Heaven Official's Blessing

Chapter 231-240

Chapter 231-240

Ch.231:? ?Adroit? ?Dice;? ?Snake? ?Eyes? ?Rolled? ?Alarming? ?the? ?Heart? ?3? ?

?

?

Within? ?the? ?darkness,? ?that? ?figure? ?took? ?a? ?step? ?forward,? ?and? ?was? ?finally? ?revealed? ?under? ?the? ?firelight.? ?

?

Mu? ?Qing’s? ?face? ?was? ?dark? ?but? ?he? ?didn’t? ?speak,? ?and? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?grabbed? ?onto? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?and? ?added,? ?

“Before? ?at? ?the? ?Heavenly? ?Capital,? ?I? ?was? ?searching? ?for? ?people? ?just? ?fine? ?when? ?someone? ?suddenly? ?

struck? ?me? ?from? ?behind,? ?otherwise? ?why? ?would? ?I? ?have? ?fallen?”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian’s? ?mind? ?spun? ?rapidly? ?and? ?blinked,? ?“He? ?was? ?the? ?one? ?who? ?struck? ?you?”? ? ?

?

Feng? ?Xin? ?said? ?with? ?absolute? ?certainty,? ?“Without? ?a? ?doubt,? ?it? ?was? ?him!”? ? ?

?

“And? ?after? ?he? ?hit? ?you,? ?you? ?were? ?immediately? ?knocked? ?out?”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?asked.? ?

?

“Pretty? ?much!”? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?said,? ?“Either? ?way,? ?Your? ?Highness? ?watch? ?out? ?for? ?him,? ?don’t? ?get? ?so? ?close,? ?

or? ?just? ?seize? ?him!”? ? ?

?

Mu? ?Qing? ?swore? ?in? ?spite? ?of? ?himself,? ?“Bullsh...”? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?quickly? ?cut? ?in,? ?“Wait!? ?Feng? ?Xin,? ?there’s? ?a? ?problem? ?here.? ?If? ?he? ?ambushed? ?you? ?from? ?behind? ?

and? ?you? ?were? ?knocked? ?out? ?immediately? ?afterwards? ?–? ?how? ?did? ?you? ?know? ?that? ?the? ?one? ?who? ?struck? ?

you? ?from? ?behind? ?was? ?Mu? ?Qing?”? ? ?

?

Feng? ?Xin? ?hadn’t? ?expected? ?that? ?he’d? ?ask? ?this? ?question? ?and? ?was? ?taken? ?a? ?back.? ?Mu? ?Qing? ?instantly? ?

seized? ?that? ?moment? ?and? ?humphed,? ?“At? ?the? ?time,? ?the? ?Heavenly? ?Capital? ?was? ?ablaze? ?in? ?chaos,? ?it? ?

wouldn’t? ?be? ?strange? ?for? ?anyone? ?to? ?have? ?knocked? ?you? ?out,? ?but? ?you? ?just? ?had? ?to? ?throw? ?this? ?mess? ?on? ?

me,? ?can’t? ?you? ?just? ?admit? ?you? ?saw? ?wrong?”? ? ?

?

However,? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?held? ?onto? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?and? ?stood? ?up,? ?his? ?tone? ?dark,? ?“No,? ?it? ?was? ?definitely? ?you!”? ?

?

“On? ?what? ?basis? ?do? ?you? ?make? ?your? ?accusation?”? ?Mu? ?Qing? ?demanded.? ?

?

Feng? ?Xin? ?enunciated,? ?“It? ?was? ?precisely? ?because? ?the? ?Heavenly? ?Capital? ?was? ?ablaze? ?and? ?there? ?was? ?

firelight? ?all? ?over? ?that? ?the? ?ground? ?reflected? ?the? ?shadow? ?of? ?that? ?person? ?behind? ?me.? ?Even? ?though? ?I? ?

didn’t? ?get? ?the? ?chance? ?to? ?look? ?back,? ?but? ?when? ?I? ?fell,? ?I? ?saw? ?the? ?shape? ?of? ?that? ?shadow? ?and? ?the? ?attack? ?

move.? ?It? ?was? ?your? ?shadow!”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?watched? ?intently? ?as? ?the? ?two? ?exchanged? ?verbal? ?blows.? ?Mu? ?Qing? ?still? ?wouldn’t? ?back? ?down,? ?

“All? ?this? ?talk? ?but? ?you? ?still? ?didn’t? ?see? ?anything? ?with? ?your? ?own? ?eyes,? ?and? ?it’s? ?normal? ?for? ?shadows? ?to? ?

blur? ?reality,? ?so? ?how? ?can? ?you? ?determine? ?it? ?was? ?me? ?by? ?just? ?a? ?shadow?? ?What? ?can? ?you? ?see? ?when? ?you? ?

were? ?practically? ?fainting?”? ? ?

?

“You? ?know? ?very? ?well? ?whether? ?if? ?I? ?can? ?tell? ?the? ?distinction.? ?His? ?Highness? ?too.”? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?said.? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?indeed? ?knew.? ?No? ?matter? ?what,? ?the? ?three? ?of? ?them? ?grew? ?up? ?together,? ?cultivated? ?together,? ?

and? ?couldn’t? ?be? ?more? ?than? ?familiar? ?with? ?each? ?other’s? ?forms? ?and? ?moves,? ?so? ?even? ?if? ?they? ?didn’t? ?see? ?

faces,? ?they? ?could? ?still? ?be? ?over? ?eighty? ?percent? ?certain!? ?

?

“Your? ?Highness,? ?you? ?both? ?came? ?here? ?together?”? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?questioned,? ?“Has? ?he? ?done? ?anything? ?

suspicious? ?en? ?route?”? ? ?

?

“Well...”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?said.? ?

?

To? ?be? ?honest,? ?Mu? ?Qing? ?had? ?been? ?too? ?suspicious? ?the? ?entire? ?way,? ?nervous? ?and? ?unsteady.? ?But? ?in? ?

their? ?current? ?situation,? ?it? ?wasn’t? ?easy? ?for? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?to? ?say? ?so? ?in? ?front? ?of? ?Mu? ?Qing’s? ?face.? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?

continued,? ?“No!? ?Think? ?closely,? ?the? ?fact? ?that? ?he? ?even? ?came? ?is? ?suspicious.? ?By? ?his? ?personality,? ?why? ?

would? ?he? ?go? ?through? ?the? ?danger? ?to? ?come? ?rescue? ?people?? ?Is? ?that? ?even? ?Mu? ?Qing?”? ? ?

?

Mu? ?Qing’s? ?face? ?grew? ?darker,? ?“Don’t? ?say? ?things? ?like? ?they’re? ?absolute.? ?Having? ?a? ?son? ?isn’t? ?

something? ?you’d? ?do,? ?yet? ?here? ?we? ?are?”? ? ?

?

“...”? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?could? ?sense? ?the? ?direction? ?of? ?this? ?conversation? ?was? ?going? ?off? ?and? ?quickly? ?said,? ?“Alright,? ?

don’t? ?argue.? ?If? ?you? ?continue? ?to? ?argue? ?then? ?we’ll? ?have? ?to? ?train? ?idioms? ?to? ?calm? ?down!”? ? ?

?

Mu? ?Qing? ?added,? ?“Besides,? ?if? ?it? ?was? ?me? ?who? ?knocked? ?you? ?out,? ?why? ?would? ?I? ?go? ?through? ?all? ?this? ?

effort? ?to? ?lure? ?them? ?over? ?here? ?to? ?find? ?you?”? ? ?

?

Feng? ?Xin? ?responded,? ?“Because? ?you? ?didn’t? ?think? ?that? ?after? ?you? ?struck? ?me? ?from? ?behind? ?that? ?I? ?can? ?

still? ?point? ?you? ?out!? ?And? ?who? ?knows? ?what? ?hellish? ?place? ?this? ?is,? ?you? ?luring? ?His? ?Highness? ?and? ?the? ?

others? ?here? ?might? ?not? ?be? ?to? ?find? ?me.? ?Didn’t? ?Crimson? ?Rain? ?Sought? ?Flower? ?separate? ?from? ?you? ?

halfway?”? ? ?

?

“Are? ?you? ?trying? ?to? ?call? ?me? ?a? ?fake? ?in? ?order? ?to? ?lure? ?His? ?Highness? ?and? ?the? ?others? ?into? ?a? ?perilous? ?

trap?? ?Well? ?sorry,? ?His? ?Highness? ?and? ?Crimson? ?Rain? ?Sought? ?Flower? ?had? ?been? ?with? ?me? ?the? ?entire? ?

way,? ?there? ?was? ?no? ?way? ?they? ?wouldn’t? ?have? ?noticed? ?anything.”? ?

?

“That’s? ?true,? ?yes....”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?said.? ?

?

But? ?that? ?was? ?only? ?true? ?for? ?the? ?Mu? ?Qing? ?en? ?route.? ?After? ?they? ?had? ?entered? ?the? ?underground? ?

WuYong? ?palace,? ?who’s? ?to? ?say? ?he? ?wasn’t? ?switched?? ?Nothing? ?could? ?be? ?sure.? ? ?

?

Mu? ?Qing? ?looked? ?over? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?and? ?added,? ?“Your? ?Highness,? ?I? ?think? ?you? ?best? ?stay? ?away? ?from? ?him.? ?

After? ?all,? ?he’s? ?been? ?lying? ?there? ?since? ?we? ?came,? ?Crimson? ?Rain? ?Sought? ?Flower? ?also? ?vanished,? ?and? ?

now? ?he’s? ?trying? ?to? ?tear? ?us? ?apart,? ?don’t? ?you? ?think? ?he’s? ?the? ?one? ?more? ?like? ?an? ?imposter?”? ?

?

White? ?No-Face? ?had? ?disguised? ?himself? ?in? ?the? ?appearance? ?of? ?those? ?two? ?before,? ?so? ?to? ?do? ?so? ?again? ?

wouldn’t? ?be? ?surprising.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?rubbed? ?his? ?forehead,? ?“How? ?about? ?this,? ?why? ?don’t? ?you? ?two? ?say? ?

something? ?that? ?only? ?the? ?three? ?of? ?us? ?know,? ?so? ?we? ?can? ?verify? ?identities?”? ? ?

?

“Like? ?what?”? ?Mu? ?Qing? ?asked.? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?gave? ?it? ?a? ?thought? ?and? ?said? ?casually,? ?“On? ?top? ?of? ?the? ?snowy? ?mountain,? ?what? ?did? ?you? ?two? ?

scream? ?at? ?each? ?other?”? ? ?

?

After? ?he? ?gave? ?the? ?suggestion,? ?the? ?face? ?of? ?the? ?other? ?two? ?froze.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?tucked? ?his? ?hands? ?in? ?his? ?

sleeves,? ?“If? ?your? ?words? ?don’t? ?match? ?each? ?other’s? ?then? ?that? ?means? ?someone? ?among? ?you? ?two? ?

aren’t? ?the? ?real? ?thing.? ?Let’s? ?verify? ?identities? ?before? ?anything? ?else.”? ? ?

?

However,? ?those? ?two? ?only? ?looked? ?at? ?each? ?other,? ?neither? ?speaking? ?a? ?word.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?wasn’t? ?really? ?

that? ?curious? ?at? ?first,? ?but? ?now? ?he? ?couldn’t? ?help? ?but? ?be? ?curious.? ?A? ?moment? ?later,? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?dodge? ?

the? ?question,? ?“You’re? ?both? ?missing? ?the? ?point.? ?I? ?wasn’t? ?suspicious? ?that? ?he? ?isn’t? ?the? ?real? ?thing.”? ? ?

?

Mu? ?Qing? ?narrowed? ?his? ?eyes,? ?“So? ?what? ?are? ?you? ?trying? ?to? ?say?”? ? ?

?

Feng? ?Xin? ?said? ?straightforwardly,? ?“I’ve? ?thought? ?he’s? ?the? ?real? ?Mu? ?Qing? ?from? ?the? ?beginning.? ?He? ?

couldn’t? ?stand? ?the? ?both? ?of? ?us,? ?so? ?it? ?wouldn’t? ?be? ?strange? ?for? ?him? ?to? ?do? ?anything.”? ?

?

Mu? ?Qing’s? ?hands? ?clenched? ?into? ?fists,? ?his? ?knuckles? ?cracking,? ?and? ?he? ?flicked? ?his? ?hand,? ?sending? ?a? ?

blow? ?right? ?out!? ?

?

Feng? ?Xin? ?was? ?wounded? ?and? ?barely? ?just? ?dodged? ?the? ?blow.? ?And? ?thus? ?the? ?two? ?started? ?brawling.? ?

Although? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?had? ?expected? ?it,? ?but? ?he? ?still? ?couldn’t? ?help? ?but? ?feel? ?his? ?head? ?throb,? ?“Calm? ?

down...? ?why? ?don’t? ?we? ?train? ?some? ?idioms,? ?hm?”? ? ?

?

With? ?their? ?blows,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?could? ?sense? ?that? ?the? ?murderous? ?aura? ?all? ?around? ?was? ?growing? ?heavier.? ?

A? ?few? ?balls? ?of? ?firelight? ?flew? ?around? ?haphazardly,? ?brightening? ?the? ?entire? ?chamber,? ?and? ?only? ?then? ?

did? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?see,? ?that? ?all? ?around? ?on? ?the? ?walls? ?and? ?shelves? ?were? ?stacked? ?full? ?of? ?various? ?sabres,? ?

spears,? ?swords,? ?and? ?other? ?such? ?weapons,? ?exceedingly? ?chilling.? ?

?

So? ?it? ?turns? ?out,? ?this? ?here? ?was? ?an? ?armoury.? ?No? ?wonder? ?the? ?air? ?was? ?filled? ?with? ?cold,? ?murderous? ?aura? ?

all? ?around!? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?himself? ?used? ?to? ?own? ?such? ?an? ?armoury,? ?very? ?dear? ?to? ?his? ?heart,? ?and? ?he’d? ?often? ?lose? ?sense? ?

of? ?time? ?while? ?spending? ?time? ?in? ?it,? ?but? ?this? ?armoury? ?made? ?him? ?feel? ?extremely? ?uncomfortable,? ?and? ?

he? ?didn’t? ?want? ?to? ?stay? ?here? ?for? ?another? ?minute.? ?But? ?immediately,? ?he? ?didn’t? ?know? ?whose? ?words? ?to? ?

trust,? ?so? ?he? ?didn’t? ?know? ?which? ?side? ?to? ?help? ?–? ?truth? ?to? ?be? ?told,? ?they’re? ?both? ?very? ?suspicious!? ?

?

In? ?the? ?end,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?could? ?only? ?call? ?out,? ?“RuoYe!”? ? ?

?

Bind? ?both? ?of? ?them? ?first? ?and? ?talk? ?later!? ?

?

RuoYe? ?who? ?had? ?been? ?waiting? ?finally? ?got? ?a? ?chance? ?to? ?show? ?off,? ?and? ?it? ?flew? ?out.? ?Yet? ?unexpectedly,? ?

before? ?the? ?white? ?silk? ?band? ?even? ?came? ?out? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?suddenly? ?sensed? ?another? ?chill? ?permeating? ?

from? ?behind? ?him.? ?

?

The? ?direction? ?of? ?his? ?attack? ?instantly? ?changed.? ?He? ?caught? ?onto? ?RuoYe? ?and? ?swung? ?it? ?behind.? ?The? ?

moment? ?he? ?felt? ?the? ?white? ?silk? ?band? ?catching? ?onto? ?something,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?seized? ?RuoYe? ?and? ?yanked? ?

forcefully,? ?but? ?whatever? ?it? ?was? ?didn’t? ?move.? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?felt? ?dread,? ?and? ?the? ?next? ?moment,? ?he? ?was? ?yanked? ?by? ?the? ?other? ?end? ?of? ?RuoYe,? ?and? ?his? ?

back? ?solidly? ?crashed? ?into? ?an? ?embrace,? ?and? ?there? ?was? ?even? ?something? ?cold? ?and? ?hard? ?that? ?jabbed? ?

into? ?his? ?waist.? ?Xie? ?Lian,? ?“???”? ? ?

?

While? ?his? ?body? ?didn’t? ?look? ?that? ?solid,? ?his? ?physical? ?strength? ?was? ?quite? ?formidable.? ?Unless? ?the? ?other? ?

party? ?was? ?some? ?gigantic? ?creature,? ?otherwise? ?how? ?can? ?he? ?be? ?so? ?easily? ?yanked? ?over?? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?was? ?just? ?about? ?to? ?fight? ?back? ?when? ?he? ?felt? ?a? ?hand? ?circle? ?around? ?his? ?waist,? ?a? ?voice? ?coming? ?

from? ?above,? ?“Gege,? ?it’s? ?me.”? ? ?

?

“San? ?Lang?”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?asked.? ?

?

Sure? ?enough,? ?when? ?he? ?looked? ?down,? ?the? ?hand? ?that? ?circled? ?him? ?was? ?wearing? ?a? ?silver? ?vambrace? ?

carved? ?with? ?maple? ?leaves,? ?butterflies,? ?and? ?beasts;? ?when? ?he? ?whipped? ?his? ?head? ?around,? ?the? ?one? ?

who? ?caught? ?him? ?was? ?a? ?tall? ?and? ?slender? ?red-clad? ?man,? ?calm? ?and? ?collected,? ?a? ?silver? ?scimitar? ?

hanging? ?on? ?his? ?waist.? ?The? ?thing? ?that? ?jabbed? ?his? ?waist? ?earlier? ?was? ?most? ?likely? ?this? ?scimitar’s? ?hilt.? ?

?

Hua? ?Cheng!? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?instantly? ?understood.? ?Turns? ?out,? ?just? ?now? ?it? ?was? ?RuoYe? ?who? ?purposely? ?dragged? ?him? ?to? ?

Hua? ?Cheng’s? ?side,? ?so? ?he? ?was? ?fighting? ?one? ?against? ?two,? ?so? ?of? ?course? ?he? ?was? ?yanked? ?over? ?so? ?

easily!? ?

?

He? ?steadied? ?himself,? ?and? ?speechlessly? ?picked? ?up? ?RuoYe,? ?muttering? ?at? ?it,? ?“You? ?little? ?traitor...”? ?

?

RuoYe? ?was? ?wisely? ?playing? ?dead,? ?laying? ?unmoving.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?didn’t? ?want? ?to? ?say? ?anymore? ?at? ?it? ?

either? ?and? ?threw? ?it? ?aside,? ?“San? ?Lang,? ?what? ?happened? ?just? ?now?? ?Weren’t? ?you? ?following? ?behind? ?

me?? ?Where’s? ?master?”? ? ?

?

“This? ?place? ?is? ?very? ?weird.”? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?said,? ?“Halfway? ?through,? ?the? ?road? ?back? ?was? ?all? ?sealed.? ?We? ?

bumped? ?into? ?something? ?a? ?little? ?difficult,? ?so? ?taking? ?care? ?of? ?it? ?took? ?some? ?time.”? ? ?

?

Even? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?said? ?it? ?was? ?a? ?little? ?difficult,? ?so? ?it? ?seemed? ?it? ?really? ?was? ?something? ?difficult.? ?Xie? ?

Lian? ?felt? ?faintly? ?worried,? ?“Are? ?you? ?alright?”? ? ?

?

“Of? ?course.”? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?said,? ?“But? ?Guoshi’s? ?whereabouts? ?is? ?now? ?unknown,? ?so? ?we? ?may? ?have? ?to? ?

keep? ?going? ?deeper.? ?By? ?the? ?way,? ?what? ?are? ?those? ?two? ?fighting? ?about?? ?So? ?noisy.”? ? ?

?

“Oh.? ?Them...”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?looked? ?over.? ?

?

On? ?the? ?side,? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?and? ?Mu? ?Qing? ?also? ?finally? ?noticed? ?things? ?on? ?this? ?end,? ?and? ?Mu? ?Qing? ?

immediately? ?shouted,? ?“Hey!? ?Watch? ?out,? ?you!? ?Don’t? ?go? ?near? ?people? ?who? ?just? ?pop? ?out? ?of? ?nowhere? ?

so? ?easily!”? ? ?

?

Those? ?two? ?temporarily? ?called? ?a? ?truce? ?and? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?also? ?said,? ?“Your? ?Highness,? ?don’t? ?just? ?glomp? ?

him? ?the? ?moment? ?you? ?see? ?him!”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?immediately? ?explained? ?himself,? ?“WHAT!? ?What? ?do? ?you? ?mean? ?by? ?that!? ?I? ?wasn’t? ?the? ?one? ?

who? ?tackled? ?over,? ?it’s? ?RuoYe’s? ?fault...”? ?He? ?trailed? ?off? ?as? ?he? ?suddenly? ?realized? ?why? ?they? ?were? ?so? ?

nervous.? ?

?

Since? ?both? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?and? ?Mu? ?Qing? ?were? ?suspicious? ?of? ?being? ?imposters,? ?then...? ?wouldn’t? ?Hua? ?

Cheng? ?be? ?no? ?different?? ?

?

Was? ?the? ?one? ?standing? ?before? ?him? ?the? ?real? ?“Hua? ?Cheng”?? ?

?

Hua? ?Cheng? ?cocked? ?an? ?eyebrow,? ?“So? ?now? ?you’re? ?all? ?doubting? ?whether? ?if? ?I’m? ?the? ?real? ?thing,? ?are? ?

you?”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?had? ?one? ?hand? ?support? ?his? ?elbow? ?while? ?the? ?other? ?hand? ?supported? ?his? ?cheek? ?as? ?he? ?

started? ?to? ?observe? ?him? ?carefully.? ? ?

?

Hua? ?Cheng? ?noticed? ?his? ?gaze? ?and? ?moved? ?his? ?eyes? ?over? ?to? ?stare? ?back? ?at? ?him.? ?

?

“...”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?couldn’t? ?keep? ?observing? ?anymore? ?with? ?that? ?stare,? ?and? ?after? ?a? ?moment? ?of? ?

contemplation,? ?he? ?came? ?to? ?his? ?conclusion? ?and? ?turned? ?to? ?the? ?other? ?two,? ?“I? ?think? ?this? ?one? ?is? ?real.”? ? ?

?

Mu? ?Qing? ?was? ?exasperated,? ?“What? ?you? ?‘think’? ?might? ?not? ?be? ?right.? ?Don’t? ?forget? ?where? ?we? ?are.? ?This? ?

is? ?White? ?No-Face’s? ?old? ?lair,? ?anything? ?is? ?possible.? ?Figure? ?out? ?a? ?way? ?yourself? ?to? ?test? ?it.”? ? ?

?

Hua? ?Cheng? ?on? ?the? ?other? ?hand,? ?chuckled,? ?“Well,? ?that’s? ?easy.? ?Gege,? ?come? ?over? ?here,? ?I’ll? ?tell? ?you? ?of? ?

a? ?good? ?way? ?that? ?can? ?help? ?you? ?judge? ?immediately.”? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?thus? ?listened? ?to? ?him? ?and? ?went? ?over,? ?requesting? ?for? ?his? ?guidance? ?guiltily,? ?“What? ?good? ?

way?”? ? ?

?

“Can? ?you? ?please? ?not? ?do? ?everything? ?he? ?tells? ?you? ?to? ?do?? ?He’s? ?the? ?one? ?who’s? ?suspicious? ?right? ?now,? ?

do? ?you? ?understand?”? ? ?

?

Hua? ?Cheng? ?said,? ?“Recite? ?to? ?me? ?the? ?first? ?half? ?of? ?my? ?communication? ?array? ?verbal? ?password,? ?and? ?I’ll? ?

tell? ?you? ?the? ?second? ?half.? ?You’ll? ?know? ?whether? ?if? ?I’m? ?the? ?real? ?thing? ?then.”? ? ?

?

“...”? ?

?

The? ?two? ?whispered? ?in? ?each? ?other’s? ?ears? ?for? ?a? ?bit,? ?then? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?turned? ?around,? ?lightly? ?clearing? ?his? ?

throat,? ?speaking? ?to? ?the? ?other? ?two,? ?“Well...? ?this? ?one’s? ?the? ?real? ?one.”? ? ?

?

Feng? ?Xin? ?finally? ?didn’t? ?look? ?to? ?be? ?as? ?tense? ?anymore,? ?but? ?Mu? ?Qing? ?was? ?doubtful,? ?“Are? ?you? ?sure?? ?

Don’t? ?just? ?look? ?at? ?his? ?face? ?and? ?suddenly? ?lose? ?all? ?your? ?marbles.”? ? ?

?

“I? ?already? ?said? ?this? ?one? ?is? ?the? ?real? ?one? ?for? ?sure,? ?why? ?do? ?you? ?both? ?have? ?to? ?say? ?it? ?like? ?I’m? ?some...”? ?

Xie? ?Lian? ?griped.? ?

?

“Alright,? ?that’s? ?solved? ?and? ?over.”? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?said,? ?“Back? ?on? ?topic? ?–? ?gege,? ?just? ?why? ?were? ?those? ?

two? ?fighting?”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?thus? ?gave? ?a? ?brief? ?account,? ?using? ?his? ?hand? ?to? ?support? ?his? ?forehead,? ?“And? ?that’s? ?about? ?it...? ?

To? ?be? ?honest,? ?I? ?really? ?don’t? ?know? ?who’s? ?more? ?suspicious.”? ? ?

?

However,? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?replied,? ?“Do? ?you? ?even? ?have? ?to? ?ask?? ?Of? ?course? ?he’s? ?the? ?most? ?suspicious? ?

one.”? ? ?

?

The? ?direction? ?he? ?was? ?gesturing? ?was? ?at? ?Mu? ?Qing.? ?

?

Mu? ?Qing? ?was? ?vexed,? ?“If? ?you’re? ?going? ?to? ?accuse? ?me? ?for? ?nothing,? ?at? ?least? ?have? ?a? ?reason?? ?Don’t? ?

throw? ?everything? ?onto? ?me? ?whenever? ?something? ?happens.”? ? ?

?

“Fine.”? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?said,? ?“? ?Then? ?let? ?me? ?ask? ?you? ?a? ?question? ?–? ?what’s? ?that? ?on? ?your? ?wrist?”? ? ?

?

Hearing? ?this,? ?Mu? ?Qing’s? ?face? ?immediately? ?changed? ?colours.? ?

?

He? ?staggered? ?back? ?a? ?few? ?steps,? ?but? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?was? ?fast,? ?and? ?instantly? ?seized? ?him,? ?“On? ?your? ?

wrist?”? ? ?

?

There? ?was? ?a? ?cursed? ?shackle? ?on? ?his? ?wrist!? ?

?

Mu? ?Qing? ?pushed? ?off? ?Feng? ?Xin’s? ?hand,? ?veins? ?popping? ?on? ?his? ?forehead,? ?and? ?he? ?glared? ?at? ?him? ?in? ?

fury,? ?When? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?saw? ?the? ?thing,? ?he? ?dropped? ?his? ?arms? ?and? ?said? ?dumbfoundedly,? ?“Mu? ?Qing,? ?

your? ?hand?”? ? ?

?

Mu? ?Qing? ?was? ?unspeaking,? ?his? ?face? ?dark.? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?spoke? ?up,? ?“I? ?suggest? ?you? ?respond? ?honestly? ?

to? ?the? ?following? ?questions:? ?Why? ?did? ?Jun? ?Wu? ?summon? ?you? ?to? ?the? ?Great? ?Martial? ?Hall?? ?What? ?did? ?he? ?

say? ?to? ?you?? ?Why? ?did? ?you? ?receive? ?a? ?better? ?treatment? ?than? ?the? ?other? ?heavenly? ?officials,? ?and? ?could? ?

return? ?without? ?harm?? ?Why? ?are? ?you? ?behaving? ?so? ?abnormally,? ?volunteering? ?to? ?come? ?rescue? ?people? ?

despite? ?all? ?the? ?dangers? ?here? ?at? ?Mont? ?TongLu?? ?What’s? ?with? ?the? ?thing? ?on? ?your? ?hand?? ?Why? ?did? ?you? ?

lure? ?us? ?here?”? ? ?

?

Seeing? ?the? ?situation? ?go? ?downhill,? ?Mu? ?Qing? ?backed? ?a? ?step? ?away? ?and? ?instantly? ?said,? ?“Wait!? ?Don’t? ?

attack? ?first!? ?Let? ?me? ?explain? ?myself.”? ? ?

?

Hua? ?Cheng? ?gave? ?an? ?open? ?gesture,? ?“Please.? ?Go? ?on.”? ? ?

?

Feng? ?Xin? ?said,? ?“Tell? ?me? ?first,? ?were? ?you? ?the? ?one? ?who? ?struck? ?me?”? ? ?

?

After? ?a? ?pause,? ?Mu? ?Qing? ?finally? ?said? ?through? ?gritted? ?teeth,? ?“...Technically? ?it? ?was? ?me.? ?But? ?it’s? ?not? ?

what? ?you’re? ?all? ?thinking!”? ? ?

?

Feng? ?Xin? ?was? ?angered,? ?but? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?said,? ?“Let? ?him? ?continue.”? ? ?

?

?

———-? ?

?

Ch.232:? ?Adroit? ?Dice;? ?Snake? ?Eyes? ?Rolled? ?Alarming? ?the? ?Heart? ?4? ?

?

Mu? ?Qing? ?inhaled? ?deeply? ?and? ?admitted,? ?“...That’s? ?right,? ?I? ?was? ?the? ?one? ?who? ?hurt? ?Feng? ?Xin.”? ? ?

?

Feng? ?Xin? ?was? ?outraged,? ?“I? ?just? ?knew? ?it? ?was? ?definitely? ?you!”? ? ?

?

Mu? ?Qing? ?turned? ?to? ?Xie? ?Lian,? ?“But? ?that? ?was? ?because? ?the? ?Heavenly? ?Capital? ?was? ?done? ?for!? ?At? ?the? ?

time,? ?all? ?the? ?heavenly? ?officials? ?were? ?trying? ?to? ?find? ?ways? ?to? ?escape,? ?but? ?he? ?still? ?stayed? ?there? ?

refusing? ?to? ?leave,? ?and? ?he? ?wouldn’t? ?listen? ?when? ?called? ?either.? ?If? ?he? ?continued? ?to? ?remain? ?he? ?

would’ve? ?been? ?burnt? ?to? ?death? ?by? ?the? ?flames? ?of? ?karma? ?sooner? ?or? ?later,? ?which? ?was? ?why? ?I? ?planned? ?

on? ?knocking? ?him? ?out? ?before? ?tossing? ?him? ?to? ?you!”? ? ?

?

“But,? ?you? ?didn’t? ?hand? ?him? ?to? ?me.? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?went? ?missing? ?and? ?ended? ?up? ?here? ?instead.”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?

said.? ?

?

“Because? ?a? ?little? ?accident? ?happened? ?on? ?the? ?way.”? ?Mu? ?Qing? ?said.? ?

?

“What? ?accident?”? ? ?

?

“That? ?fetus? ?spirit.”? ?Mu? ?Qing? ?said,? ?“It? ?suddenly? ?ambushed? ?me? ?from? ?behind,? ?biting? ?me? ?not? ?letting? ?

go,? ?refusing? ?to? ?let? ?me? ?take? ?him.? ?I? ?hadn’t? ?had? ?the? ?chance? ?to? ?pull? ?him? ?up? ?before? ?the? ?Heavenly? ?

Capital? ?started? ?reshaping,? ?so...”? ?

?

So,? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?was? ?somehow? ?moved? ?here? ?along? ?with? ?the? ?piece? ?of? ?land? ?beneath? ?him.? ?

?

If? ?that? ?was? ?the? ?truth,? ?then? ?it? ?meant? ?Mu? ?Qing? ?had? ?the? ?intention? ?to? ?do? ?a? ?good? ?deed,? ?but? ?accidentally? ?

made? ?things? ?worse? ?and? ?screwed? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?over.? ?A? ?very? ?awkward? ?situation.? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?said,? ?“Why? ?didn’t? ?you? ?say? ?so? ?sooner? ?earlier...”? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?was? ?also? ?dubious,? ?“Are? ?you? ?

sure? ?you? ?didn’t? ?plan? ?on? ?letting? ?me? ?burn? ?to? ?death? ?at? ?the? ?Heavenly? ?Capital?? ?To? ?just? ?knock? ?me? ?out? ?

and? ?leave? ?me? ?there?”? ? ?

?

Mu? ?Qing’s? ?face? ?stiffened? ?and? ?turned? ?to? ?Xie? ?Lian,? ?“The? ?fetus? ?spirit? ?was? ?crouching? ?on? ?his? ?chest? ?the? ?

entire? ?time,? ?and? ?later? ?that? ?female? ?ghost? ?Jian? ?Lan? ?came? ?too,? ?so? ?I? ?figured? ?she? ?would? ?wake? ?or? ?move? ?

Feng? ?Xin? ?instead? ?of? ?watching? ?him? ?get? ?burnt.”? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?thus? ?understood? ?too.? ?Mu? ?Qing? ?had? ?come? ?out? ?to? ?rescue? ?him? ?out? ?of? ?guilt,? ?after? ?all,? ?he? ?was? ?

the? ?one? ?who? ?knocked? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?out.? ?Out? ?of? ?a? ?sense? ?of? ?responsibility,? ?naturally? ?he? ?had? ?to? ?put? ?in? ?

some? ?effort.? ?No? ?wonder? ?he? ?was? ?so? ?nervous? ?and? ?on? ?edge? ?the? ?entire? ?way,? ?he? ?was? ?probably? ?scared? ?

wondering? ?whether? ?if? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?might? ?have? ?died...? ?

?

Yet,? ?this? ?set? ?of? ?excuses? ?was? ?hard? ?to? ?believe.? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?pulled? ?at? ?his? ?hair? ?madly,? ?“WHAT? ?A? ?MESS? ?

YOU’VE? ?MADE? ?OF? ?THINGS!? ?DON’T? ?YOU? ?KNOW? ?I? ?WAS? ?LOOKING? ?FOR? ?THEM?? ?IF? ?YOU? ?

DIDN’T? ?KNOCK? ?ME? ?OUT? ?MAYBE? ?I? ?WOULD’VE? ?FOUND? ?THEM!”? ? ?

?

Mu? ?Qing? ?said? ?calmly,? ?“That? ?fetus? ?spirit? ?is? ?White? ?No-Face’s? ?subordinate,? ?White? ?No-Face? ?wouldn’t? ?

do? ?anything? ?malicious? ?to? ?them.? ?And? ?they? ?didn’t? ?want? ?to? ?go? ?with? ?you,? ?so? ?you? ?staying? ?behind? ?is? ?just? ?

a? ?waste? ?of? ?time.? ?You? ?can? ?call? ?for? ?them? ?for? ?a? ?thousand? ?times? ?and? ?it’d? ?be? ?pointless,? ?so? ?why? ?not? ?

leave? ?the? ?Heavenly? ?Capital? ?to? ?save? ?your? ?life? ?first? ?then? ?find? ?opportunities? ?later? ?to? ?look? ?for? ?them?? ?

Why? ?must? ?you? ?force? ?something? ?like? ?recognizing? ?sons? ?during? ?such? ?a? ?dire? ?situation?? ?I? ?only? ?made? ?

the? ?best? ?possible? ?decision? ?for? ?all? ?parties? ?at? ?that? ?moment.”? ? ?

?

Feng? ?Xin? ?wasn’t? ?as? ?calm? ?as? ?he? ?was,? ?“Best? ?possible? ?decision? ?my? ?ass!? ?You? ?can? ?only? ?say? ?that? ?

because? ?it’s? ?not? ?your? ?family!? ?Wait,? ?so? ?what? ?you? ?mean? ?to? ?say? ?is,? ?you? ?were? ?trying? ?to? ?save? ?me,? ?and? ?

make? ?me? ?leave?”? ? ?

?

However,? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?cut? ?in,? ?“That’s? ?enough? ?rubbish,? ?just? ?answer? ?my? ?question:? ?what? ?did? ?Jun? ?Wu? ?

say? ?to? ?you?”? ? ?

?

Mu? ?Qing? ?shut? ?up? ?and? ?was? ?somewhat? ?hesitant.? ?

?

Hua? ?Cheng? ?stared? ?at? ?him,? ?“Are? ?you? ?currently? ?under? ?his? ?command?”? ? ?

?

Mu? ?Qing? ?instantly? ?replied,? ?“Nothing? ?of? ?the? ?sort!”? ? ?

?

“Then? ?please? ?explain? ?this? ?cursed? ?shackle.”? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?said.? ?

?

Mu? ?Qing? ?had? ?been? ?arguing? ?for? ?so? ?long,? ?his? ?mouth? ?dry,? ?and? ?a? ?moment? ?later,? ?he? ?said? ?with? ?a? ?hoarse? ?

voice,? ?“I? ?already? ?said...? ?you? ?guys? ?might? ?not? ?believe? ?me.”? ? ?

?

“Earlier? ?when? ?we? ?asked? ?you,? ?you? ?denied? ?everything? ?to? ?death,? ?and? ?only? ?now? ?do? ?you? ?admit? ?it,? ?so? ?of? ?

course? ?it’s? ?going? ?to? ?be? ?hard? ?to? ?believe? ?you.”? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?said.? ?

?

Mu? ?Qing? ?was? ?slightly? ?indignant,? ?“Why? ?didn’t? ?I? ?admit? ?to? ?it?? ?If? ?I? ?told? ?you? ?earlier? ?what? ?had? ?happened,? ?

you? ?would? ?definitely? ?not? ?have? ?believed? ?me? ?anyway!? ?With? ?this? ?attitude,? ?who’d? ?admit? ?to? ?anything?? ?

The? ?moment? ?I? ?admit? ?to? ?anything? ?I? ?wouldn’t? ?be? ?able? ?to? ?explain? ?myself? ?at? ?all,? ?so? ?I? ?might? ?as? ?well? ?not? ?

have? ?admitted? ?to? ?anything!”? ?Besides,? ?obviously? ?having? ?nothing? ?happen? ?to? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?was? ?

fortunate,? ?but? ?the? ?whole? ?incident? ?was? ?rather? ?embarrassing,? ?and? ?by? ?his? ?personality,? ?not? ?wanting? ?to? ?

admit? ?to? ?it? ?was? ?also? ?normal.? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?had? ?been? ?listening? ?to? ?him? ?patiently? ?the? ?whole? ?time,? ?and? ?said,? ?“Just? ?let? ?him? ?finish.”? ? ?

?

Mu? ?Qing? ?glanced? ?at? ?Xie? ?Lian,? ?and? ?it? ?took? ?a? ?moment? ?before? ?he? ?said? ?staggeringly? ?with? ?difficulty,? ?

“This? ?is...? ?Because,? ?he? ?wanted? ?me? ?to,? ?do? ?detrimental? ?things? ?to? ?His? ?Highness,? ?I,? ?refused,? ?so...”? ? ?

?

At? ?this? ?point,? ?even? ?he? ?himself? ?felt? ?uncomfortable? ?and? ?couldn’t? ?continue? ?any? ?longer.? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?

continued? ?for? ?him,? ?“So,? ?in? ?a? ?fit? ?of? ?anger,? ?he? ?put? ?a? ?cursed? ?shackle? ?on? ?you?”? ? ?

?

Mu? ?Qing? ?didn’t? ?speak.? ?

?

“Nothing? ?else?”? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?demanded.? ?

?

There? ?was? ?nothing? ?particularly? ?notable? ?on? ?Hua? ?Cheng’s? ?expression,? ?“From? ?the? ?bottom? ?of? ?your? ?

heart,? ?do? ?you? ?believe? ?the? ?words? ?you? ?just? ?said?”? ? ?

?

“...”? ?

?

It? ?was? ?as? ?if? ?Mu? ?Qing? ?suffered? ?a? ?great? ?humiliation? ?and? ?he? ?said? ?coldly,? ?“Believe? ?if? ?you? ?will.? ?There’s? ?a? ?

misunderstanding? ?in? ?me? ?knocking? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?out,? ?but? ?I’m? ?not? ?under? ?anyone’s? ?command.”? ?

?

Feng? ?Xin? ?responded,? ?“Mu? ?Qing...? ?you? ?best? ?just? ?tell? ?the? ?truth.”? ? ?

?

When? ?Mu? ?Qing? ?saw? ?his? ?expression? ?his? ?knuckles? ?cracked,? ?“What? ?I? ?said? ?was? ?the? ?truth!? ?What? ?did? ?

you? ?want? ?to? ?hear?? ?That? ?I? ?surrendered? ?to? ?Jun? ?Wu? ?and? ?am? ?out? ?to? ?hurt? ?you? ?all?? ?Is? ?that? ?the? ?person? ?I? ?

am? ?in? ?your? ?minds?? ?Your? ?Highness??”? ? ?

?

He? ?gazed? ?to? ?Xie? ?Lian,? ?his? ?eyes? ?emotional.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?stared? ?at? ?him? ?for? ?a? ?long? ?time,? ?pensive? ?the? ?

whole? ?time,? ?but? ?just? ?as? ?he? ?was? ?about? ?to? ?speak.? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?crossed? ?his? ?arms? ?and? ?shielded? ?in? ?

front? ?him,? ?meeting? ?Mu? ?Qing’s? ?eyes,? ?speaking? ?quietly,? ?“There’s? ?no? ?need? ?to? ?look? ?at? ?His? ?Highness? ?

like? ?this.? ?After? ?all,? ?you’ve? ?got? ?a? ?track? ?record.”? ? ?

?

“I? ?didn’t? ?ask? ?you!”? ?Mu? ?Qing? ?countered,? ?“What? ?track? ?record?”? ? ?

?

Hua? ?Cheng? ?smiled,? ?“What? ?track? ?record?? ?How? ?did? ?cultivation? ?go? ?for? ?you? ?after? ?stealing? ?a? ?piece? ?of? ?

auspicious? ?land? ?from? ?His? ?Highness’? ?hands?”? ? ?

?

His? ?smile? ?was? ?laced? ?with? ?chilling? ?air,? ?and? ?his? ?tone? ?was? ?even? ?nastier.? ?Mu? ?Qing? ?was? ?taken? ?aback,? ?

his? ?face? ?paling,? ?and? ?he? ?involuntarily? ?staggered? ?back? ?a? ?few? ?steps,? ?“YOU!...”? ?

?

Mu? ?Qing? ?himself? ?knew? ?that? ?that? ?incident? ?with? ?fighting? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?over? ?auspicious? ?land? ?wasn’t? ?the? ?

ethical? ?thing? ?to? ?do,? ?thus,? ?he? ?was? ?the? ?most? ?fearful? ?of? ?people? ?bringing? ?it? ?out? ?in? ?the? ?open? ?to? ?point? ?

their? ?fingers? ?at? ?it.? ?While? ?Hua? ?Cheng’s? ?tone? ?was? ?light,? ?his? ?tone? ?was? ?forceful? ?and? ?vicious.? ? ?

?

