Ch.31:?? ??Poking?? ??the?? ??Ghost?? ??King;?? ??Crown?? ??Prince?? ??Seeks?? ??Truth?? ??2??????—??????Once?? ??the?? ??air?? ??froze?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??knew?? ??his?? ??question?? ??may?? ??have?? ??crossed?? ??the?? ??line.??????Although?? ??the?? ??past?? ??few?? ??days?? ??the?? ??two?? ??of?? ??them?? ??had?? ??gotten?? ??along?? ??well,?? ??but?? ??if?? ??Hua?? ??Cheng????never?? ??revealed?? ??his?? ??real?? ??face,?? ??and?? ??didn’t?? ??change?? ??back?? ??even?? ??after?? ??his?? ??identity?? ??was????revealed,?? ??then?? ??he?? ??had?? ??his?? ??reasons,?? ??and?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??was?? ??in?? ??no?? ??place?? ??to?? ??push.?? ??Without????waiting?? ??for?? ??his?? ??response?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??widened?? ??his?? ??smile,?? ??“I?? ??was?? ??just?? ??asking,?? ??don’t?? ??take?? ??it?? ??to????heart.”??????Hua?? ??Cheng?? ??closed?? ??his?? ??eyes,?? ??and?? ??after?? ??a?? ??mont,?? ??he?? ??smiled?? ??softly,?? ??“I’ll?? ??let?? ??you?? ??see?? ??it????soday,?? ??if?? ??there’s?? ??a?? ??chance.”????????If?? ??anyone?? ??else?? ??were?? ??to?? ??say?? ??that,?? ??then?? ??it’d?? ??naturally?? ??be?? ??perfunctory;?? ??‘soday’?? ??usually????ant?? ??‘please?? ??forget?? ??it.’?? ??But?? ??it?? ??was?? ??Hua?? ??Cheng?? ??who?? ??said?? ??those?? ??words,?? ??so?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??felt????‘soday’?? ??ant?? ??‘soday’,?? ??and?? ??it?? ??would?? ??for?? ??sure?? ??happen.?? ??This?? ??made?? ??him?? ??even?? ??more????curious,?? ??and?? ??he?? ??grinned,?? ??“Then?? ??I’ll?? ??wait?? ??til?? ??the?? ??day?? ??you?? ??can?? ??show?? ??.?? ??Let’s?? ??rest?? ??for?? ??now.”??????After?? ??ssing?? ??around?? ??for?? ??half?? ??the?? ??night,?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??had?? ??long?? ??given?? ??up?? ??on?? ??cooking?? ??anything,????and?? ??returned?? ??to?? ??the?? ??straw?? ??mat.?? ??Hua?? ??Cheng?? ??also?? ??laid?? ??down?? ??next?? ??to?? ??him.?? ??No?? ??one?? ??bothered????questioning?? ??why?? ??after?? ??revealing?? ??each?? ??other’s?? ??identities?? ??that?? ??a?? ??god?? ??and?? ??a?? ??ghost?? ??could?? ??still????lay?? ??together?? ??on?? ??a?? ??rumpled?? ??mat,?? ??laughing?? ??and?? ??chatting,?? ??and?? ??simply?? ??just?? ??hanging?? ??out.??????The?? ??straw?? ??mat?? ??didn’t?? ??have?? ??pillows,?? ??so?? ??Hua?? ??Cheng?? ??used?? ??his?? ??own?? ??arm,?? ??and?? ??Xie?? ??Lian????imitated?? ??him?? ??using?? ??his?? ??own?? ??arm?? ??too.?? ??He?? ??chatted?? ??casually,?? ??“The?? ??ghost?? ??realm?? ??seems?? ??so????idle.?? ??Don’t?? ??you?? ??guys?? ??ever?? ??need?? ??to?? ??report?? ??back?? ??to?? ??anything?”??????Hua?? ??Cheng?? ??not?? ??only?? ??had?? ??his?? ??arm?? ??as?? ??a?? ??pillow,?? ??he?? ??crossed?? ??his?? ??legs?? ??too?? ??and?? ??replied,????“Report?? ??to?? ??whom??? ??I’m?? ??the?? ??biggest?? ??there?? ??is.?? ??Besides,?? ??we?? ??mind?? ??our?? ??own?? ??business,?? ??no?? ??one????bothers?? ??with?? ??anyone.”??????So?? ??the?? ??ghost?? ??realm?? ??was?? ??ford?? ??by?? ??many?? ??disorganized?? ??bands?? ??of?? ??lost?? ??souls?? ??and?? ??feral????ghosts.?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??replied,?? ??“Is?? ??that?? ??so??? ??I?? ??thought?? ??it’d?? ??be?? ??like?? ??the?? ??Heavenly?? ??Court?? ??where????there’s?? ??a?? ??central?? ??governnt.?? ??So?? ??if?? ??that’s?? ??the?? ??case,?? ??have?? ??you?? ??t?? ??any?? ??other?? ??ghost?? ??kings????before?”??????“I?? ??have.”?? ??Hua?? ??Cheng?? ??said.??????“Even?? ??the?? ??Green?? ??Ghost?? ??Qi?? ??Rong?”??????“You?? ??an?? ??that?? ??lowly,?? ??vulgar?? ??trash?”??????‘Well?? ??what?? ??do?? ??I?? ??say?? ??to?? ??that?’?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??thought,?? ??but?? ??thankfully?? ??he?? ??needn’t?? ??say?? ??anything?? ??as????Hua?? ??Cheng?? ??continued,?? ??“I?? ??greeted?? ??him?? ??and?? ??he?? ??ran?? ??away.”??????Instincts?? ??told?? ??Xie?? ??Lianthis?? ??‘greeting’?? ??couldn’t?? ??be?? ??your?? ??regular?? ??kind?? ??of?? ??greeting,?? ??and?? ??sure????enough,?? ??Hua?? ??Cheng?? ??said?? ??casually,?? ??“And?? ??then?? ??I?? ??received?? ??the?? ??title?? ??‘Crimson?? ??Rain?? ??Sought????Flower’.”??????“...”??????So?? ??when?? ??he?? ??ntioned?? ??wiping?? ??out?? ??the?? ??nest?? ??of?? ??another?? ??ghost,?? ??he?? ??was?? ??talking?? ??about?? ??the????Green?? ??Ghost?? ??Qi?? ??Rong,?? ??and?? ??this?? ??‘greeting’?? ??was?? ??annihilation.?? ??What?? ??an?? ??extraordinary????greeting,?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??thought.?? ??He?? ??rubbed?? ??his?? ??chin?? ??and?? ??asked,?? ??“Do?? ??you?? ??have?? ??sothing????against?? ??the?? ??Green?? ??Ghost?? ??Qi?? ??Rong?”??????“Yea.”?? ??Hua?? ??Cheng?? ??replied.??????“What’s?? ??that?”????????“Can’t?? ??stand?? ??his?? ??face.”????????Xie?? ??Lian?? ??didn’t?? ??know?? ??whether?? ??to?? ??laugh?? ??or?? ??cry,?? ??thinking?? ??did?? ??Hua?? ??Cheng?? ??challenge?? ??those????thirty?? ??three?? ??heavenly?? ??officials?? ??also?? ??because?? ??he?? ??didn’t?? ??like?? ??their?? ??faces??? ??“The?? ??heavens?? ??all????call?? ??him?? ??vulgar,?? ??and?? ??even?? ??the?? ??ghost?? ??realm?? ??rejects?? ??him.?? ??Is?? ??that?? ??true?”??????“It’s?? ??true.?? ??Even?? ??Black?? ??Water?? ??is?? ??disgusted?? ??with?? ??him.”?? ??Hua?? ??Cheng?? ??replied.??????“Who’s?? ??Black?? ??Water?”?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??asked,?? ??then?? ??recalled,?? ??“Oh,?? ??is?? ??that?? ??the?? ??one?? ??called????‘Ship-Sinking?? ??Black?? ??Water’?”??????“That’s?? ??right.?? ??He’s?? ??also?? ??known?? ??as?? ??the?? ??Black?? ??Water?? ??Demon?? ??Xuan.”??????Xie?? ??Lian?? ??rembered?? ??that?? ??this?? ??Black?? ??Water?? ??Demon?? ??Xuan?? ??was?? ??also?? ??a?? ??‘Supre’,?? ??but?? ??the????Green?? ??Ghost?? ??Qi?? ??Rong?? ??was?? ??only?? ??almost?? ??a?? ??‘Supre’.?? ??He?? ??asked,?? ??interested,?? ??“Are?? ??you????close?? ??with?? ??this?? ??Demon?? ??Xuan?”??????“No.”?? ??Hua?? ??Cheng?? ??replied?? ??lazily,?? ??“There?? ??aren’t?? ??many?? ??in?? ??the?? ??ghost?? ??realm?? ??I’m?? ??close?? ??with.”??????Now?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??was?? ??curious,?? ??“Is?? ??that?? ??so??? ??I?? ??thought?? ??you’d?? ??have?? ??many?? ??subordinates.?? ??Maybe????our?? ??definition?? ??of?? ??‘close’?? ??is?? ??different?”??????Hua?? ??Cheng?? ??raised?? ??his?? ??brows,?? ??“Yea.?? ??In?? ??the?? ??ghost?? ??realm,?? ??those?? ??lower?? ??than?? ??‘Supre’?? ??have????no?? ??right?? ??to?? ??speak?? ??to?? ??.”??????It?? ??was?? ??an?? ??exceedingly?? ??arrogant?? ??statent,?? ??but?? ??Hua?? ??Cheng?? ??made?? ??it?? ??sound?? ??so????indisputable?? ??and?? ??self-evident.?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??smiled?? ??softly,?? ??“Even?? ??though?? ??you’re?? ??not?? ??close?? ??you????still?? ??know?? ??about?? ??them.?? ??You?? ??have?? ??it?? ??pretty?? ??good?? ??in?? ??the?? ??ghost?? ??realm,?? ??there’s?? ??only?? ??so?? ??many????big?? ??nas,?? ??not?? ??like?? ??the?? ??heavens.?? ??There’s?? ??already?? ??so?? ??many?? ??officials?? ??to?? ??rember?? ??in?? ??the????upper?? ??court,?? ??and?? ??more?? ??waiting?? ??to?? ??ascend?? ??in?? ??the?? ??middle?? ??court;?? ??they’re?? ??like?? ??an?? ??ocean?? ??of????nas.”????????“What?? ??good?? ??is?? ??it?? ??to?? ??rember?? ??their?? ??nas??? ??Don’t?? ??bother.?? ??It’s?? ??a?? ??waste?? ??of?? ??your?? ??brains.”????Hua?? ??Cheng?? ??said.??????“Haha,?? ??it’s?? ??kind?? ??of?? ??offensive?? ??if?? ??you?? ??can’t?? ??rember?? ??their?? ??nas.”?? ??The?? ??heavenly?? ??officials????loved?? ??their?? ??faces.?? ??Hua?? ??Cheng?? ??clicked?? ??his?? ??tongue,?? ??“If?? ??they?? ??can?? ??be?? ??offended?? ??by?? ??such?? ??a????small?? ??thing,?? ??then?? ??they’re?? ??nothing?? ??but?? ??narrow?? ??minded?? ??trash.”??????After?? ??chatting?? ??for?? ??a?? ??while,?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??didn’t?? ??want?? ??to?? ??dig?? ??too?? ??deeply?? ??into?? ??the?? ??subject?? ??lest?? ??they????touch?? ??on?? ??sothing?? ??sensitive,?? ??so?? ??he?? ??changed?? ??the?? ??topic?? ??away?? ??from?? ??the?? ??difference????between?? ??the?? ??two?? ??realms.?? ??He?? ??glanced?? ??at?? ??the?? ??closed?? ??wooden?? ??door?? ??and?? ??wondered,?? ??“Ban????Yue,?? ??that?? ??child,?? ??I?? ??wonder?? ??when?? ??she’ll?? ??co?? ??back?? ??in.”??????The?? ??bold?? ??words?? ??“I?? ??want?? ??to?? ??save?? ??the?? ??world”?? ??returned?? ??and?? ??reverberated?? ??in?? ??his?? ??head,????pouring?? ??a?? ??million?? ??chaotic?? ??images?? ??in?? ??his?? ??mind,?? ??and?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??had?? ??to?? ??forcibly?? ??push?? ??them????down.?? ??Just?? ??then,?? ??Hua?? ??Cheng?? ??spoke?? ??up,?? ??“Those?? ??were?? ??good?? ??words.”??????“Which?? ??ones?”?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??asked.??????“‘I?? ??want?? ??to?? ??save?? ??the?? ??world,?? ??the?? ??common?? ??people’.”?? ??Hua?? ??Cheng?? ??replied?? ??leisurely.??????“...”??????Xie?? ??Lian?? ??was?? ??thunderstruck.??????He?? ??flipped?? ??around?? ??and?? ??curled?? ??into?? ??a?? ??shrimp,?? ??wishing?? ??for?? ??another?? ??pair?? ??of?? ??arms?? ??so?? ??he?? ??could????cover?? ??both?? ??his?? ??face?? ??and?? ??his?? ??ears,?? ??and?? ??groaned,?? ??“...San?? ??Lang...”??????Hua?? ??Cheng?? ??seed?? ??to?? ??have?? ??nudged?? ??closer,?? ??and?? ??said?? ??in?? ??a?? ??serious?? ??tone?? ??right?? ??behind?? ??him,????“Hm??? ??What’s?? ??wrong?? ??with?? ??those?? ??words?”??????Hua?? ??Cheng?? ??wouldn’t?? ??back?? ??down?? ??and?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??couldn’t?? ??win?? ??against?? ??him?? ??so?? ??he?? ??flipped????back?? ??over?? ??and?? ??said?? ??helplessly,?? ??“It’s?? ??silly.”??????“What’s?? ??there?? ??to?? ??be?? ??afraid?? ??of?”?? ??Hua?? ??Cheng?? ??said,?? ??“To?? ??dare?? ??speak?? ??of?? ??the?? ??world,?? ??whether?? ??to????save?? ??or?? ??to?? ??destroy?? ??is?? ??admirable.?? ??The?? ??forr?? ??is?? ??harder?? ??than?? ??the?? ??latter,?? ??so?? ??it’s?? ??even?? ??more????respectable.”??????Xie?? ??Lian?? ??puffed?? ??a?? ??laugh?? ??and?? ??shook?? ??his?? ??head,?? ??“To?? ??dare?? ??speak?? ??you?? ??have?? ??to?? ??be?? ??able?? ??to????follow?? ??through,?? ??and?? ??you?? ??have?? ??to?? ??actually?? ??achieve?? ??it.”??????He?? ??laid?? ??an?? ??arm?? ??over?? ??his?? ??eyes,?? ??“Oh,?? ??alright.?? ??I?? ??suppose?? ??that’s?? ??nothing.?? ??What?? ??Ban?? ??Yue?? ??said????was?? ??already?? ??pretty?? ??good.?? ??I’ve?? ??said?? ??sillier?? ??things?? ??when?? ??I?? ??was?? ??even?? ??younger.”??????Hua?? ??Cheng?? ??laughed,?? ??“Oh??? ??Like?? ??what??? ??Let’s?? ??hear?? ??it.”??????Xie?? ??Lian?? ??was?? ??pensive?? ??for?? ??a?? ??mont,?? ??and?? ??smiled?? ??softly?? ??as?? ??he?? ??chased?? ??his?? ??mories,????“Many,?? ??many?? ??years?? ??ago,?? ??there?? ??was?? ??soone?? ??who?? ??told?? ???? ??they?? ??couldn’t?? ??live?? ??on?? ??anymore.????They?? ??asked?? ???? ??for?? ??what?? ??they?? ??were?? ??alive,?? ??and?? ??what?? ??was?? ??the?? ??aning?? ??of?? ??their?? ??life.”??????He?? ??glanced?? ??at?? ??Hua?? ??Cheng,?? ??“Do?? ??you?? ??know?? ??how?? ??I?? ??answered?”??????It?? ??might?? ??just?? ??be?? ??Xie?? ??Lian’s?? ??imagination,?? ??but?? ??there?? ??seed?? ??to?? ??be?? ??light?? ??in?? ??Hua?? ??Cheng’s????eyes.?? ??He?? ??asked?? ??gently,?? ??“How?? ??did?? ??you?? ??answer?”??????Xie?? ??Lian?? ??said,?? ??“I?? ??told?? ??them:?? ??‘If?? ??you?? ??don’t?? ??know?? ??how?? ??to?? ??live?? ??on?? ??anymore,?? ??then?? ??live?? ??for?? ??!’??????“‘If?? ??you?? ??don’t?? ??know?? ??the?? ??aning?? ??to?? ??your?? ??life,?? ??then?? ??make?? ???? ??that?? ??aning,?? ??and?? ??use?? ???? ??as????the?? ??reason?? ??to?? ??live’.”????????“Ha?? ??ha?? ??ha....”??????As?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??spoke,?? ??he?? ??couldn’t?? ??help?? ??but?? ??let?? ??out?? ??a?? ??small?? ??laugh?? ??and?? ??shook?? ??his?? ??head,?? ??“Even????now?? ??I?? ??don’t?? ??understand?? ??what?? ??I?? ??was?? ??thinking?? ??back?? ??then.?? ??How?? ??did?? ??I?? ??ever?? ??have?? ??the?? ??courage????to?? ??tell?? ??soone?? ??to?? ??make?? ???? ??the?? ??aning?? ??of?? ??their?? ??life?”??????Hua?? ??Cheng?? ??was?? ??silent?? ??and?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??continued.?? ??“It?? ??really?? ??was?? ??sothing?? ??that?? ??could?? ??only????be?? ??said?? ??back?? ??then.?? ??Long?? ??ago,?? ??I?? ??really?? ??thought?? ??I?? ??was?? ??invincible?? ??and?? ??fearless.?? ??If?? ??you?? ??ask?? ??????to?? ??say?? ??the?? ??sa?? ??words?? ??now,?? ??there?? ??is?? ??no?? ??way?? ??they?? ??will?? ??ever?? ??leave?? ??my?? ??lips?? ??again.”??????Xie?? ??Lian?? ??continued?? ??slowly,?? ??“I?? ??don’t?? ??know?? ??what?? ??happened?? ??to?? ??that?? ??person?? ??after.?? ??But?? ??to????beco?? ??soone’s?? ??reason?? ??to?? ??live?? ??was?? ??already?? ??a?? ??heavy?? ??responsibility,?? ??how?? ??dare?? ??I?? ??speak????of?? ??the?? ??world?”??????Silence?? ??blanketed?? ??inside?? ??Puqi?? ??shrine??????After?? ??a?? ??while,?? ??San?? ??Lang?? ??said?? ??softly,?? ??“Sothing?? ??like?? ??saving?? ??the?? ??world,?? ??it?? ??really?? ??doesn’t????matter?? ??how?? ??you?? ??do?? ??it.?? ??But,?? ??although?? ??brave,?? ??it’s?? ??foolish.”??????“Yea.”?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??agreed.??????Hua?? ??Cheng?? ??continued,?? ??“Although?? ??foolish,?? ??it’s?? ??brave.”??????Xie?? ??Lian?? ??grinned,?? ??“Thanks.”??????“You’re?? ??welco.”?? ??Hua?? ??Cheng?? ??said.??????The?? ??two?? ??stared?? ??at?? ??the?? ??holey?? ??ceiling?? ??of?? ??Puqi?? ??shrine?? ??in?? ??amiable?? ??silence,?? ??and?? ??Hua?? ??Cheng????spoke?? ??up?? ??again.?? ??“You?? ??know,?? ??we’ve?? ??only?? ??known?? ??each?? ??other?? ??for?? ??so?? ??many?? ??days.?? ??Is?? ??it?? ??alright????for?? ??you?? ??to?? ??say?? ??so?? ??much?? ??to?? ???”??????Xie?? ??Lian?? ??puffed?? ??again?? ??and?? ??waved?? ??his?? ??hand,?? ??“What’s?? ??the?? ??problem??? ??Whatever.?? ??Those?? ??who????have?? ??known?? ??each?? ??other?? ??for?? ??decades?? ??can?? ??beco?? ??strangers?? ??in?? ??a?? ??day.?? ??We’ve?? ??t?? ??by????chance,?? ??and?? ??we?? ??may?? ??part?? ??by?? ??chance.?? ??If?? ??we?? ??like?? ??each?? ??other?? ??then?? ??we?? ??shall?? ??continue?? ??to????et;?? ??if?? ??we?? ??don’t?? ??then?? ??we?? ??shall?? ??part.?? ??There’s?? ??no?? ??banquet?? ??in?? ??the?? ??world?? ??that?? ??doesn’t?? ??co????to?? ??an?? ??end,?? ??so?? ??I’ll?? ??say?? ??what?? ??I?? ??want?? ??to?? ??say.”??????Hua?? ??Cheng?? ??seed?? ??to?? ??have?? ??chuckled,?? ??then?? ??suddenly?? ??said,?? ??“If,”??????Xie?? ??Lian?? ??turned?? ??his?? ??head?? ??to?? ??face?? ??him,?? ??“If?”??????Hua?? ??Cheng?? ??didn’t?? ??turn?? ??around,?? ??but?? ??continued?? ??to?? ??look?? ??at?? ??the?? ??dilapidated?? ??ceiling?? ??of?? ??the????shrine,?? ??and?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??observed?? ??the?? ??left?? ??side?? ??face?? ??of?? ??the?? ??handso?? ??young?? ??man.??????Hua?? ??Cheng?? ??said?? ??softly,?? ??“If?? ??I?? ??was?? ??ugly,”??????“Huh?”?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??gaped.??????Hua?? ??Cheng?? ??finally?? ??turned?? ??his?? ??head?? ??slightly,?? ??“If?? ??my?? ??real?? ??face?? ??is?? ??ugly,?? ??would?? ??you?? ??still?? ??want?? ??to????see?? ??it?”??????Xie?? ??Lian?? ??was?? ??taken?? ??aback,?? ??“Is?? ??it??? ??Although?? ??there’s?? ??no?? ??real?? ??reason,?? ??but?? ??I?? ??think?? ??your?? ??real????face?? ??mustn’t?? ??be?? ??that?? ??bad.”??????“Who?? ??knows,”?? ??Hua?? ??Cheng?? ??said?? ??half?? ??jokingly,?? ??“What?? ??if?? ??I’m?? ??discoloured,?? ??disfigured,?? ??ugly,????monstrous?? ??and?? ??horrible,?? ??what?? ??will?? ??you?? ??do?”??????At?? ??first?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??thought?? ??this?? ??line?? ??of?? ??inquiry?? ??was?? ??rather?? ??fascinating.?? ??So?? ??the?? ??number?? ??one????ghost?? ??king?? ??of?? ??the?? ??ages,?? ??feared?? ??by?? ??the?? ??heavens,?? ??would?? ??care?? ??about?? ??his?? ??looks??? ??But?? ??when?? ??he????thought?? ??about?? ??it?? ??deeply,?? ??he?? ??didn’t?? ??think?? ??it?? ??very?? ??funny?? ??anymore.??????If?? ??he?? ??rembered?? ??correctly,?? ??in?? ??the?? ??many?? ??backstories?? ??about?? ??Hua?? ??Cheng,?? ??one?? ??had?? ??said?? ??he????was?? ??a?? ??disfigured?? ??child?? ??from?? ??birth,?? ??or?? ??sothing?? ??along?? ??those?? ??lines.?? ??If?? ??that?? ??was?? ??the?? ??case,????then?? ??he?? ??must’ve?? ??grown?? ??up?? ??discriminated?? ??by?? ??others.?? ??Maybe?? ??it?? ??was?? ??because?? ??of?? ??this?? ??reason????that?? ??he’s?? ??particularly?? ??sensitive?? ??about?? ??his?? ??looks.??????Thus,?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??chewed?? ??on?? ??his?? ??words,?? ??“Well...”??????He?? ??used?? ??his?? ??warst,?? ??most?? ??sincere?? ??tone,?? ??“To?? ??be?? ??honest,?? ??the?? ??reason?? ??I?? ??want?? ??to?? ??see?? ??your????real?? ??face?? ??is?? ??only?? ??because,?? ??you?? ??see,?? ??we’re?? ??already?? ??like?? ??this...”??????“Hm?”?? ??Hua?? ??Cheng?? ??piped?? ??up,?? ??“Like?? ??what?”????????“...Well,?? ??now?? ??we’re?? ??sort?? ??of?? ??friends,?? ??right??? ??So,?? ??if?? ??we’re?? ??friends,?? ??then?? ??we?? ??should?? ??be?? ??honest????with?? ??each?? ??other.?? ??So?? ???? ??wanting?? ??to?? ??see?? ??your?? ??real?? ??face?? ??has?? ??nothing?? ??to?? ??do?? ??with?? ??how?? ??you????look.?? ??You?? ??ask?? ??what?? ??I?? ??will?? ??do,?? ??of?? ??course?? ??I?? ??won’t?? ??do?? ??anything.?? ??Don’t?? ??worry,?? ??as?? ??long?? ??as?? ??it’s????your?? ??real?? ??face,?? ??I’m?? ??sure?? ??I’ll...?? ??why?? ??are?? ??you?? ??laughing??? ??I’m?? ??being?? ??serious.”??????When?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??reached?? ??the?? ??last?? ??bit?? ??of?? ??his?? ??words,?? ??he?? ??could?? ??feel?? ??the?? ??boy?? ??next?? ??to?? ??him????shaking.?? ??At?? ??first?? ??for?? ??a?? ??mont?? ??he?? ??had?? ??thought?? ??‘are?? ??my?? ??words?? ??so?? ??moving?? ??that?? ??he’s????touched?? ??like?? ??this?’,?? ??and?? ??was?? ??too?? ??embarrassed?? ??to?? ??turn?? ??around?? ??to?? ??see.?? ??But?? ??after?? ??a?? ??while,????the?? ??soft?? ??laughter?? ??from?? ??next?? ??to?? ??him?? ??was?? ??very?? ??obviously?? ??leaked?? ??out.?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??felt?? ??rather????bumd,?? ??and?? ??placed?? ??a?? ??hand?? ??on?? ??his?? ??shoulder?? ??to?? ??give?? ??it?? ??a?? ??little?? ??push,?? ??“San?? ??Lang...?? ??why????are?? ??you?? ??laughing?? ??so?? ??much??? ??Did?? ??I?? ??say?? ??sothing?? ??wrong?”??????Hua?? ??Cheng?? ??imdiately?? ??stopped?? ??shaking?? ??and?? ??turned?? ??around,?? ??“No,?? ??you’re?? ??very?? ??right.”??????Xie?? ??Lian?? ??felt?? ??even?? ??more?? ??bumd?? ??at?? ??those?? ??words,?? ??“You’re?? ??so?? ??insincere...”??????“I?? ??promise,?? ??you?? ??won’t?? ??find?? ??another?? ??person?? ??more?? ??sincere?? ??than?? ???? ??in?? ??this?? ??world.”?? ??Hua????Cheng?? ??replied.??????Xie?? ??Lian?? ??didn’t?? ??want?? ??to?? ??talk?? ??anymore?? ??and?? ??flipped?? ??over,?? ??his?? ??back?? ??facing?? ??Hua?? ??Cheng,????“Forget?? ??it,?? ??ti?? ??to?? ??sleep.?? ??Don’t?? ??talk.”??????Hua?? ??Cheng?? ??laughed?? ??softly?? ??again?? ??then?? ??said,?? ??“Next?? ??ti.”??????Even?? ??though?? ??he?? ??was?? ??determined?? ??to?? ??sleep,?? ??hearing?? ??Hua?? ??Cheng?? ??speak,?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??couldn’t????help?? ??but?? ??reply,?? ??“What,?? ??next?? ??ti?”??????Hua?? ??Cheng?? ??whispered,?? ??“The?? ??next?? ??ti?? ??we?? ??et,?? ??I?? ??will?? ??use?? ??my?? ??real?? ??appearance?? ??to?? ??greet????you.”??????There?? ??was?? ??much?? ??to?? ??ponder?? ??about?? ??those?? ??words,?? ??and?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??should’ve?? ??kept?? ??questioning????him,?? ??but?? ??after?? ??a?? ??long?? ??night,?? ??an?? ??unstoppable?? ??drowsiness?? ??overtook?? ??him,?? ??he?? ??couldn’t?? ??hang????on?? ??and?? ??fell?? ??deeply?? ??asleep.????????The?? ??next?? ??morning,?? ??when?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??woke,?? ??the?? ??spot?? ??next?? ??to?? ??him?? ??was?? ??already?? ??empty.??????He?? ??stumbled?? ??to?? ??get?? ??up?? ??and?? ??dazedly?? ??walked?? ??around?? ??the?? ??shrine.?? ??When?? ??he?? ??opened?? ??the????door,?? ??there?? ??were?? ??no?? ??silhouettes?? ??to?? ??be?? ??seen?? ??outside.?? ??It?? ??appeared?? ??it?? ??was?? ??real.?? ??The?? ??boy?? ??had????indeed?? ??left.??????However,?? ??the?? ??fallen?? ??leaves?? ??had?? ??been?? ??swept?? ??into?? ??a?? ??pile,?? ??and?? ??next?? ??to?? ??it?? ??was?? ??a?? ??small?? ??clay????pot.?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??took?? ??the?? ??pot?? ??inside?? ??and?? ??placed?? ??it?? ??on?? ??the?? ??altar.?? ??Right?? ??then,?? ??he?? ??suddenly????discovered?? ??there?? ??seed?? ??to?? ??be?? ??sothing?? ??extra?? ??on?? ??his?? ??usually?? ??bare?? ??chest.????????Xie?? ??Lian?? ??raised?? ??his?? ??hand?? ??to?? ??touch?? ??it,?? ??and?? ??found?? ??just?? ??below?? ??the?? ??cursed?? ??collar,?? ??there?? ??was?? ??an????exceedingly?? ??thin?? ??chain,?? ??hanging?? ??loosely?? ??and?? ??light.??????Xie?? ??Lian?? ??imdiately?? ??removed?? ??it?? ??from?? ??his?? ??neck.?? ??So?? ??it?? ??was?? ??a?? ??silver?? ??chain,?? ??and?? ??since?? ??it?? ??was????thin?? ??and?? ??light,?? ??he?? ??didn’t?? ??feel?? ??there?? ??was?? ??anything?? ??on?? ??his?? ??body?? ??before.?? ??And?? ??hanging?? ??from????the?? ??chain?? ??was?? ??a?? ??crystal?? ??clear?? ??ring.??????—????●MXTX?? ??Author?? ??Note:?? ??Hua?? ??Hua?? ??says?? ??he’s?? ??not?? ??good?? ??looking,?? ??is?? ??that?? ??even?? ??possible?????Would?? ??this?? ??author?? ??write?? ??ugly?? ??characters??? ??Of?? ??course?? ??not!?? ??[SPOILER?? ??in?? ??white?? ??font]????Gift?? ??an?? ??Ashes?? ??Diamond?? ??Ring?? ??first?? ??for?? ??the?? ??romantic?? ??engagent!???? ??Next?? ??ti,?? ??Hua????Hua?? ??will?? ??et?? ??His?? ??Highness?? ??on?? ??main!????????Ch.32:?? ??In?? ??the?? ??Great?? ??Martial?? ??Hall;?? ??Crown?? ??Prince?? ??ets?? ??Crown?? ??Prince????????Xie?? ??Lian?? ??knew,?? ??this?? ??ring?? ??must?? ??be?? ??sothing?? ??Hua?? ??Cheng?? ??left?? ??behind.?? ??He?? ??held?? ??it?? ??in?? ??his????hand?? ??and?? ??wondered?? ??for?? ??a?? ??mont,?? ??‘what?? ??could?? ??this?? ??be?’??????When?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??was?? ??still?? ??a?? ??Crown?? ??Prince,?? ??he?? ??grew?? ??up?? ??in?? ??the?? ??Palace?? ??of?? ??Xianle.?? ??The????kingdom?? ??of?? ??Xianle?? ??had?? ??always?? ??revelled?? ??in?? ??beautiful,?? ??precious?? ??objects;?? ??collectors?? ??were????abundant,?? ??and?? ??the?? ??palace?? ??itself?? ??was?? ??therefore?? ??of?? ??course?? ??glorious?? ??and?? ??bedazzling.?? ??Golden????columns,?? ??jaded?? ??steps,?? ??innurous?? ??treasures?? ??and?? ??precious?? ??jewels,?? ??even?? ??the?? ??noble????children?? ??played?? ??around?? ??with?? ??various?? ??coloured?? ??gems?? ??like?? ??toys.?? ??By?? ??the?? ??looks?? ??of?? ??this?? ??ring,?? ??it????did?? ??seem?? ??like?? ??it?? ??was?? ??made?? ??of?? ??diamond.??????However,?? ??its?? ??shape?? ??was?? ??exquisite;?? ??perhaps?? ??even?? ??the?? ??most?? ??skilled?? ??jeweler?? ??would?? ??not?? ??be????able?? ??to?? ??craft?? ??the?? ??ethereal?? ??natural?? ??beauty?? ??it?? ??emanated.?? ??Moreover,?? ??of?? ??all?? ??the?? ??diamonds?? ??he????had?? ??ever?? ??seen,?? ??this?? ??stone?? ??was?? ??extraordinarily?? ??clear,?? ??shimring?? ??like?? ??a?? ??crystal,????fascinating?? ??and?? ??subli,?? ??making?? ??it?? ??hard?? ??for?? ??him?? ??to?? ??determine?? ??exactly?? ??what?? ??it?? ??might?? ??be????made?? ??of.??????Still,?? ??even?? ??if?? ??he?? ??couldn’t?? ??tell?? ??what?? ??the?? ??ring?? ??was?? ??made?? ??of,?? ??it?? ??was?? ??for?? ??sure?? ??an?? ??item?? ??of????extre?? ??significance.?? ??Besides,?? ??if?? ??it?? ??was?? ??found?? ??around?? ??his?? ??neck,?? ??then?? ??this?? ??was?? ??not????sothing?? ??that?? ??was?? ??accidentally?? ??dropped,?? ??and?? ??more?? ??than?? ??likely?? ??a?? ??gift?? ??from?? ??Hua?? ??Cheng?? ??as????a?? ??keepsake.????????Xie?? ??Lian?? ??was?? ??a?? ??little?? ??surprised?? ??receiving?? ??a?? ??keepsake?? ??like?? ??this.?? ??He?? ??smiled?? ??softly,?? ??resolved????to?? ??take?? ??good?? ??care?? ??of?? ??it,?? ??then?? ??ask?? ??the?? ??boy?? ??what?? ??the?? ??gift?? ??ant?? ??the?? ??next?? ??ti?? ??they?? ??et.????The?? ??only?? ??place?? ??he?? ??owned?? ??was?? ??the?? ??broken?? ??down?? ??shrine;?? ??there?? ??was?? ??nowhere?? ??appropriate????for?? ??him?? ??to?? ??hide?? ??treasure,?? ??so?? ??after?? ??so?? ??thought,?? ??the?? ??best?? ??place?? ??was?? ??on?? ??his?? ??person?? ??after????all,?? ??and?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??put?? ??the?? ??silver?? ??chain?? ??around?? ??his?? ??neck?? ??once?? ??more.??????After?? ??returning?? ??from?? ??running?? ??around?? ??Mount?? ??Yujun?? ??and?? ??the?? ??Banyue?? ??Pass?? ??back?? ??to?? ??back,????Xie?? ??Lian?? ??laid?? ??in?? ??Puqi?? ??Shrine?? ??paralyzed?? ??for?? ??a?? ??few?? ??days.?? ??If?? ??it?? ??wasn’t?? ??for?? ??so?? ??of?? ??the?? ??overly????passionate?? ??villagers?? ??who’d?? ??co?? ??and?? ??offer?? ??buns?? ??or?? ??porridge,?? ??he’d?? ??probably?? ??stay????incapacitated?? ??for?? ??many?? ??more?? ??days.?? ??He?? ??spent?? ??his?? ??days?? ??thus?? ??until?? ??one?? ??day,?? ??Ling?? ??Wen????suddenly?? ??sent?? ??him?? ??a?? ??notice:?? ??Return?? ??to?? ??the?? ??heavens?? ??at?? ??once.??????Judging?? ??by?? ??her?? ??tone,?? ??sothing?? ??bad?? ??was?? ??about?? ??to?? ??go?? ??down.?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??could?? ??more?? ??or?? ??less????guess?? ??what?? ??it?? ??might?? ??be?? ??and?? ??was?? ??already?? ??ntally?? ??prepared.?? ??“Is?? ??this?? ??about?? ??the?? ??Banyue????Pass?”??????“That’s?? ??right.”?? ??Ling?? ??Wen?? ??replied,?? ??“When?? ??you’ve?? ??returned?? ??to?? ??the?? ??heavens?? ??co?? ??directly?? ??to????The?? ??Great?? ??Martial?? ??Hall.”??????Upon?? ??hearing?? ??‘The?? ??Great?? ??Martial?? ??Hall’,?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??froze.?? ??Jun?? ??Wu??1???? ??was?? ??back.??????After?? ??his?? ??third?? ??ascension,?? ??he?? ??still?? ??hadn’t?? ??greeted?? ??Jun?? ??Wu.?? ??As?? ??the?? ??number?? ??one?? ??Martial????God,?? ??Jun?? ??Wu?? ??spent?? ??his?? ??days?? ??deep?? ??in?? ??cultivation?? ??behind?? ??closed?? ??doors?? ??or?? ??was?? ??out????patrolling?? ??the?? ??realms,?? ??keeping?? ??the?? ??world?? ??secure.?? ??Now?? ??that?? ??Jun?? ??Wu?? ??was?? ??back,?? ??Xie?? ??Lian????couldn’t?? ??get?? ??out?? ??of?? ??making?? ??this?? ??trip?? ??to?? ??the?? ??heavens,?? ??and?? ??so?? ??he?? ??hiked?? ??up?? ??to?? ??the?? ??Heavenly????Capital?? ??once?? ??more?? ??after?? ??only?? ??so?? ??many?? ??days?? ??of?? ??rest.??????All?? ??manners?? ??of?? ??gods?? ??and?? ??immortals?? ??had?? ??their?? ??divine?? ??palaces?? ??built?? ??here,?? ??and?? ??banding????together?? ??they?? ??ford?? ??the?? ??great?? ??city,?? ??each?? ??with?? ??their?? ??own?? ??history?? ??and?? ??style;?? ??sculpted?? ??pillars????and?? ??muraled?? ??buildings?? ??here,?? ??little?? ??bridges?? ??and?? ??streams?? ??there.??????The?? ??Heavenly?? ??Court?? ??had?? ??one?? ??main?? ??road:?? ??the?? ??Martial?? ??Deity?? ??Avenue.?? ??Although?? ??there?? ??were????many?? ??such?? ??roads?? ??built?? ??in?? ??rembrance?? ??of?? ??Jun?? ??Wu?? ??in?? ??the?? ??mortal?? ??realm,?? ??they?? ??were?? ??only????re?? ??shadows?? ??and?? ??copies?? ??of?? ??the?? ??real?? ??one?? ??in?? ??the?? ??heavens.?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??walked?? ??on?? ??through????the?? ??expansive?? ??road?? ??and?? ??headed?? ??towards?? ??the?? ??Heavenly?? ??Court.?? ??En?? ??route,?? ??there?? ??were?? ??many????heavenly?? ??officials?? ??in?? ??a?? ??hurry,?? ??and?? ??not?? ??a?? ??single?? ??one?? ??dared?? ??greet?? ??him.??????Truthfully,?? ??there?? ??was?? ??usually?? ??not?? ??many?? ??who?? ??would?? ??greet?? ??him?? ??when?? ??he?? ??visited?? ??the????Heavenly?? ??Court.?? ??However,?? ??‘not?? ??greet’?? ??ant?? ??no?? ??fellow?? ??officials?? ??would?? ??approach?? ??him?? ??or????initiate?? ??any?? ??conversation?? ??but?? ??they?? ??would?? ??still?? ??nod?? ??in?? ??acknowledgent?? ??as?? ??was?? ??proper.????Right?? ??now,?? ??everyone?? ??was?? ??pretending?? ??he?? ??wasn’t?? ??there,?? ??as?? ??if?? ??just?? ??glancing?? ??at?? ??him?? ??would?? ??get????them?? ??in?? ??trouble.?? ??If?? ??they?? ??were?? ??in?? ??front?? ??of?? ??him?? ??they?? ??would?? ??hurry?? ??away;?? ??if?? ??they?? ??were?? ??behind????him?? ??they?? ??would?? ??slow?? ??their?? ??pace,?? ??leaving?? ??him?? ??a?? ??wide?? ??berth,?? ??afraid?? ??to?? ??approach.?? ??Xie?? ??Lian????was?? ??already?? ??used?? ??to?? ??this?? ??treatnt?? ??and?? ??didn’t?? ??think?? ??anything?? ??of?? ??it;?? ??after?? ??all,?? ??he?? ??did?? ??just????drag?? ??down?? ??the?? ??popular?? ??and?? ??newly?? ??ascended?? ??General?? ??Pei?? ??Junior.?? ??It’d?? ??be?? ??more?? ??strange?? ??if????no?? ??one?? ??stayed?? ??away.?? ??Yet?? ??unexpectedly,?? ??as?? ??he?? ??walked,?? ??a?? ??voice?? ??suddenly?? ??called?? ??out?? ??from????behind?? ??him,?? ??“Your?? ??Royal?? ??Highness!”??????Hearing?? ??the?? ??call,?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??was?? ??amazed,?? ??thinking?? ??whoever?? ??it?? ??was?? ??that?? ??dared?? ??call?? ??him?? ??truly????had?? ??comndable?? ??courage.?? ??But?? ??when?? ??he?? ??turned?? ??his?? ??head?? ??back,?? ??the?? ??junior?? ??official?? ??that????called?? ??for?? ??the?? ??Royal?? ??Highness?? ??rushed?? ??by?? ??him,?? ??and?? ??ran?? ??towards?? ??soone?? ??who?? ??was????walking?? ??further?? ??ahead?? ??of?? ??him.?? ??He?? ??called?? ??as?? ??he?? ??ran,?? ??“Jeez,?? ??Your?? ??Royal?? ??Highness!?? ??How????can?? ??you?? ??forget?? ??your?? ??identity?? ??pass?? ??going?? ??to?? ??the?? ??Great?? ??Martial?? ??Hall??? ??How?? ??would?? ??you?? ??even????get?? ??in?”??????On?? ??then?? ??did?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??get?? ??it.?? ??Now?? ??wonder.?? ??Of?? ??course?? ??the?? ??address?? ??‘Your?? ??Royal?? ??Highness’????wasn’t?? ??directed?? ??at?? ??him.?? ??There’s?? ??a?? ??number?? ??of?? ??Crown?? ??Princes?? ??in?? ??the?? ??heavens,?? ??so?? ??so????confusion?? ??wasn’t?? ??anything?? ??extraordinary.????????Yet?? ??when?? ??he?? ??glanced?? ??over?? ??and?? ??saw?? ??the?? ??other?? ??Crown?? ??Prince,?? ??he?? ??paused.??????That?? ??young?? ??man?? ??had?? ??thick?? ??brows?? ??and?? ??bright?? ??eyes?? ??with?? ??a?? ??wide?? ??smile.?? ??This?? ??smile?? ??was????vastly?? ??different?? ??than?? ??many?? ??other?? ??heavenly?? ??officials;?? ??it?? ??was?? ??one?? ??that?? ??was?? ??pure?? ??and?? ??genuine????without?? ??anything?? ??behind?? ??it,?? ??and?? ??added?? ??an?? ??air?? ??of?? ??youth?? ??to?? ??his?? ??handso?? ??face.?? ??To?? ??have????another?? ??harsher?? ??official,?? ??like?? ??Mu?? ??Qing,?? ??to?? ??comnt,?? ??however,?? ??he?? ??would?? ??probably?? ??call?? ??it?? ??an????air?? ??of?? ??foolishness.?? ??The?? ??young?? ??man?? ??was?? ??decked?? ??in?? ??armour,?? ??proud?? ??and?? ??heroic;?? ??but?? ??the????armour?? ??on?? ??him?? ??didn’t?? ??give?? ??off?? ??a?? ??sense?? ??of?? ??blood?? ??and?? ??battle,?? ??rather?? ??it?? ??gave?? ??him?? ??an?? ??air?? ??of????royal?? ??nobility,?? ??candid?? ??and?? ??brilliant.??????Xie?? ??Lian?? ??stopped?? ??in?? ??his?? ??step?? ??and?? ??stared?? ??at?? ??the?? ??young?? ??man.?? ??The?? ??two?? ??in?? ??front?? ??felt?? ??his?? ??gaze????and?? ??turned?? ??back?? ??to?? ??face?? ??him.?? ??When?? ??the?? ??junior?? ??official?? ??saw?? ??who?? ??it?? ??was,?? ??his?? ??face?? ??dropped????imdiately.?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??lightly?? ??nodded?? ??his?? ??head?? ??and?? ??smiled?? ??at?? ??him,?? ??“Greetings,?? ??Your?? ??Royal????Highness.”??????The?? ??other?? ??Crown?? ??Prince?? ??obviously?? ??was?? ??one?? ??who?? ??didn’t?? ??mind?? ??the?? ??everyday?? ??details?? ??and????didn’t?? ??recognize?? ??his?? ??face,?? ??so?? ??when?? ??he?? ??saw?? ??soone?? ??greeting?? ??him,?? ??he?? ??imdiately????returned?? ??it?? ??with?? ??a?? ??bright?? ??smile?? ??and?? ??shouted,?? ??“Greetings!”??????The?? ??junior?? ??official?? ??beside?? ??him?? ??gave?? ??him?? ??a?? ??little?? ??push,?? ??and?? ??hurried,?? ??“Let’s?? ??go,?? ??Your????Highness.?? ??We?? ??still?? ??need?? ??to?? ??go?? ??to?? ??the?? ??Great?? ??Martial?? ??Hall.”??????The?? ??young?? ??man,?? ??still?? ??unaware?? ??and?? ??inconscient,?? ??was?? ??weirded?? ??out?? ??by?? ??the?? ??sudden?? ??push,????“Why?? ??are?? ??you?? ??pushing?? ?????”??????Xie?? ??Lian?? ??puffed?? ??out?? ??a?? ??laugh?? ??and?? ??that?? ??junior?? ??official?? ??looked?? ??to?? ??be?? ??in?? ??even?? ??more?? ??of?? ??a?? ??hurry,????and?? ??he?? ??urged,?? ??“The?? ??Emperor?? ??is?? ??probably?? ??already?? ??waiting?? ??for?? ??us,?? ??please?? ??let’s?? ??go,?? ??Your????Highness!”?? ??The?? ??other?? ??Crown?? ??Prince?? ??could?? ??only?? ??give?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??a?? ??confused?? ??look?? ??before????turning?? ??to?? ??leave.??????Xie?? ??Lian?? ??stayed?? ??where?? ??he?? ??was,?? ??as?? ??they?? ??walked?? ??away,?? ??and?? ??soon,?? ??whispers?? ??from?? ??officials????of?? ??a?? ??lower?? ??rank?? ??floated?? ??into?? ??his?? ??ears?? ??from?? ??afar.??????“...?? ??Well?? ??that?? ??was?? ??awkward.?? ??The?? ??world?? ??is?? ??such?? ??a?? ??small?? ??place.”??????“But?? ??they’re?? ??both?? ??officials?? ??in?? ??the?? ??heavens,?? ??it?? ??was?? ??only?? ??a?? ??matter?? ??of?? ??ti.?? ??If?? ??you?? ??ask?? ??,????General?? ??Nan?? ??Yang?? ??bumping?? ??into?? ??General?? ??Xuan?? ??Zhen?? ??is?? ??more?? ??exciting?? ??an?? ??affair.”??????“Hahaha,?? ??what’s?? ??the?? ??rush??? ??They’ll?? ??be?? ??bumping?? ??into?? ??each?? ??other?? ??real?? ??soon!?? ??They’re?? ??all????waiting?? ??for?? ??him?? ??at?? ??the?? ??Great?? ??Martial?? ??Hall,?? ??aren’t?? ??they?”??????Suddenly,?? ??soone?? ??comnted,?? ??“Nevermind?? ??a?? ??small?? ??world,?? ??really?? ??it’s?? ??people?? ??comparing????each?? ??other?? ??that?? ??really?? ??does?? ??it.?? ??People?? ??really?? ??are?? ??so?? ??different?? ??from?? ??one?? ??another;?? ??they’re????both?? ??Crown?? ??Princes,?? ??but?? ??His?? ??Highness?? ??Tai?? ??Hua?? ??is?? ??truly?? ??noble,?? ??and?? ??if?? ??it?? ??was?? ??him,?? ??he????wouldn’t?? ??do?? ??anything?? ??shaful?? ??even?? ??when?? ??fallen?? ??from?? ??grace.”??????“The?? ??kingdom?? ??of?? ??Yong’An?? ??is?? ??more?? ??prosperous?? ??than?? ??the?? ??kingdom?? ??of?? ??Xianle?? ??after?? ??all,?? ??so?? ??of????course?? ??the?? ??Crown?? ??Prince?? ??of?? ??Yong’An?? ??would?? ??be?? ??stronger?? ??than?? ??that?? ??of?? ??Xianle.?? ??How?? ??the????grass?? ??grows?? ??depends?? ??on?? ??the?? ??land?? ??it?? ??grew?? ??on.?? ??Simple?? ??logic.”??????The?? ??Northern?? ??territory?? ??belonged?? ??to?? ??the?? ??Palace?? ??of?? ??Ming?? ??Guang,?? ??the?? ??Martial?? ??God?? ??Pei?? ??Ming;????the?? ??Western?? ??Palace?? ??Qi?? ??Ying?? ??was?? ??Quan?? ??Yizheng;?? ??The?? ??Southeast?? ??Palace?? ??of?? ??Nan?? ??Yang????was?? ??Feng?? ??Xin;?? ??the?? ??Southwest?? ??Palace?? ??of?? ??Xuan?? ??Zhen?? ??was?? ??Mu?? ??Qing;?? ??and?? ??the?? ??one?? ??the????Eastern?? ??territory?? ??belonged?? ??to?? ??was?? ??the?? ??Palace?? ??of?? ??Tai?? ??Hua,?? ??the?? ??Martial?? ??God?? ??Lang?? ??Qianqiu.????????Lang?? ??Qianqiu,?? ??when?? ??he?? ??was?? ??a?? ??mortal,?? ??was?? ??a?? ??crown?? ??prince?? ??like?? ??Xie?? ??Lian.?? ??However,?? ??he????was?? ??the?? ??Crown?? ??Prince?? ??of?? ??Yong’An.?? ??The?? ??Kingdom?? ??of?? ??Yong’An?? ??was?? ??the?? ??country?? ??that?? ??built????over?? ??the?? ??fall?? ??of?? ??Xianle,?? ??and?? ??the?? ??founder?? ??of?? ??Yong’An?? ??was?? ??the?? ??rebel?? ??general?? ??who????successfully?? ??overthrew?? ??the?? ??royal?? ??capital?? ??of?? ??Xianle.??????When?