Heaven Official' Chapter 41-50

Ch.41:?? ??At?? ??the?? ??Paradise?? ??Manor;?? ??Questions?? ??of?? ??Xianle?? ??3?? ?? ??

—?? ??

—?? ??

That?? ??boy?? ??didn’t?? ??seem?? ??to?? ??know?? ??who?? ??the?? ??‘White?? ??No-Face’?? ??was,?? ??and?? ??only?? ??watched?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??

with?? ??a?? ??blank?? ??expression.?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??couldn’t?? ??tell?? ??whether?? ??if?? ??the?? ??boy?? ??didn’t?? ??understand?? ??or?? ??

couldn’t?? ??understand,?? ??but?? ??he?? ??suddenly?? ??shouted,?? ??“AH!”?? ??Turns?? ??out?? ??it?? ??was?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??who?? ??

grabbed?? ??onto?? ??his?? ??shoulders?? ??and?? ??unconsciously?? ??gripped?? ??them?? ??too?? ??tight.?? ??It?? ??wasn’t?? ??until?? ??he?? ??

shouted?? ??that?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??ca?? ??to,?? ??and?? ??hurriedly?? ??released?? ??his?? ??hands.?? ??“I’m?? ??sorry.”?? ??

Hua?? ??Cheng?? ??spoke?? ??up?? ??in?? ??a?? ??low?? ??voice,?? ??“You’re?? ??tired.?? ??Go?? ??rest.”?? ??

As?? ??soon?? ??as?? ??he?? ??said?? ??those?? ??words,?? ??a?? ??small?? ??door?? ??on?? ??the?? ??side?? ??walls?? ??of?? ??the?? ??hall?? ??opened,?? ??and?? ??

two?? ??dainty?? ??girls?? ??entered?? ??to?? ??take?? ??away?? ??the?? ??boy.?? ??He?? ??looked?? ??back?? ??at?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??as?? ??he?? ??was?? ??led?? ??

away.?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??told?? ??him,?? ??“Don’t?? ??worry.?? ??I’ll?? ??go?? ??find?? ??you?? ??again?? ??in?? ??a?? ??bit.”?? ??

After?? ??the?? ??boy?? ??was?? ??taken?? ??away,?? ??Hua?? ??Cheng?? ??turned?? ??to?? ??Xie?? ??Lian,?? ??“Sit?? ??down?? ??and?? ??relax,?? ??and?? ??

don’t?? ??see?? ??him?? ??for?? ??now.?? ??If?? ??you?? ??have?? ??any?? ??questions?? ??for?? ??him?? ??I?? ??have?? ??my?? ??ways?? ??of?? ??prying?? ??open?? ??

his?? ??lips.”?? ??

‘Prying?? ??open?? ??his?? ??lips’?? ??sounded?? ??rather?? ??horrifying,?? ??and?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??replied,?? ??“No,?? ??that’s?? ??alright.?? ??

If?? ??he?? ??couldn’t?? ??say?? ??anything?? ??then?? ??let?? ??it?? ??go.?? ??We’ll?? ??take?? ??this?? ??slow.”?? ??

Hua?? ??Cheng?? ??sat?? ??down?? ??next?? ??to?? ??Xie?? ??Lian,?? ??“What?? ??are?? ??your?? ??plans?? ??for?? ??the?? ??boy?”?? ??

Xie?? ??Lian,?? ??looking?? ??exhausted,?? ??gave?? ??the?? ??question?? ??so?? ??thought,?? ??“I?? ??think,?? ??I’ll?? ??keep?? ??him?? ??by?? ??

my?? ??side,?? ??and?? ??bring?? ??him?? ??along?? ??with?? ???? ??first.”?? ??

“He’s?? ??a?? ??ghost,?? ??not?? ??a?? ??human.”?? ??Hua?? ??Cheng?? ??said,?? ??“Why?? ??don’t?? ??you?? ??leave?? ??him?? ??here?? ??in?? ??the?? ??

Ghost?? ??City??? ??I’ve?? ??no?? ??trouble?? ??feeding?? ??another?? ??mouth.”?? ??

Xie?? ??Lian?? ??watched?? ??him,?? ??and?? ??said?? ??earnestly,?? ??“San?? ??Lang,?? ??truly,?? ??thank?? ??you.?? ??But...”?? ??He?? ??sighed,?? ??

“I?? ??want?? ??to?? ??bring?? ??him?? ??along?? ??not?? ??just?? ??for?? ??raising?? ??him.”?? ??

The?? ??Ghost?? ??City?? ??certainly?? ??belonged?? ??to?? ??Hua?? ??Cheng;?? ??if?? ??he?? ??was?? ??willing?? ??to?? ??protect?? ??the?? ??boy,?? ??

then?? ??no?? ??one?? ??could?? ??harm?? ??him?? ??and?? ??he?? ??wouldn’t?? ??go?? ??hungry.?? ??But?? ??other?? ??than?? ??that,?? ??the?? ??most?? ??

important?? ??thing?? ??for?? ??the?? ??boy?? ??was?? ??more?? ??so?? ??guidance,?? ??to?? ??help?? ??him?? ??organize?? ??his?? ??mind?? ??and?? ??

speech,?? ??and?? ??return?? ??him?? ??to?? ??normal.?? ??The?? ??Ghost?? ??City?? ??is?? ??a?? ??bustling?? ??place,?? ??chaotic?? ??and?? ??wild,?? ??

not?? ??ideal?? ??for?? ??counseling.?? ??Other?? ??than?? ??himself,?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??couldn’t?? ??think?? ??of?? ??anyone?? ??else?? ??who?? ??

would?? ??have?? ??the?? ??patience?? ??to?? ??undertake?? ??that?? ??task.?? ??

Xie?? ??Lian?? ??replied?? ??slowly,?? ??“I’m?? ??already?? ??imnsely?? ??grateful?? ??that?? ??you?? ??found?? ??him?? ??for?? ??.?? ??I?? ??

can’t?? ??trouble?? ??you?? ??further?? ??with?? ??the?? ??aftermath.”?? ??

Hua?? ??Cheng?? ??appeared?? ??to?? ??disagree,?? ??but?? ??didn’t?? ??push?? ??any?? ??more.?? ??He?? ??said?? ??plainly,?? ??“It’s?? ??really?? ??

no?? ??trouble.?? ??When?? ??you’re?? ??here,?? ??if?? ??you?? ??need?? ??anything?? ??just?? ??let?? ???? ??know;?? ??and?? ??you’re?? ??free?? ??to?? ??

go?? ??wherever?? ??you?? ??want.’?? ??

Suddenly,?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??noticed?? ??the?? ??scimitar?? ??on?? ??Hua?? ??Cheng’s?? ??waist?? ??had?? ??changed?? ??all?? ??of?? ??a?? ??

sudden.?? ??

Xie?? ??Lian?? ??looked?? ??down?? ??and?? ??his?? ??curiosity?? ??was?? ??instantly?? ??piqued.?? ??Turns?? ??out,?? ??on?? ??the?? ??hilt?? ??of?? ??that?? ??

scimitar?? ??had?? ??a?? ??silver?? ??eye?? ??crafted?? ??upon?? ??it.?? ??The?? ??patterns?? ??of?? ??the?? ??eye?? ??was?? ??ford?? ??by?? ??a?? ??few?? ??

rough?? ??silver?? ??strokes,?? ??but?? ??although?? ??simple,?? ??it?? ??looked?? ??mythical?? ??as?? ??if?? ??alive.?? ??He?? ??didn’t?? ??see?? ??it?? ??at?? ??

first?? ??because?? ??the?? ??eye?? ??was?? ??closed?? ??into?? ??a?? ??thin?? ??line,?? ??but?? ??just?? ??then,?? ??the?? ??eye?? ??fluttered?? ??open?? ??

and?? ??revealed?? ??a?? ??crimson?? ??gem-like?? ??eyeball,?? ??and?? ??within?? ??the?? ??socket?? ??it?? ??twirled?? ??once.?? ??

Hua?? ??Cheng?? ??noticed?? ??it?? ??too,?? ??and?? ??spoke?? ??up?? ??solemnly,?? ??“Gege,?? ??I?? ??need?? ??to?? ??leave?? ??for?? ??a?? ??bit.?? ??I’ll?? ??be?? ??

right?? ??back.?? ??

“An?? ??alarm?”?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??asked.?? ??Could?? ??it?? ??be?? ??that?? ??Lord?? ??Wind?? ??Master?? ??and?? ??Qian?? ??Qiu?? ??showed?? ??

their?? ??true?? ??selves?? ??here?? ??in?? ??the?? ??Ghost?? ??City??? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??rose?? ??too,?? ??“I’ll?? ??co?? ??with?? ??you.”?? ??

Hua?? ??Cheng?? ??gently?? ??pushed?? ??him?? ??back?? ??down,?? ??“Don’t?? ??worry,?? ??it’s?? ??not?? ??His?? ??Highness?? ??Tai?? ??Hua.?? ??

It’s?? ??just?? ??so?? ??useless?? ??trash?? ??that?? ??shows?? ??up?? ??every?? ??month.?? ??You?? ??don’t?? ??have?? ??to?? ??go.”?? ??

Since?? ??Hua?? ??Cheng?? ??made?? ??it?? ??this?? ??clear,?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??couldn’t?? ??keep?? ??insisting?? ??on?? ??going?? ??along.?? ??

Hua?? ??Cheng?? ??turned?? ??and?? ??left?? ??the?? ??main?? ??hall,?? ??waving?? ??as?? ??he?? ??walked?? ??away.?? ??The?? ??beaded?? ??

curtain?? ??parted?? ??automatically?? ??as?? ??he?? ??approached,?? ??and?? ??after?? ??he?? ??exited,?? ??the?? ??beaded?? ??curtain?? ??

let?? ??itself?? ??down,?? ??clacking,?? ??its?? ??sound?? ??crisp?? ??and?? ??clear.?? ??

Xie?? ??Lian?? ??relaxed?? ??a?? ??bit?? ??on?? ??the?? ??black?? ??jaded?? ??divan?? ??and?? ??thought?? ??about?? ??the?? ??bandaged?? ??boy.?? ??

Recalling?? ??that?? ??he?? ??was?? ??scared?? ??of?? ??strangers?? ??and?? ??emotionally?? ??unstable,?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??couldn’t?? ??sit?? ??

still?? ??and?? ??rose?? ??again,?? ??determined?? ??to?? ??go?? ??and?? ??see?? ??the?? ??boy.?? ??He?? ??passed?? ??through?? ??the?? ??small?? ??

door?? ??the?? ??girls?? ??had?? ??left?? ??from?? ??and?? ??ca?? ??to?? ??a?? ??small?? ??garden.?? ??The?? ??garden?? ??was?? ??the?? ??colour?? ??of?? ??

vermillion,?? ??and?? ??cutting?? ??through?? ??it?? ??was?? ??a?? ??small?? ??path,?? ??empty?? ??of?? ??life,?? ??and?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??was?? ??still?? ??

wondering?? ??which?? ??way?? ??he?? ??should?? ??go?? ??when?? ??suddenly?? ??a?? ??black?? ??shadow?? ??flashed?? ??by.?? ??

It?? ??was?? ??the?? ??silhouette?? ??of?? ??that?? ??XiaXianYue?? ??Officer.?? ?? ??

Xie?? ??Lian?? ??recalled?? ??the?? ??cursed?? ??shackle?? ??on?? ??his?? ??wrist?? ??and?? ??it’s?? ??been?? ??on?? ??his?? ??mind.?? ??He?? ??was?? ??

about?? ??to?? ??call?? ??out?? ??to?? ??the?? ??other?? ??when?? ??that?? ??silhouette?? ??disappeared.?? ??The?? ??way?? ??he?? ??behaved?? ??

was?? ??like?? ??he?? ??was?? ??afraid?? ??to?? ??be?? ??discovered,?? ??so?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??closed?? ??his?? ??mouth,?? ??and?? ??soundlessly?? ??

followed?? ??him.?? ??

