ?out,? ?“Mother,? ?why? ?don’t? ?you? ?pack? ?up? ?in? ?a? ?bit,? ?and? ?we’ll? ?leave? ?today.? ?We’ll? ?come? ?pick? ?you? ?up? ?

in? ?the? ?evening.? ?We’ll? ?leave? ?for? ?now.”? ? ?

?

The? ?queen? ?quickly? ?came? ?out? ?again,? ?“My? ?son,? ?you’re? ?leaving? ?just? ?like? ?that?? ?You? ?haven’t? ?visited? ?in? ?

so? ?many? ?days,? ?why? ?leave? ?so? ?fast?”? ? ?

?

“I? ?have? ?to? ?go? ?train.”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?said.? ?

?

In? ?truth,? ?it? ?was? ?to? ?go? ?find? ?work,? ?otherwise? ?they? ?couldn’t? ?possibly? ?gather? ?enough? ?sustenance? ?for? ?so? ?

many? ?people.? ?“Have? ?you? ?eaten? ?yet? ?this? ?morning?”? ?The? ?queen? ?asked.? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?shook? ?his? ?head.? ?The? ?three? ?of? ?them? ?were? ?starving? ?by? ?now.? ?The? ?queen? ?said,? ?“Then? ?you’ll? ?

break? ?your? ?body.? ?Fortunately,? ?I? ?just? ?stewed? ?a? ?pot? ?of? ?porridge,? ?come? ?in? ?and? ?grab? ?a? ?bite.”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?wondered? ?inwardly,? ?‘Why? ?was? ?there? ?so? ?much? ?smoke? ?like? ?the? ?palace? ?was? ?on? ?fire? ?if? ?it? ?was? ?

just? ?a? ?pot? ?of? ?porridge...’? ?

?

The? ?queen? ?turned? ?to? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?and? ?Mu? ?Qing,? ?“You? ?two? ?children? ?come? ?eat? ?with? ?us? ?too.”? ? ?

?

Feng? ?Xin? ?and? ?Mu? ?Qing? ?hadn’t? ?expected? ?to? ?receive? ?such? ?a? ?treatment? ?at? ?all? ?and? ?tried? ?to? ?decline,? ?

but? ?the? ?queen? ?was? ?adamant,? ?so? ?the? ?two? ?could? ?only? ?sit? ?down? ?timidly? ?at? ?the? ?table,? ?both? ?feeling? ?

rather? ?surprised? ?and? ?flattered.? ? ?

?

However,? ?after? ?the? ?queen? ?brought? ?over? ?that? ?pot,? ?their? ?surprise? ?soon? ?turned? ?into? ?dread.? ? ?

?

After? ?returning? ?to? ?the? ?city,? ?Mu? ?Qing’s? ?stomach? ?was? ?still? ?turning,? ?and? ?he? ?said? ?as? ?he? ?stumbled,? ?“I? ?

thought...? ?that? ?porridge,? ?it? ?smelled? ?like? ?bran? ?water,? ?but? ?I? ?hadn’t? ?thought? ?it’d? ?taste? ?like? ?it? ?too!”? ? ?

?

Feng? ?Xin? ?gritted? ?his? ?teeth,? ?“Shut? ?up!? ?Don’t? ?force? ?people? ?to? ?remember? ?that? ?pot? ?of? ?stuff!? ?The? ?queen? ?

is...? ?body? ?of? ?ten? ?thousand? ?gold? ?after? ?all...? ?never? ?cooked...? ?this? ?is? ?already...? ?UGH!? ?...”? ?

?

Mu? ?Qing? ?humphed,? ?“Did? ?I? ?say? ?something? ?wrong?? ?If? ?you? ?didn’t? ?think? ?it? ?was? ?like? ?bran? ?water,? ?why? ?

don’t? ?you...? ?go? ?ask? ?the? ?queen? ?to? ?grant? ?you? ?another? ?bowl!? ?UGH!? ?...”? ?

?

The? ?two? ?were? ?heaving? ?back? ?and? ?forth? ?and? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?grabbed? ?hold? ?of? ?the? ?both? ?of? ?them,? ?patting? ?

their? ?backs,? ?“Stop? ?heaving!? ?Look,? ?up? ?ahead...? ?there? ?seems? ?to? ?be? ?some? ?work!”? ? ?

?

Sure? ?enough,? ?when? ?the? ?three? ?stumbled? ?over,? ?there? ?were? ?a? ?couple? ?little? ?ringleaders? ?shouting? ?on? ?

the? ?streets? ?looking? ?for? ?hired? ?help.? ?The? ?pay? ?was? ?fairly? ?decent? ?and? ?there? ?wasn’t? ?a? ?limit? ?to? ?the? ?

number? ?of? ?help? ?needed,? ?they? ?would? ?take? ?everyone? ?who’d? ?come,? ?so? ?the? ?three? ?quickly? ?signed? ?up,? ?

mixing? ?in? ?with? ?a? ?group? ?of? ?disheveled,? ?skinny? ?to? ?the? ?bones? ?paupers,? ?forming? ?a? ?large? ?band? ?as? ?they? ?

came? ?to? ?a? ?muddy,? ?empty? ?field.? ?It? ?seemed? ?there? ?was? ?the? ?intention? ?of? ?building? ?a? ?new? ?residence? ?

here? ?so? ?the? ?area? ?was? ?going? ?to? ?start? ?on? ?overhaul,? ?beginning? ?with? ?filling? ?in? ?the? ?grounds? ?first.? ?The? ?

three? ?worked? ?hard,? ?their? ?bodies? ?covered? ?in? ?mud.? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?was? ?hauling? ?earth? ?as? ?he? ?hugged? ?his? ?

stomach,? ?his? ?face? ?green,? ?cursing,? ?“...Fuck? ?me!? ?I? ?think? ?that? ?pot? ?of? ?stewed? ?bran? ?water? ?turned? ?into? ?a? ?

spirit? ?in? ?my? ?stomach!”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?was? ?carrying? ?a? ?basket? ?full? ?of? ?earth? ?and? ?he? ?looked? ?back,? ?speaking? ?in? ?a? ?hushed? ?voice,? ?

“Can? ?you? ?hang? ?on?? ?...? ?Do? ?you? ?want? ?to? ?sit? ?down? ?for? ?a? ?bit? ?on? ?the? ?side?”? ? ?

?

Mu? ?Qing? ?turned? ?to? ?Xie? ?Lian,? ?“Why? ?don’t? ?you? ?go? ?rest? ?on? ?the? ?side.”? ? ?

?

“No.? ?I? ?can? ?still? ?hang? ?on.”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?replied.? ?

?

Mu? ?Qing? ?rolled? ?his? ?eyes,? ?“Don’t? ?be? ?stubborn.? ?If? ?you? ?dirty? ?your? ?clothes? ?I’m? ?the? ?one? ?who? ?has? ?to? ?

wash? ?them.? ?I’d? ?rather? ?do? ?your? ?part? ?of? ?the? ?work.”? ?Not? ?far? ?in? ?the? ?distance,? ?someone? ?yelled,? ?“WORK? ?

HARD? ?AND? ?DON’T? ?TALK!? ?DON’T? ?BE? ?LAZY!? ?YOU? ?STILL? ?WANT? ?TO? ?GET? ?PAID?”? ? ?

?

Feng? ?Xin? ?was? ?tenacious? ?and? ?continued? ?to? ?hang? ?on,? ?even? ?hauling? ?twice? ?the? ?amount? ?of? ?mud? ?than? ?

before,? ?“It’s? ?not? ?like? ?it’s? ?a? ?lot? ?of? ?pay,? ?why? ?make? ?so? ?much? ?fuss? ?like? ?they’re? ?all? ?that?”? ?

?

After? ?a? ?grueling? ?day,? ?having? ?fought? ?from? ?high? ?noon? ?to? ?sunset,? ?the? ?work? ?was? ?finally? ?done.? ?

Physically,? ?the? ?three? ?weren’t? ?completely? ?exhausted,? ?but? ?to? ?have? ?worked? ?so? ?hard? ?only? ?for? ?some? ?

meagre? ?pay? ?and? ?a? ?bite? ?to? ?eat,? ?the? ?heart? ?was? ?more? ?tired? ?than? ?the? ?body.? ?When? ?they? ?finally? ?gained? ?

some? ?free? ?time,? ?they? ?laid? ?down? ?on? ?a? ?field? ?that? ?was? ?slightly? ?more? ?clean? ?to? ?rest.? ?Just? ?then,? ?another? ?

group? ?came? ?around,? ?rowdy? ?and? ?noisy.? ?A? ?couple? ?of? ?the? ?men? ?were? ?hauling? ?a? ?stone? ?statue? ?as? ?they? ?

walked? ?over? ?slowly.? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?looked? ?up? ?slightly,? ?“What? ?statue? ?is? ?that?”? ? ?

?

Mu? ?Qing? ?glanced? ?at? ?it? ?too,? ?“Maybe? ?the? ?new? ?divine? ?statue? ?to? ?guard? ?over? ?this? ?place.”? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?didn’t? ?speak.? ?

?

If? ?this? ?was? ?the? ?past,? ?then? ?the? ?chosen? ?divine? ?statue? ?to? ?guard? ?land? ?would? ?be? ?his? ?crown? ?prince? ?

statue? ?without? ?question,? ?yet? ?now? ?who? ?knows? ?which? ?god? ?this? ?would? ?be.? ?It? ?was? ?most? ?likely? ?to? ?be? ?

Jun? ?Wu,? ?or? ?perhaps? ?whichever? ?official? ?who? ?was? ?newly? ?ascended.? ? ?

?

After? ?a? ?long? ?pause,? ?in? ?the? ?end? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?still? ?couldn’t? ?help? ?but? ?wonder? ?just? ?who? ?it? ?was? ?that? ?

replaced? ?him,? ?so? ?he? ?forced? ?himself? ?to? ?get? ?up? ?and? ?shuffled? ?close? ?to? ?the? ?crowd? ?to? ?take? ?a? ?look.? ?That? ?

stone? ?statue? ?had? ?its? ?back? ?facing? ?him? ?so? ?he? ?couldn’t? ?see? ?the? ?face? ?clearly,? ?but,? ?it? ?seemed? ?to? ?be? ?

kneeling.? ?Now? ?he? ?was? ?even? ?more? ?curious.? ?Which? ?heavenly? ?official’s? ?divine? ?statue? ?kneeled?? ?Then? ?

then? ?went? ?around? ?the? ?large? ?circle? ?before? ?turning? ?to? ?look.? ?

?

When? ?he? ?saw,? ?his? ?entire? ?mind? ?went? ?blank.? ?

?

The? ?face? ?of? ?that? ?divine? ?statue? ?was? ?his? ?own!? ?

?

That? ?kneeling? ?statue? ?was? ?settled? ?onto? ?the? ?ground,? ?and? ?someone? ?on? ?the? ?side? ?rudely? ?patted? ?its? ?

head,? ?“It’s? ?finally? ?transported.? ?This? ?bastard? ?is? ?pretty? ?heavy!”? ? ?

?

“Why? ?did? ?you? ?haul? ?over? ?a? ?statue? ?like? ?this?? ?It’s? ?kinda? ?ugly,? ?why? ?not? ?bring? ?over? ?the? ?Heavenly? ?

Martial? ?Emperor?? ?Isn’t? ?this? ?that? ?what’s-his-face...”? ?

?

“It’s? ?that? ?one,? ?right?? ?Didn’t? ?they? ?say? ?worshipping? ?him? ?would? ?bring? ?bad? ?luck?? ?You? ?guys? ?still? ?dare? ?

worship? ?him?? ?And? ?to? ?go? ?out? ?of? ?your? ?way? ?to? ?transport? ?him? ?all? ?the? ?way? ?here...”? ?

?

“Now,? ?none? ?of? ?you? ?understand.? ?Worshipping? ?a? ?God? ?of? ?Misfortune? ?would? ?certainly? ?bring? ?bad? ?luck,? ?

but? ?this? ?statue? ?isn’t? ?for? ?worshipping,? ?it’s? ?for? ?stepping.? ?If? ?you? ?step? ?on? ?a? ?God? ?of? ?Misfortune,? ?doesn’t? ?

that? ?mean? ?it’d? ?ensure? ?your? ?everlasting? ?good? ?fortune?”? ? ?

?

The? ?crowd? ?was? ?enlightened,? ?“What? ?a? ?good? ?meaning,? ?an? ?excellent? ?symbolism!”? ?

?

Feng? ?Xin? ?and? ?Mu? ?Qing? ?could? ?also? ?sense? ?something? ?wrong? ?and? ?when? ?they? ?approached,? ?they? ?too? ?

fell? ?silent.? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?was? ?about? ?to? ?explode? ?but? ?Mu? ?Qing? ?held? ?him? ?back,? ?warning? ?him? ?with? ?his? ?eyes? ?

and? ?said? ?under? ?his? ?breath,? ?“The? ?crown? ?prince? ?hasn’t? ?even? ?started? ?anything,? ?so? ?what? ?are? ?you? ?

going? ?to? ?yell? ?for?”? ? ?

?

Indeed,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?was? ?quiet? ?and? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?wasn’t? ?sure? ?whether? ?if? ?he? ?had? ?other? ?considerations,? ?so? ?

he? ?didn’t? ?dare? ?move? ?recklessly.? ?Thus,? ?he? ?forced? ?himself? ?to? ?swallow? ?his? ?angry? ?words,? ?but? ?his? ?eyes? ?

were? ?blazing? ?like? ?flames.? ?Finally,? ?someone? ?grumbled,? ?“Isn’t? ?this...? ?rather? ?inappropriate?? ?He? ?was? ?

a? ?god? ?once,? ?His? ?Highness? ?the? ?Crown? ?Prince.”? ? ?

?

“Please,? ?XianLe? ?has? ?fallen,? ?so? ?what? ?crown? ?prince?”? ? ?

?

Another? ?said,? ?“What? ?you? ?said? ?was? ?wrong.? ?Stepping? ?on? ?a? ?God? ?of? ?Misfortune? ?isn’t? ?anything? ?

inappropriate,? ?in? ?fact,? ?he? ?should? ?thank? ?us.”? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?suddenly? ?piped? ?up,? ?“Oh?? ?Why? ?should? ?he? ?thank? ?you?”? ?

?

That? ?man? ?explained? ?presumptuously,? ?“Have? ?you? ?seen? ?the? ?thresholds? ?of? ?temples?? ?It’s? ?trampled? ?

by? ?thousands,? ?hundreds? ?of? ?thousands,? ?but? ?does? ?My? ?Lord? ?see? ?just? ?how? ?many? ?wealthy? ?

households? ?are? ?fighting? ?to? ?pay? ?for? ?one? ?of? ?those? ?temple? ?thresholds? ?to? ?be? ?used? ?as? ?their? ?

substitutes?? ?It’s? ?because? ?every? ?step? ?stepped? ?on? ?that? ?threshold,? ?that? ?threshold? ?would? ?absolve? ?

them? ?of? ?a? ?sin,? ?pay? ?a? ?debt,? ?collect? ?a? ?merit.? ?This? ?kneeling? ?statue? ?has? ?the? ?same? ?function.? ?If? ?we? ?each? ?

step? ?a? ?step? ?on? ?its? ?head,? ?or? ?spit? ?on? ?it,? ?aren’t? ?we? ?also? ?collecting? ?merits? ?for? ?the? ?crown? ?prince?? ?So,? ?he? ?

should? ?thank? ?us...”? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?couldn’t? ?listen? ?anymore.? ?

?

When? ?that? ?man? ?said? ?the? ?word? ?“thank”? ?his? ?fist? ?was? ?already? ?raised? ?and? ?he? ?lunged.? ?

?

The? ?crowd? ?instantly? ?exploded,? ?“WHAT? ?ARE? ?YOU? ?DOING?!”? ?“FIGHT!”? ?“WHO’S? ?CAUSING? ?

TROUBLE?”? ?

?

Feng? ?Xin? ?already? ?couldn’t? ?wait? ?to? ?beat? ?people? ?up,? ?so? ?he? ?also? ?cried? ?as? ?he? ?joined? ?the? ?brawl.? ?Mu? ?

Qing? ?couldn’t? ?tell? ?if? ?he? ?joined? ?in? ?himself? ?or? ?if? ?he? ?got? ?pulled? ?in.? ?In? ?any? ?case,? ?all? ?three? ?of? ?them? ?

started? ?fighting.? ?In? ?the? ?midst? ?of? ?the? ?brawl,? ?there? ?were? ?a? ?number? ?of? ?times? ?when? ?the? ?white? ?bandage? ?

on? ?Xie? ?Lian’s? ?face? ?was? ?almost? ?yanked? ?off,? ?but? ?thank? ?goodness? ?that? ?didn’t? ?happen.? ?The? ?three? ?of? ?

them? ?were? ?all? ?skilled? ?in? ?martial? ?arts,? ?but? ?the? ?other? ?party? ?had? ?the? ?numbers,? ?plus? ?afterwards,? ?Mu? ?

Qing? ?were? ?holding? ?the? ?other? ?two? ?back,? ?warning? ?them? ?that? ?to? ?kill? ?mortals? ?was? ?to? ?add? ?to? ?their? ?

crimes,? ?so? ?the? ?fight? ?ended? ?up? ?being? ?miserably? ?restrained.? ?In? ?the? ?end,? ?while? ?the? ?fight? ?was? ?

gratifying,? ?the? ?three? ?were? ?still? ?booted? ?out.? ?

?

After? ?walking? ?alongside? ?a? ?river? ?for? ?a? ?while? ?looking? ?unkempt,? ?their? ?steps? ?finally? ?slowed.? ?Mu? ?Qing? ?

complained? ?angrily,? ?his? ?face? ?black? ?and? ?blue,? ?“We? ?worked? ?so? ?hard? ?all? ?day,? ?but? ?in? ?the? ?end? ?we? ?

gained? ?nothing? ?all? ?because? ?of? ?a? ?fight!”? ? ?

?

Feng? ?Xin? ?wiped? ?at? ?the? ?blood? ?on? ?his? ?lips,? ?“How? ?can? ?you? ?bring? ?up? ?money? ?at? ?a? ?time? ?like? ?this?”? ? ?

?

“It’s? ?precisely? ?because? ?it’s? ?a? ?time? ?like? ?this? ?that? ?money? ?has? ?to? ?be? ?brought? ?up!”? ?Mu? ?Qing? ?countered,? ?

“A? ?time? ?like? ?this?? ?What? ?time? ?is? ?it?? ?Time? ?when? ?we’re? ?starving!? ?It? ?doesn’t? ?matter? ?if? ?you? ?don’t? ?admit? ?

it,? ?but? ?nothing? ?can? ?be? ?done? ?without? ?money!? ?Can? ?you? ?both? ?not? ?suck? ?it? ?up? ?just? ?a? ?little? ?bit?”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?didn’t? ?speak.? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?spoke,? ?“How? ?do? ?we? ?endure? ?this?? ?He’s? ?been? ?made? ?into? ?that? ?kind? ?

of? ?kneeling? ?statue? ?for? ?people? ?to? ?step? ?on!? ?You’re? ?not? ?the? ?one? ?being? ?stepped? ?on? ?the? ?face,? ?so? ?of? ?

course? ?you? ?can? ?speak? ?so? ?lightly? ?of? ?it.”? ? ?

?

“Since? ?the? ?war’s? ?been? ?lost,? ?it’s? ?not? ?the? ?first? ?time? ?that? ?something? ?like? ?this? ?has? ?happened.”? ?Mu? ?Qing? ?

said,? ?“And? ?there? ?will? ?surely? ?be? ?more? ?in? ?the? ?future.? ?If? ?he? ?can’t? ?learn? ?to? ?get? ?used? ?to? ?it? ?soon,? ?he? ?might? ?

as? ?well? ?just? ?die.”? ? ?

?

Feng? ?Xin? ?argued? ?in? ?distaste,? ?“Get? ?used? ?to? ?it?? ?Get? ?used? ?to? ?what?? ?Being? ?humiliated? ?by? ?others?? ?Get? ?

used? ?to? ?mortals? ?stepping? ?on? ?his? ?face?? ?Why? ?does? ?he? ?have? ?to? ?get? ?used? ?to? ?something? ?like? ?that?”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?cried? ?out? ?in? ?irritation,? ?“That’s? ?enough!? ?Stop? ?arguing.? ?Is? ?something? ?small? ?like? ?this? ?worth? ?

fighting? ?over?”? ? ?

?

The? ?two? ?shut? ?up? ?uniformly.? ?

?

After? ?a? ?pause,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?sighed.? ?“Let’s? ?go.? ?Find? ?a? ?carriage? ?to? ?go? ?pick? ?up? ?mother? ?and? ?father.? ?We? ?

have? ?to? ?leave? ?this? ?city? ?tonight.”? ? ?

?

Feng? ?Xin? ?acknowledged,? ?“Alright.”? ? ?

?

The? ?two? ?walked? ?side? ?by? ?side? ?for? ?a? ?bit? ?when? ?suddenly? ?they? ?noticed? ?Mu? ?Qing? ?didn’t? ?follow.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?

looked? ?back,? ?confused,? ?“Mu? ?Qing?”? ? ?

?

After? ?some? ?silence,? ?Mu? ?Qing? ?spoke,? ?“Your? ?Highness,? ?I? ?want? ?to? ?talk? ?to? ?you? ?about? ?something.”? ? ?

?

“What? ?is? ?it?”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?asked,? ?but? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?said? ?impatiently,? ?“What’s? ?with? ?you? ?now?? ?I? ?already? ?said? ?

I? ?won’t? ?argue? ?with? ?you? ?anymore,? ?what? ?more? ?do? ?you? ?want?”? ? ?

?

“I? ?want? ?to? ?leave.”? ?Mu? ?Qing? ?said? ?simply.? ?

?

“...”? ?

?

Although? ?before? ?he? ?opened? ?his? ?mouth? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?had? ?already? ?had? ?a? ?vague? ?bad? ?premonition,? ?but? ?

when? ?Mu? ?Qing? ?actually? ?said? ?those? ?words? ?out? ?loud,? ?Xie? ?Lian’s? ?breath? ?still? ?stopped.? ?

?

Feng? ?Xin? ?suspected? ?that? ?he? ?might? ?have? ?heard? ?wrong,? ?“What?? ?What? ?did? ?you? ?say?”? ? ?

?

Mu? ?Qing? ?straightened? ?his? ?back,? ?his? ?black? ?obsidian? ?eyes? ?unyielding,? ?and? ?his? ?demeanor? ?calm,? ?

“Please? ?permit? ?me? ?to? ?leave.”? ? ?

?

“Leave?”? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?exclaimed,? ?“What? ?should? ?His? ?Highness? ?do? ?if? ?you? ?leave?? ?What? ?about? ?the? ?king? ?

and? ?the? ?queen?”? ? ?

?

Mu? ?Qing? ?opened? ?and? ?closed? ?his? ?mouth? ?a? ?couple? ?times,? ?but? ?in? ?the? ?end? ?he? ?still? ?said,? ?“I’m? ?sorry.? ?I? ?

can? ?only? ?do? ?so? ?much.”? ? ?

?

“No,? ?you? ?explain? ?yourself? ?right? ?now,? ?what? ?the? ?heck? ?do? ?you? ?mean? ?‘you? ?can? ?only? ?do? ?so? ?much’?”? ?

Feng? ?Xin? ?demanded.? ?

?

Mu? ?Qing? ?replied,? ?“The? ?king? ?and? ?the? ?queen? ?are? ?His? ?Highness’? ?parents,? ?and? ?I? ?have? ?my? ?own? ?

mother.? ?She? ?needs? ?my? ?care? ?too.? ?I? ?can’t? ?say? ?I? ?need? ?to? ?go? ?take? ?care? ?of? ?someone? ?else? ?and? ?

someone? ?else’s? ?parents? ?and? ?neglect? ?my? ?own? ?mother.? ?So,? ?I? ?pray? ?Your? ?Highness? ?will? ?understand,? ?I? ?

cannot? ?continue? ?to? ?follow? ?by? ?your? ?side.”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?was? ?feeling? ?faint? ?and? ?leaned? ?against? ?a? ?wall? ?on? ?the? ?side.? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?questioned? ?coldly,? ?“Is? ?

that? ?the? ?real? ?reason?? ?How? ?come? ?you’ve? ?never? ?mentioned? ?it? ?before?”? ? ?

?

“This? ?is? ?one? ?of? ?the? ?reasons.”? ?Mu? ?Qing? ?said,? ?“Another? ?reason? ?is,? ?I? ?feel,? ?we’ve? ?sunken? ?into? ?a? ?

dilemma,? ?but? ?as? ?to? ?how? ?to? ?break? ?out? ?of? ?this? ?dilemma,? ?we? ?have? ?very? ?different? ?ideas.? ?Pardon? ?my? ?

honesty,? ?but? ?if? ?things? ?keep? ?going? ?on? ?like? ?this,? ?nothing? ?will? ?get? ?better? ?even? ?in? ?a? ?million? ?years.? ?So,? ?

our? ?paths? ?have? ?diverged.”? ?

?

Feng? ?Xin? ?was? ?so? ?angry? ?he? ?started? ?chuckling? ?and? ?nodded,? ?turning? ?to? ?Xie? ?Lian,? ?“Your? ?Highness,? ?

you? ?hear? ?that?? ?Remember? ?what? ?I? ?first? ?said?? ?If? ?you? ?were? ?ever? ?banished,? ?he’d? ?for? ?sure? ?be? ?the? ?first? ?

to? ?break? ?away.? ?Didn’t? ?I? ?tell? ?you?”? ? ?

?

Mu? ?Qing? ?seemed? ?be? ?faintly? ?enraged? ?by? ?his? ?words? ?and? ?said? ?flatly,? ?“Will? ?you? ?please? ?not? ?force? ?me.? ?

I’m? ?only? ?speaking? ?the? ?truth.? ?Everyone? ?has? ?their? ?own? ?views;? ?no? ?one? ?was? ?born? ?destined? ?to? ?be? ?the? ?

righteous? ?path? ?of? ?the? ?mortal? ?realm,? ?the? ?centre? ?of? ?the? ?world.? ?Perhaps? ?you? ?enjoy? ?orbiting? ?around? ?

another? ?person,? ?but? ?others? ?might? ?not? ?be? ?the? ?same? ?as? ?you.”? ? ?

?

“Where? ?did? ?all? ?those? ?concealed? ?sour? ?words? ?come? ?from?? ?I? ?don’t? ?give? ?a? ?damn.”? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?said,? ?

“Can’t? ?you? ?just? ?say? ?plainly? ?that? ?you’re? ?going? ?to? ?turn? ?your? ?back? ?on? ?us?”? ? ?

?

“Enough!”? ? ?

?

Hearing? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?voice? ?up,? ?the? ?two? ?both? ?stopped.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?removed? ?his? ?hand? ?from? ?his? ?forehead? ?

and? ?turned? ?to? ?Mu? ?Qing.? ?He? ?stared? ?at? ?him? ?for? ?a? ?while? ?before? ?speaking,? ?“I? ?don’t? ?like? ?forcing? ?other? ?

people.”? ? ?

?

Mu? ?Qing? ?pursed? ?his? ?lips? ?but? ?still? ?stood? ?tall.? ? ?

?

“Go.”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?said.? ?

?

Mu? ?Qing? ?looked? ?at? ?him,? ?speaking? ?not? ?a? ?word.? ?Then? ?he? ?bowed? ?deeply? ?and? ?really? ?turned? ?around? ?to? ?

walk? ?away.? ?

?

Watching? ?his? ?retreating? ?back? ?unblinkingly? ?as? ?it? ?disappeared? ?into? ?the? ?night,? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?said? ?in? ?

disbelief,? ?“Your? ?Highness,? ?you’d? ?really? ?let? ?him? ?go? ?just? ?like? ?that?”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?sighed,? ?“What? ?else? ?can? ?I? ?do?? ?I? ?already? ?said? ?I? ?don’t? ?like? ?forcing? ?other? ?people.”? ? ?

?

“No,? ?but?? ?That? ?bastard!”? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?exclaimed,? ?“What’s? ?with? ?him?? ?He? ?really? ?left,? ?just? ?like? ?that?!? ?

Ran? ?off?? ?What? ?the? ?fuck!”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?crouched? ?down? ?next? ?to? ?the? ?riverside,? ?rubbing? ?his? ?forehead,? ?“Nevermind? ?it.? ?Since? ?his? ?

heart? ?has? ?left? ?us? ?already,? ?what’s? ?the? ?use? ?in? ?keeping? ?him?? ?Tie? ?him? ?up? ?and? ?force? ?him? ?to? ?wash? ?my? ?

clothes?”? ? ?

?

Feng? ?Xin? ?didn’t? ?know? ?what? ?else? ?to? ?say? ?either? ?and? ?crouched? ?down? ?too.? ?A? ?moment? ?later? ?he? ?spat? ?

angrily,? ?“Goddammit.? ?That? ?bastard? ?can? ?share? ?in? ?the? ?wealth? ?but? ?not? ?the? ?suffering,? ?running? ?away? ?

the? ?moment? ?shit? ?hits? ?the? ?fan.? ?Does? ?he? ?remember? ?nothing? ?of? ?your? ?kindness?!”? ? ?

?

“I’m? ?the? ?one? ?who? ?told? ?him? ?not? ?to? ?remember? ?it,”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?said,? ?“So? ?you? ?too...? ?there’s? ?no? ?need? ?to? ?

hang? ?it? ?around? ?your? ?lips.”? ? ?

?

“But? ?he? ?can’t? ?possibly? ?really? ?remember? ?nothing?!”? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?refuted,? ?“What? ?the? ?actual? ?fuck!? ?But? ?

don’t? ?you? ?worry,? ?Your? ?Highness,? ?I? ?will? ?never,? ?ever? ?leave? ?you.”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?forced? ?a? ?small? ?smile? ?but? ?didn’t? ?say? ?anything.? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?stood? ?back? ?up,? ?“Shall? ?we? ?go? ?pick? ?

up? ?the? ?king? ?and? ?the? ?queen?? ?I’ll? ?go? ?find? ?a? ?carriage,? ?you? ?just? ?wait? ?here.”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?nodded,? ?“Thank? ?you? ?for? ?the? ?trouble.? ?Be? ?careful.”? ? ?

?

Feng? ?Xin? ?acknowledged? ?and? ?left.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?also? ?rose? ?to? ?his? ?feet? ?and? ?walked? ?alongside? ?the? ?river? ?

for? ?another? ?while,? ?his? ?entire? ?person? ?still? ?feeling? ?a? ?little? ?light? ?on? ?the? ?feet,? ?like? ?nothing? ?was? ?real.? ?

?

Mu? ?Qing’s? ?departure? ?really? ?shocked? ?him? ?to? ?the? ?core.? ?

?

First,? ?he? ?had? ?never? ?thought? ?that? ?someone? ?so? ?close? ?would? ?just? ?up? ?and? ?leave.? ?Second,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?

had? ?always? ?believed? ?in? ?“forever”.? ?For? ?example,? ?friends? ?would? ?always? ?be? ?friends? ?forever;? ?no? ?

betrayal,? ?no? ?deception,? ?no? ?breaking? ?up.? ?Perhaps? ?there’d? ?be? ?times? ?when? ?they’d? ?part,? ?but? ?it? ?for? ?

sure? ?wouldn’t? ?be? ?over? ?reasons? ?like? ?“life? ?is? ?too? ?horrible”.? ?

?

This? ?was? ?like? ?how? ?in? ?stories,? ?the? ?hero? ?and? ?the? ?beauty? ?were? ?a? ?match? ?made? ?in? ?heaven,? ?and? ?so? ?

they? ?should? ?never? ?part,? ?remaining? ?true? ?to? ?each? ?other? ?forever? ?and? ?ever.? ?If? ?they? ?couldn’t,? ?it’d? ?still? ?

must? ?be? ?because? ?they? ?were? ?forced? ?apart? ?by? ?a? ?tragic? ?death,? ?not? ?because? ?the? ?hero? ?preferred? ?to? ?

eat? ?meat? ?while? ?the? ?beauty? ?preferred? ?to? ?eat? ?fish,? ?or? ?because? ?the? ?hero? ?scorned? ?the? ?beauty? ?for? ?

spending? ?too? ?lavishly? ?and? ?the? ?beauty? ?scorned? ?the? ?hero? ?over? ?his? ?bad? ?habits.? ?

?

To? ?suddenly? ?step? ?and? ?lose? ?one’s? ?footing,? ?plunging? ?millions? ?of? ?miles? ?down? ?only? ?to? ?discover? ?you? ?

were? ?still? ?in? ?the? ?mortal? ?realm? ?really? ?wasn’t? ?a? ?good? ?feeling.? ?

?

Walking? ?around? ?randomly? ?for? ?a? ?bit,? ?there? ?were? ?suddenly? ?a? ?number? ?of? ?shimmering? ?golden? ?light? ?

floating? ?over? ?from? ?ahead.? ?Only? ?then? ?did? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?snap? ?out? ?of? ?it,? ?and? ?when? ?he? ?looked? ?closer,? ?he? ?

found? ?the? ?light? ?were? ?actually? ?lanterns? ?after? ?lanterns? ?floating? ?above? ?the? ?water,? ?flowing? ?over? ?along? ?

with? ?the? ?current? ?of? ?the? ?river.? ?There? ?were? ?also? ?a? ?couple? ?of? ?children,? ?laughingly? ?playing? ?by? ?the? ?

riverside.? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?remembered,? ?“Ah,? ?today? ?is? ?ZhongYuan*.”? ? ?

?

In? ?the? ?past,? ?there? ?would? ?always? ?be? ?a? ?grand? ?service? ?performed? ?for? ?the? ?ZhongYuan? ?Festival? ?at? ?the? ?

Royal? ?Holy? ?Pavilion;? ?he’d? ?look? ?forward? ?to? ?it? ?long? ?before? ?the? ?event? ?and? ?would? ?never? ?have? ?

forgotten.? ?Now,? ?he? ?didn’t? ?keep? ?anything? ?in? ?mind? ?at? ?all.? ?He? ?shook? ?his? ?head? ?and? ?continued? ?on? ?his? ?

way.? ?Just? ?then,? ?a? ?voice? ?came? ?from? ?the? ?road? ?ahead,? ?“Kids,? ?kids,? ?will? ?you? ?buy? ?it?”? ? ?

?

This? ?voice? ?was? ?exceedingly? ?old? ?and? ?raspy,? ?laced? ?with? ?a? ?trace? ?of? ?the? ?chilling? ?air? ?of? ?evil.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?

instinctively? ?knew? ?something? ?was? ?wrong? ?and? ?he? ?gazed? ?over,? ?only? ?to? ?see? ?the? ?two? ?children? ?from? ?

earlier? ?with? ?lanterns? ?in? ?their? ?hands? ?stopped? ?by? ?the? ?roadside,? ?looking? ?at? ?something? ?with? ?both? ?

curiosity? ?and? ?a? ?little? ?fear.? ?

?

Within? ?the? ?darkness? ?in? ?front? ?of? ?them? ?sat? ?a? ?man.? ?It? ?seemed? ?to? ?be? ?an? ?elder? ?in? ?black? ?robes,? ?dirty? ?

and? ?disheveled? ?as? ?he? ?melted? ?into? ?one? ?with? ?the? ?black? ?night.? ?In? ?his? ?hand? ?held? ?a? ?lantern,? ?and? ?he? ?

beckoned? ?the? ?two? ?children? ?shadily,? ?“My? ?lanterns? ?are? ?very? ?different? ?than? ?the? ?ordinary? ?lanterns? ?in? ?

your? ?arms.? ?These? ?are? ?rare? ?treasures;? ?if? ?you? ?make? ?wishes? ?they? ?are? ?guaranteed? ?to? ?come? ?true.”? ? ?

?

Those? ?two? ?small? ?children? ?were? ?doubtful,? ?“R-Really?”? ? ?

?

That? ?elder? ?said,? ?“Of? ?course.? ?Look.”? ? ?

?

The? ?lantern? ?in? ?his? ?hand? ?was? ?clearly? ?unlit,? ?but? ?it? ?suddenly? ?glowed? ?an? ?inexplicable? ?red? ?light.? ?There? ?

were? ?over? ?ten? ?other? ?lanterns? ?on? ?the? ?ground? ?next? ?to? ?him,? ?and? ?they? ?too,? ?flickered? ?with? ?a? ?haunting? ?

green? ?light,? ?exceedingly? ?peculiar.? ?

?

The? ?two? ?small? ?children? ?were? ?amazed,? ?but? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?knew? ?exactly? ?what? ?he? ?was? ?looking? ?at.? ?Rare? ?

treasures?? ?It? ?was? ?clearly? ?the? ?phosphorescence? ?of? ?the? ?dead!? ?

?

There? ?must? ?be? ?the? ?souls? ?of? ?little? ?ghosts? ?sealed? ?within? ?that? ?lantern? ?for? ?it? ?to? ?glow? ?such? ?a? ?peculiar? ?

light.? ?As? ?for? ?this? ?elder,? ?he? ?must? ?be? ?some? ?sketchy? ?scam? ?cultivator? ?who? ?captured? ?those? ?unlucky? ?

wandering? ?feral? ?spirits? ?from? ?who? ?knows? ?where? ?and? ?tied? ?them? ?into? ?the? ?lanterns.Those? ?two? ?

children? ?didn’t? ?know? ?about? ?the? ?trick? ?and? ?was? ?clapping? ?in? ?delight,? ?wanting? ?to? ?buy? ?the? ?lanterns.? ?Xie? ?

Lian? ?quickly? ?rushed? ?over,? ?“Don’t? ?buy? ?it.? ?He’s? ?lying? ?to? ?you.”? ? ?

?

That? ?elder? ?glared,? ?“You? ?little? ?bastard,? ?what? ?did? ?you? ?say?!”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?exposed? ?him? ?directly,? ?“That? ?lantern? ?isn’t? ?a? ?treasure,? ?it’s? ?a? ?demonic? ?contraption.? ?There? ?

are? ?ghosts? ?filled? ?inside,? ?if? ?you? ?bring? ?this? ?home? ?to? ?play,? ?ghosts? ?will? ?cling? ?on? ?to? ?you.”? ? ?

?

When? ?those? ?children? ?heard? ?there? ?were? ?ghosts,? ?they? ?didn’t? ?dare? ?linger? ?and? ?cried? ?“WAH!”? ?as? ?they? ?

ran? ?away.? ?That? ?elder? ?leapt? ?three? ?feet? ?up? ?to? ?his? ?feet,? ?yelling? ?angrily,? ?“YOU? ?DARE? ?RUIN? ?MY? ?

BUSINESS??”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?reasoned,? ?“How? ?can? ?you? ?conduct? ?such? ?a? ?business? ?here?? ?Nevermind? ?ignorant? ?children,? ?

even? ?grown? ?ups? ?who? ?buy? ?your? ?wicked? ?lanterns? ?would? ?fall? ?into? ?great? ?misfortune,? ?maybe? ?even? ?get? ?

clung? ?onto? ?by? ?resentful? ?ghosts,? ?and? ?wouldn’t? ?that? ?be? ?a? ?great? ?wrong?? ?Even? ?if? ?you? ?must? ?sell? ?such? ?a? ?

thing,? ?you? ?should? ?go? ?to? ?a? ?specialized? ?place? ?to? ?sell.”? ? ?

?

That? ?elder? ?rebuked,? ?“You? ?make? ?it? ?sound? ?so? ?easy.? ?Where? ?would? ?you? ?find? ?such? ?a? ?specialized? ?place? ?

to? ?sell? ?such? ?things?? ?Everyone? ?just? ?finds? ?a? ?random? ?place? ?and? ?sets? ?up? ?shop!”? ?He? ?said? ?as? ?he? ?picked? ?

up? ?a? ?bunch? ?of? ?those? ?ugly,? ?poorly? ?made? ?lanterns,? ?huffing? ?as? ?he? ?got? ?ready? ?to? ?leave.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?hastily? ?

called? ?out,? ?“Wait!”? ? ?

?

“What?? ?What? ?do? ?you? ?want?”? ?That? ?elder? ?said? ?gruffly,? ?“Are? ?you? ?going? ?to? ?buy?”? ? ?

?

“No? ?way.”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?said,? ?“You? ?actually? ?plan? ?on? ?continuing? ?to? ?sell? ?somewhere? ?else?? ?Where? ?did? ?all? ?

the? ?ghosts? ?in? ?your? ?lanterns? ?come? ?from?”? ? ?

?

“I? ?caught? ?them? ?on? ?the? ?barren? ?battlefield.? ?They’re? ?everywhere.”? ?That? ?elder? ?replied.? ?

?

Then? ?weren’t? ?they? ?the? ?wandering? ?souls? ?of? ?deceased? ?soldiers?? ?

?

Having? ?heard? ?this,? ?it? ?was? ?impossible? ?for? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?to? ?leave? ?it? ?alone,? ?and? ?he? ?admonished? ?solemnly,? ?

“Stop? ?selling? ?them.? ?Today? ?is? ?ZhongYuan!? ?If? ?this? ?stirs? ?up? ?anything? ?it? ?won’t? ?be? ?funny.? ?Besides,? ?

those? ?are? ?the? ?heroic? ?souls? ?of? ?warriors,? ?how? ?can? ?you? ?sell? ?them? ?like? ?trinkets?”? ? ?

?

“When? ?people? ?die? ?they? ?become? ?nothing? ?but? ?wisps,? ?who? ?cares? ?if? ?it’s? ?a? ?heroic? ?soul? ?or? ?not?”? ?That? ?

elder? ?said,? ?“Of? ?course? ?it’s? ?my? ?old? ?bones? ?that’s? ?more? ?important.? ?We? ?all? ?gotta? ?make? ?a? ?living? ?around? ?

here,? ?if? ?you? ?don’t? ?let? ?me? ?sell,? ?what? ?am? ?I? ?to? ?do?? ?Go? ?homeless?? ?If? ?you’re? ?so? ?passionate? ?about? ?this,? ?

why? ?don’t? ?you? ?spend? ?the? ?money,? ?huh?”? ? ?

?

“You...”? ?

?

In? ?the? ?end,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?admitted? ?defeat,? ?“Fine.? ?I’ll? ?buy.”? ?Then? ?he? ?reached? ?into? ?his? ?pocket? ?and? ?

scoured? ?every? ?corner,? ?only? ?to? ?dig? ?out? ?some? ?pennies,? ?“Is? ?this? ?enough?”? ? ?

?

That? ?elder? ?glanced? ?at? ?it? ?and? ?exclaimed,? ?“Of? ?course? ?not!? ?How? ?can? ?this? ?little? ?bit? ?be? ?enough?!”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?didn’t? ?know? ?too? ?well? ?just? ?how? ?much? ?money? ?would? ?be? ?considered? ?normal? ?when? ?buying? ?

over? ?ten? ?lanterns,? ?and? ?he? ?never? ?looked? ?at? ?the? ?pricetag? ?when? ?he? ?purchased? ?things? ?in? ?the? ?past,? ?

but,? ?under? ?such? ?a? ?woeful? ?situation,? ?he? ?managed? ?to? ?learn? ?how? ?to? ?bargain? ?without? ?being? ?taught,? ?

“Your? ?lanterns? ?don’t? ?look? ?that? ?pretty,? ?and? ?they’re? ?very? ?unlucky.? ?You? ?might? ?as? ?well? ?sell? ?them? ?to? ?me? ?

for? ?cheap.”? ? ?

?

“It’s? ?already? ?this? ?price? ?and? ?you’re? ?asking? ?for? ?cheaper?”? ?That? ?elder? ?argued,? ?“I’ve? ?never? ?seen? ?

anyone? ?more? ?broke? ?than? ?you,? ?how? ?embarrassing!”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?could? ?feel? ?shame? ?dig? ?into? ?his? ?skin? ?by? ?his? ?words,? ?“I’m? ?a? ?Crown? ?Prince,? ?I’m? ?telling? ?you.? ?

Never? ?in? ?my? ?life? ?has? ?anyone? ?called? ?me? ?broke.”? ?But? ?just? ?as? ?the? ?words? ?left? ?his? ?lips? ?he? ?regretted? ?

them,? ?Still,? ?that? ?elder? ?did? ?not? ?take? ?his? ?words? ?seriously? ?at? ?all,? ?and? ?he? ?laughed,? ?“If? ?you’re? ?the? ?Crown? ?

Prince? ?then? ?I’m? ?the? ?good? ?ol’? ?Emperor!”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?felt? ?a? ?little? ?relieved? ?but? ?also? ?a? ?little? ?awkward.? ?Still,? ?in? ?the? ?end? ?he? ?might? ?as? ?well? ?break? ?all? ?

the? ?broken? ?jars? ?and? ?said? ?plainly,? ?“Will? ?you? ?sell?? ?This? ?is? ?all? ?the? ?money? ?I’ve? ?got.”? ? ?

?

After? ?much? ?back? ?and? ?forth,? ?the? ?two? ?finally? ?completed? ?the? ?transaction.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?used? ?that? ?

pathetically? ?sad? ?bit? ?of? ?money? ?to? ?buy? ?over? ?ten? ?ghost? ?lanterns? ?and? ?he? ?brought? ?them? ?to? ?the? ?

riverside.? ?That? ?elder? ?disappeared? ?the? ?moment? ?he? ?got? ?the? ?money? ?while? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?on? ?the? ?other? ?

hand,? ?sat? ?down? ?by? ?the? ?shore,? ?untying? ?each? ?red? ?knot? ?wrapped? ?over? ?the? ?lanterns,? ?releasing? ?all? ?the? ?

little? ?ghosts? ?who? ?were? ?sealed? ?by? ?the? ?spell,? ?and? ?performed? ?a? ?simple? ?service? ?for? ?them.? ?

?

Sparks? ?of? ?haunting? ?ghost? ?fires? ?floated? ?out? ?from? ?the? ?lanterns.? ?These? ?souls? ?were? ?all? ?new? ?ghosts? ?

who? ?had? ?recently? ?passed? ?away,? ?bleary? ?and? ?unfocused? ?with? ?no? ?clear? ?conscience? ?of? ?their? ?own,? ?

very? ?weak? ?and? ?vulnerable,? ?which? ?was? ?why? ?that? ?elder? ?captured? ?them? ?so? ?easily.? ?When? ?they? ?were? ?

released? ?from? ?those? ?cramped? ?lanterns,? ?they? ?all? ?swarmed? ?around? ?Xie? ?Lian,? ?circling? ?him? ?intimately,? ?

sometimes? ?rubbing? ?against? ?him.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?rose? ?to? ?his? ?feet? ?and? ?urged? ?softly,? ?“Go? ?on.? ?Go.”? ? ?

?

With? ?the? ?help? ?of? ?the? ?gentle? ?push? ?from? ?his? ?hand,? ?those? ?spirits? ?rose? ?higher? ?and? ?higher,? ?floating? ?

towards? ?the? ?horizon,? ?gradually? ?dissipating.? ?This? ?was? ?what? ?they? ?called? ?spirits? ?returning? ?to? ?the? ?

world.? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?gazed? ?at? ?the? ?starry? ?sky? ?for? ?a? ?long? ?time? ?when? ?suddenly,? ?behind? ?him? ?came? ?a? ?tiny? ?little? ?

voice.? ?

?

“Your? ?Highness...”? ?That? ?voice? ?called.? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?was? ?taken? ?aback? ?and? ?instantly? ?looked? ?to? ?where? ?the? ?voice? ?came? ?from.? ?Only? ?then? ?did? ?he? ?

notice? ?that? ?there? ?was? ?a? ?tiny? ?ball? ?of? ?ghost? ?fire? ?who? ?remained,? ?not? ?yet? ?passed? ?to? ?yonder? ?heavens? ?

nor? ?dissipated? ?into? ?sparks.? ?

?

It? ?seemed,? ?this? ?little? ?ghost? ?was? ?stronger? ?than? ?all? ?the? ?other? ?little? ?ghosts,? ?and? ?not? ?only? ?did? ?it? ?

possess? ?its? ?own? ?conscience,? ?it? ?could? ?also? ?speak.? ?He? ?walked? ?over,? ?bewildered,? ?“Were? ?you? ?calling? ?

me? ?just? ?now?? ?You...? ?recognize? ?me?”? ? ?

?

Having? ?been? ?noticed,? ?that? ?little? ?ball? ?of? ?ghost? ?fire? ?seemed? ?to? ?become? ?quite? ?lively,? ?jumping? ?up? ?and? ?

down.? ?Judging? ?by? ?its? ?voice,? ?it? ?seemed? ?to? ?also? ?be? ?a? ?young? ?man.? ?“Of? ?course? ?I? ?recognize? ?you!”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?remembered? ?that? ?he? ?was? ?covered? ?all? ?over? ?in? ?mud,? ?looking? ?unseemly? ?and? ?undignified,? ?

and? ?felt? ?more? ?and? ?more? ?awkward.? ?He? ?clenched? ?his? ?hand? ?into? ?a? ?fist? ?and? ?pressed? ?it? ?against? ?his? ?

lips,? ?really? ?not? ?wanting? ?to? ?admit? ?to? ?his? ?identity? ?and? ?thought? ?maybe? ?if? ?he? ?could? ?just? ?tell? ?it? ?it? ?was? ?

mistaken?? ?A? ?moment? ?later,? ?he? ?schooled? ?his? ?expression,? ?“Why? ?have? ?you? ?remained? ?here?? ?Haven’t? ?

I? ?sent? ?you? ?all? ?off?? ?Have? ?I? ?perhaps? ?missed? ?a? ?step?”? ?Otherwise? ?why? ?would? ?there? ?be? ?one? ?remaining? ?

after? ?having? ?performed? ?a? ?service?? ?

?

The? ?ghost? ?without? ?a? ?name? ?floated? ?before? ?him,? ?not? ?too? ?close,? ?not? ?too? ?far,? ?and? ?it? ?answered,? ?“No.? ?

You’ve? ?done? ?nothing? ?wrong.? ?I’m? ?the? ?one? ?who? ?didn’t? ?want? ?to? ?leave,? ?that’s? ?all.”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?mused,? ?“Do? ?you? ?have? ?an? ?unfulfilled? ?wish? ?or? ?some? ?attachment?”? ? ?

?

“Yes.”? ?The? ?nameless? ?ghost? ?replied.? ?

?

“Then,? ?why? ?don’t? ?you? ?tell? ?me.? ?What? ?is? ?it?”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?asked.? ?“If? ?it’s? ?not? ?anything? ?difficult,? ?I’ll? ?do? ?my? ?

best? ?to? ?help? ?you.”? ? ?

?

Behind? ?the? ?back? ?of? ?this? ?nameless? ?ghost? ?were? ?three? ?thousand? ?lanterns? ?flowing? ?languidly? ?along? ?

the? ?night,? ?and? ?it? ?said,? ?“I? ?have? ?a? ?beloved? ?who? ?is? ?still? ?in? ?this? ?world.”? ? ?

?

After? ?some? ?silence,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?said,? ?“I? ?see.? ?Is? ?it? ?your? ?wife?”? ?

?

“No,? ?Your? ?Highness.? ?We? ?never? ?married.”? ?

?

“Ah.”? ? ?

?

The? ?nameless? ?ghost? ?said,? ?“In? ?fact,? ?I? ?might? ?not? ?be? ?well? ?remembered.? ?We? ?never? ?really? ?talked.”? ? ?

?

‘Never? ?really? ?talked?’? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?thought,? ?‘If? ?that’s? ?the? ?case,? ?how? ?did? ?this? ?person? ?become? ?the? ?

‘beloved’? ?that? ?tied? ?your? ?spirit? ?to? ?the? ?world?? ?Just? ?how? ?beautiful? ?must? ?this? ?person? ?be?’? ?

?

Humming? ?for? ?a? ?moment,? ?he? ?said,? ?“So? ?then,? ?what? ?is? ?your? ?wish?”? ? ?

?

The? ?nameless? ?ghost? ?answered,? ?“I? ?want? ?to? ?protect? ?them*.”? ?

?

Usually,? ?a? ?spirit’s? ?wish? ?would? ?be? ?“I? ?want? ?to? ?tell? ?her? ?I? ?love? ?her”? ?“I? ?want? ?to? ?have? ?a? ?round? ?of? ?physical? ?

relations”,? ?or? ?the? ?scarier,? ?“I? ?want? ?her? ?to? ?accompany? ?me? ?down? ?under”.? ?“To? ?protect”? ?really? ?was? ?quite? ?

rare,? ?and? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?blinked,? ?“But,? ?you? ?no? ?longer? ?belong? ?to? ?this? ?world.”? ?

?

The? ?nameless? ?ghost? ?replied,? ?“What? ?of? ?it?”? ? ?

?

“If? ?you? ?remain? ?forcibly,? ?you? ?won’t? ?be? ?able? ?to? ?rest? ?in? ?peace.”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?said.? ?

?

The? ?nameless? ?ghost? ?didn’t? ?seem? ?to? ?care,? ?“I? ?pray? ?to? ?never? ?rest? ?in? ?peace.”? ? ?

?

A? ?wisp? ?of? ?a? ?wandering? ?spirit? ?was? ?actually? ?this? ?stubborn.? ?Typically,? ?such? ?a? ?willful? ?spirit? ?was? ?nine? ?

times? ?out? ?of? ?ten? ?extremely? ?dangerous,? ?yet? ?for? ?some? ?reason,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?didn’t? ?sense? ?any? ?

murderous? ?intent? ?from? ?it,? ?so? ?he? ?wasn’t? ?concerned.? ?He? ?continued,? ?“If? ?your? ?beloved? ?knew? ?you? ?

couldn’t? ?rest? ?in? ?peace? ?because? ?of? ?them,? ?they? ?might? ?feel? ?guilty? ?and? ?troubled.”? ?

?

The? ?nameless? ?ghost? ?hesitated? ?for? ?a? ?moment? ?and? ?replied,? ?“Then,? ?I? ?just? ?won’t? ?let? ?them? ?know? ?why? ?I? ?

haven’t? ?gone.”? ?

?

“After? ?having? ?seen? ?so? ?much,? ?it’d? ?be? ?known? ?sooner? ?or? ?later.”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?said.? ?

?

The? ?nameless? ?ghost? ?said,? ?“Then? ?I? ?won’t? ?let? ?them? ?find? ?out? ?I’m? ?protecting? ?them? ?either.”? ? ?

?

Having? ?listened? ?to? ?this? ?point,? ?Xie? ?Lian’s? ?heart? ?couldn’t? ?help? ?but? ?be? ?moved? ?and? ?thought,? ?this? ?man’s? ?

“love”? ?wasn’t? ?just? ?talk.? ?

?

Within? ?the? ?lanterns? ?were? ?all? ?the? ?wandering? ?feral? ?spirits? ?that? ?elder? ?captured? ?from? ?the? ?barren? ?

battlefield,? ?so? ?the? ?one? ?before? ?him? ?now? ?must? ?also? ?be? ?a? ?young? ?warrior.? ?He? ?said? ?quietly,? ?“This? ?war? ?

separated? ?you? ?from? ?your? ?beloved...? ?I’m? ?sorry.? ?I? ?didn’t? ?win.”? ? ?

?

However,? ?the? ?nameless? ?ghost? ?declared,? ?“To? ?die? ?in? ?battle? ?for? ?you? ?is? ?my? ?greatest? ?honour.”? ? ?

?

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

?

“To? ?die? ?in? ?battle? ?for? ?the? ?Crown? ?Prince? ?is? ?the? ?greatest? ?honour? ?for? ?a? ?XianLe? ?soldier”? ?was? ?a? ?phrase? ?

that? ?some? ?general? ?from? ?XianLe? ?taught? ?the? ?soldiers,? ?and? ?used? ?this? ?slogan? ?to? ?excite? ?their? ?will? ?to? ?

battle,? ?proclaiming? ?that? ?even? ?if? ?they? ?died,? ?they? ?would’ve? ?died? ?for? ?a? ?purpose,? ?and? ?in? ?death? ?they? ?

shall? ?pass? ?on? ?to? ?the? ?immortal? ?realm.? ?That? ?was? ?of? ?course? ?a? ?lie.? ?Yet,? ?even? ?though? ?this? ?young? ?

soldier? ?had? ?passed? ?away,? ?his? ?soul? ?drifting? ?in? ?the? ?mortal? ?realm,? ?he? ?still? ?firmly? ?remembered? ?this? ?

phrase.? ?And,? ?he? ?answered? ?with? ?such? ?solemnity? ?and? ?sincerity.? ?

?

Suddenly,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?felt? ?the? ?rims? ?of? ?his? ?eyes? ?grow? ?hot,? ?his? ?vision? ?becoming? ?blurry.? ?He? ?replied,? ?“I’m? ?

sorry.? ?Forget? ?me.”? ? ?

?

The? ?flickering? ?flames? ?of? ?the? ?nameless? ?ghost? ?flared? ?brighter,? ?“I? ?won’t? ?forget.? ?Your? ?Highness,? ?I? ?am? ?

forever? ?your? ?most? ?devoted? ?believer.”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?forced? ?down? ?his? ?sob,? ?“...I’ve? ?already? ?lost? ?all? ?my? ?believers.? ?Believing? ?in? ?me? ?won’t? ?do? ?you? ?

any? ?good,? ?it? ?might? ?even? ?bring? ?disasters.? ?Do? ?you? ?know?? ?Even? ?my? ?friend? ?has? ?left? ?me.”? ? ?