Mu? ?Qing? ?was? ?surprised,? ?but? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?was? ?too.? ?What? ?he? ?was? ?surprised? ?about? ?was,? ?how? ?did? ?Hua? ?

Cheng? ?know? ?about? ?this? ?incident?? ?

?

Neither? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?nor? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?were? ?the? ?gossipy? ?type,? ?and? ?never? ?enjoyed? ?debating? ?right? ?or? ?

wrongs? ?behind? ?people’s? ?back? ?or? ?spreading? ?anything.? ?While? ?at? ?the? ?time,? ?Mu? ?Qing’s? ?departure? ?was? ?

a? ?huge? ?shock? ?to? ?them,? ?but? ?they? ?never? ?said? ?anything? ?or? ?complained? ?to? ?anyone? ?over? ?it.? ?As? ?for? ?the? ?

fight? ?over? ?that? ?piece? ?of? ?auspicious? ?land,? ?afterwards? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?never? ?mentioned? ?it? ?again,? ?and? ?had? ?

never? ?spoken? ?of? ?it? ?to? ?anyone? ?either.? ?He? ?was? ?sure? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?was? ?the? ?same.? ?

?

Those? ?thirty? ?some? ?heavenly? ?officials? ?naturally? ?wouldn’t? ?have? ?voluntarily? ?told? ?anyone? ?they? ?stole? ?

another’s? ?spiritual? ?land? ?for? ?cultivation,? ?so? ?they? ?would’ve? ?either? ?kept? ?everything? ?a? ?complete? ?secret? ?

or? ?twisted? ?the? ?truth.? ?Thus,? ?afterwards,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?had? ?never? ?heard? ?talk? ?of? ?that? ?incident? ?again.? ?

?

So? ?if? ?that? ?was? ?the? ?case,? ?then? ?how? ?had? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?learned? ?of? ?it?? ?

?

Even? ?if? ?he? ?had? ?planted? ?many? ?spies? ?in? ?the? ?Heavenly? ?Court,? ?that? ?affair? ?really? ?was? ?much? ?too? ?long? ?

ago,? ?it’s? ?been? ?some? ?eight? ?hundred? ?years,? ?and? ?most? ?of? ?those? ?involved? ?never? ?said? ?a? ?single? ?word,? ?

so? ?was? ?it? ?really? ?possible? ?for? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?to? ?have? ?dug? ?out? ?this? ?aged? ?mess?? ?

?

Mu? ?Qing? ?questioned,? ?“And? ?how? ?did? ?you? ?know? ?about? ?it?? ?Who? ?told? ?you?”? ?He? ?looked? ?at? ?Feng? ?Xin,? ?

then? ?looked? ?at? ?Xie? ?Lian,? ?and? ?in? ?the? ?end? ?the? ?one? ?he? ?peered? ?at? ?was? ?still? ?Xie? ?Lian.? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?

jeered,? ?“There’s? ?no? ?need? ?to? ?look? ?at? ?His? ?Highness,? ?His? ?Highness? ?never? ?tells? ?me? ?these? ?things.? ?This? ?

was? ?something? ?you? ?both? ?yelled? ?about? ?at? ?the? ?top? ?of? ?the? ?snowy? ?mountain,? ?did? ?you? ?forget?”? ? ?

?

Mu? ?Qing’s? ?face? ?was? ?turning? ?paler.? ?Xie? ?Lian’s? ?confusion? ?was? ?somewhat? ?lessened,? ?and? ?he? ?couldn’t? ?

help? ?but? ?sweat? ?drop.? ?

?

When? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?and? ?Mu? ?Qing? ?started? ?going? ?at? ?each? ?other’s? ?throats,? ?they’d? ?often? ?revive? ?old? ?

quarrels? ?like? ?mad,? ?and? ?crazily? ?pull? ?rugs? ?from? ?each? ?other’s? ?feet,? ?so? ?they? ?would’ve? ?definitely? ?

bundled? ?aged? ?old? ?messes? ?like? ?dynamite? ?and? ?hurled? ?them? ?at? ?each? ?other.? ?No? ?wonder? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?

was? ?that? ?angry? ?at? ?the? ?time.? ?But,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?still? ?vaguely? ?felt? ?there? ?was? ?something? ?deeper? ?than? ?that.? ?

?

Since,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?remembered? ?another? ?thing? ?–? ?the? ?Red? ?Clad? ?Ghost? ?and? ?the? ?Burning? ?of? ?the? ?Civil? ?

and? ?Martial? ?Temples.? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?became? ?famous? ?overnight,? ?after? ?the? ?one? ?battle? ?where? ?he? ?

defeated? ?thirty-three? ?heavenly? ?officials,? ?and? ?one? ?blazing? ?fire? ?scorched? ?all? ?the? ?temples? ?and? ?

shrines? ?they? ?had? ?in? ?the? ?mortal? ?realm.? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?had? ?long? ?forgotten? ?how? ?many? ?heavenly? ?officials? ?there? ?were? ?who? ?fought? ?him? ?over? ?the? ?

auspicious? ?land,? ?and? ?even? ?their? ?titles,? ?faces,? ?and? ?the? ?words? ?they? ?said? ?were? ?lost? ?to? ?him.? ?He? ?only? ?

vaguely? ?recall? ?there? ?were? ?maybe? ?thirty? ?of? ?them.? ?

?

Then,? ?what? ?was? ?the? ?count? ?exactly?? ? ?

?

Could? ?it? ?be? ?the? ?thirty? ?some? ?heavenly? ?officials? ?of? ?back? ?then?? ? ?

?

If? ?it? ?was,? ?then,? ?didn’t? ?this? ?mean? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?had? ?long? ?since? ?known? ?about? ?the? ?incident?? ?

?

It? ?was? ?a? ?moment? ?before? ?Mu? ?Qing? ?gritted? ?out,? ?“That? ?time? ?is? ?that? ?time,? ?this? ?time? ?is? ?this? ?time!? ?In? ?any? ?

case,? ?I? ?had? ?never? ?thought? ?of...”? ?

?

They? ?were? ?just? ?arguing? ?when? ?suddenly,? ?one? ?of? ?Xie? ?Lian’s? ?legs? ?kicked? ?out,? ?and? ?he? ?shouted,? ?

“WATCH? ?OUT!”? ?

?

Mu? ?Qing? ?wasn’t? ?expecting? ?this? ?at? ?all? ?and? ?was? ?instantly? ?kicked? ?down.? ?Whoosh,? ?whoosh,? ?and? ?two? ?

sharp,? ?chilling? ?air? ?brushed? ?over? ?him,? ?nailing? ?onto? ?the? ?wall.? ?Mu? ?Qing? ?leapt? ?to? ?his? ?feet,? ?and? ?dusted? ?

off? ?the? ?footprint? ?on? ?his? ?chest,? ?“ARE? ?YOU? ?DOING? ?THIS? ?ON? ?PURPOSE??? ?ATTACKING? ?FIRST?”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?replied? ?while? ?his? ?mind? ?was? ?occupied,? ?“Sorry? ?sorry,? ?that? ?really? ?wasn’t? ?intentional!”? ?If? ?it? ?had? ?

been? ?intentional,? ?Mu? ?Qing? ?would’ve? ?crashed? ?into? ?a? ?human? ?shaped? ?hole? ?in? ?the? ?wall? ?by? ?now.? ?

Everyone? ?turned? ?their? ?heads? ?to? ?look,? ?and? ?upon? ?the? ?wall? ?were? ?two? ?sharp? ?swords? ?impaled,? ?and? ?the? ?

blades? ?were? ?still? ?vibrating.? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?shouted,? ?“WHO’S? ?THERE??”? ? ?

?

“There’s? ?no? ?one? ?there.”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?said,? ?“They? ?moved? ?on? ?their? ?own!”? ? ?

?

Clink? ?clank,? ?chlink? ?chlunk.? ?From? ?all? ?around? ?them? ?the? ?murderous? ?aura? ?exploded.? ?Those? ?weapons? ?

hung? ?on? ?the? ?walls? ?became? ?aggravated,? ?violently? ?shaking,? ?so? ?much? ?so? ?that? ?the? ?entire? ?chamber? ?

was? ?clamouring? ?from? ?the? ?quaking.? ?

?

“Let’s? ?get? ?out? ?of? ?here,? ?quick!”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?exclaimed.? ?

?

Yet? ?unexpectedly,? ?when? ?he? ?dashed? ?to? ?where? ?the? ?entrance? ?used? ?to? ?be,? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?shouted,? ?“WHY? ?

ARE? ?YOU? ?RUNNING? ?THERE?? ?THERE’S? ?NO? ?PATH? ?OVER? ?THERE!? ?Where’s? ?the? ?door?? ?This? ?

chamber? ?couldn’t? ?not? ?have? ?a? ?door??? ?HOW? ?DO? ?WE? ?GET? ?OUT?”? ? ?

?

“There? ?used? ?to? ?be? ?a? ?door!”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?exclaimed,? ?“But? ?it’s? ?gone!? ?What’s? ?going? ?on? ?with? ?those? ?arms?? ?

Why? ?did? ?killing? ?intent? ?suddenly? ?explode?”? ? ?

?

Hua? ?Cheng? ?used? ?two? ?fingers? ?and? ?caught? ?a? ?long? ?sword? ?that? ?came? ?flying? ?at? ?him,? ?and? ?without? ?

exerting? ?much? ?force? ?that? ?sword? ?snapped,? ?crackling? ?as? ?the? ?pieces? ?fell? ?to? ?the? ?ground.? ?He? ?spoke? ?

up,? ?“It’s? ?been? ?too? ?long? ?since? ?anyone’s? ?used? ?them,? ?and? ?they’ve? ?gotten? ?lonely.? ?When? ?they? ?sense? ?

people? ?come? ?in,? ?they? ?wanted? ?to? ?kill,? ?that’s? ?all.”? ? ?

?

The? ?other? ?two? ?subconsciously? ?turned? ?their? ?heads? ?to? ?look? ?at? ?Mu? ?Qing.? ?Mu? ?Qing? ?instantly? ?

exclaimed,? ?“IT’S? ?GOT? ?NOTHING? ?TO? ?DO? ?WITH? ?ME!”? ? ?

?

“But,”? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?said,? ?“You’re? ?the? ?one? ?who? ?led? ?us? ?here.”? ? ?

?

“I? ?only? ?pointed? ?this? ?path? ?out? ?because? ?I? ?saw? ?the? ?fetus? ?spirit!”? ?Mu? ?Qing? ?countered.? ?

?

Hua? ?Cheng? ?countered? ?back,? ?“Only? ?you? ?saw? ?it.”? ? ?

?

Mu? ?Qing? ?had? ?nothing? ?to? ?say? ?to? ?that,? ?and? ?clenched? ?his? ?fists.? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?spoke? ?up,? ?“Well? ?what? ?do? ?we? ?

do? ?now?? ?Can’t? ?those? ?weapons? ?calm? ?themselves?”? ? ?

?

Before? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?had? ?answered,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?suddenly? ?remembered? ?how? ?he? ?used? ?to? ?face? ?similar? ?

monsters? ?and? ?demons,? ?and? ?mumbled,? ?“It’s? ?possible!? ?But...? ?we? ?must? ?let? ?them? ?kill.”? ? ?

?

“But? ?there’s? ?no? ?exit? ?to? ?this? ?place? ?right? ?now,”? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?said,? ?“And? ?there’s? ?only? ?the? ?four? ?of? ?us? ?locked? ?

up? ?in? ?here.? ?How? ?do? ?we? ?let? ?them? ?kill?? ?What? ?can? ?they? ?kill?”? ? ?

?

Just? ?as? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?was? ?about? ?to? ?speak,? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?suddenly? ?said,? ?“Three? ?of? ?us.”? ? ?

?

“What,? ?three?”? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?questioned.? ?

?

“Just? ?correcting? ?you,? ?that’s? ?all.”? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?said,? ?“The? ?ones? ?locked? ?up? ?here? ?are? ?only? ?the? ?three? ?of? ?

us.”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?whipped? ?his? ?head? ?around.? ?Sure? ?enough,? ?within? ?the? ?armoury,? ?Mu? ?Qing? ?who? ?used? ?to? ?be? ?

the? ?fourth? ?person? ?had? ?vanished!? ?

?

It? ?was? ?the? ?truth!? ?Where? ?Mu? ?Qing? ?used? ?to? ?stand,? ?there? ?was? ?now? ?nothing? ?but? ?empty? ?air.? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?

was? ?dumbfounded,? ?“How? ?can? ?this? ?be??? ?He? ?was? ?standing? ?there? ?just? ?now!”? ? ?

?

Hua? ?Cheng? ?wasn’t? ?surprised? ?at? ?all,? ?since? ?he? ?had? ?already? ?run? ?into? ?something? ?like? ?this? ?himself? ?

earlier,? ?and? ?only? ?said,? ?“We’re? ?in? ?White? ?No-Face’s? ?territory? ?right? ?now.? ?Everyone? ?follows? ?his? ?

command,? ?he? ?has? ?nothing? ?to? ?fear,? ?so? ?of? ?course? ?he? ?can? ?take? ?people? ?away? ?as? ?he? ?will.”? ? ?

?

“...”? ?

?

Earlier,? ?when? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?didn’t? ?wholly? ?believe,? ?the? ?sharp? ?words? ?he? ?exchanged? ?with? ?Mu? ?Qing? ?were? ?

uttered? ?mostly? ?out? ?of? ?anger,? ?but? ?now,? ?he? ?really? ?didn’t? ?know? ?what? ?to? ?say.? ?It? ?was? ?a? ?good? ?moment? ?

before? ?he? ?finally? ?said,? ?“Your? ?Highness,? ?Mu? ?Qing,? ?he,? ?could? ?he? ?really? ?have...?”? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?quickly? ?replied,? ?“Let’s? ?not? ?talk? ?about? ?this? ?right? ?now.? ?These? ?weapons? ?are? ?about? ?to? ?go? ?

violent,? ?we? ?have? ?to? ?think? ?of? ?a? ?way? ?to? ?calm? ?them? ?down? ?first,? ?otherwise? ?we’ll? ?be? ?chopped? ?to? ?mush!”? ?

Then,? ?he? ?pulled? ?out? ?Fang? ?Xin? ?that? ?was? ?carried? ?on? ?his? ?back.? ?However,? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?resolutely? ?

pressed? ?down? ?on? ?his? ?hand.? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?was? ?taken? ?aback? ?and? ?looked? ?over,? ?and? ?saw? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?staring? ?at? ?him? ?intently,? ?red? ?

slowly? ?spreading? ?around? ?the? ?rims? ?of? ?his? ?eyes.? ?

?

He? ?said? ?darkly,? ?“Gege,? ?what? ?are? ?you? ?planning,? ?pulling? ?out? ?the? ?sword?”? ? ?

?

?

———-? ?

?

Ch.233:? ?Cliffs? ?Hundred? ?Yards? ?High;? ?Thousand? ?Bends? ?over? ?Lava? ?Falls? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?blinked,? ?“I? ?wasn’t? ?planning? ?on? ?doing? ?anything?”? ? ?

?

“Then? ?why? ?did? ?you? ?pull? ?the? ?sword?”? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?demanded.? ?

?

“To...? ?defend? ?myself?”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?replied.? ?

?

Hua? ?Cheng’s? ?expression? ?was? ?terrifyingly? ?dark,? ?and? ?he? ?squeezed? ?harder,? ?“How? ?did? ?you? ?plan? ?on? ?

defending? ?yourself?? ?Put? ?your? ?sword? ?down!”? ? ?

?

This? ?was? ?the? ?first? ?time? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?had? ?ever? ?talked? ?to? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?in? ?this? ?kind? ?of? ?expression? ?and? ?

tone,? ?and? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?was? ?completely? ?taken? ?aback.? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?was? ?alarmed,? ?“Who? ?are? ?you? ?to? ?make? ?

him? ?put? ?down? ?his? ?sword?? ?Let? ?him? ?go? ?first!”? ? ?

?

A? ?battle? ?axe? ?came? ?flying,? ?and? ?in? ?one? ?swift? ?reaction,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?raised? ?the? ?sword? ?and? ?slashed? ?it,? ?

sending? ?it? ?flying,? ?“How? ?did? ?I? ?plan? ?on? ?defending? ?myself?? ?...? ?Like? ?this!”? ? ?

?

Only? ?then? ?did? ?Hua? ?Cheng’s? ?demeanour? ?and? ?tone? ?relax? ?somewhat,? ?but? ?he? ?still? ?didn’t? ?let? ?him? ?go,? ?

“You? ?don’t? ?need? ?to? ?defend? ?yourself,? ?just? ?stand? ?behind? ?me.? ?Put? ?your? ?sword? ?down.”? ? ?

?

Feng? ?Xin? ?knocked? ?into? ?his? ?bow? ?on? ?the? ?ground? ?with? ?his? ?foot,? ?and? ?he? ?picked? ?it? ?up,? ?gripping? ?it? ?with? ?

both? ?hands,? ?raising? ?it? ?to? ?use? ?as? ?a? ?sword,? ?batting? ?away? ?a? ?meteor? ?hammer,? ?all? ?the? ?while? ?becoming? ?

more? ?suspicious,? ?“What? ?are? ?you? ?doing? ?clutching? ?onto? ?him? ?like? ?that?? ?Are? ?you? ?really? ?the? ?real? ?thing?? ?

Your? ?Highness,? ?is? ?there? ?anyone? ?else? ?besides? ?you? ?two? ?who? ?knows? ?Crimson? ?Rain? ?Sought? ?Flower’s? ?

verbal? ?password?”? ? ?

?

It? ?was? ?through? ?this? ?reminder? ?that? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?suddenly? ?remembered? ?that? ?it? ?wasn’t? ?just? ?the? ?two? ?of? ?

them? ?who? ?knew? ?Hua? ?Cheng’s? ?spiritual? ?communication? ?verbal? ?password.? ?There? ?was? ?a? ?third? ?

person? ?who? ?had? ?heard? ?it? ?before.? ?

?

Jun? ?Wu!? ?

?

Back? ?at? ?the? ?Palace? ?of? ?Xian? ?Le,? ?when? ?he? ?made? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?connect? ?with? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?in? ?his? ?

presence,? ?he? ?had? ?very? ?clearly? ?heard? ?it!? ?

?

But,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?still? ?felt? ?the? ?one? ?before? ?him? ?was? ?definitely? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?himself? ?without? ?a? ?doubt,? ?it? ?

was? ?just...? ?he? ?seemed? ?to? ?have? ?suddenly? ?remembered? ?something? ?very? ?unpleasant,? ?which? ?was? ?

why? ?he? ?acted? ?this? ?way.? ? ?

?

After? ?a? ?moment? ?of? ?contemplation,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?replied,? ?“Alright.”? ?Then? ?he? ?put? ?Fang? ?Xin? ?away.? ?

?

The? ?next? ?moment,? ?silver? ?light? ?flashed? ?out,? ?and? ?the? ?scimitar? ?was? ?unsheathed!? ?

?

The? ?moment? ?E-Ming? ?had? ?come? ?out,? ?the? ?entire? ?armoury? ?was? ?instantly? ?enveloped? ?in? ?silver? ?light,? ?

sparks? ?flew? ?incessantly,? ?and? ?the? ?sound? ?of? ?metals? ?cracking? ?reverberated? ?and? ?echoed? ?nonstop? ?in? ?

the? ?ears.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?and? ?FengXin? ?stood? ?unmoving,? ?entrapped? ?in? ?the? ?centre? ?by? ?this? ?chaotic,? ?chilling? ?

killing? ?aura.? ?After? ?ten? ?blows,? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?turned? ?around,? ?resheathing? ?the? ?scimitar.? ?Xie? ?Lian’s? ?gaze? ?

moved? ?from? ?his? ?person? ?to? ?the? ?ground.? ?

?

All? ?those? ?hundreds? ?of? ?weapons? ?from? ?before? ?had? ?all? ?been? ?slashed? ?to? ?specks? ?by? ?E-Ming.? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?crouched? ?down,? ?and? ?picked? ?up? ?two? ?fragmented? ?pieces? ?of? ?a? ?sword,? ?feeling? ?grave? ?pity,? ?

“Those? ?were? ?all? ?such? ?good,? ?rare? ?swords...”? ?

?

Just? ?then,? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?spoke? ?up,? ?“Your? ?Highness,? ?the? ?door.? ?An? ?extra? ?door? ?seemed? ?to? ?have? ?

appeared!”? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?dropped? ?the? ?fragmented? ?pieces? ?and? ?stood? ?up,? ?“I? ?see,? ?so? ?we? ?can? ?only? ?leave? ?after? ?the? ?

weapons? ?were? ?dealt? ?with.”? ? ?

?

Originally,? ?the? ?doors? ?should’ve? ?required? ?blood? ?to? ?be? ?spilt? ?for? ?them? ?to? ?open,? ?but? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?forced? ?

them? ?open? ?directly.? ?Just? ?as? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?was? ?thinking? ?this,? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?took? ?his? ?hand? ?and? ?started? ?

dragging? ?him? ?out? ?the? ?door.? ?Seeing? ?how? ?he? ?was? ?boiling? ?with? ?murderous? ?intent,? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?

questioned,? ?“What? ?do? ?you? ?both? ?plan? ?on? ?doing? ?next?”? ? ?

?

“Obviously? ?to? ?go? ?find? ?Guoshi? ?and? ?Mu? ?Qing.”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?replied.? ? ?

?

Hua? ?Cheng? ?stated? ?calmly,? ?“If? ?Mu? ?Qing? ?really? ?surrendered? ?himself? ?to? ?Jun? ?Wu,? ?then? ?I’ll? ?take? ?his? ?shit? ?

life? ?first.”? ? ?

?

“...”? ?

?

The? ?three? ?exited? ?the? ?armoury? ?and? ?walked? ?for? ?a? ?while.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?hesitated? ?for? ?a? ?bit? ?but? ?in? ?the? ?end? ?

still? ?asked,? ?“San? ?Lang,? ?did? ?you? ?think? ?I? ?was? ?going? ?to? ?stab? ?myself? ?earlier?”? ? ?

?

Hua? ?Cheng? ?didn’t? ?respond,? ?but? ?his? ?expression? ?was? ?still? ?extremely? ?sour.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?added,? ?“I? ?

wouldn’t? ?have.”? ? ?

?

Hua? ?Cheng? ?gave? ?him? ?a? ?look,? ?“Really?”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?felt? ?really? ?guilty? ?after? ?that? ?look.? ?

?

To? ?be? ?honest,? ?if? ?this? ?was? ?the? ?past,? ?perhaps? ?if? ?the? ?situation? ?was? ?truly? ?dire? ?he? ?would’ve? ?really? ?just? ?

solved? ?it? ?like? ?that,? ?but? ?now,? ?he? ?would? ?never? ?again.? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?replied,? ?“Yes!? ?I? ?promised? ?you.? ?Besides,? ?there? ?were? ?so? ?many? ?sabres,? ?spears,? ?and? ?

swords,? ?if? ?they? ?all? ?stabbed? ?me,? ?won’t? ?I? ?have? ?been? ?stabbed? ?to? ?mush?? ?Hahahaha...”? ?He? ?started? ?to? ?

laugh,? ?but? ?then? ?he? ?couldn’t? ?laugh? ?on? ?anymore,? ?because? ?when? ?he? ?said? ?the? ?word? ?‘stab’,? ?Hua? ?

Cheng? ?abruptly? ?turned? ?to? ?stare? ?at? ?him.? ?That? ?gaze? ?was? ?hard? ?to? ?describe,? ?but? ?it? ?stumped? ?all? ?the? ?

words? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?had? ?to? ?say.? ?

?

Then,? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?suddenly? ?reached? ?out,? ?and? ?pressed? ?him? ?hard? ?into? ?his? ?arms.? ?

?

Feng? ?Xin? ?was? ?bringing? ?up? ?the? ?rear? ?and? ?was? ?shaken,? ?“What? ?the? ?fuck?? ?I’m? ?still? ?here???”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?blinked,? ?and? ?patted? ?Hua? ?Cheng’s? ?back,? ?“What? ?is? ?it?”? ? ?

?

Hua? ?Cheng? ?whispered,? ?“Your? ?Highness,? ?please? ?don’t? ?laugh? ?like? ?that? ?anymore.”? ? ?

?

He? ?hugged? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?tightly,? ?“It’s? ?not? ?funny,? ?really...? ?it’s? ?not? ?funny? ?at? ?all.”? ? ?

?

“...”? ?

?

Recalling? ?how? ?before? ?when? ?he? ?picked? ?up? ?those? ?skull? ?bones? ?covered? ?with? ?corpse? ?poison,? ?and? ?

Hua? ?Cheng’s? ?face? ?then? ?was? ?already? ?that? ?unpleasant,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?felt? ?apologetic,? ?“I’m? ?sorry,? ?I? ?won’t? ?

joke? ?about? ?this? ?with? ?you? ?again.? ?I? ?just? ?didn’t? ?want? ?you? ?to? ?worry,? ?but? ?didn’t? ?think? ?it’d? ?have? ?the? ?

opposite? ?effect.”? ? ?

?

Feng? ?Xin? ?looked? ?as? ?if? ?he? ?was? ?startled? ?by? ?this? ?mood,? ?and? ?was? ?flabbergasted? ?for? ?a? ?while,? ?“I...? ?

agree? ?too?? ?Since? ?he’s? ?so? ?serious? ?about? ?it...”? ? ?

?

Hua? ?Cheng? ?finally? ?let? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?go? ?and? ?said? ?quietly,? ?“Let’s? ?go.”? ? ?

?

Without? ?Guoshi? ?to? ?lead? ?the? ?way,? ?other? ?than? ?continuing? ?deep? ?into? ?the? ?palace,? ?the? ?three? ?had? ?no? ?

other? ?choice.? ?

?

But? ?they? ?hadn’t? ?been? ?out? ?for? ?very? ?long? ?before? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?sensed? ?something? ?unusual? ?in? ?the? ?air.? ?

?

“Don’t? ?you? ?two? ?think...? ?it’s? ?gotten? ?hotter?”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?spoke? ?up.? ?

?

When? ?the? ?group? ?of? ?them? ?first? ?entered? ?the? ?underground? ?palace,? ?it? ?was? ?haunting? ?and? ?chilling.? ?But? ?

after? ?walking? ?for? ?a? ?while,? ?the? ?air? ?around? ?seemed? ?to? ?have? ?swelled,? ?growing? ?much? ?more? ?humid? ?and? ?

hot.? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?seemed? ?to? ?have? ?felt? ?the? ?same,? ?and? ?when? ?he? ?turned? ?his? ?head,? ?he? ?was? ?slightly? ?

taken? ?aback? ?before? ?raising? ?a? ?hand? ?to? ?point,? ?“Your? ?Highness,? ?look? ?behind!? ?There? ?seems? ?to? ?be? ?

light.”? ? ?

?

Just? ?as? ?he? ?said,? ?there? ?was? ?light? ?behind? ?them? ?slowly? ?encroaching.? ?

?

That? ?an? ?unknown? ?light? ?source? ?appeared? ?in? ?the? ?pitch? ?black? ?underground,? ?it? ?was? ?a? ?rather? ?peculiar? ?

situation.? ?Had? ?someone? ?come?? ?

?

As? ?they? ?waited? ?for? ?that? ?light? ?to? ?reveal? ?its? ?true? ?appearance,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?finally? ?noticed? ?that? ?it? ?wasn’t? ?

his? ?imagination? ?that? ?the? ?air? ?underground? ?had? ?turned? ?hot.? ?

?

Scarlet? ?and? ?gold? ?lava? ?stream,? ?rolling? ?and? ?bubbling,? ?came? ?flowing? ?down? ?the? ?hill,? ?crawling? ?towards? ?

the? ?three.? ?

?

The? ?lava? ?outside? ?had? ?flowed? ?into? ?the? ?underground? ?palace? ?along? ?with? ?the? ?watercourse!? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?was? ?just? ?crying? ?“oh? ?no!”? ?inwardly? ?when? ?suddenly,? ?he? ?sensed? ?something? ?behind? ?rapidly? ?

dashing? ?past.? ?Instantly? ?he? ?threw? ?his? ?hand? ?out? ?and? ?the? ?silk? ?band? ?whipped? ?out,? ?“HOLD? ?IT!? ?WE? ?

JUST? ?NEED? ?TO? ?ASK? ?FOR? ?DIRECTIONS!”? ?

?

That? ?man? ?just? ?barely? ?dodged,? ?his? ?form? ?halting? ?for? ?a? ?moment,? ?and? ?when? ?the? ?ground? ?turned? ?

around,? ?using? ?the? ?firelight? ?of? ?the? ?lava? ?stream? ?not? ?far? ?away,? ?they? ?saw? ?the? ?man’s? ?face.? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?

shouted,? ?“MU? ?QING!? ?YOU? ?BASTARD,? ?STOP? ?RIGHT? ?THERE!”? ? ?

?

As? ?if? ?Mu? ?Qing? ?would? ?stop.? ?Without? ?another? ?word,? ?he? ?broke? ?off? ?into? ?a? ?run.? ?The? ?three? ?was? ?just? ?

about? ?to? ?give? ?chase? ?and? ?strike? ?when? ?the? ?ground? ?shook? ?violently.? ?

?

The? ?scarlet? ?gold? ?lava? ?suddenly? ?surged? ?and? ?spread? ?over? ?the? ?watercourse,? ?spreading? ?with? ?great? ?

speed,? ?rushing? ?straight? ?towards? ?them!? ?

?

The? ?three? ?were? ?about? ?to? ?be? ?forced? ?out? ?from? ?their? ?footing,? ?but? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?had? ?already? ?encountered? ?

this? ?problem? ?prior? ?to? ?them? ?coming? ?in? ?here,? ?and? ?the? ?level? ?of? ?difficulty? ?was? ?just? ?slightly? ?higher,? ?that’s? ?

all.? ?He? ?spoke? ?up,? ?“Feng? ?Xin,? ?there’s? ?probably? ?many? ?Empty-Shelled? ?mutants? ?in? ?the? ?lava,? ?they? ?can? ?

float,? ?so? ?just? ?step? ?on? ?them? ?so? ?you? ?won’t? ?sink!”? ? ?

?

Then,? ?he? ?targeted? ?an? ?Empty-Shelled? ?mutant? ?that? ?was? ?vigorously? ?paddling? ?its? ?arms? ?in? ?the? ?lava? ?

flow,? ?and? ?leapt? ?up!? ?

?

Once? ?he? ?landed,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?was? ?delighted.? ?Those? ?Empty-Shelled? ?mutants’? ?heads? ?seemed? ?to? ?be? ?

particularly? ?bigger,? ?and? ?even? ?when? ?he? ?stepped? ?down? ?they? ?actually? ?only? ?dipped? ?slightly,? ?and? ?could? ?

still? ?float? ?on? ?the? ?surface? ?of? ?the? ?lava? ?stream? ?without? ?sinking.? ?As? ?long? ?as? ?they? ?didn’t? ?start? ?anything,? ?

they? ?could? ?easily? ?be? ?used? ?as? ?canoes!? ?

?

Feng? ?Xin? ?also? ?targeted? ?one? ?and? ?leapt? ?on,? ?pointing? ?his? ?bow? ?at? ?that? ?Empty-Shelled? ?mutant,? ?“Swim? ?

properly,? ?don’t? ?sink!”? ?With? ?the? ?threat? ?of? ?a? ?weapon,? ?that? ?Empty-Shelled? ?mutant? ?didn’t? ?dare? ?to? ?

offend? ?him? ?as? ?expected,? ?and? ?worked? ?even? ?harder.? ?Meanwhile,? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?only? ?crossed? ?his? ?

arms,? ?looked? ?down? ?and? ?gave? ?a? ?look,? ?and? ?that? ?Empty-Shelled? ?mutant? ?became? ?settled,? ?not? ?daring? ?

to? ?do? ?anything? ?wicked,? ?going? ?full? ?power,? ?swimming? ?the? ?fastest.? ?As? ?for? ?Xie? ?Lian,? ?he? ?clapped? ?his? ?

hands? ?together? ?in? ?a? ?prayer? ?and? ?very? ?sincerely? ?negotiated? ?with? ?that? ?Empty-Shelled? ?mutant,? ?“Take? ?

me? ?for? ?this? ?ride,? ?please? ?take? ?me? ?for? ?this? ?ride!? ?I’ll? ?burn? ?you? ?incense? ?afterwards!? ?You? ?don’t? ?want? ?

incense?? ?Then? ?what? ?offerings? ?do? ?you? ?want,? ?just? ?let? ?me? ?know!”? ?That? ?Empty-Shelled? ?mutant? ?was? ?

obviously? ?extremely? ?dissatisfied,? ?and? ?would? ?time? ?and? ?time? ?again? ?swing? ?its? ?arms,? ?trying? ?to? ?chase? ?

him? ?off,? ?but? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?was? ?as? ?sticky? ?as? ?gum,? ?and? ?even? ?if? ?he? ?tumbled? ?he? ?refused? ?to? ?be? ?flung.? ?

Needless? ?to? ?say,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?had? ?once? ?again? ?found? ?the? ?most? ?difficult? ?one? ?to? ?deal? ?with!? ?

?

The? ?three? ?rode? ?the? ?mutants? ?and? ?flowed? ?down? ?with? ?the? ?current,? ?and? ?as? ?if? ?they? ?were? ?rafting,? ?the? ?

further? ?down? ?the? ?stream? ?they? ?went,? ?the? ?steeper? ?the? ?hills? ?became,? ?and? ?the? ?faster? ?the? ?speed.? ?They? ?

also? ?had? ?to? ?dodge? ?obstacles? ?that’d? ?abruptly? ?rise? ?from? ?the? ?lava? ?stream? ?time? ?and? ?time? ?again,? ?and? ?

the? ?entire? ?journey? ?was? ?full? ?of? ?endless? ?perils.? ?A? ?while? ?later,? ?they? ?finally? ?caught? ?up? ?to? ?Mu? ?Qing? ?who? ?

was? ?ahead,? ?and? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?yelled,? ?“MU? ?QING!? ?WHERE? ?ARE? ?YOU? ?RUNNING? ?OFF? ?TO!”? ? ?

?

Beneath? ?Mu? ?Qing’s? ?feet? ?was? ?also? ?an? ?Empty-Shelled? ?mutant? ?being? ?used? ?as? ?a? ?surfboard,? ?and? ?he? ?

looked? ?back,? ?“WHAT,? ?AND? ?I? ?SHOULD? ?WAIT? ?UNTIL? ?YOU? ?ALL? ?ATTACK? ?ME? ?TOGETHER?”? ? ?

?

There? ?was? ?only? ?a? ?bow? ?in? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?hands? ?and? ?no? ?arrow,? ?so? ?he? ?could? ?only? ?shout? ?through? ?the? ?air,? ?

“WE? ?WON’T? ?ATTACK? ?YOU!? ?EXPLAIN? ?FIRST? ?HOW? ?YOU? ?SUDDENLY? ?DISAPPEARED? ?FROM? ?

THE? ?ARMOURY!”? ? ?

?

Mu? ?Qing? ?looked? ?back,? ?sneering,? ?“You? ?all...”? ?

?

Before? ?he? ?finished,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?saw? ?what? ?laid? ?ahead,? ?his? ?pupils? ?shrinking? ?rapidly,? ?and? ?he? ?shouted,? ?

“AHEAD? ?OF? ?YOU!!”? ? ?

?

Mu? ?Qing? ?instantly? ?turned? ?back,? ?and? ?only? ?then? ?did? ?he? ?discover? ?that? ?the? ?path? ?ahead? ?was? ?coming? ?to? ?

an? ?abrupt? ?end.? ?

?

There? ?was? ?probably? ?an? ?underground? ?chasm? ?here? ?before,? ?and? ?that? ?drop? ?was? ?extremely? ?deep,? ?at? ?

least? ?hundreds? ?of? ?yards? ?like? ?a? ?gigantic? ?cliff.? ?

?

He? ?had? ?never? ?expected? ?a? ?change? ?in? ?landscape? ?like? ?this? ?would? ?appear? ?so? ?abruptly,? ?plus? ?the? ?

further? ?downhill? ?he? ?went? ?the? ?faster? ?the? ?lava? ?stream? ?flowed,? ?and? ?by? ?the? ?time? ?he? ?came? ?to? ?his? ?

senses,? ?he? ?was? ?already? ?thrown? ?into? ?the? ?air? ?unprepared.? ?

?

Mu? ?Qing’s? ?figure? ?along? ?with? ?that? ?Empty-Shelled? ?mutant? ?under? ?his? ?feet? ?instantly? ?disappeared,? ?and? ?

the? ?three? ?over? ?on? ?this? ?end? ?were? ?also? ?about? ?to? ?rapidly? ?rush? ?to? ?the? ?edge? ?of? ?that? ?cliff!? ?

?

In? ?the? ?last? ?second,? ?RuoYe? ?flew? ?out? ?towards? ?the? ?back,? ?and? ?wrapped? ?itself? ?a? ?few? ?times? ?around? ?the? ?

eaves? ?of? ?a? ?palace? ?building? ?in? ?the? ?distance,? ?then? ?tied? ?itself? ?into? ?a? ?knot.? ?With? ?one? ?hand? ?gripping? ?

RuoYe? ?and? ?the? ?other? ?grabbing? ?Hua? ?Cheng,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?tossed? ?out? ?the? ?other? ?end? ?of? ?RuoYe? ?towards? ?

Feng? ?Xin? ?and? ?yelled,? ?“CATCH!”? ? ?

?

With? ?the? ?silk? ?band? ?as? ?the? ?link,? ?the? ?three? ?clumsily? ?steadied? ?themselves.? ?At? ?that? ?moment,? ?they? ?

were? ?at? ?most? ?only? ?about? ?twenty? ?feet? ?away? ?from? ?that? ?“cliff”;? ?if? ?they? ?were? ?late? ?for? ?another? ?step? ?they? ?

were? ?going? ?to? ?fall.? ?They? ?literally? ?“stopped? ?their? ?horses? ?at? ?the? ?precipice”.? ?However,? ?there? ?was? ?still? ?

rolling? ?lava? ?pouring? ?down? ?nonstop,? ?so? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?then? ?ordered,? ?“withdraw!”.? ?

?

RuoYe? ?shrank? ?rapidly,? ?and? ?withdrew? ?the? ?three? ?in? ?the? ?direction? ?of? ?that? ?palace.? ?Soon? ?after,? ?the? ?

three? ?leapt? ?onto? ?the? ?roof? ?of? ?the? ?palace.? ?This? ?palace? ?was? ?bigger,? ?so? ?its? ?roof? ?was? ?considerably? ?

spacious.? ?With? ?stones? ?as? ?the? ?foundation,? ?there? ?was? ?no? ?fear? ?of? ?it? ?being? ?washed? ?away? ?by? ?the? ?lava,? ?

so? ?having? ?landed? ?here,? ?they? ?could? ?temporarily? ?breathe? ?in? ?relief.? ?

?

After? ?steadying? ?himself? ?for? ?a? ?moment,? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?watched? ?that? ?empty? ?“cliff”? ?dumbfoundedly,? ?and? ?

said? ?in? ?disbelief,? ?“Did? ?Mu? ?Qing...? ?fall?”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?forced? ?himself? ?to? ?slow? ?his? ?thumping? ?heart,? ?and? ?panted? ?a? ?breath,? ?wiping? ?away? ?beads? ?of? ?

sweat? ?on? ?his? ?forehead,? ?“He? ?didn’t!”? ? ?

?

Peering? ?over? ?the? ?furthest? ?edge? ?of? ?the? ?rooftop? ?of? ?that? ?palace,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?poked? ?out? ?and? ?could? ?see,? ?

on? ?the? ?rocks? ?on? ?the? ?edge? ?of? ?that? ?cliff? ?was? ?a? ?long? ?sabre? ?nailed? ?in.? ?

?

And? ?a? ?pair? ?of? ?hands? ?were? ?tightly? ?clutching? ?the? ?long? ?hilt? ?of? ?that? ?long? ?sabre.? ?Under? ?those? ?hands? ?

was? ?a? ?flustered,? ?red? ?face? ?vigorously? ?gritting? ?teeth.? ?

?

In? ?this? ?moment,? ?Mu? ?Qing? ?was? ?situated? ?in? ?the? ?horrifying? ?position? ?of? ?being? ?parallel? ?to? ?the? ?

waterfall-like? ?lava? ?stream? ?flowing? ?downwards.? ?

?

Beads? ?of? ?fire? ?was? ?splashing? ?before? ?his? ?face,? ?and? ?it? ?was? ?truly? ?“fire? ?burning? ?his? ?brows”*,? ?and? ?if? ?it? ?

wasn’t? ?for? ?a? ?layer? ?of? ?spiritual? ?light? ?protecting? ?his? ?body,? ?blocking? ?out? ?the? ?majority? ?of? ?the? ?steam,? ?his? ?

entire? ?appearance? ?would’ve? ?been? ?burnt? ?away? ?and? ?his? ?head? ?would’ve? ?been? ?ablaze? ?by? ?now.? ?

?

But? ?this? ?protective? ?layer? ?of? ?spiritual? ?light? ?wouldn’t? ?last? ?for? ?long? ?either,? ?and? ?if? ?his? ?entire? ?person? ?was? ?

to? ?fall? ?into? ?a? ?pool? ?of? ?lava,? ?his? ?bones? ?would? ?still? ?dissolve? ?into? ?air!? ?

?

This? ?was? ?such? ?a? ?terrifying? ?scene,? ?and? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?questioned,? ?“What? ?should? ?we? ?do?!? ?Your? ?

Highness,? ?can? ?that? ?white? ?silk? ?band? ?of? ?yours? ?reach? ?him?”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?had? ?already? ?given? ?it? ?an? ?attempt,? ?withdrawing? ?RuoYe,? ?patting? ?off? ?the? ?flames? ?on? ?it,? ?“I? ?can’t!? ?

The? ?distance? ?is? ?too? ?far!? ?RuoYe? ?caught? ?on? ?fire? ?midway!”? ? ?

?

Many? ?small? ?broken? ?threads? ?of? ?flames? ?were? ?also? ?singing? ?Mu? ?Qing’s? ?robes,? ?and? ?the? ?hilt? ?was? ?

scorching? ?hot,? ?yet? ?he? ?still? ?gripped? ?on? ?hard,? ?afraid? ?to? ?let? ?go,? ?and? ?afraid? ?to? ?look? ?down.? ?

?

If? ?he? ?was? ?to? ?let? ?go? ?then? ?it? ?was? ?nothing? ?but? ?blazing? ?flames? ?and? ?lava? ?waiting? ?for? ?him? ?down? ?below.? ?

