Ch.22:?? ??Shortened?? ??Distance;?? ??Adrift?? ??in?? ??Sandstorms?? ??3????????The?? ??scorpion?? ??tail!??????Yet?? ??because?? ??of?? ??the?? ??sting,?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??was?? ??able?? ??to?? ??grab?? ??hold?? ??of?? ??the?? ??tail?? ??and?? ??capture?? ??the????snake?? ??properly.?? ??He?? ??squeezed?? ??it?? ??down?? ??hard?? ??until?? ??it?? ??beca?? ??unconscious.?? ??Even?? ??having????been?? ??stung,?? ??Xie?? ??Lian’s?? ??face?? ??never?? ??changed,?? ??and?? ??tossed?? ??it?? ??to?? ??the?? ??ground?? ??indifferently,????“Everyone?? ??be?? ??careful,?? ??there?? ??may?? ??be?? ??more?? ??snakes?? ??around...”??????He?? ??felt?? ??a?? ??tightening?? ??on?? ??his?? ??wrist?? ??before?? ??he?? ??finished?? ??his?? ??words,?? ??and?? ??looked?? ??to?? ??see?? ??it?? ??was????San?? ??Lang?? ??who?? ??caught?? ??hold?? ??of?? ??him.????????“San?? ??Lang?”?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??looked?? ??at?? ??the?? ??boy?? ??puzzled.??????The?? ??reason?? ??he?? ??sounded?? ??confused?? ??was?? ??because?? ??at?? ??this?? ??very?? ??mont,?? ??the?? ??expression?? ??on????this?? ??youth’s?? ??face?? ??was?? ??quite?? ??off;?? ??it?? ??was?? ??indescribably?? ??frosty?? ??to?? ??the?? ??point?? ??of?? ??frightening.?? ??His????eyes?? ??were?? ??focused?? ??intently?? ??on?? ??the?? ??wound?? ??on?? ??the?? ??back?? ??of?? ??Xie?? ??Lian’s?? ??hand?? ??that?? ??had?? ??now????ballooned?? ??thanks?? ??to?? ??the?? ??vicious?? ??venom.?? ??The?? ??small?? ??puncture?? ??wound?? ??beca?? ??visibly????enlarged?? ??to?? ??the?? ??size?? ??of?? ??a?? ??knife?? ??cut?? ??because?? ??of?? ??the?? ??angry?? ??swelling.??????With?? ??a?? ??dark?? ??expression?? ??and,?? ??San?? ??Lang?? ??wordlessly?? ??snatched?? ??Ruoye?? ??from?? ??Xie?? ??Lian’s?? ??arm????and?? ??imdiately?? ??knotted?? ??it?? ??firmly?? ??on?? ??his?? ??wrist,?? ??preventing?? ??the?? ??venom?? ??from?? ??advancing.????While?? ??Ruoye?? ??enjoyed?? ??snuggling?? ??up?? ??to?? ??Xie?? ??Lian,?? ??it?? ??wasn’t?? ??that?? ??well-behaved?? ??either,?? ??yet?? ??in????San?? ??lang’s?? ??hands?? ??it?? ??was?? ??so?? ??compliant?? ??it?? ??was?? ??like?? ??it?? ??was?? ??dead.??????Ever?? ??since?? ??they?? ??had?? ??known?? ??each?? ??other,?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??had?? ??never?? ??seen?? ??San?? ??Lang?? ??looking?? ??like????this.?? ??He?? ??opened?? ??his?? ??mouth?? ??to?? ??speak?? ??but?? ??San?? ??Lang?? ??turnedto?? ??pull?? ??a?? ??dagger?? ??from?? ??the?? ??waist????of?? ??one?? ??of?? ??the?? ??rchants.?? ??Nan?? ??Feng?? ??saw?? ??and?? ??knew?? ??instantly?? ??what?? ??San?? ??Lang?? ??was?? ??about?? ??to????do,?? ??and?? ??ignited?? ??a?? ??palm?? ??torch.?? ??Without?? ??sparing?? ??any?? ??looks,?? ??San?? ??Lang?? ??burned?? ??the?? ??tip?? ??of?? ??the????dagger?? ??to?? ??disinfect?? ??it?? ??before?? ??turning?? ??back?? ??to?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??and?? ??drew?? ??a?? ??cross?? ??on?? ??the?? ??mouth?? ??of????the?? ??puncture?? ??wound.????????Just?? ??as?? ??he?? ??was?? ??about?? ??to?? ??lower?? ??his?? ??head?? ??to?? ??the?? ??hand,?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??hurriedly?? ??said,?? ??“It’s?? ??ok.?? ??The????venom?? ??is?? ??aggressive,?? ??sucking?? ??it?? ??won’t?? ??do?? ??much.?? ??I?? ??don’t?? ??want?? ??you?? ??to?? ??get?? ??poisoned...”????????San?? ??Lang?? ??ignored?? ??him,?? ??tightened?? ??the?? ??hold?? ??on?? ??Xie?? ??Lian’s?? ??hand?? ??and?? ??placed?? ??his?? ??lips?? ??upon?? ??it.????His?? ??hand?? ??trembled?? ??slightly?? ??and?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??couldn’t?? ??explain?? ??why.??????Next?? ??to?? ??him,?? ??Fu?? ??Yao?? ??said?? ??in?? ??disdain,?? ??“I?? ??can’t?? ??believe?? ??you?? ??went?? ??and?? ??got?? ??yourself?? ??pricked.????What?? ??are?? ??you?? ??doing?? ??catching?? ??the?? ??snake?? ??when?? ??the?? ??kid?? ??might?? ??not?? ??even?? ??get?? ??bitten??? ??You’re????just?? ??making?? ??trouble?? ??needlessly.”??????His?? ??words?? ??were?? ??probably?? ??true.?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??recalled?? ??the?? ??airy?? ??way?? ??San?? ??Lang?? ??played?? ??with?? ??the????snake?? ??in?? ??the?? ??cave;?? ??he?? ??probably?? ??wouldn’t?? ??have?? ??even?? ??cared?? ??for?? ??any?? ??attacks?? ??and?? ??wouldn’t????have?? ??gotten?? ??bitten.?? ??But?? ??just?? ??in?? ??case.?? ??Just?? ??in?? ??case?? ??San?? ??Lang?? ??didn’t?? ??notice?? ??the?? ??snake?? ??and????get?? ??bitten,?? ??it’d?? ??be?? ??too?? ??late?? ??then.??????Xie?? ??Lian?? ??waved?? ??his?? ??good?? ??hand,?? ??“Don’t?? ??mind?? ??it.?? ??It’s?? ??not?? ??like?? ??it?? ??hurts,?? ??and?? ??I?? ??won’t?? ??die?? ??from????it.”??????“You’re?? ??really?? ??not?? ??in?? ??pain?”?? ??Fu?? ??Yao?? ??asked.??????“Really.?? ??I?? ??don’t?? ??feel?? ??pain?? ??anymore.”?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??answered?? ??truthfully.??????Since?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??possessed?? ??the?? ??worst?? ??of?? ??luck,?? ??every?? ??ti?? ??he?? ??ventured?? ??deep?? ??into?? ??the????mountains,?? ??eight?? ??tis?? ??out?? ??of?? ??ten?? ??he?? ??would?? ??step?? ??onto?? ??vipers?? ??or?? ??run?? ??into?? ??poisonous????insects,?? ??and?? ??get?? ??bitten,?? ??stung,?? ??jabbed,?? ??or?? ??poisoned?? ??in?? ??thousands?? ??of?? ??ways.?? ??Perhaps?? ??it?? ??was????because?? ??of?? ??his?? ??heavenly?? ??status,?? ??he?? ??couldn’t?? ??die,?? ??so?? ??at?? ??most?? ??he’d?? ??run?? ??a?? ??fever.?? ??After?? ??three????days?? ??and?? ??three?? ??nights?? ??of?? ??fevers,?? ??he’d?? ??be?? ??right?? ??as?? ??rain?? ??when?? ??he?? ??woke?? ??and?? ??continue?? ??on?? ??as????if?? ??nothing?? ??happened.?? ??Gradually?? ??he?? ??beca?? ??less?? ??and?? ??less?? ??sensitive?? ??to?? ??pain,?? ??and?? ??just?? ??lived????with?? ??it.??????Right?? ??after?? ??the?? ??words?? ??had?? ??left?? ??his?? ??mouth?? ??San?? ??Lang?? ??finally?? ??looked?? ??up.?? ??The?? ??red?? ??swelling?? ??on????the?? ??back?? ??of?? ??Xie?? ??Lian’s?? ??hand?? ??had?? ??gone?? ??down,?? ??a?? ??stain?? ??of?? ??blood?? ??red?? ??on?? ??San?? ??Lang’s?? ??lips.?? ??His????eyes?? ??were?? ??extrely?? ??cold,?? ??and?? ??he?? ??moved?? ??his?? ??glare?? ??to?? ??the?? ??unconscious?? ??snake?? ??on?? ??the????ground.?? ????BOOM??!?? ??The?? ??snake?? ??abruptly?? ??exploded?? ??into?? ??a?? ??pool?? ??of?? ??blood?? ??and?? ??flesh.??????The?? ??sudden?? ??blast?? ??surprised?? ??everyone,?? ??but?? ??no?? ??one?? ??knew?? ??who?? ??did?? ??it.?? ??Even?? ??if?? ??the?? ??blood????didn’t?? ??splatter?? ??onto?? ??anyone,?? ??there?? ??was?? ??still?? ??a?? ??blanket?? ??of?? ??unease.?? ??Tian?? ??Sheng?? ??who?? ??still????rembered?? ??that?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??also?? ??got?? ??stung,?? ??asked?? ??worriedly,?? ??“Gege,?? ??you?? ??got?? ??pricked?? ??too!????What?? ??will?? ??you?? ??do?”??????Xie?? ??Lian?? ??felt?? ??the?? ??bandage?? ??on?? ??his?? ??wrist?? ??and?? ??smiled,?? ??“Don’t?? ??worry,?? ??little?? ??one.?? ??We’ll?? ??still?? ??stick????to?? ??the?? ??plan?? ??of?? ??going?? ??to?? ??the?? ??BanYue?? ??ruins?? ??and?? ??search?? ??for?? ??the?? ??ShanYue?? ??fern.”??????Another?? ??rchant?? ??asked,?? ??“You?? ??guys?? ??are?? ??going??? ??What?? ??about?? ??us??? ??Should?? ??we?? ??also?? ??send????soone?? ??to?? ??go?? ??with?? ??you?”??????“You?? ??can?? ??all?? ??stay?? ??here.?? ??BanYue?? ??territory?? ??is?? ??a?? ??dangerous?? ??place,?? ??the?? ??more?? ??people?? ??there?? ??the????more?? ??mishaps?? ??that?? ??can?? ??happen.?? ??We?? ??will?? ??find?? ??the?? ??fern?? ??and?? ??bring?? ??it?? ??back?? ??to?? ??you?? ??within????twenty-four?? ??hours.”?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??said.??????“For...?? ??for?? ??real??? ??Thank?? ??you?? ??so?? ??much!?? ??–”????????“How?? ??can?? ??we?? ??possibly?? ??ever...”????????A?? ??number?? ??of?? ??rchants?? ??started?? ??stuttering?? ??their?? ??thanks,?? ??but?? ??then?? ??their?? ??faces?? ??changed????when?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??continued?? ??to?? ??speak,?? ??“In?? ??order?? ??to?? ??reach?? ??BanYue?? ??as?? ??soon?? ??as?? ??possible,?? ??I????want?? ??to?? ??borrow?? ??your?? ??guide?? ??temporarily,?? ??if?? ??that’s?? ??alright.”??????Naturally,?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??ant?? ??A-Zhao.?? ??The?? ??rchants?? ??went?? ??from?? ??grateful?? ??and?? ??relief?? ??to????hesitation.?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??knew?? ??where?? ??they’re?? ??coming?? ??from.?? ??They?? ??were?? ??afraid?? ??that?? ??Xie?? ??Lian????might?? ??run?? ??off?? ??with?? ??their?? ??guide?? ??once?? ??he?? ??finds?? ??the?? ??ShanYue?? ??fern;?? ??and?? ??even?? ??if?? ??A-Zhao?? ??didn’t????run?? ??away,?? ??timing?? ??would?? ??still?? ??be?? ??delayed.?? ??Nevertheless,?? ??none?? ??of?? ??them?? ??wanted?? ??to?? ??venture????into?? ??that?? ??wicked?? ??place?? ??where?? ??‘at?? ??least?? ??half?? ??goes?? ??missing’.?? ??Their?? ??worries?? ??were?? ??entirely????understandable,?? ??so?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??added,?? ??“And?? ??just?? ??in?? ??case?? ??anything?? ??else?? ??cos?? ??to?? ??attack????you,?? ??Fu?? ??Yao?? ??will?? ??stay?? ??until?? ??we?? ??return.”??????A?? ??man?? ??for?? ??a?? ??man,?? ??now?? ??there?? ??was?? ??insurance?? ??that?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??would?? ??co?? ??back.?? ??The????rchants?? ??finally?? ??agreed?? ??and?? ??nodded,?? ??“Alright.?? ??As?? ??long?? ??as?? ??A-Zhao?? ??is?? ??willing.”??????Xie?? ??Lian?? ??turned?? ??to?? ??A-Zhao,?? ??“Are?? ??you?? ??open?? ??to?? ??giving?? ??us?? ??a?? ??hand,?? ??my?? ??friend??? ??If?? ??not?? ??that’s?? ??ok????too.”??????A-Zhao?? ??nodded?? ??and?? ??said,?? ??“Yes.?? ??But?? ??the?? ??BanYue?? ??ruins?? ??is?? ??actually?? ??not?? ??hard?? ??to?? ??get?? ??to;?? ??just????keep?? ??heading?? ??in?? ??this?? ??direction.”??????After?? ??bidding?? ??the?? ??rchants?? ??farewell,?? ??A-Zhao?? ??took?? ??the?? ??lead?? ??with?? ??Xie?? ??Lian,?? ??San?? ??Lang,?? ??and????Nan?? ??Feng?? ??following?? ??right?? ??behind.?? ??A?? ??while?? ??later,?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??inquired,?? ??“A-Zhao,?? ??do?? ??the????scorpion?? ??snakes?? ??appear?? ??frequently?? ??in?? ??this?? ??area?”??????“Not?? ??frequently.?? ??This?? ??was?? ??my?? ??first?? ??ti?? ??seeing?? ??them?? ??too.”?? ??A-Zhao?? ??replied.??????Xie?? ??Lian?? ??nodded?? ??and?? ??had?? ??no?? ??more?? ??questions.?? ??Truthfully,?? ??he?? ??did?? ??live?? ??in?? ??the?? ??BanYue?? ??area????for?? ??a?? ??number?? ??of?? ??years,?? ??and?? ??this?? ??was?? ??also?? ??his?? ??first?? ??ti?? ??seeing?? ??a?? ??scorpion?? ??snake.?? ??A-Zhao’s????answer?? ??was?? ??not?? ??out?? ??of?? ??place.?? ??Nan?? ??Feng?? ??realized?? ??Xie?? ??Lian’s?? ??intentions?? ??and?? ??asked?? ??in?? ??a?? ??low????voice,?? ??“You’re?? ??suspicious?? ??of?? ??this?? ??A-Zhao?”??????Xie?? ??Lian?? ??responded?? ??in?? ??a?? ??whisper,?? ??“Either?? ??way?? ??we’ve?? ??brought?? ??him?? ??out.?? ??Just?? ??keep?? ??an?? ??eye????on?? ??him.”??????In?? ??the?? ??past?? ??it?? ??was?? ??usually?? ??San?? ??Lang?? ??who?? ??would?? ??talk?? ??to?? ??him?? ??first,?? ??but?? ??since?? ??the?? ??incident????earlier?? ??the?? ??boy?? ??hadn’t?? ??looked?? ??approachable,?? ??walking?? ??stoically?? ??and?? ??silent.?? ??Xie?? ??Lian????couldn’t?? ??figure?? ??out?? ??what’s?? ??going?? ??on?? ??and?? ??didn’t?? ??know?? ??how?? ??to?? ??talk?? ??to?? ??him,?? ??so?? ??he?? ??kept?? ??on????walking?? ??too.??????The?? ??four?? ??continued?? ??to?? ??trek?? ??through?? ??the?? ??vast?? ??Gobi?? ??desert;?? ??the?? ??windstorm?? ??had?? ??long?? ??passed,????and?? ??without?? ??any?? ??obstructions?? ??they?? ??advanced?? ??quickly,?? ??and?? ??soon?? ??they?? ??could?? ??see?? ??ragged????weeds?? ??here?? ??and?? ??there?? ??growing?? ??in?? ??the?? ??cracks?? ??of?? ??rocks?? ??and?? ??sand.?? ??By?? ??the?? ??ti?? ??the?? ??sun?? ??was????setting,?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??finally?? ??spotted?? ??an?? ??ancient?? ??fortress?? ??in?? ??the?? ??horizon.??????The?? ??fortress?? ??was?? ??difficult?? ??to?? ??see?? ??because?? ??it?? ??was?? ??the?? ??colour?? ??of?? ??sand,?? ??camouflaged?? ??in?? ??the????yellowness?? ??and?? ??becoming?? ??one?? ??with?? ??the?? ??desert.?? ??So?? ??parts?? ??of?? ??the?? ??fortress?? ??walls?? ??were????also?? ??caved?? ??in?? ??and?? ??buried.?? ??As?? ??they?? ??approached,?? ??they?? ??found?? ??the?? ??fortress?? ??walls?? ??were????extrely?? ??high,?? ??towering?? ??at?? ??over?? ??hundreds?? ??of?? ??feet.?? ??It?? ??wasn’t?? ??hard?? ??to?? ??imagine?? ??its?? ??past????magnificence,?? ??how?? ??grand?? ??it?? ??must’ve?? ??been.??????Passing?? ??through?? ??the?? ??barbican,?? ??the?? ??four?? ??formally?? ??entered?? ??the?? ??Kingdom?? ??of?? ??BanYue.??????Past?? ??the?? ??gates?? ??was?? ??a?? ??wide?? ??and?? ??empty?? ??city?? ??street,?? ??dilapidated?? ??houses?? ??on?? ??each?? ??side;????rotten?? ??beams,?? ??broken?? ??bricks?? ??strewn?? ??about.?? ??Out?? ??of?? ??habit,?? ??A-Zhao?? ??cautioned?? ??the?? ??others,????“Please?? ??be?? ??careful?? ??and?? ??don’t?? ??leave?? ??the?? ??group?? ??on?? ??your?? ??own.”?? ??The?? ??other?? ??three?? ??didn’t?? ??need????that?? ??reminder.?? ??The?? ??actual?? ??BanYue?? ??fortress?? ??was?? ??probably?? ??different?? ??than?? ??imagined,?? ??and????Nan?? ??Feng?? ??wondered,?? ??“This?? ??is?? ??the?? ??Kingdom?? ??of?? ??BanYue??? ??It’s?? ??smaller?? ??than?? ??a?? ??capital!”??????“A?? ??desert?? ??country?? ??is?? ??only?? ??as?? ??big?? ??as?? ??the?? ??oasis?? ??it’s?? ??built?? ??on.”?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??explained.?? ??“At?? ??its????peak,?? ??the?? ??population?? ??was?? ??only?? ??just?? ??about?? ??ten?? ??thousand.?? ??It’s?? ??actually?? ??pretty?? ??lively?? ??in?? ??a????small?? ??fortress?? ??like?? ??this.”??????Nan?? ??Feng?? ??continued?? ??to?? ??observe?? ??the?? ??surroundings,?? ??“It?? ??would?? ??probably?? ??only?? ??take?? ??a?? ??few????days?? ??to?? ??siege?? ??a?? ??country?? ??of?? ??this?? ??size.”????????Xie?? ??Lian?? ??shook?? ??his?? ??head,?? ??“Not?? ??necessarily.?? ??Don’t?? ??underestimate?? ??the?? ??people?? ??of?? ??BanYue,????Nan?? ??Feng.?? ??Even?? ??if?? ??their?? ??population?? ??wasn’t?? ??more?? ??than?? ??ten?? ??thousand,?? ??they?? ??kept?? ??the????number?? ??of?? ??soldiers?? ??at?? ??an?? ??average?? ??of?? ??four?? ??thousand.?? ??There?? ??were?? ??more?? ??males?? ??than????females;?? ??aside?? ??from?? ??the?? ??sick?? ??and?? ??old,?? ??and?? ??the?? ??farrs,?? ??most?? ??n?? ??joined?? ??the?? ??army.????Besides,?? ??most?? ??of?? ??those?? ??soldiers?? ??were?? ??over?? ??nine?? ??feet?? ??tall,?? ??each?? ??more?? ??violent?? ??than?? ??the?? ??next.????With?? ??a?? ??mace?? ??in?? ??hand,?? ??they?? ??would?? ??keep?? ??fighting?? ??even?? ??with?? ??swords?? ??through?? ??their?? ??chests.????They’re?? ??very?? ??hard?? ??to?? ??fight.”??????A-Zhao?? ??was?? ??surprised?? ??and?? ??glanced?? ??at?? ??Xie?? ??Lian,?? ??“This?? ??young?? ??master?? ??seems?? ??to?? ??know?? ??a????lot.”??????Xie?? ??Lian?? ??maintained?? ??his?? ??smile?? ??and?? ??was?? ??about?? ??to?? ??converse?? ??so?? ??more?? ??when?? ??Nan?? ??Feng????posed?? ??a?? ??question,?? ??“What’s?? ??that?? ??wall?”????????He?? ??was?? ??indicating?? ??a?? ??giant?? ??mud?? ??yellow?? ??building?? ??in?? ??the?? ??far?? ??distance.??????Building?? ??wasn’t?? ??quite?? ??the?? ??right?? ??word?? ??to?? ??describe?? ??it,?? ??because?? ??it?? ??was?? ??a?? ??giant?? ??enclosure????ford?? ??by?? ??four?? ??massive?? ??mud?? ??coloured?? ??walls?? ??without?? ??neither?? ??doors?? ??nor?? ??roofs.?? ??Each?? ??wall????was?? ??over?? ??a?? ??hundred?? ??feet,?? ??and?? ??on?? ??the?? ??very?? ??top?? ??there?? ??was?? ??a?? ??pole,?? ??with?? ??sothing?? ??tattered????attached,?? ??flying?? ??in?? ??the?? ??wind.?? ??It?? ??was?? ??a?? ??chilling?? ??image.??????Xie?? ??Lian?? ??turned?? ??his?? ??head?? ??and?? ??took?? ??a?? ??look,?? ??then?? ??said?? ??simply,?? ??“That’s?? ??the?? ??Sinners?? ??Pit.”??????By?? ??the?? ??sound?? ??of?? ??the?? ??na?? ??alone?? ??it?? ??was?? ??obvious?? ??it?? ??wasn’t?? ??anything?? ??good.?? ??“Sinner’s?? ??Pit?”????Nan?? ??Feng?? ??frowned.??????Humming?? ??gravely,?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??explained,?? ??“You?? ??can?? ??think?? ??of?? ??it?? ??as?? ??a?? ??jail.?? ??It’s?? ??made?? ??specifically????for?? ??imprisoning?? ??criminals.”??????“How?? ??does?? ??it?? ??imprison?? ??if?? ??there?? ??isn’t?? ??even?? ??a?? ??door??? ??Throw?? ??them?? ??in?? ??from?? ??the?? ??top?”?? ??Nan????Feng?? ??wondered.??????Xie?? ??Lian?? ??was?? ??just?? ??hesitating?? ??in?? ??answering?? ??when?? ??San?? ??Lang?? ??suddenly?? ??spoke?? ??up,?? ??“They?? ??get????thrown?? ??in.?? ??And?? ??the?? ??pit?? ??is?? ??full?? ??of?? ??poisonous?? ??snakes?? ??and?? ??starving?? ??beasts.”??????Hearing?? ??him?? ??finally?? ??speak,?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??felt?? ??relieved,?? ??but?? ??when?? ??he?? ??looked?? ??over?? ??to?? ??San?? ??Lang,????the?? ??boy?? ??t?? ??his?? ??gaze?? ??and?? ??turned?? ??away.?? ??Nan?? ??Feng?? ??swore,?? ??“That’s?? ??no?? ??fuckin’?? ??jail?!?? ??That’s????torture!?? ??How?? ??cruel!?? ??Those?? ??people?? ??of?? ??BanYue?? ??were?? ??either?? ??sick?? ??in?? ??the?? ??head?? ??or?? ??savage????psychos!”??????Xie?? ??Lian?? ??rubbed?? ??his?? ??forehead,?? ??“Not?? ??all?? ??of?? ??them.?? ??So?? ??of?? ??them?? ??were?? ??quite?? ??endearing...”????He?? ??paused?? ??suddenly,?? ??his?? ??brows?? ??stiffening,?? ??“Wait.”????????The?? ??other?? ??three?? ??stopped,?? ??and?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??pointed?? ??upwards,?? ??“Look?? ??at?? ??that?? ??pole?? ??up?? ??on?? ??the?? ??pit.????Is?? ??that?? ??a?? ??person?? ??hanging?? ??from?? ??it?”??????In?? ??the?? ??dimming?? ??light?? ??of?? ??the?? ??setting?? ??sun?? ??and?? ??with?? ??such?? ??distance,?? ??it?? ??was?? ??difficult?? ??to?? ??see?? ??what????exactly?? ??was?? ??hung?? ??on?? ??the?? ??pole.?? ??But?? ??going?? ??closer?? ??and?? ??scrutinizing?? ??the?? ??shape,?? ??it?? ??beca????obvious?? ??it?? ??was?? ??a?? ??scrawny?? ??little?? ??person?? ??in?? ??black,?? ??their?? ??clothes?? ??unkempt,?? ??dangling?? ??in?? ??the????wind?? ??like?? ??a?? ??ragdoll.????????“It’s?? ??a?? ??person,”?? ??San?? ??Lang?? ??confird.??????When?? ??A-Zhao?? ??saw?? ??the?? ??hanging?? ??person,?? ??his?? ??face?? ??paled.?? ??This?? ??was?? ??such?? ??a?? ??chilling?? ??and????peculiar?? ??display?? ??that?? ??even?? ??a?? ??calm?? ??individual?? ??like?? ??him?? ??couldn’t?? ??bear?? ??the?? ??sight?? ??of?? ??it.?? ??Just????then,?? ??San?? ??Lang?? ??tilted?? ??hi?? ??head,?? ??and?? ??said?? ??in?? ??a?? ??low?? ??voice,?? ??“Soone’s?? ??here.”??????He?? ??wasn’t?? ??the?? ??only?? ??one?? ??who?? ??noticed.?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??also?? ??heard?? ??featherlight?? ??footsteps????approaching.?? ??The?? ??four?? ??imdiately?? ??moved?? ??to?? ??hide?? ??in?? ??the?? ??many?? ??decaying?? ??houses?? ??on?? ??the????roadside.?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??and?? ??San?? ??Lang?? ??entered?? ??one?? ??house,?? ??and?? ??Nan?? ??Feng?? ??and?? ??A-Zhao?? ??hid?? ??in????the?? ??one?? ??across?? ??the?? ??street.?? ??Soon?? ??after,?? ??at?? ??the?? ??end?? ??of?? ??the?? ??broken?? ??street,?? ??revealed?? ??the????woman?? ??cultivator?? ??in?? ??white.??????The?? ??woman?? ??was?? ??dressed?? ??in?? ??a?? ??light?? ??white?? ??robe,?? ??a?? ??whisk?? ??in?? ??her?? ??arm,?? ??roaming?? ??along?? ??the????street,?? ??peering?? ??here?? ??and?? ??there,?? ??eyes?? ??bright?? ??and?? ??observant,?? ??as?? ??if?? ??she?? ??was?? ??in?? ??her?? ??own????backyard?? ??garden,?? ??and?? ??not?? ??the?? ??BanYue?? ??ruins.?? ??Strolling?? ??right?? ??after?? ??her?? ??was?? ??another?? ??woman????clad?? ??in?? ??black,?? ??her?? ??hands?? ??behind?? ??her?? ??back.????????The?? ??black?? ??clad?? ??woman?? ??was?? ??beautiful?? ??yet?? ??cold,?? ??her?? ??eyes?? ??piercing,?? ??her?? ??raven?? ??hair?? ??long?? ??and????free,?? ??as?? ??if?? ??radiating?? ??chill?? ??from?? ??her?? ??very?? ??person.?? ??Although?? ??she?? ??was?? ??walking?? ??behind?? ??the????woman?? ??cultivator,?? ??no?? ??one?? ??would?? ??have?? ??mistaken?? ??her?? ??as?? ??a?? ??subordinate.??????It?? ??was?? ??the?? ??sa?? ??two?? ??won?? ??they?? ??saw?? ??outside?? ??the?? ??abandoned?? ??inn?? ??at?? ??noon?? ??ti.??????At?? ??the?? ??ti?? ??they?? ??passed?? ??by?? ??too?? ??fast?? ??and?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??couldn’t?? ??make?? ??out?? ??the?? ??details?? ??of?? ??the????lady?? ??in?? ??black,?? ??but?? ??he?? ??now?? ??saw?? ??clearly?? ??that?? ??she?? ??was?? ??indeed?? ??a?? ??woman.?? ??If?? ??the?? ??one?? ??in?? ??white????was?? ??the?? ??Witch?? ??of?? ??BanYue,?? ??then?? ??who?? ??was?? ??the?? ??one?? ??in?? ??black???????The?? ??witch?? ??swished?? ??her?? ??whisk?? ??leisurely?? ??and?? ??spoke,?? ??“Now?? ??where?? ??did?? ??those?? ??people?? ??go??? ??We????were?? ??careless?? ??for?? ??one?? ??mont?? ??and?? ??they?? ??all?? ??disappeared.?? ??Do?? ??I?? ??have?? ??to?? ??dig?? ??them?? ??out?? ??and????kill?? ??them?? ??one?? ??by?? ??one?”??????As?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??had?? ??thought,?? ??they?? ??were?? ??watched?? ??the?? ??mont?? ??they?? ??stepped?? ??foot?? ??into?? ??the????fortress.??????The?? ??lady?? ??in?? ??black?? ??approached?? ??and?? ??stoically?? ??said,?? ??“You?? ??can?? ??call?? ??your?? ??friends?? ??to?? ??help?? ??you????kill?? ??them.”??????Those?? ??‘friends’?? ??must?? ??have?? ??ant?? ??the?? ??soldiers?? ??of?? ??BanYue.?? ??The?? ??Guoshi?? ??of?? ??BanYue????laughed,?? ??“Ha!?? ??I?? ??don’t?? ??like?? ??calling?? ??other?? ??people.?? ??I?? ??like?? ??calling?? ??you.?? ??Aren’t?? ??you?? ??glad?”??????The?? ??lady?? ??in?? ??black?? ??ignored?? ??her?? ??completely?? ??and?? ??said?? ??cooly,?? ??“There’s?? ??nothing?? ??agreeable????about?? ??being?? ??called?? ??out?? ??by?? ??the?? ??likes?? ??of?? ??you?? ??for?? ??sothing?? ??like?? ??this.?? ??Just?? ??go.”??????The?? ??Guoshi?? ??of?? ??BanYue?? ??arched?? ??her?? ??brows?? ??but?? ??still?? ??sped?? ??away.?? ??Listening?? ??to?? ??them?? ??it????sounded?? ??as?? ??if?? ??they?? ??were?? ??close.?? ??They?? ??were?? ??no?? ??ordinary?? ??folks,?? ??so?? ??the?? ??lady?? ??in?? ??black?? ??must????have?? ??so?? ??renown.?? ??Soone?? ??who?? ??would?? ??be?? ??close?? ??to?? ??the?? ??Guoshi?? ??of?? ??BanYue??? ??A????mysterious?? ??fellow?? ??cultivator??? ??Or?? ??was?? ??there?? ??a?? ??queen?? ??or?? ??general?? ??they?? ??didn’t?? ??know?? ??about???????Xie?? ??Lian?? ??was?? ??trying?? ??to?? ??connect?? ??the?? ??dots?? ??rapidly?? ??in?? ??his?? ??mind,?? ??but?? ??held?? ??his?? ??breath.?? ??Now????wasn’t?? ??the?? ??ti?? ??to?? ??be?? ??discovered.?? ??It?? ??looked?? ??like?? ??the?? ??guoshi?? ??had?? ??an?? ??unpredictable????personality;?? ??if?? ??she?? ??should?? ??find?? ??them?? ??and?? ??excitedly?? ??summon?? ??her?? ??legendary,?? ??9?? ??feet?? ??tall,????mace-wielding?? ??BanYue?? ??soldiers,?? ??then?? ??more?? ??ti?? ??would?? ??be?? ??wasted?? ??fighting?? ??them.????Twenty-four?? ??hours.?? ??One?? ??hour?? ??wasted?? ??was?? ??another?? ??hour?? ??they’d?? ??sink?? ??deeper?? ??into?? ??danger.????But,?? ??there?? ??was?? ??no?? ??helping?? ??his?? ??bad?? ??luck;?? ??whatever?? ??he?? ??didn’t?? ??want?? ??happening?? ??would????always?? ??happen.?? ??The?? ??lady?? ??in?? ??black?? ??was?? ??passing?? ??the?? ??house?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??hid?? ??in,?? ??but?? ??stopped????mid?? ??step,?? ??and?? ??her?? ??piercing?? ??gaze?? ??ca?? ??sweeping?? ??over?? ??the?? ??decayed?? ??shelter.??????The?? ??Guoshi?? ??of?? ??BanYue?? ??was?? ??already?? ??further?? ??ahead?? ??but?? ??noticed?? ??that?? ??she?? ??had?? ??stopped?? ??and????ca?? ??back?? ??around.?? ??“Hey,?? ??are?? ??you?? ??not?? ??coming?”????????The?? ??lady?? ??in?? ??black?? ??didn’t?? ??look?? ??at?? ??her.?? ??“You.?? ??Step?? ??back.”??????“Alright.”?? ??The?? ??guoshi?? ??responded?? ??obediently?? ??and?? ??actually?? ??retreated.?? ??The?? ??lady?? ??in?? ??black?? ??was????about?? ??to?? ??raise?? ??her?? ??hand?? ??when?? ??suddenly,?? ??a?? ??loud?? ??rumble?? ??blasted?? ??from?? ??across?? ??the?? ??street!??????Across?? ??on?? ??the?? ??other?? ??side,?? ??it?? ??was?? ??the?? ??house?? ??Nan?? ??Feng?? ??and?? ??A-Zhao?? ??hid?? ??in?? ??that?? ??collapsed!????The?? ??crumpling?? ??of?? ??one?? ??house?? ??led?? ??the?? ??entire?? ??strip?? ??to?? ??cave?? ??in.?? ??Dust?? ??and?? ??sand?? ??rolled?? ??into?? ??the????air?? ??and?? ??clouded?? ??the?? ??whole?? ??street.?? ??Within,?? ??a?? ??black?? ??shadow?? ??leapt?? ??out,?? ??shot?? ??a?? ??streaming????fla?? ??towards?? ??the?? ??gushi,?? ??but?? ??the?? ??lady?? ??in?? ??black?? ??rushed?? ??forward?? ??and?? ??blocked?? ??the?? ??guoshi????from?? ??harm.?? ??With?? ??her?? ??left?? ??hand?? ??still?? ??behind?? ??her,?? ??she?? ??flipped?? ??her?? ??right?? ??palm?? ??and?? ??easily????absorbed?? ??the?? ??flas?? ??before?? ??rebounding?? ??it?? ??right?? ??back.?? ??The?? ??black?? ??shadow?? ??parried?? ??with?? ??her????while?? ??escaping,?? ??and?? ??soon?? ??disappeared.?? ??The?? ??guoshi?? ??imdiately?? ??chased?? ??after?? ??it,?? ??but?? ??the????lady?? ??in?? ??black?? ??gave?? ??the?? ??house?? ??behind?? ??another?? ??sweeping?? ??look?? ??before?? ??following?? ??after?? ??the????guosi.??????‘Bless?? ??you,?? ??Nan?? ??Feng,’?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??thankedntally.?? ??All?? ??of?? ??this?? ??happened?? ??so?? ??quickly,?? ??but????Nan?? ??Feng?? ??had?? ??no?? ??doubt?? ??known?? ??sohow?? ??that?? ??they?? ??were?? ??about?? ??to?? ??get?? ??in?? ??trouble?? ??and????created?? ??a?? ??diversion?? ??to?? ??lead?? ??enemies?? ??astray.?? ??He?? ??was?? ??the?? ??only?? ??one?? ??who?? ??leapt?? ??out,?? ??so????A-Zhao?? ??must?? ??still?? ??be?? ??inside?? ??the?? ??collapsed?? ??house.?? ??After?? ??making?? ??sure?? ??the?? ??guoshi?? ??and?? ??the????lady?? ??in?? ??black?? ??were?? ??indeed?? ??gone,?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??dragged?? ??San?? ??Lang?? ??out?? ??of?? ??their?? ??hiding?? ??and????called?? ??out,?? ??“A-Zhao?? ??are?? ??you?? ??still?? ??alive??? ??Are?? ??you?? ??hurt?? ??anywhere?”??????A?? ??mont?? ??later,?? ??a?? ??sulky?? ??voice?? ??ca?? ??from?? ??under?? ??the?? ??ruins,?? ??“...I’m?? ??fine.”??????Xie?? ??Lian?? ??was?? ??relieved.?? ??“Thank?? ??goodness.”??????Although?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??trusted?? ??in?? ??Nan?? ??Feng’s?? ??ability?? ??to?? ??control?? ??the?? ??crash?? ??and?? ??would?? ??no?? ??doubt????leave?? ??enough?? ??space?? ??for?? ??A-Zhao?? ??to?? ??stay?? ??safe,?? ??it?? ??was?? ??still?? ??more?? ??reassuring?? ??to?? ??see?? ??it?? ??with????his?? ??own?? ??eyes.?? ??He?? ??raised?? ??one?? ??of?? ??the?? ??rotten?? ??beams?? ??with?? ??one?? ??hand,?? ??and?? ??after?? ??a?? ??mont????A-Zhou?? ??erged?? ??from?? ??under,?? ??covered?? ??in?? ??dust?? ??from?? ??head?? ??to?? ??toe.?? ??He?? ??patted?? ??himself?? ??down????a?? ??bit?? ??and?? ??returned?? ??to?? ??his?? ??stoic?? ??expression.??????“Now?? ??there’s?? ??only?? ??three?? ??of?? ??us?? ??left,”?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??said.?? ??“Nan?? ??Feng?? ??is?? ??running?? ??a?? ??diversion?? ??so?? ??we????must?? ??move?? ??faster.?? ??Do?? ??you?? ??know?? ??where?? ??we?? ??can?? ??find?? ??the?? ??ShanYue?? ??fern,?? ??A-Zhao?”??????The?? ??young?? ??man?? ??shook?? ??his?? ??head?? ??and?? ??said,?? ??“Sorry.?? ??I?? ??only?? ??know?? ??where?? ??the?? ??fortress?? ??was,????but?? ??I’ve?? ??never?? ??been?? ??here?? ??before,?? ??so?? ??I?? ??don’t?? ??know?? ??where?? ??the?? ??fern?? ??can?? ??be?? ??found.”??????San?? ??Lang?? ??spoke?? ??up,?? ??“They?? ??say?? ??the?? ??ShanYue?? ??fern?? ??prefers?? ??shade,?? ??is?? ??small,?? ??its?? ??roots?? ??thin????but?? ??leaves?? ??large,?? ??like?? ??a?? ??heart-shaped?? ??peach.?? ??Why?? ??don’t?? ??you?? ??search?? ??near?? ??a?? ??large????building?”??????“A?? ??large?? ??building?”?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??contemplated.??????If?? ??they?? ??were?? ??talking?? ??big,?? ??there?? ??was?? ??no?? ??building?? ??larger?? ??than?? ??the?? ??palace.?? ??In?? ??the?? ??legend,?? ??it????was?? ??after?? ??the?? ??festivities?? ??that?? ??the?? ??queen?? ??picked?? ??a?? ??ShanYue?? ??leaf,?? ??which?? ??could?? ??an?? ??the????fern?? ??grew?? ??in?? ??the?? ??palace?? ??grounds.??????The?? ??three?? ??moved?? ??their?? ??gaze?? ??to?? ??afar,?? ??and?? ??to?? ??the?? ??centre?? ??of?? ??the?? ??fortress?? ??was?? ??indeed?? ??a????palace?? ??built?? ??of?? ??brick?? ??and?? ??wood.??????From?? ??the?? ??distance,?? ??the?? ??palace?? ??had?? ??a?? ??grandiose?? ??aura,?? ??but?? ??from?? ??a?? ??closer?? ??look,?? ??it?? ??was?? ??not?? ??in????much?? ??better?? ??shape?? ??than?? ??the?? ??dilapidated?? ??houses?? ??on?? ??the?? ??streets.?? ??Through?? ??the?? ??palace????gates?? ??was?? ??a?? ??massive?? ??garden;?? ??perhaps?? ??in?? ??the?? ??past?? ??it?? ??wasn’t?? ??a?? ??garden?? ??but?? ??a?? ??palace????square,?? ??but?? ??with?? ??years?? ??of?? ??neglect,?? ??weeds?? ??had?? ??flourished?? ??and?? ??spread.??????Indeed,?? ??it?? ??wasn’t?? ??sand?? ??beneath?? ??their?? ??feet?? ??but?? ??mud.?? ??This?? ??was?? ??most?? ??likely?? ??the?? ??last?? ??sign?? ??of????an?? ??oasis?? ??that?? ??once?? ??was;?? ??ShanYue?? ??could?? ??very?? ??well?? ??be?? ??growing?? ??amongst?? ??all?? ??the?? ??other????plants.????????“Let’s?? ??not?? ??waste?? ??ti,”?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??said,?? ??“We?? ??only?? ??have?? ??twenty-four?? ??hours,?? ??but?? ??be?? ??careful?? ??of????the?? ??scorpion?? ??snakes.”??????A-Zhao?? ??and?? ??San?? ??Lang?? ??both?? ??humd?? ??in?? ??acknowledgent?? ??and?? ??lowered?? ??their?? ??heads?? ??to????start?? ??searching?? ??through?? ??the?? ??plants.?? ??As?? ??they?? ??rummaged,?? ??it?? ??suddenly?? ??ca?? ??to?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??that????if?? ??the?? ??Witch?? ??of?? ??BanYue?? ??could?? ??control?? ??scorpion?? ??snakes,?? ??there?? ??should?? ??be?? ??an?? ??abundance?? ??of????them?? ??slithering?? ??about?? ??in?? ??her?? ??territory.?? ??Ever?? ??since?? ??they?? ??entered?? ??the?? ??fortress?? ??they?? ??had?? ??not????seen?? ??a?? ??single?? ??snake.??????He?? ??straightened?? ??up?? ??and?? ??was?? ??about?? ??to?? ??speak?? ??when?? ??one?? ??of?? ??his?? ??hands?? ??felt?? ??up?? ??a?? ??long?? ??object.??????Looking?? ??down?? ??again,?? ??he?? ??found?? ??that?? ??it?? ??was?? ??a?? ??human?? ??leg.??????????????Ch.23:?? ??Shortened?? ??Distance;?? ??Adrift?? ??in?? ??Sandstorms?? ??4????????“WAAAHHHHHHHHH!!!!”??????Xie?? ??Lian?? ??took?? ??his?? ??hand?? ??back?? ??and?? ??was?? ??speechless.??????It?? ??ca?? ??to?? ??him?? ??that?? ??every?? ??ti?? ??he?? ??saw?? ??or?? ??touched?? ??anything?? ??thrilling?? ??in?? ??the?? ??dark,?? ??it?? ??was????always?? ??the?? ??other?? ??party?? ??that’d?? ??scream?? ??first?? ??while?? ??he?? ??remained?? ??silent.?? ??But?? ??shouldn’t?? ??it?? ??be????him?? ??the?? ??one?? ??who?? ??should?? ??be?? ??the?? ??most?? ??scared???????The?? ??plants?? ??in?? ??this?? ??garden?? ??were?? ??tall?? ??and?? ??thick;?? ??it?? ??was?? ??soone?? ??who?? ??was?? ??already?? ??hiding????and?? ??crawling?? ??in?? ??the?? ??weeds?? ??whose?? ??leg?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??felt.?? ??The?? ??mont?? ??they?? ??touched?? ??the?? ??leg????recoiled?? ??and?? ??the?? ??weeds?? ??in?? ??front?? ??of?? ??him?? ??bustled,?? ??and?? ??soone?? ??called?? ??out,?? ??“Don’t?? ??hit?? ??!????Don’t?? ??hit?? ??!?? ??Gege,?? ??it’s?? ??!”??????Xie?? ??Lian?? ??scrutinized?? ??the?? ??wild?? ??grass?? ??and?? ??saw?? ??that?? ??the?? ??one?? ??erged?? ??crying?? ??“Don’t?? ??hit?? ??!”????was?? ??the?? ??thick?? ??browed?? ??large?? ??eyed?? ??Tian?? ??Sheng.?? ??The?? ??boy?? ??in?? ??turn?? ??saw?? ??that?? ??Xie?? ??Lian????recognized?? ??himself?? ??and?? ??sighed?? ??a?? ??breath?? ??in?? ??relief.?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??on?? ??the?? ??other?? ??hand?? ??wasn’t????relieved,?? ??but?? ??beca?? ??even?? ??more?? ??alert,?? ??and?? ??raised?? ??his?? ??good?? ??arm?? ??in?? ??a?? ??defensive?? ??stance.?? ??In????circumstances?? ??like?? ??these,?? ??it?? ??was?? ??usually?? ??more?? ??likely?? ??that?? ??this?? ??was?? ??an?? ??illusion?? ??created?? ??by????sothing?? ??evil.????????“Weren’t?? ??you?? ??with?? ??the?? ??others?? ??back?? ??at?? ??the?? ??desert??? ??How?? ??are?? ??you?? ??here??? ??Are?? ??you?? ??really?? ??Tian????Sheng?”????????Tian?? ??Sheng?? ??explained?? ??hurriedly,?? ??“It’s?? ??!?? ??I’m?? ??the?? ??real?? ??thing!?? ??I’m?? ??not?? ??the?? ??only?? ??one;?? ??three????other?? ??uncles?? ??also?? ??ca.?? ??They’re?? ??just?? ??inside.?? ??Look?? ??if?? ??you?? ??don’t?? ??believe?? ??!”?? ??He?? ??pointed????towards?? ??inside?? ??the?? ??palace,?? ??and?? ??sure?? ??enough,?? ??three?? ??n?? ??ca?? ??running?? ??out?? ??and?? ??they?? ??were????indeed?? ??the?? ??n?? ??from?? ??the?? ??caravan.?? ??When?? ??they?? ??saw?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??they?? ??froze?? ??in?? ??their?? ??steps?? ??and????looked?? ??awkward.??????Xie?? ??Lian?? ??puffed?? ??a?? ??breath?? ??before?? ??finally?? ??rising?? ??to?? ??his?? ??feet?? ??and?? ??dusted?? ??his?? ??white?? ??sleeves,????“What’s?? ??going?? ??on?”??????The?? ??rchants?? ??looked?? ??at?? ??each?? ??other?? ??and?? ??no?? ??one?? ??made?? ??any?? ??noise.?? ??It?? ??was?? ??Tian?? ??Sheng????who?? ??spoke?? ??up?? ??after?? ??an?? ??awkward?? ??silence,?? ??“...Gege,?? ??after?? ??you?? ??guys?? ??left,?? ??Uncle?? ??Zheng’s????pain?? ??flared?? ??and?? ??was?? ??really?? ??miserable.?? ??We?? ??didn’t?? ??know?? ??how?? ??much?? ??longer?? ??to?? ??expect?? ??you?? ??to????return?? ??and?? ??were?? ??afraid?? ??that?? ??you?? ??guys?? ??might’ve?? ??gotten?? ??lost.?? ??A-Zhao-ge?? ??said?? ??to?? ??go?? ??straight????to?? ??get?? ??to?? ??the?? ??Kingdom?? ??of?? ??BanYue,?? ??so?? ??we?? ??thought?? ??the?? ??more?? ??hands?? ??to?? ??help?? ??the?? ??better?? ??so...”??????So?? ??what?? ??he?? ??really?? ??ant?? ??is?? ??the?? ??rchants?? ??regretted?? ??letting?? ??them?? ??go?? ??after?? ??all.?? ??They?? ??were????afraid?? ??that?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??would?? ??rob?? ??them?? ??of?? ??their?? ??guide?? ??after?? ??finding?? ??the?? ??ShanYue?? ??ferm?? ??for????themselves,?? ??so?? ??they?? ??sent?? ??people?? ??to?? ??co?? ??follow?? ??after?? ??them.?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??imagined?? ??the?? ??Fu????Yao?? ??couldn’t?? ??hold?? ??them?? ??back,?? ??and?? ??was?? ??probably?? ??too?? ??lazy?? ??to?? ??hold?? ??them?? ??back.?? ??It?? ??was????impossible?? ??to?? ??stop?? ??stubborn?? ??people?? ??who?? ??refused?? ??to?? ??listen?? ??to?? ??reason.????????Xie?? ??Lian?? ??felt?? ??rather?? ??exasperated,?? ??“You’re?? ??all?? ??too?? ??reckless.?? ??Who?? ??knows?? ??what?? ??there?? ??might????be,?? ??and?? ??what?? ??might?? ??happen?? ??in?? ??a?? ??fortress?? ??like?? ??this?? ??and?? ??you?? ??still?? ??ca?”