?

The? ?nameless? ?ghost? ?declared? ?as? ?if? ?swearing? ?an? ?oath,? ?“I? ?won’t.”? ? ?

?

“You? ?will.”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?said.? ?

?

The? ?ghost? ?was? ?insistent,? ?“Believe? ?me,? ?Your? ?Highness.”? ? ?

?

“I? ?don’t? ?believe? ?you.”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?said.? ?

?

He? ?no? ?longer? ?believed? ?anyone,? ?and? ?he? ?no? ?longer? ?believed? ?in? ?himself? ?either.? ?

?

?

?

———-? ?

?

?Memory? ?refresher:? ?[???????]? ?ZhongYuan? ?Festival? ?takes? ?place? ?in? ?mid? ?July? ?on? ?the? ?lunar? ?

calendar? ?and? ?celebrates? ?the? ?underworld.? ?

?

?Third? ?person? ?pronoun? ?He/She? ?in? ?Chinese? ?has? ?the? ?same? ?pronunciation? ?but? ?different? ?

characters.? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?used? ?‘Him’? ?but? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?understood? ?it? ?as? ?‘Her’,? ?so? ?in? ?this? ?

translation,? ?‘Them’? ?is? ?used? ?since? ?the? ?discrepancy? ?in? ?meaning? ?is? ?not? ?very? ?consequential? ?in? ?

this? ?context.? ?

?

?

———? ?

?

Ch.182:? ?Hero? ?Defeated? ?by? ?a? ?Penny? ?

?

Before? ?the? ?entire? ?city? ?was? ?locked? ?in? ?a? ?strict? ?search,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?and? ?company? ?traveled? ?all? ?night? ?and? ?

came? ?to? ?another? ?city.? ?

?

He? ?still? ?settled? ?the? ?king? ?and? ?queen? ?in? ?a? ?secluded? ?place? ?before? ?he? ?himself? ?and? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?went? ?out? ?

to? ?earn? ?money.? ?However,? ?they? ?who? ?couldn’t? ?earn? ?much? ?money? ?in? ?the? ?other? ?city? ?wouldn’t? ?

magically? ?be? ?luckier? ?in? ?a? ?new? ?one.? ?

?

The? ?two? ?still? ?worked? ?a? ?full? ?day’s? ?labour? ?only? ?to? ?earn? ?meagre? ?pay? ?like? ?always,? ?but? ?since? ?the? ?group? ?

of? ?three? ?who? ?never? ?left? ?each? ?other’s? ?sides? ?was? ?suddenly? ?missing? ?one? ?member,? ?the? ?other? ?two? ?

were? ?both? ?having? ?a? ?hard? ?time? ?getting? ?used? ?to? ?it.? ?For? ?example,? ?in? ?the? ?past? ?it? ?had? ?always? ?been? ?Mu? ?

Qing? ?who? ?was? ?responsible? ?in? ?keeping? ?the? ?money? ?pouch,? ?constantly? ?keeping? ?count,? ?and? ?now? ?that? ?

Mu? ?Qing? ?left,? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?straight? ?up? ?said? ?he? ?might? ?lose? ?the? ?money? ?pouch? ?by? ?accident,? ?so? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?

had? ?no? ?choice? ?but? ?to? ?keep? ?it? ?on? ?his? ?person.? ?Every? ?time? ?he? ?counted? ?that? ?sad? ?bit? ?of? ?amount,? ?he? ?

really? ?couldn’t? ?believe? ?it? ?was? ?all? ?he? ?earned? ?after? ?a? ?hard? ?day’s? ?labour.? ?It? ?must? ?be? ?known? ?that? ?in? ?the? ?

past,? ?the? ?amount? ?of? ?money? ?he? ?granted? ?beggars? ?weren’t? ?even? ?this? ?little.? ?

?

With? ?Mu? ?Qing? ?gone,? ?the? ?one? ?who? ?brought? ?food? ?for? ?the? ?king? ?and? ?queen? ?was? ?also? ?gone,? ?so? ?Xie? ?

Lian? ?had? ?no? ?choice? ?but? ?to? ?take? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?with? ?him? ?and? ?personally? ?deliver? ?all? ?sorts? ?of? ?daily? ?

necessities? ?to? ?the? ?king? ?and? ?queen’s? ?hiding? ?place.? ?That? ?she? ?could? ?see? ?her? ?son? ?so? ?frequently,? ?the? ?

queen? ?was? ?very? ?happy,? ?and? ?when? ?she? ?got? ?happy,? ?she? ?entered? ?the? ?kitchen.? ?That? ?day,? ?she? ?once? ?

again? ?made? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?and? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?try? ?her? ?newly? ?stewed? ?soup,? ?dragging? ?them? ?to? ?the? ?table,? ?“You? ?

both? ?need? ?to? ?fatten? ?up,? ?look? ?how? ?thin? ?you’ve? ?become.”? ?

?

Feng? ?Xin? ?was? ?streaming? ?cold? ?sweat,? ?and? ?the? ?moment? ?his? ?butt? ?touched? ?the? ?bench? ?he? ?bounced? ?

up,? ?waving? ?his? ?hands,? ?“No? ?no? ?no,? ?Your? ?Majesty,? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?doesn’t? ?dare,? ?I? ?absolutely? ?mustn’t!”? ?

?

The? ?queen? ?chided? ?pleasantly,? ?“My? ?child,? ?what’s? ?there? ?to? ?be? ?afraid? ?of?? ?Come,? ?sit? ?down.”? ? ?

?

How? ?could? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?dare? ?tell? ?her?? ?He? ?really? ?didn’t? ?dare,? ?and? ?after? ?he? ?forced? ?himself? ?to? ?sit? ?down,? ?

the? ?queen? ?delivered? ?the? ?fruits? ?of? ?her? ?labour.? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?inhaled? ?sharply? ?and? ?removed? ?the? ?pot? ?

cover.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?sat? ?at? ?the? ?head? ?of? ?the? ?table? ?and? ?when? ?the? ?both? ?of? ?them? ?saw? ?what? ?was? ?in? ?the? ?pot,? ?

they? ?both? ?looked? ?ghastly.? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?said? ?under? ?his? ?breath,? ?“This? ?chicken...? ?died? ?a? ?tragic? ?death.”? ? ?

?

“...”? ?Feng? ?Xin’s? ?lips? ?trembled,? ?“Your? ?Highness,? ?you? ?didn’t? ?see? ?right.? ?There’s? ?no? ?chicken? ?in? ?this.”? ? ?

?

“???? ?Then? ?what’s? ?that? ?thing? ?floating? ?like? ?a? ?dead? ?chicken?”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?wondered.? ?

?

“I? ?think? ?it’s? ?stew? ?paste...? ?but? ?the? ?shape? ?is? ?a? ?little? ?off?”? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?replied.? ?

?

The? ?two? ?studied? ?the? ?pot? ?for? ?a? ?good? ?while? ?but? ?still? ?couldn’t? ?figure? ?it? ?out.? ?The? ?queen? ?ladled? ?a? ?full? ?

bowl? ?for? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?and? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?himself? ?rushed? ?to? ?ladle? ?himself? ?a? ?bowl.? ?When? ?the? ?queen? ?went? ?to? ?

the? ?back? ?rooms? ?to? ?find? ?the? ?king,? ?they? ?instantly? ?poured? ?out? ?the? ?soup? ?in? ?their? ?own? ?bowls? ?and? ?

pretended? ?to? ?wipe? ?their? ?mouths? ?looking? ?as? ?if? ?they? ?ate? ?up? ?in? ?one? ?sip? ?and? ?hadn’t? ?had? ?enough,? ?“I’m? ?

full,? ?I’m? ?full.”? ? ?

?

Seeing? ?this,? ?the? ?queen? ?was? ?delighted,? ?“Was? ?it? ?good?”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?praised? ?hollowly,? ?“It? ?was,? ?it? ?was!”? ? ?

?

The? ?queen? ?said? ?happily,? ?“If? ?it’s? ?good? ?then? ?have? ?some? ?more!”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?almost? ?spat? ?out? ?a? ?mouthful? ?of? ?that? ?nonexistent? ?soup? ?and? ?raised? ?his? ?handkerchief? ?to? ?

pretend? ?he’s? ?wiping? ?at? ?his? ?lips.? ?Just? ?then,? ?the? ?queen? ?seemed? ?to? ?have? ?hesitated? ?before? ?speaking,? ?

“My? ?son,? ?I? ?want? ?to? ?ask? ?you? ?a? ?question,? ?please? ?don’t? ?think? ?your? ?mom? ?nosy.”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?stiffened? ?and? ?placed? ?the? ?handkerchief? ?down,? ?“What? ?is? ?it?? ?Please? ?ask.”? ? ?

?

The? ?queen? ?sat? ?down? ?next? ?to? ?him? ?and? ?asked,? ?“Where’s? ?that? ?child? ?Mu? ?Qing?? ?How? ?come? ?he? ?hasn’t? ?

come? ?the? ?past? ?few? ?days?”? ? ?

?

He? ?knew? ?it.? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian’s? ?heart? ?squeezed? ?tighter? ?with? ?her? ?mention? ?of? ?Mu? ?Qing,? ?“Oh,? ?I? ?gave? ?him? ?a? ?mission,? ?so? ?

he’s? ?gone? ?off? ?elsewhere.”? ? ?

?

The? ?queen? ?seemed? ?to? ?have? ?breathed? ?a? ?sigh? ?of? ?relief? ?and? ?nodded,? ?then? ?right? ?after,? ?she? ?asked,? ?

“When? ?will? ?he? ?be? ?back?”? ? ?

?

“Maybe,? ?he’ll? ?need? ?to? ?be? ?out? ?for? ?a? ?long? ?time...? ?he? ?won’t? ?be? ?back? ?any? ?time? ?soon.”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?replied.? ?

?

Hearing? ?this,? ?the? ?queen? ?seemed? ?troubled,? ?and? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?noticed,? ?“Is? ?something? ?the? ?matter?”? ? ?

?

The? ?queen? ?instantly? ?replied,? ?“Oh,? ?it’s? ?nothing.”? ?

?

Feng? ?Xin? ?was? ?the? ?sharper? ?one,? ?and? ?he? ?suddenly? ?spoke? ?up,? ?“Your? ?Majesty,? ?what’s? ?wrong? ?with? ?

your? ?hands?”? ? ?

?

Hands?? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?looked? ?down? ?and? ?was? ?instantly? ?shocked.? ?

?

His? ?mother’s? ?pair? ?of? ?delicate,? ?exquisitely? ?maintained? ?wealthy? ?hands? ?were? ?at? ?this? ?moment,? ?looking? ?

rather? ?horrifying.? ?The? ?joints? ?were? ?scraped? ?and? ?peeling,? ?and? ?there? ?were? ?faint? ?traces? ?of? ?blood.? ?Xie? ?

Lian? ?stood? ?up? ?abruptly? ?and? ?grabbed? ?her? ?hands,? ?“What’s? ?going? ?on?”? ? ?

?

The? ?queen? ?quickly? ?explained,? ?“It’s? ?nothing.? ?I? ?only? ?just? ?washed? ?some? ?clothes? ?and? ?blankets,? ?but? ?

I’m? ?not? ?very? ?good? ?at? ?it.”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?blurted,? ?“Why? ?are? ?you? ?doing? ?the? ?washings? ?yourself?? ?You? ?could’ve...”? ?

?

But? ?he? ?was? ?stumped? ?before? ?he? ?finished? ?his? ?words.? ?Could’ve? ?what?? ?Could’ve? ?had? ?the? ?palace? ?

attendants? ?do? ?the? ?washing?? ?Could’ve? ?had? ?Mu? ?Qing? ?do? ?the? ?washing?? ?All? ?of? ?that? ?was? ?impossible? ?

now.? ?

?

On? ?the? ?road? ?of? ?escape,? ?it? ?had? ?been? ?Mu? ?Qing? ?who? ?was? ?the? ?acting? ?personal? ?attendant,? ?and? ?his? ?

duties? ?of? ?taking? ?care? ?of? ?all? ?the? ?personal? ?necessities? ?included? ?the? ?care? ?for? ?Xie? ?Lian,? ?the? ?king,? ?and? ?

the? ?queen.? ?With? ?him? ?gone,? ?suddenly? ?all? ?the? ?nitty? ?gritty? ?had? ?no? ?one? ?to? ?take? ?care? ?of.? ?

?

No? ?one? ?to? ?cook,? ?no? ?one? ?to? ?wash,? ?no? ?one? ?to? ?fold? ?the? ?blankets.? ?The? ?simple? ?days? ?of? ?the? ?past? ?

suddenly? ?became? ?difficult.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?himself? ?was? ?alright? ?in? ?suffering? ?through? ?it? ?since? ?there? ?were? ?

much? ?too? ?many? ?other? ?things? ?to? ?worry? ?about,? ?but? ?his? ?mother? ?who? ?had? ?lived? ?a? ?comfortable,? ?

luxurious? ?life,? ?when? ?had? ?she? ?ever? ?done? ?such? ?crude? ?labour?? ?But? ?if? ?the? ?queen? ?didn’t? ?do? ?this? ?work? ?

herself,? ?who? ?else? ?could? ?take? ?over?? ?

?

After? ?some? ?silence,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?said,? ?“Don’t? ?let? ?this? ?trouble? ?you.? ?I’ll? ?take? ?care? ?of? ?the? ?washing.”? ? ?

?

The? ?queen? ?smiled,? ?“No? ?need.? ?You? ?just? ?take? ?care? ?of? ?yourself.? ?I’ve? ?never? ?done? ?laundry? ?nor? ?cooked? ?

before,? ?but? ?since? ?my? ?time? ?is? ?free? ?everyday,? ?doing? ?the? ?chores? ?myself? ?is? ?still? ?quite? ?fun.? ?Especially? ?

since? ?you? ?both? ?enjoyed? ?the? ?meal,? ?it’s? ?made? ?me? ?quite? ?happy.”? ? ?

?

That? ?pot? ?of? ?soup? ?was? ?stewed? ?by? ?such? ?a? ?pair? ?of? ?hands? ?of? ?his? ?mother’s.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?and? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?

exchanged? ?a? ?look? ?and? ?felt? ?rather? ?horrid.? ?Just? ?then,? ?the? ?queen? ?added,? ?“Oh? ?yes,? ?there? ?was? ?another? ?

thing.? ?Is? ?there? ?any? ?way? ?you? ?can? ?bring? ?some? ?medicine? ?back? ?tomorrow?”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian’s? ?eyes? ?widened? ?slightly,? ?“Medicine?? ?What? ?kind? ?of? ?medicine?”? ? ?

?

The? ?queen’s? ?face? ?was? ?troubled,? ?“Sigh,? ?I’m? ?not? ?quite? ?sure? ?either.? ?Why? ?don’t? ?you? ?go? ?to? ?the? ?

pharmacy? ?and? ?inquire,? ?see? ?what? ?kind? ?of? ?medicine? ?should? ?be? ?taken? ?for? ?symptoms? ?like? ?coughing? ?

up? ?blood?”? ? ?

?

“Coughing? ?up? ?blood?!”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?was? ?shocked,? ?“Who’s? ?coughing? ?up? ?blood?? ?You?? ?Father?? ?Why? ?

didn’t? ?you? ?say? ?something? ?sooner?”? ?

?

His? ?voice? ?was? ?raised? ?and? ?the? ?queen? ?immediately? ?hushed,? ?“Lower? ?your? ?voice!”? ?However,? ?it? ?was? ?

too? ?late,? ?and? ?an? ?outraged? ?voice? ?came? ?from? ?the? ?back? ?of? ?the? ?cottage,? ?“I? ?TOLD? ?YOU? ?NOT? ?TO? ?SAY? ?

ANYTHING? ?UNNECESSARY!”? ? ?

?

It? ?was? ?the? ?king.? ?Seeing? ?that? ?he? ?had? ?already? ?heard,? ?the? ?queen? ?didn’t? ?worry? ?over? ?hushing? ?anymore? ?

and? ?called? ?towards? ?the? ?back? ?rooms,? ?“But? ?it? ?won’t? ?do? ?if? ?this? ?keeps? ?up!”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?walked? ?straight? ?into? ?the? ?rooms? ?and? ?saw? ?the? ?king? ?was? ?huddled? ?in? ?a? ?bed? ?of? ?ragged? ?

blankets.? ?He? ?hadn’t? ?looked? ?closely? ?recently,? ?but? ?now? ?that? ?he? ?saw,? ?the? ?king? ?was? ?looking? ?ill,? ?his? ?

cheeks? ?sunken,? ?appearing? ?even? ?more? ?sickly? ?inside? ?a? ?gloomy? ?room.? ?There? ?wasn’t? ?any? ?aura? ?of? ?the? ?

king? ?at? ?all;? ?he? ?was? ?nothing? ?more? ?than? ?an? ?ashen? ?faced? ?old? ?man.? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?didn’t? ?need? ?to? ?check? ?his? ?pulse? ?to? ?know? ?that? ?he? ?must’ve? ?been? ?ill? ?for? ?a? ?long? ?time,? ?and? ?

nothing? ?light? ?either.? ?In? ?fact,? ?the? ?entire? ?room? ?permeated? ?with? ?the? ?suffocating,? ?musty? ?air? ?of? ?

sickness.? ?Recalling? ?that? ?the? ?queen? ?had? ?said? ?the? ?symptom? ?was? ?“coughing? ?up? ?blood”,? ?in? ?his? ?

moment? ?of? ?distraught? ?his? ?voice? ?was? ?raised,? ?“WHAT’S? ?GOING? ?ON? ?HERE??”? ? ?

?

The? ?king? ?steeled? ?his? ?face,? ?“What’s? ?with? ?that? ?tone?”? ? ?

?

Both? ?the? ?queen? ?and? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?entered? ?the? ?room? ?too.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?admonished,? ?“Who? ?cares? ?what? ?

tone? ?I’m? ?using.? ?If? ?you’re? ?sick? ?why? ?didn’t? ?you? ?say? ?something? ?sooner?”? ? ?

?

The? ?king? ?was? ?furious,? ?“Are? ?you? ?lecturing? ?your? ?king?? ?At? ?any? ?given? ?time,? ?what? ?this? ?king? ?can? ?and? ?

cannot? ?say? ?is? ?not? ?for? ?you? ?to? ?say!”? ? ?

?

Seeing? ?that? ?he? ?was? ?still? ?acting? ?tough,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?was? ?in? ?disbelief,? ?“You’re? ?unbelievable!? ?Are? ?you? ?still? ?

throwing? ?the? ?weight? ?of? ?your? ?title? ?around? ?at? ?a? ?time? ?like? ?this?”? ? ?

?

The? ?king? ?was? ?outraged,? ?“GET? ?OUT!? ?GET? ?OUT? ?OF? ?HERE!”? ? ?

?

The? ?queen? ?and? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?immediately? ?dragged? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?out,? ?“My? ?son!? ?Don’t? ?be? ?like? ?that.? ?He’s? ?

your? ?father,? ?and? ?he’s? ?ill.? ?Take? ?a? ?step? ?back.”? ? ?

?

On? ?the? ?run? ?and? ?ill,? ?this? ?was? ?like? ?adding? ?frost? ?to? ?snow.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?buried? ?his? ?face? ?in? ?his? ?hands,? ?

“Mother!? ?Why? ?didn’t? ?you? ?both? ?say? ?something? ?sooner?? ?If? ?you? ?had,? ?the? ?illness? ?wouldn’t? ?have? ?

dragged? ?out? ?to? ?coughing? ?up? ?blood!? ?Do? ?you? ?know? ?how? ?hard? ?that? ?is? ?to? ?cure?”? ?Or? ?rather,? ?based? ?on? ?

their? ?current? ?situation,? ?it? ?was? ?impossible? ?to? ?cure!? ?

?

The? ?queen? ?was? ?both? ?dismayed? ?and? ?aggrieved,? ?“We...? ?We? ?didn’t? ?know? ?either,? ?that? ?it’d? ?worsen? ?like? ?

this.”? ? ?

?

Feng? ?Xin? ?added,? ?“Yea.? ?Besides,? ?we? ?had? ?been? ?dodging? ?YongAn? ?pursuit? ?this? ?entire? ?way,? ?there? ?was? ?

no? ?time? ?to? ?stop.”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?pulled? ?his? ?face? ?from? ?his? ?hands,? ?“I’ll? ?take? ?him? ?to? ?find? ?a? ?doctor? ?in? ?the? ?city? ?right? ?now.”? ? ?

?

“NO? ?NEED!”? ?The? ?king? ?cried? ?from? ?within? ?the? ?room.? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?looked? ?back? ?and? ?was? ?just? ?about? ?to? ?rebuke? ?with? ?“I’m? ?the? ?one? ?who? ?makes? ?the? ?call? ?right? ?

now”? ?but? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?responded? ?first,? ?“Your? ?Highness,? ?if? ?you? ?take? ?His? ?Majesty? ?to? ?the? ?doctors? ?in? ?the? ?

city,? ?you’ll? ?be? ?discovered? ?for? ?sure.”? ? ?

?

Hearing? ?this,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?instantly? ?froze.? ?The? ?queen? ?also? ?spoke? ?up,? ?“That’s? ?what? ?we? ?were? ?afraid? ?of,? ?

which? ?was? ?why? ?we? ?didn’t? ?say? ?anything? ?in? ?the? ?past? ?few? ?days.? ?My? ?son,? ?why? ?don’t? ?you? ?just...? ?think? ?

of? ?a? ?way? ?to? ?bring? ?back? ?some? ?medicine? ?first?”? ?

?

In? ?the? ?back? ?rooms,? ?the? ?king? ?started? ?coughing? ?violently? ?again,? ?and? ?the? ?queen? ?went? ?in? ?to? ?look? ?after? ?

him.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?was? ?dazed? ?for? ?a? ?good? ?moment,? ?then? ?he? ?turned? ?and? ?went? ?out.? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?called? ?out,? ?

“Your? ?Highness!? ?What? ?do? ?you? ?plan? ?to? ?do?”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?didn’t? ?answer? ?but? ?started? ?rummaging? ?through? ?all? ?the? ?shelves? ?and? ?chests? ?in? ?the? ?cottage.? ?

Feng? ?Xin? ?asked,? ?“What? ?are? ?you? ?looking? ?for?”? ?He? ?didn’t? ?respond,? ?and? ?a? ?brief? ?moment? ?later,? ?he? ?

dug? ?out? ?something? ?from? ?the? ?bottom? ?of? ?a? ?chest.? ?

?

It? ?was? ?an? ?ancient? ?sacred? ?sword.? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?looked? ?and? ?questioned,? ?“What? ?are? ?you? ?doing? ?taking? ?

HongJing? ?out?”? ? ?

?

After? ?some? ?silence,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?replied,? ?“I’m? ?going? ?to? ?pawn? ?it.”? ? ?

?

Feng? ?Xin? ?was? ?shocked? ?and? ?immediately? ?exclaimed,? ?“YOU? ?CAN’T!”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?slammed? ?the? ?chest? ?shut? ?heavily,? ?“I’ve? ?already? ?pawned? ?off? ?so? ?many? ?swords,? ?this? ?is? ?just? ?

one? ?more.”? ? ?

?

Throughout? ?their? ?journey,? ?in? ?order? ?to? ?make? ?up? ?enough? ?funds? ?for? ?carriages? ?and? ?bribes? ?for? ?

crossing? ?checkpoints,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?had? ?already? ?pawned? ?off? ?over? ?half? ?of? ?his? ?beloved? ?sacred? ?swords.? ?

And? ?since? ?they? ?couldn’t? ?go? ?to? ?large,? ?bustling? ?pawn? ?shops,? ?sometimes? ?they’d? ?even? ?be? ?

blackmailed? ?by? ?shady? ?merchants? ?who? ?discovered? ?their? ?identities? ?and? ?had? ?to? ?suffer? ?bargained? ?

sales.? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?exclaimed,? ?“It’s? ?not? ?the? ?same!? ?Don’t? ?you? ?really? ?like? ?this? ?sword?? ?Otherwise? ?why? ?

haven’t? ?you? ?pawned? ?it? ?already? ?and? ?instead? ?stuffed? ?it? ?at? ?the? ?bottom? ?of? ?the? ?chest?? ?Besides,? ?this? ?

was? ?a? ?sword? ?the? ?Emperor? ?gifted? ?you,? ?it? ?won’t? ?sound? ?good? ?if? ?this? ?got? ?out!”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?said? ?tiredly,? ?“No? ?matter? ?how? ?much? ?I? ?like? ?it? ?it’s? ?still? ?not? ?as? ?important? ?as? ?a? ?life.? ?Let’s? ?go,? ?

let’s? ?go.”? ? ?

?

The? ?two? ?made? ?way? ?to? ?the? ?city? ?with? ?the? ?sword,? ?both? ?looking? ?downtrodden.? ?When? ?they? ?came? ?to? ?the? ?

pawn? ?shop,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?stopped? ?in? ?his? ?step? ?and? ?looked? ?at? ?the? ?HongJing? ?in? ?his? ?hand.? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?

peered? ?at? ?him,? ?“Why? ?don’t? ?we? ?forget? ?about? ?pawning? ?it?? ?Let’s? ?try...? ?let’s? ?think? ?of? ?another? ?way?”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?shook? ?his? ?head,? ?“It’s? ?too? ?late.? ?Besides,? ?we? ?don’t? ?know? ?if? ?there’s? ?any? ?other? ?way? ?that? ?can? ?

make? ?up? ?enough? ?money.”? ? ?

?

If? ?they? ?went? ?to? ?steal,? ?to? ?rob,? ?to? ?trick,? ?no? ?mortal? ?would? ?be? ?a? ?match? ?for? ?them,? ?and? ?money? ?would? ?

pour? ?in? ?much? ?faster.? ?However,? ?it? ?was? ?precisely? ?because? ?they? ?must? ?uphold? ?the? ?moral? ?compass? ?

and? ?adhere? ?to? ?the? ?ethical? ?regulation? ?of? ?mortals,? ?earn? ?money? ?honestly,? ?that? ?things? ?would? ?be? ?so? ?

difficult.? ?Having? ?made? ?up? ?his? ?mind,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?said,? ?“This? ?has? ?to? ?be? ?pawned.? ?Once? ?it’s? ?pawned? ?let’s? ?

go? ?buy? ?medicine.”? ?While? ?he? ?said? ?so,? ?his? ?feet? ?still? ?didn’t? ?move.? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?knew? ?he? ?was? ?reluctant? ?to? ?

let? ?go,? ?that? ?this? ?was? ?the? ?last? ?sacred? ?sword? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?had,? ?so? ?he? ?said,? ?“Let’s? ?look? ?around? ?some? ?

more.”? ? ?

?

Right? ?then,? ?on? ?the? ?other? ?end? ?of? ?the? ?street? ?came? ?clamouring? ?noise,? ?shouting? ?and? ?yelling,? ?and? ?

someone? ?cried,? ?“WHO’S? ?CAUSING? ?TROUBLE??”? ?“THE? ?AUDACITY!”? ?“CATCH? ?HIM!? ?CATCH? ?

HIM!”? ? ?

?

The? ?two? ?were? ?both? ?startled,? ?and? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?instantly? ?backed? ?up? ?to? ?the? ?side? ?in? ?alarm,? ?“Who?!”? ? ?

?

Feng? ?Xin? ?was? ?alarmed? ?too? ?and? ?went? ?over? ?the? ?check,? ?returning? ?after? ?he? ?was? ?assured,? ?“It’s? ?

nothing!? ?Don’t? ?worry!? ?It? ?has? ?nothing? ?to? ?do? ?with? ?us.? ?It’s? ?not? ?anyone? ?looking? ?for? ?us? ?and? ?it’s? ?not? ?the? ?

YongAn? ?soldiers? ?either.”? ? ?

?

Only? ?then? ?did? ?Xie? ?Lian’s? ?tension? ?relax,? ?“What’s? ?going? ?on?”? ? ?

?

“I’m? ?not? ?sure.”? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?said,? ?“Looks? ?to? ?be? ?a? ?fight? ?between? ?some? ?mad? ?servants,? ?want? ?to? ?go? ?

see?”? ? ?

?

“Let’s? ?go? ?see.”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?said,? ?“Hopefully? ?it’s? ?not? ?some? ?thug.”? ? ?

?

The? ?two? ?shuffled? ?over? ?to? ?watch,? ?and? ?saw? ?in? ?the? ?centre? ?there? ?were? ?a? ?couple? ?men? ?who? ?were? ?

brawling,? ?and? ?the? ?surrounding? ?audience? ?were? ?cheering.? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?patted? ?a? ?passerby? ?on? ?the? ?side? ?

who? ?was? ?enjoying? ?the? ?show,? ?“Hey? ?buddy,? ?what’s? ?going? ?on? ?here?”? ? ?

?

That? ?passerby? ?chuckled,? ?“You? ?don’t? ?know?? ?This? ?is? ?too? ?exciting!? ?The? ?servant? ?is? ?beating? ?the? ?

master!”? ? ?

?

Such? ?an? ?affair!? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?was? ?speechless,? ?“How? ?come?? ?And? ?why? ?is? ?it? ?a? ?good? ?thing?”? ? ?

?

“Of? ?course? ?it’s? ?a? ?good? ?thing!”? ?That? ?passerby? ?said,? ?“This? ?master? ?really? ?is? ?no? ?good!? ?This? ?servant? ?

followed? ?him? ?since? ?he? ?was? ?young,? ?very? ?loyal,? ?but? ?him!? ?He? ?only? ?knew? ?how? ?to? ?take? ?advantage,? ?not? ?

only? ?did? ?he? ?gave? ?no? ?pay,? ?he? ?even? ?worked? ?him? ?to? ?the? ?bone.? ?The? ?servant? ?couldn’t? ?take? ?it? ?anymore,? ?

so? ?you? ?see,? ?you? ?see!? ?They’re? ?fighting!”? ? ?

?

Sure? ?enough,? ?the? ?one? ?doing? ?all? ?the? ?beating? ?was? ?cursing? ?as? ?he? ?threw? ?punches,? ?yelling? ?things? ?like,? ?

“I’ve? ?had? ?it? ?with? ?you? ?for? ?a? ?long? ?time!”? ?“Why? ?don’t? ?you? ?figure? ?for? ?yourself? ?what? ?you’ve? ?given? ?me??”? ?

“My? ?family’s? ?so? ?poor? ?we? ?have? ?nothing? ?to? ?eat,? ?but? ?you? ?still? ?ride? ?over? ?my? ?head? ?all? ?high? ?and? ?mighty!”? ?

“From? ?today? ?onwards,? ?I? ?ain’t? ?your? ?dog? ?no? ?more!”? ?etc.? ?The? ?master? ?who? ?was? ?getting? ?beaten? ?was? ?

hugging? ?his? ?head? ?and? ?screaming? ?while? ?the? ?crowd? ?cheered,? ?but? ?their? ?shouts? ?were? ?making? ?Xie? ?

Lian’s? ?heart? ?lurch? ?in? ?waves,? ?giving? ?him? ?chills? ?for? ?some? ?reason,? ?and? ?he? ?glimpsed? ?at? ?Feng? ?Xin’s? ?

face? ?without? ?thinking.? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?didn’t? ?notice? ?his? ?strange? ?behaviour? ?at? ?all,? ?and? ?when? ?he? ?heard? ?of? ?

all? ?the? ?crummy? ?deeds? ?from? ?the? ?others,? ?he? ?commented? ?offhandedly,? ?“I? ?see,? ?then? ?this? ?master? ?really? ?

is? ?no? ?good,? ?no? ?wonder? ?the? ?servant? ?is? ?rebelling.”? ? ?

?

He? ?didn’t? ?mean? ?anything? ?by? ?it,? ?but? ?Xie? ?Lian’s? ?heart? ?cracked,? ?and? ?he? ?gripped? ?HongJing? ?tighter.? ?

?

After? ?much? ?headaches,? ?HongJing? ?was? ?pawned,? ?and? ?the? ?two? ?finally? ?had? ?money.? ?They? ?

immediately? ?went? ?to? ?inquire? ?after? ?a? ?doctor? ?and? ?purchased? ?over? ?ten? ?different? ?kinds? ?of? ?medicine? ?to? ?

take? ?back.? ?

?

The? ?medicine? ?to? ?cure? ?symptoms? ?of? ?coughing? ?blood? ?was? ?expensive,? ?and? ?the? ?quantity? ?needed? ?was? ?

immense.? ?It? ?wasn’t? ?just? ?one? ?or? ?two? ?packets? ?of? ?medicine,? ?healed? ?in? ?a? ?couple? ?days,? ?so? ?how? ?things? ?

turn? ?out? ?to? ?be? ?afterwards? ?must? ?be? ?closely? ?observed.? ?That? ?evening,? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?unwrapped? ?a? ?few? ?

bundles? ?of? ?medicine? ?and? ?started? ?stewing? ?outside? ?the? ?cottage,? ?fanning? ?wildly? ?at? ?the? ?flames? ?with? ?a? ?

torn? ?fan.? ?As? ?for? ?Xie? ?Lian,? ?he? ?was? ?once? ?again? ?rummaging? ?through? ?the? ?shelves? ?and? ?chests? ?all? ?over? ?

the? ?house.? ?After? ?a? ?while,? ?he? ?finally? ?fumbled? ?out? ?a? ?shimmering? ?golden? ?soft? ?belt.? ?

?

Originally,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?had? ?a? ?number? ?of? ?golden? ?belts,? ?but? ?their? ?end? ?was? ?the? ?same? ?as? ?those? ?sacred? ?

swords,? ?all? ?pawned? ?off.? ?There? ?was? ?only? ?this? ?one? ?left,? ?and? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?had? ?wanted? ?to? ?keep? ?it? ?as? ?a? ?

souvenir? ?at? ?first,? ?but? ?now,? ?he? ?had? ?decided? ?to? ?use? ?it? ?for? ?something.? ?

?

Coincidentally,? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?looked? ?up? ?at? ?him,? ?“Your? ?Highness,? ?what? ?are? ?you? ?doing? ?holding? ?that? ?

belt?? ?You’re? ?not? ?thinking? ?of? ?pawning? ?it? ?too,? ?are? ?you?”? ? ?

?

However,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?walked? ?over? ?and? ?handed? ?the? ?golden? ?belt? ?to? ?him.? ?

?

Seeing? ?this,? ?Feng? ?Xin’s? ?eyes? ?bulged,? ?and? ?he? ?was? ?bewildered,? ?“...What? ?are? ?you? ?doing? ?giving? ?this? ?

to? ?me???? ?Your? ?Highness,? ?when? ?you? ?shut? ?the? ?chest? ?just? ?now? ?you? ?didn’t? ?also? ?shut? ?your? ?brain? ?in? ?

too,? ?did? ?you???”? ?

?

“...”? ?Only? ?then? ?did? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?remember? ?that? ?in? ?the? ?Upper? ?Court,? ?to? ?gift? ?a? ?golden? ?belt? ?had? ?a? ?special? ?

meaning,? ?and? ?his? ?face? ?instantly? ?darkened,? ?“You? ?think? ?too? ?much,? ?I? ?don’t? ?mean? ?it? ?that? ?way? ?at? ?all.? ?

You? ?just? ?take? ?it? ?like? ?it’s? ?regular? ?gold!”? ?Then? ?he? ?stuffed? ?it? ?to? ?him.? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?glared? ?with? ?that? ?

shimmering? ?golden? ?belt? ?around? ?his? ?neck,? ?“No.? ?You? ?still? ?gotta? ?tell? ?me? ?why? ?are? ?you? ?suddenly? ?

stuffing? ?me? ?with? ?gold?”? ? ?

?

“Just? ?take? ?it? ?as? ?compensation? ?that? ?I’ve? ?owed? ?you? ?for? ?so? ?long.”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?said.? ?

?

Feng? ?Xin? ?was? ?confused,? ?“No,? ?but.? ?What’s? ?with? ?you? ?all? ?of? ?a? ?sudden?? ?Why? ?are? ?you? ?talking? ?

compensation? ?to? ?me? ?at? ?a? ?time? ?like? ?this?? ?You? ?might? ?just? ?as? ?well? ?pawn? ?this? ?off? ?and? ?buy? ?more? ?

medicine? ?for? ?His? ?Majesty.? ?It’s? ?fine? ?if? ?you? ?don’t? ?pawn? ?it? ?too.? ?Keep? ?it? ?for? ?yourself.? ?This? ?is? ?something? ?

that? ?only? ?heavenly? ?officials? ?can? ?possess.”? ? ?

?

?

———–? ?

?

Ch.183:? ?Hero? ?Defeated? ?by? ?a? ?Penny? ?2? ?

?

Hearing? ?him? ?mention? ?medicine,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?looked? ?back? ?and? ?turned? ?his? ?gaze? ?towards? ?the? ?interior? ?of? ?

the? ?cottage? ?where? ?the? ?king? ?and? ?the? ?queen? ?were? ?resting.? ?A? ?moment? ?later,? ?he? ?said,? ?“I? ?can? ?think? ?of? ?

other? ?ways? ?for? ?the? ?medicine,? ?so? ?just? ?take? ?this.”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?was? ?determined? ?to? ?give? ?and? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?couldn’t? ?understand? ?why,? ?so? ?he? ?was? ?both? ?

confused? ?and? ?felt? ?it? ?kind? ?of? ?funny,? ?and? ?he? ?shrugged,? ?picking? ?up? ?that? ?ragged? ?cattail? ?leaf? ?fan? ?and? ?

continued? ?to? ?fan? ?the? ?flames? ?to? ?stew? ?the? ?medicine,? ?“Fine? ?then,? ?I’ll? ?keep? ?it? ?for? ?you? ?for? ?now.? ?

Whenever? ?you? ?want? ?it? ?back? ?just? ?let? ?me? ?know.”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?shook? ?his? ?head,? ?“I? ?won’t? ?ask? ?for? ?it? ?back,? ?you? ?can? ?do? ?with? ?it? ?as? ?you? ?will.”? ? ?

?

After? ?pawning? ?HongJing,? ?their? ?pockets? ?were? ?a? ?bit? ?fuller,? ?and? ?they? ?finally? ?managed? ?to? ?have? ?a? ?few? ?

good? ?meals.? ?Since? ?the? ?queen’s? ?skills? ?were? ?so? ?shocking,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?graciously? ?asked? ?mother? ?to? ?

look? ?after? ?father? ?and? ?absolutely? ?not? ?enter? ?the? ?kitchen? ?as? ?he? ?himself? ?would? ?take? ?over? ?and? ?manage? ?

the? ?cooking.? ?Although? ?he? ?didn’t? ?have? ?much? ?experience,? ?but? ?even? ?if? ?he’d? ?never? ?had? ?pig’s? ?feet? ?he’d? ?

seen? ?pigs? ?walk,? ?what? ?he? ?made? ?was? ?still? ?somewhat? ?edible,? ?so? ?the? ?party? ?was? ?saved? ?from? ?mouth? ?

and? ?stomach? ?troubles.? ?

?

That? ?day? ?after? ?the? ?fight? ?with? ?the? ?king,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?was? ?actually? ?feeling? ?regretful,? ?but? ?he? ?didn’t? ?know? ?

how? ?to? ?apologize? ?to? ?his? ?father,? ?so? ?he? ?could? ?only? ?do? ?his? ?utmost? ?in? ?caring? ?after? ?him.? ?A? ?patient? ?who? ?

coughed? ?blood? ?couldn’t? ?be? ?chilled,? ?so? ?he? ?added? ?more? ?blankets? ?and? ?small? ?heaters? ?for? ?him.? ? ?

?

The? ?YongAn? ?soldiers? ?were? ?coming? ?down? ?hard? ?on? ?catching? ?all? ?the? ?escaped? ?XianLe? ?nobilities,? ?and? ?

soon,? ?this? ?city? ?also? ?heightened? ?security.? ?They? ?finally? ?settled? ?but? ?now? ?they? ?must? ?leave? ?again.? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?had? ?already? ?lost? ?count? ?of? ?how? ?many? ?cities? ?he? ?had? ?passed? ?while? ?on? ?the? ?run? ?with? ?his? ?

parents? ?in? ?tow.? ?To? ?be? ?honest,? ?what? ?he’d? ?seen? ?on? ?the? ?road,? ?everything? ?was? ?much? ?more? ?peaceful? ?

than? ?he? ?imagined.? ?The? ?most? ?tragic? ?was? ?only? ?the? ?royal? ?capital? ?of? ?XianLe;? ?everywhere? ?else? ?didn’t? ?

seem? ?to? ?have? ?been? ?severely? ?affected.? ?

?

After? ?all,? ?to? ?regular? ?civilians,? ?the? ?king,? ?the? ?crown? ?prince,? ?the? ?royal? ?capital,? ?the? ?nobility,? ?were? ?all? ?

things? ?that? ?were? ?extremely? ?faraway.? ?The? ?change? ?of? ?a? ?king? ?didn’t? ?seem? ?to? ?have? ?made? ?much? ?

difference.? ?Especially? ?since? ?the? ?new? ?king? ?wasn’t? ?a? ?tyrant,? ?and? ?once? ?he? ?ascended? ?the? ?throne? ?

there? ?weren’t? ?any? ?particularly? ?strict? ?decrees,? ?so? ?other? ?than? ?having? ?a? ?new? ?topic? ?for? ?after? ?dinner? ?

conversations,? ?there? ?weren’t? ?much? ?more? ?laments.? ?

?

“When? ?the? ?king? ?was? ?named? ?Xie? ?I? ?planted? ?this? ?plot? ?of? ?land;? ?now? ?the? ?king? ?is? ?named? ?Lang? ?and? ?I? ?still? ?

plant? ?the? ?same? ?plot? ?of? ?land!”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?heard? ?people? ?say.? ?

?

They? ?weren’t? ?wrong.? ?But? ?the? ?strange? ?thing? ?was,? ?in? ?regards? ?to? ?the? ?rumoured? ?crown? ?prince? ?who? ?

went? ?from? ?invincible? ?to? ?losing? ?every? ?battle,? ?everyone’s? ?attitude? ?towards? ?it? ?were? ?all? ?amazingly? ?

unified,? ?as? ?if? ?the? ?moment? ?they? ?spoke? ?of? ?him? ?everyone? ?would? ?suddenly? ?transform? ?into? ?a? ?patriotic? ?

citizen? ?of? ?XianLe.? ?He? ?really? ?couldn’t? ?understand? ?nor? ?accept? ?it.? ?

?

However,? ?he? ?really? ?didn’t? ?have? ?much? ?mind? ?to? ?worry? ?over? ?those? ?things? ?anymore.? ?The? ?money? ?they? ?

made? ?from? ?pawning? ?HongJing? ?didn’t? ?last? ?for? ?a? ?few? ?months? ?before? ?it? ?was? ?all? ?depleted.? ?

?

An? ?illness? ?that? ?made? ?one? ?cough? ?blood? ?was? ?already? ?hard? ?to? ?cure,? ?plus? ?the? ?king? ?was? ?frustrated? ?

and? ?depressed,? ?so? ?there? ?needed? ?to? ?be? ?a? ?great? ?amount? ?of? ?medication? ?to? ?help? ?him? ?hang? ?on? ?in? ?a? ?

passable? ?state.? ?If? ?the? ?medication? ?should? ?be? ?cut? ?off,? ?his? ?condition? ?would? ?no? ?doubt? ?worsen? ?

considerably.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?had? ?nothing? ?left? ?on? ?hand? ?to? ?pawn,? ?and? ?on? ?this? ?day,? ?after? ?having? ?loitered? ?

the? ?streets? ?for? ?a? ?long? ?time,? ?he? ?mulled? ?and? ?mulled? ?before? ?finally? ?turning? ?to? ?Feng? ?Xin,? ?“Why? ?don’t? ?

we...? ?give? ?it? ?a? ?try?”? ? ?

?

Feng? ?Xin? ?peered? ?at? ?him,? ?“Then? ?let’s,? ?give? ?it? ?a? ?try?”? ?

?

It? ?wasn’t? ?the? ?first? ?time? ?the? ?two? ?hesitantly? ?thought? ?to? ?“give? ?it? ?a? ?try”,? ?it? ?was? ?just? ?before? ?now,? ?they? ?

hadn’t? ?made? ?up? ?their? ?minds.? ?Besides,? ?there? ?was? ?once? ?when? ?they? ?were? ?conversing,? ?the? ?king? ?

overheard? ?their? ?intent? ?and? ?became? ?outraged,? ?throwing? ?a? ?huge? ?fit,? ?and? ?was? ?intransigent? ?that? ?Xie? ?

Lian? ?not? ?do? ?such? ?shameful? ?things? ?for? ?money,? ?otherwise? ?he? ?would? ?refuse? ?to? ?drink? ?his? ?medicine,? ?so? ?

in? ?the? ?end? ?the? ?two? ?had? ?to? ?abandon? ?the? ?thought.? ?Yet? ?now? ?that? ?they? ?were? ?in? ?dire? ?straits,? ?there? ?was? ?

no? ?need? ?to? ?say? ?it? ?clearly;? ?they? ?both? ?understood? ?each? ?other.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?nodded,? ?and? ?wrapped? ?the? ?

white? ?silk? ?band? ?tighter? ?around? ?his? ?face.? ? ?

?

“Your? ?Highness,? ?you? ?don’t? ?have? ?to? ?do? ?this,? ?just? ?me? ?alone? ?is? ?enough.”? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?said,? ?“So? ?even? ?if? ?

the? ?king? ?asks? ?it’d? ?be? ?alright!”? ? ?

?

Then,? ?he? ?inhaled? ?deeply,? ?held? ?his? ?breath? ?for? ?a? ?moment,? ?before? ?suddenly? ?roaring? ?at? ?the? ?

pedestrians? ?on? ?the? ?street,? ?“DEAR? ?FOLKS? ?ON? ?THE? ?STREET,? ?DON’T? ?MISS? ?OUT? ?ON? ?THIS–”? ?

?

All? ?the? ?pedestrians? ?jumped? ?in? ?surprise,? ?and? ?they? ?all? ?gathered? ?around,? ?chattering,? ?“What’s? ?with? ?

the? ?yelling?!”? ?“What’re? ?you? ?guys? ?up? ?to?”? ?“What’ve? ?you? ?got? ?to? ?show? ?us?”? ?“I? ?wanna? ?see? ?shattering? ?

boulders? ?on? ?the? ?chest!”? ? ?

?

Feng? ?Xin? ?removed? ?the? ?bow? ?on? ?his? ?back? ?and? ?boldly? ?pulled? ?at? ?it,? ?“My...? ?My? ?nickname? ?is? ?“Godly? ?

Archer”;? ?I? ?can? ?shoot? ?a? ?bullseye? ?from? ?a? ?hundred? ?feet? ?away.? ?I? ?will? ?show? ?off? ?my? ?embarrassing? ?skill? ?

for? ?everyone? ?to? ?see.? ?If? ?you? ?all? ?enjoy? ?the? ?show,? ?will? ?you? ?p-,? ?please? ?grant? ?some? ?coins!”? ? ?

?

What? ?“Godly? ?Archer”,? ?what? ?“embarrassing? ?skill”;? ?those? ?were? ?all? ?words? ?they? ?learned? ?watching? ?

street? ?performers.? ?While? ?they? ?kept? ?saying? ?they? ?would? ?never? ?busk,? ?they? ?had? ?long? ?since? ?kept? ?in? ?

mind? ?how? ?all? ?the? ?others? ?had? ?been? ?doing? ?it.? ?The? ?crowd? ?grumbled,? ?“Stop? ?wasting? ?your? ?breath!? ?Just? ?

get? ?on? ?with? ?it!”? ?“We’ve? ?been? ?waiting!? ?Now? ?hurry? ?up!”? ? ?

?

Feng? ?Xin? ?placed? ?an? ?arrow? ?upon? ?the? ?bow,? ?pointed? ?at? ?an? ?idle? ?man? ?in? ?the? ?crowd? ?who? ?was? ?munching? ?

on? ?a? ?fruit? ?and? ?said,? ?“Will? ?this? ?uncle? ?please? ?step? ?out,? ?place? ?this? ?apple? ?on? ?your? ?head,? ?and? ?I? ?can? ?

shoot? ?it? ?without? ?fault? ?from? ?three? ?hundred? ?steps? ?away!”? ? ?

?

That? ?idle? ?man? ?shrank? ?his? ?neck? ?and? ?withdrew? ?into? ?the? ?crowd,? ?“I’M? ?NOT? ?DOIN’? ?IT!”? ? ?

?

Feng? ?Xin? ?exclaimed,? ?“I? ?won’t? ?hit? ?you,? ?don’t? ?worry!? ?If? ?I? ?shoot? ?you? ?by? ?accident? ?I’ll? ?pay? ?however? ?

much? ?in? ?recompense!”? ? ?

?

That? ?idle? ?man? ?yelled? ?back,? ?“I’m? ?no? ?fool!? ?If? ?you? ?shoot? ?me? ?by? ?accident,? ?it? ?won’t? ?matter? ?how? ?much? ?

you? ?pay? ?me? ?back!? ?Since? ?you’re? ?out? ?here? ?to? ?perform,? ?don’t? ?you? ?got? ?an? ?assistant? ?or? ?somethin’?? ?

Shouldn’t? ?you? ?be? ?shooting? ?the? ?one? ?next? ?to? ?you?!”? ? ?

?

The? ?crowd? ?all? ?chimed? ?in,? ?“Yea!”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?said? ?too,? ?“Let? ?me.”? ?Someone? ?from? ?the? ?crowd? ?tossed? ?

over? ?a? ?fruit? ?and? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?caught? ?it,? ?ready? ?to? ?put? ?it? ?on? ?his? ?head.? ?However,? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?never? ?had? ?the? ?

intention? ?of? ?having? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?get? ?involved,? ?so? ?why? ?would? ?he? ?allow? ?this?? ?In? ?his? ?moment? ?of? ?panic,? ?he? ?

grabbed? ?the? ?fruit? ?and? ?ate? ?it? ?up? ?himself,? ?then? ?he? ?changed? ?the? ?direction? ?of? ?the? ?arrow,? ?targeting? ?a? ?

banner? ?hanging? ?high? ?up? ?on? ?a? ?tall? ?building? ?and? ?cried,? ?“I’LL? ?SHOOT? ?THAT!”? ?Then? ?he? ?shot? ?the? ?

arrow.? ?He? ?was? ?extremely? ?skilled? ?in? ?archery,? ?so? ?of? ?course? ?he? ?shot? ?the? ?target,? ?and? ?the? ?surrounding? ?

audience? ?all? ?cheered? ?and? ?laughed,? ?“WELL? ?DANG!? ?YOU? ?DO? ?GOT? ?IT!”? ?They? ?laughed? ?and? ?

babbled,? ?and? ?there? ?were? ?actually? ?some? ?who? ?tossed? ?a? ?few? ?coins.? ?

?

Small,? ?round? ?little? ?coins? ?tumbled? ?and? ?rolled? ?on? ?the? ?ground,? ?and? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?went? ?up? ?to? ?pick? ?them? ?

up.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?also? ?silently? ?crouched? ?down? ?to? ?pick? ?them? ?up,? ?but? ?his? ?heart? ?was? ?feeling? ?low,? ?like? ?he? ?

lost? ?something.? ? ?

?

In? ?the? ?past,? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?was? ?the? ?crown? ?prince’s? ?servant;? ?nevermind? ?the? ?common? ?peasants,? ?even? ?

normal? ?ministers? ?had? ?to? ?be? ?courteous? ?and? ?polite? ?when? ?they? ?saw? ?him,? ?some? ?even? ?tried? ?to? ?get? ?

friendly.? ?Before? ?when? ?they? ?hauled? ?rocks? ?and? ?earth,? ?just? ?heeding? ?the? ?hollering? ?ringleaders? ?was? ?

stifling,? ?now? ?they? ?had? ?to? ?endure? ?being? ?watched? ?like? ?monkeys.? ?His? ?skill? ?of? ?shooting? ?in? ?hundred? ?

feet? ?wasn’t? ?used? ?to? ?kill? ?enemies? ?in? ?battle? ?but? ?to? ?entertain? ?the? ?masses,? ?just? ?thinking? ?of? ?it? ?made? ?his? ?

stomach? ?turn.? ?

?

Just? ?then,? ?the? ?sharp? ?voice? ?of? ?a? ?woman? ?came,? ?“WHO’S? ?SHOOTING? ?ARROWS? ?IN? ?THE? ?

STREETS??”? ? ?

?

When? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?heard,? ?his? ?heart? ?dropped.? ?Everyone? ?in? ?the? ?crowd? ?pointed? ?at? ?Feng? ?Xin,? ?“IT’S? ?HIM!”? ? ?

?

Feng? ?Xin? ?was? ?bewildered? ?and? ?the? ?crowd? ?parted? ?as? ?several? ?women? ?came? ?stomping? ?over,? ?holding? ?

an? ?arrow,? ?the? ?one? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?shot? ?out? ?earlier.? ?Those? ?women? ?surrounded? ?him,? ?“You? ?damned? ?brat!? ?

DID? ?YOU? ?SHOOT? ?THIS?? ?WHAT? ?GUTS!? ?Shooting? ?weapons? ?randomly? ?in? ?broad? ?daylight,? ?you? ?

destroyed? ?our? ?screen!? ?Tell? ?me,? ?how? ?are? ?you? ?gonna? ?pay? ?this??”? ? ?

?

“Yea,? ?you’ve? ?scared? ?away? ?so? ?many? ?of? ?our? ?customers!”? ? ?

?

Turns? ?out,? ?the? ?banner? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?shot? ?through? ?earlier? ?was? ?so? ?powerful? ?that? ?it? ?flew? ?all? ?the? ?way? ?to? ?

someone? ?else’s? ?yard.? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?already? ?didn’t? ?like? ?talking? ?to? ?women,? ?and? ?these? ?ladies? ?wore? ?

heavy? ?makeup,? ?their? ?foundations? ?layering? ?their? ?faces,? ?smothering? ?and? ?suffocating.? ?They? ?

probably? ?came? ?with? ?ill? ?intent,? ?and? ?yelled? ?to? ?the? ?point? ?where? ?he? ?kept? ?waving? ?his? ?hands,? ?backing? ?

away.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?hastily? ?came? ?to? ?shield? ?in? ?front? ?of? ?him,? ?“I’m? ?sorry,? ?I’m? ?sorry.? ?He? ?didn’t? ?mean? ?to.? ?As? ?

for? ?compensation,? ?we’ll? ?think? ?of? ?something...”? ?

?

Those? ?women’s? ?tempers? ?were? ?flaring,? ?and? ?they? ?pushed? ?and? ?shoved,? ?“AND? ?WHO? ?ARE? ?YOU?? ?

YOU...”? ?yet? ?unexpectedly,? ?with? ?this? ?push? ?and? ?pull,? ?the? ?white? ?bandage? ?covering? ?Xie? ?Lian’s? ?face? ?

slipped,? ?and? ?when? ?those? ?women? ?saw? ?his? ?face,? ?their? ?eyes? ?lit? ?up,? ?their? ?tones? ?taking? ?a? ?greasy? ?turn,? ?

“Aiyoh,? ?what? ?a? ?handsome? ?little? ?gege!”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian:? ?“???”? ?

?

One? ?of? ?the? ?women? ?clapped,? ?her? ?eyes? ?crescent? ?and? ?blossoming,? ?“VERY? ?WELL!? ?It’s? ?decided!? ?

You’re? ?together,? ?right?? ?We’ll? ?take? ?you? ?as? ?repayment? ?then!”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian:? ?“???”? ? ?

?

Before? ?his? ?head? ?had? ?even? ?wrapped? ?around? ?this? ?development,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?was? ?dragged? ?away? ?by? ?

those? ?women,? ?all? ?the? ?way? ?to? ?a? ?rather? ?lavish? ?little? ?establishment.? ?When? ?he? ?looked? ?up,? ?the? ?higher? ?

levels? ?were? ?all? ?women? ?dressed? ?like? ?blossoming? ?flowers,? ?chirping? ?like? ?birds.? ?Only? ?then? ?did? ?Xie? ?

Lian? ?realize? ?he? ?was? ?taken? ?away? ?by? ?a? ?bunch? ?of? ?brothel? ?mistresses!? ?

?

Instantly? ?goosebumps? ?raised? ?on? ?his? ?skin,? ?“Wait,? ?I? ?don’t? ?have? ?money,? ?I? ?really? ?don’t? ?have? ?any? ?

money!”? ? ?

?

Those? ?brothel? ?mistresses? ?cackled,? ?“Of? ?course? ?you’ve? ?got? ?no? ?money,? ?that’s? ?why? ?we’ve? ?brought? ?

you? ?here? ?to? ?earn? ?money!”? ?

?

“???? ?Sorry,? ?but,? ?I’m? ?a? ?man?”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?exclaimed.? ?

?