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??drifted?? ??in?? ??the?? ??mortal?? ??realm,?? ??he?? ??had?? ??also?? ??visited?? ??the?? ??east,?? ??and?? ??naturally????knew?? ??that?? ??the?? ??Crown?? ??Prince?? ??of?? ??Yong’An?? ??had?? ??ascended.?? ??As?? ??heavenly?? ??officials,?? ??it?? ??would?? ??be????inevitable?? ??for?? ??them?? ??to?? ??bump?? ??into?? ??each?? ??other,?? ??so?? ??he?? ??didn’t?? ??think?? ??much?? ??of?? ??it.?? ??Maybe?? ??to????anyone?? ??else,?? ??the?? ??gossiping?? ??whispers,?? ??albeit?? ??not?? ??really?? ??whispers,?? ??would?? ??probably?? ??never????be?? ??heard?? ??for?? ??fear?? ??of?? ??retribution.?? ??But?? ??those?? ??words?? ??were?? ??uttered?? ??without?? ??fear?? ??of?? ??Xie?? ??Lian????hearing,?? ??maybe?? ??even?? ??hoping?? ??for?? ??sothing?? ??exciting?? ??to?? ??happen?? ??should?? ??he?? ??overheard,?? ??so????Xie?? ??Lian?? ??pretended?? ??to?? ??have?? ??heard?? ??nothing,?? ??and?? ??casually?? ??walked?? ??away.?? ??Just?? ??then,?? ??another????voice?? ??ca?? ??from?? ??behind?? ??called?? ??out,?? ??“Your?? ??Highness!”??????‘Not?? ??again?!’?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??thought,?? ??but?? ??this?? ??ti?? ??when?? ??he?? ??turned?? ??around,?? ??it?? ??was?? ??soone????who?? ??was?? ??addressing?? ??him?? ??for?? ??real.?? ??Ling?? ??Wen,?? ??with?? ??her?? ??two?? ??dark?? ??circled?? ??eyes?? ??and?? ??arms?? ??full????of?? ??scrolls,?? ??approached?? ??him,?? ??“Everyone?? ??has?? ??gone?? ??to?? ??the?? ??Great?? ??Martial?? ??Hall?? ??for?? ??the????eting.?? ??Be?? ??more?? ??mindful?? ??once?? ??you’ve?? ??reached?? ??the?? ??hall.”??????Xie?? ??Lian?? ??understood.?? ??“What?? ??do?? ??you?? ??think?? ??General?? ??Pei?? ??Junior’s?? ??sentence?? ??will?? ??be?”??????“Exile,?? ??probably.”?? ??Ling?? ??Wen?? ??replied.??????‘That’s?? ??actually?? ??not?? ??too?? ??bad.?? ??Not?? ??too?? ??severe.’?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??thought.??????Exile?? ??was?? ??considered?? ??a?? ??‘Temporary?? ??Banishnt’?? ??for?? ??officials?? ??who?? ??committed?? ??cris,????aning?? ??the?? ??term?? ??of?? ??punishnt?? ??was?? ??negotiable,?? ??and?? ??there?? ??may?? ??still?? ??be?? ??opportunities?? ??for????resuming?? ??duties.?? ??If?? ??one?? ??day?? ??they?? ??should?? ??be?? ??found?? ??to?? ??be?? ??on?? ??their?? ??best?? ??behaviour,?? ??they????may?? ??yet?? ??get?? ??fished?? ??back?? ??up;?? ??maybe?? ??in?? ??thirty?? ??to?? ??fifty?? ??years,?? ??maybe?? ??in?? ??a?? ??hundred?? ??or?? ??two????hundred?? ??years.?? ??But?? ??to?? ??Xie?? ??Lian,?? ??‘not?? ??too?? ??bad’?? ??was?? ??of?? ??course?? ??to?? ??his?? ??standards.?? ??To?? ??General????Pei?? ??it?? ??would?? ??be?? ??a?? ??completely?? ??different?? ??story.??????Xie?? ??Lian?? ??rembered?? ??another?? ??thing?? ??and?? ??said,?? ??“Oh?? ??yea.?? ??Ling?? ??Wen,?? ??how?? ??goes?? ??the?? ??search????for?? ??the?? ??boy?? ??with?? ??the?? ??human?? ??face?? ??disease?? ??from?? ??Mount?? ??Yujun?? ??I?? ??told?? ??you?? ??about?? ??last?? ??ti?????Do?? ??you?? ??have?? ??any?? ??news?”??????“I’m?? ??really?? ??sorry,?? ??Your?? ??Highness.?? ??I?? ??don’t?? ??have?? ??anything?? ??at?? ??the?? ??mont.?? ??We’re?? ??working?? ??on????it.”?? ??Ling?? ??Wen?? ??replied.??????Even?? ??for?? ??a?? ??heavenly?? ??official,?? ??to?? ??find?? ??a?? ??person?? ??in?? ??such?? ??a?? ??vast?? ??world?? ??was?? ??not?? ??an?? ??easy?? ??task.????Although?? ??the?? ??heavens?? ??may?? ??be?? ??faster,?? ??it?? ??was?? ??still?? ??only?? ??a?? ??difference?? ??between?? ??ten?? ??years?? ??in????the?? ??mortal?? ??realm?? ??versus?? ??one?? ??year?? ??in?? ??the?? ??heavens.?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??could?? ??only?? ??express?? ??gratitude,????“Thank?? ??you?? ??for?? ??your?? ??hard?? ??work.”??????Just?? ??then,?? ??they?? ??reached?? ??the?? ??end?? ??of?? ??the?? ??avenue,?? ??and?? ??a?? ??majestic?? ??palace?? ??ca?? ??to?? ??view????before?? ??him.????????The?? ??palace?? ??had?? ??stood?? ??through?? ??the?? ??ages,?? ??yet?? ??it?? ??only?? ??showed?? ??enduring?? ??excellence,?? ??and????none?? ??of?? ??its?? ??antiquity;?? ??layers?? ??of?? ??glazed?? ??golden?? ??shingles?? ??pyramided,?? ??blinding?? ??in?? ??their????scintillation.?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??raised?? ??his?? ??head?? ??and?? ??glanced?? ??at?? ??the?? ??‘The?? ??Great?? ??Martial?? ??Hall’????beneath?? ??the?? ??golden?? ??roof,?? ??the?? ??words?? ??written?? ??with?? ??power?? ??and?? ??with?? ??vigour?? ??were?? ??exactly?? ??the????sa?? ??as?? ??a?? ??few?? ??hundred?? ??years?? ??ago,?? ??unchanging.?? ??He?? ??lowered?? ??his?? ??head?? ??and?? ??stepped?? ??into????the?? ??hall.?? ??Within,?? ??nurous?? ??heavenly?? ??officials?? ??had?? ??already?? ??gathered,?? ??either?? ??in?? ??their?? ??own????groups?? ??of?? ??two?? ??or?? ??three,?? ??or?? ??by?? ??their?? ??own?? ??loneso,?? ??standing?? ??in?? ??silence.??????The?? ??only?? ??ones?? ??who?? ??may?? ??enter?? ??the?? ??hall?? ??were?? ??the?? ??heavenly?? ??officials?? ??who?? ??had?? ??officially????ascended,?? ??all?? ??imperial?? ??sons?? ??of?? ??heavens?? ??or?? ??indomitable?? ??overlords,?? ??each?? ??bursting?? ??with????spiritual?? ??might.?? ??They?? ??eyed?? ??each?? ??other?? ??in?? ??silent?? ??pride?? ??and?? ??judgnt,?? ??their?? ??splendor????overwhelming.?? ??At?? ??this?? ??ti?? ??and?? ??place,?? ??everyone?? ??held?? ??their?? ??breaths,?? ??not?? ??daring?? ??to?? ??make?? ??a????sound.?? ??On?? ??the?? ??throne?? ??at?? ??the?? ??very?? ??end?? ??of?? ??the?? ??hall?? ??sat?? ??a?? ??martial?? ??god?? ??decked?? ??in?? ??a?? ??pure?? ??white????armour.??????This?? ??martial?? ??god?? ??was?? ??refined?? ??and?? ??dignified,?? ??his?? ??eyes?? ??closed?? ??and?? ??his?? ??lips?? ??unspeaking,????poised?? ??and?? ??solemn.?? ??Behind?? ??him?? ??was?? ??the?? ??magnificent?? ??Great?? ??Martial?? ??Hall,?? ??but?? ??beneath?? ??his????feet?? ??was?? ??a?? ??pure?? ??white?? ??snowy?? ??peak.?? ??As?? ??if?? ??sensing?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??entering?? ??the?? ??hall,?? ??he?? ??opened????his?? ??eyes.??????That?? ??pair?? ??of?? ??eyes?? ??were?? ??obsidian?? ??black?? ??but?? ??bright?? ??and?? ??clear,?? ??as?? ??if?? ??ford?? ??by?? ??the?? ??lted????snow?? ??of?? ??a?? ??lake?? ??frozen?? ??for?? ??millions?? ??of?? ??years.?? ??When?? ??he?? ??blinked?? ??open?? ??his?? ??eyes,?? ??this?? ??martial????god?? ??smiled?? ??softly,?? ??“Xianle,?? ??you’ve?? ??co.”??????Xie?? ??Lian?? ??lowered?? ??his?? ??head?? ??in?? ??a?? ??bow?? ??and?? ??said?? ??nothing.??????When?? ??Jun?? ??Wu?? ??spoke,?? ??he?? ??was?? ??not?? ??loud,?? ??but?? ??his?? ??deep?? ??voice?? ??echoed?? ??through?? ??the?? ??entire????Great?? ??Martial?? ??Hall.?? ??Then,?? ??all?? ??the?? ??eyes?? ??of?? ??the?? ??officials?? ??focused?? ??on?? ??Xie?? ??Lian,?? ??and?? ??he????understood?? ??imdiately.??????It?? ??appeared?? ??this?? ??eting?? ??wasn’t?? ??for?? ??discussing?? ??General?? ??Pei?? ??Junior?? ??and?? ??the?? ??Banyue?? ??Pass????scandal.????????The?? ??spotlight,?? ??it?? ??seed,?? ??was?? ??on?? ??him.??????
??1.Jun?? ??Wu?? ??translates?? ??to?? ??‘The?? ??Lord,?? ??I?? ??Am’?? ??????????????Ch.33:?? ??In?? ??the?? ??Great?? ??Martial?? ??Hall;?? ??Crown?? ??Prince?? ??ets?? ??Crown?? ??Prince?? ??3????????Ling?? ??Wen?? ??approached?? ??the?? ??throne,?? ??dressed?? ??all?? ??in?? ??black?? ??and?? ??without?? ??a?? ??word?? ??or?? ??smile,?? ??drew????a?? ??line?? ??through?? ??an?? ??item?? ??on?? ??her?? ??mo.?? ??“My?? ??Lord,?? ??there?? ??are?? ??a?? ??few?? ??heavenly?? ??officials?? ??still?? ??on????patrol?? ??in?? ??the?? ??mortal?? ??realm,?? ??unable?? ??to?? ??return.”??????Jun?? ??Wu?? ??nodded,?? ??“They?? ??have?? ??already?? ??reported?? ??in.”??????Ling?? ??Wen?? ??acknowledged?? ??the?? ??response,?? ??and?? ??Jun?? ??Wu?? ??turned?? ??to?? ??Xie?? ??Lian,?? ??“Xianle,?? ??I’m?? ??sure????you?? ??are?? ??curious?? ??as?? ??to?? ??why?? ??you?? ??have?? ??been?? ??summoned?? ??here?? ??today.”??????Xie?? ??Lian?? ??still?? ??had?? ??his?? ??head?? ??bowed,?? ??“I?? ??can?? ??guess.?? ??However,?? ??I?? ??had?? ??assud?? ??the?? ??matter?? ??with????General?? ??Pei?? ??Junior?? ??was?? ??already?? ??settled.”??????Just?? ??then,?? ??a?? ??man’s?? ??voice?? ??rang?? ??out,?? ??“Whether?? ??if?? ??it’s?? ??been?? ??settled?? ??is?? ??yet?? ??hard?? ??to?? ??say.”??????The?? ??voice?? ??that?? ??ca?? ??behind?? ??was?? ??lyrical,?? ??and?? ??when?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??turned?? ??his?? ??head?? ??to?? ??look,?? ??a????martial?? ??god?? ??stepped?? ??into?? ??the?? ??great?? ??hall,?? ??his?? ??hand?? ??resting?? ??on?? ??the?? ??hilt?? ??of?? ??his?? ??sword,?? ??and?? ??he????walked?? ??towards?? ??the?? ??front.?? ??When?? ??he?? ??passed?? ??by?? ??Xie?? ??Lian,?? ??he?? ??stopped?? ??in?? ??his?? ??step?? ??and?? ??the????corners?? ??of?? ??his?? ??lips?? ??lifted,?? ??“Your?? ??Royal?? ??Highness.?? ??I’ve?? ??heard?? ??much?? ??about?? ??you.”??????This?? ??martial?? ??god?? ??looked?? ??to?? ??be?? ??about?? ??twenty-six?? ??to?? ??twenty-seven?? ??years?? ??old,?? ??graceful?? ??and????confident?? ??in?? ??his?? ??actions.?? ??Looking?? ??at?? ??his?? ??face,?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??thought?? ??he?? ??looked?? ??even?? ??more????handso?? ??than?? ??that?? ??statue?? ??he?? ??saw?? ??at?? ??Mount?? ??Yujun,?? ??and?? ??it’s?? ??the?? ??kind?? ??of?? ??handso?? ??that????could?? ??definitely?? ??steal?? ??hearts.?? ??Very?? ??much?? ??the?? ??charming?? ??type.?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??didn’t?? ??respond,?? ??and????he?? ??continued,?? ??“Our?? ??Little?? ??Pei?? ??has?? ??been?? ??in?? ??your?? ??care.”??????‘I’ve?? ??definitely?? ??offended?? ??him.’?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??thought,?? ??and?? ??returned?? ??the?? ??greeting,?? ??“Please?? ??don’t????trouble?? ??yourself?? ??over?? ??it.?? ??I’ve?? ??heard?? ??much?? ??about?? ??you?? ??as?? ??well.”??????The?? ??words?? ??‘I’ve?? ??heard?? ??much?? ??about?? ??you’?? ??were?? ??certainly?? ??not?? ??a?? ??lie.?? ??In?? ??the?? ??past?? ??few?? ??days,?? ??Xie????Lian?? ??skimd?? ??through?? ??his?? ??scroll,?? ??and?? ??briefly?? ??read?? ??through?? ??the?? ??legends?? ??of?? ??so?? ??of?? ??the????more?? ??famous?? ??heavenly?? ??officials,?? ??and?? ??one?? ??of?? ??them?? ??was?? ??General?? ??Ming?? ??Guang,?? ??Pei?? ??Ming.????????This?? ??Martial?? ??God?? ??of?? ??the?? ??North?? ??was?? ??skilled?? ??in?? ??battle,?? ??but?? ??the?? ??most?? ??talked?? ??about?? ??amongst????the?? ??mortals?? ??was?? ??stories?? ??of?? ??his?? ??many?? ??affairs,?? ??good?? ??and?? ??bad,?? ??within?? ??wanton?? ??alleys.?? ??The????good?? ??had?? ??stories?? ??like?? ??Pei?? ??Ming?? ??using?? ??copious?? ??amounts?? ??of?? ??gold?? ??to?? ??help?? ??save?? ??a?? ??pitiful????prostitute?? ??from?? ??the?? ??brothels,?? ??she?? ??fell?? ??in?? ??love?? ??with?? ??him?? ??and?? ??forever?? ??remained?? ??pure?? ??and?? ??true????to?? ??await?? ??his?? ??return.?? ??The?? ??bad?? ??had?? ??stories?? ??like?? ??Pei?? ??Ming?? ??crossing?? ??thousands?? ??of?? ??miles?? ??to????spend?? ??a?? ??one?? ??night?? ??stand?? ??with?? ??a?? ??married?? ??woman,?? ??etc.,?? ??etc.?? ??On?? ??so?? ??level,?? ??Pei?? ??Ming?? ??was????an?? ??awe-inspiring?? ??man.?? ??After?? ??reading?? ??through?? ??his?? ??stories,?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??thought?? ??it?? ??was?? ??quite????unbelievable?? ??that?? ??after?? ??so?? ??many?? ??years,?? ??only?? ??one?? ??Xuan?? ??Ji?? ??that?? ??ca?? ??out?? ??of?? ??that?? ??way?? ??of?? ??life.??????Because?? ??Pei?? ??Ming?? ??was?? ??skilled?? ??in?? ??both?? ??battle?? ??and?? ??in?? ??love,?? ??many?? ??of?? ??his?? ??rivals?? ??and?? ??fellows????loved?? ??cursing?? ??him?? ??to?? ??go?? ??die,?? ??and?? ??even?? ??better?? ??if?? ??he’d?? ??die?? ??from?? ??syphilis.?? ??But,?? ??his?? ??life?? ??force????was?? ??tough,?? ??and?? ??he?? ??never?? ??got?? ??infected?? ??with?? ??anything?? ??even?? ??after?? ??the?? ??many?? ??flowers?? ??he’d????picked;?? ??he?? ??wouldn’t?? ??die,?? ??and?? ??he’d?? ??even?? ??live?? ??longer?? ??than?? ??most?? ??of?? ??his?? ??fellows!?? ??Until?? ??finally,????one?? ??day?? ??he?? ??lost?? ??a?? ??battle,?? ??and?? ??everyone?? ??laughed?? ??thinking?? ??at?? ??last?? ??it’s?? ??his?? ??end!?? ??But?? ??then????lightning?? ??crashed?? ??and?? ??thunder?? ??roared?? ??–?? ??in?? ??that?? ??mont?? ??of?? ??danger,?? ??he?? ??ascended?? ??to?? ??the????heavens.??????Those?? ??who?? ??didn’t?? ??die?? ??in?? ??his?? ??hands?? ??probably?? ??all?? ??died?? ??from?? ??outrage.??????After?? ??ascension,?? ??Pei?? ??Ming?? ??didn’t?? ??change?? ??his?? ??way?? ??of?? ??life?? ??and?? ??the?? ??scale?? ??of?? ??his?? ??tales?? ??of????promiscuity?? ??greatly?? ??expanded.?? ??From?? ??fairies?? ??and?? ??lady?? ??officials?? ??to?? ??female?? ??ghosts?? ??and????demons,?? ??as?? ??long?? ??as?? ??they?? ??were?? ??beautiful,?? ??he?? ??would?? ??pluck?? ??them.?? ??Nonetheless,?? ??his????favourite?? ??type?? ??was?? ??still?? ??the?? ??charming?? ??ladies?? ??of?? ??the?? ??mortal?? ??realm.?? ??Many?? ??indecent?? ??love????stories?? ??all?? ??had?? ??him?? ??starring?? ??as?? ??the?? ??main?? ??male?? ??lead,?? ??and?? ??if?? ??it?? ??wasn’t?? ??for?? ??Xie?? ??Lian’s?? ??thod????of?? ??cultivation?? ??that?? ??demanded?? ??purity?? ??of?? ??body?? ??and?? ??of?? ??mind,?? ??he’d?? ??probably?? ??read?? ??a?? ??couple?? ??of????those?? ??books?? ??just?? ??out?? ??of?? ??curiosity.??????Thus,?? ??other?? ??than?? ??the?? ??Martial?? ??God?? ??that?? ??ruled?? ??the?? ??North,?? ??the?? ??mortal?? ??realm?? ??also?? ??worshipped????him?? ??as?? ??the?? ??God?? ??of?? ??Love.?? ??Even?? ??so?? ??officials?? ??would?? ??turn?? ??around?? ??and?? ??secretly?? ??pray?? ??to?? ??him????should?? ??they?? ??bump?? ??into?? ??him?? ??in?? ??the?? ??heavens,?? ??hoping?? ??for?? ??so?? ??fortune?? ??in?? ??love.?? ??It?? ??had?? ??to?? ??be????said,?? ??that?? ??although?? ??similar,?? ??that?? ??title?? ??was?? ??definitely?? ??better?? ??than?? ??Feng?? ??Xin’s?? ??unwarranted????title?? ??‘Ju?? ??Yang’.??????All?? ??the?? ??heavenly?? ??officials?? ??present?? ??in?? ??the?? ??hall?? ??knew?? ??in?? ??their?? ??hearts?? ??what?? ??each?? ??of?? ??the?? ??“I’ve????heard?? ??much?? ??about?? ??you”?? ??ant,?? ??and?? ??many?? ??roared?? ??with?? ??laughter?? ??in?? ??their?? ??minds.?? ??After?? ??the????pleasantries,?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??said,?? ??“What?? ??does?? ??General?? ??Pei?? ??an?? ??by?? ??“Not?? ??necessarily?? ??settled”?”??????Pei?? ??Ming?? ??snapped?? ??his?? ??fingers,?? ??and?? ??a?? ??corpse?? ??floating?? ??in?? ??midair?? ??suddenly?? ??appeared?? ??in?? ??the????middle?? ??of?? ??the?? ??great?? ??hall.??????Strictly?? ??speaking,?? ??this?? ??floating?? ??body?? ??was?? ??an?? ??empty?? ??shell.?? ??It?? ??had?? ??no?? ??soul,?? ??completely????empty?? ??on?? ??the?? ??inside,?? ??and?? ??covered?? ??in?? ??blood?? ??from?? ??head?? ??to?? ??toe,?? ??so?? ??it?? ??was?? ??no?? ??different?? ??than?? ??a????corpse.?? ??To?? ??have?? ??sothing?? ??of?? ??this?? ??sort?? ??appear?? ??before?? ??an?? ??elegant?? ??crowd?? ??like?? ??the?? ??heavenly????officials?? ??was?? ??a?? ??shock.?? ??A?? ??mont?? ??later,?? ??Pei?? ??Su?? ??was?? ??also?? ??brought?? ??in,?? ??but?? ??he?? ??still?? ??looked????indifferent?? ??and?? ??apathetic?? ??even?? ??with?? ??shackles?? ??binding?? ??his?? ??person,?? ??his?? ??head?? ??bowed?? ??low,????unspeaking.??????“General?? ??Pei,?? ??what’s?? ??the?? ??aning?? ??of?? ??this?”?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??asked.??????Pei?? ??Su?? ??knelt?? ??down?? ??within?? ??the?? ??Great?? ??Martial?? ??Hall,?? ??and?? ??Pei?? ??Ming?? ??replied,?? ??“A?? ??few?? ??days?? ??ago?? ??I????went?? ??to?? ??visit?? ??Little?? ??Pei,?? ??and?? ??he?? ??ntioned?? ??sothing?? ??interesting.”????????Pei?? ??Ming?? ??paced?? ??half?? ??a?? ??circle?? ??around?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??and?? ??smiled,?? ??“I’m?? ??quite?? ??familiar?? ??with?? ??Little????Pei’s?? ??ability.?? ??Even?? ??if?? ??his?? ??clone’s?? ??powers?? ??are?? ??reduced?? ??and?? ??nowhere?? ??near?? ??the?? ??sa?? ??as?? ??his????true?? ??self,?? ??it’s?? ??still?? ??quite?? ??competent.?? ??It’s?? ??still?? ??capable?? ??to?? ??fight?? ??evenly?? ??with?? ??a?? ??‘Savage’.????However,?? ??he?? ??told?? ???? ??there?? ??was?? ??a?? ??mortal?? ??that?? ??was?? ??able?? ??to?? ??beat?? ??him?? ??to?? ??the?? ??point?? ??where?? ??he????had?? ??to?? ??relent.?? ??Now?? ??isn’t?? ??that?? ??interesting?”??????Pei?? ??Ming?? ??continued,?? ??“And?? ??so?? ??I?? ??questioned?? ??him,?? ??and?? ??apparently,?? ??at?? ??the?? ??ti,?? ??there?? ??was?? ??a????red-clothed?? ??young?? ??man?? ??next?? ??to?? ??Your?? ??Royal?? ??Highness?? ??while?? ??you?? ??were?? ??at?? ??the?? ??Banyue????Pass.”??????Hearing?? ??the?? ??words?? ??“red-clothed”?? ??made?? ??all?? ??the?? ??officials?? ??present?? ??shift?? ??expressions.?? ??Then,????Pei?? ??Ming’s?? ??following?? ??words?? ??made?? ??them?? ??all?? ??agitated.?? ??He?? ??said,?? ??“And?? ??this?? ??young?? ??man,?? ??in?? ??the????dark,?? ??was?? ??able?? ??to?? ??eradicate?? ??all?? ??the?? ??nacing?? ??Banyue?? ??soldiers?? ??in?? ??a?? ??flash.”??????“–?? ??Now,?? ??Your?? ??Royal?? ??Highness.?? ??Might?? ??you?? ??enlighten?? ??us?? ??who?? ??this?? ??red-clothed?? ??young?? ??man????might?? ??be?”??????If?? ??it?? ??wasn’t?? ??a?? ??‘Savage’?? ??then?? ??it?? ??must?? ??be?? ??a?? ??‘Supre’.?? ??And?? ??one?? ??that?? ??could?? ??kill?? ??hundreds?? ??of????‘Savage’s?? ??in?? ??a?? ??flash,?? ??dressed?? ??all?? ??in?? ??red.??????Anyone?? ??could?? ??guess?? ??who?? ??that?? ??young?? ??man?? ??could?? ??possibly?? ??be,?? ??yet?? ??no?? ??one?? ??wanted?? ??to?? ??be????the?? ??first?? ??to?? ??say?? ??the?? ??na.?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??stole?? ??a?? ??glimpse?? ??at?? ??the?? ??mute?? ??Pei?? ??Su,?? ??and?? ??replied?? ??a?? ??little????unnaturally,?? ??“Ahem,?? ??really??? ??About?? ??that.?? ??I?? ??really?? ??don’t?? ??rember?? ??it?? ??well.?? ??There?? ??was?? ??also?? ??a????caravan?? ??that?? ??was?? ??trapped?? ??in?? ??the?? ??Banyue?? ??Pass?? ??at?? ??the?? ??ti,?? ??and?? ??we?? ??spent?? ??a?? ??few?? ??days????together,?? ??so?? ??maybe?? ??it?? ??was?? ??soone?? ??from?? ??the?? ??caravan.”??????Pei?? ??Ming?? ??smiled,?? ??“That?? ??can’t?? ??be?? ??right,?? ??Your?? ??Royal?? ??Highness.?? ??According?? ??to?? ??Little?? ??Pei,?? ??you????and?? ??that?? ??young?? ??man?? ??were?? ??abnormally?? ??close,?? ??not?? ??like?? ??soone?? ??you’ve?? ??just?? ??t?? ??for?? ??only?? ??a????few?? ??days.?? ??How?? ??can?? ??you?? ??not?? ??rember?”??????‘No,?? ??you’re?? ??wrong.?? ??That?? ??was?? ??the?? ??truth.?? ??It?? ??really?? ??was?? ??only?? ??just?? ??a?? ??few?? ??days.’?? ??Xie?? ??Lian????thought.?? ??Nevertheless,?? ??his?? ??expression?? ??gave?? ??nothing?? ??away.????????Just?? ??then,?? ??from?? ??the?? ??sidelines?? ??a?? ??white?? ??clad?? ??cultivator?? ??casually?? ??waved?? ??his?? ??whisk?? ??and?? ??spoke????up,?? ??“General?? ??Pei,?? ??you’ve?? ??only?? ??heard?? ??Little?? ??Pei’s?? ??side?? ??of?? ??the?? ??story.?? ??Little?? ??Pei?? ??has?? ??committed????a?? ??cri;?? ??he’s?? ??currently?? ??in?? ??detention?? ??soon?? ??to?? ??be?? ??exiled.?? ??Whether?? ??his?? ??words?? ??are?? ??believable????needs?? ??to?? ??be?? ??discerned,?? ??no?”??????“Then?? ??we?? ??shall?? ??see?? ??if?? ??General?? ??Nan?? ??Yang?? ??and?? ??General?? ??Xuan?? ??Zhen?? ??can?? ??give?? ??us?? ??a?? ??hand.”????Pei?? ??Ming?? ??replied.??????Following?? ??his?? ??line?? ??of?? ??sight,?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??found?? ??Feng?? ??Xin?? ??and?? ??Mu?? ??Qing,?? ??standing?? ??separately?? ??on????the?? ??southwest?? ??and?? ??southeast?? ??corners?? ??of?? ??the?? ??hall.??????Feng?? ??Xin?? ??still?? ??looked?? ??the?? ??sa?? ??as?? ??in?? ??his?? ??mories;?? ??standing?? ??tall?? ??and?? ??straight,?? ??his?? ??eyes????determined,?? ??and?? ??brows?? ??always?? ??slightly?? ??furrowed,?? ??as?? ??if?? ??there’s?? ??always?? ??sothing????annoying?? ??him,?? ??but?? ??really?? ??he’s?? ??not?? ??annoyed?? ??at?? ??all.?? ??Mu?? ??Qing?? ??on?? ??the?? ??other?? ??hand,?? ??was????sowhat?? ??different?? ??than?? ??what?? ??he?? ??rembered.?? ??Although?? ??his?? ??face?? ??was?? ??still?? ??pale?? ??as?? ??chalk????without?? ??much?? ??blood,?? ??his?? ??thin?? ??lips?? ??pursed,?? ??his?? ??eyes?? ??half?? ??lidded,?? ??yet?? ??there’s?? ??a?? ??cool?? ??air?? ??of????‘don’t?? ??talk?? ??to?? ??’?? ??surrounding?? ??him.?? ??He?? ??stood?? ??with?? ??his?? ??arms?? ??crossed,?? ??a?? ??finger?? ??on?? ??his?? ??right????hand?? ??tapping?? ??his?? ??left?? ??elbow?? ??softly,?? ??looking?? ??like?? ??he?? ??was?? ??either?? ??at?? ??ease,?? ??or?? ??more?? ??like?? ??he?? ??was????scheming?? ??sothing.????????The?? ??two?? ??were?? ??definitely?? ??good-looking?? ??n,?? ??but?? ??each?? ??had?? ??their?? ??own?? ??flaws.?? ??Hearing?? ??Pei????Ming?? ??calling?? ??them?? ??out,?? ??they?? ??both?? ??looked?? ??towards?? ??Jun?? ??Wu?? ??at?? ??the?? ??sa?? ??ti.?? ??It?? ??was?? ??only????until?? ??Jun?? ??Wu?? ??gave?? ??a?? ??slight?? ??nod?? ??before?? ??they?? ??stepped?? ??forward?? ??reluctantly.??????This?? ??was?? ??the?? ??first?? ??ti?? ??since?? ??Xie?? ??Lian’s?? ??third?? ??ascension?? ??that?? ??he’d?? ??co?? ??face?? ??to?? ??face?? ??with????the?? ??two?? ??of?? ??them.?? ??He?? ??could?? ??sense?? ??all?? ??the?? ??eyes?? ??on?? ??them?? ??going?? ??wilder.??????Wild?? ??was?? ??inevitable.?? ??The?? ??Great?? ??Martial?? ??Hall?? ??was?? ??the?? ??number?? ??one?? ??martial?? ??palace?? ??of????heaven;?? ??non-heavenly?? ??officials?? ??had?? ??no?? ??entry?? ??rights?? ??to?? ??discuss?? ??matters.?? ??The?? ??first?? ??ti?? ??the????Crown?? ??Prince?? ??of?? ??Xianle?? ??ascended,?? ??Feng?? ??Xin?? ??and?? ??Mu?? ??Qing?? ??were?? ??his?? ??deputy?? ??generals.?? ??At????the?? ??ti,?? ??they?? ??were?? ??only?? ??low?? ??ranking?? ??officials?? ??from?? ??the?? ??middle?? ??court?? ??without?? ??even?? ??the?? ??right????to?? ??run?? ??errands?? ??within?? ??the?? ??Great?? ??Martial?? ??Hall.?? ??And?? ??now,?? ??not?? ??only?? ??could?? ??the?? ??junior?? ??officials????of?? ??back?? ??then?? ??now?? ??stand?? ??in?? ??the?? ??hall,?? ??their?? ??rankings?? ??were?? ??even?? ??higher?? ??than?? ??that?? ??of?? ??their?? ??old????master,?? ??truly?? ??a?? ??turn?? ??of?? ??fate!????????The?? ??three?? ??of?? ??them?? ??looked?? ??at?? ??each?? ??other,?? ??eyes?? ??flitting?? ??all?? ??over,?? ??stealing?? ??glimpses?? ??at?? ??each????other?? ??but?? ??pretending?? ??not?? ??to?? ??care,?? ??who?? ??knows?? ??that?? ??the?? ??other?? ??two?? ??were?? ??thinking.?? ??However,????Xie?? ??Lian?? ??could?? ??roughly?? ??guess?? ??why?? ??Pei?? ??Ming?? ??had?? ??called?? ??them?? ??out?? ??to?? ??help.??????As?? ??suspected,?? ??Pei?? ??Ming?? ??said,?? ??“General?? ??Nan?? ??Yang?? ??and?? ??General?? ??Xuan?? ??Zhen?? ??had?? ??both????fought?? ??with?? ??Hua?? ??Cheng?? ??before.?? ??I’m?? ??sure?? ??they?? ??have?? ??the?? ??authority?? ??to?? ??speak?? ??on?? ??the?? ??weapon????of?? ??that?? ??person.”??????So?? ??the?? ??point?? ??of?? ??bringing?? ??forth?? ??the?? ??empty?? ??shell?? ??A-Zhao?? ??was?? ??for?? ??all?? ??to?? ??inspect?? ??its?? ??wounds.????Feng?? ??Xin?? ??and?? ??Mu?? ??Qing?? ??slowly?? ??approached?? ??the?? ??floating?? ??body.?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??himself?? ??took?? ??a?? ??few????steps?? ??forward?? ??to?? ??take?? ??a?? ??look,?? ??but?? ??there?? ??was?? ??so?? ??much?? ??blood?? ??darkened?? ??to?? ??black?? ??spots,?? ??it????was?? ??hard?? ??to?? ??tell?? ??anything.?? ??The?? ??other?? ??two,?? ??face?? ??austere,?? ??took?? ??their?? ??ti?? ??in?? ??their?? ??inspection.????Finally,?? ??they?? ??raised?? ??their?? ??heads?? ??and?? ??swept?? ??a?? ??look?? ??at?? ??each?? ??other,?? ??neither?? ??of?? ??them?? ??wanting????to?? ??speak?? ??first.?? ??Ling?? ??Wen?? ??spoke?? ??up?? ??from?? ??next?? ??to?? ??the?? ??throne,?? ??“Generals.?? ??Conclusion?”??????It?? ??was?? ??Feng?? ??Xin?? ??who?? ??spoke?? ??first,?? ??his?? ??voice?? ??dark,?? ??“It’s?? ??him.”??????“The?? ??scimitar?? ??E’ming.”?? ??Mu?? ??Qing?? ??added.??????Among?? ??all?? ??the?? ??heavenly?? ??officials?? ??present?? ??in?? ??the?? ??Great?? ??Martial?? ??Hall,?? ??it?? ??was?? ??probably?? ??only????Xie?? ??Lian?? ??who?? ??didn’t?? ??know?? ??the?? ??significance?? ??of?? ??those?? ??words.??????The?? ??scimitar?? ??E’ming?? ??was?? ??the?? ??very?? ??sa?? ??freakish?? ??weapon?? ??Hua?? ??Cheng?? ??had?? ??used?? ??when?? ??he????singularly?? ??challenged?? ??the?? ??thirty-three?? ??officials?? ??and?? ??beat?? ??them?? ??to?? ??a?? ??pulp,?? ??decimating?? ??their????soul?? ??and?? ??dignity!??????Within?? ??the?? ??Great?? ??Martial?? ??Hall,?? ??the?? ??heavenly?? ??officials?? ??started?? ??whispering?? ??to?? ??each?? ??other,?? ??the????eyes?? ??watching?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??unreadable.?? ??Pei?? ??Ming?? ??had?? ??attained?? ??his?? ??objective,?? ??“Much?? ??thanks????to?? ??the?? ??two?? ??generals?? ??for?? ??confirming?? ??this?? ??fact.?? ??If?? ??the?? ??red-clothed?? ??young?? ??man?? ??who?? ??traveled????next?? ??to?? ??Your?? ??Royal?? ??Highness?? ??really?? ??was?? ??that?? ??person,?? ??then?? ??this?? ??whole?? ??matter?? ??is?? ??going?? ??to????be?? ??more?? ??complicated.”??????The?? ??white?? ??clad?? ??cultivator?? ??from?? ??before?? ??spoke?? ??up?? ??again,?? ??“General?? ??Pei,?? ??are?? ??you?? ??saying?? ??His????Royal?? ??Highness?? ??the?? ??Crown?? ??Prince?? ??of?? ??Xianle?? ??colluded?? ??with?? ??a?? ??Supre?? ??Ghost?? ??King????specifically?? ??to?? ??fra?? ??General?? ??Pei?? ??Junior?”??????Both?? ??tis?? ??when?? ??that?? ??cultivator?? ??spoke,?? ??he?? ??was?? ??on?? ??Xie?? ??Lian’s?? ??side,?? ??so?? ??he?? ??had?? ??to?? ??take?? ??a????look?? ??at?? ??who?? ??exactly?? ??this?? ??curious?? ??fellow?? ??cultivator?? ??was.?? ??What?? ??he?? ??saw?? ??was?? ??a?? ??cultivator?? ??with????clear,?? ??bright?? ??eyes;?? ??He?? ??had?? ??a?? ??whisk?? ??between?? ??his?? ??arms,?? ??a?? ??long?? ??sword?? ??carried?? ??on?? ??his?? ??back,????and?? ??a?? ??folding?? ??fan?? ??tucked?? ??in?? ??his?? ??white?? ??jaded?? ??belt.?? ??His?? ??form?? ??was?? ??graceful?? ??and?? ??elegant,?? ??his????expression?? ??spirited.?? ??He?? ??looked?? ??familiar?? ??but?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??couldn’t?? ??recall?? ??when?? ??he?? ??had?? ??t????anyone?? ??like?? ??this.????????Pei?? ??Ming?? ??also?? ??glanced?? ??at?? ??him,?? ??but?? ??like?? ??an?? ??irritated?? ??elder?? ??would?? ??when?? ??they?? ??didn’t?? ??want?? ??to????deal?? ??with?? ??children.?? ??He?? ??shook?? ??his?? ??head?? ??and?? ??waved?? ??dismissively,?? ??withdrawing?? ??the?? ??floating????empty?? ??shell?? ??that?? ??was?? ??A-Zhao,?? ??then?? ??turned?? ??around?? ??and?? ??continued?? ??his?? ??argunt,?? ??“It?? ??may????not?? ??be?? ??collusion.?? ??Except,?? ??that?? ??person?? ??is?? ??powerful?? ??and?? ??wicked,?? ??who?? ??knows?? ??if?? ??he?? ??might’ve????used?? ??deceptive?? ??tricks?? ??to?? ??blind?? ??His?? ??Royal?? ??Highness..”??????His?? ??intention?? ??was?? ??to?? ??make?? ??Hua?? ??Cheng?? ??out?? ??to?? ??be?? ??the?? ??real?? ??perpetrator?? ??behind?? ??the?? ??chaos?? ??of????Banyue?? ??Pass!?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??rebuked,?? ??“General?? ??Pei,?? ??even?? ??if?? ??you?? ??don’t?? ??believe?? ??,?? ??you?? ??should????still?? ??believe?? ??in?? ??the?? ??Wind?? ??Master.?? ??Back?? ??in?? ??the?? ??Sinner’s?? ??Pit,?? ??General?? ??Pei?? ??Junior?? ??admitted?? ??to????the?? ??cri?? ??of?? ??luring?? ??passersby?? ??to?? ??the?? ??Banyue?? ??Pass?? ??with?? ??his?? ??clone,?? ??and?? ??the?? ??Wind?? ??Master????heard?? ??everything.”??????Pei?? ??Ming?? ??glanced?? ??at?? ??the?? ??white?? ??clad?? ??cultivator?? ??again.?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??continued,?? ??“Besides,?? ??since????we’re?? ??both?? ??here?? ??at?? ??the?? ??Great?? ??Martial?? ??Hall,?? ??you?? ??can?? ??very?? ??well?? ??ask?? ??our?? ??lord?? ??whether?? ??if?? ??I????have?? ??traces?? ??of?? ??any?? ??spells?? ??of?? ??deception?? ??on?? ??my?? ??person.”??????Jun?? ??Wu,?? ??who?? ??sat?? ??high?? ??above,?? ??remained?? ??calm?? ??and?? ??unchanging,?? ??aning?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??was????cleared.?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??then?? ??continued,?? ??“General?? ??Pei,?? ??let’s?? ??keep?? ??things?? ??clear?? ??and?? ??separate.????Let’s?? ??not?? ??talk?? ??about?? ??whether?? ??if?? ??the?? ??young?? ??man?? ??I?? ??traveled?? ??with?? ??was?? ??Hua?? ??Cheng?? ??or?? ??not,?? ??and????even?? ??if?? ??he?? ??was?? ??confird?? ??to?? ??be?? ??Hua?? ??Cheng,?? ??it?? ??has?? ??nothing?? ??to?? ??do?? ??with?? ??what?? ??General?? ??Pei????Junior?? ??had?? ??done.?? ??A?? ??Supre?? ??Ghost?? ??King?? ??might?? ??have?? ??the?? ??worst?? ??of?? ??nas?? ??on?? ??people’s????lips,?? ??but?? ??not?? ??everything?? ??can?? ??be?? ??blad?? ??on?? ??him?? ??either.”??????His?? ??expression?? ??was?? ??composed?? ??and?? ??neutral?? ??when?? ??the?? ??na?? ??was?? ??uttered,?? ??but?? ??many?? ??in?? ??the????hall?? ??had?? ??cold?? ??shivers?? ??run?? ??down?? ??their?? ??backs.?? ??Pei?? ??Ming?? ??replied,?? ??“No?? ??matter?? ??what,?? ??I?? ??believe????this?? ??affair?? ??needs?? ??to?? ??be?? ??reexamined.?? ??It’d?? ??be?? ??best?? ??if?? ??the?? ??Guoshi?? ??Your?? ??Royal?? ??Highness?? ??has????taken?? ??away,?? ??Ban?? ??Yue,?? ??could?? ??be?? ??brought?? ??in?? ??for?? ??interrogation?? ??too.”????????To?? ??interrogate?? ??her?? ??for?? ??what??? ??Force?? ??her?? ??to?? ??lie??? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??hadn’t?? ??yet?? ??responded?? ??when????soone?? ??else?? ??spoke?? ??up?? ??first.?? ??Pei?? ??Su?? ??looked?? ??as?? ??if?? ??he?? ??didn’t?? ??want?? ??to?? ??remain?? ??in?? ??the?? ??Great????Martial?? ??Hall?? ??anymore,?? ??and?? ??said?? ??in?? ??a?? ??low?? ??voice,?? ??“General.?? ??Let?? ??it?? ??go.”????????“What?”?? ??Pei?? ??Ming?? ??was?? ??irritated.??????“There?? ??isn’t?? ??any?? ??spell?? ??of?? ??deception.?? ??It’s?? ??all?? ??my?? ??doing,?? ??I’ve?? ??disappointed?? ??you.”?? ??Pei?? ??Su????confessed.??????Pei?? ??Ming?? ??was?? ??just?? ??in?? ??the?? ??middle?? ??of?? ??clearing?? ??his?? ??na,?? ??but?? ??he?? ??himself?? ??went?? ??and?? ??said?? ??this.????Pei?? ??Ming?? ??turned?? ??cold,?? ??and?? ??said?? ??darkly,?? ??“What?? ??enchantnt?? ??concoction?? ??did?? ??that?? ??Ban?? ??Yue????Guoshi?? ??feed?? ??you??? ??Shut?? ??your?? ??mouth.”????????However,?? ??Pei?? ??Su?? ??raised?? ??his?? ??head,?? ??“Let?? ??it?? ??go,?? ??general!?? ??Little?? ??Pei?? ??isn’t?? ??afraid?? ??to?? ??admit?? ??to????things?? ??I’ve?? ??done.?? ??Since?? ??I’ve?? ??been?? ??caught?? ??red-handed,?? ??then?? ??I’m?? ??not?? ??afraid?? ??to?? ??receive????whatever?? ??the?? ??punishnt.”??????Pei?? ??Ming’s?? ??face?? ??was?? ??written?? ??full?? ??of?? ??the?? ??shock?? ??of:?? ??you’ve?? ??always?? ??been?? ??so?? ??mature?? ??and????competent,?? ??why?? ??did?? ??you?? ??suddenly?? ??go?? ??nuts?? ??today??? ??And?? ??he?? ??was?? ??just?? ??about?? ??to?? ??kick?? ??Pei?? ??Su????over?? ??the?? ??head?? ??to?? ??wake?? ??him?? ??up?? ??when?? ??Jun?? ??Wu?? ??spoke?? ??up,?? ??“Enough.”????????The?? ??mont?? ??he?? ??spoke,?? ??Pei?? ??Ming?? ??withdrew?? ??his?? ??leg?? ??and?? ??bowed.?? ??Jun?? ??Wu?? ??spoke?? ??languidly,????“The?? ??matter?? ??of?? ??the?? ??Banyue?? ??Pass?? ??is?? ??settled.?? ??Take?? ??Little?? ??Pei?? ??down?? ??and?? ??exile?? ??him?? ??in?? ??the?? ??next????few?? ??days.”??????After?? ??so?? ??silence,?? ??Pei?? ??Ming?? ??acknowledged,?? ??“Yes,?? ??my?? ??lord.”??????Xie?? ??Lian?? ??only?? ??just?? ??breathed?? ??in?? ??relief?? ??when?? ??Pei?? ??Ming?? ??continued,?? ??“But?? ??Nan?? ??Yang?? ??and?? ??Xuan????Zhen?? ??have?? ??proven?? ??that?? ??the?? ??wounds?? ??on?? ??that?? ??empty?? ??shell?? ??were?? ??indeed?? ??inflicted?? ??by?? ??the????scimitar?? ??E’ming.”??????“I?? ??understand.”?? ??Jun?? ??Wu?? ??replied,?? ??“That?? ??is?? ??a?? ??whole?? ??other?? ??matter.”????????“Pray?? ??my?? ??lord?? ??will?? ??look?? ??into?? ??this?? ??matter.”?? ??Pei?? ??Ming?? ??said.??????“I?? ??will?? ??naturally?? ??investigate.?? ??Ming?? ??Guang?? ??and?? ??fellow?? ??deities?? ??have?? ??no?? ??need?? ??for?? ??concern.”????After?? ??a?? ??pause,?? ??Jun?? ??Wu?? ??continued,?? ??“You?? ??are?? ??all?? ??dismissed?? ??for?? ??today.?? ??Xian?? ??Le,?? ??you?? ??stay.”??????It?? ??looked?? ??like?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??would?? ??be?? ??personally?? ??interrogated.?? ??The?? ??heavenly?? ??officials?? ??had????nothing?? ??left?? ??to?? ??say?? ??and?? ??bowed?? ??their?? ??heads,?? ??“Yes,?? ??my?? ??lord.”??????Dismissed,?? ??the?? ??other?? ??heavenly?? ??officials?? ??exited?? ??in?? ??their?? ??groups?? ??of?? ??two?? ??or?? ??threes.?? ??When????Feng?? ??Xin?? ??passed?? ??by,?? ??he?? ??glanced?? ??at?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??looking?? ??as?? ??if?? ??he?? ??had?? ??sothing?? ??to?? ??say,?? ??but????stopped?? ??himself.?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??smiled?? ??at?? ??him?? ??and?? ??he?? ??was?? ??startled?? ??before?? ??hurrying?? ??away.?? ??Mu????Qing?? ??however,?? ??walked?? ??passed?? ??never?? ??sparing?? ??a?? ??look,?? ??as?? ??if?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??never?? ??existed.?? ??That????white?? ??clad?? ??cultivator?? ??walked?? ??over?? ??with?? ??his?? ??whisk?? ??in?? ??hand?? ??and?? ??a?? ??huge?? ??smile?? ??ready?? ??to????speak?? ??when?? ??Pei?? ??Ming,?? ??who?? ??had?? ??just?? ??lost?? ??favour,?? ??walked?? ??over?? ??too?? ??with?? ??one?? ??hand?? ??resting????on?? ??his?? ??hilt?? ??and?? ??the?? ??other?? ??rubbing?? ??his?? ??nose,?? ??and?? ??said?? ??helplessly,?? ??“Qingxuan,?? ??for?? ??your????brother’s?? ??sake,?? ??can?? ??you?? ??not?? ??stir?? ??up?? ??trouble?”??????The?? ??smile?? ??disappeared?? ??from?? ??the?? ??face?? ??of?? ??that?? ??white?? ??clad?? ??cultivator,?? ??“General?? ??Pei,?? ??there’s????no?? ??need?? ??to?? ??use?? ??my?? ??brother?? ??against?? ??,?? ??I’m?? ??not?? ??afraid?? ??of?? ??him.”??????“You–”?? ??Pei?? ??Ming?? ??was?? ??enraged?? ??but?? ??couldn’t?? ??do?? ??anything.?? ??Finally,?? ??he?? ??pointed?? ??at?? ??him,????“You...?? ??You’ve?? ??really?? ??done?? ??Little?? ??Pei?? ??in?? ??now.?? ??Two?? ??hundred?? ??years?? ??of?? ??exile.”??????The?? ??white?? ??clad?? ??cultivator?? ??swung?? ??his?? ??whisk?? ??wildly,?? ??“That’s?? ??Little?? ??Pei’s?? ??own?? ??doing,?? ??this?? ??has????nothing?? ??to?? ??do?? ??with?? ??!”?? ??Looking?? ??like?? ??he?? ??didn’t?? ??want?? ??to?? ??continue?? ??to?? ??quarrel?? ??with?? ??Pei?? ??Ming,????the?? ??white?? ??clad?? ??cultivator?? ??ran?? ??off.?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??thought?? ??Pei?? ??Ming?? ??might?? ??stick?? ??around?? ??to?? ??taunt????him?? ??further,?? ??but?? ??he?? ??didn’t?? ??and?? ??exited?? ??the?? ??hall?? ??willfully.?? ??In?? ??the?? ??large?? ??and?? ??spacious?? ??Great????Martial?? ??Hall,?? ??the?? ??only?? ??one?? ??who?? ??remained?? ??besides?? ??Jun?? ??Wu?? ??and?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??who?? ??was?? ??below????the?? ??throne?? ??was?? ??actually?? ??the?? ??Crown?? ??Prince?? ??of?? ??Yong’An,?? ??Lang?? ??Qianqiu.?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??was????curious,?? ??why?? ??did?? ??he?? ??stay??? ??When?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??approached,?? ??this?? ??guy?? ??had?? ??his?? ??eyes?? ??closed,?? ??fast????asleep?? ??while?? ??standing.??????Xie?? ??Lian?? ??didn’t?? ??know?? ??whether?? ??to?? ??laugh?? ??or?? ??cry,?? ??and?? ??feeling?? ??quite?? ??awed,?? ??he?? ??gently?? ??tapped????the?? ??young?? ??man’s?? ??shoulder,?? ??“Your?? ??Highness.?? ??Your?? ??Highness?”??????Lang?? ??Qianqiu?? ??woke?? ??with?? ??a?? ??jerk,?? ??“What’s?? ??happened?!”????????“Nothing’s?? ??happened.?? ??The?? ??eting?? ??is?? ??over.”?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??explained.??????Having?? ??just?? ??woken?? ??up,?? ??Lang?? ??Qianqiu?? ??was?? ??still?? ??a?? ??little?? ??dazed?? ??and?? ??asked?? ??in?? ??confusion,????“Over??? ??Just?? ??like?? ??that??? ??What?? ??did?? ??we?? ??all?? ??discuss??? ??I?? ??didn’t?? ??hear?? ??anything?”??????“If?? ??you?? ??didn’t?? ??hear?? ??anything?? ??then?? ??nevermind,”?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??said,?? ??“It?? ??wasn’t?? ??anything?? ??important????anyway.?? ??Co?? ??now,?? ??ti?? ??to?? ??go?? ??back.”??????“Oh!”?? ??Lang?? ??Qianqiu?? ??left,?? ??but?? ??when?? ??he?? ??reached?? ??the?? ??doors?? ??he?? ??looked?? ??back,?? ??still?? ??confused????but?? ??gave?? ??XIe?? ??Lian?? ??a?? ??big?? ??smile,?? ??“Thanks?? ??for?? ??waking?? ??!”????????Xie?? ??Lian?? ??waved?? ??at?? ??him?? ??with?? ??a?? ??smile.?? ??When?? ??finally?? ??everyone?? ??has?? ??cleared?? ??out,?? ??Xie?? ??Lian????slowly?? ??turned?? ??around.?? ??Jun?? ??Wu?? ??also?? ??descended?? ??from?? ??the?? ??throne,?? ??hands?? ??behind?? ??his?? ??back,????and?? ??ca?? ??before?? ??Xie?? ??Lian,?? ??“Crimson?? ??Rain?? ??Sought?? ??Flower.?? ??The?? ??scimitar?? ??E’ming.”??????Xie?? ??Lian?? ??was?? ??like?? ??a?? ??cat?? ??picked?? ??up?? ??by?? ??the?? ??back?? ??of?? ??his?? ??neck,?? ??and?? ??he?? ??involuntarily????straightened?? ??up.??????“So.?? ??What?? ??is?? ??going?? ??on?”?? ??Jun?? ??Wu?? ??asked.??????Xie?? ??Lian?? ??looked?? ??at?? ??him,?? ??then?? ??suddenly?? ??kneeled.??????Before?? ??Xie?? ??Lian’s?? ??knees?? ??touched?? ??the?? ??floor,?? ??Jun?? ??Wu?? ??reached?? ??out?? ??and?? ??held?? ??his?? ??elbow,????preventing?? ??him?? ??from?? ??kneeling.?? ??He?? ??sighed,?? ??“Xian?? ??Le.”??????Xie?? ??Lian?? ??straightened?? ??once?? ??more,?? ??his?? ??head?? ??bowed,?? ??“I’m?? ??sorry.”??????Jun?? ??Wu?? ??watched?? ??him,?? ??“Then?? ??do?? ??you?? ??admit?? ??to?? ??your?? ??wrongs?”??????“I?? ??do.”?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??replied.??????“Then?? ??why?? ??don’t?? ??you?? ??tell?? ???? ??what?? ??the?? ??wrong?? ??is?”?? ??Jun?? ??Wu?? ??questioned.????