There? ?was? ?also? ?the? ?hungry? ?wailing? ?of? ?countless? ?spirits? ?of? ?the? ?deceased,? ?their? ?cries? ?resounding? ?

and? ?echoing,? ?as? ?if? ?they? ?were? ?calling? ?for? ?the? ?one? ?struggling,? ?hanging? ?on? ?for? ?dear? ?life? ?above? ?to? ?

hurry? ?and? ?join? ?them? ?in? ?companionship.? ?

?

Mu? ?Qing? ?held? ?onto? ?that? ?hilt? ?in? ?a? ?deadly? ?grip,? ?his? ?pale? ?forehead? ?covered? ?in? ?heavy? ?sweat.? ?When? ?he? ?

saw? ?the? ?three? ?in? ?the? ?distance,? ?his? ?lips? ?moved? ?like? ?he? ?wanted? ?to? ?call? ?for? ?help.? ?But,? ?with? ?his? ?

personality,? ?it? ?was? ?really? ?difficult? ?to? ?have? ?the? ?words? ?“Help”? ?and? ?“Save? ?me”? ?leave? ?his? ?lips.? ?

?

Besides,? ?whether? ?if? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?was? ?free? ?or? ?not,? ?he? ?probably? ?wouldn’t? ?care? ?to? ?come? ?save? ?him.? ?It? ?

was? ?hard? ?to? ?tell? ?with? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?too,? ?and? ?the? ?only? ?one? ?left? ?who? ?would? ?be? ?willing? ?to? ?rescue? ?him,? ?had? ?

the? ?ability? ?to? ?save? ?him,? ?and? ?could? ?persuade? ?the? ?other? ?two,? ?was? ?Xie? ?Lian.? ?

?

In? ?the? ?end,? ?he? ?fervently? ?pulled? ?up,? ?veins? ?popping? ?slightly? ?on? ?his? ?forehead? ?as? ?he? ?shouted? ?towards? ?

Xie? ?Lian,? ?“Your? ?Highness!”? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?was? ?just? ?scanning? ?the? ?area? ?making? ?rapid? ?observations,? ?and? ?when? ?he? ?heard? ?the? ?call? ?he? ?

looked? ?to? ?him.? ?Mu? ?Qing? ?held? ?in? ?for? ?a? ?good? ?while,? ?then? ?sucking? ?in? ?a? ?breath,? ?he? ?yelled? ?with? ?a? ?red? ?

face,? ?“...BELIEVE? ?ME!? ?Your? ?Highness,? ?YOU? ?KNOW? ?I? ?WASN’T? ?LYING,? ?DON’T? ?YOU?? ?YOU? ?

KNOW? ?I? ?WOULDN’T? ?HAVE? ?REALLY? ?HARMED? ?ANY? ?OF? ?YOU,? ?RIGHT??”? ? ?

?

“...”? ?

?

The? ?way? ?he? ?was? ?begging? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?so? ?full? ?of? ?hope,? ?like? ?he? ?was? ?hanging? ?on? ?to? ?the? ?last? ?straw? ?of? ?his? ?

life,? ?suddenly? ?made? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?remember? ?another? ?scene? ?from? ?another? ?time.? ?

?

That? ?time? ?when? ?dusk? ?was? ?falling? ?of? ?many,? ?many? ?years? ?ago,? ?when? ?he? ?too? ?begged? ?Mu? ?Qing? ?with? ?

the? ?same? ?desperate? ?hope? ?–? ? ?

?

“You? ?know? ?I? ?wasn’t? ?lying,? ?right?”? ? ?

?

How? ?had? ?Mu? ?Qing? ?answer? ?him? ?back? ?then?? ?

?

He? ?hadn’t? ?thought? ?of? ?those? ?things? ?for? ?hundreds? ?of? ?years,? ?but? ?this? ?line? ?Mu? ?Qing? ?used? ?suddenly? ?

dragged? ?them? ?out? ?from? ?the? ?dusty? ?corners? ?where? ?they? ?were? ?sealed? ?away.? ?

?

Dragged? ?out? ?and? ?broke? ?loose;? ?countless? ?images? ?and? ?voices? ?flashed? ?by,? ?and? ?only? ?then? ?did? ?Xie? ?

Lian? ?realize? ?that? ?he? ?remembered? ?every? ?detail? ?so? ?very? ?clearly;? ?that? ?he? ?had? ?never? ?forgotten.? ?

?

Mu? ?Qing? ?never? ?received? ?his? ?answer,? ?and? ?in? ?Xie? ?Lian’s? ?unusual? ?silence,? ?he? ?seemed? ?to? ?have? ?

gradually? ?remembered? ?the? ?same? ?scene,? ?the? ?colours? ?of? ?his? ?face? ?slowly? ?changing.? ?It? ?appeared? ?that? ?

he? ?also? ?figured? ?out? ?that? ?he? ?had? ?used? ?the? ?wrong? ?words? ?to? ?call? ?for? ?help,? ?and? ?reminded? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?

what? ?he? ?shouldn’t? ?have? ?reminded? ?at? ?a? ?time? ?like? ?this? ?unintentionally.? ?

?

Just? ?then,? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?spoke? ?up? ?quietly? ?behind? ?Xie? ?Lian,? ?“Gege,? ?before? ?you? ?make? ?your? ?decision,? ?

I? ?have? ?to? ?remind? ?you? ?of? ?a? ?couple? ?things.”? ? ?

?

Only? ?then? ?did? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?snap? ?out? ?of? ?it? ?and? ?said,? ?“What? ?is? ?it?”? ? ?

?

“First,”? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?said,? ?“Unless? ?the? ?lava? ?stream? ?stops? ?flowing,? ?making? ?a? ?rescue? ?attempt? ?will? ?be? ?

life-threateningly? ?dangerous.”? ? ?

?

But,? ?who? ?knows? ?when? ?it? ?would? ?stop? ?flowing?? ?That? ?sabre? ?hilt? ?was? ?already? ?scorchingly? ?red? ?hot,? ?Mu? ?

Qing’s? ?hands? ?wouldn’t? ?be? ?able? ?to? ?grip? ?on? ?for? ?much? ?longer,? ?how? ?could? ?he? ?possibly? ?hang? ?on? ?until? ?

then?? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?was? ?quiet.? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?continued,? ?“Second,? ?if? ?Mu? ?Qing? ?had? ?already? ?surrendered? ?to? ?Jun? ?

Wu,? ?then? ?Jun? ?Wu? ?will? ?definitely? ?have? ?a? ?way? ?to? ?get? ?him? ?out? ?of? ?here.? ?But? ?you,? ?you? ?will? ?definitely? ?fall? ?

into? ?danger.? ?And? ?this? ?possibility? ?is? ?great.? ?Think? ?about? ?his? ?behaviour? ?and? ?the? ?way? ?he? ?acted? ?this? ?

entire? ?trip.”? ?

?

Knocking? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?out,? ?luring? ?them? ?into? ?the? ?armoury,? ?refusing? ?to? ?admit? ?he? ?knocked? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?out? ?

and? ?even? ?made? ?accusations? ?back,? ?suddenly? ?disappearing? ?after? ?the? ?armoury? ?went? ?berserk,? ?the? ?

coincidental? ?timing? ?of? ?the? ?lava? ?stream? ?reversing? ?it’s? ?flow,? ?bringing? ?them? ?to? ?where? ?they? ?were? ?now.? ?

?

And? ?now,? ?was? ?he? ?perhaps? ?once? ?again? ?purposely? ?leading? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?to? ?his? ?end?? ?

?

?

———-? ?

?

Ch.234:? ?Cliffs? ?Hundred? ?Yards? ?High;? ?Thousand? ?Bends? ?over? ?Lava? ?Falls? ?2? ?

?

The? ?time? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?had? ?been? ?silent? ?was? ?becoming? ?a? ?bit? ?long.? ?That? ?long? ?saber? ?hilt? ?was? ?burning? ?red? ?

hot,? ?and? ?Mu? ?Qing? ?let? ?out? ?a? ?loud? ?shout,? ?a? ?hand? ?dropping,? ?and? ?he? ?hung? ?for? ?a? ?while? ?using? ?only? ?the? ?

other? ?hand.? ?He? ?didn’t? ?dare? ?support? ?himself? ?up? ?like? ?that? ?for? ?too? ?long? ?and? ?immediately? ?clutched? ?on? ?

again.? ?However,? ?the? ?palms? ?of? ?both? ?his? ?hands? ?were? ?smoking? ?strings? ?of? ?white? ?vapour,? ?and? ?while? ?

there? ?was? ?a? ?long? ?distance? ?between? ?them,? ?those? ?on? ?the? ?other? ?side? ?could? ?also? ?almost? ?smell? ?the? ?

stench? ?of? ?burnt? ?flesh.? ?

?

Hua? ?Cheng? ?casually? ?let? ?loose? ?a? ?silver? ?butterfly.? ?That? ?silver? ?butterfly? ?fluttered? ?its? ?wings,? ?flying? ?out? ?

for? ?a? ?few? ?hundred? ?feet,? ?but? ?before? ?it? ?reached? ?even? ?one? ?third? ?of? ?the? ?way? ?to? ?Mu? ?Qing,? ?it? ?dissipated? ?

into? ?silver? ?smoke? ?and? ?vanished? ?in? ?the? ?air.? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?knew? ?that? ?he? ?was? ?demonstrating? ?that? ?the? ?wraith? ?butterflies? ?could? ?not? ?help;? ?it? ?was? ?a? ?dead? ?

end,? ?not? ?worth? ?dying? ?for.? ? ?

?

Mu? ?Qing? ?also? ?witnessed? ?the? ?vanishing? ?process? ?of? ?that? ?silver? ?butterfly,? ?his? ?expression? ?gradually? ?

turning? ?into? ?one? ?of? ?despair.? ?

?

He? ?understood.? ?Right? ?now,? ?one,? ?there? ?was? ?no? ?one? ?who? ?had? ?the? ?ability? ?to? ?save? ?him,? ?second,? ?no? ?

one? ?believed? ?him,? ?and? ?on? ?the? ?grounds? ?of? ?his? ?triggering,? ?there? ?was? ?no? ?reason? ?at? ?all? ?for? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?to? ?

come? ?pull? ?him? ?up? ?at? ?the? ?risk? ?of? ?his? ?own? ?life.? ?

?

But,? ?while? ?despairing,? ?he? ?still? ?refused? ?to? ?yield,? ?and? ?he? ?was? ?unwilling? ?to? ?give? ?up.? ?Mu? ?Qing? ?gritted? ?

his? ?teeth,? ?shouting,? ?“IF? ?YOU? ?DON’T? ?BELIEVE? ?ME? ?THAT’S? ?FINE? ?TOO,? ?BUT? ?I? ?WILL? ?NEVER? ?

FALL? ?THAT? ?EASILY!”? ? ?

?

Then,? ?he? ?gripped? ?hard,? ?seeming? ?to? ?attempt? ?a? ?mid? ?air? ?spin? ?to? ?stand? ?on? ?that? ?hilt.? ?Yet? ?unexpectedly,? ?

just? ?as? ?his? ?body? ?lifted? ?for? ?a? ?few? ?inches? ?it? ?violently? ?sank!? ?

?

Mu? ?Qing? ?looked? ?down,? ?and? ?in? ?his? ?eyes? ?reflected? ?countless? ?resentful? ?spirits? ?that? ?were? ?melded? ?into? ?

the? ?colour? ?of? ?blood? ?red,? ?their? ?faces? ?and? ?limbs? ?contorted? ?and? ?twisted? ?as? ?they? ?pressed? ?themselves? ?

onto? ?his? ?leg,? ?pulling? ?him? ?down!? ?

Those? ?resentful? ?spirits? ?were? ?originally? ?melted? ?into? ?the? ?flowing? ?lava,? ?but? ?they? ?suddenly? ?popped? ?

out,? ?hanging? ?off? ?of? ?this? ?lower? ?half? ?body? ?one? ?after? ?the? ?other,? ?heavy? ?and? ?boiling? ?hot,? ?like? ?adding? ?oil? ?

to? ?fire,? ?frost? ?upon? ?snow,? ?and? ?Mu? ?Qing? ?was? ?going? ?mad,? ?“GET? ?LOST!!!”? ? ?

?

In? ?the? ?past? ?hundreds? ?of? ?years,? ?it? ?wasn’t? ?like? ?he? ?had? ?never? ?faced? ?the? ?brink? ?of? ?death,? ?but? ?those? ?

were? ?all? ?circumstances? ?where? ?he? ?was? ?heavily? ?wounded.? ?To? ?die? ?buried? ?in? ?lava? ?was? ?a? ?thousand? ?

times? ?more? ?horrifying? ?than? ?death? ?by? ?injuries,? ?and? ?the? ?moment? ?he? ?imagined? ?himself? ?turning? ?into? ?a? ?

wisp? ?of? ?smoke? ?like? ?that? ?wraith? ?butterfly,? ?leaving? ?the? ?world? ?without? ?a? ?trace,? ?he? ?couldn’t? ?stand? ?it.? ?

?

At? ?last,? ?Mu? ?Qing’s? ?hands? ?had? ?reached? ?their? ?limit,? ?and? ?his? ?ten? ?fingers? ?loosened? ?slightly,? ?no? ?longer? ?

able? ?to? ?grip? ?on.? ?

?

The? ?space? ?beneath? ?the? ?sabre? ?turned? ?empty? ?–? ?he? ?had? ?fallen!? ?

?

The? ?silhouette? ?of? ?a? ?figure? ?was? ?plunging? ?downwards? ?to? ?the? ?blazing? ?fires? ?and? ?lava? ?pool? ?below,? ?

“AAAAAHHHHHHHHHH!”? ?

?

However,? ?while? ?his? ?screams? ?were? ?fervent? ?and? ?tormented,? ?after? ?his? ?body? ?had? ?dropped? ?for? ?some? ?

distance,? ?the? ?fall? ?came? ?to? ?a? ?violent? ?halt,? ?and? ?he? ?was? ?hung? ?in? ?mid? ?air!? ?

?

Mu? ?Qing? ?hadn’t? ?yet? ?come? ?to? ?his? ?senses,? ?half? ?of? ?his? ?head? ?numb,? ?but? ?because? ?his? ?instinctive? ?

reaction? ?was? ?still? ?intact,? ?he? ?quickly? ?felt? ?his? ?body.? ?Turns? ?out,? ?it? ?was? ?a? ?white? ?silk? ?band? ?that? ?wrapped? ?

itself? ?around? ?his? ?waist.? ?

?

It? ?was? ?naturally? ?RuoYe.? ?But,? ?that? ?palace? ?where? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?perched? ?was? ?nowhere? ?near? ?the? ?cliff? ?

where? ?he? ?fell,? ?and? ?if? ?RuoYe? ?couldn’t? ?reach? ?over? ?earlier,? ?how? ?could? ?it? ?have? ?caught? ?him? ?after? ?he? ?

had? ?fallen? ?for? ?a? ?while?? ?

?

Mu? ?Qing? ?gazed? ?upward? ?and? ?discovered? ?in? ?shock? ?that? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?wasn’t? ?on? ?top? ?of? ?the? ?roof? ?of? ?that? ?

palace? ?at? ?all? ?–? ?he? ?was? ?right? ?above? ?his? ?own? ?head.? ?

?

Earlier,? ?Mu? ?Qing? ?nailed? ?the? ?long? ?sabre? ?into? ?the? ?rocks,? ?and? ?gripped? ?onto? ?the? ?hilt? ?of? ?that? ?sabre? ?in? ?

order? ?to? ?hang? ?on? ?for? ?some? ?time.? ?Yet? ?right? ?at? ?this? ?moment,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?was? ?half? ?crouched? ?upon? ?that? ?

hilt!? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?was? ?rapidly? ?withdrawing? ?RuoYe? ?as? ?he? ?looked? ?down,? ?and? ?only? ?letting? ?out? ?a? ?breath? ?of? ?

relief? ?when? ?he? ?saw? ?Mu? ?Qing? ?was? ?alright,? ?“Thank? ?goodness,? ?thank? ?goodness,? ?I? ?made? ?it? ?in? ?time.”? ? ?

?

Mu? ?Qing? ?muttered,? ?“...Your,? ?Your? ?Highness?”? ? ?

?

That? ?instant? ?earlier? ?was? ?overly? ?stimulating,? ?so? ?much? ?so? ?that? ?his? ?mind? ?was? ?still? ?mush? ?and? ?

confused.? ?In? ?such? ?a? ?far? ?distance? ?with? ?rolling? ?lava? ?en? ?route,? ?without? ?any? ?other? ?landing? ?points,? ?at? ?

most? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?could’ve? ?only? ?jumped? ?halfway,? ?so? ?how? ?had? ?he? ?come? ?over?? ?

?

In? ?the? ?distance,? ?Feng? ?Xin’s? ?voice? ?rang,? ?“Your? ?Highness!? ?ARE? ?YOU? ?BOTH? ?ALRIGHT?”? ? ?

?

Mu? ?Qing? ?looked? ?to? ?the? ?sound,? ?and? ?upon? ?the? ?roof? ?of? ?that? ?palace? ?were? ?now? ?only? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?and? ?

Feng? ?Xin? ?who? ?remain.? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?was? ?watching? ?them? ?with? ?his? ?arms? ?crossed,? ?seeming? ?to? ?be? ?

ensuring? ?Xie? ?Lian’s? ?safety,? ?uncaring? ?of? ?anything? ?else.? ?And,? ?in? ?the? ?middle? ?between? ?the? ?two? ?points? ?

of? ?that? ?palace? ?and? ?the? ?cliffside? ?where? ?he? ?fell,? ?there? ?was? ?an? ?ink? ?black? ?sword,? ?coldly? ?wedged? ?and? ?

standing? ?in? ?the? ?centre? ?of? ?incessantly? ?flowing? ?red? ?hot? ?lava.? ?

?

Fang? ?Xin!? ?

?

So? ?that? ?was? ?it!? ?Mu? ?Qing? ?finally? ?understood? ?how? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?had? ?come? ?over.? ?

?

By? ?Xie? ?Lian’s? ?ability? ?to? ?jump,? ?he? ?indeed? ?could? ?only? ?jump? ?halfway? ?at? ?most,? ?and? ?would? ?never? ?be? ?

able? ?to? ?safely? ?jump? ?all? ?the? ?way? ?to? ?the? ?cliffside? ?where? ?he? ?fell? ?from? ?the? ?rooftop? ?of? ?that? ?palace.? ?Thus,? ?

Xie? ?Lian? ?had? ?hurled? ?Fang? ?Xin? ?out? ?first,? ?instilling? ?it? ?in? ?the? ?lava? ?stream? ?to? ?create? ?a? ?landing? ?point,? ?

then? ?using? ?Fang? ?Xin? ?as? ?another? ?starting? ?point,? ?he? ?leapt? ?onto? ?his? ?sabre,? ?releasing? ?RuoYe? ?in? ?the? ?

last? ?second,? ?and? ?barely? ?just? ?caught? ?him.? ?

?

“I’ve? ?been? ?trying? ?to? ?think? ?of? ?a? ?way? ?earlier,? ?there? ?really? ?was? ?nothing? ?here? ?that? ?could? ?be? ?used,? ?so? ?

some? ?time? ?was? ?used.”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?said,? ?“You? ?were? ?also? ?panicking? ?too? ?much.? ?Don’t? ?lose? ?your? ?head,? ?

otherwise? ?you’d? ?fall? ?faster.”? ? ?

?

Mu? ?Qing? ?had? ?thought? ?Xie? ?Lian’s? ?silence? ?was? ?his? ?hesitating? ?in? ?whether? ?or? ?not? ?to? ?save? ?him,? ?but? ?

turns? ?out? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?was? ?instead? ?trying? ?to? ?think? ?of? ??how?? ?to? ?save? ?him.? ?And? ?thank? ?goodness? ?that? ?Xie? ?

Lian? ?could? ?still? ?think? ?with? ?such? ?a? ?clear? ?head? ?in? ?such? ?a? ?dire? ?situation? ?earlier.? ?

?

The? ?beads? ?of? ?sweat? ?on? ?his? ?forehead? ?was? ?rolling? ?thicker.? ?

?

The? ?moment? ?he? ?looked? ?up,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?had? ?extended? ?a? ?hand? ?to? ?him,? ?smiling,? ?“In? ?any? ?case,? ?although? ?

a? ?little? ?late,? ?but,? ?this? ?hand? ?isn’t? ?extended? ?too? ?late,? ?right?”? ? ?

?

“...”? ?

?

Perhaps? ?it? ?was? ?because? ?he? ?had? ?been? ?gripping? ?the? ?hilt? ?for? ?too? ?long? ?earlier,? ?but? ?Mu? ?Qing? ?suddenly? ?

felt? ?his? ?arms? ?incomparably? ?heavy,? ?unable? ?to? ?be? ?raised.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?then? ?stretched? ?his? ?hand? ?lower,? ?

“Come.”? ? ?

?

Mu? ?Qing? ?finally? ?took? ?hold? ?of? ?his? ?hand.? ?

?

His? ?entire? ?arm? ?was? ?shaking? ?slightly,? ?but? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?yanked? ?forcefully? ?and? ?pulled? ?him? ?up.? ?The? ?two? ?

stood? ?together? ?on? ?the? ?hilt? ?of? ?Mu? ?Qing’s? ?long? ?sabre.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?turned? ?around,? ?and? ?waved? ?towards? ?

the? ?roof,? ?“SAN? ?LANG,? ?IT’S? ?A? ?SUCCESS!”? ? ?

?

“Very? ?good,? ?gege.”? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?replied,? ?“Now? ?come? ?back,? ?right? ?this? ?instant!”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?responded,? ?“Alright,? ?I’ll? ?be? ?right? ?back!”? ?Then? ?he? ?looked? ?back? ?to? ?Mu? ?Qing,? ?“Can? ?you? ?still? ?

jump?? ?If? ?not? ?I’ll? ?take? ?you?”? ? ?

?

Mu? ?Qing’s? ?lips? ?moved,? ?“I...”? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?observed? ?his? ?disposition? ?and? ?said? ?resolutely,? ?“I’ll? ?take? ?you.”? ?Then,? ?he? ?grabbed? ?his? ?back.? ?

If? ?this? ?was? ?the? ?past,? ?Mu? ?Qing? ?probably? ?would’ve? ?rolled? ?his? ?eyes? ?secretly? ?and? ?protested? ?his? ?grip,? ?

that? ?he? ?was? ?being? ?disrespectful? ?of? ?others,? ?but? ?now,? ?Mu? ?Qing? ?couldn’t? ?utter? ?a? ?single? ?word.? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?was? ?just? ?about? ?to? ?leap? ?up? ?when? ?unexpectedly,? ?right? ?then,? ?both? ?of? ?them? ?suddenly? ?felt? ?

their? ?footings? ?dip? ?at? ?the? ?same? ?time.? ? ?

?

As? ?if? ?things? ?weren’t? ?unfortunate? ?enough,? ?that? ?long? ?sabre? ?nailed? ?into? ?the? ?rocks? ?just? ?had? ?to? ?pick? ?this? ?

time? ?to? ?loosen!? ?

?

The? ?colours? ?of? ?Hua? ?Cheng’s? ?face? ?immediately? ?changed,? ?“GEGE!!!”? ? ?

?

This? ?time,? ?it? ?was? ?two? ?figures? ?that? ?were? ?plunging? ?down? ?together? ?towards? ?the? ?crimson? ?red? ?lava? ?

pool.? ?In? ?such? ?fire? ?burning? ?ass? ?moments,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?could? ?still? ?think? ?rapidly,? ?and? ?he? ?shouted,? ?“IT’S? ?

FINE!”? ?Then? ?he? ?spun? ?several? ?times? ?in? ?mid? ?air,? ?grabbing? ?onto? ?that? ?a? ?long? ?sabre? ?in? ?the? ?air,? ?and? ?with? ?

both? ?hands? ?gripping? ?the? ?hilt,? ?he? ?once? ?again? ?nailed? ?the? ?sabre? ?into? ?the? ?rocks!? ?

?

CLANG!?? ?Beads? ?of? ?sparks? ?few,? ?brilliant? ?and? ?dazzling.? ?Over? ?the? ?surface? ?of? ?Xie? ?Lian’s? ?protective? ?

spiritual? ?light,? ?those? ?particles? ?of? ?fire? ?were? ?like? ?fragmented? ?grains? ?of? ?gold,? ?but? ?if? ?that? ?layer? ?of? ?

protective? ?spiritual? ?light? ?was? ?gone,? ?even? ?a? ?speck? ?of? ?it? ?could? ?burn? ?through? ?a? ?large? ?hole? ?in? ?a? ?

person!? ?

?

RuoYe? ?raised? ?Mu? ?Qing? ?up,? ?and? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?said? ?to? ?him? ?solemnly,? ?“This? ?sabre? ?won’t? ?be? ?able? ?to? ?take? ?

the? ?weight? ?of? ?two? ?grown? ?men? ?for? ?long.? ?This? ?can’t? ?keep? ?up.? ?Between? ?us? ?two,? ?only? ?one? ?can? ?remain? ?

here.”? ? ?

?

Mu? ?Qing? ?slowly? ?came? ?back? ?to? ?his? ?senses,? ?“Are? ?you? ?saying...”? ?

?

“You? ?can? ?go.”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?said.? ?

?

“...???”? ? ?

?

Mu? ?Qing’s? ?pupils? ?slowly? ?shrank,? ?but? ?before? ?he? ?could? ?speak,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?caught? ?him,? ?and? ?threw? ?him? ?

forcefully? ?upwards,? ?shouting,? ?“ON? ?YOUR? ?MARK!”? ? ?

?

Mu? ?Qing? ?was? ?thrown? ?over? ?the? ?cliff,? ?and? ?discovered? ?he? ?was? ?flying? ?towards? ?where? ?Fang? ?Xin? ?stood.? ?

He? ?steadied? ?himself,? ?flipping? ?in? ?the? ?air,? ?and? ?landed? ?on? ?the? ?hilt? ?of? ?Fang? ?Xin.? ?

?

After? ?having? ?landed? ?here? ?did? ?he? ?understand? ?why? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?had? ?to? ?throw? ?him? ?up? ?first.? ? ?

?

It? ?was? ?because? ?with? ?this? ?distance,? ?perhaps? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?could? ?jump? ?over? ?from? ?the? ?hilt? ?that? ?had? ?

migrated? ?several? ?dozens? ?feet? ?down,? ?but,? ?he? ?wouldn’t? ?have? ?been? ?able? ?to.? ?

?

This? ?distance? ?for? ?him? ?was? ?too? ?far.? ?He? ?could? ?only? ?have? ?made? ?it? ?up? ?borrowing? ?Xie? ?Lian’s? ?hurling? ?

force!? ?

?

Feng? ?Xin? ?wiped? ?away? ?his? ?cold? ?sweat,? ?“Thank? ?goodness? ?Your? ?Highness? ?reacts? ?fast!”? ? ?

?

Hua? ?Cheng? ?however,? ?was? ?looking? ?severe,? ?and? ?he? ?called? ?out? ?down? ?below,? ?“Gege!? ?If? ?you? ?don’t? ?

come? ?back? ?soon,? ?I’m? ?going? ?to? ?have? ?to? ?come? ?down? ?and? ?get? ?you!”? ?

?

His? ?voice? ?carried? ?the? ?tone? ?of? ?warning,? ?and? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?quickly? ?replied,? ?“I’m? ?coming? ?up? ?now!? ?Things? ?

are? ?alright,? ?not? ?too? ?hard? ?to? ?handle,? ?I? ?can? ?jump? ?over? ?myself,? ?don’t? ?come? ?down.”? ? ?

?

Only? ?then? ?did? ?Hua? ?Cheng’s? ?demeanour? ?relax? ?a? ?little,? ?but? ?he? ?still? ?watched? ?with? ?eyes? ?unblinking.? ?

Feng? ?Xin? ?looked? ?at? ?him? ?and? ?couldn’t? ?help? ?but? ?say,? ?“...I’m? ?a? ?little? ?surprised.”? ? ?

?

Hua? ?Cheng? ?didn’t? ?turn? ?his? ?head,? ?and? ?said? ?without? ?any? ?trace? ?of? ?curiosity,? ?“What.”? ? ?

?

Feng? ?Xin? ?scratched? ?his? ?head,? ?“I? ?thought,? ?since? ?you’re? ?so? ?biased? ?against? ?Mu? ?Qing,? ?you’d? ?think? ?he? ?

wasn’t? ?worth? ?saving? ?and? ?would? ?be? ?against? ?His? ?Highness? ?rescuing? ?him,? ?prevent? ?him? ?from? ?going.”? ? ?

?

Only? ?then? ?did? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?give? ?him? ?a? ?look,? ?“Half? ?wrong,? ?half? ?right.”? ? ?

?

“Huh?”? ? ?

?

Hua? ?Cheng? ?said,? ?“The? ?first? ?part? ?wasn’t? ?wrong,? ?I? ?certainly? ?don’t? ?think? ?he’s? ?worth? ?saving.? ?How? ?he? ?is? ?

is? ?none? ?of? ?my? ?business.”? ? ?

?

Seeing? ?his? ?apathetic? ?expression,? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?sweat? ?dropped,? ?“Aren’t? ?you? ?a? ?little? ?too? ?blunt?!”? ? ?

?

And? ?when? ?he? ?thought? ?how? ?this? ?man? ?most? ?definitely? ?held? ?the? ?same? ?attitude? ?towards? ?him,? ?more? ?

sweat? ?rolled.? ?

?

Hua? ?Cheng? ?“pfft”-ed? ?and? ?snorted,? ?then? ?after? ?a? ?pause,? ?he? ?added,? ?“But,? ?only? ?His? ?Highness? ?can? ?

decide? ?on? ?whatever? ?he? ?chooses.? ?I? ?will? ?never? ?oppose? ?his? ?decisions.”? ? ?

?

“...”? ?

?

Feng? ?Xin? ?had? ?never? ?heard? ?anyone? ?say? ?anything? ?like? ?this? ?before.? ?Not? ?from? ?men? ?to? ?women,? ?and? ?

most? ?definitely? ?not? ?from? ?one? ?man? ?to? ?another? ?man,? ?and? ?he? ?could? ?only? ?think? ?that? ?if? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?heard? ?

this? ?it? ?was? ?gonna? ?be? ?another? ?big? ?deal.? ?Not? ?knowing? ?what? ?face? ?to? ?make,? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?could? ?only? ?

reply,? ?“...Ah.? ?I? ?see.”? ? ?

?

Hua? ?Cheng? ?turned? ?his? ?head? ?back,? ?staring? ?at? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?who? ?was? ?peering? ?at? ?the? ?lava? ?flow? ?in? ?

observation,? ?thinking? ?and? ?making? ?up? ?plans,? ?and? ?smiled,? ?“Besides,? ?I? ?already? ?knew? ?he? ?was? ?going? ?

to? ?do? ?this.”? ? ?

?

On? ?the? ?other? ?end,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?called? ?out,? ?“Mu? ?Qing,? ?hurry? ?and? ?move? ?to? ?the? ?rooftop,? ?stop? ?running.? ?If? ?

there’s? ?really? ?anything? ?we? ?can? ?talk? ?afterwards.”? ? ?

?

Only? ?then? ?did? ?Mu? ?Qing? ?realize? ?that? ?if? ?he? ?didn’t? ?leave? ?Fang? ?Xin,? ?then? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?had? ?nowhere? ?to? ?

land? ?for? ?his? ?next? ?step.? ?Forcing? ?himself? ?to? ?think? ?calmly,? ?Mu? ?Qing? ?was? ?just? ?about? ?to? ?return? ?to? ?the? ?

rooftop? ?when? ?unexpectedly,? ?just? ?as? ?he? ?leapt? ?up,? ?down? ?below? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?suddenly? ?cried? ?out,? ?

“WHO’S? ?THERE?!”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?was? ?standing? ?on? ?the? ?sabre,? ?silently? ?storing? ?energy? ?when? ?suddenly,? ?the? ?lava? ?falls? ?behind? ?

him? ?parted,? ?and? ?from? ?the? ?falls? ?a? ?pair? ?of? ?hands? ?stretched? ?out,? ?seizing? ?him? ?abruptly.? ?

?

That? ?creature? ?clearly? ?came? ?from? ?within? ?the? ?lava? ?falls,? ?but? ?those? ?hands? ?were? ?horrifyingly? ?cold.? ?Xie? ?

Lian? ?shuddered,? ?and? ?heard? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?exclaim? ?from? ?above,? ?“Your? ?Highness??”? ? ?

?

Those? ?hands? ?hugged? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?tightly,? ?and? ?fell? ?off? ?the? ?saber? ?taking? ?him? ?along.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?was? ?

completely? ?dumbfounded,? ?and? ?those? ?above? ?saw? ?clearly? ?what? ?it? ?was? ?that? ?seized? ?him? ?from? ?behind.? ?

?

That? ?man? ?was? ?clad? ?in? ?white? ?robes,? ?a? ?half? ?crying-half? ?smiling? ?mask? ?on? ?his? ?face,? ?as? ?if? ?he? ?was? ?

rejoicing;? ?as? ?if? ?he? ?was? ?grieving.? ?

?

White? ?No-Face!? ?

?

RuoYe? ?sensed? ?danger? ?and? ?came? ?whipping? ?out? ?on? ?its? ?own,? ?flinging? ?itself? ?upwards? ?and? ?casted? ?

itself? ?before? ?Mu? ?Qing.? ?Mu? ?Qing? ?grabbed? ?it? ?unconsciously,? ?but? ?the? ?power? ?from? ?the? ?other? ?end? ?of? ?

the? ?white? ?silk? ?band? ?was? ?too? ?great,? ?and? ?not? ?only? ?did? ?he? ?not? ?manage? ?to? ?hold? ?it? ?down,? ?it? ?yanked? ?him? ?

down? ?too.? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?was? ?rapidly? ?plunging? ?down? ?amidst? ?fiery? ?sparks,? ?and? ?heard? ?that? ?creature? ?laugh? ?by? ?his? ?

ears,? ?“Hahahahahaha...? ?Naive!? ?Too? ?naive,? ?Xian? ?Le!? ?Did? ?you? ?think? ?it? ?was? ?that? ?easy? ?to? ?achieve? ?a? ?

perfect,? ?happy? ?ending?”? ? ?

?

Down? ?below? ?was? ?the? ?scorching? ?waves? ?of? ?steam,? ?but? ?the? ?mind? ?was? ?filled? ?with? ?chilling? ?cold.? ?Within? ?

the? ?conflicting? ?ice? ?and? ?fire,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?looked? ?up,? ?and? ?above? ?in? ?the? ?air? ?enveloped? ?in? ?fire? ?and? ?light,? ?

there? ?was? ?a? ?looming? ?red? ?silhouette? ?that? ?was? ?fast? ?approaching.? ?

?

Hua? ?Cheng? ?had? ?jumped? ?down? ?too!? ?

?

But? ?it’s? ?the? ?lava? ?pool? ?down? ?below,? ?hey!? ?

?

?

————? ?

?

Ch.235:? ?The? ?Heaven? ?Crossing? ?Bridge;? ?Three? ?Idiots? ?Return? ?to? ?Olden? ?Times? ?

? ?

Who? ?knows? ?if? ?it? ?was? ?the? ?fear? ?of? ?obliteration? ?or? ?the? ?scorching? ?hot? ?lava,? ?but? ?Xie? ?Lian’s? ?entire? ?

person? ?was? ?submerged.? ?

?

It? ?was? ?a? ?long? ?while? ?before? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?slowly? ?came? ?to.? ?

?

The? ?moment? ?he? ?woke? ?he? ?found? ?he? ?was? ?lying? ?on? ?cold,? ?solid? ?ground,? ?and? ?Mu? ?Qing? ?was? ?slumped? ?

down? ?next? ?to? ?him,? ?staring? ?at? ?him? ?in? ?a? ?daze.? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian’s? ?vision? ?was? ?still? ?faintly? ?red,? ?and? ?he? ?instantly? ?sat? ?up,? ?“SAN? ?LANG!”? ? ?

?

Yet? ?unexpectedly,? ?the? ?moment? ?he? ?sat? ?up,? ?Mu? ?Qing? ?snapped? ?out? ?of? ?it? ?and? ?yelled,? ?“DON’T? ?MOVE? ?

AROUND!”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?subconsciously? ?extended? ?hand? ?to? ?support? ?himself? ?off? ?the? ?ground,? ?but? ?the? ?support? ?fell? ?

empty,? ?and? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?lost? ?his? ?balance,? ?his? ?entire? ?person? ?almost? ?toppling? ?down.? ?Surprised,? ?Xie? ?

Lian? ?finally? ?discovered? ?he? ?wasn’t? ?lying? ?on? ?the? ?ground? ?at? ?all.? ?

?

He? ?was? ?lying? ?atop? ?a? ?bridge!? ?

?

This? ?place? ?was? ?an? ?underground? ?rock? ?cave? ?with? ?immense? ?space,? ?its? ?dome? ?penetrating? ?into? ?the? ?

vast? ?night? ?sky,? ?and? ?within? ?the? ?cave? ?‘floated’? ?a? ?desecrated? ?bridge.? ?

?

The? ?body? ?of? ?the? ?bridge? ?was? ?crippled,? ?terrifyingly? ?pitch? ?black,? ?seeming? ?like? ?wood? ?but? ?also? ?stone,? ?

looking? ?as? ?if? ?it? ?had? ?experienced? ?thousands? ?of? ?years? ?of? ?rain? ?and? ?storms,? ?sealed? ?away? ?in? ?its? ?

burning.? ?Without? ?any? ?pillars? ?to? ?support? ?it,? ?it? ?hung? ?in? ?mid? ?air,? ?endlessly? ?stretching? ?from? ?both? ?ends? ?

into? ?infinity;? ?its? ?beginning? ?unknown,? ?its? ?end? ?unforeseeable,? ?and? ?its? ?direction? ?a? ?mystery.? ?Some? ?

places? ?were? ?as? ?wide? ?as? ?thirty? ?feet,? ?some? ?places? ?were? ?so? ?narrow? ?only? ?one? ?person? ?could? ?cross? ?

through.? ?

?

Thousands? ?of? ?feet? ?beneath? ?this? ?broken? ?bridge? ?was? ?the? ?burning? ?and? ?rolling? ?red? ?hot? ?lava? ?pool,? ?like? ?

the? ?red? ?basin? ?of? ?hell.? ?

?

The? ?Heaven? ?Crossing? ?Bridge?? ? ?

?

Those? ?three? ?words? ?were? ?the? ?first? ?to? ?pop? ?into? ?Xie? ?Lian’s? ?mind.? ?Two? ?thousand? ?years? ?ago,? ?in? ?order? ?

to? ?overcome? ?disaster,? ?the? ?Crown? ?Prince? ?of? ?WuYong? ?built? ?a? ?bridge? ?to? ?cross? ?to? ?the? ?heavens.? ?Could? ?

this? ?bridge? ?be? ?its? ?remains?? ?

?

He? ?remembered? ?he? ?was? ?forcibly? ?pulled? ?down? ?by? ?White? ?No-Face,? ?so? ?how? ?had? ?he? ?ended? ?up? ?on? ?

this? ?bridge?? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?crawled? ?to? ?his? ?feet,? ?“San? ?Lang?”? ? ?

?

Mu? ?Qing? ?still? ?sat? ?on? ?the? ?side,? ?“Don’t? ?bother? ?calling,? ?he’s? ?not? ?here.”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?turned? ?to? ?him,? ?“How? ?did? ?we? ?end? ?up? ?here?? ?Was? ?a? ?Distance? ?Shortening? ?Array? ?activated? ?

halfway?”? ? ?

?

“Probably.”? ?Mu? ?Qing? ?said,? ?“I? ?was? ?falling? ?straight? ?for? ?the? ?lava? ?pool,? ?but? ?halfway? ?in? ?the? ?air,? ?I? ?was? ?

sent? ?here.”? ? ?

?

Poor? ?Feng? ?Xin;? ?all? ?three? ?of? ?them? ?had? ?fallen? ?and? ?he? ?was? ?the? ?only? ?one? ?who? ?stayed? ?up? ?there.? ?He? ?

would? ?probably? ?curse? ?the? ?streets? ?again.? ?But,? ?finding? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?was? ?priority;? ?where? ?had? ?he? ?been? ?

moved? ?to?? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?spotted? ?the? ?Fang? ?Xin? ?and? ?the? ?long? ?sabre? ?that? ?had? ?been? ?tossed? ?to? ?the? ?side? ?and? ?picked? ?

them? ?up,? ?then? ?walked? ?to? ?Mu? ?Qing.? ?Mu? ?Qing? ?saw? ?him? ?dangling? ?the? ?sword,? ?approaching? ?with? ?a? ?

dark? ?expression,? ?and? ?without? ?knowing? ?what? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?was? ?thinking? ?of? ?doing,? ?his? ?expression? ?

suddenly? ?turned? ?nervous.? ?

?

However,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?handed? ?him? ?his? ?sabre? ?then? ?extended? ?a? ?hand? ?to? ?him,? ?“Are? ?you? ?alright?? ?If? ?

you’re? ?fine? ?then? ?get? ?up,? ?we? ?have? ?to? ?get? ?going.”? ? ?

?

Mu? ?Qing? ?looked? ?at? ?the? ?hand? ?that? ?was? ?extended? ?to? ?him,? ?and? ?after? ?a? ?long? ?silence,? ?he? ?shook? ?his? ?

head,? ?“I? ?can’t? ?go.? ?My? ?hands? ?and? ?feet? ?are? ?all? ?injured.”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?crouched? ?down? ?and? ?checked? ?him? ?over? ?for? ?a? ?moment,? ?and? ?sure? ?enough,? ?both? ?of? ?Mu? ?

Qing’s? ?hands? ?were? ?red,? ?and? ?there? ?were? ?burns? ?on? ?his? ?legs? ?too,? ?so? ?he? ?could? ?probably? ?only? ?walk? ?

slowly.? ?After? ?a? ?moment? ?of? ?contemplation,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?said,? ?“Let? ?me? ?assist? ?you? ?then.”? ? ?

?

He? ?pulled? ?Mu? ?Qing? ?up,? ?resting? ?an? ?arm? ?over? ?his? ?shoulders,? ?then? ?walked? ?while? ?supporting? ?him? ?

thus.? ?After? ?a? ?few? ?steps,? ?Mu? ?Qing? ?suddenly? ?blurted,? ?“Why?”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?was? ?scanning? ?their? ?surroundings? ?calculatively? ?as? ?he? ?replied,? ?“Why? ?what?”? ? ?

?

“I? ?thought? ?after? ?you? ?found? ?out? ?that? ?I? ?was? ?fine? ?too,? ?you’d? ?be? ?more? ?suspicious? ?of? ?me.”? ?Mu? ?Qing? ?

said.? ?

?

“Oh,? ?no?”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?replied.? ?

?

“Why?”? ? ?

?

“Because? ?I? ?know.”? ? ?

?

“Know? ?what?”? ? ?