Turning?? ??to?? ??the?? ??corner?? ??of?? ??a?? ??building?? ??where?? ??the?? ??officer?? ??disappeared,?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??fixed?? ??himself?? ??

to?? ??the?? ??wall?? ??and?? ??stealthily?? ??looked?? ??around.?? ??That?? ??youth?? ??moved?? ??swiftly?? ??and?? ??was?? ??constantly?? ??on?? ??

the?? ??lookout?? ??around?? ??him,?? ??extrely?? ??cautious?? ??and?? ??indeed?? ??afraid?? ??to?? ??be?? ??found.?? ??That?? ??

XiaXianYue?? ??Officer?? ??is?? ??is?? ??one?? ??of?? ??San?? ??Lang’s?? ??subordinates,?? ??and?? ??working?? ??under?? ??him?? ??in?? ??his?? ??

territory,?? ??so?? ??why?? ??the?? ??sneaking?? ??around??? ??

The?? ??more?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??thought,?? ??the?? ??more?? ??he?? ??was?? ??suspicious?? ??that?? ??the?? ??officer?? ??possessed?? ??

malintent,?? ??so?? ??he?? ??hid?? ??himself?? ??and?? ??followed.?? ??The?? ??masked?? ??officer?? ??made?? ??a?? ??number?? ??of?? ??turns?? ??

through?? ??the?? ??hallways,?? ??and?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??followed?? ??closely?? ??within?? ??fifty?? ??steps?? ??behind,?? ??holding?? ??his?? ??

breath?? ??and?? ??watching?? ??closely.?? ??Finally,?? ??they?? ??rounded?? ??a?? ??corner?? ??and?? ??ca?? ??to?? ??a?? ??long?? ??hallway,?? ??

and?? ??at?? ??the?? ??end?? ??of?? ??the?? ??hallway?? ??was?? ??a?? ??set?? ??of?? ??large,?? ??beautifully?? ??decorated?? ??door.?? ?? ??

Still?? ??following?? ??behind,?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??thought,?? ??‘If?? ??he?? ??turns?? ??around?? ??now?? ??there?? ??won’t?? ??be?? ??anywhere?? ??

to?? ??hide.’?? ??But?? ??just?? ??as?? ??the?? ??thought?? ??crossed?? ??his?? ??mind,?? ??the?? ??XiaXianYue?? ??Officer?? ??stopped?? ??and?? ??

turned?? ??his?? ??head.?? ?? ??

The?? ??mont?? ??he?? ??stopped?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??was?? ??alert?? ??and?? ??extended?? ??his?? ??arm?? ??in?? ??a?? ??hurry.?? ??RuoYe?? ??flew?? ??

out?? ??and?? ??wrapped?? ??itself?? ??around?? ??the?? ??wooden?? ??beam?? ??overhead,?? ??pulling?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??up?? ??to?? ??the?? ??

ceiling,?? ??and?? ??he?? ??clung?? ??onto?? ??the?? ??beam.?? ?? ??

The?? ??officer?? ??didn’t?? ??see?? ??anyone?? ??behind?? ??him?? ??and?? ??didn’t?? ??think?? ??to?? ??look?? ??up,?? ??so?? ??he?? ??turned?? ??

around?? ??again?? ??and?? ??continued?? ??in?? ??his?? ??path.?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??on?? ??the?? ??other?? ??hand,?? ??didn’t?? ??dare?? ??to?? ??let?? ??

himself?? ??down?? ??so?? ??soon?? ??and?? ??stayed?? ??put?? ??on?? ??the?? ??ceiling,?? ??silently?? ??inching?? ??forward.?? ??He?? ??thought?? ??

he?? ??rather?? ??resembled?? ??a?? ??gecko.?? ??Good?? ??thing?? ??the?? ??other?? ??didn’t?? ??go?? ??far,?? ??and?? ??stopped?? ??before?? ??that?? ??

set?? ??of?? ??doors.?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??stopped?? ??too?? ??to?? ??observe.?? ??

In?? ??front?? ??of?? ??this?? ??door?? ??there?? ??was?? ??a?? ??statue?? ??of?? ??a?? ??woman,?? ??wile?? ??and?? ??beautiful,?? ??but?? ??of?? ??course?? ??

from?? ??Xie?? ??Lian`s?? ??angle?? ??he?? ??only?? ??saw?? ??a?? ??circular?? ??head?? ??and?? ??a?? ??shallow,?? ??round?? ??jaded?? ??plate?? ??in?? ??

her?? ??hands.?? ??The?? ??masked?? ??youth?? ??didn’t?? ??move?? ??from?? ??where?? ??he?? ??stood?? ??and?? ??didn’t?? ??move?? ??to?? ??open?? ??

the?? ??door.?? ??Instead,?? ??he?? ??turned?? ??to?? ??the?? ??woman?? ??statue?? ??and?? ??raised?? ??a?? ??hand,?? ??tossing?? ??sothing?? ??

into?? ??the?? ??jaded?? ??plate.?? ??The?? ??clacking?? ??sound?? ??was?? ??crisp?? ??and?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??saw,?? ??‘dice?’?? ??he?? ??thought?? ??

to?? ??himself.?? ??

It?? ??was?? ??a?? ??sound?? ??that?? ??he’d?? ??heard?? ??too?? ??many?? ??tis?? ??earlier,?? ??and?? ??not?? ??one?? ??he’d?? ??forget?? ??in?? ??a?? ??long?? ??

ti.?? ??It?? ??was?? ??the?? ??sound?? ??of?? ??dice?? ??hitting?? ??the?? ??bottom?? ??of?? ??a?? ??gambling?? ??cup.?? ??Just?? ??as?? ??he?? ??

suspected,?? ??when?? ??the?? ??masked?? ??youth?? ??removed?? ??his?? ??hand?? ??and?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??looked,?? ??it?? ??was?? ??

indeed?? ??two?? ??dice?? ??in?? ??the?? ??jaded?? ??plate,?? ??both?? ??revealing?? ??six?? ??red?? ??dots.?? ??

After?? ??tossing?? ??dice,?? ??the?? ??masked?? ??youth?? ??removed?? ??them?? ??from?? ??the?? ??plate?? ??and?? ??put?? ??them?? ??away?? ??

before?? ??opening?? ??the?? ??door.?? ??The?? ??door?? ??wasn’t?? ??even?? ??locked.?? ??When?? ??he?? ??entered?? ??through?? ??the?? ??

doors?? ??and?? ??closed?? ??them?? ??behind?? ??him,?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??didn’t?? ??hear?? ??any?? ??sounds?? ??of?? ??locks?? ??activating?? ??

either.?? ??After?? ??waiting?? ??a?? ??mont,?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??gently?? ??lowered?? ??himself?? ??to?? ??the?? ??ground?? ??like?? ??a?? ??

piece?? ??of?? ??paper,?? ??and?? ??crossed?? ??his?? ??arms?? ??to?? ??examine?? ??the?? ??set?? ??of?? ??doors.?? ??

Technically,?? ??this?? ??building?? ??didn’t?? ??seem?? ??that?? ??big,?? ??and?? ??whatever?? ??that?? ??XiaXianYue?? ??Officer?? ??was?? ??

doing?? ??inside?? ??should?? ??make?? ??noise.?? ??Yet,?? ??after?? ??he?? ??closed?? ??the?? ??doors?? ??behind?? ??him,?? ??there?? ??was?? ??no?? ??

more?? ??sounds?? ??coming?? ??from?? ??within.?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??contemplated?? ??and?? ??raised?? ??a?? ??hand?? ??to?? ??push.?? ??

As?? ??he?? ??suspected,?? ??after?? ??pushing?? ??open?? ??the?? ??door,?? ??there?? ??was?? ??nothing?? ??and?? ??no?? ??one?? ??inside,?? ??

only?? ??a?? ??small?? ??table?? ??and?? ??two?? ??chairs.?? ??It?? ??appeared?? ??to?? ??be?? ??only?? ??a?? ??normal?? ??and?? ??luxurious?? ??

bedchamber.?? ??By?? ??the?? ??looks?? ??of?? ??this?? ??setup,?? ??there?? ??was?? ??no?? ??possibility?? ??of?? ??there?? ??being?? ??a?? ??hidden?? ??

path.?? ??

Xie?? ??Lian?? ??closed?? ??the?? ??door?? ??and?? ??looked?? ??to?? ??the?? ??woman?? ??statue,?? ??and?? ??moved?? ??his?? ??gaze?? ??to?? ??the?? ??

jaded?? ??plate?? ??in?? ??her?? ??hands.?? ??No?? ??doubt?? ??the?? ??chanism?? ??lay?? ??in?? ??that?? ??jaded?? ??plate?? ??and?? ??the?? ??dice.?? ?? ??

‘So?? ??the?? ??building?? ??is?? ??still?? ??locked,’?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??thought,?? ??‘Just?? ??not?? ??with?? ??physical?? ??locks?? ??but?? ??with?? ??

magical?? ??locks.?? ??To?? ??open?? ??this?? ??lock?? ??there?? ??needs?? ??to?? ??be?? ??a?? ??key?? ??or?? ??a?? ??password.?? ??The?? ??dice?? ??must?? ??

roll?? ??two?? ??sixes?? ??in?? ??order?? ??to?? ??see?? ??the?? ??real?? ??interior?? ??behind?? ??the?? ??doors.’?? ??

But,?? ??for?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??to?? ??throw?? ??out?? ??two?? ??sixes?? ??right?? ??then?? ??and?? ??there,?? ??was?? ??sothing?? ??that?? ??would?? ??

never?? ??happen?? ??in?? ??this?? ??world.?? ??He?? ??could?? ??only?? ??watch?? ??the?? ??door?? ??and?? ??sigh.?? ??He?? ??paced?? ??in?? ??front?? ??of?? ??

the?? ??doors,?? ??his?? ??eyes?? ??glued?? ??on?? ??them,?? ??but?? ??still?? ??turned?? ??around?? ??to?? ??leave?? ??in?? ??the?? ??end.?? ??After?? ??

walking?? ??for?? ??a?? ??bit,?? ??he?? ??stopped?? ??abruptly.?? ??From?? ??the?? ??other?? ??end?? ??of?? ??the?? ??path?? ??ca?? ??a?? ??tall,?? ??

red-clad?? ??figure,?? ??a?? ??slender?? ??and?? ??long?? ??silver?? ??scimitar?? ??hung?? ??from?? ??the?? ??waist.?? ??It?? ??was?? ??Hua?? ??

Cheng.?? ??

He?? ??walked?? ??over?? ??with?? ??his?? ??arms?? ??crossed,?? ??“Gege,?? ??I’ve?? ??been?? ??looking?? ??for?? ??you.”?? ??

He?? ??looked?? ??exactly?? ??as?? ??he?? ??did?? ??when?? ??he?? ??left,?? ??only?? ??the?? ??scimitar?? ??on?? ??his?? ??waist?? ??was?? ??out?? ??of?? ??its?? ??

scabbard,?? ??clattering?? ??against?? ??him?? ??along?? ??with?? ??the?? ??scabbard,?? ??clanking?? ??as?? ??he?? ??walked,?? ??

painting?? ??a?? ??picture?? ??of?? ??arrogance.?? ??That?? ??silver?? ??eye?? ??on?? ??the?? ??hilt?? ??of?? ??E-Ming?? ??was?? ??closed.?? ??Xie?? ??

Lian?? ??steadied?? ??himself?? ??and?? ??said,?? ??“I?? ??was?? ??going?? ??to?? ??go?? ??see?? ??that?? ??child,?? ??but?? ??your?? ??house?? ??is?? ??too?? ??

big?? ??and?? ??I?? ??got?? ??lost.”?? ??

Xie?? ??Lian?? ??was?? ??originally?? ??going?? ??to?? ??tell?? ??Hua?? ??Cheng?? ??about?? ??what?? ??had?? ??just?? ??happened,?? ??but?? ??when?? ??

the?? ??words?? ??ca?? ??to?? ??his?? ??lips,?? ??they?? ??turned?? ??around?? ??and?? ??he?? ??swallowed?? ??them.?? ??