??●MXTX?? ??Author?? ??Notes:??????Everyone?? ??knows?? ??,?? ??right??? ??Other?? ??than?? ??the?? ??main?? ??ship,?? ??everyone?? ??is?? ??straight.?? ??There????are?? ??no?? ??male?? ??characters?? ??who?? ??will?? ??spark?? ??love?? ??with?? ??the?? ??Gong?? ??or?? ??Shou.??????I?? ??see?? ??in?? ??the?? ??comnts?? ??section,?? ??a?? ??lot?? ??of?? ??people?? ??are?? ??torn?? ??over?? ??this,?? ??and?? ??I?? ??feel?? ??the????understanding?? ??is?? ??a?? ??bit?? ??off,?? ??so?? ??let?? ???? ??explain?? ??again?? ??here:??????SV?? ??is?? ??SV,?? ??MDZS?? ??is?? ??MDZS,?? ??and?? ??TGCF?? ??is?? ??TGCF.?? ??SV?? ??being?? ??the?? ??first?? ??novel?? ??has?? ??many????exceptions?? ??so?? ??it’s?? ??out?? ??of?? ??discussion.?? ??MDZS?? ??and?? ??TGCF?? ??are?? ??both?? ??main?? ??ships?? ??only,????ok.?? ??I’ve?? ??said?? ??this?? ??more?? ??than?? ??once?? ??already?? ??during?? ??MDZS’?? ??serialization,?? ??and?? ??I’ve????ntioned?? ??this?? ??repeatedly?? ??again?? ??in?? ??many?? ??other?? ??places.?? ??Especially?? ??MXY.?? ??While????he’s?? ??also?? ??a?? ??little?? ??gay,?? ??but?? ??he?? ??died?? ??from?? ??the?? ??get?? ??go,?? ??so?? ??he?? ??doesn’t?? ??count?? ??as?? ??a?? ??formal????character......?? ??Everyone?? ??can?? ??make?? ??up?? ??headcanons?? ??as?? ??they?? ??like,?? ??as?? ??long?? ??as?? ??the????main?? ??ship?? ??isn’t?? ??broken?? ??or?? ??switched,?? ??it’s?? ??fine.?? ??But?? ??personally,?? ??my?? ??work?? ??definitely????veers?? ??towards?? ??having?? ??only?? ??one?? ??gay?? ??couple,?? ??so?? ??this?? ??work?? ??has?? ??no?? ??plans?? ??for?? ??a?? ??side????ship.?? ??I’m?? ??saying?? ??this?? ??for?? ??the?? ??sake?? ??of?? ??avoiding?? ??completely?? ??unnecessary?? ??disputes.????——????In?? ??this?? ??text,?? ??to?? ??beco?? ??a?? ??god,?? ??one?? ??must?? ??first?? ??beco?? ??a?? ??hero,?? ??which?? ??is?? ??one?? ??who?? ??is????special?? ??amongst?? ??mortals.?? ??Only?? ??a?? ??properly?? ??ascended?? ??mortal?? ??can?? ??beco?? ??a????heavenly?? ??official.?? ??How?? ??do?? ??their?? ??servants?? ??beco?? ??proper?? ??officials??? ??They?? ??have?? ??two????options:?? ??first?? ??they?? ??have?? ??to?? ??be?? ??adept?? ??at?? ??a?? ??particular?? ??skill,?? ??and?? ??enter?? ??either?? ??the????Martial?? ??or?? ??the?? ??Civil?? ??rank.?? ??Second,?? ??they?? ??have?? ??to?? ??have?? ??the?? ??luck.?? ??If?? ??they?? ??have?? ??good????luck,?? ??then?? ??there’s?? ??a?? ??good?? ??chance.?? ??If?? ??they?? ??randomly?? ??find?? ??so?? ??spiritual?? ??potion?? ??on????the?? ??side?? ??of?? ??the?? ??road,?? ??that?? ??works?? ??too.??????The?? ??officials?? ??in?? ??the?? ??Middle?? ??Court?? ??are?? ??those?? ??brought?? ??in?? ??by?? ??the?? ??Upper?? ??Court?? ??as????deputy?? ??generals?? ??or?? ??servants.?? ??Basically?? ??if?? ??you’re?? ??on?? ??good?? ??terms?? ??with?? ??the?? ??big?? ??guns,????they?? ??can?? ??pull?? ??you?? ??up.?? ??Although?? ??not?? ??a?? ??full-fledged?? ??official,?? ??you’re?? ??still?? ??part?? ??of?? ??the????heavens,?? ??so?? ??there’s?? ??all?? ??sorts?? ??of?? ??people.?? ??So?? ??say?? ??a?? ??heavenly?? ??official?? ??had?? ??a?? ??close????relationship?? ??with?? ??you?? ??or?? ??if?? ??they?? ??thought?? ??you?? ??have?? ??a?? ??bright?? ??future,?? ??they’ll?? ??promote????you?? ??first.?? ??As?? ??long?? ??as?? ??you?? ??have?? ??the?? ??skill?? ??and?? ??chance,?? ??you?? ??can?? ??beco?? ??a?? ??big?? ??gun????yourself?? ??too!??????????Ch.34:?? ??In?? ??the?? ??Great?? ??Martial?? ??Hall;?? ??Crown?? ??Prince?? ??ets?? ??Crown?? ??Prince?? ??3????????Xie?? ??Lian?? ??was?? ??silent?? ??and?? ??Jun?? ??Wu?? ??shook?? ??his?? ??head,?? ??“I?? ??didn’t?? ??think?? ??you?? ??would?? ??know.”??????The?? ??Martial?? ??Heavenly?? ??Emperor?? ??slighted?? ??his?? ??head,?? ??gesturing?? ??for?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??to?? ??follow,?? ??and????the?? ??two?? ??walked?? ??slowly?? ??towards?? ??the?? ??chambers?? ??behind?? ??the?? ??hall.?? ??As?? ??they?? ??walked,?? ??Jun?? ??Wu,????with?? ??his?? ??hands?? ??cradled?? ??in?? ??front,?? ??comnted,?? ??“Xian?? ??Le?? ??is?? ??all?? ??grown?? ??up?? ??now.”??????Naturally,?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??didn’t?? ??dare?? ??speak?? ??to?? ??that?? ??comnt.?? ??Jun?? ??Wu?? ??continued,?? ??“Eight????hundred?? ??years?? ??ago?? ??when?? ??I?? ??sent?? ??you?? ??down,?? ??I?? ??told?? ??you?? ??to?? ??keep?? ??periodic?? ??communication????with?? ???? ??so?? ??you?? ??won’t?? ??be?? ??rolling?? ??in?? ??the?? ??mud?? ??all?? ??by?? ??yourself,?? ??but?? ??the?? ??mont?? ??you?? ??went????down,?? ??all?? ??communication?? ??was?? ??cut,?? ??and?? ??you?? ??had?? ??to?? ??go?? ??tornt?? ??yourself.?? ??You’ve?? ??ascended????for?? ??so?? ??ti?? ??now,?? ??but?? ??not?? ??once?? ??have?? ??you?? ??reported?? ??in?? ??to?? ??the?? ??Great?? ??Martial?? ??Hall.?? ??If????anyone?? ??else?? ??was?? ??this?? ??impertinent,?? ??the?? ??Palace?? ??of?? ??Ling?? ??Wen?? ??would?? ??have?? ??reproached?? ??them????directly.”??????Of?? ??course?? ??Xie?? ??Lian’s?? ??“I’m?? ??sorry”?? ??earlier?? ??wasn’t?? ??directed?? ??to?? ??this?? ??matter,?? ??and?? ??Jun?? ??Wu?? ??knew????this?? ??too.?? ??“If?? ??your?? ??apology?? ??was?? ??for?? ??those?? ??few?? ??sword?? ??stabbings,?? ??then?? ??let?? ??it?? ??go.?? ??You?? ??said?? ??so????yourself,?? ??after?? ??stabbing,?? ??everything?? ??can?? ??be?? ??forgotten.”??????Xie?? ??Lian?? ??grimaced,?? ??“...How?? ??could?? ??I?? ??forget?”??????“Then?? ??look?? ??to?? ??the?? ??future.?? ??There’s?? ??still?? ??much?? ??we?? ??need?? ??you?? ??for.”??????Xie?? ??Lian?? ??rubbed?? ??his?? ??forehead,?? ??“Xian?? ??Le?? ??is?? ??but?? ??a?? ??lowly?? ??rubbish?? ??god?? ??without?? ??power.?? ??There????is?? ??no?? ??need?? ??for?? ??.?? ??I?? ??only?? ??ask?? ??not?? ??to?? ??be?? ??burdenso.”??????“Why?? ??depreciate?? ??yourself??? ??Didn’t?? ??you?? ??perform?? ??splendidly?? ??in?? ??the?? ??last?? ??two?? ??cases?”?? ??Jun?? ??Wu????said.??????“Except?? ??I?? ??may?? ??have?? ??offended?? ??General?? ??Pei.”????????“Ming?? ??Guang?? ??is?? ??fine,?? ??I’ll?? ??watch?? ??over?? ??him,?? ??you?? ??don’t?? ??need?? ??to?? ??worry.?? ??However,”?? ??Jun?? ??Wu????turned?? ??around,?? ??“Tell?? ??,?? ??what?? ??kind?? ??of?? ??extraordinary?? ??character?? ??did?? ??you?? ??engage?? ??with?? ??when????you?? ??descended?? ??this?? ??ti?”??????Xie?? ??Lian?? ??raised?? ??his?? ??hand,?? ??“My?? ??lord,?? ??I?? ??swear?? ??I?? ??did?? ??nothing.?? ??Just,?? ??one?? ??day?? ??by?? ??chance?? ??I????encountered?? ??an?? ??interesting?? ??child?? ??on?? ??the?? ??road,?? ??and?? ??we?? ??spent?? ??so?? ??ti?? ??together.?? ??I?? ??didn’t????think?? ??much?? ??of?? ??it.”??????Jun?? ??Wu?? ??nodded,?? ??“Chance?? ??encounter,?? ??child,?? ??Supre?? ??Ghost?? ??King.?? ??Xian?? ??Le,?? ??you?? ??do?? ??know????that?? ??if?? ??Ming?? ??Guang?? ??was?? ??to?? ??question?? ??you?? ??further?? ??and?? ??you?? ??had?? ??confessed?? ??this?? ??in?? ??front?? ??of????the?? ??other?? ??officials,?? ??what?? ??the?? ??consequences?? ??would?? ??be??? ??No?? ??one?? ??would?? ??believe?? ??you.”??????“Xian?? ??Le?? ??knows.”?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??replied?? ??woefully,?? ??“So?? ??I?? ??am?? ??grateful?? ??for?? ??My?? ??lord’s?? ??tily????intervention.?? ??My?? ??lord,?? ??you’re?? ??not?? ??actually?? ??going?? ??to?? ??interrogate?? ??,?? ??are?? ??you??? ??I?? ??wouldn’t????collude?? ??with?? ??the?? ??Ghost?? ??Realm.?? ??This?? ??is?? ??all?? ??absurd?? ??concerns.”??????“Naturally,?? ??I?? ??know?? ??you?? ??would?? ??not?? ??intentionally?? ??collude?? ??with?? ??the?? ??Ghost?? ??Realm.”?? ??Jun?? ??Wu????said.??????“I?? ??am?? ??grateful?? ??for?? ??My?? ??lord’s?? ??trust.”?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??replied.??????“However,?? ??with?? ??things?? ??thus,?? ??it?? ??may?? ??no?? ??longer?? ??be?? ??appropriate?? ??to?? ??send?? ??you?? ??to?? ??investigate????an?? ??important?? ??matter?? ??that?? ??has?? ??surfaced.”??????“What?? ??is?? ??it?”?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??inquired.??????At?? ??this?? ??ti,?? ??the?? ??two?? ??of?? ??them?? ??had?? ??reached?? ??the?? ??chamber?? ??behind?? ??the?? ??great?? ??hall.?? ??The?? ??great????hall?? ??and?? ??the?? ??back?? ??chamber?? ??was?? ??separated?? ??by?? ??a?? ??large?? ??mural,?? ??the?? ??front?? ??depicting?? ??the????golden?? ??palace?? ??towering?? ??through?? ??a?? ??sea?? ??of?? ??clouds,?? ??radiant?? ??and?? ??brilliant.?? ??The?? ??back?? ??side?? ??of????the?? ??mural?? ??was?? ??another?? ??depicting?? ??mountains?? ??and?? ??valleys?? ??of?? ??over?? ??ten?? ??thousand?? ??miles.?? ??On????the?? ??map?? ??there?? ??were?? ??many?? ??tiny?? ??pearls?? ??like?? ??stars.??????Each?? ??of?? ??these?? ??stars?? ??marked?? ??a?? ??Great?? ??Martial?? ??Temple?? ??in?? ??the?? ??mortal?? ??realm.?? ??A?? ??pearl????embedded?? ??on?? ??the?? ??map?? ??ans?? ??there?? ??was?? ??a?? ??Great?? ??Martial?? ??Temple?? ??built?? ??there.?? ??Eight????hundred?? ??years?? ??ago?? ??when?? ??Jun?? ??Wu?? ??brought?? ??the?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??who?? ??had?? ??ascended?? ??for?? ??the?? ??first????ti?? ??to?? ??the?? ??back?? ??chamber,?? ??the?? ??pearl?? ??stars?? ??on?? ??the?? ??mural?? ??weren’t?? ??as?? ??dense,?? ??but?? ??now,?? ??the????shimring?? ??jewels?? ??seed?? ??to?? ??be?? ??plentifully?? ??bestrewn,?? ??overwhelming?? ??in?? ??their?? ??radiance.????????Jun?? ??Wu?? ??stood?? ??before?? ??the?? ??mural?? ??and?? ??spoke,?? ??“Seven?? ??days?? ??ago,?? ??many?? ??saw?? ??with?? ??their?? ??own????eyes,?? ??a?? ??dragon?? ??of?? ??fire?? ??abruptly?? ??soaring?? ??to?? ??the?? ??sky?? ??from?? ??a?? ??forest?? ??in?? ??the?? ??east.”??????Xie?? ??Lian’s?? ??face?? ??grew?? ??serious?? ??hearing?? ??those?? ??words.??????Jun?? ??Wu,?? ??with?? ??one?? ??hand?? ??behind?? ??his?? ??back,?? ??used?? ??the?? ??other?? ??and?? ??softly?? ??knocked?? ??on?? ??the?? ??mural????once,?? ??“That?? ??dragon?? ??of?? ??fire?? ??lasted?? ??for?? ??two?? ??incense?? ??ti?? ??before?? ??burning?? ??out.?? ??Do?? ??you?? ??know????what?? ??that?? ??ans?”??????“The?? ??spell?? ??for?? ??the?? ??Ascending?? ??Fire?? ??Dragon?? ??emits?? ??intense?? ??flas?? ??that?? ??do?? ??not?? ??harm.?? ??It’s?? ??a????call?? ??for?? ??help.”?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??replied.??????“That?? ??is?? ??correct.?? ??It?? ??was?? ??a?? ??distress?? ??signal,?? ??and?? ??it?? ??ca?? ??from?? ??a?? ??heavenly?? ??official.”?? ??Jun?? ??Wu????said.??????“It’s?? ??no?? ??ordinary?? ??call?? ??for?? ??help,?? ??it’s?? ??one?? ??of?? ??desperation.”?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??added.??????This?? ??Ascending?? ??Fire?? ??Dragon?? ??spell?? ??with?? ??its?? ??intense?? ??flas?? ??that?? ??would?? ??not?? ??harm?? ??took?? ??an????imnse?? ??amount?? ??of?? ??power,?? ??and?? ??if?? ??the?? ??casting?? ??official?? ??was?? ??not?? ??careful,?? ??they?? ??could?? ??very????well?? ??implode?? ??and?? ??destroy?? ??their?? ??spiritual?? ??core.?? ??Therefore,?? ??if?? ??not?? ??out?? ??of?? ??desperation,?? ??very????few?? ??would?? ??go?? ??this?? ??route.?? ??Now?? ??that?? ??it?? ??appeared,?? ??it?? ??ant?? ??a?? ??heavenly?? ??official?? ??had?? ??fallen?? ??into????grave?? ??danger.??????“Are?? ??there?? ??any?? ??officials?? ??whose?? ??whereabouts?? ??are?? ??unknown?? ??recently?”?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??asked.??????“The?? ??matter?? ??with?? ??the?? ??Banyue?? ??Pass?? ??was?? ??not?? ??the?? ??only?? ??reason?? ??all?? ??the?? ??officials?? ??were????summoned?? ??back?? ??to?? ??court?? ??this?? ??ti.?? ??The?? ??main?? ??purpose?? ??was?? ??to?? ??use?? ??this?? ??chance?? ??to????investigate?? ??everyone’s?? ??whereabouts.?? ??Other?? ??than?? ??those?? ??who?? ??usually?? ??do?? ??not?? ??show?? ??like?? ??the????Rain?? ??Master?? ??and?? ??the?? ??Earth?? ??Master,?? ??even?? ??those?? ??who?? ??couldn’t?? ??make?? ??it?? ??back?? ??had?? ??reported????in.”??????Xie?? ??Lian?? ??humd?? ??for?? ??a?? ??mont?? ??then?? ??speculated,?? ??“Maybe?? ??it?? ??wasn’t?? ??any?? ??of?? ??the?? ??officials????from?? ??this?? ??term??? ??Could?? ??it?? ??be?? ??any?? ??one?? ??of?? ??the?? ??retired?? ??officials?”??????“If?? ??that’s?? ??the?? ??case,?? ??then?? ??I’m?? ??afraid?? ??our?? ??periters?? ??will?? ??largely?? ??expand.?? ??Many?? ??of?? ??the?? ??retired????officials?? ??have?? ??long?? ??lost?? ??contact?? ??with?? ??the?? ??heavens.?? ??It?? ??would?? ??be?? ??difficult?? ??to?? ??determine?? ??who?? ??is????the?? ??one?? ??in?? ??peril.”?? ??Jun?? ??Wu?? ??said.??????So?? ??this?? ??was?? ??probably?? ??why?? ??Ling?? ??Wen?? ??and?? ??many?? ??of?? ??the?? ??civil?? ??officials?? ??had?? ??dark?? ??circles?? ??under????their?? ??eyes;?? ??they?? ??were?? ??busy?? ??working?? ??on?? ??this?? ??case,?? ??and?? ??certainly?? ??wouldn’t?? ??have?? ??the?? ??ti?? ??to????investigate?? ??that?? ??boy?? ??with?? ??the?? ??human?? ??face?? ??disease?? ??from?? ??Mount?? ??Yujun.?? ??“To?? ??corner?? ??a????heavenly?? ??official?? ??to?? ??the?? ??point?? ??of?? ??using?? ??such?? ??a?? ??self?? ??destructive?? ??spell,?? ??it?? ??must?? ??be?? ??the?? ??doing????of?? ??great?? ??evil.?? ??Are?? ??there?? ??any?? ??demonic?? ??gatherings?? ??or?? ??lairs?? ??in?? ??that?? ??area?”??????“There?? ??is.”?? ??Jun?? ??Wu?? ??replied,?? ??“And?? ??it’s?? ??very?? ??closeby.?? ??Do?? ??you?? ??know?? ??of?? ??the?? ??Ghost?? ??City?”??????Xie?? ??Lian?? ??thought?? ??about?? ??it?? ??and?? ??replied,?? ??“I’ve?? ??heard?? ??of?? ??it.”??????The?? ??Ghost?? ??City?? ??was?? ??the?? ??most?? ??prosperous?? ??place?? ??within?? ??the?? ??ghost?? ??realm,?? ??situated?? ??right?? ??at????the?? ??crossroads?? ??of?? ??the?? ??mortal?? ??and?? ??the?? ??ghost?? ??realms.????????This?? ??was?? ??where?? ??all?? ??manners?? ??of?? ??spirits,?? ??ghosts,?? ??demons?? ??and?? ??monsters?? ??gather?? ??by?? ??the????swarms?? ??to?? ??conduct?? ??trades?? ??and?? ??exchanges.?? ??Cultivators?? ??of?? ??certain?? ??levels?? ??would?? ??also?? ??go?? ??to????do?? ??business?? ??or?? ??seek?? ??information.?? ??Sotis,?? ??there?? ??would?? ??also?? ??be?? ??heavenly?? ??officials?? ??in????disguise,?? ??mixing?? ??in?? ??for?? ??curiosity?? ??sakes?? ??or?? ??other?? ??unknown?? ??reasons.?? ??Of?? ??course,?? ??there?? ??were????also?? ??those?? ??who’d?? ??enter?? ??by?? ??mistake,?? ??and?? ??would?? ??either?? ??be?? ??eaten?? ??alive,?? ??or?? ??scared?? ??to?? ??death.??????Ever?? ??since?? ??ancient?? ??tis?? ??—?? ??although?? ??not?? ??as?? ??ancient?? ??as?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??—?? ??there?? ??had?? ??always????been?? ??many?? ??tales?? ??of?? ??the?? ??Ghost?? ??City?? ??in?? ??the?? ??mortal?? ??realm.?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??rembered?? ??one?? ??of?? ??the????stories?? ??had?? ??a?? ??man?? ??traveling?? ??at?? ??night?? ??who?? ??saw?? ??a?? ??bustling?? ??market?? ??before?? ??him?? ??with?? ??large?? ??red????lanterns?? ??and?? ??colourful?? ??signs.?? ??He?? ??entered?? ??the?? ??market?? ??in?? ??high?? ??spirits?? ??but?? ??found?? ??that????everyone?? ??around?? ??him?? ??had?? ??a?? ??mask,?? ??and?? ??if?? ??not?? ??hooded,?? ??then?? ??extrely?? ??ugly,?? ??very?? ??curious!????He?? ??didn’t?? ??think?? ??deeply?? ??about?? ??it,?? ??bought?? ??a?? ??bowl?? ??of?? ??noodles?? ??and?? ??sat?? ??down?? ??to?? ??eat,?? ??but?? ??as?? ??he????ate?? ??the?? ??food?? ??didn’t?? ??feel?? ??right,?? ??and?? ??when?? ??he?? ??looked?? ??closely,?? ??the?? ??noodles?? ??were?? ??actually????squirming?? ??strands?? ??of?? ??hair!??????Xie?? ??Lian?? ??brought?? ??himself?? ??back?? ??to?? ??the?? ??present,?? ??and?? ??Jun?? ??Wu?? ??continued,?? ??“After?? ??seeing?? ??that????column?? ??of?? ??fire,?? ??I?? ??imdiately?? ??sent?? ??officials?? ??to?? ??go?? ??investigate?? ??the?? ??area,?? ??but?? ??there?? ??was?? ??no????evidence?? ??of?? ??anything,?? ??so?? ??it’s?? ??very?? ??possibly?? ??that?? ??they’ve?? ??moved?? ??to?? ??the?? ??Ghost?? ??City.????However,?? ??the?? ??Heavenly?? ??Realm?? ??and?? ??the?? ??Ghost?? ??Realm?? ??have?? ??always?? ??drawn?? ??very?? ??clear????borders,?? ??so?? ??without?? ??enough?? ??proof,?? ??we?? ??cannot?? ??intrude?? ??the?? ??Ghost?? ??City.?? ??Which?? ??is?? ??why?? ??this????ti,?? ??I?? ??need?? ??soone?? ??to?? ??descend?? ??in?? ??secret?? ??and?? ??probe?? ??the?? ??Ghost?? ??City.”??????“We?? ??can’t?? ??alert?? ??the?? ??enemy?? ??and?? ??have?? ??them?? ??move?? ??again.?? ??Is?? ??that?? ??why?? ??this?? ??couldn’t?? ??be????discussed?? ??openly?? ??at?? ??the?? ??great?? ??hall?? ??with?? ??everyone?? ??and?? ??let?? ??too?? ??many?? ??know?”?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??said.??????“That?? ??is?? ??correct.”?? ??Jun?? ??Wu?? ??replied.??????“Then?? ??My?? ??lord,?? ??pray?? ??give?? ??Xian?? ??Le?? ??the?? ??command.”????????“The?? ??first?? ??candidate?? ??I?? ??had?? ??in?? ??mind?? ??was?? ??originally?? ??you,”?? ??Jun?? ??Wu?? ??said,?? ??“But?? ??for?? ??this,?? ??it?? ??may????be?? ??inconvenient?? ??for?? ??you?? ??to?? ??go.”????????“How?? ??would?? ??it?? ??be?? ??inconvenient?”?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??asked.??????“First,?? ??the?? ??east?? ??is?? ??ruled?? ??by?? ??Lang?? ??Qianqiu.?? ??If?? ??you?? ??should?? ??go,?? ??you?? ??must?? ??cooperate?? ??with?? ??him.”????Jun?? ??Wu?? ??said.??????Xie?? ??Lian?? ??responded,?? ??“That?? ??would?? ??not?? ??be?? ??a?? ??problem,?? ??please?? ??do?? ??not?? ??worry.”??????“Second,”?? ??Jun?? ??Wu?? ??continued,?? ??“Do?? ??you?? ??know?? ??whose?? ??territory?? ??the?? ??Ghost?? ??City?? ??sits?? ??in?”????????Taken?? ??aback,?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??said,?? ??unsure,?? ??“Is?? ??it?? ??Hua?? ??Cheng?”??????Jun?? ??Wu?? ??nodded?? ??slowly.?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??suddenly?? ??felt?? ??at?? ??ease,?? ??but?? ??sothing?? ??else?? ??ca?? ??to????mind.??????That?? ??column?? ??of?? ??fire?? ??in?? ??the?? ??eastern?? ??forest?? ??blazed?? ??up?? ??seven?? ??days?? ??ago.?? ??Coincidentally,?? ??it????was?? ??seven?? ??days?? ??ago?? ??when?? ??Hua?? ??Cheng?? ??left?? ??Puqi?? ??shrine.?? ??The?? ??timing?? ??was?? ??impeccable.????Was?? ??there?? ??a?? ??connection?? ??between?? ??the?? ??two?? ??events???????“Looks?? ??like?? ??your?? ??relationship?? ??with?? ??him?? ??is?? ??not?? ??bad.”?? ??Jun?? ??Wu?? ??said,?? ??“If?? ??you?? ??accidentally?? ??run????into?? ??him,?? ??then?? ??all?? ??may?? ??still?? ??be?? ??well.?? ??However,?? ??should?? ??he?? ??have?? ??any?? ??connection?? ??to?? ??this?? ??case,????if?? ??you?? ??feel?? ??awkward?? ??then?? ??do?? ??not?? ??force?? ??yourself.?? ??If?? ??you?? ??have?? ??any?? ??other?? ??suggestions?? ??do?? ??let?????? ??know.”??????However,?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??still?? ??said,?? ??“Let?? ???? ??go.?? ??I?? ??don’t?? ??think?? ??that?? ??Crimson?? ??Rain?? ??Sought?? ??Flower?? ??is????a?? ??disingenuous?? ??individual.”??????Jun?? ??Wu?? ??looked?? ??at?? ??him,?? ??“Xian?? ??Le,?? ??I?? ??know?? ??you’re?? ??very?? ??capable?? ??and?? ??know?? ??what?? ??you’re????doing.?? ??However,?? ??I?? ??also?? ??know?? ??you?? ??always?? ??think?? ??the?? ??best?? ??of?? ??everyone.”??????Hearing?? ??his?? ??words,?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??gave?? ??a?? ??small?? ??smile,?? ??“Please?? ??don’t?? ??say?? ??it?? ??like?? ??I’m?? ??a?? ??princess????who?? ??has?? ??never?? ??left?? ??ho.?? ??Those?? ??words?? ??really?? ??don’t?? ??suit?? ???? ??anymore.”??????Jun?? ??Wu?? ??still?? ??shook?? ??his?? ??head,?? ??“I?? ??shouldn’t?? ??comnt?? ??on?? ??the?? ??friends?? ??you?? ??make,?? ??but?? ??I?? ??will?? ??still????say?? ??this:?? ??be?? ??careful?? ??of?? ??Hua?? ??Cheng.”??????Xie?? ??Lian?? ??lowered?? ??his?? ??head?? ??in?? ??a?? ??bow,?? ??and?? ??said?? ??nothing.?? ??He?? ??should’ve?? ??responded?? ??with????“Yes,?? ??My?? ??Lord,”;?? ??after?? ??all?? ??it’s?? ??all?? ??a?? ??habit?? ??by?? ??now.?? ??Yet,?? ??sohow,?? ??he?? ??really?? ??didn’t?? ??want?? ??to????say?? ??this?? ??“Yes”.????????“Be?? ??especially?? ??careful?? ??of?? ??that?? ??wicked?? ??blade?? ??of?? ??his.”?? ??Jun?? ??Wu?? ??continued.??????“What?? ??do?? ??you?? ??an?”?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??asked,?? ??curious.??????“The?? ??Scimitar?? ??E’ming.?? ??It?? ??is?? ??a?? ??cursed?? ??blade,?? ??a?? ??blade?? ??of?? ??misfortune.?? ??An?? ??evil?? ??weapon?? ??such????as?? ??that?? ??would?? ??need?? ??a?? ??terrifyingly?? ??cruel?? ??sacrifice?? ??and?? ??a?? ??bloody?? ??determination?? ??before?? ??it????could?? ??be?? ??forged.?? ??Do?? ??not?? ??touch?? ??it,?? ??and?? ??do?? ??not?? ??let?? ??it?? ??injure?? ??you?? ??either,?? ??otherwise?? ??the????consequences?? ??would?? ??be?? ??unimaginable.”?? ??Jun?? ??Wu?? ??replied.??????Xie?? ??Lian?? ??couldn’t?? ??tell?? ??where?? ??his?? ??sudden?? ??surge?? ??of?? ??confidence?? ??ca?? ??from,?? ??but?? ??he?? ??didn’t????think?? ??Hua?? ??Cheng?? ??would?? ??hurt?? ??him?? ??at?? ??all.?? ??Still,?? ??he?? ??responded,?? ??“Xian?? ??Le?? ??understands.”??????Jun?? ??Wu?? ??nodded?? ??again,?? ??“I?? ??will?? ??naturally?? ??be?? ??at?? ??ease?? ??with?? ??you?? ??taking?? ??this?? ??case.?? ??If?? ??you?? ??don’t????feel?? ??any?? ??awkwardness,?? ??then?? ??even?? ??better.?? ??But?? ??still,?? ??going?? ??on?? ??this?? ??mission?? ??by?? ??yourself?? ??may????be?? ??too?? ??much.?? ??Are?? ??there?? ??any?? ??other?? ??officials?? ??you’d?? ??like?? ???? ??to?? ??appoint?? ??to?? ??this?? ??case?”??????“It?? ??really?? ??doesn’t?? ??matter.”?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??said?? ??after?? ??so?? ??thought,?? ??“But?? ??preferably?? ??soone????easy?? ??to?? ??get?? ??along?? ??with.?? ??It’d?? ??be?? ??good?? ??if?? ??they’re?? ??powerful?? ??so?? ??they?? ??can?? ??lend?? ???? ??so????spiritual?? ??power?? ??from?? ??ti?? ??to?? ??ti.”??????Jun?? ??Wu?? ??smiled,?? ??“You?? ??struck?? ??out?? ??both?? ??Nan?? ??Yang?? ??and?? ??Xuan?? ??Zhen?? ??with?? ??the?? ??first?? ??condition.”??????Truly,?? ??no?? ??one?? ??could?? ??say?? ??that?? ??the?? ??Feng?? ??Xin?? ??and?? ??Mu?? ??Qing?? ??now?? ??were?? ??personalities?? ??that?? ??were????easy?? ??to?? ??get?? ??along?? ??with,?? ??and?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??started?? ??chuckling?? ??too.?? ??“How?? ??goes?? ??between?? ??the?? ??three????of?? ??you??? ??Have?? ??you?? ??spoken?? ??with?? ??them?? ??yet?”?? ??Jun?? ??Wu?? ??asked.????????The?? ??Heavenly?? ??Emperor?? ??himself?? ??never?? ??entered?? ??the?? ??communication?? ??array,?? ??and?? ??thus????naturally?? ??unaware?? ??of?? ??the?? ??buzzing?? ??chitchats?? ??that?? ??went?? ??on?? ??among?? ??the?? ??officials.?? ??“We?? ??spoke????a?? ??few?? ??words,”?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??replied.??????“It’s?? ??been?? ??so?? ??many?? ??years?? ??and?? ??yet?? ??you?? ??have?? ??only?? ??spoken?? ??a?? ??few?? ??words?”?? ??Jun?? ??Wu?? ??inquired,????“Oh,?? ??that’s?? ??right.?? ??I?? ??heard?? ??when?? ??you?? ??ascended?? ??this?? ??ti,?? ??you?? ??destroyed?? ??many?? ??of?? ??your????fellow?? ??officials’?? ??palaces?? ??and?? ??properties,?? ??and?? ??one?? ??of?? ??them?? ??was?? ??Nan?? ??Yang.”??????Xie?? ??Lian?? ??argued?? ??back,?? ??“I?? ??paid?? ??back?? ??that?? ??debt!?? ??All?? ??eight?? ??million,?? ??eight?? ??hundred?? ??and?? ??eighty????thousand?? ??rits!?? ??And?? ??for?? ??this,?? ??I?? ??need?? ??to?? ??thank?? ??My?? ??lord?? ??for?? ??giving?? ???? ??the?? ??opportunity?? ??to?? ??go????to?? ??Mount?? ??Yujun.”??????“Thank?? ??Nan?? ??Yang,”?? ??Jun?? ??Wu?? ??replied,?? ??“I?? ??heard?? ??Ling?? ??Wen?? ??say?? ??it?? ??was?? ??he?? ??who?? ??privately????approached?? ??her?? ??to?? ??clear?? ??your?? ??debt?? ??of?? ??his?? ??reconstruction?? ??cost.”??????Xie?? ??Lian?? ??was?? ??stunned.?? ??“This...?? ??I?? ??didn’t?? ??know?? ??about?? ??this?? ??at?? ??all.”??????No?? ??wonder?? ??those?? ??eight?? ??million,?? ??eight?? ??hundred?? ??and?? ??eighty?? ??thousand?? ??rits?? ??were?? ??so?? ??easily????repaid;?? ??so?? ??much?? ??of?? ??it?? ??was?? ??already?? ??forgiven.?? ??Yet?? ??at?? ??the?? ??ti,?? ??it?? ??was?? ??the?? ??palace?? ??of?? ??Nan????Yang?? ??that?? ??was?? ??the?? ??most?? ??damaged;?? ??they?? ??say?? ??half?? ??of?? ??the?? ??golden?? ??roof?? ??had?? ??collapsed.????????“Nan?? ??Yang?? ??made?? ??sure?? ??Ling?? ??Wen?? ??would?? ??not?? ??tell?? ??you,?? ??so?? ??naturally?? ??you?? ??were?? ??unaware.????Since?? ??he?? ??did?? ??not?? ??want?? ??you?? ??to?? ??know,?? ??then?? ??it?? ??would?? ??be?? ??best?? ??to?? ??keep?? ??pretending?? ??to?? ??be????ignorant.”?? ??Jun?? ??Wu?? ??said.??????Xie?? ??Lian?? ??didn’t?? ??know?? ??how?? ??to?? ??feel?? ??about?? ??this.?? ??Complicated?? ??and?? ??bittersweet,?? ??his?? ??mind?? ??was????clouded?? ??and?? ??all?? ??over?? ??the?? ??place.?? ??At?? ??last?? ??he?? ??sighed?? ??soundlessly?? ??and?? ??thought,?? ??‘Truly,?? ??in?? ??this????world,?? ??the?? ??words?? ??“don’t?? ??tell?? ??anyone”?? ??are?? ??all?? ??empty.’??????Jun?? ??Wu?? ??contemplated?? ??then?? ??said,?? ??“If?? ??Nan?? ??Yang?? ??and?? ??Xuan?? ??Zhen?? ??will?? ??not?? ??do,?? ??how?? ??about?? ??the????Wind?? ??Master?”??????Xie?? ??Lian?? ??pondered?? ??the?? ??option,?? ??“The?? ??Wind?? ??Master?? ??is?? ??good,?? ??but?? ??I?? ??don’t?? ??know?? ??if?? ??she?? ??would????want?? ??to?? ??go?? ??on?? ??this?? ??mission?? ??with?? ???”??????“The?? ??Wind?? ??Master?? ??is?? ??powerful,”?? ??Jun?? ??Wu?? ??said,?? ??“A?? ??lively?? ??person?? ??who?? ??enjoys?? ??making????friends,?? ??and?? ??thus?? ??matches?? ??your?? ??first?? ??condition?? ??of?? ??easy?? ??to?? ??get?? ??along?? ??with.?? ??After?? ??the????business?? ??with?? ??Banyue?? ??the?? ??Wind?? ??Master?? ??has?? ??a?? ??good?? ??impression?? ??of?? ??you?? ??as?? ??well.?? ??I?? ??think????you?? ??two?? ??will?? ??be?? ??alright.?? ??If?? ??you?? ??do?? ??not?? ??have?? ??any?? ??other?? ??questions,?? ??then?? ??descend?? ??with?? ??the????Wind?? ??Master?? ??and?? ??investigate?? ??the?? ??Ghost?? ??City.?? ??Also,”??????“Yes?”????????Jun?? ??Wu?? ??said?? ??languidly,?? ??“Work?? ??hard,?? ??but?? ??do?? ??not?? ??force?? ??yourself.”??????Xie?? ??Lian?? ??was?? ??startled?? ??by?? ??those?? ??words,?? ??and?? ??smiled,?? ??“What?? ??is?? ??My?? ??lord?? ??saying??? ??I’m?? ??not????forcing?? ??myself.”??????Jun?? ??Wu?? ??patted?? ??Xie?? ??Lian’s?? ??shoulders,?? ??“Return?? ??to?? ??the?? ??Palace?? ??of?? ??Xianle?? ??to?? ??rest?? ??for?? ??now.?? ??I’ll????send?? ??word?? ??to?? ??summon?? ??the?? ??Wind?? ??Master.”??????Xie?? ??Lian?? ??blinked,?? ??“I?? ??don’t?? ??have?? ??enough?? ??rits?? ??so?? ??no?? ??palace?? ??has?? ??been?? ??constructed.?? ??The????Palace?? ??of?? ??Xianle?? ??from?? ??the?? ??past?? ??has?? ??long?? ??since?? ??been?? ??torn?? ??down,?? ??so?? ??what?? ??Palace?? ??of????Xianle?”??????“I’ve?? ??granted?? ??you?? ??a?? ??new?? ??one.”?? ??Jun?? ??Wu?? ??said,?? ??“You?? ??cannot?? ??possibly?? ??always?? ??squeeze?? ??in?? ??that????broken?? ??down?? ??little?? ??shrine?”????????Xie?? ??Lian?? ??left?? ??the?? ??Great?? ??Martial?? ??Hall,?? ??and?? ??was?? ??led?? ??to?? ??the?? ??‘Palace?? ??of?? ??Xianle’?? ??by?? ??a?? ??junior????official?? ??from?? ??Jun?? ??Wu’s?? ??palace.??????This?? ??Palace?? ??of?? ??Xianle?? ??was?? ??practically?? ??exactly?? ??the?? ??sa?? ??as?? ??the?? ??one?? ??he?? ??had?? ??in?? ??the?? ??past;????glass?? ??red?? ??walls,?? ??sumptuous?? ??and?? ??elegant.?? ??Still,?? ??he?? ??stood?? ??outside?? ??the?? ??palace?? ??gates?? ??for?? ??a????long?? ??ti,?? ??but?? ??not?? ??a?? ??shred?? ??of?? ??desire?? ??to?? ??enter?? ??ca?? ??to?? ??him.?? ??The?? ??Scrap?? ??Immortal?? ??was?? ??still????best?? ??suited?? ??for?? ??a?? ??scrapped?? ??shrine?? ??after?? ??all.?? ??A?? ??proud?? ??and?? ??glamourous?? ??heavenly?? ??palace?? ??like????this?? ??wasn’t?? ??a?? ??place?? ??he?? ??could?? ??stay.??????He?? ??loitered?? ??outside?? ??the?? ??entrance?? ??and?? ??waited?? ??for?? ??that?? ??Lord?? ??Wind?? ??Master?? ??to?? ??co?? ??find?? ??him,????but?? ??after?? ??a?? ??while,?? ??the?? ??one?? ??who?? ??appeared?? ??wasn’t?? ??the?? ??lady?? ??cultivator?? ??in?? ??white,?? ??but?? ??another????white?? ??clad?? ??cultivator.??????The?? ??cultivator?? ??was?? ??glowing,?? ??spiritual?? ??aura?? ??in?? ??abundance?? ??surrounding?? ??him?? ??–?? ??it?? ??was?? ??the????one?? ??from?? ??the?? ??eting?? ??at?? ??the?? ??Great?? ??Martial?? ??Hall,?? ??Qingxuan.?? ??He?? ??waved?? ??his?? ??whisk?? ??and????smiled,?? ??“Greetings,?? ??Your?? ??Highness!”??????Xie?? ??Lian?? ??smiled?? ??back,?? ??“Greetings,?? ??fellow?? ??cultivator.”??????Truthfully,?? ??he?? ??really?? ??wanted?? ??to?? ??ask?? ??what?? ??his?? ??title?? ??was,?? ??but?? ??thought?? ??it’d?? ??be?? ??rude?? ??to?? ??do?? ??so.????He?? ??was?? ??about?? ??to?? ??sneak?? ??a?? ??peek?? ??in?? ??his?? ??scroll?? ??to?? ??see?? ??just?? ??which?? ??heavenly?? ??official?? ??was????nad?? ??Qingxuan?? ??when?? ??the?? ??person?? ??in?? ??question?? ??walked?? ??up?? ??to?? ??him?? ??and?? ??exclaid,?? ??“Let’s????go!?? ??Let’s?? ??go?? ??check?? ??out?? ??the?? ??underworld.”??????Xie?? ??Lian?? ??was?? ??taken?? ??aback,?? ??“My?? ??friend,?? ??I’m?? ??waiting?? ??for?? ??soone.”??????Hearing?? ??this,?? ??the?? ??cultivator?? ??placed?? ??his?? ??whisk?? ??into?? ??the?? ??back?? ??collar?? ??of?? ??his?? ??outer?? ??robe?? ??and????turned?? ??around?? ??in?? ??wonder,?? ??“Who?? ??are?? ??you?? ??waiting?? ??for?”??????“I’m?? ??waiting?? ??for?? ??the?? ??Wind?? ??Master.”?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??replied.??????The?? ??white?? ??clad?? ??cultivator?? ??looked?? ??even?? ??more?? ??confused,?? ??“I’m?? ??right?? ??here?”??????“...”??????Xie?? ??Lian’s?? ??brows?? ??jumped,?? ??“You’re?? ??the?? ??Wind?? ??Master?”??????The?? ??other?? ??flashed?? ??open?? ??his?? ??fan,?? ??and?? ??started?? ??fanning,?? ??“I?? ??am?? ??the?? ??Wind?? ??Master,?? ??was?? ??there????ever?? ??any?? ??doubt??? ??Did?? ??you?? ??not?? ??know?? ??who?? ??I?? ??was???? ??Have?? ??you?? ??never?? ??heard?? ??of?? ??my?? ??na:?? ??The????Wind?? ??Master?? ??Qingxuan???”??????His?? ??tone?? ??was?? ??irrefutable?? ??and?? ??absolute,?? ??as?? ??if?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??not?? ??knowing?? ??his?? ??na?? ??was?? ??an????impossible?? ??thing?? ??to?? ??happen.?? ??The?? ??folding?? ??fan?? ??had?? ??the?? ??word?? ??for?? ??wind?? ??‘Feng’?? ??written????slantedly?? ??on?? ??the?? ??front,?? ??the?? ??backside?? ??had?? ??three?? ??inclining?? ??lines?? ??drawn?? ??–?? ??the?? ??exact?? ??sa?? ??fan????the?? ??lady?? ??cultivator?? ??in?? ??white?? ??had?? ??in?? ??her?? ??hand!????????Xie?? ??Lian?? ??suddenly?? ??recalled;?? ??Fu?? ??Yao?? ??had?? ??ntioned?? ??that?? ??so?? ??upper?? ??court?? ??heavenly????officials,?? ??under?? ??special?? ??circumstances,?? ??have?? ??the?? ??ability?? ??to?? ??transform?? ??their?? ??appearance.????While?? ??at?? ??Banyue,?? ??Nan?? ??Feng?? ??had?? ??also?? ??uttered?? ??an?? ??incomplete?? ??sentence:?? ??“The?? ??Wind????Master?? ??had?? ??always?? ??been...”??????Had?? ??always?? ??been??? ??Been?? ??what???????A?? ??man?!??????After?? ??getting?? ??dragged?? ??for?? ??a?? ??few?? ??steps,?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??still?? ??couldn’t?? ??fully?? ??process?? ??this?? ??information,????“Um...?? ??Lord?? ??Wind?? ??Master,?? ??you,?? ??you,?? ??you,?? ??why?? ??did?? ??you?? ??disguise?? ??yourself?? ??as?? ??a?? ??woman?? ??last????ti?”??????“What??? ??Was?? ??I?? ??not?? ??beautiful?”?? ??The?? ??Wind?? ??Master?? ??asked.??????“Yes??? ??But...”?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??was?? ??still?? ??confused.??????“If?? ??I?? ??was?? ??beautiful?? ??then?? ??there’s?? ??no?? ??but??? ??As?? ??long?? ??as?? ??I?? ??looked?? ??good!”?? ??The?? ??Wind?? ??Master????smiled?? ??brightly,?? ??“Of?? ??course?? ??it’s?? ??because?? ??I’d?? ??look?? ??good?? ??that?? ??I?? ??was?? ??in?? ??disguise!”??????Having?? ??said?? ??that,?? ??he?? ??looked?? ??to?? ??have?? ??suddenly?? ??co?? ??to?? ??an?? ??idea,?? ??and?? ??closed?? ??his?? ??fan.?? ??He????gave?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??a?? ??once?? ??over?? ??with?? ??a?? ??calculated?? ??look,?? ??and?? ??spoke?? ??after?? ??a?? ??mont,?? ??“Speaking????of?? ??which,?? ??don’t?? ??we?? ??need?? ??to?? ??be?? ??undercover?? ??for?? ??this?? ??mission?? ??to?? ??the?? ??Ghost?? ??City?”??????“...”??????Xie?? ??Lian:?? ??“???”