?

“That? ?you? ?weren’t? ?lying.”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?replied.? ?

?

“...”? ?

?

Just? ?what? ?was? ?Mu? ?Qing’s? ?expression? ?was? ?truly? ?hard? ?to? ?describe.? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?said? ?quite? ?matter? ?of? ?factly,? ?“Didn’t? ?you? ?ask? ?me? ?to? ?believe? ?you?? ?I? ?believe? ?you.? ?That’s? ?it.”? ? ?

?

“...”? ?

?

“How? ?do? ?I? ?say? ?this...”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?started,? ?“I? ?suppose? ?I? ?can? ?say? ?I’ve? ?known? ?you? ?for? ?many? ?years? ?now,? ?

so? ?I’m? ?still? ?fairly? ?certain? ?on? ?this.? ?You’re? ?not? ?someone? ?like? ?that.? ?Haven’t? ?I? ?said? ?this? ?before?? ?You? ?

might? ?spit? ?in? ?people’s? ?cups,? ?but? ?you? ?would? ?never? ?do? ?something? ?like? ?poisoning? ?said? ?cups.”? ? ?

?

After? ?hearing? ?the? ?first? ?part,? ?it? ?almost? ?seemed? ?like? ?Mu? ?Qing? ?was? ?touched,? ?but? ?after? ?hearing? ?the? ?

latter? ?half,? ?half? ?of? ?his? ?face? ?was? ?turning? ?dark,? ?“That? ?example? ?is? ?unnecessary,? ?seriously,? ?don’t? ?bring? ?

it? ?up? ?anymore.? ?I? ?won’t? ?do? ?anything? ?like? ?spitting? ?either,? ?it’s? ?too? ?classless!”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?waved? ?his? ?hand,? ?“Don’t? ?mind? ?those? ?little? ?details.? ?Besides,? ?even? ?if? ?in? ?one? ?in? ?a? ?million? ?

chance? ?that? ?I? ?was? ?unlucky? ?enough? ?to? ?have? ?misjudged? ?you,? ?you? ?can’t? ?beat? ?me? ?and? ?San? ?Lang? ?

either,? ?we’ll? ?have? ?smacked? ?you? ?dead? ?in? ?one? ?blow,? ?so? ?you’re? ?not? ?a? ?threat? ?at? ?all,? ?hahahaha...”? ? ?

?

“...”? ?Mu? ?Qing? ?mumbled,? ?“You’re? ?doing? ?this? ?on? ?purpose,? ?aren’t? ?you?? ?You’re? ?trying? ?very? ?hard? ?to? ?piss? ?

me? ?off? ?to? ?death...”? ?

?

“Ahem,? ?I’m? ?joking.? ?In? ?any? ?case,”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?stopped? ?laughing,? ?clutching? ?Mu? ?Qing’s? ?arm? ?as? ?he? ?

looked? ?forward,? ?“If? ?you? ?really? ?did? ?turn? ?down? ?doing? ?a? ?malicious? ?deed? ?and? ?Jun? ?Wu? ?trapped? ?you? ?

with? ?a? ?cursed? ?shackle,? ?then? ?I? ?can’t? ?have? ?you? ?pay? ?a? ?bad? ?price? ?for? ?it.”? ?

?

He? ?stated? ?calmly,? ?“Because? ?what? ?you? ?did? ?was? ?the? ?right? ?thing.”? ? ?

?

Mu? ?Qing? ?stared? ?at? ?him? ?for? ?a? ?good? ?while,? ?then? ?finally,? ?he? ?gritted? ?his? ?teeth,? ?“Xie? ?Lian,? ?you’re? ?really? ?

someone...”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?instantly? ?butted,? ?“Drop? ?it.? ?Don’t? ?think? ?I? ?don’t? ?know? ?what? ?you? ?think? ?of? ?me?? ?You’re? ?still? ?

depending? ?on? ?me? ?to? ?support? ?you? ?here,? ?don’t? ?say? ?anything? ?that’ll? ?make? ?me? ?want? ?to? ?throw? ?you? ?

down? ?into? ?the? ?lava? ?pool.”? ? ?

?

Mu? ?Qing? ?humphed,? ?“And? ?here? ?you? ?are? ?saving? ?me? ?even? ?though? ?you? ?knew? ?what? ?I? ?think? ?of? ?you?”? ? ?

?

“Likewise.? ?Me? ?saving? ?you? ?is? ?just? ?me? ?following? ?my? ?own? ?principles,? ?that’s? ?all.”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?replied,? ?

“Besides,? ?while? ?you’re? ?someone? ?who’s? ?curiously? ?odd? ?in? ?all? ?aspects,? ?and? ?there? ?really? ?was? ?a? ?time? ?

in? ?the? ?past? ?when? ?I? ?really? ?wanted? ?to? ?punch? ?you? ?to? ?death,? ?I? ?didn’t? ?succeed? ?back? ?then,? ?and? ?after? ?so? ?

long,? ?I’ve? ?lost? ?interest? ?too.? ?But? ?no? ?matter? ?how? ?weird? ?you? ?are,? ?and? ?how? ?much? ?I? ?want? ?to? ?punch? ?you,? ?

your? ?sins? ?don’t? ?warrant? ?death?? ?If? ?I? ?can? ?save? ?you? ?of? ?course? ?I’ll? ?save? ?you.”? ? ?

?

Mu? ?Qing? ?deflated? ?and? ?humphed? ?a? ?few? ?snorts,? ?and? ?after? ?a? ?moment? ?of? ?quiet,? ?he? ?added,? ?“Your? ?

Highness,? ?I? ?actually...”? ?

?

Right? ?then,? ?both? ?their? ?feet? ?dipped? ?and? ?both? ?their? ?faces? ?abruptly? ?changed? ?colours.? ?

?

Mu? ?Qing? ?was? ?wounded? ?and? ?couldn’t? ?react? ?in? ?time,? ?but? ?fortunately? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?still? ?moved? ?with? ?godly? ?

speed,? ?and? ?his? ?toes? ?tipped,? ?pushing? ?off? ?forward,? ?and? ?lightly? ?landed? ?thirty? ?feet? ?ahead.? ?When? ?they? ?

looked? ?back,? ?the? ?body? ?of? ?the? ?bridge? ?where? ?they? ?were? ?just? ?stepping? ?over? ?had? ?cracked? ?and? ?broken? ?

off,? ?plunging? ?straight? ?down!? ?

?

RUMBLE!? ?

?

A? ?stretch? ?of? ?that? ?pitch? ?black? ?body? ?of? ?the? ?bridge? ?had? ?crashed? ?into? ?the? ?scarlet? ?hell? ?basin,? ?and? ?the? ?

resentful? ?spirits? ?that? ?had? ?been? ?waiting? ?for? ?a? ?long? ?time? ?rolling? ?in? ?the? ?pool? ?rapidly? ?reached? ?out,? ?and? ?

hundreds? ?of? ?pairs? ?of? ?hands? ?fought? ?to? ?make? ?grab,? ?as? ?if? ?they? ?wanted? ?to? ?use? ?it? ?as? ?a? ?vehicle? ?to? ?break? ?

away? ?from? ?this? ?sea? ?of? ?suffering.? ?However,? ?their? ?numbers? ?were? ?too? ?great.? ?That? ?stretch? ?of? ?a? ?

crippled? ?bridge? ?couldn’t? ?support? ?them? ?at? ?all,? ?and? ?it? ?soon? ?sank.? ?The? ?two? ?above? ?watched? ?shakily,? ?

and? ?exchanged? ?a? ?look.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?commented,? ?“It? ?appears? ?this? ?bridge? ?isn’t? ?too? ?stable!”? ? ?

?

Mu? ?Qing? ?opened? ?and? ?closed? ?his? ?mouth,? ?probably? ?meaning? ?to? ?say? ?they? ?might? ?as? ?well? ?turn? ?back,? ?

that? ?the? ?surface? ?of? ?the? ?bridge? ?where? ?they? ?were? ?lying? ?before? ?was? ?considerably? ?spacious? ?and? ?

shouldn’t? ?cave? ?in,? ?but? ?with? ?that? ?stretch? ?collapsing,? ?there? ?was? ?no? ?more? ?path,? ?and? ?they? ?could? ?no? ?

longer? ?retreat.? ?The? ?only? ?way? ?for? ?the? ?two? ?was? ?forward,? ?but? ?the? ?surface? ?of? ?the? ?bridge? ?ahead? ?was? ?

alternatingly? ?wide? ?and? ?narrow,? ?like? ?it? ?was? ?filled? ?with? ?traps,? ?danger? ?hiding? ?in? ?every? ?corner,? ?and? ?who? ?

knows? ?where? ?a? ?step? ?would? ?have? ?them? ?fall!? ?

?

Without? ?another? ?word,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?threw? ?Mu? ?Qing? ?onto? ?his? ?back,? ?“We? ?can’t? ?stay? ?in? ?the? ?same? ?place? ?

for? ?too? ?long,? ?otherwise? ?who? ?knows? ?if? ?it’ll? ?collapse? ?too.? ?Hold? ?on? ?tight,? ?I’m? ?going? ?to? ?quickly? ?dash? ?

through? ?this!”? ? ?

?

As? ?promised,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?indeed? ?dashed? ?out? ?in? ?flying? ?steps.? ?The? ?further? ?they? ?went,? ?the? ?more? ?

suffocatingly? ?narrow? ?the? ?bridge? ?became,? ?and? ?even? ?the? ?widest? ?area? ?was? ?not? ?that? ?much? ?bigger? ?

than? ?a? ?door,? ?the? ?narrowest? ?area? ?no? ?wider? ?than? ?a? ?person’s? ?waist!? ?

?

However,? ?even? ?in? ?such? ?a? ?perilous? ?situation,? ?wherever? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?had? ?passed,? ?nothing? ?moved? ?in? ?the? ?

slightest.? ?The? ?bottom? ?of? ?his? ?feet? ?only? ?tipped? ?lightly? ?every? ?time,? ?and? ?each? ?time? ?was? ?like? ?a? ?swallow? ?

lightly? ?skimming? ?the? ?surface? ?of? ?water,? ?withdrawing? ?the? ?moment? ?there? ?was? ?contact.? ?If? ?there? ?were? ?

other? ?martial? ?gods? ?present,? ?they? ?would? ?all? ?be? ?stunned? ?by? ?these? ?steps? ?that? ?were? ?so? ?brilliantly? ?

controlled? ?to? ?the? ?point? ?it? ?was? ?horrifying,? ?since,? ?there? ?was? ?no? ?second? ?martial? ?god? ?who? ?could? ?do? ?the? ?

same.? ?This? ?was? ?the? ?masterful? ?skills? ?that? ?could? ?only? ?come? ?from? ?one? ?who? ?didn’t? ?depend? ?on? ?

spiritual? ?powers,? ?and? ?had? ?trained? ?vigorously? ?day? ?in? ?and? ?day? ?out!? ?

?

Suddenly,? ?a? ?pillar? ?of? ?fire? ?rushed? ?to? ?the? ?skies,? ?blocking? ?in? ?front? ?of? ?Xie? ?Lian.? ?If? ?it? ?wasn’t? ?for? ?his? ?

incredible? ?reaction? ?and? ?braked? ?in? ?time,? ?they? ?would’ve? ?charged? ?right? ?into? ?the? ?fire? ?and? ?burnt? ?to? ?a? ?

crisp.? ?The? ?two? ?looked? ?down.? ?Since? ?who? ?knows? ?when,? ?millions? ?of? ?resentful? ?spirits? ?the? ?same? ?colour? ?

as? ?molten? ?rocks? ?had? ?gathered? ?down? ?below,? ?screeching? ?and? ?cackling,? ?reaching? ?their? ?hands? ?out? ?

towards? ?the? ?two,? ?and? ?that? ?pillar? ?of? ?fire? ?was? ?the? ?blow? ?sent? ?forth? ?by? ?them.? ?Their? ?ears? ?were? ?all? ?

vaguely? ?hurting,? ?and? ?Mu? ?Qing? ?wondered,? ?“What? ?are? ?they? ?screaming? ?about?”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?mumbled,? ?“...’Come? ?down,? ?join? ?us,? ?rot? ?to? ?death? ?here!’”? ?

?

Mu? ?Qing? ?looked? ?at? ?him? ?in? ?fright,? ?“You? ?understand? ?them?? ?They? ?should? ?be? ?speaking? ?in? ?WuYong? ?

tongue.”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?nodded,? ?“En,? ?they’re...? ?the? ?people? ?of? ?WuYong? ?who? ?had? ?fallen? ?into? ?the? ?lava? ?and? ?burned? ?

to? ?death? ?after? ?the? ?Heaven? ?Crossing? ?Bridge? ?had? ?collapsed.? ?Careful? ?not? ?to? ?get? ?tangled? ?up? ?with? ?

them;? ?they’ll? ?pull? ?everything? ?they? ?see? ?into? ?the? ?lava.? ?I? ?knew? ?this? ?was? ?the? ?remnant? ?body? ?of? ?the? ?

Heaven? ?Crossing? ?Bridge!”? ? ?

?

“Can? ?they? ?be? ?absolved? ?if? ?they? ?pull? ?people? ?down?”? ?Mu? ?Qing? ?questioned.? ?

?

“No.”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?replied,? ?“They? ?can’t? ?be? ?absolved? ?even? ?if? ?they? ?pull? ?others? ?down.? ?Those? ?resentful? ?

spirits? ?will? ?never? ?be? ?able? ?to? ?receive? ?absolution.? ?But,? ?they? ?enjoy? ?seeing? ?others? ?suffer? ?the? ?same? ?

fate.”? ? ?

?

This? ?was? ?precisely? ?why? ?they? ?shall? ?never? ?receive? ?absolution,? ?and? ?must? ?suffer? ?the? ?torment? ?of? ?this? ?

basin? ?of? ?hell.? ?Mu? ?Qing? ?was? ?puzzled,? ?“How? ?do? ?you? ?know? ?so? ?much?”? ? ?

?

“I? ?don’t? ?know? ?either.”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?said,? ?“But? ?it? ?was? ?probably...? ?him? ?who? ?told? ?me.”? ? ?

?

Just? ?as? ?how? ?he? ?transplanted? ?the? ?memories? ?of? ?those? ?Corpse-Eating? ?Rats? ?screeching.? ?

?

Those? ?molten? ?resentful? ?spirits? ?seemed? ?to? ?be? ?quite? ?displeased? ?that? ?they? ?still? ?hadn’t? ?fallen,? ?and? ?

they? ?snuck? ?around,? ?gathering? ?together? ?whispering,? ?hands? ?holding? ?hands,? ?ready? ?to? ?send? ?forth? ?

another? ?blow? ?of? ?attack,? ?and? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?broke? ?out? ?into? ?a? ?run.? ?The? ?pillar? ?of? ?fire? ?instantly? ?appeared,? ?

and? ?what? ?was? ?already? ?a? ?bridge? ?full? ?of? ?potholes? ?became? ?even? ?more? ?devastated.? ?

?

They? ?couldn’t? ?just? ?keep? ?taking? ?on? ?beatings? ?without? ?retaliation,? ?and? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?also? ?tried? ?blasting? ?

down? ?below,? ?but? ?he? ?didn’t? ?have? ?much? ?spiritual? ?powers? ?left? ?so? ?he? ?couldn’t? ?blast? ?very? ?far.? ?Mu? ?

Qing’s? ?spiritual? ?powers? ?were? ?more? ?sufficient? ?and? ?could? ?blast? ?further,? ?but? ?he? ?still? ?just? ?missed? ?them? ?

by? ?a? ?bit.? ?There? ?were? ?many? ?times? ?when? ?the? ?pillar? ?of? ?fire? ?from? ?below? ?almost? ?burnt? ?their? ?ankles,? ?and? ?

that? ?crowd? ?of? ?resentful? ?spirits? ?banded? ?into? ?a? ?large? ?group,? ?their? ?energy? ?immense,? ?and? ?they? ?giggled? ?

and? ?laughed,? ?pointing? ?at? ?them,? ?exceedingly? ?excited,? ?as? ?if? ?they? ?were? ?watching? ?some? ?spectacle? ?on? ?

escape.? ?The? ?two? ?couldn’t? ?do? ?anything? ?to? ?them? ?at? ?all,? ?incredibly? ?humiliating,? ?so? ?much? ?so? ?Mu? ?

Qing’s? ?knuckles? ?cracked!? ?

?

A? ?moment? ?later,? ?Mu? ?Qing,? ?who? ?was? ?leaning? ?on? ?top? ?of? ?Xie? ?Lian’s? ?back,? ?gritted? ?his? ?teeth? ?and? ?

panted? ?a? ?few? ?breaths,? ?like? ?he? ?had? ?resolved? ?to? ?make? ?a? ?very? ?difficult? ?decision,? ?“Forget? ?it,? ?Your? ?

Highness...? ?Xie? ?Lian,? ?let? ?me? ?down!”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?was? ?dashing? ?as? ?he? ?answered,? ?“What? ?are? ?you? ?saying!? ?You? ?love? ?your? ?life? ?and? ?you’re? ?

terrified? ?of? ?death!? ?You’re? ?not? ?someone? ?who’d? ?say? ?something? ?like? ?that!”? ? ?

?

Veins? ?instantly? ?popped? ?violently? ?on? ?Mu? ?Qing’s? ?forehead,? ?“Well? ?sorry? ?for? ?loving? ?my? ?life? ?and? ?being? ?

terrified? ?of? ?death!? ?Since? ?I’m? ?going? ?to? ?die? ?either? ?way...? ?before? ?I? ?change? ?my? ?mind,? ?hurry? ?and? ?put? ?

me? ?down!”? ? ?

?

“Stop? ?messing? ?around,? ?don’t? ?talk? ?anymore,? ?you’ll? ?make? ?me? ?lose? ?focus.”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?said,? ?“What? ?

matters? ?right? ?now? ?is? ?finding? ?the? ?end? ?to? ?this? ?bridge? ?as? ?soon? ?as? ?possible.”? ? ?

?

“WHO’S? ?MESSING? ?AROUND?”? ?Mu? ?Qing? ?exclaimed,? ?“If? ?this? ?bridge? ?really? ?is? ?the? ?Heaven? ?Crossing? ?

Bridge,? ?who? ?the? ?hell? ?knows? ?how? ?much? ?more? ?you’ll? ?have? ?to? ?run?? ?We’ll? ?be? ?toppled? ?by? ?them? ?sooner? ?

or? ?later.? ?Put? ?me? ?down,? ?I’ll? ?go? ?put? ?away? ?those? ?shady? ?trash,? ?you? ?go? ?on? ?ahead!”? ? ?

?

Then,? ?he? ?lightly? ?tapped? ?Xie? ?Lian’s? ?shoulder,? ?and? ?flew? ?off,? ?landing? ?behind.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?looked? ?back,? ?

and? ?walked? ?a? ?step? ?towards? ?him,? ?but? ?Mu? ?Qing? ?spoke? ?up,? ?“Don’t? ?come? ?over,? ?the? ?bridge? ?here? ?is? ?

narrow.? ?If? ?you? ?come? ?over? ?both? ?of? ?us? ?will? ?fall!”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?could? ?only? ?pause? ?in? ?his? ?step.? ?Mu? ?Qing? ?humphed? ?again,? ?“You’re? ?right.? ?We’re? ?alike.? ?You? ?

think? ?me? ?odd,? ?I? ?think? ?you? ?rather? ?weird? ?too.”? ? ?

?

He? ?looked? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?in? ?the? ?eyes,? ?“Since? ?we’ve? ?come? ?to? ?this? ?point,? ?I? ?might? ?as? ?well? ?just? ?tell? ?it? ?to? ?you? ?

straight.? ?I’ve? ?got? ?lots? ?of? ?opinions? ?of? ?you.”? ? ?

?

“Uh...? ?well...? ?I? ?knew? ?this? ?already.? ?A? ?long? ?time? ?ago.”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?said.? ?

?

Mu? ?Qing? ?said? ?coldly,? ?“Oh? ?really?? ?Then? ?did? ?you? ?know,? ?that? ?I? ?often? ?think? ?that? ?you? ?only? ?depended? ?on? ?

your? ?status,? ?that? ?even? ?though? ?you’re? ?His? ?Highness? ?the? ?Crown? ?Prince? ?and? ?you? ?had? ?good? ?fortune,? ?

but? ?your? ?skills? ?aren’t? ?that? ?much? ?better? ?than? ?mine?”? ?

?

“...”? ?

?

“I? ?also? ?think,? ?that? ?you? ?only? ?like? ?doing? ?all? ?those? ?good? ?deeds? ?in? ?order? ?to? ?show? ?off? ?to? ?others,? ?so? ?you? ?

can? ?enjoy? ?praises? ?and? ?flattery.? ?In? ?fact,? ?you? ?helping? ?me? ?was? ?all? ?because? ?of? ?this? ?reason,? ?because? ?

I’m? ?the? ?perfect? ?subject? ?for? ?you? ?to? ?demonstrate? ?your? ?sympathies? ?and? ?kindness.? ?To? ?be? ?honest,? ?I? ?

haven’t? ?changed? ?some? ?of? ?those? ?beliefs? ?even? ?now.? ?Maybe? ?they’ll? ?never? ?change.? ?Even? ?if? ?I? ?were? ?to? ?

suppress? ?them? ?for? ?a? ?while,? ?after? ?a? ?period? ?of? ?time? ?they’ll? ?still? ?resurface.”? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?didn’t? ?know? ?whether? ?to? ?sweat? ?drop? ?or? ?what? ?at? ?this? ?point,? ?“There’s? ?no? ?need? ?to? ?tell? ?those? ?

things? ?in? ?such? ?detail? ?to? ?the? ?man? ?himself?!”? ? ?

?

Yet? ?unexpectedly,? ?Mu? ?Qing? ?continued? ?with,? ?“But? ?more? ?often? ?than? ?not,? ?I’m? ?still...? ?rather? ?in? ?awe? ?of? ?

you.”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?was? ?taken? ?aback.? ?

?

Mu? ?Qing? ?gathered? ?his? ?courage,? ?looking? ?like? ?someone? ?was? ?choking? ?his? ?neck,? ?forcing? ?him? ?to? ?

speak,? ?and? ?he? ?said? ?stiffly,? ?“Isn’t? ?that? ?normal?? ?You...? ?certainly...? ?are? ?rather? ?amazing.? ?You’re...? ?

also...? ?a? ?better? ?person...? ?than? ?me.? ?Long? ?story? ?short,? ?I...? ?very? ?much? ?wanted...? ?to? ?become? ?your? ?

f-f-friend.”? ? ?

?

“...”? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?had? ?never? ?in? ?a? ?million? ?years? ?imagined? ?that? ?there’d? ?be? ?one? ?day? ?he’d? ?hear? ?those? ?words? ?

uttered? ?from? ?Mu? ?Qing’s? ?lips.? ?While? ?they? ?were? ?stuttered,? ?unwilling,? ?and? ?stiff,? ?but? ?those? ?were? ?such? ?

honest,? ?sincere,? ?and? ?sensible? ?words!? ?

?

His? ?eyes? ?widened? ?subconsciously,? ?“You...”? ?

?

Mu? ?Qing? ?had? ?finally? ?squeezed? ?those? ?words? ?out? ?through? ?the? ?cracks? ?of? ?his? ?teeth,? ?and? ?he? ?exhaled? ?a? ?

breath,? ?“That? ?incident? ?during? ?that? ?time? ?after? ?Xian? ?Le’s? ?fall,? ?whether? ?right? ?or? ?wrong,? ?whether? ?or? ?not? ?

if? ?I? ?was? ?in? ?a? ?difficult? ?situation,? ?I? ?still? ?owe? ?you? ?an? ?apology? ?nonetheless.”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?was? ?stumped? ?for? ?a? ?moment,? ?“...It’s? ?all? ?bygones,? ?so? ?let? ?it? ?go.? ?Rather? ?than? ?this,? ?let’s? ?get? ?

out? ?of? ?here? ?first!”? ? ?

?

Mu? ?Qing? ?raised? ?his? ?voice,? ?“He? ?told? ?me,? ?that? ?if? ?I? ?was? ?suspicious,? ?then? ?even? ?if? ?you? ?knew? ?I? ?didn’t? ?do? ?

it,? ?you? ?would? ?still? ?go? ?with? ?the? ?flow? ?and? ?not? ?save? ?me.? ?Because? ?you? ?hate? ?me,? ?you? ?wouldn’t? ?believe? ?

in? ?me.”? ? ?

?

“He?”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?understood? ?who? ?this? ?“he”? ?was.? ? ?

?

Mu? ?Qing? ?continued,? ?“Even? ?though? ?I? ?didn’t? ?agree? ?to? ?help? ?him,? ?but? ?everything? ?he’s? ?said,? ?I’ve? ?

thought? ?of? ?it? ?too.? ?I’ve? ?always? ?thought? ?deep? ?down,? ?you? ?hated? ?me,? ?that? ?you? ?despised? ?me,? ?so? ?I,? ?I’ve? ?

always...? ?Anyway,? ?you? ?don’t? ?actually? ?think? ?that.? ?I’m? ?glad.”? ? ?

?

Another? ?pillar? ?of? ?fire? ?roared? ?to? ?the? ?skies,? ?and? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?backed? ?away? ?a? ?few? ?steps? ?to? ?dodge? ?it,? ?

moving? ?further? ?away? ?from? ?Mu? ?Qing.? ?As? ?for? ?Mu? ?Qing,? ?rage? ?swarmed? ?up,? ?and? ?he? ?sprawled? ?down,? ?

violently? ?slapping? ?his? ?palm? ?down? ?on? ?the? ?surface? ?of? ?the? ?bridge.? ?Xie? ?Lian’s? ?pupils? ?shrank,? ?“WHAT? ?

ARE? ?YOU? ?DOING??”? ? ?

?

As? ?expected,? ?that? ?stretch? ?of? ?the? ?bridge? ?caved,? ?taking? ?Mu? ?Qing? ?along? ?as? ?it? ?crashed? ?down.? ?Mu? ?

Qing? ?shouted? ?towards? ?him? ?in? ?mid? ?air,? ?“HELPING? ?YOU? ?CLEAN? ?OUT? ?TRASH!”? ? ?

?

The? ?broken? ?bridge? ?slammed? ?into? ?the? ?pool,? ?exciting? ?a? ?surge? ?of? ?tall? ?waves,? ?and? ?those? ?molten? ?

resentful? ?spirits? ?were? ?swarming? ?over? ?happily? ?ready? ?to? ?drag? ?him? ?down? ?at? ?first,? ?yet? ?unexpectedly,? ?a? ?

rumbling? ?blast? ?swept? ?over,? ?and? ?dissipated? ?a? ?large? ?field? ?of? ?them.? ?Amidst? ?the? ?wailing? ?of? ?ghosts,? ?Mu? ?

Qing? ?stood? ?in? ?the? ?centre? ?of? ?that? ?broken? ?bridge,? ?the? ?spiritual? ?light? ?enveloping? ?him? ?blazing? ?to? ?the? ?

brightest,? ?and? ?he? ?sneered,? ?“You? ?band? ?of? ?trash? ?from? ?the? ?gutters? ?of? ?the? ?shadows,? ?feeling? ?good? ?

setting? ?off? ?unscrupulous? ?fires?? ?WELL? ?I’VE? ?COME,? ?DON’T? ?YOU? ?RUN? ?AWAY? ?NOW!!”? ? ?

?

Now,? ?his? ?blasts? ?could? ?finally? ?reach? ?those? ?molten? ?resentful? ?spirits!? ?

?

Mu? ?Qing? ?raised? ?his? ?blood? ?red? ?palms,? ?madly? ?sweeping? ?at? ?the? ?resentful? ?spirits,? ?killing? ?to? ?his? ?heart’s? ?

content,? ?so? ?savage? ?the? ?resentful? ?spirits? ?further? ?downstream? ?who? ?were? ?just? ?watching? ?the? ?show? ?all? ?

scattered,? ?screaming,? ?swimming? ?away? ?in? ?all? ?directions.? ?Fire? ?had? ?started? ?to? ?catch? ?on? ?his? ?sleeves? ?

and? ?hems,? ?and? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?hung? ?over? ?the? ?edge? ?above,? ?“MU? ?QING?? ?HOW? ?HIGH? ?CAN? ?YOU? ?JUMP?”? ?

?

Mu? ?Qing? ?shouted,? ?“WHY? ?DO? ?YOU? ?HAVE? ?SO? ?MUCH? ?RUBBISH? ?TO? ?SAY,? ?WHY? ?HAVEN’T? ?YOU? ?

LEFT???”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?argued? ?back,? ?“THAT’S? ?NOT? ?MY? ?PROBLEM.? ?YOU’VE? ?FINALLY? ?SAID? ?SOMETHING? ?

SENSIBLE? ?IN? ?YOUR? ?LIFE,? ?AND? ?THEN? ?YOU? ?FELL? ?OFF? ?JUST? ?LIKE? ?THAT,? ?HOW? ?CAN? ?I? ?LEAVE? ?

NOW!?”? ? ?

?

Mu? ?Qing? ?was? ?outraged,? ?“WHAT? ?DO? ?YOU? ?MEAN? ?‘FINALLY? ?SOMETHING? ?SENSIBLE’...”? ?Before? ?

he? ?finished,? ?that? ?piece? ?of? ?broken? ?bridge? ?under? ?his? ?feet? ?sank? ?a? ?few? ?notches.? ?Both? ?their? ?faces? ?

changed.? ?

?

At? ?this? ?point,? ?he? ?really? ?was? ?going? ?to? ?be? ?buried? ?at? ?the? ?bottom? ?of? ?the? ?lava? ?pool,? ?his? ?bones? ?

dissolving? ?into? ?air!? ?

?

Mu? ?Qing? ?was? ?so? ?full? ?of? ?spirit? ?earlier? ?but? ?now? ?his? ?face? ?paled,? ?and? ?he? ?raised? ?his? ?palms,? ?closing? ?his? ?

eyes,? ?looking? ?as? ?if? ?he? ?was? ?going? ?to? ?smash? ?through? ?his? ?own? ?skull? ?first? ?before? ?he? ?got? ?burnt? ?to? ?

death,? ?so? ?he? ?could? ?die? ?more? ?straightforwardly.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?hastily? ?cried,? ?“WAITWAITWAITWAIT? ?

DON’T? ?YOU? ?BE? ?RASH!? ?I-I-I-I-I’VE? ?GOT? ?A? ?PLAN!”? ? ?

?

Mu? ?Qing? ?opened? ?his? ?eyes? ?again,? ?“WHAT? ?PLAN?”? ? ?

?

Although? ?RuoYe? ?couldn’t? ?reach? ?the? ?very? ?bottom,? ?but? ?it? ?could? ?go? ?halfway,? ?and? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?tossed? ?it? ?

down,? ?“JUMP? ?WITH? ?EVERYTHING? ?YOU’VE? ?GOT!? ?JUMP? ?AND? ?CATCH? ?IT!? ?I’LL? ?PULL? ?YOU? ?UP!”? ? ?

?

Mu? ?Qing’s? ?face? ?was? ?turning? ?even? ?paler,? ?“IF? ?I? ?COULD? ?JUMP,? ?WOULD? ?I? ?NEED? ?TO? ?THINK? ?OF? ?A? ?

WAY?!”? ?Then? ?he? ?prepared? ?to? ?fill? ?himself? ?with? ?courage? ?again? ?to? ?smack? ?himself? ?dead? ?when? ?Xie? ?

Lian? ?exclaimed,? ?‘WAITWAITWAITWAIT!? ?REALY,? ?WAIT!!!? ?I’LL? ?THINK? ?OF? ?A? ?WAY? ?SOON!”? ? ?

?

“WELL,? ?SPEAK,? ?THEN!”? ? ?

?

A? ?way.? ?A? ?way.? ?Quick,? ?think? ?of? ?a? ?way!? ?

?

THERE’S? ?NOTHING!!!? ?

?

The? ?two? ?were? ?practically? ?at? ?the? ?end? ?of? ?their? ?ropes? ?and? ?Mu? ?Qing? ?raised? ?his? ?hand? ?again.? ?Yet? ?

unexpectedly,? ?right? ?then,? ?another? ?hand? ??PA!?? ?And? ?slapped? ?his? ?hand? ?away? ?before? ?catching? ?him.? ?

?

Then,? ?dangling? ?a? ?near? ?blank-minded? ?Mu? ?Qing? ?in? ?his? ?hold,? ?the? ?man? ?leapt!? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?felt? ?the? ?other? ?end? ?of? ?the? ?white? ?silk? ?band? ?tighten,? ?and? ?when? ?he? ?looked? ?down,? ?he? ?was? ?both? ?

surprised? ?and? ?overjoyed,? ?“FENG? ?XIN??”? ? ?

?

That? ?broken? ?piece? ?of? ?crippled? ?bridge? ?Mu? ?Qing? ?had? ?been? ?standing? ?on? ?had? ?thoroughly? ?sunken? ?into? ?

the? ?depths? ?of? ?the? ?lava? ?stream,? ?bubbling.? ?And,? ?at? ?the? ?end? ?tips? ?of? ?the? ?white? ?silk? ?band,? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?

was? ?gripping? ?RuoYe? ?with? ?one? ?hand? ?while? ?the? ?other? ?was? ?holding? ?on? ?to? ?a? ?steel-faced? ?Mu? ?Qing,? ?and? ?

he? ?shouted? ?towards? ?him,? ?“Your? ?Highness,? ?QUICK,? ?PULL? ?US? ?UP!”? ? ?

?

There? ?were? ?more? ?Empty-Shelled? ?mutants? ?paddling? ?over? ?down? ?below,? ?and? ?it? ?seemed,? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?

was? ?riding? ?them,? ?floating? ?over? ?from? ?the? ?upstream.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?had? ?no? ?time? ?to? ?ask? ?questions,? ?and? ?

hurriedly? ?found? ?an? ?area? ?of? ?the? ?bridge? ?that? ?was? ?somewhat? ?wider? ?and? ?sturdier? ?before? ?pulling? ?them? ?

up.? ?The? ?two? ?were? ?being? ?lifted? ?steadily,? ?but? ?down? ?below,? ?a? ?new? ?band? ?of? ?molten? ?resentful? ?spirits? ?

gathered? ?gradually,? ?maliciously? ?looking? ?upwards,? ?grumbling? ?as? ?they? ?huddled,? ?and? ?soon,? ?another? ?

pillar? ?of? ?fire? ?was? ?shot? ?up!? ?

?

Feng? ?Xin? ?and? ?Mu? ?Qing? ?were? ?hung? ?in? ?mid? ?air,? ?unable? ?to? ?dodge,? ?and? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?picked? ?RuoYe? ?up? ?

and? ?moved? ?several? ?steps? ?away? ?to? ?evade? ?this? ?attack.? ?But? ?nowhere? ?else? ?on? ?the? ?bridge? ?was? ?as? ?

spacious? ?or? ?stable? ?as? ?this? ?area,? ?so? ?after? ?dodging? ?that? ?blow,? ?he? ?could? ?only? ?return.? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?was? ?

almost? ?burnt? ?by? ?that? ?pillar? ?of? ?fire,? ?and? ?he? ?shouted? ?in? ?outrage,? ?“WHAT’S? ?WITH? ?THIS? ?BAND? ?OF? ?

DOG? ?SHITS,? ?ATTACKING? ?PEOPLE? ?WHILE? ?THEY’RE? ?DOWN,? ?SO? ?VILE!? ?FUCK? ?YOUR? ?ENTIRE? ?

FAMILY!”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?responded,? ?“IF? ?THEIR? ?ENTIRE? ?FAMILIES? ?ALL? ?LOOK? ?LIKE? ?THAT,? ?YOU? ?SURE? ?YOU? ?

WANT? ?TO? ?FUCK? ?THEM??”? ? ?

?

The? ?resentful? ?spirits? ?hadn’t? ?given? ?up,? ?giggling? ?as? ?they? ?appeared? ?ready? ?to? ?continue? ?their? ?ambush.? ?

Feng? ?Xin? ?was? ?at? ?the? ?height? ?of? ?his? ?temper,? ?and? ?he? ?raised? ?Mu? ?Qing? ?up,? ?grunting,? ?“Hold? ?on? ?to? ?this!”? ? ?

?

Mu? ?Qing? ?had? ?thought? ?he? ?was? ?actually? ?going? ?to? ?die? ?earlier,? ?the? ?shock? ?was? ?too? ?great,? ?so? ?even? ?now? ?

his? ?reaction? ?was? ?a? ?little? ?dull,? ?and? ?he? ?followed? ?the? ?order? ?to? ?grab? ?on? ?to? ?RuoYe.? ?Without? ?the? ?need? ?to? ?

hold? ?him,? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?freed? ?up? ?a? ?hand,? ?and? ?pulled? ?out? ?the? ?longbow? ?carried? ?on? ?his? ?back? ?as? ?well? ?as? ?

several? ?wooden? ?sticks? ?he? ?picked? ?up? ?from? ?who? ?knows? ?where.? ?Using? ?sticks? ?as? ?arrows,? ?he? ?held? ?the? ?

bow? ?with? ?one? ?hand? ?and? ?used? ?his? ?teeth? ?to? ?bite? ?back? ?the? ?bowstring? ?and? ?fletching.? ?Setting? ?the? ?arrow? ?

onto? ?the? ?string,? ?he? ?pulled? ?back? ?steadily? ?—? ?WOOSH? ?WOOSH? ?WOOSH? ?WOOSH,? ?four? ?arrows? ?

were? ?let? ?fly? ?at? ?once!? ?

?

The? ?arrows? ?struck? ?into? ?the? ?lava? ?pool,? ?erupting? ?blossoms? ?of? ?waves,? ?and? ?the? ?molten? ?resentful? ?

spirits? ?rolled? ?over? ?themselves? ?in? ?terror,? ?scattering? ?once? ?again.? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?finally? ?felt? ?gratified,? ?and? ?

he? ?cussed,? ?“SEE? ?THAT!? ?I? ?SAID? ?I’LL? ?FUCK? ?YOU? ?UP!? ?FUCKING? ?DOG? ?SHITS!? ?THIS? ?ANCESTOR? ?

CAN? ?BLOW? ?YOU? ?ALL? ?UP? ?WITH? ?JUST? ?ONE? ?HAND!”? ? ?

?

At? ?last,? ?the? ?three? ?finally? ?stood? ?together? ?upon? ?the? ?Heaven? ?Crossing? ?Bridge.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?wiped? ?at? ?his? ?

sweat? ?many? ?times,? ?and? ?his? ?heart? ?was? ?still? ?thumping,? ?“Feng? ?Xin,? ?how? ?have? ?you? ?come?”? ? ?

?

Having? ?this? ?brought? ?up,? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?immediately? ?clutched? ?his? ?head,? ?“How? ?have? ?I? ?come?? ?The? ?three? ?

of? ?you? ?all? ?jumped,? ?what? ?else? ?was? ?I? ?to? ?do?? ?I? ?almost? ?fucking? ?went? ?crazy!? ?I? ?could? ?only? ?find? ?a? ?way? ?to? ?

go? ?around? ?to? ?the? ?bottom? ?of? ?that? ?cliff,? ?then? ?drifted? ?all? ?the? ?way? ?here.? ?I? ?only? ?found? ?you? ?two? ?after? ?

hearing? ?all? ?that? ?rumbling? ?and? ?voices.? ?What? ?were? ?you? ?both? ?doing,? ?jumping? ?into? ?the? ?lava? ?pool!? ?

Madness!”? ? ?

?

Mu? ?Qing? ?had? ?finally? ?come? ?to? ?his? ?senses? ?and? ?exclaimed,? ?“I? ?was? ?dragged? ?down!”? ? ?

?

Imagining? ?that? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?had? ?cursed? ?the? ?entire? ?way? ?in? ?distress,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?replied,? ?“Alright? ?alright? ?

alright,? ?you? ?calm? ?down.? ?No? ?matter? ?what,? ?you? ?were? ?truly? ?a? ?godsend,? ?a? ?major? ?help!? ?You? ?know? ?what? ?

they? ?say,? ?sometimes,? ?people? ?really...? ?really? ?need? ?someone? ?to? ?help? ?pull? ?them? ?up? ?in? ?order? ?to? ?get? ?

by,? ?really!”? ? ?

?

The? ?three? ?were? ?all? ?scared? ?half? ?to? ?death,? ?and? ?after? ?a? ?mess? ?of? ?sorting? ?themselves? ?out,? ?panting? ?with? ?

steeled? ?faces,? ?they? ?didn’t? ?dare? ?to? ?stick? ?around.? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?carried? ?Mu? ?Qing? ?on? ?his? ?back? ?and? ?they? ?

continued? ?to? ?leap? ?forward? ?down? ?the? ?Heaven? ?Crossing? ?Bridge.? ?Having? ?leapt? ?for? ?a? ?stretch? ?and? ?

exchanged? ?the? ?things? ?they? ?saw,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?learned? ?that? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?hadn’t? ?seen? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?either,? ?

and? ?his? ?heart? ?couldn’t? ?help? ?but? ?tighten.? ?Just? ?where? ?was? ?Hua? ?Cheng?? ?They? ?couldn’t? ?only? ?keep? ?

going? ?along? ?down? ?the? ?bridge? ?to? ?keep? ?searching.? ?

?

Just? ?then,? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?said? ?to? ?Mu? ?Qing? ?who? ?was? ?on? ?his? ?back,? ?“By? ?the? ?way,? ?those? ?words? ?you? ?were? ?

screaming? ?earlier,? ?I’ve? ?heard? ?a? ?bit.? ?The? ?first? ?part? ?was? ?enraging,? ?makes? ?me? ?want? ?to? ?beat? ?you? ?up,? ?

but? ?I? ?hadn’t? ?imagined? ?that? ?in? ?the? ?end,? ?you? ?little? ?bastard? ?actually? ?think? ?all? ?that? ?in? ?your? ?heart!”? ? ?

?

“...”? ?

?

Mu? ?Qing’s? ?face? ?darkened? ?completely.? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?turned? ?to? ?Xie? ?Lian,? ?“Didn’t? ?I? ?already? ?tell? ?you?? ?This? ?

guy,? ?his? ?feelings? ?are? ?more? ?twisted? ?than? ?the? ?resentful? ?concubines? ?of? ?the? ?deep? ?harem,? ?completely? ?

unfathomable!”? ? ?

?