The? ?brothel? ?mistresses? ?replied? ?in? ?annoyance,? ?“We? ?know? ?you’re? ?a? ?man,? ?we’re? ?not? ?blind!”? ? ?

?

Feng? ?Xin,? ?who? ?was? ?surrounded? ?by? ?the? ?crowd? ?finally? ?broke? ?through? ?the? ?sea? ?of? ?people? ?and? ?darted? ?

over,? ?shouting,? ?“LET? ?GO? ?OF? ?HIS? ?H...? ?LET? ?GO? ?OF? ?HIM? ?THIS? ?INSTANT!”? ? ?

?

The? ?two? ?were? ?in? ?a? ?horrid? ?state? ?and? ?bolted,? ?and? ?since? ?they? ?knew? ?they? ?were? ?in? ?the? ?wrong,? ?they? ?

didn’t? ?dare? ?fight? ?back.? ?The? ?enraged? ?brothel? ?mistresses? ?called? ?over? ?some? ?thirty? ?fighters,? ?chasing? ?

them? ?all? ?over? ?the? ?city.? ?They? ?had? ?never? ?been? ?involved? ?in? ?such? ?a? ?situation,? ?and? ?all? ?in? ?all,? ?they? ?would? ?

never? ?dare? ?approach? ?that? ?area? ?again.? ?

?

But,? ?the? ?two? ?could? ?confirm? ?that? ?busking? ?was? ?a? ?viable? ?way? ?of? ?earning? ?money,? ?so? ?they? ?changed? ?a? ?

place? ?and? ?set? ?up? ?shop.? ?They? ?were? ?fresh? ?faces? ?so? ?the? ?locals? ?were? ?all? ?very? ?interested,? ?plus? ?Feng? ?

Xin? ?was? ?an? ?honest,? ?good? ?man? ?with? ?a? ?proper? ?appearance,? ?looking? ?rather? ?handsome,? ?so? ?in? ?the? ?

first? ?few? ?days,? ?they? ?did? ?manage? ?to? ?earn? ?a? ?small? ?fortune? ?that? ?could? ?help? ?pay? ?for? ?food? ?and? ?

medication? ?for? ?at? ?least? ?half? ?a? ?month.? ?However,? ?good? ?things? ?didn’t? ?last,? ?and? ?it? ?didn’t? ?take? ?half? ?a? ?

month? ?before? ?someone? ?came? ?knocking.? ?

?

That? ?day,? ?after? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?and? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?had? ?packed? ?up,? ?several? ?beefy? ?men? ?came? ?to? ?look? ?for? ?them.? ?

Xie? ?Lian? ?was? ?greatly? ?alarmed,? ?scared? ?that? ?they? ?were? ?YongAn? ?soldiers,? ?his? ?fists? ?ready? ?to? ?strike? ?

under? ?his? ?sleeves,? ?and? ?he? ?demanded? ?in? ?a? ?low? ?voice,? ?“Who? ?are? ?you?”? ? ?

?

The? ?leading? ?man? ?humphed,? ?“You? ?guys? ?have? ?been? ?dallying? ?on? ?our? ?turf? ?for? ?days,? ?but? ?you? ?don’t? ?

know? ?who? ?we? ?are?”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?and? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?were? ?both? ?puzzled.? ?Another? ?man? ?spoke? ?up,? ?“You? ?stole? ?so? ?much? ?of? ?our? ?

business,? ?don’t? ?you? ?think? ?it’s? ?rude? ?if? ?you? ?don’t? ?explain? ?yourselves?”? ? ?

?

The? ?two? ?finally? ?understood? ?what? ?was? ?going? ?on.? ?Turns? ?out,? ?those? ?were? ?the? ?other? ?local? ?street? ?

performers.? ?

?

Every? ?working? ?man? ?in? ?the? ?world? ?belonged? ?in? ?guilds? ?and? ?gangs,? ?drawing? ?their? ?own? ?turf.? ?When? ?the? ?

two? ?of? ?them? ?came,? ?they? ?took? ?all? ?their? ?customers? ?away,? ?so? ?when? ?the? ?others? ?couldn’t? ?make? ?money,? ?

of? ?course? ?they’d? ?come? ?looking? ?for? ?trouble.? ?The? ?two? ?of? ?them? ?weren’t? ?learned? ?of? ?the? ?world,? ?so? ?how? ?

could? ?they? ?possibly? ?know? ?this? ?set? ?of? ?etiquette?? ?

?

‘If? ?it? ?wasn’t? ?because? ?we’re? ?at? ?the? ?end? ?of? ?our? ?ropes,? ?who’d? ?want? ?to? ?steal? ?a? ?business? ?like? ?this?’? ?Xie? ?

Lian? ?thought? ?bitterly,? ?but? ?he? ?still? ?spoke? ?courteously,? ?“It’s? ?not? ?really? ?a? ?matter? ?of? ?stealing,? ?right?? ?

People? ?will? ?go? ?watch? ?what? ?they? ?want? ?to? ?watch,? ?it’s? ?not? ?like? ?we? ?were? ?forcing? ?anyone? ?to? ?come? ?

watch? ?our...? ?shooting? ?performance.”? ? ?

?

As? ?if? ?the? ?other? ?party? ?would? ?listen,? ?and? ?they? ?exclaimed? ?rudely,? ?“NOT? ?A? ?MATTER? ?OF? ?STEALING?? ?

NO? ?ONE’S? ?MADE? ?ANYTHING? ?THE? ?PAST? ?FEW? ?DAYS,? ?YOU’VE? ?TAKEN? ?ALL? ?THE? ?GRUB!”? ? ?

?

CRACK!? ??The? ?mob? ?jumped? ?in? ?surprise? ?and? ?looked? ?over,? ?and? ?saw? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?drop? ?his? ?fist? ?from? ?the? ?

wall? ?on? ?the? ?side,? ?and? ?on? ?the? ?wall? ?was? ?a? ?giant? ?punch? ?mark,? ?cracks? ?crawling? ?out? ?all? ?around.? ?

?

He? ?said? ?coldly,? ?“Are? ?you? ?all? ?looking? ?for? ?trouble?”? ? ?

?

The? ?mob? ?of? ?beefy? ?men? ?were? ?certainly? ?here? ?to? ?start? ?trouble? ?at? ?first,? ?to? ?talk? ?with? ?their? ?fists,? ?but? ?after? ?

Feng? ?Xin’s? ?punch,? ?there? ?was? ?no? ?doubt? ?that? ?his? ?fist? ?was? ?more? ?solid? ?than? ?theirs,? ?and? ?instantly? ?their? ?

fires? ?were? ?extinguished? ?by? ?half.? ?Still,? ?they? ?refused? ?to? ?let? ?this? ?go? ?so? ?easily,? ?and? ?the? ?leading? ?man? ?

changed? ?his? ?tune? ?after? ?having? ?been? ?stumped? ?for? ?a? ?second,? ?“How? ?about? ?this,? ?we’ll? ?do? ?this? ?by? ?the? ?

rules.? ?Let’s? ?compete? ?our? ?skills,? ?and? ?the? ?winner? ?gets? ?to? ?stay,? ?the? ?losers? ?will? ?pack? ?up? ?and? ?leave,? ?

never? ?to? ?set? ?up? ?shop? ?in? ?this? ?area? ?again!”? ? ?

?

Hearing? ?that? ?it’d? ?be? ?a? ?competition,? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?was? ?even? ?more? ?glad.? ?Of? ?course? ?he? ?was? ?glad.? ?How? ?

could? ?mortals? ?possibly? ?compete? ?with? ?them?? ?It? ?was? ?a? ?sure? ?win!? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?also? ?breathed? ?a? ?sigh? ?of? ?relief,? ?“I? ?agree? ?to? ?this.? ?How? ?do? ?you? ?want? ?to? ?do? ?this?”? ? ?

?

That? ?man? ?proclaimed? ?loudly,? ?“We’ll? ?use? ?our? ?best? ?busking? ?trick!”? ? ?

?

In? ?between? ?talk,? ?two? ?other? ?men? ?had? ?brought? ?over? ?a? ?few? ?long,? ?rectangular? ?stone? ?slates,? ?and? ?that? ?

man? ?patted? ?the? ?stone? ?slates,? ?“Shattering? ?boulders? ?on? ?the? ?chest!? ?How? ?about? ?it,? ?do? ?you? ?dare?”? ? ?

?

Seeing? ?how? ?proud? ?he? ?looked,? ?it? ?seemed? ?this? ?was? ?indeed? ?his? ?specialty.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?also? ?squatted? ?

down? ?and? ?felt? ?that? ?slate? ?and? ?looked? ?up,? ?“This? ?won’t? ?be? ?a? ?problem? ?for? ?me,? ?but,? ?will? ?this? ?really? ?not? ?

be? ?a? ?problem? ?for? ?you?”? ?That? ?slate? ?was? ?the? ?real? ?deal.? ?That? ?man? ?laughed,? ?“Judging? ?by? ?the? ?shape? ?

of? ?you,? ?you? ?best? ?worry? ?after? ?yourself!”? ? ?

?

Feng? ?Xin? ?squatted? ?next? ?to? ?him,? ?“Your? ?Highness,? ?let? ?me?”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?shook? ?his? ?head,? ?“No.? ?You’ve? ?

worked? ?hard? ?the? ?past? ?few? ?days,? ?let? ?me? ?do? ?this,? ?this? ?time.”? ?He? ?should? ?exert? ?some? ?effort? ?too.? ?

?

Thus,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?and? ?that? ?man? ?both? ?laid? ?down? ?on? ?the? ?ground,? ?a? ?stone? ?slate? ?pressing? ?down? ?on? ?both? ?

their? ?chests.? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?received? ?a? ?large? ?hammer,? ?turned? ?it? ?in? ?his? ?grip,? ?and? ?was? ?just? ?about? ?to? ?

smash? ?it? ?down? ?when? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?suddenly? ?spoke? ?up,? ?“Wait.”? ? ?

?

The? ?others? ?were? ?delighted,? ?“What,? ?do? ?you? ?admit? ?defeat?? ?It’s? ?not? ?too? ?late? ?to? ?admit? ?defeat? ?now,? ?

we’ll? ?let? ?you? ?go!”? ?

?

“No.? ?I? ?want? ?to? ?add? ?another? ?slate.”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?said.? ?

?

Hearing? ?this,? ?the? ?mob? ?was? ?shocked,? ?“ARE? ?YOU? ?CRAZY???”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?explained? ?lazily,? ?“Didn’t? ?everyone? ?say? ?so?? ?This? ?is? ?a? ?competition.? ?If? ?we? ?both? ?used? ?one? ?

slate? ?each,? ?there’d? ?be? ?no? ?difference? ?in? ?skill? ?so? ?how? ?can? ?it? ?be? ?considered? ?a? ?competition?”? ? ?

?

The? ?street? ?performers? ?all? ?looked? ?doubtful,? ?some? ?even? ?thought? ?he? ?went? ?mad,? ?and? ?some? ?thought? ?

he? ?was? ?bluffing.? ?After? ?much? ?discussion,? ?they? ?indeed? ?added? ?another? ?stone? ?slate? ?on? ?top? ?of? ?his? ?

chest.? ?Yet? ?unexpectedly,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?wanted? ?them? ?to? ?add? ?another? ?one!? ?

?

Now? ?everyone? ?was? ?sure? ?he? ?was? ?losing? ?it,? ?and? ?they? ?added? ?a? ?third? ?slate? ?incredulously.? ?Thus,? ?upon? ?

Xie? ?Lian’s? ?chest? ?were? ?three? ?stone? ?slates? ?weighing? ?heavily? ?down,? ?looking? ?rather? ?terrifying.? ?

?

Under? ?the? ?concentrated? ?watch? ?of? ?the? ?crowd,? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?raised? ?the? ?large? ?hammer,? ?and? ?without? ?

blinking,? ?he? ?smashed? ?down,? ?and? ?those? ?three? ?stone? ?slates? ?cleanly? ?cracked? ?into? ?multiple? ?pieces.? ?

Amidst? ?cheers,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?crawled? ?up? ?from? ?the? ?ground,? ?uninjured? ?and? ?calm,? ?dusting? ?off? ?his? ?robes? ?in? ?

ease? ?while? ?everyone? ?watched? ?in? ?awe.? ?The? ?leader’s? ?face? ?was? ?pale? ?and? ?dark,? ?and? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?

thought,? ?‘Now? ?he? ?should? ?know? ?to? ?back? ?off,? ?right?’? ?

?

He? ?had? ?thought? ?the? ?other? ?party? ?would? ?concede? ?to? ?his? ?victory? ?and? ?never? ?come? ?seek? ?trouble? ?again,? ?

yet? ?unexpectedly,? ?that? ?man’s? ?expression? ?changed? ?and? ?changed,? ?and? ?suddenly,? ?he? ?gritted? ?his? ?

teeth,? ?“Add? ?two? ?more? ?on? ?me? ?too!? ?No,? ?add? ?three? ?more!”? ? ?

?

“Big? ?bro,? ?you? ?can’t!”? ?The? ?mob? ?exclaimed,? ?“This? ?man? ?must? ?know? ?wicked? ?spells,? ?there’s? ?no? ?need? ?

for? ?you? ?to? ?go? ?along? ?with? ?him!”? ? ?

?

“Yea,? ?he? ?must? ?be? ?faking? ?it!”? ? ?

?

Feng? ?Xin? ?exclaimed? ?angrily,? ?“What? ?the? ?fuck?? ?You’re? ?the? ?ones? ?who? ?lack? ?skills? ?but? ?you’d? ?turn? ?

around? ?and? ?say? ?we’re? ?using? ?wicked? ?spells? ?and? ?faking? ?it?”? ? ?

?

However,? ?the? ?leader? ?cried,? ?“THE? ?STONE? ?SLATES? ?AND? ?HAMMER? ?ALL? ?BELONG? ?TO? ?US,? ?HOW? ?

WOULD? ?WE? ?NOT? ?KNOW? ?IF? ?THERE’S? ?WICKED? ?SPELLS?? ?THIS? ?BRAT? ?DOES? ?HAVE? ?SOME? ?

SKILLS,? ?BUT,? ?STACKING? ?THREE? ?SLATES? ?IS? ?NOTHING!? ?I? ?CAN? ?STACK? ?FOUR!? ?AS? ?LONG? ?AS? ?

WE? ?WIN,? ?THEY? ?HAVE? ?TO? ?LEAVE!”? ? ?

?

“That’s? ?impossible,? ?give? ?up!”? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?said,? ?“Don’t? ?lose? ?your? ?life? ?over? ?this.”? ?But? ?that? ?man? ?was? ?

bullheaded,? ?forcing? ?the? ?others? ?to? ?stack? ?four? ?sinkingly? ?heavy? ?stone? ?slates? ?on? ?his? ?body,? ?“YOU? ?

JUST? ?WATCH!”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?could? ?tell? ?things? ?were? ?going? ?wrong? ?and? ?whispered,? ?“Feng? ?Xin,? ?should? ?we? ?stop? ?this?? ?

There’s? ?no? ?way? ?mortals? ?can? ?take? ?four? ?slates.”? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?whispered? ?back,? ?“Let’s? ?watch? ?first?? ?He? ?

shouldn’t? ?be? ?asking? ?for? ?death,? ?just? ?a? ?couple? ?smashes? ?and? ?he? ?should? ?know? ?to? ?back? ?off.”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?frowned? ?slightly? ?and? ?nodded,? ?deciding? ?to? ?watch? ?and? ?see.? ?Sure? ?enough,? ?the? ?little? ?buddy? ?

holding? ?the? ?hammer? ?only? ?apprehensively? ?knocked? ?once? ?and? ?that? ?man’s? ?face? ?changed.? ?The? ?one? ?

holding? ?the? ?hammer? ?immediately? ?stopped,? ?not? ?daring? ?to? ?move? ?again,? ?but? ?that? ?man? ?yelled,? ?

“HARDER!? ?DID? ?YOU? ?MISS? ?A? ?MEAL?? ?WHY? ?IS? ?YOUR? ?SMASH? ?SO? ?PATHETIC?”? ? ?

?

That? ?little? ?buddy? ?didn’t? ?dare? ?to? ?be? ?sloppy? ?and? ?the? ?second? ?time,? ?he? ?used? ?all? ?his? ?strength,? ?and? ?

BANG!?,? ?after? ?that? ?loud? ?sound,? ?the? ?face? ?of? ?that? ?man? ?exploded? ?in? ?red,? ?like? ?he? ?was? ?holding? ?back? ?a? ?

big? ?mouthful? ?of? ?blood.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?and? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?both? ?saw? ?things? ?were? ?going? ?in? ?the? ?wrong? ?direction? ?

and? ?quickly? ?called? ?out,? ?“Wait!? ?Don’t? ?force? ?yourself!”? ? ?

?

That? ?man? ?yelled,? ?“WHO’S? ?FORCING? ?THEMSELVES?? ?THIS? ?IS? ?MY? ?SPECIALTY!? ?JUST? ?WATCH,? ?

I’LL? ?MAKE? ?YOU? ?THOROUGHLY? ?CONCEDE? ?YOUR? ?DEFEAT!”? ?With? ?a? ?distraught? ?face,? ?that? ?little? ?

buddy? ?smashed? ?again.? ?Now? ?he’d? ?done? ?it.? ?That? ?man? ?‘PFFT’-ed? ?and? ?spat? ?a? ?full? ?mouthful? ?of? ?blood? ?

all? ?over? ?the? ?ground,? ?scaring? ?the? ?little? ?buddy? ?and? ?he? ?dropped? ?the? ?hammer.? ?The? ?mob? ?all? ?rushed? ?up,? ?

“Let? ?it? ?go,? ?let? ?it? ?go,? ?big? ?bro,? ?if? ?those? ?two? ?bastards? ?want? ?to? ?cling? ?onto? ?this? ?place? ?then? ?let? ?them? ?cling,? ?

your? ?life? ?is? ?more? ?important!”? ?

?

?

Veins? ?popped? ?on? ?that? ?man’s? ?forehead? ?and? ?blood? ?foamed? ?at? ?his? ?mouth,? ?“I? ?WON’T? ?LET? ?THIS? ?GO!? ?

It’s? ?been? ?days? ?since? ?we? ?all? ?had? ?a? ?bite? ?to? ?eat,? ?if? ?this? ?keeps? ?up,? ?isn’t? ?this? ?asking? ?for? ?our? ?livelihoods?? ?

CONTINUE!? ?I? ?refuse? ?to? ?believe? ?that? ?I? ?can’t? ?compete? ?with? ?this? ?tender,? ?delicate? ?little? ?brat!? ?THIS? ?IS? ?

MY? ?SPECIALTY!”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?couldn’t? ?watch? ?anymore? ?and? ?spoke? ?up? ?first,? ?“Let? ?it? ?go.? ?If? ?this? ?is? ?the? ?case? ?then? ?I? ?concede? ?

defeat.? ?Starting? ?tomorrow? ?we? ?won’t? ?come? ?anymore.? ?Come? ?on,? ?Feng? ?Xin!”? ? ?

?

Then? ?he? ?turned? ?to? ?leave.? ?Behind? ?them? ?the? ?mob? ?cheered,? ?and? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?followed? ?up,? ?“Your? ?

Highness,? ?we’re? ?gonna? ?give? ?up? ?this? ?place? ?just? ?like? ?that?”? ? ?

?

They? ?finally? ?found? ?a? ?way? ?to? ?earn? ?money? ?but? ?now? ?they? ?had? ?to? ?abandon? ?it.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?sighed,? ?

“There’s? ?no? ?other? ?way.? ?That? ?few? ?rounds? ?just? ?now? ?already? ?caused? ?great? ?internal? ?injuries? ?in? ?him,? ?

I’m? ?afraid? ?he’s? ?almost? ?half? ?handicapped.? ?If? ?we? ?kept? ?competing? ?someone? ?will? ?die.? ?If? ?that? ?happens? ?

we? ?won’t? ?be? ?able? ?to? ?stay? ?either.”? ? ?

?

Feng? ?Xin? ?scratched? ?his? ?head? ?and? ?cursed,? ?“He? ?really? ?was? ?asking? ?to? ?die!”? ? ?

?

“We’re? ?all? ?trying? ?to? ?make? ?a? ?living.”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?said? ?simply.? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?was? ?also? ?feeling? ?a? ?little? ?bad.? ?Had? ?he? ?known,? ?he? ?wouldn’t? ?have? ?asked? ?to? ?stack? ?three? ?

slates,? ?and? ?would’ve? ?admitted? ?defeat? ?early? ?so? ?that? ?man? ?wouldn’t? ?force? ?himself? ?to? ?take? ?on? ?four? ?

slates.? ?Even? ?if? ?he? ?was? ?boorish? ?and? ?reckless,? ?there? ?were? ?still? ?parts? ?of? ?him? ?that? ?was? ?respectable.? ? ?

?

“Don’t? ?talk? ?about? ?it? ?anymore,”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?said,? ?“We? ?don’t? ?absolutely? ?have? ?to? ?busk? ?here,? ?putting? ?all? ?

our? ?eggs? ?in? ?one? ?basket.”? ? ?

?

However,? ?that? ?night,? ?when? ?they? ?returned? ?to? ?their? ?hiding? ?place,? ?the? ?queen? ?sorrowfully? ?informed? ?

him? ?that? ?the? ?king’s? ?symptoms? ?were? ?worsening,? ?and? ?that? ?he? ?might? ?not? ?be? ?able? ?to? ?endure? ?any? ?

more? ?moving,? ?that? ?he? ?needed? ?rest? ?for? ?a? ?while.? ?Which? ?meant,? ?they? ?could? ?not? ?leave? ?this? ?city? ?for? ?the? ?

time? ?being.? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?rummaged? ?through? ?the? ?shelves? ?and? ?chests? ?again? ?but? ?he? ?couldn’t? ?find? ?anything? ?to? ?pawn,? ?

so? ?he? ?sat? ?next? ?to? ?the? ?chest,? ?spacing? ?out.? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?was? ?stewing? ?medicine,? ?humming? ?as? ?he? ?did? ?so.? ?

He? ?hummed? ?and? ?hummed,? ?sounding? ?more? ?and? ?more? ?offkey,? ?and? ?while? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?didn’t? ?pay? ?

attention? ?at? ?first,? ?he? ?couldn’t? ?ignore? ?it? ?after? ?a? ?while,? ?“What’s? ?with? ?you?? ?In? ?a? ?good? ?mood?”? ? ?

?

Feng? ?Xin? ?looked? ?up,? ?“Huh?? ?No?”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?didn’t? ?believe? ?him,? ?“Really?”? ? ?

?

He? ?had? ?noticed? ?that? ?in? ?the? ?past? ?few? ?days? ?after? ?they? ?started? ?performing? ?on? ?the? ?streets,? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?

was? ?acting? ?a? ?bit? ?strange.? ?Sometimes? ?he’d? ?grin? ?like? ?a? ?fool? ?for? ?no? ?reason,? ?sometimes? ?he’d? ?

suddenly? ?turn? ?troubled.? ?When? ?Mu? ?Qing? ?was? ?around,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?and? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?rarely? ?left? ?each? ?

other’s? ?sides.? ?After? ?Mu? ?Qing? ?left,? ?sometimes? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?would? ?have? ?to? ?go? ?deliver? ?food? ?or? ?run? ?some? ?

other? ?errands? ?for? ?the? ?king? ?and? ?the? ?queen,? ?so? ?he’d? ?be? ?gone? ?for? ?a? ?period? ?of? ?time? ?in? ?a? ?day.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?

felt? ?he? ?must’ve? ?bumped? ?into? ?something,? ?but? ?he? ?didn’t? ?have? ?the? ?energy? ?to? ?care.? ?Eyeing? ?the? ?

medicine? ?pot? ?in? ?front? ?of? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?and? ?silent? ?for? ?a? ?while,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?questioned,? ?“Is? ?this? ?the? ?last? ?

packet?”? ? ?

?

Feng? ?Xin? ?flipped? ?through? ?the? ?bundles? ?on? ?the? ?ground,? ?“It? ?is.? ?If? ?we? ?don’t? ?go? ?tomorrow...”? ?He? ?

remembered? ?the? ?king? ?was? ?inside? ?the? ?cottage? ?and? ?couldn’t? ?have? ?him? ?overhear,? ?so? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?

lowered? ?his? ?voice,? ?“If? ?we? ?don’t? ?go? ?busk? ?tomorrow? ?what’ll? ?we? ?do?”? ? ?

?

“...”? ?

?

After? ?a? ?long? ?while,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?abruptly? ?stood? ?up,? ?“You? ?stay? ?here? ?and? ?guard.? ?I’ll? ?go? ?think? ?of? ?a? ?way.”? ? ?

?

Feng? ?Xin? ?was? ?confused,? ?“Where? ?are? ?you? ?going?? ?What? ?way? ?can? ?you? ?possibly? ?think? ?of?”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?left? ?without? ?looking? ?back,? ?“Don’t? ?mind? ?me.? ?And? ?don’t? ?follow? ?me.”? ? ?

?

?

———–? ?

?

Ch.184:? ?Blocking? ?the? ?Mountain? ?Path;? ?Crown? ?Prince? ?Fails? ?in? ?Robbery? ?

?

He? ?exhorted? ?over? ?and? ?over? ?to? ?make? ?sure? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?would? ?stay? ?behind? ?to? ?guard? ?the? ?king? ?and? ?the? ?

queen? ?while? ?he? ?himself? ?exited? ?the? ?small,? ?dilapidated? ?cottage.? ?As? ?he? ?walked,? ?he? ?kept? ?looking? ?

back,? ?his? ?heart? ?racing? ?fast.? ?After? ?walking? ?a? ?long? ?way,? ?he? ?finally? ?relaxed? ?when? ?he? ?was? ?certain? ?

Feng? ?Xin? ?didn’t? ?follow.? ?

?

Steadying? ?himself,? ?having? ?walked? ?and? ?stopped? ?for? ?over? ?ten? ?miles,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?finally? ?found? ?a? ?place? ?

he? ?felt? ?was? ?the? ?ideal? ?location? ?–? ?a? ?fairly? ?deserted,? ?secluded? ?mountain? ?road.? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?scanned? ?his? ?surroundings? ?and? ?there? ?was? ?no? ?one? ?around,? ?then? ?he? ?covered? ?his? ?face? ?with? ?

the? ?white? ?silk? ?band,? ?wrapping? ?it? ?tightly? ?and? ?securely? ?around? ?his? ?face? ?before? ?he? ?leapt? ?onto? ?a? ?tree? ?

to? ?hide? ?himself.? ?He? ?then? ?held? ?his? ?breath? ?and? ?focused.? ?The? ?next? ?step? ?would? ?to? ?be? ?wait? ?for? ?

travelers? ?to? ?pass? ?by.? ?

?

That’s? ?right.? ?His? ?‘way’? ?was? ?the? ?so-called? ?“steal? ?from? ?the? ?rich? ?and? ?give? ?to? ?the? ?poor”.? ? ?

?

In? ?the? ?past,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?had? ?only? ?heard? ?of? ?this? ?kind? ?of? ?worldly? ?vigilantes? ?who’d? ?steal? ?from? ?the? ?rich? ?to? ?

give? ?to? ?the? ?poor? ?from? ?books? ?and? ?plays;? ?he’d? ?never? ?done? ?it? ?himself,? ?and? ?he? ?never? ?thought? ?to? ?do? ?it,? ?

since,? ?his? ?original? ?belief? ?was? ?this:? ?no? ?matter? ?how? ?it? ?was? ?prettied? ?up,? ?no? ?matter? ?how? ?just? ?the? ?

reason,? ?robbery? ?was? ?robbery,? ?stealing? ?was? ?stealing.? ?Otherwise,? ?by? ?Xie? ?Lian’s? ?physical? ?prowess,? ?

nevermind? ?flying? ?across? ?the? ?rooftops? ?to? ?pilfer? ?small? ?things,? ?murdering? ?guards? ?and? ?cleaning? ?out? ?

an? ?entire? ?treasury? ?wouldn’t? ?be? ?anything? ?difficult.? ?

?

But? ?now? ?that? ?he’d? ?reached? ?this? ?point,? ?there? ?really? ?was? ?no? ?other? ?way.? ?If? ?he? ?must? ?say? ?so,? ?“to? ?rob”? ?

was? ?a? ?teeny? ?bit? ?better? ?than? ?”to? ?steal”,? ?probably? ?because? ?the? ?former? ?was? ?still? ?considerably? ?“out? ?in? ?

the? ?open”.? ?After? ?much? ?internal? ?dilemma,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?still? ?slapped? ?the? ?face? ?of? ?his? ?former? ?self,? ?and? ?

planned? ?to? ?steal? ?others’? ?wealth? ?in? ?order? ?to? ?give? ?to? ?his? ?own? ?poverty.? ?

?

This? ?was? ?the? ?fastest? ?way!? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?perched? ?on? ?the? ?tree,? ?the? ?moon? ?hiding? ?the? ?wind? ?bellowing,? ?and? ?it? ?was? ?deserted? ?all? ?

around,? ?empty? ?of? ?the? ?living,? ?yet? ?his? ?heart? ?was? ?thumping? ?wildly.? ?

?

Even? ?when? ?facing? ?the? ?most? ?violent? ?of? ?beasts? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?had? ?never? ?been? ?this? ?nervous.? ?When? ?he? ?

dug? ?out? ?a? ?cold? ?and? ?hard? ?bun,? ?he? ?hand? ?was? ?slightly? ?trembling.? ?

?

If? ?you? ?could? ?still? ?be? ?picky? ?when? ?it? ?came? ?to? ?food,? ?it? ?could? ?only? ?mean? ?you? ?weren’t? ?genuinely? ?hungry.? ?

When? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?understood? ?this,? ?suddenly? ?he? ?became? ?used? ?to? ?the? ?taste? ?of? ?steamed? ?buns.? ?

?

Winter? ?was? ?fast? ?approaching? ?and? ?the? ?nights? ?were? ?extremely? ?cold.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?munched? ?at? ?the? ?cold? ?

bun? ?and? ?puffed? ?out? ?mouthfuls? ?of? ?white? ?breaths.? ?Since? ?he? ?didn’t? ?want? ?to? ?be? ?seen,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?never? ?

considered? ?a? ?place? ?where? ?there’d? ?be? ?more? ?people,? ?and? ?specifically? ?picked? ?a? ?desolate? ?area.? ?He? ?

waited? ?a? ?full? ?four? ?hours? ?before? ?a? ?traveler? ?came? ?strolling? ?slowly? ?from? ?the? ?ends? ?of? ?the? ?mountain? ?

road.? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?was? ?energized,? ?stuffed? ?down? ?that? ?bun? ?in? ?a? ?couple? ?bites,? ?and? ?focused? ?on? ?the? ?traveler? ?

who? ?was? ?approaching? ?slowly.? ?Then,? ?he? ?discovered? ?that? ?it? ?was? ?an? ?old? ?man.? ?

?

Such? ?an? ?elderly? ?old? ?man? ?but? ?he? ?was? ?dressed? ?fresh? ?and? ?bright,? ?so? ?he? ?should? ?be? ?fairly? ?wealthy.? ?

However,? ?he? ?was? ?of? ?course? ?not? ?within? ?Xie? ?Lian’s? ?scope? ?of? ?consideration.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?couldn’t? ?tell? ?if? ?

he? ?was? ?disappointed? ?or? ?relieved,? ?but? ?either? ?way? ?he? ?resolutely? ?decided? ?to? ?ignore? ?the? ?old? ?man? ?and? ?

let? ?him? ?go,? ?continuing? ?the? ?wait? ?for? ?the? ?next? ?person.? ?

?

Two? ?hours? ?later,? ?Xie? ?Lian’s? ?feet? ?were? ?going? ?numb? ?from? ?the? ?squatting,? ?his? ?lower? ?half? ?of? ?the? ?body? ?

practically? ?frozen? ?before? ?a? ?second? ?person? ?appeared.? ?When? ?he? ?saw? ?that? ?figure? ?was? ?also? ?walking? ?

slowly,? ?he? ?wondered,? ?‘Could? ?it? ?be? ?another? ?senior?’? ?

?

When? ?that? ?figure? ?finally? ?came? ?closer,? ?he? ?discovered? ?it? ?wasn’t? ?a? ?senior? ?but? ?a? ?youth.? ?

?

That? ?youth? ?appeared? ?simple? ?and? ?good-natured,? ?his? ?face? ?covered? ?with? ?smiles,? ?and? ?the? ?reason? ?he? ?

was? ?walking? ?so? ?slowly? ?was? ?because? ?he? ?was? ?carrying? ?a? ?heavy? ?bag? ?of? ?rice.? ?Xie? ?Lian’s? ?palms? ?were? ?

sweating? ?and? ?he? ?said? ?to? ?himself,? ?‘...Do? ?I? ?attack?’? ? ?

?

After? ?a? ?moment? ?of? ?hesitation,? ?he? ?gave? ?up? ?in? ?the? ?end.? ?

?

The? ?reason? ?he? ?gave? ?up? ?was? ?because? ?this? ?young? ?man’s? ?clothes? ?were? ?patched,? ?the? ?straw? ?shoes? ?

on? ?his? ?feet? ?were? ?worn? ?through,? ?exposing? ?his? ?toes,? ?obviously? ?from? ?a? ?poor? ?household.? ?He? ?must’ve? ?

looked? ?so? ?happy? ?because? ?there? ?was? ?finally? ?a? ?bag? ?of? ?rice? ?to? ?fill? ?his? ?stomach,? ?and? ?perhaps? ?his? ?

family? ?had? ?starved? ?for? ?many? ?days,? ?and? ?perhaps? ?this? ?bag? ?of? ?rice? ?was? ?bought? ?after? ?selling? ?the? ?only? ?

ox? ?in? ?his? ?household.? ?If? ?he? ?was? ?robbed,? ?wouldn’t? ?he? ?fall? ?into? ?despair?? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?imagined? ?all? ?sorts? ?of? ?scenarios? ?on? ?his? ?own,? ?and? ?it? ?wasn’t? ?until? ?after? ?did? ?he? ?thought? ?

maybe? ?he? ?could’ve? ?just? ?taken? ?half? ?a? ?bag? ?of? ?rice,? ?but? ?by? ?then? ?that? ?young? ?man? ?was? ?long? ?gone.? ?

Thus,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?resolutely? ?decided? ?that? ?he? ?wouldn’t? ?think? ?of? ?it? ?anymore,? ?and? ?continue? ?to? ?wait? ?until? ?

the? ?next? ?one.? ?

?

He? ?perched? ?on? ?this? ?tree? ?like? ?this? ?and? ?waited? ?helplessly? ?for? ?many? ?hours,? ?from? ?the? ?darkened? ?night? ?

to? ?the? ?break? ?of? ?day.? ?In? ?that? ?time,? ?there? ?were? ?over? ?a? ?dozen? ?passersby? ?who? ?passed? ?through? ?this? ?

mountain? ?road,? ?yet? ?every? ?time? ?when? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?was? ?about? ?to? ?attack,? ?there? ?were? ?always? ?all? ?sorts? ?of? ?

reasons? ?why? ?it’d? ?be? ?inappropriate? ?to? ?do? ?so? ?and? ?he’d? ?let? ?them? ?go.? ?Many? ?times? ?he’d? ?thought,? ?

nevermind!? ?Just? ?go? ?back!? ?There? ?were? ?no? ?bandits? ?who’d? ?rob? ?like? ?him? ?at? ?all;? ?it’d? ?be? ?a? ?miracle? ?if? ?he? ?

was? ?actually? ?fruitful.? ?But,? ?when? ?he? ?thought? ?of? ?how? ?there? ?was? ?no? ?more? ?food? ?nor? ?medicine? ?if? ?he? ?

went? ?back,? ?he? ?forced? ?himself? ?to? ?keep? ?waiting.? ?

?

After? ?almost? ?half? ?a? ?day,? ?finally,? ?far? ?in? ?the? ?distance? ?of? ?the? ?mountain? ?road? ?came? ?the? ?last? ?traveler.? ?

?

It? ?was? ?a? ?middle? ?aged? ?man,? ?donned? ?in? ?fine? ?clothing,? ?neither? ?wealthy? ?nor? ?noble,? ?his? ?appearance? ?

savage? ?and? ?greasy,? ?rather? ?obnoxious,? ?and? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?could? ?tell? ?he? ?wasn’t? ?anyone? ?good? ?with? ?just? ?a? ?

glance.? ?

?

But,? ?one? ?mustn’t? ?judge? ?a? ?book? ?by? ?its? ?cover,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?couldn’t? ?help? ?but? ?think,? ?‘What? ?if? ?this? ?man? ?

only? ?appears? ?savage? ?but? ?he’s? ?actually? ?a? ?good? ?person?? ?Even? ?if? ?he’s? ?loaded,? ?did? ?that? ?warrant? ?

getting? ?robbed?’? ?

?

As? ?he? ?was? ?fighting? ?his? ?internal? ?struggles,? ?a? ?sudden? ?growling? ?sound? ?from? ?his? ?stomach? ?woke? ?him? ?

from? ?his? ?stupor,? ?and? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?sighed? ?inwardly,? ?‘Nevermind,? ?I? ?can’t? ?bother? ?with? ?that? ?much.? ?You’re? ?

it!’? ?

?

Making? ?up? ?his? ?mind,? ?he? ?leapt? ?down? ?from? ?the? ?tree? ?and? ?shouted,? ?“STAND? ?STILL!”? ? ?

?

To? ?have? ?a? ?masked? ?man? ?cutting? ?off? ?the? ?road? ?halfway,? ?that? ?man? ?was? ?surprised? ?and? ?he? ?cried? ?in? ?

alarm,? ?“Who? ?are? ?you?? ?Hiding? ?here? ?sneakily? ?with? ?your? ?face? ?hidden,? ?what? ?are? ?you? ?planning??”? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?forced? ?himself? ?to? ?say,? ?“...GIVE...? ?GIVE...”? ?But? ?in? ?the? ?end? ?there? ?was? ?a? ?hurdle? ?in? ?his? ?

mind,? ?and? ?he? ?stammered? ?a? ?couple? ?times? ?before? ?finally? ?squeezing? ?out? ?–? ?“GIVE? ?ME? ?ALL? ?THE? ?

MONEY? ?ON? ?YOUR? ?PERSON!”? ? ?

?

That? ?man? ?widened? ?his? ?mouth,? ?leapt? ?three? ?feet? ?high,? ?and? ?screamed,? ?“SOMEBODY!? ?HELP!? ?

ROBBERS!”? ?Then? ?he? ?turned? ?and? ?ran.? ?More? ?than? ?his? ?escape,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?was? ?even? ?more? ?worried? ?

that? ?his? ?cries? ?would? ?alert? ?others,? ?and? ?while? ?the? ?place? ?was? ?in? ?fact? ?already? ?a? ?desolate,? ?barren? ?

mountain? ?and? ?there? ?was? ?a? ?low? ?chance? ?of? ?anyone? ?showing? ?up,? ?even? ?if? ?anyone? ?did? ?show? ?up? ?he? ?

could? ?just? ?flee,? ?but? ?thieves? ?had? ?guilty? ?conscience? ?after? ?all,? ?and? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?immediately? ?yelled,? ?

“STOP!? ?DON’T? ?YELL? ?ANYMORE!”? ? ?

?

As? ?if? ?that? ?man? ?would? ?listen? ?to? ?him.? ?He? ?fled? ?and? ?fled? ?and? ?ran? ?into? ?the? ?woods,? ?then? ?yelped? ?

“AIYOH!”? ?tragically.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?was? ?afraid? ?there? ?were? ?beasts? ?in? ?the? ?woods? ?attacking? ?the? ?man? ?and? ?

quickly? ?cried,? ?“WAIT!? ?Watch? ?out!...”? ?Yet? ?unexpectedly,? ?when? ?he? ?caught? ?up? ?and? ?saw,? ?he? ?was? ?

instantly? ?stupefied,? ?his? ?face? ?blanching? ?rapidly.? ?

?

Within? ?the? ?woods? ?were? ?already? ?a? ?group? ?of? ?people,? ?and? ?they? ?were? ?all? ?looking? ?in? ?his? ?direction.? ?

When? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?looked? ?closer,? ?he? ?noticed? ?something? ?off.? ?They? ?weren’t? ?people? ?at? ?all.? ?That? ?middle? ?

aged? ?man? ?didn’t? ?see? ?them? ?at? ?all,? ?and? ?was? ?still? ?in? ?a? ?panic,? ?and,? ?within? ?that? ?group,? ?there? ?seemed? ?to? ?

be? ?some? ?familiar? ?faces.? ?

?

Of? ?course? ?they? ?were? ?familiar.? ?He? ?had? ?seen? ?a? ?number? ?of? ?them? ?in? ?the? ?Heavenly? ?Capital? ?before? ?in? ?

the? ?past,? ?some? ?from? ?the? ?Upper? ?Court,? ?some? ?from? ?the? ?Lower? ?Court.? ?They? ?were? ?all? ?heavenly? ?

officials!? ?

?

That? ?man? ?yelped? ?tragically? ?earlier? ?because? ?he? ?tripped? ?and? ?fell,? ?and? ?his? ?hands? ?were? ?gripping? ?a? ?

large? ?bundle? ?of? ?protection? ?charms? ?while? ?he? ?chanted? ?to? ?himself,? ?“My? ?god,? ?my? ?god!? ?Come? ?save? ?

me!? ?Come? ?save? ?me? ?quick!”? ?And? ?the? ?‘gods’? ?that? ?he? ?was? ?crying? ?for? ?really? ?came? ?as? ?he? ?wished.? ? ?

?

Right? ?at? ?this? ?moment,? ?countless? ?heavenly? ?officials’? ?eyes? ?were? ?all? ?staring? ?at? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?intently,? ?

freezing? ?him? ?on? ?the? ?spot? ?with? ?their? ?gaze.? ?When? ?that? ?man? ?saw? ?the? ?strange? ?masked? ?robber? ?was? ?

frozen? ?in? ?a? ?daze,? ?he? ?quickly? ?crawled? ?up? ?and? ?ran? ?off.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?couldn’t? ?move? ?a? ?step? ?to? ?go? ?give? ?

chase;? ?his? ?entire? ?body? ?was? ?stiff,? ?drenched? ?in? ?cold? ?sweat,? ?his? ?heart? ?filled? ?with? ?horror.? ?

?

That’s? ?right.? ?Horror.? ?

?

He? ?could? ?only? ?pray? ?this? ?white? ?silk? ?band? ?was? ?wrapped? ?around? ?his? ?face? ?tightly? ?enough? ?that? ?those? ?

little? ?heavenly? ?officials? ?he’d? ?acquainted? ?in? ?the? ?past? ?wouldn’t? ?recognize? ?him.? ?However,? ?things? ?

would? ?never? ?go? ?as? ?one? ?hoped,? ?and? ?one? ?of? ?the? ?heavenly? ?officials? ?looked? ?him? ?up? ?and? ?down? ?before? ?

he? ?said? ?in? ?surprise,? ?“...Isn’t? ?this...? ?your? ?royal? ?highness?”? ? ?

?

“...”? ?

?

Another? ?heavenly? ?official? ?was? ?even? ?more? ?shocked,? ?“Ah,? ?it? ?really? ?is!? ?Why? ?is? ?Your? ?Highness? ?here?? ?

And? ?dressed? ?like? ?this? ?too?”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian’s? ?heart? ?was? ?sinking? ?deeper? ?and? ?deeper,? ?it? ?was? ?going? ?to? ?sink? ?into? ?the? ?bottom? ?of? ?the? ?earth.? ?

?

“That? ?man? ?earlier? ?was? ?screaming? ?‘help’? ?‘robbery’? ?‘robber’?? ?A? ?robber? ?is? ?chasing? ?him?? ?That? ?robber? ?

is...? ?Your? ?Highness?!”? ? ?

?

“My? ?heavens!? ?Your? ?Highness..? ?You? ?would? ?actually? ?do? ?something? ?like? ?this?!”? ? ?

?

Hearing? ?this,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?almost? ?fainted? ?on? ?the? ?spot.? ?He? ?didn’t? ?know? ?how? ?much? ?time? ?went? ?by? ?before? ?

he? ?croaked,? ?“I...”? ?

?

He? ?wanted? ?to? ?say? ?something? ?but? ?words? ?were? ?not? ?coming? ?out,? ?stuck? ?in? ?his? ?throat.? ?The? ?faces? ?of? ?

those? ?heavenly? ?officials? ?were? ?also? ?unreadable.? ?A? ?moment? ?later,? ?one? ?of? ?the? ?heavenly? ?officials? ?

patted? ?his? ?shoulder,”Don’t? ?worry,? ?don’t? ?worry,? ?Your? ?Highness,? ?we? ?understand.”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?received? ?those? ?pats? ?on? ?the? ?shoulder,? ?they? ?weren’t? ?hard,? ?but? ?he? ?almost? ?lost? ?his? ?balance,? ?

and? ?he? ?tried? ?again,? ?“I...”? ?

?

That? ?heavenly? ?official? ?laughed? ?out? ?loud,? ?“You’re? ?only? ?doing? ?this? ?because? ?you’ve? ?got? ?it? ?really? ?hard,? ?

it’s? ?understandable.? ?Don’t? ?you? ?worry,? ?we? ?won’t? ?tell? ?anyone? ?about? ?this.”? ? ?

?

The? ?reason? ?why? ?things? ?were? ?so? ?hard? ?to? ?say? ?was? ?also? ?because? ?of? ?this? ?reason.? ?Since? ?the? ?other? ?

party? ?said? ?it? ?out? ?loud? ?first,? ?then? ?he? ?completely? ?didn’t? ?know? ?what? ?else? ?he? ?could? ?add.? ?It? ?was? ?a? ?

moment? ?later? ?before? ?he? ?mumbled,? ?“...Alright,? ?thank? ?you.? ?Then,? ?I’m...? ?I’m? ?going? ?to? ?head? ?back? ?

now.? ?I’m? ?leaving.”? ? ?

?

He? ?didn’t? ?know? ?how? ?he? ?left? ?either.? ?Either? ?way,? ?when? ?he? ?was? ?finally? ?conscious? ?of? ?himself,? ?he? ?was? ?

already? ?standing? ?at? ?an? ?empty? ?mountain? ?road? ?again,? ?and? ?it? ?was? ?the? ?cold? ?night? ?breeze? ?of? ?winter? ?

that? ?snapped? ?him? ?out.? ?

?

Only? ?then? ?did? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?finally? ?realize? ?just? ?what? ?a? ?horrifying? ?thing? ?had? ?happened? ?just? ?now.? ?

?

He,? ?Xie? ?Lian,? ?the? ?Crown? ?Prince? ?of? ?XianLe? ?–? ?a? ?robber?!? ? ?

?

How? ?did? ?it? ?come? ?to? ?this?!? ?

?

The? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?at? ?this? ?moment? ?was? ?filled? ?with? ?regrets;? ?the? ?him? ?of? ?the? ?past? ?must’ve? ?been? ?mad? ?to? ?

have? ?thought? ?of? ?robbing? ?on? ?the? ?roads,? ?and? ?now? ?things? ?were? ?out? ?of? ?control.? ?Why? ?was? ?he? ?so? ?

unlucky? ?that? ?while? ?nothing? ?was? ?accomplished,? ?he’d? ?get? ?caught? ?red? ?handed?? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?had? ?never? ?encountered? ?something? ?like? ?this? ?in? ?his? ?past? ?life? ?so? ?he? ?was? ?at? ?a? ?complete? ?loss? ?

on? ?what? ?to? ?do.? ?He? ?was? ?burning? ?up? ?from? ?head? ?to? ?toe,? ?his? ?mind? ?completely? ?muddled,? ?and? ?he? ?hid? ?

his? ?face? ?in? ?his? ?hands.? ?If? ?time? ?could? ?go? ?backwards,? ?he? ?was? ?even? ?willing? ?to? ?use? ?his? ?bountiful? ?health? ?

and? ?cultivation? ?to? ?exchange? ?for? ?it.? ?Just? ?as? ?he? ?was? ?deep? ?in? ?distraught,? ?in? ?his? ?peripheral? ?vision? ?

there? ?was? ?suddenly? ?a? ?blurry? ?white? ?silhouette? ?up? ?ahead,? ?and? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?was? ?instantly? ?startled,? ?

whipping? ?his? ?head? ?up,? ?“WHO? ?GOES? ?THERE?!”? ? ?

?

When? ?he? ?looked? ?up,? ?that? ?figure? ?instantly? ?disappeared,? ?and? ?cold? ?sweat? ?covered? ?his? ?body? ?again.? ?

?

Although? ?he? ?didn’t? ?see? ?that? ?man’s? ?face,? ?but,? ?he? ?still? ?felt,? ?on? ?the? ?face? ?of? ?that? ?man? ?seemed? ?to? ?have? ?

been? ?a? ?mask!? ?

?

Nevertheless,? ?after? ?scanning? ?his? ?surroundings,? ?he? ?didn’t? ?see? ?traces? ?of? ?anyone,? ?and? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?

couldn’t? ?help? ?but? ?suspect? ?perhaps? ?the? ?figure? ?he? ?saw? ?was? ?nothing? ?but? ?a? ?hallucination? ?in? ?his? ?

moment? ?of? ?panic.? ?Whether? ?if? ?it? ?was,? ?he? ?didn’t? ?dare? ?to? ?stay? ?there? ?any? ?longer? ?and? ?hurried? ?down? ?the? ?

mountain.? ?

?

After? ?he? ?returned,? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?had? ?already? ?waited? ?up? ?for? ?him? ?for? ?almost? ?half? ?a? ?day,? ?and? ?the? ?moment? ?

he? ?saw? ?him? ?he? ?exclaimed,? ?“Your? ?Highness,? ?where? ?did? ?you? ?run? ?off? ?to?? ?What? ?ideas? ?did? ?you? ?come? ?

up? ?with?”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?didn’t? ?dare? ?tell? ?him.? ?He? ?couldn’t? ?tell? ?anyone,? ?especially? ?Feng? ?Xin.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?couldn’t? ?

imagine? ?at? ?all? ?what? ?Feng? ?Xin,? ?who? ?had? ?believed? ?so? ?faithfully? ?in? ?his? ?utmost? ?righteousness? ?and? ?

morals,? ?would? ?think? ?if? ?he? ?should? ?find? ?out.? ?He? ?could? ?only? ?hope? ?that? ?that? ?incident? ?would? ?be? ?forever? ?

buried? ?in? ?his? ?heart? ?and? ?rot? ?in? ?his? ?stomach.? ?Thus,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?replied? ?ambiguously,? ?“Nothing.”? ? ?

?

Feng? ?Xin? ?was? ?astonished,? ?“Huh?? ?Then? ?why? ?have? ?you? ?gone? ?for? ?so? ?long?”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian’s? ?mind? ?was? ?going? ?numb,? ?“Don’t? ?ask? ?anymore.? ?I? ?didn’t? ?do? ?anything,”? ? ?

?

Feng? ?Xin? ?was? ?bewildered,? ?but? ?no? ?matter? ?how? ?he? ?questioned? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?refused? ?to? ?answer,? ?so? ?as? ?

the? ?servant? ?it? ?wasn’t? ?his? ?place? ?to? ?push? ?and? ?could? ?only? ?say? ?in? ?a? ?whisper,? ?“So? ?do? ?we? ?still? ?go? ?busk? ?

tomorrow?”? ? ?

?

“I’m? ?not? ?going? ?out? ?anymore.”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?replied.? ?

?

He? ?was? ?now? ?thrown? ?in? ?complete? ?chaos,? ?his? ?mind? ?filled? ?with? ?impossible? ?worries:? ?What? ?if? ?he? ?

bumped? ?into? ?that? ?middle? ?aged? ?man?? ?What? ?if? ?the? ?entire? ?city? ?was? ?now? ?searching? ?for? ?him?? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?

also? ?noticed? ?him? ?looking? ?off,? ?and? ?said,? ?“You? ?must? ?be? ?tired?? ?Then? ?how? ?about? ?this,? ?Your? ?Highness,? ?

just? ?stay? ?in.? ?I’ll? ?go? ?myself.? ?You? ?just? ?focus? ?on? ?training.”? ? ?

?

However,? ?he? ?didn’t? ?know? ?that? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?now? ?had? ?no? ?mind? ?to? ?train? ?and? ?cultivate? ?either.? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?was? ?focused? ?on? ?cultivation? ?at? ?first,? ?because? ?that? ?was? ?the? ?only? ?way? ?there? ?might? ?be? ?a? ?

chance? ?of? ?returning? ?to? ?the? ?Upper? ?Court.? ?Yet? ?now,? ?he? ?was? ?terrified? ?of? ?the? ?prospect? ?of? ?returning? ?to? ?

the? ?Upper? ?Court.? ?

?

Although? ?those? ?junior? ?officials? ?said? ?they? ?wouldn’t? ?tell? ?anyone,? ?but? ?would? ?they? ?really? ?not? ?tell?? ?

Could? ?this? ?affair? ?have? ?already? ?reached? ?the? ?ears? ?of? ?everyone? ?in? ?the? ?heavens?? ? ?

?

When? ?he? ?thought? ?this? ?was? ?a? ?possibility,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?couldn’t? ?breathe.? ?There? ?was? ?absolutely? ?no? ?way? ?

he? ?could? ?endure? ?being? ?branded? ?with? ?this,? ?to? ?be? ?pointed? ?at? ?by? ?the? ?entire? ?upper? ?and? ?lower? ?court,? ?by? ?

the? ?entire? ?mortal? ?realm,? ?even!? ?

?

In? ?his? ?exhaustion,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?passed? ?out? ?heavily.? ?This? ?slumber? ?was? ?unsettled,? ?and? ?he? ?turned? ?back? ?

and? ?forth,? ?invaded? ?by? ?unknown? ?nightmares,? ?and? ?when? ?he? ?jolted? ?awake? ?in? ?shock? ?and? ?looked? ?

outside? ?the? ?window,? ?the? ?skies? ?were? ?already? ?dark.? ?

?

Feng? ?Xin? ?wasn’t? ?around;? ?he? ?must’ve? ?went? ?out? ?to? ?busk? ?on? ?his? ?own? ?and? ?hadn’t? ?yet? ?returned,? ?and? ?in? ?

the? ?room? ?next? ?to? ?him? ?came? ?the? ?hushed? ?voices? ?and? ?soft? ?coughing? ?of? ?the? ?king? ?and? ?queen.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?

laid? ?on? ?the? ?floor.? ?Now? ?that? ?he? ?was? ?awake,? ?he? ?couldn’t? ?help? ?keep? ?thinking,? ?if? ?that? ?incident? ?really? ?

was? ?spread? ?around,? ?how? ?would? ?his? ?parents? ?react? ?if? ?they? ?found? ?out?? ?How? ?shocked? ?would? ?they? ?

be?? ?The? ?king? ?might? ?stomp? ?his? ?feet? ?in? ?outrage,? ?yelling? ?as? ?he? ?spat? ?blood? ?that? ?he? ?was? ?the? ?shame? ?of? ?

XianLe.? ?The? ?queen? ?on? ?the? ?other? ?hand? ?would? ?definitely? ?not? ?yell? ?at? ?him,? ?but? ?she? ?would? ?for? ?sure? ?be? ?

extremely? ?anguished,? ?because? ?the? ?child? ?she? ?loved? ?most? ?brought? ?them? ?shame.? ?

?

Having? ?thought? ?this,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?was? ?having? ?trouble? ?breathing? ?again.? ?He? ?needed? ?to? ?find? ?somewhere? ?

where? ?he? ?can? ?be? ?by? ?himself? ?and? ?be? ?calm,? ?so? ?he? ?rolled? ?off? ?of? ?the? ?straw? ?mat? ?and? ?charged? ?out,? ?

running? ?blindly? ?for? ?over? ?ten? ?miles? ?with? ?the? ?frigid? ?winds? ?blowing? ?at? ?his? ?face.? ?

?

He? ?didn’t? ?dare? ?stop? ?anywhere? ?where? ?there? ?were? ?people,? ?because? ?he? ?constantly? ?felt? ?the? ?others? ?

were? ?staring? ?at? ?him,? ?judging? ?him? ?for? ?how? ?unkempt? ?he? ?was.? ?Finally,? ?he? ?came? ?to? ?a? ?graveyard? ?with? ?

not? ?a? ?single? ?soul? ?before? ?he? ?stopped? ?in? ?his? ?step,? ?

?

This? ?night? ?was? ?colder? ?than? ?the? ?night? ?before,? ?and? ?only? ?having? ?come? ?here? ?did? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?notice? ?that? ?

his? ?cheeks? ?and? ?hands? ?were? ?practically? ?frostbitten,? ?his? ?body? ?shivering.? ?It? ?wasn’t? ?just? ?the? ?cold;? ?

there? ?was? ?also? ?horror? ?and? ?panic.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?hugged? ?his? ?arms? ?unconsciously,? ?puffed? ?a? ?few? ?

mouthfuls? ?of? ?hot? ?air,? ?swept? ?his? ?eyes? ?and? ?discovered? ?right? ?before? ?a? ?tombstone? ?were? ?two? ?jars? ?of? ?

wine? ?being? ?offered.? ?