????????????Ch.35:?? ??Enter?? ??the?? ??Ghost?? ??City!?? ??Rendezvous?? ??with?? ??the?? ??Ghost?? ??King????????Much?? ??ashad,?? ??it?? ??wasn’t?? ??until?? ??four?? ??hours?? ??later?? ??that?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??had?? ??the?? ??ti?? ??to?? ??sneak?? ??a????peek?? ??at?? ??his?? ??scroll?? ??and?? ??finally?? ??learned?? ??the?? ??backstory?? ??of?? ??this?? ??Wind?? ??Master.????????The?? ??Five?? ??Elental?? ??Masters?? ??of?? ??the?? ??heavens?? ??used?? ??their?? ??titles?? ??to?? ??replace?? ??their?? ??surnas.????For?? ??example,?? ??before?? ??the?? ??Earth?? ??Master?? ??ascended,?? ??his?? ??mortal?? ??na?? ??was?? ??called?? ??Ming?? ??Yi.????After?? ??ascension,?? ??he?? ??was?? ??to?? ??be?? ??addressed?? ??as?? ??‘The?? ??Earth?? ??Master?? ??Yi’.?? ??As?? ??for?? ??the?? ??Wind????Master,?? ??his?? ??old?? ??na?? ??was?? ??Shi?? ??Qingxuan,?? ??and?? ??after?? ??ascension?? ??he?? ??was?? ??called?? ??‘The?? ??Wind????Master?? ??Qingxuan’.?? ??Much?? ??fitting?? ??for?? ??his?? ??title,?? ??his?? ??personality?? ??was?? ??like?? ??the?? ??wind;?? ??he?? ??was????sociable?? ??and?? ??generous,?? ??mindless?? ??of?? ??petty?? ??details,?? ??and?? ??very?? ??popular?? ??in?? ??the?? ??heavens,?? ??as????apparent?? ??from?? ??him?? ??easily?? ??handing?? ??out?? ??ten?? ??thousand?? ??rits?? ??in?? ??the?? ??communication?? ??array.????But?? ??at?? ??the?? ??end?? ??of?? ??the?? ??day,?? ??as?? ??his?? ??older?? ??brother?? ??was?? ??the?? ??god?? ??that?? ??controlled?? ??mortal?? ??wealth,????of?? ??course?? ??the?? ??Wind?? ??Master?? ??was?? ??generous?? ??and?? ??mindless?? ??of?? ??petty?? ??details.??????Indeed,?? ??the?? ??older?? ??brother?? ??of?? ??Wind?? ??Master?? ??Qingxuan?? ??was?? ??the?? ??one?? ??called?? ??‘The?? ??Water????Tyrant’,?? ??the?? ??Water?? ??Master?? ??Wu?? ??Du.??????Descending?? ??to?? ??the?? ??underworld?? ??together,?? ??the?? ??two?? ??gods?? ??walked?? ??side?? ??by?? ??side,?? ??chatting?? ??as????they?? ??traveled.?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??had?? ??his?? ??arms?? ??crossed?? ??and?? ??comnted?? ??in?? ??amazent,?? ??“The?? ??Pei????family?? ??producing?? ??two?? ??ascended?? ??generals?? ??under?? ??one?? ??na?? ??was?? ??already?? ??a?? ??legend,?? ??but?? ??you????and?? ??your?? ??brother,?? ??one?? ??wind?? ??one?? ??water,?? ??ascending?? ??at?? ??the?? ??sa?? ??ti,?? ??is?? ??truly?? ??a?? ??tale?? ??of????wonder.”??????It?? ??must?? ??be?? ??known?? ??that?? ??even?? ??in?? ??a?? ??million?? ??there?? ??may?? ??not?? ??be?? ??that?? ??one?? ??who?? ??had?? ??the?? ??ability?? ??to????ascend.?? ??Pei?? ??Ming?? ??and?? ??Pei?? ??Su?? ??were?? ??separated?? ??by?? ??a?? ??few?? ??hundred?? ??years,?? ??and?? ??Pei?? ??Su????wasn’t?? ??even?? ??the?? ??direct?? ??descendant;?? ??he?? ??was?? ??from?? ??Pei?? ??Ming’s?? ??brothers’?? ??branch?? ??of?? ??the????family?? ??that?? ??was?? ??who?? ??knows?? ??how?? ??many?? ??tis?? ??removed?? ??through?? ??the?? ??generations.?? ??The????Water?? ??Master?? ??Wu?? ??Du?? ??and?? ??the?? ??Wind?? ??Master?? ??Qingxuan?? ??were?? ??real?? ??blood?? ??related?? ??brothers,?? ??a????real?? ??pair?? ??of?? ??ascended?? ??officials?? ??from?? ??the?? ??sa?? ??house,?? ??thus?? ??truly?? ??incredible.??????Shi?? ??Qingxuan?? ??laughed?? ??it?? ??off,?? ??“It’s?? ??nothing.?? ??My?? ??brother?? ??and?? ??I?? ??were?? ??born?? ??from?? ??the?? ??sa????mother,?? ??grew?? ??up?? ??together,?? ??went?? ??to?? ??school?? ??together,?? ??cultivated?? ??together,?? ??so?? ??naturally?? ??we’d????ascend?? ??together.”??????Xie?? ??Lian?? ??also?? ??learned?? ??about?? ??this?? ??when?? ??he?? ??was?? ??cramming?? ??from?? ??the?? ??scroll?? ??earlier.?? ??Shi?? ??Wu????Du?? ??ascended?? ??first,?? ??but?? ??after?? ??only?? ??a?? ??few?? ??years,?? ??his?? ??brother?? ??Shi?? ??Qingxuan?? ??also?? ??successfully????passed?? ??a?? ??heavenly?? ??calamity.?? ??Mortals?? ??often?? ??worship?? ??the?? ??two?? ??heavenly?? ??officials?? ??together?? ??in????the?? ??sa?? ??temple?? ??and?? ??praised?? ??them?? ??as?? ??equals.?? ??It?? ??was?? ??obvious?? ??the?? ??two?? ??brothers?? ??enjoyed?? ??a????good?? ??relationship.?? ??As?? ??San?? ??Lang?? ??and?? ??Nan?? ??Feng?? ??had?? ??ntioned,?? ??the?? ??Water?? ??Master?? ??must????be?? ??the?? ??reason?? ??Pei?? ??Ming?? ??wouldn’t?? ??touch?? ??the?? ??Wind?? ??Master.?? ??After?? ??all,?? ??the?? ??brother?? ??of?? ??the????Water?? ??Tyrant?? ??was?? ??not?? ??one?? ??to?? ??be?? ??picked?? ??on?? ??easily.????????Coming?? ??to?? ??this?? ??point,?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??thought?? ??of?? ??another?? ??detail?? ??and?? ??considered?? ??it?? ??before?? ??asking,????“Lord?? ??Wind?? ??Master,?? ??at?? ??the?? ??Great?? ??Martial?? ??Hall?? ??earlier,?? ??the?? ??way?? ??General?? ??Pei?? ??spoke?? ??it????sounded?? ??as?? ??if?? ??he?? ??shared?? ??a?? ??friendship?? ??with?? ??your?? ??brother.?? ??Wouldn’t?? ??your?? ??filing?? ??the????complaint?? ??against?? ??General?? ??Pei?? ??Junior?? ??affect...”??????“Nah.”?? ??Shi?? ??Qingxuan?? ??replied,?? ??“My?? ??brother?? ??already?? ??knows?? ??I?? ??can’t?? ??stand?? ??Pei?? ??Ming.”??????“Knowing?? ??is?? ??one?? ??thing,?? ??action?? ??is?? ??another.”?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??said.?? ??“Wouldn’t?? ??all?? ??of?? ??this?? ??cause?? ??a?? ??rift????between?? ??the?? ??Water?? ??Master?? ??and?? ??General?? ??Pei?”??????“If?? ??that?? ??caused?? ??a?? ??rift,?? ??even?? ??better!?? ??I?? ??wish?? ??my?? ??brother?? ??would?? ??stop?? ??hanging?? ??out?? ??with?? ??him,????and?? ??leave?? ??the?? ??‘Three?? ??Tumors’?? ??moniker?? ??behind?? ??one?? ??day.”?? ??Shi?? ??Qingxuan?? ??said.??????Xie?? ??Lian?? ??stopped,?? ??“What?? ??‘Three?? ??Tumors’?”??????Shi?? ??Qingxuan?? ??said?? ??astonished,?? ??“What!?? ??You?? ??don’t?? ??know?? ??about?? ??this?? ??either??? ??Fine,?? ??whatever.????I?? ??now?? ??know?? ??you’re?? ??not?? ??up?? ??to?? ??date?? ??with?? ??anything.?? ??You?? ??can?? ??just?? ??listen?? ??for?? ??giggles.?? ??The????‘Three?? ??Tumors’?? ??is?? ??the?? ??nickna?? ??given?? ??to?? ??the?? ??three?? ??heavenly?? ??officials?? ??who?? ??don’t?? ??have?? ??a????good?? ??rep?? ??but?? ??have?? ??a?? ??good?? ??relationship?? ??with?? ??each?? ??other,?? ??and?? ??they?? ??are?? ??Ming?? ??Guang,?? ??Ling????Wen,?? ??and?? ??my?? ??brother.??????‘I?? ??can’t?? ??believe?? ??it’s?? ??not?? ??Xie?? ??Lian,?? ??Xie?? ??Lian,?? ??and?? ??Xie?? ??Lian.’?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??thought.??????Shi?? ??Qingxuan?? ??fanned?? ??his?? ??Wind?? ??Master?? ??fan?? ??and?? ??continued,?? ??“Even?? ??if?? ??I?? ??can’t?? ??stand?? ??him,?? ??the????whole?? ??business?? ??this?? ??ti?? ??around?? ??was?? ??started?? ??by?? ??Little?? ??Pei?? ??himself.?? ??There’s?? ??no?? ??way?? ??I’d?? ??let????Pei?? ??Ming?? ??pin?? ??this?? ??on?? ??the?? ??Guoshi?? ??of?? ??Banyue?? ??and?? ??protect?? ??Little?? ??Pei.?? ??It?? ??doesn’t?? ??matter?? ??if????you’re?? ??mortal,?? ??or?? ??a?? ??god,?? ??or?? ??a?? ??demon,?? ??you?? ??have?? ??to?? ??be?? ??responsible?? ??for?? ??your?? ??own?? ??actions.????Bullying?? ??a?? ??little?? ??girl?? ??is?? ??low.”??????The?? ??last?? ??line?? ??was?? ??uttered?? ??in?? ??contempt,?? ??and?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??smiled.?? ??“The?? ??Wind?? ??Master?? ??is?? ??a????defender?? ??of?? ??justice.”??????Shi?? ??Qingxuan?? ??laughed,?? ??“You’re?? ??not?? ??bad?? ??yourself!?? ??I’ve?? ??heard?? ??rumours?? ??about?? ??the?? ??Banyue????Pass?? ??here?? ??and?? ??there,?? ??but?? ??never?? ??had?? ??the?? ??ti?? ??to?? ??investigate;?? ??plus,?? ??my?? ??brother?? ??would?? ??yell????at?? ???? ??about?? ??it.?? ??With?? ??so?? ??much?? ??on?? ??my?? ??plate,?? ??I’d?? ??forgotten.?? ??When?? ??I?? ??heard?? ??you?? ??inquire?? ??about????it?? ??in?? ??the?? ??communication?? ??array?? ??the?? ??other?? ??day,?? ??it?? ??reminded?? ???? ??there?? ??was?? ??such?? ??a?? ??case,?? ??and????so?? ??I?? ??went?? ??to?? ??check?? ??it?? ??out.?? ??Turns?? ??out?? ??not?? ??only?? ??did?? ??you?? ??ask,?? ??you’d?? ??even?? ??gone?? ??yourself!?? ??So?? ??I????thought,?? ??dang,?? ??what?? ??a?? ??guy!”??????This?? ??Wind?? ??Master?? ??certainly?? ??had?? ??an?? ??extrely?? ??straightforward?? ??and?? ??interesting?? ??personality,????and?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??could?? ??understand?? ??why?? ??he?? ??was?? ??so?? ??popular?? ??in?? ??the?? ??heavens.?? ??He?? ??hadn’t????thought?? ??that?? ??after?? ??ascension?? ??that?? ??he’d?? ??be?? ??able?? ??to?? ??form?? ??a?? ??friendship?? ??with?? ??a?? ??heavenly????official?? ??like?? ??this,?? ??and?? ??couldn’t?? ??help?? ??but?? ??smile?? ??happily.?? ??But?? ??just?? ??as?? ??he?? ??turned?? ??his?? ??head?? ??to????face?? ??him,?? ??the?? ??white?? ??clad?? ??cultivator?? ??beside?? ??him?? ??was?? ??transford?? ??to?? ??a?? ??lady?? ??in?? ??white.?? ??It?? ??was????so?? ??sudden,?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??almost?? ??tripped?? ??in?? ??his?? ??step.?? ??“Lord?? ??Wind?? ??Master,?? ??why?? ??the?? ??sudden????transformation?”??????“Oh.?? ??Truth?? ??to?? ??be?? ??told,?? ??I’m?? ??actually?? ??more?? ??powerful?? ??in?? ??this?? ??form.”?? ??Shi?? ??Qingxuan?? ??replied.??????As?? ??aforentioned,?? ??the?? ??Wind?? ??Master?? ??and?? ??the?? ??Water?? ??Master?? ??were?? ??often?? ??worshipped????together.?? ??However,?? ??this?? ??also?? ??produced?? ??a?? ??bizarre?? ??accident.?? ??Perhaps?? ??people?? ??thought?? ??that????worshipping?? ??two?? ??male?? ??gods?? ??together?? ??in?? ??one?? ??temple?? ??was?? ??weird.?? ??Lords?? ??and?? ??Ladies?? ??go????hand?? ??in?? ??hand,?? ??handso?? ??and?? ??beautiful?? ??make?? ??a?? ??pair,?? ??that?? ??should?? ??be?? ??the?? ??way.?? ??Thus,?? ??after????a?? ??while?? ??soone?? ??sowhere?? ??sculpted?? ??the?? ??Wind?? ??Master?? ??as?? ??a?? ??goddess.??????Nevermind?? ??the?? ??goddess?? ??statue,?? ??they?? ??had?? ??to?? ??make?? ??up?? ??stories?? ??to?? ??go?? ??with?? ??it?? ??too,?? ??sothing????like?? ??the?? ??Wind?? ??and?? ??Water?? ??gods?? ??used?? ??to?? ??be?? ??brothers?? ??and?? ??sisters;?? ??there’s?? ??even?? ??a?? ??version????where?? ??they?? ??were?? ??husband?? ??and?? ??wife.?? ??After?? ??a?? ??few?? ??hundred?? ??years,?? ??the?? ??stories?? ??spread?? ??and????from?? ??them?? ??ca?? ??even?? ??more?? ??outlandish?? ??legends.?? ??Once?? ??in?? ??a?? ??while?? ??the?? ??two?? ??officials?? ??would????read?? ??through?? ??the?? ??tales?? ??out?? ??of?? ??curiosity,?? ??but?? ??each?? ??ti?? ??they?? ??would?? ??cringe?? ??and?? ??fill?? ??an?? ??entire????coop?? ??with?? ??goosebumps.?? ??Nonetheless,?? ??there?? ??were?? ??more?? ??than?? ??many?? ??who?? ??believed?? ??in????those?? ??outrageous?? ??stories,?? ??and?? ??the?? ??Wind?? ??Master’s?? ??gender?? ??started?? ??getting?? ??mixed?? ??up;?? ??“My????Lady,?? ??prithee?? ??watch?? ??over?? ??”?? ??could?? ??be?? ??heard?? ??all?? ??over?? ??the?? ??place.?? ??Thus,?? ??Shi?? ??Qingxuan????gained?? ??the?? ??nickna?? ??‘Lady?? ??Wind?? ??Master’.????????Although?? ??silly,?? ??it?? ??was?? ??actually?? ??not?? ??that?? ??rare?? ??of?? ??an?? ??occurrence.?? ??Ling?? ??Wen?? ??for?? ??example?? ??also????had?? ??a?? ??similar?? ??experience.?? ??Ling?? ??Wen?? ??was?? ??a?? ??lady?? ??official,?? ??but?? ??she?? ??didn’t?? ??dress?? ??colourfully????and?? ??fashionably?? ??like?? ??the?? ??other?? ??lady?? ??deities.?? ??She?? ??was?? ??often?? ??in?? ??black,?? ??serious?? ??and????competent,?? ??and?? ??spent?? ??her?? ??days?? ??madly?? ??working?? ??through?? ??piles?? ??and?? ??piles?? ??of?? ??administrative????scrolls?? ??in?? ??her?? ??palace.?? ??Although?? ??her?? ??personality?? ??was?? ??partly?? ??to?? ??bla,?? ??but?? ??much?? ??of?? ??it?? ??was????due?? ??to?? ??another?? ??reason.?? ??If?? ??one?? ??should?? ??ask?? ??any?? ??mortal:?? ??Is?? ??Ling?? ??Wen?? ??a?? ??man?? ??or?? ??a?? ??woman?????Anyone?? ??would?? ??respond?? ??with?? ??confidence:?? ??A?? ??man.????????A?? ??Civil?? ??God?? ??was?? ??of?? ??course?? ??a?? ??male.?? ??Only?? ??for?? ??this,?? ??when?? ??Ling?? ??Wen?? ??ascended?? ??she?? ??suffered????disadvantages.?? ??She?? ??was?? ??a?? ??civil?? ??goddess,?? ??but?? ??many?? ??in?? ??the?? ??mortal?? ??realm?? ??thought:?? ??how????could?? ??won?? ??be?? ??in?? ??that?? ??position??? ??How?? ??could?? ??ladies?? ??possibly?? ??ensure?? ??good?? ??fortune?? ??in????literary?? ??competence??? ??It?? ??must?? ??not?? ??be?? ??effective!?? ??Thus,?? ??although?? ??she?? ??worked?? ??hard,?? ??she?? ??still????had?? ??very?? ??few?? ??devotees.?? ??Later,?? ??so?? ??of?? ??the?? ??devotees?? ??couldn’t?? ??get?? ??over?? ??it,?? ??and?? ??rebuilt?? ??her????statues?? ??into?? ??male?? ??gods,?? ??transforming?? ??her?? ??from?? ??the?? ??Goddess?? ??Ling?? ??Wen?? ??to?? ??the?? ??God?? ??Ling????Wen,?? ??and?? ??even?? ??made?? ??up?? ??an?? ??entire?? ??set?? ??of?? ??extravagant?? ??backstory.?? ??After?? ??this?? ??change,?? ??her????temples?? ??beca?? ??prosperous?? ??and?? ??everyone?? ??praised?? ??how?? ??effective?? ??the?? ??God?? ??Ling?? ??Wen????was.?? ??But?? ??the?? ??truth?? ??was,?? ??an?? ??official?? ??was?? ??an?? ??official,?? ??spiritual?? ??powers?? ??were?? ??all?? ??the?? ??sa,?? ??and????the?? ??legends?? ??were?? ??all?? ??fake.?? ??Still,?? ??the?? ??people?? ??ate?? ??them?? ??up.?? ??Since?? ??then,?? ??when?? ??Ling?? ??Wen????needed?? ??to?? ??appear?? ??in?? ??dreams,?? ??she?? ??could?? ??only?? ??do?? ??so?? ??in?? ??the?? ??male?? ??form.??????By?? ??the?? ??sa?? ??logic,?? ??people?? ??believed?? ??that?? ??it?? ??was?? ??more?? ??appropriate?? ??to?? ??worship?? ??a?? ??man?? ??and?? ??a????woman?? ??as?? ??a?? ??pair?? ??in?? ??the?? ??Wind?? ??and?? ??Water?? ??temples.?? ??Who?? ??cared?? ??if?? ??you?? ??were?? ??a?? ??god?? ??or?? ??a????ghost??? ??You?? ??must?? ??appear?? ??as?? ??people?? ??believed.?? ??Appearances?? ??could?? ??be?? ??different?? ??by?? ??a????million?? ??miles?? ??and?? ??people?? ??would?? ??still?? ??see?? ??what?? ??they?? ??wanted?? ??to?? ??see.?? ??The?? ??Upper?? ??Court????heavenly?? ??officials?? ??no?? ??longer?? ??cared?? ??for?? ??this?? ??kind?? ??of?? ??thing.??????As?? ??for?? ??Shi?? ??Qingxuan?? ??himself,?? ??by?? ??Xie?? ??Lian’s?? ??own?? ??observations,?? ??didn’t?? ??appear?? ??to?? ??mind?? ??at????all.?? ??In?? ??fact,?? ??he’s?? ??completely?? ??imrsed?? ??and?? ??enjoying?? ??himself,?? ??and?? ??was?? ??even?? ??passionately????dragging?? ??others?? ??into?? ??it,?? ??making?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??wonder?? ??about?? ??the?? ??real?? ??identity?? ??of?? ??the?? ??lady?? ??in????black?? ??that?? ??was?? ??with?? ??the?? ??Wind?? ??Master?? ??the?? ??last?? ??ti.?? ??In?? ??the?? ??four?? ??hours?? ??that?? ??they?? ??had?? ??spent????traveling?? ??to?? ??the?? ??underworld?? ??together,?? ??Shi?? ??Qingxuan?? ??had?? ??been?? ??tirelessly?? ??trying?? ??to????persuade?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??into?? ??disguising?? ??himself?? ??as?? ??a?? ??woman,?? ??with?? ??very?? ??convincing?? ??reasons?? ??like????“Won?? ??have?? ??stronger?? ??auras?? ??of?? ??yin??1??,?? ??therefore?? ??much?? ??easier?? ??to?? ??hide?? ??in?? ??the?? ??Ghost?? ??City????crowds.”??????Xie?? ??Lian?? ??thought?? ??about?? ??it?? ??and?? ??rejected?? ??the?? ??idea,?? ??“I?? ??don’t?? ??have?? ??enough?? ??powers?? ??to????transform.”??????“I’ll?? ??lend?? ??you?? ??my?? ??powers!”?? ??Shi?? ??Qingxuan?? ??replied?? ??excitedly,?? ??“That’s?? ??the?? ??whole?? ??reason?? ??why????the?? ??Heavenly?? ??Emperor?? ??appointed?? ???? ??to?? ??this?? ??mission,?? ??no?”??????“My?? ??lord,?? ??please?? ??save?? ??your?? ??powers?? ??for?? ??when?? ??we’re?? ??actually?? ??fighting?? ??the?? ??enemy...”????????Shi?? ??Qingxuan?? ??couldn’t?? ??persuade?? ??Xie?? ??Lian,?? ??and?? ??stopped?? ??pushing.?? ??At?? ??this?? ??ti,?? ??the?? ??two????had?? ??reached?? ??a?? ??wild?? ??field?? ??in?? ??the?? ??middle?? ??of?? ??nowhere.?? ??The?? ??night?? ??had?? ??deepened,?? ??and?? ??crows????cried?? ??crazedly?? ??in?? ??the?? ??darkness,?? ??creating?? ??a?? ??creepy?? ??atmosphere.?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??looked?? ??around????and?? ??said,?? ??“It?? ??must?? ??be?? ??here.?? ??There?? ??are?? ??many?? ??evil?? ??auras?? ??in?? ??the?? ??air?? ??and?? ??a?? ??large?? ??graveyard????nearby,?? ??we’ll?? ??for?? ??sure?? ??catch?? ??one?? ??or?? ??two?? ??going?? ??to?? ??the?? ??market.?? ??We’ll?? ??follow?? ??when?? ??the?? ??ti????cos.”????????Thus,?? ??the?? ??two?? ??squatted?? ??on?? ??top?? ??of?? ??a?? ??burial?? ??mound?? ??and?? ??waited.??????A?? ??mont?? ??later,?? ??Shi?? ??Qingxuan?? ??put?? ??one?? ??hand?? ??into?? ??a?? ??sleeve?? ??to?? ??rummage,?? ??and?? ??dug?? ??out?? ??a????small?? ??jug?? ??of?? ??booze.?? ??“You?? ??want?? ??so?”??????Xie?? ??Lian?? ??reached?? ??for?? ??the?? ??jug?? ??and?? ??took?? ??a?? ??small?? ??sip,?? ??feeling?? ??his?? ??throat?? ??burn,?? ??and?? ??gave?? ??the????jug?? ??back.?? ??“Thanks.”????????Shi?? ??Qingxuan?? ??took?? ??the?? ??jug?? ??and?? ??gulped?? ??a?? ??couple?? ??swallows?? ??himself,?? ??“You?? ??can’t?? ??drink?”??????“I?? ??can,”?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??replied,?? ??“But?? ??drinking?? ??causes?? ??insanity,?? ??so?? ??just?? ??a?? ??taste?? ??is?? ??enough.?? ??What????ti?? ??is?? ??it?”??????Shi?? ??Qingxuan?? ??humd,?? ??and?? ??replied,?? ??“It’s?? ??midnight.”??????“Must?? ??be?? ??soon?? ??then.”?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??said.??????Just?? ??as?? ??he?? ??finished?? ??his?? ??sentence,?? ??a?? ??faint?? ??row?? ??of?? ??light?? ??appeared?? ??deep?? ??in?? ??the?? ??woods?? ??afar.????????That?? ??faint?? ??row?? ??of?? ??light?? ??slowly?? ??ca?? ??closer?? ??and?? ??closer,?? ??until?? ??finally?? ??the?? ??two?? ??could?? ??see?? ??it?? ??was????a?? ??group?? ??of?? ??expressionless?? ??won?? ??dressed?? ??in?? ??white,?? ??walking?? ??in?? ??a?? ??line.?? ??So?? ??are?? ??old,????so?? ??are?? ??young,?? ??so?? ??beautiful,?? ??so?? ??ugly,?? ??each?? ??wearing?? ??the?? ??funeral?? ??garb,?? ??a?? ??white????lantern?? ??in?? ??hand,?? ??walking?? ??in?? ??an?? ??easy?? ??pace.??????They?? ??must?? ??be?? ??the?? ??female?? ??ghosts?? ??heading?? ??to?? ??the?? ??markets?? ??in?? ??the?? ??deep?? ??night.??????“Let’s?? ??follow.”?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??said?? ??under?? ??his?? ??breath.??????Shi?? ??Qingxuan?? ??nodded,?? ??took?? ??a?? ??last?? ??swig?? ??from?? ??the?? ??jug?? ??and?? ??threw?? ??it?? ??aside.?? ??The?? ??two?? ??stood?? ??up????and?? ??casually?? ??trailed?? ??behind?? ??the?? ??group?? ??of?? ??ghosts.??????The?? ??two?? ??had?? ??already?? ??prepared?? ??beforehand?? ??and?? ??erased?? ??all?? ??their?? ??spiritual?? ??aura;?? ??when?? ??they????walked?? ??they?? ??were?? ??like?? ??people?? ??shaped?? ??logs?? ??without?? ??a?? ??scent?? ??of?? ??life.?? ??The?? ??band?? ??of?? ??female????ghosts?? ??before?? ??them?? ??held?? ??their?? ??white?? ??lanterns?? ??and?? ??followed?? ??an?? ??unknown?? ??path?? ??in?? ??the????darkened?? ??woods,?? ??strolled?? ??while?? ??chatting?? ??in?? ??high?? ??pitched,?? ??delicate?? ??voices.??????“I’m?? ??so?? ??glad?? ??the?? ??ghost?? ??market’s?? ??opened?? ??again!?? ??I?? ??need?? ??a?? ??facial!”?? ??One?? ??said.??????“What?? ??happened?? ??to?? ??your?? ??face??? ??Didn’t?? ??you?? ??just?? ??recently?? ??get?? ??a?? ??facial?”?? ??Another?? ??replied.??????The?? ??first?? ??one?? ??responded,?? ??“It?? ??rotted?? ??again!?? ??Sigh,?? ??the?? ??one?? ??who?? ??serviced?? ???? ??last?? ??ti?? ??said?? ??it????was?? ??guaranteed?? ??fresh?? ??for?? ??a?? ??year!?? ??It?? ??hasn’t?? ??even?? ??been?? ??half?? ??a?? ??year.”????????Xie?? ??Lian?? ??and?? ??Shi?? ??Qingxuan?? ??trailed?? ??behind?? ??them,?? ??listening?? ??to?? ??their?? ??chatter,?? ??and?? ??didn’t????speak?? ??a?? ??word.?? ??When?? ??they?? ??heard?? ??sothing?? ??funny,?? ??they’d?? ??only?? ??lift?? ??their?? ??lips?? ??and?? ??eye?? ??each????other.?? ??After?? ??about?? ??an?? ??hour,?? ??the?? ??group?? ??ca?? ??to?? ??a?? ??valley.??????Red?? ??light?? ??emitted?? ??from?? ??deep?? ??within?? ??the?? ??valley,?? ??and?? ??wafting?? ??in?? ??the?? ??ethereal?? ??night?? ??seed????to?? ??be?? ??music.?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??grew?? ??more?? ??and?? ??more?? ??curious?? ??to?? ??finally?? ??see?? ??for?? ??himself?? ??what?? ??the????Ghost?? ??City?? ??looked?? ??like.?? ??As?? ??they?? ??were?? ??entering?? ??the?? ??valley,?? ??however,?? ??the?? ??last?? ??one?? ??in?? ??the?? ??line????of?? ??ghosts?? ??suddenly?? ??turned?? ??her?? ??head?? ??and?? ??discovered?? ??them.?? ??Confused,?? ??she?? ??asked,?? ??“Who????are?? ??you?? ??two?”??????The?? ??question?? ??made?? ??all?? ??the?? ??pale?? ??faced?? ??heads?? ??turn,?? ??and?? ??the?? ??won?? ??surrounded?? ??them,????curious.?? ??“When?? ??did?? ??they?? ??start?? ??following?? ??us??? ??Those?? ??two?? ??weren’t?? ??part?? ??of?? ??the?? ??group?? ??when????we?? ??left?? ??the?? ??burial?? ??grounds?”??????“Which?? ??burial?? ??ground?? ??did?? ??you?? ??co?? ??from??? ??How?? ??co?? ??we’ve?? ??never?? ??seen?? ??your?? ??faces????before?”??????Xie?? ??Lian?? ??cleared?? ??his?? ??throat,?? ??“We...?? ??ca?? ??from?? ??a?? ??burial?? ??ground?? ??much?? ??further?? ??away,?? ??so?? ??of????course?? ??you’ve?? ??never?? ??seen?? ??us.”??????Shi?? ??Qingxuan?? ??smiled?? ??too,?? ??“That’s?? ??right!?? ??We?? ??ca?? ??from?? ??thousands?? ??of?? ??miles?? ??especially?? ??for????the?? ??Ghost?? ??Market.”??????The?? ??group?? ??of?? ??white?? ??clad?? ??female?? ??ghosts?? ??were?? ??silent,?? ??and?? ??expressionlessly?? ??stared?? ??at?? ??them.????If?? ??it?? ??was?? ??anyone?? ??else,?? ??they’d?? ??probably?? ??fall?? ??to?? ??the?? ??ground?? ??shivering?? ??in?? ??fright.?? ??Xie?? ??Lian????wasn’t?? ??afraid?? ??of?? ??having?? ??their?? ??identities?? ??exposed;?? ??these?? ??weak?? ??feral?? ??ghosts?? ??had?? ??no?? ??power????over?? ??them.?? ??However,?? ??since?? ??the?? ??Ghost?? ??City?? ??was?? ??right?? ??before?? ??their?? ??eyes,?? ??it?? ??wouldn’t?? ??be????wise?? ??to?? ??start?? ??anything?? ??in?? ??such?? ??close?? ??distance?? ??to?? ??the?? ??target?? ??lest?? ??they?? ??alert?? ??their?? ??enemy.????????Just?? ??then,?? ??one?? ??of?? ??the?? ??won?? ??staring?? ??at?? ??Shi?? ??Qingxuan?? ??slowly?? ??moved?? ??her?? ??lips.??????“i?? ??i??2??,?? ??your?? ??face?? ??is?? ??very?? ??nicely?? ??maintained,”?? ??she?? ??said.??????Xie?? ??Lian?? ??and?? ??Shi?? ??Qingxuan?? ??stopped.????????Imdiately,?? ??the?? ??two?? ??of?? ??them?? ??nodded?? ??a?? ??few?? ??tis.?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??replied,?? ??“It’s?? ??alright,?? ??not?? ??bad.”????And?? ??Shi?? ??Qingxuan?? ??copied?? ??his?? ??tone?? ??and?? ??said,?? ??“Pretty?? ??good,?? ??right?”????????All?? ??the?? ??female?? ??ghosts?? ??then?? ??approached?? ??and?? ??started?? ??a?? ??discussion,?? ??“Yea,?? ??not?? ??rotten?? ??at?? ??all.”????????“i?? ??i,?? ??where?? ??did?? ??you?? ??get?? ??your?? ??facials?? ??done?”????????“Do?? ??you?? ??have?? ??any?? ??tricks?”??????“Can?? ??you?? ??recomnd?? ??a?? ??place?”??????Shi?? ??Qingxuan?? ??didn’t?? ??know?? ??how?? ??to?? ??respond,?? ??and?? ??only?? ??laughed?? ??awkwardly?? ??to?? ??delay????answering.?? ??Just?? ??then,?? ??the?? ??group?? ??turned?? ??around,?? ??and?? ??a?? ??sudden?? ??crimson?? ??brightness????flashed?? ??into?? ??their?? ??eyes.??????A?? ??mysterious?? ??and?? ??haunted?? ??world?? ??opened?? ??before?? ??them.??????A?? ??long?? ??street?? ??appeared.?? ??It?? ??was?? ??so?? ??long?? ??there?? ??was?? ??no?? ??end?? ??in?? ??sight.?? ??Along?? ??the?? ??street?? ??were????all?? ??manners?? ??of?? ??bustling?? ??stores?? ??and?? ??stalls;?? ??colourful?? ??signs?? ??were?? ??flown?? ??high?? ??above?? ??and????giant?? ??red?? ??lanterns?? ??were?? ??hung?? ??low.?? ??Pedestrians?? ??filled?? ??the?? ??street,?? ??many?? ??wearing?? ??masks?? ??of????faces?? ??crying,?? ??laughing,?? ??angry;?? ??so?? ??human,?? ??so?? ??not?? ??human.?? ??Those?? ??without?? ??masks????could?? ??only?? ??be?? ??described?? ??as?? ??‘bizarre’.?? ??So?? ??have?? ??large?? ??heads?? ??and?? ??small?? ??bodies,?? ??so????skinny?? ??as?? ??a?? ??bamboo?? ??stick,?? ??so?? ??flat?? ??like?? ??a?? ??pancake?? ??pressing?? ??on?? ??the?? ??ground,?? ??letting????pedestrians?? ??walk?? ??all?? ??over?? ??them?? ??while?? ??complaining.??????Xie?? ??Lian?? ??was?? ??careful?? ??not?? ??to?? ??step?? ??on?? ??anything?? ??weird.?? ??When?? ??he?? ??passed?? ??by?? ??a?? ??food?? ??stall,?? ??he????saw?? ??the?? ??stall?? ??owner?? ??use?? ??a?? ??giant?? ??bone?? ??to?? ??stir?? ??a?? ??giant?? ??pot?? ??of?? ??soup,?? ??and?? ??while?? ??it?? ??stirred,?? ??spit????would?? ??spill?? ??from?? ??between?? ??its?? ??teeth,?? ??dripping?? ??into?? ??the?? ??soup,?? ??and?? ??in?? ??that?? ??soup?? ??filled?? ??with????weird?? ??colours?? ??floated?? ??many?? ??an?? ??eyeball.?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??watched?? ??and?? ??suddenly?? ??gained????confidence.??????On?? ??the?? ??other?? ??side,?? ??there?? ??were?? ??strange?? ??buskers?? ??performing:?? ??a?? ??buff,?? ??burly?? ??man?? ??had?? ??a?? ??small????ghost,?? ??weak?? ??as?? ??a?? ??chick,?? ??in?? ??his?? ??hold,?? ??and?? ??the?? ??man?? ??opened?? ??his?? ??mouth?? ??to?? ??blow?? ??massive????flas?? ??to?? ??barbeque?? ??the?? ??small?? ??ghost?? ??while?? ??it?? ??squealed?? ??like?? ??a?? ??dying?? ??pig,?? ??writhing.?? ??The????crowd?? ??cheered?? ??and?? ??shrieked,?? ??shouting?? ??‘encore’.?? ??There?? ??were?? ??even?? ??insane?? ??individuals????randomly?? ??throwing?? ??money?? ??into?? ??the?? ??air,?? ??and?? ??when?? ??one?? ??slip?? ??of?? ??it?? ??flew?? ??before?? ??Xie?? ??Lian,?? ??he????grabbed?? ??one?? ??and?? ??flipped?? ??it?? ??over,?? ??it?? ??was?? ??money?? ??of?? ??the?? ??dead?? ??as?? ??he?? ??thought.??????As?? ??he?? ??walked,?? ??there?? ??was?? ??a?? ??butcher?? ??stall?? ??with?? ??a?? ??row?? ??of?? ??crestfallen?? ??human?? ??heads,?? ??which????were?? ??hung?? ??in?? ??order?? ??of?? ??age,?? ??as?? ??indicated?? ??on?? ??their?? ??price?? ??tags;?? ??a?? ??child’s?? ??head?? ??was?? ??this????much,?? ??a?? ??youth’s?? ??at?? ??was?? ??that?? ??much,?? ??a?? ??grown?? ??man’s?? ??flesh?? ??costed?? ??this?? ??amount,?? ??a?? ??mature????woman’s?? ??sinews?? ??was?? ??charged?? ??that?? ??much,?? ??etc.?? ??The?? ??one?? ??dressed?? ??in?? ??an?? ??apron?? ??with?? ??a????butcher?? ??knife?? ??in?? ??hand?? ??was?? ??a?? ??boar?? ??with?? ??black,?? ??thick?? ??hair;?? ??and?? ??under?? ??its?? ??knife?? ??getting????butchered?? ??was?? ??a?? ??muscular?? ??human?? ??leg,?? ??still?? ??twitching.??????This?? ??was?? ??truly?? ??a?? ??swarm?? ??of?? ??evil,?? ??the?? ??chaos?? ??of?? ??hell.??????Humans?? ??butchering?? ??pigs?? ??was?? ??a?? ??common?? ??sight,?? ??but?? ??pigs?? ??butchering?? ??humans?? ??wasn’t,?? ??so????Xie?? ??Lian?? ??couldn’t?? ??help?? ??but?? ??take?? ??a?? ??few?? ??extra?? ??peeks.?? ??The?? ??boar?? ??noticed?? ??him?? ??watch?? ??and????imdiately?? ??reacted,?? ??“What?? ??are?? ??you?? ??lookin’?? ??at??? ??You?? ??buyin’?”??????Xie?? ??Lian?? ??shook?? ??his?? ??head,?? ??“No.”??????The?? ??boar?? ??butcher?? ??continued?? ??to?? ??chop?? ??onto?? ??the?? ??cutting?? ??board?? ??violently,?? ??blood?? ??spraying?? ??all????over.?? ??He?? ??yelled,?? ??voice?? ??rough,?? ??“If?? ??you?? ??ain’t?? ??buyin’?? ??then?? ??don’t?? ??watch!?? ??Fuckin’?? ??tryin’a?? ??start????sothin’??? ??Get?? ??outta?? ??here!”??????Xie?? ??Lian?? ??got?? ??outta?? ??there.?? ??But?? ??just?? ??as?? ??his?? ??steps?? ??quickened,?? ??he?? ??suddenly?? ??realized????sothing?? ??very?? ??wrong.??????That?? ??group?? ??of?? ??female?? ??ghosts?? ??and?? ??Shi?? ??Qingxuan?? ??had?? ??disappeared.??????In?? ??shock,?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??wanted?? ??to?? ??connect?? ??with?? ??the?? ??Wind?? ??Master?? ??at?? ??once?? ??within?? ??the????communication?? ??array,?? ??afraid?? ??that?? ??he?? ??really?? ??got?? ??dragged?? ??away?? ??by?? ??those?? ??ghosts?? ??to?? ??do????facials.?? ??However,?? ??this?? ??was?? ??the?? ??Ghost?? ??City,?? ??and?? ??the?? ??spells?? ??used?? ??by?? ??the?? ??heaven?? ??were????heavily?? ??restricted.?? ??The?? ??connection?? ??to?? ??the?? ??array?? ??didn’t?? ??work,?? ??so?? ??he?? ??had?? ??to?? ??wander?? ??the????streets?? ??to?? ??search?? ??for?? ??the?? ??missing?? ??Wind?? ??Master.?? ??As?? ??he?? ??walked,?? ??soone?? ??suddenly????grabbed?? ??him.?? ??Already?? ??alert?? ??and?? ??tense,?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??instantly?? ??reacted,?? ??“Who?? ??is?? ??it?”??????The?? ??one?? ??who?? ??stopped?? ??him?? ??was?? ??a?? ??woman,?? ??and?? ??was?? ??surprised?? ??by?? ??Xie?? ??Lian’s?? ??reaction.?? ??But????after?? ??seeing?? ??his?? ??face?? ??clearly,?? ??she?? ??started?? ??giggling,?? ??playing?? ??coy,?? ??“Hey?? ??there,?? ??little?? ??gege.?? ??Yer????lookin’?? ??mighty?? ??fine.”??????This?? ??woman?? ??was?? ??in?? ??an?? ??exceedingly?? ??revealing?? ??dress,?? ??her?? ??make-up?? ??terrifyingly?? ??heavy,?? ??the????white?? ??foundation?? ??uneven,?? ??and?? ??when?? ??she?? ??opened?? ??her?? ??mouth?? ??clumps?? ??of?? ??it?? ??would?? ??fall?? ??off?? ??her????face.?? ??Her?? ??bosoms?? ??were?? ??stuffed?? ??as?? ??if?? ??sothing?? ??was?? ??filled?? ??in?? ??her?? ??flesh.?? ??Truly,?? ??a?? ??shocking????sight.?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??gently?? ??pushed?? ??away?? ??her?? ??thin?? ??claw-like?? ??fingers?? ??and?? ??said,?? ??“My?? ??lady,?? ??there’s????no?? ??need?? ??to?? ??speak?? ??like?? ??this.”??????The?? ??woman?? ??was?? ??taken?? ??aback,?? ??and?? ??burst?? ??out?? ??laughing,?? ??“Dear?? ??lord!?? ??‘My?? ??lady’???? ??Who?? ??the????hell?? ??still?? ??calls?? ???? ??a?? ??lady?? ??in?? ??this?? ??day?? ??and?? ??age??? ??Hahahahahahaha!”??????All?? ??the?? ??passersby?? ??seed?? ??to?? ??think?? ??it?? ??was?? ??funny?? ??too,?? ??and?? ??started?? ??laughing?? ??along.?? ??Xie?? ??Lian????shook?? ??his?? ??head,?? ??but?? ??before?? ??he?? ??could?? ??speak,?? ??the?? ??woman?? ??pounced?? ??on?? ??him,?? ??“Don’t?? ??go!?? ??Little????gege,?? ??I?? ??like?? ??you.?? ??Co?? ??and?? ??have?? ??fun?? ??with?? ???? ??all?? ??night,?? ??I?? ??won’t?? ??ask?? ??for?? ??paynt!”????????She?? ??pouted?? ??and?? ??winked,?? ??“But?? ??I?? ??will?? ????charge??.?? ??Hehehehehe...”??????Xie?? ??Lian?? ??sighed?? ??and?? ??prayed?? ??inwardly,?? ??and?? ??gently?? ??but?? ??firmly?? ??pushed?? ??her?? ??away.?? ??He?? ??said????kindly,?? ??“My?? ??lady,?? ??please.”??????The?? ??woman?? ??seed?? ??annoyed?? ??now?? ??and?? ??screeched,?? ??“Stop?? ??calling?? ???? ??‘lady’,?? ??no?? ??one?? ??cares????for?? ??it!?? ??Quit?? ??wastin’?? ??my?? ??ti,?? ??ya?? ??comin’?? ??or?? ??not?”??????To?? ??tempt?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??further,?? ??the?? ??woman?? ??suddenly?? ??unlaced?? ??her?? ??already?? ??revealing?? ??shirt.?? ??Xie????Lian?? ??wasn’t?? ??prepared?? ??to?? ??face?? ??such?? ??a?? ??bold?? ??move?? ??and?? ??sighed?? ??again?? ??before?? ??turning?? ??away????and?? ??continued?? ??on?? ??his?? ??way.?? ??The?? ??female?? ??ghost?? ??chased?? ??after?? ??him?? ??and?? ??continued?? ??her????seduction,?? ??“D’ya?? ??like?? ??what?? ??you?? ??see?”??????Little?? ??did?? ??she?? ??realize,?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??had?? ??grown?? ??up?? ??in?? ??the?? ??Royal?? ??Holy?? ??Pavillion,?? ??practicing????abstinence?? ??for?? ??most?? ??of?? ??his?? ??mortal?? ??life,?? ??and?? ??his?? ??body?? ??and?? ??mind?? ??had?? ??always?? ??been?? ??as?? ??steady????as?? ??the?? ??mountains.?? ??It?? ??didn’t?? ??matter?? ??what?? ??he?? ??saw,?? ??his?? ??heart?? ??was?? ??like?? ??still?? ??water;?? ??anything????unseemly?? ??would?? ??have?? ??him?? ??automatically?? ??chant?? ??sutras?? ??in?? ??his?? ??mind,?? ??calming?? ??his?? ??spirit.????Unsuccessful?? ??in?? ??her?? ??temptation,?? ??the?? ??female?? ??ghost’s?? ??expression?? ??changed,?? ??and?? ??she????started?? ??yelling,?? ??“You?? ??don’t?? ??want?? ??any?? ??o’?? ??this??? ??Are?? ??ya?? ??even?? ??a?? ??man??”??????Xie?? ??Lian?? ??continued?? ??to?? ??move?? ??his?? ??sight?? ??away?? ??from?? ??her?? ??and?? ??replied,?? ??“I?? ??am.”??????“Then?? ??prove?? ??it!”?? ??The?? ??female?? ??ghost?? ??yelled.??????From?? ??the?? ??sidelines,?? ??a?? ??passerby?? ??mocked,?? ??“You?? ??slut!?? ??He?? ??thinks?? ??yer?? ??old?? ??an’?? ??ugly,?? ??an’?? ??want????none?? ??o’?? ??you.?? ??What?? ??are?? ??ya?? ??doin’?? ??so?? ??clingy?”??????Hearing?? ??those?? ??words,?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??deadpanned?? ??with?? ??a?? ??straight?? ??face,?? ??“It’s?? ??not?? ??that.?? ??It’s????because?? ??I?? ??have?? ??a?? ??problem.?? ??I?? ??can’t?? ??get?? ??erect.”??????Everyone?? ??fell?? ??silent.????????Then?? ??within?? ??an?? ??instant?? ??all?? ??roared?? ??with?? ??laughter:?? ??“HAHAHAHAHAHAHAhahah...”??????This?? ??ti,?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??beca?? ??the?? ??victim?? ??of?? ??ridicule.?? ??No?? ??one?? ??had?? ??ever?? ??t?? ??a?? ??man?? ??who?? ??was????brave?? ??enough?? ??to?? ??announce?? ??to?? ??the?? ??world?? ??that?? ??they?? ??have?? ??such?? ??a?? ??problem.?? ??However,?? ??to????soone?? ??like?? ??Xie?? ??Lian,?? ??it?? ??didn’t?? ??matter?? ??whether?? ??if?? ??his?? ??private?? ??mber?? ??was?? ??functional?? ??or????not,?? ??so?? ??he?? ??already?? ??developed?? ??the?? ??habit?? ??of?? ??using?? ??that?? ??as?? ??an?? ??excuse?? ??to?? ??get?? ??out?? ??of?? ??these????kinds?? ??of?? ??situations.?? ??And?? ??it?? ??was?? ??a?? ??thod?? ??that?? ??worked?? ??every?? ??single?? ??ti.?? ??Sure?? ??enough,????the?? ??female?? ??ghost?? ??redid?? ??her?? ??shirt?? ??and?? ??stopped?? ??clinging?? ??onto?? ??him.?? ??“No?? ??wonder?? ??yer?? ??like?? ??this.????What?? ??a?? ??pig.?? ??If?? ??ya?? ??have?? ??a?? ??problem?? ??why?? ??didn’t?? ??you?? ??say?? ??so?? ??sooner??? ??Pfft!”??????Not?? ??far?? ??behind?? ??them,?? ??the?? ??boar?? ??butcher?? ??threw?? ??down?? ??his?? ??knife?? ??again?? ??and?? ??yelled,?? ??“Fuckin’????slut!?? ??What’s?? ??that?? ??you?? ??say??? ??What’s?? ??wrong?? ??with?? ??pigs???”??????The?? ??female?? ??ghost?? ??wasn’t?? ??scared,?? ??and?? ??yelled?? ??right?? ??back,?? ??“What?? ??about?? ??pigs???? ??Fuckin’????animals!”??????Soon?? ??the?? ??long?? ??street?? ??was?? ??filled?? ??with?? ??shouting?? ??and?? ??squawking,?? ??people?? ??hollering,?? ??“That????female?? ??ghost?? ??Lan?? ??Chang?? ??is?? ??startin’?? ??shit?? ??again!”??????“Butcher?? ??Zhu?? ??is?? ??choppin’?? ??ghosts!”??????The?? ??two?? ??sides?? ??buzzed?? ??back?? ??and?? ??forth,?? ??rowdy?? ??and?? ??chaotic,?? ??and?? ??in?? ??the?? ??midst?? ??of?? ??that????pandemonium,?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??escaped.?? ??After?? ??walking?? ??for?? ??a?? ??bit,?? ??he?? ??looked?? ??back?? ??over?? ??to?? ??where????the?? ??crowd?? ??was?? ??and?? ??sighed.??????Xie?? ??Lian?? ??continued?? ??walking?? ??and?? ??soon?? ??ca?? ??upon?? ??another?? ??rowdy?? ??crowd?? ??ahead,?? ??and?? ??he????stopped?? ??in?? ??front?? ??of?? ??a?? ??gigantic?? ??red?? ??building.??????This?? ??building?? ??was?? ??extraordinarily?? ??grandiose?? ??and?? ??imposing;?? ??its?? ??columns,?? ??roofs,?? ??walls,????everything?? ??was?? ??in?? ??magnificent?? ??bright?? ??red,?? ??and?? ??the?? ??floors?? ??were?? ??covered?? ??in?? ??thick,?? ??exquisite????carpet.?? ??It?? ??if?? ??must?? ??be?? ??compared,?? ??this?? ??building?? ??was?? ??on?? ??par?? ??with?? ??the?? ??heavenly?? ??palaces.?? ??The????only?? ??difference?? ??was?? ??it’s?? ??more?? ??bedazzling?? ??than?? ??dignified.?? ??Large?? ??crowds?? ??went?? ??in?? ??and?? ??out?? ??of????the?? ??door,?? ??and?? ??within,?? ??it?? ??was?? ??quite?? ??lively,?? ??filled?? ??with?? ??loud?? ??excited?? ??voices.?? ??At?? ??a?? ??closer?? ??look,????Xie?? ??Lian?? ??found?? ??that?? ??this?? ??place?? ??was?? ??a?? ??Gambler’s?? ??Den.??????Xie?? ??Lian?? ??walked?? ??up?? ??to?? ??the?? ??door,?? ??and?? ??on?? ??two?? ??columns?? ??at?? ??the?? ??entrance?? ??had?? ??a?? ??set?? ??of????verses??3??.?? ??The?? ??left?? ??said?? ??