Xie?? ??Lian?? ??hadn’t?? ??forgotten?? ??the?? ??goal?? ??of?? ??this?? ??visit?? ??to?? ??the?? ??Ghost?? ??City?? ??was?? ??to?? ??investigate?? ??the?? ??

missing?? ??heavenly?? ??official.?? ??Any?? ??signs?? ??of?? ??fishiness?? ??couldn’t?? ??be?? ??ignored,?? ??thus,?? ??he?? ??decided?? ??

not?? ??to?? ??ring?? ??alarm?? ??and?? ??see?? ??if?? ??he?? ??could?? ??go?? ??through?? ??those?? ??doors?? ??first.?? ??If?? ??Hua?? ??Cheng?? ??had?? ??

nothing?? ??to?? ??do?? ??with?? ??it,?? ??then?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??would?? ??report?? ??his?? ??suspicious?? ??subordinate?? ??at?? ??once,?? ??but?? ??

if?? ??Hua?? ??Cheng?? ??was?? ??involved...?? ??

Xie?? ??Lian?? ??was?? ??deep?? ??in?? ??thought?? ??but?? ??Hua?? ??Cheng?? ??took?? ??no?? ??notice?? ??and?? ??spoke?? ??as?? ??he?? ??led?? ??Xie?? ??

Lian?? ??back?? ??to?? ??the?? ??main?? ??hall,?? ??“If?? ??you?? ??wanted?? ??to?? ??see?? ??that?? ??boy,?? ??I?? ??can?? ??send?? ??for?? ??soone?? ??to?? ??

bring?? ??him?? ??to?? ??you,?? ??and?? ??you’d?? ??only?? ??need?? ??to?? ??wait?? ??at?? ??the?? ??Paradise?? ??Hall.”?? ?? ??

It?? ??was?? ??probably?? ??because?? ??he?? ??was?? ??hiding?? ??sothing,?? ??when?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??heard?? ??Hua?? ??Cheng’s?? ??

tone?? ??of?? ??voice,?? ??he?? ??couldn’t?? ??help?? ??but?? ??beco?? ??more?? ??docile,?? ??“You?? ??finished?? ??your?? ??business?? ??that?? ??

fast?”?? ??

Hua?? ??Cheng?? ??snorted,?? ??his?? ??lips?? ??curling?? ??in?? ??disdain,?? ??“It’s?? ??finished.?? ??It?? ??was?? ??just?? ??another?? ??band?? ??of?? ??

useless?? ??trash?? ??embarrassing?? ??themselves,?? ??that’s?? ??all.”?? ??

Hearing?? ??him?? ??say?? ??‘useless?? ??trash’,?? ??tone?? ??familiar,?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??guessed,?? ??“Was?? ??it?? ??the?? ??Green?? ??

Ghost?? ??Qi?? ??Rong?”?? ??

Hua?? ??Cheng?? ??smiled,?? ??“That’s?? ??right.?? ??Didn’t?? ??I?? ??tell?? ??you,?? ??many?? ??have?? ??their?? ??eyes?? ??on?? ??this?? ??place?? ??of?? ??

mine.?? ??Qi?? ??Rong?? ??had?? ??wanted?? ??the?? ??Ghost?? ??City?? ??for?? ??himself?? ??for?? ??years?? ??now,?? ??but?? ??the?? ??most?? ??he?? ??

could?? ??do?? ??was?? ??want?? ??and?? ??burn?? ??with?? ??envy,?? ??so?? ??every?? ??so?? ??often?? ??he’d?? ??send?? ??so?? ??equally?? ??

useless?? ??underlings?? ??to?? ??stir?? ??up?? ??trouble.?? ??Nothing?? ??worth?? ??ntioning.?? ??Actually,?? ??I?? ??have?? ??a?? ??place?? ??I?? ??

want?? ??to?? ??show?? ??gege,?? ??but?? ??I?? ??don’t?? ??know?? ??if?? ??gege?? ??would?? ??grant?? ???? ??the?? ??pleasure?”?? ??

“Of?? ??course.”?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??replied?? ??happily.?? ??

Traversing?? ??through?? ??the?? ??long?? ??hallways,?? ??Hua?? ??Cheng?? ??led?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??to?? ??another?? ??large?? ??hall.?? ??

The?? ??doors?? ??of?? ??the?? ??hall?? ??seed?? ??to?? ??be?? ??made?? ??of?? ??steel?? ??with?? ??violent?? ??beasts?? ??carved?? ??upon?? ??them,?? ??

horrible?? ??and?? ??terrifying.?? ??The?? ??mont?? ??Hua?? ??Cheng?? ??approached?? ??the?? ??beasts?? ??parted?? ??ways?? ??and?? ??

opened?? ??the?? ??doors.?? ??A?? ??blast?? ??of?? ??killing?? ??intent?? ??blew?? ??at?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??before?? ??he?? ??even?? ??stepped?? ??foot?? ??

into?? ??the?? ??hall,?? ??and?? ??he?? ??tensed,?? ??veins?? ??popping?? ??on?? ??his?? ??hands,?? ??prepared?? ??to?? ??face?? ??anything.?? ??

However,?? ??after?? ??seeing?? ??clearly?? ??what?? ??was?? ??inside?? ??the?? ??hall,?? ??he?? ??blinked.?? ??His?? ??defenses?? ??lted?? ??

away?? ??in?? ??an?? ??instant,?? ??and?? ??his?? ??legs?? ??moved?? ??on?? ??their?? ??own,?? ??bringing?? ??him?? ??into?? ??the?? ??hall.?? ??

Within?? ??the?? ??hall,?? ??all?? ??manners?? ??of?? ??weapons?? ??were?? ??hung?? ??on?? ??all?? ??four?? ??walls.?? ??There?? ??were?? ??

scimitars,?? ??swords,?? ??spears,?? ??shields,?? ??whips,?? ??axes...?? ??it?? ??was?? ??an?? ??armoury!?? ??

Anyone,?? ??as?? ??long?? ??as?? ??they’re?? ??a?? ??man,?? ??when?? ??situated?? ??in?? ??an?? ??armoury?? ??such?? ??as?? ??this,?? ??

surrounded?? ??by?? ??all?? ??kinds?? ??of?? ??weaponry,?? ??would?? ??feel?? ??as?? ??if?? ??they?? ??were?? ??in?? ??heaven,?? ??and?? ??their?? ??

blood?? ??boil?? ??with?? ??excitent.?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??was?? ??no?? ??exception;?? ??his?? ??eyes?? ??were?? ??widened?? ??and?? ??his?? ??

face?? ??lit.?? ??The?? ??last?? ??ti?? ??he?? ??had?? ??shown?? ??such?? ??excitent?? ??was?? ??in?? ??Jun?? ??Wu’s?? ??armoury.?? ??

Although?? ??his?? ??face?? ??remained?? ??schooled,?? ??his?? ??heart?? ??was?? ??already?? ??battering?? ??in?? ??his?? ??chest,?? ??and?? ??

his?? ??speech?? ??stamred,?? ??“May...?? ??may?? ??I?? ??touch?”?? ?? ??

Hua?? ??Cheng?? ??smiled,?? ??“As?? ??you?? ??like.”?? ??

Xie?? ??Lian’s?? ??hands?? ??instantly?? ??flew?? ??out?? ??to?? ??feel?? ??the?? ??many?? ??treasures?? ??hung?? ??on?? ??the?? ??walls,?? ??

caressing?? ??them?? ??as?? ??if?? ??drunken,?? ??“These...?? ??All?? ??of?? ??these?? ??are?? ??masterpieces!?? ??This?? ??sword?? ??is?? ??

splendid,?? ??it?? ??must?? ??be?? ??a?? ??sight?? ??to?? ??behold?? ??on?? ??the?? ??battlefield!?? ??This?? ??one?? ??too!?? ??Wait,?? ??and?? ??that?? ??

sabre...”?? ??

Hua?? ??Cheng?? ??was?? ??leaning?? ??on?? ??the?? ??wall?? ??near?? ??the?? ??door,?? ??watching?? ??Xie?? ??Lian’s?? ??face?? ??go?? ??red?? ??with?? ??

thrill?? ??and?? ??obsession,?? ??“Gege,?? ??what?? ??do?? ??you?? ??think?”?? ??

Xie?? ??Lian?? ??was?? ??examining?? ??each?? ??piece?? ??so?? ??intently?? ??he?? ??was?? ??reluctant?? ??to?? ??turn?? ??his?? ??head?? ??around.?? ??

“What?? ??do?? ??I?? ??think,?? ??what?”?? ??

“Do?? ??you?? ??like?? ??it?”?? ??Hua?? ??Cheng?? ??asked.?? ??

“I?? ??do!”?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??replied.?? ??

“Do?? ??you?? ??really?? ??like?? ??it?”?? ??Hua?? ??Cheng?? ??asked?? ??again.?? ??

“I?? ??really?? ??do!”?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??exclaid.?? ??

Hua?? ??Cheng?? ??seed?? ??to?? ??have?? ??snickered?? ??but?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??didn’t?? ??notice.?? ??His?? ??heart?? ??was?? ??busy?? ??

racing?? ??as?? ??he?? ??unsheathed?? ??a?? ??shimring?? ??four?? ??feet?? ??verdant?? ??blade,?? ??marveling?? ??as?? ??he?? ??did?? ??so.?? ?? ??

“Are?? ??any?? ??of?? ??them?? ??good?? ??enough?? ??for?? ??you?”?? ??Hua?? ??Cheng?? ??spoke?? ??up?? ??again.?? ??

Xie?? ??Lian’s?? ??entire?? ??face?? ??was?? ??bright?? ??and?? ??glowing,?? ??unable?? ??to?? ??stop?? ??his?? ??marveling,?? ??“Good!?? ??

Good!?? ??They’re?? ??all?? ??good!”?? ??

“Originally?? ??I?? ??was?? ??thinking?? ??gege?? ??didn’t?? ??have?? ??any?? ??useful?? ??weapons?? ??on?? ??hand,?? ??so?? ??if?? ??there?? ??was?? ??

anything?? ??here?? ??good?? ??enough,?? ??you?? ??can?? ??just?? ??pick?? ??sothing?? ??for?? ??yourself,”?? ??Hua?? ??Cheng?? ??said,?? ??

“But?? ??since?? ??gege?? ??likes?? ??them?? ??all,?? ??I’ll?? ??give?? ??them?? ??all?? ??to?? ??you.”?? ??

“No,?? ??no,?? ??no,?? ??there’s?? ??no?? ??need.”?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??said?? ??hurriedly,?? ??“I?? ??have?? ??no?? ??use?? ??for?? ??any?? ??handy?? ??

weapons?? ??anyway.”?? ??

“Really?”?? ??Hua?? ??Cheng?? ??said,?? ??“But?? ??it’s?? ??obvious?? ??gege?? ??really?? ??likes?? ??swords?”?? ??

“Liking?? ??doesn’t?? ??an?? ??I?? ??have?? ??to?? ??own?? ??it,”?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??said,?? ??“I?? ??haven’t?? ??used?? ??one?? ??in?? ??years.?? ??Just?? ??

looking?? ??makes?? ???? ??happy.?? ??Besides,?? ??I’d?? ??have?? ??nowhere?? ??to?? ??put?? ??them?? ??if?? ??you?? ??give?? ??them?? ??all?? ??to?? ??

.”?? ??

“That’s?? ??easy?? ??to?? ??solve.”?? ??Hua?? ??Cheng?? ??replied,?? ??“I’ll?? ??give?? ??this?? ??entire?? ??armoury?? ??to?? ??you.”?? ??

Xie?? ??Lian?? ??took?? ??that?? ??as?? ??a?? ??joke?? ??and?? ??grinned,?? ??“There’s?? ??no?? ??way?? ??I?? ??can?? ??take?? ??away?? ??a?? ??room?? ??this?? ??

big.”?? ??