“...”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?could? ?see? ?Mu? ?Qing’s? ?face? ?was? ?now? ?completely? ?shrouded,? ?and? ?he? ?waved? ?his? ?hand? ?

madly? ?at? ?him.? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?was? ?entirely? ?oblivious? ?and? ?turned? ?to? ?Mu? ?Qing,? ?“If? ?you? ?had? ?wanted? ?to? ?be? ?

friends? ?with? ?His? ?Highness,? ?then? ?just? ?say? ?so!? ?Going? ?around? ?making? ?people? ?sick? ?with? ?all? ?that? ?

sarcasm? ?just? ?because? ?you? ?thought? ?His? ?Highness? ?despised? ?you? ?so? ?you? ?couldn’t? ?be? ?friends? ?

anymore,? ?I? ?really? ?don’t? ?know? ?what? ?your? ?brain? ?is? ?thinking?”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?gave? ?up? ?and? ?waved? ?dismissively,? ?“Isn’t? ?he? ?like? ?this? ?since? ?we? ?were? ?young?? ?Don’t? ?scold? ?

him? ?anymore,? ?look,? ?his? ?face? ?is? ?all? ?red.”? ? ?

?

“...”? ?

?

Mu? ?Qing? ?couldn’t? ?endure? ?any? ?longer? ?and? ?roared,? ?“WHAT? ?THE? ?FUCK!? ?WHAT? ?THE? ?ACTUAL? ?

FUCK!!? ?CAN? ?YOU? ?TWO? ?JUST? ?SHUT? ?UP??”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?reminded? ?him,? ?“You? ?seem? ?to? ?have? ?caught? ?Feng? ?Xin’s? ?vocabulary.? ?And? ?also,? ?it’s? ?not? ?very? ?

good? ?to? ?swear.”? ? ?

?

Feng? ?Xin? ?piped? ?up,? ?“You? ?said? ?it? ?yourself,? ?you? ?very? ?much? ?wanted? ?to? ?be? ?His? ?Highness’? ?f-f-friend!”? ?

?

He? ?even? ?purposely? ?imitated? ?Mu? ?Qing’s? ?teeth-gritting? ?stutter,? ?and? ?Mu? ?Qing’s? ?face? ?had? ?become? ?

savage,? ?his? ?hand? ?already? ?sneaking? ?to? ?his? ?back? ?to? ?find? ?his? ?sabre.? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?added,? ?“Alright,? ?now? ?

everything’s? ?out? ?in? ?the? ?open.? ?Anyway,? ?just? ?you? ?remember? ?this:? ?His? ?Highness? ?never? ?thought? ?you? ?

so? ?filthy? ?in? ?his? ?mind.? ?Other? ?than? ?that? ?time? ?you? ?crossed? ?the? ?line? ?and? ?he? ?got? ?mad,? ?but? ?afterwards,? ?

he’s? ?never? ?said? ?a? ?single? ?bad? ?word? ?about? ?you? ?in? ?front? ?of? ?me!? ?You,? ?just? ?act? ?like? ?a? ?normal? ?person? ?

from? ?now? ?on,? ?talk? ?normally,? ?express? ?yourself? ?normally,? ?if? ?you’re? ?going? ?to? ?be? ?sarcastic? ?again? ?I’m? ?

gonna? ?yell? ?at? ?you!”? ? ?

?

Mu? ?Qing? ?listened? ?to? ?the? ?first? ?part? ?while? ?hanging? ?his? ?head,? ?his? ?lips? ?sealed? ?unspeaking,? ?but? ?as? ?he? ?

listened? ?to? ?the? ?latter? ?half? ?he? ?rolled? ?his? ?eyes,? ?“Haven’t? ?you? ?already? ?yelled? ?at? ?me? ?for? ?hundreds? ?of? ?

years?”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?reminded? ?him,? ?“Mu? ?Qing,? ?you’re? ?a? ?heavenly? ?official,? ?you’ve? ?gotta? ?watch? ?your? ?

impression,? ?alright?? ?You? ?can’t? ?roll? ?your? ?eyes? ?so? ?easily,? ?if? ?your? ?devotees? ?catch? ?it? ?they’ll? ?have? ?

opinions.”? ? ?

?

“Please.”? ?Mu? ?Qing? ?said,? ?“This? ?guy? ?curses? ?all? ?day? ?in? ?the? ?Upper? ?Court.”? ? ?

?

Feng? ?Xin? ?humphed,? ?“That’s? ?because? ?you? ?deserved? ?it.”? ? ?

?

“Stop? ?bringing? ?up? ?old? ?quarrels? ?with? ?me.”? ?Mu? ?Qing? ?said,? ?“Didn’t? ?you? ?also? ?ditch? ?His? ?Highness? ?to? ?go? ?

have? ?a? ?son?”? ? ?

?

Veins? ?were? ?also? ?now? ?popping? ?on? ?Feng? ?Xin’s? ?forehead,? ?and? ?he? ?rolled? ?up? ?his? ?sleeves,? ?“You? ?looking? ?

for? ?a? ?fight?”? ? ?

?

Mu? ?Qing? ?sneered,? ?“Fight? ?yourself.? ?If? ?it? ?wasn’t? ?you? ?talking? ?crap? ?about? ?me? ?to? ?His? ?Highness? ?all? ?day,? ?

do? ?you? ?think? ?I? ?would? ?have? ?thought? ?he? ?looked? ?down? ?on? ?me,? ?and? ?get? ?all? ?weird?”? ? ?

?

The? ?subject? ?was? ?about? ?to? ?sink? ?into? ?the? ?forbidden? ?again,? ?and? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?spoke? ?up,? ?“Will? ?you? ?both? ?

not? ?air? ?out? ?each? ?other’s? ?dirty? ?laundry? ?at? ?a? ?time? ?like? ?this?? ?What’s? ?the? ?point? ?in? ?hurting? ?each? ?other...”? ?

?

Mu? ?Qing? ?rolled? ?his? ?eyes? ?again,? ?“Besides,? ?look? ?at? ?you,? ?freaking? ?out? ?back? ?then.? ?So? ?what? ?if? ?he? ?

robbed?? ?If? ?I? ?was? ?His? ?Highness,? ?at? ?that? ?point,? ?I’d? ?rob? ?eighteen? ?wealthy,? ?prominent? ?households? ?and? ?

would? ?never? ?bat? ?an? ?eye.? ?And? ?to? ?think? ?you’re? ?the? ?helping? ?hand,? ?chasing? ?after? ?His? ?Highness? ?to? ?

demand? ?what? ?happened.”? ? ?

?

Sweat? ?rolled? ?down? ?Xie? ?Lian’s? ?forehead? ?and? ?he? ?looked? ?back,? ?“Wait? ?a? ?sec,? ?there’s? ?no? ?need? ?to? ?air? ?

mine? ?out? ?either?? ?In? ?any? ?case,? ?find? ?San? ?Lang,? ?help? ?me? ?find? ?San? ?Lang!? ?Hahahaha...”? ? ?

?

?

———–? ?

?

Ch.236:? ?Bloody? ?Sought? ?Flower;? ?Vicious? ?Battle? ?Against? ?White? ?No-Face? ?

?

Right? ?then,? ?the? ?three? ?felt? ?at? ?the? ?same? ?time? ?a? ?wave? ?of? ?surging? ?heat? ?coming? ?from? ?below,? ?and? ?they? ?

all? ?cried? ?together,? ?“WATCH? ?OUT!”? ?and? ?their? ?feet? ?moved? ?faster.? ?Seven? ?to? ?eight? ?pillars? ?of? ?fire? ?

charged? ?to? ?the? ?skies,? ?and? ?looking? ?down,? ?there? ?were? ?now? ?even? ?more? ?molten? ?resentful? ?spirits!? ?

?

“Feng? ?Xin,? ?give? ?Mu? ?Qing? ?to? ?me!”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?called? ?out.? ?

?

Without? ?another? ?word,? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?tossed? ?Mu? ?Qing? ?to? ?him? ?from? ?his? ?back,? ?and? ?once? ?on? ?Xie? ?Lian’s? ?

back,? ?Mu? ?Qing? ?exclaimed,? ?“Put? ?them? ?down? ?quick!? ?What? ?a? ?nuisance!”? ? ?

?

“I? ?don’t? ?need? ?you? ?to? ?tell? ?me!”? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?replied,? ?and? ?pulled? ?the? ?bowstring? ?back,? ?shooting? ?multiple? ?

rounds? ?at? ?once.? ?The? ?attacking? ?area? ?of? ?his? ?weapon? ?was? ?far? ?wider? ?than? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?and? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?

blindly? ?shooting? ?blasts,? ?and? ?the? ?arrows? ?exploded? ?the? ?lava? ?waves,? ?the? ?surges? ?erupting? ?high? ?into? ?

the? ?air,? ?and? ?screams? ?came? ?all? ?around.? ?“Nice? ?work!”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?complimented.? ?

?

“It’s? ?alright,? ?I? ?guess!”? ?Mu? ?Qing? ?commented? ?from? ?his? ?back.? ?

?

The? ?resentful? ?spirits? ?were? ?full? ?of? ?rancor,? ?and? ?after? ?huddling,? ?they? ?swam? ?much? ?further? ?ahead,? ?

working? ?together? ?to? ?blow? ?flames.? ?After? ?several? ?rumblings,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?said,? ?“The? ?stretch? ?of? ?the? ?

bridge? ?ahead? ?had? ?been? ?burnt? ?through? ?by? ?them,? ?they? ?want? ?to? ?block? ?our? ?way? ?out!”? ? ?

?

Feng? ?Xin? ?cursed,? ?“Fucking? ?god,? ?look? ?at? ?them? ?huddling? ?like? ?that? ?working? ?so? ?hard? ?together,? ?why? ?

can’t? ?they? ?go? ?do? ?something? ?else? ?instead? ?of? ?harming? ?people!? ?I? ?doubt? ?any? ?of? ?you? ?will? ?be? ?able? ?to? ?

receive? ?absolution? ?and? ?escape? ?the? ?lava? ?for? ?another? ?eight? ?thousand? ?years? ?if? ?you? ?keep? ?that? ?up!”? ?

?

The? ?moment? ?he? ?raised? ?his? ?bow,? ?those? ?molten? ?resentful? ?spirits? ?all? ?scattered? ?again.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?spoke? ?

up,? ?“Alright,? ?don’t? ?yell? ?anymore,? ?get? ?ready!? ?We’re? ?gonna? ?jump!? ?One,? ?two,? ?three–!!”? ? ?

?

On? ?the? ?count? ?of? ?one? ?they? ?started? ?to? ?increase? ?power? ?and? ?speeding? ?up,? ?on? ?the? ?count? ?of? ?two? ?they? ?

calculated? ?the? ?number? ?of? ?steps,? ?and? ?on? ?three,? ?their? ?feet? ?pushed? ?off? ?and? ?jumped? ?–? ?three? ?figures? ?

leapt? ?into? ?the? ?air,? ?passing? ?through? ?the? ?broken? ?gap? ?between? ?the? ?bridge,? ?and? ?landed? ?on? ?the? ?other? ?

side,? ?then? ?they? ?continued? ?their? ?mad? ?dash.? ?That? ?bridge? ?was? ?made? ?for? ?“crossing? ?to? ?the? ?heavens”,? ?

so? ?naturally? ?it? ?would? ?gradually? ?slope? ?up,? ?but? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?was? ?becoming? ?as? ?light? ?as? ?a? ?swallow? ?the? ?

more? ?he? ?ran,? ?“It’s? ?been? ?a? ?long? ?time? ?since? ?the? ?three? ?of? ?us? ?did? ?something? ?like? ?this,? ?huh!”? ? ?

?

“Do? ?you? ?mean? ?fighting? ?side? ?by? ?side,? ?or? ?running? ?for? ?our? ?lives?”? ?Mu? ?Qing? ?questioned.? ?

?

“Both!”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?said.? ?

?

“We? ?clearly? ?do? ?this? ?all? ?the? ?time!”? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?exclaimed.? ?

?

“Really?”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?wondered.? ?

?

But,? ?when? ?some? ?things? ?come? ?out? ?into? ?the? ?open,? ?the? ?mindset? ?would? ?be? ?completely? ?different.? ?Xie? ?

Lian? ?laughed? ?for? ?a? ?moment,? ?but? ?his? ?eyes? ?had? ?been? ?watching? ?carefully? ?down? ?below,? ?yet? ?there? ?was? ?

still? ?never? ?a? ?sight? ?of? ?a? ?red? ?silhouette,? ?so? ?he? ?couldn’t? ?help? ?but? ?be? ?a? ?little? ?on? ?edge,? ?“SAN? ?LANG!”? ? ?

?

His? ?call? ?echoed? ?in? ?the? ?expansive? ?and? ?empty? ?underground? ?cave,? ?but? ?no? ?one? ?answered.? ?Xie? ?Lian’s? ?

lips? ?were? ?going? ?dry,? ?and? ?he? ?licked? ?them.? ?On? ?his? ?back,? ?Mu? ?Qing? ?watched? ?him? ?looking? ?all? ?over? ?the? ?

area,? ?and? ?after? ?a? ?moment? ?of? ?silence,? ?he? ?said,? ?“Your? ?Highness,? ?you? ?really? ?like? ?him,? ?huh?”? ? ?

?

“...”? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?hadn’t? ?expected? ?him? ?to? ?suddenly? ?ask? ?this,? ?“Ah.? ?Ah?? ?...? ?Ah.”? ? ?

?

While? ?his? ?face? ?was? ?completely? ?blank,? ?the? ?tips? ?of? ?his? ?ears? ?were? ?slowly? ?turning? ?red.? ?Seeing? ?him? ?like? ?

this,? ?Mu? ?Qing? ?was? ?speechless,? ?and? ?only? ?spoke? ?up? ?after? ?a? ?moment? ?of? ?hesitation,? ?“I’m? ?not? ?trying? ?to? ?

scare? ?you? ?on? ?purpose? ?or? ?anything,? ?but? ?I? ?have? ?to? ?remind? ?you.? ?Have? ?you? ?ever? ?thought...? ?maybe? ?

we? ?were? ?the? ?only? ?two? ?sent? ?to? ?the? ?bridge,? ?and? ?Crimson? ?Rain? ?Sought? ?Flower...? ?wasn’t?”? ? ?

?

“Isn’t? ?that? ?completely? ?rubbish?”? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?said,? ?“Since? ?there’s? ?only? ?the? ?two? ?of? ?you? ?here,? ?then? ?of? ?

course? ?he? ?was? ?sent? ?elsewhere...”? ? ?

?

He? ?had? ?talked? ?to? ?this? ?point? ?before? ?he? ?realized? ?what? ?Mu? ?Qing? ?was? ?trying? ?to? ?say.? ?He? ?wasn’t? ?saying? ?

that? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?was? ?sent? ?elsewhere,? ?but...? ?maybe,? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?had? ?fallen? ?into? ?the? ?lava? ?pool.? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?licked? ?his? ?lips,? ?“H-How? ?is? ?that? ?possible?”? ? ?

?

“Don’t? ?think? ?it? ?impossible.”? ?Mu? ?Qing? ?said,? ?“Crimson? ?Rain? ?Sought? ?Flower? ?is? ?a? ?Supreme? ?Ghost? ?

King,? ?no? ?doubt? ?about? ?that,? ?but? ?White? ?No-Face? ?is? ?one? ?too.? ?Besides,? ?he’s? ?the? ?first? ?generation? ?of? ?

Supreme? ?Ghost? ?Kings,? ?the? ?master? ?of? ?Mount? ?TongLu.? ?This? ?place? ?is? ?his? ?territory,? ?the? ?domain? ?

where? ?his? ?spiritual? ?powers? ?are? ?the? ?strongest.”? ?

?

Feng? ?Xin? ?glared? ?madly? ?at? ?Mu? ?Qing? ?and? ?scolded,? ?“Shut? ?your? ?mouth!? ?What’s? ?wrong? ?with? ?you?? ?

Can’t? ?you? ?say? ?something? ?good? ?at? ?a? ?time? ?like? ?this?? ?He’s? ?the? ?Crimson? ?Rain? ?Sought? ?Flower,? ?I’m? ?

telling? ?you!”? ?Mu? ?Qing? ?indeed? ?stopped? ?that? ?subject,? ?but? ?still? ?had? ?to? ?rebut,? ?“I? ?just? ?think? ?we? ?have? ?to? ?

consider? ?what? ?to? ?do? ?in? ?case? ?of? ?anything.”? ? ?

?

Before? ?Xie? ?Lian’s? ?eyes? ?that? ?abnormally? ?bright? ?red? ?dot? ?in? ?Hua? ?Cheng’s? ?pale? ?palm? ?appeared,? ?and? ?

he? ?didn’t? ?know? ?what? ?to? ?say? ?either.? ?Just? ?as? ?he? ?was? ?going? ?to? ?speak,? ?he? ?suddenly? ?came? ?to? ?an? ?

abrupt? ?stop,? ?and? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?who? ?was? ?behind? ?him? ?almost? ?slammed? ?into? ?him,? ?“WHAT? ?IS? ?IT?”? ? ?

?

The? ?moment? ?the? ?words? ?left? ?his? ?lips? ?he? ?found? ?there? ?was? ?no? ?need? ?to? ?ask.? ? ?

?

Ahead? ?of? ?them,? ?enveloping? ?the? ?air? ?all? ?around? ?was? ?millions? ?of? ?shimmering? ?silver? ?sparkles,? ?

twinkling? ?like? ?the? ?stars.? ?It? ?was? ?as? ?if? ?someone? ?had? ?toppled? ?a? ?treasure? ?box? ?full? ?of? ?silver? ?powder.? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?put? ?Mu? ?Qing? ?down? ?and? ?walked? ?forward.? ?He? ?reached? ?out? ?a? ?hand,? ?and? ?gently? ?felt? ?a? ?piece? ?

of? ?silver? ?light? ?that? ?was? ?slightly? ?bigger? ?than? ?the? ?rest.? ?After? ?touching? ?it,? ?he? ?then? ?closed? ?his? ?palm? ?and? ?

slowly? ?brought? ?it? ?before? ?his? ?own? ?eyes.? ?

?

The? ?other? ?two? ?approached? ?to? ?look? ?too,? ?and? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?muttered,? ?“This,? ?this? ?is...”? ?

?

Mu? ?Qing? ?said? ?it? ?straightforwardly,? ?“It’s? ?the? ?fragment? ?of...? ?a? ?wraith? ?butterfly?”? ?

?

Feng? ?Xin? ?glared? ?at? ?him? ?in? ?rage? ?again,? ?probably? ?scornful? ?that? ?Mu? ?Qing? ?was? ?being? ?overly? ?

straightforward.? ?Xie? ?Lian’s? ?hand? ?trembled? ?a? ?little,? ?and? ?he? ?clenched? ?that? ?broken? ?piece? ?of? ?a? ?silver? ?

butterfly? ?wing? ?that? ?was? ?still? ?emitting? ?a? ?faint? ?light,? ?then? ?exhaled? ?a? ?long? ?breath.? ?

?

Feng? ?Xin? ?scratched? ?his? ?head,? ?“Think? ?on? ?the? ?bright? ?side,? ?at? ?least? ?he? ?didn’t? ?actually? ?fall? ?into? ?the? ?

lava? ?pool.? ?He? ?must’ve? ?been? ?here,? ?right?”? ? ?

?

Mu? ?Qing? ?pointed? ?to? ?the? ?side,? ?“Then? ?fought? ?with? ?someone? ?here.? ?A? ?major? ?fight.”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian’s? ?gaze? ?followed? ?the? ?direction? ?he? ?was? ?pointing? ?and? ?slightly? ?widened? ?his? ?eyes.? ?

?

The? ?rocks? ?in? ?all? ?directions? ?were? ?covered? ?with? ?countless? ?terrifying? ?gash? ?marks? ?of? ?sharp? ?blades.? ?

?

It? ?was? ?the? ?blade? ?mark? ?of? ?E-Ming.? ?

?

Each? ?sabre? ?strike? ?slashed? ?to? ?the? ?bone.? ?It? ?wasn’t? ?like? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?had? ?never? ?seen? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?use? ?

the? ?sabre? ?before? ?in? ?the? ?past,? ?but? ?his? ?style? ?had? ?always? ?been? ?easy? ?and? ?leisurely,? ?nonchalant? ?and? ?

casual.? ?Rather? ?than? ?say? ?he? ?was? ?handling? ?a? ?weapon,? ?it? ?was? ?more? ?like? ?he? ?was? ?toying? ?with? ?a? ?small? ?

knife.? ?Yet? ?those? ?blade? ?marks? ?were? ?filled? ?with? ?killing? ?intent.? ?It? ?was? ?easy? ?to? ?imagine? ?just? ?how? ?skilled? ?

the? ?one? ?exchanging? ?blows? ?with? ?him? ?was,? ?and? ?how? ?perilous? ?this? ?battle.? ?

?

Without? ?saying? ?a? ?word,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?fell? ?to? ?the? ?ground? ?to? ?check.? ?There? ?was? ?no? ?trace? ?on? ?the? ?bridge? ?of? ?

anyone? ?having? ?fallen,? ?and? ?there? ?were? ?no? ?cheering? ?resentful? ?spirits? ?gathered? ?below? ?the? ?bridge? ?

either,? ?so? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?finally? ?somewhat? ?relaxed? ?and? ?crawled? ?to? ?his? ?feet,? ?sprinting? ?forward? ?resolutely? ?

on? ?his? ?own.? ?Behind? ?him,? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?carried? ?Mu? ?Qing? ?on? ?his? ?back? ?and? ?caught? ?up,? ?“Your? ?Highness!”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?held? ?his? ?breath,? ?because? ?he? ?didn’t? ?want? ?to? ?hear? ?his? ?own? ?harsh,? ?anxious? ?breathing.? ?

Messing? ?up? ?breathing? ?was? ?a? ?great? ?taboo? ?for? ?one? ?who? ?practiced? ?martial? ?arts,? ?since? ?not? ?only? ?did? ?it? ?

add? ?unnecessary? ?burdens? ?to? ?the? ?body,? ?it? ?would? ?also? ?derange? ?the? ?rhythm? ?of? ?the? ?heart.? ?But? ?even? ?

holding? ?his? ?breath? ?was? ?useless;? ?his? ?hands? ?arms? ?and? ?legs? ?were? ?all? ?shaking,? ?and? ?as? ?he? ?ran? ?and? ?

ran,? ?he? ?even? ?tripped,? ?falling? ?and? ?tumbling,? ?rolling? ?a? ?dozen? ?times,? ?even? ?nearly? ?rolling? ?off? ?the? ?

bridge.? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?and? ?Mu? ?Qing? ?both? ?started? ?yelling,? ?telling? ?him? ?to? ?be? ?careful.? ?Suddenly,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?

spoke? ?up,? ?“What’s? ?that? ?sound?”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?stood? ?steady? ?on? ?his? ?feet? ?again? ?and? ?turned? ?back,? ?“Do? ?you? ?guys? ?hear? ?something?? ?Is? ?that? ?

the? ?sound? ?of? ?something?”? ? ?

?

Feng? ?Xin? ?and? ?Mu? ?Qing? ?both? ?cried,? ?“Yes!? ?YES!”? ? ?

?

It? ?was? ?the? ?cracking? ?and? ?rumbling? ?sounds? ?of? ?weapons? ?clashing? ?and? ?spiritual? ?powers? ?colliding.? ?

Even? ?the? ?bridge? ?body? ?of? ?the? ?Heaven? ?Crossing? ?Bridge? ?was? ?faintly? ?shaking.? ?In? ?the? ?darkness? ?of? ?the? ?

path? ?ahead,? ?there? ?was? ?light? ?going? ?on? ?and? ?off.? ?

?

There’s? ?people? ?ahead? ?fighting!? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?half? ?crawled? ?half? ?stumbled? ?as? ?he? ?charged? ?forward.? ?Behind? ?him? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?muttered,? ?

“Dear? ?fucking? ?god,? ?may? ?all? ?the? ?gods? ?and? ?buddhas? ?grant? ?their? ?blessings,? ?that? ?better? ?absolutely? ?be? ?

Crimson? ?Rain? ?Sought? ?Flower,? ?otherwise? ?he’s? ?gonna? ?go? ?mad!”? ? ?

?

“Stop? ?your? ?rubbish,”? ?Mu? ?Qing? ?berated,? ?“We’re? ?all? ?the? ?gods? ?and? ?buddhas? ?ourselves? ?and? ?we? ?can’t? ?

grant? ?shit,? ?just? ?keep? ?up? ?with? ?him!? ?Look? ?at? ?the? ?stumbling? ?way? ?he’s? ?running,? ?he’s? ?gonna? ?trip? ?and? ?fall? ?

to? ?his? ?bloody? ?death? ?before? ?he? ?even? ?sees? ?the? ?man!”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?had? ?completely? ?forgotten? ?about? ?holding? ?his? ?breath,? ?and? ?just? ?listened? ?to? ?his? ?own? ?

disorderly? ?panting? ?for? ?five,? ?six? ?miles,? ?and? ?after? ?rounding? ?a? ?few? ?giant? ?winding? ?paths,? ?finally,? ?after? ?

turning? ?the? ?last? ?corner,? ?bright? ?white? ?light? ?abruptly? ?filled? ?his? ?vision.? ?

?

At? ?the? ?end? ?of? ?the? ?hanging? ?Heaven? ?Crossing? ?Bridge,? ?a? ?red? ?clad? ?man? ?and? ?a? ?white? ?clad? ?man? ?were? ?

engaged? ?in? ?a? ?vicious? ?battle.? ?

?

That? ?red? ?clad? ?man? ?wielded? ?a? ?slender? ?and? ?long? ?silvery? ?white? ?scimitar,? ?his? ?form? ?beguiling,? ?flashing? ?

in? ?and? ?out? ?like? ?lightning? ?–? ?it? ?was? ?Hua? ?Cheng.? ?He? ?wasn’t? ?smiling? ?anymore,? ?completely? ?focused,? ?

his? ?expression? ?sharp,? ?a? ?smear? ?of? ?a? ?bloody? ?mark? ?on? ?his? ?handsome? ?and? ?pale? ?cheek,? ?adding? ?vivid? ?

brightness? ?to? ?his? ?biting? ?frost.? ?That? ?white? ?clad? ?man? ?was? ?of? ?course? ?White? ?No-Face,? ?and? ?he? ?was? ?

wielding? ?a? ?sword? ?that? ?came? ?from? ?who? ?knows? ?where,? ?that? ?half? ?smiling,? ?half? ?crying? ?cry-smiling? ?

mask? ?still? ?on? ?his? ?face.? ?Only,? ?that? ?mask? ?and? ?what? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?had? ?seen? ?before? ?were? ?now? ?somewhat? ?

different.? ?

?

It? ?was? ?cracked? ?in? ?the? ?middle.? ?

?

That? ?crack? ?was? ?significant,? ?unable? ?to? ?be? ?ignored,? ?and? ?it? ?went? ?from? ?the? ?heart? ?of? ?the? ?forehead? ?all? ?

the? ?way? ?down? ?to? ?the? ?cheek? ?below? ?the? ?eye,? ?like? ?it? ?was? ?going? ?to? ?break? ?any? ?moment!? ?

?

Both? ?were? ?exceedingly? ?light? ?on? ?their? ?feet,? ?tipping? ?before? ?blitzing? ?in? ?seconds,? ?the? ?aura? ?of? ?evil? ?

erupting? ?in? ?the? ?air,? ?yet? ?each? ?of? ?their? ?strikes? ?were? ?heavy? ?like? ?a? ?thousand? ?tonnes,? ?their? ?force? ?

blasting? ?through? ?the? ?skies.? ?The? ?aura? ?of? ?the? ?blade? ?against? ?the? ?winds? ?of? ?the? ?sabre,? ?a? ?maniacal? ?

dance,? ?a? ?chaotic? ?flight,? ?and? ?the? ?wraith? ?butterflies? ?above? ?were? ?also? ?matching? ?with? ?the? ?molten? ?

resentful? ?spirits? ?below,? ?shrieking? ?at? ?one? ?another,? ?like? ?the? ?mountains? ?collapsing? ?and? ?the? ?seas? ?

toppling.? ?Every? ?time? ?they? ?clashed,? ?the? ?molten? ?lava? ?and? ?blazing? ?fires? ?within? ?the? ?pool? ?would? ?

explode,? ?the? ?terrifying? ?waves? ?surging? ?meters? ?high,? ?and? ?no? ?one? ?could? ?get? ?close? ?at? ?all!? ?

?

Feng? ?Xin? ?and? ?Mu? ?Qing? ?both? ?came? ?around? ?afterwards,? ?and? ?were? ?both? ?shaken? ?by? ?the? ?scene,? ?

nailed? ?to? ?the? ?ground? ?by? ?their? ?shock,? ?unable? ?to? ?move? ?a? ?single? ?step.? ?

?

Not? ?a? ?single? ?martial? ?god? ?could? ?watch? ?a? ?battle? ?such? ?as? ?this? ?and? ?not? ?feel? ?excitement!? ?

?

To? ?see? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?perfectly? ?fine,? ?Xie? ?Lian’s? ?highly? ?strung? ?heart? ?could? ?finally? ?rest,? ?and? ?he? ?

immediately? ?wanted? ?to? ?collapsed? ?onto? ?the? ?ground? ?and? ?scream? ?and? ?yell,? ?but? ?he? ?forced? ?himself? ?to? ?

hold? ?it? ?in.? ?When? ?skilled? ?fighters? ?clashed,? ?any? ?instance? ?of? ?disturbance? ?could? ?determine? ?victory? ?and? ?

defeat.? ?Besides,? ?this? ?was? ?the? ?battle? ?between? ?the? ?two? ?Supreme? ?Ghost? ?Kings? ?of? ?their? ?time!? ?

?

In? ?the? ?far? ?distance? ?on? ?White? ?No-Face’s? ?side,? ?there? ?was? ?another? ?figure? ?standing,? ?and? ?it? ?was? ?

Guoshi.? ?Naturally,? ?he? ?was? ?brought? ?here? ?by? ?White? ?No-Face.? ?Seeing? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?and? ?company? ?had? ?

come,? ?he? ?breathed? ?in? ?relief,? ?but? ?didn’t? ?dare? ?to? ?recklessly? ?make? ?any? ?noise? ?either.? ?Yet? ?who? ?knew,? ?

Hua? ?Cheng? ?had? ?already? ?noticed? ?newcomers,? ?and? ?his? ?frozen,? ?frost-like? ?focus? ?melted? ?slightly,? ?a? ?

grin? ?finally? ?widening? ?on? ?his? ?face,? ?“It? ?seems,? ?you’ve? ?lost? ?again.? ?His? ?Highness? ?has? ?come,? ?and? ?not? ?a? ?

single? ?person? ?is? ?missing? ?from? ?the? ?ones? ?he? ?had? ?brought? ?with? ?him.”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?couldn’t? ?hold? ?back? ?any? ?longer? ?and? ?shouted,? ?“SAN? ?LANG!”? ? ?

?

Hua? ?Cheng? ?inclined? ?his? ?head? ?and? ?answered,? ?“Gege.”? ?Then,? ?his? ?tone? ?turned? ?to? ?one? ?of? ?warning? ?

again,? ?“Gege,? ?next? ?time? ?you? ?make? ?yourself? ?fall? ?like? ?that? ?again,? ?I’m? ?going? ?to? ?get? ?mad.”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?responded? ?too,? ?“Next? ?time? ?you? ?jump? ?down? ?with? ?me? ?again,? ?I’ll? ?get? ?even? ?more? ?mad!”? ? ?

?

“...”? ?Hearing? ?this,? ?Hua? ?Cheng’s? ?expression? ?seemed? ?to? ?stiffen? ?for? ?a? ?second,? ?as? ?if? ?Xie? ?Lian’s? ?words? ?

really? ?did? ?make? ?him? ?wary? ?for? ?a? ?moment.? ?Even? ?when? ?facing? ?White? ?No-Face? ?he? ?had? ?never? ?showed? ?

such? ?a? ?wary? ?expression.? ?White? ?No-Face? ?crushed? ?in,? ?the? ?one? ?he? ?struck? ?at? ?was? ?Hua? ?Cheng,? ?but? ?

the? ?one? ?he? ?spoke? ?to? ?was? ?Xie? ?Lian,? ?“Xian? ?Le,? ?aren’t? ?you? ?two? ?enjoying? ?your? ?spring? ?tailwinds? ?too? ?

much,? ?and? ?over-underestimating? ?me?”? ?

?

The? ?eyeball? ?on? ?the? ?hilt? ?of? ?E-Ming? ?noticed? ?Xie? ?Lian,? ?and? ?started? ?madly? ?spinning? ?in? ?crackles.? ?Hua? ?

Cheng? ?flipped? ?his? ?hand? ?and? ?thrusted,? ?and? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?heard? ?a? ??CRACK!? ? ?

?

And? ?his? ?heart? ?lurched.? ?

?

?

————? ?

?

Ch.237:? ?Bloody? ?Sought? ?Flower;? ?Vicious? ?Battle? ?Against? ?White? ?No-Face? ?2? ?

?

That? ?was? ?the? ?sound? ?of? ?a? ?weapon? ?breaking!? ?

?

All? ?those? ?present? ?hastily? ?looked? ?to? ?where? ?the? ?sound? ?came? ?from,? ?and? ?saw? ?the? ?scimitar? ?on? ?Hua? ?

Cheng’s? ?hand? ?was? ?fine,? ?but? ?the? ?long? ?sword? ?wielded? ?by? ?White? ?No-Face? ?had? ?been? ?snapped? ?in? ?half? ?

by? ?Hua? ?Cheng’s? ?strike!? ?

?

The? ?eyeball? ?on? ?the? ?scimitar? ?E-Ming? ?saw? ?Xie? ?Lian,? ?and? ?spun? ?crazily? ?in? ?crackles,? ?looking? ?like? ?it? ?had? ?

showed? ?itself? ?off? ?in? ?front? ?of? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?and? ?was? ?feeling? ?so? ?happy? ?it? ?was? ?going? ?to? ?ascend.? ?Hua? ?

Cheng? ?laughed? ?heartily? ?and? ?said? ?easily,? ?“It’s? ?fine.? ?There’s? ?no? ?need? ?for? ?gege? ?to? ?worry.”? ?Then? ?he? ?

rebutted? ?White? ?No-Face,? ?“And? ?why? ?do? ?I? ?have? ?to? ?care? ?for? ?the? ?likes? ?of? ?you?”? ? ?

?

White? ?No-Face? ?humphed,? ?and? ?Guoshi? ?couldn’t? ?hold? ?back? ?anymore,? ?afraid? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?was? ?going? ?

to? ?provoke? ?his? ?opponent,? ?“YOUNG? ?MAN,? ?DON’T? ?BE? ?SO? ?COCKY!”? ? ?

?

Yet? ?unexpectedly,? ?what? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?said? ?next? ?was? ?even? ?more? ?audacious? ?and? ?brazen.? ?Wielding? ?

the? ?sabre? ?singlehandedly,? ?its? ?sharp? ?luster? ?brilliant,? ?he? ?pointed? ?it? ?at? ?White? ?No-Face,? ?smiling,? ?“After? ?

all,? ?in? ?the? ?end? ?you’re? ?nothing? ?more? ?than? ?an? ?addled? ?old? ?fart? ?with? ?a? ?heart? ?filled? ?with? ?jealousy.”? ? ?

?

Nevermind? ?Guoshi? ?who? ?had? ?lost? ?all? ?energy? ?to? ?berate? ?his? ?fake? ?smile,? ?both? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?and? ?Mu? ?Qing? ?

were? ?stunned? ?too:? ?this? ?man’s? ?way? ?to? ?gutsy!? ?

?

Who? ?would? ?dare? ?say? ?such? ?a? ?thing? ?to? ?either? ?Jun? ?Wu? ?or? ?White? ?No-Face’s? ?faces?!? ?

?

But,? ?they? ?all? ?had? ?to? ?admit? ?that? ?only? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?would? ?dare? ?to? ?say? ?those? ?words,? ?since,? ?he? ?was? ?

probably? ?the? ?only? ?one? ?who? ?could? ?say? ?those? ?things? ?and? ?Jun? ?Wu? ?or? ?White? ?No-Face? ?could? ?still? ?do? ?

nothing? ?to? ?him!? ?

?

Mu? ?Qing? ?got? ?off? ?on? ?his? ?own,? ?walked? ?a? ?few? ?steps,? ?and? ?mumbled,? ?“No? ?wonder,? ?in? ?the? ?past...? ?when? ?

it? ?came? ?to? ?Crimson? ?Rain? ?Sought? ?Flower,? ?Jun? ?Wu? ?always? ?said? ?to? ?avoid? ?him? ?if? ?we? ?can,? ?and? ?not? ?to? ?

face? ?him? ?head? ?on.”? ?

?

Right? ?then,? ?a? ?ball? ?of? ?white? ?shadow? ?flashed? ?by,? ?blocking? ?in? ?front? ?of? ?the? ?point? ?of? ?E-Ming’s? ?blade.? ?Xie? ?

Lian’s? ?eyes? ?were? ?sharp,? ?and? ?saw? ?clearly? ?what? ?that? ?creature? ?was,? ?“San? ?Lang,? ?don’t? ?cut? ?that? ?thing!”? ? ?

?

It? ?was? ?the? ?fetus? ?spirit!? ?

?

He? ?saw? ?it,? ?so? ?naturally? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?saw? ?it? ?too,? ?and? ?the? ?point? ?of? ?the? ?blade? ?veered,? ?withdrawing? ?at? ?

will,? ?changing? ?the? ?slashing? ?motion? ?to? ?flicking,? ?flinging? ?that? ?ball? ?of? ?white? ?creature? ?away.? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?

had? ?his? ?pupils? ?shrink? ?earlier,? ?and? ?only? ?snapped? ?out? ?of? ?it? ?when? ?he? ?saw? ?that? ?fetus? ?spirit? ?wasn’t? ?

chopped? ?into? ?two,? ?“COME? ?HERE!”? ? ?

?

The? ?direction? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?had? ?flung? ?that? ?fetus? ?spirit? ?was? ?exactly? ?towards? ?him.? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?rushed? ?

up? ?to? ?reach? ?for? ?it,? ?but? ?there? ?weren’t? ?many? ?hairs? ?on? ?its? ?head? ?in? ?the? ?first? ?place,? ?and? ?with? ?his? ?shout? ?

the? ?hairs? ?all? ?stood,? ?angry? ?gurgling? ?coming? ?from? ?its? ?throat.? ?The? ?moment? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?went? ?up? ?it? ?

chomped? ?at? ?him? ?like? ?mad? ?incessantly,? ?refusing? ?to? ?let? ?him? ?pick? ?it? ?up.? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?couldn’t? ?help? ?but? ?be? ?

outraged,? ?‘FUCKING? ?HELL!? ?WHEN? ?IT? ?SEES? ?HIM? ?IT? ?STICKS? ?ON,? ?WHEN? ?IT? ?SEES? ?ME? ?IT? ?

BITES,? ?JUST? ?WHO? ?IS? ?YOUR? ?DAD? ?HERE??”? ? ?

?

Mu? ?Qing? ?however,? ?commented? ?cooly,? ?“Have? ?you? ?ever? ?taken? ?it? ?for? ?your? ?son?? ?Have? ?you? ?ever? ?

called? ?its? ?name? ?properly?”? ? ?

?

Hearing? ?this,? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?was? ?taken? ?aback,? ?“I...”? ? ?

?

On? ?the? ?other? ?end,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?couldn’t? ?stay? ?still? ?watching? ?the? ?battle,? ?and? ?hastily? ?instructed,? ?“The? ?two? ?

of? ?you? ?be? ?careful,? ?I’ll? ?go? ?and? ?see!”? ? ?

?

Mu? ?Qing? ?said? ?quietly,? ?“You? ?be? ?careful? ?yourself!? ?Don’t? ?forget,? ?you? ?still? ?have? ?two? ?bands? ?on? ?your? ?

person...”? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?was? ?slightly? ?taken? ?aback,? ?and? ?unconsciously? ?touched? ?his? ?neck,? ?feeling? ?that? ?cursed? ?

shackle.? ?But,? ?for? ?some? ?reason,? ?he? ?felt? ?White? ?No-Face? ?wouldn’t? ?use? ?the? ?cursed? ?shackle? ?to? ?

threaten? ?him.? ?There? ?wasn’t? ?any? ?more? ?time? ?to? ?parse? ?words,? ?and? ?he? ?rushed? ?forward.? ?On? ?the? ?other? ?

side,? ?one? ?flash? ?of? ?red? ?and? ?one? ?flash? ?of? ?white? ?were? ?steeped? ?in? ?a? ?vicious? ?battle,? ?and? ?after? ?

observing? ?for? ?a? ?moment,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?determined? ?it? ?was? ?hard? ?to? ?recklessly? ?join? ?the? ?chaotic? ?fight.? ?

RuoYe? ?was? ?whipped? ?out? ?and? ?Guoshi? ?was? ?wrapped? ?and? ?pulled? ?over,? ?“Master!? ?Are? ?you? ?alright?”? ? ?

?

Guoshi? ?wiped? ?his? ?face? ?full? ?of? ?cold? ?sweat,? ?“...Fine!”? ? ?

?

“If? ?you’re? ?fine? ?then? ?why? ?are? ?you? ?sweating? ?so? ?heavily?”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?questioned.? ?

?

“Isn’t? ?it? ?all? ?thanks? ?to? ?that? ?Crimson? ?Rain? ?Sought? ?Flower? ?the? ?little? ?bastard? ?with? ?no? ?filter? ?on? ?his? ?

mouth!? ?What? ?a? ?fright!!!”? ?Guoshi? ?berated.? ?

?

Just? ?then,? ?they? ?heard? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?give? ?a? ?surprised? ?shout.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?raised? ?his? ?head? ?and? ?looked? ?over,? ?

and? ?saw? ?White? ?No-Face? ?was? ?slowly? ?dropping? ?a? ?hand.? ?

?

One? ?of? ?his? ?arms? ?was? ?injured.? ?

?

He? ?flipped? ?his? ?palm? ?open,? ?saw? ?his? ?own? ?hand? ?covered? ?with? ?blood,? ?and? ?sighed,? ?chuckling,? ?“...It’s? ?

been? ?many? ?years? ?since? ?anyone? ?has? ?managed? ?to? ?hurt? ?me? ?like? ?this.”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?felt? ?a? ?sense? ?of? ?foreboding? ?and? ?asked,? ?“Master,? ?is? ?he...? ?mad?”? ?

?

Guoshi? ?could? ?be? ?considered? ?as? ?the? ?only? ?one? ?in? ?the? ?world? ?who? ?understood? ?White? ?No-Face? ?the? ?

best? ?right? ?now,? ?“No...? ?it’s? ?worse? ?than? ?anger.? ?He’s...? ?happy.”? ? ?

?

After? ?a? ?pause,? ?White? ?No-Face? ?turned? ?to? ?Hua? ?Cheng,? ?and? ?asked,? ?his? ?voice? ?full? ?of? ?curiosity,? ?“Your? ?

scimitar,? ?was? ?it? ?forged? ?by? ?that? ?missing? ?eye? ?of? ?yours?”? ? ?

?