????????Tian?? ??Sheng?? ??himself?? ??knew?? ??that?? ??what?? ??they’d?? ??done?? ??made?? ??it?? ??obvious?? ??they?? ??didn’t?? ??trust?? ??Xie????Lian?? ??and?? ??felt?? ??bad,?? ??so?? ??he?? ??didn’t?? ??make?? ??a?? ??sound?? ??while?? ??hiding?? ??in?? ??the?? ??weeds?? ??earlier,?? ??as????awkward?? ??as?? ??it?? ??was.?? ??“Sorry,?? ??this?? ??concerned?? ??a?? ??man’s?? ??life?? ??and?? ??we?? ??couldn’t?? ??sit?? ??still,?? ??so...”??????No?? ??matter.?? ??This?? ??was?? ??a?? ??life?? ??and?? ??death?? ??situation?? ??and?? ??to?? ??be?? ??wary?? ??was?? ??entirely?? ??natural.?? ??To?? ??go????so?? ??far?? ??in?? ??danger?? ??for?? ??an?? ??antidote?? ??also?? ??proved?? ??them?? ??to?? ??be?? ??worthy?? ??companions.?? ??Xie?? ??Lian????couldn’t?? ??berate?? ??them?? ??for?? ??this?? ??and?? ??sighed.?? ??“If?? ??you?? ??didn’t?? ??bump?? ??into?? ??anything?? ??weird?? ??when????entering?? ??the?? ??territory?? ??then?? ??it’s?? ??your?? ??good?? ??fortune.?? ??But?? ??how?? ??did?? ??you?? ??know?? ??to?? ??co?? ??to?? ??the????palace?? ??to?? ??search?? ??for?? ??the?? ??ShanYue?? ??fern?”??????Tian?? ??Sheng?? ??scratched?? ??his?? ??head?? ??and?? ??replied,?? ??“We?? ??didn’t?? ??know?? ??where?? ??to?? ??start,?? ??but?? ??in?? ??the????story?? ??the?? ??red?? ??clothed?? ??gege?? ??told?? ??it?? ??was?? ??the?? ??queen?? ??who?? ??picked?? ??the?? ??leaves,?? ??right??? ??The????queen?? ??couldn’t?? ??possibly?? ??leave?? ??the?? ??palace?? ??grounds,?? ??so?? ??I?? ??thought?? ??we’d?? ??co?? ??and?? ??try?? ??our????luck.”??????Well?? ??this?? ??kid’s?? ??mind?? ??could?? ??certain?? ??spin,?? ??and?? ??it?? ??spun?? ??right?? ??on?? ??target,?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??thought.?? ??Just????then,?? ??San?? ??Lang?? ??spoke?? ??up?? ??from?? ??the?? ??side,?? ??“I?? ??found?? ??it.”??????Xie?? ??Lian?? ??turned?? ??to?? ??see?? ??San?? ??Lang?? ??strode?? ??with?? ??his?? ??lithe?? ??long?? ??legs?? ??towards?? ??him.?? ??In?? ??his?? ??hands????was?? ??a?? ??few?? ??turquoise?? ??leaves?? ??still?? ??with?? ??roots?? ??attached?? ??at?? ??the?? ??stems.??????The?? ??leaves?? ??were?? ??about?? ??the?? ??size?? ??of?? ??a?? ??baby’s?? ??palm,?? ??in?? ??the?? ??shape?? ??of?? ??peaches,?? ??slightly????pointy?? ??at?? ??the?? ??ends,?? ??and?? ??its?? ??roots?? ??thin?? ??and?? ??tiny.?? ??Without?? ??A-Zhao?? ??to?? ??confirm,?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??knew????without?? ??a?? ??doubt?? ??that?? ??it?? ??must?? ??be?? ??the?? ??ShanYue?? ??fern.?? ??Without?? ??waiting?? ??for?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??to?? ??say?? ??a????word,?? ??San?? ??Lang?? ??grabbed?? ??onto?? ??his?? ??wounded?? ??hand?? ??and?? ??lifted?? ??it.??????The?? ??hand?? ??that?? ??had?? ??been?? ??pricked?? ??was?? ??originally?? ??frighteningly?? ??swollen,?? ??but?? ??after?? ??San?? ??Lang????had?? ??sucked?? ??out?? ??poison?? ??from?? ??the?? ??wound,?? ??the?? ??swelling?? ??had?? ??gone?? ??down?? ??significantly????despite?? ??it?? ??not?? ??fully?? ??cleaned?? ??out?? ??of?? ??venom.?? ??With?? ??Xie?? ??Lian’s?? ??wrist?? ??in?? ??one?? ??hand?? ??and?? ??the????ShanYue?? ??fern?? ??in?? ??the?? ??other,?? ??San?? ??Lang?? ??closed?? ??his?? ??palm?? ??on?? ??the?? ??plant,?? ??and?? ??in?? ??a?? ??second????when?? ??he?? ??reopened?? ??his?? ??palm,?? ??the?? ??fern?? ??had?? ??been?? ??crushed?? ??into?? ??powder?? ??without?? ??him????appearing?? ??to?? ??have?? ??exerted?? ??any?? ??force.????????San?? ??Lang?? ??gently?? ??and?? ??firmly?? ??rubbed?? ??the?? ??powder?? ??onto?? ??Xie?? ??Lian’s?? ??hand,?? ??and?? ??he?? ??could?? ??feel????strings?? ??of?? ??coolness?? ??and?? ??relief?? ??on?? ??his?? ??skin.?? ??“Thanks,?? ??San?? ??Lang.”?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??said.??????San?? ??Lang?? ??didn’t?? ??respond?? ??however,?? ??and?? ??after?? ??applying?? ??the?? ??powder?? ??he?? ??let?? ??go?? ??of?? ??Xie?? ??Lian’s????hand.?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??couldn’t?? ??help?? ??but?? ??think?? ??his?? ??attitude?? ??and?? ??this?? ??weird?? ??atmosphere?? ??between????the?? ??two?? ??of?? ??them?? ??was?? ??really?? ??peculiar,?? ??but?? ??didn’t?? ??know?? ??how?? ??to?? ??ask?? ??about?? ??it?? ??without?? ??sounding????weird.?? ??This?? ??wasn’t?? ??sothing?? ??anyone?? ??else?? ??would?? ??notice?? ??either?? ??and?? ??couldn’t?? ??possibly????understand.??????“Gege,are?? ??you?? ??feeling?? ??better??? ??Is?? ??the?? ??herb?? ??working?”?? ??Tian?? ??Sheng?? ??asked?? ??anxiously.??????Xie?? ??Lian?? ??snapped?? ??out?? ??of?? ??it?? ??and?? ??replied,?? ??“Much?? ??better.?? ??It?? ??should?? ??be?? ??the?? ??right?? ??herb.”??????Hearing?? ??this,?? ??everyone?? ??beca?? ??excited,?? ??“Hurry!?? ??Let’s?? ??find?? ??more!”?? ??Soon,?? ??A-Zhao?? ??also????raised?? ??a?? ??handful?? ??of?? ??leaves?? ??crying,?? ??“There’s?? ??more?? ??here!”??????The?? ??ShanYue?? ??leaves?? ??in?? ??A-Zhao’s?? ??hands?? ??were?? ??much?? ??bigger?? ??and?? ??fuller?? ??than?? ??the?? ??small,????pitiful?? ??one?? ??San?? ??Lang?? ??had?? ??used?? ??earlier,?? ??but?? ??the?? ??shape?? ??and?? ??marks?? ??were?? ??all?? ??correct,?? ??so????everyone?? ??crowded?? ??over?? ??and?? ??happily?? ??exclaid:????????“There’s?? ??an?? ??entire?? ??field?? ??here!”????????“So?? ??many!”??????“Pick?? ??lots!?? ??Let’s?? ??pick?? ??a?? ??bunch!?? ??Do?? ??you?? ??think?? ??we?? ??can?? ??sell?? ??this?”??????The?? ??rchants?? ??were?? ??busy?? ??picking?? ??the?? ??herbs?? ??noisily,?? ??and?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??turned?? ??his?? ??head?? ??over,????examined?? ??his?? ??hand?? ??for?? ??a?? ??mont,?? ??then?? ??tried?? ??to?? ??start?? ??a?? ??conversation?? ??with?? ??San?? ??Lang,?? ??“You????searched?? ??the?? ??sa?? ??area?? ??they’re?? ??at?? ??now?? ??before,?? ??right??? ??Didn’t?? ??you?? ??find?? ??any?? ??at?? ??the?? ??ti?”??????It?? ??was?? ??obvious?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??was?? ??trying?? ??to?? ??force?? ??a?? ??conversation,?? ??and?? ??after?? ??having?? ??asked?? ??the????question,?? ??he?? ??himself?? ??felt?? ??rather?? ??pathetic.?? ??But?? ??San?? ??Lang?? ??shook?? ??his?? ??head,?? ??“You?? ??shouldn’t????use?? ??the?? ??ferns?? ??over?? ??there.”????????“Why??? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??was?? ??curious.??????Before?? ??San?? ??Lang?? ??could?? ??answer,?? ??they?? ??heard?? ??soone?? ??scream?? ??“GO?? ??AWAY!”??????Everyone?? ??stopped,?? ??their?? ??movents?? ??halting.??????“Who?? ??said?? ??that??? ??Who’s?? ??screaming?”??????“It?? ??wasn’t?? ???”??????“It?? ??wasn’t?? ???? ??either...”??????Then?? ??they?? ??heard?? ??that?? ??sharp?? ??voice?? ??again,?? ??“Go?? ??away!?? ??You’re?? ??stepping?? ??on?? ??...”??????Only?? ??then?? ??did?? ??the?? ??group?? ??notice?? ??–?? ??the?? ??voice?? ??ca?? ??from?? ??next?? ??to?? ??their?? ??feet!????????In?? ??a?? ??flash,?? ??the?? ??crowd?? ??dispersed?? ??from?? ??that?? ??small?? ??field?? ??of?? ??fern.?? ??Seeing?? ??this,?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??walked????over.?? ??He?? ??was?? ??used?? ??to?? ??being?? ??the?? ??one?? ??in?? ??the?? ??lead?? ??when?? ??it?? ??cos?? ??to?? ??those?? ??things.?? ??He????approached?? ??the?? ??bush?? ??where?? ??the?? ??shrieking?? ??ca?? ??from?? ??and?? ??stripped?? ??away?? ??the?? ??thick????weeds.?? ??Everyone’s?? ??breathing?? ??hitched.??????Under?? ??the?? ??weeds,?? ??in?? ??the?? ??mud,?? ??was?? ??a?? ??man’s?? ??face.??????In?? ??a?? ??field?? ??such?? ??as?? ??this,?? ??a?? ??live?? ??human?? ??being?? ??was?? ??buried?? ??in?? ??the?? ??mud?? ??with?? ??only?? ??a?? ??face????showing?? ??on?? ??the?? ??surface!??????It?? ??was?? ??a?? ??nightmarish?? ??picture,?? ??and?? ??a?? ??couple?? ??of?? ??rchants?? ??held?? ??onto?? ??each?? ??and?? ??scread.????Xie?? ??Lian?? ??comforted?? ??them?? ??in?? ??a?? ??skilled?? ??and?? ??practiced?? ??manner,?? ??“Don’t?? ??panic.?? ??Everyone?? ??calm????down.?? ??It’s?? ??only?? ??a?? ??face,?? ??nothing?? ??extraordinary.?? ??We?? ??all?? ??have?? ??faces,?? ??no?”??????That?? ??face?? ??chuckled,?? ??“Oh,?? ??did?? ??I?? ??scare?? ??you??? ??Sigh.?? ??I?? ??frequently?? ??scare?? ??myself?? ??too.”??????After?? ??reassuring?? ??the?? ??others,?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??half?? ??crouched?? ??down?? ??and?? ??examined?? ??this?? ??face?? ??in?? ??the????mud.??????It’s?? ??a?? ??man’s?? ??face?? ??without?? ??a?? ??doubt;?? ??quite?? ??flat?? ??when?? ??he?? ??wasn’t?? ??not?? ??smiling,?? ??but?? ??full?? ??of????wrinkles?? ??when?? ??he?? ??did.?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??couldn’t?? ??tell?? ??whether?? ??if?? ??he?? ??was?? ??old?? ??or?? ??young,?? ??and?? ??couldn’t????say?? ??whether?? ??if?? ??he?? ??was?? ??handso?? ??or?? ??not.?? ??He?? ??couldn’t?? ??make?? ??much?? ??out?? ??of?? ??this?? ??face,?? ??so?? ??he????simply?? ??asked?? ??directly,?? ??“Who?? ??are?? ??you?”??????The?? ??face?? ??in?? ??the?? ??mud?? ??asked?? ??back,?? ??“Who?? ??are?? ??you?”??????“We’re?? ??rchants?? ??passing?? ??through.”?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??replied.??????The?? ??mud?? ??face?? ??breathed?? ??a?? ??long?? ??sigh,?? ??“rchant?? ??passersby.?? ??I?? ??used?? ??to?? ??be?? ??part?? ??of?? ??a?? ??caravan????too,?? ??but?? ??that?? ??was?? ??fifty-sixty?? ??years?? ??ago.”??????The?? ??situation?? ??just?? ??beca?? ??freakier.??????Was?? ??a?? ??man?? ??buried?? ??in?? ??the?? ??grounds?? ??of?? ??an?? ??old?? ??fortress?? ??ruin?? ??for?? ??over?? ??fifty?? ??to?? ??sixty?? ??years?? ??still????human???????One?? ??of?? ??the?? ??rchants?? ??shakily?? ??asked?? ??in?? ??trepidation,?? ??“Then...?? ??then..?? ??How?? ??did?? ??a?? ??senior?? ??like????yourself...?? ??co...?? ??here?”??????The?? ??mud?? ??face?? ??cleared?? ??his?? ??throat?? ??and?? ??screwed?? ??up?? ??his?? ??face.?? ??“I...?? ??I?? ??was?? ??captured?? ??by?? ??the????BanYue?? ??soldiers.?? ??I?? ??accidentally?? ??entered?? ??the?? ??city.?? ??They?? ??caught?? ???? ??and?? ??buried?? ???? ??here,????and?? ??made?? ???? ??the?? ??fertilizer?? ??for?? ??their?? ??ShanYue?? ??ferns...”??????No?? ??wonder?? ??the?? ??herbs?? ??in?? ??their?? ??hands?? ??were?? ??big?? ??and?? ??full!?? ??They?? ??were?? ??fed?? ??with?? ??live?? ??humans!??????The?? ??rchants?? ??imdiately?? ??dropped?? ??all?? ??the?? ??plants?? ??in?? ??their?? ??hands,?? ??feeling?? ??as?? ??though?? ??they????were?? ??touching?? ??corpses.?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??couldn’t?? ??help?? ??but?? ??glance?? ??at?? ??his?? ??hand?? ??too,?? ??but?? ??heard?? ??San????Lang?? ??say,?? ??“That?? ??one?? ??was?? ??fine.”??????It?? ??dawned?? ??on?? ??Xie?? ??Lian.?? ??That?? ??was?? ??why?? ??even?? ??though?? ??San?? ??Lang?? ??had?? ??looked?? ??through?? ??this????field?? ??earlier,?? ??he?? ??left?? ??it?? ??to?? ??pick?? ??a?? ??small,?? ??almost?? ??withered?? ??fern?? ??from?? ??elsewhere.?? ??He?? ??probably????already?? ??saw?? ??what?? ??was?? ??in?? ??the?? ??soil?? ??but?? ??ignored?? ??the?? ??face?? ??completely.?? ??The?? ??herb?? ??he?? ??applied????on?? ??Xie?? ??Lian’s?? ??hand?? ??was?? ??one?? ??he?? ??found?? ??in?? ??an?? ??area?? ??much?? ??more?? ??remote?? ??but?? ??clean?? ??of????corruption.??????“San?? ??Lang?? ??was?? ??considerate?? ??and?? ??careful,?? ??thank?? ??you,?? ??truly.”?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??said.??????San?? ??Lang?? ??shook?? ??his?? ??head?? ??but?? ??his?? ??face?? ??was?? ??still?? ??gloomy.??????Ever?? ??since?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??had?? ??gotten?? ??stung?? ??by?? ??the?? ??scorpion?? ??snake,?? ??San?? ??Lang?? ??had?? ??behaved?? ??like????this.?? ??A?? ??couple?? ??days?? ??ago?? ??it?? ??was?? ??all?? ??gege?? ??this,?? ??gege?? ??that,?? ??but?? ??now?? ??he?? ??barely?? ??called?? ??him????gege?? ??anymore.?? ??When?? ??they?? ??first?? ??t,?? ??San?? ??Lang?? ??had?? ??avoided?? ??his?? ??touch?? ??and?? ??seed?? ??wary????of?? ??contact?? ??with?? ??Xie?? ??Lian,?? ??but?? ??that?? ??seed?? ??to?? ??have?? ??gone?? ??away?? ??after?? ??spending?? ??so?? ??much????ti?? ??together.?? ??Now,?? ??besides?? ??sucking?? ??poison?? ??and?? ??applying?? ??herbs,?? ??San?? ??Lang?? ??was?? ??once????again?? ??avoiding?? ??touching?? ??him,?? ??and?? ??that?? ??made?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??feel?? ??unsettled.??????Just?? ??then,?? ??the?? ??mud?? ??face?? ??began?? ??to?? ??speak?? ??again,?? ??“I?? ??haven’t?? ??seen?? ??real?? ??people?? ??in?? ??so?? ??many????years.?? ??Can...?? ??can?? ??you?? ??co?? ??closer?? ??and?? ??let?? ???? ??see?? ??you?? ??all?? ??properly?”??????The?? ??rchants?? ??all?? ??looked?? ??at?? ??each?? ??other,?? ??everyone?? ??thinking?? ??they?? ??best?? ??not?? ??do?? ??what?? ??he????asked.?? ??After?? ??a?? ??while,?? ??seeing?? ??no?? ??one?? ??stepped?? ??forward,?? ??the?? ??mud?? ??face?? ??muttered,?? ??“What?????What.?? ??You?? ??don’t?? ??want?? ??to??? ??Sigh...?? ??what?? ??a?? ??sha...”??????“Why?? ??is?? ??it?? ??a?? ??sha?”?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??turned?? ??over?? ??and?? ??asked.??????“There’s?? ??sothing?? ??that’s?? ??been?? ??bothering?? ???? ??ever?? ??since?? ??you?? ??all?? ??arrived,”?? ??The?? ??mud?? ??face????said,?? ??“So?? ??I?? ??wanted?? ??to?? ??confirm?? ??with?? ??my?? ??own?? ??two?? ??eyes.?? ??I?? ??want?? ??to?? ??see?? ??each?? ??and?? ??everyone?? ??of????you?? ??clearly?? ??to?? ??make?? ??sure.”??????“To?? ??make?? ??sure?? ??of?? ??what?”?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??pressed.??????The?? ??mud?? ??face?? ??replied,?? ??“There’s?? ??soone?? ??amongst?? ??you?? ??I’ve?? ??seen?? ??before...?? ??fifty?? ??to?? ??sixty????years?? ??ago.”??????A?? ??shiver?? ??went?? ??down?? ??everyone’s?? ??back?? ??and?? ??made?? ??their?? ??hairs?? ??stand.??????No?? ??mortal?? ??in?? ??present?? ??company?? ??should?? ??be?? ??aged?? ??over?? ??fifty.?? ??That?? ??ans?? ??whoever?? ??this????person?? ??was?? ??that?? ??was?? ??here?? ??then?? ??was?? ??not?? ??human.????????Xie?? ??Lian?? ??gave?? ??a?? ??sweeping?? ??look?? ??across?? ??everyone?? ??there,?? ??from?? ??A-Zhao?? ??to?? ??Tian?? ??Sheng.????So?? ??in?? ??shock,?? ??so?? ??in?? ??fear,?? ??so?? ??shaking?? ??in?? ??anxiety,?? ??so?? ??speechless?? ??and?? ??confused.????Everyone’s?? ??reaction?? ??was?? ??normal?? ??and?? ??within?? ??reason.?? ??If?? ??one?? ??must?? ??pinpoint?? ??the?? ??odd?? ??one????out,?? ??it’d?? ??be?? ??San?? ??Lang.?? ??But?? ??for?? ??him,?? ??no?? ??reaction?? ??was?? ??probably?? ??the?? ??normal?? ??reaction.????????Xie?? ??Lian?? ??turned?? ??back?? ??to?? ??the?? ??mud?? ??face,?? ??“Who?? ??is?? ??this?? ??person?? ??you?? ??speak?? ??of?”??????The?? ??face?? ??muscles?? ??of?? ??that?? ??mud?? ??face?? ??twitched?? ??and?? ??it?? ??gave?? ??an?? ??exceedingly?? ??freaky?? ??smile,?? ??as????if?? ??it?? ??was?? ??using?? ??its?? ??all?? ??to?? ??make?? ??itself?? ??look?? ??more?? ??reliable,?? ??but?? ??it?? ??couldn’t?? ??fully?? ??conceal?? ??the????sinister?? ??smirk?? ??hiding?? ??beneath.?? ??He?? ??beckoned?? ??mysteriously,?? ??“You...?? ??co?? ??closer,?? ??and?? ??I’ll????tell?? ??you.”??????Xie?? ??Lian?? ??believed?? ??him?? ??eighty?? ??percent?? ??the?? ??first?? ??ti?? ??the?? ??mud?? ??face?? ??asked.?? ??The?? ??second?? ??ti????Xie?? ??Lian?? ??was?? ??less?? ??than?? ??inclined?? ??to.?? ??Who?? ??knows?? ??if?? ??this?? ??monster?? ??was?? ??only?? ??luring?? ??them????closer?? ??before?? ??committing?? ??so?? ??evil?? ??deed??? ??There?? ??was?? ??no?? ??way?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??would?? ??pay????attention?? ??to?? ??the?? ??likes?? ??of?? ??him.????????Xie?? ??Lian?? ??pushed?? ??himself?? ??off?? ??the?? ??ground?? ??about?? ??to?? ??walk?? ??away?? ??before?? ??the?? ??mud?? ??face?? ??raised????his?? ??voice,?? ??“Do?? ??you?? ??really?? ??not?? ??want?? ??to?? ??know?? ??who?? ??it?? ??is??? ??He?? ??will?? ??kill?? ??all?? ??of?? ??you.”????????????Ch.24:?? ??Dallying?? ??HuaLian;?? ??Night-Fall?? ??in?? ??Sinner’s?? ??Pit????????The?? ??more?? ??the?? ??mud?? ??face?? ??tried?? ??to?? ??entice?? ??them,?? ??the?? ??more?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??beca?? ??alard.????“Everyone?? ??stand?? ??back,?? ??don’t?? ??go?? ??near?? ??him,?? ??and?? ??don’t?? ??listen?? ??to?? ??a?? ??single?? ??word?? ??he?? ??says.”??????The?? ??crowd?? ??broke?? ??up?? ??and?? ??hurriedly?? ??moved?? ??away.?? ??The?? ??mud?? ??face?? ??continued?? ??to?? ??chuckle,????“There’s?? ??no?? ??need?? ??to?? ??be?? ??so?? ??an.?? ??I’m?? ??a?? ??human?? ??too,?? ??I?? ??won’t?? ??hurt?? ??you.”??????‘Oh?? ??you’re?? ??mistaken,?? ??you?? ??look?? ??nothing?? ??like?? ??a?? ??human!’?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??thought.??????Just?? ??then,?? ??one?? ??of?? ??the?? ??rchants?? ??suddenly?? ??snuck?? ??back?? ??to?? ??the?? ??field,?? ??perhaps?? ??thinking?? ??he????must?? ??still?? ??bring?? ??back?? ??so?? ??herbs?? ??for?? ??the?? ??wounded.?? ??He?? ??bent?? ??down?? ??to?? ??pick?? ??up?? ??the?? ??bushel????of?? ??ferns?? ??he?? ??dropped?? ??in?? ??fright?? ??earlier?? ??but?? ??the?? ??mud?? ??face?? ??spun?? ??and?? ??spotted?? ??him,?? ??a?? ??glint?? ??in?? ??its????spinning?? ??eyes.??????Oh?? ??no!?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??thought,?? ??rushing?? ??towards?? ??the?? ??man,?? ??“Don’t?? ??pick?? ??that?? ??up!?? ??Co?? ??back!”?? ??But????it?? ??was?? ??too?? ??late.?? ??The?? ??mud?? ??face?? ??opened?? ??its?? ??mouth?? ??and?? ??a?? ??long,?? ??blood?? ??red?? ??thing?? ??slithered?? ??out.??????What?? ??a?? ??long?? ??tongue!??????Xie?? ??Lian?? ??grabbed?? ??the?? ??rchant?? ??by?? ??his?? ??collar?? ??and?? ??backed?? ??up,?? ??but?? ??the?? ??tongue?? ??that?? ??flew?? ??out????was?? ??freakishly?? ??lengthy?? ??and?? ??barged?? ??right?? ??into?? ??the?? ??rchant’s?? ??ear!??????Xie?? ??Lian?? ??felt?? ??the?? ??body?? ??in?? ??his?? ??hold?? ??convulse?? ??violently,?? ??the?? ??rchant’s?? ??limbs?? ??writhed????nonstop,?? ??and?? ??the?? ??man?? ??let?? ??out?? ??a?? ??short?? ??agonizing?? ??scream?? ??before?? ??falling?? ??to?? ??the?? ??ground.?? ??That????long?? ??tongue?? ??dug?? ??out?? ??a?? ??large?? ??chunk?? ??of?? ??sothing?? ??bloody?? ??from?? ??his?? ??ear?? ??and?? ??and?? ??brought?? ??it????back?? ??to?? ??the?? ??mud?? ??face’s?? ??mouth.?? ??The?? ??mud?? ??face?? ??happily?? ??chewed?? ??and?? ??cackled,?? ??his?? ??laugh?? ??so????disturbingly?? ??loud?? ??it?? ??filled?? ??the?? ??entire?? ??palace?? ??grounds.????????“HAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHA!!?? ??SO?? ??GOOD?? ??SO?? ??GOOD?? ??SO?? ??DELICIOUS?? ??SO????DELICIOUS?? ??SO?? ??DELICIOUS!!?? ??I?? ??WAS?? ??SO?? ??HUNGRY,?? ??SO?? ??HUNGRY!”??????His?? ??voice?? ??was?? ??sharp?? ??and?? ??shrill,?? ??both?? ??eyeballs?? ??bulging?? ??and?? ??bloodshot,?? ??horrid?? ??and????obnoxious.??????This?? ??man?? ??who?? ??had?? ??been?? ??buried?? ??for?? ??over?? ??fifty?? ??years?? ??in?? ??the?? ??grounds?? ??of?? ??an?? ??evil-filled????kingdom?? ??had?? ??already?? ??been?? ??moulded?? ??into?? ??its?? ??soil?? ??and?? ??beca?? ??sothing?? ??other?? ??than????human.?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??loosened?? ??his?? ??hold?? ??on?? ??the?? ??deceased?? ??rchant,?? ??his?? ??entire?? ??arm?? ??shaking.????He?? ??was?? ??about?? ??to?? ??attack?? ??the?? ??repulsive?? ??monster?? ??when?? ??the?? ??mud?? ??face?? ??scread?? ??again,????“GENERAL!?? ??GENERAL!?? ??THEY’RE?? ??HERE!?? ??THEY’RE?? ??HERE!”??????A?? ??deafening?? ??cry?? ??more?? ??savage?? ??than?? ??beasts?? ??blared?? ??in?? ??the?? ??distance.????????A?? ??dark?? ??shadow?? ??dropped?? ??from?? ??the?? ??sky,?? ??and?? ??landed?? ??heavily?? ??in?? ??front?? ??of?? ??Xie?? ??Lian.?? ??The?? ??entire????palace?? ??grounds?? ??quaked?? ??in?? ??its?? ??landing.?? ??When?? ??it?? ??slowly?? ??stood?? ??up,?? ??the?? ??crowd?? ??was?? ??jailed?? ??in????its?? ??enormous?? ??shadow.??????This?? ??‘man’?? ??was?? ??gigantic.??????His?? ??face?? ??was?? ??as?? ??grim?? ??as?? ??steel,?? ??his?? ??expression?? ??ferocious?? ??and?? ??turbulent,?? ??like?? ??the?? ??face?? ??of?? ??a????beast.?? ??A?? ??thin?? ??layer?? ??of?? ??armour?? ??draped?? ??from?? ??his?? ??shoulders?? ??and?? ??reached?? ??down?? ??at?? ??least?? ??nine????feet.?? ??Rather?? ??than?? ??a?? ??man,?? ??one?? ??could?? ??say?? ??he’s?? ??more?? ??like?? ??a?? ??walking?? ??wolf.?? ??Behind?? ??him,?? ??more????and?? ??more?? ??similar?? ??forms?? ??appeared.?? ??One,?? ??two,?? ??three...?? ??over?? ??ten?? ??of?? ??these?? ??‘n’?? ??jumped?? ??off????the?? ??roofs?? ??of?? ??the?? ??palace?? ??and?? ??surrounded?? ??them.??????Each?? ??one?? ??of?? ??these?? ??‘n’?? ??were?? ??large?? ??like?? ??horses,?? ??built?? ??like?? ??beasts,?? ??and?? ??carried?? ??a?? ??sharp????teeth-filled?? ??mace?? ??on?? ??their?? ??shoulders.?? ??They?? ??might?? ??as?? ??well?? ??be?? ??werewolves.?? ??When?? ??they????encircled?? ??around?? ??the?? ??intruders?? ??in?? ??the?? ??garden,?? ??it?? ??was?? ??as?? ??if?? ??a?? ??large?? ??steel?? ??cage?? ??had?? ??fallen????upon?? ??them.??????They?? ??were?? ??the?? ??soldiers?? ??of?? ??BanYue!??????These?? ??soldiers?? ??emanated?? ??a?? ??black?? ??aura,?? ??undoubtedly?? ??no?? ??longer?? ??alive.?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??was?? ??tense,????Ruoye?? ??in?? ??position?? ??ready?? ??to?? ??attack.??????However,?? ??when?? ??those?? ??BanYue?? ??soldiers?? ??saw?? ??them?? ??they?? ??didn’t?? ??rush?? ??in?? ??to?? ??kill.?? ??Instead?? ??they????raised?? ??their?? ??heads?? ??and?? ??roared?? ??in?? ??crazed?? ??laughter,?? ??and?? ??howled?? ??in?? ??a?? ??foreign?? ??language.?? ??The????sound?? ??of?? ??their?? ??words?? ??were?? ??ghastly,?? ??guttural?? ??and?? ??heavy?? ??in?? ??tongue?? ??rolling.?? ??It?? ??was?? ??the????language?? ??of?? ??BanYue.??????Although?? ??it?? ??had?? ??been?? ??two?? ??hundred?? ??years?? ??and?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??had?? ??pretty?? ??much?? ??forgotten?? ??the????language,?? ??he?? ??did?? ??review?? ??it?? ??with?? ??San?? ??Lang?? ??earlier?? ??in?? ??the?? ??General’s?? ??Tomb,?? ??and?? ??the?? ??words????uttered?? ??by?? ??those?? ??soldiers?? ??were?? ??loud,?? ??simple?? ??and?? ??vulgar,?? ??so?? ??they?? ??weren’t?? ??difficult?? ??to????understand.????????He?? ??heard?? ??the?? ??soldiers?? ??call?? ??the?? ??first?? ??man?? ??‘general’,?? ??their?? ??conversations?? ??filled?? ??with?? ??words????such?? ??as?? ??‘take?? ??them?? ??away’?? ??and?? ??‘won’t?? ??kill?? ??for?? ??now’,?? ??and?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??took?? ??a?? ??deep?? ??breath?? ??to????force?? ??himself?? ??to?? ??relax.?? ??He?? ??said?? ??in?? ??a?? ??low?? ??voice,?? ??“Everyone,?? ??don’t?? ??panic.?? ??These?? ??BanYue????soldiers?? ??won’t?? ??kill?? ??us?? ??for?? ??now.?? ??It?? ??seems?? ??they?? ??want?? ??to?? ??take?? ??us?? ??sowhere?? ??else.?? ??Don’t?? ??do????anything?? ??rash,?? ??I?? ??can’t?? ??guarantee?? ??I’ll?? ??be?? ??able?? ??to?? ??fight?? ??them.?? ??We’ll?? ??figure?? ??this?? ??out?? ??as?? ??we?? ??go.”??????It?? ??was?? ??clear?? ??that?? ??those?? ??soldiers?? ??would?? ??be?? ??hard?? ??to?? ??fight,?? ??each?? ??of?? ??them?? ??thicker?? ??than?? ??the????next;?? ??even?? ??with?? ??Ruoye?? ??in?? ??hand,?? ??suffocating?? ??one?? ??would?? ??probably?? ??take?? ??a?? ??lot?? ??out?? ??of?? ??him,????nevermind?? ??ten.?? ??With?? ??mortals?? ??with?? ??him,?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??couldn’t?? ??do?? ??anything?? ??bold?? ??and?? ??could?? ??only????remain?? ??vigilant?? ??and?? ??protect?? ??them?? ??the?? ??best?? ??he?? ??could.??????San?? ??Lang?? ??didn’t?? ??say?? ??anything,?? ??and?? ??the?? ??others?? ??had?? ??already?? ??lost?? ??all?? ??nerves.?? ??Even?? ??if?? ??they????want?? ??to?? ??do?? ??anything?? ??rash,?? ??they?? ??wouldn’t?? ??know?? ??how,?? ??and?? ??could?? ??only?? ??nod?? ??tearfully.?? ??Next?? ??to????them,?? ??the?? ??mud?? ??face?? ??scread?? ??again,?? ??“General!?? ??General!?? ??Please?? ??let?? ???? ??out!?? ??I?? ??detained????your?? ??enemies,?? ??let?? ???? ??go?? ??ho!?? ??I?? ??want?? ??to?? ??go?? ??ho!”??????Seeing?? ??the?? ??BanYue?? ??soldiers,?? ??the?? ??mud?? ??face?? ??beca?? ??hysterical,?? ??screaming?? ??and?? ??crying,????blabbering?? ??nonsense,?? ??with?? ??so?? ??BanYue?? ??words?? ??mixed?? ??in,?? ??no?? ??doubt?? ??learned?? ??from?? ??the????many?? ??years?? ??he?? ??spent?? ??buried?? ??here.?? ??The?? ??massive?? ??nine?? ??feet?? ??man?? ??they?? ??called?? ??‘general’????seed?? ??to?? ??have?? ??found?? ??the?? ??squirming?? ??mud?? ??face?? ??deeply?? ??disgusting,?? ??and?? ??swung?? ??his?? ??mace????towards?? ??him,?? ??smashing?? ??his?? ??face?? ??into?? ??a?? ??bloody?? ??ss,?? ??the?? ??teeth?? ??of?? ??his?? ??mace?? ??piercing?? ??his????brains.?? ??When?? ??he?? ??pulled?? ??up?? ??his?? ??mace?? ??again,?? ??the?? ??entire?? ??body?? ??was?? ??pulled?? ??out?? ??with?? ??it,????fulfilling?? ??his?? ??wish?? ??of?? ??“let?? ???? ??out!”.??????However,?? ??the?? ??body?? ??that?? ??was?? ??unearthed?? ??was?? ??not?? ??a?? ??full?? ??human?? ??body,?? ??but?? ??a?? ??chilling????skeleton!??????The?? ??rchants?? ??scread?? ??in?? ??fright.?? ??The?? ??mud?? ??face,?? ??having?? ??crumpled?? ??off?? ??the?? ??mace?? ??all????bloody,?? ??seed?? ??to?? ??have?? ??frozen?? ??in?? ??fear?? ??too?? ??after?? ??seeing?? ??his?? ??own?? ??body,?? ??“What’s?? ??this?????WHAT’S?? ??THIS?”??????“It’s?? ??your?? ??body.”?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??reminded?? ??him,?? ??seeing?? ??that?? ??the?? ??mud?? ??face?? ??was?? ??numbed?? ??in????disbelief.?? ??This?? ??man?? ??had?? ??been?? ??buried?? ??in?? ??the?? ??desert?? ??for?? ??over?? ??fifty?? ??to?? ??sixty?? ??years;?? ??his?? ??body????fertilized?? ??the?? ??ShanYue?? ??ferns?? ??and?? ??cleaned?? ??him?? ??of?? ??his?? ??flesh?? ??with?? ??only?? ??bones?? ??remaining.??????“How?? ??can?? ??this?? ??be?”?? ??The?? ??mud?? ??face?? ??cried,?? ??“My?? ??body?? ??isn’t?? ??like?? ??this!?? ??THIS?? ??IS?? ??NOT?? ??MY????BODY!!!”????????His?? ??cries?? ??were?? ??trilling?? ??but?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??only?? ??thought?? ??him?? ??tragic?? ??and?? ??terrifying,?? ??shook?? ??his?? ??head????and?? ??turned?? ??away.?? ??Next?? ??to?? ??him,?? ??San?? ??Lang?? ??laughed?? ??mockingly,?? ??“Is?? ??it?? ??only?? ??now?? ??you’re?? ??not????used?? ??to?? ??your?? ??body??? ??What?? ??was?? ??that?? ??thing?? ??that?? ??ca?? ??out?? ??of?? ??your?? ??mouth?? ??earlier??? ??You?? ??didn’t????think?? ??that?? ??odd?”??????The?? ??mud?? ??face?? ??countered?? ??imdiately,?? ??“That?? ??wasn’t?? ??odd!?? ??It?? ??was?? ??just...?? ??a?? ??tongue?? ??a?? ??bit????longer?? ??than?? ??average!”??????“Yea.?? ??Sure.?? ??Just?? ??that?? ??much?? ??longer,?? ??maybe.?? ??Haha.”?? ??San?? ??Lang’s?? ??voice?? ??was?? ??full?? ??of?? ??ridicule.??????“That’s?? ??right!”?? ??The?? ??mud?? ??face?? ??cried,?? ??“It’s?? ??only?? ??just?? ??that?? ??much?? ??longer!?? ??It’s?? ??all?? ??because?? ??I?? ??spent????decades?? ??trying?? ??to?? ??live?? ??off?? ??of?? ??insects,?? ??forcing?? ??my?? ??tongue?? ??to?? ??extend.?? ??That?? ??must?? ??be?? ??how?? ??it????ca?? ??to?? ??be?? ??like?? ??this!”????????Perhaps?? ??he?? ??was?? ??indeed?? ??still?? ??human?? ??when?? ??he?? ??was?? ??first?? ??buried,?? ??and?? ??did?? ??his?? ??best?? ??to?? ??survive????by?? ??swallowing?? ??insects?? ??with?? ??his?? ??tongue,?? ??but?? ??he?? ??beca?? ??less?? ??human?? ??over?? ??ti,?? ??and?? ??his????tongue?? ??grew?? ??longer,?? ??eating?? ??more?? ??than?? ??just?? ??insects?? ??but?? ??worse?? ??things.?? ??Having?? ??been?? ??buried????for?? ??so?? ??long?? ??however,?? ??he?? ??couldn’t?? ??see?? ??his?? ??own?? ??true?? ??form,?? ??and?? ??couldn’t?? ??accept?? ??nor?? ??believe????that?? ??he?? ??was?? ??no?? ??longer?? ??human.?? ??The?? ??mud?? ??face?? ??kept?? ??trying?? ??to?? ??assure?? ??a?? ??non-listening????audience,?? ??“There?? ??are?? ??other?? ??people?? ??who?? ??have?? ??long?? ??tongues,?? ??not?? ??just?? ??!”????????San?? ??Lang?? ??laughed?? ??again.?? ??Watching?? ??him,?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??could?? ??feel?? ??chills?? ??listening?? ??to?? ??him?? ??laugh.????Xie?? ??Lian?? ??thought?? ??that?? ??sotis?? ??when?? ??this?? ??boy?? ??smiles,?? ??there’s?? ??a?? ??certain?? ??cruelty?? ??hidden????beneath?? ??the?? ??skin,?? ??a?? ??coldness?? ??that?? ??could?? ??rip?? ??off?? ??flesh.????????“Do?? ??you?? ??think?? ??you’re?? ??still?? ??human?”?? ??San?? ??Lang?? ??asked.??????Hearing?? ??the?? ??question,?? ??the?? ??mud?? ??face?? ??beca?? ??agitated,?? ??“Of?? ??course?? ??I’m?? ??human!?? ??I’m????human!”??????The?? ??mud?? ??face?? ??scread?? ??and?? ??tried?? ??to?? ??move?? ??his?? ??white,?? ??boney?? ??limbs?? ??at?? ??the?? ??sa?? ??ti,?? ??as?? ??if????trying?? ??to?? ??crawl?? ??away.?? ??Finally?? ??unearthed,?? ??he?? ??was?? ??mad?? ??with?? ??joy,?? ??cackling,?? ??“I’m?? ??going?? ??ho!????I’m?? ??going?? ??ho!?? ??Hahahahahah–”??????Crack.??????The?? ??BanYue?? ??‘general’?? ??seed?? ??to?? ??finally?? ??have?? ??had?? ??enough?? ??of?? ??this?? ??monster’s?? ??shrills,?? ??and????crushed?? ??his?? ??bones?? ??in?? ??one?? ??step,?? ??killing?? ??any?? ??more?? ??of?? ??his?? ??“I’m?? ??human!”.??????After?? ??trampling?? ??the?? ??mud?? ??face,?? ??that?? ??‘general’?? ??roared?? ??to?? ??the?? ??others.?? ??Then,?? ??the?? ??BanYue????soldiers?? ??all?? ??raised?? ??their?? ??maces?? ??and?? ??growled?? ??to?? ??Xie?? ??Lian’s?? ??group,?? ??and?? ??started?? ??herding????them?? ??out?? ??of?? ??the?? ??palace.??????Xie?? ??Lian?? ??walked?? ??up?? ??front?? ??with?? ??San?? ??Lang?? ??still?? ??following?? ??close?? ??behind.?? ??Despite?? ??being????ushered?? ??by?? ??ruthless?? ??BanYue?? ??soldiers,?? ??the?? ??boy’s?? ??step?? ??was?? ??still?? ??light?? ??and?? ??casual,?? ??as?? ??if????taking?? ??a?? ??stroll.?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??had?? ??been?? ??aning?? ??to?? ??find?? ??opportunities?? ??to?? ??talk?? ??to?? ??him,?? ??and?? ??after?? ??a????while?? ??when?? ??the?? ??BanYue?? ??soldiers?? ??went?? ??back?? ??to?? ??conversing?? ??amongst?? ??themselves,?? ??Xie?? ??Lian????talked?? ??in?? ??a?? ??low?? ??voice,?? ??“Those?? ??BanYue?? ??soldiers?? ??call?? ??their?? ??leader?? ??‘general’.?? ??I?? ??wonder?? ??who?? ??it????is.”??????As?? ??expected,?? ??San?? ??Lang?? ??had?? ??answers?? ??to?? ??all?? ??of?? ??his?? ??questions.?? ??“When?? ??the?? ??Kingdom?? ??of????BanYue?? ??fell,?? ??there?? ??was?? ??only?? ??one?? ??general.?? ??His?? ??na,?? ??translated?? ??to?? ??Hanzi??1??,?? ??is?? ??Ke?? ??Mo.”??????“Ke?? ??Mo?”?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??wondered?? ??at?? ??the?? ??odd?? ??na.??????“That’s?? ??right.”?? ??San?? ??Lang?? ??said.?? ??“Apparently?? ??it?? ??was?? ??because?? ??he?? ??was?? ??awfully?? ??weak?? ??when?? ??he????was?? ??young?? ??and?? ??was?? ??often?? ??bullied.?? ??He?? ??rallied,?? ??and?? ??built?? ??his?? ??strength?? ??training?? ??with?? ??large????stone?? ??mortar?? ??plates,?? ??and?? ??got?? ??his?? ??na?? ??thus.”??????Xie?? ??Lian?? ??rubbed?? ??his?? ??forehead?? ??and?? ??thought,?? ??“So?? ??he’s?? ??a?? ??hulk...”??????San?? ??Lang?? ??continued,?? ??“Legends?? ??have?? ??it?? ??that?? ??Ke?? ??Mo?? ??was?? ??the?? ??strongest?? ??warrior?? ??in?? ??the????history?? ??of?? ??BanYue,?? ??nine?? ??feet?? ??tall?? ??and?? ??extrely?? ??powerful.?? ??He?? ??was?? ??a?? ??loyal?? ??supporter?? ??of?? ??the????Guoshi.”??????“Even?? ??after?? ??death??? ??Is?? ??he?? ??taking?? ??us?? ??to?? ??the?? ??BanYue?? ??Guoshi?? ??now?? ??then?”?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??asked.??????“Perhaps.”?? ??San?? ??Lang?? ??replied.??????If?? ??there?? ??were?? ??more?? ??BanYue?? ??soldiers?? ??there?? ??how?? ??could?? ??they?? ??escape??? ??Who?? ??knows?? ??how?? ??Nan????Feng?? ??who?? ??had?? ??lured?? ??the?? ??other?? ??two?? ??away?? ??was?? ??doing??? ??The?? ??ShanYue?? ??fern?? ??was?? ??now?? ??in?? ??their????hands,?? ??but?? ??how?? ??were?? ??they?? ??going?? ??to?? ??deliver?? ??the?? ??ferns?? ??to?? ??the?? ??wounded?? ??within?? ??twenty-four????hours???????All?? ??they?? ??could?? ??do?? ??now?? ??was?? ??go?? ??with?? ??the?? ??flow?? ??and?? ??adapt?? ??to?? ??any?? ??situation?? ??that?? ??arises.?? ??Xie????Lian?? ??walked?? ??and?? ??mulled,?? ??and?? ??noticed?? ??that?? ??General?? ??Ke?? ??Mo?? ??had?? ??been?? ??leading?? ??them?? ??to?? ??a????remote?? ??place?? ??at?? ??the?? ??far?? ??end?? ??of?? ??the?? ??fortress.?? ??When?? ??they?? ??stopped?? ??and?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??looked?? ??up,????a?? ??colossal?? ??wall?? ??stood?? ??before?? ??him?? ??like?? ??a?? ??giant.??????Their?? ??destination?? ??was?? ??the?? ??Sinner’s?? ??Pit!??????Although?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??had?? ??lived?? ??in?? ??the?? ??BanYue?? ??area?? ??for?? ??a?? ??ti,?? ??he?? ??rarely?? ??entered?? ??town,?? ??and????had?? ??never?? ??gotten?? ??near?? ??the?? ??Sinner’s?? ??Pit.?? ??Seeing?? ??it?? ??this?? ??close?? ??Xie?? ??Lian’s?? ??heart?? ??started????pounding.??????The?? ??mud?? ??yellow?? ??walls?? ??had?? ??a?? ??set?? ??of?? ??stairs?? ??along?? ??the?? ??outside,?? ??and?? ??while?? ??climbing?? ??up?? ??to?? ??the????top,?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??scrutinized?? ??the?? ??pit?? ??and?? ??tried?? ??to?? ??look?? ??over?? ??the?? ??depths?? ??until?? ??he?? ??finally????understood?? ??why?? ??his?? ??heart?? ??was?? ??pounding.?? ??It?? ??wasn’t?? ??that?? ??this?? ??was?? ??a?? ??place?? ??of?? ??torture?? ??and????cruelty,?? ??and?? ??it?? ??wasn’t?? ??his?? ??worry?? ??over?? ??everyone?? ??getting?? ??pushed?? ??in.?? ??It?? ??was?? ??feeling?? ??the????palpitations?? ??of?? ??a?? ??very?? ??powerful?? ??array?? ??at?? ??work.??????There?? ??was?? ??a?? ??strong?? ??array?? ??drawn?? ??around?? ??the?? ??entire?? ??Sinner’s?? ??Pit,?? ??and?? ??this?? ??array?? ??only?? ??has????one?? ??purpose?? ??–?? ??to?? ??prevent?? ??the?? ??fallen?? ??from?? ??ever?? ??surfacing!??????That?? ??ant?? ??even?? ??if?? ??a?? ??rope?? ??or?? ??a?? ??ladder?? ??was?? ??set?? ??down?? ??into?? ??the?? ??pit,?? ??whoever?? ??tried?? ??to?? ??climb????up?? ??from?? ??the?? ??bottom?? ??would?? ??get?? ??cut?? ??off?? ??halfway?? ??through?? ??and?? ??get?? ??thrown?? ??right?? ??back?? ??into?? ??the????bottom.?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??impassively?? ??used?? ??the?? ??wall?? ??as?? ??support?? ??to?? ??climb?? ??up?? ??the?? ??stairs,?? ??but?? ??was????really?? ??feeling?? ??up?? ??the?? ??make?? ??of?? ??the?? ??wall.?? ??He?? ??found?? ??that?? ??although?? ??it?? ??looked?? ??like?? ??the?? ??wall?? ??was????built?? ??with?? ??mud?? ??or?? ??concrete,?? ??it?? ??was?? ??actually?? ??a?? ??much?? ??stronger?? ??stone,?? ??probably?? ??enforced????with?? ??a?? ??layer?? ??of?? ??magic.??????When?? ??they?? ??reached?? ??the?? ??end?? ??of?? ??the?? ??stairs?? ??and?? ??ca?? ??to?? ??the?? ??top?? ??of?? ??the?? ??pit,?? ??standing?? ??along????the?? ??wall?? ??eaves?? ??the?? ??only?? ??word?? ??to?? ??describe?? ??the?? ??sight?? ??was?? ??