“No?? ??need?? ??to?? ??take?? ??it?? ??away,”?? ??Hua?? ??Cheng?? ??said,?? ??“I’ll?? ??give?? ??you?? ??the?? ??property?? ??too.?? ??Just?? ??co?? ??

visit?? ??when?? ??you’re?? ??free.”?? ??

“No,?? ??it’s?? ??ok.”?? ??XIe?? ??Lian?? ??said,?? ??“An?? ??armoury?? ??requires?? ??constant?? ??maintenance.?? ??I’d?? ??hate?? ??to?? ??see?? ??

the?? ??weapons?? ??suffer.”?? ??

Xie?? ??Lian?? ??placed?? ??the?? ??sword?? ??carefully?? ??back?? ??onto?? ??its?? ??hold,?? ??and?? ??said?? ??nostalgically,?? ??“Once?? ??

upon?? ??a?? ??ti?? ??I?? ??owned?? ??an?? ??armoury?? ??like?? ??this?? ??too,?? ??but?? ??it?? ??was?? ??burnt?? ??down.?? ??All?? ??of?? ??these?? ??

weapons?? ??are?? ??precious?? ??devices?? ??to?? ??be?? ??desired,?? ??you?? ??have?? ??to?? ??cherish?? ??them,?? ??San?? ??Lang.”?? ??

“That’s?? ??easy?? ??too,”?? ??Hua?? ??Cheng?? ??said,?? ??“If?? ??I’m?? ??free?? ??I?? ??can?? ??help?? ??gege?? ??maintain?? ??the?? ??armoury.”?? ??

Xie?? ??Lian?? ??laughed,?? ??“Well?? ??I?? ??certainly?? ??don’t?? ??have?? ??the?? ??face?? ??to?? ??ask?? ??My?? ??Lord?? ??the?? ??Ghost?? ??King?? ??to?? ??

do?? ??chores?? ??for?? ??.”?? ??

Suddenly,?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??rembered?? ??Jun?? ??Wu’s?? ??warning?? ??right?? ??before?? ??he?? ??left?? ??for?? ??the?? ??mission:?? ??

“The?? ??wicked?? ??scimitar?? ??E-Ming?? ??is?? ??a?? ??cursed?? ??blade?? ??of?? ??misfortune.?? ??A?? ??weapon?? ??of?? ??such?? ??evil?? ??can?? ??

only?? ??be?? ??forged?? ??by?? ??an?? ??exceedingly?? ??cruel?? ??sacrifice?? ??and?? ??a?? ??bloody?? ??will.?? ??Do?? ??not?? ??touch?? ??it,?? ??and?? ??

do?? ??not?? ??let?? ??it?? ??touch?? ??you,?? ??lest?? ??the?? ??consequences?? ??be?? ??unimaginable.”?? ??

Xie?? ??Lian?? ??contemplated?? ??but?? ??still?? ??decided?? ??to?? ??ask?? ??in?? ??the?? ??end,?? ??“But?? ??San?? ??Lang,?? ??all?? ??of?? ??these?? ??

weapons?? ??don’t?? ??even?? ??co?? ??close?? ??to?? ??your?? ??scimitar?? ??E-Ming,?? ??right?”?? ??

Hua?? ??Cheng?? ??cocked?? ??his?? ??left?? ??brow,?? ??“Oh??? ??Has?? ??gege?? ??heard?? ??of?? ??my?? ??scimitar?? ??too?”?? ??

“Only?? ??so?? ??hearsays.”?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??replied.?? ??

Hua?? ??Cheng?? ??snickered,?? ??“I?? ??bet?? ??they’re?? ??not?? ??nice?? ??hearsays.?? ??Did?? ??soone?? ??tell?? ??you?? ??that?? ??my?? ??

scimitar?? ??was?? ??forged?? ??by?? ??an?? ??evil,?? ??bloody?? ??ritual??? ??That?? ??I?? ??sacrificed?? ??live?? ??humans?”?? ??

Sharp?? ??as?? ??always.?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??responded,?? ??“Not?? ??too?? ??horrible.?? ??Everyone?? ??has?? ??their?? ??own?? ??bad?? ??

rumours,?? ??but?? ??not?? ??everyone?? ??would?? ??believe?? ??them.?? ??Don’t?? ??know?? ??if?? ??I?? ??might?? ??have?? ??the?? ??honour?? ??of?? ??

seeing?? ??the?? ??legendary?? ??scimitar?? ??E-Ming?”?? ??

“You’ve?? ??actually?? ??already?? ??seen?? ??it,?? ??gege.”?? ??Hua?? ??Cheng?? ??said.?? ??

He?? ??took?? ??a?? ??few?? ??steps?? ??closer?? ??to?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??and?? ??said?? ??in?? ??a?? ??low?? ??voice,?? ??“Look,?? ??gege,?? ??this?? ??is?? ??

E-Ming.”?? ??

The?? ??eye?? ??upon?? ??the?? ??scimitar?? ??hung?? ??at?? ??his?? ??waist?? ??twirled?? ??in?? ??Xie?? ??Lian’s?? ??direction.?? ??It?? ??might?? ??be?? ??

Xie?? ??Lian’s?? ??imagination?? ??but?? ??he?? ??thought?? ??that?? ??silver?? ??eye?? ??started?? ??squinting?? ??into?? ??a?? ??crescent?? ??

shape.?? ??

Ch.42:?? ??Borrowing?? ??the?? ??Underpath;?? ??Night?? ??Crawl?? ??in?? ??Paradise?? ??Manor?? ??

Xie?? ??Lian?? ??bent?? ??down?? ??slightly?? ??and?? ??greeted,?? ??“Hello?? ??there.”?? ??

Hearing?? ??the?? ??greeting,?? ??that?? ??eye?? ??squinted?? ??harder,?? ??turning?? ??itself?? ??into?? ??a?? ??full?? ??crescent?? ??shape,?? ??

as?? ??if?? ??smiling.?? ??The?? ??large?? ??eye?? ??spun?? ??left?? ??and?? ??right,?? ??extrely?? ??lively,?? ??as?? ??if?? ??it?? ??wasn’t?? ??just?? ??a?? ??

pattern?? ??carved?? ??onto?? ??a?? ??scimitar?? ??hilt,?? ??but?? ??a?? ??real?? ??live?? ??eye?? ??born?? ??of?? ??human.?? ??Hua?? ??Cheng’s?? ??lips?? ??

lifted?? ??upwards,?? ??“Gege,?? ??it?? ??likes?? ??you.”?? ??

Xie?? ??Lian?? ??raised?? ??his?? ??head,?? ??“Really?”?? ??

Hua?? ??Cheng?? ??raised?? ??his?? ??brows,?? ??“Really.?? ??If?? ??it?? ??didn’t?? ??it’d?? ??be?? ??too?? ??lazy?? ??to?? ??even?? ??blink?? ??open.?? ??In?? ??

fact,?? ??there?? ??are?? ??very?? ??few?? ??that?? ??E-Ming?? ??actually?? ??likes.”?? ??

Hearing?? ??this,?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??felt?? ??at?? ??peace,?? ??and?? ??said?? ??warmly?? ??to?? ??E-Ming,?? ??“Well,?? ??thank?? ??you.”?? ??He?? ??

then?? ??turned?? ??to?? ??Hua?? ??Cheng,?? ??“I?? ??rather?? ??like?? ??it?? ??too.”?? ??

At?? ??his?? ??words,?? ??that?? ??eye?? ??blinked?? ??madly,?? ??and?? ??started?? ??shaking?? ??while?? ??still?? ??hung?? ??around?? ??Hua?? ??

Cheng’s?? ??waist.?? ??He?? ??reprimanded?? ??it,?? ??“No.”?? ??

“What,?? ??‘no’?”?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??asked.?? ??

“No.”?? ??Hua?? ??Cheng?? ??reiterated.?? ??

E-Ming?? ??shook?? ??harder,?? ??looking?? ??desperate?? ??to?? ??be?? ??freed?? ??from?? ??the?? ??scabbard.?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??asked?? ??

curiously,?? ??“Are?? ??you?? ??telling?? ??it?? ??‘no’?”?? ??

“Yea.”?? ??Hua?? ??Cheng?? ??explained?? ??in?? ??a?? ??serious?? ??tone,?? ??“It?? ??wants?? ??you?? ??to?? ??pet?? ??it?? ??but?? ??I’m?? ??telling?? ??it?? ??no.”?? ??

Xie?? ??Lian?? ??grinned,?? ??“Well?? ??what’s?? ??wrong?? ??with?? ??that?”?? ??And?? ??stretched?? ??out?? ??a?? ??hand.?? ??E-Ming?? ??

widened?? ??its?? ??eye?? ??looking?? ??at?? ??him?? ??expectantly.?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??was?? ??going?? ??to?? ??pet?? ??the?? ??eyeball,?? ??but?? ??

thought?? ??it’d?? ??be?? ??poking?? ??the?? ??eye?? ??and?? ??hurting?? ??it,?? ??so?? ??he?? ??lowered?? ??his?? ??hand?? ??and?? ??stroked?? ??lightly?? ??

along?? ??the?? ??curve?? ??of?? ??the?? ??hilt.?? ??The?? ??eye?? ??had?? ??squinted?? ??itself?? ??into?? ??a?? ??full?? ??crescent?? ??line,?? ??and?? ??

quivered.?? ??

Xie?? ??Lian?? ??thought?? ??it?? ??incredibly?? ??intriguing,?? ??the?? ??more?? ??he?? ??stroked?? ??the?? ??scimitar.?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??

himself?? ??was?? ??the?? ??type?? ??animals?? ??liked;?? ??when?? ??he’d?? ??pet?? ??those?? ??furry?? ??dogs?? ??and?? ??cats,?? ??they’d?? ??get?? ??

comfortable?? ??and?? ??often?? ??throw?? ??themselves?? ??into?? ??his?? ??embrace.?? ??Who?? ??knew?? ??that?? ??he’d?? ??be?? ??

petting?? ??a?? ??cold,?? ??silver?? ??scimitar?? ??–?? ??that?? ??legendary?? ??scimitar?? ??no?? ??less!?? ??-?? ??like?? ??he?? ??would?? ??a?? ??puppy!?? ??

How?? ??is?? ??it?? ??a?? ??‘bloody?? ??cursed?? ??blade?? ??of?? ??misfortune’??? ??

Xie?? ??Lian?? ??didn’t?? ??believe?? ??it?? ??before,?? ??but?? ??after?? ??seeing?? ??with?? ??his?? ??own?? ??eyes,?? ??he?? ??threw?? ??away?? ??the?? ??

awful?? ??hearsays?? ??to?? ??the?? ??back?? ??burner,?? ??into?? ??the?? ??‘not?? ??believable’?? ??pile?? ??of?? ??trash.?? ??An?? ??evil,?? ??bloody?? ??

ritual?? ??would?? ??not?? ??forge?? ??a?? ??spirit?? ??this?? ??clever?? ??and?? ??cute.?? ??

—?? ??

The?? ??two?? ??spent?? ??a?? ??copious?? ??amount?? ??of?? ??ti?? ??discussing?? ??and?? ??critiquing?? ??various?? ??swords?? ??and?? ??

blades?? ??in?? ??detail,?? ??and?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??exited?? ??the?? ??armoury?? ??in?? ??high?? ??spirits?? ??after,?? ??grabbing?? ??hold?? ??of?? ??

Hua?? ??Cheng’s?? ??hands?? ??to?? ??return?? ??to?? ??Paradise?? ??Hall.?? ?? ??

That?? ??boy?? ??had?? ??also?? ??been?? ??brought?? ??in?? ??after?? ??washing?? ??up?? ??and?? ??dressed?? ??in?? ??clean?? ??bandages.?? ??