“Money?? ??Over?? ??Life”,?? ??and?? ??the?? ??right?? ??said?? ??“Gains?? ??Over?? ??Sha”.?? ??On?? ??the????top?? ??horizontal?? ??column?? ??it?? ??said?? ??“HAHAHAHA”.????????“...”??????It?? ??was?? ??ugly?? ??and?? ??rough,?? ??not?? ??worthy?? ??of?? ??being?? ??entrance?? ??verses.?? ??The?? ??calligraphy?? ??was?? ??also????wild,?? ??clumsy,?? ??and?? ??frenzied;?? ??a?? ??disgrace?? ??to?? ??call?? ??it?? ??calligraphy?? ??at?? ??all!?? ??It?? ??was?? ??as?? ??if?? ??soone????took?? ??a?? ??brush?? ??whilst?? ??drunk,?? ??and?? ??scribbled?? ??with?? ??malintent,?? ??and?? ??the?? ??words?? ??got?? ??blown?? ??by?? ??a????blast?? ??of?? ??evil?? ??aura?? ??before?? ??they?? ??were?? ??ford?? ??thus.?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??was?? ??once?? ??heir?? ??to?? ??the?? ??throne,????and?? ??his?? ??calligraphy?? ??was?? ??taught?? ??by?? ??the?? ??best?? ??teachers?? ??in?? ??the?? ??land.?? ??The?? ??characters?? ??he?? ??saw????before?? ??him?? ??now?? ??were?? ??a?? ??real?? ??tragedy.?? ??In?? ??fact,?? ??the?? ??characters?? ??were?? ??so?? ??hellish?? ??that?? ??Xie?? ??Lian????was?? ??starting?? ??to?? ??think?? ??they’re?? ??kind?? ??of?? ??funny,?? ??and?? ??shook?? ??his?? ??head.?? ??The?? ??Wind?? ??Master????wouldn’t?? ??be?? ??playing?? ??around?? ??here;?? ??he’d?? ??have?? ??a?? ??better?? ??chance?? ??searching?? ??in?? ??beauty?? ??parlors????for?? ??female?? ??ghosts.??????He?? ??was?? ??going?? ??to?? ??move?? ??on?? ??from?? ??the?? ??Gambler’s?? ??Den,?? ??but?? ??sothing?? ??made?? ??him?? ??reconsider,????and?? ??after?? ??only?? ??a?? ??few?? ??steps,?? ??he?? ??turned?? ??around?? ??and?? ??entered?? ??the?? ??red?? ??building.??????In?? ??the?? ??main?? ??hall?? ??of?? ??the?? ??Gambler’s?? ??Den,?? ??crowds?? ??were?? ??filled?? ??to?? ??the?? ??brim;?? ??innurous?? ??heads????moving,?? ??laughter?? ??and?? ??desperate?? ??cries?? ??cramd?? ??the?? ??air.?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??descended?? ??a?? ??few?? ??steps????when?? ??he?? ??suddenly?? ??heard?? ??screaming,?? ??and?? ??when?? ??he?? ??looked?? ??to?? ??where?? ??it?? ??ca?? ??from,?? ??four????masked?? ??bouncers?? ??were?? ??walking?? ??over?? ??carrying?? ??another.????????That?? ??man?? ??was?? ??in?? ??pain,?? ??writhing?? ??and?? ??howling?? ??whilst?? ??being?? ??carried,?? ??and?? ??a?? ??trail?? ??of?? ??blood????followed.?? ??Turns?? ??out,?? ??both?? ??of?? ??his?? ??legs?? ??were?? ??cleanly?? ??cut?? ??off?? ??from?? ??the?? ??knees,?? ??and?? ??blood?? ??was????pouring?? ??from?? ??the?? ??stumps.?? ??A?? ??small?? ??ghost?? ??followed?? ??closely,?? ??and?? ??greedily?? ??licked?? ??up?? ??all?? ??the????blood?? ??on?? ??the?? ??floor?? ??as?? ??they?? ??went.????????It?? ??was?? ??a?? ??terrifying?? ??sight?? ??yet?? ??no?? ??one?? ??in?? ??the?? ??Gambler’s?? ??Den?? ??spared?? ??it?? ??any?? ??looks,?? ??and????continued?? ??to?? ??shout?? ??and?? ??cheer,?? ??rolling?? ??about.?? ??Though,?? ??of?? ??course,?? ??many?? ??who?? ??gamble?? ??here????weren’t?? ??people,?? ??and?? ??if?? ??they?? ??were,?? ??then?? ??they’re?? ??no?? ??ordinary?? ??humans.????????Xie?? ??Lian?? ??slighted?? ??his?? ??body?? ??to?? ??let?? ??pass?? ??the?? ??four?? ??bouncers?? ??carrying?? ??the?? ??man,?? ??and?? ??then????continued?? ??going?? ??deeper?? ??into?? ??the?? ??den.?? ??A?? ??petite?? ??attendant?? ??in?? ??a?? ??laughing?? ??mask?? ??approached????him?? ??and?? ??welcod?? ??him,?? ??“Sir,?? ??are?? ??you?? ??here?? ??to?? ??play?”??????Xie?? ??Lian?? ??gave?? ??a?? ??small?? ??smile,?? ??“I?? ??don’t?? ??have?? ??money?? ??on?? ??.?? ??Mind?? ??if?? ??I?? ??just?? ??look?”??????In?? ??his?? ??experience,?? ??usually?? ??if?? ??you?? ??say?? ??those?? ??words?? ??in?? ??any?? ??establishnt?? ??you’d?? ??get?? ??booted.????Why?? ??would?? ??you?? ??enter?? ??without?? ??money??? ??Yet?? ??the?? ??petite?? ??attendant?? ??still?? ??giggled,?? ??“No?? ??money?? ??is????not?? ??a?? ??problem.?? ??Those?? ??who?? ??play?? ??here?? ??don’t?? ??really?? ??use?? ??money?? ??to?? ??gamble.”??????“Really?”?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??asked.??????The?? ??petite?? ??attendant?? ??covered?? ??her?? ??mouth,?? ??“Really.?? ??Sir,?? ??why?? ??don’t?? ??you?? ??co?? ??with?? ??.”??????She?? ??waved?? ??at?? ??Xie?? ??Lian,?? ??and?? ??sashayed?? ??away.?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??followed?? ??behind?? ??her?? ??without?? ??a????word,?? ??but?? ??carefully?? ??observed?? ??all?? ??around.??????This?? ??Gambler’s?? ??Den?? ??from?? ??the?? ??inside?? ??out?? ??was?? ??exceedingly?? ??extravagant?? ??and?? ??stylish,?? ??but????not?? ??tacky;?? ??it?? ??was?? ??a?? ??building?? ??rich?? ??with?? ??taste.?? ??The?? ??petite?? ??attendant?? ??brought?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??to?? ??the????very?? ??back?? ??of?? ??the?? ??main?? ??hall,?? ??and?? ??there?? ??was?? ??a?? ??long?? ??table?? ??that?? ??was?? ??packed?? ??like?? ??sardines.?? ??Xie????Lian?? ??only?? ??just?? ??approached?? ??and?? ??heard?? ??a?? ??man?? ??cry,?? ??“I?? ??bet?? ??my?? ??arm!”??????There?? ??were?? ??too?? ??many?? ??onlookers,?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??couldn’t?? ??get?? ??through,?? ??and?? ??could?? ??only?? ??listen????from?? ??outside?? ??the?? ??crowd.?? ??Suddenly?? ??another?? ??voice?? ??rang?? ??out,?? ??lazily?? ??responding,?? ??“No?? ??need.????Nevermind?? ??your?? ??arm.?? ??Even?? ??your?? ??shit?? ??life?? ??is?? ??worthless?? ??here.”??????Hearing?? ??the?? ??voice,?? ??Xie?? ??Lian’s?? ??heart?? ??jumped.??????He?? ??silently?? ??mouthed?? ??the?? ??na,?? ??“San?? ??Lang.”??????What?? ??he?? ??heard?? ??was?? ??indeed?? ??the?? ??voice?? ??of?? ??that?? ??young?? ??man.?? ??Yet,?? ??it?? ??was?? ??slightly?? ??deeper?? ??than????he?? ??rembered.??????However,?? ??it?? ??was?? ??because?? ??of?? ??this?? ??that?? ??it?? ??sounded?? ??even?? ??more?? ??pleasing?? ??to?? ??the?? ??ears.????Although?? ??he?? ??was?? ??surrounded?? ??by?? ??boisterous?? ??brouhahas,?? ??the?? ??voice?? ??still?? ??rang?? ??loud?? ??and????clear?? ??through?? ??the?? ??noise?? ??of?? ??the?? ??Gambler’s?? ??Den?? ??and?? ??into?? ??his?? ??ears.??????Xie?? ??Lian?? ??raised?? ??his?? ??head?? ??and?? ??found?? ??that?? ??behind?? ??the?? ??long?? ??table?? ??there?? ??was?? ??a?? ??screen????curtain.?? ??And?? ??behind?? ??the?? ??curtain,?? ??he?? ??could?? ??see?? ??a?? ??faint?? ??red?? ??silhouette,?? ??laid?? ??back?? ??leisurely?? ??on????a?? ??long?? ??chair.????????
??1.Yin?? ??from?? ??Yin?? ??Yang?? ??–?? ??Yin?? ??represents?? ??the?? ??shadows?? ??and?? ??femininity.?? ??????????2.i?? ??i?? ??is?? ??a?? ??familiar?? ??address?? ??for?? ??little?? ??sister?? ??????????3.Entrance?? ??Verses?? ??are?? ??three?? ??lines?? ??of?? ??poetry?? ??that?? ??expresses?? ??the?? ??aning/the?? ??of????the?? ??establishnt,?? ??or?? ??just?? ??for?? ??good?? ??luck.?? ??One?? ??line?? ??on?? ??each?? ??side?? ??of?? ??the?? ??door,?? ??and????one?? ??over?? ??the?? ??top.?? ??????????????????Ch.36:?? ??Admiring?? ??the?? ??Flower?? ??through?? ??Red?? ??Clouds;?? ??A?? ??Heart?? ??full?? ??of?? ??Sympathy????????The?? ??words?? ??that?? ??ca?? ??out?? ??of?? ??Hua?? ??Cheng’s?? ??mouth?? ??were?? ??exceedingly?? ??condescending?? ??and????discourteous.?? ??But?? ??the?? ??mont?? ??he?? ??spoke,?? ??the?? ??man?? ??in?? ??question?? ??allowed?? ??taunting?? ??from?? ??all????around,?? ??and?? ??dared?? ??not?? ??fight?? ??back.?? ??The?? ??attendant?? ??who?? ??led?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??to?? ??the?? ??long?? ??table????smiled,?? ??“Young?? ??master,?? ??you’re?? ??very?? ??lucky?? ??today.”??????Xie?? ??Lian?? ??never?? ??moved?? ??his?? ??gaze?? ??from?? ??the?? ??long?? ??table,?? ??“How?? ??so?”??????“Our?? ??lord?? ??is?? ??here?? ??to?? ??play,”?? ??the?? ??attendant?? ??replied,?? ??“It’s?? ??only?? ??these?? ??past?? ??couple?? ??of?? ??days?? ??that????he?? ??was?? ??in?? ??the?? ??mood?? ??to?? ??pass?? ??by,?? ??so?? ??isn’t?? ??this?? ??good?? ??luck?”??????By?? ??her?? ??tone,?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??could?? ??tell?? ??that?? ??the?? ??attendant?? ??had?? ??great?? ??respect?? ??for?? ??the?? ??‘lord’?? ??and????very?? ??much?? ??idolizes?? ??him,?? ??as?? ??if?? ??just?? ??seeing?? ??him?? ??was?? ??the?? ??greatest?? ??honour.?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??couldn’t????help?? ??but?? ??smile.??????The?? ??screen?? ??curtain?? ??was?? ??light?? ??and?? ??fluttering,?? ??the?? ??red?? ??silhouette?? ??captivating.?? ??In?? ??front?? ??of?? ??the????red?? ??curtain?? ??were?? ??a?? ??couple?? ??of?? ??charming?? ??won?? ??overlooking?? ??the?? ??gambling?? ??table,????composing?? ??a?? ??picture?? ??of?? ??glamour?? ??and?? ??sensuality.?? ??At?? ??first?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??was?? ??content?? ??to?? ??just????watch?? ??from?? ??the?? ??background,?? ??but?? ??the?? ??mont?? ??he?? ??heard?? ??Hua?? ??Cheng’s?? ??voice?? ??he?? ??started????trying?? ??to?? ??push?? ??himself?? ??through?? ??the?? ??crowd?? ??without?? ??raising?? ??any?? ??awareness?? ??that?? ??he?? ??was????there.?? ??Finally,?? ??he?? ??made?? ??it?? ??through?? ??to?? ??the?? ??table?? ??and?? ??saw?? ??the?? ??man?? ??who?? ??was?? ??gambling.??????It?? ??was?? ??a?? ??real?? ??human.?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??wasn’t?? ??surprised,?? ??since?? ??it?? ??was?? ??already?? ??known?? ??that?? ??within????the?? ??Ghost?? ??City,?? ??there?? ??wasn’t?? ??just?? ??ghosts;?? ??there?? ??were?? ??also?? ??many?? ??cultivators?? ??with????considerable?? ??skill?? ??and?? ??sotis,?? ??re?? ??mortals?? ??who?? ??were?? ??looking?? ??for?? ??their?? ??own?? ??death.????The?? ??gambling?? ??man?? ??had?? ??a?? ??mask?? ??on,?? ??but?? ??both?? ??his?? ??eyes?? ??were?? ??visible,?? ??bulging?? ??and?? ??laced????with?? ??red?? ??as?? ??if?? ??bleeding;?? ??his?? ??lips?? ??were?? ??pale?? ??as?? ??if?? ??he?? ??hadn’t?? ??seen?? ??the?? ??sun?? ??in?? ??days.?? ??He?? ??was?? ??a????picture?? ??of?? ??a?? ??ghost?? ??more?? ??so?? ??than?? ??any?? ??ghosts?? ??present.??????Both?? ??of?? ??his?? ??hands?? ??were?? ??pressed?? ??tightly?? ??on?? ??a?? ??black?? ??wooden?? ??dice?? ??cup?? ??on?? ??the?? ??table,?? ??and????after?? ??holding?? ??back?? ??for?? ??a?? ??mont,?? ??he?? ??shouted?? ??with?? ??abandon,?? ??“But...?? ??how?? ??co?? ??the?? ??other????guy?? ??was?? ??able?? ??to?? ??bet?? ??both?? ??his?? ??legs?”??????One?? ??of?? ??the?? ??croupiers?? ??before?? ??the?? ??red?? ??curtain?? ??smiled,?? ??“The?? ??one?? ??before?? ??used?? ??to?? ??be?? ??an????acclaid?? ??bandit?? ??who?? ??was?? ??known?? ??for?? ??his?? ??light?? ??footwork?? ??and?? ??ability?? ??to?? ??take?? ??flight?? ??wherever????he?? ??went.?? ??It?? ??was?? ??the?? ??crux?? ??of?? ??his?? ??life,?? ??so?? ??his?? ??legs?? ??were?? ??worthy?? ??as?? ??a?? ??bet.?? ??You’re?? ??neither?? ??an????artisan?? ??nor?? ??a?? ??dic;?? ??what?? ??worth?? ??does?? ??your?? ??arm?? ??possess?”??????The?? ??man?? ??gritted?? ??his?? ??teeth,?? ??“Then...?? ??I?? ??bet?? ??my?? ??only?? ??daughter’s?? ??ten?? ??years?? ??worth?? ??of?? ??life!”??????Xie?? ??Lian?? ??was?? ??stunned?? ??to?? ??hear?? ??those?? ??words?? ??and?? ??thought,?? ??‘Where?? ??on?? ??earth?? ??is?? ??there?? ??a????father?? ??who?? ??is?? ??willing?? ??to?? ??bet?? ??on?? ??the?? ??life?? ??of?? ??his?? ??children??? ??Is?? ??that?? ??even?? ??possible?’??????Behind?? ??the?? ??curtain,?? ??Hua?? ??Cheng?? ??only?? ??snorted,?? ??“Very?? ??well.”??????From?? ??that?? ??response,?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??couldn’t?? ??tell?? ??if?? ??it?? ??was?? ??his?? ??imagination,?? ??but?? ??he?? ??could?? ??sense????coldness?? ??from?? ??the?? ??words.?? ??But?? ??then?? ??he?? ??added?? ??ntally,?? ??‘San?? ??Lang?? ??had?? ??always?? ??said?? ??his????fortune?? ??was?? ??good,?? ??and?? ??all?? ??of?? ??his?? ??fortune?? ??sticks?? ??ca?? ??up?? ??the?? ??best?? ??of?? ??luck.?? ??If?? ??he?? ??bets?? ??with????this?? ??man,?? ??wouldn’t?? ??he?? ??for?? ??sure?? ??win?? ??and?? ??take?? ??away?? ??ten?? ??years?? ??of?? ??life?? ??from?? ??that?? ??man’s????daughter?’??????He?? ??was?? ??just?? ??thinking?? ??those?? ??thoughts?? ??when?? ??the?? ??croupier?? ??announced?? ??sweetly,?? ??“Even?? ??will?? ??be????a?? ??loss;?? ??odds?? ??will?? ??be?? ??a?? ??win.?? ??Once?? ??the?? ??cup?? ??is?? ??open,?? ??there?? ??will?? ??be?? ??no?? ??going?? ??back.?? ??Now????please.”??????So?? ??Hua?? ??Cheng?? ??himself?? ??would?? ??not?? ??be?? ??betting?? ??in?? ??the?? ??pool.?? ??That?? ??man?? ??shook?? ??the?? ??gambling????cup?? ??haphazardly,?? ??both?? ??hands?? ??grasping?? ??onto?? ??it?? ??hard,?? ??and?? ??the?? ??hall?? ??quieted?? ??down.?? ??The????sounds?? ??of?? ??the?? ??dice?? ??rattling?? ??could?? ??be?? ??heard?? ??loud?? ??and?? ??crisply.?? ??Then,?? ??his?? ??movent?? ??slowed????to?? ??a?? ??stop.?? ??Silence?? ??veiled.??????It?? ??was?? ??after?? ??a?? ??long?? ??mont?? ??before?? ??the?? ??man?? ??slowly?? ??–?? ??very?? ??slowly?? ??–?? ??lifted?? ??a?? ??corner?? ??of?? ??the????gambling?? ??cup?? ??and?? ??peeked?? ??through?? ??the?? ??gap.?? ??His?? ??red?? ??eyes?? ??suddenly?? ??widened.??????He?? ??flipped?? ??open?? ??the?? ??cup?? ??and?? ??shouted?? ??with?? ??mad?? ??joy,?? ??“ODD!?? ??ODD!?? ??ODD!!?? ??I?? ??WIN!?? ??I’VE????WON!?? ??HAHAHAHHAHAHAHAH?? ??I’VE?? ??WON!!!?? ??I’VE?? ??WON!!!!!”??????This?? ??was?? ??not?? ??the?? ??outco?? ??the?? ??crowd?? ??of?? ??humans?? ??and?? ??ghosts?? ??surrounding?? ??the?? ??long?? ??table????wanted?? ??to?? ??see?? ??and?? ??they?? ??started?? ??booing?? ??down?? ??the?? ??man,?? ??slapping?? ??the?? ??table?? ??and?? ??shouting????their?? ??discontent.?? ??One?? ??of?? ??the?? ??croupiers?? ??smiled?? ??and?? ??said,?? ??“Congratulations.?? ??The?? ??fate?? ??of????your?? ??business?? ??will?? ??soon?? ??see?? ??a?? ??turn?? ??around.”??????The?? ??man?? ??laughed?? ??uproariously?? ??and?? ??cried,?? ??“Wait!?? ??I?? ??want?? ??to?? ??bet?? ??again!”??????The?? ??croupier?? ??smiled,?? ??“You’re?? ??welco?? ??to.?? ??What?? ??do?? ??you?? ??want?? ??this?? ??ti?’??????The?? ??man’s?? ??face?? ??dropped,?? ??and?? ??said,?? ??“I?? ??want,?? ??I?? ??want?? ??everyone?? ??competing?? ??with?? ???? ??in?? ??my????business?? ??to?? ??drop?? ??dead!”??????The?? ??crowd?? ??started?? ??muttering?? ??and?? ??clicking?? ??their?? ??tongues.?? ??The?? ??croupier?? ??raised?? ??a?? ??hand?? ??to????cover?? ??her?? ??smile,?? ??“If?? ??that?? ??is?? ??your?? ??wish?? ??then?? ??it’s?? ??much?? ??more?? ??difficult?? ??to?? ??fulfill?? ??than?? ??your????previous?? ??wish.?? ??Won’t?? ??you?? ??consider?? ??a?? ??different?? ??wish?? ??like?? ??asking?? ??for?? ??your?? ??business?? ??to????flourish?”??????Yet?? ??the?? ??man?? ??replied?? ??with?? ??his?? ??eyes?? ??red,?? ??“No!?? ??I?? ??only?? ??want?? ??that!?? ??That’s?? ??what?? ??I’m?? ??betting?? ??for!”??????“Then,?? ??if?? ??that?? ??is?? ??your?? ??wish,?? ??ten?? ??years?? ??of?? ??your?? ??daughter’s?? ??life?? ??may?? ??not?? ??be?? ??enough.”?? ??The????croupier?? ??said.??????“If?? ??that’s?? ??not?? ??enough,?? ??I’ll?? ??bet?? ??twenty?? ??years?? ??of?? ??her?? ??life!?? ??And...?? ??And?? ??the?? ??fate?? ??of?? ??her?? ??marriage????on?? ??top?? ??of?? ??that!”??????The?? ??crowd?? ??was?? ??stunned?? ??and?? ??burst?? ??out?? ??laughing,?? ??“That?? ??dad’s?? ??lost?? ??his?? ??mind!?? ??He’s?? ??selling????his?? ??daughter!!”??????“Amazing,?? ??amazing!!”??????The?? ??croupier?? ??announced?? ??once?? ??again,?? ??“Even?? ??will?? ??be?? ??a?? ??loss,?? ??odd?? ??will?? ??be?? ??a?? ??win.?? ??Once?? ??the????cup?? ??is?? ??open,?? ??there?? ??will?? ??be?? ??no?? ??going?? ??back.?? ??Now?? ??please.”??????That?? ??man?? ??took?? ??up?? ??the?? ??gambling?? ??cup?? ??once?? ??more,?? ??his?? ??hands?? ??shaking.?? ??If?? ??he?? ??lost,?? ??then?? ??his????daughter?? ??would?? ??lose?? ??twenty?? ??years?? ??of?? ??her?? ??life?? ??and?? ??a?? ??good?? ??marriage,?? ??obviously?? ??not?? ??ideal;????but?? ??if?? ??he?? ??won,?? ??then?? ??all?? ??of?? ??his?? ??competitors?? ??would?? ??drop?? ??dead??? ??Although?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??thought????Hua?? ??Cheng?? ??would?? ??never?? ??let?? ??such?? ??a?? ??thing?? ??happen,?? ??after?? ??much?? ??hesitation,?? ??he?? ??still?? ??stepped????forward.?? ??He?? ??was?? ??just?? ??thinking?? ??whether?? ??if?? ??he?? ??should?? ??join?? ??in?? ??using?? ??so?? ??small?? ??trick?? ??when????suddenly,?? ??soone?? ??grabbed?? ??hold?? ??of?? ??him.?? ??He?? ??turned?? ??his?? ??head?? ??to?? ??see?? ??and?? ??it?? ??was?? ??Shi????Qingxuan.??????Shi?? ??Qingxuan?? ??had?? ??returned?? ??to?? ??his?? ??male?? ??form,?? ??and?? ??whispered,?? ??“Don’t?? ??be?? ??rash.”??????Xie?? ??Lian?? ??whispered?? ??back,?? ??“Lord?? ??Wind?? ??Master,?? ??why?? ??did?? ??you?? ??transform?? ??back???????“It’s?? ??a?? ??long?? ??story,”?? ??Shi?? ??Qingxuan?? ??sighed,?? ??“That?? ??group?? ??of?? ??won?? ??dragged?? ???? ??around????saying?? ??they?? ??were?? ??going?? ??to?? ??introduce?? ???? ??to?? ??good?? ??beauty?? ??parlours.?? ??I?? ??finally?? ??escaped?? ??but????they?? ??caught?? ???? ??again,?? ??so?? ??I?? ??had?? ??to?? ??change?? ??back.?? ??They?? ??dragged?? ???? ??to?? ??a?? ??place?? ??that????sared?? ??so?? ??much?? ??stuff?? ??on?? ??my?? ??face;?? ??pulling,?? ??stretching,?? ??slapping,?? ??smacking?? ??–?? ??quick,????check?? ??my?? ??face!?? ??How?? ??is?? ??it??? ??Anything?? ??wrong??? ??Do?? ??you?? ??see?? ??anything?? ??off?? ??with?? ??my?? ??face?”??????He?? ??pushed?? ??his?? ??face?? ??right?? ??up?? ??to?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??to?? ??be?? ??inspected,?? ??and?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??dutifully?? ??gave?? ??it?? ??a????detailed?? ??look?? ??before?? ??replying?? ??truthfully,?? ??“I?? ??think?? ??it?? ??looks?? ??even?? ??smoother?? ??and?? ??whiter?? ??than????before.”??????Shi?? ??Qingxuan?? ??brightened?? ??imdiately,?? ??“Really??? ??Oh?? ??good!?? ??That’s?? ??wonderful!?? ??Hahahaha!????Is?? ??there’s?? ??a?? ??mirror??? ??Where’s?? ??a?? ??mirror??? ??I?? ??want?? ??to?? ??see!”??????“Look?? ??later,”?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??said,?? ??“The?? ??Ghost?? ??City?? ??is?? ??blocking?? ??our?? ??spiritual?? ??communication,?? ??so????let’s?? ??not?? ??lose?? ??each?? ??other?? ??again.?? ??By?? ??the?? ??way,?? ??how?? ??did?? ??you?? ??know?? ??I?? ??was?? ??here,?? ??Lord?? ??Wind????Master?”??????“I?? ??didn’t!”?? ??Shi?? ??Qingxuan?? ??replied,?? ??“I?? ??ca?? ??because?? ??Qianqiu?? ??and?? ??I?? ??had?? ??already?? ??agreed?? ??to????et?? ??here.?? ??When?? ??we?? ??lost?? ??each?? ??other?? ??earlier,?? ??I?? ??just?? ??ca?? ??here?? ??instead,?? ??but?? ??when?? ??I?? ??walked????in,?? ??turns?? ??out?? ??you?? ??were?? ??here?? ??too!”??????“Qianqiu?”?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??asked,?? ??“et?? ??here?”??????“Yea.”?? ??Shi?? ??Qingxuan?? ??replied,?? ??“Qianqiu?? ??is?? ??that?? ??Lang?? ??Qianqiu,?? ??His?? ??Highness?? ??Tai?? ??Hua.?? ??You????know?? ??that?? ??much?? ??at?? ??least,?? ??right??? ??He’s?? ??the?? ??Martial?? ??God?? ??of?? ??the?? ??East.?? ??Since?? ??we’re?? ??here,?? ??it’s????best?? ??if?? ??he?? ??ca?? ??too.?? ??The?? ??Gambler’s?? ??Den?? ??is?? ??one?? ??of?? ??the?? ??most?? ??bustling?? ??and?? ??the?? ??most????chaotic?? ??place?? ??in?? ??the?? ??Ghost?? ??City.?? ??It’s?? ??a?? ??landmark.?? ??Many?? ??people?? ??and?? ??ghosts?? ??alike?? ??go?? ??in?? ??and????out,?? ??it’s?? ??much?? ??less?? ??conspicuous?? ??for?? ??us?? ??to?? ??be?? ??about,?? ??so?? ??I?? ??told?? ??him?? ??to?? ??et?? ??us?? ??here.”??????Xie?? ??Lian?? ??nodded.?? ??When?? ??he?? ??turned?? ??back?? ??to?? ??the?? ??long?? ??table,?? ??that?? ??man?? ??still?? ??hadn’t?? ??opened????the?? ??cup;?? ??his?? ??eyes?? ??were?? ??rolled?? ??back?? ??and?? ??he?? ??was?? ??muttering,?? ??not?? ??unlike?? ??many?? ??of?? ??the?? ??ghosts????there.?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??sighed,?? ??“This?? ??man...”??????Shi?? ??Qingxuan?? ??said?? ??as?? ??he?? ??felt?? ??up?? ??his?? ??face,?? ??“I?? ??know?? ??what?? ??you?? ??want?? ??to?? ??say,?? ??and?? ??I?? ??agree.?? ??But,????the?? ??Ghost?? ??City?? ??is?? ??Hua?? ??Cheng’s?? ??territory,?? ??and?? ??the?? ??rules?? ??here?? ??were?? ??all?? ??adhered?? ??to?? ??willingly.????If?? ??you?? ??dare?? ??gamble?? ??then?? ??you?? ??can?? ??play.?? ??The?? ??heavens?? ??can?? ??do?? ??nothing.?? ??Let’s?? ??just?? ??observe,????and?? ??we?? ??can?? ??co?? ??up?? ??with?? ??sothing?? ??if?? ??anything?? ??goes?? ??out?? ??of?? ??hand.”??????Xie?? ??Lian?? ??humd,?? ??thinking?? ??there?? ??was?? ??no?? ??way?? ??San?? ??Lang?? ??would?? ??allow?? ??anything?? ??to?? ??go?? ??out????of?? ??hand,?? ??so?? ??it?? ??would?? ??indeed?? ??be?? ??best?? ??to?? ??just?? ??observe.?? ??The?? ??gambling?? ??man?? ??finally?? ??seed?? ??to????gather?? ??enough?? ??courage?? ??and?? ??opened?? ??just?? ??a?? ??slither?? ??of?? ??the?? ??gambling?? ??cup?? ??to?? ??reveal?? ??the????outco.?? ??Just?? ??then,?? ??another?? ??person?? ??busted?? ??in,?? ??shut?? ??down?? ??the?? ??gambling?? ??cup?? ??with?? ??a?? ??strike,????and?? ??crushed?? ??it?? ??to?? ??pieces!??????This?? ??strike?? ??not?? ??only?? ??crushed?? ??the?? ??gambling?? ??cup,?? ??but?? ??also?? ??the?? ??hand?? ??that?? ??was?? ??on?? ??top?? ??of?? ??it,????and?? ??the?? ??entire?? ??table?? ??splintered?? ??with?? ??a?? ??deep?? ??fissure.??????The?? ??masked?? ??man?? ??cradled?? ??his?? ??crushed?? ??hand?? ??and?? ??rolled?? ??all?? ??over?? ??the?? ??floor?? ??screaming.?? ??The????crowd?? ??of?? ??ghosts?? ??also?? ??started?? ??shouting,?? ??so?? ??cheering,?? ??and?? ??so?? ??crying?? ??in?? ??shock.?? ??The????person?? ??who?? ??struck?? ??out?? ??yelled,?? ??“You!?? ??What?? ??villainous?? ??heart!?? ??If?? ??you?? ??wished?? ??for?? ??wealth?? ??and????fortune?? ??then?? ??no?? ??matter,?? ??but?? ??you?? ??wished?? ??for?? ??others?? ??to?? ??drop?? ??dead??? ??If?? ??you?? ??wanted?? ??to?? ??bet????then?? ??have?? ??the?? ??guts?? ??to?? ??bet?? ??your?? ??own?? ??life,?? ??and?? ??not?? ??the?? ??life?? ??and?? ??marriage?? ??of?? ??your?? ??daughter!????You’re?? ??not?? ??fit?? ??to?? ??be?? ??a?? ??man!?? ??Not?? ??fit?? ??to?? ??be?? ??a?? ??father!”??????The?? ??young?? ??man?? ??had?? ??sword?? ??like?? ??brows?? ??and?? ??stars?? ??for?? ??eyes,?? ??bursting?? ??with?? ??heroic?? ??aura.????Although?? ??his?? ??clothes?? ??were?? ??simple?? ??and?? ??not?? ??a?? ??bit?? ??glamourous,?? ??his?? ??air?? ??of?? ??nobility?? ??couldn’t?? ??be????hidden?? ??away.?? ??It?? ??was?? ??none?? ??other?? ??than?? ??the?? ??Crown?? ??Prince?? ??of?? ??Yong’An?? ??–?? ??Lang?? ??Qianqiu.??????Seeing?? ??him,?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??and?? ??Shi?? ??Qingxuan?? ??both?? ??covered?? ??their?? ??face?? ??at?? ??the?? ??sa?? ??ti?? ??in?? ??the????crowd.??????Xie?? ??Lian?? ??groaned,?? ??“....Lord?? ??Wind?? ??Master,?? ??did?? ??you...?? ??not?? ??tell?? ??him...?? ??to?? ??be?? ??a?? ??little?? ??more????careful?? ??when?? ??coming?? ??here,?? ??and?? ??keep?? ??it?? ??low-key....”??????Shi?? ??Qingxuan?? ??whined?? ??back,?? ??“....?? ??I...I?? ??told?? ??him,?? ??but...he’s?? ??always?? ??like?? ??that...what?? ??can?? ??I????do....had?? ??I?? ??known?? ??earlier...I?? ??would’ve?? ??planned?? ??for?? ??us?? ??to?? ??co?? ??down?? ??together....”??????Xie?? ??Lian?? ??sympathized,?? ??“I?? ??get?? ??it....I?? ??understand...”??????Just?? ??then,?? ??Hua?? ??Cheng?? ??chuckled?? ??lightly?? ??from?? ??behind?? ??the?? ??curtains.??????Xie?? ??Lian’s?? ??heart?? ??skipped?? ??a?? ??beat.??????The?? ??boy?? ??had?? ??often?? ??laughed?? ??when?? ??he?? ??was?? ??with?? ??Xie?? ??Lian,?? ??so?? ??now?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??was?? ??able?? ??to?? ??tell????sowhat?? ??whether?? ??if?? ??the?? ??laughter?? ??was?? ??genuine?? ??happiness,?? ??mockery,?? ??or?? ??laced?? ??with?? ??killing????intent.??????A?? ??voice?? ??said?? ??lazily,?? ??“You?? ??must?? ??have?? ??guts?? ??of?? ??steel?? ??to?? ??start?? ??trouble?? ??here?? ??in?? ??my?? ??territory.”??????Lang?? ??Qianqiu?? ??turned?? ??to?? ??face?? ??the?? ??direction?? ??of?? ??the?? ??voice,?? ??fire?? ??within?? ??his?? ??eyes,?? ??“Are?? ??you?? ??the????owner?? ??of?? ??this?? ??Gambler’s?? ??Den?”??????The?? ??crowd?? ??jeered,?? ??“Foolish?? ??bastard,?? ??do?? ??you?? ??even?? ??know?? ??who?? ??you’re?? ??talking?? ??to??? ??This?? ??is?? ??our????lord.”??????So?? ??sneered?? ??coldly,?? ??“Not?? ??only?? ??does?? ??he?? ??own?? ??this?? ??Gambler’s?? ??Den,?? ??this?? ??entire?? ??Ghost?? ??City????is?? ??his!”??????Lang?? ??Qianqiu?? ??barely?? ??showed?? ??any?? ??reaction,?? ??but?? ??Shi?? ??Qingxuan,?? ??on?? ??the?? ??other?? ??hand,?? ??was????completely?? ??taken?? ??aback,?? ??“My?? ??dear?? ??god,?? ??is?? ??that?? ??who?? ??I?? ??think?? ??it?? ??is?? ??behind?? ??the?? ??curtain?”??????Xie?? ??Lian?? ??answered,?? ??“Yes...it’s?? ??him.”??????Shi?? ??Qingxuan?? ??asked?? ??again,?? ??“Are?? ??you?? ??sure?!”??????Xie?? ??Lian?? ??replied,?? ??“I’m?? ??certain.”??????Shi?? ??Qingxuan?? ??panicked,?? ??“We’re?? ??dead,?? ??we’re?? ??dead.?? ??What?? ??do?? ??we?? ??do?? ??about?? ??Qianqiu?? ??now?!”??????Xie?? ??Lian?? ??said?? ??after?? ??while,?? ??“...Let’s?? ??hope?? ??he?? ??doesn’t?? ??expose?? ??himself...”??????Yet?? ??the?? ??more?? ??Lang?? ??Qianqiu?? ??looked?? ??around,?? ??the?? ??angrier?? ??he?? ??beca,?? ??and?? ??demanded,????“This?? ??hellish?? ??place?? ??reeks?? ??of?? ??smoke?? ??and?? ??corruption,?? ??and?? ??filled?? ??to?? ??the?? ??brim?? ??with?? ??demonic????chaos.?? ??What?? ??kind?? ??of?? ??scums?? ??are?? ??you??? ??Just?? ??what?? ??do?? ??you?? ??think?? ??you’re?? ??doing?? ??here??? ??Running????a?? ??place?? ??like?? ??this,?? ??you?? ??guys?? ??really?? ??don’t?? ??have?? ??a?? ??single?? ??trace?? ??of?? ??humanity?? ??in?? ??you.?? ??”??????The?? ??crowd?? ??booed?? ??in?? ??unison,?? ??“We?? ??ain’t?? ??humans?? ??anyway,?? ??what?? ??do?? ??we?? ??need?? ??humanity?? ??for?????That?? ??sort?? ??of?? ??useless?? ??notion,?? ??whoever?? ??wants?? ??it?? ??can?? ??take?? ??it!”??????“Who?? ??do?? ??you?? ??think?? ??you?? ??are,?? ??coming?? ??all?? ??the?? ??way?? ??here?? ??to?? ??point?? ??fingers?? ??at?? ??us!”??????Hua?? ??Cheng?? ??said?? ??amused,?? ??“This?? ??den?? ??of?? ??mine?? ??had?? ??been?? ??a?? ??mad?? ??hellish?? ??place?? ??to?? ??begin?? ??with.????There’s?? ??a?? ??path?? ??for?? ??you?? ??in?? ??Heaven,?? ??but?? ??you?? ??refuse?? ??to?? ??take?? ??it?? ??and?? ??instead,?? ??chose?? ??to?? ??barge????into?? ??Hell.?? ??What?? ??shall?? ??we?? ??do?? ??with?? ??you?”??????After?? ??hearing?? ??the?? ??word?? ??‘heaven’,?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??and?? ??Shi?? ??Qingxuan?? ??imdiately?? ??knew.??????Hua?? ??Cheng?? ??had?? ??already?? ??seen?? ??through?? ??Lang?? ??Qianqiu?? ??and?? ??knew?? ??exactly?? ??where?? ??he?? ??had????co?? ??from.??????Yet,?? ??Lang?? ??Qianqiu?? ??completely?? ??missed?? ??the?? ??aning?? ??behind?? ??his?? ??words?? ??and?? ??slamd?? ??his????hand?? ??down?? ??on?? ??the?? ??table?? ??once?? ??more.?? ??He?? ??was?? ??standing?? ??at?? ??the?? ??end?? ??of?? ??the?? ??table,?? ??and?? ??with????this?? ??one?? ??strike,?? ??he?? ??sent?? ??the?? ??entire?? ??table?? ??flying?? ??towards?? ??the?? ??red?? ??shadow?? ??behind?? ??the????curtains.?? ??Those?? ??who?? ??had?? ??originally?? ??gathered?? ??around?? ??the?? ??table?? ??dodged?? ??to?? ??the?? ??sides.????However,?? ??the?? ??sitting?? ??silhouette?? ??behind?? ??the?? ??curtain?? ??didn’t?? ??move.?? ??With?? ??a?? ??wave?? ??of?? ??his?? ??hand,????the?? ??long?? ??table?? ??was?? ??flung?? ??back?? ??in?? ??the?? ??opposite?? ??direction,?? ??towards?? ??Lang?? ??Qianqiu.??????Seeing?? ??the?? ??incoming?? ??flying?? ??object,?? ??Lang?? ??Qianqiu?? ??used?? ??one?? ??hand?? ??to?? ??push?? ??it?? ??back?? ??but?? ??then????realized?? ??that?? ??it?? ??wasn’t?? ??enough?? ??and?? ??switched?? ??to?? ??both?? ??hands.?? ??Seconds?? ??ticked?? ??by?? ??and?? ??blue????veins?? ??gradually?? ??surfaced?? ??on?? ??his?? ??forehead.?? ??The?? ??once?? ??bustling?? ??hall?? ??now?? ??had?? ??people?? ??and????ghosts?? ??fleeing?? ??and?? ??hiding.?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??and?? ??Shi?? ??Qingxuan?? ??debated?? ??whether?? ??they?? ??should?? ??step????in?? ??to?? ??help.?? ??Since?? ??they?? ??hadn’t?? ??been?? ??exposed?? ??yet,?? ??they?? ??could?? ??continue?? ??to?? ??help?? ??out?? ??in?? ??the????dark,?? ??but?? ??if?? ??they?? ??were?? ??to?? ??walk?? ??in?? ??openly,?? ??then?? ??they’d?? ??risk?? ??getting?? ??caught?? ??altogether.????????On?? ??the?? ??other?? ??side,?? ??Lang?? ??Qianqiu?? ??exhaled?? ??loudly?? ??and?? ??finally?? ??pushed?? ??back?? ??the?? ??heavy,?? ??long????table?? ??again.?? ??Behind?? ??the?? ??red?? ??curtains,?? ??Hua?? ??Cheng’s?? ??figure?? ??was?? ??still?? ??leaning?? ??against?? ??the????chair.?? ??He?? ??curled?? ??his?? ??five?? ??fingers?? ??into?? ??a?? ??fist?? ??and?? ??then?? ??released?? ??them?? ??lightly.?? ??Instantly,?? ??the????table?? ??exploded?? ??into?? ??sawdust?? ??and?? ??flew?? ??towards?? ??Lang?? ??Qianqiu.??????The?? ??force?? ??of?? ??this?? ??gust?? ??full?? ??of?? ??splinters?? ??was?? ??as?? ??sharp?? ??as?? ??knives,?? ??more?? ??fearful?? ??than?? ??any?? ??kind????of?? ??weapon.?? ??If?? ??Lang?? ??Qianqiu?? ??was?? ??to?? ??keep?? ??his?? ??powers?? ??hidden?? ??and?? ??remain?? ??in?? ??his?? ??mortal????form,?? ??he?? ??wouldn’t?? ??be?? ??able?? ??to?? ??evade?? ??the?? ??attack?? ??no?? ??matter?? ??what.?? ??Thus,?? ??monts?? ??after,????when?? ??his?? ??body?? ??started?? ??emitting?? ??a?? ??faint?? ??light,?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??and?? ??Shi?? ??Qingxuan?? ??understood?? ??right????away?? ??and?? ??panicked,?? ??“Oh?? ??no,?? ??he’s?? ??going?? ??to?? ??reveal?? ??his?? ??true?? ??form!”??????But?? ??this?? ??layer?? ??of?? ??light?? ??suddenly?? ??vanished?? ??as?? ??soon?? ??as?? ??it?? ??appeared.?? ??Lang?? ??Qianqiu?? ??had????probably?? ??rembered?? ??that?? ??he?? ??wasn’t?? ??supposed?? ??to?? ??reveal?? ??his?? ??identity?? ??during?? ??this?? ??trip?? ??and????caught?? ??himself?? ??in?? ??the?? ??last?? ??second?? ??before?? ??quickly?? ??withdrew?? ??his?? ??power.?? ??Although?? ??Lang????Qianqiu?? ??had?? ??taken?? ??a?? ??step?? ??back,?? ??Hua?? ??Cheng?? ??on?? ??the?? ??other?? ??hand,?? ??didn’t.?? ??The?? ??crimson????figure?? ??sitting?? ??leisurely?? ??behind?? ??the?? ??red?? ??curtain?? ??made?? ??another?? ??hand?? ??gesture.?? ??This?? ??ti,?? ??he????pressed?? ??his?? ??fingers?? ??together?? ??and?? ??lightly?? ??flicked?? ??up.????????With?? ??this?? ??one?? ??motion,?? ??Lang?? ??Qianqiu’s?? ??body?? ??lifted?? ??off?? ??the?? ??ground.?? ??Like?? ??a?? ??starfish,?? ??his?? ??body????was?? ??suspended?? ??on?? ??the?? ??ceiling?? ??of?? ??the?? ??gambling?? ??hall.??????Not?? ??realizing?? ??what?? ??had?? ??just?? ??happened,?? ??Lang?? ??Qianqiu?? ??was?? ??still?? ??incredibly?? ??confused?? ??as?? ??to????how?? ??he?? ??suddenly?? ??started?? ??floating?? ??and?? ??struggled?? ??to?? ??break?? ??free.?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??sighed?? ??in?? ??defeat,????“Now?? ??that?? ??his?? ??power’s?? ??been?? ??sealed,?? ??even?? ??if?? ??he?? ??wanted?? ??to?? ??use?? ??them,?? ??it’d?? ??be?? ??impossible.”??????Shi?? ??Qingxuan?? ??agreed,?? ??“Since?? ??the?? ??Ghost?? ??City?? ??is?? ??Hua?? ??Cheng’s?? ??territory,?? ??If?? ??he?? ??wanted?? ??to????seal?? ??it,?? ??then?? ??he?? ??could.?? ??”??????Even?? ??though?? ??Lang?? ??Qianqiu?? ??had?? ??been?? ??appended?? ??before?? ??the?? ??crowd,?? ??at?? ??least?? ??there?? ??was?? ??a????rit?? ??that?? ??could?? ??be?? ??gained?? ??from?? ??it,?? ??which?? ??was?? ??the?? ??fact?? ??that?? ??his?? ??identity?? ??would?? ??be????protected.?? ??If?? ??he?? ??had?? ??continued?? ??the?? ??brawl?? ??back?? ??then?? ??and?? ??released?? ??his?? ??powers,?? ??it?? ??would?? ??be????hard?? ??to?? ??explain?? ??as?? ??to?? ??why?? ??Tai?? ??Hua-ZhenJun,?? ??the?? ??Eastern?? ??Martial?? ??God,?? ??would?? ??co?? ??to?? ??the????Ghost?? ??City?? ??to?? ??wreak?? ??havoc.?? ??After?? ??all,?? ??over?? ??the?? ??course?? ??of?? ??the?? ??years,?? ??unless?? ??it?? ??was????sothing?? ??extraordinary,?? ??Heaven?? ??and?? ??Hell?? ??all?? ??minded?? ??their?? ??own?? ??businesses.??????Seeing?? ??that?? ??the?? ??boisterous?? ??guest?? ??that?? ??barged?? ??into?? ??the?? ??Gambler’s?? ??Den?? ??had?? ??been????detained,?? ??the?? ??crowd?? ??that?? ??fled?? ??returned?? ??and?? ??gathered?? ??in?? ??the?? ??hall?? ??once?? ??more.?? ??They?? ??pointed????at?? ??the?? ??suspended?? ??Lang?? ??Qianqiu?? ??and?? ??laughed.?? ??Lang?? ??QianQiu?? ??had?? ??never?? ??experienced?? ??this????kind?? ??of?? ??humiliation?? ??before,?? ??and?? ??his?? ??face?? ??flushed?? ??red?? ??as?? ??he?? ??wordlessly?? ??struggled?? ??against????the?? ??invisible?? ??binds.?? ??From?? ??ti?? ??to?? ??ti,?? ??a?? ??ghost?? ??from?? ??below?? ??would?? ??jump?? ??up?? ??in?? ??an?? ??attempt????to?? ??pat?? ??his?? ??head.?? ??Fortunately,?? ??Hua?? ??Cheng?? ??had?? ??hung?? ??him?? ??fairly?? ??high?? ??up,?? ??far?? ??from?? ??reach,?? ??or????else?? ??he?? ??would?? ??end?? ??up?? ??to?? ??be?? ??the?? ??embarrassnt?? ??of?? ??the?? ??century.?? ??Hua?? ??Cheng?? ??chuckled????from?? ??behind?? ??the?? ??curtains,?? ??“What?? ??an?? ??interesting?? ??catch?? ??today,?? ??I’ll?? ??let?? ??you?? ??guys?? ??play?? ??with?? ??it.????Whoever’s?? ??lucky?? ??and?? ??wins?? ??big?? ??can?? ??take?? ??it?? ??ho?? ??to?? ??roast.”??????The?? ??cheers?? ??that?? ??erupted?? ??within?? ??the?? ??hall?? ??were?? ??endless,?? ??“Bet?? ??on?? ??the?? ??roll!?? ??Let’s?? ??bet?? ??on?? ??the????roll!?? ??The?? ??highest?? ??roll?? ??can?? ??take?? ??him?? ??ho?? ??to?? ??roast!”??????“Aiyaya,?? ??this?? ??little?? ??gege?? ??looks?? ??pretty?? ??delicious,?? ??hehehehe....”??????“Hahahahahaha,?? ??who’s?? ??the?? ??fool?? ??now!?? ??That’ll?? ??teach?? ??you?? ??to?? ??cause?? ??trouble?? ??around?? ??here!”??????The?? ??four?? ??masked?? ??bouncers?? ??carried?? ??in?? ??a?? ??new?? ??long?? ??table?? ??and?? ??the?? ??crowd?? ??flocked?? ??to?? ??the?? ??area????once?? ??again?? ??to?? ??start?? ??the?? ??next?? ??round?? ??of?? ??bets.?? ??The?? ??masked?? ??man?? ??who?? ??was?? ??clutching?? ??his?? ??hand????and?? ??howling?? ??on?? ??the?? ??ground?? ??was?? ??long?? ??forgotten.?? ??The?? ??bet?? ??this?? ??ti?? ??around?? ??was?? ??no?? ??other????than?? ??Lang?? ??Qiang?? ??Qiu?? ??who?? ??was?? ??suspended?? ??in?? ??mid-air.?? ??Seeing?? ??that?? ??people?? ??on?? ??the?? ??other????end?? ??were?? ??riled?? ??up,?? ??Shi?? ??Qingxuan?? ??anxiously?? ??paced?? ??back?? ??and?? ??forth,?? ??waving?? ??his?? ??hands????around?? ??aimlessly,”?? ??What?? ??do?? ??we?? ??do??? ??Should?? ??we?? ??go?? ??up?? ??and?? ??win?? ??him?? ??back??? ??Or?? ??is?? ??it?? ??better?? ??to????just?? ??fight?”??????Xie?? ??Lian?? ??asked,?? ??