‘awe’.????????The?? ??entire?? ??Sinner’s?? ??Pit?? ??was?? ??ford?? ??by?? ??four?? ??encircling?? ??great?? ??walls.?? ??Each?? ??wall?? ??was?? ??about????30?? ??feet?? ??in?? ??length,?? ??twenty?? ??feet?? ??in?? ??height,?? ??and?? ??four?? ??feet?? ??in?? ??thickness.?? ??At?? ??the?? ??very?? ??top?? ??of?? ??each????wall?? ??there?? ??was?? ??nothing,?? ??neither?? ??gazebos?? ??nor?? ??railings.?? ??Within?? ??the?? ??enclosure?? ??was?? ??a?? ??deep????abyss?? ??without?? ??a?? ??bottom?? ??in?? ??sight,?? ??and?? ??with?? ??the?? ??growing?? ??night,?? ??there?? ??was?? ??only?? ??blackness????and?? ??a?? ??chilling?? ??sll?? ??of?? ??blood?? ??wafting?? ??in?? ??the?? ??air?? ??coming?? ??from?? ??below.??????No?? ??one?? ??dared?? ??looking?? ??down?? ??whilst?? ??walking?? ??along?? ??the?? ??railingless?? ??eaves?? ??that’s?? ??tens?? ??of?? ??feet????above?? ??ground.?? ??After?? ??a?? ??while?? ??they?? ??could?? ??see?? ??the?? ??pole?? ??that?? ??stood?? ??in?? ??the?? ??centre,?? ??and?? ??atop????the?? ??pole?? ??hung?? ??a?? ??corpse.?? ??It?? ??was?? ??the?? ??sa?? ??one?? ??they?? ??spotted?? ??earlier.?? ??The?? ??corpse?? ??was?? ??of?? ??a????small,?? ??black?? ??clad?? ??girl,?? ??tattered?? ??and?? ??head?? ??bowed.??????Xie?? ??Lian?? ??had?? ??known?? ??that?? ??this?? ??pole?? ??was?? ??used?? ??especially?? ??for?? ??hanging?? ??criminals?? ??that????deserved?? ??sha?? ??and?? ??humiliation.?? ??Usually?? ??the?? ??prison?? ??guards?? ??would?? ??strip?? ??the?? ??criminals?? ??of????their?? ??clothing?? ??and?? ??hang?? ??the?? ??body?? ??naked.?? ??The?? ??criminals?? ??would?? ??die?? ??from?? ??starvation?? ??or????dehydration,?? ??and?? ??after?? ??death?? ??the?? ??corpse?? ??would?? ??be?? ??left?? ??to?? ??flail?? ??in?? ??the?? ??wind,?? ??burn?? ??under?? ??the????sun,?? ??and?? ??rot?? ??in?? ??the?? ??rain.?? ??When?? ??the?? ??corpse?? ??had?? ??rotten?? ??completely?? ??through,?? ??it?? ??would?? ??fall?? ??into????the?? ??pit?? ??itself,?? ??an?? ??exceedingly?? ??ugly?? ??sight.????????The?? ??corpse?? ??of?? ??that?? ??girl?? ??didn’t?? ??seem?? ??to?? ??be?? ??rotten,?? ??so?? ??it?? ??must’ve?? ??not?? ??been?? ??long?? ??since?? ??she????died.?? ??Perhaps?? ??it?? ??was?? ??a?? ??local?? ??girl?? ??that?? ??the?? ??soldiers?? ??captured.?? ??To?? ??do?? ??such?? ??a?? ??vulgar?? ??thing?? ??to?? ??a????young?? ??girl,?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??felt?? ??thoroughly?? ??disgusted.?? ??A-Zhao,?? ??Tian?? ??Sheng?? ??and?? ??the?? ??others’?? ??faces????turned?? ??white?? ??seeing?? ??the?? ??sight,?? ??and?? ??paused?? ??in?? ??their?? ??steps,?? ??afraid?? ??to?? ??go?? ??forward.?? ??Ke?? ??Mo????didn’t?? ??bother?? ??pushing?? ??them?? ??onwards?? ??either,?? ??but?? ??turned?? ??toward?? ??the?? ??pit?? ??and?? ??howled.??????‘Why?? ??is?? ??he?? ??howling?’?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??wondered,?? ??but?? ??his?? ??question?? ??was?? ??soon?? ??answered.??????From?? ??the?? ??bottom?? ??of?? ??the?? ??dark?? ??pit?? ??ca?? ??a?? ??chain?? ??of?? ??growls?? ??in?? ??response?? ??to?? ??the?? ??howling.?? ??It????was?? ??like?? ??the?? ??roars?? ??of?? ??beasts,?? ??bellows?? ??of?? ??tsunamis,?? ??wails?? ??of?? ??monsters,?? ??hundreds?? ??and????thousands?? ??of?? ??cries?? ??exploding?? ??in?? ??the?? ??ear.?? ??The?? ??walls?? ??trembled?? ??with?? ??the?? ??noise?? ??and?? ??made????those?? ??standing?? ??on?? ??the?? ??eaves?? ??lose?? ??balance.?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??could?? ??clearly?? ??hear?? ??the?? ??sounds?? ??of????rocks?? ??and?? ??debris?? ??falling?? ??within.????????Only?? ??criminals?? ??get?? ??thrown?? ??into?? ??the?? ??Sinner’s?? ??Pit.?? ??Were?? ??those?? ??the?? ??souls?? ??of?? ??the?? ??dead????answering?? ??Ke?? ??Mo???????Ke?? ??Mo?? ??howled?? ??again?? ??and?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??paid?? ??more?? ??attention?? ??to?? ??listen.?? ??This?? ??ti,?? ??Ke?? ??Mo?? ??wasn’t????making?? ??aningless?? ??noise,?? ??and?? ??it?? ??wasn’t?? ??curses?? ??either.?? ??Instead,?? ??it?? ??was?? ??encouragent.????Xie?? ??Lian?? ??was?? ??very?? ??sure?? ??he?? ??heard?? ??the?? ??words:?? ??“My?? ??brothers”.??????After?? ??howling,?? ??Ke?? ??Mo?? ??turned?? ??to?? ??the?? ??soldiers?? ??watching?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??and?? ??the?? ??others,?? ??and????roared?? ??another?? ??command.?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??understood.?? ??He?? ??had?? ??said?? ??“Just?? ??throw?? ??in?? ??two?? ??and????detain?? ??the?? ??rest.”??????The?? ??others?? ??might?? ??not?? ??have?? ??understood?? ??what?? ??was?? ??being?? ??said,?? ??but?? ??the?? ??actions?? ??of?? ??those????soldiers?? ??were?? ??not?? ??hard?? ??to?? ??guess,?? ??and?? ??everyone?? ??looked?? ??pale?? ??like?? ??ghosts.?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??saw????that?? ??a?? ??couple?? ??couldn’t?? ??even?? ??stand?? ??up?? ??right?? ??anymore,?? ??shaking?? ??from?? ??fear,?? ??and?? ??stepped????forward.?? ??He?? ??said?? ??in?? ??a?? ??small?? ??voice,?? ??“Don’t?? ??worry.?? ??If?? ??anything?? ??happens?? ??I?? ??will?? ??go?? ??forward????first.”??????Xie?? ??Lian?? ??thought?? ??if?? ??they?? ??must?? ??all?? ??fall,?? ??then?? ??he?? ??might?? ??as?? ??well?? ??be?? ??the?? ??first?? ??one?? ??to?? ??check????things?? ??out.?? ??It?? ??couldn’t?? ??be?? ??worse?? ??than?? ??venomous?? ??snakes?? ??and?? ??beasts?? ??or?? ??nacing?? ??ghosts.????He?? ??couldn’t?? ??die?? ??from?? ??falling,?? ??he?? ??couldn’t?? ??die?? ??from?? ??poison,?? ??he?? ??couldn’t?? ??die?? ??from?? ??bites,?? ??and????he?? ??couldn’t?? ??die?? ??from?? ??getting?? ??hit.?? ??As?? ??long?? ??as?? ??it?? ??wasn’t?? ??so?? ??pool?? ??of?? ??corpse?? ??dissolving????water,?? ??his?? ??body?? ??shouldn’t?? ??be?? ??damaged?? ??too?? ??horribly.????????Besides,?? ??He?? ??had?? ??Ruoye?? ??with?? ??him.?? ??Even?? ??if?? ??he?? ??might?? ??not?? ??be?? ??able?? ??to?? ??escape?? ??from?? ??the?? ??array,????he?? ??could?? ??still?? ??use?? ??it?? ??to?? ??catch?? ??the?? ??others?? ??that’d?? ??fall?? ??after?? ??him.?? ??Ke?? ??Mo?? ??had?? ??said?? ??“Detain?? ??the????rest”,?? ??aning?? ??that?? ??most?? ??others?? ??should?? ??be?? ??temporarily?? ??safe.?? ??After?? ??all,?? ??it?? ??wasn’t?? ??easy????hunting?? ??for?? ??prey?? ??in?? ??the?? ??Gobi?? ??desert,?? ??they?? ??should?? ??rather?? ??savour?? ??them?? ??instead?? ??of?? ??eating????everyone?? ??in?? ??one?? ??go!?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??cleared?? ??his?? ??thoughts,?? ??but?? ??next?? ??to?? ??him,?? ??soone?? ??else????couldn’t?? ??hold?? ??their?? ??breath?? ??any?? ??longer.??????Ever?? ??since?? ??they?? ??reached?? ??the?? ??top?? ??of?? ??the?? ??Sinner’s?? ??Pit,?? ??besides?? ??San?? ??Lang?? ??who?? ??looked?? ??like????nothing?? ??was?? ??out?? ??of?? ??the?? ??ordinary,?? ??everyone?? ??else?? ??was?? ??shivering?? ??in?? ??fear,?? ??especially?? ??A-Zhao.????He?? ??must’ve?? ??thought?? ??that?? ??if?? ??he?? ??was?? ??to?? ??die,?? ??he’d?? ??go?? ??down?? ??fighting.?? ??He?? ??closed?? ??his?? ??fists?? ??and????charged?? ??towards?? ??Ke?? ??Mo!??????This?? ??charged?? ??looked?? ??as?? ??if?? ??A-Zhao?? ??was?? ??ready?? ??to?? ??bring?? ??Ke?? ??Mo?? ??down?? ??into?? ??the?? ??pit?? ??with?? ??him.????Ke?? ??Mo?? ??was?? ??the?? ??bigger?? ??man,?? ??strong?? ??like?? ??a?? ??steel?? ??tower,?? ??but?? ??even?? ??he?? ??got?? ??pushed?? ??back?? ??three????steps?? ??from?? ??A-Zhao’s?? ??desperation.?? ??He?? ??roared?? ??in?? ??anger,?? ??and?? ??instantly?? ??threw?? ??the?? ??young????man?? ??into?? ??the?? ??dark?? ??void.?? ??Everyone?? ??started?? ??screaming,?? ??and?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??called?? ??after?? ??him?? ??too.????“A-Zhao!”??????Just?? ??then,?? ??from?? ??deep?? ??within?? ??the?? ??chasm?? ??ca?? ??a?? ??roaring?? ??cheer,?? ??and?? ??sounds?? ??of?? ??violent????ripping?? ??of?? ??flesh,?? ??like?? ??starving?? ??beasts?? ??fighting?? ??for?? ??their?? ??only?? ??al.?? ??It?? ??was?? ??easy?? ??to????understand?? ??from?? ??hearing?? ??the?? ??noises?? ??that?? ??the?? ??young?? ??man?? ??A-Zhao?? ??would?? ??never?? ??survive.??????Xie?? ??Lian?? ??did?? ??not?? ??expect?? ??this?? ??developnt?? ??and?? ??was?? ??dumbstruck?? ??too.?? ??He?? ??was?? ??suspicious????that?? ??A-Zhao?? ??was?? ??a?? ??subordinate?? ??of?? ??the?? ??BanYue?? ??Guoshi,?? ??purposely?? ??leading?? ??travelers????astray?? ??to?? ??the?? ??ruins.?? ??He?? ??was?? ??also?? ??suspicious?? ??that?? ??the?? ??one?? ??who?? ??was?? ??here?? ??‘fifty?? ??to?? ??sixty????years?? ??ago’?? ??was?? ??him,?? ??but?? ??the?? ??young?? ??man?? ??ended?? ??up?? ??being?? ??the?? ??first?? ??to?? ??get?? ??killed.?? ??With?? ??this????jump,?? ??how?? ??could?? ??he?? ??still?? ??live???????Was?? ??he?? ??faking?? ??his?? ??own?? ??death??? ??But?? ??now?? ??that?? ??they?? ??were?? ??all?? ??enslaved?? ??under?? ??the?? ??control?? ??of????the?? ??BanYue?? ??soldiers,?? ??if?? ??A-Zhao?? ??was?? ??the?? ??Guoshi’?? ??subordinate,?? ??he’d?? ??have?? ??the?? ??upper?? ??hand????and?? ??could?? ??very?? ??well?? ??reveal?? ??his?? ??true?? ??identity?? ??in?? ??glory?? ??without?? ??doing?? ??anything?? ??extra?? ??and?? ??fake????his?? ??own?? ??death.?? ??But?? ??why?? ??would?? ??A-Zhao?? ??rush?? ??towards?? ??Ke?? ??Mo?? ??and?? ??die?? ??a?? ??aningless????death???????Xie?? ??Lian’s?? ??thoughts?? ??were?? ??in?? ??knots?? ??again,?? ??and?? ??the?? ??BanYue?? ??soldiers?? ??began?? ??searching?? ??for????the?? ??next?? ??victim.?? ??Ke?? ??Mo?? ??sized?? ??them?? ??up?? ??and?? ??pointed?? ??at?? ??Tian?? ??Sheng.?? ??Another?? ??soldier?? ??then????moved?? ??up?? ??and?? ??opened?? ??his?? ??palm,?? ??ready?? ??to?? ??push.?? ??Terrified,?? ??Tian?? ??Sheng?? ??fell?? ??to?? ??the?? ??ground????on?? ??his?? ??knees?? ??and?? ??cried,?? ??“AH!?? ??HELP!?? ??DON’T?? ??TAKE?? ??!?? ??I’M...”??????Without?? ??anymore?? ??ti?? ??to?? ??think,?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??stepped?? ??forward?? ??and?? ??said?? ??using?? ??BanYuenese,????“Hold?? ??on,?? ??General.”??????Ke?? ??Mo?? ??was?? ??shocked?? ??to?? ??hear?? ??the?? ??words?? ??from?? ??Xie?? ??Lian’s?? ??mouth?? ??and?? ??waved?? ??his?? ??hand,????stopping?? ??the?? ??soldiers.?? ??“You?? ??know?? ??how?? ??to?? ??speak?? ??our?? ??tongue??? ??Where?? ??are?? ??you?? ??from?”??????“I’m?? ??from?? ??the?? ??Midlands.”?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??replied.?? ??He?? ??wouldn’t?? ??have?? ??minded?? ??lying?? ??and?? ??say?? ??he????was?? ??also?? ??a?? ??citizen?? ??of?? ??BanYue,?? ??but?? ??with?? ??how?? ??rusty?? ??his?? ??fluency?? ??was?? ??there?? ??was?? ??no?? ??way?? ??he????could?? ??keep?? ??up?? ??the?? ??lie?? ??if?? ??he?? ??conversed?? ??too?? ??much.?? ??Besides,?? ??it?? ??was?? ??also?? ??obvious?? ??from?? ??his????looks?? ??that?? ??he?? ??was?? ??a?? ??Midlander.?? ??Ke?? ??Mo’s?? ??question?? ??was?? ??only?? ??from?? ??simple?? ??confusion.?? ??The????people?? ??of?? ??BanYue?? ??also?? ??detests?? ??liars?? ??more?? ??than?? ??anything,?? ??if?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??was?? ??found?? ??out?? ??the????results?? ??would?? ??be?? ??worse.??????“Midlands?”?? ??Ke?? ??Mo?? ??questioned,?? ??“Descendants?? ??of?? ??YongAn?”????????“No.”?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??replied,?? ??“The?? ??Kingdom?? ??of?? ??YongAn?? ??had?? ??long?? ??since?? ??fallen.?? ??There’s?? ??no?? ??more????YongAn?? ??now.”????????But,?? ??to?? ??those?? ??of?? ??BanYue,?? ??all?? ??those?? ??who?? ??ca?? ??from?? ??the?? ??Midlands?? ??were?? ??pretty?? ??much?? ??the????sa.?? ??They?? ??were?? ??all?? ??relatives?? ??of?? ??the?? ??descendants?? ??of?? ??YongAn.?? ??They?? ??were?? ??annihilated?? ??by????the?? ??army?? ??of?? ??YongAn,?? ??so?? ??the?? ??mont?? ??he?? ??heard?? ??where?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??was?? ??from,?? ??Ke?? ??Mo’s?? ??black????face?? ??imdiately?? ??flashed?? ??with?? ??rage,?? ??and?? ??many?? ??of?? ??the?? ??BanYue?? ??soldiers?? ??also?? ??started????growling,?? ??cursing?? ??vulgarly?? ??at?? ??him.?? ??It?? ??wasn’t?? ??much?? ??more?? ??than?? ??“vile?? ??Midlanders!”?? ??and?? ??“throw????him?? ??down”,?? ??and?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??couldn’t?? ??care?? ??less.????????Ke?? ??Mo?? ??demanded,?? ??“Our?? ??kingdom?? ??had?? ??disappeared?? ??in?? ??the?? ??Gobi?? ??for?? ??over?? ??two?? ??hundred????years.?? ??You?? ??are?? ??not?? ??of?? ??our?? ??people,?? ??why?? ??do?? ??you?? ??know?? ??our?? ??tongue??? ??Who?? ??are?? ??you?”??????Xie?? ??Lian?? ??couldn’t?? ??help?? ??but?? ??steal?? ??a?? ??glance?? ??at?? ??the?? ??calm?? ??boy?? ??behind?? ??him,?? ??ntally?? ??hoping????that?? ??if?? ??his?? ??lies?? ??fall?? ??apart?? ??later,?? ??maybe?? ??he?? ??could?? ??shalessly?? ??ask?? ??San?? ??Lang?? ??to?? ??save?? ??him.????He?? ??cleared?? ??his?? ??throat?? ??and?? ??was?? ??ready?? ??to?? ??start?? ??gabbering?? ??nonsense?? ??when?? ??just?? ??then,????another?? ??series?? ??of?? ??enraged?? ??growls?? ??sounded?? ??from?? ??below.??????It?? ??seed?? ??that?? ??whatever?? ??it?? ??was?? ??down?? ??in?? ??the?? ??pit?? ??had?? ??finished?? ??ripping?? ??apart?? ??A-Zhao?? ??but????was?? ??still?? ??hungry?? ??for?? ??more,?? ??using?? ??their?? ??cries?? ??to?? ??convey?? ??their?? ??thirst?? ??for?? ??fresh?? ??blood.?? ??Ke?? ??Mo????waved?? ??his?? ??hand?? ??again,?? ??ready?? ??to?? ??have?? ??Tian?? ??Sheng?? ??thrown?? ??over,?? ??so?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??spoke?? ??up,????“General,?? ??please?? ??take?? ???? ??first.”??????Ke?? ??Mo?? ??had?? ??never?? ??heard?? ??anyone?? ??request?? ??to?? ??go?? ??first?? ??and?? ??his?? ??eyes?? ??bulged?? ??like?? ??bells.?? ??He????asked?? ??in?? ??disbelief,?? ??“You?? ??go?? ??first??? ??Why??”????????Xie?? ??Lian?? ??couldn’t?? ??tell?? ??him?? ??the?? ??truth?? ??and?? ??say?? ??because?? ??he?? ??wasn’t?? ??scared.?? ??He?? ??thought?? ??for?? ??a????second?? ??and?? ??ca?? ??up?? ??with?? ??a?? ??logical?? ??answer,?? ??“General,?? ??those?? ??are?? ??innocent?? ??rchants.????There’s?? ??even?? ??a?? ??child!”??????Ke?? ??Mo?? ??sneered,?? ??“When?? ??your?? ??army?? ??annihilated?? ??my?? ??kingdom,?? ??did?? ??you?? ??not?? ??think?? ??we?? ??also????had?? ??innocent?? ??rchants?? ??and?? ??children?”??????The?? ??fall?? ??of?? ??the?? ??Kingdom?? ??of?? ??BanYue?? ??was?? ??over?? ??two?? ??hundred?? ??years?? ??ago?? ??and?? ??dynasties?? ??in????YongAn?? ??had?? ??changed?? ??already,?? ??but?? ??they?? ??were?? ??the?? ??dead?? ??whose?? ??ti?? ??had?? ??stopped,?? ??and????hatred?? ??and?? ??grudges?? ??would?? ??not?? ??fade?? ??with?? ??the?? ??change?? ??in?? ??dynasties.?? ??Ke?? ??Mo?? ??continued,????“You’re?? ??very?? ??suspicious,?? ??I?? ??will?? ??need?? ??to?? ??question?? ??you.?? ??You?? ??are?? ??not?? ??going?? ??down.?? ??Throw?? ??in????another?? ??one!”????????There?? ??was?? ??no?? ??helping?? ??it.?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??was?? ??ready?? ??to?? ??jump?? ??if?? ??all?? ??else?? ??fails?? ??anyway.?? ??Behind?? ??him????San?? ??Lang?? ??stepped?? ??forward.??????Xie?? ??Lian’s?? ??heart?? ??lurched?? ??and?? ??turned?? ??around.??????With?? ??his?? ??arms?? ??crossed,?? ??the?? ??boy?? ??was?? ??nonchalantly?? ??looking?? ??over?? ??the?? ??dark,?? ??bottomless?? ??pit????with?? ??an?? ??air?? ??of?? ??intrigue.?? ??This?? ??wasn’t?? ??a?? ??good?? ??sign,?? ??and?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??called?? ??out,?? ??“San?? ??Lang?”??????Hearing?? ??his?? ??call,?? ??San?? ??Lang?? ??looked?? ??over?? ??and?? ??smiled?? ??softly,?? ??“It’s?? ??fine.”??????San?? ??Lang?? ??took?? ??another?? ??step?? ??forward?? ??and?? ??was?? ??teetering?? ??dangerously?? ??on?? ??the?? ??edge.?? ??Both????Xie?? ??Lian’s?? ??head?? ??and?? ??heart?? ??started?? ??pounding,?? ??and?? ??he?? ??called?? ??again,?? ??“Wait,?? ??San?? ??Lang,?? ??don’t????move!”??????At?? ??such?? ??height?? ??at?? ??the?? ??brink,?? ??the?? ??boy’s?? ??red?? ??clothes?? ??danced?? ??in?? ??the?? ??night?? ??breeze.?? ??San?? ??Lang????glanced?? ??at?? ??him?? ??again?? ??with?? ??a?? ??smile,?? ??“Don’t?? ??be?? ??scared.”??????“You...?? ??Co?? ??back?? ??here?? ??first.?? ??Co?? ??back?? ??here?? ??and?? ??I?? ??won’t?? ??be?? ??scared.”?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??said.??????“Don’t?? ??worry,?? ??I’m?? ??just?? ??going?? ??to?? ??leave?? ??for?? ??a?? ??bit.?? ??We’ll?? ??see?? ??each?? ??other?? ??again?? ??soon.”?? ??San????Lang?? ??said.??????“Don’t–”??????Before?? ??he?? ??finished,?? ??the?? ??boy?? ??took?? ??another?? ??step?? ??forward,?? ??his?? ??arms?? ??still?? ??crossed,?? ??then?? ??with?? ??a????light?? ??leap,?? ??he?? ??disappeared?? ??into?? ??the?? ??abyss.??????The?? ??mont?? ??he?? ??jumped,?? ??Ruoye?? ??shot?? ??out?? ??from?? ??Xie?? ??Lian’s?? ??wrist,?? ??a?? ??stream?? ??of?? ??white?? ??flash????trying?? ??to?? ??grab?? ??hold?? ??of?? ??the?? ??boy’s?? ??form.?? ??Yet?? ??the?? ??drop?? ??was?? ??too?? ??swift,?? ??and?? ??Ruoye?? ??returned????without?? ??even?? ??a?? ??sleeve?? ??corner.?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??fell?? ??to?? ??his?? ??knees?? ??at?? ??the?? ??edge?? ??of?? ??the?? ??wall?? ??and????yelled,?? ??“SAN?? ??LANG!!!”??????No?? ??response.?? ??No?? ??noise.?? ??After?? ??the?? ??boy?? ??jumped?? ??there?? ??was?? ??not?? ??a?? ??single?? ??noise!??????Next?? ??to?? ??him,?? ??many?? ??of?? ??the?? ??BanYue?? ??soldiers?? ??started?? ??yelling?? ??instead,?? ??all?? ??dumbfounded?? ??and????bewildered.?? ??What?? ??was?? ??with?? ??today??? ??In?? ??the?? ??past?? ??they?? ??had?? ??to?? ??catch?? ??their?? ??prey?? ??and?? ??throw????them?? ??into?? ??the?? ??pit?? ??before?? ??they?? ??fall,?? ??but?? ??tonight?? ??their?? ??prey?? ??took?? ??turns?? ??fighting?? ??to?? ??jump?? ??down????themselves,?? ??and?? ??when?? ??held?? ??back,?? ??they?? ??jump?? ??anyway??????????General?? ??Ke?? ??Mo?? ??yelled?? ??to?? ??get?? ??his?? ??soldiers?? ??under?? ??control.?? ??As?? ??for?? ??Xie?? ??Lian,?? ??when?? ??he?? ??saw????Ruoye?? ??didn’t?? ??catch?? ??San?? ??Lang,?? ??he?? ??didn’t?? ??take?? ??the?? ??ti?? ??to?? ??think?? ??before?? ??taking?? ??a?? ??leap?? ??off?? ??the????wall?? ??himself.?? ??But?? ??when?? ??his?? ??body?? ??was?? ??still?? ??in?? ??midair,?? ??he?? ??felt?? ??his?? ??collar?? ??tighten,?? ??and?? ??he????stayed?? ??in?? ??midair.??????Turns?? ??out?? ??when?? ??General?? ??Ke?? ??Mo?? ??saw?? ??he?? ??also?? ??jumped,?? ??he?? ??stretched?? ??out?? ??his?? ??arm?? ??and????nabbed?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??by?? ??the?? ??collar?? ??and?? ??prevented?? ??his?? ??fall.????????‘If?? ??you?? ??want?? ??to?? ??join?? ??,?? ??that’s?? ??fine?? ??too!’?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??thought,?? ??and?? ??like?? ??a?? ??snake,?? ??Ruoye?? ??shot????out?? ??once?? ??more?? ??and?? ??wrapped?? ??itself?? ??up?? ??the?? ??arm?? ??of?? ??Ke?? ??Mo,?? ??and?? ??roped?? ??his?? ??body?? ??whole.?? ??Ke????Mo?? ??saw?? ??that?? ??white?? ??silk?? ??band?? ??was?? ??unpredictably?? ??deadly?? ??and?? ??spirited,?? ??contorted?? ??his?? ??face????and?? ??popped?? ??his?? ??veins,?? ??his?? ??muscles?? ??instantly?? ??burst?? ??in?? ??size,?? ??trying?? ??to?? ??rip?? ??apart?? ??the?? ??fabric????tying?? ??him?? ??down.?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??was?? ??at?? ??a?? ??standstill?? ??with?? ??Ke?? ??Mo?? ??when?? ??he?? ??saw?? ??sothing????peculiar?? ??from?? ??the?? ??corners?? ??of?? ??his?? ??eyes.??????The?? ??corpse?? ??that?? ??was?? ??hung?? ??on?? ??the?? ??pole?? ??suddenly?? ??jerked,?? ??and?? ??raised?? ??her?? ??head?? ??slightly.??????The?? ??band?? ??of?? ??BanYue?? ??soldiers?? ??also?? ??saw?? ??the?? ??corpse?? ??move?? ??and?? ??started?? ??yelling,?? ??swinging????their?? ??maces?? ??to?? ??attack?? ??it.?? ??But?? ??the?? ??black?? ??clad?? ??girl?? ??sohow?? ??un-tied?? ??herself?? ??and?? ??hopped?? ??off????the?? ??pole,?? ??then?? ??sped?? ??over?? ??towards?? ??the?? ??them.????????She?? ??was?? ??like?? ??a?? ??black?? ??wind?? ??blowing?? ??through?? ??the?? ??eaves,?? ??fast?? ??and?? ??wicked.?? ??The?? ??soldiers????couldn’t?? ??maintain?? ??their?? ??balance?? ??and?? ??soon?? ??were?? ??swept?? ??into?? ??the?? ??Sinner’s?? ??Pit?? ??one?? ??by?? ??one,????screaming.?? ??Enraged,?? ??Ke?? ??Mo?? ??scread?? ??all?? ??sorts?? ??of?? ??vulgarities?? ??at?? ??her,?? ??many?? ??of?? ??which?? ??were????street?? ??slangs?? ??that?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??couldn’t?? ??understand?? ??well,?? ??but?? ??he?? ??did?? ??understand?? ??the?? ??first????words:?? ??“It’s?? ??that?? ??bitch?? ??again!”??????The?? ??swearing?? ??ceased?? ??in?? ??the?? ??next?? ??mont?? ??because?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??suddenly?? ??pulled,?? ??and????brought?? ??Ke?? ??Mo?? ??to?? ??fall?? ??into?? ??the?? ??pit?? ??together.??????Into?? ??the?? ??inescapable?? ??Sinner’s?? ??Pit!??????Whilst?? ??falling,?? ??Ke?? ??Mo?? ??roared?? ??with?? ??such?? ??violence,?? ??killing?? ??Xie?? ??Lian’s?? ??eardrums,?? ??he?? ??had?? ??to????call?? ??Ruoye?? ??back?? ??and?? ??gave?? ??Ke?? ??Mo?? ??a?? ??kick?? ??to?? ??get?? ??the?? ??general?? ??further?? ??away?? ??from?? ??himself?? ??and????protect?? ??his?? ??ears.?? ??Then?? ??he?? ??urged?? ??Ruoye?? ??to?? ??fly?? ??upwards?? ??to?? ??try?? ??and?? ??grab?? ??hold?? ??of?? ??anything????that?? ??can?? ??prevent?? ??him?? ??from?? ??falling?? ??further,?? ??or?? ??if?? ??anything,?? ??grab?? ??hold?? ??of?? ??sothing?? ??so?? ??that????when?? ??he?? ??falls?? ??it?? ??wouldn’t?? ??be?? ??too?? ??painful.?? ??But?? ??the?? ??Sinner’s?? ??Pit?? ??was?? ??not?? ??built?? ??to?? ??save;?? ??and????with?? ??such?? ??a?? ??powerful?? ??array?? ??at?? ??work,?? ??there?? ??was?? ??nothing?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??could?? ??find?? ??to?? ??hold.?? ??He????thought?? ??he?? ??was?? ??going?? ??to?? ??crater?? ??and?? ??flatten?? ??like?? ??a?? ??pancake?? ??like?? ??many?? ??tis?? ??before?? ??when????suddenly,?? ??in?? ??the?? ??darkness,?? ??there?? ??was?? ??a?? ??flash?? ??of?? ??silver.??????The?? ??next?? ??mont,?? ??a?? ??pair?? ??of?? ??hands?? ??lightly?? ??caught?? ??him.??????Whoever?? ??it?? ??was?? ??caught?? ??him?? ??perfectly,?? ??as?? ??if?? ??this?? ??person?? ??was?? ??made?? ??just?? ??to?? ??catch?? ??him?? ??at?? ??the????bottom.?? ??With?? ??a?? ??hand?? ??across?? ??his?? ??back?? ??to?? ??grasp?? ??his?? ??shoulders,?? ??another?? ??under?? ??his?? ??knees?? ??to????support?? ??his?? ??weight,?? ??the?? ??dreadful?? ??gravity?? ??of?? ??the?? ??fall?? ??was?? ??dissolved?? ??to?? ??nothing.?? ??Still?? ??dazed????and?? ??confounded?? ??from?? ??falling?? ??at?? ??such?? ??a?? ??height,?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??unconsciously?? ??held?? ??on?? ??tight?? ??to????that?? ??person’s?? ??shoulders?? ??and?? ??called,?? ??“San?? ??Lang?”??????The?? ??pit?? ??was?? ??filled?? ??with?? ??darkness,?? ??nothing?? ??could?? ??be?? ??seen,?? ??including?? ??the?? ??person.?? ??But?? ??Xie????Lian?? ??still?? ??called?? ??that?? ??na.?? ??The?? ??other?? ??didn’t?? ??respond?? ??so?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??patted?? ??and?? ??squeezed????the?? ??chest?? ??and?? ??shoulders?? ??just?? ??to?? ??make?? ??sure.?? ??“San?? ??Lang,?? ??is?? ??that?? ??you?”??????Maybe?? ??it?? ??was?? ??because?? ??here?? ??at?? ??the?? ??bottom?? ??of?? ??the?? ??pit?? ??the?? ??stench?? ??of?? ??blood?? ??was?? ??heavy?? ??and????disorienting,?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??dazedly?? ??continued?? ??to?? ??feel?? ??up?? ??the?? ??person?? ??holding?? ??him,?? ??until?? ??he????reached?? ??a?? ??strong,?? ??hard?? ??adam’s?? ??apple.?? ??He?? ??ca?? ??to?? ??in?? ??shock?? ??and?? ??imdiately????reprimanded?? ??himself,?? ??pulling?? ??his?? ??hands?? ??back.?? ??What?? ??was?? ??he?? ??doing???? ??“It’s?? ??San?? ??Lang,????right??? ??Are?? ??you?? ??alright??? ??Are?? ??you?? ??hurt?”??????It?? ??took?? ??a?? ??mont?? ??before?? ??he?? ??heard?? ??the?? ??boy’s?? ??low?? ??voice?? ??from?? ??sowhere?? ??very?? ??close?? ??to????him,?? ??“I’m?? ??fine.”????????For?? ??so?? ??reason,?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??felt?? ??this?? ??voice?? ??was?? ??curiously?? ??different?? ??than?? ??before.??????
??1.Hanzi?? ??is?? ??the?? ??chinese?? ??equivalent?? ??of?? ??Kanji,?? ??recognized?? ??as?? ??the?? ??formal?? ??chinese????character?? ??writing?? ??but?? ??originated?? ??from?? ??YongAn.?? ????????????Ch.25:?? ??Dallying?? ??HuaLian;?? ??Night-Fall?? ??in?? ??Sinner’s?? ??Pit?? ??2????????“San?? ??Lang,?? ??are?? ??you?? ??really?? ??alright??? ??Put?? ???? ??down.”?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??said.??????“No.”?? ??San?? ??Lang?? ??replied.??????Xie?? ??Lian?? ??was?? ??taken?? ??aback?? ??by?? ??the?? ??response.?? ??What’s?? ??going?? ??on??? ??Was?? ??there?? ??sothing?? ??on????the?? ??ground???????That?? ??pair?? ??of?? ??arms?? ??were?? ??still?? ??holding?? ??him?? ??tightly?? ??without?? ??any?? ??intention?? ??of?? ??letting?? ??him?? ??go.?? ??Xie????Lian?? ??was?? ??going?? ??to?? ??raise?? ??his?? ??hand?? ??and?? ??gently?? ??push?? ??himself?? ??away,?? ??but?? ??just?? ??as?? ??he?? ??laid?? ??his????hand?? ??on?? ??San?? ??Lang’s?? ??chest,?? ??he?? ??abruptly?? ??rembered?? ??how?? ??he?? ??was?? ??randomly?? ??touching?? ??him????all?? ??over?? ??just?? ??now,?? ??even?? ??feeling?? ??up?? ??his?? ??adam’s?? ??apple,?? ??and?? ??quietly?? ??withdrew?? ??his?? ??hand?? ??again.????It’s?? ??been?? ??hundreds?? ??of?? ??years?? ??since?? ??the?? ??last?? ??ti?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??cared?? ??to?? ??learn?? ??what?? ??‘awkward’????ant,?? ??but?? ??now?? ??there?? ??was?? ??a?? ??voice?? ??in?? ??his?? ??head?? ??telling?? ??him?? ??that?? ??he?? ??better?? ??stay?? ??still?? ??and?? ??stay????decent.??????Just?? ??then,?? ??an?? ??enraged,?? ??sorrowful?? ??wail?? ??roared?? ??from?? ??the?? ??other?? ??side?? ??of?? ??the?? ??pit,?? ??and?? ??a?? ??voice????cried,?? ??“WHAT?? ??HAPPENED?? ??TO?? ??YOU!?”??????Those?? ??words?? ??were?? ??shouted?? ??in?? ??BanYuenese,?? ??and?? ??hearing?? ??the?? ??voice,?? ??it?? ??was?? ??General?? ??Ke????Mo?? ??that?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??had?? ??dragged?? ??down?? ??with?? ??him.?? ??Since?? ??he?? ??was?? ??already?? ??dead,?? ??the?? ??fall????wouldn’t?? ??have?? ??killed?? ??him,?? ??only?? ??blasting?? ??a?? ??human?? ??crater?? ??in?? ??the?? ??ground?? ??when?? ??he?? ??crashed.????But?? ??when?? ??he?? ??climbed?? ??up?? ??from?? ??his?? ??hole,?? ??he?? ??started?? ??screaming,?? ??“What’s?? ??going?? ??on??? ??My????brothers,?? ??WHAT?? ??HAPPENED?? ??TO?? ??YOU?!”????????When?? ??he?? ??howled?? ??into?? ??the?? ??pit?? ??earlier?? ??from?? ??the?? ??top?? ??of?? ??the?? ??wall,?? ??there?? ??were?? ??hundreds?? ??and????thousands?? ??of?? ??voices?? ??that?? ??answered?? ??his?? ??call,?? ??as?? ??if?? ??the?? ??pit?? ??was?? ??filled?? ??to?? ??the?? ??brim?? ??with?? ??angry,????nacing?? ??ghosts.?? ??But?? ??right?? ??then?? ??and?? ??there,?? ??other?? ??than?? ??Ke?? ??Mo’s?? ??cries,?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??could?? ??only????hear?? ??dead?? ??silence.?? ??There?? ??wasn’t?? ??even?? ??any?? ??sounds?? ??of?? ??breathing?? ??or?? ??heartbeat?? ??from?? ??the????San?? ??Lang?? ??who’s?? ??next?? ??to?? ??him.??????Xie?? ??Lian’s?? ??breathing?? ??hitched,?? ??suddenly?? ??realizing?? ??what?? ??was?? ??amiss.??????That’s?? ??right.?? ??Even?? ??though?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??was?? ??pressed?? ??against?? ??San?? ??Lang,?? ??he?? ??couldn’t?? ??detect????any?? ??sounds?? ??of?? ??his?? ??heart?? ??beating?? ??or?? ??his?? ??breathing!??????Ke?? ??Mo?? ??roared,?? ??“WHO?? ??KILLED?? ??YOU??? ??WHO?? ??KILLED?? ??ALL?? ??OF?? ??YOU!!!”??????When?? ??A-Zhao?? ??first?? ??fell,?? ??there?? ??were?? ??still?? ??horrifying?? ??sounds?? ??of?? ??flesh?? ??being?? ??ripped?? ??apart,?? ??but????after?? ??San?? ??Lang?? ??jumped,?? ??there?? ??were?? ??no?? ??more?? ??sounds.?? ??Who?? ??else?? ??could?? ??it?? ??be???????Ke?? ??Mo?? ??himself?? ??must?? ??have?? ??realized?? ??this,?? ??and?? ??shouted?? ??towards?? ??them,?? ??“Killing?? ??my?? ??soldiers,????you’re?? ??dead!?? ??I’m?? ??gonna?? ??kill?? ??you!”??????Although?? ??he?? ??couldn’t?? ??see,?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??could?? ??still?? ??sense?? ??danger?? ??rapidly?? ??approaching,?? ??and????jerked?? ??his?? ??body,?? ??“San?? ??Lang,?? ??watch?? ??out!”??????“Don’t?? ??worry?? ??about?? ??him.”?? ??San?? ??Lang?? ??said,?? ??still?? ??holding?? ??him?? ??tight.?? ??He?? ??made?? ??a?? ??small?? ??sidestep????and?? ??spun?? ??around.??????In?? ??the?? ??dark,?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??heard?? ??a?? ??series?? ??of?? ??broken?? ??clanking?? ??sounds,?? ??clear?? ??and?? ??intense,????swishing?? ??here?? ??and?? ??there.?? ??Ke?? ??Mo?? ??rushed?? ??to?? ??capture?? ??them?? ??but?? ??missed?? ??the?? ??first?? ??ti,?? ??and????turned?? ??around?? ??to?? ??attack?? ??again,?? ??but?? ??San?? ??Lang?? ??also?? ??easily?? ??side?? ??stepped?? ??again?? ??and?? ??avoided????him.?? ??Xie?? ??Lian’s?? ??arms?? ??involuntarily?? ??climbed?? ??up?? ??San?? ??Lang’s?? ??chest?? ??again?? ??and?? ??held?? ??on?? ??tight????to?? ??his?? ??shoulders,?? ??unconsciously?? ??clutching?? ??his?? ??clothes.??????But?? ??the?? ??arms?? ??carrying?? ??him?? ??were?? ??steady,?? ??even?? ??with?? ??all?? ??the?? ??spinning?? ??and?? ??side?? ??stepping,?? ??the????hold?? ??was?? ??still?? ??strong?? ??and?? ??secure.?? ??Just,?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??could?? ??feel?? ??sothing?? ??cold?? ??and?? ??hard?? ??on????those?? ??arms?? ??that?? ??would?? ??poke?? ??at?? ??him?? ??every?? ??so?? ??often,?? ??and?? ??was?? ??a?? ??little?? ??confused.?? ??In?? ??the????endless?? ??blackness,?? ??streaks?? ??of?? ??silver?? ??shimrs?? ??flashed?? ??everywhere,?? ??and?? ??sounds?? ??of?? ??a????sharp?? ??tal?? ??inflicting?? ??wounds?? ??were?? ??accompanied?? ??by?? ??Ke?? ??Mo’s?? ??angry?? ??roars.????????It?? ??was?? ??obvious?? ??that?? ??BanYue?? ??General?? ??is?? ??heavily?? ??wounded?? ??by?? ??now,?? ??but?? ??as?? ??tough?? ??as?? ??he????was,?? ??he?? ??refused?? ??to?? ??admit?? ??defeat,?? ??and?? ??once?? ??again?? ??rushed?? ??towards?? ??them.?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??called????out,?? ??“Ruoye!”??????The?? ??silk?? ??band?? ??answered?? ??his?? ??call?? ??and?? ??shot?? ??out,?? ??a?? ??large?? ??‘snap’?? ??sounded?? ??in?? ??the?? ??air,?? ??and?? ??Ke????Mo?? ??seed?? ??to?? ??have?? ??fallen?? ??over?? ??from?? ??getting?? ??smacked?? ??by?? ??Ruoye.?? ??Ke?? ??Mo?? ??shouted?? ??from????the?? ??ground,?? ??“You?? ??two!?? ??Two?? ??against?? ??one!?? ??Unfair!”??????‘You?? ??were?? ??gonna?? ??kill?? ??us,?? ??who?? ??cares?? ??if?? ??it’s?? ??two?? ??against?? ??two?? ??against?? ??one,?? ??or?? ??if?? ??it’s?? ??fair?? ??or????unfair??? ??Saving?? ??my?? ??life?? ??is?? ??more?? ??important,?? ??I’ll?? ??kill?? ??you?? ??dead?? ??first.’?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??thought.????????San?? ??Lang?? ??on?? ??the?? ??other?? ??hand,?? ??only?? ??sneered,?? ??“Even?? ??on?? ??one?? ??on?? ??one?? ??you?? ??won’t?? ??win.?? ??You????don’t?? ??have?? ??to?? ??fight.”?? ??The?? ??last?? ??line?? ??was?? ??directed?? ??to?? ??Xie?? ??Lian,?? ??and?? ??the?? ??words?? ??had?? ??none?? ??of????the?? ??gibe?? ??tones.??????“Alright.”?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??responded,?? ??but?? ??also?? ??prompted,?? ??“San?? ??Lang,?? ??why?? ??don’t?? ??you?? ??put?? ??????down.?? ??I’ll?? ??be?? ??in?? ??your?? ??way?? ??like?? ??this.”??????“You’re?? ??not?? ??in?? ??the?? ??way.?? ??Don’t?? ??co?? ??down.”?? ??San?? ??Lang?? ??said.??????“Why?? ??can’t?? ??I?? ??co?? ??down”?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??asked?? ??curiously.?? ??This?? ??guy?? ??couldn’t?? ??possibly?? ??enjoy????fighting?? ??while?? ??carrying?? ??soone???????San?? ??Lang’s?? ??answer?? ??only?? ??had?? ??two?? ??words:?? ??“It’s?? ??dirty.”??????“...”??????Xie?? ??Lian?? ??had?? ??never?? ??imagined?? ??that?? ??to?? ??be?? ??the?? ??answer,?? ??in?? ??such?? ??seriousness?? ??too,?? ??and????thought?? ??it?? ??was?? ??kind?? ??of?? ??funny,?? ??but?? ??it?? ??also?? ??made?? ??him?? ??feel?? ??kind?? ??of?? ??strange,?? ??the?? ??feeling?? ??hard?? ??to????describe,?? ??only?? ??that?? ??his?? ??heart?? ??was?? ??warm.?? ??“You?? ??can’t?? ??possibly?? ??keep?? ??holding?? ???? ??like?? ??this?”??????“I?? ??could.”?? ??San?? ??Lang?? ??replied.??????Xie?? ??Lian?? ??was?? ??only?? ??joking,?? ??but?? ??San?? ??Lang’s?? ??words?? ??had?? ??no?? ??trace?? ??of?? ??half?? ??heartedness,?? ??and????suddenly?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??didn’t?? ??know?? ??what?? ??to?? ??say.?? ??In?? ??the?? ??ti?? ??they?? ??were?? ??talking,?? ??Ke?? ??Mo?? ??had????never?? ??ceased?? ??to?? ??attack.?? ??Both?? ??of?? ??San?? ??Lang’s?? ??hands?? ??were?? ??firmly?? ??holding?? ??him,?? ??but????sothing?? ??else?? ??was?? ??keeping?? ??Ke?? ??Mo?? ??at?? ??bay,?? ??whipping?? ??him?? ??to?? ??defeat.?? ??He?? ??shouted?? ??while????slowly?? ??backing?? ??off,?? ??“That?? ??bitch?? ??made?? ??you?? ??two...”??????He?? ??hadn’t?? ??finished?? ??his?? ??words?? ??before?? ??a?? ??large?? ??boom?? ??sounded?? ??off,?? ??and?? ??the?? ??massive?? ??man?? ??fell????to?? ??the?? ??ground,?? ??no?? ??longer?? ??able?? ??to?? ??stand.?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??hurriedly?? ??said,?? ??“San?? ??Lang,?? ??don’t?? ??kill?? ??him!????We’ll?? ??still?? ??need?? ??to?? ??question?? ??him?? ??if?? ??we?? ??want?? ??to?? ??get?? ??out?? ??of?? ??here.”??????San?? ??Lang?? ??heeded?? ??his?? ??words?? ??and?? ??stopped.?? ??“I?? ??wasn’t?? ??planning?? ??on?? ??killing?? ??him?? ??anyway,????otherwise?? ??he?? ??wouldn’t?? ??have?? ??lasted?? ??til?? ??now.”??????A?? ??dead?? ??silence?? ??ensued?? ??anew?? ??in?? ??the?? ??Sinner’s?? ??Pit.??????After?? ??a?? ??mont,?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??asked,?? ??“San?? ??Lang,?? ??did?? ??you?? ??do?? ??all?? ??of?? ??this?? ??down?? ??here?”??????Even?? ??if?? ??nothing?? ??was?? ??visible?? ??in?? ??the?? ??dark,?? ??with?? ??such?? ??an?? ??overpowering?? ??stench?? ??of?? ??blood?? ??and????bloodlust?? ??covering?? ??the?? ??pit,?? ??plus?? ??the?? ??enraged?? ??madness?? ??of?? ??Ke?? ??Mo,?? ??it?? ??was?? ??obvious?? ??what?? ??had????happened?? ??down?? ??here.?? ??It?? ??was?? ??another?? ??montary?? ??silence?? ??before?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??heard?? ??San????Lang’s?? ??response.??????“Yes.”?? ??He?? ??said.??????It?? ??was?? ??an?? ??expected?? ??answer.?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??sighed,?? ??“How?? ??should?? ??I?? ??say?? ??this...”??????Xie?? ??Lian?? ??chewed?? ??on?? ??his?? ??words?? ??and?? ??organized?? ??his?? ??thoughts?? ??before?? ??speaking?? ??up?? ??in?? ??a????serious?? ??tone,?? ??“San?? ??Lang,?? ??next?? ??ti?? ??you?? ??see?? ??a?? ??pit?? ??like?? ??this,?? ??don’t?? ??just?? ??jump?? ??in?? ??randomly.?? ??I????couldn’t?? ??even?? ??stop?? ??you.?? ??Really,?? ??I?? ??didn’t?? ??know?? ??what?? ??to?? ??do.”??????San?? ??Lang?? ??didn’t?? ??seem?? ??to?? ??expect?? ??this?? ??kind?? ??of?? ??response?? ??and?? ??let?? ??out?? ??a?? ??confused?? ??“eh?”????When?? ??he?? ??spoke?? ??again,?? ??he?? ??sounded?? ??a?? ??bit?? ??odd,?? ??“You?? ??don’t?? ??want?? ??to?? ??ask?? ??anything?? ??else?”??????“What?? ??else?? ??do?? ??you?? ??want?? ???? ??to?? ??ask?”?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??said.??????“For?? ??example,?? ??whether?? ??if?? ??I’m?? ??human.”?? ??San?? ??Lang?? ??replied.??????Xie?? ??Lian?? ??rubbed?? ??his?? ??forehead,?? ??