Although?? ??his?? ??face?? ??was?? ??still?? ??wholly?? ??covered,?? ??he?? ??looked?? ??new?? ??and?? ??refreshed.?? ??Looking?? ??at?? ??him?? ??

anew,?? ??the?? ??boy?? ??was?? ??slender?? ??and?? ??delicate,?? ??and?? ??should?? ??have?? ??been?? ??a?? ??seedling?? ??with?? ??infinite?? ??

possibilities,?? ??but?? ??alas?? ??the?? ??him?? ??now?? ??was?? ??one?? ??with?? ??his?? ??shoulders?? ??slumped?? ??and?? ??waist?? ??bent,?? ??a?? ??

shrivelled?? ??form?? ??who?? ??couldn’t?? ??et?? ??anyone’s?? ??eyes.?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??couldn’t?? ??help?? ??but?? ??feel?? ??

heartbroken?? ??for?? ??him.?? ??

He?? ??pulled?? ??the?? ??boy?? ??to?? ??sit,?? ??“The?? ??last?? ??few?? ??words?? ??Xiao?? ??Ying?? ??said?? ??had?? ??the?? ??intention?? ??of?? ??having?? ??

?? ??take?? ??care?? ??of?? ??you,?? ??and?? ??I?? ??technically?? ??agreed?? ??to?? ??it.?? ??But?? ??nevertheless,?? ??I?? ??still?? ??have?? ??to?? ??ask?? ??

for?? ??your?? ??opinion?? ??on?? ??it.?? ??Would?? ??you?? ??be?? ??interested?? ??in?? ??following?? ???? ??in?? ??cultivation?? ??from?? ??now?? ??

on?”?? ??

The?? ??boy?? ??watched?? ??him?? ??blankly,?? ??as?? ??if?? ??afraid?? ??to?? ??believe?? ??the?? ??words?? ??he?? ??was?? ??hearing,?? ??that?? ??

soone?? ??was?? ??actually?? ??willing?? ??to?? ??take?? ??him?? ??in?? ??and?? ??cultivate.?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??continued,?? ??“I?? ??can’t?? ??

say?? ??the?? ??conditions?? ??at?? ??my?? ??place?? ??are?? ??good,?? ??but?? ??I?? ??can?? ??still?? ??promise?? ??you?? ??won’t?? ??need?? ??to?? ??hide?? ??

any?? ??longer,?? ??and?? ??won’t?? ??need?? ??to?? ??steal?? ??for?? ??food?? ??or?? ??get?? ??beaten.”?? ??

When?? ??he?? ??spoke,?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??didn’t?? ??notice?? ??that?? ??next?? ??to?? ??him,?? ??Hua?? ??Cheng’s?? ??eyes?? ??were?? ??

narrowed,?? ??watching?? ??the?? ??boy?? ??with?? ??a?? ??cold,?? ??judging?? ??look.?? ??

Xie?? ??Lian?? ??continued?? ??warmly,?? ??“If?? ??you?? ??can’t?? ??rember?? ??your?? ??own?? ??na,?? ??then?? ??why?? ??don’t?? ??we?? ??

co?? ??up?? ??with?? ??a?? ??new?? ??one?”?? ??

The?? ??boy?? ??thought?? ??about?? ??it?? ??and?? ??said,?? ??“Ying.”?? ??

Xie?? ??Lian?? ??supposed?? ??that?? ??the?? ??na?? ??was?? ??to?? ??commorate?? ??Xiao?? ??Ying?? ??and?? ??nodded,?? ??“Good.?? ??

That’s?? ??a?? ??good?? ??na.?? ??You’re?? ??of?? ??the?? ??kingdom?? ??of?? ??YongAn,?? ??and?? ??YongAn’s?? ??national?? ??surna?? ??

is?? ??Lang,?? ??so?? ??why?? ??don’t?? ??you?? ??use?? ??that?? ??as?? ??your?? ??new?? ??na?? ??and?? ??call?? ??yourself?? ??Lang?? ??Ying?”?? ??

The?? ??boy?? ??finally?? ??nodded.?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??took?? ??that?? ??as?? ??the?? ??boy’s?? ??acceptance?? ??in?? ??following?? ??after?? ??

him.?? ??

The?? ??banquet?? ??began.?? ??It’s?? ??a?? ??small?? ??feast?? ??Hua?? ??Cheng?? ??prepared?? ??for?? ??Xie?? ??Lian,?? ??but?? ??by?? ??its?? ??setup,?? ??

it’s?? ??of?? ??a?? ??size?? ??that?? ??could?? ??very?? ??well?? ??host?? ??over?? ??ten?? ??people.?? ??Innurous?? ??won?? ??had?? ??in?? ??their?? ??

hands?? ??a?? ??jaded?? ??plate,?? ??and?? ??upon?? ??the?? ??plates?? ??were?? ??various?? ??kinds?? ??of?? ??delightful?? ??refreshnts,?? ??

delicate?? ??dishes,?? ??fresh?? ??fruits,?? ??and?? ??goodies.?? ??Their?? ??offerings?? ??were?? ??endless,?? ??and?? ??their?? ??steps?? ??

were?? ??dainty?? ??and?? ??light?? ??as?? ??they?? ??walked?? ??along?? ??the?? ??sides?? ??of?? ??the?? ??main?? ??hall?? ??in?? ??a?? ??line,?? ??each?? ??

presenting?? ??their?? ??jaded?? ??plate?? ??as?? ??they?? ??approached?? ??the?? ??black?? ??jaded?? ??divan.?? ??Lang?? ??Ying?? ??only?? ??

watched?? ??but?? ??didn’t?? ??dare?? ??to?? ??reach?? ??out,?? ??and?? ??it?? ??wasn’t?? ??until?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??pushed?? ??a?? ??few?? ??of?? ??the?? ??

plates?? ??toward?? ??him?? ??before?? ??he?? ??slowly?? ??grabbed?? ??a?? ??few?? ??items?? ??to?? ??eat.?? ??

Watching?? ??him,?? ??another?? ??scene?? ??flashed?? ??in?? ??Xie?? ??Lian’s?? ??mind.?? ??It?? ??was?? ??also?? ??another?? ??boy?? ??whose?? ??

face?? ??was?? ??wrapped?? ??in?? ??bandages,?? ??dirty?? ??and?? ??unkempt,?? ??kneeling?? ??on?? ??the?? ??floor?? ??with?? ??a?? ??plate?? ??of?? ??

offerings,?? ??his?? ??head?? ??bowed?? ??low?? ??as?? ??he?? ??stuffed?? ??his?? ??face?? ??in?? ??secret.?? ??

Just?? ??then,?? ??a?? ??sashaying?? ??lady?? ??in?? ??purple?? ??silk?? ??approached,?? ??offering?? ??a?? ??carafe?? ??of?? ??wine.?? ??Hua?? ??

Cheng?? ??reached?? ??out?? ??and?? ??poured?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??a?? ??glass,?? ??“Won’t?? ??you?? ??have?? ??one?”?? ??

Xie?? ??Lian?? ??had?? ??a?? ??bunch?? ??of?? ??things?? ??on?? ??mind?? ??and?? ??wasn’t?? ??paying?? ??attention,?? ??so?? ??he?? ??carelessly?? ??

accepted?? ??the?? ??glass?? ??and?? ??drank.?? ??It?? ??wasn’t?? ??til?? ??the?? ??liquid?? ??entered?? ??his?? ??mouth?? ??that?? ??he?? ??realized?? ??it?? ??

was?? ??alcohol,?? ??and?? ??moved?? ??his?? ??gaze?? ??back.?? ??But?? ??this?? ??turn?? ??made?? ??him?? ??see?? ??what?? ??was?? ??behind?? ??

Hua?? ??Cheng’s?? ??back.?? ??The?? ??lady?? ??who?? ??offered?? ??the?? ??wine?? ??winked?? ??at?? ??him.?? ??

Xie?? ??Lian?? ??spat?? ??on?? ??the?? ??spot:?? ??“PFFFFffttt”?? ??

Good?? ??thing?? ??he?? ??already?? ??swallowed?? ??that?? ??sip?? ??of?? ??wine?? ??and?? ??nothing?? ??ca?? ??splattering?? ??out?? ??of?? ??

his?? ??mouth.?? ??He?? ??only?? ??choked,?? ??coughing?? ??nonstop.?? ??Lang?? ??Ying?? ??took?? ??fright?? ??and?? ??almost?? ??

dropped?? ??the?? ??cake?? ??in?? ??his?? ??hand.?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??soothed?? ??as?? ??he?? ??coughed,?? ??“It’s?? ??nothing.?? ??It’s?? ??

nothing.”?? ??

Hua?? ??Cheng?? ??gently?? ??patted?? ??his?? ??back,?? ??“What’s?? ??wrong??? ??Is?? ??the?? ??wine?? ??not?? ??to?? ??your?? ??liking?”?? ??

Xie?? ??Lian?? ??hurriedly?? ??explained?? ??himself,?? ??“Oh?? ??no!?? ??It’s?? ??very?? ??good.?? ??I?? ??just?? ??suddenly?? ??rembered?? ??

that?? ??my?? ??cultivation?? ??thod?? ??forbids?? ??alcohol.”?? ??

“Oh?”?? ??Hua?? ??Cheng?? ??said,?? ??“Then?? ??this?? ??is?? ??my?? ??fault?? ??for?? ??not?? ??being?? ??considerate,?? ??and?? ??made?? ??gege?? ??

break?? ??his?? ??vow.”?? ??

“It’s?? ??not?? ??your?? ??fault,”?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??said,?? ??“I’d?? ??just?? ??forgotten.”?? ??

Xie?? ??Lian?? ??rubbed?? ??his?? ??forehead,?? ??turned?? ??around?? ??and?? ??stealthily?? ??glimpsed?? ??towards?? ??the?? ??centre?? ??

of?? ??the?? ??main?? ??hall.?? ??

That?? ??lady?? ??who?? ??offered?? ??wine?? ??had?? ??her?? ??back?? ??to?? ??him?? ??as?? ??she?? ??sashayed?? ??away?? ??to?? ??the?? ??doors,?? ??her?? ??

figure?? ??sensual?? ??and?? ??seductive.?? ??Hua?? ??Cheng?? ??was?? ??only?? ??minding?? ??his?? ??own?? ??business?? ??or?? ??

focused?? ??on?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??completely,?? ??and?? ??had?? ??no?? ??eye?? ??for?? ??those?? ??beautiful?? ??won,?? ??and?? ??

therefore?? ??naturally?? ??did?? ??not?? ??care?? ??to?? ??see?? ??their?? ??faces.?? ??But?? ??the?? ??face?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??saw?? ??was?? ??clear.?? ??

That?? ??lady?? ??who?? ??offered?? ??wine?? ??was?? ??none?? ??other?? ??than?? ??the?? ??Wind?? ??Master?? ??Qing?? ??Xuan?? ??!?? ??!?? ??!?? ?? ??

The?? ??Lord?? ??Wind?? ??Master?? ??had?? ??snuck?? ??into?? ??Paradise?? ??Manor?? ??disguised?? ??as?? ??a?? ??woman...?? ??that?? ??

wink?? ??gave?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??quite?? ??the?? ??shock,?? ??and?? ??thought?? ??‘you?? ??best?? ??give?? ???? ??more?? ??booze?? ??to?? ??

swallow?? ??this?? ??down’.?? ??Unaware,?? ??Hua?? ??Cheng?? ??said?? ??conversationally,?? ??“I?? ??had?? ??always?? ??thought?? ??

cultivation?? ??was?? ??simply?? ??for?? ??living?? ??a?? ??carefree,?? ??hedonistic?? ??life.?? ??If?? ??you?? ??must?? ??forbid?? ??this?? ??and?? ??

that,?? ??then?? ??what’s?? ??the?? ??point??? ??What?? ??do?? ??you?? ??think?”?? ??