?

It? ?seemed,? ?the? ?master? ?of? ?this? ?tombstone? ?was? ?someone? ?who? ?loved? ?wine? ?when? ?they? ?were? ?alive,? ?so? ?

after? ?death,? ?the? ?others? ?would? ?bring? ?them? ?wine? ?when? ?they? ?came? ?to? ?sweep? ?the? ?grave.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?

crouched? ?down.? ?He? ?had? ?never? ?drunken? ?wine? ?before,? ?but? ?he? ?had? ?heard? ?people? ?say? ?that? ?wine? ?

could? ?warm? ?the? ?body? ?and? ?could? ?help? ?forget.? ?After? ?a? ?moment’s? ?hesitation,? ?he? ?suddenly? ?reached? ?

for? ?a? ?wine? ?jar,? ?yanked? ?the? ?clog? ?off? ?and? ?started? ?dunking? ?the? ?contents? ?down? ?his? ?throat.? ?

?

This? ?wine? ?wasn’t? ?any? ?fine? ?wines,? ?cheap? ?and? ?large? ?in? ?quantity,? ?the? ?taste? ?pungent? ?and? ?strong.? ?Xie? ?

Lian? ?swallowed? ?a? ?few? ?large? ?mouthfuls? ?and? ?started? ?choking? ?on? ?it,? ?coughing,? ?but? ?he? ?really? ?did? ?

seem? ?to? ?have? ?gotten? ?a? ?bit? ?warmer.? ?Thus,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?wiped? ?at? ?his? ?cheek? ?and? ?sat? ?himself? ?down? ?on? ?

the? ?ground,? ?hugged? ?the? ?jar? ?and? ?continued? ?to? ?chug? ?the? ?wine? ?in? ?large? ?mouthfuls.? ?

?

In? ?his? ?daze,? ?he? ?seemed? ?to? ?have? ?noticed? ?a? ?small? ?ball? ?of? ?haunting? ?little? ?ghost? ?fire? ?come? ?flying? ?out,? ?

going? ?around? ?in? ?circles? ?around? ?him? ?twirling? ?about,? ?looking? ?quite? ?anxious.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?only? ?cared? ?to? ?

focus? ?on? ?his? ?drinking? ?and? ?didn’t? ?look? ?like? ?he? ?saw? ?at? ?all.? ?That? ?ball? ?of? ?ghost? ?fire? ?appeared? ?to? ?be? ?

using? ?all? ?of? ?its? ?might? ?to? ?come? ?close? ?to? ?him,? ?but? ?because? ?it? ?was? ?nothing? ?but? ?hollowed? ?flames,? ?

every? ?time? ?it? ?came? ?near,? ?it? ?would? ?always? ?just? ?pass? ?right? ?through? ?his? ?body,? ?never? ?able? ?to? ?actually? ?

touch? ?him.? ?

?

Upon? ?finishing? ?a? ?jar,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?was? ?already? ?tipsy? ?and? ?groggy,? ?his? ?drunken? ?eyes? ?slackened.? ?When? ?

he? ?saw? ?it? ?darting? ?here? ?and? ?there,? ?looking? ?rather? ?pitiful? ?but? ?also? ?really? ?funny,? ?he? ?couldn’t? ?help? ?but? ?

“pfft”? ?and? ?laugh? ?out? ?loud,? ?his? ?arm? ?resting? ?on? ?the? ?edges? ?of? ?the? ?wine? ?jar,? ?“What? ?are? ?you? ?doing?”? ? ?

?

That? ?ball? ?of? ?ghost? ?fire? ?instantly? ?froze? ?in? ?mid? ?air.? ?

?

?

————-? ?

?

Ch.185:? ?Thirty-Three? ?Heavenly? ?Officials? ?Fight? ?Over? ?Auspicious? ?Land? ?

?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?asked,? ?“Is? ?this? ?your? ?grave?? ?Am? ?I? ?drinking? ?your? ?wine?”? ? ?

?

He? ?was? ?a? ?drunken? ?mess,? ?and? ?didn’t? ?really? ?hear? ?clearly? ?if? ?that? ?ghost? ?fire? ?said? ?anything,? ?and? ?had? ?

thought? ?the? ?master? ?of? ?the? ?grave? ?was? ?displeased,? ?trying? ?to? ?chase? ?him? ?away.? ?He? ?grumbled,? ?“I? ?get? ?

it.? ?I’ll? ?go.”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?hugged? ?the? ?wine? ?jar? ?and? ?crawled? ?up,? ?swaying? ?and? ?wobbly? ?as? ?he? ?took? ?his? ?steps.? ?Yet? ?

unexpectedly,? ?he? ?didn’t? ?go? ?very? ?far? ?before? ?he? ?lost? ?his? ?footing? ?and? ??THUD?? ?–? ?he? ?fell? ?all? ?over? ?himself.? ?

?

Turns? ?out,? ?there? ?was? ?a? ?giant? ?pit? ?in? ?this? ?graveyard.? ?It? ?was? ?probably? ?pre-dug? ?to? ?prepare? ?the? ?burial? ?

of? ?a? ?deceased,? ?though,? ?the? ?deceased? ?hasn’t? ?yet? ?been? ?buried? ?before? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?himself? ?came? ?lying? ?

in.? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian’s? ?forehead? ?knocked? ?on? ?the? ?outer? ?edges? ?of? ?the? ?pit? ?and? ?it? ?hurt,? ?worsening? ?his? ?dizziness,? ?

his? ?head? ?throbbing.? ?He? ?was? ?woozy? ?for? ?a? ?while? ?before? ?he? ?struggled? ?to? ?get? ?up,? ?both? ?his? ?hands? ?

muddied? ?and? ?bloodied? ?with? ?scrapes? ?and? ?cuts? ?somewhere.? ?

?

He? ?held? ?out? ?his? ?hands? ?and? ?looked? ?at? ?them? ?without? ?really? ?registering? ?anything,? ?then? ?tried? ?to? ?climb? ?

out? ?of? ?the? ?pit.? ?However,? ?he? ?had? ?just? ?downed? ?an? ?entire? ?jar? ?of? ?wine,? ?his? ?limbs? ?were? ?limp,? ?he? ?

couldn’t? ?exert? ?any? ?power,? ?so? ?while? ?he? ?attempted? ?to? ?climb? ?out? ?a? ?few? ?times,? ?he’d? ?slip? ?down? ?every? ?

time.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?fell? ?back? ?to? ?the? ?bottom? ?of? ?the? ?pit? ?and? ?glared? ?at? ?the? ?moon-covered? ?cloudy? ?night? ?sky? ?

for? ?a? ?bit,? ?growing? ?very? ?angry.? ?

?

This? ?pit? ?wasn’t? ?even? ?that? ?deep? ?so? ?why? ?couldn’t? ?he? ?climb? ?out? ?no? ?matter? ?how? ?he? ?tried?? ?

?

The? ?more? ?he? ?thought? ?the? ?angrier? ?he? ?became? ?and? ?he? ?started? ?mumbling? ?in? ?spite? ?of? ?himself,? ?

“...What? ?the? ?fuck.”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?had? ?never? ?cursed? ?before.? ?This? ?was? ?the? ?very? ?first? ?time? ?such? ?words? ?came? ?out? ?of? ?his? ?

mouth.? ?But? ?the? ?curious? ?thing? ?was,? ?after? ?he? ?cursed,? ?the? ?stifling? ?tension? ?in? ?his? ?chest? ?seemed? ?to? ?

have? ?dispersed? ?instantly.? ?Thus,? ?like? ?a? ?child? ?who? ?had? ?tasted? ?sweets,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?clung? ?on? ?to? ?the? ?side? ?

walls? ?of? ?the? ?burial? ?pit? ?and? ?used? ?all? ?his? ?strength? ?to? ?yell? ?with? ?a? ?deafening? ?voice,? ?“GOD? ?FUCKING? ?

DAMMIT!”? ? ?

?

He? ?slapped? ?at? ?the? ?ground? ?and? ?yelled,? ?“IS? ?ANYONE? ?THERE?? ?IS? ?THERE? ?ANYONE? ?WHO? ?CAN? ?

HELP? ?PULL? ?ME? ?OUT??”? ? ?

?

Of? ?course? ?there? ?wasn’t? ?anyone.? ?There? ?was? ?only? ?a? ?small? ?ball? ?of? ?haunting? ?ghost? ?fire,? ?blazing? ?

unceasingly.? ?After? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?had? ?fallen,? ?that? ?ball? ?of? ?ghost? ?fire? ?came? ?rushing? ?over? ?seeming? ?to? ?have? ?

wanted? ?to? ?grab? ?him,? ?but? ?it? ?could? ?never? ?make? ?contact.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?didn’t? ?bother? ?with? ?it? ?at? ?all? ?and? ?said? ?

angrily,? ?“Someone? ?might? ?as? ?well? ?just? ?come? ?and? ?bury? ?me!”? ? ?

?

Cursing? ?as? ?he? ?would,? ?he? ?still? ?continued? ?to? ?climb.? ?Crssh? ?crssh,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?finally? ?climbed? ?out? ?using? ?

his? ?own? ?powers,? ?but? ?was? ?already? ?incredibly? ?unkempt? ?and? ?he? ?laid? ?on? ?the? ?ground? ?huffing,? ?

breathing? ?laboriously.? ?It? ?took? ?a? ?brief? ?moment? ?before? ?he? ?flipped? ?over,? ?hugging? ?himself? ?and? ?curled? ?

up.? ?

?

“So? ?cold.”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?whispered.? ?

?

His? ?voice? ?was? ?tiny,? ?afraid? ?that? ?anyone? ?would? ?overhear.? ?However,? ?that? ?ghost? ?fire? ?heard,? ?and? ?it? ?

came? ?flying,? ?pressing? ?itself? ?against? ?his? ?body,? ?its? ?flames? ?suddenly? ?much? ?brighter? ?than? ?before,? ?like? ?

it? ?was? ?burning? ?itself? ?up? ?with? ?all? ?it? ?had.? ?

?

Still,? ?a? ?ghost? ?fire? ?was? ?cold.? ?

?

No? ?matter? ?how? ?close? ?it? ?pressed,? ?no? ?matter? ?how? ?it? ?could? ?burn? ?itself? ?to? ?ashes,? ?it? ?would? ?still? ?not? ?be? ?

able? ?to? ?bring? ?a? ?sliver? ?of? ?warmth? ?to? ?the? ?living.? ?

?

In? ?his? ?daze,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?seemed? ?to? ?have? ?heard? ?a? ?tiny,? ?feeble? ?voice.? ?

?

That? ?voice? ?seemed? ?so? ?close? ?yet? ?far,? ?like? ?it? ?was? ?a? ?dream? ?but? ?not,? ?and? ?it? ?cried? ?in? ?despair,? ?“God,? ?

please? ?wait? ?for? ?me,? ?just? ?wait? ?for? ?me...? ?Please? ?give? ?me? ?a? ?little? ?more? ?time...? ?let? ?me...? ?let? ?me...”? ?

?

“...”? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?wondered? ?inwardly,? ?‘God?? ?Is? ?it? ?calling? ?for? ?me?’? ?But,? ?even? ?if? ?it? ?was? ?praying? ?to? ?him? ?it’d? ?be? ?

pointless,? ?since,? ?even? ?when? ?he? ?was? ?a? ?god? ?he? ?couldn’t? ?do? ?anything.? ?Now? ?that? ?he? ?wasn’t? ?a? ?god,? ?

there? ?was? ?even? ?less? ?he? ?could? ?do.? ?

?

...? ?

?

“...Your? ?Highness?? ?Your? ?Highness?? ?Your? ?Highness!”? ? ?

?

It? ?was? ?Feng? ?Xin’s? ?pushing? ?that? ?woke? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?up.? ?

?

He? ?blinked? ?open? ?his? ?eyes? ?laboriously? ?and? ?found? ?he? ?was? ?lying? ?in? ?a? ?small? ?alleyway.? ?Feng? ?Xin’s? ?

face? ?was? ?hanging? ?from? ?above,? ?and? ?when? ?he? ?noticed? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?was? ?awake,? ?he? ?finally? ?let? ?out? ?a? ?

breath? ?of? ?relief,? ?but? ?soon? ?after? ?it? ?was? ?replaced? ?with? ?traces? ?of? ?anger,? ?“Your? ?Highness!? ?What’s? ?

going? ?on? ?with? ?you?? ?Running? ?off? ?on? ?your? ?own? ?for? ?days? ?without? ?a? ?word!? ?If? ?you? ?don’t? ?come? ?back? ?

soon,? ?I? ?won’t? ?be? ?able? ?to? ?keep? ?lying? ?to? ?their? ?majesties? ?any? ?longer!”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?slowly? ?sat? ?himself? ?up,? ?“Days?”? ? ?

?

When? ?the? ?word? ?left? ?his? ?lips,? ?he? ?found? ?his? ?throat? ?was? ?dried,? ?his? ?voice? ?hoarse,? ?and? ?his? ?temple? ?was? ?

throbbing,? ?his? ?head? ?aching? ?like? ?it? ?was? ?going? ?to? ?split.? ?He? ?seemed? ?to? ?recall? ?something,? ?but? ?at? ?the? ?

same? ?time? ?couldn’t? ?exactly? ?remember.? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?crouched? ?down? ?by? ?his? ?side,? ?“That’s? ?right!? ?Two? ?

days!? ?Just? ?where? ?did? ?you? ?go??? ?Why? ?were? ?you? ?running? ?mad? ?like? ?that? ?just? ?now?”? ? ?

?

Was? ?he? ?drunk? ?for? ?two? ?days?? ?Wasn’t? ?he? ?at? ?some? ?wild? ?graveyard?? ?Why? ?was? ?he? ?lying? ?here?? ?And? ?

judging? ?from? ?Feng? ?Xin’s? ?tone,? ?a? ?sense? ?of? ?foreboding? ?filled? ?Xie? ?Lian,? ?“What? ?did? ?I? ?do?”? ? ?

?

Feng? ?Xin? ?said? ?gruffly,? ?“You? ?were? ?possessed!? ?Crashing? ?stalls? ?everywhere,? ?beating? ?people? ?up.? ?You? ?

even? ?went? ?up? ?to? ?stop? ?the? ?patrolling? ?YongAn? ?soldiers!? ?I? ?don’t? ?know? ?what? ?else? ?you’ve? ?done? ?before? ?

that!”? ? ?

?

When? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?heard? ?he? ?even? ?went? ?to? ?stop? ?YongAn? ?soldiers,? ?he? ?was? ?taken? ?aback,? ?“I? ?went? ?to? ?stop? ?

the? ?soldiers?? ?Then...? ?what? ?happened? ?to? ?those? ?soldiers?”? ? ?

?

“Thank? ?goodness? ?I? ?bumped? ?into? ?you? ?and? ?stopped? ?you.”? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?replied,? ?“And? ?you? ?look? ?like? ?this,? ?

so? ?they? ?thought? ?you? ?must? ?be? ?some? ?crazy? ?drunkard? ?and? ?only? ?yelled? ?at? ?you? ?but? ?didn’t? ?bother,? ?

otherwise? ?you’d? ?be? ?dead? ?for? ?sure.? ?Just? ?what? ?happened? ?to? ?you?? ?Why? ?does? ?it? ?look? ?like? ?you? ?drank?”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?looked? ?down? ?at? ?himself? ?and? ?he? ?was? ?covered? ?from? ?head? ?to? ?toe? ?with? ?mud? ?and? ?grime.? ?He? ?

scratched? ?his? ?head,? ?and? ?it? ?was? ?also? ?messy? ?like? ?a? ?criminal? ?who? ?was? ?about? ?to? ?be? ?dragged? ?down? ?to? ?

be? ?interrogated? ?and? ?executed.? ?He? ?certainly? ?did? ?appear? ?very? ?much? ?like? ?a? ?crazy? ?drunkard? ?who? ?

slept? ?on? ?the? ?streets? ?all? ?day.? ?

?

After? ?a? ?moment? ?of? ?silence,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?crawled? ?to? ?his? ?feet? ?and? ?replied? ?vaguely,? ?“Mm...? ?I? ?drank? ?a? ?bit.”? ? ?

?

Feng? ?Xin? ?couldn’t? ?wrap? ?his? ?head? ?around? ?this,? ?“Huh?? ?How? ?can? ?you? ?drink?? ?Just? ?how? ?much? ?did? ?you? ?

drink? ?to? ?be? ?drunk? ?for? ?two? ?days?”? ? ?

?

Seeing? ?Feng? ?Xing’s? ?look? ?of? ?disbelief,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?was? ?irritated? ?for? ?no? ?good? ?reason? ?and? ?he? ?walked? ?on? ?

ahead,? ?“I? ?already? ?said? ?I? ?didn’t? ?drink? ?much,? ?just? ?a? ?bit.? ?Nothing’s? ?up.? ?Why? ?can’t? ?I? ?drink.”? ? ?

?

Feng? ?Xin? ?hadn’t? ?expected? ?him? ?to? ?answer? ?like? ?this? ?and? ?was? ?stunned? ?for? ?a? ?moment,? ?then? ?he? ?

chased? ?after? ?him,? ?“What? ?do? ?you? ?mean? ?‘nothing’s? ?up’?? ?Why?? ?Has? ?Your? ?Highness? ?forgotten?? ?

Drinking? ?breaks? ?the? ?mandate,? ?you? ?can’t? ?break? ?any? ?mandates,? ?otherwise? ?how? ?can? ?you? ?cultivate?? ?

You? ?have? ?to? ?ascend? ?again.”? ? ?

?

“...”? ?The? ?moment? ?he? ?heard? ?cultivation? ?and? ?ascension,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?didn’t? ?want? ?to? ?listen? ?anymore? ?and? ?

he? ?quickened? ?his? ?pace.? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?called? ?out,? ?“Your? ?Highness!”? ? ?

?

He? ?caught? ?up? ?again? ?and? ?after? ?a? ?moment’s? ?hesitation,? ?he? ?tried,? ?“Did? ?something? ?happen?? ?Tell? ?

me?”? ? ?

?

Hearing? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?question? ?so? ?carefully,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?opened? ?and? ?closed? ?his? ?mouth,? ?wanting? ?to? ?

speak? ?but? ?couldn’t.? ? ?

?

If? ?he? ?didn’t? ?tell? ?anyone? ?soon? ?he? ?might? ?just? ?break? ?down,? ?but? ?he? ?also? ?wasn’t? ?sure? ?how? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?

would? ?react? ?if? ?he? ?told? ?him.? ?

?

He? ?didn’t? ?dare? ?to? ?gamble.? ?

?

Seeing? ?him? ?distracted,? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?added,? ?“For? ?real,? ?it’s? ?not? ?like? ?you? ?killed? ?or? ?robbed,? ?so? ?what? ?can’t? ?

Your? ?Highness? ?tell? ?me?”? ? ?

?

Hearing? ?“it’s? ?not? ?like? ?you? ?killed? ?or? ?robbed”,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?instantly? ?felt? ?suffocated.? ?

?

If? ?it? ?could? ?be? ?said? ?that? ?he? ?might’ve? ?been? ?stirred,? ?that? ?he? ?might’ve? ?felt? ?a? ?little? ?relieved,? ?then? ?at? ?this? ?

moment,? ?everything? ?was? ?thoroughly? ?shattered.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?lowered? ?his? ?head? ?and? ?turned? ?to? ?keep? ?

walking,? ?and? ?replied? ?hazily,? ?“It’s? ?nothing...? ?just,? ?I’m? ?really? ?tired.? ?You...”? ?He? ?was? ?just? ?about? ?to? ?

make? ?up? ?an? ?excuse? ?when? ?suddenly,? ?he? ?noticed? ?something? ?on? ?the? ?side? ?of? ?Feng? ?Xin’s? ?cheek? ?and? ?

he? ?stopped? ?in? ?his? ?steps,? ?“What’s? ?with? ?your? ?face?”? ? ?

?

Feng? ?Xin? ?felt? ?his? ?cheek,? ?seemingly? ?to? ?have? ?touched? ?somewhere? ?hurt? ?and? ?his? ?muscles? ?tensed.? ?

The? ?thing? ?on? ?his? ?face? ?was? ?a? ?gash.? ?And,? ?one? ?of? ?his? ?arms? ?was? ?also? ?wrapped? ?in? ?bandages,? ?layered? ?

and? ?tied? ?neatly? ?and? ?attentively.? ?

?

It? ?couldn’t? ?have? ?been? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?himself? ?who? ?wrapped? ?those? ?bandages,? ?but? ?what? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?was? ?

concerned? ?with? ?were? ?the? ?injuries? ?underneath? ?the? ?dressings.? ?“How? ?did? ?you? ?get? ?hurt?”? ? ?

?

By? ?Feng? ?Xin’s? ?abilities,? ?no? ?mortals? ?could? ?easily? ?harm? ?him,? ?and? ?it? ?was? ?his? ?arm? ?that? ?was? ?injured? ?

too.? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?didn’t? ?seem? ?to? ?care,? ?“Oh,? ?it’s? ?nothing.? ?Just? ?some? ?thugs? ?trying? ?to? ?crash? ?the? ?

business,? ?that’s? ?all.”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?was? ?shocked? ?and? ?baffled,? ?“Those? ?local? ?street? ?performers? ?from? ?the? ?other? ?day?”? ? ?

?

“Yea,? ?them.”? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?replied.? ?

?

“Why? ?did? ?they? ?go? ?crash? ?your? ?show?”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?questioned,? ?but? ?then? ?he? ?understood? ?afterwards,? ?

“Was? ?it? ?because? ?we? ?admitted? ?defeat? ?that? ?day? ?but? ?then? ?you? ?still? ?went? ?to? ?busk? ?so? ?they? ?came? ?to? ?

chase? ?you? ?out?”? ? ?

?

That? ?was? ?pretty? ?much? ?the? ?whole? ?story.? ?After? ?learning? ?the? ?reason,? ?a? ?sudden? ?rage? ?exploded? ?in? ?Xie? ?

Lian’s? ?chest.? ?

?

“Don’t? ?go? ?anymore!”? ?Xie? ?Lian’s? ?voice? ?was? ?hard.? ?

?

However,? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?brushed? ?him? ?off,? ?“Who? ?cares? ?about? ?them!? ?I? ?will? ?go? ?whether? ?they? ?like? ?it? ?or? ?not.? ?

The? ?one? ?who? ?admitted? ?defeat? ?was? ?you,? ?not? ?me.? ?I? ?didn’t? ?admit? ?defeat,? ?so? ?it? ?doesn’t? ?count? ?as? ?going? ?

back? ?on? ?my? ?word.? ?I’m? ?gonna? ?setup? ?shop? ?there? ?and? ?busk? ?no? ?matter? ?what,? ?and? ?besides? ?crashing? ?

the? ?show? ?sneakily,? ?what? ?else? ?can? ?they? ?do? ?to? ?me?? ?I? ?wasn’t? ?prepared? ?this? ?time,? ?but? ?I? ?will? ?be? ?next? ?

time.? ?If? ?it? ?came? ?to? ?fists,? ?I’m? ?not? ?scared? ?of? ?them!”? ? ?

?

Hearing? ?this,? ?that? ?sudden? ?wave? ?of? ?rage? ?that? ?rushed? ?to? ?Xie? ?Lian’s? ?head? ?instantly? ?dissipated,? ?and? ?it? ?

was? ?replaced? ?by? ?guilt.? ?

?

Feng? ?Xin? ?had? ?been? ?like? ?this? ?while? ?he? ?himself? ?was? ?depressed? ?and? ?wallowing? ?in? ?misery.? ?How? ?could? ?

he? ?possibly? ?face? ?this? ?loyal? ?servant? ?that? ?still? ?haven’t? ?abandoned? ?him? ?when? ?things? ?had? ?reached? ?this? ?

point?? ?

?

Having? ?thought? ?this,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?sighed,? ?“I’m? ?sorry,? ?Feng? ?Xin.”? ? ?

?

Feng? ?Xin? ?was? ?taken? ?aback? ?then? ?waved? ?his? ?hand? ?widely,? ?“Why? ?is? ?Your? ?Highness? ?apologizing? ?to? ?

me?? ?What? ?rubbish.”? ?

?

“You’re? ?out? ?earning? ?money? ?all? ?by? ?yourself? ?the? ?past? ?couple? ?of? ?days,? ?sorry? ?for? ?your? ?trouble.”? ?Xie? ?

Lian? ?said.? ?

?

“As? ?long? ?as? ?you? ?focus? ?on? ?your? ?cultivation? ?and? ?ascend? ?again? ?soon,? ?it’ll? ?be? ?worth? ?it!”? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?

replied.? ?

?

The? ?word? ?“ascend”? ?came? ?up? ?again,? ?and? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?nodded? ?his? ?head? ?heavily.? ?

?

The? ?king? ?and? ?queen? ?believed? ?Feng? ?Xin’s? ?lies? ?and? ?thought? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?had? ?spent? ?the? ?past? ?couple? ?of? ?

days? ?out? ?training.? ?When? ?they? ?saw? ?him? ?return,? ?the? ?queen? ?happily? ?cooked? ?a? ?meal? ?as? ?always.? ?Xie? ?

Lian? ?didn’t? ?have? ?the? ?heart,? ?so? ?he? ?took? ?Feng? ?Xin’s? ?bowl? ?over? ?and? ?helped? ?him? ?eat? ?it.? ?He? ?didn’t? ?

sleep? ?that? ?night.? ?

?

The? ?next? ?day,? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?rose? ?and? ?left? ?bright? ?and? ?early? ?in? ?the? ?morning? ?while? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?remained? ?to? ?

cultivate.? ?

?

However,? ?while? ?he? ?already? ?pulled? ?himself? ?together? ?and? ?gathered? ?all? ?of? ?his? ?energy,? ?he? ?still? ?couldn’t? ?

focus.? ?

?

Everyone? ?should? ?know? ?this? ?logic.? ?The? ?only? ?way? ?to? ?stand? ?out? ?from? ?the? ?crowd? ?was? ?to? ?study? ?hard,? ?

practice? ?makes? ?perfect.? ?But,? ?who? ?in? ?a? ?million? ?could? ?truly? ?work? ?to? ?the? ?point? ?of? ?‘practice? ?makes? ?

perfect’?? ?By? ?that? ?same? ?logic,? ?no? ?matter? ?how? ?much? ?he? ?told? ?himself? ?to? ?clear? ?his? ?mind,? ?how? ?could? ?

he? ?possibly? ?achieve? ?it? ?just? ?because? ?he? ?told? ?himself? ?to?? ?

?

For? ?the? ?next? ?ten? ?consecutive? ?days,? ?the? ?progress? ?of? ?his? ?cultivation? ?was? ?at? ?a? ?standstill,? ?nothing? ?was? ?

achieved,? ?and? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?couldn’t? ?help? ?but? ?be? ?anxious.? ?Especially? ?since? ?every? ?night? ?when? ?Feng? ?

Xin? ?dragged? ?his? ?exhausted? ?body? ?back,? ?and? ?he? ?and? ?the? ?queen? ?asked? ?if? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?had? ?made? ?any? ?

progress,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?could? ?feel? ?an? ?inexplicable? ?immense? ?pressure.? ?

?

He? ?didn’t? ?dare? ?tell? ?the? ?truth,? ?so? ?he? ?could? ?only? ?vaguely? ?answer? ?that? ?yes? ?there? ?was? ?progress,? ?and? ?

so? ?the? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?and? ?the? ?queen? ?were? ?both? ?very? ?happy.? ?Still,? ?things? ?couldn’t? ?go? ?on? ?like? ?this.? ?After? ?

two? ?months,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?could? ?no? ?longer? ?allow? ?things? ?to? ?continue? ?the? ?way? ?they? ?were.? ?

?

One? ?day,? ?when? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?returned? ?in? ?the? ?deep? ?night,? ?the? ?two? ?were? ?eating? ?leftovers? ?from? ?the? ?day? ?

before? ?at? ?the? ?table.? ?As? ?they? ?ate,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?suddenly? ?turned? ?to? ?him,? ?“I’m? ?afraid? ?I’ll? ?have? ?to? ?leave? ?for? ?

a? ?period? ?of? ?time.”? ?

?

Feng? ?Xin? ?was? ?taken? ?aback? ?as? ?he? ?stuffed? ?his? ?face? ?with? ?rice,? ?“Huh?? ?Leave?? ?Where? ?are? ?you? ?

going?”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?said? ?slowly,? ?“I’m? ?going? ?to? ?go? ?search? ?for? ?a? ?quiet? ?land? ?filled? ?with? ?spiritual? ?energy? ?and? ?close? ?

myself? ?off? ?to? ?cultivate.”? ?

?

If? ?a? ?cultivation? ?place? ?was? ?abundant? ?in? ?spiritual? ?energy,? ?then? ?it? ?was? ?significantly? ?beneficial? ?to? ?the? ?

cultivator.? ?Before,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?couldn’t? ?make? ?up? ?his? ?mind? ?on? ?whether? ?he? ?should? ?leave? ?his? ?parents? ?

and? ?the? ?two? ?attendants? ?behind,? ?which? ?was? ?why? ?he? ?never? ?parted.? ?Now,? ?he’s? ?changed? ?his? ?mind.? ?

Feng? ?Xin? ?didn’t? ?think? ?too? ?much? ?on? ?it? ?however,? ?“Great!? ?Your? ?Highness,? ?you? ?should’ve? ?done? ?this? ?a? ?

long? ?time? ?ago!? ?Quiet? ?cultivation? ?is? ?the? ?most? ?effective? ?after? ?all!”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?nodded,? ?paused,? ?then? ?said,? ?“I’ll? ?have? ?to? ?trouble? ?you? ?to? ?look? ?after? ?father? ?and? ?mother? ?while? ?

I’m? ?gone.”? ? ?

?

Feng? ?Xin? ?was? ?about? ?to? ?respond? ?but? ?suddenly? ?hesitated? ?for? ?a? ?moment.? ?Although? ?it? ?was? ?but? ?a? ?

flash,? ?but? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?knew? ?him? ?so? ?well,? ?how? ?could? ?he? ?not? ?have? ?notice? ?that? ?moment? ?of? ?hesitation?? ? ?

?

Right? ?then,? ?the? ?king? ?bellowed? ?from? ?within? ?the? ?back? ?room,? ?“If? ?you? ?must? ?go? ?then? ?go.? ?This? ?king? ?

doesn’t? ?need? ?anyone? ?to? ?look? ?after.”? ? ?

?

Feng? ?Xin? ?and? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?lowered? ?their? ?bowls? ?and? ?chopsticks? ?and? ?looked? ?to? ?the? ?room.? ?It? ?seemed? ?

the? ?king? ?hadn’t? ?yet? ?rest? ?and? ?heard? ?their? ?exchange,? ?interrupting? ?their? ?conversation.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?shook? ?

his? ?head? ?and? ?whispered,? ?“Acting? ?tough? ?again.”? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?smiled? ?then? ?said,? ?“Don’t? ?worry? ?Your? ?

Highness.? ?Of? ?course? ?I’d? ?look? ?after? ?them.”? ? ?

?

Now? ?he? ?answered? ?so? ?straightforwardly.? ?Still,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?didn’t? ?forget? ?that? ?before? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?

answered,? ?there? ?was? ?that? ?small? ?moment? ?of? ?hesitation,? ?like? ?he? ?had? ?other? ?concerns.? ?

?

However,? ?when? ?he? ?thought? ?about? ?it,? ?maybe? ?he? ?saw? ?wrong.? ?Other? ?than? ?them,? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?didn’t? ?

know? ?anyone? ?else,? ?had? ?no? ?other? ?dependents,? ?so? ?what? ?other? ?concerns? ?could? ?he? ?have?? ?So? ?Xie? ?

Lian? ?stopped? ?thinking? ?and? ?changed? ?his? ?mind? ?to? ?considerations? ?for? ?his? ?departure? ?the? ?next? ?day.? ?

?

The? ?next? ?day,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?carried? ?a? ?simply? ?satchel? ?and? ?temporarily? ?bid? ?farewell? ?to? ?his? ?parents? ?and? ?

Feng? ?Xin.? ?

?

The? ?walked? ?for? ?who? ?knows? ?how? ?many? ?tens? ?of? ?miles,? ?eating? ?and? ?sleeping? ?out? ?in? ?the? ?open? ?for? ?

days,? ?and? ?finally? ?found? ?a? ?place,? ?a? ?quiet? ?deep? ?mountain? ?that? ?was? ?perfect? ?for? ?quiet? ?cultivation.? ?After? ?

examining? ?the? ?area,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?was? ?startled? ?at? ?first,? ?but? ?soon? ?after,? ?his? ?heart? ?was? ?filled? ?with? ?joy,? ?

“Such? ?luck...? ?the? ?fengshui? ?of? ?this? ?land? ?is? ?excellent,? ?I’ve? ?actually? ?found? ?a? ?most? ?auspicious? ?piece? ?of? ?

land!”? ? ?

?

Having? ?been? ?unfortunate? ?up? ?to? ?this? ?point,? ?to? ?have? ?his? ?luck? ?turn? ?so? ?suddenly,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?still? ?couldn’t? ?

believe? ?it,? ?and? ?had? ?to? ?check? ?and? ?recheck? ?before? ?he? ?was? ?absolutely? ?sure.? ?Indeed,? ?this? ?area? ?was? ?a? ?

sacred? ?land? ?brimming? ?with? ?spiritual? ?energy.? ?If? ?he? ?could? ?immerse? ?himself? ?and? ?focus? ?on? ?cultivation? ?

for? ?the? ?next? ?few? ?months,? ?then? ?surely? ?he? ?could? ?achieve? ?twice? ?the? ?results? ?with? ?half? ?the? ?effort,? ?and? ?

make? ?exponential? ?progress!? ?

?

It? ?was? ?as? ?if? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?had? ?saw? ?hope,? ?and? ?the? ?gloomy? ?feelings? ?of? ?recent? ?days? ?suddenly? ?cleared,? ?his? ?

heart? ?leaping? ?with? ?joy,? ?“Father,? ?mother,? ?Feng? ?Xin,? ?wait? ?for? ?me.? ?I’ll? ?return? ?very? ?soon!”? ? ?

?

Following? ?along? ?the? ?steep? ?and? ?perilous? ?mountain? ?path? ?and? ?hiking? ?for? ?seven? ?to? ?eight? ?hours,? ?Xie? ?

Lian? ?finally? ?entered? ?the? ?deep? ?recesses? ?of? ?this? ?spiritual? ?mountain? ?before? ?sunset.? ?

?

Crossing? ?through? ?the? ?dense? ?forests,? ?he? ?could? ?sense? ?clearly? ?that? ?he? ?was? ?coming? ?closer? ?and? ?

closer? ?to? ?the? ?source? ?of? ?the? ?spiritual? ?energy.? ?Xie? ?Lian’s? ?steps? ?were? ?also? ?growing? ?faster? ?and? ?lighter.? ?

Yet? ?unexpectedly,? ?just? ?as? ?he? ?was? ?picking? ?out? ?a? ?location? ?for? ?his? ?quiet? ?cultivation,? ?there? ?suddenly? ?

came? ?the? ?clamouring? ?noise? ?of? ?footsteps? ?behind? ?him.? ?

?

How? ?could? ?there? ?be? ?so? ?many? ?feet? ?in? ?such? ?a? ?secluded? ?mountain?? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?looked? ?over? ?

unconsciously.? ?He? ?had? ?never? ?expected? ?that? ?with? ?this? ?glance,? ?the? ?smile? ?hanging? ?off? ?his? ?lips? ?would? ?

freeze.? ?

?

Behind? ?him? ?appeared? ?a? ?number? ?of? ?people,? ?about? ?maybe? ?thirty? ?of? ?them,? ?all? ?different? ?in? ?shapes? ?

and? ?sizes? ?donned? ?in? ?various? ?attires.? ?However,? ?the? ?one? ?thing? ?they? ?all? ?had? ?in? ?common? ?was? ?they? ?

were? ?all? ?heavenly? ?officials.? ?A? ?small? ?number? ?of? ?them? ?were? ?officials? ?without? ?rank? ?in? ?the? ?Upper? ?

Court,? ?and? ?the? ?majority? ?of? ?them? ?were? ?the? ?officials? ?of? ?the? ?Lower? ?Court.? ?

?

Among? ?them? ?were? ?those? ?junior? ?officials? ?that? ?bumped? ?into? ?his? ?failed? ?robbery? ?the? ?last? ?time!? ?

?

When? ?they? ?saw? ?Xie? ?Lian,? ?their? ?faces? ?changed,? ?and? ?they? ?tugged? ?and? ?elbowed? ?each? ?other,? ?saying? ?

something? ?under? ?their? ?breaths.? ?As? ?for? ?Xie? ?Lian,? ?when? ?he? ?saw? ?them,? ?immediately? ?his? ?hands? ?

started? ?trembling.? ?

?

Both? ?parties? ?stared? ?at? ?each? ?other.? ?It? ?was? ?a? ?brief? ?moment? ?before? ?one? ?of? ?the? ?heavenly? ?officials? ?

cleared? ?his? ?throat,? ?“What? ?a? ?coincidence,? ?that? ?we’d? ?run? ?into? ?your? ?royal? ?highness? ?here.”? ? ?

?

“Indeed.? ?Why? ?has? ?your? ?royal? ?highness? ?come? ?here? ?too?”? ? ?

?

“...:? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?inclined? ?his? ?head? ?lightly,? ?forcing? ?himself? ?to? ?be? ?calm? ?and? ?composed,? ?and? ?responded? ?

without? ?any? ?sign? ?of? ?inferiority,? ?“I’m? ?here? ?to? ?train.”? ? ?

?

Even? ?though? ?the? ?him? ?today? ?wasn’t? ?the? ?him? ?of? ?the? ?past,? ?still? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?tried? ?to? ?use? ?the? ?same? ?tone? ?

before? ?he? ?was? ?banished,? ?refusing? ?to? ?allow? ?himself? ?to? ?sound? ?subservient? ?or? ?guilty.? ?

?

The? ?heavenly? ?official? ?smiled,? ?“Even? ?more? ?of? ?a? ?coincidence.? ?We’ve? ?come? ?to? ?train? ?too.”? ?

?

“Yea,? ?yea,? ?who? ?knew? ?that? ?we’d? ?all? ?run? ?into? ?each? ?other? ?here,? ?hohoho...”? ?

?

Turns? ?out,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?wasn’t? ?the? ?only? ?one? ?who? ?spotted? ?this? ?auspicious? ?land.? ?This? ?group? ?of? ?heavenly? ?

officials? ?have? ?also? ?targeted? ?it.? ?

?

Having? ?run? ?into? ?this? ?situation,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?started? ?hesitating.? ?Would? ?he? ?have? ?to? ?cultivate? ?alongside? ?

this? ?many? ?heavenly? ?officials?? ?

?

To? ?be? ?honest,? ?he? ?rejected? ?the? ?idea? ?of? ?cultivating? ?with? ?other? ?heavenly? ?officials? ?from? ?the? ?bottom? ?of? ?

his? ?heart.? ?First,? ?he? ?had? ?come? ?to? ?close? ?himself? ?off? ?to? ?cultivate? ?quietly;? ?if? ?he? ?couldn’t? ?be? ?by? ?himself? ?

and? ?had? ?to? ?be? ?with? ?so? ?many? ?people,? ?then? ?there’d? ?no? ?doubt? ?be? ?disturbances.? ?Some? ?people? ?enjoy? ?

cultivation? ?in? ?groups? ?so? ?they? ?could? ?take? ?care? ?of? ?one? ?another,? ?but? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?had? ?always? ?cultivated? ?

quietly? ?on? ?his? ?own.? ?

?

Second,? ?ever? ?since? ?that? ?robbery? ?incident,? ?he? ?became? ?ill? ?at? ?ease? ?when? ?he? ?saw? ?heavenly? ?officials? ?

he? ?had? ?acquainted? ?in? ?the? ?past,? ?feeling? ?like? ?the? ?eyes? ?of? ?the? ?others? ?were? ?piercing? ?like? ?needles,? ?

tormenting? ?him.? ?Just? ?like? ?right? ?now,? ?he? ?had? ?the? ?delusional? ?feeling? ?that? ?they? ?were? ?all? ?watching? ?him? ?

with? ?judgment,? ?so,? ?he? ?wouldn’t? ?be? ?able? ?to? ?focus? ?on? ?cultivation? ?at? ?all.? ?

?

Although? ?when? ?it? ?came? ?to? ?taking? ?over? ?auspicious? ?lands,? ?there? ?was? ?a? ?first? ?come? ?first? ?served? ?rule,? ?

and? ?as? ?long? ?as? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?was? ?strong? ?enough,? ?he? ?could? ?very? ?well? ?say? ?he? ?was? ?there? ?first,? ?pleas? ?go? ?

find? ?somewhere? ?else? ?to? ?train.? ?However,? ?those? ?few? ?junior? ?officials? ?who? ?bumped? ?into? ?his? ?robbery? ?

incident? ?were? ?right? ?before? ?him,? ?so? ?he? ?couldn’t? ?act? ?too? ?tough.? ?Besides,? ?it’d? ?also? ?be? ?thuggish? ?of? ?him? ?

to? ?chase? ?away? ?so? ?many? ?heavenly? ?officials? ?while? ?keeping? ?the? ?auspicious? ?land? ?for? ?himself.? ?Even? ?if? ?

Xie? ?Lian? ?didn’t? ?want? ?to? ?train? ?next? ?to? ?the? ?other? ?heavenly? ?officials,? ?there? ?was? ?no? ?other? ?choice.? ?

There? ?wasn’t? ?any? ?time? ?to? ?go? ?find? ?another? ?place? ?with? ?such? ?plentiful? ?spiritual? ?energy,? ?so? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?

could? ?only? ?nod,? ?“Yea,? ?what? ?a? ?coincidence.? ?Then,? ?I’ll? ?head? ?in? ?first.? ?My? ?Lords,? ?please? ?do? ?as? ?you? ?

will.”? ? ?

?

Then,? ?he? ?made? ?a? ?move? ?to? ?leave? ?in? ?haste? ?so? ?he? ?could? ?go? ?hide? ?himself? ?in? ?the? ?quietest? ?cave.? ?Yet? ?

unexpectedly,? ?just? ?as? ?he? ?turned? ?around,? ?a? ?heavenly? ?official? ?behind? ?him? ?spoke? ?up,? ?“Hold? ?up.”? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?paused? ?in? ?his? ?step? ?and? ?turned? ?his? ?head? ?back,? ?puzzled,? ?“What? ?is? ?it?”? ? ?

?

Those? ?thirty? ?some? ?heavenly? ?officials? ?exchanged? ?looks? ?with? ?each? ?other,? ?some? ?whispering.? ?A? ?

moment? ?later,? ?someone? ?stepped? ?out,? ?and? ?he? ?smiled,? ?“Your? ?Highness? ?had? ?taken? ?over? ?a? ?number? ?

of? ?auspicious? ?lands? ?in? ?the? ?past.? ?Why? ?don’t? ?you? ?let? ?us? ?have? ?this? ?one? ?this? ?time?”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?was? ?stunned? ?for? ?a? ?good? ?while? ?before? ?he? ?understood.? ?

?

What? ?they? ?meant? ?was? ?to? ?have? ?him? ?leave? ?the? ?place? ?by? ?himself?? ?

?

How? ?baffling.? ?What? ?bullies!? ?

?

A? ?rush? ?of? ?blood? ?came? ?charging? ?up? ?to? ?his? ?head.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?thought? ?angrily,? ?‘I? ?was? ?here? ?first,? ?but? ?I? ?

didn’t? ?ask? ?you? ?all? ?to? ?leave,? ?so? ?why? ?did? ?you? ?all? ?turn? ?around? ?to? ?have? ?me? ?leave?’? ?

?

But? ?he? ?didn’t? ?dare? ?to? ?act? ?out.? ?After? ?a? ?moment? ?of? ?silence,? ?the? ?hand? ?holding? ?strap? ?of? ?his? ?satchel? ?

slowly? ?clutched? ?harder,? ?and? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?demanded,? ?his? ?voice? ?hard,? ?“My? ?Lords,? ?what? ?is? ?the? ?meaning? ?

of? ?this?”? ? ?

?

One? ?of? ?the? ?heavenly? ?officials? ?said,? ?“Well...? ?didn’t? ?we? ?just? ?say...? ?Your? ?Highness? ?had? ?taken? ?over? ?

quite? ?a? ?number? ?of? ?auspicious? ?lands? ?in? ?the? ?past...”? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?cut? ?him? ?off,? ?“What? ?does? ?that? ?got? ?to? ?do? ?with? ?this?? ?Are? ?you? ?saying? ?that? ?since? ?I’ve? ?taken? ?a? ?

number? ?of? ?spiritual? ?lands? ?in? ?the? ?past,? ?I’m? ?now? ?barred? ?from? ?cultivating? ?in? ?spiritual? ?lands?”? ?

?

That? ?heavenly? ?official? ?was? ?stumped? ?and? ?stopped? ?talking,? ?looking? ?embarrassed.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?tried? ?to? ?

remain? ?composed? ?and? ?said,? ?“Also,? ?I? ?don’t? ?quite? ?understand.? ?It’s? ?not? ?like? ?everyone? ?can’t? ?cultivate? ?

here? ?just? ?because? ?I’m? ?here? ?too.? ?Isn’t? ?it? ?common? ?to? ?share? ?spiritual? ?lands? ?when? ?cultivating?? ?What’s? ?

wrong? ?if? ?everyone? ?just? ?mind? ?themselves?? ?Why? ?must? ?you? ?ask? ?me? ?to? ?leave?”? ? ?

?

Just? ?then,? ?he? ?heard? ?someone? ?grumble,? ?“...Stop? ?playing? ?ignorant.? ?There’s? ?already? ?thirty? ?

something? ?of? ?us,? ?if? ?you’re? ?cultivating? ?here,? ?what? ?more? ?can? ?the? ?others? ?cultivate...”? ?

?

Although? ?that? ?man? ?was? ?instantly? ?pushed? ?down? ?by? ?the? ?others,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?still? ?instantly? ?understood.? ?

?

So? ?that? ?was? ?it!? ?

?

The? ?spiritual? ?energy? ?in? ?piece? ?of? ?auspicious? ?land? ?was? ?very? ?limited.? ?When? ?cultivating,? ?if? ?someone? ?

took? ?over? ?half,? ?then? ?the? ?others? ?who? ?came? ?afterwards? ?could? ?only? ?share? ?the? ?other? ?half.? ?If? ?someone? ?

took? ?over? ?eight? ?parts? ?of? ?it,? ?then? ?the? ?other? ?could? ?only? ?take? ?two.? ?The? ?stronger? ?one’s? ?ability? ?to? ?

absorb? ?in? ?spiritual? ?energy? ?to? ?use? ?for? ?oneself,? ?the? ?less? ?spiritual? ?energy? ?there’d? ?be? ?for? ?others? ?to? ?

use.? ?

?

Those? ?heavenly? ?officials? ?were? ?afraid? ?that? ?if? ?he? ?was? ?also? ?around? ?to? ?cultivate,? ?he’d? ?take? ?away? ?a? ?

majority? ?of? ?the? ?spiritual? ?energy.? ?What? ?was? ?left? ?would? ?have? ?to? ?be? ?shared? ?among? ?the? ?thirty? ?of? ?them,? ?

so? ?there? ?wouldn’t? ?be? ?much? ?left? ?for? ?everyone!? ?

?

Having? ?realized? ?this,? ?that? ?boiling? ?blood? ?in? ?Xie? ?Lian’s? ?head? ?was? ?charging? ?even? ?more? ?aggressively.? ?

He? ?clenched? ?his? ?fists? ?and? ?said? ?coldly,? ?“...I? ?will? ?cultivate? ?here.”? ? ?

?

Another? ?heavenly? ?official? ?spoke? ?up,? ?“Your? ?Highness,? ?we’re? ?only? ?willing? ?to? ?call? ?you? ?Your? ?Highness? ?

out? ?of? ?respect.? ?You’re? ?nothing? ?more? ?than? ?mortal? ?right? ?now,? ?so? ?why? ?must? ?you? ?fight? ?with? ?us? ?over? ?

this? ?spiritual? ?land?”? ?

?

“Since? ?I’m? ?a? ?mortal? ?and? ?you’re? ?all? ?heavenly? ?officials,? ?then? ?what? ?are? ?you? ?afraid? ?of? ?if? ?I’m? ?here? ?to? ?

train?”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?said,? ?“If? ?I? ?don’t? ?leave,? ?are? ?you? ?going? ?to? ?chase? ?me? ?away? ?forcefully?”? ? ?

?

Of? ?course? ?that? ?wasn’t? ?feasible.? ?If? ?a? ?mortal? ?did? ?not? ?commit? ?any? ?major? ?sins,? ?then? ?heavenly? ?officials? ?

were? ?not? ?allowed? ?to? ?use? ?force? ?against? ?him? ?lest? ?they? ?be? ?punished.? ?The? ?heavenly? ?officials? ?really? ?

couldn’t? ?do? ?anything? ?to? ?him.? ?HOwever,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?forgot? ?one? ?thing.? ?

?

Just? ?as? ?he? ?was? ?stubbornly? ?facing? ?those? ?thirty? ?some? ?heavenly? ?officials,? ?a? ?voice? ?suddenly? ?said,? ?

“Your? ?Highness? ?has? ?been? ?banished? ?to? ?the? ?mortal? ?realm,? ?your? ?backbone’s? ?grown? ?much? ?tougher.? ?

Not? ?only? ?would? ?you? ?rob? ?mortals,? ?you’d? ?even? ?offend? ?heavenly? ?officials,? ?hahaha!”? ? ?

?

Hearing? ?this,? ?it? ?was? ?as? ?if? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?suddenly? ?plunged? ?into? ?an? ?ice? ?cellar!? ?

?

He? ?whipped? ?his? ?head? ?up,? ?and? ?saw? ?the? ?one? ?who? ?spoke? ?was? ?an? ?insignificant? ?lower? ?ranking? ?official,? ?

but,? ?he? ?wasn’t? ?any? ?one? ?of? ?the? ?heavenly? ?officials? ?who? ?caught? ?him? ?red? ?handed? ?at? ?the? ?robbery? ?

incident? ?that? ?day!? ?

?

As? ?he? ?suspected,? ?they? ?already? ?talked!? ?It? ?wasn’t? ?all? ?in? ?Xie? ?Lian’s? ?head? ?earlier,? ?everyone? ?really? ?was? ?

looking? ?at? ?him? ?with? ?an? ?inexplicable? ?eye.? ?Everyone? ?knew.? ?All? ?of? ?these? ?heavenly? ?officials,? ?they? ?all? ?

knew!!!? ?

?

In? ?an? ?instant,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?felt? ?as? ?if? ?all? ?of? ?his? ?bones? ?were? ?pulled? ?out,? ?the? ?flames? ?burning? ?in? ?his? ?veins? ?

extinguished,? ?his? ?eyes? ?red,? ?filled? ?with? ?blood,? ?and? ?he? ?stiffly? ?looked? ?over? ?to? ?those? ?junior? ?officials.? ?He? ?

croaked,? ?“...You? ?said? ?you? ?wouldn’t? ?tell? ?anyone.”? ? ?

?

?

———-? ?

?

Ch.186:? ?Thirty-Three? ?Heavenly? ?Officials? ?Fight? ?Over? ?Auspicious? ?Land? ?2? ?

?

Perhaps? ?the? ?surge? ?of? ?emotions? ?in? ?his? ?eyes? ?were? ?too? ?strong? ?and? ?too? ?piercing,? ?the? ?junior? ?officials? ?

being? ?stared? ?at? ?by? ?him? ?quickly? ?waved? ?their? ?hands,? ?“We? ?didn’t? ?tell? ?any? ?outsiders!”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?demanded? ?with? ?his? ?eyes? ?red,? ?“Then? ?how? ?did? ?they? ?know??”? ? ?

?

None? ?of? ?the? ?thirty? ?some? ?heavenly? ?officials? ?present? ?appeared? ?surprised? ?when? ?they? ?heard? ?his? ?

question.? ?Since? ?so? ?many? ?heavenly? ?officials? ?already? ?knew,? ?then? ?how? ?many? ?officials? ?in? ?the? ?Upper? ?

Court? ?have? ?already? ?heard?? ?

?

Having? ?been? ?questioned? ?by? ?him,? ?those? ?heavenly? ?officials? ?were? ?stumped? ?for? ?a? ?bit? ?before? ?they? ?

argued,? ?“Well? ?it’s? ?not? ?like? ?they’re? ?outsiders,? ?we’re? ?all? ?close? ?friends? ?here.? ?There? ?aren’t? ?any? ?secrets? ?

between? ?us,? ?so? ?telling? ?them? ?isn’t? ?the? ?same? ?as? ?telling? ?anyone? ?else.? ?Other? ?than? ?to? ?the? ?heavenly? ?

officials? ?here,? ?we? ?won’t? ?say? ?anything...”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?didn’t? ?wait? ?for? ?him? ?to? ?finish? ?before? ?he? ?cried? ?

sharply,? ?“LIES!? ?WHAT? ?A? ?BUNCH? ?OF? ?LIES!? ?I? ?DON’T? ?BELIEVE? ?YOU!!!”? ? ?

?

To? ?have? ?him? ?interrupt? ?so? ?sharply,? ?those? ?junior? ?officials? ?were? ?also? ?starting? ?to? ?feel? ?a? ?little? ?

embarrassed,? ?shrinking? ?back? ?into? ?the? ?crowd.? ?Just? ?then,? ?one? ?of? ?the? ?heavenly? ?officials? ?suddenly? ?

shouted,? ?“WHAT? ?DOES? ?IT? ?MATTER? ?IF? ?YOU? ?BELIEVE? ?THEM? ?OR? ?NOT?? ?It’s? ?already? ?pretty? ?good? ?

that? ?no? ?one? ?exposed? ?what? ?good? ?deed? ?Your? ?Highness? ?has? ?done? ?here? ?in? ?the? ?mortal? ?realm,? ?and? ?still? ?

you? ?ask? ?them? ?to? ?keep? ?a? ?secret? ?for? ?you?? ?What? ?duty? ?do? ?we? ?have? ?to? ?keep? ?a? ?secret? ?for? ?you?? ?WHAT? ?

A? ?JOKE!”? ?

?

It? ?was? ?like? ?a? ?bucket? ?of? ?ice? ?cold? ?water? ?was? ?thrown? ?in? ?Xie? ?Lian’s? ?face? ?followed? ?by? ?a? ?blade? ?piercing? ?

his? ?heart,? ?and? ?he? ?quickly? ?said,? ?“NO!? ?I...”? ? ?

?

Another? ?one? ?piped? ?up,? ?“If? ?you? ?didn’t? ?do? ?anything? ?immoral,? ?you? ?wouldn’t? ?fear? ?talk.? ?You’re? ?the? ?one? ?

who’s? ?corrupted,? ?and? ?you? ?blame? ?others? ?for? ?not? ?keeping? ?their? ?words?? ?If? ?anyone? ?was? ?to? ?keep? ?such? ?

unjust? ?affairs? ?a? ?secret? ?for? ?you,? ?then? ?that’d? ?be? ?the? ?true? ?crime!”? ?

?

“NO!!!”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?cried,? ?“I...”? ?

?

He? ?wanted? ?to? ?say? ?that? ?there? ?was? ?a? ?reason,? ?that? ?he? ?hadn’t? ?wanted? ?to,? ?but? ?he? ?also? ?knew? ?very? ?well? ?

in? ?his? ?heart? ?that? ?no? ?matter? ?what? ?reason? ?there? ?was,? ?they? ?weren’t? ?important.? ?What? ?mattered? ?was,? ?

he? ?did? ?indeed? ?tried? ?to? ?rob!? ?

?

A? ?blemish? ?like? ?this? ?was? ?like? ?a? ?brand? ?of? ?shame? ?marked? ?on? ?his? ?face,? ?and? ?it? ?was? ?making? ?him? ?turn? ?

infinitely? ?small? ?before? ?these? ?heavenly? ?officials,? ?too? ?afraid? ?to? ?even? ?raise? ?his? ?voice? ?in? ?defending? ?

himself.? ?Seeing? ?that? ?his? ?will? ?was? ?diminishing,? ?one? ?of? ?the? ?martial? ?gods? ?stepped? ?out,? ?“Your? ?

Highness,? ?now? ?do? ?you? ?understand? ?why? ?we? ?don’t? ?want? ?you? ?here? ?to? ?cultivate? ?with? ?us?”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?lowered? ?his? ?head? ?and? ?clenched? ?his? ?fists.? ?

?

That? ?martial? ?god? ?continued,? ?“We? ?are? ?not? ?on? ?the? ?same? ?path,? ?and? ?those? ?not? ?of? ?the? ?same? ?paths? ?

shall? ?not? ?cross.? ?You? ?best? ?leave.”? ?

?

Hearing? ?him? ?say? ?“Those? ?not? ?of? ?the? ?same? ?paths? ?shall? ?not? ?cross”? ?so? ?presumptuously,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?

suddenly? ?understood.? ?