It? ?was? ?obvious? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?had? ?no? ?interest? ?in? ?responding,? ?but? ?Xie? ?Lian’s? ?heart? ?jumped? ?violently.? ?

?

From? ?the? ?first? ?time? ?he? ?saw? ?E-Ming? ?he? ?knew? ?that? ?this? ?scimitar? ?must? ?be? ?unusual,? ?but? ?he? ?had? ?only? ?

half? ?guessed? ?that? ?perhaps? ?it? ?was? ?forged? ?from? ?the? ?eye? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?lost.? ?White? ?No-Face’s? ?voice? ?

was? ?so? ?confident,? ?could? ?that? ?really? ?be? ?true?? ?

?

Guoshi’s? ?brows? ?knitted,? ?and? ?after? ?a? ?moment,? ?he? ?suddenly? ?spoke? ?up,? ?“Oh,? ?I? ?remember? ?now.”? ? ?

?

“What? ?do? ?you? ?remember?”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?asked.? ?

?

“I? ?remember? ?that? ?they’ve? ?told? ?me? ?of? ?an? ?incident.”? ?Guoshi? ?said,? ?“Many? ?hundreds? ?of? ?years? ?ago,? ?a? ?

vicious? ?ghost? ?had? ?come? ?to? ?Mount? ?TongLu.”? ? ?

?

“I’m? ?sure? ?there’s? ?at? ?least? ?a? ?million? ?vicious? ?ghosts? ?that? ?have? ?paid? ?a? ?visit? ?to? ?Mount? ?TongLu.”? ?Mu? ?

Qing? ?said.? ?

?

“DON’T? ?INTERRUPT!”? ?Guoshi? ?exclaimed,? ?“—That? ?vicious? ?ghost,? ?the? ?time? ?it? ?took? ?to? ?form? ?was? ?

very? ?short,? ?very? ?young,? ?and? ?when? ?it? ?had? ?come,? ?it? ?was? ?almost? ?ready? ?to? ?dissipate? ?completely,? ?yet? ?

for? ?some? ?reason? ?it? ?held? ?on? ?and? ?drifted? ?here.”? ? ?

?

For? ?some? ?reason,? ?Xie? ?Lian’s? ?heart? ?was? ?thumping? ?like? ?mad,? ?“Almost? ?dissipated? ?completely?? ?How? ?

come?”? ? ?

?

“It? ?seemed? ?to? ?have? ?suffered? ?a? ?great? ?damage.”? ?Guoshi? ?replied,? ?“Its? ?soul? ?was? ?pretty? ?much? ?all? ?

scattered,? ?and? ?it? ?wasn’t? ?very? ?conscient? ?either,? ?but? ?it? ?still? ?floated? ?along,? ?repeating? ?again? ?and? ?again? ?

that? ?it? ?wouldn’t? ?leave,? ?it? ?wouldn’t? ?leave.? ?Probably? ?because? ?his? ?wish? ?hadn’t? ?been? ?fulfilled.? ?Anyway,? ?

that? ?year? ?when? ?Mount? ?TongLu? ?opened,? ?an? ?accident? ?happened.”? ? ?

?

When? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?heard? ?“It? ?wouldn’t? ?leave”,? ?his? ?heart? ?softened? ?for? ?some? ?reason,? ?but? ?also? ?squeezed? ?

at? ?the? ?same? ?time.? ?He? ?then? ?immediately? ?asked,? ?“What? ?accident?”? ? ?

?

“Within? ?Mount? ?TongLu,? ?not? ?only? ?did? ?millions? ?of? ?ghosts? ?gather,? ?a? ?group? ?of? ?live? ?mortals? ?who? ?had? ?

accidentally? ?intruded? ?were? ?also? ?locked? ?inside.”? ?

?

“What?!”? ? ?

?

“There? ?are? ?nothing? ?but? ?monsters? ?and? ?demons? ?inside? ?TongLu,? ?the? ?common? ?people? ?can’t? ?break? ?

out? ?at? ?all,? ?and? ?could? ?only? ?suffer? ?the? ?fate? ?of? ?becoming? ?nutrients.? ?However,? ?for? ?whatever? ?reason,? ?

that? ?vicious? ?ghost,? ?in? ?its? ?state? ?of? ?muddledness,? ?took? ?that? ?large? ?group? ?of? ?live? ?mortals? ?under? ?its? ?

wing? ?and? ?fled? ?for? ?many? ?days.? ?In? ?the? ?end,? ?they? ?were? ?still? ?surrounded? ?by? ?millions? ?of? ?ghosts,? ?

trapped? ?in? ?a? ?dead? ?end,? ?and? ?it? ?was? ?going? ?to? ?be? ?eaten? ?along? ?with? ?those? ?humans.”? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?knew? ?that? ?this? ?lonesome,? ?drifting? ?feral? ?ghost? ?must? ?have? ?been? ?Hua? ?Cheng!? ?

?

“And? ?then?”? ?He? ?pushed,? ?“Was? ?there? ?a? ?way? ?to? ?break? ?away? ?to? ?safety?”? ? ?

?

“Yes.”? ?Guoshi? ?replied,? ?“Forge? ?a? ?blood? ?weapon,? ?and? ?kill? ?to? ?break? ?the? ?siege.”? ? ?

?

Mu? ?Qing? ?still? ?couldn’t? ?help? ?but? ?chip? ?in,? ?“Then? ?wouldn’t? ?the? ?easiest? ?sacrifice? ?be...”? ?

?

Wouldn’t? ?it? ?be? ?those? ?humans? ?that? ?fell? ?into? ?the? ?state? ?of? ?devastation!? ?

?

Feng? ?Xin? ?and? ?Mu? ?Qing? ?looked? ?to? ?White? ?No-Face? ?and? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?who? ?were? ?completely? ?focused? ?

in? ?their? ?vicious? ?battle,? ?“Did...? ?did? ?he...”? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?also? ?held? ?his? ?breath.? ?Guoshi? ?said,? ?“En.? ?He? ?made? ?a? ?move.”? ? ?

?

Feng? ?Xin? ?and? ?Mu? ?Qing’s? ?expressions? ?all? ?became? ?unreadable.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?however,? ?didn’t? ?move? ?a? ?

muscle,? ?and? ?only? ?waited? ?for? ?Guoshi? ?to? ?continue.? ?Sure? ?enough,? ?Guoshi? ?answered? ?his? ?anticipation,? ?

“He? ?made? ?a? ?move.? ?In? ?a? ?fit? ?of? ?madness,? ?it? ?dug? ?out? ?one? ?of? ?its? ?own? ?eyes.”? ? ?

?

“...”? ?

?

Guoshi? ?continued,? ?“That? ?vicious? ?ghost? ?almost? ?made? ?a? ?move? ?against? ?those? ?humans,? ?but? ?for? ?some? ?

reason,? ?in? ?the? ?end? ?it? ?didn’t,? ?and? ?instead? ?used? ?one? ?of? ?its? ?own? ?eyes? ?as? ?the? ?price? ?to? ?forge? ?a? ?blood? ?

weapon.? ?That? ?vicious? ?ghost? ?was? ?forcibly? ?hanging? ?on? ?with? ?a? ?last? ?breath,? ?and? ?after? ?digging? ?out? ?its? ?

eye? ?it? ?should’ve? ?broken? ?apart? ?completely.? ?Yet? ?somehow? ?something? ?had? ?shocked? ?it,? ?and? ?it? ?instead? ?

woke? ?to? ?its? ?senses? ?completely.? ?Who? ?knows? ?what? ?kind? ?of? ?wicked? ?device? ?it’s? ?forged? ?that? ?actually? ?

carried? ?it? ?through? ?that? ?battle.? ?And,? ?there? ?was? ?another? ?curious? ?incident.”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?tried? ?to? ?force? ?himself? ?to? ?calm,? ?“W-What? ?incident?”? ? ?

?

“Apparently,? ?after? ?that? ?battle,? ?the? ?heavens? ?sent? ?forth? ?a? ?heavenly? ?calamity,? ?and? ?it? ?struck? ?straight? ?

into? ?Mount? ?TongLu.”? ?Guoshi,? ?“Do? ?you? ?understand? ?what? ?that? ?means?”? ? ?

?

Was? ?there? ?any? ?need? ?to? ?explain? ?what? ?it? ?meant?? ?

?

To? ?have? ?a? ?heavenly? ?calamity? ?be? ?sent? ?forth,? ?it? ?meant,? ?the? ?heavens? ?believed? ?there? ?was? ?someone? ?

who? ?was? ?worthy? ?to? ?ascend? ?within? ?Mount? ?TongLu.? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?grabbed? ?Guoshi,? ?“Who? ?was? ?it?? ?Who? ?ascended??”? ? ?

?

“This? ?is? ?all? ?hearsay.”? ?Guoshi? ?said,? ?“But,? ?there? ?wasn’t? ?any? ?heavenly? ?officials? ?in? ?the? ?Upper? ?Court? ?

that? ?came? ?from? ?Mount? ?TongLu.? ?Either? ?what? ?I? ?heard? ?was? ?purely? ?fabricated,? ?or...”? ?

?

The? ?one? ?who? ?ascended? ?jumped? ?back? ?down,? ?and? ?rejected? ?the? ?heavenly? ?realm!? ?

?

Mu? ?Qing? ?couldn’t? ?accept? ?this? ?at? ?all,? ?and? ?was? ?perplexed,? ?“To? ?ascend? ?as? ?a? ?ghost?? ?There’s? ?such? ?a? ?

thing?? ?And? ?it? ?refused? ?its? ?ascension? ?and? ?jumped? ?back? ?down??? ?It? ?can’t? ?be? ?him,? ?can? ?it?? ?He? ?only? ?just? ?

entered? ?Mount? ?TongLu? ?then,? ?he? ?hadn’t? ?even? ?reached? ?the? ?rank? ?of? ?Supreme!!? ?Jumping? ?down? ?just? ?

like? ?that...? ?he? ?didn’t? ?even? ?know? ?if? ?he’d? ?survive!? ?Why? ?did? ?he? ?do? ?this??”? ? ?

?

Why? ?had? ?he? ?gone? ?to? ?such? ?extremes??? ?

?

Suddenly,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?heard? ?White? ?No-Face? ?sigh,? ?“Xian? ?Le,? ?you? ?have? ?a? ?very? ?faithful? ?believer.”? ? ?

?

Before? ?he? ?finished,? ?a? ?cracked? ?cry-smiling? ?mask? ?abruptly? ?appeared? ?before? ?Xie? ?Lian’s? ?eyes.? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?had? ?never? ?expected? ?White? ?No-Face? ?could? ?actually? ?approach? ?to? ?mere? ?inches? ?away? ?in? ?

the? ?breath? ?of? ?an? ?instant,? ?and? ?his? ?eyes? ?cleanly? ?reflected? ?his? ?reflection.? ?RuoYe? ?shot? ?up? ?like? ?it? ?was? ?

furious,? ?ready? ?to? ?strike,? ?but? ?in? ?the? ?end? ?it? ?still? ?shrank? ?back.? ?

?

It? ?couldn’t? ?be? ?blamed,? ?since? ?RuoYe? ?had? ?always? ?been? ?very? ?intelligent.? ?When? ?it? ?determined? ?that? ?its? ?

attack? ?would? ?be? ?ineffective,? ?it? ?would? ?give? ?up? ?voluntarily.? ?

?

White? ?No-Face? ?seemed? ?to? ?have? ?smiled? ?a? ?bit? ?since? ?that? ?cry-smiling? ?mask’s? ?crack? ?had? ?become? ?

deeper.? ?

?

The? ?next? ?second,? ?the? ?blade? ?point? ?of? ?E-Ming? ?brushed? ?against? ?his? ?neck.? ?

?

But? ?it? ?was? ?late? ?by? ?a? ?step;? ?White? ?No-Face? ?had? ?already? ?dodged? ?away.? ?

?

He? ?flashed? ?and? ?appeared? ?on? ?the? ?highest? ?point? ?of? ?where? ?the? ?Heaven? ?Crossing? ?Bridge? ?ended,? ?and? ?

slightly? ?lifted? ?his? ?hand,? ?“No? ?need? ?to? ?be? ?nervous,? ?I? ?was? ?only? ?taking? ?back? ?what? ?was? ?mine.”? ? ?

?

In? ?his? ?hand? ?was? ?a? ?long? ?sword? ?that? ?was? ?completely? ?pitch? ?black? ?and? ?frigid? ?like? ?cold? ?jade,? ?a? ?silver? ?

thread? ?crossing? ?down? ?the? ?heart? ?of? ?the? ?sword.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?subconsciously? ?twisted? ?his? ?hand? ?to? ?feel? ?

his? ?back,? ?and? ?sure? ?enough,? ?Fang? ?Xin? ?that? ?was? ?carried? ?on? ?his? ?back? ?was? ?gone.? ?

?

Fang? ?Xin? ?was? ?originally? ?the? ?sacred? ?sword? ?of? ?the? ?Crown? ?Prince? ?of? ?WuYong.? ?White? ?No-Face? ?had? ?

retrieved? ?what? ?had? ?belonged? ?to? ?him.? ?

?

One? ?piece,? ?two? ?pieces,? ?three? ?pieces.? ?That? ?tragically? ?pale? ?mask? ?was? ?flaking? ?off? ?one? ?piece? ?at? ?a? ?

time? ?until? ?finally,? ?it? ?thoroughly? ?fell,? ?revealing? ?the? ?face? ?behind? ?the? ?mask.? ?Within? ?the? ?burning? ?flames,? ?

that? ?white? ?robe? ?also? ?transformed? ?into? ?white? ?armour.? ?

?

At? ?last,? ?“White? ?No-Face”? ?had? ?taken? ?off? ?his? ?mask,? ?and? ?transformed? ?into? ?“Jun? ?Wu”.? ?

?

Everyone? ?held? ?their? ?breaths,? ?high? ?on? ?guard.? ?

?

There? ?was? ?no? ?need? ?to? ?guess.? ?In? ?this? ?form,? ?he? ?must? ?be? ?even? ?stronger.? ?

?

?

————–? ?

?

Ch.238:? ?Bloody? ?Sought? ?Flower;? ?Vicious? ?Battle? ?Against? ?White? ?No-Face? ?3? ?

?

?

Guoshi? ?shouted? ?towards? ?Hua? ?Cheng,? ?“YOUNG? ?MAN,? ?DON’T? ?UNDERESTIMATE? ?YOUR? ?

OPPONENT!? ?His? ?form? ?now? ?is? ?even? ?more? ?difficult? ?to? ?deal? ?with? ?than? ?White? ?No-Face!? ?Besides,? ?you? ?

had? ?the? ?advantage? ?of? ?a? ?better? ?weapon? ?earlier,? ?but? ?not? ?anymore!”? ? ?

?

Sure? ?enough,? ?all? ?of? ?the? ?wounds? ?on? ?Jun? ?Wu’s? ?body? ?vanished? ?in? ?one? ?sweep,? ?and? ?he? ?was? ?restored? ?

from? ?head? ?to? ?toe.? ?He? ?glanced? ?at? ?Guoshi? ?and? ?smiled,? ?“To? ?teach? ?others? ?on? ?how? ?to? ?face? ?me? ?in? ?front? ?

of? ?me,? ?I? ?won’t? ?kill? ?you,? ?but? ?you’re? ?becoming? ?more? ?bold.”? ? ?

?

That? ?smile? ?was? ?laced? ?with? ?a? ?tone? ?of? ?warning.? ?Guoshi? ?stopped? ?speaking,? ?but? ?stared? ?back? ?at? ?him.? ?

Xie? ?Lian? ?spoke? ?up,? ?“Don’t? ?you? ?worry,? ?San? ?Lang? ?has? ?never? ?underestimated? ?his? ?opponents.”? ?

?

He? ?was? ?more? ?than? ?clear? ?on? ?this.? ?Even? ?if? ?the? ?smile? ?on? ?Hua? ?Cheng’s? ?face? ?was? ?fearless? ?and? ?

brazen,? ?his? ?hands? ?would? ?never? ?relax.? ?

?

Jun? ?Wu? ?gazed? ?at? ?the? ?sword,? ?speaking? ?softly,? ?“Zhu? ?Xin,? ?long? ?time? ?no? ?see.”? ? ?

?

Fang? ?Xin? ?–? ?or? ?rather,? ?it? ?should? ?now? ?be? ?called? ?Zhu? ?Xin,? ?was? ?emitting? ?a? ?deep,? ?quiet? ?moan? ?in? ?his? ?

hand.? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?had? ?always? ?thought? ?that? ?Fang? ?Xin? ?was? ?too? ?old? ?so? ?it? ?wasn’t? ?easy? ?to? ?use,? ?who? ?knows? ?if? ?it’d? ?

just? ?pass? ?away? ?one? ?day,? ?yet? ?he? ?had? ?never? ?thought? ?that? ?in? ?the? ?hands? ?of? ?its? ?once? ?master,? ?its? ?aura? ?

and? ?power? ?was? ?completely? ?different? ?than? ?when? ?it? ?was? ?in? ?his? ?own? ?hands!? ?

?

Each? ?time? ?Zhu? ?Xin? ?and? ?E-Ming? ?clashed,? ?the? ?entire? ?Heaven? ?Crossing? ?Bridge? ?would? ?shake,? ?as? ?if? ?it? ?

would? ?collapse? ?and? ?plummet? ?into? ?the? ?lava? ?at? ?any? ?moment.? ?Compared? ?to? ?earlier,? ?Jun? ?Wu’s? ?

strength,? ?force,? ?and? ?speed? ?were? ?distinctly? ?greater.? ?While? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?still? ?matched? ?his? ?pace,? ?still? ?

his? ?brows? ?knitted? ?slightly,? ?his? ?expression? ?growing? ?even? ?sharper.? ?The? ?few? ?watching? ?the? ?fight? ?from? ?

afar? ?were? ?also? ?stunned? ?and? ?anxious.? ?

?

Since,? ?every? ?one? ?of? ?Jun? ?Wu’s? ?strikes? ?were? ?aiming? ?straight? ?for? ?Hua? ?Cheng’s? ?right? ?eye!? ?

?

Hua? ?Cheng? ?blocked? ?twice,? ?but? ?both? ?times? ?were? ?alarmingly? ?close,? ?and? ?soon? ?he? ?discovered? ?Jun? ?

Wu? ?had? ?been? ?repeatedly? ?using? ?the? ?same? ?attack,? ?as? ?if? ?he? ?had? ?determined? ?the? ?right? ?eye? ?was? ?Hua? ?

Cheng’s? ?weakness,? ?and? ?was? ?going? ?to? ?dig? ?for? ?it? ?again.? ?Every? ?time? ?he? ?lunged,? ?naturally? ?Hua? ?

Cheng? ?defended? ?with? ?all? ?he? ?had,? ?and? ?blocked? ?repeatedly.? ?But? ?with? ?this? ?development,? ?wouldn’t? ?

they? ?have? ?sunken? ?into? ?a? ?tug? ?of? ?war? ?with? ?nothing? ?to? ?be? ?accomplished?? ?

?

It? ?was? ?as? ?if? ?the? ?eye? ?of? ?E-Ming? ?had? ?sensed? ?danger,? ?and? ?was? ?furious.? ?The? ?black? ?jade-like? ?blade? ?

came? ?striking? ?again? ?and? ?there? ?was? ?a? ?crisp?? ?CLINK!? ??–? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?hadn’t? ?raised? ?the? ?sabre? ?to? ?parry,? ?

but? ?Jun? ?Wu? ?had? ?withdrawn? ?his? ?sword.? ?

?

Clad? ?in? ?all? ?white,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?had? ?blocked? ?in? ?front? ?of? ?Hua? ?Cheng.? ?

?

Earlier,? ?it? ?was? ?his? ?using? ?the? ?force? ?of? ?rebound? ?to? ?flick? ?away? ?the? ?chilling? ?blade? ?of? ?Zhu? ?Xin!? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?still? ?couldn’t? ?sit? ?back? ?after? ?all,? ?and? ?entered? ?the? ?fight.? ?He? ?was? ?skilled? ?in? ?the? ?art? ?of? ?catching? ?

the? ?blade? ?with? ?bare? ?hands,? ?but? ?it? ?was? ?still? ?the? ?first? ?time? ?he? ?had? ?ever? ?encountered? ?such? ?a? ?

malicious? ?sword.? ?With? ?only? ?a? ?light? ?flick,? ?half? ?of? ?his? ?arm? ?was? ?almost? ?numb,? ?especially? ?his? ?palm,? ?the? ?

feeling? ?only? ?returning? ?after? ?he? ?backed? ?away? ?for? ?a? ?few? ?steps? ?and? ?shaking? ?it? ?off.? ?Behind? ?him,? ?Hua? ?

Cheng? ?spoke? ?up,? ?“Gege?”? ? ?

?

“Let’s? ?do? ?this? ?together!”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?said.? ?

?

The? ?two? ?stood? ?back? ?to? ?back,? ?aiming? ?their? ?will? ?to? ?battle? ?against? ?the? ?other? ?party.? ?Seeing? ?this,? ?Jun? ?

Wu’s? ?smile? ?grew? ?bigger,? ?“Oh?”? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?said? ?quietly,? ?“You? ?take? ?the? ?top? ?and? ?I’ll? ?take? ?the? ?bottom!”? ? ?

?

Just? ?as? ?his? ?words? ?ended? ?the? ?two? ?split,? ?one? ?going? ?up? ?and? ?one? ?going? ?down,? ?swiping? ?towards? ?Jun? ?

Wu.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?knew? ?fairly? ?well? ?of? ?Jun? ?Wu’s? ?style? ?of? ?attacks,? ?and? ?could? ?vaguely? ?guess? ?how? ?he? ?

would? ?attack? ?next,? ?so? ?he? ?blurted,? ?“Hook!”? ? ?

?

Hua? ?Cheng? ?followed,? ?and? ?the? ?scimitar? ?made? ?a? ?return.? ?Sure? ?enough? ?Jun? ?Wu? ?almost? ?fell? ?for? ?the? ?

trick,? ?and? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?then? ?instructed,? ?“Blast!”? ? ?

?

Hua? ?Cheng? ?followed? ?again,? ?and? ?this? ?time? ?he? ?didn’t? ?use? ?the? ?sabre,? ?but? ?used? ?his? ?bare? ?hand? ?to? ?

churn? ?his? ?spiritual? ?powers? ?and? ?blasted? ?out.? ?Sure? ?enough? ?Jun? ?Wu’s? ?shoulder? ?was? ?hit,? ?his? ?figure? ?

dipping? ?for? ?a? ?moment,? ?and? ?if? ?it? ?wasn’t? ?for? ?his? ?wicked? ?speed,? ?those? ?two? ?moves? ?would’ve? ?probably? ?

hit? ?him? ?fatally.? ?As? ?they? ?battled,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?suddenly? ?snapped? ?to;? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?was? ?a? ?Supreme? ?of? ?

their? ?time,? ?with? ?his? ?skills,? ?why? ?would? ?he? ?need? ?Xie? ?Lian’s? ?recommendations?? ?What? ?a? ?terrible? ?

offence,? ?his? ?old? ?habit? ?had? ?come? ?out,? ?and? ?he? ?quickly? ?apologized,? ?“I’m? ?sorry!? ?You? ?don’t? ?have? ?to? ?

listen? ?to? ?me!”? ? ?

?

Hua? ?Cheng? ?however,? ?only? ?smiled? ?happily,? ?“Everything? ?gege? ?tells? ?me? ?is? ?the? ?best? ?decision,? ?so? ?why? ?

wouldn’t? ?I? ?listen?”? ? ?

?

Suddenly,? ?the? ?bridge? ?caved? ?in,? ?and? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?suddenly? ?lost? ?his? ?footing,? ?looking? ?like? ?he? ?was? ?

about? ?to? ?fall.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?stepped? ?onto? ?the? ?poles? ?of? ?the? ?bridge? ?and? ?casted? ?RuoYe? ?out,? ?wrapped? ?it? ?

around? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?and? ?pulled? ?him? ?back.? ?The? ?next? ?second,? ?he? ?felt? ?chill? ?on? ?his? ?neck? ?–? ?Jun? ?Wu? ?

had? ?blitzed? ?to? ?his? ?back,? ?resting? ?a? ?hand? ?on? ?his? ?shoulder,? ?“Xian? ?Le,? ?good? ?skills.”? ? ?

?

He? ?was? ?too? ?close,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?could? ?feel? ?his? ?hairs? ?stand.? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?exclaimed,? ?“Gege!”? ? ?

?

He? ?flung? ?his? ?left? ?hand,? ?and? ?E-Ming? ?came? ?flying? ?through? ?the? ?air.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?reacted? ?incredibly? ?fast,? ?

lowering? ?his? ?head,? ?and? ?E-Ming? ?brushed? ?the? ?top? ?of? ?his? ?head? ?as? ?it? ?flew? ?by,? ?slashing? ?towards? ?Jun? ?

Wu? ?who? ?was? ?behind? ?him.? ?Only? ?then? ?did? ?Jun? ?Wu? ?release? ?the? ?hand? ?on? ?his? ?shoulder,? ?and? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?

used? ?this? ?chance? ?to? ?leap? ?back? ?to? ?Hua? ?Cheng’s? ?side.? ?E-Ming? ?then? ?boomeranged? ?back? ?to? ?Hua? ?

Cheng’s? ?hand.? ?The? ?two? ?worked? ?together? ?seamlessly,? ?and? ?those? ?on? ?the? ?side? ?only? ?saw? ?three? ?

shadows? ?appearing? ?here? ?and? ?there? ?like? ?lightning,? ?so? ?fast? ?it? ?was? ?unimaginable? ?and? ?made? ?one? ?

suffocate.? ?Meanwhile.? ?Jun? ?Wu’s? ?laughter? ?resounded? ?overhead,? ?throughout? ?the? ?lava? ?cave,? ?like? ?he? ?

was? ?encouraging? ?them,? ?“Good.? ?Very? ?good!? ?Continue!”? ? ?

?

Mu? ?Qing? ?strenuously? ?dodged? ?where? ?the? ?bridge? ?was? ?caving? ?in,? ?all? ?the? ?while? ?speaking? ?in? ?horror,? ?

“Guoshi!? ?Is...? ?is? ?he? ?mental?? ?He’s? ?laughing?”? ? ?

?

“I? ?already? ?said!”? ?Guoshi? ?said,? ?“He’s? ?worse? ?than? ?mad,? ?he’s? ?happy!? ?This? ?is? ?only? ?the? ?beginning!”? ? ?

?

On? ?the? ?other? ?side,? ?having? ?obtained? ?Zhu? ?Xin,? ?Jun? ?Wu? ?was? ?like? ?a? ?tiger? ?with? ?wings.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?saw? ?he? ?

continuously? ?wielded? ?the? ?sword? ?to? ?attack? ?viciously? ?at? ?Hua? ?Cheng’s? ?right? ?eye? ?and? ?felt? ?both? ?terror? ?

and? ?alarm.? ?Whipping? ?out? ?RuoYe,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?tangled? ?the? ?hilt? ?of? ?Zhu? ?Xin.? ?Yet? ?unexpectedly,? ?Jun? ?Wu? ?

reversed? ?the? ?grip? ?and? ?yanked,? ?and? ?Xie? ?Lian’s? ?entire? ?person? ?was? ?flying? ?towards? ?him.? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?was? ?startled? ?at? ?first,? ?but? ?he? ?soon? ?regained? ?calm.? ?He? ?was? ?going? ?to? ?snatch? ?the? ?sword? ?at? ?

first? ?anyway,? ?so? ?there? ?was? ?nothing? ?to? ?be? ?scared? ?of,? ?going? ?straight? ?for? ?the? ?blade,? ?his? ?mind? ?playing? ?

out? ?all? ?the? ?hundreds? ?of? ?possible? ?moves? ?that? ?they? ?might? ?exchange? ?in? ?an? ?instant.? ?Yet? ?unexpectedly,? ?

halfway? ?through? ?the? ?air,? ?another? ?hand? ?caught? ?him? ?and? ?pulled? ?him? ?back.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?landed? ?and? ?

looked? ?back,? ?and? ?saw? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?was? ?shielding? ?in? ?front? ?of? ?him,? ?a? ?black? ?jade? ?sword? ?piercing? ?

through? ?his? ?heart.? ?

?

Seeing? ?this? ?picture,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?almost? ?passed? ?out? ?choking,? ?“SAN? ?LANG?!”? ? ?

?

Hua? ?Cheng’s? ?face? ?was? ?slightly? ?dark.? ?Jun? ?Wu? ?was? ?still? ?waiting? ?for? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?to? ?impale? ?himself? ?

against? ?the? ?blade? ?of? ?Zhu? ?Xin,? ?but? ?seeing? ?that? ?it? ?was? ?blocked,? ?he? ?pulled? ?the? ?sword? ?and? ?backed? ?off,? ?

looking? ?rather? ?disappointed.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?had? ?completely? ?forgotten? ?that? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?was? ?a? ?ghost,? ?so? ?

even? ?if? ?a? ?giant? ?hole? ?was? ?punched? ?through? ?his? ?chest? ?he? ?could? ?still? ?jump? ?around? ?all? ?lively,? ?and? ?even? ?

now? ?he? ?was? ?still? ?worried,? ?both? ?his? ?hands? ?covering? ?over? ?that? ?unbleeding? ?wound? ?on? ?Hua? ?Cheng’s? ?

chest,? ?“San? ?Lang,? ?wh...? ?what? ?were? ?you? ?doing,? ?so? ?suddenly?!? ?...”? ?

?

Hua? ?Cheng? ?responded,? ?“As? ?if? ?I’d? ?allow? ?you? ?to? ?be? ?stabbed? ?by? ?it? ?again? ?in? ?front? ?of? ?me!”? ? ?

?

For? ?some? ?reason,? ?his? ?tone? ?was? ?a? ?little? ?over? ?extreme,? ?and? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?was? ?slightly? ?taken? ?aback,? ?but? ?

Jun? ?Wu’s? ?gentle? ?voice? ?came,? ?“Why? ?ache? ?so,? ?Xian? ?Le?? ?It’s? ?not? ?like? ?he’d? ?feel? ?the? ?pain.? ?He’s? ?

nothing? ?but? ?a? ?deceased? ?man.”? ? ?

?

“...”? ?And? ?he? ?dared? ?to? ?remind? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?of? ?this!? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?whipped? ?his? ?head? ?around? ?to? ?glare? ?at? ?him,? ?his? ?heart? ?ablaze? ?with? ?fury,? ?“And? ?isn’t? ?this? ?all? ?

your? ?fault?!”? ? ?

?

Jun? ?Wu? ?however,? ?only? ?sneered,? ?“Is? ?it? ?all? ?my? ?fault?”? ? ?

?

Having? ?heard? ?this? ?reversed? ?question,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?was? ?suddenly? ?stumped.? ? ?

?

Jun? ?Wu? ?changed? ?the? ?subject,? ?“Perhaps.? ?But,? ?Xian? ?Le,? ?have? ?you? ?remained? ?in? ?the? ?mortal? ?realm? ?for? ?

so? ?long? ?that? ?you’ve? ?forgotten? ?what? ?you’ve? ?done?? ?Do? ?you? ?still? ?remember? ?what? ?you? ?did? ?after? ?Xian? ?

Le? ?had? ?fallen?”? ? ?

?

“...”? ?

?

A? ?deeply? ?meaningful? ?smile? ?appeared? ?on? ?Jun? ?Wu’s? ?face,? ?and? ?he? ?said? ?slowly,? ?“Do? ?you? ?still? ?

remember,? ?a? ?ghost? ?named? ?Wu? ?Ming?”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian’s? ?face? ?suddenly? ?lost? ?all? ?colours,? ?and? ?he? ?blurted,? ?“DON’T!”? ? ?

?

Guoshi? ?sensed? ?things? ?were? ?going? ?wrong? ?and? ?exclaimed,? ?“Your? ?Highness,? ?what’s? ?he? ?saying?? ?

What? ?did? ?you? ?do? ?after? ?Xian? ?Le? ?fell?”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?felt? ?an? ?odd? ?sense? ?of? ?terror,? ?and? ?he? ?looked? ?at? ?Hua? ?Cheng,? ?then? ?at? ?Jun? ?Wu,? ?and? ?what? ?was? ?

fury? ?earlier? ?had? ?now? ?transformed? ?to? ?uncertainty.? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?instantly? ?grabbed? ?hold? ?of? ?him,? ?and? ?

soothed? ?with? ?a? ?low? ?voice,? ?“It’s? ?fine,? ?Your? ?Highness,? ?don’t? ?be? ?afraid.”? ? ?

?

Feng? ?Xin? ?also? ?called? ?out,? ?“Yea,? ?hold? ?steady!”? ? ?

?

Mu? ?Qing? ?on? ?the? ?other? ?hand,? ?was? ?sharper,? ?“What? ?did? ?he? ?mean?? ?A? ?ghost?? ?What? ?ghost?”? ? ?

?

But? ?how? ?could? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?hold? ?steady?? ?

?

Those? ?were? ?the? ?most? ?unkempt? ?days? ?of? ?his? ?life,? ?and? ?he? ?committed? ?a? ?deed? ?he? ?regretted? ?the? ?most.? ?

Even? ?he? ?himself? ?didn’t? ?dare? ?to? ?think? ?back? ?on? ?it? ?much.? ?Whenever? ?that? ?pale,? ?crescent-eyed? ?smiling? ?

mask? ?surfaced? ?in? ?his? ?mind,? ?he? ?would? ?suffer? ?no? ?sleep,? ?and? ?curl? ?into? ?a? ?ball,? ?desperate? ?for? ?no? ?one? ?to? ?

ever? ?see? ?him? ?again.? ?

?

Hua? ?Cheng? ?had? ?seen? ?a? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?basking? ?in? ?glory,? ?had? ?seen? ?a? ?defeated? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?after? ?losing? ?a? ?

war,? ?had? ?seen? ?a? ?foolish,? ?silly? ?Xie? ?Lian,? ?had? ?seen? ?an? ?impoverished? ?and? ?beggard? ?Xie? ?Lian.? ?Those? ?

were? ?all? ?nothing.? ?

?

But,? ?he? ?had? ?probably? ?never? ?seen? ?a? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?who? ?rolled? ?in? ?filthy? ?mud,? ?a? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?who? ?yelled? ?and? ?

swore,? ?a? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?full? ?of? ?resentment? ?and? ?hate,? ?a? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?who? ?was? ?set? ?on? ?annihilating? ?the? ?

Kingdom? ?of? ?YongAn? ?for? ?revenge,? ?a? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?who? ?would? ?go? ?as? ?far? ?as? ?creating? ?the? ?Human? ?Face? ?

Disease? ?for? ?the? ?second? ?time!? ?

?

That? ?period? ?of? ?his? ?life? ?was? ?too? ?obscene? ?to? ?be? ?looked? ?back? ?on.? ?If? ?this? ?was? ?the? ?past,? ?if? ?White? ?

No-Face? ?wanted? ?to? ?drag? ?it? ?out,? ?then? ?whatever.? ?But? ?now,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?didn’t? ?want? ?to? ?find? ?out? ?at? ?all? ?

what? ?face? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?would? ?show? ?when? ?he? ?learned? ?that? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?had? ?gone? ?through? ?such? ?a? ?

period? ?in? ?his? ?life.? ?

?

Because? ?he? ?wasn’t? ?as? ?good? ?as? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?thought? ?him? ?to? ?be.? ?He? ?wasn’t? ?untainted? ?by? ?filth,? ?

saintly? ?and? ?pure.? ?Even? ?if? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?might? ?only? ?show? ?a? ?sliver? ?of? ?disbelief? ?after? ?learning? ?the? ?fact,? ?

Xie? ?Lian? ?would? ?probably? ?never? ?be? ?able? ?to? ?live? ?with? ?himself,? ?and? ?would? ?never? ?have? ?the? ?face? ?to? ?see? ?

Hua? ?Cheng? ?again!? ?

?

The? ?moment? ?he? ?thought? ?of? ?this,? ?Xie? ?Lian’s? ?face? ?turned? ?steely? ?pale? ?uncontrollably,? ?cold? ?sweat? ?

rolling? ?from? ?his? ?forehead,? ?and? ?his? ?hands? ?trembled.? ?Seeing? ?how? ?he? ?was? ?reacting,? ?Hua? ?Cheng’s? ?

grip? ?on? ?his? ?hand? ?grew? ?tighter,? ?and? ?he? ?said? ?with? ?grave? ?assurance,? ?“Your? ?Highness,? ?don’t? ?be? ?afraid.? ?

Remember?? ?The? ?one? ?basking? ?in? ?infinite? ?glory? ?is? ?you;? ?the? ?one? ?fallen? ?from? ?grace? ?is? ?also? ?you.? ?What? ?

matters? ?is? ?‘you’,? ?and? ?not? ?the? ?state? ?of? ?you.? ?No? ?matter? ?what’s? ?happened? ?in? ?the? ?past,? ?I? ?will? ?never? ?

leave? ?you.? ?You? ?can? ?tell? ?me? ?anything.”? ? ?

?

To? ?end,? ?he? ?added? ?gently,? ?“You? ?told? ?me? ?this? ?yourself.”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?steadied? ?himself? ?slightly,? ?but? ?Jun? ?Wu? ?puffed? ?a? ?laugh? ?and? ?said? ?slowly,? ?“‘No? ?matter? ?what? ?

happened? ?in? ?the? ?past,? ?I? ?will? ?never? ?leave? ?you.’? ?My? ?most? ?faithful? ?believers,? ?my? ?bestest? ?friends,? ?they? ?

also? ?told? ?me? ?that? ?once.”? ? ?

?

Guoshi’s? ?face? ?changed,? ?and? ?Jun? ?Wu? ?also? ?swept? ?him? ?a? ?look,? ?“But,? ?in? ?the? ?end,? ?as? ?you? ?see.? ?No? ?one? ?

was? ?able? ?to? ?truly? ?do? ?as? ?they? ?promised.”? ? ?

?

It? ?looked? ?as? ?if? ?Guoshi? ?couldn’t? ?bear? ?to? ?look? ?at? ?him? ?anymore? ?and? ?turned? ?his? ?head? ?away.? ?Hua? ?

Cheng? ?begged,? ?“Believe? ?me,? ?Your? ?Highness.? ?Won’t? ?you?”? ? ?

?

It’s? ?not? ?that? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?wouldn’t? ?believe? ?him.? ?

?

It’s? ?that? ?he? ?didn’t? ?dare? ?to? ?try.? ?

?

In? ?the? ?end,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?swallowed? ?with? ?difficulty? ?and? ?forced? ?himself? ?to? ?chuckle,? ?then? ?he? ?felt? ?he? ?

shouldn’t? ?be? ?laughing? ?and? ?hung? ?his? ?head,? ?his? ?voice? ?trembling,? ?“...San? ?Lang,? ?why? ?don’t? ?you...? ?I’m? ?

sorry,? ?I,? ?I? ?might...”? ?

?

Hua? ?Cheng? ?gazed? ?at? ?him? ?for? ?a? ?moment,? ?then? ?started,? ?“I? ?actually...”? ?

?

Before? ?he? ?finished,? ?a? ?wave? ?of? ?intense? ?killing? ?intent? ?came? ?lunging,? ?and? ?the? ?two? ?leapt? ?apart.? ?

Senses? ?returned? ?to? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?somewhat,? ?and? ?some? ?colours? ?returned? ?to? ?his? ?face,? ?“What’s? ?with? ?

him?? ?Why? ?is? ?he? ?even? ?more...”? ?

?

Faster,? ?stronger?? ?

?

Compared? ?to? ?the? ?form? ?of? ?White? ?No-Face? ?from? ?before,? ?now,? ?Jun? ?Wu’s? ?speed? ?and? ?power? ?had? ?all? ?

been? ?doubled,? ?and? ?it? ?was? ?still? ?growing;? ?they? ?could? ?sense? ?very? ?clearly? ?this? ?horrifying? ?surge? ?with? ?

every? ?attack!? ?

?

Mu? ?Qing? ?also? ?noticed? ?another? ?thing,? ?and? ?he? ?shouted,? ?“Your? ?Highness!? ?BE? ?CAREFUL? ?HE’S? ?

CHANGED? ?TACTICS!? ?HE’S? ?NOT? ?ATTACKING? ?CRIMSON? ?RAIN? ?SOUGHT? ?FLOWER? ?

ANYMORE...? ?HE’S? ?NOW? ?ONLY? ?ATTACKING? ?YOU!”? ? ?

?

Naturally,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?also? ?noticed? ?this.? ?There? ?was? ?only? ?RuoYe? ?in? ?his? ?hand,? ?and? ?when? ?RuoYe? ?saw? ?

Fang? ?Xin? ?it’d? ?shrink? ?back,? ?unable? ?to? ?attack? ?head? ?on.? ?Fortunately,? ?E-Ming? ?had? ?flawlessly? ?blocked? ?

every? ?move? ?Jun? ?Wu? ?used? ?against? ?him.? ?

?

———? ?

?

Ch.239:? ?Crack? ?the? ?White? ?Armour;? ?Fantastic? ?Magic? ?Shattering? ?the? ?Cursed? ?Shackles? ?

?

The? ?sword? ?Fang? ?Xin? ?was? ?emitting? ?a? ?forceful? ?aura,? ?and? ?those? ?watching? ?from? ?afar? ?could? ?already? ?

feel? ?themselves? ?shudder? ?from? ?just? ?looking? ?at? ?it,? ?nevermind? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?who? ?had? ?been? ?forced? ?to? ?back? ?

away? ?step? ?by? ?step? ?by? ?such? ?attacks.? ?

?

Earlier,? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?could? ?take? ?on? ?White? ?No-Face? ?by? ?himself? ?and? ?it? ?was? ?more? ?than? ?enough,? ?but? ?

after? ?Jun? ?Wu? ?had? ?emerged,? ?both? ?of? ?them? ?were? ?needed? ?in? ?order? ?to? ?make? ?the? ?match? ?even.? ?The? ?

advantage? ?of? ?Mount? ?TongLu? ?being? ?the? ?main? ?spiritual? ?domain? ?was? ?gradually? ?becoming? ?obvious,? ?

and? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?could? ?subtly? ?sense? ?a? ?heavy? ?force? ?oppressing? ?and? ?restricting? ?their? ?side.? ?

?

And,? ?Jun? ?Wu? ?also? ?has? ?a? ?white? ?armour? ?protecting? ?his? ?body,? ?a? ?thousand? ?years? ?spiritual? ?device? ?he? ?

had? ?forged? ?personally,? ?its? ?defence? ?practically? ?impenetrable.? ?He? ?only? ?needed? ?to? ?protect? ?his? ?head;? ?