Xie?? ??Lian?? ??steadied?? ??himself?? ??swiftly,?? ??and?? ??casually?? ??conversed?? ??back,?? ??“That?? ??depends?? ??on?? ??the?? ??

path?? ??you?? ??choose.?? ??So?? ??sects?? ??don’t?? ??mind?? ??earthly?? ??pleasures,?? ??but?? ??my?? ??chosen?? ??path?? ??of?? ??

cultivation?? ??had?? ??always?? ??forbidden?? ??drinking?? ??and?? ??promiscuity.?? ??Alcohol?? ??can?? ??be?? ??overlooked?? ??

once?? ??in?? ??a?? ??while,?? ??but?? ??abstinence?? ??is?? ??absolute.”?? ??

When?? ??he?? ??said?? ??the?? ??word?? ??“abstinence”,?? ??Hua?? ??Cheng?? ??cocked?? ??his?? ??right?? ??brow,?? ??and?? ??displayed?? ??

an?? ??unreadable?? ??expression?? ??of?? ??either?? ??displeasure?? ??or?? ??annoyance.?? ??

Xie?? ??Lian?? ??continued,?? ??“Actually,?? ??it?? ??also?? ??forbids?? ??hatred.?? ??A?? ??gambling?? ??hall?? ??involves?? ??extre?? ??joy?? ??

and?? ??anguish,?? ??and?? ??can?? ??easily?? ??produce?? ??hatred,?? ??so?? ??it?? ??should?? ??be?? ??a?? ??place?? ??to?? ??be?? ??avoided.?? ??But?? ??

if?? ??one?? ??is?? ??sure?? ??to?? ??maintain?? ??peace?? ??at?? ??heart,?? ??unmoved?? ??by?? ??wins?? ??and?? ??losses,?? ??then?? ??avoidance?? ??

isn’t?? ??technically?? ??necessary.”?? ??

Hearing?? ??this,?? ??Hua?? ??Cheng?? ??laughed?? ??out?? ??loud,?? ??“No?? ??wonder?? ??gege?? ??had?? ??the?? ??pleasure?? ??of?? ??

entering?? ??the?? ??Gambler’s?? ??Den.”?? ??

Going?? ??around?? ??in?? ??circles,?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??finally?? ??brought?? ??the?? ??subject?? ??of?? ??the?? ??conversation?? ??naturally?? ??

to?? ??‘gambling’,?? ??and?? ??said,?? ??“Speaking?? ??of?? ??which,?? ??San?? ??Lang?? ??your?? ??gambling?? ??techniques?? ??are?? ??

amazing?? ??to?? ??behold.”?? ??

Hua?? ??Cheng?? ??chuckled,?? ??“It’s?? ??just?? ??good?? ??luck,?? ??nothing?? ??else.”?? ??

“...”?? ??

Hearing?? ??this,?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??compared?? ??himself,?? ??and?? ??felt?? ??rather?? ??woeful.?? ??He?? ??cleared?? ??his?? ??throat?? ??

softly,?? ??“Well,?? ??look?? ??at?? ??...”?? ??He?? ??waved?? ??his?? ??hand?? ??and?? ??didn’t?? ??finish.?? ??“I’m?? ??really?? ??curious;?? ??is?? ??

there?? ??really?? ??a?? ??technique?? ??to?? ??rolling?? ??dice?”?? ??

If?? ??there?? ??wasn’t,?? ??then?? ??Hua?? ??Cheng?? ??couldn’t?? ??just?? ??call?? ??the?? ??numbers?? ??as?? ??he?? ??wanted?? ??back?? ??at?? ??the?? ??

Gambler’s?? ??Den,?? ??and?? ??that?? ??XiaXuanYue?? ??Officer?? ??couldn’t?? ??have?? ??so?? ??easily?? ??tossed?? ??out?? ??two?? ??

sixes.?? ??Hua?? ??Cheng?? ??smiled,?? ??“Naturally,?? ??there?? ??is?? ??a?? ??secret?? ??technique,?? ??but?? ??it’s?? ??not?? ??sothing?? ??

that’s?? ??learned?? ??in?? ??a?? ??day.”?? ??

Xie?? ??Lian?? ??had?? ??expected?? ??that?? ??answer.?? ??He?? ??wasn’t?? ??hopeful?? ??with?? ??that?? ??question?? ??anyway?? ??and?? ??

was?? ??trying?? ??to?? ??co?? ??up?? ??with?? ??other?? ??ideas?? ??when?? ??Hua?? ??Cheng?? ??continued,?? ??“However,?? ??I?? ??can?? ??tell?? ??

you?? ??of?? ??a?? ??faster?? ??way.?? ??I?? ??promise?? ??gege?? ??would?? ??be?? ??able?? ??to?? ??succeed?? ??as?? ??you?? ??will,?? ??and?? ??win?? ??every?? ??

round.”?? ??

“What?? ??way?”?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??asked.?? ??

Hua?? ??Cheng?? ??raised?? ??his?? ??right?? ??hand.?? ??It?? ??was?? ??the?? ??very?? ??sa?? ??right?? ??hand?? ??with?? ??a?? ??red?? ??string?? ??tied?? ??

on?? ??the?? ??third?? ??finger.?? ??The?? ??red?? ??string?? ??was?? ??tied?? ??into?? ??a?? ??small?? ??bow?? ??on?? ??the?? ??back?? ??of?? ??the?? ??hand,?? ??

bright?? ??and?? ??vivid.?? ??He?? ??extended?? ??the?? ??hand?? ??and?? ??beckoned?? ??Xie?? ??Lian,?? ??“Give?? ???? ??your?? ??hand.”?? ??

Xie?? ??Lian?? ??didn’t?? ??know?? ??what?? ??it?? ??was?? ??for,?? ??but?? ??since?? ??Hua?? ??Cheng?? ??asked?? ??for?? ??his?? ??hand,?? ??he?? ??gave?? ??it?? ??

to?? ??him.?? ??Hua?? ??Cheng?? ??squeezed?? ??his?? ??hand?? ??and?? ??held?? ??it?? ??for?? ??a?? ??bit,?? ??smiling?? ??before?? ??he?? ??turned?? ??his?? ??

hand?? ??over?? ??and?? ??tossed?? ??two?? ??dice?? ??in?? ??his?? ??palm.?? ??“Try?? ??it?? ??now.”?? ??

He?? ??chanted?? ??ntally?? ??for?? ??sixes,?? ??and?? ??rolled?? ??the?? ??dice.?? ??Rattling?? ??to?? ??a?? ??stop,?? ??the?? ??dice?? ??indeed?? ??

revealed?? ??two?? ??red?? ??sixes.?? ?? ??

“What?? ??trick?? ??is?? ??this?”?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??asked?? ??curiously.?? ??

“No?? ??trick.”?? ??Hua?? ??Cheng?? ??replied,?? ??“I’d?? ??only?? ??just?? ??lent?? ??you?? ??so?? ??luck.”?? ??

“So?? ??luck?? ??is?? ??like?? ??spiritual?? ??power?? ??and?? ??can?? ??be?? ??borrowed.”?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??said?? ??in?? ??wonder.?? ??

Hua?? ??Cheng?? ??laughed,?? ??“Of?? ??course.?? ??Next?? ??ti?? ??if?? ??gege?? ??is?? ??going?? ??to?? ??make?? ??bets?? ??with?? ??anyone,?? ??

co?? ??see?? ??.?? ??I’ll?? ??lend?? ??you?? ??as?? ??much?? ??luck?? ??as?? ??you?? ??want.?? ??I?? ??promise?? ??your?? ??opponent?? ??will?? ??

suffer?? ??a?? ??loss?? ??so?? ??great?? ??he?? ??won’t?? ??be?? ??able?? ??to?? ??return?? ??in?? ??a?? ??hundred?? ??years.”?? ??

The?? ??two?? ??played?? ??around?? ??for?? ??many?? ??rounds?? ??and?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??confird?? ??for?? ??himself?? ??that?? ??it?? ??was?? ??

indeed?? ??so?? ??before?? ??he?? ??stopped?? ??to?? ??say?? ??he?? ??was?? ??tired.?? ??Hua?? ??Cheng?? ??got?? ??up?? ??imdiately,?? ??had?? ??

soone?? ??take?? ??Lang?? ??Ying?? ??to?? ??settle,?? ??before?? ??personally?? ??escorting?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??to?? ??the?? ??guest?? ??

chamber.?? ?? ??

Watching?? ??as?? ??his?? ??silhouette?? ??disappeared?? ??down?? ??the?? ??hall,?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??closed?? ??the?? ??door,?? ??sat?? ??by?? ??

the?? ??table?? ??and?? ??used?? ??a?? ??hand?? ??to?? ??cover?? ??his?? ??forehead,?? ??supporting?? ??his?? ??lowered?? ??head.?? ??The?? ??

more?? ??thoughtful?? ??Hua?? ??Cheng?? ??was,?? ??the?? ??more?? ??guilty?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??felt.?? ??‘There?? ??is?? ??really?? ??nothing?? ??to?? ??

criticize?? ??about?? ??the?? ??way?? ??San?? ??Lang?? ??treats?? ??.?? ??Hopefully?? ??this?? ??business?? ??has?? ??nothing?? ??to?? ??do?? ??

with?? ??him,?? ??and?? ??once?? ??the?? ??truth?? ??cos?? ??out?? ??I’ll?? ??explain?? ??everything?? ??and?? ??apologize.’?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??

thought.?? ??

He?? ??had?? ??only?? ??sat?? ??for?? ??a?? ??mont?? ??when?? ??he?? ??heard?? ??soone?? ??calling?? ??him?? ??from?? ??outside?? ??the?? ??

door?? ??with?? ??a?? ??small?? ??voice,?? ??“Your?? ??Highness...?? ??Your?? ??Highness...”?? ??

Recognizing?? ??the?? ??voice,?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??imdiately?? ??rose?? ??to?? ??open?? ??the?? ??door,?? ??and?? ??the?? ??person?? ??just?? ??

outside?? ??leapt?? ??in.?? ??It?? ??was?? ??indeed?? ??Shi?? ??Qing?? ??Xuan?? ??in?? ??her?? ??female?? ??form.?? ??

She?? ??was?? ??still?? ??in?? ??the?? ??ghost?? ??lady’s?? ??get?? ??up,?? ??a?? ??light?? ??silk?? ??dress,?? ??her?? ??waist?? ??wrapped?? ??tight?? ??and?? ??

dainty.?? ??The?? ??mont?? ??she?? ??leapt?? ??in,?? ??she?? ??rolled?? ??onto?? ??the?? ??ground?? ??in?? ??a?? ??heap?? ??and?? ??transford?? ??

back?? ??to?? ??a?? ??man,?? ??hand?? ??on?? ??his?? ??chest:?? ??“I?? ??can’t?? ??breathe!?? ??I?? ??CAN’T?? ??BREATHE!?? ??My?? ??god,?? ??I’m?? ??

going?? ??to?? ??be?? ??choked?? ??to?? ??death?? ??by?? ??this?? ??thing!”?? ??

Xie?? ??Lian?? ??closed?? ??the?? ??door?? ??behind?? ??him?? ??and?? ??when?? ??he?? ??turned?? ??around?? ??what?? ??he?? ??saw?? ??was?? ??a?? ??full?? ??

grown?? ??man?? ??in?? ??a?? ??wicked?? ??purple?? ??silk?? ??dress,?? ??lying?? ??on?? ??the?? ??ground?? ??madly?? ??ripping?? ??at?? ??his?? ??chest?? ??

and?? ??waist?? ??bindings.?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??couldn’t?? ??look?? ??and?? ??covered?? ??his?? ??eyes,?? ??“Lord?? ??Wind?? ??Master...?? ??

Lord?? ??Wind?? ??Master!?? ??Can?? ??you?? ??not?? ??just?? ??change?? ??back?? ??to?? ??your?? ??cultivation?? ??robes?”?? ??

“Am?? ??I?? ??dumb?”?? ??Shi?? ??Qing?? ??Xuan?? ??replied,?? ??“Walking?? ??around?? ??in?? ??the?? ??dark?? ??in?? ??a?? ??conspicuous?? ??

white?? ??robe,?? ??I’d?? ??be?? ??a?? ??target!”?? ??