?

They? ?could? ?talk? ?in? ?circles,? ?but? ?at? ?the? ?end? ?of? ?the? ?day,? ?it? ?was? ?all? ?just? ?so? ?he’d? ?let? ?go? ?of? ?this? ?spiritual? ?

land!? ?

?

The? ?knuckles? ?of? ?his? ?fists? ?were? ?cracking? ?and? ?the? ?lump? ?in? ?his? ?throat? ?pressed? ?down? ?for? ?a? ?while? ?

before? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?said? ?darkly,? ?“...I’m? ?not? ?leaving.? ?I? ?will? ?stay? ?here? ?and? ?train.”? ? ?

?

At? ?this? ?moment,? ?his? ?anger? ?towards? ?those? ?thirty? ?some? ?heavenly? ?officials? ?had? ?surpassed? ?his? ?

embarrassment.? ?

?

Since? ?things? ?had? ?progressed? ?to? ?this? ?point,? ?then? ?he? ?might? ?as? ?well? ?break? ?all? ?the? ?broken? ?jars? ?and? ?

give? ?it? ?his? ?all.? ?Instead? ?of? ?running? ?away? ?with? ?tail? ?between? ?his? ?legs,? ?he’d? ?rather? ?thicken? ?his? ?face? ?and? ?

stand? ?his? ?ground,? ?forcing? ?them? ?to? ?relent.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?whipped? ?his? ?head? ?up? ?and? ?reiterated,? ?“I? ?will? ?stay? ?

here? ?to? ?train.? ?This? ?mountain? ?isn’t? ?any? ?of? ?yours? ?domain,? ?none? ?of? ?you? ?have? ?any? ?right? ?to? ?ask? ?me? ?to? ?

leave!”? ?

?

Seeing? ?how? ?he? ?had? ?hardened? ?his? ?attitude,? ?those? ?thirty? ?some? ?heavenly? ?officials’? ?faces? ?all? ?

darkened.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?heard? ?someone? ?mutter,? ?“Why? ?must? ?it? ?be? ?like? ?this?”? ?

?

“I? ?have? ?never? ?seen? ?anyone? ?so? ?thick-skinned...”? ?

?

Still,? ?they? ?could? ?say? ?all? ?they? ?wanted,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?would? ?stand? ?his? ?ground.? ?Even? ?if? ?his? ?heart? ?was? ?now? ?

bleeding? ?profusely? ?having? ?been? ?stabbed? ?by? ?spears? ?of? ?lips? ?and? ?swords? ?of? ?tongues,? ?still? ?he? ?will? ?

stubbornly? ?remain? ?without? ?moving.? ?

?

That? ?martial? ?god? ?said,? ?“It? ?seems? ?Your? ?Highness? ?will? ?force? ?your? ?way? ?and? ?bring? ?displeasure? ?to? ?

everyone?”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?said? ?coldly,? ?“Come? ?chase? ?me? ?out? ?if? ?you’ve? ?got? ?what? ?it? ?takes!? ?Even? ?if? ?you? ?all? ?want? ?to,? ?you? ?

haven’t? ?the? ?skills!”? ? ?

?

The? ?moment? ?he? ?said? ?this? ?a? ?number? ?of? ?the? ?heavenly? ?official’s? ?instantly? ?dropped? ?their? ?faces? ?and? ?

pulled? ?out? ?their? ?weapons!? ?

?

Of? ?course? ?they? ?would.? ?To? ?martial? ?gods,? ?his? ?words? ?just? ?now? ?was? ?a? ?grave? ?provocation.There? ?were? ?

a? ?number? ?of? ?them? ?present? ?who? ?were? ?martial? ?gods;? ?there? ?was? ?no? ?way? ?they? ?could? ?pretend? ?they? ?

didn’t? ?hear.? ?

?

Having? ?been? ?surrounded,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?wasn’t? ?scared? ?a? ?bit.? ?He? ?had? ?no? ?blades? ?in? ?his? ?hands? ?and? ?could? ?

only? ?grip? ?tightly? ?onto? ?the? ?branch? ?he? ?used? ?as? ?a? ?trekking? ?pole.? ?One? ?of? ?the? ?martial? ?gods? ?said? ?

severely,? ?“Your? ?Highness,? ?if? ?you? ?apologize? ?immediately,? ?we? ?can? ?pretend? ?you? ?didn’t? ?just? ?offend? ?

us.”? ? ?

?

However,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?replied,? ?“If? ?I? ?brought? ?any? ?displeasure? ?to? ?any? ?of? ?you,? ?I? ?refuse? ?to? ?apologize.”? ? ?

?

Gripping? ?that? ?tree? ?branch,? ?he? ?pointed? ?forward,? ?“Because? ?none? ?of? ?you? ?are? ?fit? ?to? ?be? ?gods!”? ? ?

?

Before? ?him? ?was? ?a? ?wave? ?of? ?outrage.? ?

?

Someone? ?clicked? ?his? ?tongue,? ?“We’re? ?not? ?fit?? ?And? ?someone? ?like? ?you? ?who? ?robbed? ?mortals? ?is? ?

worthy?!”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?couldn’t? ?hold? ?back? ?anymore,? ?and? ?he? ?didn’t? ?want? ?to? ?anymore? ?either.? ?Sweeping? ?that? ?

branch? ?he? ?charged? ?forward? ?to? ?attack,? ?yelling,? ?“YOU? ?BULLIES!”? ? ?

?

Those? ?martial? ?gods? ?readied? ?their? ?weapons? ?to? ?welcome? ?his? ?attack.? ?The? ?heavenly? ?officials? ?

standing? ?in? ?the? ?back? ?cried,? ?“It’s? ?not? ?like? ?we? ?forced? ?you? ?to? ?go? ?rob,? ?so? ?what? ?reason? ?do? ?you? ?have? ?to? ?

begrudge? ?us??”? ?

?

However,? ?they? ?were? ?too? ?glad? ?too? ?early.? ?At? ?first? ?they? ?thought? ?without? ?spiritual? ?powers? ?and? ?without? ?

weapons,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?must? ?be? ?easy? ?to? ?take? ?down.? ?Yet? ?unexpectedly,? ?that? ?wasn’t? ?the? ?case? ?at? ?all.? ?

Even? ?though? ?it? ?was? ?only? ?a? ?branch? ?in? ?Xie? ?Lian’s? ?hand,? ?it? ?was? ?swung? ?like? ?a? ?vicious? ?blade,? ?forcing? ?

them? ?back,? ?exceedingly? ?strong.? ?Both? ?sides? ?didn’t? ?fight? ?for? ?very? ?long? ?before? ?a? ?number? ?of? ?the? ?

martial? ?gods’? ?swords? ?were? ?sent? ?flying,? ?and? ?they? ?were? ?even? ?scared? ?of? ?getting? ?scratched? ?by? ?the? ?

sharp? ?winds? ?swept? ?by? ?the? ?swinging? ?branch,? ?each? ?of? ?them? ?so? ?startled? ?they? ?fled? ?to? ?hide? ?in? ?the? ?

back.? ?

?

Esteemed? ?heavenly? ?officials? ?couldn’t? ?even? ?defeat? ?a? ?banished? ?mortal,? ?what? ?an? ?embarrassment!? ?

?

Just? ?then,? ?one? ?of? ?the? ?heavenly? ?officials? ?watching? ?the? ?fight? ?suddenly? ?shrieked? ?from? ?the? ?distance,? ?

“WHAT’S? ?THIS?!”? ?

?

With? ?that? ?cry,? ?the? ?other? ?heavenly? ?officials? ?became? ?alarmed? ?too,? ?“WHAT’S? ?GOING? ?ON?”? ? ?

?

That? ?heavenly? ?official? ?seemed? ?to? ?be? ?in? ?excruciating? ?pain,? ?covering? ?his? ?face? ?and? ?bent? ?at? ?the? ?waist,? ?

“A,? ?a? ?ball? ?of? ?ghost? ?fire? ?hit? ?my? ?eyes? ?just? ?now...? ?is? ?he? ?playing? ?tricks?”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?recalled? ?that? ?this? ?was? ?the? ?official? ?that? ?was? ?pointing? ?at? ?him? ?shouting? ?he? ?was? ?a? ?robber,? ?and? ?

he? ?snorted,? ?“What? ?ghost? ?fire?? ?If? ?you? ?want? ?to? ?rob? ?me? ?of? ?spiritual? ?land? ?then? ?just? ?say? ?so,? ?there’s? ?no? ?

need? ?to? ?slander? ?me? ?any? ?further!”? ? ?

?

His? ?fury? ?flared? ?again,? ?and? ?his? ?attacks? ?became? ?more? ?aggressive.? ?The? ?spears? ?and? ?blades? ?of? ?that? ?

circle? ?of? ?martial? ?gods? ?were? ?all? ?stricken? ?away? ?by? ?his? ?normal,? ?perfectly? ?sized? ?branch,? ?and? ?the? ?

weapons? ?clattered? ?as? ?they? ?all? ?fell? ?all? ?over? ?the? ?ground.? ?Suddenly,? ?someone? ?yelled,? ?“IT’S? ?

CAUGHT!? ?IT’S? ?CAUGHT!? ?LOOK!”? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?paused? ?and? ?steadied? ?himself,? ?and? ?saw? ?those? ?heavenly? ?officials? ?in? ?a? ?riot,? ?and? ?something? ?

was? ?in? ?someone’s? ?hand? ?being? ?raised? ?high? ?for? ?all? ?to? ?see,? ?“There? ?really? ?is? ?a? ?ghost? ?fire,? ?he’s? ?playing? ?

dirty!? ?We’ve? ?got? ?proof!”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?looked? ?closely,? ?and? ?sure? ?enough? ?it? ?was? ?a? ?ball? ?of? ?hauntingly? ?blazing? ?little? ?ghost? ?fire.? ?He? ?

cried? ?angrily,? ?“I? ?DON’T? ?EVEN? ?KNOW? ?WHAT’S? ?GOING? ?ON!? ?HOW? ?DARE? ?YOU? ?ACCUSE? ?ME? ?OF? ?

PLAYING? ?TRICKS? ?JUST? ?BY? ?CATCHING? ?SOME? ?GHOST? ?FIRE?? ?IT’S? ?NOT? ?LIKE? ?GHOST? ?FIRES? ?

ARE? ?ANYTHING? ?RARE!? ?DO? ?YOU? ?SEE? ?MY? ?NAME? ?CARVED? ?ON? ?IT??”? ?

?

That? ?heavenly? ?official? ?who? ?shrieked? ?held? ?his? ?eye,? ?“Why? ?would? ?normal? ?ghost? ?fires? ?attack? ?my? ?

eyes?? ?If? ?it? ?wasn’t? ?under? ?your? ?control? ?why? ?would? ?it? ?act? ?like? ?this?”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?rebuked,? ?“And? ?I? ?can? ?say? ?it’s? ?some? ?wandering? ?spirit? ?on? ?the? ?mountain? ?that? ?were? ?scared? ?by? ?

you? ?lot? ?and? ?came? ?crashing? ?in? ?a? ?daze!? ?What? ?kind? ?of? ?proof? ?is? ?that?!”? ? ?

?

The? ?first? ?martial? ?god? ?who? ?made? ?a? ?move? ?went? ?and? ?grabbed? ?the? ?ghost? ?fire.? ?“Who? ?cares? ?whose? ?

control? ?it’s? ?under.? ?A? ?harmful? ?thing? ?like? ?this,? ?just? ?disperse? ?it!”? ?he? ?said? ?as? ?he? ?gripped? ?harder,? ?looking? ?

like? ?he? ?was? ?going? ?to? ?squeeze? ?that? ?spirit? ?apart.? ?Seeing? ?this,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?blurted,? ?“LET? ?IT? ?GO!”? ? ?

?

In? ?the? ?end? ?he? ?still? ?couldn’t? ?bear? ?to? ?have? ?wandering? ?spirits? ?be? ?dragged? ?into? ?their? ?quarrel,? ?and? ?he? ?

went? ?up? ?to? ?fight? ?that? ?martial? ?god? ?to? ?retrieve? ?the? ?ghost? ?fire.? ?Since? ?his? ?intention? ?was? ?to? ?take? ?the? ?

spirit? ?back,? ?he? ?held? ?back? ?at? ?bit,? ?and? ?the? ?two? ?stood? ?at? ?a? ?standstill.? ?Suddenly,? ?a? ?few? ?of? ?the? ?heavenly? ?

officials? ?from? ?behind? ?called? ?out,? ?“You’re? ?here?!? ?Come? ?quick!? ?Come? ?see? ?for? ?yourself? ?just? ?what’s? ?

going? ?on!”? ? ?

?

It? ?sounded? ?as? ?if? ?someone? ?had? ?come.? ?The? ?heavenly? ?officials? ?all? ?looked? ?over? ?and? ?said,? ?“You’re? ?

finally? ?here!”? ?“We’ve? ?been? ?waiting? ?for? ?you,? ?come? ?give? ?us? ?a? ?hand!”? ? ?

?

Hearing? ?this,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?was? ?startled? ?at? ?first,? ?and? ?thought,? ?‘Could? ?this? ?be? ?someone? ?powerful’? ?Then? ?

he? ?thought,? ?‘Well? ?who? ?cares? ?who? ?it? ?is.? ?If? ?they’re? ?going? ?to? ?give? ?me? ?trouble,? ?I’ll? ?just? ?fight? ?another? ?

round!? ?I’m? ?not? ?afraid? ?of? ?anyone!!!’? ?

?

He? ?was? ?guts? ?filled? ?with? ?resentment? ?right? ?now,? ?and? ?was? ?prepared? ?to? ?enter? ?into? ?a? ?brawl.? ?Yet? ?

unexpectedly,? ?when? ?the? ?crowd? ?had? ?parted,? ?and? ?the? ?one? ?who? ?arrived? ?fashionably? ?late? ?came? ?

forward,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?was? ?thoroughly? ?stunned.? ?

?

He? ?had? ?never? ?thought? ?that? ?the? ?one? ?who’d? ?come? ?would? ?be? ?Mu? ?Qing!? ?

?

Mu? ?Qing? ?obviously? ?hadn’t? ?expected? ?that? ?he’d? ?bump? ?into? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?in? ?such? ?a? ?situation.? ?The? ?

moment? ?their? ?eyes? ?met,? ?they? ?were? ?both? ?shocked.? ?Xie? ?Lian’s? ?eyes? ?were? ?wide? ?and? ?completely? ?

forgot? ?about? ?the? ?martial? ?gods? ?he? ?had? ?been? ?fighting,? ?and? ?he? ?muttered,? ?“...Why? ?are? ?you? ?here?? ?

Aren’t? ?you...”? ?

?

He? ?noticed? ?something? ?after? ?only? ?having? ?said? ?a? ?few? ?words,? ?and? ?he? ?instantly? ?understood? ?and? ?shut? ?

up.? ?

?

What? ?Mu? ?Qing? ?was? ?wearing? ?right? ?now? ?wasn’t? ?that? ?old,? ?worn? ?black? ?robes? ?when? ?they? ?were? ?on? ?the? ?

run,? ?but? ?the? ?martial? ?heavenly? ?official? ?attire? ?of? ?the? ?Lower? ?Court.? ? ?

?

In? ?the? ?past,? ?when? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?and? ?Mu? ?Qing? ?were? ?working? ?as? ?Xie? ?Lian’s? ?left? ?and? ?right? ?hands,? ?their? ?

abilities? ?were? ?much? ?admired? ?and? ?appreciated,? ?catching? ?the? ?eyes? ?of? ?many.? ?Later? ?when? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?

was? ?banished,? ?there? ?were? ?a? ?number? ?of? ?heavenly? ?officials? ?who? ?thought? ?it? ?a? ?shame? ?that? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?

and? ?Mu? ?Qing? ?were? ?banished? ?together,? ?and? ?there? ?were? ?even? ?some? ?who’d? ?come? ?ask? ?in? ?secret? ?

whether? ?they’d? ?be? ?willing? ?to? ?transfer? ?to? ?other? ?palaces? ?to? ?serve.? ?It? ?wasn’t? ?impossible? ?for? ?a? ?

heavenly? ?official? ?who,? ?out? ?of? ?admiration,? ?would? ?pull? ?Mu? ?Qing? ?up? ?to? ?the? ?Lower? ?Court? ?to? ?serve? ?

them.? ?

?

That? ?must’ve? ?been? ?it.? ?Moreover,? ?he? ?must’ve? ?done? ?well? ?for? ?himself,? ?otherwise? ?he? ?wouldn’t? ?be? ?

banding? ?together? ?with? ?this? ?group? ?of? ?heavenly? ?officials? ?to? ?come? ?search? ?for? ?auspicious? ?lands? ?to? ?

cultivate.? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?was? ?still? ?in? ?the? ?body? ?of? ?a? ?mortal,? ?but? ?Mu? ?Qing? ?had? ?already? ?returned? ?to? ?the? ?Lower? ?Court.? ?

To? ?have? ?a? ?scenario? ?like? ?this,? ?how? ?ironic.? ?

?

On? ?the? ?other? ?side,? ?Mu? ?Qing? ?finally? ?steadied? ?himself? ?with? ?great? ?effort? ?and? ?asked? ?in? ?confusion,? ?

“What’s? ?going? ?on? ?here?”? ? ?

?

Those? ?heavenly? ?officials? ?all? ?fought? ?to? ?tell? ?their? ?tales.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?stood? ?from? ?afar,? ?his? ?body? ?extremely? ?

stiff.? ?

?

He? ?noticed? ?that? ?they? ?didn’t? ?especially? ?tell? ?Mu? ?Qing? ?about? ?his? ?robbery.? ?What? ?did? ?this? ?mean?? ?

?

It? ?meant? ?Mu? ?Qing? ?already? ?heard? ?about? ?the? ?incident.? ?Mu? ?Qing? ?also? ?knew? ?he? ?went? ?to? ?rob!!!? ?

?

Drops? ?after? ?drops? ?of? ?cold? ?sweat? ?rolled? ?down? ?from? ?the? ?side? ?of? ?Xie? ?Lian’s? ?face,? ?and? ?he? ?involuntarily? ?

backed? ?up? ?a? ?couple? ?steps.? ?That? ?martial? ?god? ?who? ?had? ?been? ?facing? ?him? ?earlier? ?huffed? ?in? ?anger,? ?

“He? ?wants? ?to? ?take? ?the? ?spiritual? ?land? ?all? ?for? ?himself? ?and? ?chase? ?us? ?out,? ?Mu? ?Qing,? ?hurry? ?and? ?help!”? ?

?

What? ?help?? ?

?

Have? ?Mu? ?Qing? ?help? ?fight? ?him?? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?was? ?going? ?numb? ?with? ?rage,? ?shocked? ?to? ?the? ?core.? ?He? ?finally? ?snapped? ?to? ?and? ?stammered? ?

furiously,? ?“...You,? ?you’re? ?all? ?giving? ?a? ?false? ?account,? ?so? ?shameless!? ?It? ?wasn’t? ?like? ?that? ?at? ?all!? ?I? ?clearly? ?

wasn’t!”? ?

?

Mu? ?Qing? ?was? ?only? ?watching? ?from? ?the? ?side,? ?and? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?was? ?going? ?anxious? ?with? ?rage? ?and? ?

charged? ?out? ?with? ?the? ?branch? ?again.? ?Those? ?martial? ?gods? ?were? ?having? ?trouble? ?defending,? ?backing? ?

away? ?in? ?defeat,? ?and? ?they? ?yelled? ?again,? ?“MU? ?QING!? ?WHAT? ?ARE? ?YOU? ?DOING? ?STANDING? ?

THERE??”? ? ?

?

The? ?other? ?heavenly? ?officials? ?also? ?joined? ?in? ?on? ?the? ?yelling,? ?but? ?Mu? ?Qing? ?still? ?looked? ?hesitant,? ?like? ?

he? ?didn’t? ?know? ?whether? ?he? ?should? ?attack.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?heard? ?them? ?urge? ?Mu? ?Qing? ?to? ?surround? ?

himself,? ?and? ?his? ?heart? ?blazed? ?with? ?rage,? ?“MU? ?QING? ?ISN’T? ?LIKE? ?YOU? ?ALL.? ?HE’S? ?MY? ?FRIEND,? ?

HE? ?WOULD? ?NEVER? ?HELP? ?YOU!!!”? ?

?

He? ?raged? ?and? ?raged,? ?and? ?put? ?more? ?strength? ?into? ?his? ?hand,? ?sending? ?another? ?row? ?of? ?weapons? ?

flying.? ?The? ?rest? ?of? ?the? ?heavenly? ?officials? ?saw? ?that? ?he? ?was? ?growing? ?bolder? ?the? ?more? ?he? ?fought,? ?that? ?

things? ?weren’t? ?going? ?down? ?right,? ?and? ?they? ?cried? ?urgently,? ?“MU? ?QING!? ?ARE? ?YOU? ?JUST? ?GOING? ?

TO? ?WATCH? ?HIM? ?MESS? ?THINGS? ?UP? ?AS? ?HE? ?WILL??”? ?

?

Mu? ?Qing’s? ?expression? ?changed? ?to? ?something? ?unreadable,? ?and? ?he? ?took? ?a? ?step? ?forward,? ?his? ?fingers? ?

twitching.? ?The? ?heavenly? ?officials? ?next? ?to? ?him? ?prompted,? ?“Don’t? ?just? ?stand? ?there,? ?give? ?us? ?a? ?hand!”? ?

?

It? ?just? ?had? ?to? ?be? ?at? ?this? ?moment? ?that? ?someone? ?remarked? ?sarcastically,? ?“It’s? ?understandable? ?that? ?

Mu? ?Qing? ?doesn’t? ?want? ?to? ?move.? ?He? ?was? ?His? ?Highness’? ?personal? ?attendant? ?after? ?all,? ?so? ?even? ?if? ?His? ?

Highness? ?was? ?robbing? ?mortals? ?and? ?spiritual? ?land,? ?he? ?still? ?had? ?to? ?consider? ?the? ?old? ?affection? ?of? ?their? ?

past? ?relations.? ?It’s? ?already? ?more? ?than? ?enough? ?that? ?he? ?didn’t? ?join? ?His? ?Highness,? ?so? ?how? ?can? ?we? ?

possibly? ?expect? ?him? ?to? ?help? ?us?”? ? ?

?

The? ?words? ?sounded? ?like? ?they? ?were? ?giving? ?Mu? ?Qing? ?an? ?out,? ?truly? ?wicked.? ?Immediately,? ?veins? ?

popped? ?on? ?Mu? ?Qing’s? ?forehead.? ? ?

?

The? ?air? ?was? ?growing? ?delicate,? ?and? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?could? ?tell? ?things? ?were? ?going? ?wrong,? ?“Mu? ?Qing...”? ?

?

He? ?only? ?called? ?out? ?the? ?name,? ?but? ?the? ?next? ?moment,? ?his? ?hands? ?were? ?light? ?followed? ?by? ?the? ?sound? ?of? ?

something? ?being? ?slashed.? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?blinked? ?and? ?looked? ?down.? ?What? ?was? ?slashed? ?was? ?his? ?only? ?‘weapon’,? ?that? ?tree? ?branch.? ?

When? ?he? ?looked? ?up? ?again,? ?the? ?Mu? ?Qing? ?before? ?him? ?was? ?already? ?holding? ?a? ?zanbato.? ?

?

Right? ?at? ?that? ?moment,? ?the? ?tip? ?of? ?the? ?blade? ?was? ?pointed? ?at? ?Xie? ?Lian,? ?and? ?the? ?one? ?controlling? ?the? ?

sabre? ?said? ?coldly,? ?“...Please? ?leave.”? ? ?

?

“...”? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?stared? ?at? ?Mu? ?Qing? ?with? ?that? ?broken? ?branch? ?in? ?his? ?hand,? ?and? ?after? ?a? ?long? ?while,? ?he? ?tried,? ?

“I...? ?hadn’t? ?really? ?wanted? ?to? ?rob? ?anyone.? ?I? ?wasn’t? ?going? ?to? ?take? ?over? ?this? ?spiritual? ?land? ?either.? ?I? ?

came? ?here? ?first.”? ? ?

?

“...”? ?

?

Mu? ?Qing? ?repeated? ?expressionlessly,? ?“Please? ?leave.”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?gazed? ?at? ?him? ?and? ?hesitated? ?for? ?a? ?moment,? ?“...You? ?know? ?I’m? ?not? ?lying,? ?right?”? ? ?

?

When? ?he? ?asked? ?this,? ?he? ?was? ?a? ?little? ?hopeful? ?but? ?also? ?a? ?little? ?scared.? ?A? ?voice? ?was? ?telling? ?him,? ?don’t? ?

ask? ?anymore,? ?just? ?turn? ?around? ?and? ?walk? ?away!? ?Still,? ?he? ?couldn’t? ?help? ?but? ?ask.? ?

?

Before? ?Mu? ?Qing? ?responded,? ?Xie? ?Lian’s? ?body? ?suddenly? ?slumped? ?forward,? ?and? ?he? ?fell? ?heavily? ?onto? ?

the? ?ground.? ?

?

The? ?ground? ?was? ?the? ?muddy? ?earth? ?of? ?the? ?mountain? ?path,? ?filled? ?with? ?holes? ?and? ?ditches,? ?covered? ?in? ?

rocks? ?and? ?fallen? ?leaves.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?laid? ?sprawled? ?on? ?the? ?ground,? ?bulging? ?his? ?eyes? ?and? ?was? ?still? ?in? ?a? ?

state? ?of? ?disbelief.? ?

?

One? ?of? ?the? ?heavenly? ?officials? ?had? ?shoved? ?him? ?while? ?he? ?was? ?at? ?a? ?loss,? ?and? ?made? ?him? ?fall? ?this? ?

embarrassingly? ?in? ?front? ?of? ?so? ?many? ?eyes.? ?

?

It? ?really? ?was? ?too? ?embarrassing.? ?All? ?around? ?were? ?voices,? ?high? ?and? ?low,? ?filling? ?the? ?air,? ?all? ?entering? ?

Xie? ?Lian’s? ?ears.? ?His? ?eyes? ?were? ?extremely? ?wide,? ?and? ?he? ?looked? ?before? ?him? ?at? ?the? ?blackened? ?

ground? ?before? ?slowly? ?raising? ?his? ?head? ?and? ?saw? ?Mu? ?Qing? ?who? ?was? ?standing? ?not? ?too? ?far? ?away? ?from? ?

him.? ?

?

Mu? ?Qing? ?was? ?standing? ?among? ?those? ?heavenly? ?officials,? ?not? ?looking? ?at? ?him,? ?and? ?just? ?like? ?all? ?the? ?

others,? ?he? ?had? ?no? ?intention? ?of? ?giving? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?a? ?hand? ?to? ?help? ?pull? ?him? ?up.? ?

?

Thus,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?understood.? ?No? ?one? ?would? ?give? ?him? ?a? ?hand? ?to? ?help? ?pull? ?him? ?up.? ?

?

He? ?laid? ?there? ?for? ?a? ?good? ?while? ?before? ?he? ?crawled? ?up? ?himself.? ?

?

Those? ?heavenly? ?officials? ?thought? ?he? ?was? ?about? ?to? ?start? ?another? ?bout? ?and? ?were? ?exceedingly? ?

alarmed,? ?but? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?didn’t? ?seek? ?to? ?fight? ?anyone? ?anymore.? ?His? ?head? ?was? ?bowed? ?low? ?as? ?he? ?

fumbled? ?around,? ?and? ?after? ?finding? ?that? ?little? ?satchel? ?the? ?queen? ?packed? ?for? ?him,? ?he? ?picked? ?it? ?up? ?

silently,? ?carried? ?it? ?back? ?on? ?his? ?back,? ?turned? ?around? ?and? ?headed? ?to? ?descend? ?the? ?mountain? ?step? ?by? ?

step.? ?

?

As? ?he? ?walked,? ?his? ?steps? ?grew? ?faster? ?and? ?faster.? ?It? ?didn’t? ?take? ?long? ?before? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?started? ?running? ?

madly.? ?

?

He? ?held? ?his? ?breath? ?and? ?ran? ?all? ?the? ?way? ?down? ?the? ?mountain,? ?not? ?taking? ?a? ?moment? ?to? ?rest.? ?He? ?

didn’t? ?know? ?how? ?far? ?he’s? ?run,? ?and? ?suddenly,? ?without? ?minding? ?his? ?footing,? ?he? ?tripped? ?and? ?fell? ?

again,? ?and? ?that? ?breath? ?he? ?was? ?holding? ?finally? ?came? ?out? ?with? ?a? ?mouthful? ?of? ?angry? ?blood.? ?

?

In? ?his? ?moment? ?of? ?panic,? ?he? ?hadn’t? ?thought? ?to? ?get? ?up,? ?and? ?only? ?sat? ?up? ?on? ?the? ?ground? ?panting.? ?

Even? ?when? ?his? ?breathing? ?returned? ?to? ?normal? ?he? ?hadn’t? ?thought? ?to? ?stand? ?up,? ?and? ?instead? ?started? ?

spacing? ?out? ?right? ?on? ?the? ?spot.? ?

?

Suddenly,? ?a? ?hand? ?was? ?extended? ?to? ?him.? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?blinked? ?slowly? ?at? ?it,? ?and? ?his? ?eyes? ?followed? ?this? ?arm? ?and? ?looked? ?up.? ?It? ?was? ?Mu? ?Qing? ?

again.? ?

?

He? ?was? ?standing? ?next? ?to? ?Xie? ?Lian,? ?his? ?face? ?slightly? ?pale? ?with? ?his? ?hand? ?reached? ?out.? ?A? ?brief? ?

moment? ?later,? ?he? ?said? ?with? ?a? ?stiffly,? ?“Are? ?you? ?alright?”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?watched? ?him? ?with? ?empty? ?eyes? ?and? ?didn’t? ?speak.? ?

?

Perhaps? ?it? ?was? ?because? ?he? ?was? ?growing? ?uncomfortable? ?by? ?this? ?chilling? ?gaze,? ?and? ?Mu? ?Qing? ?

averted? ?his? ?eyes.? ?

?

Still? ?his? ?hand? ?was? ?outstretched.? ?“Get? ?up.”? ?

?

But,? ?this? ?hand? ?had? ?reached? ?out? ?too? ?late.? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?didn’t? ?take? ?his? ?hand,? ?and? ?he? ?didn’t? ?get? ?up? ?either.? ?He? ?only? ?continued? ?to? ?stare? ?at? ?him? ?with? ?

unblinking? ?eyes.? ?

?

The? ?two? ?were? ?in? ?a? ?standstill? ?for? ?a? ?long? ?time,? ?and? ?Mu? ?Qing’s? ?face? ?was? ?growing? ?darker? ?and? ?darker.? ?

Just? ?as? ?he? ?was? ?about? ?to? ?take? ?his? ?hand? ?back,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?suddenly? ?grabbed? ?a? ?handful? ?of? ?mud? ?and? ?

slung? ?it? ?at? ?Mu? ?Qing? ?with? ?a? ?soundly? ?“?PA!?”? ?

?

Mu? ?Qing? ?had? ?never? ?expected? ?he? ?would? ?do? ?such? ?a? ?thing? ?and? ?really? ?didn’t? ?know? ?whether? ?if? ?it? ?could? ?

be? ?called? ?rude? ?or? ?juvenile.? ?A? ?ball? ?of? ?dirty? ?mud? ?splattered? ?on? ?his? ?chest,? ?splashing? ?spots? ?onto? ?his? ?

face,? ?and? ?he? ?was? ?bewildered.? ?A? ?moment? ?later,? ?anger? ?rolled? ?up? ?but? ?he? ?forced? ?it? ?down? ?and? ?he? ?said? ?

darkly,? ?“...I? ?didn’t? ?have? ?a? ?choice!”? ? ?

?

He? ?indeed? ?didn’t? ?have? ?a? ?choice.? ?He? ?was? ?getting? ?along? ?well? ?with? ?those? ?heavenly? ?officials,? ?and? ?if? ?

he? ?just? ?stood? ?and? ?watched? ?his? ?colleagues? ?get? ?beaten? ?by? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?without? ?helping,? ?others? ?would? ?

think? ?he? ?was? ?on? ?Xie? ?Lian’s? ?side,? ?and? ?that? ?would? ?ruin? ?his? ?days.? ?

?

It? ?was? ?as? ?if? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?forgot? ?how? ?to? ?speak,? ?and? ?only? ?continued? ?to? ?hurl? ?mud? ?at? ?him.? ?Mu? ?Qing? ?

blocked? ?a? ?couple? ?times? ?but? ?he? ?couldn’t? ?keep? ?it? ?up,? ?and? ?he? ?cried? ?furiously,? ?“ARE? ?YOU? ?CRAZY??? ?

DIDN’T? ?I? ?JUST? ?TELL? ?YOU? ?I? ?DIDN’T? ?HAVE? ?A? ?CHOICE?? ?DIDN’T? ?YOU? ?GO? ?ROB? ?BECAUSE? ?YOU? ?

ALSO? ?DIDN’T? ?HAVE? ?A? ?CHOICE??”? ?

?

Scram!? ?Get? ?out? ?of? ?here!? ?Leave!? ?

?

Those? ?were? ?the? ?only? ?words? ?echoing? ?in? ?Xie? ?Lian’s? ?mind,? ?but? ?he? ?couldn’t? ?utter? ?a? ?single? ?sound,? ?and? ?

could? ?only? ?crazily? ?grab? ?at? ?anything? ?at? ?his? ?disposal? ?to? ?throw.? ?He? ?didn’t? ?care? ?who? ?he? ?was? ?hurling? ?at? ?

either.? ?Finally,? ?Mu? ?Qing? ?couldn’t? ?take? ?this? ?anymore,? ?and? ?he? ?steeled? ?his? ?face? ?as? ?he? ?swept? ?his? ?

sleeves? ?and? ?left.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?panted? ?harshly? ?for? ?a? ?bit? ?and? ?fell? ?back? ?down,? ?spacing? ?out? ?again.? ?

?

He? ?sat? ?in? ?that? ?position? ?until? ?night? ?fell.? ?

?

After? ?the? ?skies? ?turned? ?dark,? ?a? ?large? ?number? ?of? ?phosphorescent? ?flames? ?came? ?floating,? ?dancing? ?

hauntingly? ?about.? ?It? ?was? ?as? ?if? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?didn’t? ?see? ?them? ?and? ?didn’t? ?bother? ?to? ?muster? ?any? ?strength.? ?

?

However,? ?those? ?phosphorescent? ?flames? ?seemed? ?to? ?be? ?upset? ?that? ?they? ?weren’t? ?noticed,? ?and? ?more? ?

and? ?more? ?gathered? ?by? ?his? ?side.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?still? ?ignored? ?them.? ?

?

Until? ?the? ?figure? ?of? ?a? ?person? ?appeared? ?from? ?within? ?the? ?phosphorescent? ?flames.? ?

?

The? ?arrival? ?of? ?that? ?person? ?seemed? ?to? ?always? ?be? ?accompanied? ?by? ?an? ?immense? ?ominous? ?

foreboding.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?sensed? ?something? ?and? ?slowly? ?lifted? ?his? ?head.? ?

?

About? ?ten? ?feet? ?away,? ?the? ?silhouette? ?of? ?a? ?white? ?clothed? ?man? ?was? ?standing? ?amidst? ?the? ?countless? ?

floating? ?phosphorescent? ?flames,? ?and? ?half? ?of? ?the? ?mask? ?on? ?his? ?face? ?was? ?smiling? ?hauntingly.? ?

?

He? ?greeted? ?pleasantly,? ?“How? ?are? ?you,? ?Your? ?Highness.”? ?

?

?

———–? ?

?

Ch.187:? ?Cold? ?White? ?Ghost;? ?Warm? ?Words? ?Confounding? ?the? ?Crown? ?Prince? ?

?

In? ?the? ?dark? ?night,? ?both? ?Xie? ?Lian’s? ?pupils? ?instantly? ?shrank? ?to? ?two? ?extremely? ?small? ?dots,? ?and? ?his? ?

voice? ?trembled,? ?“...It’s? ?you?!”? ? ?

?

White? ?No-Face!? ?

?

Hairs? ?on? ?Xie? ?Lian’s? ?back? ?rose? ?and? ?he? ?leapt? ?to? ?his? ?feet,? ?grabbing? ?for? ?his? ?sword? ?but? ?there? ?was? ?

nothing,? ?and? ?only? ?then? ?did? ?he? ?remember? ?he? ?pawned? ?all? ?of? ?his? ?swords.? ?Even? ?that? ?branch? ?he? ?took? ?

for? ?a? ?weapon? ?earlier? ?was? ?broken.? ?Which? ?meant,? ?he? ?was? ?facing? ?this? ?creature? ?with? ?neither? ?spiritual? ?

power? ?nor? ?weapons!? ?

?

A? ?few? ?years? ?ago? ?when? ?XianLe? ?fell,? ?White? ?No-Face? ?disappeared? ?from? ?the? ?world.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?never? ?

bothered? ?to? ?search? ?for? ?him,? ?and? ?never? ?thought? ?of? ?searching? ?for? ?him,? ?only? ?praying? ?that? ?he? ?would? ?

just? ?so? ?soundlessly? ?never? ?appear? ?again,? ?yet? ?who? ?knew? ?this? ?creature? ?would? ?suddenly? ?appear? ?

before? ?him!? ?

?

That? ?white? ?clothed? ?figure? ?approached? ?languidly,? ?and? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?felt? ?a? ?sudden? ?chill? ?and? ?couldn’t? ?

help? ?but? ?back? ?away? ?a? ?couple? ?steps,? ?yet? ?he? ?immediately? ?snapped? ?to:? ?no? ?backing? ?away!? ?Even? ?

fleeing? ?was? ?pointless!? ?

?

He? ?cried? ?sharply,? ?“WHAT? ?DO? ?YOU? ?WANT??”? ? ?

?

White? ?No-Face? ?didn’t? ?answer,? ?and? ?continued? ?to? ?come? ?closer? ?with? ?hands? ?at? ?his? ?sides.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?

was? ?shaking? ?from? ?his? ?feet? ?to? ?his? ?hands,? ?and? ?even? ?the? ?white? ?puffs? ?of? ?air? ?from? ?his? ?lips? ?seemed? ?to? ?

be? ?trembling.? ?

?

He? ?forced? ?himself? ?to? ?recall? ?the? ?jeers,? ?the? ?indifference,? ?and? ?the? ?mocking? ?laughter? ?of? ?those? ?thirty? ?

some? ?heavenly? ?officials,? ?and? ?Mu? ?Qing? ?who’d? ?turned? ?his? ?face? ?away,? ?and? ?all? ?of? ?a? ?sudden,? ?he? ?forgot? ?

his? ?fear? ?as? ?he? ?shouted? ?and? ?struck? ?out? ?with? ?a? ?hand? ?chop.? ?

?

However,? ?before? ?that? ?hand? ?even? ?chopped,? ?there? ?was? ?an? ?excruciating? ?pain.? ?The? ?other? ?party? ?

actually? ?predicted? ?Xie? ?Lian’s? ?move? ?and? ?was? ?a? ?step? ?faster,? ?flashing? ?behind? ?his? ?back? ?and? ?kicked? ?

the? ?hollow? ?of? ?his? ?knee!? ?

?

Too? ?fast!? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian’s? ?knees? ?dropped? ?heavily? ?to? ?the? ?ground,? ?and? ?only? ?then? ?did? ?a? ?terrifying? ?thought? ?enter? ?his? ?

mind.? ?

?

The? ?movement? ?was? ?this? ?creature? ?was? ?faster? ?than? ?he? ?had? ?thought!? ?

?

The? ?next? ?moment,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?felt? ?something? ?even? ?more? ?horrifying? ?–? ?a? ?cold? ?hand? ?with? ?its? ?fingers? ?

stretched? ?open? ?was? ?pressed? ?over? ?his? ?skull!? ?

?

He? ?started? ?screaming.? ?That? ?hand? ?had? ?only? ?used? ?a? ?bit? ?of? ?strength? ?and? ?Xie? ?Lian’s? ?entire? ?body? ?was? ?

pulled? ?up? ?from? ?the? ?head.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?had? ?no? ?doubt? ?that? ?based? ?on? ?this? ?creature’s? ?strength,? ?should? ?

his? ?fingers? ?curl? ?in? ?they? ?could? ?easily? ?smash? ?his? ?skull,? ?and? ?his? ?head? ?would? ?instantly? ?turn? ?into? ?

smeared? ?bloody? ?flesh? ?smushed? ?between? ?bones.? ?He? ?also? ?had? ?no? ?doubt? ?that? ?the? ?next? ?thing? ?White? ?

No-Face? ?planned? ?to? ?do? ?was? ?exactly? ?that!? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?breathed? ?harshly,? ?thinking? ?he? ?was? ?dead? ?for? ?sure,? ?and? ?squeezed? ?his? ?eyes? ?shut.? ?Yet? ?

unexpectedly,? ?that? ?creature? ?had? ?no? ?intention? ?of? ?exerting? ?any? ?more? ?force,? ?and? ?instead? ?it? ?withdrew? ?

its? ?murderous? ?intent? ?and? ?sighed? ?softly.? ?

?

That? ?sound? ?of? ?his? ?soft? ?sigh? ?lasted? ?for? ?a? ?while? ?and? ?the? ?other? ?party? ?showed? ?no? ?signs? ?of? ?moving.? ?In? ?

the? ?dead? ?silence,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?reopened? ?his? ?eyes? ?little? ?by? ?little.? ?

?

Ghost? ?fires? ?filled? ?the? ?air? ?and? ?they? ?were? ?dancing? ?in? ?wild? ?joy,? ?each? ?of? ?the? ?balls? ?of? ?flames? ?were? ?

watching? ?the? ?show,? ?cackling? ?as? ?the? ?spirits? ?of? ?the? ?deceased? ?laughed.? ?However,? ?most? ?of? ?the? ?ghost? ?

fires? ?seemed? ?to? ?have? ?been? ?stunned? ?by? ?something,? ?not? ?daring? ?to? ?approach? ?the? ?two,? ?and? ?only? ?a? ?

ball? ?of? ?ghost? ?fire? ?with? ?its? ?flames? ?that? ?were? ?abnormally? ?bright? ?were? ?hanging? ?above? ?them,? ?using? ?its? ?

own? ?flames? ?to? ?attack? ?the? ?one? ?behind? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?again? ?and? ?again.? ?No? ?one? ?could? ?tell? ?what? ?it? ?was? ?

doing,? ?but? ?no? ?matter? ?how? ?one? ?looked? ?at? ?it,? ?it? ?was? ?like? ?an? ?insect? ?fighting? ?a? ?tree.? ?

?

Then,? ?Xie? ?Lian’s? ?body? ?froze? ?abruptly.? ?

?

White? ?No-Face? ?had? ?hugged? ?him!? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?knelt? ?in? ?a? ?slump? ?while? ?he? ?was? ?encircled? ?by? ?a? ?pair? ?of? ?cold? ?but? ?powerful? ?arms? ?and? ?pulled? ?

into? ?a? ?lifeless? ?embrace.? ?

?

Without? ?knowing? ?when,? ?White? ?No-Face? ?had? ?also? ?sat? ?down? ?and? ?he? ?murmured,? ?“So? ?sad,? ?so? ?sad.? ?

Your? ?Highness,? ?look? ?at? ?yourself,? ?look? ?what? ?they’ve? ?done? ?to? ?you.”? ? ?

?

He? ?murmured? ?softly? ?as? ?he? ?caressed? ?Xie? ?Lian’s? ?head,? ?his? ?hands? ?gentle? ?and? ?merciful,? ?like? ?he? ?was? ?

petting? ?a? ?wounded? ?puppy? ?or? ?his? ?child? ?who? ?was? ?about? ?to? ?pass? ?away? ?from? ?severe? ?illness.? ?

?

Under? ?the? ?moonlight,? ?the? ?smiling? ?face? ?of? ?that? ?cry-smiling? ?mask? ?was? ?hidden? ?in? ?the? ?darkness,? ?

revealing? ?only? ?the? ?other? ?half? ?that? ?was? ?crying,? ?seeming? ?like? ?it? ?was? ?genuinely? ?shedding? ?tears? ?of? ?

grief? ?for? ?Xie? ?Lian.? ?

?

Through? ?his? ?gesture,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?actually? ?felt? ?a? ?peculiar? ?kind? ?of? ?loving? ?compassion.? ?Just? ?as? ?he? ?

would’ve? ?been? ?in? ?the? ?embrace? ?of? ?his? ?best? ?friend? ?or? ?a? ?familiar? ?family? ?member,? ?his? ?shivering? ?body? ?

miraculously? ?became? ?warmer.? ?

?

He? ?had? ?never? ?thought? ?that? ?in? ?such? ?a? ?state,? ?the? ?one? ?who? ?would? ?give? ?him? ?compassion? ?and? ?warmth? ?

would? ?be? ?this? ?strange? ?creature.? ?

?

Deep? ?in? ?Xie? ?Lian’s? ?throat? ?came? ?waves? ?of? ?suppressed? ?sobs,? ?shaking? ?harder? ?and? ?harder.? ?That? ?ball? ?

of? ?ghost? ?fire? ?flew? ?to? ?his? ?heart,? ?looking? ?as? ?if? ?it? ?wanted? ?to? ?warm? ?him,? ?but? ?wasn’t? ?confident? ?that? ?it? ?

could? ?help? ?chase? ?away? ?the? ?cold,? ?so? ?it? ?didn’t? ?press? ?close.? ?

?

White? ?No-Face? ?helped? ?clean? ?off? ?the? ?mud? ?of? ?his? ?person? ?and? ?beckoned,? ?“Come? ?to? ?my? ?side.”? ? ?

?

“...I...I...”? ?Xie? ?Lian’s? ?voice? ?trembled.? ?

?

Before? ?he? ?finished? ?his? ?words,? ?his? ?hand? ?suddenly? ?flashed? ?out? ?and? ?went? ?straight? ?for? ?White? ?

No-Face’s? ?mask!? ?

?

His? ?attack? ?was? ?successful,? ?and? ?that? ?mask? ?was? ?smacked? ?high? ?into? ?the? ?air.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?himself? ?had? ?

leapt? ?and? ?flipped? ?to? ?meters? ?away,? ?the? ?terror? ?from? ?earlier? ?completely? ?gone.? ?He? ?said? ?darkly? ?in? ?rage,? ?

“Who’s? ?going? ?to? ?your? ?side,? ?you...? ?monster!”? ? ?

?

That? ?tragically? ?pale? ?cry-smiling? ?mask? ?fell? ?to? ?the? ?ground,? ?and? ?all? ?the? ?ghost? ?fires? ?in? ?the? ?air? ?seemed? ?

to? ?be? ?stupefied,? ?and? ?they? ?suddenly? ?lost? ?order,? ?dancing? ?madly? ?without? ?stopping,? ?shrieking? ?without? ?

a? ?sound.? ?White? ?No-Face? ?on? ?the? ?other? ?hand,? ?covered? ?his? ?face? ?and? ?started? ?chuckling? ?softly.? ?

?

That? ?laugh? ?was? ?making? ?all? ?of? ?Xie? ?Lian’s? ?hairs? ?stand,? ?“What? ?are? ?you? ?laughing? ?about?”? ? ?

?

White? ?No-Face? ?humphed? ?softly,? ?“You? ?will? ?come? ?to? ?my? ?side? ?one? ?day.”? ? ?

?

His? ?tone? ?was? ?confident.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?didn’t? ?understand? ?what? ?he? ?meant? ?and? ?said? ?in? ?disbelief,? ?“What? ?

side? ?is? ?your? ?side?? ?You? ?destroyed? ?XianLe? ?and? ?you? ?still? ?want? ?me? ?to? ?go? ?over? ?to? ?your? ?side?? ?Are? ?you? ?

crazy?? ?I? ?think? ?you’re? ?sick? ?in? ?the? ?head!”? ? ?

?

He? ?didn’t? ?know? ?how? ?to? ?cuss? ?at? ?others,? ?and? ?even? ?in? ?extreme? ?rage? ?he? ?only? ?knew? ?how? ?to? ?say? ?those? ?

words,? ?otherwise? ?he? ?would’ve? ?used? ?the? ?world’s? ?most? ?vicious,? ?most? ?vengeful? ?words? ?to? ?curse? ?that? ?

creature.? ?White? ?No-Face? ?laughed? ?out? ?loud,? ?and? ?with? ?his? ?hand? ?covering? ?his? ?face,? ?he? ?held? ?his? ?

head? ?tall,? ?“You? ?will? ?come.? ?In? ?this? ?world,? ?no? ?one? ?but? ?me? ?will? ?truly? ?understand? ?you,? ?and? ?no? ?one? ?but? ?

me? ?will? ?forever? ?stay? ?by? ?your? ?side.”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?felt? ?chills? ?and? ?still? ?tried? ?to? ?argue,? ?“GET? ?OUT? ?OF? ?HERE!? ?Enough? ?with? ?your? ?arrogant? ?

nonsense!? ?How? ?could? ?there? ?be? ?no? ?one? ?just? ?because? ?you? ?said? ?so?”? ? ?

?

A? ?ball? ?of? ?ghost? ?fire? ?flew? ?to? ?his? ?side? ?and? ?moved? ?up? ?and? ?down,? ?like? ?it? ?was? ?nodding? ?in? ?agreement.? ?

However,? ?wicked? ?wisps? ?like? ?it? ?were? ?all? ?around,? ?so? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?didn’t? ?notice? ?this? ?particular? ?one.? ?

?

Before? ?him,? ?White? ?No-Face? ?said? ?warmly,? ?“Oh?? ?Is? ?there? ?someone?? ?Maybe? ?there? ?were? ?people? ?in? ?

the? ?past,? ?but? ?do? ?you? ?think? ?they’d? ?still? ?be? ?there? ?from? ?now? ?on?”? ? ?

?

“...”? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?demanded,? ?“What? ?do? ?you? ?mean?? ?What? ?are? ?you? ?hinting? ?at?”? ?

?

White? ?No-Face? ?didn’t? ?answer? ?and? ?only? ?sneered? ?and? ?turned? ?around,? ?looking? ?like? ?it? ?was? ?about? ?to? ?

drift? ?away.? ?

?

He? ?said? ?softly,? ?“I? ?will? ?wait? ?for? ?you? ?here,? ?Your? ?Highness.”? ? ?

?

As? ?if? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?would? ?let? ?him? ?go? ?just? ?like? ?that,? ?“WAIT!? ?DON’T? ?GO!? ?What? ?did? ?you? ?do? ?to? ?them?? ?DID? ?

YOU? ?TOUCH? ?MY? ?PARENTS? ?AND? ?FENG? ?XIN??”? ? ?

?

He? ?chased? ?after? ?him,? ?reaching? ?his? ?arms? ?out? ?to? ?grab? ?at? ?the? ?silhouette? ?of? ?that? ?white? ?clothed? ?man,? ?

yet? ?unexpectedly,? ?the? ?other? ?party? ?lightly? ?swept? ?its? ?sleeve? ?and? ?grabbed? ?a? ?ball? ?of? ?ghost? ?fire.? ?

?

He? ?didn’t? ?particularly? ?aim? ?to? ?attack? ?Xie? ?Lian,? ?but? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?sensed? ?a? ?horrifying? ?force? ?coming? ?at? ?

him,? ?and? ?his? ?entire? ?person? ?was? ?thrown? ?high? ?into? ?the? ?air,? ?hitting? ?against? ?a? ?tree.? ?A? ?large? ?crack,? ?and? ?

that? ?giant? ?tree? ?with? ?the? ?width? ?of? ?two? ?grown? ?men? ?split? ?and? ?fell? ?by? ?this? ?collision.? ? ?

?

If? ?this? ?was? ?before,? ?then? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?wouldn’t? ?even? ?frown? ?if? ?he? ?should? ?break? ?ten? ?trees.? ?However,? ?his? ?

body? ?was? ?mortal? ?right? ?now,? ?and? ?with? ?such? ?a? ?crash,? ?it? ?was? ?like? ?his? ?bones? ?fell? ?apart,? ?and? ?he? ?fell? ?

heavily? ?to? ?the? ?ground,? ?losing? ?consciousness.? ?

?

The? ?final? ?moment? ?as? ?his? ?eyes? ?closed,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?seemed? ?to? ?have? ?seen? ?that? ?white? ?clothed? ?figure? ?

reach? ?out? ?a? ?hand? ?and? ?held? ?up? ?within? ?his? ?palm? ?a? ?blazing? ?ghost? ?fire,? ?and? ?he? ?chuckled,? ?“Spirit,? ?tell? ?

me,? ?what? ?is? ?your? ?name?? ?How? ?interesting...”? ? ?

?

When? ?he? ?came? ?to,? ?everything? ?was? ?gone.? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?was? ?covered? ?with? ?the? ?astringence? ?of? ?blood? ?from? ?his? ?chest? ?to? ?the? ?mouth,? ?and? ?his? ?head? ?

spun? ?for? ?a? ?good? ?while? ?before? ?he? ?suddenly? ?stumbled? ?to? ?crawl? ?up.? ?He? ?muttered,? ?“...Father!? ?Mother!? ?

Feng? ?Xin!”? ? ?

?

He? ?remembered? ?everything? ?that? ?had? ?happened? ?before? ?he? ?passed? ?out,? ?and? ?didn’t? ?dare? ?to? ?waste? ?a? ?

single? ?second.? ?He? ?ran? ?like? ?mad? ?for? ?tens? ?of? ?miles,? ?and? ?finally? ?after? ?twenty? ?somes? ?days? ?since? ?he? ?

left? ?with? ?the? ?satchel? ?on? ?his? ?back,? ?he? ?returned? ?to? ?the? ?king? ?and? ?the? ?others’? ?hiding? ?place? ?in? ?a? ?deep? ?

night.? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?was? ?panicking? ?the? ?entire? ?way,? ?extremely? ?anxious,? ?scared? ?that? ?White? ?No-Face? ?had? ?

already? ?done? ?something? ?to? ?his? ?friend? ?and? ?family.? ?The? ?moment? ?he? ?returned? ?to? ?that? ?dilapidated? ?

cottage? ?he? ?shoved? ?the? ?door? ?open,? ?and? ?blurted? ?out? ?before? ?even? ?catching? ?his? ?breath,? ?“FATHER!? ?

MOTHER!? ?FENG? ?XIN!”? ? ?

?

Thank? ?goodness.? ?The? ?house? ?didn’t? ?look? ?as? ?tragic? ?as? ?he? ?had? ?imagined,? ?and? ?nothing? ?was? ?out? ?of? ?

place? ?either,? ?still? ?looking? ?exactly? ?the? ?same? ?as? ?when? ?he? ?had? ?left.? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?had? ?run? ?madly? ?with? ?a? ?body? ?covered? ?in? ?injuries,? ?his? ?throat? ?so? ?dry? ?it? ?was? ?going? ?to? ?smoke.? ?

He? ?relaxed? ?a? ?little? ?and? ?only? ?then? ?did? ?he? ?swallowed? ?before? ?continuing? ?deeper? ?into? ?the? ?house,? ?

“Feng? ?Xin!? ?Where? ?are? ?you? ?guys...”? ?

?

He? ?pushed? ?a? ?door? ?open? ?and? ?his? ?voice? ?died? ?in? ?his? ?throat.? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?was? ?inside? ?and? ?when? ?he? ?saw? ?

Xie? ?Lian? ?had? ?come? ?back,? ?he? ?exclaimed? ?in? ?amazement,? ?“Your? ?Highness!? ?Why? ?are? ?you? ?back?”? ? ?

?

However,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?wasn’t? ?looking? ?at? ?him,? ?but? ?was? ?staring? ?intently? ?at? ?the? ?one? ?facing? ?Feng? ?Xin.? ?

Before? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?stood? ?a? ?black? ?clad? ?man.? ?

?

It? ?was? ?Mu? ?Qing.? ?

?

Mu? ?Qing? ?turned? ?his? ?head? ?back? ?and? ?saw? ?Xie? ?Lian.? ?He? ?pressed? ?his? ?lips,? ?looking? ?grim.? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?

went? ?around? ?him? ?and? ?came? ?over? ?to? ?greet? ?Xie? ?Lian,? ?“Didn’t? ?you? ?go? ?to? ?train?? ?How? ?was? ?it?? ?I? ?thought? ?

you’d? ?be? ?gone? ?for? ?at? ?least? ?several? ?months.? ?Did? ?you? ?come? ?back? ?so? ?soon? ?because? ?you’ve? ?made? ?

excellent? ?progress?”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?stared? ?at? ?Mu? ?Qing,? ?“Where’s? ?father? ?and? ?mother?”? ? ?

?

“Sleeping? ?in? ?the? ?room.? ?They’ve? ?already? ?gone? ?to? ?rest.”? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?said.? ?“Why? ?are? ?your? ?clothes? ?so? ?

dirty?? ?What’s? ?with? ?the? ?cuts? ?on? ?your? ?face?? ?Who? ?fought? ?with? ?you?”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?didn’t? ?answer.? ?Only? ?when? ?he? ?heard? ?his? ?parents? ?were? ?fine? ?did? ?he? ?completely? ?relax,? ?and? ?

he? ?turned? ?to? ?Mu? ?Qing,? ?“Why? ?are? ?you? ?here?”? ?