Hua? ?Cheng’s? ?sabre? ?was? ?incredible? ?fast? ?and? ?precise,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?also? ?struck? ?wherever? ?he? ?could,? ?the? ?

two? ?practically? ?struck? ?blows? ?all? ?over? ?Jun? ?Wu’s? ?front,? ?from? ?his? ?neck,? ?his? ?heart,? ?his? ?back,? ?his? ?

abdomen,? ?his? ?shoulders,? ?but? ?the? ?opponent? ?was? ?not? ?affected? ?in? ?the? ?least!? ?

?

Mu? ?Qing? ?shouted,? ?“STOP? ?WASTING? ?YOUR? ?STRENGTH!? ?IT’S? ?POINTLESS!? ?THAT? ?WHITE? ?

ARMOUR? ?CAN’T? ?BE? ?PENETRATED? ?AT? ?ALL!”? ? ?

?

“Aim? ?for? ?just? ?under? ?his? ?right? ?ribs!”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?exclaimed.? ?

?

The? ?scimitar? ?was? ?unleashed? ?again? ?and? ?cut? ?where? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?had? ?instructed,? ?but? ?as? ?expected,? ?it? ?

was? ?useless.? ?Mu? ?Qing? ?shouted,? ?“I? ?TOLD? ?YOU? ?IT’S? ?POINTLESS!? ?WHY? ?DON’T? ?YOU? ?THINK? ?OF? ?

A? ?WAY? ?TO? ?PULL? ?AWAY? ?FIRST,? ?AND? ?WE’LL? ?JOIN? ?IN? ?THE? ?FIGHT!? ?FENG? ?XIN!? ?WHERE’S? ?

YOUR? ?BOW? ?AND? ?ARROWS?”? ? ?

?

Feng? ?Xin? ?was? ?just? ?climbing? ?the? ?rocks? ?on? ?the? ?side,? ?ready? ?to? ?capture? ?that? ?fetus? ?spirit? ?that? ?was? ?

currently? ?crazily? ?spitting? ?and? ?slithering? ?its? ?tongue? ?at? ?him.? ?When? ?he? ?heard? ?the? ?call,? ?he? ?answered,? ?

“ALRIGHT!? ?I’M? ?COMING!”? ? ?

?

However,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?instructed,? ?“Continue,? ?don’t? ?stop!? ?Attack? ?just? ?below? ?the? ?right? ?ribs!”? ? ?

?

“Your? ?Highness!!”? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?shouted,? ?“THAT? ?SET? ?OF? ?ARMOUR? ?IS? ?POWERFUL,? ?IT? ?MIGHT? ?NOT? ?

CRACK? ?EVEN? ?AFTER? ?HUNDREDS? ?OF? ?BLOWS? ?FROM? ?THE? ?SABRE!”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?was? ?adamant,? ?“Don’t? ?worry,? ?just? ?listen? ?to? ?me!? ?There’s? ?no? ?need? ?for? ?that? ?many? ?blows!”? ? ?

?

Hua? ?Cheng? ?didn’t? ?question? ?why? ?either,? ?and? ?continued? ?attacking? ?nonstop? ?with? ?the? ?sabre.? ?

Suddenly,? ?where? ?the? ?blade? ?brushed? ?by,? ?a? ?crack? ?appeared.? ?

?

Blood? ?spurt? ?out.? ?E-Ming’s? ?blade? ?had? ?cut? ?into? ?Jun? ?Wu’s? ?abdomen? ?just? ?below? ?his? ?right? ?ribs!? ?

?

Hua? ?Cheng? ?was? ?standing? ?in? ?front? ?of? ?Jun? ?Wu,? ?gripping? ?the? ?sabre? ?singlehandedly,? ?his? ?eyes? ?cold? ?

and? ?sharp? ?as? ?he? ?stared? ?him? ?in? ?the? ?eyes.? ?Meanwhile,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?stood? ?on? ?Jun? ?Wu’s? ?side,? ?and? ?

RuoYe? ?used? ?this? ?chance? ?to? ?whip? ?out,? ?binding? ?Jun? ?Wu’s? ?hands,? ?preventing? ?him? ?from? ?moving? ?to? ?

block.? ?

?

On? ?the? ?side,? ?Mu? ?Qing? ?was? ?shocked,? ?“How? ?is? ?that? ?possible?”? ? ?

?

That? ?thousand? ?year? ?white? ?armour,? ?how? ?could? ?it? ?be? ?so? ?easily? ?cut? ?through? ?by? ?Hua? ?Cheng?? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?yanked? ?RuoYe? ?back? ?tight,? ?eyeing? ?Jun? ?Wu,? ?“...Have? ?you? ?forgotten?? ?Eight? ?hundred? ?years? ?

ago,? ?you? ?and? ?I? ?fought? ?once.”? ? ?

?

Then? ?it? ?dawned? ?on? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?and? ?Mu? ?Qing.? ?“The? ?second? ?ascension?”? ? ?

?

At? ?the? ?time,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?requested? ?for? ?Jun? ?Wu? ?to? ?banish? ?him? ?once? ?more,? ?and,? ?to? ?compete? ?for? ?

measure? ?for? ?a? ?round.? ?

?

Although? ?in? ?that? ?battle,? ?it? ?was? ?promised? ?that? ?neither? ?party? ?would? ?show? ?mercy,? ?but? ?thinking? ?back? ?

now,? ?Jun? ?Wu? ?must’ve? ?still? ?held? ?himself? ?back.? ?

?

But,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?himself? ?used? ?everything? ?he? ?got.? ?

?

He? ?unleashed? ?over? ?three? ?thousand? ?swords.? ?Among? ?them,? ?over? ?four? ?hundred? ?managed? ?to? ?stab? ?

Jun? ?Wu,? ?and? ?in? ?those? ?four? ?hundred? ?some? ?swords,? ?more? ?than? ?a? ?hundred? ?had? ?pierced? ?this? ?place.? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?relentlessly? ?shot? ?over? ?three? ?thousand? ?swords? ?to? ?attack? ?Jun? ?Wu,? ?and? ?finally? ?broke? ?

through? ?that? ?thousand? ?year? ?white? ?armour? ?that? ?was? ?impenetrable,? ?and? ?pierced? ?right? ?into? ?his? ?

abdomen? ?below? ?the? ?right? ?ribs.? ?

?

And? ?it? ?was? ?the? ?very? ?place? ?Hua? ?Cheng’s? ?sabre? ?had? ?cut? ?at? ?in? ?this? ?moment!? ?

?

So,? ?eight? ?hundred? ?years? ?ago,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?had? ?already? ?left? ?an? ?old? ?scar? ?upon? ?this? ?white? ?armour,? ?and? ?

it’d? ?only? ?take? ?three? ?slashes? ?from? ?the? ?sabre? ?for? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?to? ?crack? ?it!? ?

?

Hua? ?Cheng’s? ?sabre? ?was? ?also? ?much? ?sharper? ?than? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?had? ?imagined.? ?The? ?scimitar? ?rammed? ?

through? ?the? ?abdomen,? ?a? ?blow? ?that? ?was? ?definitely? ?critical!? ?

?

He? ?only? ?just? ?sighed? ?a? ?breath? ?in? ?relief? ?mentally? ?when? ?he? ?heard? ?Guoshi? ?yell,? ?“THAT’S? ?NO? ?USE!? ?

HE...”? ?

?

Logically,? ?having? ?suffered? ?grave? ?injuries,? ?Jun? ?Wu’s? ?actions? ?should’ve? ?been? ?restrained,? ?but? ?he? ?had? ?

only? ?lowered? ?his? ?head? ?to? ?give? ?the? ?wound? ?a? ?glance,? ?his? ?expression? ?unchanging.? ?Right? ?as? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?

sensed? ?something? ?was? ?off,? ?Jun? ?Wu’s? ?hands? ?moved? ?slightly.? ?

?

Immediately,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?heard? ?the? ?light? ?sound? ?of? ?something? ?tearing,? ?and? ?at? ?the? ?same? ?time,? ?his? ?hold? ?

loosened.? ?

?

RuoYe...? ?was? ?ripped!? ?

?

That? ?white? ?silk? ?band? ?had? ?been? ?torn? ?into? ?two,? ?and? ?suddenly? ?dropped? ?to? ?the? ?ground? ?lifelessly.? ?The? ?

next? ?second,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?felt? ?his? ?neck? ?being? ?choked,? ?and? ?then? ?his? ?entire? ?person? ?was? ?pulled? ?up!? ?

?

He? ?heard? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?exclaim,? ?“Your? ?Highness!”? ?But,? ?that? ?voice? ?suddenly? ?became? ?distant.? ?Jun? ?

Wu’s? ?voice? ?however,? ?was? ?still? ?only? ?inches? ?away,? ?and? ?he? ?spoke? ?up,? ?“Xian? ?Le,? ?did? ?you? ?actually? ?

believe? ?that? ?something? ?like? ?being? ?pierced? ?by? ?the? ?sword? ?is? ?something? ?I? ?have? ?less? ?experience? ?in? ?

than? ?you?? ?Did? ?you? ?think? ?I? ?would? ?care?”? ? ?

?

Guoshi? ?said? ?from? ?the? ?distance,? ?“Even? ?if? ?you? ?all? ?pierce? ?him? ?with? ?the? ?blade? ?hundreds? ?of? ?times? ?it’d? ?

still? ?be? ?of? ?no? ?use!? ?Because...? ?he? ?seems...? ?unable? ?to? ?feel? ?pain? ?at? ?all? ?anymore...”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?could? ?take? ?a? ?long? ?sword? ?penetrating? ?his? ?heart? ?without? ?flinching,? ?and? ?Jun? ?Wu,? ?was? ?also? ?

the? ?same.? ?

?

Feng? ?Xin? ?had? ?already? ?pulled? ?open? ?his? ?bow? ?and? ?was? ?aiming? ?at? ?Jun? ?Wu,? ?but? ?when? ?he? ?heard? ?

Guoshi? ?he? ?dropped? ?it? ?again,? ?“WHAT?!? ?Then? ?doesn’t? ?that? ?mean? ?even? ?if? ?we? ?manage? ?to? ?make? ?a? ?hit? ?

it’s? ?still? ?pointless?!”? ? ?

?

Mu? ?Qing? ?spoke? ?up,? ?“I? ?might? ?as? ?well? ?tell? ?you? ?all? ?another? ?bad? ?news? ?I’ve? ?observed.? ?I? ?suspect,? ?his? ?

recovery? ?speed? ?is? ?faster? ?than? ?the? ?speed? ?he’s? ?receiving? ?blows.”? ? ?

?

“WHAT?!”? ? ?

?

On? ?the? ?other? ?side,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?could? ?already? ?verify? ?that? ?this? ?was? ?indeed? ?fact.? ?

?

His? ?wound? ?had? ?been? ?so? ?terrifying,? ?and? ?if? ?this? ?was? ?anyone? ?else? ?they? ?would’ve? ?had? ?their? ?waist? ?

completely? ?slashed? ?through,? ?yet? ?the? ?wound? ?had? ?already? ?stopped? ?bleeding.? ?“No? ?need? ?to? ?be? ?so? ?

surprised.”? ?Jun? ?Wu? ?said,? ?“If? ?you? ?are? ?constantly? ?stabbed? ?in? ?the? ?back,? ?if? ?you? ?don’t? ?make? ?yourself? ?

recover? ?immediately? ?then? ?wouldn’t? ?you? ?have? ?died? ?for? ?a? ?thousand? ?times? ?over? ?already?? ?But,? ?the? ?

two? ?of? ?you? ?are? ?certainly? ?quite? ?something.”? ? ?

?

He? ?smiled,? ?“In? ?these? ?eight? ?hundred? ?years,? ?I’ve? ?only? ?been? ?wounded? ?by? ?one? ?sword? ?and? ?one? ?sabre,? ?

and? ?it? ?was? ?from? ?the? ?two? ?of? ?you.? ?Crimson? ?Rain? ?Sought? ?Flower,? ?stand? ?further? ?away.? ?You? ?wouldn’t? ?

want? ?to? ?see? ?me? ?wring? ?Xian? ?Le’s? ?neck.”? ?

?

“...”? ?

?

Hua? ?Cheng’s? ?face? ?was? ?dark,? ?the? ?sharpness? ?in? ?his? ?eyes? ?tempesting,? ?but? ?when? ?he? ?saw? ?Jun? ?Wu? ?

holding? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?hanging? ?over? ?the? ?Heaven? ?Crossing? ?Bridge,? ?with? ?one? ?release? ?of? ?his? ?hand? ?and? ?

Xie? ?Lian? ?would? ?plummet? ?into? ?the? ?lava? ?pool? ?hundreds? ?of? ?yards? ?below,? ?a? ?moment? ?later? ?he? ?

reluctantly? ?withdrew? ?his? ?sabre,? ?resting? ?a? ?hand? ?behind? ?his? ?back,? ?and? ?slowly? ?backed? ?away? ?for? ?a? ?

few? ?steps.? ?

?

He? ?appeared? ?rather? ?calm,? ?but? ?the? ?scimitar? ?under? ?his? ?arm? ?was? ?giving? ?him? ?away.? ?E-Ming? ?was? ?

greatly? ?agitated,? ?its? ?eyeball? ?spinning? ?like? ?crazy,? ?staring? ?madly? ?at? ?Xie? ?Lian.? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?had? ?

backed? ?away? ?to? ?the? ?edge? ?of? ?the? ?Heaven? ?Crossing? ?Bridge? ?before? ?Jun? ?Wu? ?said,? ?“That’s? ?good? ?

enough.”? ? ?

?

With? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?in? ?his? ?hold,? ?the? ?two? ?looked? ?each? ?other? ?in? ?the? ?eyes.? ?Then? ?a? ?moment? ?later,? ?Jun? ?Wu? ?

suddenly? ?slammed? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?into? ?the? ?wall? ?of? ?rocks? ?nearby.? ?

?

The? ?smashing? ?was? ?too? ?violent;? ?Xie? ?Lian’s? ?entire? ?head? ?was? ?ringing,? ?blood? ?running? ?from? ?his? ?nose? ?

and? ?lips? ?in? ?a? ?mess,? ?flowing? ?down? ?the? ?contours? ?of? ?his? ?face.? ?In? ?the? ?distance? ?there? ?seemed? ?to? ?be? ?

many? ?people? ?yelling? ?in? ?alarm,? ?but? ?he? ?couldn’t? ?identify? ?who? ?they? ?all? ?were,? ?and? ?could? ?only? ?hear? ?Jun? ?

Wu? ?speak? ?softly? ?in? ?his? ?ear,? ?“Xian? ?Le,? ?does? ?it? ?hurt? ?when? ?your? ?head? ?is? ?smashed? ?against? ?the? ?wall?”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?couldn’t? ?quite? ?process? ?the? ?question? ?so? ?he? ?didn’t? ?respond.? ?Thus,? ?Jun? ?Wu? ?gripped? ?him? ?

and? ?slammed? ?him? ?into? ?the? ?rocks? ?again? ?before? ?questioning,”Does? ?it? ?hurt?? ?Does? ?it? ?hurt?? ?Does? ?it? ?

hurt?”? ? ?

?

With? ?each? ?question? ?he’d? ?slam? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?into? ?the? ?rocky? ?wall,? ?so? ?hard? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?started? ?screaming,? ?

but? ?what? ?he? ?was? ?screaming? ?was,? ?“SAN? ?LANG,? ?DON’T? ?COME? ?OVER!? ?I’M? ?FINE? ?I’M? ?FINE!? ?YOU? ?

MUST? ?ABSOLUTELY? ?NOT? ?COME? ?OVER!”? ? ?

?

At? ?least? ?not? ?right? ?now.? ?The? ?opportune? ?moment? ?hadn’t? ?yet? ?come!? ?

?

By? ?the? ?first? ?slam? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?was? ?already? ?ready? ?to? ?charge? ?over.? ?But? ?he? ?hadn’t? ?taken? ?two? ?steps? ?

before? ?he? ?heard? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?telling? ?him? ?not? ?to? ?go? ?over,? ?so? ?he? ?forced? ?himself? ?to? ?stop.? ?

?

But? ?his? ?face? ?had? ?turned? ?completely? ?savage,? ?and? ?the? ?veins? ?on? ?the? ?back? ?of? ?his? ?hands? ?also? ?look? ?like? ?

they? ?were? ?going? ?to? ?burst,? ?his? ?entire? ?arms? ?shaking.? ?

?

Jun? ?Wu? ?was? ?expressionless,? ?but? ?his? ?hand? ?was? ?ramming? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?into? ?the? ?rocks? ?like? ?crazy,? ?asking? ?

him? ?repeatedly,? ?“Does? ?it? ?hurt?? ?Does? ?it? ?hurt?”? ? ?

?

Guoshi? ?exclaimed,? ?“Your? ?Highness!!!”? ?But? ?who? ?knows? ?who? ?he? ?was? ?calling? ?for.? ?Xie? ?Lian’s? ?bloody? ?

hands? ?pushed? ?against? ?the? ?uneven? ?surface? ?of? ?the? ?rocky? ?wall,? ?gritting? ?his? ?teeth? ?as? ?he? ?roared,? ?“...IT? ?

HURTS!!!”? ? ?

?

Only? ?then? ?did? ?Jun? ?Wu? ?smile? ?with? ?satisfaction,? ?and? ?spared? ?Xie? ?Lian’s? ?poor? ?head,? ?putting? ?him? ?on? ?

the? ?ground.? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?was? ?still? ?hugging? ?that? ?ringing? ?head? ?of? ?his,? ?sitting? ?on? ?the? ?ground,? ?tears? ?and? ?blood? ?flowing? ?

uncontrollably? ?down? ?his? ?face.? ?Jun? ?Wu? ?crouched? ?down? ?next? ?to? ?him,? ?stared? ?at? ?his? ?face? ?for? ?a? ?while,? ?

then? ?suddenly? ?raised? ?his? ?hands? ?and? ?petted? ?Xie? ?Lian’s? ?head? ?before? ?gently? ?helping? ?him? ?wipe? ?away? ?

the? ?blood? ?on? ?his? ?face.? ?

?

“...”? ?

?

This? ?gesture? ?was? ?warm? ?and? ?affectionately? ?kind,? ?like? ?a? ?father? ?crouching? ?next? ?to? ?the? ?child? ?who? ?had? ?

just? ?been? ?beaten? ?black? ?and? ?blue? ?by? ?himself,? ?comforting? ?him.? ?This? ?picture? ?was? ?raising? ?hairs? ?on? ?

both? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?and? ?Mu? ?Qing’s? ?backs,? ?“Has? ?he...? ?has? ?he...? ?really? ?gone? ?mad?”? ? ?

?

The? ?fingers? ?of? ?the? ?hand? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?rested? ?on? ?the? ?sabre? ?was? ?cracking,? ?and? ?the? ?pupil? ?of? ?E-Ming’s? ?

eyeball? ?was? ?rapidly? ?shrinking,? ?as? ?if? ?it? ?was? ?going? ?bloodshot.? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?didn’t? ?breathe? ?a? ?word,? ?letting? ?Jun? ?Wu? ?help? ?wipe? ?him? ?clean.? ?Jun? ?Wu? ?then? ?muttered? ?to? ?

himself,? ?“You? ?foolish? ?child,? ?if? ?it? ?hurts? ?why? ?don’t? ?you? ?turn? ?back?? ?Did? ?you? ?think? ?if? ?you? ?keep? ?

slamming,? ?keep? ?smashing,? ?the? ?wall? ?will? ?fall? ?down? ?on? ?its? ?own?? ?Why? ?don’t? ?you? ?change? ?your? ?own? ?

course? ?of? ?direction?”? ? ?

?

“I? ?won’t? ?turn? ?back.”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?stated.? ?

?

Jun? ?Wu? ?was? ?extremely? ?violent,? ?raising? ?his? ?hand? ?and? ?smacked,? ?so? ?hard? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?fell? ?to? ?the? ?ground? ?

in? ?a? ?loud? ?thud!? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?was? ?still? ?going? ?dizzy? ?when? ?Jun? ?Wu? ?picked? ?him? ?up.? ?Using? ?a? ?voice? ?like? ?he? ?was? ?almost? ?

losing? ?his? ?patience,? ?he? ?said,? ?“Must? ?you? ?anger? ?me? ?like? ?this?? ?Let? ?me? ?ask? ?you? ?again,? ?will? ?you? ?

change?”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?coughed? ?twice,? ?coughing? ?out? ?a? ?mouthful? ?of? ?blood,? ?“I? ?won’t.”? ? ?

?

A? ?crack? ?finally? ?appeared? ?on? ?Jun? ?Wu’s? ?gentle? ?expression,? ?a? ?flash? ?of? ?savageness? ?flickered.? ?

?

Guoshi’s? ?face? ?was? ?turning? ?green,? ?and? ?seeing? ?the? ?situation? ?going? ?downhill,? ?he? ?hastily? ?shouted,? ?

“Your? ?Highness!? ?YOU? ?NEVER? ?WANTED? ?TO? ?KILL? ?THIS? ?CHILD,? ?YOU? ?REALLY? ?LIKE? ?HIM!? ?YOU? ?

SAID? ?SO? ?YOURSELF,? ?HAVE? ?YOU? ?FORGOTTEN?”? ? ?

?

Jun? ?Wu? ?sneered,? ?“If? ?that? ?wasn’t? ?the? ?case,? ?then? ?I? ?wouldn’t? ?have? ?exhausted? ?all? ?of? ?my? ?patience? ?and? ?

tolerance? ?on? ?him? ?alone? ?in? ?the? ?past? ?eight? ?hundred? ?years.? ?He? ?would’ve? ?long? ?since? ?become? ?part? ?of? ?

the? ?Heavenly? ?Capital’s? ?foundation,? ?and? ?trampled? ?by? ?millions.”? ?

?

He? ?turned? ?to? ?Xie? ?Lian,? ?suddenly? ?outraged,? ?“But? ?he? ?doesn’t? ?know? ?what’s? ?good? ?for? ?him.? ?Stubborn,? ?

capricious,? ?disobeying? ?of? ?my? ?every? ?word!? ?He? ?just? ?had? ?to? ?go? ?against? ?me!? ?You? ?won’t? ?change,? ?will? ?

you?? ?Very? ?well.? ?Then? ?why? ?don’t? ?we? ?see? ?if? ?this? ?wall? ?will? ?fall? ?if? ?your? ?head? ?is? ?cracked? ?open!”? ? ?

?

Guoshi? ?saw? ?him? ?lifting? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?again? ?and? ?quickly? ?yelled,? ?“YOUR? ?HIGHNESS!? ?YOUR? ?

HIGHNESS!!!? ?HIS? ?HIGHNESS...? ?LITTLE? ?HIGHNESS? ?IS? ?STILL? ?IMMATURE,? ?JUST? ?LET? ?HIM? ?GO? ?

THIS? ?TIME,? ?LET? ?IT? ?GO!? ?HE? ?WILL? ?UNDERSTAND? ?ONE? ?DAY...”? ?

?

Jun? ?Wu? ?glanced? ?at? ?him,? ?and? ?his? ?chuckle? ?grew? ?colder,? ?“Did? ?you? ?think? ?I’ve? ?really? ?gone? ?mad?? ?Don’t? ?

lie? ?to? ?me.? ?The? ?one? ?you? ?truly? ?think? ?is? ?immature? ?isn’t? ?him,? ?but? ?me,? ?no?”? ?

?

Guoshi? ?was? ?taken? ?aback,? ?and? ?Jun? ?Wu? ?added,? ?“You’ve? ?spent? ?so? ?much? ?of? ?yourself? ?in? ?nurturing? ?

him,? ?teaching? ?and? ?guiding? ?him,? ?purely? ?because? ?you? ?had? ?hoped? ?he? ?could? ?win? ?against? ?me,? ?so? ?you? ?

can? ?prove? ?that? ?I? ?was? ?wrong? ?and? ?you? ?were? ?right,? ?that? ?you? ?were? ?all? ?in? ?the? ?right.? ?So? ?you? ?can? ?hold? ?

the? ?illusion? ?of? ?a? ?perfect? ?Crown? ?Prince? ?of? ?WuYong? ?to? ?face? ?and? ?dismiss? ?the? ?Jun? ?Wu? ?now.? ?Isn’t? ?that? ?

your? ?objective?? ?Did? ?you? ?think? ?I? ?don’t? ?know? ?what? ?you’re? ?thinking?”? ?

?

“THAT’S? ?NOT? ?IT!”? ?Guoshi? ?cried,? ?“Stop? ?getting? ?tied? ?up? ?in? ?right? ?and? ?wrongs,? ?victories? ?and? ?defeat,? ?

I’VE? ?NEVER? ?THOUGHT? ?THAT? ?WAY? ?BEFORE!”? ? ?

?

But? ?Jun? ?Wu? ?had? ?stopped? ?listening,? ?and? ?he? ?raised? ?his? ?voice,? ?his? ?tone? ?sharp,? ?“FORGET? ?IT!? ?Let? ?me? ?

tell? ?you? ?right? ?now,? ?you? ?can? ?all? ?forget? ?it!? ?NO? ?ONE? ?CAN? ?WIN? ?AGAINST? ?ME!? ?ESPECIALLY? ?HIM!”? ?

He? ?laughed? ?maniacally? ?then? ?dragged? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?and? ?slammed? ?him? ?towards? ?the? ?rocks,? ?smashing? ?

as? ?he? ?yelled,? ?“WILL? ?YOU? ?CHANGE?? ?WILL? ?YOU? ?CHANGE?? ?WILL? ?YOU? ?CHANGE??”? ? ?

?

It? ?was? ?as? ?if? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?had? ?gone? ?mad? ?too,? ?and? ?he? ?gripped? ?Jun? ?Wu’s? ?arms? ?roaring,? ?“I? ?WON’T!? ?I? ?

WON’T!? ?I? ?WON’T? ?CHANGE!!!”? ? ?

?

Even? ?though? ?the? ?smashing? ?was? ?making? ?him? ?see? ?stars,? ?incomparably? ?painful,? ?but? ?he? ?held? ?this? ?

breath? ?in? ?stubbornly,? ?refusing? ?to? ?give? ?the? ?desired? ?answer? ?at? ?all,? ?and? ?cried? ?as? ?he? ?roared,? ?“I? ?JUST? ?

WON’T? ?CHANGE!? ?EVEN? ?IF? ?IT’S? ?PAINFUL? ?I? ?WON’T? ?CHANGE,? ?EVEN? ?IF? ?I? ?DIE? ?I? ?WON’T? ?

CHANGE,? ?I? ?WILL? ?NEVER? ?CHANGE!!!”? ? ?

?

Now,? ?it? ?wasn’t? ?Jun? ?Wu? ?who? ?was? ?driving? ?him? ?mad,? ?it? ?was? ?him? ?driving? ?Jun? ?Wu? ?mad!? ?

?

Both? ?of? ?Jun? ?Wu’s? ?eyes? ?were? ?red,? ?and? ?just? ?as? ?he? ?was? ?about? ?to? ?strike? ?another? ?blow? ?to? ?discipline? ?

him,? ?his? ?action? ?suddenly? ?came? ?to? ?a? ?halt.? ?He? ?looked? ?down,? ?and? ?saw? ?a? ?long? ?sabre? ?was? ?struck? ?into? ?

his? ?shoulder,? ?and? ?eight? ?long? ?arrows? ?made? ?of? ?sticks? ?were? ?neatly? ?pinned? ?on? ?his? ?back.? ?

?

None? ?of? ?that? ?mattered,? ?since? ?the? ?long? ?sabre? ?and? ?the? ?arrows? ?didn’t? ?penetrate? ?the? ?white? ?armour.? ?

However,? ?his? ?right? ?hand? ?was? ?gone.? ?

?

The? ?hand? ?grabbing? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?was? ?gone.? ?All? ?of? ?it,? ?vanished? ?from? ?his? ?wrist,? ?the? ?cut? ?neat? ?and? ?clean.? ?

Xie? ?Lian? ?was? ?also? ?gone.? ?

?

When? ?he? ?turned? ?his? ?head,? ?something? ?with? ?a? ?sharp,? ?forceful? ?wind? ?was? ?coming? ?right? ?at? ?him.? ?He? ?

swung? ?his? ?left? ?hand? ?and? ?caught? ?it,? ?and? ?only? ?noticed? ?when? ?he? ?saw? ?that? ?it? ?was? ?his? ?own? ?right? ?hand.? ?

?

Across? ?the? ?Heaven? ?Crossing? ?Bridge,? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?held? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?who? ?was? ?completely? ?covered? ?in? ?

blood.? ?A? ?hand? ?was? ?gripping? ?the? ?scimitar? ?in? ?a? ?reverse? ?hold,? ?hugging? ?Xie? ?Lian’s? ?shoulders,? ?the? ?

other? ?hand? ?was? ?covering? ?the? ?wounds? ?on? ?his? ?head.? ?He? ?said? ?chillingly,? ?“Take? ?back? ?that? ?filthy? ?hand? ?

of? ?yours.”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?was? ?too? ?stubborn? ?and? ?refused? ?defeat,? ?finally? ?enraging? ?Jun? ?Wu,? ?and? ?made? ?him? ?expose? ?

weak? ?points!? ?

?

Jun? ?Wu? ?clutched? ?that? ?right? ?hand,? ?and? ?tacked? ?it? ?onto? ?his? ?own? ?wrist? ?anew,? ?twisting? ?it? ?a? ?couple? ?times? ?

to? ?work? ?it? ?out,? ?then? ?pulled? ?out? ?the? ?arrows? ?on? ?his? ?back.? ?Suddenly,? ?like? ?he? ?remembered? ?something,? ?

he? ?turned? ?his? ?head? ?back,? ?and? ?looked? ?at? ?the? ?pale? ?faced? ?Mu? ?Qing? ?who? ?was? ?gripping? ?the? ?long? ?

sabre.? ?Having? ?their? ?eyes? ?met,? ?Mu? ?Qing? ?was? ?slightly? ?startled,? ?but? ?he? ?still? ?bold-headedly? ?forced? ?

himself? ?to? ?remain? ?calm.? ?But? ?it? ?wasn’t? ?long? ?before? ?he? ?could? ?no? ?longer? ?keep? ?calm.? ?

?

Jun? ?Wu? ?glanced? ?at? ?his? ?shoulder? ?and? ?commented? ?lightly,? ?“I? ?knew? ?it.? ?Compared? ?to? ?Xian? ?Le,? ?you’re? ?

still? ?lacking.”? ? ?

?

Hearing? ?this,? ?Mu? ?Qing’s? ?face? ?changed? ?slightly,? ?but? ?the? ?long? ?sabre? ?in? ?his? ?hand? ?suddenly? ?dropped,? ?

and? ?soon? ?after? ?his? ?face? ?changed? ?colours? ?completely.? ?He? ?pulled? ?his? ?sleeve? ?up? ?to? ?look? ?at? ?his? ?wrist,? ?

and? ?saw? ?that? ?black? ?cursed? ?shackle? ?suddenly? ?tightened,? ?the? ?veins? ?and? ?nerves? ?around? ?it? ?bulging? ?

around,? ?as? ?if? ?endless? ?blood? ?was? ?gathering? ?towards? ?it.? ?

?

Feng? ?Xin? ?saw? ?Mu? ?Qing? ?was? ?petrified? ?and? ?unmoving,? ?and? ?shouted,? ?“WHAT? ?ARE? ?YOU? ?DOING? ?

JUST? ?STANDING? ?THERE,? ?RUN!”? ? ?

?

Guoshi? ?berated,? ?“Feng? ?Xin? ?you? ?little? ?idiot,? ?how? ?can? ?he? ?run? ?with? ?those? ?injuries? ?on? ?his? ?legs?”? ? ?

?

Feng? ?Xin? ?was? ?shocked,? ?“FUCK!? ?I? ?COMPLETELY? ?FORGOT? ?ABOUT? ?THAT!”? ? ?

?

If? ?this? ?was? ?the? ?past,? ?Mu? ?Qing? ?would? ?more? ?than? ?likely? ?roll? ?his? ?eyes? ?all? ?the? ?way? ?back? ?in? ?anger,? ?but? ?

now,? ?even? ?if? ?he? ?ran? ?it’d? ?be? ?pointless.? ?With? ?the? ?cursed? ?shackle? ?on? ?his? ?hand,? ?it? ?wouldn’t? ?matter? ?

where? ?he? ?ran? ?off? ?to!? ?

?

Feng? ?Xin? ?swore? ?and? ?was? ?just? ?about? ?to? ?go? ?up? ?when? ?unexpectedly,? ?after? ?Jun? ?Wu? ?had? ?pulled? ?out? ?

the? ?arrows? ?on? ?his? ?back,? ?he? ?flipped? ?his? ?hand? ?and? ?threw? ?them? ?towards? ?him.? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?only? ?felt? ?his? ?

chest? ?go? ?cold,? ?and? ?when? ?he? ?looked? ?down,? ?those? ?eight? ?arrows? ?were? ?all? ?returned,? ?neatly? ?and? ?

orderly? ?piercing? ?his? ?chest!? ?

?

Jun? ?Wu? ?walked? ?languidly? ?towards? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?and? ?Xie? ?Lian.? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?didn’t? ?look? ?at? ?him? ?at? ?all,? ?

hugging? ?Xie? ?Lian,? ?“Gege?? ?Gege?”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?had? ?suffered? ?severe? ?blows? ?earlier,? ?and? ?it? ?took? ?a? ?while? ?before? ?he? ?blearily? ?came? ?to,? ?his? ?

head? ?still? ?throbbing,? ?but? ?before? ?his? ?eyes? ?even? ?blinked? ?open,? ?he? ?muttered,? ?“...San? ?Lang?? ?Are? ?you? ?

alright?”? ? ?

?

Hua? ?Cheng? ?gazed? ?at? ?him? ?for? ?a? ?moment,? ?and? ?suddenly? ?pressed? ?him? ?hard? ?into? ?his? ?arms,? ?replying? ?

softly,? ?“I’m? ?completely? ?fine.? ?Why? ?don’t? ?you? ?take? ?a? ?look? ?at? ?yourself?”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?clung? ?onto? ?his? ?embrace,? ?and? ?while? ?the? ?hug? ?was? ?very? ?tight,? ?none? ?of? ?the? ?wounds? ?were? ?

pressured.? ?He? ?opened? ?his? ?eyes? ?strenuously,? ?and? ?all? ?the? ?disorder? ?around? ?fell? ?into? ?his? ?vision.? ?

?

Mu? ?Qing? ?was? ?frozen? ?on? ?the? ?spot,? ?a? ?hand? ?tightly? ?clutching? ?the? ?other? ?wrist,? ?seeming? ?to? ?be? ?fighting? ?

for? ?control? ?with? ?that? ?blood-sucking? ?cursed? ?shackle,? ?but? ?by? ?how? ?pale? ?his? ?face? ?looked,? ?he? ?might? ?not? ?

hang? ?on? ?for? ?much? ?longer.? ?

?

Feng? ?Xin? ?on? ?the? ?other? ?hand,? ?while? ?he? ?wasn’t? ?pierced? ?through? ?by? ?those? ?eight? ?arrows,? ?

nevertheless? ?the? ?wounds? ?were? ?significant,? ?and? ?he? ?was? ?slumped? ?over? ?the? ?bridge.? ?That? ?fetus? ?spirit? ?

was? ?howling? ?demonically? ?in? ?high? ?spirits,? ?jumping? ?up? ?and? ?down? ?around? ?him,? ?then? ?used? ?its? ?back? ?

foot? ?to? ?madly? ?step? ?on? ?Feng? ?Xin’s? ?face.? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?was? ?outraged? ?but? ?he? ?still? ?couldn’t? ?move,? ?

otherwise? ?his? ?injuries? ?would? ?worsen.? ?

?

Meanwhile,? ?the? ?entire? ?Heaven? ?Cross? ?Bridge? ?was? ?caving? ?in,? ?stretch? ?by? ?stretch,? ?block? ?by? ?block,? ?

and? ?they? ?might? ?collapse? ?down? ?with? ?it? ?at? ?any? ?moment!? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?took? ?all? ?of? ?this? ?in? ?and? ?jolted,? ?wanting? ?to? ?get? ?up.? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?assisted? ?him? ?and? ?the? ?two? ?

rose? ?to? ?their? ?feet,? ?their? ?eyes? ?moving? ?forward? ?together.? ?

?

The? ?figure? ?of? ?Jun? ?Wu? ?who? ?was? ?languidly? ?walking? ?towards? ?them? ?appeared? ?particularly? ?giant? ?from? ?

the? ?firelight? ?all? ?around,? ?dropping? ?an? ?immense? ?shadow.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?wiped? ?hard? ?at? ?the? ?blood? ?around? ?

his? ?eyes,? ?nose? ?and? ?mouth,? ?staring? ?deadly? ?at? ?that? ?figure.? ?

?

Jun? ?Wu? ?was? ?holding? ?Zhu? ?Xin? ?at? ?a? ?slant.? ?The? ?sword? ?body? ?of? ?Zhu? ?Xin? ?was? ?gathered? ?with? ?

incessantly? ?flowing? ?spiritual? ?powers.? ?At? ?this? ?moment,? ?he? ?was? ?so? ?calm? ?and? ?at? ?ease? ?that? ?he? ?was? ?

practically? ?a? ?different? ?person? ?than? ?the? ?Jun? ?Wu? ?who? ?was? ?manically? ?ramming? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?onto? ?the? ?

rocks.? ?“Xian? ?Le,? ?you? ?know? ?very? ?well? ?that? ?there? ?is? ?no? ?doubt? ?of? ?your? ?defeat.”? ? ?

?

Jun? ?Wu? ?understood? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?too? ?well.? ?He? ?knew? ?exactly? ?how? ?he? ?would? ?fight,? ?and? ?his? ?spiritual? ?

powers? ?also? ?overwhelmingly? ?overtook? ?him.? ?Moreover,? ?even? ?if? ?they? ?hadn’t? ?exchanged? ?blows,? ?Xie? ?

Lian? ?could? ?still? ?sense? ?that? ?Jun? ?Wu’s? ?battle? ?aura? ?and? ?spiritual? ?powers? ?were? ?even? ?stronger? ?now.? ?

With? ?Mount? ?TongLu? ?as? ?his? ?territory,? ?the? ?restrictions? ?on? ?their? ?side? ?was? ?growing? ?more? ?obvious.? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?thought? ?inwardly,? ?what? ?he? ?said? ?was? ?probably? ?true.? ?He? ?couldn’t? ?win.? ?

?

But,? ?even? ?if? ?he? ?couldn’t? ?win,? ?he? ?had? ?to? ?fight!? ?

?

However,? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?suddenly? ?spoke? ?up,? ?“No.? ?Your? ?Highness,? ?you? ?can? ?win.”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?was? ?taken? ?aback? ?and? ?looked? ?at? ?him.? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?was? ?also? ?gazing? ?at? ?him,? ?“You? ?can? ?win.? ?

You’re? ?stronger? ?than? ?him.”? ? ?

?

His? ?one? ?eye? ?was? ?bright,? ?as? ?if? ?something? ?was? ?burning,? ?and? ?he? ?said? ?with? ?certainty,? ?“Believe? ?me.? ?

He’s? ?wrong.? ?You’re? ?in? ?the? ?right.? ?You’re? ?stronger? ?than? ?him.? ?You’re? ?much? ?more? ?powerful? ?than? ?him!”? ? ?

?

Jun? ?Wu? ?let? ?out? ?a? ?deep? ?and? ?quiet? ?chuckle,? ?probably? ?because? ?he? ?thought? ?Hua? ?Cheng’s? ?words? ?

were? ?naive? ?and? ?amusing,? ?or? ?perhaps? ?he? ?was? ?pleased? ?by? ?the? ?domineering? ?power? ?in? ?his? ?hands.? ?

?

The? ?power? ?of? ?millions? ?of? ?believers? ?were? ?all? ?in? ?his? ?hands? ?alone!? ?

?

But? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?gripped? ?his? ?shoulders,? ?“So? ?what?? ?They’re? ?just? ?millions? ?of? ?fools,? ?they’re? ?all? ?

useless? ?trash!? ?But? ?for? ?you,? ?one? ?person? ?is? ?enough!”? ? ?

?

One? ?person? ?was? ?enough?? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?hadn’t? ?yet? ?wrapped? ?his? ?head? ?around? ?it? ?before? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?pulled? ?him? ?close.? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian’s? ?eyes? ?widened.? ?

?

Spiritual? ?powers? ?exploded? ?and? ?rushed? ?in.? ?

?

This? ?time? ?it? ?was? ?more? ?indomitable? ?than? ?any? ?other? ?times? ?they? ?transferred? ?spiritual? ?powers,? ?even? ?

the? ?wraith? ?butterflies? ?and? ?the? ?molten? ?resentful? ?spirits? ?seemed? ?to? ?have? ?felt? ?this? ?horrifying? ?energy,? ?

exploding,? ?one? ?after? ?the? ?other? ?all? ?around? ?them,? ?exploding? ?and? ?shrieking.? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian’s? ?fingers? ?were? ?going? ?numb,? ?his? ?legs? ?also? ?shaking? ?so? ?much? ?he? ?was? ?going? ?to? ?fall? ?to? ?his? ?

knees,? ?and? ?he? ?kept? ?crying? ?stop? ?in? ?his? ?mind,? ?no? ?more!? ?But? ?Hua? ?Cheng’s? ?hand? ?was? ?firmly? ?locked? ?

on? ?his? ?head,? ?not? ?letting? ?him? ?leave,? ?refusing? ?his? ?refusal.? ?

?

Who? ?knows? ?how? ?much? ?time? ?had? ?passed? ?when? ?suddenly,? ?Xie? ?Lian’s? ?throat? ?relaxed,? ?and? ?at? ?the? ?

same? ?time,? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?finally? ?released? ?him.? ?Xie? ?Lian’s? ?knees? ?buckled,? ?falling? ?to? ?the? ?ground,? ?his? ?

hands? ?strenuously? ?supporting? ?himself? ?off? ?the? ?ground? ?so? ?he? ?wouldn’t? ?fall? ?over? ?completely.? ?

?

Jun? ?Wu? ?stopped? ?in? ?his? ?step? ?and? ?looked? ?over,? ?his? ?face? ?solemn.? ?Feng? ?Xin,? ?who? ?was? ?lying? ?in? ?the? ?

distance,? ?uttered? ?in? ?disbelief,? ?“Your,? ?Your? ?Highness,? ?your...? ?your?”? ? ?

?

Reaching? ?out? ?with? ?trembling? ?hands,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?felt? ?his? ?own? ?neck.? ?

?

There? ?was? ?nothing,? ?

?

Hua? ?Cheng? ?had? ?poured? ?too? ?much? ?spiritual? ?powers? ?into? ?him.? ?There? ?really? ?was? ?too? ?much,? ?so? ?much? ?

it? ?was? ?completely? ?outside? ?the? ?amount? ?the? ?cursed? ?shackle? ?could? ?withstand.? ?

?