“Hmm.?? ??I?? ??don’t?? ??think?? ??that’s?? ??necessary.”??????“Is?? ??it?? ??not?”??????“Is?? ??it??? ??It’s?? ??not?? ??important?? ??whether?? ??if?? ??you’re?? ??human?? ??or?? ??not.”?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??said.??????“Oh?”????????Xie?? ??Lian?? ??crossed?? ??his?? ??arms?? ??while?? ??in?? ??San?? ??Lang’s?? ??arms?? ??and?? ??said,?? ??“Relationships?? ??should????depend?? ??on?? ??chance?? ??and?? ??whether?? ??if?? ??we’re?? ??on?? ??the?? ??sa?? ??wavelength,?? ??not?? ??on?? ??identity.?? ??If?? ??I?? ??like????you,?? ??you?? ??can?? ??be?? ??a?? ??beggar?? ??and?? ??I’ll?? ??still?? ??like?? ??you.?? ??If?? ??I?? ??dislike?? ??you,?? ??you?? ??can?? ??be?? ??the?? ??emperor????and?? ??I’ll?? ??still?? ??dislike?? ??you.?? ??Shouldn’t?? ??it?? ??be?? ??like?? ??that??? ??It’s?? ??simple?? ??logic.?? ??So,?? ??whether?? ??if?? ??you’re????human?? ??is?? ??irrelevant.”??????San?? ??Lang?? ??laughed?? ??out?? ??loud,?? ??“Yea.?? ??You’re?? ??very?? ??right.”??????“Right?”?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??said,?? ??laughing?? ??along?? ??too.?? ??But?? ??the?? ??more?? ??he?? ??laughed?? ??the?? ??more?? ??he?? ??felt????sothing?? ??was?? ??off,?? ??and?? ??it?? ??ca?? ??to?? ??him?? ??suddenly.????????He?? ??was?? ??still?? ??letting?? ??San?? ??Lang?? ??carry?? ??him,?? ??and?? ??the?? ??scary?? ??thing?? ??was,?? ??he?? ??had?? ??gotten?? ??used?? ??to????being?? ??in?? ??this?? ??position?? ??without?? ??realizing?? ??it!??????What?? ??kind?? ??of?? ??situation?? ??was?? ??this???? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??cleared?? ??his?? ??throat?? ??quietly?? ??and?? ??said,?? ??“Um,?? ??San????Lang.?? ??We?? ??can?? ??talk?? ??about?? ??that?? ??later.?? ??How?? ??about?? ??you?? ??put?? ???? ??down?? ??first?”??????San?? ??Lang?? ??seed?? ??to?? ??have?? ??chuckled?? ??and?? ??said,?? ??“Hold?? ??on.”????????He?? ??carried?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??and?? ??walked?? ??on?? ??for?? ??a?? ??bit?? ??before?? ??gently?? ??letting?? ??him?? ??down.?? ??Touching????ground,?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??could?? ??feel?? ??hard,?? ??flat?? ??ground.?? ??“Thanks!”??????San?? ??Lang?? ??made?? ??no?? ??gestures?? ??in?? ??response,?? ??and?? ??after?? ??thanking?? ??him,?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??looked?? ??to?? ??the????sky.??????Above?? ??them?? ??the?? ??navy?? ??blue?? ??sky?? ??hung?? ??a?? ??crescent?? ??moon,?? ??bright?? ??and?? ??beautiful.?? ??Just?? ??that,????watching?? ??the?? ??view?? ??from?? ??a?? ??square?? ??fra?? ??made?? ??it?? ??feel?? ??like?? ??they’re?? ??a?? ??frog?? ??in?? ??a?? ??well.??????Xie?? ??Lian?? ??commanded?? ??Ruoye?? ??to?? ??try?? ??and?? ??reach?? ??for?? ??the?? ??top,?? ??but?? ??expectedly?? ??it?? ??was?? ??stopped????halfway?? ??as?? ??if?? ??it?? ??bumped?? ??into?? ??an?? ??invisible?? ??wall,?? ??and?? ??Ruoye?? ??rebounded,?? ??unable?? ??to?? ??go????higher.????????“There’s?? ??an?? ??array?? ??drawn?? ??around?? ??the?? ??Sinner’s?? ??Pit.”?? ??San?? ??Lang?? ??said.??????“I?? ??know,?? ??but?? ??I?? ??wanted?? ??to?? ??try?? ??anyway.”?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??said,?? ??“I?? ??couldn’t?? ??give?? ??up?? ??until?? ??I’ve?? ??tried,?? ??you????know.?? ??I?? ??wonder?? ??how?? ??the?? ??others?? ??are?? ??up?? ??there.?? ??Would?? ??the?? ??girl?? ??in?? ??black?? ??also?? ??sweep?? ??them????down?”????????He?? ??retold?? ??of?? ??how?? ??the?? ??girl?? ??hung?? ??on?? ??the?? ??pole?? ??suddenly?? ??ca?? ??alive?? ??and?? ??swept?? ??all?? ??the????BanYue?? ??soldiers?? ??down?? ??into?? ??the?? ??pit?? ??to?? ??San?? ??Lang,?? ??and?? ??while?? ??talking?? ??he?? ??stepped?? ??on????sothing?? ??on?? ??the?? ??ground,?? ??appearing?? ??to?? ??be?? ??an?? ??arm,?? ??and?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??almost?? ??tripped.?? ??He????steadied?? ??himself?? ??imdiately,?? ??but?? ??San?? ??Lang?? ??still?? ??reached?? ??out?? ??and?? ??helped?? ??to?? ??support?? ??him,????chiding,?? ??“Be?? ??careful.”??????“I?? ??told?? ??you?? ??the?? ??ground?? ??was?? ??dirty,”?? ??San?? ??Lang?? ??added?? ??nonchalantly.??????Xie?? ??Lian?? ??now?? ??understood?? ??what?? ??“dirty”?? ??ant,?? ??and?? ??said,?? ??“Don’t?? ??worry.?? ??I?? ??want?? ??to?? ??ignite?? ??a????palm?? ??torch;?? ??see?? ??what’s?? ??happened?? ??down?? ??here?? ??and?? ??go?? ??from?? ??there.”??????San?? ??Lang?? ??didn’t?? ??say?? ??anything.?? ??Just?? ??then,?? ??from?? ??afar,?? ??Ke?? ??Mo’s?? ??cold?? ??voice?? ??cried?? ??again,?? ??“You????two?? ??doing?? ??the?? ??deeds?? ??of?? ??that?? ??bitch,?? ??all?? ??of?? ??the?? ??thousands?? ??of?? ??dead?? ??souls?? ??of?? ??this?? ??kingdom?? ??will????curse?? ??you.?? ??CURSE?? ??YOU!”????????Xie?? ??Lian?? ??turned?? ??towards?? ??Ke?? ??Mo?? ??and?? ??asked?? ??using?? ??BanYuenese,?? ??“General?? ??Ke?? ??Mo,?? ??who?? ??is????that?? ??...?? ??that?? ??person?? ??you?? ??speak?? ??of?”??????Ke?? ??Mo?? ??responded?? ??with?? ??hatred,?? ??“Why?? ??pretend?? ??to?? ??ask??? ??That?? ??wicked?? ??witch!”??????“Is?? ??it?? ??the?? ??woman?? ??cultivator?? ??roaming?? ??in?? ??the?? ??city?? ??streets?”??????Ke?? ??Mo?? ??spat?? ??angrily?? ??on?? ??the?? ??ground,?? ??and?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??took?? ??that?? ??as?? ??a?? ??yes.?? ??He?? ??continued?? ??to????question,?? ??“Weren’t?? ??you?? ??a?? ??loyal?? ??supporter?? ??of?? ??the?? ??BanYue?? ??Guoshi?”??????Ke?? ??Mo?? ??was?? ??provoked?? ??by?? ??his?? ??words?? ??and?? ??yelled,?? ??“I,?? ??KE?? ??MO,?? ??WILL?? ??NEVER?? ??AGAIN?? ??BE????LOYAL?? ??TO?? ??HER!?? ??I?? ??WILL?? ??NEVER?? ??FORGIVE?? ??THAT?? ??BITCH!!!”?? ??Afterwards?? ??he?? ??started????uttering?? ??a?? ??string?? ??of?? ??curses,?? ??inflad?? ??and?? ??hysterical,?? ??his?? ??words?? ??rapid?? ??and????incomprehensible,?? ??and?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??blanked,?? ??unable?? ??to?? ??follow.?? ??He?? ??looked?? ??to?? ??San?? ??Lang?? ??and????quietly?? ??called,?? ??“San?? ??Lang,?? ??San?? ??Lang.”??????San?? ??Lang?? ??translated,?? ??“He’s?? ??cursing.?? ??He?? ??said?? ??that?? ??woman?? ??betrayed?? ??his?? ??country,?? ??opened????the?? ??fortress?? ??gates?? ??and?? ??let?? ??in?? ??YongAn?? ??army?? ??to?? ??slaughter?? ??the?? ??city.?? ??She’s?? ??got?? ??the?? ??blood?? ??of????her?? ??people?? ??on?? ??her?? ??hands,?? ??and?? ??his?? ??brothers?? ??whom?? ??she?? ??pushed?? ??into?? ??this?? ??pit.?? ??He?? ??will?? ??hang????her?? ??dead?? ??a?? ??thousand?? ??tis.?? ??Ten?? ??thousand?? ??tis.”??????“Wait,?? ??hold?? ??on!”?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??quickly?? ??exclaid.??????How?? ??could?? ??this?? ??be??? ??There?? ??were?? ??two?? ??things?? ??that?? ??didn’t?? ??match!??????First,?? ??‘the?? ??woman?? ??cultivator?? ??roaming?? ??in?? ??the?? ??city?? ??streets’?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??spoke?? ??of?? ??earlier?? ??was????supposed?? ??to?? ??be?? ??the?? ??lady?? ??in?? ??white.?? ??But?? ??now,?? ??Ke?? ??Mo?? ??continuously?? ??called?? ??the?? ??BanYue????Guoshi?? ??‘bitch’,?? ??saying?? ??she?? ??pushed?? ??his?? ??brothers?? ??into?? ??the?? ??Sinner’s?? ??Pit,?? ??and?? ??earlier?? ??when?? ??the????black?? ??clad?? ??girl?? ??swept?? ??the?? ??soldiers?? ??into?? ??the?? ??pit,?? ??Ke?? ??Mo?? ??swore?? ??and?? ??cursed?? ??her?? ??the?? ??sa????thing.?? ??Plus?? ??the?? ??last?? ??bit,?? ??“to?? ??hang?? ??her?? ??dead?? ??a?? ??thousand?? ??tis”?? ??–?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??suddenly????realized?? ??that?? ??they?? ??weren?? ??possibly?? ??not?? ??talking?? ??about?? ??the?? ??sa?? ??person.??????Second,?? ??it?? ??was?? ??BanYue?? ??Guoshi?? ??who?? ??had?? ??betrayed?? ??the?? ??Kingdom?? ??of?? ??BanYue?!??????Xie?? ??Lian?? ??interrupted?? ??Ke?? ??Mo,?? ??“General,?? ??the?? ??BanYue?? ??Guoshi?? ??you?? ??speak?? ??of,?? ??was?? ??it?? ??the?? ??girl?? ??in????black?? ??hung?? ??on?? ??the?? ??pole?? ??of?? ??the?? ??Sinner’s?? ??Pit?”??????“WHO?? ??ELSE?? ??COULD?? ??IT?? ??BE?? ??IF?? ??NOT?? ??HER?”?? ??Ke?? ??Mo?? ??shouted.??????“...”??????The?? ??scrawny,?? ??corpse?? ??like?? ??little?? ??girl?? ??in?? ??black?? ??was?? ??the?? ??real?? ??Guoshi?? ??of?? ??BanYue!?? ??But?? ??if?? ??that’s????the?? ??case,?? ??who?? ??was?? ??the?? ??lady?? ??cultivator?? ??and?? ??her?? ??black?? ??clad?? ??companion,?? ??strolling?? ??through????the?? ??streets?? ??looking?? ??to?? ??kill?? ??them???????The?? ??girl?? ??in?? ??black?? ??obviously?? ??had?? ??unasurable?? ??powers,?? ??and?? ??could?? ??easily?? ??sweep?? ??dozens????of?? ??hostile?? ??BanYue?? ??soldiers?? ??off?? ??the?? ??wall,?? ??so?? ??why?? ??was?? ??she?? ??hung?? ??above?? ??the?? ??Sinner’s?? ??Pit???????????????Ch.26:?? ??Dallying?? ??HuaLian;?? ??Night-Fall?? ??in?? ??Sinner’s?? ??Pit?? ??3????????The?? ??story?? ??was?? ??getting?? ??more?? ??complex?? ??and?? ??convoluted,?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??thought,?? ??and?? ??asked,????“General,?? ??I?? ??want?? ??to?? ??ask...”??????“Don’t?? ??ask?? ??anymore!”?? ??Ke?? ??Mo?? ??said?? ??instead,?? ??“You?? ??killed?? ??my?? ??soldiers,?? ??what?? ??more?? ??would?? ??you????want?? ??to?? ??know??? ??I?? ??won’t?? ??answer.?? ??Now?? ??fight?? ??!”??????“I?? ??killed?? ??them.?? ??He?? ??didn’t?? ??do?? ??anything,”?? ??San?? ??Lang?? ??said,?? ??“You?? ??can?? ??answer?? ??his?? ??questions,????and?? ??fight?? ??.”??????Well?? ??that?? ??was?? ??irrefutable?? ??logic.?? ??Ke?? ??Mo?? ??yelled?? ??angrily,?? ??“You’re?? ??both?? ??taking?? ??orders?? ??from?? ??her,????there?? ??is?? ??no?? ??difference!”??????Xie?? ??Lian?? ??imdiately?? ??said,?? ??“General?? ??Ke?? ??Mo,?? ??I?? ??think?? ??you’ve?? ??mistaken?? ??sothing.?? ??We’ve????traveled?? ??across?? ??the?? ??Gobi?? ??desert?? ??to?? ??get?? ??rid?? ??of?? ??the?? ??Guoshi?? ??of?? ??BanYue,?? ??how?? ??can?? ??we?? ??be?? ??the????helpers?? ??she?? ??sent?? ??for?”??????Hearing?? ??that?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??was?? ??actually?? ??there?? ??to?? ??destroy?? ??the?? ??Guoshi,?? ??Ke?? ??Mo?? ??fell?? ??silent.?? ??He????then?? ??asked,?? ??“If?? ??you?? ??weren’t?? ??helping?? ??her,?? ??then?? ??why?? ??did?? ??you?? ??kill?? ??my?? ??soldiers?”??????Xie?? ??Lian?? ??explained,?? ??“Isn’t?? ??it?? ??because?? ??you?? ??were?? ??throwing?? ??us?? ??into?? ??the?? ??pit?? ??and?? ??we?? ??had?? ??to????defend?? ??ourselves?”??????Ke?? ??Mo?? ??yelled?? ??angrily,?? ??“Nonsense!?? ??I?? ??didn’t?? ??throw?? ??any?? ??one?? ??of?? ??you!?? ??I?? ??even?? ??caught?? ??you!?? ??You????all?? ??jumped?? ??down?? ??yourselves!!”??????“Yes?? ??yes?? ??yes,?? ??we?? ??were?? ??jumping?? ??into?? ??the?? ??pit?? ??ourselves.?? ??General,?? ??we’re?? ??all?? ??trapped?? ??at?? ??the????bottom?? ??of?? ??this?? ??pit?? ??right?? ??now,?? ??let’s?? ??just?? ??call?? ??it?? ??a?? ??truce?? ??for?? ??now,?? ??alright??? ??Why?? ??did?? ??that?? ??BanYue????Guoshi?? ??open?? ??the?? ??fortress?? ??gates?? ??to?? ??let?? ??the?? ??enemies?? ??in?”????????As?? ??if?? ??Ke?? ??Mo?? ??would?? ??listen?? ??to?? ??him?? ??reason,?? ??and?? ??he?? ??said,?? ??unrelenting,?? ??“The?? ??two?? ??of?? ??you?? ??are?? ??sly????and?? ??unjust,?? ??fighting?? ???? ??two?? ??on?? ??one.”??????Xie?? ??Lian?? ??felt?? ??a?? ??little?? ??exasperated,?? ??“I?? ??only?? ??smacked?? ??you?? ??once.?? ??I?? ??didn’t?? ??do?? ??much.”??????He?? ??didn’t?? ??mind?? ??being?? ??called?? ??sly?? ??or?? ??unjust.?? ??If?? ??the?? ??situation?? ??called?? ??for?? ??it,?? ??nevermind?? ??two?? ??on????one,?? ??he?? ??could?? ??bring?? ??a?? ??hundred?? ??to?? ??beat?? ??one?? ??down,?? ??who?? ??cared?? ??about?? ??one?? ??on?? ??one.?? ??But????earlier,?? ??San?? ??Lang?? ??obviously?? ??had?? ??the?? ??upper?? ??hand?? ??even?? ??while?? ??carrying?? ??him,?? ??and?? ??told?? ??Xie????Lian?? ??not?? ??to?? ??fight?? ??too.?? ??Ke?? ??Mo?? ??seed?? ??to?? ??think?? ??he?? ??could’ve?? ??won?? ??if?? ??it?? ??had?? ??been?? ??just?? ??him?? ??and????San?? ??Lang?? ??though,?? ??and?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??felt?? ??bad?? ??for?? ??him.??????Ke?? ??Mo?? ??was?? ??incredibly?? ??uncooperative,?? ??but?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??wasn’t?? ??worried.?? ??Ke?? ??Mo?? ??seed?? ??to?? ??be????the?? ??type?? ??that?? ??could?? ??easily?? ??be?? ??made?? ??to?? ??spill?? ??his?? ??beans,?? ??and?? ??they’ve?? ??got?? ??ti,?? ??not?? ??a????problem.?? ??San?? ??Lang?? ??on?? ??the?? ??other?? ??hand,?? ??didn’t?? ??have?? ??the?? ??sa?? ??patience,?? ??and?? ??lazily?? ??said,????“You?? ??better?? ??answer?? ??his?? ??questions,?? ??for?? ??the?? ??sake?? ??of?? ??your?? ??soldiers.”??????“You?? ??already?? ??killed?? ??them,”?? ??Ke?? ??Mo?? ??said,?? ??“It’s?? ??pointless?? ??using?? ??them?? ??to?? ??threaten?? ??.”??????“They?? ??are?? ??dead,?? ??but?? ??their?? ??corpses?? ??are?? ??still?? ??around.”?? ??San?? ??Lang?? ??replied.??????Ke?? ??Mo?? ??beca?? ??alard,?? ??unable?? ??to?? ??remain?? ??sprawled?? ??on?? ??the?? ??ground?? ??anymore,?? ??“What?? ??are????you?? ??going?? ??to?? ??do?”??????San?? ??Lang?? ??smirked,?? ??“That?? ??depends?? ??on?? ??what?? ??you?? ??want?? ??to?? ??do.”??????Just?? ??by?? ??his?? ??voice,?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??could?? ??imagine?? ??San?? ??Lang?? ??cocking?? ??his?? ??eye,?? ??“Do?? ??you?? ??want?? ??their????next?? ??lives?? ??to?? ??be?? ??fortuitous?? ??or?? ??be?? ??reborn?? ??as?? ??a?? ??pool?? ??of?? ??blood?”??????Ke?? ??Mo?? ??stopped,?? ??but?? ??soon?? ??understood?? ??what?? ??San?? ??Lang?? ??ant,?? ??and?? ??exploded,?? ??“YOU?!”??????The?? ??people?? ??of?? ??BanYue?? ??took?? ??death?? ??and?? ??funerals?? ??extrely?? ??seriously.?? ??They?? ??believed?? ??that????however?? ??the?? ??deceased?? ??looked?? ??at?? ??their?? ??death?? ??will?? ??be?? ??how?? ??they?? ??shall?? ??be?? ??reborn.?? ??For????instance,?? ??if?? ??the?? ??deceased?? ??was?? ??missing?? ??an?? ??arm,?? ??then?? ??they?? ??shall?? ??be?? ??reborn?? ??handicapped.?? ??If????the?? ??corpses?? ??in?? ??this?? ??pit?? ??were?? ??to?? ??be?? ??destroyed,?? ??then?? ??what?? ??would?? ??their?? ??rebirths?? ??be?? ??like???????General?? ??Ke?? ??Mo?? ??was?? ??a?? ??purebred?? ??BanYuenese?? ??and?? ??couldn’t?? ??help?? ??but?? ??be?? ??afraid.?? ??As????expected,?? ??on?? ??the?? ??other?? ??side?? ??of?? ??the?? ??dark?? ??pit,?? ??Ke?? ??Mo?? ??gritted?? ??his?? ??teeth?? ??soundly?? ??in?? ??rage,?? ??but????finally?? ??relented?? ??helplessly,?? ??“Don’t?? ??touch?? ??their?? ??bodies.?? ??They?? ??were?? ??good,?? ??brave?? ??soldiers.?? ??It????was?? ??already?? ??a?? ??tragedy?? ??to?? ??be?? ??trapped?? ??in?? ??the?? ??pit?? ??for?? ??so?? ??many?? ??years.?? ??I?? ??don’t?? ??know?? ??if?? ??being????killed?? ??by?? ??you?? ??is?? ??a?? ??blessing?? ??or?? ??not,?? ??but?? ??I?? ??won’t?? ??have?? ??their?? ??corpses?? ??be?? ??humiliated.”??????He?? ??paused?? ??and?? ??asked,?? ??“Are?? ??you?? ??really?? ??here?? ??to?? ??kill?? ??Ban?? ??Yue?”??????Xie?? ??Lian?? ??replied?? ??warmly,?? ??“No?? ??lie.?? ??The?? ??more?? ??we?? ??know?? ??the?? ??more?? ??chance?? ??we’ll?? ??have?? ??at????winning.?? ??Not?? ??much?? ??is?? ??known?? ??about?? ??the?? ??Guoshi?? ??of?? ??BanYue?? ??on?? ??the?? ??outside,?? ??we?? ??have?? ??no????idea?? ??how?? ??to?? ??fight?? ??her.?? ??But?? ??you?? ??have?? ??worked?? ??under?? ??her?? ??before?? ??in?? ??the?? ??past,?? ??perhaps?? ??you????can?? ??enlighten?? ??so?? ??things?? ??for?? ??us?”??????Maybe?? ??it?? ??was?? ??because?? ??they?? ??shared?? ??the?? ??sa?? ??enemy?? ??-?? ??the?? ??Guoshi?? ??of?? ??BanYue?? ??-?? ??that?? ??a????sort?? ??of?? ??bond?? ??was?? ??developed,?? ??or?? ??perhaps?? ??in?? ??an?? ??inescapable?? ??chasm,?? ??atop?? ??the?? ??dead?? ??bodies????of?? ??his?? ??soldiers,?? ??Ke?? ??Mo?? ??beca?? ??disheartened,?? ??but?? ??whatever?? ??it?? ??may?? ??be,?? ??the?? ??general????ceased?? ??the?? ??will?? ??to?? ??attack?? ??them.?? ??“You?? ??don’t?? ??know?? ??why?? ??she?? ??opened?? ??the?? ??gates??? ??Because????she’s?? ??against?? ??us!?? ??She?? ??hates?? ??us!?? ??She?? ??hates?? ??the?? ??Kingdom?? ??of?? ??BanYue!”??????“What?? ??do?? ??you?? ??an?? ??she?? ??hates?? ??the?? ??Kingdom?? ??of?? ??BanYue??? ??Isn’t?? ??BanYue?? ??Guoshi?? ??a?? ??citizen????of?? ??BanYue?”?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??asked.????????“Yes,?? ??but?? ??not?? ??entirely.”?? ??Ke?? ??Mo?? ??replied,?? ??“She’s?? ??a?? ??mix?? ??blood.?? ??The?? ??other?? ??half?? ??is?? ??from????YongAn!”????????“Ah...”??????Turns?? ??out,?? ??that?? ??BanYue?? ??Guoshi?? ??was?? ??born?? ??of?? ??a?? ??BanYue?? ??woman?? ??and?? ??a?? ??YongAn?? ??man.????Living?? ??on?? ??the?? ??border?? ??with?? ??endless?? ??hatred?? ??and?? ??skirmishes,?? ??things?? ??were?? ??difficult,?? ??and????YongAn?? ??man?? ??finally?? ??had?? ??had?? ??enough?? ??and?? ??moved?? ??away?? ??from?? ??the?? ??border?? ??back?? ??to?? ??YongAn.????Although?? ??it?? ??was?? ??an?? ??amicable?? ??divorce,?? ??the?? ??BanYue?? ??woman?? ??soon?? ??passed?? ??away?? ??from????heartache.??????They?? ??left?? ??behind?? ??a?? ??child?? ??of?? ??six?? ??to?? ??seven?? ??years?? ??in?? ??age;?? ??without?? ??any?? ??guardians,?? ??the?? ??child????wandered?? ??the?? ??streets,?? ??hungry?? ??and?? ??desperate.?? ??The?? ??couple?? ??had?? ??received?? ??cold?? ??shoulders????everywhere?? ??when?? ??they?? ??were?? ??around,?? ??and?? ??now?? ??their?? ??daughter?? ??too,?? ??received?? ??contempt????wherever?? ??she?? ??went.?? ??The?? ??people?? ??of?? ??BanYue?? ??were?? ??tall?? ??and?? ??buff,?? ??and?? ??saw?? ??beauty?? ??in????strength?? ??and?? ??liveliness,?? ??but?? ??this?? ??girl?? ??was?? ??born?? ??of?? ??mixed?? ??blood,?? ??and?? ??appeared?? ??small?? ??and????scrawny?? ??amongst?? ??the?? ??BanYue?? ??children.?? ??She?? ??grew?? ??up?? ??being?? ??bullied,?? ??and?? ??beca?? ??more????and?? ??more?? ??sullen.?? ??The?? ??BanYue?? ??children?? ??wouldn’t?? ??play?? ??with?? ??her,?? ??but?? ??there?? ??were?? ??so????YongAn?? ??children?? ??who?? ??did?? ??pay?? ??attention?? ??to?? ??her.??????When?? ??this?? ??little?? ??mixed?? ??blood?? ??was?? ??about?? ??ten?? ??sothing,?? ??a?? ??riot?? ??broke?? ??out,?? ??and?? ??the?? ??two????armies?? ??fought.?? ??That?? ??battle?? ??took?? ??many?? ??lives,?? ??and?? ??afterwards,?? ??that?? ??little?? ??mixed?? ??blood????disappeared.??????She?? ??had?? ??no?? ??friends?? ??nor?? ??families?? ??in?? ??BanYue,?? ??so?? ??no?? ??one?? ??noticed?? ??or?? ??cared?? ??when?? ??she????vanished.?? ??The?? ??next?? ??ti?? ??she?? ??appeared?? ??was?? ??a?? ??different?? ??story.??????In?? ??those?? ??years,?? ??she?? ??walked?? ??thousands?? ??of?? ??miles?? ??and?? ??crossed?? ??the?? ??Gobi?? ??desert?? ??to?? ??YongAn.????No?? ??one?? ??knew?? ??what?? ??kind?? ??of?? ??encounters?? ??she?? ??had?? ??had,?? ??but?? ??she?? ??returned?? ??having?? ??learned????black?? ??magic,?? ??and?? ??could?? ??control?? ??the?? ??venomous?? ??creature?? ??most?? ??feared?? ??by?? ??the?? ??BanYue?? ??–?? ??the????scorpion?? ??snakes.??????Upon?? ??her?? ??return,?? ??besides?? ??being?? ??impressed,?? ??many?? ??were?? ??also?? ??afraid.?? ??That?? ??was?? ??because????the?? ??girl’s?? ??personality?? ??never?? ??changed,?? ??still?? ??gloomy?? ??and?? ??unsociable.?? ??There?? ??were?? ??also?? ??many????who?? ??bullied?? ??her?? ??in?? ??the?? ??past;?? ??if?? ??she?? ??were?? ??to?? ??enter?? ??the?? ??palace?? ??and?? ??beco?? ??a?? ??high?? ??ranking????official,?? ??wouldn’t?? ??she?? ??one?? ??day?? ??seek?? ??revenge?? ??against?? ??them?????????“I’m?? ??sure?? ??there?? ??were?? ??many?? ??who?? ??spoke?? ??poorly?? ??of?? ??her.”?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??comnted.??????Ke?? ??Mo?? ??humphed,?? ??“Not?? ??just?? ??slanders,?? ??they?? ??went?? ??to?? ??the?? ??palace?? ??directly?? ??to?? ??advise?? ??the?? ??king,????saying?? ??that?? ??she?? ??was?? ??an?? ??evil?? ??ssenger?? ??from?? ??the?? ??scorpion?? ??snake?? ??clan?? ??here?? ??to?? ??bring?? ??ruin????to?? ??the?? ??Kingdom?? ??of?? ??BanYue.?? ??But?? ??none?? ??of?? ??them?? ??succeeded.”??????Xie?? ??Lian?? ??guessed,?? ??“Did?? ??she?? ??rush?? ??to?? ??have?? ??those?? ??people?? ??hung?? ??first?”??????Ke?? ??Mo?? ??was?? ??even?? ??more?? ??disgusted,?? ??“You,?? ??man?? ??of?? ??YongAn,?? ??why?? ??is?? ??your?? ??mind?? ??so?? ??full?? ??of????depraved?? ??and?? ??vile?? ??developnts??? ??It?? ??was?? ??none?? ??of?? ??that!?? ??I?? ??protected?? ??her!”????????Xie?? ??Lian?? ??was?? ??exasperated,?? ??“I?? ??already?? ??said?? ??I’m?? ??not?? ??from?? ??YongAn...?? ??Alright,?? ??whatever.”????????At?? ??the?? ??ti,?? ??Ke?? ??Mo?? ??was?? ??already?? ??a?? ??distinguished,?? ??fierce?? ??warrior.?? ??There?? ??was?? ??once?? ??he?? ??took????his?? ??troop?? ??out?? ??to?? ??annihilate?? ??the?? ??nest?? ??of?? ??a?? ??band?? ??of?? ??desert?? ??bandits,?? ??and?? ??brought?? ??the?? ??girl?? ??who????was?? ??the?? ??Palace?? ??Sorceress?? ??along.??????That?? ??band?? ??of?? ??bandits?? ??were?? ??strong,?? ??building?? ??their?? ??nest?? ??below?? ??the?? ??sands.?? ??In?? ??that?? ??battle,????both?? ??sides?? ??suffered?? ??casualties,?? ??and?? ??while?? ??Ke?? ??Mo?? ??stole?? ??the?? ??victory,?? ??the?? ??battle?? ??caused?? ??the????nest?? ??below?? ??the?? ??sands?? ??to?? ??collapse,?? ??plus?? ??with?? ??the?? ??coming?? ??of?? ??windstorms,?? ??they?? ??couldn’t????stay.?? ??Ke?? ??Mo?? ??took?? ??a?? ??number?? ??of?? ??soldiers?? ??to?? ??retreat,?? ??but,?? ??the?? ??other?? ??group?? ??that?? ??included?? ??the????sorceress?? ??weren’t?? ??able?? ??to?? ??escape.??????Once?? ??they?? ??retreated?? ??to?? ??the?? ??safe?? ??point?? ??and?? ??waited?? ??out?? ??the?? ??sandstorm,?? ??Ke?? ??Mo?? ??returned????anew,?? ??hoping?? ??to?? ??dig?? ??out?? ??the?? ??soldiers?? ??to?? ??bury?? ??them?? ??properly.?? ??Yet?? ??who?? ??knew?? ??that?? ??when?? ??he????got?? ??there,?? ??he?? ??found?? ??the?? ??sorceress?? ??had,?? ??by?? ??her?? ??powers?? ??alone,?? ??dug?? ??out?? ??sizable?? ??hole,?? ??and????managed?? ??to?? ??drag?? ??all?? ??the?? ??surviving,?? ??wounded?? ??soldiers?? ??in?? ??to?? ??hide?? ??away?? ??from?? ??the?? ??winds.??????All?? ??the?? ??bodies?? ??of?? ??the?? ??dead?? ??were?? ??all?? ??dug?? ??out?? ??too,?? ??and?? ??laid?? ??out?? ??in?? ??a?? ??neat?? ??order.?? ??She?? ??had????done?? ??this?? ??all?? ??by?? ??herself,?? ??and?? ??when?? ??they?? ??got?? ??there,?? ??that?? ??sorceress’?? ??body?? ??was?? ??covered?? ??in????blood,?? ??but?? ??was?? ??still?? ??guarding?? ??the?? ??entrance?? ??to?? ??that?? ??hole?? ??silently,?? ??hugging?? ??her?? ??knees?? ??waiting????for?? ??them?? ??like?? ??a?? ??small,?? ??little?? ??lone?? ??wolf.??????“After?? ??that?? ??incident,?? ??I?? ??thought?? ??she?? ??was?? ??a?? ??good?? ??woman?? ??who?? ??does?? ??the?? ??right?? ??things.”?? ??Ke?? ??Mo????said,?? ??“I?? ??believed?? ??that?? ??she?? ??had?? ??never?? ??the?? ??intention?? ??to?? ??harm?? ??the?? ??Kingdom?? ??of?? ??BanYue,?? ??so?? ??I????beca?? ??a?? ??guarantor?? ??with?? ??all?? ??my?? ??might,?? ??and?? ??fought?? ??back?? ??all?? ??those?? ??malicious?? ??voices.”??????Plus,?? ??Ke?? ??Mo?? ??himself?? ??grew?? ??up?? ??bullied?? ??and?? ??could?? ??understand?? ??her?? ??strife,?? ??so?? ??naturally?? ??he????paid?? ??more?? ??attention?? ??to?? ??her.?? ??The?? ??more?? ??attention?? ??he?? ??paid,?? ??the?? ??more?? ??he?? ??realized?? ??just?? ??how????powerful?? ??this?? ??girl?? ??was,?? ??and?? ??thus?? ??endorsed?? ??her?? ??all?? ??the?? ??way,?? ??helping?? ??her?? ??reach?? ??the?? ??position????of?? ??Guoshi,?? ??becoming?? ??what?? ??was?? ??later?? ??recorded?? ??as?? ??the?? ??most?? ??loyal?? ??supporter?? ??of?? ??the?? ??Guoshi????of?? ??BanYue.??????This?? ??lasted?? ??until?? ??another?? ??war?? ??broke?? ??out,?? ??and?? ??the?? ??Kingdom?? ??of?? ??YongAn?? ??sent?? ??armies?? ??to????annihilate?? ??the?? ??Kingdom?? ??of?? ??BanYue.??????“With?? ??the?? ??two?? ??armies?? ??clashing?? ??and?? ??at?? ??a?? ??lengthy?? ??standstill,?? ??she?? ??conducted?? ??a?? ??grand????ceremony?? ??to?? ??pray?? ??to?? ??the?? ??heavens,?? ??saying?? ??it?? ??was?? ??to?? ??bring?? ??blessings?? ??unto?? ??us?? ??BanYue????soldiers.”?? ??Ke?? ??Mo?? ??said.??????Thus,?? ??the?? ??soldier’s?? ??will?? ??to?? ??kill?? ??exploded,?? ??their?? ??battle?? ??spirits?? ??significantly?? ??raised,?? ??and?? ??they????defended?? ??the?? ??fortress?? ??gates?? ??to?? ??the?? ??death.?? ??There?? ??were?? ??arrows,?? ??giant?? ??boulders,?? ??boiling?? ??oil,????swords?? ??and?? ??blades,?? ??the?? ??slaughtering?? ??was?? ??incessantly?? ??great.??????Yet?? ??unexpectedly,?? ??just?? ??as?? ??the?? ??fighting?? ??was?? ??at?? ??its?? ??height,?? ??this?? ??guoshi?? ??suddenly?? ??opened?? ??the????fortress?? ??gates.??????With?? ??the?? ??gates?? ??opened?? ??wide,?? ??millions?? ??of?? ??enemy?? ??troops?? ??sward?? ??into?? ??the?? ??city?? ??all?? ??of?? ??a????sudden?? ??like?? ??mad.?? ??After?? ??the?? ??trampling?? ??of?? ??iron?? ??steeds,?? ??the?? ??entire?? ??fortress?? ??city?? ??had?? ??instantly????beco?? ??a?? ??ritual?? ??of?? ??blood!??????Ke?? ??Mo,?? ??who?? ??was?? ??fighting?? ??hard?? ??against?? ??the?? ??enemies,?? ??went?? ??mad?? ??with?? ??rage?? ??when?? ??he?? ??heard????the?? ??Guoshi?? ??had?? ??opened?? ??the?? ??gates.?? ??But?? ??no?? ??matter?? ??how?? ??tough?? ??he?? ??was,?? ??one?? ??could?? ??not?? ??win????alone?? ??against?? ??so?? ??many.??????Ke?? ??Mo?? ??gritted?? ??his?? ??teeth,?? ??“I?? ??only?? ??learned?? ??then?? ??that?? ??she?? ??had?? ??long?? ??since?? ??colluded?? ??with?? ??the????enemy?? ??general,?? ??and?? ??agreed?? ??to?? ??let?? ??them?? ??in?? ??at?? ??that?? ??mont.?? ??BUT?? ??EVEN?? ??IF?? ??I?? ??WAS????DESTINED?? ??TO?? ??DIE?? ??IN?? ??BATTLE,?? ??BEFORE?? ??I?? ??DIE?? ??I?? ??WAS?? ??GOING?? ??TO?? ??KILL?? ??THAT????TRAITOR?? ??NO?? ??MATTER?? ??WHAT!!!?? ??So?? ??I?? ??sent?? ??a?? ??troop?? ??of?? ??soldiers?? ??to?? ??charge?? ??up?? ??the?? ??fortress????tower?? ??and?? ??dragged?? ??her?? ??down,?? ??hanging?? ??her?? ??dead?? ??over?? ??the?? ??Sinner’s?? ??Pit.?? ??Hung?? ??over?? ??that????pole!”????????After?? ??the?? ??enemy?? ??troops?? ??passed,?? ??the?? ??Kingdom?? ??of?? ??BanYue?? ??beca?? ??a?? ??kingdom?? ??of?? ??death.????Guoshi?? ??and?? ??the?? ??General?? ??who?? ??died?? ??in?? ??this?? ??battle?? ??also?? ??beca?? ??trapped?? ??within?? ??the?? ??ruins,????both?? ??watching?? ??the?? ??other?? ??in?? ??mutual?? ??grudge?? ??and?? ??hate.??????Xie?? ??Lian?? ??followed,?? ??“So,?? ??General?? ??Ke?? ??Mo,?? ??you?? ??led?? ??the?? ??BanYue?? ??soldiers?? ??under?? ??you?? ??to????search?? ??for?? ??the?? ??shadows?? ??of?? ??that?? ??guoshi?? ??everywhere,?? ??and?? ??every?? ??ti?? ??you?? ??capture?? ??her,????you’d?? ??“hang?? ??her?? ??head”?? ??over?? ??the?? ??Sinner’s?? ??Pit?”????????“It?? ??wouldn’t?? ??be?? ??anything?? ??even?? ??if?? ??we?? ??hung?? ??her?? ??dead?? ??a?? ??thousand?? ??tis,?? ??a?? ??million?? ??tis!”?? ??Ke????Mo?? ??exclaid,?? ??“Because?? ??she’s?? ??been?? ??apprehending?? ??all?? ??my?? ??soldiers?? ??who?? ??have?? ??turned????‘Savage’?? ??too,?? ??and?? ??throwing?? ??them?? ??into?? ??the?? ??Sinner’s?? ??Pit!?? ??She’s?? ??set?? ??up?? ??a?? ??powerful?? ??array????around?? ??the?? ??pit?? ??that?? ??only?? ??she?? ??herself?? ??could?? ??break,?? ??and?? ??once?? ??you?? ??fall?? ??you?? ??can?? ??never?? ??climb????back?? ??up.?? ??And?? ??us?? ??who?? ??have?? ??been?? ??betrayed?? ??by?? ??her,?? ??those?? ??soldiers?? ??who?? ??died?? ??wrongfully?? ??in????battle,?? ??hold?? ??a?? ??deep?? ??resentnt?? ??that?? ??only?? ??devouring?? ??the?? ??flesh?? ??and?? ??blood?? ??of?? ??those?? ??from????YongAn?? ??could?? ??appease,?? ??and?? ??slowly?? ??pass?? ??from?? ??this?? ??earth?? ??with?? ??our?? ??hatred?? ??released.????Otherwise?? ??they?? ??can?? ??only?? ??howl?? ??deep?? ??into?? ??the?? ??long?? ??nights?? ??without?? ??absolution!”??????“So?? ??is?? ??that?? ??why?? ??you?? ??kept?? ??capturing?? ??peple?? ??to?? ??feed?? ??them?”?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??asked.??????“What?? ??else?? ??can?? ??we?? ??do?”?? ??Ke?? ??Mo?? ??replied,?? ??“Have?? ???? ??listen?? ??to?? ??them?? ??wail?? ??down?? ??below????without?? ??doing?? ??anything?”????????“The?? ??people?? ??you?? ??threw?? ??down,?? ??did?? ??you?? ??catch?? ??them?? ??yourselves?? ??or?”????????“We?? ??can’t?? ??stray?? ??too?? ??far?? ??from?? ??the?? ??Kingdom?? ??of?? ??BanYue,?? ??but?? ??thankfully?? ??her?? ??snakes?? ??like?? ??to????haunt,?? ??and?? ??often?? ??crawl?? ??out?? ??of?? ??the?? ??ruins?? ??to?? ??bite?? ??people.?? ??Those?? ??caravans?? ??who?? ??were?? ??bitten????would?? ??then?? ??co?? ??into?? ??the?? ??city?? ??to?? ??look?? ??for?? ??the?? ??ShanYue?? ??fern.”????????“That?? ??mud?? ??face?? ??in?? ??the?? ??palace,?? ??was?? ??it?? ??you?? ??who?? ??buried?? ??it?”????????“That’s?? ??right.?? ??That?? ??man?? ??buried?? ??in?? ??the?? ??earth?? ??was?? ??originally?? ??planning?? ??on?? ??robbing?? ??the?? ??riches????of?? ??the?? ??palace.?? ??But,?? ??all?? ??the?? ??treasures?? ??our?? ??kingdom?? ??had?? ??were?? ??all?? ??cleaned?? ??out?? ??by?? ??those????YongAn?? ??n?? ??two?? ??hundred?? ??years?? ??ago.”????????“Why?? ??did?? ??you?? ??only?? ??bury?? ??him?? ??instead?? ??of?? ??throwing?? ??him?? ??down?? ??directly?”?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??asked.??????“There’s?? ??gotta?? ??be?? ??fertilizer?? ??to?? ??grow?? ??the?? ??ferns?? ??after?? ??all,”?? ??Ke?? ??Mo?? ??replied,?? ??“Otherwise?? ??we????wouldn’t?? ??be?? ??able?? ??to?? ??hold?? ??those?? ??scorpion?? ??snakes?? ??back.?? ??We?? ??don’t?? ??want?? ??to?? ??run?? ??into?? ??those????creatures?? ??either.”????????‘That’s?? ??not?? ??right,’?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??thought.??????If?? ??Ke?? ??Mo?? ??and?? ??his?? ??party?? ??consciously?? ??knew?? ??to?? ??grow?? ??and?? ??fertilize?? ??ShanYue?? ??ferns,?? ??even????going?? ??as?? ??far?? ??as?? ??using?? ??live?? ??humans?? ??as?? ??fertilizer,?? ??then?? ??it?? ??was?? ??clear?? ??that?? ??while?? ??they?? ??were?? ??no????longer?? ??alive,?? ??their?? ??fear?? ??of?? ??those?? ??scorpion?? ??snakes?? ??never?? ??lessened.??????If?? ??that?? ??was?? ??the?? ??case,?? ??then?? ??while?? ??they?? ??were?? ??alive,?? ??that?? ??fear?? ??must’ve?? ??been?? ??even?? ??greater.?? ??If????that?? ??BanYue?? ??Guoshi?? ??could?? ??control?? ??a?? ??murder?? ??weapon?? ??as?? ??great?? ??as?? ??those?? ??scorpion?? ??snakes,????then?? ??why?? ??would?? ??she?? ??so?? ??easily?? ??be?? ??dragged?? ??down?? ??the?? ??fortress?? ??tower?? ??by?? ??a?? ??bunch?? ??of?? ??soldiers????and?? ??be?? ??hung?? ??to?? ??death???????According?? ??to?? ??Ke?? ??Mo,?? ??in?? ??the?? ??past?? ??two?? ??hundred?? ??so?? ??years,?? ??he?? ??had?? ??captured?? ??the?? ??Guoshi????over?? ??and?? ??over,?? ??and?? ??had?? ??hung?? ??her?? ??dead?? ??repeatedly.?? ??Either?? ??way?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??felt,?? ??if?? ??it?? ??was?? ??him,????and?? ??he?? ??had?? ??such?? ??a?? ??killing?? ??weapon?? ??in?? ??his?? ??hands,?? ??he?? ??would?? ??never?? ??allow?? ??the?? ??enemy?? ??the????chance?? ??to?? ??co?? ??near?? ??him.??????And?? ??the?? ??snakes?? ??that?? ??would?? ??leave?? ??the?? ??fortress?? ??to?? ??prey?? ??was?? ??also?? ??of?? ??interest.?? ??Was?? ??it?? ??an????accident??? ??Not?? ??likely.?? ??More?? ??like?? ??they?? ??were?? ??purposely?? ??trying?? ??to?? ??lure?? ??people?? ??into?? ??the?? ??Pass.????Then?? ??it?? ??was?? ??Guoshi’s?? ??intentional?? ??doing??? ??Wouldn’t?? ??it?? ??be?? ??helping?? ??Ke?? ??Mo?? ??catch?? ??live?? ??humans????to?? ??feed?? ??his?? ??soldiers??? ??‘Mutual?? ??hatred’?? ??wouldn’t?? ??make?? ??sense?? ??then.??????Were?? ??they?? ??pretending?? ??to?? ??be?? ??enemies?? ??then??? ??What?? ??was?? ??the?? ??point?? ??in?? ??that???????And?? ??in?? ??all?? ??of?? ??this?? ??ss,?? ??there?? ??was?? ??also?? ??the?? ??mysterious?? ??lady?? ??in?? ??white?? ??and?? ??her?? ??companion.????Xie?? ??Lian?? ??decided?? ??to?? ??ask?? ??more?? ??questions,?? ??“General?? ??Ke?? ??Mo,?? ??when?? ??we?? ??first?? ??entered?? ??the????fortress,?? ??we?? ??saw?? ??two?? ??ladies,?? ??one?? ??in?? ??white,?? ??and?? ??the?? ??other?? ??in?? ??black.?? ??Do?? ??you?? ??know?? ??who?? ??they????are?”??????Before?? ??there?? ??was?? ??a?? ??response,?? ??San?? ??Lang?? ??whispered,?? ??“Shhh.”??????Xie?? ??Lian?? ??didn’t?? ??know?? ??what?? ??was?? ??going?? ??on?? ??but?? ??closed?? ??his?? ??mouth?? ??imdiately.?? ??A?? ??strange????hunch?? ??made?? ??him?? ??look?? ??up.??????It?? ??was?? ??the?? ??sa?? ??frad,?? ??navy?? ??blue?? ??sky?? ??with?? ??a?? ??crescent?? ??moon.?? ??But,?? ??next?? ??to?? ??the?? ??moon,?? ??he????saw?? ??a?? ??person;?? ??a?? ??small,?? ??black?? ??clad?? ??silhouette?? ??peered?? ??over?? ??the?? ??edge?? ??and?? ??was?? ??looking????down.??????After?? ??watching?? ??them?? ??for?? ??a?? ??bit,?? ??the?? ??little?? ??form?? ??suddenly?? ??grew?? ??bigger?? ??–?? ??it?? ??had?? ??jumped?? ??down.??????As?? ??the?? ??figure?? ??fell,?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??could?? ??see?? ??clearly?? ??that?? ??it?? ??was?? ??the?? ??Guoshi?? ??who?? ??was?? ??hanging?? ??on????the?? ??pole?? ??earlier.????????????Ch.27:?? ??Dallying?? ??HuaLian;?? ??Night-Fall?? ??in?? ??Sinner’s?? ??Pit?? ??4????????“Ke?? ??Mo,?? ??what’s?? ??going?? ??on?”?? ??The?? ??Guoshi?? ??asked?? ??in?? ??BanYuenese?? ??as?? ??she?? ??landed.??????The?? ??mont?? ??she?? ??spoke,?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??thought?? ??her?? ??voice?? ??was?? ??very?? ??different?? ??than?? ??what?? ??he?? ??had????imagined.?? ??Although?? ??still?? ??cold,?? ??her?? ??voice?? ??was?? ??tiny,?? ??like?? ??the?? ??grumblings?? ??of?? ??a?? ??sulky?? ??child,?? ??not????one?? ??that’s?? ??cool?? ??and?? ??powerful.?? ??If?? ??not?? ??for?? ??his?? ??good?? ??hearing,?? ??he?? ??might?? ??not?? ??even?? ??hear?? ??her????properly.????????“What’s?? ??going?? ??on???? ??THEY’RE?? ??ALL?? ??DEAD!!!”?? ??Ke?? ??Mo?? ??shouted.??????“How?? ??did?? ??they?? ??all?? ??die?”?? ??The?? ??Guoshi?? ??asked.??????“Isn’t?? ??it?? ??because?? ??you?? ??pushed?? ??them?? ??all?? ??down?? ??and?? ??trapped?? ??them?? ??in?? ??this?? ??godforsaken?? ??hell!”??????“Who’s?? ??here??? ??There’s?? ??another?? ??person.”?? ??The?? ??Guoshi?? ??said.??????At?? ??the?? ??bottom?? ??of?? ??the?? ??pit?? ??there?? ??should?? ??be?? ??two?? ??other?? ??‘people’,?? ??but?? ??San?? ??Lang?? ??had?? ??no?? ??breaths????nor?? ??heartbeat,?? ??so?? ??the?? ??Guoshi?? ??didn’t?? ??detect?? ??his?? ??presence.?? ??It?? ??was?? ??also?? ??complete?? ??chaos?? ??on????top?? ??of?? ??the?? ??walls?? ??earlier,?? ??and?? ??no?? ??one?? ??kept?? ??track?? ??of?? ??who?? ??fell?? ??and?? ??and?? ??who?? ??ran?? ??away,?? ??so?? ??she????thought?? ??there?? ??was?? ??only?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??there.????????“It?? ??was?? ??they?? ??who?? ??killed?? ??all?? ??of?? ??my?? ??soldiers,?? ??are?? ??you?? ??happy?? ??now??? ??Everyone?? ??you?? ??wanted?? ??to????kill?? ??are?? ??finally?? ??dead!”