?

Mu? ?Qing? ?didn’t? ?speak,? ?and? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?replied? ?for? ?him,? ?“He? ?came? ?to? ?deliver? ?something,”? ?

?

“What?”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?questioned.? ?

?

Mu? ?Qing? ?raised? ?his? ?hand? ?lightly,? ?pointing? ?to? ?the? ?side.? ?What? ?he? ?was? ?pointing? ?at? ?were? ?several? ?clean? ?

sacks,? ?probably? ?with? ?rice? ?or? ?grain? ?in? ?them.? ?

?

Seeing? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?so? ?quiet,? ?Mu? ?Qing? ?said? ?softly,? ?“I? ?heard? ?you? ?are? ?needing? ?medicine.? ?I’ll? ?think? ?of? ?a? ?

way? ?to? ?get? ?some? ?later.”? ?

?

“Alright.”? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?said,? ?“I’ll? ?say? ?my? ?thanks? ?then.? ?We? ?do? ?need? ?all? ?this? ?stuff? ?right? ?now.? ?Heavenly? ?

officials? ?can’t? ?gift? ?mortals? ?things? ?privately,? ?so? ?you? ?be? ?careful? ?too.”? ?Then? ?he? ?shuffled? ?to? ?Xie? ?Lian’s? ?

side? ?and? ?whispered,? ?“I’m? ?pretty? ?surprised? ?too,? ?that? ?he’d? ?actually? ?come? ?back? ?to? ?help.? ?I’m? ?the? ?one? ?

who? ?judged? ?him? ?wrong.? ?In? ?any? ?case...”? ?However,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?suddenly? ?spoke? ?up,? ?“Don’t? ?need? ?it.”? ? ?

?

Mu? ?Qing’s? ?expression? ?turned? ?ashen? ?for? ?a? ?moment,? ?and? ?he? ?clenched? ?his? ?fists.? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?was? ?

puzzled,? ?“What? ?don’t? ?we? ?need?”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?enunciated? ?slowly,? ?“I? ?don’t? ?need? ?your? ?help.? ?I? ?also...? ?don’t? ?want? ?any? ?of? ?your? ?stuff.? ?Please? ?

leave.”? ? ?

?

When? ?he? ?heard? ?the? ?words? ?“Please? ?leave”,? ?Mu? ?Qing’s? ?face? ?became? ?even? ?more? ?ashened.? ?

?

Feng? ?Xin? ?also? ?noticed? ?something? ?was? ?wrong? ?and? ?asked,? ?“Just? ?what? ?is? ?going? ?on?”? ? ?

?

Mu? ?Qing? ?bowed? ?his? ?head,? ?“I’m? ?sorry.”? ? ?

?

Having? ?known? ?Mu? ?Qing? ?for? ?so? ?many? ?years,? ?this? ?was? ?the? ?first? ?time? ?they? ?heard? ?him? ?say? ?those? ?

words,? ?and? ?it? ?was? ?also? ?the? ?first? ?time? ?he? ?apologized? ?to? ?genuinely,? ?but? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?had? ?no? ?more? ?mind? ?

to? ?be? ?surprised,? ?“Please? ?leave!”? ? ?

?

He? ?was? ?still? ?unable? ?to? ?control? ?his? ?emotions,? ?and? ?he? ?grabbed? ?those? ?sacks? ?and? ?started? ?throwing? ?

them? ?at? ?Mu? ?Qing.? ?White? ?rice? ?spilled? ?the? ?ground,? ?and? ?Mu? ?Qing? ?was? ?thrown? ?into? ?a? ?distraught? ?state.? ?

He? ?only? ?raised? ?an? ?arm? ?to? ?block? ?but? ?still? ?held? ?back.? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?held? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?down? ?and? ?was? ?

alarmed,? ?“Your? ?Highness!? ?What’s? ?going? ?on?? ?What? ?did? ?he? ?do??? ?Didn’t? ?you? ?go? ?cultivate??? ?Just? ?

what? ?exactly? ?happened??”? ? ?

?

Having? ?been? ?held? ?down,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?said? ?with? ?red? ?eyes,? ?“...Why? ?don’t? ?you? ?ask? ?him?? ?I? ?did? ?go? ?to? ?train,? ?

but? ?ask? ?him? ?just? ?why? ?I’ve? ?returned!”? ? ?

?

It? ?was? ?too? ?noisy? ?out? ?and? ?the? ?queen? ?who? ?was? ?sleeping? ?in? ?the? ?back? ?rooms? ?was? ?shaken? ?awake.? ?

She? ?emerged? ?after? ?pulling? ?on? ?an? ?outer? ?robe,? ?“My? ?son,? ?have? ?you? ?returned?? ?What’s? ?happened? ?to? ?

you...”? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?quickly? ?said,? ?“Nothing!? ?Your? ?majesty,? ?please? ?go? ?back? ?in!”? ?Then? ?he? ?forcefully? ?

pushed? ?her? ?back? ?and? ?closed? ?the? ?door.? ?Then? ?he? ?demanded,? ?“What? ?did? ?you? ?do?? ?Mu? ?Qing? ?just? ?

what? ?exactly? ?did? ?you? ?do??? ?Your? ?Highness,? ?did? ?the? ?cuts? ?on? ?your? ?face? ?come? ?from? ?him??”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian’s? ?breathing? ?was? ?growing? ?harsher? ?and? ?more? ?turbulent,? ?and? ?couldn’t? ?force? ?a? ?word? ?out.? ?Mu? ?

Qing? ?exclaimed,? ?“It? ?wasn’t? ?me!? ?I? ?didn’t? ?hit? ?His? ?Highness,? ?I? ?only? ?asked? ?him? ?to? ?leave.? ?Other? ?than? ?

that? ?I? ?didn’t? ?say? ?anything? ?harsh,? ?and? ?I? ?didn’t? ?move? ?against? ?him? ?either!? ?They? ?were? ?determined? ?to? ?

take? ?over? ?that? ?spiritual? ?land,? ?and? ?under? ?those? ?circumstances? ?if? ?you? ?didn’t? ?leave,? ?nothing? ?would? ?

end!”? ? ?

?

“YOU!...”? ?

?

After? ?having? ?exchanged? ?so? ?many? ?words,? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?finally? ?got? ?the? ?gist? ?of? ?what? ?had? ?transpired.? ?He? ?

widened? ?his? ?eyes? ?and? ?pointed? ?at? ?Mu? ?Qing,? ?unable? ?to? ?speak.? ?A? ?moment? ?later,? ?he? ?bent? ?down? ?and? ?

grabbed? ?a? ?sack? ?and? ?flung? ?it? ?over,? ?roaring,? ?“SCRAM!? ?SCRAM? ?SCRAM? ?SCRAM!”? ? ?

?

Mu? ?Qing? ?was? ?hit? ?in? ?the? ?face? ?by? ?the? ?sacks? ?of? ?rice? ?he? ?brought? ?and? ?backed? ?two? ?steps? ?away.? ?All? ?

three? ?of? ?them? ?in? ?the? ?house? ?were? ?panting? ?harshly,? ?and? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?cried,? ?“I? ?WAS? ?WONDERING? ?

WHY? ?YOU? ?SUDDENLY? ?HAD? ?A? ?CHANGE? ?OF? ?HEART!? ?I? ?CAN’T? ?FUCKING? ?BELIEVE? ?THIS,? ?

HOLY? ?SHIT...? ?DON’T? ?LET? ?ME? ?SEE? ?YOU? ?EVER? ?AGAIN!”? ? ?

?

Mu? ?Qing? ?exclaimed? ?with? ?a? ?cracked? ?voice,? ?“YES!? ?I? ?WAS? ?WRONG,? ?I? ?ADMIT? ?IT,? ?AND? ?I? ?

APOLOGIZE!? ?BUT? ?I? ?WANTED? ?TO? ?SOLVE? ?ALL? ?THE? ?CURRENT? ?PROBLEMS? ?FIRST? ?BEFORE? ?

WE? ?THINK? ?ABOUT? ?ANYTHING? ?ELSE!? ?Your? ?parents? ?and? ?my? ?mother,? ?the? ?three? ?of? ?us,? ?who? ?knows? ?

how? ?long? ?we’d? ?have? ?to? ?struggle? ?in? ?the? ?mud!? ?If? ?I? ?went? ?back? ?first,? ?maybe? ?there’d? ?still? ?be? ?a? ?

chance...”? ?

?

Feng? ?Xin? ?cussed,? ?“ALL? ?FUCKING? ?BULLSHIT,? ?STOP? ?YOUR? ?BULLSHIT!? ?NO? ?ONE? ?WANTS? ?TO? ?

HEAR? ?YOUR? ?EXCUSES,? ?SCRAM? ?SCRAM? ?SCRAM? ?SCRAM? ?SCRAM? ?SCRAM? ?SCRAM!”? ? ?

?

Mu? ?Qing? ?tried? ?again,? ?“If? ?you? ?put? ?yourself? ?in? ?my? ?shoes...”? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?cut? ?him? ?off,? ?“I? ?TOLD? ?YOU? ?TO? ?

STOP? ?YOUR? ?BULLSHIT!? ?I’M? ?NOT? ?LISTENING!? ?I? ?JUST? ?KNOW? ?THAT? ?EVEN? ?IN? ?YOUR? ?SHOES? ?I? ?

WOULDN’T? ?HAVE? ?DONE? ?THE? ?SAME? ?THING? ?AS? ?YOU.? ?NO? ?NEED? ?TO? ?PUT? ?MYSELF? ?IN? ?YOUR? ?

SHOES? ?BECAUSE? ?YOU’RE? ?NOTHING? ?MORE? ?THAN? ?A? ?TRAITOR!”? ? ?

?

Mu? ?Qing’s? ?face? ?was? ?now? ?green? ?and? ?he? ?took? ?a? ?step? ?forward,? ?“When? ?His? ?Highness? ?was? ?in? ?a? ?tight? ?

spot,? ?wasn’t? ?he? ?forced? ?to? ?commit? ?robbery? ?too?? ?Why? ?when? ?it? ?comes? ?to? ?me,? ?you? ?can’t? ?accept? ?it?”? ? ?

?

Feng? ?Xin? ?spat,? ?“HUH?? ?ROBBERY?? ?WHO? ?COMMITTED? ?ROBBERY?? ?His? ?Highness? ?

COMMITTED? ?ROBBERY?? ?WHAT? ?SHIT? ?TALK? ?ARE? ?YOU? ?FUCKING? ?SAYING?”? ? ?

?

“...”? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?stopped? ?breathing.? ?

?

Watching? ?Feng? ?Xin’s? ?raging? ?face? ?gradually? ?changing? ?to? ?shock,? ?Mu? ?Qing? ?finally? ?realized? ?

something? ?was? ?wrong? ?and? ?he? ?turned? ?to? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?hesitatingly,? ?“You...? ?you? ?didn’t...?”? ?

?

He? ?had? ?never? ?expected? ?that? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?hadn’t? ?told? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?about? ?that? ?incident!? ?

?

“AAAAAHHHHHH!!!!”? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?had? ?gone? ?mad? ?and? ?he? ?grabbed? ?a? ?random? ?object? ?by? ?his? ?hand? ?and? ?started? ?chasing? ?Mu? ?

Qing? ?out.? ?Mu? ?Qing? ?also? ?realized? ?that? ?he? ?might’ve? ?screwed? ?up,? ?and? ?didn’t? ?dare? ?to? ?speak? ?even? ?

having? ?been? ?hit? ?a? ?few? ?times.? ?Yet? ?when? ?he? ?ran? ?out? ?the? ?door? ?and? ?looked? ?back,? ?the? ?thing? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?

was? ?using? ?to? ?chase? ?him? ?out? ?was? ?actually? ?a? ?broom,? ?and? ?his? ?face? ?instantly? ?darkened,? ?“Did? ?you? ?

have? ?to? ?taunt? ?me? ?like? ?this??”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?cried? ?brokenly,? ?“GET? ?OUT? ?OF? ?HERE!”? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian’s? ?swung? ?fist? ?blew? ?out? ?sharp? ?gales,? ?and? ?Mu? ?Qing? ?was? ?hit,? ?barely? ?dodging? ?the? ?brunt? ?of? ?the? ?

attack,? ?a? ?thin? ?bloody? ?cut? ?appearing? ?on? ?his? ?cheek.? ?He? ?reached? ?out? ?and? ?touched? ?the? ?cut,? ?looked? ?at? ?

the? ?blood? ?on? ?his? ?hand,? ?his? ?expression? ?unreadable,? ?“...Fine.? ?I’m? ?leaving.”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?was? ?shaking? ?all? ?over? ?and? ?he? ?bent? ?over? ?deeply? ?down? ?at? ?the? ?waist.? ?Mu? ?Qing? ?took? ?a? ?few? ?

steps? ?forward? ?and? ?still? ?placed? ?the? ?rice? ?sacks? ?on? ?the? ?ground? ?in? ?the? ?end,? ?“I’m? ?really? ?leaving.”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?whipped? ?his? ?head? ?up.? ?When? ?Mu? ?Qing? ?saw? ?his? ?eyes,? ?he? ?swallowed.? ?Not? ?hanging? ?around? ?

any? ?longer,? ?he? ?swept? ?his? ?sleeves? ?and? ?left.? ?

?

Only? ?then? ?did? ?the? ?thoroughly? ?stunned? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?came? ?running? ?out,? ?“Your? ?Highness!? ?He’s? ?fucking? ?

lying,? ?right?? ?What? ?robbery?”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?covered? ?his? ?forehead,? ?“...Don’t? ?ask? ?anymore.? ?Please,? ?Feng? ?Xin,? ?I? ?beg? ?you? ?to? ?please? ?

don’t? ?ask? ?anymore.”? ? ?

?

“No,? ?of? ?course? ?I? ?don’t? ?believe? ?it.”? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?said,? ?“I? ?just? ?want? ?to? ?know? ?what? ?really? ?happened...”? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?screamed? ?and? ?covered? ?his? ?ears,? ?escaping? ?back? ?into? ?the? ?cottage? ?and? ?locked? ?himself? ?in? ?

his? ?room.? ?

?

Feng? ?Xin? ?was? ?completely? ?convinced? ?that? ?he? ?would? ?never? ?do? ?such? ?a? ?thing,? ?but? ?that? ?was? ?precisely? ?

why? ?this? ?had? ?become? ?the? ?worst? ?case? ?scenario!? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?wanted? ?to? ?just? ?run? ?away,? ?escape? ?to? ?somewhere? ?where? ?no? ?one? ?knew? ?him,? ?but? ?when? ?he? ?

remembered? ?what? ?White? ?No-Face? ?had? ?said,? ?he? ?didn’t? ?dare? ?to? ?go? ?too? ?far? ?either,? ?and? ?could? ?only? ?

shut? ?himself? ?inside? ?the? ?room.? ?No? ?matter? ?how? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?and? ?the? ?queen? ?called? ?for? ?him? ?he’d? ?refuse? ?

to? ?emerge.? ?

?

It? ?took? ?two? ?days? ?before? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?felt? ?calmer,? ?and? ?when? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?came? ?to? ?knock? ?again,? ?he? ?silently? ?

opened? ?the? ?door.? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?was? ?holding? ?a? ?plate? ?and? ?stood? ?at? ?the? ?door,? ?“Her? ?Majesty? ?made? ?you? ?

this? ?during? ?the? ?day? ?today,? ?and? ?exhorted? ?that? ?I’d? ?absolutely? ?bring? ?this? ?to? ?you.”? ?

?

The? ?things? ?in? ?that? ?plate? ?were? ?something? ?green? ?and? ?purple,? ?a? ?horrifying? ?sight.? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?

continued,? ?“If? ?Your? ?Highness? ?think? ?your? ?life? ?might? ?be? ?in? ?danger,? ?I? ?can? ?finish? ?this? ?for? ?you,? ?I? ?won’t? ?

tell? ?Her? ?Majesty,? ?haha.”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?could? ?tell? ?that? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?still? ?really? ?wanted? ?to? ?prod? ?and? ?ask? ?what? ?the? ?robbery? ?was? ?about,? ?

but? ?was? ?also? ?scared? ?that? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?might? ?lock? ?himself? ?up? ?again,? ?and? ?so? ?he? ?forced? ?it? ?down? ?and? ?

pretended? ?that? ?incident? ?never? ?happened? ?and? ?there? ?was? ?nothing? ?to? ?question,? ?pretending? ?to? ?be? ?at? ?

ease.? ?However,? ?he? ?wasn’t? ?good? ?at? ?joking,? ?and? ?the? ?jokes? ?he? ?made? ?were? ?all? ?dry,? ?making? ?things? ?

even? ?more? ?awkward.? ?

?

To? ?be? ?honest,? ?the? ?taste? ?of? ?his? ?mother’s? ?cooking? ?really? ?was? ?quite? ?terrifying,? ?and? ?the? ?more? ?times? ?

she? ?entered? ?the? ?kitchen,? ?the? ?more? ?effort? ?she? ?put? ?in,? ?the? ?more? ?astray? ?the? ?path? ?of? ?her? ?progress.? ?Xie? ?

Lian? ?had? ?also? ?never? ?cooked,? ?but? ?the? ?meals? ?he? ?made? ?didn’t? ?taste? ?too? ?bad.? ?It? ?seemed,? ?it? ?could? ?only? ?

be? ?explained? ?by? ?way? ?of? ?natural? ?talent.? ?Nevertheless,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?still? ?took? ?the? ?plate,? ?and? ?sat? ?by? ?the? ?

table? ?to? ?eat? ?it? ?down? ?honestly.? ?Either? ?way,? ?he? ?couldn’t? ?taste? ?whatever? ?he? ?ate? ?now.? ?

?

At? ?least,? ?the? ?one? ?consoling? ?thing? ?in? ?all? ?of? ?this? ?was? ?while? ?he? ?was? ?sure? ?he? ?was? ?done? ?for? ?and? ?the? ?

king? ?had? ?overheard? ?that? ?night,? ?based? ?on? ?how? ?things? ?were? ?the? ?past? ?few? ?days,? ?it? ?didn’t? ?look? ?like? ?the? ?

king? ?and? ?the? ?queen? ?knew? ?about? ?his? ?robbery? ?incident.? ?Otherwise,? ?by? ?the? ?king’s? ?temperament,? ?he? ?

would’ve? ?started? ?yelling? ?at? ?him? ?already.? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?would? ?never? ?tell? ?them? ?either,? ?so? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?could? ?

relax? ?for? ?now.? ?

?

As? ?he? ?was? ?thinking? ?this,? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?suddenly? ?rose? ?to? ?his? ?feet,? ?and? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?snapped? ?out? ?of? ?it,? ?

“What? ?are? ?you? ?doing?”? ? ?

?

Feng? ?Xin? ?grabbed? ?his? ?bow? ?and? ?said,? ?“It’s? ?time? ?for? ?me? ?to? ?go? ?busking.”? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?stood? ?up? ?too,? ?“I’ll? ?go? ?with? ?you.”? ?

?

After? ?a? ?moment? ?of? ?hesitation,? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?said,? ?“Forget? ?it.? ?You? ?just? ?rest? ?a? ?bit? ?more.”? ?

?

Although? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?didn’t? ?ask? ?any? ?more? ?questions,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?was? ?still? ?feeling? ?uncomfortable? ?all? ?

over,? ?as? ?if? ?now? ?that? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?had? ?learn? ?such? ?a? ?thing,? ?there? ?was? ?something? ?between? ?them? ?that? ?

could? ?never? ?go? ?back.? ?Every? ?word? ?and? ?every? ?look? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?gave? ?him? ?seemed? ?to? ?have? ?taken? ?on? ?a? ?

different? ?meaning,? ?worthy? ?of? ?deeper? ?interpretation.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?shook? ?his? ?head? ?and? ?sighed,? ?“Let? ?me? ?

be? ?honest? ?with? ?you.? ?I? ?don’t? ?have? ?the? ?mind? ?to? ?cultivate? ?right? ?now.”? ? ?

?

Feng? ?Xin? ?had? ?expected? ?this? ?too,? ?and? ?he? ?bowed? ?his? ?head,? ?not? ?knowing? ?what? ?to? ?say.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?

continued,? ?“So? ?if? ?that’s? ?the? ?case,? ?instead? ?of? ?rotting? ?inside? ?the? ?house,? ?I? ?might? ?as? ?well? ?go? ?busk? ?too,? ?

so? ?I? ?could? ?at? ?least? ?earn? ?some? ?money,? ?so? ?at? ?least? ?I’m? ?not...”? ?

?

At? ?least? ?he? ?wouldn’t? ?be? ?an? ?invalid.? ?

?

Yet? ?for? ?some? ?reason,? ?he? ?couldn’t? ?bring? ?himself? ?to? ?say? ?the? ?last? ?two? ?words.? ?Perhaps? ?it? ?was? ?

because? ?he? ?really? ?felt? ?like? ?he? ?was? ?already? ?an? ?invalid,? ?so? ?he? ?didn’t? ?dare? ?to? ?reveal? ?it? ?so? ?easily.? ?

?

Feng? ?Xin? ?was? ?still? ?a? ?little? ?worried,? ?“I? ?can? ?do? ?it? ?on? ?my? ?own? ?too.? ?Your? ?Highness,? ?you’ve? ?only? ?had? ?

one? ?meal? ?in? ?the? ?past? ?two? ?days,? ?so? ?why? ?don’t? ?you? ?rest? ?for? ?a? ?few? ?more? ?days?”? ? ?

?

The? ?more? ?he? ?insisted,? ?the? ?more? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?was? ?anxious? ?to? ?prove? ?himself,? ?and? ?he? ?turned? ?to? ?look? ?in? ?

the? ?mirror,? ?“It’s? ?fine,? ?I’ll? ?just? ?clean? ?myself? ?up? ?and...”? ?

?

He? ?was? ?going? ?to? ?tidy? ?himself? ?up? ?at? ?first? ?so? ?he? ?at? ?least? ?wouldn’t? ?be? ?a? ?disheveled,? ?crazy? ?beggar,? ?yet? ?

unexpectedly,? ?he? ?saw? ?an? ?exceedingly? ?horrifying? ?image? ?reflected? ?in? ?the? ?mirror.? ?

?

The? ?him? ?in? ?the? ?mirror? ?didn’t? ?have? ?a? ?face? ?–? ?because? ?in? ?his? ?reflection,? ?what? ?was? ?on? ?his? ?face? ?was? ?a? ?

half? ?crying? ?half? ?smiling? ?cry-smiling? ?mask.? ?

?

?

———? ?

?

Ch.188:? ?Cold? ?White? ?Ghost;? ?Warm? ?Words? ?Confounding? ?the? ?Crown? ?Prince? ?2? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?instantly? ?screamed? ?on? ?the? ?spot,? ?and? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?jumped? ?in? ?surprise,? ?“WHAT?? ?WHAT? ?IS? ?

IT??”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?pointed? ?at? ?the? ?mirror,? ?his? ?face? ?pale,? ?“HIM!? ?I...? ?I,? ?MY...”? ?

?

Feng? ?Xin? ?followed? ?his? ?arm? ?and? ?looked? ?to? ?the? ?mirror,? ?and? ?a? ?good? ?moment? ?later,? ?he? ?turned? ?to? ?look? ?

at? ?Xie? ?Lian,? ?bewildered,? ?“...What’s? ?with? ?you?”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?was? ?terrified? ?to? ?the? ?bone,? ?and? ?he? ?gripped? ?him? ?hard,? ?squeezing? ?out? ?only? ?a? ?few? ?words? ?with? ?

great? ?difficulty,? ?“MY!? ?MY!? ?MY? ?FACE!? ?YOU? ?DON’T? ?SEE? ?IT?? ?THE? ?THING? ?ON? ?MY? ?FACE??”? ? ?

?

Feng? ?Xin? ?stared? ?at? ?his? ?face? ?and? ?sighed.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?was? ?still? ?confused? ?why? ?there? ?wasn’t? ?any? ?

reaction? ?from? ?him? ?when? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?said,? ?“Your? ?Highness,? ?have? ?you? ?finally? ?noticed? ?that? ?there? ?are? ?

cuts? ?on? ?your? ?face?”? ?

?

It? ?was? ?as? ?if? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?was? ?plunged? ?into? ?an? ?ice? ?cellar.? ?

?

Why?? ?How? ?could? ?this? ?happen?? ?Why? ?would? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?say? ?that?? ? ?

?

Could? ?it? ?be? ?that? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?couldn’t? ?see? ?the? ?mask? ?on? ?his? ?face? ?in? ?the? ?mirror? ?at? ?all?!? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?blurted,? ?“You? ?don’t? ?see? ?it?? ?There’s? ?something? ?on? ?my? ?face!”? ? ?

?

Feng? ?Xin? ?was? ?puzzled,? ?“What? ?thing?? ?What? ?exactly? ?do? ?you? ?mean?? ?I? ?don’t? ?see? ?anything?”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?looked? ?at? ?the? ?mirror? ?again,? ?“That’s? ?impossible!? ?I...”? ?

?

However,? ?when? ?he? ?looked? ?again? ?this? ?time,? ?the? ?mask? ?on? ?his? ?face? ?in? ?the? ?mirror? ?had? ?disappeared,? ?

and? ?what? ?reflected? ?what? ?that? ?panicking? ?face? ?of? ?his.? ? ?

?

There? ?were? ?bruises? ?and? ?cuts? ?crisscrossing? ?on? ?his? ?face,? ?looking? ?lost? ?and? ?disturbed,? ?exceedingly? ?

unkempt,? ?like? ?a? ?small? ?worker? ?was? ?beaten? ?to? ?a? ?pulp? ?by? ?a? ?wealthy? ?master.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?was? ?stunned? ?in? ?

spite? ?of? ?himself,? ?and? ?probled? ?the? ?side? ?of? ?his? ?cheek,? ?wondering? ?inwardly,? ?‘...Is? ?this? ?me?’? ?

?

Just? ?then,? ?he? ?heard? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?speak,? ?“Your? ?Highness,? ?are? ?you...? ?too? ?tired,? ?perhaps?? ?Or? ?are? ?you? ?

just? ?exhausted? ?from? ?being? ?angry? ?at? ?that? ?stinkin’? ?bastard?? ?Listen? ?to? ?me,? ?don’t? ?go? ?out? ?in? ?the? ?next? ?

few? ?days,? ?and? ?just? ?take? ?it? ?easy.”? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?finally? ?snapped? ?out? ?of? ?it? ?and? ?saw? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?was? ?about? ?to? ?leave? ?the? ?door? ?with? ?the? ?bow? ?on? ?

his? ?back,? ?dangling? ?a? ?stool? ?in? ?his? ?hand,? ?and? ?he? ?explained? ?hastily,? ?“No!? ?I...”? ?

?

Feng? ?Xin? ?pushed? ?the? ?door? ?while? ?looking? ?back,? ?“Is? ?there? ?anything? ?else?”? ? ?

?

The? ?words? ?had? ?made? ?it? ?to? ?this? ?lips? ?but? ?he? ?forcefully? ?swallowed? ?them? ?down? ?because? ?a? ?strange? ?

thought? ?suddenly? ?appeared? ?in? ?his? ?mind:? ?Life? ?now? ?was? ?already? ?very? ?difficult;? ?if? ?he? ?told? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?

that? ?White? ?No-Face? ?could? ?be? ?coming? ?back? ?to? ?harass? ?them,? ?what? ?would? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?do?? ?

?

Feng? ?Xin? ?was? ?also? ?fairly? ?traumatized? ?by? ?White? ?No-Face,? ?what? ?would? ?he? ?do?? ?Would? ?he? ?think? ?of? ?

backing? ?away,? ?and? ?leave? ?like? ?Mu? ?Qing?? ?

?

Just? ?as? ?his? ?imagination? ?was? ?running? ?wild,? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?had? ?already? ?left.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?snapped? ?to? ?the? ?

sound? ?of? ?the? ?door? ?closing,? ?and? ?so? ?he? ?could? ?only? ?shrink? ?back? ?to? ?bed,? ?wrap? ?himself? ?in? ?blankets,? ?

planning? ?to? ?take? ?another? ?nap.? ?

?

Suddenly,? ?he? ?smelled? ?something? ?foul.? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?crawled? ?up,? ?and? ?at? ?first? ?he? ?thought? ?it? ?was? ?the? ?queen? ?cooking? ?again? ?or? ?some? ?rat? ?that? ?died? ?

in? ?a? ?corner,? ?and? ?he? ?got? ?up? ?to? ?check.? ?He? ?looked? ?all? ?over,? ?but? ?in? ?the? ?end? ?he? ?discovered? ?that? ?the? ?

source? ?of? ?the? ?foul? ?smell? ?was? ?actually? ?himself.? ?

?

Only? ?then? ?did? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?remember? ?that? ?it? ?had? ?been? ?over? ?two? ?weeks? ?since? ?he? ?last? ?washed? ?up? ?or? ?

changed,? ?so? ?of? ?course? ?he’d? ?smell.? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?held? ?his? ?breath,? ?a? ?wave? ?of? ?self? ?hatred? ?crashing? ?through? ?him.? ?Just? ?thinking? ?that? ?both? ?his? ?

parents? ?and? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?must’ve? ?noticed? ?but? ?didn’t? ?bother? ?to? ?tell? ?him? ?made? ?him? ?feel? ?another? ?wave? ?

of? ?embarrassment.? ?He? ?sneakily? ?opened? ?the? ?door? ?and? ?looked? ?around;? ?there? ?wasn’t? ?anyone? ?

outside,? ?so? ?he? ?found? ?himself? ?a? ?set? ?of? ?fresh? ?clothing? ?and? ?planned? ?to? ?boil? ?some? ?water? ?for? ?a? ?bath.? ?

?

After? ?much? ?struggle,? ?he? ?finally? ?soaked? ?in? ?the? ?bathtub? ?at? ?last.? ?He? ?sank? ?himself? ?into? ?the? ?water,? ?

holding? ?his? ?breath? ?until? ?he? ?was? ?suffocating,? ?and? ?only? ?resurfacing? ?when? ?he? ?felt? ?he? ?was? ?going? ?to? ?

pass? ?out.? ?Then? ?he? ?rubbed? ?at? ?his? ?face? ?roughly.? ?

?

After? ?wiping? ?himself? ?down,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?reached? ?out? ?to? ?grab? ?for? ?his? ?clothes,? ?absentmindedly? ?shaking? ?

out? ?his? ?robes? ?and? ?was? ?just? ?about? ?to? ?put? ?them? ?on? ?when? ?suddenly,? ?he? ?noticed? ?something? ?wrong.? ?

?

That? ?wasn’t? ?his? ?clothes? ?at? ?all? ?but? ?White? ?No-Face’s? ?tragically? ?blanched? ?funeral? ?garb? ?with? ?

expansive? ?sleeves!!!? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?could? ?only? ?feel? ?the? ?hot? ?water? ?he? ?was? ?soaking? ?in? ?turning? ?into? ?a? ?pot? ?of? ?icy? ?pond? ?all? ?of? ?a? ?

sudden,? ?his? ?hairs? ?standing? ?on? ?ends,? ?and? ?he? ?cried? ?in? ?dismay,? ?“WHO?!? ?WHO? ?DID? ?THIS??”? ? ?

?

Who? ?changed? ?out? ?his? ?clothes? ?in? ?secret? ?while? ?he? ?wasn’t? ?paying? ?attention??? ?

?

He? ?jumped? ?out,? ?still? ?wet? ?and? ?dripping,? ?and? ?knocked? ?the? ?bathtub? ?over.? ?A? ?large? ?splash,? ?and? ?

instantly? ?the? ?entire? ?cottage? ?was? ?flooded? ?with? ?bathwater,? ?startling? ?both? ?the? ?king? ?and? ?queen? ?who? ?

were? ?in? ?the? ?next? ?room.? ?The? ?queen? ?supported? ?the? ?king? ?as? ?they? ?entered? ?to? ?see,? ?and? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?was? ?

sprawled? ?on? ?the? ?ground? ?naked,? ?the? ?floor? ?flooded? ?with? ?water,? ?and? ?in? ?her? ?shock,? ?she? ?came? ?rushing? ?

forward? ?to? ?hug? ?him,? ?“My? ?son,? ?what? ?happened? ?to? ?you??”? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?was? ?wet? ?and? ?dripping,? ?his? ?hair? ?strewn,? ?and? ?he? ?looked? ?up,? ?hugging? ?her? ?back,? ?“Mom,? ?a? ?

ghost,? ?there’s? ?a? ?ghost,? ?there’s? ?a? ?ghost? ?clinging? ?to? ?me!? ?He’s? ?constantly? ?following? ?me!”? ? ?

?

His? ?appearance? ?was? ?no? ?different? ?than? ?one? ?who? ?had? ?lost? ?his? ?mind,? ?and? ?the? ?queen? ?couldn’t? ?take? ?it? ?

anymore? ?as? ?she? ?wept? ?in? ?anguish? ?and? ?held? ?her? ?son.? ?The? ?king? ?also? ?watched? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?

dumbfoundedly;? ?a? ?man? ?of? ?forty? ?some? ?looking? ?like? ?he? ?was? ?now? ?over? ?sixty.? ?The? ?frigid? ?air? ?of? ?winter? ?

jolted? ?Xie? ?Lian,? ?and? ?he? ?pointed,? ?“The? ?clothes.? ?Look? ?at? ?the? ?clothes!...”? ?

?

However,? ?when? ?he? ?looked? ?at? ?those? ?clothes? ?again,? ?how? ?was? ?it? ?the? ?funeral? ?garb? ?at? ?all?? ?Was? ?it? ?not? ?

just? ?his? ?white? ?cultivation? ?robes?? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?was? ?suddenly? ?filled? ?with? ?rage,? ?and? ?he? ?slammed? ?a? ?fist? ?on? ?the? ?wooden? ?tub,? ?roaring,? ?“JUST? ?

WHAT? ?DO? ?YOU? ?WANT?? ?ARE? ?YOU? ?PLAYING? ?WITH? ?ME?”? ? ?

?

The? ?queen? ?forced? ?back? ?her? ?tears? ?and? ?hugged? ?him,? ?“My? ?son? ?don’t? ?be? ?angry,? ?just? ?put? ?on? ?some? ?

clothes? ?first,? ?put? ?them? ?on,? ?don’t? ?catch? ?a? ?cold...”? ?

?

That? ?day,? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?also? ?came? ?back? ?really? ?late.? ?Exhaustion? ?was? ?written? ?on? ?his? ?face,? ?much? ?more? ?

so? ?than? ?before.? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?had? ?been? ?waiting? ?for? ?him? ?for? ?a? ?long? ?time,? ?and? ?he? ?spoke? ?impatiently,? ?“Feng? ?Xin,? ?I? ?have? ?

something? ?very? ?important? ?to? ?tell? ?you.”? ?

?

Although? ?that? ?creature? ?White? ?No-Face? ?was? ?too? ?bizarrely? ?powerful,? ?even? ?if? ?he? ?told? ?Feng? ?Xin,? ?it? ?

would? ?be? ?pointless? ?to? ?set? ?up? ?guard? ?beforehand,? ?nevertheless,? ?after? ?much? ?thinking? ?he? ?still? ?

believed? ?something? ?like? ?this? ?shouldn’t? ?be? ?kept? ?secret? ?from? ?Feng? ?Xin,? ?so? ?he? ?decided? ?to? ?tell? ?him? ?

the? ?truth.? ?Unexpectedly,? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?didn’t? ?immediately? ?ask? ?him? ?what? ?it? ?was,? ?and? ?only? ?said,? ?“Oh? ?

good.? ?I’ve? ?got? ?something? ?I? ?wanted? ?to? ?say? ?to? ?you? ?too.”? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?thought? ?the? ?matter? ?with? ?White? ?No-Face? ?was? ?more? ?important,? ?and? ?anything? ?else? ?urgent? ?

could? ?come? ?after,? ?but? ?he? ?sat? ?down? ?at? ?the? ?table? ?and? ?asked,? ?“You? ?go? ?first.? ?What? ?is? ?it?”? ? ?

?

Feng? ?Xin? ?hesitated? ?for? ?a? ?moment? ?and? ?said,? ?“Your? ?Highness,? ?you? ?go? ?first.”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?didn’t? ?have? ?the? ?mind? ?to? ?be? ?courteous? ?anymore? ?and? ?whispered,? ?“Feng? ?Xin,? ?you? ?must? ?be? ?

absolutely? ?careful.? ?White? ?No-Face? ?has? ?come? ?back.”? ? ?

?

“...”? ?

?

Feng? ?Xin’s? ?expression? ?instantly? ?changed,? ?“White? ?No-Face? ?has? ?returned?? ?Why? ?would? ?you? ?say? ?

that?? ?Did? ?you? ?see? ?it?”? ? ?

?

“Yes!”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?exclaimed,? ?“I? ?saw? ?it!”? ? ?

?

Feng? ?Xin? ?paled,? ?“That’s...? ?That’s? ?not? ?right,? ?why? ?would? ?it? ?be? ?seen? ?by? ?you?? ?Why? ?are? ?you? ?still? ?here? ?

all? ?fine? ?after? ?having? ?seen? ?it???”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?buried? ?his? ?face? ?in? ?his? ?hands,? ?“...I? ?don’t? ?know? ?either!? ?Not? ?only? ?did? ?he? ?not? ?kill? ?me,? ?he? ?

even...”? ?

?

He? ?even? ?hugged? ?him? ?and? ?pat? ?his? ?head? ?like? ?a? ?loving? ?elder,? ?and? ?beckoned? ?him,? ?“Come? ?to? ?my? ?

side”.? ? ?

?

After? ?having? ?listened? ?to? ?the? ?strange? ?encounter? ?of? ?the? ?past? ?few? ?days,? ?Feng? ?Xin’s? ?shock? ?gradually? ?

faded? ?away,? ?and? ?it? ?was? ?replaced? ?by? ?confusion,? ?“Just? ?what? ?is? ?he? ?thinking?”? ? ?

?

“Either? ?way? ?he? ?must? ?not? ?have? ?any? ?good? ?intentions,? ?and? ?he? ?also? ?seemed? ?to? ?be? ?following? ?me? ?

everywhere,”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?said,? ?“In? ?any? ?case...? ?you? ?just? ?be? ?careful!? ?Help? ?me? ?remind? ?father? ?and? ?

mother? ?to? ?be? ?careful? ?too,? ?but? ?don’t? ?frighten? ?them.”? ?

?

“Alright.”? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?said,? ?“I? ?won’t? ?go? ?out? ?for? ?the? ?next? ?few? ?days.? ?The? ?stuff? ?that? ?bastard? ?gave? ?us...? ?

should? ?last? ?us? ?for? ?some? ?time.”? ? ?

?

It? ?was? ?quite? ?embarrassing? ?to? ?say.? ?When? ?Mu? ?Qing? ?left,? ?he? ?still? ?left? ?behind? ?everything? ?he? ?brought? ?

over.? ?Although? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?lost? ?control? ?of? ?himself? ?at? ?the? ?time,? ?flinging? ?the? ?stuff? ?at? ?him? ?saying? ?he? ?

didn’t? ?need? ?his? ?stuff? ?nor? ?help,? ?but? ?after? ?calming? ?down,? ?they? ?still? ?picked? ?up? ?everything? ?secretly? ?in? ?

defeat.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?sighed? ?and? ?nodded.? ?Then? ?he? ?said,? ?“Oh? ?yes,? ?what? ?was? ?it? ?that? ?you? ?wanted? ?to? ?say? ?

to? ?me?”? ? ?

?

Having? ?brought? ?this? ?up,? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?hesitated? ?again.? ?After? ?a? ?pause,? ?he? ?opened? ?his? ?mouth,? ?and? ?was? ?

surprisingly? ?humming? ?and? ?hawing,? ?scratching? ?at? ?his? ?head? ?as? ?he? ?stammered? ?out,? ?“Actually,? ?it’s...? ?

Your? ?Highness,? ?do? ?you? ?still,? ?have? ?money? ?on? ?you?? ?Or? ?something? ?that? ?can? ?be? ?pawned?”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?had? ?never? ?thought? ?he’d? ?ask? ?such? ?a? ?silly? ?question? ?at? ?a? ?time? ?like? ?this? ?and? ?was? ?a? ?little? ?

perplexed,? ?“Huh?? ?Why? ?are? ?you? ?asking? ?this?”? ? ?

?

Feng? ?Xin? ?sweated? ?as? ?he? ?replied? ?boldly,? ?“...It’s? ?nothing...? ?just,? ?if? ?you? ?happen? ?to? ?have? ?some,? ?can? ?

you...? ?lend? ?me? ?some?”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?laughed? ?bitterly,? ?“...Do? ?you? ?think? ?I’d? ?have? ?any? ?more?”? ?

?

Feng? ?Xin? ?sighed? ?too,? ?“I? ?thought? ?so.”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?gave? ?it? ?a? ?thought? ?and? ?said,? ?“But? ?didn’t? ?I? ?gift? ?you? ?that? ?golden? ?belt? ?before?”? ? ?

?

Feng? ?Xin? ?mumbled,? ?“That’s? ?not? ?enough.? ?Far? ?from? ?it...”? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?was? ?shocked,? ?“Feng? ?Xin?? ?What? ?exactly? ?have? ?you? ?done? ?out? ?there?? ?How? ?can? ?a? ?golden? ?

belt? ?not? ?be? ?enough?? ?Do? ?you? ?owe? ?someone? ?money? ?for? ?beating? ?someone? ?up?? ?Tell? ?me?”? ? ?

?

Feng? ?Xin? ?snapped? ?out? ?of? ?it? ?and? ?quickly? ?said,? ?“Oh? ?no!? ?Don’t? ?take? ?this? ?to? ?heart,? ?I? ?was? ?only? ?asking!”? ? ?

?

After? ?asking? ?over? ?and? ?over,? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?still? ?swore? ?everything? ?was? ?fine,? ?and? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?said? ?worriedly,? ?

“Well? ?if? ?there’s? ?anything,? ?you? ?have? ?to? ?tell? ?me,? ?and? ?we? ?can? ?think? ?of? ?a? ?solution? ?together.”? ? ?

?

“Don’t? ?worry? ?about? ?me.”? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?said,? ?“No? ?solution? ?will? ?just? ?fall? ?from? ?the? ?sky.? ?Your? ?Highness,? ?

you? ?just? ?focus? ?on? ?solving? ?your? ?problems!”? ?

?

When? ?he? ?brought? ?it? ?up,? ?Xie? ?Lian’s? ?heart? ?sank? ?again.? ?

?

Just? ?as? ?he? ?expected,? ?all? ?the? ?days? ?that? ?followed,? ?that? ?creature? ?harassed? ?him? ?unceasingly? ?and? ?

wouldn’t? ?leave? ?him? ?alone.? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?could? ?always? ?see? ?that? ?cry-smiling? ?mask? ?or? ?that? ?white? ?silhouette? ?in? ?many? ?unsuspecting? ?

places.? ?Sometimes? ?it’d? ?be? ?at? ?the? ?headboard? ?in? ?the? ?deep? ?night,? ?sometimes? ?it’d? ?be? ?a? ?reflection? ?in? ?

the? ?water,? ?sometimes? ?it’d? ?be? ?at? ?the? ?other? ?side? ?of? ?the? ?door? ?when? ?he? ?opened? ?said? ?door,? ?and? ?

sometimes,? ?it’d? ?even? ?be? ?standing? ?right? ?behind? ?Feng? ?Xin.? ?

?

White? ?No-Face? ?seemed? ?to? ?be? ?taking? ?scaring? ?him? ?as? ?entertainment,? ?and,? ?purposely? ?only? ?let? ?him? ?

be? ?the? ?only? ?one? ?who? ?would? ?see.? ?Every? ?time? ?when? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?couldn’t? ?take? ?it? ?anymore? ?and? ?pointed? ?

at? ?him? ?screaming,? ?all? ?the? ?others? ?would? ?rush? ?over? ?or? ?look? ?over,? ?and? ?he’d? ?disappear.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?had? ?

been? ?passing? ?days? ?like? ?this? ?in? ?shaken? ?agitation,? ?so? ?bitter? ?he? ?wished? ?he? ?could? ?catch? ?that? ?creature? ?

and? ?chop? ?it? ?into? ?eight? ?pieces,? ?but? ?he? ?couldn’t? ?even? ?manage? ?to? ?step? ?on? ?the? ?other’s? ?shadow.? ?

Inevitably,? ?his? ?days? ?and? ?nights? ?became? ?flipped,? ?both? ?his? ?heart? ?and? ?body? ?exhausted.? ?

?

One? ?day,? ?he? ?jolted? ?awake? ?in? ?the? ?middle? ?of? ?the? ?night,? ?and? ?felt? ?irrepressibly? ?thirsty.? ?Thinking? ?that? ?he? ?

hadn’t? ?drank? ?anything? ?properly? ?the? ?entire? ?day,? ?he? ?crawled? ?up? ?ready? ?to? ?go? ?get? ?some? ?water? ?to? ?

drink.? ?However,? ?from? ?outside? ?the? ?room? ?creeped? ?faint? ?voices? ?and? ?weak? ?candlelight.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?was? ?

startled? ?and? ?instantly? ?hid? ?behind? ?the? ?door,? ?his? ?heart? ?thumping,? ?‘Who? ?could? ?it? ?be?? ?If? ?it’s? ?father,? ?

mother,? ?and? ?Feng? ?Xin,? ?why? ?would? ?they? ?sneak? ?around? ?like? ?this?’? ?

?

Yet? ?who? ?knew,? ?the? ?ones? ?sneaking? ?around? ?really? ?were? ?his? ?father,? ?mother,? ?and? ?Feng? ?Xin.? ?Feng? ?

Xin’s? ?voice? ?was? ?extremely? ?hushed,? ?“His? ?Highness? ?is? ?resting? ?now,? ?right?”? ?

?

The? ?queen? ?also? ?whispered,? ?“He’s? ?asleep? ?now.”? ? ?

?

“Finally.”? ?The? ?king? ?said,? ?“Don’t? ?wake? ?him? ?too? ?early? ?tomorrow,? ?let? ?him? ?sleep? ?some? ?more.”? ? ?

?

Those? ?words? ?made? ?Xie? ?Lian’s? ?heart? ?squeeze,? ?then? ?soon? ?after,? ?he? ?heard? ?the? ?queen? ?said,? ?“Sigh...? ?

if? ?this? ?keeps? ?up,? ?when? ?would? ?my? ?son? ?ever? ?get? ?better?”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?could? ?feel? ?something? ?amiss? ?with? ?those? ?words,? ?and? ?just? ?then,? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?said? ?with? ?a? ?quiet? ?

voice,? ?“He’s? ?only? ?like? ?this? ?because? ?he’s? ?overworked.? ?Too? ?much? ?has? ?happened? ?recently.? ?Will? ?your? ?

majesties? ?also? ?keep? ?a? ?closer? ?eye? ?on? ?him,? ?and? ?if? ?there’s? ?anything? ?off? ?with? ?His? ?Highness,? ?please? ?do? ?

let? ?me? ?know? ?as? ?soon? ?as? ?possible,? ?but? ?don’t? ?let? ?him? ?know.? ?Also,? ?don’t? ?say? ?anything? ?that’d? ?provoke? ?

him...”? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?eavesdropped? ?hiding? ?behind? ?the? ?door,? ?his? ?mind? ?going? ?blank,? ?and? ?waves? ?of? ?blood? ?rushed? ?

up? ?to? ?his? ?brain.? ?

?

What? ?did? ?this? ?mean?? ?What? ?did? ?they? ?mean?? ?

?

He? ?roared? ?internally,? ?“I’M? ?NOT? ?CRAZY!? ?I? ?DIDN’T? ?LIE!? ?I? ?WAS? ?TELLING? ?THE? ?TRUTH!”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?raised? ?his? ?hand? ?and? ?PANG!? ?Crashed? ?the? ?door? ?open.? ?All? ?three? ?inside? ?the? ?room? ?were? ?

startled,? ?and? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?rose? ?to? ?this? ?feet,? ?“Your? ?Highness?? ?Why? ?aren’t? ?you? ?asleep??”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?was? ?furious,? ?“YOU? ?DON’T? ?BELIEVE? ?ME??”? ? ?

?

Feng? ?Xin? ?was? ?taken? ?aback,? ?“Of? ?course? ?I? ?believe? ?you!? ?You...”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?cut? ?him? ?off,? ?“Then? ?what? ?did? ?

you? ?mean? ?by? ?those? ?words? ?just? ?now?? ?Are? ?you? ?saying? ?that? ?everything? ?I? ?saw? ?were? ?all? ?

hallucinations,? ?that? ?I’m? ?just? ?delusional?”? ?

?

The? ?king? ?and? ?queen? ?wanted? ?to? ?intercept? ?and? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?instantly? ?said,? ?“Don’t? ?speak,? ?you? ?guys? ?

don’t? ?understand? ?anything!”? ? ?

?

“No!”? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?exclaimed,? ?“I? ?believe? ?you,? ?Your? ?Highness,? ?but? ?you’ve? ?been? ?overworked? ?too,? ?and? ?

that’s? ?also? ?the? ?truth!”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?looked? ?at? ?him? ?and? ?didn’t? ?speak,? ?but? ?somewhere? ?in? ?his? ?heart? ?there? ?were? ?chilling? ?winds? ?

blowing? ?in.? ?

?

He? ?believed? ?that? ?overall,? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?still? ?believed? ?in? ?him.? ?At? ?least? ?eighty? ?percent.? ?

?

But? ?it? ?wasn’t? ?complete? ?trust.? ?After? ?all,? ?how? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?passed? ?his? ?recent? ?days? ?really? ?were? ?too? ?

mental.? ?If? ?it? ?was? ?any? ?other? ?outsider? ?looking? ?in,? ?they? ?would’ve? ?no? ?doubt? ?determined? ?him? ?to? ?be? ?a? ?

mad? ?man,? ?so? ?what? ?right? ?did? ?he? ?have? ?to? ?demand? ?anyone? ?to? ?trust? ?him? ?completely?? ?

?

But? ?it? ?shouldn’t? ?be? ?like? ?this.? ?The? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?of? ?the? ?past? ?would? ?have? ?absolute? ?faith? ?in? ?him? ?no? ?matter? ?

what!? ?Even? ?if? ?there? ?was? ?only? ?twenty? ?percent? ?of? ?doubt,? ?it? ?was? ?still? ?unbearable!? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?was? ?filled? ?with? ?rage? ?and? ?resentment,? ?but? ?he? ?couldn’t? ?tell? ?who? ?it? ?was? ?directed? ?at;? ?to? ?White? ?

No-Face,? ?to? ?Feng? ?Xin,? ?to? ?everyone,? ?or? ?to? ?himself.? ?He? ?didn’t? ?speak? ?a? ?word.? ?He? ?turned? ?and? ?went? ?

out? ?the? ?door,? ?and? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?chased? ?after? ?him,? ?“Your? ?Highness,? ?where? ?are? ?you? ?going?”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?forced? ?himself? ?to? ?be? ?calm,? ?“Don’t? ?mind? ?me,? ?don’t? ?follow? ?me,? ?go? ?back.”? ?

?

“No,? ?but? ?where? ?are? ?you? ?going?? ?I’ll? ?go? ?with? ?you!”? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?said.? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?made? ?up? ?his? ?mind? ?and? ?suddenly? ?started? ?running? ?wildly.? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?wasn’t? ?as? ?fast? ?as? ?him,? ?

and? ?was? ?soon? ?left? ?far? ?behind,? ?and? ?could? ?only? ?shout? ?after? ?him.? ?The? ?king? ?and? ?queen? ?both? ?came? ?out? ?

and? ?started? ?shouting? ?for? ?him? ?too,? ?but? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?pretended? ?not? ?to? ?hear,? ?and? ?ran? ?faster.? ?

?

He? ?had? ?no? ?choice? ?but? ?to? ?make? ?the? ?first? ?attack!? ?

?

If? ?White? ?No-Face? ?planned? ?to? ?kill? ?Xie? ?Lian,? ?or? ?Feng? ?Xin,? ?or? ?his? ?parents,? ?it? ?would? ?be? ?a? ?piece? ?of? ?

cake.? ?Yet? ?he? ?just? ?wouldn’t? ?kill,? ?and? ?would? ?instead? ?play? ?him? ?like? ?a? ?toy,? ?making? ?a? ?food? ?of? ?him!? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?ran? ?as? ?he? ?roared? ?in? ?the? ?black? ?night,? ?“COME? ?THE? ?HELL? ?OUT!!!? ?YOU? ?SHADY? ?GUTTER? ?

MONSTER!!!? ?GET? ?THE? ?HELL? ?OUT!!!”? ? ?

?

White? ?No-Face? ?was? ?coming? ?strictly? ?for? ?him,? ?so? ?he? ?believed? ?that? ?White? ?No-Face? ?would’ve? ?

followed? ?him? ?for? ?sure.? ?However,? ?after? ?cursing? ?the? ?world? ?with? ?insufficient? ?vocabularies,? ?there? ?was? ?

none? ?of? ?the? ?usual? ?sneers? ?drifting? ?from? ?unexpected? ?shadowed? ?corners,? ?nor? ?did? ?any? ?figures? ?

appear? ?languidly? ?behind? ?his? ?back,? ?putting? ?an? ?unsuspecting? ?hand? ?on? ?his? ?head.? ?

?

After? ?running? ?madly? ?for? ?a? ?number? ?of? ?miles,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?finally? ?exhausted? ?his? ?strength,? ?and? ?he? ?bent? ?

deeply? ?at? ?the? ?waist,? ?supporting? ?himself? ?up? ?with? ?hands? ?on? ?his? ?knees,? ?panting? ?harshly,? ?his? ?chest? ?

and? ?throat? ?flooded? ?with? ?the? ?taste? ?of? ?rusted? ?iron.? ?

?

A? ?good? ?while? ?later,? ?he? ?suddenly? ?whipped? ?up? ?and? ?continued? ?forward,? ?saying? ?under? ?his? ?breath,? ?

“...So? ?you? ?want? ?to? ?drag? ?this? ?out? ?with? ?me?? ?Fine,? ?we’ll? ?drag? ?this? ?out? ?slowly!”? ? ?

?

He? ?walked? ?by? ?himself? ?through? ?a? ?deserted,? ?barren? ?fields,? ?through? ?old? ?woods? ?and? ?deep? ?mountains,? ?

for? ?who? ?knows? ?how? ?long,? ?and? ?fog? ?gradually? ?started? ?to? ?thicken.? ?

?

All? ?around? ?were? ?the? ?blackened? ?old? ?trees? ?flashing? ?their? ?claws,? ?and? ?they? ?were? ?all? ?leaning? ?forward,? ?

exceedingly? ?pushed? ?down,? ?as? ?if? ?they? ?were? ?inviting? ?him? ?to? ?step? ?into? ?a? ?field? ?of? ?forbidden? ?land? ?of? ?no? ?

return.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?could? ?tell? ?that? ?whatever? ?was? ?ahead? ?wasn’t? ?going? ?to? ?be? ?anything? ?good,? ?but? ?it? ?was? ?

unavoidable.? ?Besides,? ?he? ?must? ?put? ?an? ?end? ?to? ?this,? ?so? ?this? ?would’ve? ?come? ?sooner? ?or? ?later.? ?Thus,? ?

with? ?a? ?darkened? ?expression? ?he? ?continued? ?forward.? ?As? ?he? ?walked,? ?within? ?the? ?white? ?fog,? ?a? ?row? ?of? ?

something? ?shimmering? ?appeared? ?like? ?a? ?glowing? ?wall.? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?had? ?never? ?seen? ?anything? ?like? ?it? ?and? ?he? ?furrowed? ?his? ?brows? ?slightly,? ?stopping? ?in? ?his? ?

breath.? ?As? ?for? ?that? ?‘wall’,? ?it? ?was? ?actually? ?slowly? ?pushing? ?forward? ?towards? ?him!? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?was? ?tensed? ?in? ?alarm? ?and? ?broke? ?off? ?a? ?branch,? ?gripping? ?it? ?in? ?his? ?hand? ?at? ?the? ?ready.? ?Only? ?

when? ?that? ?‘wall’? ?made? ?it? ?to? ?not? ?two? ?meters? ?away? ?from? ?him? ?did? ?he? ?realize? ?in? ?bewilderment? ?that? ?it? ?

wasn’t? ?a? ?wall,? ?but? ?countless? ?ghost? ?fires.? ?Because? ?there? ?were? ?too? ?many,? ?from? ?afar? ?it? ?looked? ?like? ?a? ?

blazing? ?wall,? ?or? ?a? ?giant? ?net.? ?

?

While? ?those? ?ghost? ?fires? ?were? ?strange,? ?they? ?didn’t? ?emit? ?any? ?murderous? ?intent,? ?and? ?only? ?drifted? ?

towards? ?him? ?silently,? ?blocking? ?him? ?from? ?continuing? ?forward.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?tried? ?going? ?around? ?them,? ?but? ?

those? ?ghost? ?fires? ?immediately? ?changed? ?direction? ?and? ?continued? ?to? ?block? ?Xie? ?Lian.? ?At? ?the? ?same? ?

time,? ?he? ?heard? ?many? ?voices:? ?