Those? ?two? ?bands? ?of? ?fetters? ?that? ?had? ?constrained? ?him? ?for? ?eight? ?hundred? ?years? ?had? ?burst? ?and? ?

shattered!? ?

?

?

————? ?

?

Ch.240:? ?Humming? ?Smile? ?as? ?Red? ?Robes? ?Fade? ?

?

Mu? ?Qing? ?muttered,? ?“How? ?is? ?this? ?possible?? ?How? ?can? ?there? ?be? ?so? ?much...???”? ? ?

?

That? ?anyone? ?could? ?burst? ?and? ?shatter? ?cursed? ?shackles? ?on? ?spiritual? ?powers? ?alone? ?was? ?entirely? ?

unheard? ?of?!? ?

?

Hua? ?Cheng? ?pulled? ?up? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?who? ?was? ?slumped? ?on? ?the? ?ground,? ?“Gege,? ?try? ?fighting? ?again!”? ? ?

?

Right? ?at? ?the? ?same? ?time,? ?Jun? ?Wu? ?came? ?lunging? ?wielding? ?the? ?sword,? ?and? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?unconsciously? ?

raised? ?his? ?hand? ?to? ?slap? ?it? ?away.? ??CLUNG–!? ??Zhu? ?Xin? ?was? ?almost? ?sent? ?flying!? ?

?

This? ?strike? ?was? ?completely? ?different? ?than? ?before!? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?looked? ?at? ?his? ?own? ?hands,? ?feeling? ?a? ?little? ?dazed.? ?It’s? ?been? ?hundreds? ?of? ?years? ?since? ?he? ?felt? ?

this? ?feeling,? ?he’d? ?almost? ?forgotten,? ?that? ?this? ?was? ?him.? ?

?

Indomitable? ?to? ?the? ?point? ?he? ?couldn’t? ?control? ?his? ?own? ?powers,? ?each? ?step? ?would? ?shake? ?the? ?

mountains.? ?One? ?step? ?to? ?go? ?a? ?thousand? ?miles,? ?one? ?step? ?to? ?ascend? ?to? ?the? ?heavens!? ?

?

He? ?clenched? ?his? ?hand,? ?and? ?violently? ?punched? ?at? ?Jun? ?Wu’s? ?face!? ?

?

Ever? ?since? ?the? ?battle’s? ?begun,? ?Jun? ?Wu’s? ?face? ?had? ?always? ?remained? ?untouched.? ?This? ?punch? ?

landed,? ?and? ?finally,? ?a? ?drop? ?of? ?blood? ?flowed? ?from? ?the? ?corners? ?of? ?his? ?lips.? ?He? ?thumbed? ?it? ?away,? ?and? ?

glanced? ?at? ?this? ?bit? ?of? ?blood.? ?

?

The? ?next? ?second,? ?he? ?tossed? ?his? ?hand? ?and? ?threw? ?Zhu? ?Xin? ?aside.? ?

?

It? ?seemed,? ?he? ?was? ?going? ?to? ?fight? ?XIe? ?Lian? ?with? ?bare? ?fists!? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?threw? ?another? ?fist,? ?but? ?Jun? ?Wu? ?caught? ?his? ?punch,? ?twisting? ?it? ?around.? ?Intense? ?agony? ?

spread,? ?and? ?Xie? ?Lian’s? ?arm? ?broke? ?with? ?a? ?crack.? ?However,? ?he? ?instantly? ?righted? ?it? ?again? ?himself,? ?

and? ?sent? ?out? ?another? ?blow,? ?but? ?it? ?was? ?seized? ?by? ?Jun? ?Wu.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?saw? ?things? ?weren’t? ?going? ?well? ?

and? ?thought? ?to? ?snatch? ?Fang? ?Xin? ?that? ?was? ?tossed? ?away? ?by? ?Jun? ?Wu? ?earlier.? ?Naturally,? ?Jun? ?Wu? ?also? ?

thought? ?he’d? ?take? ?this? ?step,? ?and? ?blocked? ?his? ?way.? ?

?

However,? ?he? ?had? ?forgotten? ?there? ?was? ?still? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?and? ?Mu? ?Qing? ?behind? ?him.? ?Although? ?the? ?two? ?

were? ?half? ?crippled,? ?they? ?both? ?planned? ?to? ?sneak? ?around? ?and? ?pull? ?out? ?the? ?sword? ?Fang? ?Xin.? ?Their? ?

actions? ?were? ?already? ?exceedingly? ?light,? ?yet? ?it? ?was? ?as? ?if? ?Jun? ?Wu? ?had? ?grown? ?eyes? ?on? ?his? ?back,? ?and? ?

he? ?moved? ?his? ?hand? ?back? ?and? ?blasted.? ?The? ?bridge? ?under? ?their? ?feet? ?instantly? ?cracked,? ?and? ?both? ?

fell,? ?plunging? ?down? ?to? ?the? ?lava? ?stream!? ?

?

In? ?the? ?last? ?second,? ?a? ?hand? ?caught? ?Feng? ?Xin’s? ?boot,? ?and? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?caught? ?Mu? ?Qing’s? ?boot.? ?When? ?

he? ?looked? ?up,? ?he? ?cried,? ?“WHAT? ?THE? ?FUCK!!!? ?WHAT? ?THE? ?ACTUAL? ?FUCK!!!? ?Guoshi? ?OLD? ?SIR,? ?

PLEASE? ?DON’T? ?EVER? ?LET? ?GO,? ?ALRIGHT!!!”? ? ?

?

The? ?one? ?who? ?caught? ?them? ?was? ?indeed? ?Guoshi.? ?Veins? ?were? ?violently? ?popping? ?on? ?his? ?forehead,? ?

“SO? ?YOU? ?DO? ?KNOW? ?I’M? ?A? ?SENIOR!? ?WELL? ?HURRY? ?UP? ?AND? ?CLIMB? ?UP? ?THEN!”? ? ?

?

While? ?that? ?part? ?of? ?the? ?bridge? ?was? ?broken? ?by? ?Jun? ?Wu,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?raised? ?a? ?hand? ?to? ?latch? ?on? ?to? ?it,? ?

forcefully? ?keeping? ?it? ?suspended? ?in? ?midair.? ?He? ?had? ?wanted? ?to? ?pull? ?it? ?further? ?upwards,? ?but? ?Jun? ?Wu? ?

wouldn’t? ?give? ?him? ?that? ?space.? ?The? ?three? ?were? ?mere? ?twenty,? ?thirty? ?feet? ?away? ?from? ?the? ?rolling? ?lava,? ?

even? ?flesh? ?ears? ?could? ?hear? ?the? ?bubbling? ?sound? ?of? ?air? ?bubbles? ?tumbling.? ?Mu? ?Qing? ?was? ?hanging? ?at? ?

the? ?very? ?bottom,? ?and? ?it? ?had? ?to? ?be? ?in? ?a? ?position? ?where? ?his? ?head? ?is? ?facing? ?down,? ?his? ?feet? ?up,? ?rather? ?

terrifying,? ?and? ?if? ?they? ?weren’t? ?careful,? ?lava? ?was? ?going? ?to? ?wash? ?his? ?head.? ?The? ?steam? ?was? ?boiling,? ?

his? ?face? ?red? ?like? ?hot? ?coal,? ?Mu? ?Qing? ?cried,? ?“QUICK,? ?PULL? ?ME? ?UP!”? ? ?

?

Yet? ?unexpectedly,? ?the? ?two? ?above? ?didn’t? ?yank? ?twice? ?before? ?he? ?shouted? ?again,? ?“WAIT!? ?DON’T? ?

PULL? ?ME? ?UP!”? ? ?

?

Guoshi? ?was? ?exasperated,? ?“WHAT? ?DO? ?YOU? ?WANT!”? ? ?

?

Feng? ?Xin? ?yelled,? ?“ARE? ?YOU? ?FOR? ?REAL?? ?FINE,? ?I’M? ?LETTING? ?GO!”? ?

?

Mu? ?Qing? ?cursed,? ?“WHAT? ?THE? ?FUCK,? ?FUCKING? ?LET? ?GO? ?FOR? ?REAL,? ?I? ?DARE? ?YOU.? ?LOOK? ?

DOWN!? ?LOOK,? ?THE? ?SWORD!”? ? ?

?

The? ?other? ?two? ?looked? ?to? ?where? ?he? ?was? ?pointing,? ?and? ?saw? ?right? ?below? ?them? ?was? ?a? ?black? ?jaded? ?

long? ?sword? ?that? ?was? ?sticking? ?in? ?the? ?heart? ?of? ?the? ?lava? ?stream,? ?slowly? ?sinking.? ?It? ?was? ?the? ?Fang? ?Xin? ?

they? ?were? ?going? ?to? ?steal? ?earlier? ?but? ?was? ?shaken? ?off? ?the? ?bridge? ?by? ?Jun? ?Wu!? ?

?

Mu? ?Qing? ?reached? ?out? ?and? ?tried? ?crazily? ?swinging? ?his? ?arms? ?at? ?the? ?sword,? ?like? ?he’d? ?desperately? ?

wished? ?he? ?was? ?a? ?gibbon,? ?but? ?he? ?couldn’t? ?reach? ?it? ?no? ?matter? ?what,? ?“LOWER? ?ME? ?DOWN? ?A? ?BIT? ?

MORE,? ?JUST? ?A? ?BIT? ?MORE? ?AND? ?I? ?CAN? ?GET? ?IT!!!”? ? ?

?

The? ?veins? ?on? ?Guoshi’s? ?forehead? ?were? ?throbbing? ?even? ?harder? ?now,? ?“YOU? ?TWO? ?YOUNG? ?MEN,? ?

DON’T? ?OVERDO? ?IT,? ?I’M? ?ONLY? ?A? ?SACK? ?OF? ?OLD? ?BONES!”? ? ?

?

He? ?said? ?as? ?he? ?dipped? ?the? ?boot? ?in? ?his? ?hand,? ?and? ?Mu? ?Qing’s? ?face? ?came? ?closer? ?to? ?the? ?surface? ?of? ?the? ?

lava? ?stream? ?by? ?another? ?notch.? ?His? ?hair? ?slipped? ?down,? ?and? ?the? ?tips? ?of? ?the? ?strands? ?caught? ?on? ?fire.? ?

Feng? ?Xin? ?exclaimed,? ?“FUCKING? ?HELL,? ?YOUR? ?HAIR? ?CAUGHT? ?ON? ?FIRE!!!? ?IT’S? ?ALL? ?GONNA? ?

BURN!!!”? ? ?

?

Thankfully? ?Mu? ?Qing? ?had? ?also? ?finally? ?pulled? ?out? ?the? ?sword,? ?and? ?as? ?he? ?slapped? ?away? ?the? ?small? ?

flames? ?on? ?his? ?hair,? ?he? ?threw? ?his? ?arm,? ?sending? ?the? ?sword? ?flying? ?with? ?splashes? ?of? ?lava? ?towards? ?Xie? ?

Lian,? ?“XIE? ?LIAN,? ?CATCH!”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?also? ?swung? ?his? ?arm? ?up? ?and? ?caught? ?the? ?hilt? ?of? ?Fang? ?Xin!? ?

?

As? ?for? ?Guoshi,? ?he? ?was? ?at? ?his? ?limit,? ?“I? ?CAN’T? ?DO? ?THIS? ?ANYMORE,? ?BOTH? ?OF? ?YOU,? ?COME? ?UP? ?

NOW!”? ? ?

?

Feng? ?Xin? ?saw? ?that? ?the? ?Guoshi? ?was? ?shuddering? ?and? ?realized? ?things? ?were? ?going? ?bad,? ?so? ?he? ?

yanked? ?Mu? ?Qing? ?up? ?and? ?threw? ?him? ?forcefully,? ?“ENOUGH? ?WITH? ?ALL? ?YOUR? ?YAMMERING? ?AND? ?

MOSEYING!”? ? ?

?

To? ?be? ?thrown? ?like? ?this,? ?Mu? ?Qing? ?was? ?about? ?to? ?throw? ?a? ?major? ?fit? ?when? ?just? ?below? ?in? ?the? ?lava? ?pool,? ?

some? ?dozens? ?of? ?molten? ?resentful? ?spirits? ?suddenly? ?came? ?leaping? ?out!? ?

?

Those? ?resentful? ?spirits? ?were? ?like? ?fish? ?jumping? ?out? ?of? ?water,? ?and? ?they? ?leapt? ?up,? ?catching? ?hold? ?on? ?

Feng? ?Xin’s? ?chest.? ?If? ?it? ?wasn’t? ?for? ?spiritual? ?light? ?shielding? ?his? ?body,? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?would’ve? ?probably? ?

been? ?burnt? ?through.? ?They? ?were? ?scared? ?away? ?by? ?Feng? ?Xin’s? ?arrows? ?earlier,? ?and? ?grudge? ?was? ?

buried? ?in? ?their? ?hearts.? ?They? ?sneakily? ?dived? ?and? ?hid? ?within? ?the? ?lava,? ?following? ?them? ?all? ?the? ?way? ?

here,? ?and? ?now? ?they’ve? ?captured? ?this? ?chance? ?to? ?drag? ?him? ?down.? ?Without? ?warning,? ?Guoshi? ?was? ?

also? ?dragged? ?forward? ?by? ?this? ?sudden? ?increase? ?in? ?weight,? ?slipping? ?downwards.? ?This? ?time,? ?it? ?was? ?

Mu? ?Qing’s? ?turn? ?to? ?be? ?at? ?the? ?very? ?top,? ?and? ?caught? ?Guoshi? ?by? ?his? ?boots.? ?

?

Feng? ?Xin? ?was? ?already? ?injured,? ?and? ?there? ?were? ?even? ?several? ?arrows? ?on? ?his? ?person? ?he? ?forgot? ?to? ?

pull? ?out.? ?He? ?fought? ?with? ?those? ?resentful? ?spirits? ?with? ?bare? ?fists? ?but? ?at? ?the? ?same? ?time? ?was? ?mindful? ?

that? ?the? ?people? ?above? ?might? ?loosen? ?their? ?grips? ?if? ?he? ?fought? ?too? ?hard,? ?so? ?it? ?was? ?a? ?very? ?passive? ?

bout.? ?More? ?and? ?more? ?molten? ?resentful? ?spirits? ?were? ?gathering? ?down? ?below,? ?layering? ?over? ?one? ?

another? ?as? ?they? ?clung? ?onto? ?him,? ?like? ?they? ?were? ?having? ?a? ?tug? ?of? ?war? ?against? ?Guoshi? ?and? ?Mu? ?Qing.? ?

The? ?strength? ?of? ?both? ?sides? ?were? ?significant,? ?and? ?if? ?this? ?continued,? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?would? ?be? ?split? ?into? ?

two? ?for? ?sure!? ?

?

Feng? ?Xin? ?roared,? ?“CAN? ?WE? ?JUST? ?GET? ?THIS? ?OVER? ?AND? ?DONE? ?WITH??”? ? ?

?

Mu? ?Qing? ?yelled? ?back,? ?“SHUT? ?UP!”? ?Suddenly,? ?he? ?felt? ?the? ?weight? ?in? ?his? ?hands? ?lighten,? ?and? ?it? ?

appeared? ?those? ?resentful? ?spirits? ?had? ?finally? ?let? ?go,? ?so? ?he? ?quickly? ?pulled? ?the? ?other? ?two? ?up.? ?

?

Once? ?they? ?were? ?up? ?and? ?safe,? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?panted? ?harshly,? ?still? ?visibly? ?shaken.? ?Shrieking? ?and? ?roaring? ?

of? ?the? ?resentful? ?spirits? ?came? ?from? ?down? ?below,? ?and? ?the? ?group? ?looked? ?down.? ?Mu? ?Qing? ?and? ?Guoshi? ?

said? ?simultaneously,? ?“Feng? ?Xin,? ?it’s? ?your? ?son!”? ? ?

?

“...”? ?

?

Sure? ?enough,? ?among? ?the? ?red? ?hot? ?molten? ?resentful? ?spirits,? ?there? ?was? ?a? ?blanched? ?creature? ?hopping? ?

around,? ?crazily? ?tearing? ?at? ?them? ?with? ?its? ?teeth.? ?

?

Those? ?molten? ?resentful? ?spirits? ?were? ?all? ?aged? ?ghosts? ?of? ?at? ?least? ?two? ?thousand? ?years? ?old,? ?plus? ?they? ?

had? ?banded? ?into? ?groups,? ?so? ?why? ?would? ?they? ?be? ?afraid? ?of? ?some? ?little? ?minion? ?that? ?couldn’t? ?even? ?be? ?

considered? ?a? ?baby?? ?Scratching? ?and? ?biting,? ?that? ?fetus? ?spirit’s? ?body? ?used? ?to? ?be? ?chillingly? ?white,? ?but? ?

now? ?it? ?was? ?burnt? ?and? ?bloody? ?all? ?over,? ?crimson? ?red? ?covering? ?it? ?from? ?head? ?to? ?toe,? ?and? ?it? ?was? ?

howling? ?in? ?a? ?ghastly? ?voice,? ?not? ?a? ?single? ?bit? ?pitiful,? ?and? ?only? ?made? ?one? ?feel? ?horror.? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?

however,? ?exploded.? ?

?

He? ?roared? ?in? ?outrage,? ?“HOW? ?FUCKING? ?SHAMELESS,? ?A? ?GROUP? ?OF? ?ADULTS? ?BULLYING? ?A? ?

CHILD!!!? ?CUO? ?CUO!? ?COME? ?OVER? ?HERE!”? ? ?

?

That? ?fetus? ?spirit? ?couldn’t? ?defeat? ?so? ?many? ?resentful? ?spirits? ?and? ?fear? ?had? ?already? ?sprouted? ?in? ?its? ?

heart.? ?Hearing? ?that? ?someone? ?was? ?going? ?to? ?stand? ?up? ?for? ?it,? ?it? ?let? ?out? ?a? ?strange? ?cry? ?and? ?jumped? ?

onto? ?Feng? ?Xin’s? ?shoulder.? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?took? ?off? ?his? ?longbow? ?and? ?yanked? ?out? ?the? ?arrows? ?from? ?his? ?

own? ?chest,? ?shooting? ?them? ?out? ?round? ?after? ?round,? ?sending? ?the? ?lava? ?stream? ?turning? ?and? ?rolling? ?in? ?

explosions.? ?That? ?fetus? ?spirit? ?on? ?the? ?other? ?hand,? ?was? ?hopping? ?and? ?screeching? ?on? ?his? ?shoulder,? ?like? ?

it? ?was? ?gloating? ?and? ?cheering.? ?On? ?the? ?other? ?side,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?saw? ?they? ?had? ?escaped? ?danger? ?and? ?

finally? ?relaxed.? ?Just? ?as? ?he? ?was? ?about? ?to? ?focus? ?on? ?fighting? ?Jun? ?Wu? ?again,? ?he? ?suddenly? ?felt? ?his? ?

chest? ?tighten.? ?

?

Jun? ?Wu? ?had? ?seized? ?him? ?in? ?a? ?lockhold? ?from? ?behind,? ?“Haven’t? ?I? ?said? ?this? ?before?? ?Where? ?did? ?you? ?

think? ?you? ?learned? ?all? ?your? ?skills?? ?I? ?know? ?everything? ?about? ?your? ?moves!”? ? ?

?

With? ?this? ?lockhold,? ?if? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?couldn’t? ?struggle? ?out? ?of? ?it? ?then? ?he? ?was? ?going? ?to? ?be? ?trapped? ?dead.? ?

But,? ?any? ?moves? ?he? ?could? ?think? ?of? ?to? ?break? ?free,? ?Jun? ?Wu? ?must? ?be? ?able? ?to? ?think? ?of? ?them? ?too!? ?

?

Just? ?then,? ?he? ?heard? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?call? ?out,? ?“Gege,? ?don’t? ?be? ?afraid!? ?You? ?must? ?know? ?moves? ?he? ?

doesn’t!? ?A? ?move? ?only? ?you? ?can? ?use? ?that? ?he? ?can’t!”? ?

?

Suddenly,? ?light? ?turned? ?on? ?in? ?Xie? ?Lian’s? ?mind.? ?

?

Did? ?he? ?have? ?one?? ?

?

Yes!? ?

?

If? ?he? ?couldn’t? ?break? ?free,? ?then? ?he? ?won’t!? ?

?

He? ?turned? ?around? ?in? ?Jun? ?Wu’s? ?hold,? ?facing? ?the? ?enemy,? ?and? ?reverse? ?locked? ?Jun? ?Wu? ?in? ?his? ?hold,? ?

enunciating? ?each? ?word,? ?“I? ?bet? ?you? ?don’t? ?know? ?this? ?move!”? ? ?

?

With? ?Jun? ?Wu? ?in? ?his? ?grip,? ?he? ?carried? ?both? ?their? ?bodies? ?and? ?forcefully? ?slammed? ?into? ?the? ?

incomparably? ?solid? ?rock? ?wall!? ?

?

He? ?used? ?all? ?of? ?his? ?power? ?in? ?this? ?smash,? ?and? ?in? ?the? ?rumbling? ?crashing? ?of? ?rocks,? ?he? ?also? ?heard? ?the? ?

sound? ?of? ?something? ?breaking.? ?

?

That? ?sound? ?came? ?from? ?Jun? ?Wu.? ?

?

His? ?white? ?armour? ?had? ?completely? ?shattered!? ?

?

Right? ?at? ?the? ?same? ?time,? ?Jun? ?Wu? ?released? ?him,? ?and? ?roared? ?in? ?outrage,? ?“GET? ?LOST!? ?GET? ?LOST? ?

ALL? ?OF? ?YOU!!!”? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?looked? ?up? ?and? ?a? ?chill? ?went? ?down? ?his? ?spine.? ?What? ?entered? ?his? ?vision,? ?what? ?made? ?Jun? ?Wu? ?

go? ?mad,? ?were? ?faces.? ?

?

Those? ?three? ?faces? ?had? ?come? ?out? ?again!? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?raised? ?his? ?sword? ?again,? ?and? ?pierced? ?through? ?Jun? ?Wu’s? ?heart,? ?nailing? ?him? ?onto? ?the? ?rock? ?

wall!? ?

?

Blood? ?spurted? ?from? ?Jun? ?Wu’s? ?mouth.? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?had? ?injected? ?as? ?much? ?spiritual? ?power? ?as? ?he? ?could? ?muster? ?in? ?this? ?strike,? ?and? ?the? ?instant? ?

Jun? ?Wu? ?was? ?pierced? ?spiritual? ?power? ?exploded.? ?No? ?matter? ?how? ?strong? ?the? ?ability? ?was? ?to? ?

self-recover,? ?it’d? ?be? ?impossible? ?to? ?recover? ?from? ?this? ?blow!? ?

?

The? ?mountain? ?collapsed.? ?

?

Jun? ?Wu? ?was? ?nailed? ?to? ?hang? ?upon? ?the? ?rocky? ?wall? ?at? ?first,? ?but? ?once? ?the? ?rocky? ?mountain? ?had? ?

collapsed? ?he? ?was? ?now? ?lying? ?on? ?the? ?ground.? ?

?

Yet? ?still? ?he? ?hadn’t? ?given? ?up.? ?He? ?turned? ?his? ?hand? ?and? ?gripped? ?the? ?hilt? ?of? ?Fang? ?Xin,? ?seeming? ?to? ?

want? ?to? ?write? ?words? ?upon? ?the? ?blade.? ?It? ?was? ?naturally? ?a? ?spell? ?that? ?must? ?be? ?stopped.? ?However,? ?just? ?

as? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?was? ?raising? ?his? ?hand,? ?Guoshi? ?rushed? ?over,? ?“Your? ?Highness!? ?Let? ?it? ?go,? ?let? ?it? ?go!”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?stopped,? ?not? ?knowing? ?which? ?one? ?he? ?was? ?calling? ?for,? ?or? ?who? ?he? ?was? ?asking? ?to? ?let? ?it? ?go.? ?

Jun? ?Wu? ?coughed? ?out? ?another? ?mouthful? ?of? ?blood,? ?raging,? ?“GET? ?AWAY? ?FROM? ?ME!”? ? ?

?

Guoshi? ?knelt? ?next? ?to? ?his? ?side? ?and? ?said,? ?“Your? ?Highness,? ?let? ?it? ?go.? ?Really,? ?let? ?it? ?all? ?go.? ?There’s? ?no? ?

meaning? ?to? ?continuing? ?the? ?fight.”? ? ?

?

“What? ?do? ?you? ?understand?!? ?SCRAM!”? ?Jun? ?Wu? ?yelled.? ?

?

“You’re? ?right,? ?I? ?don’t? ?understand.”? ?Guoshi? ?said,? ?“It’s? ?been? ?so? ?many? ?years;? ?you’ve? ?been? ?a? ?god? ?and? ?

you’ve? ?been? ?a? ?ghost? ?king.? ?All? ?that? ?should? ?be? ?killed? ?are? ?dead,? ?all? ?that? ?you’ve? ?wanted? ?are? ?in? ?your? ?

hands,? ?so? ?why? ?are? ?you? ?doing? ?this? ?to? ?yourself?? ?What? ?exactly? ?do? ?you? ?want?? ?What? ?do? ?you? ?want? ?to? ?

prove?”? ? ?

?

Hearing? ?this,? ?a? ?flash? ?of? ?confusion? ?appeared? ?on? ?Jun? ?Wu’s? ?face.? ?

?

But? ?he? ?wasn’t? ?in? ?a? ?daze? ?for? ?long? ?before? ?he? ?violently? ?choked? ?Guoshi’s? ?neck,? ?yelling,? ?“STOP? ?

TRYING? ?TO? ?LECTURE? ?ME!? ?YOU? ?HAVE? ?NO? ?RIGHT? ?TO? ?LECTURE? ?ME!? ?NO? ?ONE? ?HAS? ?THE? ?

RIGHT!”? ?

?

The? ?current? ?Jun? ?Wu? ?didn’t? ?have? ?sufficient? ?power,? ?so? ?this? ?stranglehold? ?wasn’t? ?hard? ?to? ?break? ?free? ?

from.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?was? ?about? ?to? ?save? ?Guoshi? ?when? ?instead,? ?Guoshi? ?waved? ?his? ?hand,? ?signalling? ?for? ?

him? ?not? ?to? ?move,? ?and? ?continued,? ?“My? ?dear? ?Highness.”? ? ?

?

Jun? ?Wu? ?glared? ?at? ?him? ?coldly? ?but? ?his? ?hand? ?didn’t? ?loosen.? ?

?

Even? ?if? ?he? ?didn’t? ?have? ?sufficient? ?powers? ?right? ?now,? ?wringing? ?Guoshi’s? ?neck? ?was? ?still? ?an? ?easy? ?task,? ?

very? ?dangerous.? ?However,? ?Guoshi? ?just? ?let? ?him? ?choke? ?himself? ?like? ?this,? ?and? ?said,? ?“My? ?teaching? ?His? ?

Royal? ?Highness? ?was? ?never? ?intended? ?to? ?nurture? ?a? ?you? ?who? ?had? ?never? ?walked? ?the? ?wrong? ?path,? ?

then? ?use? ?him? ?to? ?humiliate? ?you.? ?He’s? ?his? ?own? ?person,? ?you? ?are? ?you.? ?You? ?were? ?different? ?people? ?all? ?

along,? ?with? ?different? ?paths,? ?and? ?that’s? ?the? ?most? ?natural? ?thing.? ?I’ve? ?said? ?this? ?before? ?in? ?the? ?past,? ?but? ?

you? ?wouldn’t? ?believe? ?me.? ?How? ?about? ?now?”? ? ?

?

Jun? ?Wu? ?stared? ?at? ?him,? ?not? ?speaking? ?a? ?word.? ?

?

“I? ?just? ?genuinely? ?really? ?miss? ?Your? ?Highness.”? ?Guoshi? ?said,? ?“I? ?miss? ?the? ?once? ?Kingdom? ?of? ?WuYong,? ?

I? ?miss? ?our? ?people,? ?and? ?I? ?miss? ?the? ?days? ?before? ?we? ?ascended.? ?That’s? ?all.”? ? ?

?

“...”? ?

?

Guoshi? ?then? ?added,? ?“It’s? ?been? ?so? ?many? ?years,? ?Your? ?Highness.? ?Just? ?watching? ?you? ?makes? ?me? ?

tired.? ?Very? ?tired.? ?How? ?about? ?you?? ?Are? ?you? ?not? ?exhausted?”? ? ?

?

As? ?the? ?number? ?one? ?martial? ?god? ?of? ?the? ?three? ?realms,? ?Jun? ?Wu’s? ?appearance? ?and? ?demeanour? ?had? ?

always? ?been? ?perfect,? ?untainted? ?by? ?filth.? ?Yet? ?now,? ?only? ?with? ?all? ?the? ?light? ?faded? ?did? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?notice? ?

that? ?even? ?with? ?the? ?three? ?faces? ?gone,? ?Jun? ?Wu’s? ?complexion? ?was? ?overly? ?pale.? ?

?

His? ?contours? ?were? ?much? ?too? ?cold? ?and? ?hard,? ?dark? ?circles? ?shaded? ?below? ?his? ?eyes,? ?looking? ?

inexplicably? ?gloomy;? ?there? ?was? ?none? ?of? ?the? ?gentle? ?kindness? ?he? ?emanated? ?when? ?light? ?was? ?

illuminating? ?his? ?form.? ?

?

But,? ?the? ?him? ?now,? ?finally? ?looked? ?alive.? ?Even? ?if? ?he? ?appeared? ?sickly.? ?

?

Guoshi? ?said? ?gently,? ?“Your? ?Highness,? ?you’ve? ?lost.? ?Now? ?free? ?yourself.”? ? ?

?

“...”? ?

?

“Have? ?I? ?been? ?defeated?”? ?Jun? ?Wu? ?sounded? ?a? ?little? ?lost.? ?

?

The? ?overly? ?powerful? ?wave? ?of? ?spiritual? ?powers? ?broke? ?through? ?the? ?dome? ?of? ?the? ?rocky? ?cave,? ?and? ?

faint? ?rays? ?of? ?sunshine? ?came? ?scattering? ?from? ?above.? ?

?

There? ?seemed? ?to? ?be? ?small? ?wisps? ?of? ?rain? ?drifting? ?down? ?in? ?the? ?air.? ?Jun? ?Wu? ?laid? ?sprawled? ?on? ?the? ?

ground? ?while? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?stood,? ?watching? ?him? ?from? ?above,? ?and? ?he? ?actually? ?noticed? ?a? ?trace? ?of? ?relief? ?

on? ?Jun? ?Wu’s? ?face,? ?as? ?if? ?a? ?heavy? ?burden? ?was? ?let? ?go.? ?

?

He? ?couldn’t? ?help? ?but? ?wonder,? ?perhaps,? ?to? ?be? ?defeated? ?by? ?someone? ?to? ?end? ?these? ?relentless? ?days? ?

of? ?brokeness? ?and? ?madness? ?was? ?possibly? ?Jun? ?Wu’s? ?wish? ?deep? ?down.? ?

?

A? ?moment? ?later,? ?Jun? ?Wu? ?suddenly? ?asked,? ?“That? ?move.? ?What? ?is? ?it? ?called?”? ? ?

?

“...”? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?raised? ?his? ?sleeve? ?and? ?wiped? ?away? ?the? ?blood? ?on? ?the? ?side? ?of? ?his? ?face,? ?“Shattering? ?

boulders? ?on? ?the? ?chest.”? ? ?

?

Jun? ?Wu? ?was? ?taken? ?aback,? ?then? ?as? ?if? ?he? ?thought? ?of? ?something,? ?he? ?snickered,? ?then? ?sighed,? ?closing? ?

his? ?eyes,? ?“Beautiful.”? ? ?

?

He? ?didn’t? ?utter? ?another? ?word,? ?but? ?everyone? ?could? ?tell? ?an? ?inconcealable? ?fatigue? ?had? ?overtaken? ?

him.? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?finally? ?moved? ?his? ?hand? ?from? ?the? ?hilt? ?of? ?Fang? ?Xin.? ?Now,? ?he? ?had? ?no? ?idea? ?what? ?to? ?do? ?at? ?all? ?

for? ?the? ?next? ?step,? ?and? ?so? ?he? ?unconsciously? ?looked? ?over? ?at? ?Hua? ?Cheng.? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?was? ?still? ?

standing? ?at? ?the? ?same? ?spot,? ?that? ?only? ?stretch? ?of? ?the? ?Heaven? ?Crossing? ?Bridge? ?that? ?hadn’t? ?yet? ?

collapsed,? ?and? ?had? ?already? ?been? ?quietly? ?waiting? ?for? ?him? ?with? ?his? ?arms? ?crossed? ?for? ?a? ?long? ?time.? ?

Seeing? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?had? ?turned? ?his? ?head? ?back,? ?he? ?met? ?his? ?eyes? ?and? ?smiled.? ?

?

Guoshi? ?sat? ?unmoving? ?next? ?to? ?Jun? ?Wu? ?and? ?said,? ?“Your? ?Highness,? ?you? ?should? ?all? ?go? ?now.”? ? ?

?

He? ?didn’t? ?intend? ?to? ?get? ?up? ?at? ?all,? ?and? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?asked,? ?“Master,? ?are? ?you? ?not? ?coming?”? ? ?

?

Guoshi? ?shook? ?his? ?head,? ?“I’ll? ?keep? ?His? ?Highness? ?company.? ?After? ?all,? ?in? ?the? ?past,? ?I? ?didn’t? ?stay? ?by? ?his? ?

side.”? ? ?

?

The? ?rain? ?was? ?coming? ?down? ?harder,? ?scouring? ?Jun? ?Wu’s? ?resting? ?face,? ?washing? ?away? ?the? ?life? ?and? ?

blood? ?flowing? ?from? ?his? ?wounds.? ?

?

As? ?the? ?rain? ?washed,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?felt? ?the? ?three? ?human? ?faces? ?on? ?his? ?face? ?seemed? ?to? ?have? ?gradually? ?

faded? ?somewhat.? ?Maybe? ?it? ?was? ?his? ?imagination.? ?

?

After? ?a? ?moment? ?of? ?silence,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?took? ?off? ?the? ?bamboo? ?hat? ?carried? ?on? ?his? ?back,? ?and? ?tossed? ?it? ?

from? ?his? ?hand,? ?covering? ?it? ?over? ?Jun? ?Wu’s? ?face.? ?

?

The? ?cursed? ?shackle? ?on? ?Mu? ?Qing’s? ?wrist? ?had? ?broken? ?on? ?its? ?own,? ?and? ?he? ?fly-kicked? ?that? ?thing? ?into? ?

the? ?lava? ?before? ?that? ?cool? ?and? ?calm? ?demeanour? ?had? ?returned? ?with? ?difficulty.? ?The? ?fetus? ?spirit? ?on? ?

Feng? ?Xin’s? ?shoulder? ?however,? ?jumped? ?down,? ?and? ?using? ?all? ?four? ?limbs? ?it? ?crawled? ?by? ?Jun? ?Wu’s? ?

face,? ?carefully? ?touching? ?him,? ?his? ?attitude? ?completely? ?different? ?than? ?when? ?it? ?was? ?stomping? ?on? ?Feng? ?

Xin’s? ?face,? ?and? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?was? ?stomping? ?his? ?feet? ?in? ?anger.? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?however,? ?didn’t? ?care? ?for? ?anything? ?else,? ?and? ?dashed? ?straight? ?for? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?with? ?his? ?

battered? ?face,? ?like? ?he? ?had? ?been? ?reborn? ?–? ?in? ?truth,? ?it? ?certainly? ?was? ?a? ?close? ?escape? ?from? ?death,? ?and? ?

he? ?pounced? ?at? ?him,? ?“SAN? ?LANG!”? ? ?

?

Hua? ?Cheng? ?had? ?only? ?just? ?reached? ?a? ?hand? ?out? ?to? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?before? ?he? ?was? ?immediately? ?pushed? ?

back? ?a? ?step? ?by? ?this? ?tackle.? ?He? ?closed? ?his? ?arms? ?around? ?him? ?and? ?smiled? ?happily,? ?“Gege,? ?you? ?see?? ?I? ?

already? ?told? ?you? ?you’d? ?win? ?for? ?sure,? ?didn’t? ?I?”? ?Then? ?he? ?lifted? ?Xie? ?Lian’s? ?face? ?and? ?looked? ?over? ?it? ?

carefully? ?before? ?sighing,? ?“You’ve? ?made? ?yourself? ?like? ?this? ?again.”? ? ?

?

Where? ?his? ?fingers? ?caressed,? ?a? ?tiny? ?silver? ?butterfly? ?fluttered? ?by? ?and? ?the? ?cuts? ?faded.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?also? ?

smiled? ?happily? ?in? ?response,? ?“I? ?won’t? ?next? ?time!”? ? ?

?

Hua? ?Cheng? ?arched? ?his? ?brows,? ?pretending? ?to? ?be? ?cold? ?and? ?harsh,? ?“There? ?is? ?no? ?next? ?time.”? ? ?

?

After? ?a? ?pause,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?withdrew? ?his? ?smile? ?and? ?questioned? ?seriously,? ?“San? ?Lang,? ?before? ?in? ?Mount? ?

TongLu,? ?I? ?did? ?say? ?after? ?we? ?got? ?out? ?there? ?was? ?something? ?I? ?wanted? ?to? ?tell? ?you,? ?do? ?you? ?still? ?

remember?”? ? ?

?

Hua? ?Cheng? ?smiled,? ?“Of? ?course? ?I? ?remember.? ?I? ?remember? ?everything? ?gege? ?tells? ?me.”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?hung? ?his? ?head,? ?and? ?it? ?was? ?a? ?moment? ?before? ?he? ?finally? ?gathered? ?his? ?courage? ?and? ?spoke? ?

with? ?honesty,? ?“Earlier,? ?Jun? ?Wu? ?had? ?divulged? ?some? ?bits? ?and? ?pieces,? ?and? ?they’re? ?related? ?to? ?this.? ?To? ?

be? ?honest,? ?I? ?should’ve? ?told? ?you? ?this? ?a? ?long? ?time? ?ago,? ?I? ?just? ?could? ?never? ?resolve? ?myself? ?to,? ?

because? ?I? ?was? ?afraid? ?you’d? ?find? ?out...”? ?

?

Hua? ?Cheng? ?continued? ?for? ?him,? ?“Afraid? ?that? ?I’d? ?find? ?out? ?Your? ?Highness? ?almost? ?became? ?the? ?White? ?

Clothed? ?Calamity,? ?right?”? ? ?

?

“...”? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?was? ?bewildered,? ?“You...?”? ?

?

Hua? ?Cheng? ?didn’t? ?answer? ?him? ?directly,? ?and? ?only? ?bent? ?one? ?knee? ?to? ?the? ?ground? ?before? ?him,? ?raising? ?

his? ?head? ?to? ?gaze? ?at? ?him,? ?smiling? ?hummingly,? ?“How’s? ?this?? ?Gege,? ?with? ?this,? ?do? ?you? ?remember? ?

now?”? ? ?

?

How? ?could? ?he? ?not?? ?

?

At? ?the? ?time,? ?that? ?nameless? ?ghost? ?also? ?frequently? ?bent? ?down? ?on? ?one? ?knee? ?to? ?the? ?ground? ?in? ?front? ?of? ?

him? ?like? ?this!? ?

?

That? ?pale? ?smiling? ?mask? ?overlapped? ?Hua? ?Cheng’s? ?current? ?smiling? ?face.? ?Xie? ?Lian’s? ?heart? ?shook,? ?

his? ?knees? ?buckled,? ?and? ?he? ?slumped? ?to? ?the? ?ground? ?in? ?front? ?of? ?him,? ?mumbling,? ?“...San? ?Lang...? ?it,? ?it? ?

was? ?you!”? ? ?

?

Hua? ?Cheng? ?let? ?out? ?a? ?small? ?laugh? ?and? ?maintained? ?that? ?posture? ?of? ?one? ?knee? ?to? ?the? ?ground,? ?and? ?

that? ?remaining? ?one? ?eye? ?gazed? ?at? ?him? ?deeply,? ?“Your? ?Highness,? ?I’ve? ?always? ?watched? ?you.”? ? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian? ?could? ?still? ?only? ?utter? ?one? ?word,? ?“You...? ?you...”? ?

?

He? ?finally? ?understood? ?what? ?all? ?those? ?seemingly? ?unintentional? ?words? ?from? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?had? ?meant.? ?

?

So? ?that? ?was? ?it.? ?He? ?had? ?never? ?imagined? ?that? ?Wu? ?Ming? ?was? ?Hua? ?Cheng!? ?

?

He? ?had? ?known? ?everything.? ?He? ?had? ?seen? ?everything.? ?He? ?had? ?been? ?there? ?all? ?along!? ?

?

All? ?of? ?a? ?sudden,? ?thousands? ?of? ?emotions,? ?millions? ?of? ?words? ?swarmed? ?into? ?his? ?head.? ?There? ?was? ?

gratefulness,? ?there? ?was? ?shame,? ?there? ?was? ?heartache,? ?there? ?was? ?wild? ?joy,? ?but? ?above? ?all? ?else,? ?

there? ?was? ?incurable? ?love.? ?

?

Xie? ?Lian’s? ?heart? ?was? ?so? ?full? ?it? ?was? ?going? ?to? ?burst,? ?but? ?not? ?a? ?single? ?word? ?to? ?express? ?himself? ?could? ?

be? ?squeezed? ?out,? ?so? ?he? ?could? ?only? ?tackle? ?him? ?forcefully,? ?crying,? ?“SAN? ?LANG!”? ? ?

?

It? ?was? ?as? ?if? ?that? ?was? ?all? ?he? ?knew? ?to? ?say? ?anymore,? ?and? ?he? ?cried? ?again,? ?“SAN? ?LANG!”? ?

?

Hua? ?Cheng? ?fell? ?over? ?from? ?the? ?tackle,? ?and? ?sat? ?with? ?him? ?on? ?the? ?ground,? ?embracing? ?him,? ?laughing? ?

heartily.? ?All? ?the? ?fears? ?and? ?worries? ?from? ?before? ?were? ?all? ?swept? ?away.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?circled? ?his? ?arms? ?

around? ?Hua? ?Cheng’s? ?neck? ?tightly,? ?laughing? ?and? ?laughing,? ?feeling? ?like? ?he? ?was? ?going? ?to? ?cry.? ?

?

But? ?before? ?tears? ?had? ?fallen,? ?he? ?abruptly? ?noticed? ?something? ?very? ?wrong.? ?

?

While? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?was? ?a? ?ghost,? ?his? ?body? ?had? ?never? ?been? ?different? ?from? ?that? ?of? ?normal? ?people.? ?

?

Yet,? ?when? ?he? ?was? ?holding? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?now,? ?those? ?vivid? ?red? ?robes? ?were? ?somewhat? ?transparent.? ?

?

?

————? ?