??????The?? ??Guoshi?? ??was?? ??silent,?? ??and?? ??suddenly?? ??a?? ??tiny?? ??burst?? ??of?? ??light?? ??flared,?? ??illuminating?? ??a?? ??small,????black?? ??clad?? ??girl?? ??with?? ??a?? ??palm?? ??torch.??????The?? ??girl?? ??looked?? ??to?? ??be?? ??fifteen?? ??or?? ??sixteen,?? ??both?? ??eyes?? ??blackened,?? ??not?? ??unbeautiful,?? ??but?? ??just????unhappy,?? ??her?? ??forehead?? ??and?? ??cheeks?? ??full?? ??of?? ??bruises,?? ??clear?? ??and?? ??distinct?? ??under?? ??the?? ??light.?? ??The????hand?? ??controlling?? ??the?? ??palm?? ??torch?? ??was?? ??shaking,?? ??causing?? ??the?? ??flas?? ??to?? ??flicker.????????If?? ??it?? ??wasn’t?? ??confird?? ??earlier,?? ??no?? ??one?? ??would?? ??think?? ??this?? ??pale?? ??little?? ??girl?? ??was?? ??the?? ??Guoshi?? ??of????BanYue.??????The?? ??flas?? ??in?? ??her?? ??hand?? ??illuminated?? ??herself?? ??and?? ??her?? ??surroundings.?? ??Next?? ??to?? ??her?? ??feet?? ??was????piled?? ??with?? ??armoured?? ??corpses?? ??of?? ??BanYue?? ??soldiers.??????Xie?? ??Lian?? ??couldn’t?? ??help?? ??but?? ??sneak?? ??a?? ??look?? ??beside?? ??him.????????That?? ??palm?? ??torch?? ??in?? ??the?? ??Guoshi’s?? ??hand?? ??was?? ??very?? ??small,?? ??and?? ??did?? ??not?? ??light?? ??up?? ??the?? ??entire?? ??pit,????so?? ??they?? ??were?? ??still?? ??imrsed?? ??in?? ??darkness.?? ??But?? ??using?? ??the?? ??wee?? ??light,?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??could?? ??still?? ??see????faintly?? ??that?? ??the?? ??one?? ??next?? ??to?? ??him?? ??was?? ??dressed?? ??in?? ??red.?? ??It?? ??wasn’t?? ??clear,?? ??and?? ??he?? ??wasn’t?? ??sure,????but?? ??he?? ??could?? ??still?? ??sowhat?? ??distinguish?? ??what’s?? ??close?? ??to?? ??him.?? ??San?? ??Lang?? ??was?? ??already?? ??taller????than?? ??him,?? ??but?? ??now,?? ??maybe,?? ??he?? ??seed?? ??taller?? ??than?? ??before.??????Xie?? ??Lian?? ??moved?? ??his?? ??eyes?? ??up,?? ??paused?? ??at?? ??the?? ??neck,?? ??then?? ??continued?? ??upward,?? ??stopping?? ??at?? ??an????elegantly?? ??shaped?? ??chin.??????San?? ??Lang’s?? ??upper?? ??face?? ??was?? ??still?? ??hidden?? ??in?? ??the?? ??shadows,?? ??but?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??thought?? ??the?? ??bottom????half?? ??was?? ??distinctly?? ??different?? ??than?? ??before.?? ??Still?? ??handso,?? ??but?? ??the?? ??lines?? ??were?? ??much?? ??more????defined.?? ??Feeling?? ??he?? ??was?? ??being?? ??watched,?? ??San?? ??Lang?? ??tilted?? ??his?? ??head,?? ??and?? ??his?? ??lips?? ??curled????upwards?? ??slightly.????????Perhaps?? ??he?? ??wanted?? ??to?? ??too?? ??much?? ??to?? ??get?? ??a?? ??better?? ??look,?? ??to?? ??get?? ??closer,?? ??that?? ??without?? ??realizing????it,?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??took?? ??a?? ??step?? ??closer?? ??to?? ??him.??????Just?? ??then,?? ??Ke?? ??Mo?? ??wailed?? ??in?? ??the?? ??distance,?? ??seeming?? ??to?? ??be?? ??in?? ??shock?? ??after?? ??seeing?? ??the?? ??bloody????tragedy?? ??before?? ??him.?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??abruptly?? ??snapped?? ??out?? ??of?? ??it?? ??and?? ??turned?? ??to?? ??look,?? ??and?? ??saw?? ??Ke????Mo?? ??was?? ??clutching?? ??his?? ??own?? ??head,?? ??but?? ??despite?? ??the?? ??general’s?? ??cries,?? ??the?? ??Guoshi’?? ??expression????remained?? ??wooden,?? ??and?? ??only?? ??nodded,?? ??“Good.”??????In?? ??the?? ??midst?? ??of?? ??mourning,?? ??hearing?? ??those?? ??words?? ??made?? ??Ke?? ??Mo?? ??rage?? ??once?? ??more,?? ??“GOOD?????What’s?? ??good???? ??How?? ??do?? ??you?? ??an?!”??????“Good?? ??ans?? ??we’re?? ??finally?? ??freed.”?? ??Guoshi?? ??said.??????She?? ??turned?? ??to?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??who’s?? ??still?? ??shrouded?? ??in?? ??the?? ??dark,?? ??“Were?? ??you?? ??the?? ??one?? ??who?? ??killed????them?”????????“This...?? ??was?? ??an?? ??accident.”?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??replied.??????“YOU’RE?? ??LYING?? ??THROUGH?? ??YOUR?? ??TEETH!”?? ??Ke?? ??Mo?? ??exclaid.??????Xie?? ??Lian?? ??responded?? ??bold?? ??facedly,?? ??“Life?? ??is?? ??full?? ??of?? ??accidents!”????????Guoshi?? ??gave?? ??him?? ??a?? ??look?? ??but?? ??her?? ??expression?? ??was?? ??unreadable,?? ??“Who?? ??are?? ??you?”??????Her?? ??words?? ??were?? ??actually?? ??spoken?? ??in?? ??perfect?? ??Han?? ??dialect*,?? ??and?? ??it?? ??wasn’t?? ??in?? ??an?? ??interrogative????tone?? ??either.??????“I’m?? ??a?? ??heavenly?? ??official.?? ??This?? ??one?? ??here?? ??is...?? ??my?? ??friend.”?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??replied.??????Ke?? ??Mo?? ??couldn’t?? ??understand?? ??their?? ??words,?? ??but?? ??could?? ??still?? ??tell?? ??they?? ??weren’t?? ??fighting,?? ??and????demanded,?? ??“What?? ??are?? ??you?? ??two?? ??saying?”??????The?? ??Guoshi?? ??looked?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??over,?? ??eyed?? ??San?? ??Lang?? ??for?? ??a?? ??mont?? ??before?? ??quickly?? ??looking????away?? ??and?? ??said,?? ??“We’ve?? ??never?? ??had?? ??heavenly?? ??officials?? ??visit?? ??before.?? ??I?? ??thought?? ??you’ve?? ??all????already?? ??abandoned?? ??this?? ??place.”??????Xie?? ??Lian?? ??had?? ??thought?? ??they?? ??would?? ??have?? ??to?? ??fight?? ??the?? ??Guoshi?? ??of?? ??BanYue,?? ??but?? ??was?? ??surprised????to?? ??find?? ??she?? ??was?? ??this?? ??despondent,?? ??devoid?? ??of?? ??any?? ??will?? ??to?? ??fight.?? ??She?? ??spoke?? ??up?? ??again,?? ??“Do?? ??you????two?? ??want?? ??to?? ??leave?”??????“Of?? ??course?? ??we?? ??do,?? ??but?? ??there’s?? ??an?? ??array?? ??set?? ??in?? ??this?? ??pit,?? ??so?? ??we?? ??can’t.”?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??said.??????Hearing?? ??this,?? ??the?? ??Guoshi?? ??walked?? ??to?? ??one?? ??of?? ??the?? ??walls,?? ??raised?? ??her?? ??hand?? ??and?? ??drew????sothing,?? ??then?? ??turned?? ??around?? ??and?? ??said,?? ??“There.?? ??I?? ??released?? ??the?? ??array.?? ??You?? ??two?? ??can?? ??leave????now.”??????“...”??????This?? ??was?? ??way?? ??too?? ??easy!??????Xie?? ??Lian?? ??really?? ??didn’t?? ??know?? ??what?? ??to?? ??say?? ??now.?? ??Just?? ??then?? ??ca?? ??a?? ??voice?? ??calling?? ??from?? ??above,????“HEY!?? ??IS?? ??ANYONE?? ??DOWN?? ??THERE??? ??IF?? ??NOT?? ??I’M?? ??LEAVING!”??????It?? ??was?? ??Fu?? ??Yao’s?? ??voice.??????Xie?? ??Lian?? ??heard?? ??San?? ??Lang?? ??‘tsk’?? ??next?? ??to?? ??him,?? ??and?? ??imdiately?? ??looked?? ??up.?? ??There?? ??was?? ??a????shadow?? ??of?? ??a?? ??man?? ??looking?? ??down?? ??into?? ??the?? ??pit,?? ??and?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??shouted,?? ??“FU?? ??YAO!?? ??THERE’S????PEOPLE?? ??DOWN?? ??HERE!?? ??I’M?? ??DOWN?? ??HERE!”??????After?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??shouted?? ??he?? ??also?? ??waved,?? ??and?? ??Fu?? ??Yao?? ??shouted?? ??back?? ??from?? ??above,?? ??“You’re????actually?? ??down?? ??there??? ??What’s?? ??at?? ??the?? ??bottom?? ??besides?? ??you?”??????“Um...?? ??a?? ??lot?? ??of?? ??things.?? ??Why?? ??don’t?? ??you?? ??co?? ??down?? ??and?? ??see?? ??for?? ??yourself?”?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??said.??????Fu?? ??Yao?? ??probably?? ??thought?? ??the?? ??sa,?? ??and?? ??blew?? ??a?? ??large?? ??ball?? ??of?? ??fire?? ??into?? ??the?? ??pit.?? ??In?? ??an?? ??instant,????the?? ??entire?? ??Sinner’s?? ??Pit?? ??was?? ??lit?? ??up,?? ??bright?? ??like?? ??day,?? ??and?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??finally?? ??saw?? ??clearly?? ??the?? ??kind????of?? ??place?? ??he’s?? ??been?? ??standing?? ??in.??????All?? ??around?? ??him?? ??were?? ??mountains?? ??of?? ??bloody?? ??corpses?? ??piled?? ??high;?? ??innurable?? ??bodies?? ??of?? ??the????BanYue?? ??soldiers?? ??stacked?? ??on?? ??top?? ??of?? ??each?? ??other,?? ??faces?? ??and?? ??limbs?? ??blackened,?? ??dark?? ??blood????saring?? ??the?? ??bright?? ??armours.?? ??The?? ??corner?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??was?? ??standing?? ??was?? ??the?? ??only?? ??spot?? ??in?? ??the????entire?? ??Sinner’s?? ??Pit?? ??that?? ??did?? ??not?? ??have?? ??a?? ??dead?? ??body.????????This?? ??was?? ??all?? ??done?? ??in?? ??a?? ??flash,?? ??in?? ??the?? ??dark,?? ??by?? ??San?? ??Lang?? ??after?? ??he?? ??jumped?? ??in.??????Xie?? ??Lian?? ??turned?? ??to?? ??look?? ??at?? ??the?? ??boy?? ??next?? ??to?? ??him?? ??again.??????Before?? ??in?? ??the?? ??dark,?? ??he?? ??thought?? ??San?? ??Lang?? ??looked?? ??taller?? ??and?? ??was?? ??distinctly?? ??different?? ??in????various?? ??places,?? ??but?? ??now,?? ??under?? ??the?? ??bright?? ??firelight,?? ??the?? ??one?? ??standing?? ??next?? ??to?? ??him?? ??was?? ??the????sa?? ??handso?? ??youth?? ??he’d?? ??known.?? ??When?? ??he?? ??saw?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??looked?? ??over,?? ??he?? ??grinned.?? ??Xie????Lian?? ??looked?? ??down?? ??to?? ??check?? ??his?? ??wrists?? ??and?? ??boots,?? ??and?? ??both?? ??were?? ??also?? ??the?? ??sa?? ??as?? ??before,????having?? ??nothing?? ??that?? ??would?? ??cause?? ??any?? ??jingling?? ??sound.????????Just?? ??then,?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??heard?? ??a?? ??muffled?? ??sound,?? ??and?? ??it?? ??was?? ??Fu?? ??Yao?? ??who?? ??had?? ??jumped?? ??down.????“Weren’t?? ??you?? ??looking?? ??after?? ??the?? ??rchants?”?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??asked.??????Having?? ??just?? ??entered?? ??the?? ??pit,?? ??Fu?? ??Yao?? ??wasn’t?? ??yet?? ??used?? ??to?? ??the?? ??stench?? ??of?? ??blood?? ??and?? ??fanned????his?? ??hand?? ??to?? ??make?? ??the?? ??air?? ??flow,?? ??the?? ??he?? ??replied?? ??indifferently,?? ??“We?? ??waited?? ??for?? ??over?? ??six?? ??hours????and?? ??there?? ??was?? ??still?? ??no?? ??sight?? ??of?? ??you,?? ??so?? ??we?? ??figured?? ??sothing?? ??had?? ??happened.?? ??I?? ??drew?? ??a????circle?? ??for?? ??them?? ??to?? ??wait?? ??in,?? ??and?? ??ca?? ??to?? ??check?? ??things?? ??out?? ??myself.”??????Xie?? ??Lian?? ??frowned,?? ??“The?? ??circle?? ??won’t?? ??last?? ??long.?? ??With?? ??you?? ??gone,?? ??what?? ??if?? ??they?? ??leave?? ??the?? ??circle????thinking?? ??you’d?? ??left?? ??them?? ??behind?”??????Fu?? ??Yao?? ??shrugged,?? ??“Eight?? ??horses?? ??can’t?? ??stop?? ??a?? ??man?? ??who?? ??really?? ??wants?? ??to?? ??seek?? ??death;?? ??I?? ??can’t????stop?? ??stubborn?? ??people,?? ??so?? ??nothing.?? ??What’s?? ??with?? ??those?? ??two?? ??over?? ??there??? ??Who’s?? ??who?”??????Fu?? ??Yao?? ??was?? ??tense,?? ??ready?? ??to?? ??defend?? ??against?? ??the?? ??two?? ??unknowns,?? ??but?? ??soon?? ??discovered????astonishingly?? ??that?? ??Ke?? ??Mo?? ??was?? ??already?? ??heavily?? ??wounded?? ??on?? ??the?? ??ground,?? ??barely?? ??able?? ??to????stand,?? ??and?? ??the?? ??Guoshi?? ??of?? ??BanYue?? ??had?? ??her?? ??head?? ??lowered?? ??and?? ??silent.????????“That?? ??one?? ??is?? ??the?? ??General?? ??of?? ??BanYue,?? ??and?? ??the?? ??other?? ??one?? ??is?? ??the?? ??Guoshi?? ??of?? ??BanYue.?? ??Right????now?? ??they’re...”??????Ke?? ??Mo?? ??suddenly?? ??leapt?? ??up?? ??before?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??could?? ??finish.??????He?? ??had?? ??been?? ??lying?? ??on?? ??the?? ??ground?? ??gathering?? ??his?? ??strength,?? ??and?? ??was?? ??finally?? ??able?? ??to?? ??jump?? ??up????in?? ??a?? ??shout,?? ??aiming?? ??his?? ??fists?? ??at?? ??the?? ??Guoshi?? ??of?? ??BanYue.?? ??A?? ??large?? ??beefy?? ??warrior?? ??attacking?? ??a????little?? ??girl;?? ??in?? ??the?? ??past?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??would?? ??never?? ??allow?? ??this?? ??sort?? ??of?? ??thing?? ??to?? ??happen?? ??before?? ??him.????But?? ??Ke?? ??Mo?? ??had?? ??every?? ??reason?? ??to?? ??hate?? ??the?? ??Guoshi,?? ??and?? ??she?? ??could?? ??very?? ??well?? ??defend?? ??herself????yet?? ??she?? ??didn’t,?? ??letting?? ??herself?? ??be?? ??thrown?? ??around?? ??like?? ??a?? ??broken?? ??ragdoll.??????Ke?? ??Mo?? ??shouted?? ??at?? ??the?? ??Guoshi,?? ??“Where?? ??are?? ??your?? ??scorpion?? ??snakes??? ??Co?? ??on!?? ??Let?? ??them????bite?? ???? ??to?? ??death?? ??too!?? ??Give?? ???? ??that?? ??release!”??????The?? ??Guoshi?? ??gloomily?? ??replied,?? ??“Ke?? ??Mo,?? ??my?? ??snakes?? ??don’t?? ??listen?? ??to?? ???? ??anymore.”??????“Then?? ??why?? ??don’t?? ??they?? ??kill?? ??you??”?? ??He?? ??tsked.??????“...I’m?? ??sorry,?? ??Ke?? ??Mo.”?? ??The?? ??Guoshi?? ??apologized?? ??softly.??????“DO?? ??YOU?? ??REALLY?? ??HATE?? ??US?? ??THAT?? ??MUCH?”??????The?? ??Guoshi?? ??shook?? ??her?? ??head?? ??and?? ??Ke?? ??Mo?? ??beca?? ??angrier,?? ??“YOU’RE?? ??GOING?? ??TO?? ??BE?? ??THE????DEATH?? ??OF?? ??!?? ??IF?? ??YOU?? ??DON’T?? ??HATE?? ??US,?? ??WHY?? ??DID?? ??YOU?? ??BETRAY?? ??US??? ??YOU????SHALESS?? ??SPY,?? ??DISGUSTING?? ??MOLE,?? ??TRAITOR!!”??????Fu?? ??Yao?? ??watched?? ??him?? ??strike?? ??harder?? ??and?? ??harder,?? ??and?? ??the?? ??blows?? ??were?? ??all?? ??single?? ??sided,?? ??and????couldn’t?? ??help?? ??but?? ??frown,?? ??“What?? ??are?? ??they?? ??saying??? ??Shouldn’t?? ??we?? ??go?? ??stop?? ??them?”??????Xie?? ??Lian?? ??couldn’t?? ??watch?? ??anymore?? ??either,?? ??and?? ??rushed?? ??forward?? ??to?? ??stop?? ??Ke?? ??Mo,?? ??“General!????General!?? ??Why?? ??don’t?? ??you?? ??tell?? ??us?? ??who?? ??that?? ??YongAn?? ??thug?? ??really?? ??is,?? ??we’ll...”????????Suddenly,?? ??the?? ??Guoshi?? ??grabbed?? ??his?? ??wrist.??????The?? ??grip?? ??was?? ??hard?? ??and?? ??ca?? ??unexpectedly,?? ??and?? ??Xie?? ??Lian’s?? ??heart?? ??dropped,?? ??thinking?? ??she????was?? ??going?? ??to?? ??ambush?? ??him,?? ??but?? ??when?? ??he?? ??looked?? ??back?? ??down?? ??at?? ??her,?? ??the?? ??Guoshi?? ??was?? ??on?? ??the????ground,?? ??a?? ??small?? ??bruise?? ??at?? ??the?? ??corner?? ??of?? ??her?? ??mouth,?? ??her?? ??head?? ??raised,?? ??watching?? ??him????intently.?? ??She?? ??didn’t?? ??say?? ??a?? ??single?? ??word,?? ??but?? ??her?? ??dark?? ??eyes?? ??were?? ??intense?? ??with?? ??a?? ??flaming????sense?? ??of?? ??life.??????This?? ??deanour?? ??overlapped?? ??with?? ??an?? ??image?? ??from?? ??a?? ??fargone?? ??mory.?? ??After?? ??a?? ??pause,?? ??Xie????Lian?? ??blurted,?? ??“It’s?? ??you?”??????The?? ??Guoshi?? ??voice?? ??also?? ??trembled,?? ??“General?? ??Hua?”??????This?? ??back?? ??and?? ??forth?? ??stunned?? ??everyone?? ??in?? ??the?? ??pit.?? ??Fu?? ??Yao?? ??rushed?? ??forward,?? ??knocked?? ??Ke?? ??Mo????out?? ??with?? ??a?? ??punch,?? ??and?? ??demanded,?? ??“You?? ??two?? ??know?? ??each?? ??other?”??????Xie?? ??Lian?? ??didn’t?? ??answer?? ??him.?? ??He?? ??knelt?? ??down,?? ??gripped?? ??the?? ??shoulders?? ??of?? ??the?? ??Guoshi,?? ??and????examined?? ??her?? ??face.??????Earlier?? ??they?? ??stood?? ??too?? ??far?? ??apart?? ??and?? ??he?? ??couldn’t?? ??see?? ??clearly.?? ??Plus?? ??it?? ??had?? ??been?? ??over?? ??two????hundred?? ??years,?? ??this?? ??girl?? ??had?? ??matured?? ??in?? ??that?? ??ti,?? ??and?? ??for?? ??many?? ??various?? ??reasons,?? ??he????didn’t?? ??recognize?? ??her?? ??at?? ??first.?? ??But?? ??now?? ??that?? ??he?? ??looked?? ??again?? ??properly,?? ??it’s?? ??the?? ??sa?? ??face?? ??in????his?? ??mories.??????Xie?? ??Lian?? ??couldn’t?? ??speak?? ??for?? ??the?? ??longest?? ??ti,?? ??and?? ??it?? ??was?? ??a?? ??good?? ??mont?? ??before?? ??sighed,????“Ban?? ??Yue?”??????The?? ??Guoshi?? ??quickly?? ??clutched?? ??at?? ??his?? ??sleeves,?? ??and?? ??the?? ??gloomy?? ??face?? ??suddenly?? ??ca?? ??alive????and?? ??excited,?? ??“It’s?? ??!?? ??General?? ??Hua,?? ??do?? ??you?? ??still?? ??rember?? ???”??????“Of?? ??course?? ??I?? ??rember?? ??you.?? ??But...”?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??gazed?? ??at?? ??her?? ??for?? ??a?? ??mont?? ??and?? ??sighed,?? ??“But????what?? ??have?? ??you?? ??done?? ??to?? ??yourself?”??????Hearing?? ??his?? ??words,?? ??her?? ??eyes?? ??suddenly?? ??filled?? ??pain.??????“I’m?? ??sorry,?? ??Captain...?? ??I?? ??ssed?? ??up.”?? ??She?? ??muttered.????????In?? ??that?? ??exchange,?? ??there?? ??was?? ??‘General’?? ??this,?? ??‘Captain’?? ??that,?? ??making?? ??it?? ??glaringly?? ??obvious?? ??to????the?? ??bystanders.?? ??Fu?? ??Yao?? ??was?? ??in?? ??shock,?? ??“Captain??? ??General??? ??YOU??? ??How?? ??did?? ??this?? ??happen?????Then?? ??the?? ??Tomb?? ??of?? ??the?? ??General?? ??is?”?? ??Fu?? ??Yao?? ??pushed.??????“My?? ??tomb.”?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??replied.??????“Didn’t?? ??you?? ??say?? ??you?? ??only?? ??ca?? ??to?? ??collect?? ??junk?? ??two?? ??hundred?? ??years?? ??ago???”?? ??Fu?? ??Yao????questioned.??????“This...?? ??is?? ??a?? ??long?? ??story.?? ??That?? ??was?? ??originally?? ??the?? ??plan.”?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??answered.??????Around?? ??two?? ??hundred?? ??years?? ??ago,?? ??due?? ??to?? ??so?? ??reason,?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??couldn’t?? ??muck?? ??around?? ??in????the?? ??East?? ??anymore,?? ??and?? ??decided?? ??to?? ??stay?? ??out?? ??of?? ??sight?? ??for?? ??a?? ??while.?? ??He?? ??had?? ??planned?? ??to?? ??cross????the?? ??Qing?? ??ridge?? ??and?? ??head?? ??to?? ??the?? ??South?? ??to?? ??start?? ??a?? ??brand?? ??new?? ??life?? ??of?? ??scraps.?? ??Thus,?? ??he?? ??took????up?? ??his?? ??compass?? ??and?? ??walked?? ??southward.????????But?? ??the?? ??more?? ??he?? ??walked,?? ??the?? ??more?? ??he?? ??thought?? ??woefully,?? ??how?? ??co?? ??the?? ??sceneries?? ??were?? ??all????wrong??? ??There?? ??should?? ??be?? ??an?? ??abundance?? ??of?? ??trees?? ??and?? ??greeneries,?? ??cities?? ??and?? ??crowds,?? ??so????how?? ??co?? ??his?? ??path?? ??was?? ??becoming?? ??more?? ??desolate?????????Suspicions?? ??aside?? ??however,?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??stubbornly?? ??continued?? ??on,?? ??until?? ??he?? ??walked?? ??and????walked?? ??and?? ??ca?? ??upon?? ??the?? ??Gobi?? ??desert.?? ??It?? ??took?? ??a?? ??gust?? ??of?? ??wind?? ??blowing?? ??a?? ??fistful?? ??of?? ??sand????into?? ??his?? ??face?? ??before?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??finally?? ??realized?? ??that?? ??his?? ??compass?? ??was?? ??broken.??????The?? ??direction?? ??it?? ??was?? ??guiding?? ??him?? ??this?? ??entire?? ??journey?? ??was?? ??wrong!??????Since?? ??there?? ??wasn’t?? ??anything?? ??he?? ??could?? ??do?? ??about?? ??the?? ??whole?? ??thing,?? ??he?? ??might?? ??as?? ??well?? ??take????this?? ??chance?? ??to?? ??visit?? ??the?? ??desert?? ??sceneries,?? ??and?? ??continued?? ??walking.?? ??Only,?? ??he?? ??changed????course?? ??slightly?? ??and?? ??traveled?? ??northwestward,?? ??and?? ??finally?? ??arrived?? ??at?? ??the?? ??border?? ??where?? ??he????settled?? ??nearby?? ??the?? ??Kingdom?? ??of?? ??BanYue.??????“At?? ??first,?? ??I?? ??was?? ??just?? ??collecting?? ??junk?? ??around?? ??the?? ??area.”?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??said,?? ??“But?? ??the?? ??border?? ??was????troubled,?? ??and?? ??with?? ??so?? ??many?? ??skirmishes,?? ??there?? ??were?? ??often?? ??runaway?? ??soldiers,?? ??so?? ??the?? ??army????would?? ??draft?? ??anyone?? ??into?? ??recruit?? ??to?? ??make?? ??up?? ??the?? ??numbers.”??????“So?? ??you?? ??were?? ??forced?? ??into?? ??the?? ??army?”?? ??San?? ??Lang?? ??asked.??????“Yea,”?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??replied,?? ??“But?? ??doing?? ??anything?? ??was?? ??more?? ??or?? ??less?? ??the?? ??sa,?? ??so?? ??it?? ??didn’t????matter?? ??to?? ??.?? ??And?? ??then?? ??after?? ??chasing?? ??away?? ??so?? ??bandits?? ??a?? ??couple?? ??tis,?? ??I?? ??sohow?? ??got????promoted?? ??to?? ??Captain.?? ??The?? ??people?? ??gave?? ???? ??face?? ??and?? ??would?? ??call?? ???? ??General?? ??too.”????????“Why?? ??did?? ??she?? ??call?? ??you?? ??General?? ??Hua?”?? ??Fu?? ??Yao?? ??questioned.?? ??“Your?? ??surna?? ??isn’t?? ??Hua.”????????Xie?? ??Lian?? ??waved?? ??his?? ??hand?? ??and?? ??said?? ??dismissively,?? ??“Don’t?? ??worry?? ??about?? ??it.?? ??I?? ??randomly?? ??made????up?? ??a?? ??fake?? ??na?? ??at?? ??the?? ??ti.?? ??I?? ??think?? ??it?? ??was?? ??‘Hua?? ??Xie’??2??”????????Hearing?? ??the?? ??na,?? ??San?? ??Lang’s?? ??expression?? ??changed?? ??slightly,?? ??his?? ??lips?? ??twitching.?? ??Xie?? ??Lian????didn’t?? ??pay?? ??attention?? ??and?? ??continued,?? ??“With?? ??a?? ??battle-torn?? ??border?? ??ca?? ??many?? ??orphans.????When?? ??I?? ??was?? ??free?? ??I’d?? ??play?? ??with?? ??them?? ??sotis.?? ??One?? ??of?? ??them...?? ??was?? ??nad?? ??Ban?? ??Yue.”??????When?? ??there?? ??were?? ??bandits,?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??was?? ??surely?? ??the?? ??bravest?? ??soldier,?? ??and?? ??no?? ??one?? ??dared????block?? ??his?? ??way,?? ??nor?? ??did?? ??anyone?? ??dared?? ??stand?? ??beside?? ??him?? ??even.?? ??But?? ??when?? ??there?? ??weren’t,?? ??it????was?? ??as?? ??if?? ??anyone?? ??could?? ??order?? ??him?? ??around.??????One?? ??day?? ??he?? ??went?? ??and?? ??sat?? ??by?? ??a?? ??wall?? ??to?? ??start?? ??a?? ??campfire,?? ??using?? ??his?? ??own?? ??helt?? ??to?? ??cook.?? ??As????he?? ??cooked?? ??the?? ??sll?? ??of?? ??it?? ??drifted?? ??out,?? ??and?? ??a?? ??few?? ??enraged?? ??soldiers?? ??ca?? ??to?? ??kick?? ??over????whatever?? ??it?? ??was?? ??he?? ??was?? ??cooking.?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??picked?? ??up?? ??his?? ??helt?? ??with?? ??a?? ??broken?? ??heart,?? ??but????when?? ??he?? ??looked?? ??back,?? ??he?? ??saw?? ??a?? ??small?? ??disheveled?? ??and?? ??grimy?? ??child?? ??crouched?? ??behind?? ??him,????picking?? ??at?? ??the?? ??stuff?? ??knocked?? ??to?? ??the?? ??ground?? ??with?? ??her?? ??hands?? ??without?? ??caring?? ??whether?? ??if?? ??it?? ??was????too?? ??hot,?? ??and?? ??stuffing?? ??it?? ??into?? ??her?? ??mouth.?? ??He?? ??was?? ??shocked,?? ??“DON’T!?? ??Wait,?? ??little?? ??kid,?? ??you!”????????As?? ??expected,?? ??that?? ??little?? ??kid?? ??scarved?? ??down?? ??a?? ??few?? ??lumps?? ??of?? ??the?? ??stuff?? ??she?? ??picked?? ??off?? ??the????ground?? ??then?? ??dry?? ??heaved?? ??heavily,?? ??crying?? ??loudly.?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??was?? ??so?? ??shaken?? ??he?? ??picked?? ??her?? ??up????upside?? ??down?? ??and?? ??ran?? ??laps?? ??until?? ??all?? ??the?? ??stuff?? ??she?? ??ate?? ??ca?? ??back?? ??out.?? ??After?? ??that?? ??was?? ??done,????he?? ??crouched?? ??down?? ??and?? ??wiped?? ??away?? ??his?? ??seat,?? ??“Are?? ??you?? ??alright?? ??little?? ??kid...?? ??I’m?? ??so?? ??sorry.?? ??But????don’t?? ??ever?? ??tell?? ??your?? ??parents?? ??about?? ??this,?? ??and?? ??next?? ??ti,?? ??don’t?? ??pick?? ??up?? ??anymore?? ??random????stuff?? ??off?? ??the?? ??ground?? ??to?? ??eat...?? ??WAIT?? ??WHAT?? ??ARE?? ??YOU?? ??DOING?? ??NOW!”????????That?? ??child?? ??was?? ??face?? ??covered?? ??in?? ??tears?? ??but?? ??still?? ??went?? ??to?? ??pick?? ??off?? ??the?? ??ground?? ??again,?? ??still????wanting?? ??to?? ??eat.?? ??It?? ??was?? ??only?? ??after?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??grabbed?? ??her?? ??before?? ??he?? ??realize?? ??that?? ??this?? ??child’s????tummy?? ??skin?? ??was?? ??practically?? ??pressed?? ??to?? ??the?? ??back?? ??of?? ??her?? ??bones.??????When?? ??people?? ??starved?? ??to?? ??this?? ??point,?? ??anything?? ??could?? ??be?? ??eaten.?? ??Even?? ??if?? ??it?? ??was?? ??disgusting?? ??to????the?? ??point?? ??of?? ??tears?? ??she?? ??would?? ??eat.??????Xie?? ??Lian?? ??had?? ??no?? ??choice,?? ??and?? ??went?? ??back?? ??to?? ??bring?? ??her?? ??the?? ??last?? ??of?? ??his?? ??rations.?? ??Then????afterwards,?? ??he?? ??could?? ??often?? ??see?? ??this?? ??child?? ??stalking?? ??him?? ??in?? ??the?? ??shadows?? ??nearby.??????In?? ??his?? ??mories,?? ??the?? ??little?? ??girl?? ??Ban?? ??Yue?? ??was?? ??always?? ??gloomy,?? ??her?? ??body?? ??and?? ??face?? ??full?? ??of????bruises,?? ??and?? ??when?? ??she?? ??looked?? ??at?? ??him?? ??she?? ??would?? ??stare?? ??just?? ??so?? ??from?? ??below.?? ??Because?? ??she????was?? ??singled?? ??out?? ??by?? ??the?? ??BanYue?? ??children,?? ??other?? ??than?? ??Xie?? ??Lian,?? ??there?? ??was?? ??only?? ??a?? ??YongAn????boy?? ??living?? ??at?? ??the?? ??border?? ??who’d?? ??soti?? ??pay?? ??attention?? ??to?? ??her,?? ??so?? ??she’d?? ??spend?? ??her?? ??days????tagging?? ??along?? ??behind?? ??the?? ??two?? ??of?? ??them.??????She?? ??rarely?? ??spoke,?? ??but?? ??she?? ??was?? ??fluent?? ??in?? ??the?? ??Han?? ??dialect?? ??so?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??didn’t?? ??know?? ??where????she?? ??ca?? ??from,?? ??but?? ??she?? ??was?? ??a?? ??random?? ??wandering?? ??child,?? ??so?? ??he?? ??randomly?? ??took?? ??her?? ??in.????When?? ??he?? ??was?? ??free?? ??sotis?? ??he’d?? ??teach?? ??them?? ??songs,?? ??sotis?? ??wrestle,?? ??sotis????show?? ??off?? ??his?? ??busker?? ??move?? ??‘Shattering?? ??Boulders?? ??on?? ??Chest’,?? ??or?? ??sothing,?? ??and?? ??they?? ??got????along?? ??quite?? ??well.????????Xie?? ??Lian?? ??shook?? ??his?? ??head,?? ??“I?? ??had?? ??thought?? ??the?? ??‘BanYue’?? ??in?? ??the?? ??Guoshi’?? ??title?? ??was?? ??the?? ??country,????I?? ??didn’t?? ??realize?? ??it?? ??was?? ??actually?? ??the?? ??na?? ??of?? ??the?? ??Guoshi.”??????“And?? ??then?”?? ??Fu?? ??Yao?? ??asked.??????“And?? ??then...?? ??it’s?? ??pretty?? ??much?? ??the?? ??sa?? ??as?? ??what?? ??the?? ??morial?? ??wrote.”?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??said.??????After?? ??so?? ??silence,?? ??San?? ??Lang?? ??spoke?? ??up,?? ??“The?? ??morial?? ??said?? ??you?? ??died.”????????On?? ??the?? ??subject?? ??of?? ??that?? ??morial,?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??felt?? ??quite?? ??bumd?? ??out.??????Weren’t?? ??morials?? ??usually?? ??praises?? ??and?? ??exaggerate?? ??good?? ??deeds?? ??to?? ??glorify?? ??the?? ??deceased?????All?? ??those?? ??ntions?? ??of?? ??the?? ??demotions?? ??aside,?? ??why?? ??did?? ??it?? ??have?? ??to?? ??so?? ??solemnly?? ??record?? ??the????embarrassing?? ??way?? ??he?? ??died???????????While?? ??they?? ??were?? ??hiding?? ??away?? ??from?? ??the?? ??sandstorm?? ??and?? ??he?? ??read?? ??to?? ??this?? ??part,?? ??he?? ??could????barely?? ??look?? ??at?? ??it?? ??straight?? ??on.?? ??If?? ??it?? ??wasn’t?? ??for?? ??San?? ??Lang?? ??who?? ??also?? ??understood?? ??BanYuenese????and?? ??was?? ??watching?? ??him,?? ??he?? ??was?? ??going?? ??to?? ??pretend?? ??that?? ??segnt?? ??never?? ??existed.?? ??Having????sothing?? ??like?? ??that?? ??written?? ??down,?? ??even?? ??he?? ??wanted?? ??to?? ??laugh,?? ??nevermind?? ??other?? ??people?????That?? ??he?? ??had?? ??the?? ??nerve?? ??to?? ??ask?? ??those?? ??seeking?? ??shelter?? ??in?? ??his?? ??morial?? ??to?? ??not?? ??laugh?? ??as?? ??they????comntated?? ??and?? ??laughed?? ??at?? ??his?? ??epitaph,?? ??it?? ??made?? ??him?? ??feel?? ??really?? ??bumd.????????Xie?? ??Lian’s?? ??forehead?? ??was?? ??becoming?? ??red?? ??from?? ??all?? ??the?? ??rubbing.?? ??“Oh,?? ??that.?? ??Um.?? ??Of?? ??course?? ??I????didn’t?? ??die.?? ??I?? ??faked?? ??it.”??????Fu?? ??Yao?? ??was?? ??a?? ??face?? ??full?? ??of?? ??disbelief.?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??explained?? ??himself,?? ??“I?? ??got?? ??trampled?? ??on?? ??too????hard?? ??and?? ??couldn’t?? ??get?? ??up,?? ??so?? ??there?? ??wasn’t?? ??any?? ??other?? ??way?? ??besides?? ??faking?? ??my?? ??death????anyway.”????????Truthfully,?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??couldn’t?? ??quite?? ??rember?? ??exactly?? ??how?? ??he?? ??‘died’,?? ??nor?? ??why?? ??that?? ??battle????broke?? ??out?? ??in?? ??the?? ??first?? ??place,?? ??only?? ??that?? ??it?? ??was?? ??over?? ??sothing?? ??petty.?? ??He?? ??really?? ??didn’t?? ??want?? ??to????fight;?? ??victory?? ??or?? ??defeat?? ??was?? ??aningless.?? ??But?? ??by?? ??then?? ??his?? ??rank?? ??could?? ??go?? ??no?? ??lower,?? ??and?? ??no????one?? ??would?? ??listen?? ??to?? ??him.?? ??In?? ??the?? ??midst?? ??of?? ??battle,?? ??everyone?? ??saw?? ??red,?? ??so?? ??when?? ??he?? ??rushed????out,?? ??it?? ??was?? ??blades?? ??and?? ??swords?? ??coming?? ??at?? ??him?? ??from?? ??both?? ??sides?? ??cutting?? ??him?? ??down.????????Fu?? ??Yao?? ??questioned,?? ??“It?? ??must?? ??be?? ??because?? ??you’re?? ??an?? ??eyesore?? ??standing?? ??the?? ??middle?? ??that?? ??you????raised?? ??the?? ??ire?? ??of?? ??both?? ??sides,?? ??right??? ??Otherwise?? ??why?? ??would?? ??people?? ??just?? ??cut?? ??you?? ??down?? ??when????they?? ??see?? ??you??? ??Besides,?? ??I’m?? ??sure?? ??you?? ??knew?? ??there?? ??were?? ??many?? ??who?? ??hated?? ??you,?? ??so?? ??why????didn’t?? ??you?? ??evade?? ??all?? ??those?? ??people??? ??Why?? ??did?? ??you?? ??have?? ??to?? ??charge?? ??in??? ??I’m?? ??sure?? ??you????could’ve?? ??dodge?? ??if?? ??you?? ??wanted?? ??to.”??????????
??1.Han?? ??was?? ??the?? ??dialect?? ??of?? ??YongAn.?? ??????????2.The?? ??na?? ??‘Hua?? ??Xie’?? ??is?? ??aningless,?? ??but?? ??the?? ??character?? ??for?? ??‘Hua’?? ??is?? ??the?? ??sa?? ??as????the?? ??one?? ??in?? ??Hua?? ??Cheng’s?? ??na.?? ??????????????????Ch.28:?? ??Dallying?? ??HuaLian;?? ??Night-Fall?? ??in?? ??Sinner’s?? ??Pit?? ??5????????“I?? ??really?? ??don’t?? ??rember,?? ??alright!”?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??said,??????Even?? ??if?? ??he?? ??couldn’t?? ??die,?? ??he?? ??couldn’t?? ??stand?? ??that?? ??kind?? ??of?? ??butchering.?? ??Thinking?? ??‘This?? ??couldn’t????go?? ??on!’?? ??in?? ??his?? ??head,?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??resolutely?? ??dropped?? ??to?? ??the?? ??ground?? ??to?? ??fake?? ??his?? ??death,?? ??but?? ??even????in?? ??‘death’?? ??he?? ??was?? ??trampled?? ??to?? ??the?? ??point?? ??of?? ??passing?? ??out.?? ??It?? ??was?? ??water?? ??choking?? ??him?? ??that????woke?? ??him,?? ??because?? ??corpses?? ??were?? ??usually?? ??thrown?? ??into?? ??the?? ??rivers?? ??after?? ??battles.?? ??Xie?? ??Lian????went?? ??with?? ??the?? ??river?? ??flow,?? ??and?? ??floated?? ??back?? ??to?? ??the?? ??Kingdom?? ??of?? ??YongAn?? ??like?? ??a?? ??heap?? ??of?? ??junk.????Afterwards,?? ??he?? ??took?? ??several?? ??years?? ??to?? ??recover?? ??from?? ??his?? ??wounds,?? ??picked?? ??up?? ??an?? ??unbroken????compass?? ??to?? ??start?? ??off?? ??anew,?? ??and?? ??finally?? ??made?? ??it?? ??to?? ??his?? ??original?? ??destination?? ??in?? ??the?? ??South,????and?? ??stopped?? ??minding?? ??what?? ??went?? ??down?? ??in?? ??the?? ??Kingdom?? ??of?? ??BanYue.??????“I’m?? ??sorry.”?? ??Ban?? ??Yue?? ??muttered?? ??again.??????Fu?? ??Yao?? ??furrowed?? ??his?? ??brows,?? ??“Why?? ??does?? ??she?? ??keep?? ??apologizing?? ??to?? ??you?”??????San?? ??Lang?? ??suddenly?? ??spoke?? ??up,?? ??“Ke?? ??Mo?? ??said?? ??Guoshi?? ??of?? ??BanYue?? ??left?? ??for?? ??the?? ??Midlands?? ??after????a?? ??clash?? ??between?? ??the?? ??two?? ??armies.?? ??Were?? ??you?? ??involved?? ??in?? ??that?”??????With?? ??his?? ??reminder,?? ??and?? ??recalling?? ??what?? ??was?? ??written?? ??on?? ??the?? ??morial,?? ??so?? ??things?? ??were????coming?? ??back?? ??to?? ??Xie?? ??Lian,?? ??but?? ??only?? ??a?? ??small?? ??bit.?? ??“Ah,?? ??maybe...”??????“It?? ??was?? ??to?? ??save?? ??.”?? ??Ban?? ??Yue?? ??said.??????Everyone?? ??turned?? ??to?? ??look?? ??at?? ??her?? ??and?? ??she?? ??mumbled,?? ??“General?? ??Hua?? ??entered?? ??the?? ??fray?? ??to?? ??save????,?? ??and?? ??got?? ??flattened.”??????“...”??????Xie?? ??Lian?? ??instantly?? ??rembered?? ??the?? ??agony?? ??of?? ??being?? ??trampled?? ??by?? ??thousands,?? ??and?? ??he????hugged?? ??his?? ??arms?? ??in?? ??spite?? ??of?? ??himself,?? ??but?? ??when?? ??he?? ??saw?? ??two?? ??others?? ??watching?? ??him?? ??with????unreadable?? ??expressions,?? ??he?? ??pulled?? ??himself?? ??back?? ??in?? ??a?? ??hurry?? ??and?? ??said,?? ??“Not?? ??flat.?? ??Not?? ??too????flat.”??????Fu?? ??Yao?? ??didn’t?? ??look?? ??so?? ??smug?? ??anymore,?? ??and?? ??said?? ??awkwardly,?? ??“Well,?? ??aren’t?? ??you?? ??a?? ??saint.”??????Xie?? ??Lian?? ??waved?? ??dismissively,?? ??“Nothing?? ??of?? ??the?? ??sort.?? ??I?? ??think?? ??I?? ??was?? ??just?? ??going?? ??to?? ??pick?? ??the?? ??child????up?? ??and?? ??run?? ??away?? ??imdiately,?? ??but?? ??we?? ??didn’t?? ??retreat?? ??fast?? ??enough?? ??and?? ??got?? ??caught?? ??between????the?? ??two?? ??armies...”??????“If?? ??that’s?? ??the?? ??case,”?? ??Fu?? ??Yao?? ??said,?? ??“How?? ??can?? ??you?? ??not?? ??rember?? ??sothing?? ??like?? ??that?”??????Xie?? ??Lian?? ??looked?? ??at?? ??him?? ??solemnly,?? ??“Do?? ??you?? ??not?? ??know?? ??how?? ??many?? ??hundreds?? ??of?? ??years?? ??old?? ??I????am??? ??So?? ??much?? ??can?? ??happen?? ??in?? ??just?? ??a?? ??decade,?? ??there’s?? ??no?? ??way?? ??to?? ??rember?? ??everything?? ??in????detail.?? ??Besides,?? ??so?? ??things?? ??are?? ??best?? ??forgotten.?? ??Rather?? ??than?? ??rembering?? ??how?? ??I?? ??was????butchered?? ??and?? ??trampled?? ??hundreds?? ??of?? ??years?? ??ago,?? ??I’d?? ??prefer?? ??to?? ??rember?? ??that?? ??I?? ??ate?? ??a????delicious?? ??at?? ??bun?? ??yesterday,?? ??no?”????????“I’m?? ??sorry.”?? ??Ban?? ??Yue?? ??said.??????Xie?? ??Lian?? ??sighed,?? ??“My?? ??dear?? ??Ban?? ??Yue.?? ??Saving?? ??you?? ??is?? ??my?? ??own?? ??choice,?? ??you’re?? ??not?? ??at?? ??fault.?? ??If????you’re?? ??going?? ??to?? ??apologize,?? ??perhaps?? ??it?? ??should?? ??be?? ??to?? ??others.”??????Ban?? ??Yue?? ??was?? ??taken?? ??aback,?? ??and?? ??hung?? ??her?? ??head?? ??in?? ??silence.??????“But...?? ??maybe?? ??it’s?? ??because?? ??my?? ??impression?? ??of?? ??you?? ??was?? ??from?? ??two?? ??hundred?? ??years?? ??ago,?? ??but?? ??I????don’t?? ??think?? ??you’re?? ??the?? ??kind?? ??of?? ??child?? ??who?? ??sought?? ??revenge?? ??and?? ??betray?? ??others...?? ??Will?? ??you?? ??tell?????? ??what?? ??exactly?? ??happened??? ??Why?? ??did?? ??you?? ??open?? ??the?? ??fortress?? ??gates?”??????Ban?? ??Yue?? ??contemplated,?? ??shook?? ??her?? ??head,?? ??and?? ??continued?? ??to?? ??remain?? ??silent.??????“Then,?? ??why?? ??did?? ??you?? ??let?? ??the?? ??snakes?? ??out?? ??to?? ??bite?? ??people?”?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??asked.??????This?? ??ti,?? ??Ban?? ??Yue?? ??answered,?? ??“I?? ??didn’t?? ??release?? ??the?? ??snakes.”??????Xie?? ??Lian?? ??was?? ??taken?? ??aback,?? ??“What?”??????“I?? ??didn’t?? ??release?? ??the?? ??snakes.”?? ??Ban?? ??Yue?? ??said,?? ??“They?? ??ran?? ??off?? ??on?? ??their?? ??own.?? ??I?? ??don’t?? ??know?? ??why????but?? ??they?? ??don’t?? ??listen?? ??to?? ???? ??anymore.”??????Hearing?? ??this,?? ??Fu?? ??Yao?? ??grew?? ??impatient.?? ??Ban?? ??Yue?? ??pleaded,?? ??“General?? ??Hua,?? ??I’m?? ??not?? ??lying.”????????Before?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??responded?? ??Fu?? ??Yao?? ??cut?? ??in?? ??rudely,?? ??“Anyone?? ??would?? ??say?? ??that?? ??after?? ??being????captured.?? ??Even?? ??if?? ??you?? ??say?? ??it?? ??wasn’t?? ??intentional,?? ??I’ve?? ??heard?? ??all?? ??that?? ??before.?? ??All?? ??those?? ??people????cross?? ??the?? ??Pass?? ??were?? ??certainly?? ??all?? ??injured?? ??by?? ??your?? ??snakes.?? ??Show?? ???? ??your?? ??hands,?? ??you’re????under?? ??arrest.”??????Ban?? ??Yue?? ??shut?? ??up?? ??and?? ??extended?? ??both?? ??arms.?? ??Fu?? ??Yao?? ??imdiately?? ??took?? ??out?? ??a?? ??God-Binding????rope?? ??and?? ??apprehended?? ??both?? ??Ban?? ??Yue?? ??and?? ??Ke?? ??Mo,?? ??then?? ??said,?? ??“Alright.?? ??We’ve????accomplished?? ??our?? ??goal?? ??for?? ??this?? ??trip.?? ??It’s?? ??all?? ??over?? ??now.”??????Just?? ??then,?? ??San?? ??Lang?? ??spoke?? ??up,?? ??“She?? ??had?? ??no?? ??reason?? ??to?? ??lie.”??????Xie?? ??Lian?? ??also?? ??felt?? ??there?? ??was?? ??a?? ??need?? ??to?? ??further?? ??interrogation?? ??and?? ??turned?? ??to?? ??Ban?? ??Yue,?? ??“Can????you?? ??not?? ??control?? ??any?? ??of?? ??your?? ??snakes?”????????Ban?? ??Yue?? ??answered,?? ??“I?? ??can?? ??control?? ??them,?? ??and?? ??they’ll?? ??obey?? ??most?? ??of?? ??the?? ??ti.?? ??But?? ??there?? ??are????tis?? ??when?? ??they?? ??won’t.?? ??I?? ??don’t?? ??know?? ??why.”??????After?? ??so?? ??thought,?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??said,?? ??“Why?? ??don’t?? ??you?? ??call?? ??them?? ??out?? ??and?? ??show?? ??us?”