“Lord?? ??Wind?? ??Master,?? ??how’s?? ??your?? ??luck?”??????Shi?? ??Qingxuan?? ??replied,?? ??“It’s?? ??sotis?? ??good,?? ??sotis?? ??bad.?? ??There’s?? ??no?? ??certainty?? ??in????sothing?? ??like?? ??‘luck’.”??????Xie?? ??Lian?? ??said,?? ??“There?? ??can?? ??be.?? ??For?? ??example,?? ??look?? ??at?? ??,?? ??I’ve?? ??never?? ??had?? ??any?? ??good?? ??luck.”??????Shi?? ??Qingxuan?? ??gaped,?? ??“Is?? ??it?? ??that?? ??bad?”??????Xie?? ??Lian?? ??nodded?? ??gloomily,?? ??“Whenever?? ??I?? ??roll,?? ??the?? ??most?? ??I’d?? ??get?? ??is?? ??snake?? ??eyes.”??????Shi?? ??Qingxuan?? ??knitted?? ??his?? ??brows,?? ??but?? ??an?? ??idea?? ??ca?? ??to?? ??him?? ??in?? ??an?? ??instant?? ??and?? ??he?? ??slapped????his?? ??thigh,?? ??“How?? ??about?? ??this:?? ??since?? ??the?? ??most?? ??you?? ??can?? ??get?? ??is?? ??snake?? ??eyes,?? ??then?? ??you?? ??should????bet?? ??on?? ??the?? ??lowest?? ??number.?? ??There?? ??can’t?? ??be?? ??anyone?? ??who’d?? ??roll?? ??lower?? ??than?? ??you.”??????After?? ??a?? ??mont?? ??of?? ??consideration,?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??agreed,?? ??“You?? ??have?? ??a?? ??good?? ??point.?? ??Let?? ???? ??try.”??????So,?? ??he?? ??found?? ??a?? ??place?? ??near?? ??the?? ??table?? ??and?? ??threw?? ??out?? ??a?? ??suggestion,?? ??“Why?? ??not?? ??switch?? ??the????rules?? ??up?? ??a?? ??bit?? ??and?? ??see?? ??who?? ??can?? ??roll?? ??the?? ??smallest??? ??The?? ??lowest?? ??roll?? ??wins,?? ??how?? ??about?? ??that?”??????The?? ??crowd?? ??around?? ??the?? ??table?? ??was?? ??chaotic,?? ??so?? ??agreed,?? ??so?? ??disagreed.?? ??Xie?? ??Lian????decided?? ??to?? ??take?? ??two?? ??dice?? ??and?? ??give?? ??it?? ??a?? ??try?? ??first.??????Before?? ??he?? ??rolled,?? ??he?? ??chanted?? ??ntally,?? ??“small,?? ??small,?? ??small.”?? ??The?? ??dice?? ??were?? ??tossed,?? ??and????the?? ??two?? ??leaned?? ??in?? ??to?? ??take?? ??a?? ??look.????????Two?? ??sixes!??????Xie?? ??Lian:?? ??“....”??????Shi?? ??Qingxuan:?? ??“....”??????Xie?? ??Lian?? ??rubbed?? ??his?? ??forehead?? ??in?? ??defeat,?? ??“It?? ??seems?? ??that?? ??not?? ??even?? ??a?? ??change?? ??of?? ??rules?? ??could????change?? ??my?? ??luck.”??????Shi?? ??Qingxuan?? ??mirrored?? ??his?? ??gestures,?? ??“Maybe?? ??it’s?? ??better?? ??if?? ??we?? ??just?? ??fight.”??????Just?? ??then,?? ??a?? ??croupier?? ??walked?? ??towards?? ??the?? ??red?? ??curtains?? ??and?? ??leaned?? ??in?? ??as?? ??if?? ??trying?? ??to?? ??hear????what?? ??the?? ??figure?? ??behind?? ??was?? ??saying.?? ??She?? ??nodded,?? ??raised?? ??her?? ??head?? ??and?? ??announced,????“Everyone,?? ??can?? ??I?? ??have?? ??your?? ??attention?? ??please.?? ??The?? ??lord?? ??has?? ??an?? ??announcent?? ??to?? ??make.”??????Hearing?? ??that?? ??the?? ??lord?? ??had?? ??sothing?? ??to?? ??say,?? ??the?? ??crowd?? ??imdiately?? ??dropped?? ??everything????and?? ??fell?? ??silent.?? ??The?? ??croupier?? ??continued,?? ??“The?? ??lord?? ??said?? ??to?? ??change?? ??up?? ??the?? ??rules.”??????Chatter?? ??broke?? ??out?? ??in?? ??the?? ??crowds,?? ??“The?? ??lord?? ??is?? ??the?? ??rule!”??????“The?? ??rule?? ??is?? ??whatever?? ??the?? ??lord?? ??dictates!”??????“What?? ??are?? ??we?? ??changing?? ??it?? ??to?”??????The?? ??croupier?? ??responded,?? ??“The?? ??lord?? ??said?? ??that?? ??he’s?? ??in?? ??a?? ??good?? ??mood?? ??today?? ??and?? ??wanted?? ??to????play?? ??a?? ??couple?? ??rounds?? ??with?? ??everyone.?? ??Anyone?? ??is?? ??free?? ??to?? ??bet?? ??against?? ??him.?? ??Whoever?? ??wins????gets?? ??to?? ??take?? ??ho?? ??the?? ??thing?? ??above.?? ??Whether?? ??if?? ??you?? ??want?? ??to?? ??steam?? ??it,?? ??boil?? ??it,?? ??fry?? ??it?? ??or?? ??pickle????it,?? ??it’s?? ??all?? ??up?? ??to?? ??you.”??????Hearing?? ??that?? ??they’d?? ??be?? ??betting?? ??against?? ??the?? ??lord,?? ??all?? ??the?? ??ghosts?? ??and?? ??demons?? ??started?? ??to????have?? ??second?? ??thoughts.?? ??It?? ??seed?? ??that?? ??Hua?? ??Cheng?? ??never?? ??really?? ??stepped?? ??in?? ??to?? ??gamble????himself.?? ??Out?? ??of?? ??all?? ??the?? ??courageous?? ??ones,?? ??not?? ??one?? ??would?? ??dare?? ??to?? ??co?? ??up?? ??first.?? ??Above????them,?? ??Lang?? ??Qianqiu?? ??struggled?? ??with?? ??endless?? ??determination.?? ??He?? ??barked,?? ??“What?? ??do?? ??you????an?? ??‘thing’??? ??I’m?? ??not?? ??a?? ??thing!?? ??You?? ??dare?? ??to?? ??use?? ???? ??as?? ??a?? ??bet?”??????His?? ??proclamation?? ??of?? ??not?? ??being?? ??a?? ??‘thing’?? ??was?? ??heard?? ??by?? ??the?? ??many?? ??female?? ??ghosts?? ??in?? ??the????crowd.?? ??Giggling,?? ??they?? ??sent?? ??him?? ??lecherous?? ??looks?? ??while?? ??running?? ??their?? ??bloody?? ??sharp?? ??tongues????across?? ??their?? ??lips?? ??as?? ??if?? ??they?? ??wanted?? ??to?? ??swallow?? ??him?? ??whole.?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??thought,?? ??‘Sigh...this????child.?? ??It’s?? ??better?? ??if?? ??you?? ??speak?? ??less.’??????He?? ??sighed,?? ??stepped?? ??forward,?? ??and?? ??said?? ??softly,?? ??“If?? ??that’s?? ??the?? ??case,?? ??then,?? ??please?? ??let?? ???? ??have????a?? ??try.”??????Upon?? ??hearing?? ??his?? ??voice,?? ??the?? ??shadow?? ??behind?? ??the?? ??red?? ??curtains?? ??paused?? ??before?? ??slowly????standing?? ??up.??????The?? ??croupier?? ??in?? ??front?? ??the?? ??curtains?? ??smiled,?? ??“Then,?? ??please?? ??co?? ??forth,?? ??young?? ??master.”??????Within?? ??the?? ??hall,?? ??demons?? ??and?? ??ghosts?? ??automatically?? ??parted?? ??for?? ??this?? ??brave?? ??warrior.?? ??When????Xie?? ??Lian?? ??reached?? ??the?? ??end?? ??of?? ??the?? ??path,?? ??The?? ??croupier?? ??presented?? ??to?? ??him?? ??the?? ??polished?? ??black????gambling?? ??cup?? ??in?? ??her?? ??hands,?? ??“Please?? ??go?? ??ahead.”??????To?? ??all?? ??the?? ??previous?? ??gamblers,?? ??she?? ??had?? ??always?? ??used?? ??a?? ??casual?? ??way?? ??of?? ??speaking.?? ??Despite????the?? ??ordinary?? ??words?? ??that?? ??were?? ??uttered,?? ??her?? ??tone?? ??wasn’t?? ??polite?? ??in?? ??the?? ??slightest.?? ??However,????now,?? ??to?? ??Xie?? ??Lian,?? ??not?? ??only?? ??had?? ??she?? ??switched?? ??to?? ??using?? ??honorifics*,?? ??but?? ??the?? ??tone?? ??was????exceedingly?? ??polite?? ??and?? ??respectful.?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??received?? ??the?? ??black?? ??gambling?? ??cup?? ??from?? ??her????with?? ??a?? ??word?? ??of?? ??thanks?? ??and?? ??lightly?? ??cleared?? ??his?? ??throat.??????Since?? ??he?? ??never?? ??had?? ??any?? ??experience?? ??with?? ??sothing?? ??like?? ??gambling,?? ??he?? ??shook?? ??the?? ??cup????randomly?? ??for?? ??a?? ??good?? ??while?? ??and?? ??pretended?? ??that?? ??he?? ??knew?? ??a?? ??thing?? ??or?? ??two.?? ??As?? ??he?? ??moved?? ??his????hands,?? ??he?? ??raised?? ??his?? ??head?? ??and?? ??glanced?? ??at?? ??Lang?? ??Qianqiu?? ??who?? ??was?? ??hanging?? ??above.?? ??Lang????Qianqiu’s?? ??eyes?? ??were?? ??wide?? ??open,?? ??staring?? ??at?? ??him?? ??and?? ??thankfully,?? ??he?? ??didn’t?? ??make?? ??a?? ??sound.????His?? ??expression?? ??sohow?? ??made?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??wanted?? ??to?? ??laugh,?? ??but?? ??he?? ??held?? ??it?? ??back.?? ??After?? ??a????long?? ??shake,?? ??he?? ??finally?? ??stopped.??????Countless?? ??pairs?? ??of?? ??eyes?? ??zood?? ??in?? ??on?? ??the?? ??cup?? ??in?? ??his?? ??hands?? ??and?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??felt?? ??that????sohow,?? ??this?? ??tiny?? ??little?? ??gambling?? ??cup?? ??had?? ??grown?? ??heavier.?? ??He?? ??didn’t?? ??know?? ??if?? ??there?? ??was?? ??a????right?? ??way?? ??to?? ??flipping?? ??it.?? ??However,?? ??just?? ??when?? ??he?? ??was?? ??about?? ??to?? ??reveal?? ??the?? ??outco,?? ??the????croupier?? ??stopped?? ??him,?? ??“Wait.”???????? ??“Is?? ??sothing?? ??the?? ??matter?”?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??asked.??????That?? ??croupier?? ??replied,?? ??“The?? ??lord?? ??said?? ??your?? ??cup?? ??shaking?? ??posture?? ??isn’t?? ??quite?? ??right.”??????Xie?? ??Lian?? ??thought?? ??to?? ??himself,?? ??‘Was?? ??there?? ??really?? ??a?? ??correct?? ??way?? ??of?? ??doing?? ??this??? ??Was?? ??all?? ??my????bad?? ??luck?? ??before?? ??due?? ??to?? ??my?? ??bad?? ??posture?’??????He?? ??asked?? ??modestly,?? ??“May?? ??I?? ??ask?? ??what?? ??the?? ??correct?? ??posture?? ??is?”??????The?? ??croupier?? ??responded,?? ??“The?? ??lord?? ??has?? ??invited?? ??you?? ??to?? ??go?? ??up?? ??as?? ??he’s?? ??willing?? ??to?? ??teach?? ??you.”??????Upon?? ??hearing?? ??that,?? ??the?? ??crowd?? ??of?? ??ghosts?? ??within?? ??the?? ??den?? ??voiced?? ??their?? ??discontent.??????Xie?? ??Lian?? ??heard?? ??a?? ??ghost?? ??mutter,?? ??“To?? ??think?? ??the?? ??lord?? ??would?? ??teach?? ??him,?? ??does?? ??that?? ??an?? ??he’s????gonna?? ??die?”??????“The?? ??lord?? ??wants?? ??to?? ??do?? ??what????? ??Just?? ??who?? ??is?? ??this????? ??Why?? ??teach?? ??him???”??????“Isn’t?? ??that?? ??how?? ??we?? ??all?? ??shake?? ??cups??? ??How?? ??is?? ??there?? ??even?? ??a?? ??right?? ??way?? ??of?? ??doing?? ??this?”??????Xie?? ??Lian?? ??also?? ??wanted?? ??to?? ??ask?? ??the?? ??sa?? ??question,?? ??but?? ??the?? ??croupier?? ??already?? ??motioned?? ??him????towards?? ??the?? ??red?? ??curtains,?? ??“Please?? ??go?? ??ahead.”??????Thus,?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??arrived?? ??in?? ??front?? ??of?? ??the?? ??red?? ??curtains?? ??with?? ??the?? ??black?? ??wooden?? ??gambling?? ??cup????clutched?? ??in?? ??his?? ??hands.??????The?? ??silk?? ??curtain?? ??swayed?? ??gently,?? ??almost?? ??giving?? ??life?? ??to?? ??the?? ??red?? ??silhouette.?? ??The?? ??person????behind?? ??the?? ??curtains?? ??was?? ??standing?? ??directly?? ??in?? ??front?? ??of?? ??him?? ??with?? ??only?? ??half?? ??an?? ??arm’s?? ??distance????between?? ??the?? ??two.?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??held?? ??his?? ??breath?? ??as?? ??a?? ??hand?? ??parted?? ??the?? ??heavy?? ??red?? ??curtains?? ??and????landed?? ??perfectly?? ??under?? ??his,?? ??supporting?? ??the?? ??gambling?? ??cup.??????This?? ??was?? ??a?? ??right?? ??hand,?? ??white?? ??and?? ??elegant;?? ??the?? ??slender?? ??fingers?? ??had?? ??a?? ??red?? ??thread?? ??tied????around?? ??the?? ??third.????????Against?? ??the?? ??pitch?? ??black?? ??wooden?? ??cup,?? ??the?? ??white?? ??looked?? ??even?? ??paler?? ??and?? ??the?? ??red?? ??even?? ??more????vivid.?? ??Slowly,?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??lifted?? ??up?? ??his?? ??eyes.?? ??A?? ??youth?? ??roughly?? ??around?? ??the?? ??age?? ??of?? ??eighteen?? ??or????ninteen?? ??silently?? ??stood?? ??behind?? ??the?? ??silk?? ??curtains?? ??that?? ??looked?? ??like?? ??red?? ??clouds.??????It?? ??was?? ??San?? ??Lang.??????His?? ??clothes?? ??were?? ??still?? ??the?? ??sa?? ??maple?? ??red,?? ??and?? ??his?? ??skin?? ??white?? ??as?? ??snow.?? ??That?? ??sa????uniquely?? ??handso?? ??face?? ??with?? ??incomparable?? ??youthful?? ??expression?? ??was?? ??now?? ??slightly?? ??more????defined.?? ??That?? ??shyness?? ??of?? ??boyhood?? ??had?? ??morphed?? ??into?? ??one?? ??of?? ??calmness.?? ??He?? ??carried?? ??an?? ??air????of?? ??wild?? ??playfulness?? ??that?? ??couldn’t?? ??be?? ??tad.?? ??The?? ??sa?? ??eye?? ??that?? ??twinkled?? ??like?? ??stars?? ??never????moved?? ??away?? ??from?? ??Xie?? ??Lian.??????Although?? ??as?? ??bright?? ??as?? ??stars,?? ??there?? ??was?? ??only?? ??one?? ??left?? ??eye.??????The?? ??other?? ??was?? ??hidden?? ??behind?? ??a?? ??black?? ??eyepatch.????????Ch.37:?? ??Admiring?? ??the?? ??Flower?? ??through?? ??Red?? ??Clouds;?? ??A?? ??Heart?? ??Full?? ??of?? ??Sympathy?? ??2????????There?? ??was?? ??only?? ??a?? ??small?? ??gap?? ??between?? ??the?? ??curtains,?? ??but?? ??from?? ??his?? ??position,?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??was????the?? ??only?? ??one?? ??that?? ??could?? ??make?? ??out?? ??the?? ??person?? ??behind?? ??it?? ??since?? ??he?? ??had?? ??blocked?? ??everyone????else’s?? ??vision?? ??in?? ??the?? ??hall,?? ??they?? ??weren’t?? ??able?? ??see?? ??anything.?? ??Not?? ??that?? ??they?? ??would?? ??dare?? ??to????sneak?? ??a?? ??peek?? ??anyway.?? ??That?? ??left?? ??eye?? ??watched?? ??Xie?? ??Lian,?? ??and?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??returned?? ??the?? ??gaze,????subconsciously?? ??drawn?? ??to?? ??it.??????Hua?? ??Cheng’s?? ??appearance?? ??this?? ??ti?? ??around?? ??didn’t?? ??only?? ??seem?? ??to?? ??look?? ??a?? ??couple?? ??years?? ??older,????but?? ??he’d?? ??also?? ??grown?? ??taller.?? ??Before,?? ??when?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??looked?? ??at?? ??him,?? ??he?? ??could?? ??still?? ??manage?? ??to????maintain?? ??the?? ??sa?? ??level?? ??of?? ??eye?? ??contact,?? ??but?? ??now,?? ??he?? ??had?? ??to?? ??strain?? ??his?? ??neck?? ??to?? ??look?? ??up.??????After?? ??staring?? ??at?? ??each?? ??other?? ??for?? ??a?? ??good?? ??while,?? ??Hua?? ??Cheng?? ??finally?? ??broke?? ??the?? ??silence.??????His?? ??voice?? ??was?? ??deeper,?? ??“Would?? ??you?? ??like?? ??to?? ??bet?? ??on?? ??the?? ??highest?? ??or?? ??the?? ??lowest?”??????It?? ??was?? ??this?? ??kind?? ??of?? ??deep?? ??voice,?? ??one?? ??that?? ??is?? ??pleasant?? ??to?? ??the?? ??ear,?? ??that?? ??had?? ??pulled?? ??Xie?? ??Lian????back?? ??to?? ??reality.?? ??Whether?? ??if?? ??it?? ??was?? ??betting?? ??on?? ??the?? ??highest?? ??number?? ??or?? ??the?? ??lowest,?? ??there?? ??was????no?? ??difference.?? ??So?? ??he?? ??answered?? ??right?? ??away,?? ??“Highest.”??????Hua?? ??Cheng?? ??replied,?? ??“Fine.?? ??Then?? ??I’ll?? ??go?? ??first.”??????Xie?? ??Lian’s?? ??left?? ??hand?? ??supported?? ??the?? ??base?? ??of?? ??the?? ??black?? ??gambling?? ??cup.?? ??His?? ??right?? ??hand????covered?? ??the?? ??circular?? ??lid.?? ??Hua?? ??Cheng?? ??stood?? ??in?? ??front?? ??of?? ??him,?? ??with?? ??his?? ??right?? ??hand?? ??covering????Xie?? ??Lian’s?? ??left,?? ??he?? ??guided?? ??him?? ??to?? ??shake?? ??lightly?? ??before?? ??lifting?? ??the?? ??lid.?? ??There?? ??were?? ??two?? ??dice????at?? ??the?? ??bottom?? ??of?? ??the?? ??cup,?? ??a?? ??six?? ??and?? ??a?? ??five.??????From?? ??all?? ??the?? ??way?? ??above,?? ??Lang?? ??QianQiu?? ??with?? ??his?? ??vision?? ??of?? ??a?? ??hawk?? ??saw?? ??how?? ??easily?? ??the?? ??high????roll?? ??took?? ??place?? ??and?? ??his?? ??eyes?? ??widened,?? ??“How?? ??did?? ??that?? ??happen??”??????Hua?? ??Cheng?? ??gently?? ??shifted?? ??his?? ??hand?? ??and?? ??beckoned?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??to?? ??give?? ??it?? ??another?? ??go,?? ??“Shake????it?? ??like?? ??this.?? ??Now?? ??you?? ??try?? ??it.”??????Xie?? ??Lian?? ??mirrored?? ??his?? ??actions?? ??and?? ??shook?? ??the?? ??cup?? ??twice,?? ??but?? ??Hua?? ??Cheng?? ??said,?? ??“Not?? ??like????that.”??????Even?? ??though?? ??he?? ??was?? ??reprimanding?? ??Xie?? ??Lian,?? ??his?? ??tone?? ??was?? ??exceptionally?? ??gentle?? ??and????patient.?? ??As?? ??he?? ??explained,?? ??Hua?? ??Cheng?? ??supported?? ??Xie?? ??Lian’s?? ??hand?? ??with?? ??his?? ??own?? ??again,?? ??but????this?? ??ti,?? ??his?? ??left?? ??hand?? ??found?? ??its?? ??way?? ??to?? ??Xie?? ??Lian’s?? ??right?? ??hand,?? ??the?? ??one?? ??that?? ??was?? ??covering????the?? ??lid.?? ??He?? ??instructed?? ??softly,?? ??“like?? ??this.”??????And?? ??just?? ??like?? ??that,?? ??the?? ??back?? ??of?? ??Xie?? ??Lian’s?? ??hands?? ??were?? ??enveloped?? ??within?? ??Hua?? ??Cheng’s????palms.??????When?? ??skin?? ??touched?? ??skin,?? ??Hua?? ??Cheng’s?? ??hands?? ??felt?? ??temperate?? ??like?? ??jade.?? ??The?? ??exquisite????silver?? ??vambraces?? ??that?? ??Hua?? ??Cheng?? ??wore?? ??were?? ??cold?? ??as?? ??ice,?? ??yet,?? ??Hua?? ??Cheng’s?? ??movents????were?? ??careful,?? ??and?? ??never?? ??allowed?? ??them?? ??co?? ??into?? ??contact?? ??with?? ??Xie?? ??Lian’s?? ??skin.?? ??His?? ??hands????guided?? ??Xie?? ??Lian’s?? ??and?? ??shook?? ??the?? ??black?? ??wooden?? ??gambling?? ??cup?? ??in?? ??a?? ??rhythm?? ??that?? ??was????neither?? ??hurried?? ??nor?? ??slow.??????Once.?? ??Twice.?? ??Thrice.??????Clack,?? ??clack,?? ??clack.??????The?? ??sound?? ??of?? ??the?? ??two?? ??dice?? ??colliding?? ??with?? ??each?? ??other?? ??as?? ??they?? ??bounced?? ??inside?? ??the?? ??cup?? ??was????crisp.?? ??Even?? ??though?? ??the?? ??shakes?? ??were?? ??gentle,?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??could?? ??feel?? ??waves?? ??of?? ??numbness?? ??from????the?? ??back?? ??of?? ??his?? ??hands,?? ??traveling?? ??along?? ??his?? ??arm,?? ??spreading?? ??to?? ??the?? ??rest?? ??of?? ??his?? ??body.??????As?? ??he?? ??was?? ??shaking,?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??lifted?? ??his?? ??eyes?? ??to?? ??sneak?? ??a?? ??peek?? ??at?? ??the?? ??other?? ??person?? ??and????realized?? ??that?? ??Hua?? ??Cheng?? ??wasn’t?? ??looking?? ??at?? ??the?? ??gambling?? ??cup?? ??at?? ??all.?? ??Instead,?? ??he?? ??was????watching?? ??him?? ??intently?? ??with?? ??the?? ??corners?? ??of?? ??his?? ??mouth?? ??curved?? ??up.?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??couldn’t?? ??help?? ??but????return?? ??a?? ??fond?? ??smile?? ??at?? ??him,?? ??but?? ??imdiately?? ??controlled?? ??himself?? ??when?? ??he?? ??rembered?? ??the????crowd?? ??of?? ??ghosts?? ??that?? ??were?? ??watching?? ??him?? ??from?? ??above?? ??and?? ??below.?? ??He?? ??lowered?? ??his?? ??head????and?? ??diligently?? ??studied?? ??the?? ??gesture?? ??that?? ??Hua?? ??Cheng?? ??showed?? ??him.?? ??“How’s?? ??this?”?? ??He?? ??asked.??????Hua?? ??Cheng?? ??widened?? ??his?? ??smile,?? ??“Hm.?? ??That’s?? ??right,?? ??just?? ??like?? ??that.”??????Seeing?? ??that?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??shook?? ??the?? ??cup?? ??a?? ??few?? ??more?? ??tis?? ??full?? ??of?? ??hopefulness,?? ??he?? ??suggested,????“Why?? ??don’t?? ??you?? ??take?? ??a?? ??look?”??????Xie?? ??Lian?? ??lifted?? ??the?? ??lid?? ??and?? ??saw?? ??two?? ??white?? ??dice?? ??at?? ??the?? ??base.?? ??It?? ??was?? ??two?? ??threes.????????Rolling?? ??two?? ??threes?? ??was?? ??already?? ??considered?? ??an?? ??impossible?? ??feat.?? ??It?? ??was?? ??as?? ??if?? ??a?? ??gentle????spring?? ??wind?? ??had?? ??blown?? ??past?? ??Xie?? ??Lian’s?? ??heart?? ??and?? ??he?? ??thought,?? ??“Could?? ??it?? ??be?? ??that?? ??I’ve?? ??finally????learned?? ??the?? ??trick?”??????However,?? ??even?? ??though?? ??it?? ??was?? ??shocking,?? ??six?? ??points?? ??is?? ??still?? ??slightly?? ??less?? ??than?? ??eleven?? ??points.????He?? ??cleared?? ??his?? ??throat?? ??and?? ??admitted,?? ??“I’m?? ??sorry,?? ??I’ve?? ??lost.”??????But?? ??Hua?? ??Cheng?? ??replied,?? ??“Don’t?? ??worry,?? ??this?? ??round?? ??doesn’t?? ??count.?? ??I’m?? ??teaching?? ??you?? ??right????now,?? ??try?? ??again.”??????Hearing?? ??him?? ??say?? ??this,?? ??even?? ??Lang?? ??Qianqiu?? ??and?? ??Shi?? ??Qingxuan?? ??were?? ??tongue-tied.?? ??The????crowd?? ??of?? ??ghosts?? ??in?? ??the?? ??hall?? ??stared?? ??with?? ??their?? ??mouths?? ??gaping?? ??open,?? ??then?? ??ca?? ??the????complaints.??????“What?? ??happened?? ??to?? ??the?? ??lord??? ??I?? ??thought?? ??he?? ??was?? ??gonna?? ??show?? ??him?? ??who’s?? ??boss,?? ??but?? ??he????actually?? ??ended?? ??up?? ??teaching?? ??him?? ??for?? ??real??”??????“How?? ??can?? ??you?? ??not?? ??count?? ??this?? ??round???? ??You?? ??still?? ??call?? ??this?? ??gambling?”??????“If?? ??this?? ??doesn’t?? ??count,?? ??then?? ??when?? ??will?? ??it?? ??count?”??????“Looks?? ??like?? ??the?? ??lord?? ??is?? ??really?? ??in?? ??a?? ??good?? ??mood?? ??today...”??????Hua?? ??Cheng?? ??raised?? ??his?? ??left?? ??brow?? ??and?? ??imdiately,?? ??the?? ??croupier?? ??standing?? ??by?? ??the?? ??side????shushed,?? ??“Everyone?? ??please?? ??quiet?? ??down.”??????In?? ??the?? ??blink?? ??of?? ??an?? ??eye,?? ??the?? ??hall?? ??had?? ??quieted?? ??down?? ??again.?? ??Although?? ??no?? ??one?? ??dared?? ??to?? ??speak,????their?? ??stares?? ??intensified.?? ??Hua?? ??Cheng?? ??chuckled?? ??and?? ??softly?? ??whispered?? ??words?? ??of????encouragent?? ??to?? ??Xie?? ??Lian’s?? ??ear,?? ??“why?? ??don’t?? ??you?? ??try?? ??again?”??????It?? ??might?? ??be?? ??because?? ??there?? ??were?? ??too?? ??many?? ??ghosts,?? ??demons,?? ??humans?? ??alike?? ??packed?? ??into????this?? ??Gambling?? ??Den?? ??that?? ??sohow?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??felt?? ??his?? ??face?? ??started?? ??to?? ??heat?? ??up,?? ??“Okay.”??????Rattle,?? ??rattle,?? ??he?? ??shook?? ??twice?? ??more.?? ??This?? ??ti,?? ??when?? ??he?? ??revealed?? ??the?? ??cup:?? ??it?? ??was?? ??two????fours.??????Hua?? ??Cheng?? ??mused,?? ??“See,?? ??isn’t?? ??it?? ??a?? ??little?? ??higher?? ??this?? ??ti?”??????Although?? ??he?? ??felt?? ??that?? ??sothing?? ??was?? ??off,?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??still?? ??nodded?? ??his?? ??head,?? ??“?? ??Yes...it’s?? ??a?? ??little????higher.”??????Hua?? ??Cheng?? ??encouraged,?? ??“?? ??You?? ??did?? ??well.?? ??Keep?? ??going.”??????With?? ??one?? ??complint?? ??after?? ??another,?? ??there?? ??were?? ??giggles?? ??heard?? ??in?? ??all?? ??direction?? ??of?? ??the?? ??hall.????Judging?? ??by?? ??the?? ??sound,?? ??it?? ??seed?? ??as?? ??if?? ??they?? ??all?? ??ca?? ??from?? ??female?? ??ghosts.?? ??Xie?? ??Lian????couldn’t?? ??figure?? ??it?? ??out?? ??himself?? ??either?? ??just?? ??which?? ??posture?? ??is?? ??the?? ??correct?? ??one.?? ??In?? ??the????beginning,?? ??he?? ??paid?? ??close?? ??attention?? ??in?? ??studying?? ??how?? ??Hua?? ??Cheng?? ??positioned?? ??his?? ??hands,????how?? ??he?? ??managed?? ??the?? ??pace,?? ??and?? ??how?? ??he?? ??grasped?? ??the?? ??cup,?? ??but?? ??now?? ??he?? ??was?? ??letting?? ??Hua????Cheng’s?? ??hand?? ??lead?? ??him?? ??and?? ??shook?? ??blindly.?? ??While?? ??shaking,?? ??a?? ??thought?? ??ca?? ??to?? ??him?? ??“What????if?? ??San?? ??Lang?? ??was?? ??just?? ??playing?? ??around?? ??with?? ??...”??????Lang?? ??Qianqiu?? ??who?? ??had?? ??been?? ??watching?? ??from?? ??above?? ??probably?? ??felt?? ??the?? ??sa?? ??and?? ??couldn’t????hold?? ??it?? ??in?? ??anymore,?? ??“You!?? ??Stop?? ??shaking?? ??the?? ??cup.?? ??He’s?? ??obviously?? ??playing?? ??you.?? ??There’s?? ??no????such?? ??thing?? ??as?? ??a?? ??correct?? ??posture.?? ??He?? ??must’ve?? ??cheated!”??????Hearing?? ??that?? ??loud?? ??boisterous?? ??voice,?? ??Shi?? ??Qingxuan?? ??covered?? ??his?? ??face?? ??in?? ??second-hand????embarrassnt?? ??again.??????Mumbles?? ??and?? ??muttering?? ??grew?? ??louder?? ??among?? ??the?? ??crowds,?? ??and?? ??a?? ??rain?? ??of?? ??dice?? ??was?? ??thrown????at?? ??Lang?? ??Qianqiu.?? ??“Stupid?? ??bastard,?? ??shut?? ??up!”??????“So?? ??noisy,?? ??we’re?? ??just?? ??getting?? ??to?? ??the?? ??exciting?? ??part!”??????“Through?? ??our?? ??lord’s?? ??teaching,?? ??that?? ??cultivator?? ??had?? ??gotten?? ??outcos?? ??higher?? ??and?? ??higher?? ??one????after?? ??another.?? ??That’s?? ??the?? ??undeniable?? ??truth!”??????“That’s?? ??right!?? ??What?? ??do?? ??you?? ??know?!”??????Lang?? ??QianQiu?? ??fud,?? ??“You,?? ??you’re?? ??practically?? ??lying?? ??through?? ??your?? ??teeth...ahhh!!”??????He?? ??suddenly?? ??stopped?? ??in?? ??mid?? ??speech,?? ??and?? ??his?? ??face?? ??turned?? ??bright?? ??red.?? ??It?? ??turned?? ??out,?? ??a????couple?? ??of?? ??female?? ??ghosts?? ??below?? ??him?? ??had?? ??roughly?? ??yanked?? ??on?? ??his?? ??dangling?? ??waistband?? ??and????scolded,?? ??“If?? ??you?? ??keep?? ??on?? ??causing?? ??a?? ??ruckus?? ??and?? ??spouting?? ??nonsense,?? ??Jie?? ??Jie??1???? ??will?? ??pull?? ??off????your?? ??pants!”??????Lang?? ??QianQiu?? ??had?? ??never?? ??been?? ??threatened?? ??like?? ??this?? ??before,?? ??and?? ??his?? ??anger?? ??had?? ??made?? ??him????speechless,”?? ??You..?? ??you!!”??????He?? ??could?? ??take?? ??being?? ??beaten?? ??by?? ??a?? ??band?? ??of?? ??ghosts,?? ??but?? ??if?? ??they?? ??were?? ??to?? ??pull?? ??off?? ??his?? ??pants,????then?? ??with?? ??his?? ??martial?? ??god?? ??status,?? ??that?? ??would?? ??be?? ??exceedingly?? ??embarrassing.?? ??Thus,?? ??Lang????Qianqiu?? ??didn’t?? ??dare?? ??to?? ??say?? ??much?? ??more.?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??looked?? ??up?? ??and?? ??saw?? ??the?? ??other?? ??god????sending?? ??him?? ??eye?? ??signals.?? ??It?? ??was?? ??funny?? ??and?? ??pitiful?? ??at?? ??the?? ??sa?? ??ti.?? ??He?? ??could?? ??only?? ??lower????his?? ??head,?? ??looked?? ??at?? ??Hua?? ??Cheng,?? ??and?? ??said?? ??in?? ??a?? ??small?? ??voice,?? ??“...San?? ??Lang.”????????Hearing?? ??his?? ??tone?? ??of?? ??voice,?? ??Hua?? ??Cheng?? ??chuckled,?? ??“Leave?? ??him?? ??be.?? ??Let?? ??us?? ??continue.”??????“...”??????Xie?? ??Lian?? ??gave?? ??up?? ??and,?? ??once?? ??again,?? ??held?? ??the?? ??cup?? ??and?? ??shook?? ??twice.?? ??As?? ??expected,?? ??this?? ??ti,????he?? ??got?? ??two?? ??fives.??????Seeing?? ??the?? ??result,?? ??the?? ??crowd?? ??beca?? ??even?? ??livelier?? ??and?? ??continued?? ??to?? ??tease?? ??Lang?? ??Qianqiu,????“Do?? ??you?? ??see?? ??that??? ??Higher?? ??than?? ??the?? ??last!”??????But?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??already?? ??realized?? ??that?? ??Hua?? ??Cheng?? ??was?? ??just?? ??fooling?? ??around?? ??with?? ??him?? ??and????didn’t?? ??know?? ??whether?? ??to?? ??laugh?? ??or?? ??cry.?? ??There’s?? ??no?? ??such?? ??thing?? ??as?? ??a?? ??correct?? ??posture.?? ??When?? ??it????ca?? ??to?? ??him,?? ??any?? ??posture?? ??is?? ??wrong.?? ??From?? ??here?? ??on,?? ??he?? ??might?? ??as?? ??well?? ??give?? ??up?? ??on?? ??any?? ??hope????of?? ??changing?? ??his?? ??luck,?? ??but?? ??just?? ??as?? ??he?? ??was?? ??about?? ??to?? ??expose?? ??himself?? ??on?? ??the?? ??last?? ??shake,?? ??Hua????Cheng?? ??stopped?? ??him,?? ??“Wait.”??????Xie?? ??Lian?? ??could?? ??feel?? ??the?? ??hands?? ??covering?? ??his?? ??pressing?? ??down?? ??harder,?? ??and?? ??stopped?? ??his????movent?? ??altogether.?? ??“What’s?? ??wrong?”??????With?? ??an?? ??unreadable?? ??expression,?? ??Hua?? ??Cheng?? ??asked,?? ??“This?? ??gege,?? ??you?? ??didn’t?? ??say?? ??what????would?? ??happen?? ??if?? ??you?? ??were?? ??to?? ??lose?”??????Hearing?? ??him?? ??call?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??‘gege’,?? ??Shi?? ??Qingxuan?? ??and?? ??Lang?? ??Qianqiu?? ??both?? ??wore?? ??a????complicated?? ??expression?? ??on?? ??their?? ??faces.?? ??The?? ??crowd?? ??of?? ??ghosts?? ??also?? ??felt?? ??massive?? ??shivers????run?? ??down?? ??their?? ??spines?? ??and?? ??there?? ??were?? ??even?? ??a?? ??few?? ??that?? ??fainted?? ??on?? ??the?? ??spot.??????It’s?? ??a?? ??little?? ??embarrassing?? ??to?? ??say,?? ??but?? ??because?? ??he?? ??was?? ??in?? ??a?? ??hurry?? ??before,?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??hadn’t????thought?? ??about?? ??what?? ??to?? ??bet?? ??on.?? ??“Um...”??????He?? ??had?? ??thought?? ??of?? ??also?? ??betting?? ??10?? ??years?? ??of?? ??his?? ??life,?? ??but?? ??a?? ??heavenly?? ??official’s?? ??lifespan?? ??was????quite?? ??long?? ??so?? ??10?? ??years?? ??wasn’t?? ??really?? ??worth?? ??much.?? ??Money?? ??and?? ??treasure??? ??He?? ??didn’t?? ??have????any.?? ??Spiritual?? ??power??? ??He?? ??didn’t?? ??have?? ??much?? ??of?? ??that?? ??either.?? ??A?? ??good?? ??amount?? ??of?? ??ti?? ??had????passed,?? ??but?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??still?? ??couldn’t?? ??think?? ??of?? ??anything?? ??to?? ??bet?? ??on,?? ??so?? ??he?? ??could?? ??only?? ??turn?? ??and????ask?? ??the?? ??owner?? ??of?? ??the?? ??Gambling?? ??Den,?? ??“Do?? ??you?? ??think?? ??there’s?? ??anything?? ??on?? ???? ??that’s?? ??worth????betting?? ??on?”??????Hua?? ??Cheng?? ??chuckled?? ??at?? ??his?? ??question,?? ??“Anything’s?? ??fine.?? ??What?? ??have?? ??you?? ??got?? ??on?? ??you?”??????Xie?? ??Lian?? ??pondered?? ??for?? ??a?? ??little?? ??while?? ??and?? ??lightly?? ??coughed,?? ??he?? ??might?? ??as?? ??well?? ??be?? ??honest????about?? ??it,?? ??“I...only?? ??have?? ??a?? ??half-eaten?? ??bun?? ??with?? ??.”??????Hua?? ??Cheng?? ??burst?? ??out?? ??laughing.?? ??Even?? ??though?? ??he?? ??laughed,?? ??no?? ??one?? ??else?? ??dared?? ??to?? ??do?? ??the????sa?? ??even?? ??if?? ??they?? ??wanted?? ??to.????????When?? ??he?? ??finally?? ??settled?? ??down,?? ??Hua?? ??Cheng?? ??nodded,?? ??“That’s?? ??fine.?? ??A?? ??bun?? ??will?? ??do.”??????Hearing?? ??the?? ??agreent,?? ??not?? ??only?? ??were?? ??the?? ??crowd?? ??of?? ??ghosts?? ??shocked,?? ??but?? ??the?? ??croupiers?? ??at????the?? ??gambling?? ??table?? ??too.??????Ever?? ??since?? ??the?? ??opening?? ??of?? ??this?? ??Gambling?? ??Den,?? ??there?? ??had?? ??been?? ??innurous?? ??absurd?? ??bets????made;?? ??organs,?? ??life,?? ??emotions,?? ??spiritual?? ??powers...?? ??but?? ??none?? ??were?? ??a?? ??match?? ??to?? ??the?? ??one????today?? ??–?? ??a?? ??half-eaten?? ??bun.?? ??Even?? ??Lang?? ??Qianqiu?? ??couldn’t?? ??contain?? ??his?? ??surprise,????“What...what’s?? ??the?? ??aning?? ??of?? ??this??? ??Are?? ??you?? ??saying?? ??that?? ??I’m?? ??only?? ??worth?? ??a?? ??half-eaten????bun???”??????The?? ??crowd?? ??snickered,?? ??soone?? ??called?? ??out,?? ??“What’s?? ??wrong?? ??with?? ??a?? ??bun??? ??You?? ??already?? ??have????it?? ??easy,?? ??so?? ??hurry?? ??up?? ??and?? ??shut?? ??your?? ??mouth!”?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??could?? ??tell?? ??that?? ??this?? ??defeated?? ??voice????belonged?? ??to?? ??Shi?? ??Qingxuan?? ??who?? ??was?? ??hiding?? ??among?? ??the?? ??crowd?? ??of?? ??ghosts?? ??and?? ??demons.????With?? ??a?? ??face?? ??full?? ??of?? ??smile,?? ??Hua?? ??Cheng?? ??bead,?? ??“Co.?? ??It’s?? ??the?? ??last?? ??round.?? ??Don’t?? ??be????nervous.”??????Xie?? ??Lian?? ??argued,?? ??“I’m?? ??not?? ??nervous.”??????The?? ??two?? ??maintained?? ??that?? ??hand-to-hand?? ??posture?? ??and?? ??shook?? ??a?? ??few?? ??tis.?? ??Even?? ??though?? ??Xie????Lian?? ??really?? ??wasn’t?? ??nervous,?? ??there?? ??was?? ??a?? ??light?? ??sheen?? ??of?? ??sweat?? ??on?? ??the?? ??hand?? ??that?? ??was????sandwiched?? ??between?? ??the?? ??cup?? ??and?? ??Hua?? ??Cheng’s?? ??hands.?? ??Finally,?? ??the?? ??movent?? ??ca?? ??to?? ??a????stop.?? ??He?? ??held?? ??his?? ??breath?? ??for?? ??the?? ??final?? ??reveal?? ??—??????The?? ??two?? ??dice?? ??were?? ??two?? ??sixes!??????Xie?? ??Lian?? ??let?? ??out?? ??a?? ??sigh?? ??of?? ??relief?? ??and?? ??look?? ??up?? ??at?? ??Hua?? ??Cheng.?? ??Hua?? ??Cheng?? ??raised?? ??his?? ??brows,????“Oh,?? ??I?? ??lost.”??????Even?? ??though?? ??he?? ??admitted?? ??his?? ??loss?? ??in?? ??a?? ??serious?? ??manner,?? ??he?? ??didn’t?? ??sound?? ??the?? ??least?? ??bit????sincere.?? ??The?? ??crowd?? ??below?? ??was?? ??engulfed?? ??in?? ??silence.??????Before?? ??there?? ??were?? ??still?? ??people?? ??complaining?? ??“If?? ??this?? ??round?? ??doesn’t?? ??count,?? ??then?? ??when?? ??will?? ??it????count”,?? ??but?? ??now,?? ??the?? ??answer?? ??was?? ??clear?? ??—?? ??it?? ??counts?? ??when?? ??that?? ??person?? ??wins.??????This?? ??much?? ??generosity?? ??was?? ??almost?? ??insane!??????Even?? ??so,?? ??no?? ??one?? ??would?? ??dare?? ??to?? ??comnt.?? ??The?? ??croupier?? ??from?? ??before?? ??raised?? ??up?? ??the?? ??black????wooden?? ??gambling?? ??cup,?? ??“Congratulations?? ??to?? ??this?? ??young?? ??master.?? ??You’ve?? ??won?? ??this?? ??round.”??????Everyone?? ??all?? ??politely?? ??praised,?? ??“The?? ??lord?? ??showed?? ??us?? ??a?? ??perfect?? ??loss!?? ??Beautiful!”??????“Isn’t?? ??the?? ??winner?? ??taught?? ??by?? ??the?? ??lord??? ??He?? ??won?? ??because?? ??the?? ??lord?? ??taught?? ??him?? ??well!”??????“That’s?? ??right!?? ??Learning?? ??the?? ??correct?? ??dice?? ??rolling?? ??posture?? ??today?? ??really?? ??broadened?? ??my????horizon!?? ??With?? ??such?? ??an?? ??imnse?? ??amount?? ??of?? ??knowledge,?? ??even?? ??10?? ??years?? ??won’t?? ??be?? ??enough????to?? ??master?? ??it!”??????Hua?? ??Cheng?? ??was?? ??still?? ??watching?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??with?? ??a?? ??grin?? ??on?? ??his?? ??face.?? ??Not?? ??shifting?? ??his?? ??gaze,?? ??he????raised?? ??his?? ??arm?? ??and?? ??with?? ??a?? ??flick?? ??of?? ??hand,?? ??Lang?? ??Qianqiu?? ??dropped?? ??like?? ??a?? ??rock.?? ??Xie?? ??Lian????winced?? ??at?? ??the?? ??loud?? ??crash.?? ??Shi?? ??Qingxuan?? ??couldn’t?? ??risk?? ??exposing?? ??himself?? ??by?? ??rushing????forward,?? ??so?? ??instead?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??went?? ??to?? ??check?? ??up?? ??on?? ??the?? ??prince,?? ??“Are?? ??you?? ??okay?”??????Lang?? ??Qianqiu?? ??got?? ??up?? ??on?? ??his?? ??feet?? ??and?? ??dusted?? ??himself?? ??off,?? ??“I’m?? ??good,?? ??thank?? ??you.?? ??He????probably?? ??wanted?? ??you?? ??to?? ??go?? ??up?? ??so?? ??that?? ??he?? ??can?? ??cheat?? ??and?? ??make?? ??you?? ??lose,?? ??but?? ??thank????goodness?? ??you?? ??won!”??????Xie?? ??Lian?? ??thought?? ??“You’re?? ??completely?? ??mistaken.?? ??If?? ??he?? ??didn’t?? ??go?? ??easy?? ??on?? ??,?? ??even?? ??if?? ??the????world?? ??had?? ??turned?? ??to?? ??ashes,?? ??I?? ??would?? ??still?? ??not?? ??be?? ??able?? ??to?? ??win?? ??you?? ??back...”??????As?? ??he?? ??was?? ??thinking?? ??those?? ??thoughts,?? ??a?? ??tinkling?? ??of?? ??bells?? ??were?? ??heard,?? ??and?? ??the?? ??sound?? ??was????followed?? ??by?? ??gasps?? ??of?? ??shock?? ??that?? ??ca?? ??from?? ??all?? ??directions.?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??turned?? ??around?? ??and????saw?? ??that?? ??Hua?? ??Cheng?? ??had?? ??finally?? ??stepped?? ??out?? ??from?? ??the?? ??red?? ??silk?? ??screen?? ??curtains.??????In?? ??his?? ??previous?? ??form,?? ??Hua?? ??Cheng?? ??always?? ??sported?? ??a?? ??slightly?? ??crooked?? ??ponytail,?? ??but?? ??now,????loose?? ??raven?? ??locks?? ??covered?? ??vibrant?? ??red?? ??clothing,?? ??and?? ??an?? ??aura?? ??of?? ??demonic?? ??energy?? ??radiated????from?? ??the?? ??handso?? ??figure.?? ??Only?? ??the?? ??thin?? ??braid?? ??tied?? ??with?? ??a?? ??red?? ??coral?? ??bead?? ??brought?? ??a?? ??hint????of?? ??mischief?? ??to?? ??the?? ??mix.?? ??The?? ??vambraces?? ??were?? ??silver,?? ??the?? ??straps?? ??on?? ??his?? ??boots?? ??were?? ??silver,????the?? ??waistband?? ??was?? ??also?? ??silver,?? ??even?? ??the?? ??long,?? ??smoothly?? ??curved?? ??scimitar?? ??that?? ??hung?? ??at?? ??his????waist?? ??was?? ??silver.?? ??Just?? ??like?? ??how?? ??the?? ??blade?? ??was?? ??slender?? ??and?? ??long,?? ??the?? ??person?? ??himself?? ??was????also?? ??slender?? ??and?? ??tall.?? ??He?? ??was?? ??leaning?? ??against?? ??the?? ??curtains?? ??that?? ??had?? ??been?? ??parted?? ??with????crossed?? ??arms?? ??and?? ??an?? ??unreadable?? ??expression,?? ??“Gege,?? ??you’ve?? ??won?? ??against?? ??.”??????Xie?? ??Lian?? ??obviously?? ??knew?? ??what?? ??had?? ??took?? ??place,?? ??and?? ??said?? ??woefully,?? ??“Please?? ??stop?? ??teasing????.”??????Hua?? ??Cheng?? ??raised?? ??his?? ??brow,?? ??“I’m?? ??not.?? ??Why?? ??would?? ??I?”??????Down?? ??below,?? ??the?? ??crowd?? ??of?? ??ghosts?? ??were?? ??bustling?? ??with?? ??excitent,?? ??as?? ??wild?? ??as?? ??the?? ??waves????rolling?? ??in?? ??the?? ??sea,?? ??they?? ??whispered?? ??among?? ??themselves,?? ??“The?? ??lord?? ??changed?? ??his?? ??skin?? ??again????today?”??????“I’m?? ??dying,?? ??his?? ??new?? ??skin?? ??is?? ??killing?? ??!?? ??It’s?? ??so?? ??tender?? ??and?? ??firm!”??????“Dying??? ??You?? ??old?? ??hag,?? ??aren’t?? ??you?? ??already?? ??dead?!”??????It?? ??seed?? ??that?? ??because?? ??Hua?? ??Cheng?? ??never?? ??showed?? ??his?? ??true?? ??form?? ??in?? ??front?? ??of?? ??anyone?? ??and????switched?? ??skins?? ??fairly?? ??frequently?? ??that?? ??even?? ??the?? ??band?? ??of?? ??ghosts?? ??in?? ??the?? ??Ghost?? ??City?? ??didn’t????know?? ??what?? ??he?? ??looked?? ??like?? ??and?? ??assud?? ??that?? ??this?? ??must?? ??be?? ??another?? ??of?? ??one?? ??his?? ??fake?? ??skin.????Only?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??knew,?? ??that?? ??the?? ??one?? ??standing?? ??in?? ??front?? ??of?? ??him?? ??was?? ??the?? ??real?? ??Crimson?? ??Rain????Sought?? ??Flower?? ??of?? ??the?? ??legends.??????