‘But...?? ??in?? ??your?? ??current?? ??get?? ??up,?? ??on?? ??so?? ??level,?? ??you’re?? ??more?? ??of?? ??a?? ??target...’?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??thought.?? ??

Xie?? ??Lian?? ??crouched?? ??down?? ??next?? ??to?? ??him,?? ??“Lord?? ??Wind?? ??Master,?? ??how?? ??did?? ??you?? ??sneak?? ??in??? ??Didn’t?? ??

we?? ??agree?? ??to?? ??et?? ??three?? ??days?? ??after?”?? ??

“Well?? ??what?? ??was?? ??I?? ??to?? ??do?”?? ??Shi?? ??Qing?? ??Xuan?? ??replied,?? ??“I?? ??asked?? ??around?? ??on?? ??the?? ??streets?? ??and?? ??they?? ??

all?? ??said?? ??Your?? ??Highness?? ??was?? ??sent?? ??to?? ??the?? ??Paradise?? ??Manor,?? ??and?? ??isn’t?? ??Paradise?? ??Manor?? ??the?? ??

ghost?? ??king’s?? ??lair??? ??Even?? ??the?? ??na?? ??of?? ??the?? ??place?? ??sounded?? ??bad.?? ??I?? ??watched?? ??from?? ??afar?? ??and?? ??

decided?? ??it?? ??was?? ??definitely?? ??an?? ??obscene?? ??and?? ??wanton?? ??place,?? ??so?? ??I?? ??was?? ??worried?? ??about?? ??you?? ??and?? ??

snuck?? ??in?? ??using?? ??all?? ??of?? ??my?? ??power.?? ??What?? ??an?? ??unlucky?? ??journey?? ??this?? ??has?? ??been!?? ??Either?? ??I?? ??get?? ??

dragged?? ??to?? ??facials?? ??by?? ??won?? ??and?? ??girls,?? ??or?? ??I?? ??had?? ??to?? ??swallow?? ??my?? ??honour?? ??to?? ??dress?? ??like?? ??this.?? ??I?? ??

have?? ??never,?? ??ever,?? ??made?? ??sacrifices?? ??this?? ??huge.”?? ??

‘Aren’t?? ??you?? ??rather?? ??enjoying?? ??yourself....’?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??thought.?? ??“Where’s?? ??His?? ??Highness?? ??Tai?? ??

Hua??? ??If?? ??you?? ??left?? ??him?? ??waiting?? ??outside,?? ??what?? ??if?? ??he?? ??starts?? ??sothing?”?? ??

Shi?? ??Qing?? ??Xuan?? ??finally?? ??ripped?? ??out?? ??all?? ??the?? ??bindings,?? ??took?? ??a?? ??deep?? ??breath,?? ??and?? ??flattened?? ??on?? ??

the?? ??ground?? ??like?? ??a?? ??puddle.?? ??“Don’t?? ??worry.?? ??I?? ??pulled?? ??rank?? ??and?? ??commanded?? ??him?? ??to?? ??not?? ??move?? ??a?? ??

muscle,?? ??so?? ??there?? ??shouldn’t?? ??be?? ??any?? ??issues.?? ??But?? ??seriously,?? ??Your?? ??Highness,?? ??you’re?? ??so?? ??

lucky!”?? ??

“Huh?”?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??gaped,?? ??“??? ??Lucky?”?? ??

“Yea!”?? ??Shi?? ??Qing?? ??Xuan?? ??exclaid,?? ??“Look?? ??how?? ??miserable?? ??Lang?? ??Qian?? ??Qiu?? ??and?? ??I?? ??are.?? ??We?? ??

either?? ??get?? ??hung?? ??with?? ??the?? ??threat?? ??of?? ??having?? ??our?? ??pants?? ??pulled,?? ??or?? ??we?? ??wander?? ??the?? ??streets?? ??like?? ??

stray?? ??dogs?? ??without?? ??a?? ??place?? ??to?? ??take?? ??us?? ??in.?? ??And?? ??here?? ??you?? ??are,?? ??eating?? ??well,?? ??sleeping?? ??well,?? ??

and?? ??there’s?? ??even?? ??a?? ??ghost?? ??king?? ??keeping?? ??you?? ??company!”?? ??

....By?? ??that?? ??comparison,?? ??they?? ??were?? ??indeed?? ??rather?? ??miserable.?? ??Shi?? ??Qing?? ??Xuan?? ??finally?? ??pulled?? ??

himself?? ??up?? ??from?? ??the?? ??floor.?? ??“So,?? ??Your?? ??Highness,?? ??do?? ??you?? ??still?? ??rember?? ??our?? ??objective?? ??for?? ??

coming?? ??to?? ??the?? ??Ghost?? ??City?”?? ??

Xie?? ??Lian?? ??returned?? ??to?? ??being?? ??serious?? ??and?? ??replied,?? ??“Of?? ??course?? ??I?? ??rember.?? ??Back?? ??at?? ??the?? ??

Paradise?? ??Hall?? ??I?? ??was?? ??preparing?? ??for?? ??our?? ??mission.”?? ??

Shi?? ??Qing?? ??Xuan?? ??looked?? ??at?? ??him?? ??in?? ??confusion,?? ??“Really??? ??What?? ??exactly?? ??did?? ??you?? ??prepare?? ??at?? ??the?? ??

Paradise?? ??Hall??? ??I?? ??only?? ??rember?? ??you?? ??playing?? ??around?? ??with?? ??Crimson?? ??Rain?? ??Sought?? ??Flower?? ??

rolling?? ??dice.?? ??You?? ??guys?? ??weren’t?? ??even?? ??playing?? ??properly;?? ??you?? ??feeling?? ??up?? ??his?? ??hands?? ??and?? ??him?? ??

feeling?? ??up?? ??yours.?? ??What?? ??kind?? ??of?? ??play?? ??was?? ??that?”?? ??

“...”?? ?? ??

Xie?? ??Lian?? ??explained?? ??himself,?? ??“Lord?? ??Wind?? ??Master,?? ??please?? ??don’t?? ??make?? ??it?? ??sound?? ??so?? ??

questionable.?? ??We?? ??were?? ??only?? ??trying?? ??sothing?? ??out.?? ??I’ve?? ??found?? ??so?? ??clues?? ??here?? ??in?? ??the?? ??

Paradise?? ??Manor?? ??and?? ??was?? ??investigating.?? ??To?? ??keep?? ??going,?? ??I?? ??needed?? ??a?? ??little?? ??luck.”?? ?? ??

Xie?? ??Lian?? ??raised?? ??his?? ??right?? ??hand,?? ??fingers?? ??closed?? ??tight?? ??as?? ??if?? ??having?? ??grabbed?? ??hold?? ??of?? ??

sothing,?? ??and?? ??knitted?? ??his?? ??brows.?? ??“I’ve?? ??gotten?? ??it.”?? ??

The?? ??two?? ??silently?? ??snuck?? ??out?? ??the?? ??door,?? ??and?? ??after?? ??two?? ??incense?? ??ti,?? ??they?? ??successfully?? ??found?? ??

that?? ??small?? ??building?? ??once?? ??more.?? ??

Xie?? ??Lian?? ??approached?? ??the?? ??woman?? ??statue?? ??and?? ??took?? ??out?? ??the?? ??two?? ??dice?? ??given?? ??to?? ??him?? ??from?? ??

before.?? ??He?? ??paused?? ??and?? ??took?? ??a?? ??deep?? ??breath?? ??before?? ??tossing?? ??the?? ??dice.?? ??The?? ??two?? ??little?? ??objects?? ??

rattled?? ??before?? ??settling,?? ??and?? ??sure?? ??enough,?? ??there?? ??were?? ??two?? ??red?? ??sixes.?? ??

Xie?? ??Lian?? ??let?? ??out?? ??a?? ??breath?? ??of?? ??relief,?? ??but?? ??felt?? ??worse?? ??rembering?? ??that?? ??this?? ??luck?? ??was?? ??lent?? ??to?? ??

him?? ??earlier?? ??at?? ??the?? ??Paradise?? ??Hall?? ??by?? ??Hua?? ??Cheng.?? ??Seeing?? ??his?? ??remorseful?? ??expression,?? ??Shi?? ??

Qing?? ??Xuan?? ??patted?? ??his?? ??shoulders.?? ??“Since?? ??we’ve?? ??co?? ??this?? ??far,?? ??just?? ??let?? ??it?? ??go.?? ??But?? ??this?? ??

Crimson?? ??Rain?? ??Sought?? ??Flower?? ??really?? ??is?? ??quite?? ??sincere?? ??and?? ??treats?? ??you?? ??well.?? ??If?? ??I?? ??were?? ??you,?? ??I?? ??

would’ve?? ??declined?? ??this?? ??mission?? ??from?? ??Jun?? ??Wu?? ??no?? ??matter?? ??how?? ??he?? ??begs,?? ??lest?? ??I?? ??be?? ??a?? ??poor?? ??

friend.”?? ??

Xie?? ??Lian?? ??shook?? ??his?? ??head.?? ??In?? ??the?? ??end,?? ??Shi?? ??Qing?? ??Xuan?? ??could?? ??only?? ??say?? ??such?? ??words?? ??because?? ??

he?? ??didn’t?? ??know?? ??Jun?? ??Wu?? ??very?? ??well.?? ??This?? ??whole?? ??business?? ??was?? ??certainly?? ??awkward?? ??for?? ??Xie?? ??

Lian,?? ??and?? ??Jun?? ??Wu?? ??had?? ??known?? ??it.?? ??From?? ??his?? ??understanding?? ??of?? ??Jun?? ??Wu’s?? ??character,?? ??under?? ??

the?? ??circumstances?? ??he?? ??would?? ??never?? ??have?? ??ntioned?? ??this,?? ??and?? ??would’ve?? ??appointed?? ??

another?? ??heavenly?? ??official?? ??to?? ??the?? ??mission.?? ??But?? ??even?? ??knowing?? ??this?? ??would?? ??be?? ??awkward?? ??for?? ??

Xie?? ??Lian,?? ??Jun?? ??Wu?? ??still?? ??requested?? ??for?? ??his?? ??assistance,?? ??which?? ??could?? ??only?? ??an?? ??one?? ??thing:?? ??

Jun?? ??Wu?? ??had?? ??no?? ??one?? ??else?? ??who?? ??was?? ??better?? ??suited?? ??to?? ??take?? ??on?? ??this?? ??mission,?? ??and?? ??only?? ??asked?? ??

him?? ??out?? ??of?? ??necessity.?? ??If?? ??that?? ??was?? ??the?? ??case,?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??had?? ??no?? ??choice.?? ??

Besides,?? ??the?? ??missing?? ??heavenly?? ??official?? ??set?? ??off?? ??the?? ??distress?? ??signal?? ??seven?? ??days?? ??ago,?? ??and?? ??

Hua?? ??Cheng?? ??also?? ??left?? ??seven?? ??days?? ??ago.?? ??This?? ??was?? ??a?? ??coincidence?? ??he?? ??couldn’t?? ??ignore.?? ??

Xie?? ??Lian?? ??sighed?? ??before?? ??taking?? ??back?? ??the?? ??dice?? ??and?? ??pushed?? ??the?? ??door.?? ??Behind?? ??the?? ??

glamourous?? ??gates?? ??was?? ??no?? ??longer?? ??the?? ??small?? ??simple?? ??chamber?? ??he’d?? ??seen?? ??before,?? ??but?? ??a?? ??dark?? ??

tunnel?? ??with?? ??a?? ??long?? ??stairway?? ??stretching?? ??into?? ??the?? ??abyss?? ??below,?? ??and?? ??a?? ??cold?? ??breeze?? ??blowing?? ??at?? ??

them?? ??from?? ??the?? ??blackness.?? ?? ??