??????Ban?? ??Yue?? ??had?? ??knelt?? ??down?? ??before?? ??him?? ??earlier,?? ??now?? ??she?? ??finally?? ??rose?? ??to?? ??her?? ??feet?? ??and????nodded.Soon,?? ??a?? ??wine?? ??red?? ??scorpion?? ??snake?? ??slithered?? ??out?? ??from?? ??underneath?? ??a?? ??corpse,?? ??raised????its?? ??head?? ??and?? ??curled?? ??itself?? ??above?? ??a?? ??pile?? ??of?? ??dead?? ??bodies,?? ??and?? ??soundlessly?? ??flicked?? ??its?? ??tongue????to?? ??the?? ??group.??????Xie?? ??Lian?? ??was?? ??about?? ??to?? ??take?? ??a?? ??closer?? ??look?? ??at?? ??the?? ??snake?? ??but?? ??saw?? ??Ban?? ??Yue?? ??widen?? ??her?? ??eyes,????face?? ??strange.?? ??Xie?? ??Lian’s?? ??heart?? ??dropped?? ??and?? ??thought,?? ??“Oh?? ??no.”??????As?? ??he?? ??thought,?? ??after?? ??flicking?? ??its?? ??tongue?? ??the?? ??snake?? ??opened?? ??its?? ??mouth?? ??and?? ??pounced????towards?? ??him?? ??in?? ??attack.??????It?? ??was?? ??a?? ??sudden?? ??lunge,?? ??but?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??was?? ??ready,?? ??and?? ??was?? ??about?? ??to?? ??grab?? ??for?? ??it?? ??when?? ????boom??!????Sothing?? ??exploded.?? ??When?? ??he?? ??opened?? ??his?? ??eyes?? ??again?? ??to?? ??see,?? ??the?? ??snake?? ??was?? ??already?? ??a????splatter?? ??of?? ??guts?? ??on?? ??the?? ??ground,?? ??having?? ??thoroughly?? ??blown?? ??apart.?? ??It?? ??was?? ??a?? ??calculated?? ??blast????too;?? ??none?? ??of?? ??the?? ??venom?? ??spilled.?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??imdiately?? ??rembered?? ??another?? ??instance????where?? ??a?? ??snake?? ??died?? ??like?? ??this?? ??before?? ??they?? ??entered?? ??the?? ??BanYue?? ??ruins,?? ??but?? ??there?? ??was?? ??no????need?? ??to?? ??say?? ??who?? ??did?? ??it?? ??at?? ??this?? ??point.?? ??He?? ??hadn’t?? ??even?? ??had?? ??the?? ??chance?? ??to?? ??look?? ??at?? ??San?? ??Lang????before?? ??a?? ??red?? ??sleeve?? ??flashed?? ??before?? ??him,?? ??barring?? ??and?? ??separating?? ??him?? ??from?? ??Ban?? ??Yue.????????On?? ??the?? ??other?? ??side,?? ??Fu?? ??Yao?? ??also?? ??said?? ??cooly,?? ??“I?? ??knew?? ??she?? ??lied.?? ??Did?? ??you?? ??think?? ??this?? ??snake?? ??can????manage?? ??to?? ??bite?? ??him?? ??under?? ??these?? ??circumstances??? ??Foolish.”????????Ban?? ??Yue’s?? ??face?? ??was?? ??already?? ??pale?? ??when?? ??she?? ??saw?? ??that?? ??snake,?? ??and?? ??when?? ??she?? ??heard?? ??him????her?? ??head?? ??shot?? ??up,?? ??“I?? ??didn’t?? ??do?? ??it.?? ??I?? ??said?? ??there?? ??are?? ??so?? ??snakes?? ??that?? ??don’t?? ??obey,?? ??and?? ??that????one?? ??was?? ??one?? ??of?? ??them?? ??just?? ??now.”??????Fu?? ??Yao?? ??didn’t?? ??believe?? ??a?? ??single?? ??word,?? ??“Who?? ??knows?? ??if?? ??it?? ??was?? ??actually?? ??disobeying?? ??or?? ??obeying????you?”??????“That?? ??one?? ??wasn’t?? ??even?? ??called?? ??forth?? ??by?? ??.”?? ??Ban?? ??Yue?? ??said.??????Xie?? ??Lian?? ??was?? ??about?? ??to?? ??speak?? ??when?? ??another?? ??two?? ??wine?? ??red?? ??scorpion?? ??snakes?? ??peeked?? ??out????from?? ??under?? ??a?? ??different?? ??corpse,?? ??flicking?? ??their?? ??tongues?? ??and?? ??watching?? ??them?? ??intently.?? ??Then?? ??a????third,?? ??a?? ??fourth,?? ??a?? ??fifth...?? ??from?? ??the?? ??mountains?? ??of?? ??dead?? ??bodies,?? ??and?? ??from?? ??all?? ??around?? ??every????corner?? ??of?? ??the?? ??pit,?? ??ca?? ??innurous?? ??scorpion?? ??snakes!??????Everyone?? ??stared?? ??at?? ??Ban?? ??Yue?? ??who?? ??was?? ??kneeling?? ??on?? ??top?? ??of?? ??pile?? ??of?? ??corpses,?? ??and?? ??Fu?? ??Yao????started?? ??spinning?? ??a?? ??ball?? ??of?? ??spiritual?? ??energy?? ??in?? ??his?? ??palm,?? ??shouting?? ??towards?? ??her,?? ??“Make?? ??them????go?? ??away!?? ??They?? ??can’t?? ??all?? ??disobey!”??????Ban?? ??Yue?? ??scrunched?? ??up?? ??her?? ??brows,?? ??looking?? ??as?? ??if?? ??she’s?? ??trying?? ??to?? ??drive?? ??them?? ??out.?? ??Yet?? ??more????and?? ??more?? ??scorpion?? ??snakes?? ??appeared,?? ??curling?? ??and?? ??crawling,?? ??slithering?? ??ever?? ??closer.?? ??Bites????from?? ??one?? ??or?? ??two?? ??snakes?? ??might?? ??not?? ??kill?? ??them,?? ??but?? ??hundreds?? ??and?? ??thousands?? ??was?? ??harder?? ??to????say.?? ??Even?? ??if?? ??they?? ??didn’t?? ??die?? ??it?? ??wouldn’t?? ??be?? ??pretty.????????Xie?? ??Lian?? ??raised?? ??his?? ??wrist?? ??about?? ??to?? ??call?? ??forth?? ??Ruoye,?? ??but?? ??saw?? ??that?? ??when?? ??the?? ??snakes????slithered?? ??to?? ??a?? ??certain?? ??distance,?? ??they?? ??would?? ??stop?? ??and?? ??hesitate,?? ??forming?? ??a?? ??weird?? ??circle????around?? ??him?? ??and?? ??San?? ??Lang.?? ??It?? ??dawned?? ??on?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??and?? ??he?? ??glanced?? ??at?? ??the?? ??boy?? ??next?? ??to?? ??him.????He?? ??was?? ??watching?? ??the?? ??snakes?? ??condescendingly?? ??with?? ??imnse?? ??contempt.?? ??The?? ??scorpion????snakes?? ??seed?? ??to?? ??be?? ??able?? ??to?? ??read?? ??his?? ??eyes?? ??and?? ??didn’t?? ??dare?? ??approach.?? ??They?? ??backed?? ??off????bit?? ??by?? ??bit,?? ??lowering?? ??their?? ??savage?? ??heads?? ??as?? ??they?? ??did?? ??so,?? ??and?? ??pressed?? ??against?? ??the?? ??ground????sumbmissively?? ??like?? ??servants.????????But?? ??there?? ??seed?? ??to?? ??be?? ??another?? ??power?? ??controlling?? ??them,?? ??making?? ??them?? ??unable?? ??to????abandon?? ??attacks?? ??and?? ??leave?? ??completely.?? ??Thus,?? ??many?? ??of?? ??the?? ??snakes?? ??turned?? ??around?? ??and????slithered?? ??towards?? ??Fu?? ??Yao.?? ??Fu?? ??Yao?? ??swung?? ??his?? ??hand?? ??and?? ??a?? ??blast?? ??of?? ??flas?? ??burst?? ??from?? ??his????sleeve,?? ??killing?? ??a?? ??circle?? ??of?? ??snakes.????????That?? ??wouldn’t?? ??last?? ??long,?? ??however,?? ??and?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??said,?? ??“Let’s?? ??go?? ??up?? ??and?? ??get?? ??out?? ??of?? ??here????first!”??????Whoosh??,?? ??Ruoye?? ??shot?? ??out?? ??from?? ??Xie?? ??Lian’s?? ??arm?? ??and?? ??flew?? ??upwards.?? ??But?? ??soon,?? ??another????whoosh?? ??and?? ??it?? ??was?? ??back?? ??on?? ??Xie?? ??Lian’s?? ??arm.?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??was?? ??taken?? ??aback?? ??and?? ??raised?? ??his????wrist,?? ??admonishing?? ??the?? ??silk?? ??band,?? ??“What?? ??are?? ??you?? ??doing?? ??back?? ??here??? ??The?? ??array?? ??was????released,?? ??hurry?? ??and?? ??go!”??????But?? ??Ruoye?? ??remained?? ??wrapped?? ??on?? ??his?? ??arm,?? ??trembling,?? ??as?? ??if?? ??he?? ??bumped?? ??into?? ??sothing????terrifying?? ??at?? ??the?? ??top.?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??was?? ??still?? ??chiding?? ??it?? ??when?? ??suddenly,?? ??a?? ??long?? ??rope?? ??of?? ??sothing????fell.?? ??‘Plop’,?? ??it?? ??dropped?? ??on?? ??Fu?? ??Yao’s?? ??shoulder.?? ??Fu?? ??Yao?? ??went?? ??to?? ??grab?? ??for?? ??it,?? ??and?? ??his?? ??face????changed?? ??the?? ??mont?? ??he?? ??brought?? ??it?? ??before?? ??his?? ??eyes?? ??–?? ??it?? ??was?? ??another?? ??scorpion?? ??snake?? ??that????fell?? ??from?? ??the?? ??sky!??????This?? ??took?? ??Fu?? ??Yao?? ??off?? ??guard,?? ??and?? ??after?? ??getting?? ??bitten,?? ??he?? ??hurled?? ??the?? ??snake?? ??towards?? ??Ban????Yue.?? ??Even?? ??with?? ??her?? ??hands?? ??tied,?? ??she?? ??still?? ??unconsciously?? ??tried?? ??to?? ??catch?? ??the?? ??snake,?? ??and????having?? ??caught?? ??it,?? ??the?? ??dark?? ??red?? ??snake?? ??curled?? ??itself?? ??up?? ??around?? ??her?? ??arm?? ??and?? ??did?? ??not?? ??attack.????Just?? ??then,?? ??another?? ??‘plop’?? ??and?? ??a?? ??second?? ??scorpion?? ??snake?? ??landed?? ??on?? ??the?? ??ground!??????Xie?? ??Lian?? ??could?? ??guess?? ??why?? ??Ruoye?? ??refused?? ??to?? ??go?? ??up?? ??now.?? ??Borrowing?? ??the?? ??faint?? ??light?? ??of?? ??the????moon,?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??raised?? ??his?? ??head?? ??and?? ??only?? ??just?? ??barely?? ??saw?? ??this?? ??sight:?? ??hundreds?? ??of?? ??little????wine?? ??red?? ??dots?? ??were?? ??falling?? ??rapidly?? ??into?? ??the?? ??Sinner’s?? ??Pit.??????A?? ??snake?? ??deluge!??????The?? ??red?? ??dots?? ??were?? ??coming?? ??closer?? ??and?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??yelled,?? ??“Fu?? ??Yao!?? ??Fire!?? ??Shoot?? ??a?? ??stream?? ??of????fire?? ??upwards?? ??and?? ??get?? ??rid?? ??of?? ??them?? ??halfway!”??????Fu?? ??Yao?? ??bit?? ??his?? ??palm?? ??to?? ??break?? ??skin,?? ??swung?? ??his?? ??hand,?? ??and?? ??a?? ??series?? ??of?? ??blood?? ??drops?? ??shot?? ??out,????transforming?? ??into?? ??a?? ??curtain?? ??of?? ??fire,?? ??jetting?? ??upwards?? ??the?? ??pit.?? ??Those?? ??sweeping?? ??flas?? ??rose????to?? ??over?? ??tens?? ??of?? ??feet?? ??and?? ??hung?? ??midair,?? ??disintegrating?? ??all?? ??scorpion?? ??snakes?? ??that’d?? ??touch?? ??it,????turning?? ??them?? ??into?? ??ashes,?? ??dissolving?? ??the?? ??snake?? ??deluge.????????Temporarily?? ??safe,?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??let?? ??out?? ??a?? ??breath?? ??of?? ??relief.?? ??“That?? ??was?? ??good,?? ??Fu?? ??Yao!?? ??Thank????goodness?? ??for?? ??you.”??????Yet?? ??that?? ??spell?? ??consud?? ??imnse?? ??powers,?? ??and?? ??after?? ??one?? ??round,?? ??Fu?? ??Yao’s?? ??face?? ??was?? ??pale.????He?? ??turned?? ??around?? ??and?? ??ignited?? ??a?? ??ring?? ??of?? ??fire,?? ??dispelling?? ??the?? ??snakes?? ??on?? ??the?? ??ground,?? ??and????shouted?? ??at?? ??Ban?? ??Yue,?? ??“And?? ??you?? ??say?? ??those?? ??snakes?? ??don’t?? ??obey?? ??you??? ??If?? ??it?? ??weren’t?? ??you????controlling?? ??them,?? ??why?? ??wouldn’t?? ??they?? ??attack?? ??you?”??????San?? ??Lang?? ??laughed,?? ??“Maybe?? ??it’s?? ??because?? ??of?? ??your?? ??bad?? ??luck??? ??They?? ??didn’t?? ??attack?? ??us?? ??either.”??????Fu?? ??Yao?? ??turned?? ??to?? ??look?? ??at?? ??him,?? ??his?? ??eyes?? ??sharp?? ??and?? ??narrowed.?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??could?? ??sense????trouble.?? ??With?? ??the?? ??ample?? ??hints?? ??he’d?? ??gotten?? ??that?? ??he?? ??hadn’t?? ??had?? ??ti?? ??to?? ??digest?? ??in?? ??his?? ??head,????he?? ??didn’t?? ??want?? ??to?? ??see?? ??the?? ??two?? ??start?? ??fighting?? ??and?? ??said,?? ??“Let’s?? ??figure?? ??out?? ??what’s?? ??going?? ??on????with?? ??those?? ??snakes?? ??first.?? ??Let’s?? ??charge?? ??out.”??????Fu?? ??Yao?? ??sneered,?? ??“What’s?? ??going?? ??on??? ??Either?? ??the?? ??Guoshi?? ??of?? ??BanYue?? ??is?? ??lying,?? ??or?? ??the?? ??one????next?? ??to?? ??you?? ??is?? ??causing?? ??trouble.”??????Xie?? ??Lian?? ??looked?? ??at?? ??Ban?? ??Yue,?? ??then?? ??looked?? ??at?? ??San?? ??Lang,?? ??and?? ??said,?? ??“I?? ??don’t?? ??think?? ??it’s?? ??either????of?? ??them.”??????His?? ??tone?? ??was?? ??gentle?? ??but?? ??firm.?? ??It?? ??was?? ??the?? ??conclusion?? ??he?? ??had?? ??co?? ??to?? ??after?? ??much?? ??thought.????However,?? ??Fu?? ??Yao?? ??must?? ??have?? ??thought?? ??he?? ??was?? ??shielding?? ??them?? ??intentionally;?? ??the?? ??face????illuminated?? ??by?? ??the?? ??flas?? ??was?? ??unkind,?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??couldn’t?? ??tell?? ??if?? ??he?? ??was?? ??angry?? ??or?? ??laughing.??????“Your?? ??Royal?? ??Highness,”?? ??Fu?? ??Yao?? ??said,?? ??“Don’t?? ??play?? ??pretend?? ??when?? ??you?? ??know?? ??the?? ??truth.?? ??Do????you?? ??still?? ??know?? ??your?? ??place??? ??I’m?? ??sure?? ??you’re?? ??already?? ??very?? ??aware?? ??of?? ??what?? ??exactly?? ??that?? ??thing????is?? ??next?? ??to?? ??you.?? ??I?? ??won’t?? ??believe?? ??you?? ??hadn’t?? ??realized?? ??it?? ??at?? ??all!”??????????Ch.29:?? ??Wind?? ??Master?? ??in?? ??White;?? ??Bellowing?? ??Sandstorms?? ??from?? ??Nothing????????Xie?? ??Lian?? ??unconsciously?? ??stepped?? ??forward?? ??to?? ??stand?? ??in?? ??front?? ??of?? ??San?? ??Lang,?? ??“I?? ??know?? ??better????than?? ??anyone?? ??where?? ??my?? ??place?? ??is.”?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??replied.??????“Then?? ??how?? ??dare?? ??you?? ??still?? ??stand?? ??next?? ??to?? ??him?!”?? ??Fu?? ??Yao?? ??shouted.??????“Because...?? ??If?? ??I?? ??stand?? ??next?? ??to?? ??him?? ??the?? ??snakes?? ??won’t?? ??co.”?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??answered?? ??earnestly.??????“...”??????Hearing?? ??the?? ??response,?? ??San?? ??Lang?? ??‘pfft’-ed?? ??and?? ??laughed?? ??out?? ??loud.?? ??Fu?? ??Yao?? ??beca????grimr,?? ??“YOU–”??????Grimr?? ??and?? ??grimr,?? ??his?? ??face?? ??suddenly?? ??turned?? ??completely?? ??black,?? ??and?? ??it?? ??wasn’t?? ??just?? ??his????face,?? ??but?? ??Xie?? ??Lian’s?? ??entire?? ??line?? ??of?? ??sight?? ??dimd?? ??into?? ??darkness.??????The?? ??curtain?? ??of?? ??flas?? ??and?? ??the?? ??ring?? ??of?? ??fire?? ??created?? ??by?? ??Fu?? ??Yao?? ??were?? ??suddenly?? ??completely????extinguished!??????Xie?? ??Lian?? ??heard?? ??San?? ??Lang?? ??snicker?? ??and?? ??say?? ??“Useless?? ??trash!”?? ??before?? ??gripping?? ??his?? ??shoulders????to?? ??pull?? ??him?? ??close.?? ??Soon?? ??after,?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??heard?? ??a?? ??sudden?? ??downpour?? ??of?? ??endless?? ??battering????above?? ??them,?? ??like?? ??a?? ??thunderstorm?? ??hitting?? ??an?? ??umbrella.??????Needless?? ??to?? ??say,?? ??it?? ??was?? ??the?? ??snake?? ??deluge?? ??that?? ??ca?? ??pouring?? ??down?? ??crazedly?? ??now?? ??that?? ??the????defense?? ??barrier?? ??was?? ??gone.?? ??The?? ??open?? ??umbrella?? ??was?? ??blocking?? ??the?? ??downpour?? ??and?? ??Xie?? ??Lian????could?? ??sll?? ??the?? ??thick?? ??foul?? ??odour?? ??of?? ??blood.?? ??He?? ??was?? ??about?? ??to?? ??fight?? ??but?? ??San?? ??Lang?? ??stopped????him,?? ??“Don’t?? ??move.?? ??No?? ??lowlives?? ??will?? ??dare?? ??approach.”??????His?? ??tone?? ??was?? ??confident;?? ??the?? ??first?? ??sentence?? ??was?? ??soft?? ??and?? ??gentle,?? ??the?? ??latter?? ??had?? ??a?? ??layer?? ??of????arrogance.?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??wasn’t?? ??worried,?? ??but?? ??hearing?? ??Fu?? ??Yao’s?? ??angry?? ??roars?? ??at?? ??the?? ??other?? ??end,????sounding?? ??as?? ??if?? ??he?? ??was?? ??getting?? ??covered?? ??in?? ??snakes,?? ??he?? ??called?? ??out,?? ??“San?? ??Lang!”??????San?? ??Lang?? ??instantly?? ??replied,?? ??“No.”??????Xie?? ??Lian?? ??didn’t?? ??know?? ??whether?? ??to?? ??laugh?? ??or?? ??cry,?? ??“How?? ??did?? ??you?? ??know?? ??what?? ??I?? ??was?? ??going?? ??to????say?”??????“Don’t?? ??worry?? ??so?? ??much,?? ??he?? ??can’t?? ??die.”?? ??San?? ??Lang?? ??said.??????Just?? ??then,?? ??another?? ??roar?? ??ca?? ??from?? ??a?? ??different?? ??part?? ??of?? ??the?? ??pit,?? ??“BAN?? ??YUE!?? ??If?? ??you?? ??want?? ??????to?? ??die?? ??then?? ??have?? ??them?? ??bite?? ??and?? ??kill?? ???? ??in?? ??one?? ??go!?? ??WHAT?? ??THE?? ??HELL?? ??IS?? ??THIS??”??????“It’s?? ??not?? ??!”?? ??Ban?? ??Yue?? ??cried.?? ??It?? ??seed?? ??Ke?? ??Mo?? ??had?? ??woken?? ??from?? ??all?? ??the?? ??battering,????discovered?? ??himself?? ??covered?? ??by?? ??countless?? ??snakes,?? ??and?? ??believed?? ??it?? ??to?? ??be?? ??Ban?? ??Yue’s?? ??doing.????????“Fu?? ??Yao,?? ??can?? ??you?? ??light?? ??another?? ??fire??? ??Do?? ??it?? ??again!”?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??shouted.??????Fu?? ??Yao?? ??gritted?? ??his?? ??teeth,?? ??“That?? ??thing?? ??next?? ??to?? ??you?? ??is?? ??restricting?? ??my?? ??powers,?? ??I?? ??can’t?? ??light????anything!”??????Xie?? ??Lian?? ??felt?? ??dread,?? ??and?? ??San?? ??Lang?? ??said,?? ??“It’s?? ??not?? ??.”??????“I?? ??know?? ??it’s?? ??not?? ??you.”?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??said,?? ??“But?? ??that’s?? ??precisely?? ??what’s?? ??wrong.?? ??Both?? ??Ban?? ??Yue?? ??and????Ke?? ??Mo?? ??are?? ??bound?? ??by?? ??the?? ??God-Binding?? ??rope;?? ??they?? ??can’t?? ??use?? ??their?? ??powers.?? ??My?? ??powers?? ??are????depleted,?? ??and?? ??you’re?? ??not?? ??restricting?? ??anyone,?? ??aning,?? ??there’s?? ??a?? ??sixth?? ??person?? ??in?? ??this?? ??pit?!”??????“Have?? ??you?? ??lost?? ??your?? ??mind?”?? ??Fu?? ??Yao?? ??demanded,?? ??“What?? ??sixth?? ??person??? ??There?? ??wasn’t????anyone?? ??who?? ??ca?? ??down!”??????“Who’s?? ??there?”?? ??Ban?? ??Yue?? ??suddenly?? ??said.??????“Ban?? ??Yue,?? ??what’s?? ??happening??? ??Is?? ??soone?? ??over?? ??there?”?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??asked.??????“Soone–”?? ??Ban?? ??Yue’s?? ??voice?? ??disappeared?? ??halfway;?? ??whether?? ??her?? ??mouth?? ??was?? ??sealed????shut,?? ??or?? ??she?? ??lost?? ??consciousness?? ??was?? ??not?? ??known.?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??called?? ??out?? ??again,?? ??“Ban?? ??Yue?”??????Fu?? ??Yao?? ??was?? ??still?? ??fighting?? ??snakes,?? ??and?? ??was?? ??throwing?? ??spiritual?? ??energy?? ??everywhere,?? ??flashing????here?? ??and?? ??there?? ??in?? ??the?? ??dark.?? ??“Be?? ??careful!?? ??She?? ??might?? ??be?? ??tricking?? ??you!”??????“Not?? ??necessarily.”?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??shouted,?? ??“I’m?? ??going?? ??to?? ??save?? ??her?? ??first!”????????Xie?? ??Lian?? ??was?? ??about?? ??to?? ??run?? ??into?? ??the?? ??snake?? ??deluge?? ??when?? ??he?? ??heard?? ??San?? ??Lang’s?? ??voice?? ??next????to?? ??his?? ??ear,?? ??“Alright.”??????Xie?? ??Lian?? ??felt?? ??the?? ??hand?? ??grasping?? ??his?? ??shoulders?? ??tighten,?? ??and?? ??in?? ??a?? ??flash?? ??they?? ??were?? ??blitzing????forward.?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??realized?? ??in?? ??awe?? ??that?? ??the?? ??boy?? ??was?? ??advancing?? ??and?? ??attacking?? ??but?? ??with?? ??an????umbrella?? ??in?? ??one?? ??hand,?? ??and?? ??him?? ??in?? ??the?? ??other.?? ??In?? ??the?? ??darkness,?? ??silver?? ??shimrs?? ??flashed????about?? ??once?? ??more,?? ??clanking?? ??and?? ??clinking,?? ??when?? ??suddenly,?? ??a?? ??sharp?? ??sound?? ??of?? ??two?? ??swords????clashing?? ??rang?? ??in?? ??everyone’s?? ??ears.??????“Oh?”?? ??San?? ??Lang?? ??said,?? ??“There?? ??really?? ??is?? ??a?? ??sixth?? ??person.?? ??Interesting.”??????Xie?? ??Lian?? ??had?? ??no?? ??idea?? ??how?? ??San?? ??Lang?? ??was?? ??controlling?? ??the?? ??weapon,?? ??or?? ??what?? ??kind?? ??of?? ??weapon????it?? ??was,?? ??but?? ??whatever?? ??it?? ??was,?? ??it?? ??most?? ??certainly?? ??did?? ??co?? ??head?? ??to?? ??head?? ??with?? ??another!??????The?? ??other?? ??party?? ??remained?? ??silent,?? ??and?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??could?? ??only?? ??hear?? ??the?? ??sound?? ??of?? ??tal????scraping?? ??tal?? ??as?? ??the?? ??fight?? ??intensified.?? ??From?? ??ti?? ??to?? ??ti?? ??there?? ??would?? ??be?? ??sparks?? ??flashing????in?? ??the?? ??dark,?? ??but?? ??each?? ??ti?? ??it?? ??was?? ??so?? ??short-lived?? ??it?? ??was?? ??hard?? ??to?? ??see?? ??the?? ??other’s?? ??face.????Listening?? ??to?? ??the?? ??fight,?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??could?? ??feel?? ??Ruoye?? ??grip?? ??tighter?? ??and?? ??tighter,?? ??and?? ??had?? ??to????murmur?? ??reassurance,?? ??“Don’t?? ??be?? ??scared,?? ??relax.?? ??Relax?? ??a?? ??bit.”?? ??Ruoye?? ??loosened,?? ??and?? ??Xie????Lian?? ??called?? ??out?? ??again,?? ??“Ban?? ??Yue,?? ??are?? ??you?? ??conscious??? ??Can?? ??you?? ??respond?”??????No?? ??one?? ??responded.?? ??Fu?? ??Yao?? ??exclaid,?? ??“Maybe?? ??the?? ??one?? ??fighting?? ??now?? ??is?? ??her!”??????“No.?? ??This?? ??one?? ??is?? ??definitely?? ??not?? ??Ban?? ??Yue!”?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??said.??????When?? ??San?? ??Lang?? ??fought?? ??Ke?? ??Mo?? ??in?? ??the?? ??dark,?? ??he?? ??was?? ??light-footed?? ??and?? ??ssing?? ??about,????playing?? ??with?? ??him.?? ??This?? ??fight?? ??was?? ??also?? ??in?? ??the?? ??dark,?? ??but?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??could?? ??tell?? ??San?? ??Lang?? ??was????taking?? ??it?? ??more?? ??seriously.?? ??The?? ??other?? ??party?? ??was?? ??extrely?? ??skilled?? ??in?? ??martial?? ??arts?? ??and????weaponry;?? ??Ban?? ??Yue?? ??was?? ??small?? ??and?? ??weak,?? ??just?? ??looking?? ??at?? ??her?? ??arms?? ??it?? ??was?? ??obvious?? ??power????and?? ??arms?? ??were?? ??not?? ??her?? ??forte,?? ??so?? ??it?? ??was?? ??impossible?? ??for?? ??her?? ??to?? ??be?? ??fighting?? ??San?? ??Lang.?? ??But????who?? ??was?? ??this?? ??sixth?? ??person??? ??When?? ??did?? ??they?? ??appear?!??????Fu?? ??Yao?? ??griped,?? ??“Soone?? ??who?? ??would?? ??betray?? ??her?? ??own?? ??country?? ??is?? ??no?? ??different?? ??than?? ??Xuan????Ji,?? ??why?? ??on?? ??earth?? ??would?? ??you?? ??still?? ??believe?? ??in?? ??her?”??????“Fu?? ??Yao,?? ??can?? ??you?? ??not?? ??be?? ??so?? ??irritated?”?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??said,?? ??“You...?? ??Wait.?? ??What?? ??did?? ??you?? ??just????say?”????????Fu?? ??Yao?? ??struck?? ??out?? ??another?? ??fist,?? ??and?? ??blew?? ??away?? ??a?? ??bunch?? ??of?? ??snakes,?? ??“I?? ??said,?? ??why?? ??on?? ??earth????would?? ??you?? ??believe?? ??in?? ??her?? ??the?? ??sa?? ??way?? ??you?? ??believe?? ??in?? ??that?? ??thing?? ??next?? ??to?? ??you!”??????“No,?? ??not?? ??that?? ??–?? ??you?? ??said?? ??Xuan?? ??Ji.?? ??You?? ??ntioned?? ??Xuan?? ??Ji’s?? ??na,?? ??didn’t?? ??you!”?? ??Xie?? ??Lian????said.??????“Yea,?? ??so?? ??what?!?? ??She’s?? ??completely?? ??irrelevant!”????????Xie?? ??Lian?? ??however,?? ??held?? ??his?? ??breath.?? ??A?? ??mont?? ??later,?? ??he?? ??called?? ??out,?? ??“Stop?? ??fighting,?? ??there’s????no?? ??more?? ??need?? ??to?? ??hide.?? ??I?? ??know?? ??who?? ??you?? ??are!”??????The?? ??sound?? ??of?? ??blades?? ??clashing?? ??never?? ??halted,?? ??the?? ??other?? ??party?? ??unaffected,?? ??but?? ??Xie?? ??Lian????wasn’t?? ??worried,?? ??“Did?? ??you?? ??think?? ??I?? ??was?? ??tricking?? ??you?? ??when?? ??I?? ??said?? ??I?? ??already?? ??know?? ??who?? ??you????are??? ??General?? ??Pei?? ??Junior?”??????.??????“Who?? ??are?? ??you?? ??talking?? ??to?”?? ??Fu?? ??Yao?? ??was?? ??dumbstruck,?? ??“General?? ??Pei?? ??Junior??? ??Don’t?? ??be?? ??crazy.????Who?? ??do?? ??you?? ??think?? ??he?? ??is??? ??If?? ??he?? ??descended?? ??everyone?? ??would?? ??know!”??????“You’re?? ??very?? ??right,”?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??said,?? ??“But?? ??what?? ??if?? ??it?? ??wasn’t?? ??his?? ??true?? ??self?? ??that?? ??descended?”??????In?? ??the?? ??darkness,?? ??the?? ??fighting?? ??weapons?? ??faltered?? ??then?? ??continued?? ??anew.??????Xie?? ??Lian?? ??spoke,?? ??“It?? ??took?? ???? ??too?? ??long?? ??to?? ??figure?? ??this?? ??out.?? ??I?? ??should’ve?? ??known?? ??from?? ??the????beginning.”??????“I?? ??knew?? ??that?? ??for?? ??close?? ??to?? ??two?? ??hundred?? ??years?? ??there?? ??was?? ??sothing?? ??causing?? ??havoc?? ??but????none?? ??of?? ??the?? ??heavenly?? ??officials?? ??cared,?? ??and?? ??no?? ??one?? ??dared?? ??to?? ??speak?? ??of?? ??it,?? ??so?? ??there?? ??must?? ??be????one?? ??or?? ??a?? ??number?? ??of?? ??officials?? ??keeping?? ??a?? ??wrap?? ??on?? ??this?? ??scandal.?? ??But?? ??because?? ??I?? ??wasn’t????familiar?? ??with?? ??many?? ??of?? ??the?? ??officials,?? ??I?? ??didn’t?? ??dare?? ??to?? ??boldly?? ??pin?? ??this?? ??on?? ??anyone,?? ??and?? ??never????tried?? ??to?? ??boldly?? ??deduce?? ??just?? ??which?? ??heavenly?? ??official?? ??it?? ??could?? ??be.”????????It?? ??was?? ??Fu?? ??Yao’s?? ??ntion?? ??of?? ??Xuan?? ??Ji?? ??that?? ??reminded?? ??him.??????When?? ??it?? ??ca?? ??to?? ??Xuan?? ??Ji,?? ??it?? ??wasn’t?? ??hard?? ??to?? ??relate?? ??her?? ??to?? ??the?? ??two?? ??General?? ??Pei’s,?? ??and?? ??the????North?? ??was?? ??their?? ??territory.?? ??Fu?? ??Yao?? ??once?? ??said?? ??in?? ??passing?? ??that?? ??prior?? ??to?? ??his?? ??ascension,????General?? ??Pei?? ??Junior?? ??slaughtered?? ??a?? ??city.??????Which?? ??city???????It?? ??could?? ??very?? ??well?? ??be?? ??the?? ??Kingdom?? ??of?? ??BanYue!??????The?? ??Upper?? ??Court?? ??wouldn’t?? ??bat?? ??an?? ??eyelash?? ??at?? ??sothing?? ??like?? ??this;?? ??everyone?? ??needed?? ??to????spill?? ??so?? ??blood?? ??if?? ??they?? ??wanted?? ??to?? ??do?? ??great?? ??things.?? ??But?? ??slaughtering?? ??a?? ??city?? ??wasn’t????anything?? ??glorious?? ??after?? ??all,?? ??and?? ??if?? ??the?? ??story?? ??got?? ??spread?? ??too?? ??far?? ??it?? ??would?? ??affect?? ??the?? ??numbers????of?? ??new?? ??believers,?? ??so?? ??of?? ??course?? ??there?? ??would?? ??be?? ??so?? ??cover?? ??ups?? ??after?? ??ascension.?? ??Thus,????even?? ??if?? ??everyone?? ??knew?? ??sothing?? ??of?? ??the?? ??sort?? ??happened,?? ??they?? ??probably?? ??didn’t?? ??know?? ??the????details?? ??or?? ??care?? ??to?? ??know?? ??the?? ??details.?? ??Besides,?? ??if?? ??it?? ??wasn’t?? ??for?? ??deep?? ??grudges,?? ??who’d?? ??had?? ??the????ti?? ??to?? ??care?? ??to?? ??dig?? ??his?? ??past?? ??and?? ??offend?? ??the?? ??support?? ??behind?? ??his?? ??back???????Xie?? ??Lian?? ??spoke?? ??slowly,?? ??“That?? ??mud?? ??face?? ??had?? ??said?? ??there?? ??was?? ??soone?? ??amongst?? ??us?? ??who????already?? ??visited?? ??the?? ??fortress?? ??fifty?? ??to?? ??sixty?? ??years?? ??ago.?? ??At?? ??first?? ??I?? ??thought?? ??he?? ??was?? ??lying?? ??to????deceive?? ??us?? ??into?? ??approaching,?? ??but,?? ??his?? ??words?? ??may?? ??very?? ??well?? ??contain?? ??truth.”??????“Before,?? ??in?? ??that?? ??group?? ??of?? ??people,?? ??the?? ??one?? ??I?? ??was?? ??the?? ??most?? ??suspicious?? ??of?? ??was?? ??you.?? ??The????caravan?? ??followed?? ??you,?? ??and?? ??you?? ??could?? ??take?? ??them?? ??anywhere.?? ??I?? ??have?? ??never?? ??seen?? ??a?? ??single????scorpion?? ??snake?? ??in?? ??the?? ??years?? ??I?? ??lived?? ??nearby?? ??BanYue,?? ??and?? ??from?? ??just?? ??seeking?? ??a?? ??random????shelter?? ??from?? ??the?? ??sandstorm,?? ??they?? ??happen?? ??to?? ??show?? ??up?”??????“I?? ??asked?? ??you?? ??to?? ??co?? ??look?? ??for?? ??the?? ??ShanYue?? ??fern?? ??with?? ??us,?? ??but?? ??just?? ??before?? ??we?? ??left?? ??you?? ??gave????the?? ??directions?? ??of?? ??the?? ??ruins?? ??to?? ??the?? ??others?? ??so?? ??they?? ??could?? ??follow?? ??in?? ??our?? ??steps?? ??if?? ??they?? ??could?? ??no????longer?? ??sit?? ??still.?? ??Earlier?? ??on?? ??top?? ??of?? ??the?? ??walls,?? ??I?? ??had?? ??already?? ??said?? ??if?? ??anything?? ??were?? ??to?? ??happen,?? ??I????would?? ??go?? ??forward?? ??first;?? ??you?? ??who?? ??is?? ??always?? ??calm?? ??suddenly?? ??jumped,?? ??dying?? ??a?? ??aningless????death.”??????Xie?? ??Lian?? ??continued?? ??after?? ??a?? ??pause,?? ??“Your?? ??actions?? ??were?? ??strange?? ??and?? ??illogical.?? ??That?? ??it?? ??took?????? ??until?? ??now?? ??to?? ??realize?? ??who?? ??you?? ??are?? ??really?? ??was?? ??too?? ??late.?? ??Isn’t?? ??that?? ??right,?? ??General?? ??Pei????Junior??? ??Or?? ??should?? ??I?? ??call?? ??your?? ??current?? ??na,?? ??A-Zhao!”??????The?? ??silence?? ??that?? ??ensued?? ??was?? ??abrupt.??????It?? ??was?? ??a?? ??mont?? ??before?? ??a?? ??cold?? ??voice?? ??ca,?? ??“Have?? ??you?? ??never?? ??suspected?? ??that?? ??the?? ??mud????face?? ??might?? ??be?? ??talking?? ??about?? ??the?? ??red?? ??clothed?? ??boy?? ??next?? ??to?? ??you?”??????A?? ??stream?? ??of?? ??flas?? ??suddenly?? ??lit?? ??up?? ??across?? ??the?? ??Sinner’s?? ??Pit.??????Under?? ??the?? ??light,?? ??two?? ??bloody?? ??silhouettes?? ??were?? ??revealed.?? ??One?? ??was?? ??San?? ??Lang,?? ??dressed?? ??in????red,?? ??proper?? ??and?? ??standing?? ??with?? ??his?? ??weapon?? ??already?? ??tucked?? ??away.?? ??The?? ??other?? ??was?? ??a?? ??plainly????clothed?? ??young?? ??man?? ??with?? ??a?? ??sword?? ??held?? ??tightly?? ??in?? ??hand,?? ??still?? ??at?? ??the?? ??ready.??????The?? ??plain?? ??clothed?? ??young?? ??man?? ??was?? ??covered?? ??in?? ??blood,?? ??looking?? ??as?? ??if?? ??he?? ??was?? ??also?? ??dressed?? ??in????red.?? ??His?? ??expression?? ??was?? ??cold?? ??and?? ??reserved,?? ??carrying?? ??soone?? ??over?? ??his?? ??shoulders.?? ??It?? ??was????indeed?? ??A-Zhao.??????To?? ??be?? ??fair,?? ??whether?? ??it?? ??be?? ??General?? ??Pei?? ??Junior?? ??his?? ??true?? ??self?? ??or?? ??A-Zhao,?? ??that?? ??composed,?? ??calm????and?? ??collectedness?? ??never?? ??changed;?? ??only,?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??had?? ??never?? ??gone?? ??down?? ??that?? ??train?? ??of????thought?? ??so?? ??he?? ??didn’t?? ??connect?? ??the?? ??two.??????The?? ??one?? ??he?? ??was?? ??carrying?? ??over?? ??his?? ??shoulders?? ??was?? ??Ban?? ??Yue.?? ??It?? ??seed?? ??he?? ??had?? ??called?? ??forth????the?? ??snakes?? ??in?? ??order?? ??to?? ??steal?? ??her?? ??away?? ??during?? ??the?? ??chaos.?? ??Now?? ??that?? ??his?? ??identity?? ??was????revealed,?? ??he?? ??had?? ??no?? ??more?? ??need?? ??to?? ??create?? ??havoc,?? ??and?? ??the?? ??snake?? ??deluge?? ??ceased????bombarding.?? ??He?? ??sheathed?? ??his?? ??sword?? ??and?? ??gently?? ??laid?? ??Ban?? ??Yue?? ??down?? ??on?? ??the?? ??ground.?? ??On????the?? ??side,?? ??Ke?? ??Mo?? ??was?? ??shocked,?? ??“Who?? ??are?? ??you??? ??Didn’t?? ??you?? ??fall?? ??to?? ??your?? ??death???”??????A-Zhao?? ??didn’t?? ??spare?? ??a?? ??look?? ??at?? ??Ke?? ??Mo,?? ??staring?? ??instead?? ??at?? ??San?? ??Lang?? ??vigilantly.?? ??“Ke?? ??Mo,?? ??you????really?? ??haven’t?? ??changed?? ??in?? ??these?? ??past?? ??hundreds?? ??of?? ??years.”?? ??He?? ??said?? ??in?? ??BanYuenese.??????Perhaps?? ??the?? ??tone?? ??of?? ??this?? ??maddening?? ??calm?? ??was?? ??overly?? ??familiar,?? ??Ke?? ??Mo’s?? ??face?? ??imdiately????scrunched?? ??up?? ??in?? ??rage,?? ??“...?? ??IT’S?? ??YOU!!!?? ??PEI?? ??SU!!!”??????If?? ??not?? ??for?? ??the?? ??God-Binding?? ??rope?? ??solidly?? ??tying?? ??him?? ??down,?? ??Ke?? ??Mo?? ??would’ve?? ??lunged?? ??at?? ??him?? ??to????fight?? ??to?? ??the?? ??death.????????“General?? ??Pei?? ??Junior,”?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??said,?? ??“Those?? ??scorpion?? ??snakes?? ??didn’t?? ??just?? ??listen?? ??to?? ??one????command.?? ??You?? ??controlled?? ??all?? ??the?? ??snakes?? ??Ban?? ??Yue?? ??said?? ??no?? ??longer?? ??listened?? ??to?? ??her?? ??and????went?? ??out?? ??to?? ??harm,?? ??correct?”????????“En.?? ??I?? ??did?? ??it.”?? ??He?? ??certainly?? ??admitted?? ??it?? ??easily.??????“Did?? ??Ban?? ??Yue?? ??teach?? ??you?? ??how?? ??to?? ??control?? ??the?? ??scorpion?? ??snakes?”?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??asked.??????“She?? ??didn’t,”?? ??Pei?? ??Su?? ??said,?? ??“But?? ??how?? ??she?? ??does?? ??it,?? ??I?? ??could?? ??very?? ??well?? ??learn?? ??for?? ??myself.”??????“General?? ??Pei?? ??Junior?? ??is?? ??exceedingly?? ??intelligent?? ??after?? ??all.”?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??comnted.??????After?? ??a?? ??pause,?? ??he?? ??then?? ??asked,?? ??“When?? ??did?? ??you?? ??two?? ??et??? ??How?? ??did?? ??you?? ??two?? ??et?”????????Pei?? ??Su?? ??however,?? ??gave?? ??him?? ??a?? ??look,?? ??“General?? ??Hua.”????????Xie?? ??Lian?? ??was?? ??puzzled,?? ??“Why?? ??are?? ??you?? ??calling?? ???? ??by?? ??that?? ??title?? ??too?”????????Pei?? ??Su?? ??asked?? ??quietly,?? ??“Do?? ??you?? ??not?? ??recognize?? ??,?? ??General?? ??Hua?”??????“...”??????Now?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??did.??????The?? ??beginning?? ??of?? ??it?? ??was?? ??kind?? ??of?? ??blurry.?? ??Ban?? ??Yue?? ??was?? ??bullied?? ??and?? ??ignored?? ??by?? ??other????BanYue?? ??children?? ??when?? ??she?? ??was?? ??younger,?? ??and?? ??only?? ??a?? ??young?? ??boy?? ??of?? ??YongAn?? ??would????sotis?? ??pay?? ??attention?? ??to?? ??her.?? ??That?? ??boy?? ??was?? ??like?? ??Ban?? ??Yue?? ??and?? ??didn’t?? ??talk?? ??very?? ??much.????Quite?? ??a?? ??number?? ??of?? ??children?? ??living?? ??on?? ??the?? ??border?? ??were?? ??from?? ??military?? ??families,?? ??and?? ??many????also?? ??enlisted?? ??in?? ??the?? ??army?? ??when?? ??they?? ??grew?? ??older.?? ??Could?? ??it?? ??be...??????“It’s?? ??you?!”?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??was?? ??surprised,?? ??“I,?? ??I?? ??can’t?? ??believe?? ??it?? ??took?? ???? ??this?? ??long?? ??to?? ??realize?? ??it?? ??was????you.”????????Pei?? ??Su?? ??nodded,?? ??“It’s?? ??.?? ??I’ve?? ??only?? ??just?? ??recognized?? ??General?? ??too.”????????No?? ??wonder.?? ??So?? ??turns?? ??out,?? ??Ban?? ??Yue?? ??and?? ??the?? ??enemy?? ??general?? ??had?? ??known?? ??each?? ??other?? ??since????long?? ??ago!??????“Did?? ??Ban?? ??Yue?? ??really?? ??heed?? ??your?? ??order?? ??and?? ??opened?? ??the?? ??fortress?? ??gates?”?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??asked.??????On?? ??the?? ??other?? ??side,?? ??Ke?? ??Mo?? ??spat?? ??and?? ??yelled,?? ??“Despicable?? ??Pei?? ??Su.?? ??Untie?? ??the?? ??ropes,?? ??let?? ??????fight?? ??him?? ??to?? ??the?? ??death!”??????Pei?? ??Su?? ??said?? ??cooly,?? ??“First?? ??of?? ??all,?? ??we?? ??already?? ??had?? ??a?? ??battle?? ??to?? ??the?? ??death?? ??two?? ??hundred?? ??years????ago,?? ??and?? ??you?? ??lost;?? ??second?? ??of?? ??all,?? ??how?? ??am?? ??I?? ??despicable?”??????Ke?? ??Mo?? ??shouted,?? ??“IF?? ??YOU?? ??TWO?? ??DIDN’T?? ??COLLUDE,?? ??HOW?? ??WOULD?? ??WE?? ??LOSE?!”??????“Ke?? ??Mo,?? ??don’t?? ??deny?? ??it.”?? ??Pei?? ??Su?? ??said,?? ??“Even?? ??though?? ??I?? ??only?? ??had?? ??a?? ??troop?? ??of?? ??two?? ??thousand????with?? ???? ??at?? ??the?? ??ti,?? ??but?? ??breaking?? ??through?? ??the?? ??fortress?? ??gates?? ??was?? ??only?? ??a?? ??matter?? ??of?? ??ti?? ??to????.”??????Xie?? ??Lian?? ??couldn’t?? ??help?? ??but?? ??interrupt,?? ??“Wait?? ??a?? ??sec,?? ??you?? ??only?? ??had?? ??two?? ??thousand?? ??under?? ??you????and?? ??you?? ??were?? ??sent?? ??to?? ??invade?? ??a?? ??country??? ??What’s?? ??going?? ??on??? ??Isn’t?? ??that?? ??no?? ??different?? ??than????sending?? ??you?? ??to?? ??your?? ??death??? ??Were?? ??you?? ??perhaps?? ??even?? ??more?? ??elbowed?? ??out?? ??in?? ??the?? ??army?? ??than????I?? ??was??”????????“...”??????Pei?? ??Su?? ??stopped?? ??talking.?? ??It?? ??seed,?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??had?? ??hit?? ??it?? ??on?? ??the?? ??mark.?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??then?? ??asked,????“If?? ??you?? ??knew?? ??it?? ??was?? ??a?? ??sure?? ??win,?? ??why?? ??did?? ??you?? ??have?? ??Ban?? ??Yue?? ??open?? ??the?? ??fortress?? ??gates?”????????“Because?? ??I?? ??needed?? ??to?? ??slaughter?? ??the?? ??fortress?? ??city.”?? ??Pei?? ??Su?? ??replied.??????“”What?? ??do?? ??you?? ??an?”?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??asked,?? ??“Since?? ??you?? ??were?? ??already?? ??going?? ??to?? ??win,?? ??why?? ??must????you?? ??slaughter?? ??the?? ??city?”?? ??It?? ??couldn’t?? ??be?? ??that?? ??it?? ??was?? ??out?? ??of?? ??a?? ??hobby!??????“It?? ??was?? ??because?? ??victory?? ??was?? ??at?? ??hand,?? ??that?? ??we?? ??had?? ??to?? ??wipe?? ??out?? ??the?? ??city.”?? ??Pei?? ??Su?? ??said,?? ??“And????it?? ??had?? ??to?? ??be?? ??as?? ??soon?? ??as?? ??possible.?? ??Imdiately.?? ??Leaving?? ??none?? ??behind.”????????That?? ??“Leaving?? ??none?? ??behind”?? ??was?? ??chilling.?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??pushed,?? ??“And?? ??the?? ??reason?? ??is?”????????Pei?? ??Su?? ??answered,?? ??“On?? ??the?? ??night?? ??before?? ??the?? ??invasion,?? ??many?? ??of?? ??the?? ??leaders?? ??of?? ??Ban?? ??Yue’s????major?? ??families?? ??gathered?? ??for?? ??a?? ??eting,?? ??and?? ??decided?? ??on?? ??a?? ??secret?? ??plot.”????????“What?? ??plot?”??????“The?? ??people?? ??of?? ??BanYue?? ??are?? ??violent?? ??in?? ??nature,?? ??and?? ??hated?? ??YongAn?? ??to?? ??the?? ??bone.”?? ??Pei?? ??Su????said,?? ??“Even?? ??knowing?? ??they?? ??were?? ??about?? ??to?? ??be?? ??defeated?? ??they?? ??wouldn’t?? ??admit?? ??it.?? ??So?? ??the?? ??entire????population?? ??of?? ??the?? ??kingdom,?? ??the?? ??young,?? ??the?? ??old,?? ??the?? ??won?? ??and?? ??the?? ??n,?? ??all?? ??banded????together?? ??to?? ??assemble?? ??this?? ??thing.”??????“What?? ??thing?”?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??could?? ??guess?? ??but?? ??he?? ??wasn’t?? ??sure,?? ??and?? ??the?? ??word?? ??that?? ??ca?? ??out?? ??of????Pei?? ??Su’s?? ??mouth?? ??confird?? ??his?? ??suspicions.?? ??“Explosives.”??????Pei?? ??Su?? ??slowly?? ??enunciated?? ??each?? ??word,?? ??