??1.Jie?? ??jie?? ??is?? ??a?? ??familiar?? ??address?? ??for?? ??older?? ??sister.?? ?? ????????????????Ch.38:?? ??Admiring?? ??the?? ??Flower?? ??through?? ??Red?? ??Clouds;?? ??A?? ??Heart?? ??Full?? ??of?? ??Sympathy?? ??3????????Xie?? ??Lian?? ??was?? ??still?? ??staring?? ??at?? ??the?? ??young?? ??man?? ??in?? ??red,?? ??“?? ??You...”??????He?? ??wanted?? ??to?? ??say?? ??sothing,?? ??but?? ??under?? ??the?? ??gaze?? ??of?? ??nurous?? ??pairs?? ??of?? ??eyes,?? ??and?? ??the????unreadable?? ??expression?? ??on?? ??Hua?? ??Cheng’s?? ??face?? ??that?? ??didn’t?? ??seem?? ??to?? ??show?? ??signs?? ??of????recognizing?? ??him,?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??debated?? ??whether?? ??if?? ??he?? ??should?? ??act?? ??so?? ??familiar?? ??with?? ??him.?? ??Instead????he?? ??said,?? ??“Thank?? ??you.”??????“Why?? ??thank?? ??him??? ??This?? ??place?? ??is?? ??owned?? ??by?? ??him,?? ??he?? ??probably?? ??had?? ??malintentions?? ??since?? ??the????beginning.”?? ??Lang?? ??Qianqiu?? ??said.??????“...”?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??replied?? ??under?? ??his?? ??breath,?? ??“Your?? ??Highness,?? ??let’s?? ??stop?? ??talking?? ??and?? ??call?? ??it?? ??a?? ??day.”??????If?? ??they?? ??were?? ??to?? ??continue,?? ??he?? ??really?? ??didn’t?? ??know?? ??what?? ??would?? ??co?? ??out?? ??of?? ??Lang?? ??Qianqiu’s????mouth.?? ??Especially?? ??with?? ??the?? ??mission?? ??at?? ??hand,?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??couldn’t?? ??afford?? ??to?? ??stay?? ??long.?? ??He????looked?? ??at?? ??Hua?? ??Cheng?? ??a?? ??couple?? ??more?? ??tis?? ??and?? ??pushed?? ??Lang?? ??QianQiu?? ??towards?? ??the?? ??exit.????Just?? ??as?? ??he?? ??did?? ??so,?? ??Hua?? ??Cheng’s?? ??voice?? ??called?? ??from?? ??behind?? ??him,?? ??“Wait?? ??a?? ??minute.”??????Xie?? ??Lian?? ??halted?? ??his?? ??step?? ??and?? ??turned?? ??around.?? ??The?? ??chatter?? ??among?? ??the?? ??crowd?? ??started?? ??again,????“That’s?? ??right?? ??my?? ??lord,?? ??we?? ??can’t?? ??just?? ??let?? ??them?? ??leave?? ??like?? ??this!”??????“That?? ??guy’s?? ??suspicious.?? ??He?? ??looks?? ??to?? ??be?? ??quite?? ??powerful?? ??and?? ??is?? ??probably?? ??hiding?? ??sothing.????If?? ??you?? ??ask?? ??,?? ??we?? ??should?? ??keep?? ??him?? ??here?? ??and?? ??interrogate?? ??him.”??????“Exactly,?? ??who?? ??knows?? ??who?? ??sent?? ??him?? ??to?? ??cause?? ??trouble?? ??in?? ??our?? ??world!”??????That?? ??last?? ??sentence?? ??almost?? ??stopped?? ??his?? ??heart.?? ??They?? ??really?? ??did?? ??co?? ??from?? ??the?? ??heavens,????but?? ??the?? ??intent?? ??wasn’t?? ??to?? ??cause?? ??trouble,?? ??only?? ??quiet?? ??probing.?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??wasn’t?? ??sure?? ??if?? ??Hua????Cheng?? ??had?? ??saw?? ??the?? ??spiritual?? ??light?? ??that?? ??Lang?? ??Qianqiu?? ??had?? ??released?? ??before,?? ??and?? ??he?? ??wasn’t????a?? ??hundred?? ??percent?? ??certain?? ??Hua?? ??Cheng?? ??would?? ??let?? ??them?? ??go?? ??if?? ??he?? ??did?? ??see.?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??was????growing?? ??increasingly?? ??anxious,?? ??but?? ??the?? ??tone?? ??Hua?? ??Cheng’s?? ??spoke?? ??in?? ??was?? ??laid?? ??back,????“Shouldn’t?? ??you?? ??leave?? ??the?? ??prize?”??????Xie?? ??Lian?? ??was?? ??lost,?? ??“Prize?”??????Lang?? ??Qianqiu?? ??put?? ??himself?? ??in?? ??front?? ??of?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??and?? ??said?? ??cautiously,?? ??“Are?? ??you?? ??going?? ??back?? ??on????your?? ??words?? ??now?”??????But?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??thought?? ??“If?? ??San?? ??Lang?? ??would?? ??never?? ??go?? ??back?? ??on?? ??his?? ??promises.?? ??Could?? ??he?? ??have????ant?? ??sothing?? ??else?”?? ??and?? ??with?? ??that,?? ??he?? ??stepped?? ??out?? ??from?? ??behind?? ??Lang?? ??Qianqiu?? ??and????asked,?? ??“But?? ??didn’t?? ??I?? ??already?? ??win?? ??the?? ??bet?”??????Hua?? ??Cheng,?? ??“It’s?? ??true?? ??that?? ??gege?? ??had?? ??won?? ??against?? ???? ??just?? ??now,?? ??but?? ??don’t?? ??forget,?? ??you’ve????lost?? ??a?? ??round?? ??before.”??????Xie?? ??Lian?? ??was?? ??surprised,?? ??“But?? ??you?? ??said,?? ??not?? ??to?? ??worry?? ??because?? ??it?? ??didn’t?? ??count?”??????Even?? ??though?? ??it?? ??took?? ??so?? ??really?? ??thick?? ??skin?? ??to?? ??say?? ??sothing?? ??as?? ??embarrassing?? ??as?? ??“it????doesn’t?? ??count?? ??when?? ??I?? ??lose,?? ??and?? ??it?? ??only?? ??counts?? ??when?? ??I?? ??win”,?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??still?? ??said?? ??it.?? ??Hua????Cheng?? ??replied,?? ??“Of?? ??course,?? ??the?? ??ones?? ??that?? ??were?? ??betted?? ??against?? ???? ??didn’t?? ??count.?? ??What?? ??I’m????referring?? ??to?? ??is?? ??the?? ??first?? ??round?? ??that?? ??you?? ??gambled?? ??at?? ??the?? ??long?? ??table.”??????It?? ??was?? ??then?? ??that?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??finally?? ??rembered.?? ??Hua?? ??Cheng?? ??was?? ??talking?? ??about?? ??that?? ??ti????when?? ??he?? ??wanted?? ??to?? ??test?? ??out?? ??the?? ??lowest?? ??he?? ??could?? ??roll?? ??and?? ??had?? ??ended?? ??up?? ??throwing?? ??out?? ??a????double?? ??six?? ??instead.??????Lang?? ??Qianqiu?? ??whispered,?? ??“I?? ??told?? ??you?? ??he?? ??didn’t?? ??have?? ??good?? ??intentions?? ??and?? ??wouldn’t?? ??let?? ??us????leave?? ??here?? ??that?? ??easily.?? ??I?? ??won’t?? ??get?? ??sealed?? ??again?? ??this?? ??ti.”??????Seeing?? ??that?? ??he?? ??was?? ??readying?? ??himself?? ??for?? ??another?? ??fight?? ??and?? ??was?? ??eager?? ??to?? ??jump?? ??up?? ??at?? ??the????chance,?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??pulled?? ??him?? ??back?? ??and?? ??persuaded,?? ??“Don’t?? ??worry,?? ??we?? ??don’t?? ??need?? ??to?? ??use?? ??our????fists.”??????On?? ??the?? ??other?? ??end,?? ??Hua?? ??Cheng?? ??tilted?? ??his?? ??head,?? ??“How?? ??about?? ??it??? ??Gege,?? ??do?? ??you?? ??admit?? ??your????loss?”????If?? ??one?? ??was?? ??willing?? ??to?? ??gamble,?? ??then?? ??one?? ??should?? ??also?? ??admit?? ??to?? ??their?? ??loss?? ??honestly,?? ??there????were?? ??no?? ??other?? ??options,?? ??so?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??nodded,?? ??“I?? ??admit.”??????Hua?? ??Cheng?? ??extended?? ??his?? ??left?? ??hand?? ??with?? ??an?? ??open?? ??palm,?? ??“Then,?? ??give?? ???? ??the?? ??prize?? ??like?? ??you????promised.”??????...the?? ??prize?? ??that?? ??he?? ??promised???????After?? ??so?? ??hesitation,?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??reached?? ??into?? ??his?? ??left?? ??sleeve?? ??with?? ??his?? ??right?? ??hand,?? ??felt????around,?? ??and?? ??fished?? ??out?? ??a?? ??half-eaten?? ??bun.?? ??Unable?? ??to?? ??look?? ??at?? ??Hua?? ??Cheng?? ??in?? ??the?? ??eyes,?? ??he????toughened?? ??up?? ??his?? ??skin?? ??and?? ??presented?? ??it,?? ??“You?? ??an...?? ??this...?? ??right?”??????Truth?? ??to?? ??be?? ??told,?? ??when?? ??he?? ??took?? ??out?? ??this?? ??bun,?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??felt?? ??the?? ??thick?? ??skin?? ??he’d?? ??grown????through?? ??his?? ??eight?? ??hundred?? ??years?? ??crumble?? ??a?? ??little,?? ??unable?? ??to?? ??hold?? ??up.??????The?? ??ghosts?? ??and?? ??demons?? ??in?? ??the?? ??hall?? ??were?? ??speechless?? ??and?? ??only?? ??watched?? ??in?? ??silence.????Nevermind?? ??that?? ??it?? ??was?? ??the?? ??lord’s?? ??first?? ??ti?? ??betting?? ??against?? ??soone?? ??and?? ??when?? ??the?? ??bet????ca?? ??to?? ??be?? ??a?? ??half-eaten?? ??bun,?? ??they?? ??thought?? ??it?? ??was?? ??a?? ??joke.?? ??But?? ??to?? ??think,?? ??in?? ??all?? ??seriousness,????the?? ??lord?? ??had?? ??actually?? ??pursued?? ??the?? ??person?? ??to?? ??ask?? ??for?? ??this?? ??bun.?? ??Speechless.?? ??There?? ??was????really?? ??nothing?? ??to?? ??say.?? ??There?? ??were?? ??so?? ??ghosts?? ??who?? ??even?? ??had?? ??a?? ??more?? ??absurd?? ??thought?? ??—????either?? ??there’s?? ??so?? ??sort?? ??of?? ??enormous?? ??secret?? ??hidden?? ??within?? ??this?? ??bun?? ??or?? ??this?? ??person?? ??was????actually?? ??the?? ??lord’s?? ??older?? ??brother!??????Yet?? ??Hua?? ??Cheng?? ??grinned?? ??as?? ??he?? ??received?? ??the?? ??bun,?? ??gave?? ??it?? ??a?? ??look?? ??and?? ??waved?? ??it?? ??around?? ??in????his?? ??hand,?? ??“I’ve?? ??claid?? ??this?? ??prize.”??????To?? ??see?? ??that?? ??he?? ??actually?? ??took?? ??it,?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??didn’t?? ??know?? ??what?? ??to?? ??say.?? ??It?? ??was?? ??only?? ??after?? ??a?? ??good????minute?? ??that?? ??he?? ??responded,?? ??“?? ??It’s...?? ??cold.?? ??And,?? ??maybe,?? ??a?? ??little?? ??hard.”??????Hua?? ??Cheng?? ??replied,?? ??“That’s?? ??okay.?? ??I?? ??don’t?? ??mind.”??????Since?? ??he?? ??answered?? ??like?? ??this,?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??had?? ??nothing?? ??more?? ??to?? ??say?? ??to?? ??continue?? ??the????conversation.?? ??He?? ??already?? ??said?? ??all?? ??he?? ??could,?? ??so?? ??he?? ??turned?? ??around?? ??and?? ??headed?? ??towards????the?? ??exit.?? ??The?? ??nether?? ??crowd?? ??of?? ??the?? ??Gambler’s?? ??Den?? ??all?? ??parted?? ??for?? ??him?? ??as?? ??he?? ??departed.????When?? ??he?? ??first?? ??went?? ??forward,?? ??they?? ??parted?? ??for?? ??him?? ??thinking?? ??he?? ??was?? ??a?? ??brave?? ??warrior.?? ??Now,????they?? ??parted?? ??for?? ??him?? ??with?? ??fear?? ??and?? ??suspicion.?? ??After?? ??walking?? ??for?? ??a?? ??few?? ??steps,?? ??he?? ??could?? ??hear????the?? ??ghosts?? ??behind?? ??him?? ??ask,?? ??“My?? ??lord!?? ??My?? ??lord,?? ??where?? ??are?? ??you?? ??going?? ??now?”??????Hua?? ??Cheng?? ??lazily?? ??replied,?? ??“I’m?? ??feeling?? ??good?? ??today.?? ??I’m?? ??heading?? ??to?? ??the?? ??Paradise?? ??Manor.”??????Hearing?? ??his?? ??response,?? ??the?? ??hall?? ??erupted?? ??in?? ??cheers?? ??as?? ??if?? ??it?? ??was?? ??New?? ??Years.?? ??Xie?? ??Lian????couldn’t?? ??help?? ??but?? ??take?? ??another?? ??glance?? ??back?? ??and?? ??saw?? ??that?? ??Hua?? ??Cheng?? ??had?? ??also?? ??turned????around.?? ??With?? ??that?? ??half-eaten?? ??bun?? ??still?? ??in?? ??his?? ??hand,?? ??he?? ??gave?? ??it?? ??a?? ??light?? ??toss?? ??and?? ??casually????took?? ??a?? ??bite?? ??out?? ??of?? ??it,?? ??looking?? ??in?? ??Xie?? ??Lian’s?? ??direction.????????Xie?? ??Lian?? ??paused?? ??in?? ??his?? ??tracks?? ??when?? ??he?? ??saw?? ??that?? ??scene?? ??play?? ??out.?? ??Suddenly,?? ??for?? ??so????reason,?? ??he?? ??felt?? ??that?? ??he?? ??shouldn’t?? ??stay?? ??there?? ??any?? ??longer,?? ??and?? ??picked?? ??up?? ??his?? ??pace,?? ??grabbed????Lang?? ??Qianqiu,?? ??and?? ??ran?? ??out.????????The?? ??two?? ??left?? ??the?? ??Gambler’s?? ??Den?? ??and?? ??ran?? ??like?? ??mad?? ??n?? ??for?? ??a?? ??long?? ??ti,?? ??almost?? ??knocking????over?? ??various?? ??food?? ??stalls?? ??along?? ??the?? ??way.?? ??Just?? ??when?? ??they?? ??had?? ??finally?? ??arrived?? ??at?? ??a?? ??small?? ??quiet????alley,?? ??Shi?? ??Qingxuan?? ??also?? ??popped?? ??up?? ??and?? ??reunited?? ??with?? ??them.?? ??Shi?? ??Qingxuan?? ??fanned????himself?? ??with?? ??such?? ??vigour?? ??that?? ??his?? ??hair?? ??flew?? ??wildly?? ??in?? ??the?? ??wind,?? ??“That?? ??was?? ??so?? ??close,?? ??so????close.?? ??My?? ??god,?? ??that?? ??scared?? ???? ??to?? ??the?? ??point?? ??that?? ??my?? ??face?? ??was?? ??almost?? ??as?? ??white?? ??as?? ??a????ghost’s.”??????Perhaps?? ??it?? ??was?? ??because?? ??they?? ??ran?? ??too?? ??hard?? ??that?? ??Xie?? ??Lian’s?? ??heart?? ??was?? ??also?? ??beating?? ??madly.????Lang?? ??Qianqiu?? ??spoke?? ??up,?? ??“Yea?? ??Lord?? ??Wind?? ??Master,?? ??I?? ??think?? ??your?? ??face?? ??is?? ??still?? ??very?? ??pale?? ??right????now.”??????Shi?? ??Qingxuan?? ??felt?? ??his?? ??face?? ??and?? ??smiled,?? ??“Is?? ??that?? ??so??? ??Hahahaha,?? ??this?? ??is?? ??not?? ??because?? ??of????fright;?? ??this?? ??is?? ??what?? ??I’m?? ??born?? ??with-?? ??ahem.?? ??Ahem.?? ??Qianqiu,?? ??you’re?? ??also?? ??a?? ??martial?? ??god,?? ??how????could?? ??you?? ??be?? ??so?? ??impulsive??? ??We’re?? ??in?? ??the?? ??middle?? ??of?? ??the?? ??ghost?? ??realm?? ??territory?? ??here!?? ??If?? ??you????were?? ??to?? ??be?? ??caught?? ??and?? ??exposed,?? ??and?? ??news?? ??of?? ??undercover?? ??heavenly?? ??officials?? ??in?? ??the?? ??Ghost????City?? ??had?? ??gotten?? ??out,?? ??how?? ??would?? ??we?? ??explain?? ??this?? ??to?? ??the?? ??Heavenly?? ??Emperor??? ??It?? ??would????destroy?? ??peace?? ??in?? ??the?? ??three?? ??realms.”??????Lang?? ??Qianqiu?? ??bowed?? ??his?? ??head?? ??and?? ??admitted?? ??his?? ??mistake,?? ??“I’m?? ??sorry,?? ??I?? ??rushed?? ??in?? ??too????carelessly.”?? ??Then?? ??he?? ??raised?? ??his?? ??head,?? ??“But?? ??those?? ??gamblers?? ??were?? ??crazy.?? ??If?? ??that?? ??man?? ??had????flipped?? ??open?? ??the?? ??cup,?? ??whether?? ??if?? ??he?? ??had?? ??lost?? ??or?? ??won,?? ??the?? ??outco?? ??would?? ??still?? ??be?? ??bad.????Either?? ??his?? ??daughter?? ??would?? ??suffer?? ??or?? ??he?? ??would?? ??suffer?? ??the?? ??consequences.?? ??It?? ??was?? ??in?? ??my????mont?? ??of?? ??anger?? ??that?? ??I?? ??crushed?? ??the?? ??cup.”??????Shi?? ??Qingxuan?? ??replied,?? ??“Even?? ??so,?? ??you?? ??shouldn’t?? ??have?? ??jumped?? ??in?? ??by?? ??yourself.”??????Lang?? ??Qianqiu?? ??was?? ??taken?? ??aback,?? ??“Then?? ??Lord?? ??Wind?? ??Master,?? ??what?? ??should?? ??I?? ??have?? ??done??? ??If?? ??I????didn’t?? ??go?? ??in,?? ??there?? ??wouldn’t?? ??be?? ??anyone?? ??who?? ??would.”??????His?? ??plead?? ??was?? ??so?? ??genuine?? ??that?? ??Shi?? ??Qingxuan?? ??didn’t?? ??know?? ??how?? ??to?? ??respond,?? ??and?? ??tapped????his?? ??fan?? ??lightly?? ??against?? ??his?? ??temple,?? ??“Well...”??????Xie?? ??Lian?? ??smiled?? ??softly,?? ??“Let’s?? ??leave?? ??it.”??????Lang?? ??Qianqiu?? ??looked?? ??at?? ??him.?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??continued,?? ??“I?? ??think?? ??even?? ??if?? ??His?? ??Highness?? ??Tai?? ??Hua????was?? ??to?? ??get?? ??caught?? ??and?? ??interrogated,?? ??he?? ??still?? ??wouldn’t?? ??reveal?? ??his?? ??identity.?? ??But,?? ??to?? ??prevent????others?? ??from?? ??picking?? ??up?? ??any?? ??clues?? ??from?? ??your?? ??words,?? ??it’d?? ??be?? ??best?? ??for?? ??Your?? ??Highness?? ??to?? ??stay????cautious?? ??and?? ??avoid?? ??capture?? ??going?? ??forward.”??????Lang?? ??Qianqiu?? ??nodded,?? ??“Okay,?? ??I?? ??understand.”??????Shi?? ??Qingxuan,?? ??“Alright,?? ??let’s?? ??not?? ??talk?? ??about?? ??this?? ??anymore.?? ??Oh?? ??right,?? ??Your?? ??Highness...”??????Hearing?? ??‘Your?? ??Highness’,?? ??both?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??and?? ??Lang?? ??Qianqiu?? ??turned?? ??around?? ??at?? ??the?? ??sa????ti,?? ??and?? ??Shi?? ??Qingxuan?? ??clarified,?? ??“Oh,?? ??I?? ??ant?? ??the?? ??elder.”??????“...”??????Xie?? ??Lian?? ??thought?? ??woefully,?? ??‘Elder...?? ??it’s?? ??true?? ??that?? ??I’m?? ??a?? ??little?? ??older,?? ??but?? ??not?? ??by?? ??that?? ??much.????Why?? ??is?? ??it?? ??that?? ??when?? ??it?? ??cos?? ??to?? ??,?? ??it?? ??always?? ??sounds?? ??like?? ??they’re?? ??referring?? ??to?? ??a?? ??grandpa?’??????Shi?? ??Qingxuan?? ??continued,?? ??“Your?? ??Royal?? ??Highnesses,?? ??have?? ??you?? ??two?? ??t?? ??each?? ??other?? ??at?? ??the????Great?? ??Martial?? ??Hall??? ??If?? ??not,?? ??let?? ???? ??introduce?? ??you.?? ??This?? ??is?? ??the?? ??Crown?? ??Prince?? ??of?? ??Yong’An,????Lang?? ??Qianqiu,?? ??Martial?? ??God?? ??of?? ??the?? ??East.?? ??This?? ??is?? ??the?? ??Crown?? ??Prince?? ??of?? ??Xianle,?? ??Xie?? ??Lian,?? ??a????heavenly?? ??official?? ??that?? ??pi–?? ??that’s?? ??highly?? ??regarded?? ??by?? ??the?? ??Heavenly?? ??Emperor.?? ??“??????Even?? ??though?? ??Shi?? ??Qingxuan?? ??stopped?? ??himself?? ??and?? ??didn’t?? ??say?? ??the?? ??words,?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??knew????exactly?? ??what?? ??ca?? ??after,?? ??what?? ??else?? ??could?? ??it?? ??be?? ??other?? ??than?? ??‘picks?? ??up?? ??scraps’!?? ??Since?? ??the????words?? ??were?? ??abruptly?? ??swapped?? ??in?? ??mid-sentence,?? ??there?? ??was?? ??no?? ??ti?? ??to?? ??adjust?? ??the????grammar?? ??nor?? ??the?? ??pronunciation.?? ??Lang?? ??Qianqiu?? ??looked?? ??at?? ??Xie?? ??Lian,?? ??asked?? ??in????astonishnt,?? ??“So?? ??you’re?? ??the?? ??prince?? ??that?? ??ascended?? ??thrice?”??????It?? ??seed?? ??that?? ??Lang?? ??Qianqiu?? ??had?? ??really?? ??slept?? ??through?? ??the?? ??entire?? ??eting?? ??at?? ??the?? ??Great????Martial?? ??Hall?? ??the?? ??last?? ??ti?? ??and?? ??didn’t?? ??even?? ??rember?? ??who?? ??he?? ??was.?? ??If?? ??he?? ??was?? ??anyone?? ??else????and?? ??said?? ??the?? ??sa?? ??thing?? ??to?? ??Xie?? ??Lian,?? ??then?? ??it?? ??would,?? ??no?? ??doubt,?? ??be?? ??sarcastic.?? ??But,?? ??because????the?? ??question?? ??ca?? ??from?? ??Lang?? ??Qianqiu,?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??wholeheartedly?? ??believed?? ??that?? ??this?? ??child????truly?? ??thought?? ??ascending?? ??thrice?? ??was?? ??a?? ??rare?? ??occurrence.?? ??His?? ??eyes?? ??twinkled,?? ??“Yes,?? ??that????would?? ??be?? ??.”??????Lang?? ??Qianqiu?? ??responded,?? ??“That?? ??incident?? ??just?? ??now,?? ??thank?? ??you?? ??for?? ??helping?? ??!?? ??Or?? ??else...”????He?? ??suddenly?? ??rembered?? ??sothing?? ??and?? ??hurriedly?? ??tightened?? ??up?? ??his?? ??waistband,?? ??fear?? ??still????lingered?? ??on?? ??his?? ??expression.?? ??He?? ??clearly?? ??didn’t?? ??think?? ??too?? ??much?? ??about?? ??the?? ??past?? ??history????between?? ??the?? ??Kingdom?? ??of?? ??Xianle?? ??and?? ??the?? ??Kingdom?? ??of?? ??Yong’An,?? ??and?? ??turned?? ??to?? ??Xie?? ??Lian,????“Your?? ??Highness,?? ??I?? ??thought?? ??that?? ??Crimson?? ??Rain?? ??Sought?? ??Flower?? ??knows?? ??you??? ??How?? ??co?? ??he????acted?? ??as?? ??if?? ??he?? ??didn’t?? ??back?? ??there?”??????Lang?? ??Qianqiu?? ??finished?? ??tying?? ??up?? ??his?? ??waistband,?? ??“That?? ??was?? ??the?? ??real?? ??Crimson?? ??Rain?? ??Sought????Flower,?? ??right??? ??Was?? ??that?? ??his?? ??true?? ??form?”??????Xie?? ??Lian?? ??didn’t?? ??even?? ??have?? ??the?? ??ti?? ??to?? ??open?? ??his?? ??mouth?? ??and?? ??Shi?? ??Qingxuan?? ??already?? ??spoke,????“How?? ??can?? ??it?? ??be?? ??the?? ??true?? ??form??? ??Hua?? ??Cheng?? ??has?? ??thousands?? ??of?? ??disguises,?? ??who?? ??knows?? ??what????his?? ??true?? ??form?? ??looks?? ??like??? ??Last?? ??ti?? ??when?? ??I?? ??went?? ??to?? ??the?? ??Banyue?? ??Pass,?? ??he?? ??looked?? ??similar?? ??to????the?? ??appearance?? ??today,?? ??but?? ??it’s?? ??probably?? ??a?? ??disguise.?? ??It’s?? ??fake,?? ??all?? ??fake.”??????Yet?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??clearly?? ??recalled?? ??that?? ??Hua?? ??Cheng?? ??had?? ??told?? ??him?? ??“The?? ??next?? ??ti?? ??we?? ??et,?? ??I’ll????greet?? ??in?? ??my?? ??true?? ??form”?? ??that?? ??night?? ??at?? ??Puqi?? ??Shrine.?? ??He?? ??thought?? ??to?? ??himself,?? ??‘It’s?? ??real.’??????But?? ??of?? ??course,?? ??he?? ??didn’t?? ??say?? ??it?? ??out?? ??loud.?? ??Everyone?? ??was?? ??so?? ??sure?? ??that?? ??Hua?? ??Cheng?? ??must?? ??be????wearing?? ??a?? ??fake?? ??skin?? ??and?? ??him?? ??being?? ??the?? ??only?? ??one?? ??who?? ??knew?? ??it?? ??was?? ??Crimson?? ??Rain?? ??Sought????Flower’s?? ??true?? ??form?? ??was?? ??like?? ??learning?? ??of?? ??an?? ??extraordinary?? ??little?? ??secret.?? ??He?? ??then?? ??continued????that?? ??train?? ??of?? ??thought,?? ??‘Seeing?? ??San?? ??Lang’s?? ??appearance,?? ??he?? ??really?? ??doesn’t?? ??look?? ??that?? ??much????different?? ??from?? ??before,?? ??only?? ??slightly?? ??older?? ??and?? ??taller.?? ??That?? ??ans?? ??technically,?? ??he?? ??was?? ??pretty????much?? ??in?? ??his?? ??true?? ??form?? ??the?? ??first?? ??ti?? ??I?? ??t?? ??him.’?? ??Strangely,?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??felt?? ??a?? ??little?? ??happy.??????Shi?? ??Qingxuan?? ??added?? ??from?? ??the?? ??side,?? ??“People?? ??say?? ??that?? ??Hua?? ??Cheng?? ??is?? ??a?? ??strange?? ??character,????and?? ??that?? ??really?? ??seems?? ??to?? ??be?? ??the?? ??case.?? ??It’s?? ??obvious?? ??that?? ??he?? ??was?? ??going?? ??easy?? ??on?? ??you,?? ??and????yet?? ??he?? ??pretended?? ??not?? ??to?? ??know?? ??you.?? ??Who?? ??knows?? ??what?? ??he’s?? ??up?? ??to.?? ??Could?? ??it?? ??be?? ??that?? ??he????wanted?? ??to?? ??catch?? ??us?? ??off?? ??guard?”??????Xie?? ??Lian?? ??choked.?? ??It?? ??seed?? ??that?? ??anyone?? ??could?? ??tell?? ??Hua?? ??Cheng?? ??had?? ??gone?? ??easy?? ??on?? ??him????back?? ??at?? ??the?? ??Gambler’s?? ??Den.?? ??“He?? ??went?? ??easy?? ??on?? ??him”?? ??was?? ??what?? ??people?? ??were?? ??saying,?? ??but????truthfully,?? ??Hua?? ??Cheng?? ??literally?? ??just?? ??let?? ??him?? ??win?? ??one-sidedly.?? ??Lang?? ??Qianqiu?? ??was?? ??the?? ??only????one?? ??who?? ??couldn’t?? ??tell?? ??and?? ??frowned,?? ??“Went?? ??easy?? ??on?? ??him??? ??Why?”??????The?? ??other?? ??two?? ??patted?? ??him?? ??on?? ??the?? ??shoulder?? ??and?? ??decided?? ??it?? ??was?? ??best?? ??not?? ??to?? ??explain?? ??it?? ??to????him.?? ??They?? ??left?? ??Lang?? ??Qianqiu?? ??standing?? ??by?? ??himself,?? ??wondering?? ??why?? ??Hua?? ??Cheng?? ??would?? ??go????easy?? ??on?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??and?? ??whether?? ??or?? ??not?? ??the?? ??two?? ??knew?? ??each?? ??other.?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??and?? ??Shi????Qingxuan?? ??turned?? ??and?? ??started?? ??walking.????????“It?? ??seems?? ??that?? ??we?? ??have?? ??been?? ??exposed,?? ??what?? ??should?? ??we?? ??do?? ??now?”?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??said,?? ??“Change????our?? ??disguises?? ??and?? ??try?? ??again??? ??Personally,?? ??I?? ??don’t?? ??think?? ??doing?? ??that?? ??will?? ??change?? ??anything.????With?? ??His?? ??Highness?? ??Tai?? ??Hua’s?? ??fight?? ??back?? ??there,?? ??Ghost?? ??City?? ??will?? ??probably?? ??strengthen?? ??their????security.”??????Shi?? ??Qingxuan?? ??replied,?? ??“To?? ??be?? ??honest,?? ??I?? ??have?? ??considered?? ??the?? ??possibility?? ??of?? ??us?? ??getting????exposed,?? ??but?? ??I?? ??never?? ??thought?? ??it?? ??would?? ??happen?? ??this?? ??soon.”??????Xie?? ??Lian?? ??sighed,?? ??“I?? ??know,?? ??I?? ??know.”??????“What’s?? ??done?? ??is?? ??done.”?? ??Shi?? ??Qingxuan?? ??said.?? ??“Since?? ??our?? ??covers?? ??are?? ??blown,?? ??you?? ??might?? ??as????well?? ??just?? ??walk?? ??in?? ??confidently?? ??and?? ??do?? ??this?? ??openly.”??????Xie?? ??Lian?? ??could?? ??probably?? ??guess?? ??what?? ??he?? ??had?? ??ant?? ??by?? ??“openly”.?? ??As?? ??expected,?? ??Shi????Qingxuan?? ??explained,?? ??“If?? ??we?? ??still?? ??want?? ??to?? ??continue?? ??on?? ??lying,?? ??then?? ??you’re?? ??the?? ??only?? ??one?? ??who????can?? ??do?? ??it?? ??—?? ??go?? ??find?? ??Hua?? ??Cheng?? ??and?? ??tell?? ??him?? ??that?? ??you?? ??ca?? ??here?? ??especially?? ??to?? ??see?? ??him.????He?? ??knows?? ??that?? ??you’re?? ??a?? ??heavenly?? ??official?? ??right??? ??If?? ??so,?? ??then?? ??it’s?? ??pretty?? ??believable?? ??to?? ??say?? ??that????you’ve?? ??brought?? ??a?? ??couple?? ??of?? ??friends?? ??from?? ??heaven?? ??with?? ??you.”????????Ch.39:?? ??At?? ??the?? ??Paradise?? ??Manor;?? ??Questions?? ??of?? ??Xianle????????Before?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??could?? ??answer,?? ??Lang?? ??Qianqiu?? ??who?? ??had?? ??heard?? ??the?? ??suggestion?? ??imdiately????cried?? ??out,?? ??“No!”??????Shi?? ??Qingxuan?? ??looked?? ??at?? ??him,?? ??“Why?? ??not?”??????Lang?? ??Qianqiu?? ??replied?? ??in?? ??a?? ??serious?? ??tone,?? ??“Prince?? ??Xianle,?? ??do?? ??you?? ??really?? ??know?? ??Crimson?? ??Rain????Sought?? ??Flower??? ??I?? ??heard?? ??your?? ??conversation?? ??earlier,?? ??it?? ??seems?? ??you?? ??two?? ??are?? ??friends.”??????Xie?? ??Lian?? ??nodded.????????“Then?? ??of?? ??course?? ??that?? ??plan?? ??is?? ??not?? ??feasible!”?? ??Lang?? ??Qianqiu?? ??said.?? ??“Even?? ??though?? ??a?? ??ghost?? ??king????is?? ??no?? ??saint,?? ??but?? ??the?? ??fact?? ??that?? ??he?? ??went?? ??easy?? ??on?? ??you?? ??must?? ??an?? ??that?? ??he?? ??sees?? ??you?? ??as?? ??a????friend.?? ??If?? ??it’s?? ??so,?? ??then?? ??one?? ??must?? ??not?? ??lie?? ??to?? ??a?? ??friend.”??????Shi?? ??Qingxuan?? ??could?? ??feel?? ??an?? ??oncoming?? ??headache,?? ??“My?? ??god,?? ??Qianqiu,?? ??you?? ??dimwit!”??????Yet?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??laughed?? ??and?? ??nodded,?? ??“What?? ??His?? ??Highness?? ??Tai?? ??Hua?? ??said?? ??is?? ??right.”??????Lang?? ??Qianqiu?? ??bead,?? ??“You?? ??agree?? ??with?? ???? ??too,?? ??right?”??????Shi?? ??Qingxuan,?? ??“How?? ??is?? ??that?? ??right??? ??We?? ??are?? ??three?? ??heavenly?? ??officials.?? ??If?? ??we?? ??were?? ??to?? ??report????back?? ??empty?? ??handed,?? ??people?? ??would?? ??say?? ??that?? ??our?? ??success?? ??rate?? ??is?? ??even?? ??lower?? ??than?? ??Ling????Wen?? ??Palace’s,?? ??and?? ??that?? ??would?? ??be?? ??an?? ??utter?? ??embarrassnt.”??????Xie?? ??Lian?? ??smiled?? ??and?? ??just?? ??when?? ??he?? ??was?? ??about?? ??to?? ??speak,?? ??the?? ??sound?? ??of?? ??cries?? ??and?? ??howls?? ??that????ca?? ??from?? ??behind?? ??made?? ??them?? ??made?? ??them?? ??turn?? ??around.?? ??Just?? ??outside?? ??of?? ??the?? ??alley,?? ??a?? ??group????of?? ??demons?? ??and?? ??ghosts?? ??ran?? ??past,?? ??shouting,?? ??“Where’s?? ??that?? ??brat?? ??with?? ??the?? ??bandaged?? ??face?????Where?? ??the?? ??hell?? ??is?? ??he?”??????Seeing?? ??the?? ??other?? ??two?? ??gods’?? ??alarm,?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??reassured,?? ??“Don’t?? ??worry,?? ??they’re?? ??not?? ??after?? ??us.”??????Just?? ??as?? ??the?? ??words?? ??left?? ??his?? ??lips,?? ??their?? ??ears?? ??were?? ??pierced?? ??by?? ??a?? ??shrill,?? ??deafening?? ??cry.??????The?? ??cry?? ??of?? ??desperation?? ??made?? ??Xie?? ??Lian’s?? ??heart?? ??drop.?? ??Without?? ??a?? ??second?? ??thought,?? ??he?? ??ran?? ??off????in?? ??that?? ??direction,?? ??and?? ??there,?? ??a?? ??bunch?? ??of?? ??oddly-shaped?? ??silhouettes?? ??gathered?? ??in?? ??a?? ??circle????outside?? ??the?? ??alley,?? ??yelling?? ??one?? ??after?? ??another,?? ??“He’s?? ??caught!”??????“Beat?? ??him?? ??again!”??????“Fuck!?? ??However?? ??much?? ??this?? ??little?? ??scumbag?? ??stole?? ??from?? ??,?? ??I’m?? ??going?? ??to?? ??slice?? ??it?? ??off?? ??of?? ??him????one?? ??by?? ??one!”??????Shi?? ??Qingxuan?? ??caught?? ??up?? ??to?? ??him,?? ??“Your?? ??Highness,?? ??what’s?? ??going?? ??on?”??????Xie?? ??Lian?? ??didn’t?? ??respond,?? ??but?? ??walked?? ??towards?? ??the?? ??group?? ??step?? ??by?? ??step.?? ??His?? ??pace?? ??grew?? ??in????speed,?? ??and?? ??soon?? ??he?? ??broke?? ??into?? ??a?? ??run.?? ??He?? ??forcefully?? ??pushed?? ??past?? ??a?? ??couple?? ??ghosts?? ??on?? ??the????outside?? ??and?? ??saw?? ??that?? ??the?? ??person?? ??who?? ??was?? ??getting?? ??beaten?? ??by?? ??was?? ??a?? ??ragged?? ??boy.?? ??He????looked?? ??about?? ??fifteen?? ??or?? ??sixteen?? ??of?? ??age,?? ??curled?? ??up?? ??on?? ??the?? ??ground,?? ??trembling?? ??uncontrollably.????Even?? ??though?? ??he?? ??tightly?? ??clung?? ??onto?? ??his?? ??head,?? ??one?? ??could?? ??still?? ??see?? ??the?? ??layers?? ??of?? ??bandages????that?? ??were?? ??ssily?? ??wrapped?? ??around?? ??his?? ??head.?? ??The?? ??bandages?? ??were?? ??the?? ??sa?? ??as?? ??his?? ??hair,????stained?? ??with?? ??dirt.??????Wasn’t?? ??this?? ??the?? ??sa?? ??bandaged?? ??boy?? ??that?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??had?? ??t?? ??at?? ??Mount?? ??Yujun?? ??and?? ??that?? ??had????gone?? ??missing?? ??and?? ??couldn’t?? ??be?? ??found???????No?? ??wonder?? ??Ling?? ??Wen?? ??Palace?? ??said?? ??they?? ??couldn’t?? ??find?? ??any?? ??traces?? ??of?? ??him?? ??a?? ??couple?? ??days????ago.?? ??How?? ??could?? ??Heaven’s?? ??Ling?? ??Wen?? ??Palace?? ??find?? ??him?? ??in?? ??the?? ??mortal?? ??realm?? ??if?? ??the?? ??boy?? ??had????escaped?? ??to?? ??the?? ??ghost’s?? ??territory???????In?? ??a?? ??mont?? ??of?? ??fury,?? ??the?? ??couple?? ??of?? ??ghosts?? ??that?? ??got?? ??pushed?? ??aside?? ??by?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??pulled?? ??him????out?? ??once?? ??more.?? ??One?? ??ghost?? ??yanked?? ??on?? ??the?? ??bandages,?? ??“Look?? ??at?? ??how?? ??desperate?? ??he?? ??wants????to?? ??keep?? ??his?? ??bandages?? ??on,?? ??I?? ??bet?? ??you?? ??this?? ??little?? ??beggar?? ??might?? ??even?? ??be?? ??uglier?? ??than?? ??...”??????Lang?? ??Qianqiu?? ??was?? ??furious?? ??and?? ??shouted,?? ??“What?? ??are?? ??you?? ??doing!”?? ??as?? ??he?? ??threw?? ??out?? ??a?? ??few????ghosts?? ??off?? ??to?? ??the?? ??side.?? ??Shi?? ??Qingxuan?? ??didn’t?? ??have?? ??the?? ??ti?? ??to?? ??stop?? ??him?? ??and?? ??could?? ??only????wave?? ??around?? ??with?? ??his?? ??fan,?? ??“Qianqiu,?? ??I?? ??thought?? ??we?? ??agreed?? ??on?? ??not?? ??to?? ??do?? ??things?? ??on?? ??impulse!”??????This?? ??ti?? ??around,?? ??Qianqiu?? ??had?? ??riled?? ??up?? ??more?? ??ghosts.?? ??They?? ??roared?? ??“And?? ??who?? ??do?? ??you?? ??think????you?? ??are!!”?? ??and?? ??lunged?? ??at?? ??him.????????“I’m?? ??sorry?? ??Lord?? ??Wind?? ??Master,”?? ??Lang?? ??Qianqiu?? ??called,?? ??“This?? ??will?? ??be?? ??the?? ??last?? ??ti!”?? ??and?? ??he????jumped?? ??into?? ??the?? ??fight,?? ??whacking?? ??the?? ??ghosts?? ??about.??????Shi?? ??Qingxuan?? ??let?? ??out?? ??an?? ??exasperated?? ??sigh,?? ??“Ugh,?? ??I’m?? ??never?? ??going?? ??out?? ??with?? ??you?? ??again!”????before?? ??joining?? ??the?? ??brawl.????????Because?? ??they?? ??couldn’t?? ??expose?? ??their?? ??spiritual?? ??energy,?? ??they?? ??could?? ??only?? ??resort?? ??to?? ??fighting????with?? ??their?? ??fists?? ??and?? ??feet.?? ??The?? ??other?? ??smaller?? ??group?? ??that?? ??was?? ??beating?? ??up?? ??the?? ??boy?? ??was????forcibly?? ??separated?? ??by?? ??Xie?? ??Lian.?? ??He?? ??kneeled?? ??down,?? ??wanting?? ??to?? ??help?? ??the?? ??boy?? ??get?? ??up,?? ??“Are????you?? ??okay?”??????Upon?? ??hearing?? ??that?? ??voice,?? ??the?? ??boy?? ??shuddered?? ??and?? ??took?? ??a?? ??peek?? ??at?? ??him?? ??from?? ??his?? ??fetal????position.?? ??Now?? ??that?? ??he?? ??had?? ??gotten?? ??a?? ??better?? ??look,?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??discovered?? ??that?? ??the?? ??bandages????that?? ??were?? ??wrapped?? ??around?? ??the?? ??boy’s?? ??face?? ??were?? ??soaked?? ??with?? ??blood.?? ??With?? ??patches?? ??of?? ??black????and?? ??red,?? ??it?? ??was?? ??a?? ??frightening?? ??sight,?? ??the?? ??appearance?? ??even?? ??scarier?? ??than?? ??when?? ??they?? ??had?? ??last????parted.?? ??The?? ??two?? ??big?? ??eyes?? ??that?? ??erged?? ??from?? ??the?? ??gap?? ??between?? ??the?? ??bandages?? ??were?? ??clear????as?? ??day,?? ??black?? ??iris?? ??against?? ??the?? ??white,?? ??yet?? ??those?? ??dark?? ??eyes?? ??that?? ??reflected?? ??Xie?? ??Lian’s????silhouette?? ??were?? ??filled?? ??with?? ??fear.??????Xie?? ??Lian?? ??took?? ??the?? ??boy?? ??by?? ??the?? ??arm,?? ??“Co,?? ??stand?? ??up.?? ??It’s?? ??going?? ??to?? ??be?? ??okay.”????????To?? ??his?? ??surprise,?? ??the?? ??boy?? ??scread,?? ??pushed?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??away,?? ??and?? ??bolted.????????Since?? ??this?? ??boy?? ??had?? ??once?? ??been?? ??infected?? ??with?? ??the?? ??Human?? ??Face?? ??Disease,?? ??he?? ??must?? ??be????connected?? ??to?? ??the?? ??kingdom?? ??of?? ??Xianle.?? ??The?? ??mont?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??saw?? ??him,?? ??he?? ??could?? ??feel?? ??a?? ??tug????in?? ??his?? ??heart?? ??and?? ??his?? ??mind?? ??beca?? ??scattered.?? ??Caught?? ??off?? ??guard?? ??by?? ??the?? ??force?? ??of?? ??the?? ??push,????even?? ??his?? ??straw?? ??hat?? ??had?? ??fallen?? ??off.?? ??After?? ??the?? ??initial?? ??shock,?? ??he?? ??called?? ??out,?? ??“Wait!”??????Just?? ??when?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??was?? ??about?? ??to?? ??give?? ??chase,?? ??the?? ??few?? ??ghosts?? ??that?? ??he?? ??had?? ??pulled?? ??away????earlier?? ??had?? ??grabbed?? ??onto?? ??him.?? ??The?? ??boy?? ??headed?? ??down?? ??the?? ??street?? ??that?? ??was?? ??livelier?? ??than????ever.?? ??At?? ??the?? ??rate?? ??that?? ??he?? ??was?? ??effortlessly?? ??weaving?? ??through?? ??the?? ??groups?? ??of?? ??ghosts?? ??and????ghosts?? ??with?? ??his?? ??small?? ??fra,?? ??the?? ??boy?? ??would?? ??disappear?? ??soon.?? ??It?? ??would?? ??be?? ??difficult?? ??for????Ruoye?? ??to?? ??track?? ??down?? ??a?? ??person?? ??in?? ??this?? ??kind?? ??of?? ??setting,?? ??so?? ??in?? ??that?? ??split?? ??mont?? ??of?? ??urgency,????Xie?? ??Lian?? ??called?? ??out,?? ??“My?? ??lords,?? ??I’ll?? ??leave?? ??this?? ??matter?? ??with?? ??you.?? ??Let’s?? ??separate?? ??for?? ??now.?? ??Go????hide?? ??and?? ??we’ll?? ??et?? ??here?? ??again?? ??in?? ??three?? ??days?? ??latest!”????????Ruoye?? ??slid?? ??out?? ??and?? ??sent?? ??those?? ??ghosts?? ??flying?? ??in?? ??the?? ??direction?? ??of?? ??the?? ??other?? ??two?? ??officials.?? ??He????bent?? ??over?? ??slightly,?? ??picked?? ??up?? ??his?? ??straw?? ??hat?? ??and?? ??set?? ??off?? ??running?? ??in?? ??the?? ??direction?? ??of?? ??the?? ??boy.??????He?? ??squeezed?? ??through?? ??the?? ??crowd?? ??with?? ??imnse?? ??difficulty?? ??while?? ??shouting,?? ??“Excuse?? ??!????Excuse?? ??!”?? ??Yet?? ??because?? ??the?? ??boy?? ??had?? ??spent?? ??most?? ??of?? ??his?? ??life?? ??hiding?? ??in?? ??the?? ??mortal?? ??realm,????escaping?? ??was?? ??practically?? ??second?? ??nature?? ??to?? ??him.?? ??First?? ??there?? ??was?? ??a?? ??head,?? ??then?? ??there?? ??was?? ??a????shadow,?? ??after?? ??that,?? ??there?? ??was?? ??nothing;?? ??he?? ??was?? ??getting?? ??farther?? ??and?? ??farther?? ??away.?? ??Xie?? ??Lian????didn’t?? ??know?? ??if?? ??it?? ??was?? ??his?? ??imagination?? ??but?? ??he?? ??felt?? ??that?? ??the?? ??crowds?? ??on?? ??the?? ??street?? ??were?? ??getting????thicker?? ??by?? ??the?? ??minute.?? ??With?? ??humans?? ??and?? ??ghosts?? ??alike?? ??pressed?? ??against?? ??each?? ??other,?? ??it????really?? ??made?? ??it?? ??difficult?? ??for?? ??him?? ??to?? ??pass?? ??through.?? ??In?? ??the?? ??midst?? ??of?? ??all?? ??that?? ??chaos,?? ??Xie?? ??Lian’s????mind?? ??was?? ??tumultuous?? ??and?? ??knocked?? ??over?? ??a?? ??number?? ??of?? ??stalls,?? ??and?? ??he?? ??cried?? ??“I’m?? ??sorry!?? ??I’m????sorry!”?? ??as?? ??he?? ??continued?? ??to?? ??run.??????Ghosts?? ??weren’t?? ??ones?? ??to?? ??be?? ??crossed?? ??easily?? ??however,?? ??and?? ??they?? ??yelled?? ??after?? ??him,?? ??“Sorry????does?? ??shit!?? ??Catch?? ??him!”????????Xie?? ??Lian?? ??felt?? ??a?? ??coldness?? ??on?? ??his?? ??back?? ??all?? ??of?? ??a?? ??sudden,?? ??as?? ??if?? ??a?? ??hand?? ??had?? ??grabbed?? ??him,?? ??and????he?? ??imdiately?? ??knocked?? ??it?? ??back,?? ??“Who?? ??is?? ??it?!”??????It?? ??was?? ??hard?? ??to?? ??tell?? ??where?? ??the?? ??hand?? ??ca?? ??from,?? ??but?? ??all?? ??the?? ??ghosts?? ??surrounded?? ??him,?? ??their????voices?? ??screeching?? ??and?? ??terrible,?? ??“Oi!?? ??Let’s?? ??teach?? ??this?? ??little?? ??pale?? ??face?? ??a?? ??thing?? ??or?? ??two!?? ??How????dare?? ??he?? ??start?? ??shit?? ??in?? ??our?? ??Ghost?? ??City!”??????A?? ??large?? ??crowd?? ??of?? ??monsters?? ??and?? ??spirits?? ??poured?? ??into?? ??the?? ??horde,?? ??and?? ??seeing?? ??that?? ??he?? ??was????about?? ??to?? ??lose?? ??that?? ??boy?? ??in?? ??the?? ??crowd,?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??did?? ??his?? ??best?? ??to?? ??throw?? ??off?? ??the?? ??hand?? ??that????caught?? ??him,?? ??“Everyone!?? ??I’m?? ??really?? ??sorry,?? ??I?? ??don’t?? ??an?? ??any?? ??harm.?? ??Let?? ???? ??go?? ??to?? ??find????soone?? ??and?? ??I’ll?? ??be?? ??back?? ??to?? ??pay?? ??you?? ??all?? ??back!”??????The?? ??horde?? ??of?? ??ghosts?? ??were?? ??relentless,?? ??“As?? ??if!”