?

“Don’t? ?go? ?there.”? ?

?

“Don’t? ?go? ?over.”? ?

?

“There? ?are? ?no? ?good? ?things? ?ahead.”? ?

?

“Turn? ?around,? ?don’t? ?continue? ?to? ?walk!”? ?

?

Those? ?voices? ?were? ?stoic? ?and? ?condensed? ?like? ?tides,? ?giving? ?him? ?chills? ?down? ?his? ?back.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?was? ?

surrounded? ?and? ?noticed,? ?within? ?these? ?ghost? ?fires,? ?there? ?was? ?one? ?ball? ?of? ?flames? ?that? ?was? ?

particularly? ?bright,? ?and? ?particularly? ?silent.? ?

?

Although? ?something? ?like? ?a? ?ghost? ?fire? ?didn’t? ?have? ?eyes,? ?but? ?when? ?he? ?gazed? ?at? ?that? ?ghost? ?fire,? ?he? ?

could? ?almost? ?sense? ?a? ?burning? ?gaze? ?staring? ?at? ?him.? ?

?

It? ?seemed,? ?this? ?ghost? ?was? ?the? ?strongest? ?among? ?these? ?ghost? ?fires.? ?All? ?the? ?other? ?ghost? ?fires? ?were? ?

all? ?only? ?following? ?after? ?it.? ?

?

?

———–? ?

?

Ch.189:? ?Cold? ?White? ?Ghost;? ?Warm? ?Words? ?Confounding? ?the? ?Crown? ?Prince? ?3? ?

?

?

“Move.”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?said? ?coldly.? ?

?

That? ?ghost? ?fire? ?didn’t? ?move.? ? ?

?

“Why? ?are? ?you? ?blocking? ?my? ?way?”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?demanded.? ?

?

That? ?ghost? ?fire? ?didn’t? ?answer,? ?and? ?the? ?other? ?little? ?ghost? ?fires? ?only? ?repeated? ?“Don’t? ?go? ?there”? ?

nonstop.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?didn’t? ?want? ?to? ?bother? ?with? ?those? ?things? ?at? ?all,? ?and? ?he? ?struck? ?out? ?a? ?hand,? ?

dispersing? ?them.? ?

?

He? ?didn’t? ?disperse? ?the? ?spirits;? ?this? ?hand? ?was? ?only? ?for? ?breaking? ?apart? ?the? ?blocking? ?formation? ?of? ?

those? ?ghost? ?fires,? ?like? ?waving? ?away? ?a? ?band? ?of? ?fireflies? ?or? ?a? ?school? ?of? ?goldfish.? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?passed? ?through? ?quickly,? ?wilted? ?branches? ?and? ?broken? ?leaves? ?crackling? ?under? ?his? ?steps.? ?

Yet? ?when? ?he? ?looked? ?back,? ?the? ?ghost? ?fires? ?had? ?also? ?swiftly? ?caught? ?up? ?to? ?him,? ?looking? ?like? ?it? ?was? ?

ready? ?to? ?form? ?another? ?wall.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?warned,? ?“Don’t? ?follow? ?me.”? ? ?

?

That? ?ball? ?of? ?the? ?brightest? ?and? ?hottest? ?ghost? ?fire? ?was? ?flying? ?at? ?the? ?very? ?front,? ?unheeding? ?of? ?his? ?

words,? ?and? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?raised? ?his? ?hand? ?like? ?he? ?was? ?going? ?to? ?strike? ?again,? ?warning? ?fiercely,? ?“Keep? ?

following? ?me? ?and? ?I? ?just? ?might? ?disperse? ?your? ?spirits!”? ?

?

With? ?a? ?threat? ?like? ?this,? ?many? ?of? ?the? ?ghost? ?fires? ?became? ?scared,? ?fluttering? ?and? ?shriveling? ?backing? ?

away.? ?However,? ?that? ?leading? ?ghost? ?fire? ?only? ?paused? ?for? ?a? ?moment? ?in? ?mid? ?air? ?before? ?it? ?continued? ?

to? ?trail? ?behind? ?him? ?keeping? ?a? ?distance? ?of? ?not? ?five? ?feet? ?away,? ?making? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?think? ?that? ?it? ?was? ?

telling? ?him? ?“It? ?doesn’t? ?matter? ?if? ?you? ?disperse? ?me”,? ?or? ?perhaps,? ?it? ?knew? ?that? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?wouldn’t? ?really? ?

hit? ?it.? ?

?

A? ?sudden? ?inexplicable? ?anger? ?filled? ?Xie? ?Lian.? ?In? ?the? ?past,? ?if? ?he? ?shouted,? ?what? ?little? ?minions? ?would? ?

dare? ?continue? ?their? ?harassment?? ?They? ?would’ve? ?disappeared? ?in? ?a? ?flash? ?with? ?tails? ?between? ?their? ?

legs.? ?Now,? ?not? ?only? ?do? ?people? ?step? ?all? ?over? ?him? ?as? ?they? ?willed,? ?even? ?this? ?tiny? ?little? ?ball? ?of? ?ghost? ?

fire? ?wouldn’t? ?obey? ?him,? ?taking? ?his? ?threat? ?for? ?nothing.? ?Xie? ?Lian’s? ?eyes? ?reddened? ?from? ?anger? ?and? ?he? ?

mumbled,? ?“...Even? ?a? ?little? ?ghost? ?like? ?you? ?is? ?like? ?this...? ?you’re? ?all? ?like? ?this...everyone’s? ?like? ?this!”? ? ?

?

It? ?was? ?a? ?little? ?funny? ?to? ?be? ?so? ?enraged? ?by? ?such? ?a? ?small? ?thing,? ?yet? ?at? ?this? ?moment,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?was? ?

genuinely? ?filled? ?with? ?furious? ?resentment.? ?Unexpectedly,? ?after? ?he? ?mumbled? ?those? ?words,? ?that? ?ball? ?

of? ?ghost? ?fires? ?seemed? ?to? ?have? ?understood? ?that? ?he? ?was? ?both? ?angry? ?and? ?sad,? ?and? ?it? ?stopped? ?in? ?mid? ?

air,? ?no? ?longer? ?moving? ?forward.? ?Leading? ?those? ?hundreds? ?of? ?little? ?ghost? ?fires,? ?they? ?backed? ?away? ?

slowly.? ?Not? ?long? ?after,? ?they? ?disappeared? ?completely? ?into? ?the? ?night.? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?blew? ?out? ?a? ?breath,? ?turned? ?and? ?continued? ?forward.? ?

?

After? ?some? ?seven? ?to? ?eight? ?hundred? ?feet,? ?corners? ?of? ?eaves? ?faintly? ?appeared? ?within? ?the? ?beguiling? ?

fog? ?ahead,? ?like? ?an? ?old? ?temple? ?of? ?the? ?deep? ?mountains.? ?When? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?approached? ?and? ?looked? ?

closer,? ?his? ?eyes? ?widened? ?slightly.? ?

?

It? ?was...? ?a? ?Crown? ?Prince? ?temple.? ?

?

Of? ?course,? ?it? ?was? ?a? ?broken? ?down? ?Temple? ?of? ?the? ?Crown? ?Prince.? ?It? ?had? ?already? ?suffered? ?the? ?pillage? ?

of? ?thugs,? ?the? ?establishment? ?plaque? ?fallen? ?on? ?the? ?ground,? ?broken? ?in? ?half.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?paused? ?in? ?front? ?

of? ?the? ?temple? ?entrance? ?for? ?a? ?moment,? ?then? ?he? ?lifted? ?his? ?feet? ?and? ?crossed? ?over? ?that? ?piece? ?of? ?

broken? ?establishment? ?plaque? ?and? ?entered? ?the? ?temple.? ?The? ?divine? ?statue? ?within? ?the? ?great? ?hall? ?had? ?

also? ?long? ?since? ?vanished,? ?perhaps? ?smashed? ?or? ?burnt,? ?or? ?thrown? ?into? ?the? ?sea.? ?The? ?altar? ?was? ?

empty? ?and? ?desolate,? ?only? ?the? ?burnt? ?base? ?of? ?the? ?statue? ?remained.? ?On? ?either? ?side,? ?the? ?“Body? ?in? ?

Abyss,? ?Heart? ?in? ?Paradise”? ?were? ?slashed? ?some? ?thirty? ?times,? ?just? ?like? ?a? ?beautiful? ?woman? ?whose? ?

face? ?was? ?cut? ?by? ?knives,? ?no? ?longer? ?beautiful,? ?only? ?chillingly? ?savage.? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?kept? ?his? ?composure? ?and? ?sat? ?down? ?on? ?the? ?ground? ?inside? ?the? ?great? ?hall,? ?waiting? ?for? ?White? ?

No-Face? ?to? ?appear.? ?After? ?one? ?incense? ?time,? ?a? ?figure? ?really? ?did? ?appear? ?from? ?within? ?the? ?beguiling? ?

fog? ?outside? ?the? ?temple.? ?

?

However,? ?this? ?figure? ?wasn’t? ?right;? ?it? ?wasn’t? ?as? ?at? ?ease? ?as? ?White? ?No-Face,? ?and? ?the? ?sound? ?of? ?their? ?

steps? ?was? ?wrong? ?too,? ?much? ?more? ?hurried,? ?not? ?like? ?White? ?No-Face’s? ?silent? ?creeping.? ?So,? ?the? ?one? ?

approaching? ?must? ?definitely? ?not? ?be? ?White? ?No-Face,? ?nor? ?anyone? ?he? ?knew.? ?

?

Then,? ?who? ?could? ?it? ?be?? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?was? ?tense? ?and? ?alarmed,? ?and? ?only? ?saw? ?clearly? ?when? ?that? ?person? ?ta-ta-ta-ed? ?and? ?finally? ?

rushed? ?into? ?the? ?Temple? ?of? ?the? ?Crown? ?Prince.? ?Unfortunately,? ?the? ?person? ?who? ?arrived? ?didn’t? ?match? ?

any? ?of? ?his? ?guesses? ?at? ?all? ?–? ?no? ?matter? ?how? ?he? ?studied? ?him? ?he? ?was? ?only? ?a? ?passerby? ?without? ?any? ?

flaws.? ?

?

But? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?still? ?didn’t? ?relax? ?his? ?guard;? ?who? ?knows? ?if? ?this? ?could? ?be? ?White? ?No-Face’s? ?disguise?? ? ?

?

In? ?a? ?wild,? ?barren? ?mountain,? ?within? ?a? ?broken? ?down? ?Taoist? ?temple,? ?to? ?suddenly? ?run? ?into? ?someone,? ?

Xie? ?Lian? ?was? ?guarded? ?against? ?the? ?other,? ?the? ?other? ?was? ?also? ?guarded? ?against? ?Xie? ?Lian.? ?A? ?brief? ?

moment? ?later,? ?he? ?finally? ?ventured? ?to? ?ask,? ?“This...? ?daozhang?? ?Do? ?you? ?know? ?what? ?this? ?place? ?is?”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?knitted? ?his? ?brows? ?slightly? ?and? ?looked? ?up,? ?“You? ?don’t? ?know? ?what? ?this? ?place? ?is?? ?Then? ?how? ?

did? ?you? ?come? ?here?”? ? ?

?

“I? ?got? ?lost!”? ?That? ?man? ?said,? ?“I? ?walked? ?around? ?and? ?around? ?but? ?I? ?just? ?can’t? ?seem? ?to? ?get? ?out!”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?knew? ?that? ?this? ?wasn’t? ?getting? ?lost? ?at? ?all.? ?If? ?this? ?man? ?wasn’t? ?White? ?No-Face? ?in? ?disguise,? ?

then? ?he? ?was? ?most? ?likely? ?lured? ?in? ?by? ?something.? ?

?

“Don’t? ?go? ?around? ?anymore,? ?you’re? ?not? ?going? ?to? ?be? ?able? ?to? ?get? ?out.”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?said.? ?

?

“Huh?? ?What? ?are? ?you? ?saying?”? ? ?

?

However,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?didn’t? ?respond? ?anymore? ?and? ?continued? ?his? ?meditation.? ?If? ?he? ?was? ?lured? ?in? ?by? ?

White? ?No-Face,? ?then? ?panicking? ?would? ?be? ?pointless.? ?If? ?he? ?wouldn’t? ?let? ?anyone? ?go? ?then? ?there? ?was? ?

no? ?point? ?in? ?trying? ?to? ?escape,? ?so? ?it’d? ?be? ?better? ?instead? ?if? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?just? ?waited? ?quietly? ?to? ?see? ?what? ?he? ?

planned? ?on? ?doing.? ?

?

That? ?man? ?was? ?also? ?tired? ?from? ?running? ?around,? ?so? ?he? ?sat? ?on? ?the? ?side? ?to? ?rest,? ?the? ?two? ?at? ?peace? ?

with? ?each? ?other.? ?It? ?didn’t? ?take? ?long? ?before? ?another? ?figure? ?appeared? ?from? ?within? ?the? ?beguiling? ?fog,? ?

entering? ?the? ?temple,? ?and? ?it? ?was? ?another? ?confused? ?traveler.? ?Seeing? ?that? ?there? ?were? ?people? ?inside? ?

the? ?temple.? ?He? ?quickly? ?approached,? ?“Hey? ?buddies!? ?May? ?I? ?ask? ?what? ?this? ?place? ?is?”? ? ?

?

Those? ?two? ?travelers? ?started? ?chatting,? ?and? ?a? ?premonition? ?started? ?growing? ?in? ?Xie? ?Lian’s? ?mind.? ? ?

?

Sure? ?enough,? ?it? ?didn’t? ?take? ?two? ?hours? ?before? ?over? ?ten? ?people? ?came? ?to? ?this? ?Temple? ?of? ?the? ?Crown? ?

Prince? ?one? ?after? ?the? ?other.? ?Men,? ?women,? ?seniors,? ?children,? ?all? ?kinds;? ?some? ?by? ?themselves,? ?some? ?

in? ?groups? ?of? ?three? ?or? ?four,? ?some? ?were? ?whole? ?families,? ?and? ?most? ?of? ?them? ?came? ?because? ?they? ?

were? ?lost.? ?The? ?reason? ?they? ?got? ?lost? ?were? ?also? ?innumerous? ?and? ?bizarre,? ?some? ?were? ?even? ?just? ?

strolling? ?down? ?city? ?streets? ?and? ?they? ?could? ?get? ?lost? ?all? ?the? ?way? ?over? ?here,? ?exceedingly? ?incredible.? ?

Inside? ?this? ?temple,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?even? ?saw? ?that? ?street? ?performer? ?who? ?was? ?adamant? ?in? ?competing? ?

against? ?him? ?with? ?the? ?boulder? ?shattering? ?trick.? ?He? ?didn’t? ?look? ?very? ?good;? ?it? ?seemed? ?the? ?competition? ?

last? ?time? ?injured? ?him? ?significantly.? ?The? ?two? ?saw? ?each? ?other? ?but? ?didn’t? ?say? ?a? ?word,? ?and? ?only? ?

nodded? ?their? ?heads.? ?

?

It? ?was? ?easy? ?to? ?see? ?that? ?these? ?were? ?all? ?ordinary? ?people,? ?and,? ?they? ?were? ?all? ?brought? ?here? ?into? ?the? ?

deep? ?mountains? ?intentionally? ?by? ?White? ?No-Face!? ?

?

The? ?alarm? ?in? ?Xie? ?Lian’s? ?head? ?was? ?becoming? ?louder? ?and? ?louder? ?but? ?still? ?he? ?didn’t? ?move.? ?He? ?dug? ?

out? ?a? ?cold? ?steamed? ?bun? ?and? ?bit? ?into? ?it? ?forcefully,? ?chewed? ?forcefully,? ?then? ?swallowed? ?forcefully.? ?He? ?

must? ?store? ?all? ?of? ?his? ?energy? ?in? ?order? ?to? ?face? ?a? ?big? ?battle? ?that? ?was? ?surely? ?coming.? ? ?

?

Four? ?hours? ?later,? ?this? ?Temple? ?of? ?the? ?Crown? ?Prince? ?was? ?bursting? ?with? ?“lost”? ?people? ?from? ?inside? ?out.? ?

Xie? ?Lian? ?had? ?counted? ?silently;? ?there? ?was? ?about? ?a? ?hundred? ?of? ?them.? ?Not? ?a? ?single? ?one? ?would? ?be? ?

able? ?to? ?get? ?out? ?of? ?these? ?woods.? ?

?

When? ?there? ?was? ?a? ?crowd,? ?there’d? ?be? ?bustling? ?noise,? ?and? ?everyone? ?started? ?chatting,? ?“Did? ?you? ?also? ?

end? ?up? ?here? ?for? ?no? ?reason?? ?This? ?reeks? ?of? ?evil!”? ? ?

?

Someone? ?suggested,? ?“Why? ?don’t? ?we? ?go? ?try? ?and? ?find? ?a? ?way? ?out? ?again?”? ? ?

?

Someone? ?immediately? ?agreed,? ?“Let’s? ?go,? ?let’s? ?go,? ?I? ?refuse? ?to? ?believe? ?that? ?with? ?so? ?many? ?of? ?us,? ?not? ?

a? ?single? ?one? ?was? ?able? ?to? ?get? ?out!”? ? ?

?

However,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?who? ?was? ?sitting? ?in? ?the? ?corner? ?abruptly? ?looked? ?up,? ?“It? ?won’t? ?matter? ?however? ?

much? ?you? ?walk.? ?There? ?is? ?no? ?exit.”? ? ?

?

The? ?crowd? ?looked? ?to? ?him,? ?“How? ?come?”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?said? ?bitterly,? ?“Because? ?you? ?were? ?all? ?lead? ?here? ?by? ?a? ?monster.? ?You’re? ?all? ?his? ?toys,? ?so? ?why? ?

would? ?he? ?let? ?you? ?all? ?go? ?so? ?easily?”? ? ?

?

“...”? ?

?

Within? ?the? ?crowd,? ?there? ?were? ?some? ?who? ?thought? ?he? ?was? ?exaggerating,? ?some? ?who? ?thought? ?he? ?

was? ?mental,? ?and? ?some? ?who? ?thought? ?he? ?shouldn’t? ?be? ?underestimated.? ?Someone? ?stood? ?up,? ?“Who? ?

are? ?you?? ?What? ?basis? ?do? ?you? ?have? ?to? ?say? ?such? ?a? ?thing?”? ? ?

?

“He? ?seems? ?to? ?be? ?the? ?first? ?one? ?here.? ?When? ?I? ?came? ?he? ?was? ?already? ?sitting? ?there.”? ?

?

“Weird...”? ?

?

“Yea,? ?and? ?his? ?face? ?is? ?covered? ?too.”? ? ?

?

“Do? ?you? ?have? ?any? ?proof?”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?said? ?quietly,? ?“There? ?is? ?no? ?proof.? ?It? ?doesn’t? ?matter? ?if? ?you? ?all? ?believe? ?it? ?or? ?not.? ?That? ?monster? ?

certainly? ?didn’t? ?lure? ?you? ?all? ?here? ?to? ?invite? ?you? ?in? ?for? ?a? ?meal.? ?I? ?don’t? ?think? ?I? ?need? ?to? ?tell? ?you? ?all? ?to? ?be? ?

a? ?little? ?more? ?careful.”? ? ?

?

Just? ?as? ?he? ?finished? ?speaking,? ?before? ?anyone? ?responded,? ?the? ?sounds? ?of? ?rushing? ?footsteps? ?came? ?

from? ?the? ?far? ?distance.? ?Everyone? ?instantly? ?perked? ?up,? ?“Another? ?one’s? ?coming!”? ? ?

?

There? ?was? ?immediately? ?those? ?who? ?wanted? ?to? ?go? ?out? ?and? ?check? ?it? ?out,? ?but? ?just? ?as? ?they? ?crossed? ?

over? ?the? ?temple? ?threshold? ?they? ?hastily? ?slipped? ?back,? ?since,? ?what? ?accompanied? ?that? ?running? ?noise? ?

were? ?waves? ?of? ?crazed? ?screaming.? ?

?

That? ?screaming? ?voice? ?didn’t? ?sound? ?human? ?at? ?all,? ?and? ?everyone’s? ?faces? ?dropped,? ?all? ?backing? ?into? ?

the? ?temple,? ?“What? ?the? ?heck,? ?who? ?could? ?that? ?be?? ?It’s? ?not? ?some? ?beast,? ?is? ?it??”? ? ?

?

As? ?that? ?figure? ?within? ?the? ?beguiling? ?fog? ?fast? ?approached,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?narrowed? ?his? ?eyes,? ?“No,? ?that’s? ?

indeed? ?a? ?person!”? ?

?

Only,? ?that? ?person? ?was? ?running? ?in? ?their? ?direction? ?and? ?howling? ?deafeningly? ?at? ?the? ?same? ?time,? ?his? ?

hands? ?covering? ?his? ?face.? ?Seeing? ?that? ?he? ?was? ?about? ?to? ?run? ?into? ?the? ?temple? ?at? ?any? ?second,? ?Xie? ?

Lian? ?squeezed? ?through? ?the? ?crowd? ?and? ?stood? ?at? ?the? ?front? ?to? ?see? ?just? ?what? ?the? ?situation? ?was,? ?yet? ?it? ?

was? ?as? ?if? ?that? ?man? ?had? ?no? ?eyes,? ?and? ?crashed? ?straight? ?into? ?a? ?tree? ?by? ?the? ?entrance? ?of? ?the? ?Crown? ?

Prince? ?Temple.? ??PANG!? ??and? ?he? ?was? ?bounced? ?back? ?for? ?a? ?good? ?meter,? ?then? ?he? ?fell? ?to? ?the? ?ground? ?

and? ?passed? ?out.? ?

?

The? ?crowd? ?was? ?shocked,? ?and? ?each? ?of? ?them? ?squeezed? ?about,? ?stretching? ?their? ?necks? ?to? ?see,? ?

wondering? ?anxiously,? ?“...What...? ?What’s? ?with? ?that? ?man?”? ? ?

?

Some? ?who? ?were? ?gutsier,? ?including? ?that? ?street? ?performer,? ?were? ?going? ?to? ?go? ?and? ?examine? ?him? ?and? ?

Xie? ?Lian? ?immediately? ?called? ?out,? ?“Don’t? ?go? ?near? ?him!”? ? ?

?

Those? ?people? ?jumped? ?at? ?his? ?sharp? ?tone? ?and? ?asked,? ?“Then? ?what? ?do? ?we? ?do?? ?Just? ?let? ?him? ?lie? ?

there?”? ? ?

?

“?I? ??will? ?go? ?take? ?a? ?look.”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?said.? ?

?

“Then? ?you? ?be? ?careful,? ?yea?”? ?The? ?crowd? ?said.? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?nodded? ?and? ?approached? ?that? ?tree? ?slowly,? ?crouching? ?down,? ?and? ?was? ?about? ?to? ?move? ?the? ?

hand? ?that? ?was? ?covering? ?the? ?man’s? ?face? ?when? ?that? ?man? ?suddenly? ?jumped? ?out? ?and? ?let? ?out? ?two? ?

shrieking? ?cries.? ?

?

That’s? ?right,? ?two? ?shrieking? ?cries.? ?And,? ?it? ?was? ?two? ?sounds? ?that? ?went? ?off? ?at? ?the? ?same? ?time.? ?One? ?

came? ?from? ?his? ?mouth,? ?and? ?the? ?other,? ?came? ?from? ?his? ?face? ?–? ?on? ?the? ?face? ?of? ?that? ?man? ?was? ?another? ?

face!? ?

?

The? ?human? ?face? ?disease!? ?

?

Goosebumps? ?were? ?instantly? ?raised? ?on? ?Xie? ?Lian’s? ?skin,? ?his? ?pupils? ?shrank,? ?and? ?the? ?crowd? ?within? ?

the? ?temple? ?were? ?also? ?stupefied? ?by? ?that? ?horrifying? ?scene.? ?After? ?that? ?man? ?had? ?jumped? ?up,? ?he? ?

dropped? ?his? ?hands? ?and? ?was? ?about? ?to? ?charge? ?to? ?where? ?the? ?people? ?were,? ?but? ?thankfully? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?

was? ?quick? ?with? ?his? ?hands,? ?and? ?he? ?struck? ?out.? ?That? ?face? ?disease? ?victim? ?was? ?instantly? ?sent? ?flying? ?

by? ?his? ?slap? ?to? ?meters? ?away.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?then? ?hastily? ?backed? ?away? ?to? ?shield? ?the? ?entrance? ?of? ?the? ?

temple? ?while? ?the? ?crowd? ?behind? ?him? ?all? ?exclaimed? ?in? ?panic? ?and? ?shock,? ?“I? ?thought? ?this? ?disease? ?only? ?

appeared? ?in? ?the? ?royal? ?capital?? ?So? ?many? ?died? ?in? ?the? ?imperial? ?city,? ?wasn’t? ?that? ?disease? ?

extinguished??”? ?

?

“It’s? ?not? ?real,? ?it? ?can’t? ?be? ?real?? ?Is? ?that? ?really? ?a? ?face? ?on? ?his? ?face??”? ?

?

What? ?was? ?even? ?more? ?horrifying? ?was? ?the? ?next? ?moment,? ?all? ?around? ?came? ?even? ?more? ?wailing,? ?and? ?

over? ?ten? ?wobbling? ?figures? ?came? ?gathering? ?towards? ?the? ?temple.? ?

?

There? ?wasn’t? ?any? ?need? ?to? ?look? ?to? ?know? ?that? ?they? ?were? ?all? ?face? ?disease? ?victims!? ?

?

Someone? ?yelled,? ?“EVERYONE? ?RUN!? ?SPREAD? ?OUT!? ?DON’T? ?LET? ?THEM? ?COME? ?CLOSE!!!”? ?

?

However,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?shouted,? ?“DON’T? ?SPREAD? ?OUT!? ?WHO? ?KNOWS? ?HOW? ?MANY? ?MORE? ?OF? ?

THEM? ?ARE? ?IN? ?THE? ?WOODS!!? ?IF? ?THERE? ?ARE? ?MORE? ?OF? ?THEM? ?OUTSIDE? ?THEN? ?IT’LL? ?ALL? ?

BE? ?OVER!”? ?

?

“Then? ?what? ?do? ?we? ?do??”? ? ?

?

“We? ?can’t? ?just? ?be? ?sitting? ?ducks!”? ?

?

“Isn’t? ?that? ?just? ?waiting? ?for? ?death? ?to? ?come? ?to? ?me??”? ?

?

The? ?branch? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?broke? ?off? ?en? ?route? ?before? ?had? ?always? ?been? ?hung? ?on? ?his? ?waist,? ?and? ?he? ?pulled? ?

it? ?out,? ?wielding? ?it? ?like? ?a? ?sword,? ?“Don’t? ?worry,? ?they? ?can’t? ?come? ?here.? ?Of? ?course? ?I’d? ?get? ?to? ?say? ?

whether? ?if? ?they? ?can? ?come? ?close!”? ? ?

?

This? ?was? ?his? ?domain,? ?the? ?Hall? ?of? ?the? ?Crown? ?Prince!? ?

?

“You...”? ?

?

Not? ?waiting? ?for? ?anyone’s? ?questions,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?leapt? ?out,? ?the? ?branch? ?swun? ?with? ?a? ?swish? ?and? ?in? ?an? ?

instant? ?those? ?face? ?disease? ?victims? ?fell? ?to? ?the? ?ground.? ?This? ?wasn’t? ?hard? ?for? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?at? ?all,? ?

committing? ?his? ?actions? ?to? ?his? ?words,? ?and? ?sure? ?enough? ?none? ?of? ?those? ?freaks? ?could? ?get? ?close.? ?The? ?

crowd? ?within? ?the? ?temple? ?were? ?watching? ?with? ?their? ?breaths? ?held,? ?shaken? ?as? ?the? ?fight? ?went? ?on,? ?and? ?

when? ?they? ?saw? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?won,? ?they? ?all? ?cheered,? ?hollering? ?to? ?thank? ?the? ?heavens.? ? ?

?

At? ?that? ?moment,? ?in? ?the? ?night? ?air? ?within? ?the? ?woods,? ?many? ?ghost? ?fires? ?came? ?drifting,? ?dancing? ?madly? ?

all? ?over,? ?and? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?couldn’t? ?tell? ?if? ?they? ?were? ?helping? ?in? ?driving? ?away? ?those? ?face? ?disease? ?

victims,? ?but? ?either? ?way? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?didn’t? ?think? ?they? ?were? ?obstructing? ?him.? ? ?

?

After? ?making? ?a? ?sweep,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?tried? ?to? ?sheath? ?his? ?sword? ?out? ?of? ?habit,? ?and? ?only? ?when? ?the? ?

scabbard? ?came? ?empty? ?did? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?realize? ?what? ?he? ?was? ?holding? ?in? ?his? ?hand? ?wasn’t? ?a? ?sword? ?but? ?a? ?

tree? ?branch? ?and? ?felt? ?awkward? ?for? ?a? ?moment.? ?The? ?next? ?second,? ?he? ?saw? ?from? ?not? ?far? ?in? ?the? ?

distance? ?a? ?white? ?clad? ?figure? ?waving,? ?beckoning? ?him.? ?Having? ?just? ?fought? ?a? ?battle,? ?Xie? ?Lian’s? ?blood? ?

was? ?still? ?boiling,? ?and? ?he? ?instantly? ?gave? ?chase,? ?“DON’T? ?EVEN? ?THINK? ?ABOUT? ?ESCAPING!”? ?

?

That? ?band? ?of? ?ghost? ?fires? ?also? ?zoomed? ?over? ?and? ?followed? ?after? ?him? ?to? ?charge? ?forward,? ?like? ?they? ?

were? ?lighting? ?his? ?way.? ?Naturally,? ?White? ?No-Face? ?wasn’t? ?going? ?to? ?escape,? ?and? ?he? ?strolled? ?at? ?an? ?

easy? ?pace,? ?his? ?steps? ?languid,? ?but? ?always? ?ahead? ?by? ?seven? ?to? ?eight? ?feet.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?pursued? ?for? ?a? ?

few? ?feet,? ?but? ?his? ?mind? ?suddenly? ?lit? ?up,? ?and? ?he? ?instantly? ?turned? ?back.? ?Seeing? ?that? ?he? ?wasn’t? ?

chasing? ?anymore,? ?White? ?No-Face? ?stopped,? ?“Why? ?aren’t? ?you? ?following?”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?looked? ?back,? ?“You? ?just? ?want? ?to? ?lead? ?me? ?away? ?in? ?order? ?to? ?spread? ?another? ?round? ?of? ?the? ?

human? ?face? ?disease,? ?so? ?why? ?would? ?I? ?follow? ?after? ?you? ?to? ?let? ?you? ?have? ?your? ?way?”? ? ?

?

However,? ?White? ?No-Face? ?only? ?smiled,? ?“No,? ?you’re? ?mistaken.? ?My? ?objective? ?isn’t? ?“to? ?lead? ?you? ?

away”.? ?My? ?objective? ?is? ?only? ?you.”? ? ?

?

Although? ?with? ?the? ?cry-smiling? ?mask? ?on,? ?his? ?expression? ?was? ?concealed,? ?but? ?for? ?some? ?reason,? ?Xie? ?

Lian? ?could? ?sense? ?he? ?was? ?smiling.? ?

?

Moving? ?him? ?out? ?of? ?the? ?way? ?indeed? ?made? ?no? ?sense.? ?If? ?White? ?No-Face? ?wanted? ?to? ?spread? ?the? ?

human? ?face? ?disease? ?again,? ?he? ?could’ve? ?done? ?so? ?anywhere? ?in? ?the? ?world? ?and? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?wouldn’t? ?be? ?

able? ?to? ?stop? ?him,? ?so? ?why? ?must? ?he? ?do? ?so? ?in? ?this? ?deep? ?mountains?? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?stopped? ?in? ?his? ?step,? ?“Then? ?just? ?what? ?exactly? ?are? ?you? ?planning??”? ? ?

?

He? ?had? ?asked? ?that? ?same? ?question? ?countless? ?times,? ?and? ?was? ?going? ?to? ?lose? ?his? ?patience.? ?White? ?

No-Face? ?replied,? ?“I’ve? ?already? ?told? ?you.? ?I? ?want? ?you? ?to? ?come? ?to? ?my? ?side.”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?pulled? ?out? ?his? ?tree? ?branch? ?and? ?pointed? ?it? ?at? ?him,? ?and? ?while? ?this? ?was? ?not? ?threatening? ?

whatsoever,? ?and? ?even? ?a? ?little? ?funny,? ?it? ?was? ?nevertheless? ?the? ?only? ?weapon? ?he? ?had? ?on? ?hand.? ?Thank? ?

goodness,? ?a? ?particularly? ?bright? ?ball? ?of? ?ghost? ?fire? ?landed? ?on? ?the? ?tip? ?of? ?that? ?branch,? ?and? ?helped? ?

added? ?some? ?battle? ?aura.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?demanded? ?sharply,? ?“What? ?do? ?you? ?want? ?with? ?me? ?on? ?your? ?side?? ?

To? ?take? ?your? ?life?”? ? ?

?

White? ?No-Face? ?only? ?chuckled? ?softly? ?and? ?said? ?warmly,? ?“Your? ?Highness,? ?you? ?are? ?a? ?beautiful? ?block? ?

of? ?jade.? ?Allow? ?me? ?to? ?guide? ?and? ?educate? ?you.”? ?

?

“...”? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?was? ?feeling? ?both? ?incredulous? ?and? ?furious,? ?and? ?he? ?couldn’t? ?help? ?but? ?click? ?his? ?tongue,? ?

“And? ?you? ?think? ?yourself? ?worthy? ?of? ?educating? ?me?? ?My? ?master? ?is? ?the? ?Guoshi? ?of? ?XianLe,? ?and? ?what? ?

the? ?heck? ?are? ?you??? ?Where? ?did? ?you? ?come? ?from,? ?you? ?monster!”? ? ?

?

White? ?No-Face? ?extended? ?a? ?finger? ?and? ?waved? ?it,? ?“You’re? ?mistaken? ?again.? ?Your? ?Highness,? ?perhaps? ?

it? ?is? ?better? ?to? ?say? ?that? ?in? ?this? ?world,? ?only? ?I? ?am? ?worthy? ?to? ?educate? ?you.? ?Your? ?master?? ?The? ?Guoshi? ?of? ?

XianLe?”? ? ?

?

His? ?voice? ?became? ?arrogant? ?and? ?condescending,? ?“Before? ?me,? ?that? ?creature? ?isn’t? ?worth? ?

mentioning.? ?On? ?the? ?contrary,? ?you’ve? ?been? ?taking? ?in? ?very? ?well? ?the? ?things? ?I’ve? ?been? ?teaching? ?you.”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?spat? ?angrily,? ?“What? ?did? ?you? ?teach? ?me?? ?What? ?nonsense? ?are? ?you? ?spewing?? ?I? ?don’t? ?

understand? ?at? ?all!”? ? ?

?

White? ?No-Face? ?humphed? ?mockingly,? ?“The? ?first? ?thing? ?I? ?taught? ?you? ?was:? ?You? ?are? ?powerless? ?in? ?the? ?

face? ?of? ?many? ?things? ?in? ?this? ?world.”? ? ?

?

Hearing? ?this,? ?countless? ?chaotic? ?images? ?and? ?voices? ?flashed? ?through? ?Xie? ?Lian’s? ?mind.? ?At? ?last,? ?he? ?

gritted? ?his? ?teeth? ?and? ?lunged? ?his? ?‘sword’,? ?but? ?White? ?No-Face? ?easily? ?evaded,? ?“The? ?second? ?thing–”? ?

?

He? ?seized? ?Xie? ?Lian,? ?making? ?him? ?lose? ?his? ?balance? ?and? ?almost? ?tripped,? ?and? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?felt? ?a? ?hand? ?

pet? ?the? ?top? ?of? ?his? ?head,? ?“You? ?want? ?to? ?save? ?the? ?common? ?people,? ?do? ?you?? ?The? ?common? ?people? ?

don’t? ?need? ?to? ?be? ?saved? ?by? ?you.? ?They? ?aren’t? ?worthy.”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian’s? ?movement? ?faltered? ?for? ?a? ?moment,? ?and? ?slapped? ?away? ?that? ?hand,? ?turning? ?around? ?and? ?

stabbed? ?again.? ??PA!?? ?White? ?No-Face? ?snapped? ?the? ?branch? ?in? ?his? ?hand,? ?blitzed? ?behind? ?his? ?person,? ?

and? ?two? ?ice? ?cold? ?fingers? ?were? ?already? ?placed? ?on? ?the? ?two? ?fatal? ?points? ?behind? ?his? ?head!? ?

?

With? ?those? ?two? ?prodding? ?fingers,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?felt? ?like? ?his? ?brain? ?was? ?going? ?to? ?be? ?pierced? ?at? ?any? ?

moment? ?and? ?he? ?froze.? ?A? ?voice? ?came? ?from? ?behind,? ?“If? ?you? ?don’t? ?come? ?to? ?my? ?side,? ?then? ?you? ?will? ?

never? ?win? ?against? ?me,? ?and? ?you? ?will? ?always? ?be? ?defeated? ?by? ?me.”? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?panted? ?and? ?said? ?darkly,? ?“...Come? ?at? ?me? ?anytime!”? ?

?

After? ?a? ?pause,? ?he? ?slowly? ?enunciated? ?each? ?word,? ?“It’s? ?only? ?right? ?now? ?that? ?I? ?can’t? ?win.? ?You? ?can? ?

defeat? ?me? ?countless? ?times,? ?but? ?you? ?can’t? ?kill? ?me.? ?As? ?long? ?as? ?you? ?can’t? ?kill? ?me,? ?one? ?day,? ?I? ?will? ?

surely? ?defeat? ?you!”? ? ?

?

When? ?that? ?ghost? ?fire? ?heard? ?his? ?words,? ?it? ?blazed? ?even? ?more? ?ferociously,? ?like? ?it? ?was? ?going? ?to? ?

brighten? ?the? ?entire? ?night? ?sky.? ?Behind? ?him,? ?White? ?No-Face? ?was? ?silent? ?for? ?a? ?while,? ?then? ?he? ?asked,? ?“I? ?

can’t? ?kill? ?you?”? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?held? ?his? ?breath? ?and? ?didn’t? ?speak.? ?

?

In? ?truth,? ?he? ?didn’t? ?know? ?just? ?how? ?tough? ?this? ?undying? ?body? ?Jun? ?Wu? ?granted? ?him? ?was? ?either.? ?If? ?

White? ?No-Face? ?really? ?did? ?smash? ?through? ?his? ?skull? ?in? ?a? ?moment? ?of? ?fury,? ?would? ?he? ?still? ?be? ?alive?? ?

?

Just? ?then,? ?White? ?No-Face? ?said? ?quietly,? ?“Indeed,? ?I? ?can’t? ?kill? ?you.? ?But? ?I? ?won’t? ?kill? ?you? ?either.? ?Only,? ?

don’t? ?be? ?too? ?confident? ?now.? ?I? ?hope,? ?you? ?won’t? ?have? ?regrets? ?over? ?this? ?later.”? ? ?

?

Regret?? ?Why? ?would? ?he? ?regret?? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?hadn’t? ?yet? ?figured? ?it? ?out? ?when? ?a? ?hand? ?chopped? ?violently? ?on? ?his? ?neck,? ?and? ?instantly? ?his? ?

sight? ?sank? ?into? ?darkness.? ?

?

Within? ?the? ?darkness,? ?there? ?seemed? ?to? ?be? ?light? ?and? ?warmth? ?coming? ?from? ?some? ?distance? ?ahead.? ?

Xie? ?Lian? ?moved? ?towards? ?the? ?light,? ?and? ?came? ?to? ?little? ?by? ?little.? ?

?

He? ?opened? ?his? ?eyes? ?slowly,? ?and? ?the? ?first? ?thing? ?that? ?came? ?within? ?his? ?vision? ?was? ?a? ?ball? ?of? ?ghost? ?fire? ?

above? ?him.? ?It? ?seemed,? ?the? ?light? ?and? ?warm? ?he? ?felt? ?while? ?he? ?was? ?unconscious? ?came? ?from? ?it.? ?

?

Seeing? ?he’d? ?woken,? ?that? ?ghost? ?fire? ?immediately? ?came? ?pressing? ?over,? ?then? ?it? ?seemed? ?to? ?have? ?

thought? ?coming? ?too? ?close? ?to? ?him? ?wasn’t? ?acceptable? ?and? ?backed? ?off? ?slightly.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?kept? ?feeling? ?

this? ?ball? ?of? ?ghost? ?fire? ?seemed? ?particularly? ?exceptional.? ?If? ?he? ?remembered? ?correctly,? ?the? ?one? ?who? ?

created? ?a? ?formation? ?to? ?block? ?him? ?was? ?also? ?it.? ?He? ?wanted? ?to? ?reach? ?out? ?and? ?poke? ?at? ?it,? ?yet? ?

unexpectedly,? ?his? ?hand? ?couldn’t? ?move? ?at? ?all.? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?was? ?perplexed? ?and? ?instantly? ?snapped? ?out? ?of? ?it.? ?He? ?dropped? ?his? ?head? ?to? ?look? ?and? ?only? ?

then? ?did? ?he? ?discover? ?the? ?reason? ?why? ?he? ?couldn’t? ?move? ?his? ?hand.? ?All? ?of? ?his? ?arms? ?and? ?legs? ?were? ?

bound.? ?

?

He? ?was? ?firmly? ?tied? ?down? ?upon? ?the? ?altar,? ?that? ?broken? ?base? ?of? ?the? ?statue? ?under? ?his? ?body.? ?There? ?

were? ?many? ?people? ?squeezed? ?below? ?the? ?altar,? ?and? ?pairs? ?after? ?pairs? ?of? ?round,? ?unblinking? ?eyes? ?

were? ?watching? ?him.? ?

?

?

————-? ?

?

Ch.190:? ?Heart? ?Pierced? ?By? ?a? ?Hundred? ?Swords;? ?Savage? ?Ghost? ?Takes? ?Form? ?

TW:? ?Violence? ?

?

Why? ?were? ?they? ?all? ?staring? ?at? ?him? ?like? ?that?? ?

?

Suddenly,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?heard? ?a? ?whisper? ?from? ?the? ?side,? ?“So? ?similar..”? ?

?

“It’s? ?not? ?just? ?similar...? ?it’s? ?the? ?exact? ?same!”? ?

?

“Is? ?it? ?really? ?him?”? ?

?

Someone? ?bluntly? ?asked,? ?“You? ?are...? ?that? ?prince?”? ?

?

Out? ?of? ?habit,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?started? ?to? ?say,? ?“I’m? ?not...”? ?

?

Yet,? ?before? ?he? ?could? ?finish,? ?he? ?realized? ?that? ?the? ?white? ?silk? ?that? ?he? ?used? ?to? ?cover? ?his? ?face? ?had? ?

been? ?undone.? ?In? ?this? ?moment,? ?the? ?thing? ?that? ?had? ?him? ?completely? ?tied? ?down? ?was? ?that? ?exact? ?white? ?

silk.? ?His? ?face? ?was? ?now? ?fully? ?exposed? ?in? ?front? ?of? ?the? ?crowd? ?before? ?him.? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian’s? ?heart? ?felt? ?as? ?if? ?it? ?was? ?dangled? ?by? ?a? ?single? ?thread,? ?but? ?he? ?steeled? ?himself? ?and? ?met? ?those? ?

gazes.? ?

?

He? ?didn’t? ?know? ?if? ?it? ?was? ?just? ?his? ?imagination,? ?but? ?he? ?saw? ?a? ?tinge? ?of? ?suspicion? ?stirring? ?inside? ?the? ?

looks? ?that? ?they? ?gave? ?him.? ?But,? ?at? ?least,? ?perhaps? ?due? ?to? ?the? ?imminent? ?danger? ?at? ?hand,? ?those? ?eyes? ?

didn’t? ?bear? ?any? ?hatred? ?or? ?anger? ?as? ?he? ?had? ?feared.? ?However,? ?in? ?the? ?next? ?second,? ?a? ?wave? ?of? ?

inhuman? ?howls? ?sounded? ?from? ?outside? ?the? ?temple.? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?whipped? ?his? ?head? ?around? ?and? ?discovered? ?that? ?the? ?source? ?of? ?the? ?howl? ?came? ?from? ?the? ?

face? ?diseased? ?infectees? ?that? ?he? ?had? ?previously? ?been? ?knocked? ?down.? ?They? ?had? ?somehow? ?

regained? ?their? ?footing? ?and? ?their? ?number? ?increased? ?in? ?folds.? ?Hand? ?in? ?hand,? ?they? ?circled? ?outside? ?of? ?

the? ?Crown? ?Prince? ?temple? ?while? ?chanting.? ?One? ?couldn’t? ?tell? ?if? ?they? ?were? ?performing? ?a? ?horrifying? ?

ritual? ?or? ?whether? ?if? ?they? ?were? ?purely? ?dancing? ?as? ?the? ?crazed? ?demons? ?they? ?were.? ?The? ?crowd? ?inside? ?

the? ?temple? ?huddled? ?together? ?in? ?absolute? ?terror.? ?A? ?young? ?child? ?broke? ?out? ?in? ?cries? ?and? ?the? ?parents? ?

took? ?him? ?into? ?their? ?arms? ?while? ?covering? ?his? ?eyes? ?and? ?ears.? ?Every? ?face? ?in? ?the? ?room? ?was? ?stricken? ?

with? ?horror,? ?“What? ?do? ?we? ?do?? ?What? ?do? ?we? ?do?”? ?

?

“Would? ?these? ?people? ?be? ?able? ?to? ?break? ?in...”? ?

?

“Even? ?if? ?they? ?don’t? ?charge? ?in,? ?since? ?they’re? ?so? ?close,? ?would? ?we? ?also? ?get? ?infected?...? ?What? ?will? ?we? ?

do? ?if? ?we? ?accidentally? ?get? ?infected?!”? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?fought? ?against? ?his? ?bindings? ?but? ?wasn’t? ?able? ?to? ?loosen? ?it? ?in? ?the? ?slightest.? ?It? ?seemed? ?that? ?

this? ?white? ?silk? ?had? ?already? ?been? ?tampered? ?with? ?and? ?had? ?probably? ?been? ?injected? ?with? ?spiritual? ?

power.? ?With? ?veins? ?visibly? ?seen? ?on? ?his? ?forehead? ?from? ?the? ?continuous? ?struggle,? ?he? ?roared,? ?“White? ?

No-Face!”? ?

?

No? ?response? ?came,? ?instead? ?an? ?icy? ?cold? ?hand? ?patted? ?his? ?head.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?froze,? ?goosebumps? ?

rising.? ?The? ?scene? ?that? ?he? ?saw? ?as? ?he? ?turned? ?his? ?head? ?made? ?him? ?paralyzed.? ? ?

?

No? ?wonder? ?the? ?people? ?below? ?him? ?were? ?giving? ?him? ?strange? ?stares? ?—? ?not? ?only? ?was? ?his? ?face? ?

exposed,? ?but? ?White? ?No-face? ?was? ?also? ?seated? ?right? ?behind? ?him,? ?in? ?the? ?darkness.? ? ?

?

In? ?front? ?of? ?such? ?an? ?eccentric? ?character? ?dressed? ?in? ?white? ?robes,? ?no? ?one? ?dare? ?to? ?let? ?out? ?a? ?single? ?

breath,? ?let? ?alone? ?move? ?carelessly.? ?As? ?a? ?result,? ?White? ?No-Face? ?barely? ?regarded? ?them? ?as? ?anything? ?

and? ?under? ?everyone’s? ?watchful? ?eyes,? ?he? ?helped? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?up.? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?came? ?up? ?to? ?a? ?sitting? ?position? ?from? ?where? ?he? ?laid.? ?Sitting? ?on? ?top? ?of? ?the? ?altar,? ?it? ?seemed? ?as? ?

if? ?he? ?was? ?a? ?bound? ?living? ?statue.? ?Aside? ?from? ?moving? ?his? ?eyes? ?and? ?neck,? ?he? ?wasn’t? ?able? ?to? ?do? ?

anything? ?else.? ?

?

Although? ?the? ?situation? ?was? ?beyond? ?eerie,? ?the? ?howling? ?face? ?disease? ?infectees? ?outside? ?were? ?more? ?

terrifying.? ?The? ?attention? ?of? ?the? ?crowd? ?below? ?quickly? ?returned? ?to? ?the? ?disfigured? ?creatures? ?outside.? ?

Someone? ?muttered,? ?“...From? ?what? ?I? ?heard,? ?I’ve? ?heard? ?anyone? ?living? ?within? ?the? ?same? ?district? ?can? ?

infect? ?each? ?other,? ?this? ?disease? ?spreads? ?exceedingly? ?fast!? ?Being? ?this? ?close? ?in? ?proximity,? ?it’s? ?

inevitable!”? ?

?

At? ?the? ?thought? ?that? ?they? ?would? ?soon? ?fall? ?victim? ?to? ?the? ?horrifying? ?plague,? ?a? ?sea? ?of? ?despair? ?filled? ?the? ?

temple.? ?One? ?person? ?suggested,? ?“Why? ?don’t? ?a? ?few? ?of? ?us? ?go? ?out? ?and? ?knock? ?down? ?some? ?of? ?these? ?

disfigured? ?creatures? ?and? ?create? ?an? ?opening? ?for? ?the? ?rest? ?of? ?the? ?folks? ?to? ?escape?”? ?

?

However,? ?aside? ?from? ?whether? ?they? ?would? ?even? ?be? ?able? ?to? ?kill? ?so? ?many? ?freaks,? ?anyone? ?that? ?went? ?

forth? ?would? ?certainly? ?be? ?infected? ?with? ?the? ?face? ?disease.? ?This? ?was? ?a? ?primary? ?example? ?of? ?sacrificing? ?

one’s? ?life? ?to? ?save? ?others.? ?With? ?such? ?an? ?obvious? ?fate,? ?who? ?would? ?willingly? ?volunteer?? ?No? ?one? ?

would.? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?would,? ?if? ?he? ?could.? ?However,? ?he? ?was? ?being? ?restrained? ?by? ?White? ?No-Face? ?at? ?the? ?moment.? ?

Although? ?he? ?could? ?knock? ?down? ?seven? ?or? ?eight? ?of? ?them? ?at? ?a? ?time,? ?but? ?with? ?seventeen? ?or? ?eighteen? ?

of? ?them,? ?it? ?would? ?be? ?hard? ?to? ?stop? ?them? ?all.? ?There? ?would? ?bound? ?to? ?be? ?one? ?that? ?would? ?break? ?

through? ?and? ?rush? ?into? ?the? ?Crown? ?Prince? ?temple.? ?As? ?for? ?trying? ?to? ?kill? ?White? ?No-Face?? ?He? ?would? ?be? ?

a? ?fool? ?to? ?consider? ?that.? ?

?

However,? ?they? ?needed? ?someone? ?to? ?calm? ?everyone? ?down.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?gathered? ?his? ?composure? ?and? ?

spoke? ?calmly,? ?“Everyone,? ?please? ?don’t? ?do? ?anything? ?rash!? ?It? ?won’t? ?spread? ?that? ?fast,? ?we? ?still? ?have? ?

time? ?to? ?think? ?of? ?a? ?solution.”? ?

?

But? ?just? ?by? ?saying? ?“It? ?won’t? ?spread? ?that? ?fast”? ?won’t? ?be? ?enough? ?to? ?convince? ?them? ?fully.? ?

?

Surprisingly,? ?the? ?one? ?who? ?lifted? ?the? ?despair? ?was? ?none? ?other? ?than? ?White? ?No-Face.? ?He? ?stated? ?icily,? ?

“There? ?is? ?a? ?way? ?to? ?get? ?rid? ?of? ?and? ?cure? ?the? ?face? ?disease.”? ?

?

As? ?soon? ?as? ?the? ?words? ?left? ?his? ?mouth,? ?the? ?crowd? ?of? ?people? ?snapped? ?their? ?heads? ?up,? ?“It? ?can? ?be? ?

cured?? ?How?!”? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?felt? ?his? ?heart? ?stop.? ?White? ?No-Face? ?mused? ?leisurely,? ?“Why? ?don’t? ?you? ?ask? ?His? ?Highness?? ?

His? ?Highness? ?knows? ?the? ?method.”? ?

?

All? ?of? ?a? ?sudden,? ?the? ?hundred? ?pairs? ?of? ?eyes? ?zoomed? ?in? ?on? ?Xie? ?Lian.? ?The? ?sharpness? ?of? ?the? ?gazes? ?

made? ?him? ?instinctively? ?recoil,? ?but? ?he? ?was? ?blocked? ?by? ?White? ?No-Face,? ?who? ?shoved? ?him? ?forward? ?

instead.? ?He? ?could? ?hear? ?the? ?hopeful? ?voices? ?of? ?a? ?few,? ?“Your? ?Highness,? ?do? ?you? ?really? ?know?”? ?

?

Before? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?could? ?answer,? ?someone? ?else? ?shouted? ?excitedly,? ?“I’ve? ?heard? ?from? ?somebody? ?that? ?

he? ?does? ?know!”? ?

?

There? ?were? ?also? ?some? ?with? ?suspicion,? ?“If? ?he? ?knew,? ?then? ?why? ?did? ?the? ?capital? ?still...?? ?Unless,? ?he? ?

knew? ?but? ?didn’t? ?tell? ?anybody?”? ?

?

“Prince,? ?please? ?hurry? ?up? ?and? ?tell? ?us,? ?yea?”? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?denied? ?immediately,? ?“I? ?don’t? ?know!”? ?

?

However,? ?White? ?No-Face? ?insisted,? ?“You? ?lie.”? ?

?

Fueled? ?by? ?anger,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?wanted? ?to? ?rebuke? ?but? ?was? ?afraid? ?that? ?it? ?would? ?instead? ?drive? ?White? ?

No-face? ?to? ?leak? ?more? ?information.? ?Though? ?deep? ?down,? ?he? ?had? ?a? ?feeling? ?that? ?no? ?matter? ?if? ?he? ?

denied? ?it? ?or? ?not,? ?White? ?No-Face? ?would? ?say? ?it? ?regardless.? ?After? ?struggling? ?for? ?a? ?while,? ?he? ?admitted? ?

defeatedly,? ?“There’s...no? ?way.? ?It’s? ?useless!”? ?

?

After? ?a? ?pause,? ?the? ?sea? ?of? ?people? ?started? ?to? ?stir,? ?“What? ?do? ?you? ?mean? ?useless?? ?How? ?would? ?we? ?

know? ?it’s? ?useless? ?if? ?you? ?don’t? ?even? ?tell? ?us?”? ?

?

A? ?drop? ?of? ?cold? ?sweat? ?slid? ?down? ?from? ?his? ?forehead.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?thought,? ?“I? ?really? ?can’t? ?say? ?it...”? ?

?

He? ?mustn’t!? ?

?

If? ?the? ?truth? ?should? ?ever? ?come? ?to? ?light,? ?then? ?it’ll? ?all? ?be? ?over? ?and? ?done? ?for!? ?

?

Within? ?the? ?crowd,? ?someone? ?had? ?finally? ?become? ?fed? ?up? ?and? ?jumped? ?to? ?their? ?feet,? ?“We’re? ?already? ?

on? ?the? ?doorstep? ?of? ?death,? ?what? ?is? ?there? ?to? ?keep? ?hidden?? ?Unless? ?you? ?want? ?all? ?of? ?us? ?to? ?wait? ?here? ?

like? ?sitting? ?ducks? ?until? ?we? ?die?”? ?

?

In? ?a? ?gentle? ?voice,? ?White? ?No-face? ?offered,? ?“Then,? ?let? ?me? ?tell? ?you.”? ?

?

“Be? ?quiet!”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?yelled.? ?

?

Naturally,? ?his? ?shout? ?didn’t? ?carry? ?a? ?single? ?ounce? ?of? ?threat,? ?and? ?White? ?No-Face? ?ignored? ?him? ?and? ?

continued,? ?“Do? ?you? ?know? ?what? ?kind? ?of? ?people? ?within? ?the? ?capital? ?were? ?the? ?least? ?likely? ?to? ?be? ?

infected? ?with? ?the? ?face? ?disease?”? ?

?

The? ?crowd? ?watched? ?him? ?attentively,? ?although? ?afraid? ?to? ?get? ?close,? ?they? ?couldn’t? ?help? ?but? ?ask,? ?

“Wh-what? ?kind?”? ?

?

White? ?No-Face? ?answered,? ?“Soldiers.”? ?

?

It’s? ?over.? ?

?

White? ?No-Face? ?continued? ?on,? ?“Why? ?is? ?it? ?that? ?it’s? ?the? ?soldiers?? ?Because? ?they? ?all? ?did? ?this? ?one? ?thing.? ?