“They?? ??had?? ??decided?? ??that?? ??if?? ??the?? ??kingdom?? ??was?? ??to?? ??fall,????then?? ??the?? ??citizens?? ??will?? ??each?? ??carry?? ??explosives?? ??on?? ??their?? ??bodies,?? ??escape?? ??to?? ??YongAn,?? ??mix?? ??into????large?? ??crowded?? ??areas,?? ??and?? ??suicide?? ??bomb?? ??to?? ??cause?? ??riots.?? ??aning?? ??if?? ??they?? ??must?? ??die,?? ??then????they?? ??will?? ??drag?? ??as?? ??many?? ??YongAn?? ??people?? ??down?? ??as?? ??they?? ??can?? ??with?? ??them.?? ??If?? ??the?? ??kingdom????should?? ??fall,?? ??then?? ??they?? ??shall?? ??terrorize?? ??the?? ??country?? ??that?? ??brought?? ??their?? ??downfall!”??????Which?? ??was?? ??why?? ??they?? ??had?? ??to?? ??be?? ??annihilated?? ??before?? ??those?? ??civilians?? ??had?? ??the?? ??ti?? ??to?? ??flee.??????Xie?? ??Lian?? ??instantly?? ??turned?? ??to?? ??Ke?? ??Mo,?? ??roughly?? ??summarized?? ??for?? ??him?? ??in?? ??BanYuenese,?? ??and????asked,?? ??“Is?? ??this?? ??true?”??????Ke?? ??Mo?? ??looked?? ??dauntless?? ??without?? ??any?? ??intention?? ??to?? ??conceal?? ??the?? ??facts,?? ??“It’s?? ??true!”??????San?? ??Lang?? ??raised?? ??his?? ??brows?? ??and?? ??comnted,?? ??“How?? ??vile.”??????He?? ??said?? ??those?? ??words?? ??in?? ??BanYuenese,?? ??probably?? ??intentionally.?? ??Ke?? ??Mo?? ??replied?? ??angrily,?? ??“Vile?????What?? ??right?? ??do?? ??you?? ??have?? ??to?? ??call?? ??us?? ??vile??? ??If?? ??it?? ??wasn’t?? ??for?? ??your?? ??assaults,?? ??we?? ??wouldn’t?? ??be????forced?? ??to?? ??make?? ??that?? ??move.?? ??You?? ??ruined?? ??us,?? ??so?? ??we?? ??sought?? ??revenge.?? ??How?? ??is?? ??that?? ??wrong?!”??????Pei?? ??Su?? ??responded?? ??cooly,?? ??“Really?? ??now.?? ??How?? ??about?? ??we?? ??lay?? ??everything?? ??out?? ??in?? ??the?? ??open????then?”??????He?? ??tilted?? ??his?? ??head?? ??and?? ??said,?? ??“How?? ??many?? ??tis?? ??have?? ??BanYue?? ??started?? ??riots?? ??near?? ??the????border??? ??How?? ??many?? ??caravans?? ??and?? ??travelers?? ??going?? ??to?? ??the?? ??West?? ??Plains?? ??from?? ??the?? ??YongAn????were?? ??ambushed?? ??by?? ??BanYue??? ??You?? ??intentionally?? ??sheltered?? ??the?? ??bandits?? ??that?? ??terrorized????YongAn,?? ??and?? ??killed?? ??our?? ??soldiers?? ??that?? ??went?? ??to?? ??wipe?? ??them?? ??out?? ??under?? ??the?? ??pretense?? ??of?? ??illegal????border?? ??crossing.?? ??How?? ??is?? ??that?? ??not?? ??vile?”??????Pei?? ??Su?? ??spoke?? ??unhurriedly?? ??and?? ??his?? ??tone?? ??was?? ??calm,?? ??but?? ??each?? ??word?? ??was?? ??sharp?? ??as?? ??knives.????Ke?? ??Mo?? ??argued,?? ??“What?? ??about?? ??you??? ??Why?? ??not?? ??say?? ??you?? ??forcibly?? ??occupied?? ??our?? ??land?? ??first?”??????“The?? ??border?? ??had?? ??always?? ??been?? ??ambiguous,?? ??so?? ??how?? ??can?? ??you?? ??say?? ??we?? ??forcibly?? ??occupied????your?? ??land?”?? ??Pei?? ??Su?? ??countered.??????“The?? ??lines?? ??were?? ??clearly?? ??drawn!?? ??It?? ??was?? ??you?? ??who?? ??didn’t?? ??keep?? ??to?? ??yourselves!”??????“The?? ??lines?? ??were?? ??drawn?? ??by?? ??BanYue,?? ??YongAn?? ??had?? ??never?? ??agreed?? ??to?? ??it.?? ??And?? ??your?? ??border?? ??had????the?? ??oasis?? ??all?? ??to?? ??yourselves,?? ??leaving?? ??only?? ??desert?? ??land?? ??to?? ??us,?? ??what?? ??nonsense.”??????Ke?? ??Mo?? ??was?? ??red?? ??in?? ??the?? ??face,?? ??“The?? ??oasis?? ??was?? ??ours!?? ??It?? ??had?? ??always?? ??been?? ??ours!”??????Both?? ??sides?? ??had?? ??their?? ??stories;?? ??just?? ??listening?? ??to?? ??them?? ??argue?? ??made?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??befuddled.?? ??This????hostility?? ??was?? ??making?? ??him?? ??rember?? ??how?? ??badly?? ??he?? ??got?? ??beaten?? ??up?? ??stuck?? ??in?? ??the?? ??middle?? ??of????both?? ??sides,?? ??and?? ??he?? ??could?? ??feel?? ??the?? ??pain?? ??on?? ??his?? ??face?? ??resurface.?? ??Pei?? ??Su?? ??seed?? ??to?? ??have?? ??had????enough?? ??of?? ??quarreling?? ??with?? ??Ke?? ??Mo,?? ??and?? ??he?? ??turned?? ??to?? ??Xie?? ??Lian,?? ??“So?? ??you?? ??see.?? ??There?? ??are????many?? ??things?? ??in?? ??the?? ??world?? ??that?? ??simply?? ??can’t?? ??be?? ??clearly?? ??defined?? ??or?? ??resolved.?? ??You?? ??can?? ??only????fight.”??????Xie?? ??Lian?? ??sighed,?? ??“I’ll?? ??agree?? ??to?? ??the?? ??first?? ??part.”??????San?? ??Lang?? ??on?? ??the?? ??other?? ??hand?? ??said,?? ??“Hm.?? ??I’ll?? ??agree?? ??to?? ??the?? ??last?? ??part.”??????Ke?? ??Mo’s?? ??anger?? ??was?? ??sowhat?? ??curbed,?? ??and?? ??he?? ??suddenly?? ??said,?? ??“The?? ??majority?? ??of?? ??YongAn????people?? ??were?? ??shaless,?? ??but?? ??you?? ??were?? ??the?? ??most?? ??shaless?? ??I’ve?? ??ever?? ??t.?? ??Pei?? ??Su,?? ??you’re????a?? ??cold-hearted?? ??man.?? ??You?? ??didn’t?? ??kill?? ??us?? ??for?? ??your?? ??country,?? ??and?? ??it?? ??wasn’t?? ??for?? ??saving?? ??your????people.”??????Hearing?? ??this,?? ??Pei?? ??Su?? ??fell?? ??silent.??????Ke?? ??Mo?? ??continued,?? ??“You?? ??exiled?? ??son?? ??of?? ??man,?? ??looked?? ??down?? ??by?? ??all.?? ??You?? ??only?? ??wanted?? ??to????secure?? ??your?? ??footing?? ??in?? ??the?? ??YongAn?? ??army?? ??in?? ??order?? ??to?? ??keep?? ??climbing?? ??up?? ??so?? ??you?? ??had?? ??to?? ??win????that?? ??battle.?? ??So?? ??sad?? ??that?? ??Ban?? ??Yue?? ??still?? ??thought?? ??you?? ??as?? ??good?? ??and?? ??was?? ??used?? ??by?? ??you,?? ??and????betrayed?? ??us?? ??for?? ??the?? ??likes?? ??of?? ??you.”??????“But?? ??isn’t?? ??General?? ??Pei?? ??Junior?? ??General?? ??Pei’s?? ??descendant?”?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??wondered.?? ??To?? ??have????such?? ??a?? ??renown?? ??ancestor?? ??watch?? ??over?? ??him,?? ??he?? ??couldn’t?? ??have?? ??fallen?? ??so?? ??astray???????“He’s?? ??not?? ??the?? ??direct?? ??descendant?? ??of?? ??General?? ??Pei.”?? ??San?? ??Lang?? ??spoke?? ??up,?? ??“He’s?? ??from????however?? ??many?? ??branches?? ??out.”????????Pei?? ??Su?? ??said?? ??quietly,?? ??“Ban?? ??Yue?? ??had?? ??always?? ??been?? ??my?? ??subordinate,?? ??and?? ??only?? ??obeyed?? ??my????command?? ??to?? ??infiltrate?? ??the?? ??Kingdom?? ??of?? ??BanYue.?? ??She?? ??is?? ??from?? ??both?? ??BanYue?? ??and?? ??YongAn,????once?? ??she’s?? ??chosen?? ??her?? ??side?? ??she?? ??had?? ??to?? ??be?? ??loyal?? ??to?? ??that?? ??side,?? ??so?? ??there?? ??was?? ??no?? ??such?? ??thing????as?? ??betrayal.?? ??The?? ??BanYue?? ??people?? ??are?? ??evil,?? ??I?? ??have?? ??no?? ??regrets?? ??in?? ??killing?? ??them.”????????Suddenly,?? ??a?? ??voice?? ??ca?? ??from?? ??above,?? ??“Having?? ??no?? ??regrets?? ??in?? ??killing,?? ??well?? ??said!?? ??Will?? ??you?? ??say????the?? ??sa?? ??in?? ??regards?? ??to?? ??all?? ??the?? ??travelers?? ??who?? ??were?? ??mislead?? ??by?? ??you?? ??to?? ??this?? ??Pass?? ??and?? ??lost????their?? ??lives?? ??in?? ??this?? ??pit?”????????.??????That?? ??voice?? ??had?? ??co?? ??from?? ??above?? ??everyone’s?? ??heads,?? ??and?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??instantly?? ??looked?? ??up,????“Which?? ??great?? ??lord?? ??is?? ??here?? ??among?? ??us?”????????There?? ??wasn’t?? ??a?? ??response,?? ??but?? ??a?? ??sudden?? ??strange?? ??noise.?? ????WHOOSH?? ??WHOOSH??,?? ??it?? ??was?? ??like????the?? ??bellowing?? ??of?? ??wild?? ??winds.?? ??When?? ??that?? ??sound?? ??finally?? ??ca?? ??near,?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??could?? ??finally????say?? ??with?? ??certainty?? ??–?? ??it?? ??certainly?? ??was?? ??the?? ??bellowing?? ??of?? ??wild?? ??winds!??????This?? ??abrupt?? ??gale?? ??entered?? ??the?? ??Sinner’s?? ??Pit?? ??from?? ??above,?? ??swept?? ??all?? ??the?? ??way?? ??to?? ??the?? ??bottom,????and?? ??rolled?? ??everyone?? ??into?? ??the?? ??air!??????Xie?? ??Lian?? ??imdiately?? ??grabbed?? ??for?? ??San?? ??Lang?? ??who?? ??was?? ??the?? ??closest?? ??to?? ??him?? ??and?? ??cried,????“Watch?? ??out!”??????San?? ??Lang?? ??caught?? ??him?? ??too,?? ??face?? ??unchanging.?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??only?? ??felt?? ??a?? ??whirl?? ??of?? ??spinning,?? ??their????bodies?? ??swiftly?? ??rising,?? ??and?? ??after?? ??a?? ??pause,?? ??they?? ??started?? ??plunging?? ??down.?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??threw?? ??out????Ruoye?? ??and?? ??coaxed?? ??him?? ??in?? ??the?? ??midst?? ??of?? ??this?? ??chaos,?? ??“Alright,?? ??alright,?? ??everything’s?? ??over.????Hurry,?? ??my?? ??good?? ??Ruoye,?? ??co?? ??out?? ??and?? ??give?? ??us?? ??a?? ??hand!”??????After?? ??a?? ??couple?? ??pets,?? ??Ruoye?? ??finally?? ??reacted.?? ??However,?? ??with?? ??nothing?? ??in?? ??the?? ??air?? ??to?? ??grab?? ??on?? ??to????other?? ??than?? ??a?? ??giant?? ??Sinner’s?? ??Pit?? ??below,?? ??Ruoye?? ??flew?? ??about?? ??once?? ??and?? ??shrunk?? ??back.?? ??Feeling????helpless,?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??could?? ??only?? ??adjust?? ??his?? ??form?? ??for?? ??landing?? ??in?? ??the?? ??air.?? ??If?? ??it?? ??was?? ??like?? ??previous????tis,?? ??he?? ??would’ve?? ??cratered?? ??head?? ??first?? ??three?? ??feet?? ??into?? ??the?? ??ground,?? ??but?? ??this?? ??ti,?? ??just????before?? ??they?? ??hit?? ??the?? ??ground,?? ??San?? ??Lang?? ??reached?? ??out?? ??and?? ??gave?? ??him?? ??a?? ??pull,?? ??and?? ??he?? ??actually????landed?? ??with?? ??his?? ??feet?? ??flat?? ??on?? ??the?? ??ground!?? ??When?? ??his?? ??boots?? ??firmly?? ??touched?? ??ground?? ??he?? ??was????even?? ??a?? ??little?? ??incredulous.?? ??But?? ??that?? ??feeling?? ??went?? ??away?? ??real?? ??quick?? ??when?? ??a?? ??black?? ??clad????silhouette?? ??ca?? ??stumbling?? ??before?? ??him.??????Xie?? ??Lian?? ??saw?? ??who?? ??it?? ??was?? ??and?? ??delightfully?? ??called,?? ??“Nan?? ??Feng!”??????It?? ??was?? ??Nan?? ??Feng?? ??indeed,?? ??but?? ??a?? ??disheveled?? ??Nan?? ??Feng.?? ??It?? ??looked?? ??as?? ??if?? ??he?? ??was?? ??rolled?? ??in????gri?? ??ten?? ??tis?? ??before?? ??getting?? ??thrown?? ??into?? ??a?? ??rambunctious?? ??den?? ??of?? ??beasts?? ??to?? ??spend?? ??the????night.?? ??His?? ??clothes?? ??were?? ??tattered?? ??and?? ??bedraggled?? ??to?? ??the?? ??max;?? ??hearing?? ??Xie?? ??Lian’s?? ??call,?? ??he????only?? ??waved?? ??his?? ??hand?? ??and?? ??quietly?? ??wiped?? ??at?? ??his?? ??face,?? ??unable?? ??to?? ??speak.????????Xie?? ??Lian?? ??lifted?? ??him?? ??to?? ??his?? ??feet,?? ??“What?? ??happened??? ??Did?? ??those?? ??two?? ??ladies?? ??beat?? ??you?? ??up?”??????Before?? ??his?? ??words?? ??fully?? ??left?? ??his?? ??lips,?? ??two?? ??figures?? ??appeared?? ??behind?? ??Nan?? ??Feng?? ??and?? ??strolled????over.?? ??One?? ??of?? ??them?? ??was?? ??the?? ??woman?? ??cultivator?? ??in?? ??white?? ??with?? ??a?? ??whisk?? ??in?? ??her?? ??arms,?? ??and?? ??she????greeted?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??cheerfully,?? ??“How?? ??do?? ??you?? ??do,?? ??Your?? ??Royal?? ??Highness.”??????Although?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??didn’t?? ??know?? ??who?? ??this?? ??was,?? ??proper?? ??etiquette?? ??must?? ??still?? ??be?? ??kept;?? ??but?? ??he????didn’t?? ??know?? ??how?? ??to?? ??address?? ??her,?? ??so?? ??he?? ??could?? ??only?? ??smile?? ??back?? ??and?? ??wave.?? ??“Greetings,????fellow?? ??cultivator.”??????The?? ??lady?? ??in?? ??black?? ??on?? ??the?? ??side?? ??glanced?? ??at?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??coldly?? ??but?? ??didn’t?? ??seem?? ??to?? ??care?? ??for?? ??him.????When?? ??her?? ??eyes?? ??moved?? ??onto?? ??San?? ??Lang?? ??however,?? ??she?? ??paused,?? ??seeming?? ??to?? ??think?? ??he?? ??was?? ??a????dubious?? ??figure,?? ??and?? ??stopped?? ??for?? ??a?? ??mont.??????The?? ??gusts?? ??earlier?? ??had?? ??blown?? ??everyone?? ??out?? ??of?? ??the?? ??pit,?? ??and?? ??the?? ??two?? ??ladies?? ??walked?? ??past?? ??Xie????Lian,?? ??heading?? ??straight?? ??for?? ??Pei?? ??Su.?? ??He?? ??saw?? ??them?? ??approach?? ??and?? ??didn’t?? ??appear?? ??surprised;????after?? ??all?? ??he?? ??had?? ??already?? ??seen?? ??them?? ??in?? ??town?? ??when?? ??he?? ??was?? ??still?? ??playing?? ??the?? ??part?? ??of?? ??A-Zhao.????He?? ??knelt?? ??down?? ??where?? ??he?? ??was,?? ??bowed?? ??his?? ??head?? ??to?? ??the?? ??lady?? ??cultivator?? ??in?? ??white,?? ??and?? ??called????quietly,?? ??“Lord?? ??Wind?? ??Master.”??????Xie?? ??Lian?? ??was?? ??stunned?? ??hearing?? ??those?? ??words.??????And?? ??here?? ??he?? ??thought?? ??she?? ??was?? ??so?? ??nacing?? ??ghost?? ??or?? ??monster,?? ??who?? ??knew?? ??it?? ??was????actually?? ??a?? ??heavenly?? ??official??? ??And?? ??it?? ??was?? ??the?? ??Wind?? ??Master,?? ??the?? ??one?? ??that?? ??was?? ??throwing?? ??out????ten?? ??thousand?? ??rits?? ??in?? ??one?? ??go?? ??in?? ??the?? ??communication?? ??array!??????But?? ??now?? ??that?? ??he’s?? ??thinking?? ??about?? ??it?? ??in?? ??detail,?? ??there?? ??wasn’t?? ??anything?? ??out?? ??of?? ??place.?? ??At?? ??the????ti?? ??she?? ??was?? ??saying?? ??sothing?? ??along?? ??the?? ??lines?? ??of?? ??“Where?? ??did?? ??they?? ??all?? ??go??? ??Do?? ??I?? ??have?? ??to????dig?? ??them?? ??out?? ??and?? ??kill?? ??them?? ??one?? ??by?? ??one?”?? ??and?? ??made?? ??him?? ??think?? ??she?? ??was?? ??after?? ??them.?? ??In????reality,?? ??this?? ??“they”?? ??might?? ??not?? ??have?? ??ant?? ??them;?? ??it?? ??could?? ??an?? ??the?? ??BanYue?? ??soldiers.?? ??Only,????Xie?? ??Lian?? ??thought?? ??he?? ??was?? ??alone?? ??in?? ??this?? ??investigation?? ??and?? ??naturally?? ??thought?? ??the?? ??lady????cultivators?? ??were?? ??strange?? ??and?? ??wicked.??????To?? ??a?? ??heavenly?? ??official?? ??that?? ??could?? ??easily?? ??hand?? ??out?? ??ten?? ??thousand?? ??rits,?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??couldn’t????help?? ??but?? ??feel?? ??a?? ??naless?? ??reverence.?? ??He?? ??elbowed?? ??Nan?? ??Feng,?? ??“Why?? ??didn’t?? ??you?? ??tell?? ???? ??this????was?? ??the?? ??Wind?? ??Master?? ??sooner??? ??And?? ??here?? ??I?? ??thought?? ??she?? ??might?? ??be?? ??so?? ??sort?? ??of?? ??snake?? ??spirit????or?? ??scorpion?? ??spirit.?? ??What?? ??a?? ??disgrace!”??????Nan?? ??Feng’s?? ??expression?? ??darkened,?? ??“I?? ??didn’t?? ??know?? ??it?? ??was?? ??the?? ??Wind?? ??Master.?? ??I’ve?? ??never?? ??seen????the?? ??Wind?? ??Master?? ??like?? ??this?? ??before.?? ??The?? ??Wind?? ??Master?? ??had?? ??always?? ??been...?? ??nevermind.”??????Xie?? ??Lian?? ??understood.?? ??This?? ??was?? ??probably?? ??a?? ??fake?? ??appearance?? ??the?? ??Lord?? ??Wind?? ??Master?? ??was????donning,?? ??so?? ??he?? ??didn’t?? ??dig?? ??into?? ??it.?? ??He?? ??asked,?? ??“How?? ??did?? ??the?? ??Wind?? ??Master?? ??co?? ??to?? ??the????BanYue?? ??Pass?”??????“To?? ??help?? ??out,”?? ??Nan?? ??Feng?? ??said.?? ??“When?? ??we?? ??saw?? ??them?? ??strolling?? ??in?? ??the?? ??streets?? ??earlier?? ??they????were?? ??actually?? ??looking?? ??for?? ??those?? ??BanYue?? ??soldiers.”??????Xie?? ??Lian?? ??recalled?? ??now?? ??that?? ??the?? ??first?? ??ti?? ??he?? ??asked?? ??about?? ??the?? ??BanYue?? ??Pass?? ??in?? ??the????communication?? ??array,?? ??in?? ??the?? ??midst?? ??of?? ??silent?? ??awkwardness,?? ??it?? ??was?? ??the?? ??Wind?? ??Master’s????sudden?? ??release?? ??of?? ??ten?? ??thousand?? ??rits?? ??that?? ??distracted?? ??everyone.?? ??The?? ??Wind?? ??Master????probably?? ??already?? ??took?? ??notice?? ??of?? ??his?? ??query?? ??then.????????As?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??mused,?? ??the?? ??Wind?? ??Master?? ??bent?? ??down?? ??in?? ??front?? ??of?? ??Pei?? ??Su,?? ??“Little?? ??Pei,?? ??I’ve?? ??heard????everything,?? ??you?? ??know.”??????Pei?? ??Su?? ??hung?? ??his?? ??head.?? ??The?? ??Wind?? ??Master?? ??demanded,?? ??“Do?? ??you?? ??admit?? ??that?? ??in?? ??these?? ??past????two?? ??hundre?? ??years,?? ??you?? ??were?? ??the?? ??one?? ??who?? ??lured?? ??all?? ??those?? ??travelers?? ??into?? ??the?? ??Ancient????Kingdom?? ??of?? ??BanYue?”??????Since?? ??he?? ??was?? ??already?? ??caught,?? ??Pei?? ??Su?? ??didn’t?? ??argue,?? ??and?? ??only?? ??replied?? ??solemnly,?? ??“It?? ??was????.”??????“Why?”?? ??The?? ??Wind?? ??Master?? ??demanded.??????After?? ??a?? ??pause,?? ??Pei?? ??Su?? ??asked,?? ??“Lord?? ??Wind?? ??Master?? ??has?? ??long?? ??been?? ??suspicious,?? ??can?? ??you?? ??not????guess?? ??why?”????????“Is?? ??it?? ??only?? ??because?? ??these?? ??souls?? ??of?? ??the?? ??dead?? ??are?? ??the?? ??iron?? ??proof?? ??of?? ??the?? ??blood?? ??on?? ??your?? ??hands????whilst?? ??you?? ??were?? ??a?? ??human,?? ??and?? ??would?? ??beco?? ??obstacles?? ??for?? ??your?? ??climbing?? ??higher?? ??in?? ??the????future?”?? ??Wind?? ??Master?? ??asked.??????Pei?? ??Su?? ??neither?? ??agreed?? ??nor?? ??disagreed,?? ??and?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??who?? ??was?? ??listening?? ??on?? ??the?? ??side,????couldn’t?? ??help?? ??but?? ??ask,?? ??“If?? ??anything,?? ??why?? ??didn’t?? ??you?? ??just?? ??kill?? ??them?? ??directly??? ??Why?? ??must?? ??you????use?? ??such?? ??a?? ??thod?? ??as?? ??feeding?? ??them?? ??the?? ??living?? ??in?? ??order?? ??to?? ??appease?? ??their?? ??resentnt?????How?? ??is?? ??that?? ??different?? ??than?? ??using?? ??another’s?? ??flesh?? ??and?? ??blood?? ??to?? ??quench?? ??the?? ??thirst?? ??of?? ??one?”????????San?? ??Lang?? ??spoke?? ??up,?? ??“He?? ??couldn’t.”????????That’s?? ??true?? ??too.?? ??In?? ??the?? ??Upper?? ??Court,?? ??every?? ??move?? ??by?? ??a?? ??heavenly?? ??official?? ??like?? ??Pei?? ??Su?? ??was????watched?? ??intently?? ??by?? ??countless?? ??eyes.?? ??There?? ??were?? ??many?? ??things?? ??he?? ??couldn’t?? ??do?? ??directly;?? ??he????couldn’t?? ??use?? ??his?? ??true?? ??form?? ??to?? ??co?? ??down?? ??and?? ??kill?? ??off?? ??all?? ??those?? ??resentful?? ??spirits?? ??of?? ??these????soldiers?? ??straightforwardly,?? ??and?? ??he?? ??couldn’t?? ??send?? ??troops?? ??to?? ??annihilate?? ??them?? ??either.?? ??This????was?? ??already?? ??a?? ??concealed?? ??affair,?? ??if?? ??there?? ??was?? ??too?? ??much?? ??of?? ??a?? ??stir,?? ??wouldn’t?? ??it?? ??attract????everyone’s?? ??gaze??? ??At?? ??most?? ??he?? ??could?? ??only?? ??send?? ??a?? ??clone?? ??like?? ??A-Zhao?? ??down?? ??quietly.??????Using?? ??the?? ??scorpion?? ??snakes?? ??that?? ??Ban?? ??Yue?? ??was?? ??known?? ??to?? ??be?? ??an?? ??expert?? ??in?? ??manipulating?? ??to????go?? ??out?? ??and?? ??harm,?? ??attracting?? ??passersby?? ??in?? ??to?? ??feed?? ??the?? ??resentful?? ??spirits?? ??to?? ??disperse?? ??their????resentnt,?? ??no?? ??doubt?? ??it?? ??was?? ??a?? ??perfect?? ??framing?? ??sche.??????“Your?? ??General?? ??Pei?? ??wouldn’t?? ??have?? ??done?? ??sothing?? ??like?? ??this?? ??at?? ??all.”?? ??The?? ??Wind?? ??Master?? ??said,????“This?? ??ti,?? ??I’m?? ??afraid?? ??you’ve?? ??crossed?? ??the?? ??line.”????????As?? ??a?? ??heavenly?? ??official,?? ??that?? ??he?? ??would?? ??release?? ??a?? ??clone?? ??to?? ??cause?? ??havoc?? ??at?? ??the?? ??BanYue????Pass?? ??for?? ??almost?? ??two?? ??hundred?? ??years,?? ??lure?? ??innurous?? ??passersby?? ??down?? ??the?? ??wrong?? ??path????and?? ??into?? ??the?? ??ruins,?? ??and?? ??die?? ??in?? ??the?? ??mouths?? ??of?? ??BanYue?? ??soldiers,?? ??no?? ??matter?? ??how?? ??he?? ??could????spin?? ??it,?? ??it?? ??wasn’t?? ??a?? ??small?? ??deal.?? ??Pei?? ??Su?? ??only?? ??lowered?? ??his?? ??head?? ??and?? ??said,?? ??“This?? ??young?? ??one????knows.”??????The?? ??Wind?? ??Master?? ??swept?? ??the?? ??whisk,?? ??“As?? ??long?? ??as?? ??you?? ??understand.?? ??Reflect?? ??on?? ??yourself?? ??and????think?? ??on?? ??it.?? ??We’ll?? ??talk?? ??in?? ??the?? ??heavens.”??????“I?? ??understand.”?? ??Pei?? ??Su?? ??said?? ??quietly.??????Having?? ??finished?? ??with?? ??the?? ??talk?? ??with?? ??Pei?? ??Su,?? ??the?? ??Wind?? ??Master?? ??stuffed?? ??the?? ??whisk?? ??into?? ??the????back?? ??collar?? ??of?? ??her?? ??robe,?? ??stood?? ??up,?? ??and?? ??smiled?? ??at?? ??Xie?? ??Lian.?? ??“Your?? ??Royal?? ??Highness?? ??the????Crown?? ??Prince.?? ??I’ve?? ??heard?? ??much?? ??about?? ??you.”??????To?? ??Xie?? ??Lian,?? ??“Heard?? ??much?? ??about?? ??you”?? ??really?? ??wasn’t?? ??a?? ??complint,?? ??but?? ??nevertheless?? ??it????was?? ??aningless?? ??pleasantries,?? ??so?? ??he?? ??smiled?? ??back,?? ??“I’m?? ??sure?? ??it’s?? ??nothing.?? ??I’ve?? ??heard????much?? ??about?? ??you?? ??as?? ??well,?? ??Lord?? ??Wind?? ??Master.”??????“Sorry?? ??about?? ??before,?? ??by?? ??the?? ??way.”?? ??The?? ??Wind?? ??Master?? ??said.??????Xie?? ??Lian?? ??paused,?? ??“Before??? ??What?? ??happened?? ??before?”??????“Didn’t?? ??you?? ??all?? ??run?? ??into?? ??a?? ??windstorm?? ??in?? ??the?? ??desert?”??????Xie?? ??Lian?? ??could?? ??rember?? ??the?? ??mouthfuls?? ??of?? ??sand?? ??and?? ??replied,?? ??“Yes?”??????“I?? ??started?? ??that.”?? ??The?? ??Wind?? ??Master?? ??said.??????“...”??????The?? ??Wind?? ??Master?? ??continued?? ??casually,?? ??“That?? ??windstorm?? ??was?? ??ant?? ??to?? ??stop?? ??you?? ??all?? ??from????going?? ??near?? ??the?? ??Kingdom?? ??of?? ??BanYue,?? ??but?? ??you?? ??didn’t?? ??get?? ??blown?? ??away,?? ??and?? ??ended?? ??up?? ??in????BanYue?? ??anyway.”??????The?? ??more?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??listened?? ??the?? ??more?? ??he?? ??felt?? ??sothing?? ??wasn’t?? ??right.?? ??Starting?? ??a????windstorm?? ??to?? ??stop?? ??them?? ??from?? ??going?? ??to?? ??the?? ??BanYue?? ??Pass,?? ??and?? ??now?? ??this?? ??whole?? ??thing????suddenly?? ??ca?? ??into?? ??the?? ??open,?? ??just?? ??what?? ??did?? ??it?? ??an???????Xie?? ??Lian?? ??didn’t?? ??respond,?? ??biding?? ??to?? ??see?? ??what?? ??the?? ??other?? ??would?? ??say.?? ??The?? ??Wind?? ??Master?? ??then????continued,?? ??“But,?? ??in?? ??regards?? ??to?? ??this?? ??whole?? ??ordeal,?? ??I?? ??would?? ??suggest?? ??Your?? ??Highness?? ??mind????your?? ??own?? ??business?? ??and?? ??stop?? ??putting?? ??your?? ??hands?? ??where?? ??they?? ??don’t?? ??belong.”??????Xie?? ??Lian?? ??stole?? ??a?? ??look?? ??at?? ??Ban?? ??Yue?? ??who’s?? ??curled?? ??up?? ??on?? ??the?? ??ground,?? ??and?? ??dreaded.??????He?? ??was?? ??already?? ??worried?? ??that?? ??if?? ??this?? ??scandal?? ??was?? ??to?? ??reach?? ??the?? ??Upper?? ??Court,?? ??the?? ??officials????could?? ??easily?? ??muck?? ??up?? ??the?? ??truth,?? ??add?? ??strokes?? ??to?? ??where?? ??there?? ??wasn’t,?? ??and?? ??have?? ??Ban?? ??Yue????take?? ??all?? ??the?? ??bla?? ??while?? ??Little?? ??Pei?? ??ran?? ??off?? ??scot?? ??free.?? ??With?? ??Wind?? ??Master’s?? ??sudden????appearance,?? ??telling?? ??him?? ??not?? ??to?? ??mind?? ??this?? ??business,?? ??didn’t?? ??this?? ??cent?? ??they?? ??will?? ??protect????Little?? ??Pei???????Without?? ??changing?? ??his?? ??expression,?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??stepped?? ??forward?? ??to?? ??stand?? ??in?? ??front?? ??of?? ??Ban?? ??Yue,????hiding?? ??her?? ??behind?? ??him,?? ??and?? ??said?? ??warmly,?? ??“But?? ??I’ve?? ??already?? ??put?? ??my?? ??hands?? ??into?? ??this????business,?? ??I?? ??can’t?? ??possibly?? ??leave?? ??it?? ??now.”??????The?? ??Wind?? ??Master?? ??noticed?? ??his?? ??gesture?? ??and?? ??smiled,?? ??“Don’t?? ??be?? ??concerned.?? ??You?? ??can?? ??take?? ??the????Guoshi?? ??of?? ??BanYue?? ??away?? ??with?? ??you.”??????That?? ??was?? ??unexpected.?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??slightly?? ??taken?? ??aback,?? ??and?? ??the?? ??Wind?? ??Master?? ??continued,????“While?? ??you?? ??were?? ??all?? ??in?? ??the?? ??pit,?? ??we’ve?? ??heard?? ??everything?? ??from?? ??up?? ??here.?? ??Although?? ??the?? ??Guoshi????has?? ??turned?? ??into?? ??a?? ??‘Savage’,?? ??when?? ??I?? ??road?? ??the?? ??city?? ??I?? ??saw?? ??that?? ??she?? ??had?? ??drawn?? ??the?? ??array?? ??to????trap?? ??the?? ??BanYue?? ??soldiers?? ??and?? ??released?? ??all?? ??the?? ??captured?? ??mortals.?? ??She?? ??didn’t?? ??hurt?? ??anyone,????and?? ??was?? ??even?? ??saving?? ??people.?? ??The?? ??only?? ??ones?? ??I’m?? ??taking?? ??are?? ??General?? ??Pei?? ??Junior?? ??and?? ??Ke????Mo,?? ??you?? ??don’t?? ??have?? ??to?? ??worry?? ??about?? ???? ??placing?? ??blas?? ??on?? ??anyone.”??????Xie?? ??Lian?? ??relaxed,?? ??“Much?? ??ashad!?? ??I’ve?? ??been?? ??suspicious.”??????“It’s?? ??normal?? ??to?? ??worry.”?? ??The?? ??Wind?? ??Master?? ??said,?? ??“There’s?? ??so?? ??unpleasant?? ??cultures?? ??up?? ??in????the?? ??heavens?? ??after?? ??all.”????????The?? ??lady?? ??in?? ??black?? ??looked?? ??as?? ??if?? ??she?? ??couldn’t?? ??stay?? ??for?? ??another?? ??mont,?? ??and?? ??spoke?? ??up,?? ??“Are????you?? ??done??? ??If?? ??you’re?? ??done?? ??then?? ??let’s?? ??go.”??????The?? ??Wind?? ??Master?? ??rebutted,?? ??“Tsk!?? ??What’s?? ??the?? ??rush??? ??The?? ??more?? ??you?? ??rush?? ??the?? ??more?? ??I?? ??wanna????talk!”?? ??Still,?? ??she?? ??turned?? ??her?? ??head?? ??and?? ??smiled,?? ??taking?? ??out?? ??a?? ??folding?? ??fan?? ??from?? ??her?? ??waist?? ??and????said,?? ??“Your?? ??Royal?? ??Highness,?? ??if?? ??there’s?? ??nothing?? ??else,?? ??we’ll?? ??see?? ??you?? ??in?? ??the?? ??Upper?? ??Court?”????????Xie?? ??Lian?? ??nodded,?? ??and?? ??the?? ??Wind?? ??Master?? ??opened?? ??her?? ??fan.?? ??On?? ??the?? ??fan?? ??was?? ??the?? ??word?? ??for????wind?? ??‘Feng’?? ??in?? ??a?? ??slant,?? ??and?? ??three?? ??inclining?? ??lines?? ??like?? ??the?? ??wind?? ??on?? ??the?? ??back.?? ??This?? ??must?? ??be????the?? ??Wind?? ??Master’s?? ??spiritual?? ??device.?? ??She?? ??fanned?? ??forward?? ??three?? ??tis,?? ??and?? ??backwards????three?? ??tis.?? ??Suddenly,?? ??a?? ??gust?? ??of?? ??wind?? ??blew?? ??from?? ??flat?? ??ground.????????The?? ??wind?? ??drew?? ??dust?? ??and?? ??sand,?? ??and?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??raised?? ??his?? ??sleeve?? ??to?? ??block?? ??off?? ??the?? ??debris.????When?? ??the?? ??wind?? ??died?? ??down,?? ??the?? ??two?? ??ladies,?? ??Pei?? ??Su,?? ??and?? ??Ke?? ??Mo?? ??had?? ??all?? ??disappeared,????leaving?? ??only?? ??Xie?? ??Lian,?? ??San?? ??Lang,?? ??Nan?? ??Feng,?? ??and?? ??the?? ??deeply?? ??asleep?? ??Ban?? ??Yue?? ??behind.??????Xie?? ??Lian?? ??dropped?? ??his?? ??sleeve,?? ??still?? ??a?? ??little?? ??dazed,?? ??“What?? ??just?? ??happened?”??????San?? ??Lang?? ??casually?? ??strolled?? ??over,?? ??“A?? ??pretty?? ??good?? ??thing.”??????Xie?? ??Lian?? ??watched?? ??him,?? ??“Is?? ??it?”??????“Yea.?? ??The?? ??Wind?? ??Master?? ??was?? ??trying?? ??to?? ??help?? ??you?? ??by?? ??telling?? ??you?? ??not?? ??to?? ??get?? ??involved.”??????Nan?? ??Feng?? ??walked?? ??over?? ??too,?? ??“That’s?? ??right.?? ??You’ve?? ??dug?? ??in?? ??too?? ??deep?? ??in?? ??this?? ??business????already.?? ??The?? ??only?? ??thing?? ??left?? ??to?? ??do?? ??is?? ??to?? ??file?? ??a?? ??complaint?? ??to?? ??the?? ??Heavenly?? ??Martial?? ??Emperor.????Don’t?? ??get?? ??yourself?? ??involved?? ??anymore.”??????Xie?? ??Lian?? ??got?? ??it,?? ??“Is?? ??it?? ??because?? ??of?? ??General?? ??Pei?”??????“Correct.”?? ??Nan?? ??Feng?? ??said,?? ??“This?? ??ti?? ??you?? ??have?? ??thoroughly?? ??offended?? ??him.”??????Xie?? ??Lian?? ??laughed,?? ??“I?? ??knew?? ??I?? ??was?? ??going?? ??to?? ??offend?? ??soone?? ??one?? ??of?? ??these?? ??days,?? ??I?? ??guess?? ??it????doesn’t?? ??matter?? ??who.”??????Nan?? ??Feng?? ??furrowed?? ??his?? ??brows,?? ??“Don’t?? ??think?? ??I’m?? ??joking.?? ??Other?? ??than?? ??the?? ??Great?? ??Martial?? ??Hall,????the?? ??next?? ??most?? ??powerful?? ??martial?? ??palace?? ??is?? ??Ming?? ??Guang.?? ??General?? ??Pei?? ??thinks?? ??very?? ??highly?? ??of????Little?? ??Pei,?? ??and?? ??has?? ??always?? ??tried?? ??to?? ??boot?? ??Quan?? ??Yi?? ??Zhen.?? ??He’s?? ??gonna?? ??co?? ??knocking????looking?? ??for?? ??trouble.”??????“Quan?? ??Yi?? ??Zhen?? ??is?? ??the?? ??Martial?? ??God?? ??that?? ??rules?? ??the?? ??West,?? ??right?”?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??asked.??????“That’s?? ??the?? ??one.”?? ??Nan?? ??Feng?? ??replied,?? ??“Quan?? ??Yi?? ??Zhen?? ??is?? ??also?? ??a?? ??new?? ??official.?? ??He?? ??ascended????around?? ??the?? ??sa?? ??ti?? ??as?? ??Pei?? ??Su.?? ??He’s?? ??young,?? ??and?? ??a?? ??little...?? ??But?? ??very?? ??powerful.?? ??General????Pei?? ??wanted?? ??Pei?? ??Su?? ??to?? ??take?? ??all?? ??the?? ??devotees?? ??of?? ??the?? ??West,?? ??and?? ??he’s?? ??done?? ??well?? ??for?? ??himself,????especially?? ??these?? ??past?? ??few?? ??years.?? ??Now?? ??with?? ??you?? ??dragging?? ??this?? ??scandal?? ??out?? ??into?? ??the?? ??open,????it’s?? ??not?? ??looking?? ??good?? ??for?? ??Pei?? ??Su,?? ??maybe?? ??he’ll?? ??even?? ??be?? ??banished.?? ??If?? ??he?? ??gets?? ??banished,?? ??your????luck?? ??is?? ??gonna?? ??turn?? ??for?? ??the?? ??worse?? ??too.”??????Xie?? ??Lian?? ??rubbed?? ??his?? ??forehead,?? ??ntally?? ??taking?? ??note?? ??that?? ??from?? ??now?? ??on?? ??he?? ??would?? ??have?? ??to????be?? ??more?? ??mindful?? ??when?? ??eating,?? ??drinking,?? ??and?? ??walking.?? ??San?? ??Lang?? ??however,?? ??didn’t?? ??think?? ??it????was?? ??a?? ??big?? ??deal.?? ??“Don’t?? ??worry.?? ??Pei?? ??Ming?? ??is?? ??too?? ??proud.?? ??He?? ??won’t?? ??do?? ??anything?? ??underhanded.”??????Nan?? ??Feng?? ??gave?? ??him?? ??a?? ??look.?? ??“What?? ??about?? ??the?? ??Wind?? ??Master?”?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??asked,?? ??“She?? ??told?????? ??not?? ??to?? ??get?? ??involved,?? ??so?? ??she’s?? ??the?? ??one?? ??who?? ??will?? ??file?? ??the?? ??complaint??? ??Doesn’t?? ??that?? ??an????she’ll?? ??be?? ??the?? ??one?? ??offending?? ??General?? ??Pei??? ??I?? ??can’t?? ??have?? ??that.?? ??Let’s?? ??call?? ??her?? ??back.?? ??Nan?? ??Feng,????do?? ??you?? ??know?? ??the?? ??password?? ??to?? ??her?? ??personal?? ??communication?? ??array?”????????“You?? ??needn’t?? ??worry?? ??about?? ??the?? ??Wind?? ??Master,”?? ??Nan?? ??Feng?? ??said,?? ??“General?? ??Pei?? ??can?? ??hurt?? ??you,????but?? ??he?? ??won’t?? ??touch?? ??her.?? ??She?? ??may?? ??be?? ??younger?? ??than?? ??you?? ??but?? ??she’s?? ??much?? ??more?? ??successful????in?? ??the?? ??heavens.”??????“...”??????Xie?? ??Lian?? ??wasn’t?? ??shocked?? ??into?? ??silence,?? ??but?? ??was?? ??instead?? ??thinking,?? ??‘Who?? ??in?? ??the?? ??heavens?? ??is????more?? ??of?? ??a?? ??failure?? ??than?? ????? ??I?? ??don’t?? ??think?? ??there’s?? ??anyone.’??????San?? ??Lang?? ??laughed,?? ??“With?? ??that?? ??backing,?? ??of?? ??course?? ??she’s?? ??successful.”??????“Are?? ??you?? ??talking?? ??about?? ??the?? ??lady?? ??in?? ??black??? ??She?? ??looks?? ??to?? ??be?? ??a?? ??strong?? ??character?? ??too.”?? ??Xie????Lian?? ??remarked.??????“No,”?? ??San?? ??Lang?? ??replied,?? ??“But?? ??she?? ??should?? ??also?? ??be?? ??one?? ??of?? ??the?? ??five?? ??elental?? ??masters?? ??that????make?? ??up?? ??‘Wind,?? ??Water,?? ??Rain,?? ??Earth,?? ??Thunder’.?? ??Probably?? ??shouldn’t?? ??offend?? ??her?? ??either.”??????The?? ??Wind?? ??Master?? ??could?? ??start?? ??a?? ??twister?? ??from?? ??nothing,?? ??obviously?? ??powerful.?? ??But?? ??the?? ??lady?? ??in????black?? ??was?? ??stronger.?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??recalled?? ??the?? ??way?? ??she?? ??watched?? ??San?? ??Lang?? ??as?? ??if?? ??she’d?? ??found????out?? ??sothing,?? ??and?? ??felt?? ??rather?? ??concerned.?? ??“I?? ??agree.”????????But?? ??still,?? ??there?? ??were?? ??words?? ??that?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??thought?? ??didn’t?? ??need?? ??to?? ??be?? ??said?? ??and?? ??he?? ??swallowed????them.?? ??He?? ??thought,?? ??‘Even?? ??with?? ??a?? ??strong?? ??backing?? ??you?? ??may?? ??not?? ??be?? ??successful.?? ??Back?? ??in?? ??the????day,?? ??the?? ??Crown?? ??Prince?? ??of?? ??XianLe?? ??had?? ??the?? ??support?? ??of?? ??the?? ??Heavenly?? ??Martial?? ??Emperor?? ??who????ruled?? ??all?? ??three?? ??realms?? ??for?? ??a?? ??thousand?? ??years.?? ??He?? ??was?? ??still?? ??a?? ??failure.’??????Xie?? ??Lian?? ??picked?? ??up?? ??his?? ??fallen?? ??bamboo?? ??hat,?? ??dusted?? ??it,?? ??seeing?? ??that?? ??it?? ??wasn’t?? ??flattened,?? ??and????breathed?? ??in?? ??relief.?? ??He?? ??tied?? ??it?? ??back?? ??around?? ??his?? ??neck?? ??and?? ??really?? ??looked?? ??at?? ??Nan?? ??Feng.?? ??“Were????you?? ??fighting?? ??with?? ??the?? ??two?? ??ladies?? ??all?? ??this?? ??way?”??????“Yes.?? ??We?? ??fought?? ??the?? ??entire?? ??way.”?? ??Nan?? ??Feng?? ??replied,?? ??face?? ??dark.??????Xie?? ??Lian?? ??patted?? ??his?? ??shoulders,?? ??“Thanks?? ??for?? ??your?? ??hard?? ??work.”?? ??Suddenly,?? ??he?? ??rembered????there?? ??was?? ??another?? ??one?? ??who?? ??worked?? ??hard,?? ??and?? ??turned?? ??around,?? ??“Where’s?? ??Fu?? ??Yao?”??????“Wasn’t?? ??he?? ??watching?? ??the?? ??wounded?”?? ??Nan?? ??Feng?? ??responded.??????Xie?? ??Lian?? ??didn’t?? ??recall?? ??seeing?? ??Fu?? ??Yao?? ??after?? ??getting?? ??blown?? ??out?? ??of?? ??the?? ??Sinner’s?? ??Pit.?? ??Actually,????ever?? ??since?? ??A-Zhao?? ??revealed?? ??himself?? ??there?? ??had?? ??been?? ??no?? ??more?? ??sounds?? ??from?? ??him,?? ??If?? ??he????didn’t?? ??leave?? ??back?? ??then,?? ??he?? ??must’ve?? ??left?? ??when?? ??the?? ??wind?? ??blew.??????Xie?? ??Lian?? ??wasn’t?? ??actually?? ??that?? ??worried.?? ??He?? ??figured?? ??Fu?? ??Yao?? ??didn’t?? ??want?? ??to?? ??get?? ??mixed?? ??up?? ??in????this?? ??ss?? ??so?? ??he?? ??quickly?? ??ran?? ??off.?? ??But,?? ??having?? ??heard?? ??Nan?? ??Feng?? ??say?? ??“wounded”?? ??he?? ??ca?? ??to????in?? ??shock?? ??and?? ??both?? ??cried?? ??at?? ??the?? ??sa?? ??ti,?? ??“The?? ??ShanYue?? ??fern!”??????“The?? ??sky?? ??only?? ??just?? ??lightened,?? ??no?? ??rush.”?? ??San?? ??Lang?? ??said.??????There?? ??is?? ??no?? ??such?? ??thing?? ??as?? ??“no?? ??rush”?? ??when?? ??it?? ??ca?? ??to?? ??saving?? ??lives.?? ??Even?? ??if?? ??it?? ??was?? ??far?? ??from????being?? ??24?? ??hours,?? ??who?? ??knows?? ??if?? ??anything?? ??might’ve?? ??happened?? ??in?? ??all?? ??that?? ??ti??? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??had????no?? ??ti?? ??to?? ??think?? ??about?? ??Fu?? ??Yao.?? ??He?? ??hurriedly?? ??carried?? ??Ban?? ??Yue?? ??on?? ??his?? ??back,?? ??and?? ??ran????towards?? ??the?? ??palace?? ??grounds.??????Once?? ??at?? ??the?? ??palace,?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??laid?? ??Ban?? ??Yue?? ??down,?? ??and?? ??imdiately?? ??picked?? ??a?? ??few?? ??large????bushels?? ??of?? ??the?? ??ShanYue?? ??fern.?? ??That?? ??mud?? ??face?? ??was?? ??still?? ??on?? ??the?? ??ground,?? ??its?? ??face?? ??a?? ??bloody????ss?? ??amongst?? ??its?? ??white?? ??bones.?? ??In?? ??the?? ??past?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??would’ve?? ??buried?? ??it,?? ??but?? ??first,?? ??he’s?? ??in?? ??a????hurry?? ??to?? ??save?? ??people,?? ??and?? ??second,?? ??that?? ??man?? ??was?? ??buried?? ??in?? ??the?? ??ground?? ??for?? ??fifty?? ??to?? ??sixty????years,?? ??he?? ??must?? ??not?? ??want?? ??to?? ??go?? ??back.?? ??But?? ??the?? ??corpse?? ??of?? ??the?? ??dead?? ??rchant?? ??was?? ??missing,????and?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??stopped,?? ??puzzled.?? ??Just?? ??then?? ??San?? ??Lang?? ??erged?? ??from?? ??the?? ??palace?? ??with?? ??a????small?? ??clay?? ??pot.?? ??When?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??saw,?? ??he?? ??imdiately?? ??called?? ??out,?? ??“Bless?? ??you,?? ??San?? ??Lang.”??????Ban?? ??Yue?? ??was?? ??weak?? ??and?? ??wouldn’t?? ??wake?? ??up,?? ??so?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??shrank?? ??her?? ??and?? ??tucked?? ??her?? ??into????the?? ??pot.?? ??The?? ??group?? ??of?? ??them?? ??continued?? ??to?? ??collect?? ??the?? ??ferns,?? ??and?? ??rushed?? ??back.?? ??It?? ??had?? ??been????about?? ??eight?? ??hours?? ??since?? ??they?? ??left.??????Returning?? ??to?? ??where?? ??Fu?? ??Yao?? ??had?? ??drawn?? ??the?? ??circle,?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??saw?? ??that?? ??many?? ??were?? ??still????within?? ??it,?? ??scared?? ??to?? ??venture?? ??out.?? ??The?? ??old?? ??man?? ??who?? ??had?? ??taken?? ??Nan?? ??Feng’s?? ??pill?? ??was?? ??doing????alright,?? ??and?? ??after?? ??applying?? ??the?? ??herb?? ??on?? ??his?? ??wound,?? ??he?? ??was?? ??able?? ??to?? ??stand?? ??and?? ??walk?? ??after????resting?? ??for?? ??a?? ??while.?? ??Only,?