??????In?? ??the?? ??midst?? ??of?? ??all?? ??the?? ??pushing?? ??and?? ??pulling,?? ??that?? ??boy?? ??had?? ??disappeared?? ??completely.?? ??Xie????Lian?? ??slowed?? ??to?? ??a?? ??stop?? ??and?? ??stood?? ??where?? ??he?? ??was,?? ??dazed.?? ??Truthfully,?? ??he?? ??really?? ??couldn’t?? ??be????sure?? ??what?? ??he?? ??was?? ??feeling.?? ??Was?? ??it?? ??disappointnt?? ??in?? ??not?? ??being?? ??able?? ??to?? ??catch?? ??the?? ??other,?? ??or????was?? ??it?? ??relief?? ??that?? ??a?? ??nightmare?? ??had?? ??passed???????Suddenly,?? ??there?? ??was?? ??a?? ??commotion?? ??amongst?? ??the?? ??ghost?? ??crowd,?? ??and?? ??they?? ??imdiately????parted?? ??to?? ??the?? ??sides,?? ??forming?? ??a?? ??path,?? ??as?? ??if?? ??soone?? ??of?? ??importance?? ??was?? ??about?? ??to?? ??arrive.????Xie?? ??Lian?? ??ca?? ??to?? ??and?? ??saw?? ??a?? ??tall?? ??silhouette?? ??of?? ??a?? ??black?? ??clad?? ??figure?? ??walked?? ??straight?? ??towards????him?? ??through?? ??the?? ??path?? ??created?? ??by?? ??the?? ??mob.?? ??He?? ??yelled,?? ??“Settle?? ??down.?? ??Let?? ??him?? ??go!”??????The?? ??black?? ??clad?? ??figure,?? ??like?? ??most?? ??of?? ??the?? ??ghosts,?? ??wore?? ??a?? ??mask.?? ??It?? ??was?? ??a?? ??funny?? ??mask?? ??with?? ??a????face?? ??as?? ??if?? ??it?? ??was?? ??smiling?? ??woefully.?? ??The?? ??mob?? ??muttered?? ??under?? ??their?? ??breaths,?? ??“It’s?? ??the????XiaXianYue?? ??Officer!”?? ??and?? ??they?? ??released?? ??their?? ??hold?? ??on?? ??Xie?? ??Lian.?? ??It?? ??seed?? ??this?? ??black?? ??clad????figure?? ??was?? ??soone?? ??significant?? ??in?? ??the?? ??Ghost?? ??City.??????The?? ??mont?? ??he?? ??approached?? ??Xie?? ??Lian,?? ??he?? ??bowed,?? ??“Greetings?? ??cultivator.?? ??The?? ??Lord?? ??wishes????to?? ??see?? ??you.”??????“Um.?? ???”?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??pointed?? ??at?? ??himself.??????The?? ??XiaXianYue?? ??Officer?? ??replied,?? ??“That’s?? ??correct.?? ??The?? ??Lord?? ??has?? ??been?? ??waiting?? ??for?? ??you?? ??at????the?? ??Paradise?? ??Manor.”??????All?? ??around?? ??them?? ??the?? ??mob?? ??sucked?? ??in?? ??their?? ??breaths,?? ??“The?? ??Lord?? ??wants?? ??to?? ??see?? ??him??? ??Did?? ??I????hear?? ??this?? ??wrong?”??????“Paradise?? ??Manor??? ??That’s?? ??the?? ??Lord’s?? ??sanctuary,?? ??it’s?? ??never?? ??seen?? ??guests!”??????So?? ??pointed?? ??out,?? ??“Wait?? ??a?? ??sec,?? ??wasn’t?? ??he?? ??the?? ??one?? ??who?? ??won?? ??against?? ??the?? ??Lord?? ??today?? ??at?? ??the????Gambler’s?? ??Den??? ??No,?? ??the?? ??one?? ??the?? ??Lord?? ??educated?!”??????All?? ??eyes?? ??were?? ??now?? ??focused?? ??on?? ??Xie?? ??Lian,?? ??each?? ??pair?? ??bigger?? ??than?? ??the?? ??next.?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??couldn’t????help?? ??but?? ??raise?? ??his?? ??straw?? ??hat?? ??to?? ??hide?? ??his?? ??face.?? ??XiaXianYue?? ??Officer?? ??made?? ??a?? ??gesture,?? ??“This????way?? ??please.”??????Xie?? ??Lian?? ??nodded?? ??and?? ??followed?? ??behind?? ??him.??????The?? ??crowd?? ??parted?? ??once?? ??more,?? ??and?? ??the?? ??ghost?? ??officer?? ??led?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??through?? ??the?? ??path.?? ??No????one?? ??dared?? ??to?? ??follow,?? ??and?? ??after?? ??an?? ??incense?? ??ti,?? ??the?? ??two?? ??left?? ??the?? ??bustling?? ??street?? ??behind,????going?? ??further?? ??and?? ??further?? ??into?? ??the?? ??backwoods.??????During?? ??their?? ??walk,?? ??the?? ??two?? ??didn’t?? ??converse.?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??felt?? ??that?? ??XiaXianYue?? ??Officer?? ??walked????like?? ??he?? ??was?? ??going?? ??to?? ??disappear?? ??into?? ??the?? ??shadows?? ??and?? ??followed?? ??closely.?? ??Subconsciously,????his?? ??eyes?? ??swept?? ??past?? ??the?? ??officer’s?? ??wrist?? ??and?? ??noticed?? ??that?? ??upon?? ??it?? ??was?? ??a?? ??black?? ??cursed?? ??circle.??????It?? ??was?? ??sothing?? ??he?? ??was?? ??more?? ??than?? ??familiar?? ??with.??????A?? ??cursed?? ??shackle?!??????He?? ??widened?? ??his?? ??eyes?? ??but?? ??was?? ??silent?? ??in?? ??his?? ??shock.?? ??Just?? ??then,?? ??the?? ??ghost?? ??officer?? ??spoke?? ??up,????“We’re?? ??here.”??????Xie?? ??Lian?? ??looked?? ??up?? ??and?? ??realized?? ??he?? ??was?? ??led?? ??to?? ??a?? ??lake.?? ??There?? ??were?? ??a?? ??number?? ??of????will-o-the-wisps?? ??floating?? ??above?? ??the?? ??waters,?? ??playing?? ??and?? ??chasing?? ??each?? ??other.?? ??Next?? ??to?? ??the????lake?? ??was?? ??a?? ??towering?? ??pavillion.??????Both?? ??the?? ??heavens?? ??and?? ??the?? ??ghost?? ??realm?? ??have?? ??glamourous?? ??architecture.?? ??However,?? ??the????distinguished?? ??buildings?? ??of?? ??the?? ??heavens?? ??put?? ??emphasis?? ??on?? ??prominence?? ??and?? ??prestige,????whereas?? ??the?? ??buildings?? ??in?? ??the?? ??Ghost?? ??City?? ??were?? ??glamourous?? ??in?? ??their?? ??bewitchnt?? ??and????frivolity.?? ??Even?? ??the?? ??large?? ??letters?? ??of?? ??this?? ??pavillion?? ??‘Paradise?? ??Manor’?? ??emitted?? ??an?? ??evil?? ??aura.????????After?? ??so?? ??thought,?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??still?? ??entered.??????Raising?? ??a?? ??beaded?? ??curtain,?? ??a?? ??warm?? ??perfud?? ??air?? ??ca?? ??rushing?? ??to?? ??his?? ??face.?? ??Xie?? ??Lian????moved?? ??his?? ??head?? ??slightly?? ??to?? ??avoid?? ??getting?? ??engulfed?? ??in?? ??that?? ??scent.?? ??Soon,?? ??he?? ??ca?? ??to?? ??a?? ??large????hall.??????The?? ??inside?? ??of?? ??the?? ??hall?? ??was?? ??covered?? ??in?? ??a?? ??thick,?? ??snow?? ??-white?? ??carpet?? ??made?? ??from?? ??the?? ??fur?? ??of?? ??an????unknown?? ??beast.?? ??Many?? ??beautiful?? ??and?? ??captivating?? ??won,?? ??barefooted?? ??and?? ??clad?? ??in?? ??light?? ??silk,????were?? ??dancing?? ??and?? ??playing,?? ??sensual?? ??and?? ??beguiling.?? ??The?? ??music?? ??he?? ??heard?? ??ca?? ??from?? ??them.??????The?? ??ladies?? ??were?? ??spinning?? ??seductively?? ??like?? ??bouquets?? ??of?? ??roses?? ??covered?? ??in?? ??thorns,????blossoming?? ??in?? ??the?? ??midst?? ??of?? ??night.?? ??When?? ??they?? ??spun?? ??to?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??they?? ??playfully?? ??teased?? ??him????with?? ??their?? ??eyes.?? ??If?? ??any?? ??passerby?? ??of?? ??the?? ??night?? ??were?? ??to?? ??accidentally?? ??intrude?? ??upon?? ??this?? ??scene,????surely?? ??they?? ??would?? ??be?? ??even?? ??more?? ??frightened?? ??or?? ??enchanted.?? ??However,?? ??when?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??was????observing?? ??the?? ??main?? ??hall,?? ??his?? ??eyes?? ??went?? ??straight?? ??through?? ??those?? ??won.?? ??The?? ??first?? ??thing?? ??he????saw?? ??was?? ??Hua?? ??Cheng?? ??who’s?? ??seated?? ??in?? ??the?? ??very?? ??back?? ??of?? ??the?? ??main?? ??hall.??????At?? ??the?? ??end?? ??of?? ??the?? ??hall?? ??was?? ??a?? ??large?? ??divan?? ??made?? ??of?? ??black?? ??jade,?? ??expansive?? ??in?? ??size?? ??and?? ??can????probably?? ??fit?? ??over?? ??ten?? ??people.?? ??But?? ??there?? ??was?? ??only?? ??one?? ??sitting?? ??upon?? ??it,?? ??and?? ??it?? ??was?? ??Hua????Cheng.??????There?? ??were?? ??a?? ??number?? ??of?? ??gorgeous?? ??ghost?? ??won?? ??dancing?? ??before?? ??him?? ??but?? ??he?? ??didn’t?? ??spare????them?? ??any?? ??looks,?? ??only?? ??lazily?? ??keeping?? ??an?? ??eye?? ??on?? ??what’s?? ??before?? ??him.??????In?? ??front?? ??of?? ??Hua?? ??Cheng?? ??was?? ??a?? ??small,?? ??golden?? ??palace.?? ??From?? ??afar,?? ??it?? ??looked?? ??like?? ??a?? ??heavenly????palace,?? ??but?? ??on?? ??closer?? ??inspection,?? ??that?? ??little?? ??palace?? ??was?? ??built?? ??from?? ??thin?? ??sheets?? ??of?? ??gold?? ??foil????stacked?? ??upon?? ??one?? ??another.??????Gold?? ??Foil?? ??Palace.?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??had?? ??played?? ??this?? ??ga?? ??often?? ??when?? ??he?? ??was?? ??a?? ??child;?? ??it’s?? ??a?? ??ga????that’s?? ??no?? ??different?? ??than?? ??village?? ??kids?? ??stacking?? ??rocks?? ??to?? ??build?? ??houses.?? ??Yet?? ??because?? ??he????disliked?? ??separation?? ??by?? ??nature?? ??when?? ??he?? ??was?? ??younger,?? ??it?? ??didn’t?? ??matter?? ??what?? ??it?? ??was,?? ??as?? ??long????as?? ??the?? ??objects?? ??were?? ??placed?? ??together?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??would?? ??refuse?? ??to?? ??separate?? ??them.?? ??After????making?? ??a?? ??palace,?? ??he’d?? ??forbid?? ??anyone?? ??to?? ??touch?? ??it,?? ??wishing?? ??if?? ??only?? ??he?? ??could?? ??glue?? ??the?? ??fragile????sheets?? ??together?? ??so?? ??that?? ??it’d?? ??never?? ??collapse.?? ??When?? ??he?? ??was?? ??even?? ??younger,?? ??if?? ??he?? ??saw?? ??his????golden?? ??palace?? ??fall?? ??apart,?? ??he’d?? ??be?? ??depressed?? ??to?? ??the?? ??point?? ??of?? ??refusing?? ??food?? ??and?? ??sleep?? ??until????the?? ??king?? ??and?? ??queen?? ??coaxed?? ??him?? ??from?? ??his?? ??shell.?? ??The?? ??golden?? ??palace?? ??before?? ??him?? ??now?? ??was????grand,?? ??layered?? ??in?? ??hundreds?? ??of?? ??foil?? ??sheets,?? ??fragile?? ??like?? ??an?? ??egg,?? ??as?? ??if?? ??a?? ??gentle?? ??breeze?? ??could????blow?? ??it?? ??down.?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??prayed?? ??ntally,?? ??‘Don’t?? ??fall.?? ??Don’t?? ??fall.’??????After?? ??a?? ??mont,?? ??however,?? ??Hua?? ??Cheng?? ??gazed?? ??at?? ??his?? ??work?? ??and?? ??flashed?? ??a?? ??smile,?? ??raised?? ??a????finger?? ??and?? ??flicked?? ??at?? ??the?? ??top?? ??of?? ??the?? ??golden?? ??palace.??????The?? ??foils?? ??fluttered?? ??and?? ??collapsed?? ??into?? ??a?? ??heap.??????Gold?? ??foil?? ??bestrewn?? ??the?? ??ground,?? ??the?? ??golden?? ??palace?? ??was?? ??destroyed.?? ??Having?? ??knocked?? ??it????down,?? ??Hua?? ??Cheng?? ??appeared?? ??amused?? ??by?? ??his?? ??handiwork,?? ??like?? ??a?? ??child?? ??who’d?? ??pushed?? ??over?? ??a????tower?? ??of?? ??building?? ??blocks.??????He?? ??mindlessly?? ??threw?? ??away?? ??a?? ??gold?? ??foil?? ??sheet?? ??that?? ??was?? ??still?? ??in?? ??his?? ??hand?? ??and?? ??jumped?? ??off?? ??the????divan.?? ??The?? ??dancing?? ??won?? ??imdiately?? ??stopped?? ??in?? ??their?? ??steps?? ??and?? ??backed?? ??off?? ??to?? ??the????sides,?? ??silencing?? ??their?? ??songs.?? ??Stepping?? ??on?? ??the?? ??gold?? ??foils?? ??sheets,?? ??Hua?? ??Cheng?? ??walked????towards?? ??the?? ??entrance,?? ??“Since?? ??gege?? ??is?? ??here,?? ??why?? ??not?? ??co?? ??in??? ??Don’t?? ??be?? ??a?? ??stranger?? ??after????only?? ??parting?? ??for?? ??so?? ??many?? ??days.”??????Hearing?? ??his?? ??words,?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??let?? ??down?? ??the?? ??beaded?? ??curtain,?? ??“Earlier?? ??in?? ??the?? ??Gambler’s?? ??Den,????it?? ??was?? ??San?? ??Lang?? ??who?? ??pretended?? ??not?? ??to?? ??recognize?? ??.”??????Hua?? ??Cheng?? ??approached?? ??and?? ??stopped?? ??at?? ??Xie?? ??Lian’s?? ??side,?? ??“Lang?? ??Qianqiu?? ??was?? ??there,?? ??so?? ??if?? ??I????didn’t?? ??put?? ??on?? ??an?? ??act,?? ??I’d?? ??be?? ??giving?? ??gege?? ??trouble.”??????‘That?? ??was?? ??so?? ??really?? ??sloppy?? ??act...’?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??thought.??????As?? ??for?? ??seeing?? ??through?? ??Lang?? ??Qianqiu’s?? ??identity,?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??wasn’t?? ??the?? ??least?? ??bit?? ??surprised.?? ??In????fact,?? ??Hua?? ??Cheng?? ??probably?? ??knew?? ??that?? ??Shi?? ??Qingxuan?? ??was?? ??mixed?? ??in?? ??the?? ??crowd?? ??too,?? ??so?? ??Xie????Lian?? ??spoke?? ??without?? ??hesitation,?? ??“San?? ??Lang?? ??is?? ??knowledgeable?? ??as?? ??always.”??????Hua?? ??Cheng?? ??laughed,?? ??“Of?? ??course.?? ??So,?? ??is?? ??gege?? ??here?? ??especially?? ??to?? ??visit?? ???? ??this?? ??ti?”??????“...”??????If?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??had?? ??to?? ??be?? ??honest?? ??with?? ??himself,?? ??had?? ??he?? ??known?? ??Hua?? ??Cheng?? ??was?? ??here?? ??he????would’ve?? ??asked?? ??for?? ??leave?? ??so?? ??he?? ??could?? ??pay?? ??a?? ??visit.?? ??Alas,?? ??that?? ??wasn’t?? ??the?? ??case.?? ??Hua?? ??Cheng????however,?? ??didn’t?? ??bother?? ??waiting?? ??for?? ??Xie?? ??Lian’s?? ??response.?? ??He?? ??smiled,?? ??“Whether?? ??if?? ??you’re????here?? ??to?? ??see?? ???? ??or?? ??not,?? ??I’m?? ??still?? ??happy.”??????Xie?? ??Lian?? ??was?? ??startled?? ??by?? ??those?? ??words.?? ??He?? ??hadn’t?? ??had?? ??a?? ??chance?? ??to?? ??respond?? ??when?? ??the????won?? ??standing?? ??on?? ??the?? ??sides?? ??started?? ??giggling.?? ??Hua?? ??Cheng?? ??slighted?? ??his?? ??head?? ??and?? ??they?? ??all????stopped?? ??at?? ??once,?? ??their?? ??heads?? ??bowed?? ??low,?? ??and?? ??soon?? ??filed?? ??out?? ??of?? ??the?? ??hall,?? ??leaving?? ??only?? ??the????two?? ??of?? ??them?? ??in?? ??this?? ??expansive?? ??chamber.??????“Co?? ??have?? ??a?? ??seat?? ??here,?? ??gege.”?? ??Hua?? ??Cheng?? ??said.??????Xie?? ??Lian?? ??followed?? ??him?? ??and?? ??watched?? ??as?? ??he?? ??walked,?? ??smiling,?? ??“So?? ??this?? ??is?? ??your?? ??real????appearance.”??????Hua?? ??Cheng?? ??stopped?? ??in?? ??his?? ??step.????????—–????●XiaXianYue?? ??translates?? ??to?? ??waning?? ??crescent?? ??moon????????Ch.40:?? ??At?? ??the?? ??Paradise?? ??Manor;?? ??Questions?? ??of?? ??Xianle?? ??2????????Maybe?? ??it?? ??was?? ??a?? ??fignt?? ??of?? ??his?? ??imagination,?? ??but?? ??Hua?? ??Cheng’s?? ??shoulders?? ??seed?? ??to?? ??have????stiffened?? ??for?? ??a?? ??flash?? ??of?? ??a?? ??second.?? ??The?? ??mont?? ??didn’t?? ??last,?? ??and?? ??Hua?? ??Cheng?? ??casually????responded,?? ??“I?? ??did?? ??say?? ??that?? ??the?? ??next?? ??ti?? ??we?? ??et?? ??I?? ??would?? ??greet?? ??you?? ??with?? ??my?? ??real????appearance.”??????Xie?? ??Lian?? ??grinned.?? ??He?? ??patted?? ??his?? ??shoulder?? ??and?? ??said?? ??earnestly,?? ??“Not?? ??bad.”??????Xie?? ??Lian’s?? ??tone?? ??was?? ??also?? ??casual,?? ??nothing?? ??more,?? ??nothing?? ??less,?? ??and?? ??very?? ??simply?? ??said.?? ??Hua????Cheng?? ??smiled?? ??back,?? ??and?? ??this?? ??ti,?? ??it?? ??was?? ??relaxed.?? ??They?? ??took?? ??a?? ??few?? ??more?? ??steps?? ??and?? ??Xie????Lian?? ??suddenly?? ??rembered?? ??sothing?? ??important?? ??to?? ??confirm?? ??with?? ??Hua?? ??Cheng,?? ??and????removed?? ??the?? ??silver?? ??chain?? ??from?? ??around?? ??his?? ??neck.????????“By?? ??the?? ??way,”?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??said,?? ??“Did?? ??you?? ??leave?? ??this?”??????Hua?? ??Cheng?? ??glanced?? ??at?? ??the?? ??ring?? ??and?? ??smiled,?? ??“It’s?? ??for?? ??you.”??????“What?? ??is?? ??it?”?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??asked.??????“It’s?? ??nothing?? ??important.”?? ??Hua?? ??Cheng?? ??replied,?? ??“Just?? ??keep?? ??it?? ??for?? ??fun.”??????Although?? ??that’s?? ??what?? ??he?? ??said,?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??knew?? ??that?? ??this?? ??object?? ??wasn’t?? ??sothing?? ??so????insignificant.?? ??“Then,?? ??thank?? ??you,?? ??San?? ??Lang.”??????Seeing?? ??that?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??put?? ??the?? ??ringed?? ??necklace?? ??back?? ??around?? ??his?? ??neck,?? ??Hua?? ??Cheng’s?? ??eyes????shimred?? ??brightly.?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??looked?? ??around?? ??him,?? ??“Back?? ??at?? ??the?? ??Gambler’s?? ??Den?? ??you?? ??said????you?? ??were?? ??coming?? ??here?? ??to?? ??the?? ??Paradise?? ??Manor?? ??and?? ??I?? ??had?? ??thought?? ??it?? ??was?? ??sothing?? ??like?? ??a????brothel?? ??or?? ??the?? ??red?? ??light?? ??district,?? ??but?? ??this?? ??looks?? ??more?? ??like?? ??a?? ??theatre?”??????Hua?? ??Cheng?? ??raised?? ??his?? ??brows,?? ??“Gege?? ??what?? ??are?? ??you?? ??saying??? ??I?? ??never?? ??go?? ??to?? ??the?? ??red?? ??light????district.”??????Xie?? ??Lian?? ??was?? ??amazed,?? ??“Really?”??????“Of?? ??course.”?? ??Hua?? ??Cheng?? ??replied.??????The?? ??two?? ??approached?? ??the?? ??black?? ??jaded?? ??divan?? ??and?? ??sat?? ??down?? ??next?? ??to?? ??each?? ??other.?? ??Hua?? ??Cheng????continued,?? ??“This?? ??is?? ??nothing?? ??but?? ??a?? ??place?? ??I’d?? ??renovate?? ??here?? ??and?? ??there,?? ??a?? ??residence?? ??of?? ??sorts.????I?? ??co?? ??and?? ??chill?? ??here?? ??when?? ??I’m?? ??free.?? ??If?? ??I’m?? ??busy?? ??then?? ??I’d?? ??leave?? ??it?? ??be.”??????“So?? ??it’s?? ??your?? ??ho.”?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??comnted.??????“Residence.”?? ??Hua?? ??Cheng?? ??corrected,?? ??“Not?? ??a?? ??ho.”??????“Is?? ??there?? ??a?? ??difference?”?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??asked.??????“Of?? ??course,”?? ??Hua?? ??Cheng?? ??replied,?? ??“A?? ??ho?? ??has?? ??family.?? ??A?? ??place?? ??where?? ??soone?? ??lives????alone?? ??is?? ??not?? ??a?? ??ho.”??????Hearing?? ??this,?? ??Xie?? ??Lian’s?? ??heart?? ??tightened.?? ??By?? ??that?? ??definition,?? ??it’s?? ??been?? ??over?? ??eight?? ??hundred????years?? ??since?? ??he?? ??had?? ??a?? ??‘ho’.?? ??Although?? ??Hua?? ??Cheng?? ??had?? ??no?? ??trace?? ??of?? ??loneliness?? ??on?? ??his????face,?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??thought?? ??they?? ??were?? ??perhaps?? ??alike.?? ??Hua?? ??Cheng?? ??continued,?? ??“If?? ??it’s?? ??ho,?? ??then????even?? ??a?? ??small?? ??place?? ??like?? ??Puqi?? ??Shrine?? ??would?? ??be?? ??better?? ??than?? ??my?? ??Paradise?? ??Manor?? ??by?? ??a????million?? ??fold.”??????Xie?? ??Lian?? ??agreed?? ??and?? ??smiled,?? ??“I?? ??didn’t?? ??realize?? ??San?? ??Lang?? ??is?? ??this?? ??sentintal.?? ??But?? ??to?? ??make????comparisons?? ??using?? ??my?? ??Puqi?? ??Shrine,?? ??you’re?? ??really?? ??pulling?? ??my?? ??leg?? ??here.”??????Hua?? ??Cheng?? ??laughed,?? ??“What’s?? ??there?? ??to?? ??be?? ??embarrassed?? ??about??? ??Truth?? ??to?? ??be?? ??told,?? ??gege’s????Puqi?? ??Shrine?? ??is?? ??small,?? ??but?? ??it’s?? ??so?? ??much?? ??more?? ??comfortable?? ??than?? ??my?? ??Paradise?? ??Manor.?? ??It’s????more?? ??like?? ??a?? ??ho.”??????“Is?? ??that?? ??so?”?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??said?? ??warmly,?? ??“Then?? ??if?? ??you?? ??like?? ??it,?? ??in?? ??the?? ??future,?? ??co?? ??over?? ??whenever????you?? ??want.?? ??The?? ??doors?? ??of?? ??Puqi?? ??Shrine?? ??will?? ??always?? ??open?? ??for?? ??you.”??????Hua?? ??Cheng’s?? ??face?? ??lit?? ??up,?? ??“Since?? ??gege?? ??says?? ??so,?? ??then?? ??I’ll?? ??gladly?? ??take?? ??up?? ??your?? ??offer.?? ??Don’t????think?? ???? ??annoying?? ??in?? ??the?? ??future.”??????“There’s?? ??no?? ??way.”?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??said.?? ??“By?? ??the?? ??way,?? ??San?? ??Lang?? ??I?? ??want?? ??to?? ??ask?? ??you?? ??for?? ??a?? ??favour,????but?? ??don’t?? ??know?? ??if?? ??you’d?? ??have?? ??the?? ??ti?”??????“What?? ??is?? ??it?”?? ??Hua?? ??Cheng?? ??asked,?? ??“This?? ??is?? ??my?? ??territory.?? ??You?? ??just?? ??ask,?? ??and?? ??I’ll?? ??deliver.”??????After?? ??so?? ??thought,?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??said,?? ??“Before?? ??when?? ??I?? ??was?? ??dealing?? ??with?? ??the?? ??case?? ??at?? ??Mount????Yujun,?? ??I?? ??ran?? ??into?? ??this?? ??boy?? ??who?? ??might?? ??have?? ??originated?? ??from?? ??my?? ??kingdom.”??????Hua?? ??Cheng?? ??blinked?? ??slowly?? ??at?? ??the?? ??word?? ??‘originate’?? ??and?? ??didn’t?? ??say?? ??a?? ??word.?? ??Xie?? ??Lian????continued,?? ??“I?? ??didn’t?? ??handle?? ??the?? ??matter?? ??very?? ??well,?? ??and?? ??scared?? ??him?? ??off.?? ??After?? ??that?? ??I????requested?? ??for?? ??a?? ??search?? ??without?? ??any?? ??success.?? ??Earlier?? ??when?? ??I?? ??was?? ??running?? ??around?? ??the????back?? ??alleys?? ??of?? ??the?? ??Ghost?? ??City,?? ??I?? ??thought?? ??I?? ??had?? ??bumped?? ??into?? ??him.?? ??San?? ??Lang,?? ??you?? ??are?? ??the????lord?? ??of?? ??this?? ??land.?? ??Is?? ??there?? ??any?? ??way?? ??you?? ??can?? ??help?? ???? ??find?? ??him??? ??His?? ??face?? ??is?? ??wrapped?? ??in????bandages,?? ??and?? ??only?? ??just?? ??ran?? ??away?? ??from?? ??the?? ??front?? ??steps?? ??of?? ??the?? ??Paradise?? ??Manor.”??????Hua?? ??Cheng?? ??was?? ??silent,?? ??and?? ??stood?? ??up?? ??to?? ??say?? ??sothing?? ??in?? ??a?? ??low?? ??voice,?? ??face?? ??turned?? ??away,????as?? ??if?? ??communicating?? ??with?? ??soone.?? ??A?? ??mont?? ??later?? ??he?? ??sat?? ??down?? ??again?? ??and?? ??smiled,????“Done.?? ??Just?? ??wait.”??????As?? ??Hua?? ??Cheng?? ??was?? ??the?? ??lord?? ??ruling?? ??the?? ??Ghost?? ??City,?? ??it’d?? ??be?? ??much?? ??more?? ??convenient?? ??for?? ??him????to?? ??act.?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??sighed?? ??a?? ??breath?? ??of?? ??relief,?? ??“Truly,?? ??thank?? ??you?? ??again.”??????“This?? ??is?? ??nothing,”?? ??Hua?? ??Cheng?? ??said.?? ??“But?? ??you?? ??left?? ??Lang?? ??Qianqiu?? ??just?? ??like?? ??that?”??????If?? ??Lang?? ??Qianqiu?? ??was?? ??there,?? ??straightforward?? ??and?? ??obtuse,?? ??it’d?? ??be?? ??hard?? ??to?? ??predict?? ??what?? ??other????nonsense?? ??would?? ??co?? ??out?? ??of?? ??his?? ??mouth?? ??and?? ??start?? ??who?? ??knows?? ??what?? ??kind?? ??of?? ??trouble.????Probably?? ??best?? ??to?? ??et?? ??up?? ??later,?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??thought.?? ??“His?? ??Highness?? ??Tai?? ??Hua?? ??caused?? ??you????troubles?? ??earlier?? ??at?? ??the?? ??Gambler’s?? ??Den.?? ??Sorry?? ??about?? ??that.”??????Hua?? ??Cheng?? ??flashed?? ??an?? ??arrogant?? ??smirk,?? ??“What?? ??are?? ??you?? ??saying??? ??That?? ??didn’t?? ??count?? ??as????trouble?? ??the?? ??slightest?? ??bit.”??????“The?? ??things?? ??he?? ??broke...”?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??started?? ??and?? ??Hua?? ??Cheng?? ??laughed,?? ??“For?? ??gege’s?? ??sake?? ??I’ll????clear?? ??his?? ??account.?? ??He?? ??can?? ??do?? ??as?? ??he?? ??will?? ??so?? ??long?? ??as?? ??he?? ??doesn’t?? ??show?? ??his?? ??face?? ??in?? ??front?? ??of????.”??????Xie?? ??Lian?? ??was?? ??now?? ??curious,?? ??and?? ??asked,?? ??“You?? ??don’t?? ??care?? ??if?? ??there?? ??are?? ??heavenly?? ??officials????frolicking?? ??about?? ??your?? ??territory?”?? ??Could?? ??Hua?? ??Cheng?? ??really?? ??be?? ??that?? ??fearless???????Hua?? ??Cheng?? ??smiled,?? ??“Of?? ??course?? ??you?? ??wouldn’t?? ??know?? ??about?? ??this,?? ??but?? ??gege,?? ??all?? ??three?? ??realms????proclaim?? ??the?? ??Ghost?? ??City?? ??a?? ??hell?? ??of?? ??corruption,?? ??a?? ??demonic?? ??chaos,?? ??but?? ??in?? ??reality,?? ??everyone????wants?? ??to?? ??co?? ??to?? ??carouse.?? ??So?? ??many?? ??of?? ??the?? ??heavenly?? ??officials?? ??pretend?? ??not?? ??to?? ??care?? ??and????spoke?? ??ill?? ??of?? ??this?? ??place,?? ??but?? ??behind?? ??everyone’s?? ??back?? ??they’d?? ??often?? ??co?? ??in?? ??disguise?? ??and????conduct?? ??unspeakable?? ??business.?? ??I’ve?? ??seen?? ??too?? ??much.?? ??If?? ??they?? ??don’t?? ??stir?? ??up?? ??trouble?? ??then?? ??I????don’t?? ??care,?? ??and?? ??if?? ??they?? ??do,?? ??then?? ??even?? ??better,?? ??because?? ??they’re?? ??the?? ??ones?? ??who?? ??intruded?? ??first.”??????“His?? ??Highness?? ??Tai?? ??Hua?? ??is?? ??like?? ??that?? ??by?? ??nature,?? ??so?? ??seeing?? ??a?? ??round?? ??of?? ??bets?? ??of?? ??that?? ??sort?? ??go????down,?? ??he?? ??had?? ??to?? ??stop?? ??it?? ??and?? ??couldn’t?? ??hold?? ??back.”?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??explained.??????“That’s?? ??his?? ??lack?? ??of?? ??experience,”?? ??Hua?? ??Cheng?? ??said?? ??plainly.?? ??“To?? ??choose?? ??between?? ??letting????yourself?? ??live?? ??longer?? ??for?? ??ten?? ??years?? ??and?? ??cutting?? ??your?? ??enemy’s?? ??life?? ??short?? ??for?? ??ten?? ??years?? ??and????pick?? ??the?? ??latter,?? ??that’s?? ??the?? ??basis?? ??of?? ??human?? ??hatred.”?? ??He?? ??snorted?? ??and?? ??crossed?? ??his?? ??arms,????“That?? ??an?? ??idiot?? ??like?? ??Lang?? ??Qianqiu?? ??can?? ??ascend,?? ??the?? ??heavens?? ??is?? ??truly?? ??blind.”??????“...”??????Xie?? ??Lian?? ??rubbed?? ??his?? ??forehead?? ??feeling?? ??a?? ??little?? ??guilty,?? ??thinking,?? ??‘You?? ??can’t?? ??say?? ??it?? ??like?? ??that,????after?? ??all,?? ??soone?? ??who?? ??collects?? ??junk?? ??like?? ???? ??also?? ??ascended...’??????After?? ??so?? ??hesitation,?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??spoke?? ??up?? ??again,?? ??“San?? ??Lang,?? ??it?? ??may?? ??be?? ??out?? ??of?? ??line?? ??for?? ??????to?? ??say?? ??this,?? ??but?? ??I?? ??still?? ??have?? ??to?? ??say?? ??it.?? ??That?? ??Gambler’s?? ??Den?? ??is?? ??dangerous,?? ??won’t?? ??it?? ??blow?? ??up?? ??in????your?? ??face?? ??one?? ??day?”??????A?? ??place?? ??that?? ??allowed?? ??the?? ??betting?? ??of?? ??sons?? ??and?? ??daughters?? ??and?? ??people’s?? ??lives,?? ??even?? ??to?? ??drop????dead,?? ??was?? ??dreadfully?? ??sinful.?? ??Nevermind?? ??a?? ??little?? ??brawl.?? ??If?? ??one?? ??day?? ??the?? ??bets?? ??go?? ??out?? ??of?? ??hand,????the?? ??heavens?? ??wouldn’t?? ??be?? ??able?? ??to?? ??sit?? ??back?? ??and?? ??keep?? ??their?? ??eyes?? ??closed.?? ??Hua?? ??Cheng?? ??gave????him?? ??a?? ??look,?? ??“Your?? ??Highness.?? ??Did?? ??you?? ??ever?? ??ask?? ??Lang?? ??Qianqiu?? ??why?? ??he?? ??had?? ??to?? ??rush?? ??into?? ??the????ss?”??????Xie?? ??Lian?? ??was?? ??slightly?? ??taken?? ??aback,?? ??not?? ??quite?? ??understanding?? ??the?? ??intent?? ??of?? ??the?? ??question.????Hua?? ??Cheng?? ??continued,?? ??“I?? ??bet?? ??he?? ??must’ve?? ??told?? ??you?? ??that?? ??if?? ??he?? ??didn’t?? ??do?? ??it,?? ??no?? ??one?? ??else????would.”??????“You’re?? ??right,”?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??said,?? ??“That’s?? ??exactly?? ??what?? ??he?? ??said.”??????“I’m?? ??the?? ??complete?? ??opposite.”?? ??Hua?? ??Cheng?? ??said.?? ??“If?? ??I?? ??don’t?? ??control?? ??a?? ??place?? ??like?? ??this,?? ??then????soone?? ??else?? ??would?? ??take?? ??control?? ??of?? ??it.?? ??I’d?? ??rather?? ??that?? ??person?? ??be?? ??.”??????Xie?? ??Lian?? ??knew?? ??when?? ??to?? ??step?? ??down?? ??and?? ??nodded,?? ??“I?? ??understand.”????????It?? ??looked?? ??like?? ??although?? ??Hua?? ??Cheng?? ??was?? ??soone?? ??sentintal,?? ??he?? ??also?? ??cared?? ??for?? ??control????and?? ??power?? ??moreso?? ??than?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??realized.?? ??Hua?? ??Cheng?? ??continued,?? ??“Nonetheless,?? ??thank????you?? ??gege?? ??for?? ??your?? ??concern.”??????Just?? ??then,?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??heard?? ??a?? ??voice?? ??that?? ??ca?? ??from?? ??the?? ??door.?? ??A?? ??young?? ??man?? ??said,?? ??“My?? ??lord,????I’ve?? ??located?? ??the?? ??bandaged?? ??boy.”??????Xie?? ??Lian?? ??looked?? ??to?? ??the?? ??front?? ??entrance?? ??and?? ??saw?? ??the?? ??XiaXianYue?? ??Officer?? ??from?? ??before????bowing?? ??just?? ??beyond?? ??the?? ??beaded?? ??curtain.?? ??And?? ??the?? ??one?? ??in?? ??his?? ??arms?? ??was?? ??none?? ??other?? ??than????the?? ??ragged?? ??boy?? ??in?? ??bandages.??????Hua?? ??Cheng?? ??never?? ??turned?? ??his?? ??head,?? ??“Bring?? ??him?? ??in.”??????The?? ??black?? ??clad?? ??youth?? ??brought?? ??the?? ??boy?? ??inside?? ??and?? ??gently?? ??laid?? ??him?? ??on?? ??the?? ??ground.?? ??Xie?? ??Lian????couldn’t?? ??help?? ??but?? ??peek?? ??at?? ??his?? ??wrist?? ??again?? ??to?? ??see?? ??whether?? ??if?? ??there?? ??really?? ??was?? ??a?? ??cursed????shackle,?? ??but?? ??the?? ??other?? ??curtsied?? ??and?? ??stood?? ??down?? ??swiftly?? ??after?? ??delivering?? ??the?? ??boy.?? ??Since????there?? ??were?? ??more?? ??important?? ??matters?? ??at?? ??hand?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??bent?? ??down?? ??near?? ??the?? ??bandaged?? ??boy????and?? ??instantly?? ??soothed,?? ??“Don’t?? ??be?? ??scared.?? ??It?? ??was?? ??my?? ??fault?? ??last?? ??ti,?? ??I?? ??won’t?? ??do?? ??it?? ??again.”??????The?? ??boy’s?? ??eyes?? ??were?? ??widened?? ??in?? ??fear?? ??and?? ??confusion,?? ??but?? ??after?? ??running?? ??away?? ??so?? ??many????tis,?? ??he?? ??no?? ??longer?? ??had?? ??the?? ??energy?? ??to?? ??escape?? ??again.?? ??He?? ??peeked?? ??at?? ??Xie?? ??Lian,?? ??then????peeked?? ??at?? ??the?? ??lap?? ??table?? ??on?? ??the?? ??black?? ??jade?? ??divan.?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??followed?? ??his?? ??line?? ??of?? ??sight?? ??and????saw?? ??he?? ??was?? ??eyeing?? ??a?? ??plate?? ??of?? ??luscious?? ??fruits?? ??on?? ??top?? ??of?? ??the?? ??lap?? ??table.??????The?? ??boy?? ??must’ve?? ??been?? ??hiding?? ??for?? ??too?? ??long?? ??and?? ??had?? ??not?? ??eaten.?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??turned?? ??to?? ??Hua????Cheng?? ??and?? ??before?? ??he?? ??said?? ??anything,?? ??Hua?? ??Cheng?? ??motioned,?? ??“Do?? ??what?? ??you?? ??want,?? ??no?? ??need????to?? ??ask?? ??.”??????It?? ??wasn’t?? ??ti?? ??to?? ??be?? ??polite,?? ??so?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??uttered?? ??a?? ??thanks?? ??and?? ??reached?? ??for?? ??the?? ??plate?? ??of?? ??fruit????before?? ??giving?? ??it?? ??to?? ??the?? ??boy.?? ??That?? ??boy?? ??grabbed?? ??the?? ??plate?? ??from?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??and?? ??started?? ??stuffing????the?? ??fruits?? ??into?? ??his?? ??mouth.??????It?? ??looked?? ??like?? ??he’d?? ??been?? ??starved?? ??for?? ??too?? ??many?? ??days,?? ??and?? ??was?? ??desperately?? ??hungry.?? ??Even????when?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??was?? ??at?? ??his?? ??worst?? ??and?? ??starved?? ??like?? ??a?? ??wild?? ??dog?? ??he’d?? ??never?? ??shoved?? ??food?? ??into????himself?? ??like?? ??this.?? ??He?? ??didn’t?? ??know?? ??what?? ??to?? ??say,?? ??and?? ??only?? ??chided?? ??gently,?? ??“Slow?? ??down.”????????After?? ??a?? ??pause,?? ??he?? ??attempted,?? ??“What’s?? ??your?? ??na?”??????The?? ??boy?? ??mumbled?? ??and?? ??murmured?? ??as?? ??he?? ??ate,?? ??as?? ??if?? ??trying?? ??to?? ??say?? ??sothing?? ??but?? ??couldn’t?? ??do????so?? ??clearly.????????“He?? ??might?? ??not?? ??have?? ??spoken?? ??in?? ??many?? ??years?? ??and?? ??forgot?? ??how?? ??to?? ??speak.”?? ??Hua?? ??Cheng????suggested.??????Indeed,?? ??it?? ??did?? ??look?? ??like?? ??this?? ??boy?? ??didn’t?? ??speak?? ??much,?? ??not?? ??even?? ??to?? ??Xiao?? ??Ying,?? ??and?? ??had?? ??been????like?? ??this?? ??for?? ??a?? ??long?? ??ti.?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??sighed,?? ??“We?? ??can?? ??do?? ??this?? ??slowly.”??????By?? ??then,?? ??all?? ??the?? ??fruits?? ??on?? ??the?? ??plate?? ??had?? ??been?? ??devoured.?? ??Seeing?? ??that?? ??his?? ??bandages?? ??were????soaked?? ??in?? ??dry?? ??blood,?? ??covered?? ??in?? ??black?? ??and?? ??red?? ??spots?? ??alike,?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??said?? ??gently,?? ??“Your????face?? ??is?? ??wounded?? ??and?? ??it?? ??looks?? ??serious.?? ??Let?? ???? ??take?? ??a?? ??look.”??????Hearing?? ??those?? ??words,?? ??fear?? ??imdiate?? ??engulfed?? ??the?? ??boy’s?? ??eyes.?? ??However,?? ??after?? ??Xie?? ??Lian’s????tireless?? ??soothing?? ??and?? ??encouragent,?? ??he?? ??sat?? ??down?? ??once?? ??more?? ??obediently.??????Xie?? ??Lian?? ??ca?? ??next?? ??to?? ??him?? ??and?? ??took?? ??out?? ??a?? ??bottle?? ??of?? ??dicinal?? ??powder?? ??from?? ??his?? ??sleeve,????ready?? ??to?? ??remove?? ??the?? ??sullied?? ??bandages?? ??when?? ??Hua?? ??Cheng?? ??intercepted,?? ??“Let?? ???? ??do?? ??it.”??????Xie?? ??Lian?? ??shook?? ??his?? ??head?? ??and?? ??moved?? ??his?? ??hands?? ??slowly,?? ??unraveling?? ??the?? ??haphazardly????wrapped?? ??bandages.????????As?? ??he?? ??had?? ??suspected,?? ??although?? ??the?? ??face?? ??of?? ??the?? ??boy?? ??was?? ??a?? ??bloody?? ??ss,?? ??all?? ??the?? ??terrifying????little?? ??human?? ??faces?? ??were?? ??gone,?? ??only?? ??large?? ??blotches?? ??of?? ??bright?? ??red?? ??scars.??????The?? ??last?? ??ti?? ??they?? ??t?? ??at?? ??Mount?? ??Yujun,?? ??there?? ??were?? ??burns?? ??covering?? ??his?? ??face?? ??but?? ??not?? ??as????much?? ??blood.?? ??This?? ??boy?? ??must’ve?? ??used?? ??a?? ??knife?? ??to?? ??cut?? ??away?? ??those?? ??human?? ??faces?? ??from?? ??his?? ??own????face?? ??and?? ??left?? ??all?? ??those?? ??scars.??????Xie?? ??Lian’s?? ??hands?? ??trembled?? ??softly?? ??as?? ??he?? ??rubbed?? ??the?? ??dicine?? ??in.?? ??Hua?? ??Cheng?? ??caught?? ??his????wrist?? ??and?? ??said?? ??again,?? ??“Let?? ??.”??????Xie?? ??Lian?? ??shook?? ??his?? ??head?? ??again?? ??and?? ??gently?? ??pulled?? ??his?? ??hand?? ??free,?? ??then?? ??said?? ??in?? ??a?? ??low?? ??voice,????“No.?? ??Let?? ???? ??do?? ??this?? ??myself.”??????Eight?? ??hundred?? ??years?? ??ago?? ??in?? ??the?? ??kingdom?? ??of?? ??Xianle,?? ??many?? ??who?? ??contracted?? ??this?? ??disease,????without?? ??any?? ??other?? ??way,?? ??all?? ??chose?? ??this?? ??route?? ??of?? ??self?? ??mutilation.?? ??It?? ??was?? ??hell?? ??on?? ??earth.?? ??So????would?? ??miss?? ??their?? ??target?? ??and?? ??cut?? ??where?? ??they?? ??shouldn’t?? ??and?? ??die?? ??from?? ??blood?? ??loss.?? ??So,????although?? ??successful?? ??in?? ??removing?? ??the?? ??small?? ??human?? ??faces,?? ??never?? ??healed?? ??from?? ??those????wounds.??????As?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??wrapped?? ??new?? ??bandages?? ??around?? ??the?? ??boy’s?? ??head,?? ??he?? ??realized?? ??that?? ??his?? ??features????were?? ??actually?? ??quite?? ??proper,?? ??his?? ??nose?? ??straight?? ??and?? ??refined,?? ??his?? ??eyes?? ??black?? ??and?? ??clear;?? ??he????should’ve?? ??been?? ??a?? ??handso?? ??young?? ??man?? ??if?? ??not?? ??for?? ??this?? ??ghastly?? ??disease.?? ??He?? ??was?? ??like????many?? ??others?? ??before?? ??him;?? ??even?? ??if?? ??he?? ??cut?? ??away?? ??the?? ??distorted?? ??human?? ??faces,?? ??his?? ??face?? ??would????still?? ??forever?? ??be?? ??nightmarish,?? ??unable?? ??to?? ??recover.??????Xie?? ??Lian?? ??finally?? ??finished?? ??wrapping?? ??the?? ??new?? ??bandages?? ??and?? ??asked?? ??with?? ??a?? ??shaky?? ??voice,?? ??“Are????you?? ??from?? ??Xianle?”??????The?? ??boy?? ??turned?? ??to?? ??look?? ??at?? ??him?? ??with?? ??his?? ??big?? ??eyes,?? ??and?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??repeated?? ??his?? ??question????several?? ??tis?? ??but?? ??he?? ??only?? ??shook?? ??his?? ??head.?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??then?? ??asked,?? ??“Then?? ??where?? ??are?? ??you????from,?? ??exactly?”??????The?? ??boy?? ??answered?? ??with?? ??much?? ??“...Yong...An...”??????This?? ??boy?? ??was?? ??from?? ??Yong’An!??????Xie?? ??Lian?? ??felt?? ??his?? ??sight?? ??go?? ??dark,?? ??and?? ??he?? ??blurted?? ??out,?? ??“Have?? ??you?? ??ever?? ??t...?? ??the?? ??White????No-Face?”??????The?? ??White?? ??No-Face.?? ??The?? ??origin?? ??of?? ??plagues.?? ??The?? ??symbol?? ??of?? ??misfortune.??????This?? ??‘Supre’?? ??often?? ??donned?? ??a?? ??snow?? ??white?? ??funeral?? ??garb,?? ??a?? ??Spirit?? ??Calling?? ??banner?? ??in?? ??hand,????and?? ??a?? ??Smile?? ??Crying?? ??mask?? ??on?? ??his?? ??face.?? ??This?? ??mask?? ??was?? ??called?? ??this?? ??because?? ??half?? ??of?? ??it?? ??was????smiling,?? ??and?? ??the?? ??other?? ??half?? ??was?? ??crying;?? ??together,?? ??it?? ??was?? ??hard?? ??to?? ??tell?? ??whether?? ??if?? ??the?? ??wearer????was?? ??smiling?? ??or?? ??crying.?? ??If?? ??he?? ??should?? ??be?? ??seen?? ??anywhere,?? ??it?? ??would?? ??an?? ??that?? ??place?? ??would????soon?? ??be?? ??dood?? ??to?? ??ruin,?? ??and?? ??the?? ??world?? ??would?? ??fall?? ??into?? ??chaos.??????Xie?? ??Lian?? ??could?? ??rember?? ??clearly?? ??the?? ??first?? ??ti?? ??he?? ??t?? ??the?? ??White?? ??No-Face.?? ??He?? ??was????standing?? ??on?? ??the?? ??top?? ??of?? ??the?? ??highest?? ??tower?? ??of?? ??the?? ??Palace?? ??of?? ??Xianle,?? ??his?? ??face?? ??covered?? ??in????gri?? ??and?? ??tears,?? ??lost?? ??and?? ??bemused?? ??as?? ??he?? ??gazed?? ??below?? ??to?? ??his?? ??kingdom.?? ??Within?? ??his?? ??blurry????vision,?? ??there?? ??stood?? ??a?? ??white?? ??silhouette?? ??among?? ??the?? ??fields?? ??of?? ??corpses?? ??just?? ??outside?? ??the????fortress?? ??walls,?? ??his?? ??giant?? ??white?? ??sleeves?? ??fluttering,?? ??obvious?? ??and?? ??distinct.?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??dropped????his?? ??head?? ??to?? ??look?? ??down?? ??at?? ??him,?? ??and?? ??that?? ??white?? ??apparition?? ??also?? ??raised?? ??his?? ??head?? ??to?? ??look?? ??at????Xie?? ??Lian,?? ??and?? ??waved?? ??at?? ??him?? ??directly.??????That?? ??Smile?? ??Crying?? ??mask?? ??was?? ??the?? ??nightmare?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??couldn’t?? ??chase?? ??away?? ??even?? ??after????hundreds?? ??of?? ??years.??
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