Yet,? ?this? ?thing,? ?isn’t? ?done? ?by? ?normal? ?citizens,? ?and? ?that’s? ?why? ?the? ?citizens? ?got? ?infected? ?with? ?the? ?

face? ?disease.”? ?

?

The? ?crowd? ?widened? ?their? ?eyes.? ?Holding? ?onto? ?their? ?breaths,? ?they? ?inquired,? ?“and? ?that? ?thing? ?is...?”? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?lunged? ?in? ?his? ?direction,? ?but? ?at? ?most,? ?it? ?was? ?just? ?an? ?effort.? ?Laughing,? ?White? ?No-Face? ?

shoved? ?him? ?back.? ?“What? ?is? ?it? ?you? ?ask?”? ?

?

“Manslaughter.”? ?He? ?hummed.? ?

?

It’s? ?over!!!? ?

?

He? ?actually? ?said? ?it.? ?On? ?top? ?of? ?the? ?altar,? ?Xie? ?Lian’s? ?heart? ?felt? ?cold? ?as? ?ice.? ?After? ?the? ?initial? ?shock,? ?the? ?

people? ?repeated? ?in? ?disbelief,? ?“....manslaughter?? ?You? ?have? ?to? ?kill? ?to? ?be? ?immune?? ?You? ?have? ?to? ?kill? ?

in? ?order? ?to? ?be? ?cured?”? ?

?

“It? ?must? ?be? ?a? ?lie!”? ?

?

Unfortunately? ?wasn’t,? ?it? ?wasn’t.? ?It? ?wasn’t? ?a? ?lie!? ?

?

This? ?was? ?the? ?ultimate? ?truth.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?had? ?verified? ?it? ?himself.? ?The? ?hand? ?stained? ?with? ?blood,? ?the? ?one? ?

that? ?ended? ?a? ?life,? ?was? ?immune? ?to? ?the? ?face? ?disease.? ? ?

?

Nobody? ?had? ?expected? ?this? ?to? ?be? ?the? ?answer? ?to? ?gaining? ?immunity.? ?Dumbstruck,? ?they? ?chattered? ?

among? ?themselves,? ?“How? ?can? ?this? ?be?”? ?

?

“I? ?always? ?thought? ?it? ?was? ?odd? ?since? ?the? ?beginning,? ?but? ?I? ?really? ?haven’t? ?heard? ?of? ?anyone? ?in? ?the? ?

army? ?getting? ?infected? ?with? ?the? ?face? ?disease!? ?I’m? ?afraid? ?that? ?it’s? ?the? ?truth!”? ?

?

“It’s? ?the? ?truth!”? ?

?

“But? ?doesn’t? ?that? ?mean,? ?in? ?order? ?to? ?prevent? ?being? ?infected,? ?we? ?have? ?to? ?go? ?kill? ?someone? ?first?”? ?

?

“Who? ?do? ?we? ?kill?”? ?

?

The? ?person? ?who? ?posed? ?the? ?question? ?immediately? ?got? ?lectured,? ?“what? ?do? ?you? ?mean? ?‘who? ?do? ?we? ?

kill’?? ?Don’t? ?tell? ?me? ?you? ?actually? ?want? ?to? ?kill?”? ?

?

The? ?man? ?didn’t? ?dare? ?to? ?say? ?anything? ?more.? ?However,? ?these? ?hundred? ?pairs? ?of? ?eyes? ?that? ?were? ?

previously? ?filled? ?with? ?simply? ?terror? ?and? ?nothing? ?else? ?now? ?contained? ?many? ?other? ?emotions.? ?Some? ?

with? ?curiously,? ?some? ?with? ?suspicion.? ?

?

This? ?was? ?the? ?situation? ?that? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?feared.? ?Once? ?the? ?cure? ?for? ?face? ?disease? ?had? ?been? ?exposed,? ?

one? ?thing? ?would? ?inevitably? ?happen.? ?

?

The? ?killing? ?of? ?one? ?another.? ?

?

This? ?was? ?the? ?sole? ?reason? ?that? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?had? ?kept? ?the? ?secret? ?to? ?himself? ?after? ?finding? ?out? ?the? ?way? ?to? ?

gain? ?immunity.? ?As? ?long? ?as? ?you? ?kill,? ?then? ?you’d? ?be? ?safe? ?from? ?the? ?disease? ?—? ?perhaps? ?the? ?majority? ?

of? ?people? ?would? ?be? ?able? ?to? ?control? ?themselves,? ?but? ?there? ?would? ?bound? ?to? ?be? ?someone? ?who? ?

would? ?be? ?desperate? ?enough? ?to? ?take? ?the? ?risk.? ?Once? ?the? ?first? ?blood? ?had? ?been? ?spilled? ?to? ?prevent? ?the? ?

disease,? ?it? ?would? ?soon? ?be? ?followed? ?by? ?a? ?second,? ?then? ?a? ?third...? ?

?

As? ?more? ?and? ?more? ?were? ?following? ?suit,? ?the? ?world? ?would? ?be? ?thrown? ?into? ?chaos.? ?If? ?that? ?was? ?the? ?

result,? ?it? ?would? ?be? ?for? ?the? ?better? ?to? ?guard? ?it? ?firmly? ?and? ?not? ?let? ?anyone? ?know.? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?smiled? ?wryly,? ?“Now? ?you? ?understand? ?why? ?I? ?said? ?this? ?method? ?is? ?useless.”? ?

?

The? ?crowd? ?was? ?silent.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?sighed? ?and? ?gathered? ?his? ?spirit.? ?With? ?a? ?gentle? ?tone,? ?he? ?soothed,? ?

“No? ?matter? ?what,? ?please? ?stay? ?calm? ?and? ?don’t? ?act? ?rashly,? ?or? ?else,? ?you’ll? ?play? ?right? ?into? ?this? ?

creature’s? ?hands.”? ?

?

Among? ?the? ?crowd,? ?there? ?was? ?a? ?couple? ?that? ?looked? ?of? ?noble? ?status.? ?With? ?a? ?child? ?wrapped? ?within? ?

her? ?arms,? ?she? ?wailed,? ?“How? ?did? ?it? ?turn? ?out? ?like? ?this?? ?Why? ?did? ?it? ?come? ?to? ?this? ?point?? ?Why? ?does? ?it? ?

have? ?to? ?be? ?us? ?of? ?all? ?people?? ?We? ?never? ?did? ?anything? ?wrong!”? ?

?

A? ?nearby? ?person? ?snapped? ?back,? ?“Cry? ?cry? ?cry,? ?what? ?are? ?you? ?crying? ?for?? ?All? ?you? ?know? ?is? ?cry? ?and? ?

cry!? ?No? ?one? ?here? ?did? ?anything? ?wrong!? ?You? ?think? ?you’re? ?the? ?only? ?unlucky? ?one?”? ?

?

The? ?wife? ?retorted? ?angrily,? ?“What,? ?you’re? ?not? ?even? ?going? ?to? ?let? ?people? ?cry?”? ?

?

“What’s? ?the? ?use? ?of? ?crying? ?to? ?the? ?point? ?that? ?it? ?turns? ?into? ?a? ?nuisance?? ?You? ?might? ?as? ?well? ?shut? ?your? ?

mouth!”? ?

?

It? ?was? ?unbelievable? ?that? ?a? ?fight? ?could? ?break? ?out? ?for? ?such? ?petty? ?reasons.? ?With? ?everyone? ?on? ?the? ?

edge? ?of? ?an? ?emotional? ?breakdown,? ?a? ?small? ?touch? ?would? ?set? ?fire? ?immediately.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?was? ?quick? ?

to? ?pacify,? ?“Stop? ?arguing!? ?Stay? ?calm!? ?Only? ?a? ?calm? ?mind? ?will? ?bring? ?the? ?solution!”? ?

?

However,? ?the? ?more? ?he? ?tried? ?to? ?calm? ?the? ?crowd,? ?the? ?more? ?agitated? ?they? ?became,? ?“Stay? ?calm?? ?

How? ?can? ?we? ?be? ?calm? ?in? ?this? ?sort? ?of? ?situation?? ?If? ?you’re? ?so? ?calm,? ?why? ?don’t? ?you? ?think? ?of? ?

something?? ?Let’s? ?see? ?what? ?you? ?got!”? ?

?

“...”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?was? ?silenced? ?by? ?the? ?question.? ?What? ?kind? ?of? ?solution? ?was? ?there?? ?

?

None!? ?

?

He? ?dug? ?his? ?mind? ?desperately? ?for? ?an? ?answer? ?of? ?something,? ?even? ?to? ?the? ?point? ?of? ?where? ?he? ?felt? ?as? ?if? ?

his? ?mind? ?was? ?on? ?the? ?verge? ?of? ?exploding,? ?he? ?wasn’t? ?able? ?to? ?think? ?of? ?any? ?way? ?to? ?resolve? ?the? ?

situation? ?in? ?front? ?of? ?him!? ?

?

Suddenly,? ?he? ?felt? ?a? ?pinch? ?on? ?the? ?side? ?of? ?his? ?cheek.? ?A? ?hand? ?cupped? ?his? ?face? ?and? ?twisted? ?it? ?to? ?face? ?

the? ?audience? ?below? ?the? ?altar.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?widened? ?his? ?eyes? ?in? ?confusion.? ?An? ?icy? ?cold? ?voice? ?sounded? ?

behind? ?him,? ?“Who? ?to? ?kill?? ?Upon? ?seeing? ?this? ?face,? ?do? ?you? ?still? ?not? ?know? ?who? ?to? ?kill?”? ?

?

“...”? ?

?

With? ?such? ?a? ?question? ?being? ?asked,? ?not? ?only? ?did? ?the? ?movement? ?stop? ?from? ?below? ?the? ?altar,? ?but? ?

even? ?the? ?ring? ?of? ?ghost? ?fires? ?that? ?hung? ?from? ?above? ?had? ?halted.? ?

?

White? ?No-Face? ?reminded? ?them? ?softly,? ?“Did? ?you? ?forget?? ?He? ?is? ?a? ?god.? ?Which? ?means...”? ?

?

Before? ?he? ?could? ?hear? ?the? ?rest,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?felt? ?a? ?wave? ?of? ?coldness? ?washed? ?over? ?his? ?chest.? ?

?

Stunned,? ?he? ?gazed? ?down? ?and? ?saw? ?the? ?tip? ?of? ?a? ?pitch? ?black? ?sword? ?pushing? ?out? ?from? ?his? ?abdomen.? ? ?

?

The? ?blade? ?was? ?long? ?and? ?slender,? ?its? ?body? ?coloured? ?as? ?deep? ?as? ?black? ?jade.? ?The? ?ridge? ?reflected? ?

the? ?light? ?in? ?the? ?form? ?of? ?a? ?crisp? ?silver? ?line.? ?The? ?cold? ?steel? ?was? ?every? ?bit? ?as? ?dangerous? ?and? ?icy? ?as? ?

the? ?coldest? ?winter? ?night.? ?It? ?was? ?without? ?a? ?doubt,? ?a? ?rare? ?and? ?treasured? ?sword.? ?The? ?exact? ?kind? ?that? ?

Xie? ?Lian? ?would? ?wrack? ?his? ?brains? ?on? ?obtaining? ?and? ?never? ?let? ?it? ?leave? ?his? ?grasp.? ?

?

Unable? ?to? ?move? ?his? ?gaze? ?from? ?it,? ?the? ?tip? ?of? ?the? ?sword? ?started? ?to? ?slowly? ?inch? ?back? ?until? ?it? ?

disappeared? ?from? ?his? ?abdomen? ?once? ?again.? ?“—? ?His? ?body? ?...? ?is? ?immortal.”? ?White? ?No-Face? ?

finished.? ?

?

Before? ?anyone? ?had? ?the? ?chance? ?to? ?react,? ?White? ?No-Face? ?has? ?tossed? ?the? ?blade? ?towards? ?them.? ?

CLANG!? ??The? ?point? ?pierced? ?the? ?ground? ?and? ?stood? ?tilted? ?before? ?the? ?numerous? ?pairs? ?of? ?eyes,? ?its? ?

thick,? ?frigid? ?aura? ?slowly? ?seeping? ?out.? ? ?

?

A? ?gush? ?of? ?blood? ?rushed? ?up? ?his? ?throat? ?and? ?the? ?ball? ?of? ?ghost? ?fire? ?flew? ?to? ?him? ?as? ?if? ?trying? ?to? ?cover? ?his? ?

wound.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?choked? ?on? ?the? ?blood? ?and? ?grimaced,? ?“You..You!”? ?

?

There? ?were? ?lights? ?dancing? ?in? ?front? ?of? ?his? ?vision,? ?and? ?as? ?if? ?suddenly? ?enraged,? ?the? ?ghost? ?fire? ?shot? ?

straight? ?at? ?White? ?No-Face.? ?However,? ?the? ?ghost? ?caught? ?it? ?effortlessly? ?and? ?held? ?it? ?captive? ?within? ?his? ?

palm.? ?“Take? ?a? ?good? ?look.”? ?He? ?said.? ?

?

In? ?the? ?next? ?second,? ?with? ?his? ?other? ?hand,? ?he? ?yanked? ?Xie? ?Lian’s? ?face? ?to? ?face? ?him,? ?“What? ?about? ?me?? ?

Aren’t? ?you? ?the? ?one? ?who? ?proclaimed? ?that? ?you? ?wanted? ?to? ?save? ?the? ?common? ?people?”? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?reasoned,? ?“But,? ?But? ?I-I...”? ?

?

But? ?he? ?never? ?thought? ?that? ?under? ?this? ?type? ?of? ?situation,? ?he? ?would? ?use? ?this? ?sort? ?of? ?method? ?to? ?save? ?

people?!? ?

?

Below? ?the? ?altar,? ?there? ?were? ?already? ?people? ?who? ?were? ?scared? ?to? ?tears? ?by? ?the? ?bloody? ?scene,? ?but? ?

there? ?were? ?also? ?others? ?who? ?still? ?daringly? ?watched? ?on,? ?“...He...would? ?he? ?really? ?not? ?die?!”? ?

?

“It’s? ?true...? ?take? ?a? ?look,? ?there’s? ?barely? ?any? ?blood....he’s? ?still? ?alive,? ?still? ?alive? ?and? ?breathing? ?just? ?as? ?

before!”? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?was? ?racked? ?by? ?another? ?intense,? ?painstaking? ?cough.? ?Someone? ?clarified,? ?“So? ?in? ?other? ?

words,? ?even? ?if? ?we? ?kill? ?him,? ?he? ?wouldn’t? ?die?!”? ?

?

“That’s? ?great!”? ?

?

The? ?one? ?who? ?cheered? ?got? ?scolded,? ?“Great?? ?What’s? ?so? ?great? ?about? ?this?”? ?

?

The? ?scolded? ?person? ?said? ?quietly,? ?“Since? ?he? ?wouldn’t? ?be? ?able? ?to? ?die...then? ?don’t? ?we? ?now? ?have? ?a? ?

solution?”? ?

?

“But? ?to? ?stab? ?someone,? ?that’s? ?too...”? ?

?

“But? ?he’s? ?a? ?god!? ?Even? ?if? ?he’s? ?stabbed,? ?he? ?still? ?wouldn’t? ?die!? ?We’re? ?just? ?common? ?folks? ?here.? ?If? ?we? ?

were? ?to? ?get? ?infected? ?with? ?the? ?face? ?disease? ?then? ?our? ?fates? ?are? ?sealed!”? ?

?

Watching? ?the? ?struggle? ?unfold,? ?White? ?No-Face? ?mocked,? ?“The? ?common? ?people? ?are? ?here? ?waiting? ?for? ?

you? ?to? ?save? ?them.? ?Please,? ?go? ?ahead.”? ?

?

Flames? ?of? ?anger? ?lit? ?up? ?in? ?Xie? ?Lian’s? ?eyes.? ?“The? ?only? ?way? ?to? ?save? ?the? ?common? ?people? ?is? ?to? ?

eradicate? ?a? ?twisted? ?monster? ?like? ?you!”? ?

?

White? ?No-Face? ?sneered,? ?“What’s? ?the? ?matter?? ?Your? ?Highness,? ?didn’t? ?you? ?confidently? ?say? ?that? ?you? ?

won’t? ?be? ?able? ?to? ?die?? ?You? ?couldn’t? ?possibly? ?be? ?scared? ?now?? ?Since? ?you? ?won’t? ?be? ?able? ?to? ?die,? ?then? ?

sacrifice? ?yourself? ?and? ?relieve? ?others? ?of? ?their? ?sufferings.? ?Isn’t? ?that? ?a? ?delightful? ?thing?”? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?spat,? ?“Was? ?this? ?your? ?plan? ?all? ?along?? ?You? ?think? ?that? ?everyone? ?in? ?the? ?world? ?is? ?as? ?sadistic? ?

as? ?you?”? ?

?

True? ?to? ?his? ?words,? ?the? ?expressions? ?of? ?the? ?people? ?below? ?weren’t? ?the? ?ecstatic? ?ones? ?that? ?people? ?

wore? ?at? ?the? ?thought? ?of? ?being? ?rescued,? ?instead,? ?it? ?was? ?hesitation.? ?There? ?were? ?conflicting? ?thoughts? ?

and? ?none? ?of? ?them? ?were? ?able? ?to? ?land? ?on? ?the? ?same? ?opinion.? ?Yet,? ?at? ?the? ?same? ?time,? ?no? ?one? ?dared? ?to? ?

pull? ?out? ?the? ?black? ?blade.? ?As? ?if? ?reading? ?his? ?mind,? ?White? ?No-Face? ?laughed? ?out? ?loud.? ?He? ?shook? ?his? ?

head? ?disapprovingly? ?and? ?sighed,? ?“Stupid? ?child,? ?foolish? ?child.”? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?turned? ?away? ?his? ?head? ?and? ?refused? ?to? ?let? ?the? ?other? ?pat? ?him.? ?He? ?barked,? ?“Get? ?lost!”? ?

?

White? ?No-face? ?pitied,? ?“You? ?think? ?they? ?don’t? ?want? ?to? ?do? ?it?? ?Wrong,? ?it’s? ?not? ?that? ?they? ?don’t? ?want? ?to,? ?

it’s? ?solely? ?because? ?no? ?one? ?wants? ?to? ?be? ?the? ?first,? ?that’s? ?all.”? ?

?

“Ahhhhh!”? ?

?

There? ?was? ?a? ?painful? ?cry? ?that? ?erupted? ?from? ?under? ?the? ?altar.? ?The? ?noble? ?looking? ?wife? ?from? ?before? ?

cried,? ?“My? ?child,? ?my? ?child!”? ?

?

The? ?child? ?in? ?her? ?arms? ?wailed? ?uncontrollably? ?as? ?bumpy? ?dark? ?spots? ?started? ?rising? ?from? ?his? ?chubby? ?

arm.? ?The? ?people? ?around? ?them? ?immediately? ?backed? ?away,? ?leaving? ?an? ?empty? ?gap? ?in? ?between.? ?

“This? ?is? ?bad,? ?the? ?kid? ?is? ?infected!!!”? ?

?

There? ?was? ?an? ?emptiness? ?in? ?the? ?couples’? ?eyes.? ?The? ?two? ?exchanged? ?a? ?look? ?and? ?jumped? ?to? ?their? ?

feet.? ?They? ?walked? ?to? ?the? ?front? ?of? ?the? ?altar,? ?pulled? ?out? ?the? ?black? ?sword? ?from? ?the? ?ground? ?and? ?held? ?it? ?

within? ?the? ?child’s? ?hands.? ?Grimacing,? ?they? ?lunged? ?at? ?Xie? ?Lian.? ?

?

“...!”? ?

?

The? ?black? ?blade? ?was? ?exceedingly? ?sharp,? ?for? ?when? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?felt? ?the? ?excruciating? ?pain? ?explode? ?

from? ?his? ?abdomen,? ?the? ?couple? ?had? ?already? ?pulled? ?out? ?the? ?sword,? ?dropped? ?it? ?to? ?the? ?ground? ?with? ?a? ?

loud? ?clang? ?while? ?continuously? ?apologizing,? ?“Sorry...our? ?child? ?is? ?still? ?young,? ?there? ?was? ?really...no? ?

other? ?way.? ?Sorry,? ?sorry,? ?sorry....”? ?

?

As? ?they? ?tried? ?to? ?atone? ?for? ?their? ?actions? ?wearing? ?ashened? ?expressions,? ?they? ?bowed? ?many? ?times? ?in? ?

front? ?of? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?before? ?returning? ?to? ?the? ?crowd? ?with? ?their? ?child.? ?With? ?thick? ?layers? ?of? ?blood? ?clogging? ?

up? ?his? ?throat,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?was? ?about? ?throw? ?up? ?until? ?he? ?heard? ?White? ?No-Face? ?snicker? ?beside? ?him.? ? ?

?

He? ?forced? ?down? ?the? ?mouthful? ?of? ?blood? ?and? ?hissed,? ?“What? ?are? ?you? ?laughing? ?at?? ?You? ?think? ?that? ?you? ?

got? ?what? ?you? ?wanted?? ?This? ?was? ?all? ?forced? ?by? ?you!”? ?

?

The? ?ghost? ?fire? ?within? ?the? ?ghost’s? ?hand? ?flickered? ?even? ?more? ?fiercely.? ?Taking? ?his? ?time,? ?he? ?

explained,? ?“Humans? ?need? ?force? ?in? ?order? ?to? ?reveal? ?their? ?true? ?selves.”? ?

?

Among? ?the? ?hundred,? ?there? ?was? ?now? ?one? ?person? ?who? ?wasn’t? ?afraid? ?of? ?the? ?face? ?disease? ?anymore.? ?

Seeing? ?the? ?dark? ?prints? ?slowly? ?fading? ?away? ?from? ?the? ?child’s? ?arm,? ?the? ?people? ?around? ?them? ?

swallowed? ?heavily? ?in? ?silence.? ?

?

After? ?a? ?long? ?while,? ?under? ?the? ?dead? ?silence,? ?a? ?young? ?man? ?finally? ?stepped? ?out.? ?

?

With? ?thick? ?skin,? ?he? ?walked? ?towards? ?the? ?altar.? ?He? ?bowed? ?several? ?times? ?with? ?his? ?hands? ?clasped? ?in? ?

front? ?of? ?him? ?and? ?begged,? ?“I’m? ?sorry.? ?I? ?don’t? ?want? ?to? ?do? ?this.? ?I? ?really? ?don’t? ?want? ?to? ?do? ?this,? ?but? ?I? ?

don’t? ?have? ?any? ?other? ?way.? ?I? ?recently? ?just? ?got? ?married,? ?my? ?mother,? ?my? ?wife,? ?they’re? ?still? ?at? ?home,? ?

waiting? ?for? ?me...”? ?

?

Word? ?by? ?word,? ?he? ?couldn’t? ?continue? ?any? ?further,? ?so? ?he? ?shut? ?his? ?eyes,? ?raised? ?the? ?sword? ?and? ?thrust? ?

it? ?towards? ?Xie? ?Lian.? ? ?

?

However,? ?because? ?his? ?eyes? ?were? ?closed,? ?the? ?sword? ?tilted? ?to? ?the? ?side? ?and? ?punctured? ?Xie? ?Lian’s? ?

side? ?instead.? ?When? ?he? ?opened? ?his? ?eyes? ?and? ?realized? ?that? ?the? ?spot? ?wasn’t? ?fatal,? ?in? ?a? ?moment’s? ?

panic,? ?he? ?pulled? ?out? ?the? ?weapon? ?frantically? ?and? ?with? ?trembling? ?hands,? ?he? ?stabbed? ?again!? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian,? ?who? ?had? ?gritted? ?his? ?teeth? ?to? ?prevent? ?any? ?sounds? ?from? ?coming? ?out,? ?let? ?out? ?nothing? ?more? ?

than? ?a? ?small? ?whimper? ?after? ?the? ?two? ?consecutive? ?jabs.? ?A? ?stream? ?of? ?fresh? ?blood? ?seeped? ?out? ?from? ?

the? ?side? ?of? ?his? ?lips.? ?

?

It’s? ?true? ?that? ?he? ?won’t? ?die.? ?However,? ?that? ?didn’t? ?mean? ?he? ?wouldn’t? ?feel? ?the? ?pain? ?from? ?the? ?wounds.? ?

?

The? ?sound? ?of? ?every? ?inch? ?of? ?flesh? ?that? ?had? ?been? ?tangled? ?by? ?the? ?weapon,? ?the? ?feeling? ?of? ?every? ?bone? ?

being? ?scraped? ?made? ?him? ?crazed? ?and? ?wishing? ?for? ?death? ?just? ?to? ?be? ?relieved? ?of? ?the? ?torture.? ?When? ?it? ?

came? ?to? ?this,? ?he? ?was? ?no? ?different? ?than? ?a? ?mortal.? ?

?

When? ?the? ?second? ?person? ?finished? ?his? ?business,? ?he? ?stepped? ?down? ?as? ?well,? ?but? ?this? ?time,? ?without? ?

giving? ?a? ?single? ?bow.? ?The? ?expressions? ?he? ?wore? ?on? ?his? ?face? ?was? ?a? ?mixture? ?of? ?regret? ?and? ?joy? ?from? ?

the? ?deed? ?he? ?committed.? ?It? ?was? ?hard? ?to? ?say? ?which? ?was? ?more.? ?Once? ?he? ?retreated? ?back? ?to? ?the? ?

group,? ?the? ?silence? ?returned.? ? ?

?

Not? ?long? ?after,? ?a? ?few? ?more? ?people? ?looked? ?as? ?if? ?they? ?wanted? ?to? ?stand? ?up? ?with? ?reasons? ?of? ?their? ?

own.? ?However,? ?before? ?they? ?could? ?rise,? ?a? ?person? ?interrupted,? ?“I? ?can’t? ?stand? ?this? ?anymore.”? ?

?

The? ?crowd? ?turned? ?to? ?the? ?direction? ?of? ?the? ?voice? ?and? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?too? ?lifted? ?his? ?head.? ?The? ?one? ?who? ?

spoke? ?was? ?actually? ?the? ?buff? ?street? ?performer.? ?He? ?scolded,? ?“Are? ?you? ?honestly? ?doing? ?everything? ?

this? ?monster? ?tells? ?you? ?to? ?do?? ?From? ?what? ?I? ?see,? ?he’s? ?just? ?babbling? ?nonsense.? ?Even? ?if? ?it? ?was? ?true,? ?

just? ?because? ?he? ?can’t? ?die? ?doesn’t? ?mean? ?that? ?this? ?isn’t? ?murder!”? ?

?

The? ?bystanders? ?around? ?him? ?advised? ?him,? ?“Buddy,? ?wake? ?up,? ?everyone? ?here? ?is? ?about? ?die!”? ?

?

The? ?street? ?performer? ?defended,? ?“Aren’t? ?I? ?here? ?too?? ?Wouldn’t? ?I? ?die? ?too?? ?But? ?did? ?I? ?do? ?anything?”? ?

?

That? ?shut? ?a? ?few? ?up,? ?but? ?split? ?second? ?after,? ?someone? ?accused,? ?“A? ?person? ?like? ?you? ?probably? ?don’t? ?

have? ?any? ?elders? ?or? ?children? ?in? ?your? ?family? ?right?? ?Every? ?man? ?for? ?himself,? ?but? ?a? ?lot? ?of? ?us? ?here? ?have? ?

a? ?family? ?to? ?look? ?after,? ?how? ?can? ?we? ?be? ?compared? ?to? ?you?”? ?

?

The? ?street? ?performer? ?pointed? ?at? ?the? ?couple? ?that? ?were? ?the? ?first? ?ones? ?to? ?go? ?up? ?and? ?said,? ?“It’s? ?true? ?

that? ?I? ?don’t? ?have? ?a? ?wife? ?and? ?son,? ?but? ?if? ?I? ?had,? ?even? ?if? ?I? ?had? ?to? ?die,? ?I? ?would? ?never? ?let? ?my? ?son? ?see? ?

me? ?resort? ?to? ?using? ?those? ?methods,? ?let? ?alone? ?to? ?guide? ?him? ?hand-in-hand? ?in? ?doing? ?it.? ?If? ?your? ?child? ?

grows? ?up? ?to? ?be? ?a? ?criminal,? ?it’s? ?the? ?parents? ?who? ?are? ?to? ?be? ?blamed.? ?If? ?you’re? ?that? ?eager,? ?why? ?not? ?let? ?

your? ?child? ?take? ?a? ?stab? ?at? ?you?”? ?

?

The? ?wife? ?had? ?a? ?full? ?face? ?of? ?misery,? ?“Don’t? ?curse? ?my? ?son!? ?If? ?you? ?want? ?to? ?curse,? ?curse? ?at? ?me? ?

instead!”? ?The? ?husband? ?was? ?furious,? ?“Have? ?you? ?lost? ?your? ?mind?? ?You? ?want? ?my? ?son? ?to? ?kill? ?his? ?own? ?

mother? ?and? ?father?? ?How? ?immoral!!”? ? ?

?

The? ?street? ?performer? ?probably? ?didn’t? ?understand? ?what? ?the? ?word? ?meant? ?and? ?retorted,? ?“Killing? ?is? ?

still? ?killing!? ?At? ?least? ?it? ?can? ?be? ?said? ?as? ?courage? ?if? ?you? ?let? ?your? ?son? ?kill? ?you.? ?Speaking? ?of? ?which,? ?why? ?

don’t? ?you? ?guys? ?might? ?as? ?well? ?go? ?for? ?the? ?strange? ?creature? ?in? ?the? ?mask?”? ?

?

Upon? ?hearing? ?that,? ?White? ?No-Face? ?burst? ?out? ?in? ?laughter.? ?The? ?crowd? ?was? ?scared? ?and? ?furious.? ?

Their? ?fear? ?went? ?towards? ?the? ?monster? ?and? ?their? ?anger? ?was? ?directed? ?at? ?the? ?street? ?performer.? ?They? ?

lowered? ?their? ?voices? ?and? ?chided,? ?“You..!? ?Shut? ?your? ?mouth!”? ?

?

What? ?if? ?they? ?had? ?accidentally? ?angered? ?the? ?monster?? ?

?

The? ?street? ?performer? ?understood? ?immediately,? ?“Oh,? ?so? ?you? ?don’t? ?have? ?the? ?balls? ?to? ?kill? ?the? ?big? ?evil? ?

guy,? ?and? ?instead? ?choose? ?to? ?stab? ?another?”? ?

?

Unable? ?to? ?suffer? ?through? ?the? ?humiliation? ?from? ?a? ?meer? ?brute? ?any? ?longer,? ?a? ?person? ?challenged,? ?

“This? ?buddy? ?has? ?been? ?preaching? ?endlessly,? ?and? ?here? ?I? ?thought? ?he? ?might? ?be? ?someone? ?special.? ?

Looking? ?at? ?him? ?now,? ?with? ?a? ?ghastly? ?face? ?that’s? ?devoid? ?of? ?blood,? ?I’d? ?say? ?he? ?probably? ?has? ?a? ?couple? ?

days? ?left? ?at? ?most? ?and? ?that’s? ?why? ?he? ?dares? ?to? ?criticize? ?us? ?all? ?without? ?a? ?care? ?in? ?the? ?world.? ?If? ?you’re? ?

so? ?righteous,? ?why? ?don’t? ?you? ?sacrifice? ?yourself? ?to? ?help? ?us? ?fellas? ?here.”? ?

?

The? ?street? ?performer? ?corrected,? ?“I? ?don’t? ?want? ?to? ?sacrifice? ?myself,? ?but? ?neither? ?does? ?everyone? ?else.? ?

Who? ?does?? ?Do? ?you?? ?Do? ?you?? ?But? ?at? ?least,? ?I? ?won’t? ?stab? ?anyone.”? ?

?

Someone? ?said,? ?“But? ?he’s? ?different.”? ?

?

“How? ?so?”? ?

?

“He’s? ?a? ?god!? ?To? ?save? ?the? ?common? ?people? ?—? ?he? ?said? ?so? ?himself.? ?Also-? ?Also,? ?he? ?can’t? ?die!”? ?

?

The? ?street? ?performer? ?was? ?about? ?argue? ?back,? ?but? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?couldn’t? ?hold? ?back? ?any? ?longer.? ?He? ?

coughed? ?weakly? ?and? ?called? ?out,? ?“B-buddy!? ?Hey? ?buddy!”? ?

?

He? ?opened? ?his? ?mouth,? ?but? ?as? ?a? ?result? ?of? ?the? ?stabs? ?prior? ?to? ?this,? ?the? ?sound? ?that? ?came? ?out? ?was? ?

many? ?folds? ?fainter.? ?The? ?street? ?performer? ?whipped? ?his? ?head? ?around? ?and? ?Xie? ?Lian’s? ?voice? ?was? ?filled? ?

with? ?gratefulness,? ?“Thank? ?you!? ?But...? ?it’s? ?okay.”? ?

?

If? ?he? ?continued,? ?then? ?he’d? ?probably? ?get? ?beaten? ?up.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?recalled? ?that? ?all? ?the? ?grave? ?internal? ?

wounds? ?that? ?this? ?man? ?carried? ?was? ?due? ?to? ?their? ?competition? ?in? ?the? ?past.? ?Guilty? ?at? ?heart,? ?he? ?added,? ?

“Thank? ?you!? ?The? ?boulder? ?shattering? ?injuries? ?that? ?you? ?received? ?from? ?before,? ?has? ?it? ?healed?”? ?

?

“Ah?? ?What? ?are? ?you? ?saying!? ?How? ?can? ?I? ?be? ?hurt?? ?Boulder? ?shattering? ?is? ?my? ?life? ?skill!”? ?The? ?buff? ?man? ?

exclaimed? ?proudly.? ?

?

Seeing? ?that? ?the? ?man? ?refused? ?to? ?lose? ?face? ?even? ?in? ?this? ?situation? ?was? ?practically? ?the? ?same? ?as? ?if? ?

spitting? ?out? ?a? ?mouthful? ?of? ?blood? ?while? ?saying? ?“I’m? ?completely? ?fine.”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?wanted? ?to? ?laugh.? ?

Suddenly,? ?a? ?person? ?pointed? ?at? ?the? ?street? ?performer? ?and? ?screamed,? ?“It’s? ?spreading!? ?It’s? ?

spreading!”? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?was? ?stunned,? ?and? ?as? ?was? ?the? ?street? ?performer.? ?Following? ?the? ?direction? ?of? ?the? ?finger,? ?the? ?

street? ?performer? ?touched? ?his? ?face,? ?and? ?as? ?expected,? ?he? ?felt? ?something? ?uneven.? ? ?

?

The? ?people? ?around? ?him? ?immediately? ?distanced? ?themselves.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?opened? ?his? ?mouth,? ?wanting? ?

to? ?call? ?over? ?the? ?street? ?performer.? ?But? ?to? ?do? ?what?? ?To? ?stab? ?him? ?with? ?the? ?sword? ?too?? ?

?

The? ?words? ?were? ?lost? ?in? ?his? ?throat.? ?

?

In? ?the? ?moment? ?of? ?his? ?hesitation,? ?the? ?street? ?performer? ?stroked? ?his? ?face? ?several? ?more? ?times? ?before? ?

dashing? ?out? ?of? ?the? ?temple.? ?Seeing? ?the? ?event? ?unfold,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?called? ?after? ?him,? ?“Where? ?are? ?you? ?

going?? ?Come? ?back!? ?If? ?you? ?don’t? ?treat? ?it,? ?it? ?will? ?spread!”? ?

?

But? ?the? ?man? ?ran? ?even? ?faster? ?and? ?hollered? ?back,? ?“I’m? ?not? ?coming? ?back!? ?If? ?I? ?said? ?I? ?won’t? ?do? ?it,? ?then? ?I? ?

won’t? ?do? ?it...”.? ?Soon? ?after,? ?his? ?figure? ?disappeared.? ?The? ?disfigured? ?creatures? ?around? ?the? ?temple? ?

somehow? ?knew? ?that? ?the? ?man? ?was? ?now? ?one? ?of? ?them? ?and? ?thus? ?didn’t? ?block? ?his? ?path.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?

continued? ?to? ?call? ?out,? ?until? ?he? ?wasn’t? ?able? ?to? ?see? ?his? ?shadow? ?anymore.? ?The? ?people? ?below? ?the? ?

altar? ?muttered,? ?“It’s? ?over,? ?he’s? ?gone!”? ?

?

“That? ?stupid? ?idiot!? ?It? ?will? ?spread? ?regardless? ?where? ?you? ?go,? ?it’s? ?already? ?too? ?late!? ?He’s? ?already? ?

infected!”? ?

?

“He..? ?couldn’t? ?possibly? ?have? ?gone? ?down? ?the? ?mountain? ?to? ?kill,? ?right?”? ?

?

However,? ?the? ?words? ?that? ?the? ?buff? ?man? ?said? ?prior? ?to? ?his? ?departure? ?held? ?the? ?people? ?in? ?the? ?temple? ?at? ?

bay.? ?Time? ?has? ?passed? ?and? ?no? ?one? ?went? ?up? ?to? ?pick? ?up? ?the? ?sword.? ?The? ?situation? ?was? ?momentarily? ?

paused.? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?couldn’t? ?tell? ?if? ?he? ?felt? ?joy,? ?hesitation,? ?or? ?fear,? ?but? ?most? ?importantly,? ?he? ?didn’t? ?know? ?what? ?to? ?

do? ?next.? ?As? ?he? ?was? ?fighting? ?to? ?clear? ?his? ?mind,? ?someone? ?stood? ?up.? ?“Can? ?I? ?say? ?something?”? ?

?

It? ?was? ?a? ?middle? ?aged? ?man.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?looked? ?up? ?and? ?found? ?the? ?man? ?to? ?be? ?somewhat? ?familiar,? ?but? ?

he? ?couldn’t? ?recall? ?where? ?their? ?paths? ?had? ?crossed.? ?While? ?trying? ?to? ?remember,? ?the? ?man? ?announced,? ?

“In? ?all? ?honesty,? ?he? ?had? ?tried? ?to? ?rob? ?me? ?before!”? ?

?

“...”? ?

?

It? ?was? ?that? ?guy!!!? ?

?

The? ?crowd? ?was? ?shocked,? ?“Rob?”? ?

?

“Isn’t? ?he? ?a? ?prince?? ?Isn’t? ?he? ?a? ?god?? ?To? ?commit? ?robbery?”? ?

?

The? ?guy? ?confirmed,? ?“It’s? ?the? ?absolute? ?truth.”? ?

?

“So?? ?What? ?do? ?you? ?actually? ?want? ?to? ?say?”? ?

?

“Nothing? ?else.? ?I? ?just? ?want? ?to? ?remind? ?everyone? ?that? ?he? ?had? ?tried? ?to? ?steal!”? ?The? ?man? ?crouched? ?

down? ?again? ?after? ?he? ?finished? ?his? ?statement.? ?

?

The? ?temple? ?fell? ?into? ?a? ?solemn? ?silence? ?again? ?after? ?the? ?outburst.? ?With? ?that? ?single? ?statement,? ?it? ?had? ?

planted? ?a? ?seed? ?of? ?darkness? ?within? ?their? ?hearts.? ?

?

To? ?steal....? ?

?

Suddenly,? ?another? ?howl? ?came? ?from? ?under? ?the? ?altar.? ?Someone? ?shrieked,? ?“My? ?leg,? ?my? ?leg!? ?It’s...? ?

feels? ?strange!”? ?

?

Again?!? ?

?

To? ?their? ?surprise,? ?it? ?wasn’t? ?only? ?one? ?person.? ?At? ?the? ?same? ?time,? ?another? ?person? ?cried,? ?“Me? ?too!? ?My? ?

back!? ?Someone? ?please? ?help? ?me? ?take? ?a? ?look? ?on? ?my? ?back!”? ?

?

No? ?one? ?dared? ?to? ?come? ?close? ?to? ?the? ?two,? ?leaving? ?the? ?two? ?having? ?to? ?inspect? ?themselves.? ?One? ?

rolled? ?up? ?their? ?pant? ?leg? ?while? ?the? ?other? ?took? ?off? ?his? ?top.? ?After? ?taking? ?a? ?clear? ?look? ?at? ?the? ?state? ?of? ?

their? ?bodies,? ?the? ?rest? ?of? ?the? ?people? ?started? ?screaming? ?in? ?fear.? ?

?

The? ?faces? ?on? ?these? ?two? ?people’s? ?bodies? ?have? ?gained? ?complete? ?shapes!? ?

?

“How? ?did? ?it? ?grow? ?that? ?fast?!”? ?

?

“Did? ?you? ?guys? ?forget?? ?We? ?already? ?spent? ?quite? ?a? ?long? ?time? ?in? ?here!”? ?

?

“But? ?how? ?did? ?they? ?not? ?notice?!”? ?

?

“It’s? ?not? ?grown? ?in? ?an? ?obvious? ?place? ?and? ?it’s? ?only? ?a? ?bit? ?itchy.? ?How? ?would? ?I? ?know? ?that? ?it’d? ?turn? ?to? ?

this!”? ?

?

“It’s? ?over,? ?it’s? ?over.? ?We? ?probably? ?already? ?have? ?it? ?growing? ?on? ?us.”? ?

?

“Quick!? ?Everyone? ?do? ?a? ?checkup!? ?Take? ?a? ?good? ?look? ?at? ?your? ?body!”? ?

?

It? ?was? ?pure? ?chaos? ?inside? ?the? ?CrownPrince? ?Temple.? ?Screams? ?pierced? ?through? ?the? ?air? ?upon? ?

inspection.? ?As? ?expected!? ?There? ?were? ?already? ?quite? ?a? ?lot? ?of? ?people? ?that? ?had? ?faces? ?appearing? ?all? ?

over? ?their? ?bodies,? ?it’s? ?just? ?that? ?they? ?haven’t? ?noticed? ?them? ?before.? ?Now? ?that? ?they’ve? ?taken? ?a? ?look,? ?

they? ?realized? ?that? ?these? ?new? ?faces? ?were? ?completely? ?developed? ?with? ?all? ?five? ?facial? ?features!? ?

?

As? ?if? ?knowing? ?the? ?situation,? ?the? ?disfigured? ?creatures? ?outside? ?the? ?Prince? ?Temple? ?danced? ?even? ?

wilder? ?hand-in-hand.? ?Yet,? ?inside,? ?a? ?thick? ?fog? ?of? ?dread? ?spread? ?rapidly? ?in? ?all? ?directions.? ?Xie? ?Lian’s? ?

heart? ?pounded? ?non-stop? ?like? ?it? ?was? ?about? ?to? ?break? ?through? ?his? ?chest.? ?

?

From? ?what? ?he? ?remembered,? ?the? ?face? ?disease? ?takes? ?a? ?while? ?to? ?spread,? ?why? ?is? ?it? ?spreading? ?so? ?fast? ?

now?? ?

?

White? ?No-Face,? ?it? ?must? ?be? ?White? ?No-Face!? ?

?

He? ?snapped? ?his? ?head? ?to? ?the? ?direction? ?of? ?the? ?cold-eyed? ?spectator? ?that? ?had? ?initiated? ?all? ?this.? ?Before? ?

he? ?could? ?open? ?his? ?mouth,? ?someone? ?shot? ?up.? ?Panting? ?heavily,? ?the? ?person? ?with? ?reddened? ?eyes? ?

criticized,? ?“You...you’re? ?a? ?god,? ?you’re? ?a? ?prince,? ?yet? ?you? ?dare? ?to? ?commit? ?robbery?”? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?was? ?dumbfounded,? ?not? ?understanding? ?why? ?the? ?man? ?brought? ?up? ?that? ?incident? ?out? ?of? ?all? ?

things,? ?and? ?replied,? ?“I...”? ?

?

The? ?man? ?cut? ?him? ?off? ?sharply,? ?“We? ?pray? ?to? ?you,? ?and? ?what? ?did? ?you? ?do?? ?Rob!? ?What? ?did? ?you? ?bring?? ?A? ?

plague!”? ?

?

He? ?brought? ?the? ?plague?? ?

?

Shock? ?was? ?written? ?across? ?Xie? ?Lian’s? ?face,? ?“....Me?? ?It’s? ?not? ?me?!? ?I? ?only...”? ?

?

They’ve? ?finally? ?arrived? ?at? ?the? ?point? ?where? ?the? ?people’s? ?patience? ?had? ?reached? ?its? ?absolute? ?limit.? ?

?

With? ?red? ?colouring? ?the? ?rim? ?of? ?their? ?eyes,? ?the? ?hundred? ?people? ?surrounded? ?him.? ?The? ?one? ?that? ?was? ?

closest? ?pulled? ?out? ?the? ?leaning? ?black? ?sword? ?from? ?the? ?ground.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?stopped? ?breathing.? ?

?

The? ?man? ?grasped? ?the? ?black? ?sword? ?shakily? ?while? ?mumbling,? ?“You...You? ?need? ?to? ?ask? ?for? ?

forgiveness? ?right?? ?You? ?need? ?to? ?atone? ?for? ?your? ?sins? ?right?”? ?

?

The? ?dark? ?blade? ?emitted? ?a? ?terrifying? ?aura,? ?and? ?Xie? ?Lian’s? ?fear? ?had? ?soared? ?the? ?peak.? ?

?

There? ?were? ?so? ?many? ?people,? ?if? ?every? ?single? ?one? ?of? ?them? ?were? ?to? ?stab? ?him? ?with? ?this? ?sword,? ?what? ?

would? ?he? ?become? ?at? ?the? ?end? ?of? ?all? ?this?? ?

?

Aside? ?from? ?the? ?thought? ?of? ?being? ?punctured? ?countless? ?times? ?and? ?leaving? ?nothing? ?but? ?thousands? ?of? ?

holes? ?and? ?an? ?indistinguishable? ?pile? ?of? ?flesh,? ?there? ?was? ?something? ?else? ?that? ?he? ?feared? ?even? ?more.? ?

He? ?felt? ?that? ?if? ?he? ?was? ?to? ?let? ?them? ?do? ?what? ?they? ?wanted,? ?there? ?was? ?something? ?in? ?his? ?heart? ?that? ?

would? ?never? ?return? ?to? ?its? ?original? ?state.? ?

?

Unwilling? ?to? ?think? ?any? ?further,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?couldn’t? ?help? ?but? ?to? ?cry? ?out? ?for? ?help,? ?“Hel-”? ?

?

Yet,? ?before? ?the? ?phrase? ?“Help? ?me”? ?could? ?leave? ?his? ?throat,? ?that? ?same? ?icy? ?black? ?blade? ?was? ?thrust? ?

into? ?his? ?body? ?once? ?again.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?widened? ?his? ?eyes? ?in? ?horror.? ?

?

The? ?razor? ?sharp? ?sword? ?was? ?then? ?roughly? ?pulled? ?out.? ?The? ?next? ?person? ?followed? ?without? ?second? ?

wasted,? ?and? ?the? ?next? ?stab? ?was? ?practically? ?shoved? ?into? ?the? ?same? ?spot.? ?The? ?sound? ?locked? ?in? ?Xie? ?

Lian’s? ?throat? ?finally? ?broke? ?free? ?and? ?a? ?painful? ?long? ?scream? ?tore? ?through? ?his? ?body.? ?

?

The? ?scream? ?was? ?so? ?piercing? ?that? ?the? ?people? ?around? ?him? ?felt? ?goosebumps.? ?There? ?were? ?some? ?

who? ?closed? ?their? ?eyes? ?and? ?turned? ?their? ?faces? ?away,? ?“...Don’t? ?let? ?him? ?cry? ?out.? ?Let’s? ?speed? ?this? ?up? ?

and? ?get? ?the? ?job? ?done? ?fast!”? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?felt? ?someone? ?had? ?muffled? ?his? ?mouth? ?and? ?restrained? ?his? ?hands? ?and? ?feet.? ?The? ?person? ?

ordered,? ?“Hold? ?him? ?down? ?and? ?don’t? ?let? ?him? ?fall.? ?Also,? ?don’t? ?stab? ?in? ?the? ?wrong? ?spot,? ?if? ?it’s? ?not? ?fatal,? ?

it? ?doesn’t? ?count!”? ?

?

“Line? ?up? ?one? ?by? ?one,? ?no? ?cutting? ?the? ?line!? ?I? ?told? ?you? ?guys? ?not? ?to? ?cut,? ?I? ?was? ?here? ?first!”? ?

?

“Which? ?area? ?is? ?fatal?? ?How? ?would? ?I? ?know? ?if? ?it? ?counts? ?or? ?not?”? ?

?

“Whatever? ?you? ?do,? ?just? ?aim? ?it? ?at? ?the? ?heart,? ?throat,? ?and? ?abdomen!”? ?

?

“If? ?you’re? ?not? ?sure? ?if? ?you? ?stabbed? ?in? ?a? ?fatal? ?area,? ?just? ?do? ?it? ?again!”? ?

?

“No? ?way!? ?If? ?you? ?get? ?more? ?than? ?one? ?turn,? ?where? ?would? ?others? ?stab?”? ?

?

The? ?initial? ?hesitation? ?and? ?reluctance? ?reduced? ?to? ?nonchalance.? ?The? ?more? ?time? ?that? ?has? ?passed,? ?

the? ?more? ?fluid? ?their? ?movements? ?became.? ?The? ?endless? ?in? ?and? ?out? ?movements? ?of? ?the? ?sword,? ?Xie? ?

Lian’s? ?eyes? ?were? ?wide? ?open? ?and? ?fat? ?droplets? ?of? ?tears? ?rolled? ?down? ?his? ?face.? ?Deep? ?inside? ?his? ?heart,? ?

there? ?was? ?a? ?voice? ?that? ?was? ?silently? ?screaming? ?and? ?howling.? ?

?

Help? ?me.? ?

?

Help? ?me,? ?help? ?me,? ?help? ?me.? ?

?

Help? ?me,? ?help? ?me,? ?help,? ?help,? ?help,? ?help,? ?help,? ?help,? ?help,? ?help,? ?help,? ?help,? ?help,? ?help,? ?help,? ?help? ?

me!!!!? ?

?

It? ?hurts,? ?it? ?hurts,? ?it? ?hurts,? ?it? ?hurts,? ?it? ?hurts,? ?it? ?hurts.....? ?it? ?hurts,? ?it? ?hurts,? ?it? ?hurts,? ?it? ?hurts,? ?it? ?hurts,? ?it? ?

hurts,? ?it? ?hurts,? ?it? ?hurts,? ?it? ?hurts,? ?it? ?hurts,? ?IT? ?HURTS? ?IT? ?HURTS? ?IT? ?HURTS? ?IT? ?HURTS? ?IT? ?HURTS? ?IT? ?

HURTS? ?IT? ?HURTS? ?IT? ?HURTS? ?IT? ?HURTS? ?IT? ?HURTS? ?IT? ?HURTS? ?IT? ?HURTS? ?IT? ?HURTS? ?IT? ?HURTS? ?

IT? ?HURTS!!!!!? ?

?

Why? ?can’t? ?I? ?die.? ? ?

?

WHY? ?CAN’T? ?I? ?DIE?!!!? ?

?

He? ?wanted? ?to? ?wail? ?with? ?the? ?most? ?tragic? ?sound,? ?but? ?he? ?couldn’t? ?find? ?one? ?word? ?in? ?his? ?throat? ?for? ?it? ?

probably? ?had? ?already? ?been? ?sliced? ?through.? ?He? ?wanted? ?to? ?go? ?wild? ?from? ?the? ?pain.? ?It? ?was? ?as? ?if? ?he? ?

was? ?suffering? ?all? ?the? ?pain? ?from? ?multiple? ?lifetimes? ?and? ?that? ?from? ?now? ?on,? ?he? ?wouldn’t? ?be? ?able? ?to? ?

feel? ?any? ?other? ?pain.? ?He? ?couldn’t? ?see? ?anything,? ?the? ?world? ?was? ?pitch? ?black? ?other? ?than? ?the? ?ball? ?of? ?fire? ?

that? ?was? ?burning? ?furiously? ?from? ?nearby.? ?It? ?grew? ?brighter? ?and? ?stronger.? ?Yet,? ?within? ?the? ?palm? ?of? ?

White? ?No-Face,? ?it? ?wasn’t? ?able? ?to? ?escape.? ?

?

He? ?couldn’t? ?hear? ?his? ?own? ?heartbreaking? ?scream? ?but? ?instead,? ?he? ?heard? ?the? ?sound? ?of? ?another? ?

heart-wrenching? ?wail? ?and? ?it? ?seemed? ?as? ?if? ?it? ?came? ?from? ?that? ?ring? ?of? ?flames.? ?Although? ?it? ?didn’t? ?come? ?

from? ?him,? ?but? ?the? ?pain? ?that? ?he? ?could? ?hear? ?was? ?the? ?same? ?as? ?his,? ?as? ?if? ?he? ?was? ?the? ?one? ?that? ?had? ?

made? ?that? ?sound.? ?

?

In? ?the? ?end,? ?he? ?wasn’t? ?able? ?to? ?hang? ?on? ?to? ?his? ?sanity? ?any? ?longer.? ?There? ?was? ?mumbling? ?in? ?his? ?throat,? ?

and? ?his? ?consciousness? ?completely? ?shattered.? ?At? ?the? ?same? ?time,? ?an? ?explosion? ?blew? ?from? ?within? ?

the? ?Crown? ?Prince? ?Temple? ?and? ?a? ?wave? ?of? ?raging? ?flames? ?gushed? ?out.? ?

?

“AAAHHHHHHHHHHHHH!”? ?

?

There? ?was? ?a? ?mixture? ?of? ?high? ?and? ?low? ?pitched? ?screams.? ?The? ?scorching? ?fire? ?roared,? ?lighting? ?

everything? ?in? ?flames,? ?making? ?it? ?impossible? ?for? ?anyone? ?to? ?escape.? ?The? ?ghost? ?fire? ?flickered? ?vividly.? ?

In? ?an? ?instant,? ?the? ?hundred? ?living? ?bodies? ?that? ?resided? ?inside? ?the? ?Crown? ?Prince? ?Temple? ?were? ?

burned? ?to? ?hundred? ?sets? ?of? ?charcoal? ?black? ?bones!? ?

?

When? ?the? ?flame? ?gradually? ?subsided? ?and? ?regathered,? ?that? ?original? ?small? ?ball? ?of? ?ghost? ?fire? ?had? ?

already? ?vanished.? ?In? ?its? ?place? ?stood? ?a? ?vaguely? ?shaped? ?silhouette? ?of? ?a? ?young? ?man.? ?

?

The? ?youth? ?dropped? ?down? ?to? ?his? ?knees? ?in? ?front? ?of? ?the? ?scorched? ?black? ?surface? ?of? ?the? ?altar.? ?He? ?bent? ?

over? ?deeply,? ?clutching? ?his? ?head? ?with? ?both? ?of? ?his? ?hands,? ?and? ?bellowed? ?in? ?immense? ?and? ?

devastating? ?pain.? ?

?

He? ?didn’t? ?dare? ?to? ?look? ?at? ?what? ?had? ?become? ?of? ?the? ?person? ?lying? ?on? ?the? ?altar,? ?because? ?what? ?laid? ?

there? ?didn’t? ?look? ?human? ?anymore.? ? ?

?

Bones? ?and? ?skulls? ?alike? ?scattered? ?across? ?the? ?interior? ?of? ?the? ?Crown? ?Prince? ?Temple.? ?White? ?No-Face? ?

cackled? ?uncontrollably? ?as? ?he? ?turned? ?around? ?and? ?exited? ?the? ?temple.? ?The? ?rage? ?of? ?fire? ?didn’t? ?only? ?

stop? ?at? ?just? ?this? ?Crown? ?Prince? ?Temple,? ?even? ?the? ?frenzied? ?disfigured? ?creatures? ?outside? ?had? ?turned? ?

to? ?piles? ?of? ?dried? ?corpses? ?and? ?waste.? ?As? ?if? ?blind? ?to? ?it,? ?White? ?No-Face? ?walked? ?past? ?these? ?charcoal? ?

ash? ?like? ?remains.? ?

?

This? ?entire? ?forest,? ?no,? ?this? ?entire? ?mountain? ?trembled? ?and? ?mourned? ?in? ?agony!? ?

?

Countless? ?black? ?shadows? ?flew? ?up? ?to? ?the? ?sky.? ?They? ?were? ?the? ?souls? ?that? ?were? ?scared? ?witless? ?of? ?

this? ?now? ?lifeless? ?land? ?and? ?were? ?scrambling? ?to? ?escape.? ?A? ?strong? ?gust? ?of? ?wind? ?scattered? ?them? ?in? ?all? ?

different? ?directions.? ?Above? ?the? ?Crown? ?Prince? ?Temple,? ?a? ?gigantic? ?layer? ?of? ?black? ?cloud? ?was? ?

rumbling? ?in? ?restlessness.? ?Slowly? ?rotating,? ?it? ?resembled? ?a? ?colossal? ?demonic? ?eye.? ?

?

This? ?was? ?the? ?birth? ?of? ?a? ?malicious? ?creature,? ?the? ?signs? ?of? ?a? ?savage? ?ghost? ?taking? ?form!? ?

?

?

———————? ?