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??didn’t?? ??think?? ??there?? ??was?? ??any?? ??need?? ??to?? ??tell?? ??them?? ??what?? ??the????herb?? ??used?? ??to?? ??grow?? ??on.??????After?? ??so?? ??ti,?? ??the?? ??rchants?? ??were?? ??all?? ??cald,?? ??and?? ??began?? ??to?? ??worry,?? ??“Where’s?? ??Tian????Shengg??? ??How?? ??co?? ??they?? ??haven’t?? ??returned?? ??yet?”????????Xie?? ??Lian?? ??was?? ??too?? ??busy?? ??picking?? ??herbs?? ??earlier?? ??and?? ??didn’t?? ??bother?? ??with?? ??Tian?? ??Shengg?? ??and?? ??the????others.?? ??He?? ??was?? ??just?? ??thinking?? ??about?? ??going?? ??back?? ??to?? ??the?? ??ruins?? ??to?? ??search?? ??for?? ??them?? ??when?? ??he????heard?? ??the?? ??voice?? ??of?? ??a?? ??boy?? ??yelling?? ??gege?? ??and?? ??uncles?? ??coming?? ??closer.?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??turned?? ??his????head,?? ??and?? ??sure?? ??enough?? ??it?? ??was?? ??Tian?? ??Sheng.?? ??The?? ??boy?? ??had?? ??a?? ??large?? ??bushel?? ??of?? ??the?? ??ShanYue????fern?? ??in?? ??his?? ??arms,?? ??and?? ??behind?? ??him?? ??were?? ??two?? ??other?? ??rchants,?? ??all?? ??huffing?? ??and?? ??puffing.??????Turns?? ??out,?? ??while?? ??on?? ??top?? ??the?? ??walls?? ??of?? ??the?? ??Sinner’s?? ??Pit,?? ??Ban?? ??Yue?? ??swept?? ??the?? ??soldiers????down,and?? ??captured?? ??Tian?? ??Sheng?? ??and?? ??the?? ??rchants.?? ??They?? ??were?? ??terrified,?? ??but?? ??Ban?? ??Yue????only?? ??led?? ??them?? ??down?? ??from?? ??the?? ??pit,?? ??and?? ??directed?? ??them?? ??where?? ??to?? ??go?? ??before?? ??sending?? ??them?? ??on????their?? ??way.?? ??They?? ??escaped,?? ??picked?? ??the?? ??herbs,?? ??buried?? ??the?? ??dead?? ??rchant’s?? ??body,?? ??and?? ??ran????back,?? ??yet?? ??still?? ??sohow?? ??was?? ??slower?? ??than?? ??Xie?? ??Lian.??????In?? ??any?? ??case,?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??escorted?? ??the?? ??caravan?? ??out?? ??of?? ??the?? ??Gobi?? ??desert,?? ??and?? ??ended?? ??this????journey.??????Before?? ??they?? ??bid?? ??farewell,?? ??Tian?? ??Sheng?? ??snuck?? ??out?? ??to?? ??find?? ??him?? ??and?? ??whispered?? ??mysteriously,????“Gege,?? ??I’ve?? ??a?? ??question?? ??for?? ??you.”??????“Ask?? ??away,”?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??said.??????“You’re?? ??actually?? ??a?? ??god,?? ??aren’t?? ??you?”??????“...”??????Xie?? ??Lian?? ??was?? ??astonished.?? ??But?? ??also?? ??a?? ??little?? ??touched.??????In?? ??the?? ??past,?? ??there?? ??was?? ??a?? ??ti?? ??when?? ??he’d?? ??holler?? ??and?? ??announce?? ??to?? ??the?? ??world,?? ??“I’m?? ??a?? ??god!?? ??I????am?? ??the?? ??Crown?? ??Prince,?? ??Your?? ??Royal?? ??Highness!”?? ??and?? ??no?? ??one?? ??would?? ??believe?? ??him.?? ??This?? ??ti,????he?? ??hadn’t?? ??even?? ??said?? ??anything?? ??and?? ??the?? ??other?? ??party?? ??asked?? ??if?? ??he?? ??was?? ??a?? ??god,?? ??deeply????surprising?? ??him?? ??but?? ??also?? ??moved?? ??him.??????Tian?? ??Sheng?? ??added?? ??imdiately,?? ??“I?? ??saw?? ??you?? ??use?? ??spells!?? ??Don’t?? ??worry,?? ??I?? ??won’t?? ??tell.”??????‘How?? ??would?? ??you?? ??even?? ??tell.?? ??No?? ??one?? ??would?? ??believe?? ??you...’?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??thought.??????Tian?? ??Sheng?? ??continued,?? ??“If?? ??not?? ??for?? ??you,?? ??I?? ??would’ve?? ??gotten?? ??thrown?? ??into?? ??that?? ??pit?? ??by?? ??those?? ??ugly????ghost?? ??soldiers.?? ??When?? ??I?? ??get?? ??ho?? ??I’ll?? ??build?? ??you?? ??a?? ??temple?? ??and?? ??worship?? ??you.”????????Xie?? ??Lian?? ??watched?? ??him?? ??pat?? ??his?? ??chest?? ??and?? ??make?? ??‘very?? ??big,?? ??very?? ??big’?? ??hand?? ??gestures,?? ??and????couldn’t?? ??help?? ??but?? ??let?? ??out?? ??a?? ??laugh?? ??and?? ??smiled,?? ??“Then,?? ??thank?? ??you.”??????San?? ??Lang?? ??was?? ??standing?? ??on?? ??the?? ??side,?? ??and?? ??he?? ??chuckled?? ??lightly?? ??for?? ??so?? ??unknown?? ??reason.????Xie?? ??Lian?? ??didn’t?? ??think?? ??it?? ??was?? ??because?? ??he?? ??thought?? ??a?? ??child’s?? ??naive?? ??words?? ??were?? ??ridiculous.??????Although?? ??children?? ??have?? ??no?? ??idea?? ??just?? ??how?? ??much?? ??work?? ??went?? ??into?? ??constructing?? ??a?? ??temple,????nevertheless,?? ??receiving?? ??such?? ??a?? ??promise,?? ??fulfilled?? ??or?? ??not,?? ??was?? ??still?? ??a?? ??happy?? ??occasion.????????After?? ??much?? ??hassling,?? ??he?? ??had?? ??to?? ??leave?? ??behind?? ??a?? ??random?? ??title?? ??“The?? ??Scrap?? ??Immortal”,?? ??then????he?? ??waved?? ??and?? ??walked?? ??off?? ??in?? ??the?? ??opposite?? ??direction.Nan?? ??Feng?? ??drew?? ??another?? ??Distance????Shortening?? ??array?? ??and?? ??sent?? ??them?? ??all?? ??back?? ??to?? ??PuQi?? ??Shrine.????????Opening?? ??the?? ??door,?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??took?? ??the?? ??straw?? ??mat?? ??out,?? ??laid?? ??it?? ??open?? ??on?? ??the?? ??ground,?? ??and????collapsed?? ??on?? ??it?? ??like?? ??a?? ??dead?? ??body.?? ??This?? ??was?? ??done?? ??all?? ??in?? ??one?? ??breath.?? ??San?? ??Lang?? ??sat?? ??himself????down?? ??next?? ??to?? ??him,?? ??hand?? ??propping?? ??up?? ??his?? ??chin,?? ??and?? ??watched?? ??him.?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??sighed,?? ??“How????long?? ??were?? ??we?? ??gone?”??????“Around?? ??three,?? ??four?? ??days.”?? ??San?? ??Lang?? ??replied.??????Xie?? ??Lian?? ??sighed?? ??again,?? ??“Only?? ??three,?? ??four?? ??days,?? ??why?? ??am?? ??I?? ??so?? ??tired.”??????Ever?? ??since?? ??he?? ??ascended,?? ??he?? ??was?? ??always?? ??worked?? ??to?? ??the?? ??bone?? ??like?? ??a?? ??dog,?? ??no?? ??lie.?? ??After?? ??he????was?? ??done?? ??sighing,?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??looked?? ??up,?? ??“Eh??? ??Nan?? ??Feng??? ??Why?? ??haven’t?? ??you?? ??reported?? ??back????yet?”??????“Report?? ??back?? ??where?”?? ??Nan?? ??Feng?? ??asked.??????“Aren’t?? ??you?? ??the?? ??junior?? ??official?? ??of?? ??Nan?? ??Yang?? ??Palace??? ??Won’t?? ??your?? ??general?? ??miss?? ??you?? ??after????three,?? ??four?? ??days?”??????“My?? ??general?? ??isn’t?? ??in?? ??the?? ??palace?? ??right?? ??now,?? ??so?? ??he?? ??won’t?? ??miss?? ??.”?? ??Nan?? ??Feng?? ??replied,??????Xie?? ??Lian?? ??rolled?? ??over?? ??and?? ??got?? ??up,?? ??“Alright.?? ??It’ll?? ??be?? ??good?? ??too?? ??if?? ??you?? ??stay.”??????“What?? ??are?? ??you?? ??doing?”?? ??Nan?? ??Feng?? ??asked.??????Xie?? ??Lian?? ??looked?? ??at?? ??him?? ??cheerfully,?? ??“I’m?? ??going?? ??to?? ??cook?? ??you?? ??a?? ??al.?? ??As?? ??a?? ??reward?? ??for?? ??your????hard?? ??work.”??????Nan?? ??Feng’s?? ??face?? ??dropped?? ??drastically.?? ??He?? ??raised?? ??his?? ??hand,?? ??pressed?? ??two?? ??fingers?? ??together????and?? ??touched?? ??his?? ??temple,?? ??as?? ??if?? ??receiving?? ??soone’s?? ??private?? ??communication.?? ??He?? ??up?? ??and????turned,?? ??“There’s?? ??an?? ??ergency?? ??at?? ??the?? ??palace,?? ??I’ll?? ??see?? ??you?? ??later.”??????Xie?? ??Lian?? ??waved?? ??his?? ??hand,?? ??“What??? ??Nan?? ??Feng,?? ??don’t?? ??go!?? ??How?? ??can?? ??there?? ??suddenly?? ??be?? ??an????ergency??? ??I?? ??really?? ??want?? ??to?? ??thank?? ??you?? ??for?? ??everything–”??????“THERE’S?? ??AN?? ??ERGENCY!”?? ??Nan?? ??Feng?? ??roared,?? ??and?? ??ran?? ??out?? ??the?? ??door.????????Xie?? ??Lian?? ??sat?? ??back?? ??down?? ??on?? ??the?? ??mat?? ??and?? ??looked?? ??at?? ??San?? ??Lang,?? ??“I?? ??guess?? ??he’s?? ??not?? ??hungry.”??????There?? ??was?? ??a?? ??loud?? ??bang?? ??before?? ??San?? ??Lang?? ??could?? ??reply,?? ??and?? ??it?? ??was?? ??Nan?? ??Feng?? ??who?? ??ca????back,?? ??having?? ??slamd?? ??open?? ??the?? ??door?? ??in?? ??a?? ??rush.?? ??“YOU?? ??TWO–!!”??????Xie?? ??Lian?? ??and?? ??San?? ??Lang?? ??were?? ??sitting?? ??together?? ??on?? ??the?? ??mat?? ??and?? ??both?? ??raised?? ??their?? ??heads?? ??to????look?? ??at?? ??him,?? ??“What?? ??about?? ??us?? ??two?”??????Nan?? ??Feng?? ??pointed?? ??his?? ??finger?? ??at?? ??San?? ??Lang,?? ??then?? ??at?? ??Xie?? ??Lian,?? ??his?? ??words?? ??stuck?? ??in?? ??his?? ??throat,????unable?? ??to?? ??speak.?? ??Then?? ??finally,?? ??“I?? ??will?? ??be?? ??back!”??????“You’re?? ??very?? ??welco?? ??to.”?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??said.??????Nan?? ??Feng?? ??gave?? ??San?? ??Lang?? ??one?? ??last?? ??stink?? ??eye?? ??before?? ??closing?? ??the?? ??door?? ??and?? ??leaving.?? ??Xie????Lian?? ??crossed?? ??his?? ??arms,?? ??tilted?? ??his?? ??head?? ??like?? ??San?? ??Lang,?? ??and?? ??said,?? ??“Looks?? ??like?? ??there?? ??really?? ??is????an?? ??ergency.”??????He?? ??turned?? ??to?? ??look?? ??at?? ??the?? ??boy?? ??next?? ??to?? ??him?? ??and?? ??smiled?? ??cheerfully,?? ??“He’s?? ??not?? ??hungry,?? ??how????about?? ??you?”??????San?? ??Lang?? ??smiled?? ??cheerfully?? ??back,?? ??“I’m?? ??starving.”??????Xie?? ??Lian?? ??grinned?? ??and?? ??stood?? ??up?? ??again,?? ??turned?? ??around?? ??and?? ??casually?? ??cleaned?? ??the?? ??altar????table,?? ??“Alright?? ??then.?? ??What?? ??do?? ??you?? ??want?? ??to?? ??eat,?? ??Hua?? ??Cheng?”??????Behind?? ??him,?? ??there?? ??was?? ??silence.?? ??Then?? ??chuckling.??????“I?? ??still?? ??prefer?? ??the?? ??na?? ??‘San?? ??Lang’.”??????????Ch.30:?? ??Poking?? ??the?? ??Ghost?? ??King;?? ??Crown?? ??Prince?? ??Seeks?? ??Truth????????Back?? ??still?? ??facing?? ??San?? ??Lang,?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??said,?? ??“Crimson?? ??Rain?? ??Sought?? ??Flower?”??????“Your?? ??Royal?? ??Highness?? ??the?? ??Crown?? ??Prince.”?? ??San?? ??Lang?? ??replied.??????Xie?? ??Lian?? ??finally?? ??turned?? ??around?? ??with?? ??a?? ??grin,?? ??“That’s?? ??the?? ??first?? ??ti?? ??I’ve?? ??heard?? ??you?? ??address?????? ??like?? ??that.”??????The?? ??red-clad?? ??youth?? ??sat?? ??on?? ??the?? ??mat,?? ??and?? ??adjusted?? ??his?? ??legs,?? ??also?? ??grinning,?? ??“How?? ??does?? ??it????feel?”??????Xie?? ??Lian?? ??gave?? ??it?? ??a?? ??thought,?? ??and?? ??replied?? ??truthfully,?? ??”It?? ??feels...?? ??a?? ??little?? ??different?? ??than?? ??when????others?? ??call?? ??my?? ??by?? ??that?? ??title.”????????“Hm??? ??How?? ??so?”?? ??Hua?? ??Cheng?? ??asked.??????Xie?? ??Lian?? ??tilted?? ??his?? ??head,?? ??his?? ??eyes?? ??squinting?? ??a?? ??little,?? ??“It’s?? ??hard?? ??to?? ??say,?? ??it’s?? ??just...”??????When?? ??others?? ??called?? ??him?? ??‘Your?? ??Highness’,?? ??it?? ??was?? ??either?? ??emotionless,?? ??and?? ??all?? ??business?? ??like????Ling?? ??Wen,?? ??but?? ??most?? ??of?? ??the?? ??ti,?? ??when?? ??people?? ??called?? ??him?? ??‘Your?? ??Highness’,?? ??it?? ??was?? ??laced????with?? ??a?? ??sense?? ??of?? ??disdain,?? ??an?? ??intentional?? ??address?? ??like?? ??calling?? ??an?? ??ugly?? ??woman?? ??a?? ??beauty,????sowhat?? ??sarcastic.??????Yet?? ??when?? ??Hua?? ??Cheng?? ??called?? ??him?? ??‘Your?? ??Highness’,?? ??those?? ??two?? ??words?? ??were?? ??uttered?? ??with????grave?? ??sincerity.?? ??So,?? ??while?? ??it?? ??was?? ??hard?? ??to?? ??describe,?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??felt?? ??when?? ??Hua?? ??Cheng?? ??called????him?? ??‘Your?? ??Highness’,?? ??it?? ??felt?? ??different?? ??than?? ??when?? ??others?? ??called?? ??him?? ??‘Your?? ??Highness’.??????He?? ??continued,?? ??“That?? ??night?? ??at?? ??Mount?? ??YuJun,?? ??the?? ??groom?? ??who?? ??took?? ???? ??away?? ??was?? ??you,????right?”??????Seeing?? ??Hua?? ??Cheng’s?? ??aningful?? ??smirk,?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??realized?? ??his?? ??words?? ??may?? ??have?? ??ant????sothing?? ??else,?? ??and?? ??corrected?? ??himself,?? ??“I?? ??ant,?? ??the?? ??groom?? ??in?? ??disguise?? ??who?? ??led?? ??????away?? ??was?? ??you,?? ??right?”??????“I?? ??wasn’t?? ??disguising?? ??as?? ??a?? ??groom.”?? ??Hua?? ??Cheng?? ??replied.??????Technically?? ??speaking,?? ??Hua?? ??Cheng?? ??wasn’t?? ??wrong.?? ??The?? ??young?? ??man?? ??at?? ??the?? ??ti?? ??never?? ??said????he?? ??was?? ??the?? ??groom?? ??or?? ??anything;?? ??in?? ??fact,?? ??he?? ??didn’t?? ??say?? ??a?? ??thing?? ??at?? ??all.?? ??He?? ??only?? ??stopped?? ??in????front?? ??of?? ??the?? ??marriage?? ??sedan?? ??and?? ??extended?? ??his?? ??hand.?? ??It?? ??was?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??who?? ??went?? ??with?? ??him????willingly!????????“Fine.?? ??Then,?? ??why?? ??did?? ??you?? ??appear?? ??at?? ??the?? ??ti?”?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??asked.????????“This?? ??question?? ??only?? ??has?? ??two?? ??answers,”?? ??Hua?? ??Cheng?? ??said,?? ??“First,?? ??I?? ??ca?? ??especially?? ??for?? ??Your????Royal?? ??Highness;?? ??second,?? ??I?? ??was?? ??passing?? ??by?? ??and?? ??was?? ??free.?? ??Which?? ??do?? ??you?? ??think?? ??is?? ??more????believable?”??????Xie?? ??Lian?? ??counted?? ??the?? ??number?? ??of?? ??days?? ??Hua?? ??Cheng?? ??had?? ??spent?? ??with?? ??him,?? ??and?? ??replied????earnestly,?? ??“Which?? ??is?? ??more?? ??believable?? ??I?? ??can’t?? ??say,?? ??but?? ??you?? ??really?? ??do?? ??seem?? ??to?? ??have?? ??a?? ??lot?? ??of????free?? ??ti.”??????With?? ??his?? ??left?? ??arm?? ??holding?? ??his?? ??right?? ??elbow?? ??and?? ??his?? ??right?? ??hand?? ??propping?? ??his?? ??chin,?? ??Xie?? ??Lian????gave?? ??Hua?? ??Cheng?? ??a?? ??once?? ??over?? ??and?? ??nodded.?? ??“You’re?? ??quite?? ??different?? ??than?? ??what?? ??the?? ??rumours????say.”??????Hua?? ??Cheng?? ??changed?? ??his?? ??sitting?? ??position?? ??but?? ??still?? ??with?? ??a?? ??hand?? ??propping?? ??up?? ??his?? ??cheek,????watched?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??and?? ??said,?? ??“Oh??? ??And?? ??how?? ??did?? ??you?? ??find?? ??out?? ??I’m?? ???”??????The?? ??images?? ??of?? ??that?? ??umbrella?? ??dripping?? ??with?? ??blood,?? ??that?? ??gentle?? ??clinking?? ??silver?? ??chain,?? ??and????that?? ??cold?? ??silver?? ??vambrace?? ??filled?? ??Xie?? ??Lian’s?? ??mind?? ??and?? ??thought,?? ??‘It’s?? ??not?? ??like?? ??you?? ??were?? ??trying????very?? ??hard?? ??at?? ??hiding?? ??yourself.’?? ??But?? ??when?? ??words?? ??dropped?? ??from?? ??his?? ??lips,?? ??they?? ??beca????sothing?? ??else.?? ??He?? ??said?? ??in?? ??a?? ??serious?? ??voice,?? ??“Even?? ??after?? ??all?? ??the?? ??probing?? ??you?? ??gave?? ??nothing????away,?? ??so?? ??you?? ??must?? ??be?? ??a?? ??‘Supre’.?? ??You’re?? ??dressed?? ??all?? ??in?? ??a?? ??red?? ??like?? ??the?? ??maples,?? ??like????blood,?? ??and?? ??seem?? ??knowledgeable?? ??of?? ??everything,?? ??capable?? ??of?? ??everything,?? ??and?? ??knew?? ??no?? ??fear.????Such?? ??a?? ??disposition,?? ??other?? ??than?? ??that?? ??‘Crimson?? ??Rain?? ??Sought?? ??Flower’?? ??that?? ??even?? ??all?? ??in?? ??heaven????fears,?? ??there?? ??doesn’t?? ??seem?? ??to?? ??be?? ??any?? ??other?? ??candidates.”??????Hua?? ??Cheng?? ??laughed,?? ??“Shall?? ??I?? ??take?? ??those?? ??words?? ??as?? ??a?? ??complint?”??????‘Can’t?? ??you?? ??tell?? ??they’re?? ??complints?’?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??thought.??????“Sparing?? ??so?? ??many?? ??words,?? ??how?? ??co?? ??Your?? ??Royal?? ??Highness?? ??doesn’t?? ??question?? ??my?? ??motives????for?? ??coming?? ??close?? ??to?? ??you?”?? ??Hua?? ??Cheng?? ??asked,?? ??his?? ??smile?? ??curbed?? ??sowhat.??????“If?? ??you?? ??don’t?? ??want?? ??to?? ??say?? ??anything,?? ??if?? ??I?? ??asked,?? ??would?? ??you?? ??tell??? ??Or?? ??you?? ??might?? ??not?? ??tell?? ???? ??the????truth.”?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??said.????????“That’s?? ??not?? ??necessarily?? ??true.?? ??Besides,?? ??you?? ??can?? ??always?? ??boot?? ???? ??out.”??????Xie?? ??Lian?? ??replied,?? ??“You’re?? ??so?? ??powerful;?? ??if?? ??I?? ??booted?? ??you?? ??out?? ??now,?? ??if?? ??you?? ??really?? ??wanted?? ??to?? ??do????sothing?? ??bad,?? ??wouldn’t?? ??you?? ??just?? ??change?? ??skin?? ??and?? ??co?? ??back?”??????The?? ??two?? ??were?? ??staring?? ??at?? ??each?? ??other,?? ??grinning,?? ??when?? ??just?? ??then,?? ??a?? ??small?? ??knocking?? ??noise????broke?? ??the?? ??temporary?? ??silence?? ??in?? ??the?? ??shrine.?? ??They?? ??looked?? ??to?? ??where?? ??the?? ??sound?? ??ca?? ??from????and?? ??there?? ??wasn’t?? ??anyone,?? ??only?? ??that?? ??small,?? ??black?? ??clay?? ??pot?? ??rolling?? ??on?? ??the?? ??ground.??????It?? ??was?? ??the?? ??sa?? ??pot?? ??Ban?? ??Yue?? ??was?? ??tucked?? ??in.?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??had?? ??placed?? ??it?? ??next?? ??to?? ??the?? ??mat,?? ??but????sohow?? ??it?? ??had?? ??tipped?? ??itself?? ??over?? ??and?? ??rolled?? ??to?? ??the?? ??door.?? ??Blocked?? ??by?? ??the?? ??wooden?? ??door????built?? ??by?? ??Hua?? ??Cheng,?? ??it?? ??started?? ??hitting?? ??the?? ??door?? ??by?? ??rolling?? ??to?? ??it?? ??repeatedly.?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??was????worried?? ??it?? ??might?? ??break?? ??itself,?? ??so?? ??he?? ??opened?? ??the?? ??door,?? ??and?? ??the?? ??little?? ??clay?? ??pot?? ??rolled?? ??itself?? ??to????the?? ??grass?? ??field?? ??outside.??????Xie?? ??Lian?? ??followed?? ??behind?? ??it,?? ??and?? ??saw?? ??that?? ??once?? ??the?? ??little?? ??clay?? ??pot?? ??made?? ??it?? ??to?? ??the?? ??grass????field,?? ??it?? ??stood?? ??itself?? ??up.?? ??Even?? ??if?? ??it?? ??was?? ??only?? ??a?? ??pot,?? ??it?? ??gave?? ??the?? ??sense?? ??that?? ??it?? ??was?? ??gazing?? ??at????the?? ??night?? ??sky.?? ??Hua?? ??Cheng?? ??also?? ??erged?? ??from?? ??the?? ??shrine,?? ??and?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??called?? ??out?? ??to?? ??the????pot,?? ??“Ban?? ??Yue,?? ??are?? ??you?? ??awake?”??????Good?? ??thing?? ??when?? ??they?? ??returned?? ??from?? ??the?? ??Gobi?? ??it?? ??was?? ??already?? ??deep?? ??into?? ??the?? ??night,????otherwise?? ??if?? ??anyone?? ??should?? ??see?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??ask?? ??how?? ??a?? ??pot?? ??was?? ??doing?? ??they?? ??would?? ??probably????throw?? ??a?? ??fit.??????A?? ??mont?? ??later,?? ??the?? ??sulky?? ??voice?? ??of?? ??a?? ??young?? ??girl?? ??ca?? ??from?? ??the?? ??pot,?? ??“General?? ??Hua.”??????Xie?? ??Lian?? ??sat?? ??down?? ??next?? ??to?? ??it?? ??and?? ??soothed,?? ??“Ban?? ??Yue,?? ??have?? ??you?? ??co?? ??out?? ??to?? ??stargaze?????Why?? ??don’t?? ??you?? ??co?? ??out?”??????Hua?? ??Cheng?? ??was?? ??leaning?? ??against?? ??a?? ??tree?? ??next?? ??to?? ??them?? ??and?? ??said,?? ??“She?? ??only?? ??just?? ??left?? ??the????BanYue?? ??ruins.?? ??Probably?? ??best?? ??if?? ??she?? ??stays?? ??in?? ??there?? ??for?? ??a?? ??while?? ??longer.”??????Xie?? ??Lian?? ??thought?? ??that?? ??advice?? ??was?? ??sound.?? ??After?? ??all,?? ??Ban?? ??Yue?? ??had?? ??been?? ??stuck?? ??in?? ??BanYue????for?? ??two?? ??hundred?? ??years;?? ??to?? ??suddenly?? ??change?? ??pace?? ??might?? ??be?? ??hard?? ??to?? ??adjust?? ??to.?? ??“Then?? ??you????best?? ??stay?? ??in?? ??there?? ??and?? ??heal.?? ??This?? ??is?? ??where?? ??I?? ??cultivate,?? ??you?? ??don’t?? ??have?? ??to?? ??worry?? ??about????anything.?? ??Don’t?? ??think?? ??about?? ??those?? ??soldiers?? ??and?? ??that?? ??general?? ??anymore.”??????The?? ??pot?? ??shook?? ??twice?? ??as?? ??if?? ??trying?? ??to?? ??say?? ??sothing.?? ??After?? ??chewing?? ??on?? ??his?? ??words,?? ??Xie?? ??Lian????spoke?? ??up,?? ??“Ban?? ??Yue,?? ??the?? ??incident?? ??this?? ??ti?? ??actually?? ??didn’t?? ??concern?? ??you.?? ??Your?? ??scorpion????snakes?? ??were...”??????“General?? ??Hua,?? ??I?? ??couldn’t?? ??move?? ??at?? ??the?? ??ti,?? ??but?? ??I?? ??heard?? ??everything,”?? ??Ban?? ??Yue?? ??said????gloomily.??????Xie?? ??Lian?? ??stopped.?? ??Only?? ??then?? ??did?? ??he?? ??learn?? ??that?? ??Pei?? ??Su?? ??only?? ??sealed?? ??Ban?? ??Yue’s?? ??movent,????but?? ??not?? ??her?? ??senses.?? ??“Just?? ??as?? ??well.”??????Since?? ??she?? ??heard?? ??everything,?? ??then?? ??just?? ??as?? ??well.??????The?? ??clay?? ??pot?? ??asked,?? ??“General?? ??Hua,?? ??what?? ??will?? ??happen?? ??to?? ??General?? ??Pei?? ??Junior?”??????Xie?? ??Lian?? ??crossed?? ??his?? ??arms?? ??in?? ??his?? ??sleeves,?? ??“I?? ??don’t?? ??know.?? ??But,?? ??mistakes?? ??will?? ??always?? ??be????punished.”??????Another?? ??mont?? ??of?? ??silence,?? ??and?? ??the?? ??pot?? ??shook?? ??twice,?? ??and?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??finally?? ??understood????that?? ??it?? ??was?? ??nodding?? ??in?? ??agreent.????????“General?? ??Pei?? ??Junior?? ??is?? ??actually?? ??not?? ??a?? ??bad?? ??person.”?? ??Ban?? ??Yue?? ??said.??????“Is?? ??that?? ??right?”??????“En.”?? ??Ban?? ??Yue?? ??replied,?? ??“He’s?? ??helped?? ???? ??before.”????????Sohow,?? ??Xie?? ??Lian’s?? ??mind?? ??was?? ??suddenly?? ??filled?? ??with?? ??many?? ??more?? ??things.??????Ban?? ??Yue?? ??often?? ??received?? ??beatings,?? ??and?? ??using?? ??the?? ??words?? ??of?? ??other?? ??YongAn?? ??children,?? ??she????had?? ??the?? ??face?? ??that?? ??“asked?? ??for?? ??it”.??????It?? ??was?? ??a?? ??long?? ??ti?? ??after?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??had?? ??known?? ??her?? ??before?? ??he?? ??learned?? ??of?? ??it?? ??too,?? ??since?? ??no????matter?? ??how?? ??much?? ??beating?? ??Ban?? ??Yue?? ??received,?? ??she?? ??wouldn’t?? ??tell?? ??anyone.?? ??Until?? ??one?? ??day,?? ??Xie????Lian?? ??saw?? ??a?? ??group?? ??of?? ??children?? ??pressing?? ??her?? ??face?? ??into?? ??the?? ??mud?? ??that?? ??he?? ??learned?? ??where?? ??all????those?? ??bruises?? ??on?? ??her?? ??face?? ??ca?? ??from.??????But?? ??after?? ??a?? ??while,?? ??when?? ??he?? ??asked?? ??her?? ??about?? ??it,?? ??she?? ??only?? ??rembered?? ??that?? ??she?? ??had?? ??to????wash?? ??the?? ??handkerchief?? ??that?? ??the?? ??boy?? ??who?? ??pulled?? ??her?? ??out?? ??of?? ??the?? ??mud?? ??pit?? ??before?? ??returning?? ??it,????and?? ??she?? ??recalled?? ??nothing?? ??else.??????She?? ??rembered?? ??no?? ??one?? ??who?? ??beat?? ??her,?? ??but?? ??the?? ??ones?? ??who?? ??had?? ??saved?? ??her?? ??once,?? ??she????rembered?? ??for?? ??a?? ??lifeti.????????Ban?? ??Yue?? ??continued,?? ??“Although?? ??Ke?? ??Mo?? ??always?? ??scorned?? ??that?? ??he?? ??confounded?? ??my?? ??mind,?? ??that????I?? ??was?? ??completely?? ??used,?? ??but?? ??whether?? ??if?? ??he?? ??used?? ???? ??or?? ??not,?? ??it?? ??was?? ??my?? ??own?? ??will?? ??to?? ??open?? ??the????fortress?? ??gates.”????????Xie?? ??Lian?? ??didn’t?? ??know?? ??what?? ??to?? ??say?? ??anymore,?? ??but?? ??sowhere?? ??in?? ??his?? ??heart,?? ??he?? ??felt?? ??it?? ??go?? ??soft.??????A?? ??mont?? ??later,?? ??he?? ??patted?? ??that?? ??clay?? ??pot,?? ??“Alright,?? ??it’s?? ??all?? ??in?? ??the?? ??past.?? ??Oh,?? ??by?? ??the?? ??way.?? ??Ban????Yue,?? ??the?? ??na?? ??Hua?? ??Xie?? ??is?? ??fake,?? ??and?? ??I?? ??haven’t?? ??been?? ??a?? ??general?? ??for?? ??a?? ??long?? ??ti.?? ??You?? ??don’t????have?? ??to?? ??keep?? ??calling?? ???? ??General?? ??Hua?? ??anymore.”????????“Then?? ??how?? ??should?? ??I?? ??address?? ??you?”?? ??Ban?? ??Yue?? ??asked.??????That?? ??was?? ??actually?? ??a?? ??good?? ??question.?? ??If?? ??Ban?? ??Yue?? ??also?? ??called?? ??him?? ??‘Your?? ??Highness’?? ??seriously,????it’d?? ??feel?? ??weird.?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??didn’t?? ??really?? ??care?? ??about?? ??his?? ??address?? ??either,?? ??he?? ??just?? ??wanted?? ??to????change?? ??the?? ??subject.?? ??“That’s?? ??up?? ??to?? ??you.?? ??I?? ??suppose?? ??it’s?? ??ok?? ??if?? ??you?? ??keep?? ??calling?? ???? ??General????Hua.”?? ??Only,?? ??there’s?? ??another?? ??one?? ??here?? ??nad?? ??Hua,?? ??so?? ??that?? ??might?? ??cause?? ??so?? ??confusion.????But?? ??then?? ??he?? ??thought,?? ??‘Hua?? ??Xie’?? ??was?? ??a?? ??fake?? ??na?? ??he?? ??took?? ??from?? ??the?? ??first?? ??word?? ??of?? ??the?? ??title????‘Flower?? ??Crowned?? ??Martial?? ??God’,?? ??so?? ??‘Hua?? ??Cheng’?? ??may?? ??very?? ??well?? ??be?? ??a?? ??fake?? ??na?? ??too??? ??That????they?? ??both?? ??coincidentally?? ??picked?? ??the?? ??sa?? ??surna?? ??was?? ??rather?? ??amusing.??????“I’m?? ??sorry,?? ??General?? ??Hua.”?? ??Ban?? ??Yue?? ??said?? ??again.??????Xie?? ??Lian?? ??turned?? ??back?? ??to?? ??look?? ??at?? ??her?? ??and?? ??said?? ??woefully,?? ??“Ban?? ??Yue,?? ??why?? ??are?? ??you?? ??always????apologizing?? ??to?? ???”?? ??Did?? ??he?? ??really?? ??look?? ??that?? ??sorry?? ??to?? ??people?????????From?? ??within?? ??the?? ??pot,?? ??Ban?? ??Yue?? ??stated,?? ??“I,?? ??want?? ??to?? ??save?? ??the?? ??world.”??????Xie?? ??Lian:?? ??“..............”??????“General?? ??Hua,?? ??you?? ??said?? ??that?? ??once.”?? ??Ban?? ??Yue?? ??said.??????Xie?? ??Lian:?? ??“???”??????He?? ??hurriedly?? ??pressed?? ??down?? ??on?? ??the?? ??clay?? ??pot,?? ??“Wait,?? ??hold?? ??on?? ??a?? ??sec!”??????“Wait?? ??for?? ??what?”?? ??Ban?? ??Yue?? ??asked.??????Xie?? ??Lian?? ??took?? ??a?? ??peek?? ??at?? ??Hua?? ??Cheng?? ??who?? ??was?? ??still?? ??leaning?? ??against?? ??the?? ??tree?? ??with?? ??his?? ??arms????crossed,?? ??and?? ??said?? ??in?? ??a?? ??low?? ??voice,?? ??“Did?? ??I?? ??really?? ??say?? ??that?”??????Those?? ??words?? ??were?? ??his?? ??favourite?? ??saying?? ??when?? ??he?? ??was?? ??only?? ??ten?? ??sothing?? ??years?? ??old.?? ??In????the?? ??many?? ??hundreds?? ??of?? ??years?? ??thereafter,?? ??he?? ??shouldn’t?? ??have?? ??uttered?? ??them?? ??at?? ??all;?? ??he?? ??couldn’t????believe?? ??it.?? ??But?? ??Ban?? ??Yue?? ??was?? ??firm,?? ??“General,?? ??those?? ??were?? ??your?? ??words.”??????Xie?? ??Lian?? ??still?? ??wanted?? ??to?? ??struggle,?? ??“I?? ??don’t?? ??think?? ??so...”??????Ban?? ??Yue?? ??told?? ??him?? ??sternly?? ??and?? ??coldly,?? ??“Oh,?? ??no,?? ??you?? ??did?? ??say?? ??them.?? ??There?? ??was?? ??once,?? ??you????asked?? ??us?? ??all?? ??what?? ??we?? ??wanted?? ??to?? ??do?? ??when?? ??we’re?? ??older.?? ??Everyone?? ??answered,?? ??and?? ??after?? ??you????also?? ??said:?? ??‘My?? ??dream?? ??was?? ??to?? ??save?? ??the?? ??world;?? ??the?? ??common?? ??people’.”??????“...”??????So?? ??that?? ??was?? ??it.?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??used?? ??his?? ??hand?? ??to?? ??cover?? ??his?? ??entire?? ??forehead.?? ??“Um.?? ??Ban?? ??Yue.?? ??Why????would?? ??you?? ??rember?? ??so?? ??clearly?? ??sothing?? ??so?? ??randomly?? ??said?”??????Ban?? ??Yue?? ??was?? ??confused,?? ??“Random??? ??But?? ??General?? ??Hua,?? ??I?? ??had?? ??thought?? ??those?? ??words?? ??were????said?? ??very?? ??earnestly.”??????Xie?? ??Lian?? ??raised?? ??his?? ??head?? ??to?? ??gaze?? ??at?? ??the?? ??night?? ??sky,?? ??feeling?? ??helpless.?? ??“Haha...?? ??really?????Maybe.?? ??I?? ??don’t?? ??rember?? ??whatever?? ??else?? ??I?? ??might?? ??have?? ??said.”??????“You?? ??also?? ??said,?? ??‘Do?? ??what?? ??you?? ??think?? ??is?? ??right!’”?? ??Ban?? ??Yue?? ??told?? ??him.”’Nothing?? ??can?? ??block?? ??your????way!’?? ??‘Even?? ??if?? ??you?? ??fall?? ??into?? ??rotten?? ??mud?? ??a?? ??hundred?? ??tis?? ??you?? ??must?? ??get?? ??up?? ??with????determination!’?? ??There’s?? ??a?? ??lot,?? ??like?? ??this.”??????“Pfft.”????????He?? ??didn’t?? ??need?? ??to?? ??look?? ??back?? ??to?? ??know?? ??that?? ??it?? ??was?? ??definitely?? ??Hua?? ??Cheng?? ??under?? ??the?? ??tree?? ??who????heard?? ??and?? ??laughed.??????Even?? ??smothering?? ??the?? ??pot?? ??now?? ??wouldn’t?? ??help,?? ??and?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??thought?? ??inwardly,?? ??‘....what...????nonsense!?? ??...?? ??Why?? ??did?? ??I?? ??keep?? ??saying?? ??those?? ??kinds?? ??of?? ??things...?? ??I’m?? ??nothing?? ??like?? ??that?? ??at?? ??all...????am?? ??I??’????????“But,?? ??I?? ??don’t?? ??know?? ??what’s?? ??right?? ??anymore.”?? ??Ban?? ??Yue?? ??said.??????Xie?? ??Lian?? ??froze.??????“I?? ??wanted?? ??to?? ??do?? ??as?? ??what?? ??General?? ??Hua?? ??said?? ??and?? ??save?? ??the?? ??people.”?? ??Ban?? ??Yue?? ??said,?? ??“But?? ??in????the?? ??end,?? ??I?? ??destroyed?? ??the?? ??Kingdom?? ??of?? ??Ban?? ??Yue.”????????Her?? ??voice?? ??was?? ??lost,?? ??“And?? ??it?? ??seed?? ??that?? ??no?? ??matter?? ??what?? ??I’d?? ??do...?? ??the?? ??results?? ??were?? ??all????horrible.?? ??General?? ??Hua,?? ??I?? ??know?? ??I?? ??didn’t?? ??do?? ??things?? ??right,?? ??but?? ??can?? ??you?? ??tell?? ??,?? ??where?? ??did?? ??I?? ??go????wrong??? ??What?? ??should?? ??I?? ??do?? ??in?? ??order?? ??to?? ??do?? ??as?? ??you’ve?? ??said?? ??and...?? ??save?? ??the?? ??world?”????????“...”??????Xie?? ??Lian?? ??replied,?? ??“I’m?? ??sorry,?? ??Ban?? ??Yue.?? ??How?? ??to?? ??save?? ??the?? ??world,?? ??the?? ??common?? ??people....?? ??I????didn’t?? ??know?? ??the?? ??answers?? ??to?? ??that?? ??question?? ??back?? ??then,?? ??and?? ??even?? ??now?? ??I?? ??still?? ??don’t.”??????Ban?? ??Yue?? ??was?? ??silent?? ??for?? ??a?? ??mont,?? ??then?? ??said?? ??dejectedly,?? ??“General?? ??Hua,?? ??to?? ??be?? ??honest,?? ??it????feels?? ??like?? ??the?? ??past?? ??two?? ??hundred?? ??years,?? ??I’ve?? ??no?? ??idea?? ??what?? ??I’ve?? ??been?? ??doing.?? ??What?? ??a?? ??failure.”??????Hearing?? ??her,?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??beca?? ??more?? ??depressed,?? ??thinking,?? ??‘Doesn’t?? ??that?? ??make?? ???? ??more?? ??of????a?? ??failure??? ??That?? ??I’ve?? ??lived?? ??eight?? ??hundred?? ??years?? ??for?? ??nothing?’??????Xie?? ??Lian?? ??left?? ??Ban?? ??Yue?? ??the?? ??little?? ??ghost?? ??in?? ??the?? ??pot?? ??to?? ??stargaze?? ??alone?? ??to?? ??calm?? ??down,?? ??and?? ??went????back?? ??inside?? ??PuQi?? ??shrine?? ??with?? ??Hua?? ??Cheng.????????After?? ??closing?? ??the?? ??door,?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??suddenly?? ??spoke?? ??up,?? ??“Ban?? ??Yue?? ??remained?? ??at?? ??the?? ??BanYue????Pass?? ??willingly.?? ??It?? ??wasn’t?? ??because?? ??she?? ??beca?? ??a?? ??‘Savage’?? ??that?? ??she?? ??was?? ??trapped?? ??there.”??????She?? ??had?? ??always?? ??rembered?? ??that?? ??it?? ??was?? ??her?? ??who?? ??opened?? ??the?? ??fortress?? ??gates,?? ??and?? ??had????never?? ??used?? ??any?? ??such?? ??just?? ??excuse?? ??like?? ??she?? ??was?? ??doing?? ??it?? ??for?? ??the?? ??people.?? ??It?? ??was?? ??to?? ??help?? ??the????BanYue?? ??soldiers?? ??to?? ??vent?? ??their?? ??resentnt?? ??so?? ??they?? ??could?? ??leave?? ??this?? ??world?? ??sooner?? ??that?? ??she????allowed?? ??Ke?? ??Mo?? ??to?? ??lead?? ??them?? ??to?? ??murder?? ??her?? ??over?? ??and?? ??over.??????Xie?? ??Lian?? ??shook?? ??his?? ??head,?? ??“If?? ??General?? ??Pei?? ??Junior?? ??really?? ??didn’t?? ??want?? ??to?? ??leave?? ??those?? ??BanYue????soldiers?? ??behind?? ??and?? ??didn’t?? ??want?? ??the?? ??heavens?? ??to?? ??find?? ??out?? ??either,?? ??he?? ??could?? ??very?? ??well?? ??send?? ??a????clone?? ??to?? ??secretly?? ??descend?? ??to?? ??take?? ??care?? ??of?? ??them.?? ??Why?? ??did?? ??he?? ??have?? ??to?? ??use?? ??that?? ??thod?”????????“Clones?? ??don’t?? ??have?? ??the?? ??sa?? ??amount?? ??of?? ??power,”?? ??Hua?? ??Cheng?? ??said,?? ??“You?? ??saw?? ??how?? ??Pei????Su’s?? ??clone?? ??A-Zhao?? ??was??? ??He?? ??couldn’t?? ??take?? ??care?? ??of?? ??so?? ??many?? ??BanYue?? ??soldiers,?? ??so?? ??feeding????them?? ??the?? ??living?? ??was?? ??the?? ??fastest?? ??and?? ??easiest?? ??way?? ??to?? ??disperse?? ??their?? ??resentnt.”??????“Why?? ??did?? ??it?? ??have?? ??to?? ??be?? ??so?? ??fast?”?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??wondered.??????“Maybe?? ??it’s?? ??so?? ??your?? ??little?? ??friend?? ??Ban?? ??Yue?? ??wouldn’t?? ??hang?? ??so?? ??painfully?? ??as?? ??many?? ??tis.”?? ??Hua????Cheng?? ??replied.??????Xie?? ??Lian?? ??was?? ??silent?? ??for?? ??a?? ??mont,?? ??“Then?? ??what?? ??about?? ??those?? ??mortals?”????????Hua?? ??Cheng?? ??replied?? ??quietly,?? ??“They’re?? ??heavenly?? ??officials.?? ??Of?? ??course?? ??a?? ??mortal’s?? ??life?? ??is????nothing?? ??but?? ??ants?? ??in?? ??their?? ??eyes.?? ??Pei?? ??Su?? ??is?? ??a?? ??classic?? ??high?? ??ranked?? ??god.?? ??As?? ??long?? ??as?? ??it?? ??wasn’t????discovered,?? ??killing?? ??a?? ??few?? ??hundred?? ??people?? ??was?? ??no?? ??different?? ??than?? ??stepping?? ??a?? ??few?? ??hundred????insects?? ??to?? ??death.”????????Xie?? ??Lian?? ??glanced?? ??at?? ??him,?? ??and?? ??recalled?? ??that?? ??when?? ??San?? ??Lang?? ??jumped?? ??into?? ??the?? ??Sinner’s?? ??Pit,????he?? ??wiped?? ??out?? ??all?? ??the?? ??BanYue?? ??soldiers?? ??in?? ??a?? ??flash.?? ??He?? ??turned?? ??to?? ??him?? ??and?? ??said,?? ??“Clones?? ??don’t????have?? ??the?? ??sa?? ??amount?? ??of?? ??power??? ??I?? ??see?? ??your?? ??clone?? ??is?? ??pretty?? ??powerful.”??????Hua?? ??Cheng?? ??arched?? ??his?? ??brows.?? ??“Of?? ??course.?? ??But?? ??I’m?? ??the?? ??real?? ??thing.”??????Xie?? ??Lian?? ??turned?? ??to?? ??look?? ??at?? ??him,?? ??surprised,?? ??“Eh??? ??This?? ??is?? ??your?? ??true?? ??form?”??????“One?? ??hundred?? ??percent?? ??authentic.”?? ??Hua?? ??Cheng?? ??declared.??????If?? ??anything?? ??must?? ??be?? ??blad,?? ??it?? ??would?? ??have?? ??to?? ??be?? ??how?? ??Hua?? ??Cheng?? ??looked?? ??as?? ??if?? ??he’s????welcoming?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??to?? ??test?? ??it?? ??out?? ??himself,?? ??and?? ??without?? ??thinking,?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??raised?? ??a?? ??finger????and?? ??poked?? ??Hua?? ??Cheng’s?? ??face.??????After?? ??poking,?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??ca?? ??to?? ??in?? ??shock?? ??and?? ??yelped?? ??‘oh?? ??no!’?? ??in?? ??his?? ??head.????????He?? ??was?? ??only?? ??curious?? ??to?? ??see?? ??what?? ??a?? ??Supre?? ??Ghost?? ??King’s?? ??fake?? ??skin?? ??would?? ??feel?? ??like,?? ??but????apparently?? ??his?? ??body?? ??moved?? ??faster?? ??than?? ??his?? ??mind?? ??and?? ??poked?? ??him!?? ??What?? ??a?? ??disgrace!??????To?? ??have?? ??soone?? ??suddenly?? ??poke?? ??him,?? ??Hua?? ??Cheng?? ??looked?? ??sowhat?? ??shocked?? ??too,?? ??but????he?? ??was?? ??always?? ??calm?? ??and?? ??collected,?? ??so?? ??his?? ??expression?? ??cleared?? ??instantly.?? ??He?? ??didn’t?? ??say????anything,?? ??but?? ??his?? ??raised?? ??brows?? ??went?? ??even?? ??higher,?? ??as?? ??if?? ??waiting?? ??for?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??to?? ??explain,?? ??and????the?? ??laughter?? ??in?? ??his?? ??eyes?? ??remained.?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??couldn’t?? ??explain?? ??himself;?? ??he?? ??looked?? ??at?? ??his????own?? ??finger,?? ??hid?? ??it?? ??away,?? ??and?? ??casually?? ??said,?? ??“...Not?? ??bad.”??????Hua?? ??Cheng?? ??finally?? ??burst?? ??out?? ??laughing,?? ??and?? ??crossed?? ??his?? ??arms?? ??with?? ??his?? ??head?? ??tilted,?? ??“What’s????not?? ??bad??? ??Do?? ??you?? ??an?? ??this?? ??skin?”??????“It’s?? ??really?? ??well?? ??made,”?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??said?? ??sincerely,?? ??“But...”??????“But?? ??what?”?? ??Hua?? ??Cheng?? ??asked.??????Xie?? ??Lian?? ??stared?? ??at?? ??his?? ??face?? ??and?? ??studied?? ??it?? ??for?? ??a?? ??mont.?? ??Then?? ??finally,?? ??“But,?? ??can?? ??I?? ??see?? ??your????real?? ??face?”??????This?? ??ti,?? ??Hua?? ??Cheng?? ??didn’t?? ??respond?? ??imdiately?? ??and?? ??dropped?? ??his?? ??arms.?? ??Maybe?? ??it?? ??was????all?? ??in?? ??Xie?? ??Lian’s?? ??head,?? ??but?? ??Hua?? ??Cheng’s?? ??eyes?? ??darkened?? ??slightly,?? ??and?? ??Xie?? ??Lian’s?? ??heart????tightened?? ??in?? ??spite?? ??of?? ??himself.????????—??????●MXTX?? ??Author?? ??Notes:???? ??In?? ??regards?? ??to?? ??whether?? ??if?? ??it’s?? ??the?? ??real?? ??person?? ??or?? ??a?? ??flesh?? ??clone,????you?? ??can?? ??understand?? ??it?? ??like?? ??this:????–Sun?? ??Wukong?? ??pulls?? ??out?? ??a?? ??monkey?? ??hair,?? ??and?? ??blows?? ??out?? ??hundreds?? ??of????monkeys.?? ??Those?? ??are?? ??all?? ??clones.????–Sun?? ??Wukong?? ??knows?? ??the?? ??seventy-two?? ??earthy?? ??transformations?? ??and?? ??turns?? ??into??
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