Xie?? ??Lian?? ??traded?? ??looks?? ??with?? ??Shi?? ??Qing?? ??Xuan?? ??and?? ??nodded.?? ??One?? ??behind?? ??the?? ??other,?? ??the?? ??two?? ??

entered?? ??the?? ??tunnel?? ??and?? ??entered?? ??the?? ??darkness.?? ??Shi?? ??Qing?? ??Xuan?? ??took?? ??the?? ??lead;?? ??he?? ??snapped?? ??

his?? ??fingers?? ??and?? ??ignited?? ??a?? ??palm?? ??torch,?? ??and?? ??lit?? ??up?? ??the?? ??steps?? ??under?? ??their?? ??feet.?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??closed?? ??

the?? ??door?? ??gently?? ??and?? ??followed?? ??behind.?? ??

As?? ??they?? ??descended,?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??inquired?? ??with?? ??Shi?? ??Qing?? ??Xuan,?? ??“Lord?? ??Wind?? ??Master,?? ??were?? ??

there?? ??any?? ??heavenly?? ??officials?? ??banished?? ??from?? ??the?? ??heavenly?? ??court?? ??in?? ??recent?? ??years??? ??I?? ??an?? ??

besides?? ??.”?? ??

“There?? ??were.”?? ??Shi?? ??Qing?? ??Xuan?? ??replied,?? ??“Why?? ??do?? ??you?? ??ask?”?? ??

“Because?? ??I?? ??saw?? ??on?? ??the?? ??wrist?? ??of?? ??that?? ??XiaXuanYue?? ??Officer?? ??from?? ??the?? ??Ghost?? ??City?? ??a?? ??cursed?? ??

shackle.?? ??It?? ??could?? ??only?? ??co?? ??from?? ??the?? ??heavens,?? ??no?”?? ??

Shi?? ??Qing?? ??Xuan?? ??was?? ??surprised,?? ??“What??? ??Cursed?? ??shackle??? ??That?? ??Crimson?? ??Rain?? ??Sought?? ??

Flower?? ??is?? ??using?? ??a?? ??forr?? ??heavenly?? ??official?? ??as?? ??his?? ??subordinate????? ??What?? ??arrogance???”?? ??

“It?? ??can’t?? ??be?? ??arrogance?”?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??responded,?? ??“If?? ??one?? ??no?? ??longer?? ??belongs?? ??to?? ??the?? ??heavens,?? ??

then?? ??wherever?? ??one?? ??goes?? ??would?? ??be?? ??their?? ??choice.?? ??Originally?? ??there?? ??really?? ??was?? ??no?? ??need?? ??to?? ??

question?? ??his?? ??motives,?? ??but?? ??that?? ??officer’s?? ??been?? ??acting?? ??suspiciously.?? ??It’s?? ??worriso,?? ??so?? ??I?? ??

wanted?? ??to?? ??see?? ??what?? ??Lord?? ??Wind?? ??Master’s?? ??thoughts?? ??are?? ??on?? ??his?? ??identity.”?? ??

Shi?? ??Qing?? ??Xuan?? ??gave?? ??it?? ??so?? ??thought?? ??and?? ??said,?? ??“There?? ??was?? ??indeed?? ??a?? ??Martial?? ??God?? ??of?? ??the?? ??

West?? ??who?? ??was?? ??banished?? ??a?? ??few?? ??years?? ??back,?? ??and?? ??it?? ??caused?? ??quite?? ??the?? ??stir?? ??at?? ??the?? ??ti.”?? ??

Martial?? ??God?? ??of?? ??the?? ??West??? ??Wasn’t?? ??that?? ??Quan?? ??Yi?? ??Zhen??? ??

Shi?? ??Qing?? ??Xuan?? ??continued,?? ??“But,?? ??I?? ??don’t?? ??think?? ??that?? ??Highness?? ??would?? ??descend?? ??to?? ??the?? ??ghost?? ??

realm?? ??to?? ??be?? ??a?? ??ghost?? ??officer!?? ??He?? ??ca?? ??from?? ??an?? ??established,?? ??traditional?? ??background?? ??and?? ??

his?? ??character?? ??wasn’t?? ??frivolous.”?? ??

If?? ??that?? ??was?? ??the?? ??case?? ??then?? ??why?? ??was?? ??he?? ??banished??? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??was?? ??about?? ??to?? ??continue?? ??his?? ??

inquiry?? ??when?? ??the?? ??two?? ??ca?? ??to?? ??flat?? ??ground?? ??after?? ??sixty?? ??or?? ??so?? ??stone?? ??steps.?? ??

Before?? ??them?? ??was?? ??a?? ??road?? ??about?? ??five?? ??to?? ??six?? ??people?? ??wide,?? ??going?? ??in?? ??only?? ??one?? ??direction?? ??that’s?? ??

shrouded?? ??in?? ??darkness,?? ??and?? ??the?? ??staircase?? ??right?? ??behind.?? ??On?? ??either?? ??side?? ??were?? ??thick,?? ??solid?? ??

walls,?? ??so?? ??there?? ??wasn’t?? ??any?? ??need?? ??to?? ??debate?? ??where?? ??to?? ??go;?? ??just?? ??go?? ??forward.?? ?? ??

Only,?? ??after?? ??walking?? ??along?? ??the?? ??path?? ??for?? ??over?? ??two?? ??hundred?? ??steps,?? ??a?? ??cold?? ??stone?? ??wall?? ??

appeared?? ??before?? ??the?? ??two,?? ??blocking?? ??their?? ??path.?? ??

Ch.43:?? ??Borrowing?? ??the?? ??Underpath;?? ??Night?? ??Crawl?? ??in?? ??Paradise?? ??Manor?? ??2?? ??

Shi?? ??Qing?? ??Xuan?? ??frowned,?? ??“The?? ??road’s?? ??cut?? ??off??? ??No?? ??way.”?? ?? ??

He?? ??held?? ??the?? ??palm?? ??torch?? ??in?? ??one?? ??hand,?? ??and?? ??used?? ??the?? ??other?? ??to?? ??feel?? ??around?? ??the?? ??stone?? ??wall,?? ??

looking?? ??for?? ??any?? ??signs?? ??of?? ??chanics.?? ??He?? ??then?? ??casted?? ??a?? ??few?? ??spells?? ??for?? ??clearing?? ??

disillusionnt?? ??to?? ??no?? ??avail;?? ??the?? ??wall?? ??remained?? ??immovable.?? ??There?? ??wasn’t?? ??more?? ??he?? ??could?? ??

do,?? ??“Maybe?? ??I’ll?? ??just?? ??punch?? ??a?? ??hole?? ??through?? ??it?”?? ??

“That?? ??would?? ??cause?? ??way?? ??too?? ??much?? ??commotion,”?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??said,?? ??“The?? ??entire?? ??Paradise?? ??

Manor?? ??would?? ??be?? ??shaken.”?? ??

Shi?? ??Qing?? ??Xuan?? ??placed?? ??his?? ??hand?? ??flat?? ??on?? ??the?? ??stone?? ??wall?? ??and?? ??blasted?? ??a?? ??short?? ??burst?? ??of?? ??

spiritual?? ??energy,?? ??but?? ??dropped?? ??his?? ??hand?? ??after?? ??a?? ??mont,?? ??“Even?? ??if?? ??I?? ??punch?? ??it’d?? ??be?? ??useless.?? ??

This?? ??wall?? ??is?? ??probably?? ??over?? ??ten?? ??feet?? ??thick.”?? ??

Xie?? ??Lian?? ??saw?? ??with?? ??his?? ??own?? ??eyes?? ??that?? ??the?? ??masked?? ??youth?? ??had?? ??entered?? ??here,?? ??it’d?? ??be?? ??silly?? ??to?? ??

think?? ??he’d?? ??sneak?? ??around?? ??just?? ??to?? ??ditate?? ??and?? ??reflect?? ??in?? ??a?? ??dead?? ??end?? ??tunnel??? ??There?? ??must?? ??

be?? ??so?? ??sort?? ??of?? ??chanism?? ??involved,?? ??so?? ??the?? ??two?? ??continued?? ??to?? ??examine?? ??their?? ??

surroundings?? ??in?? ??greater?? ??detail.?? ??Soon,?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??pointed,?? ??“Lord?? ??Wind?? ??Master,?? ??take?? ??a?? ??look?? ??at?? ??

the?? ??ground,?? ??there?? ??seems?? ??to?? ??be?? ??sothing.”?? ??

Shi?? ??Qing?? ??Xuan?? ??dropped?? ??his?? ??palm?? ??imdiately?? ??and?? ??the?? ??two?? ??squatted?? ??around?? ??where?? ??Xie?? ??

Lian?? ??had?? ??pointed.?? ??

The?? ??ground?? ??of?? ??this?? ??tunnel?? ??was?? ??paved?? ??with?? ??innurous?? ??squared?? ??bricks,?? ??and?? ??each?? ??brick?? ??

was?? ??about?? ??the?? ??size?? ??of?? ??a?? ??small?? ??door.?? ??The?? ??brick?? ??that?? ??they?? ??were?? ??standing?? ??on?? ??right?? ??in?? ??front?? ??of?? ??

the?? ??stone?? ??wall?? ??had?? ??a?? ??drawing?? ??upon?? ??it.?? ??It?? ??wasn’t?? ??a?? ??large?? ??picture,?? ??but?? ??it?? ??was?? ??of?? ??a?? ??little?? ??person?? ??

throwing?? ??dice.?? ??

Shi?? ??Qing?? ??Xuan?? ??raised?? ??his?? ??head,?? ??“So?? ??does?? ??this?? ??an?? ??it’s?? ??the?? ??sa?? ??thod?? ??as?? ??before,?? ??that?? ??

we’d?? ??have?? ??to?? ??toss?? ??the?? ??right?? ??number?? ??to?? ??open?? ??this?? ??stone?? ??wall?”?? ??

Xie?? ??Lian?? ??nodded?? ??slightly,?? ??“That?? ??looks?? ??to?? ??be?? ??the?? ??case,?? ??but?? ??I?? ??didn’t?? ??co?? ??in?? ??here?? ??with?? ??that?? ??

masked?? ??youth,?? ??so?? ??I?? ??don’t?? ??know?? ??what?? ??the?? ??right?? ??number?? ??is.”?? ??

“We’ve?? ??co?? ??this?? ??far,”?? ??Shi?? ??Qing?? ??Xuan?? ??said,?? ??“It’s?? ??not?? ??realistic?? ??to?? ??turn?? ??back?? ??just?? ??to?? ??find?? ??that?? ??

out.?? ??Let’s?? ??just?? ??throw?? ??a?? ??random?? ??number?? ??and?? ??see.”?? ??

Xie?? ??Lian?? ??agreed,?? ??“Lord?? ??Wind?? ??Master,?? ??why?? ??don’t?? ??you?? ??give?? ??it?? ??a?? ??go??? ??I?? ??don’t?? ??know?? ??how?? ??long?? ??

my?? ??borrowed?? ??luck?? ??would?? ??last.”?? ??

Shi?? ??Qing?? ??Xuan?? ??didn’t?? ??decline.?? ??He?? ??picked?? ??up?? ??the?? ??dice?? ??and?? ??tossed?? ??them?? ??to?? ??the?? ??floor,?? ??“How?? ??

about?? ??that?”?? ??

He?? ??rolled?? ??a?? ??“two”?? ??and?? ??a?? ??“five”.?? ??The?? ??two?? ??waited?? ??in?? ??silence?? ??but?? ??the?? ??stone?? ??wall?? ??didn’t?? ??move.?? ??

Xie?? ??Lian?? ??picked?? ??up?? ??the?? ??dice,?? ??“I?? ??guess?? ??that?? ??didn’t?? ??work.”?? ??

Shi?? ??Qing?? ??Xuan?? ??suddenly?? ??cried,?? ??“Your?? ??Highness,?? ??look?? ??under?? ??our?? ??feet!?? ??The?? ??picture’s?? ??

changed!”?? ??

Hearing?? ??this,?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??imdiately?? ??looked?? ??down.?? ??Sure?? ??enough,?? ??the?? ??image?? ??on?? ??the?? ??square?? ??

brick?? ??beneath?? ??their?? ??feet?? ??had?? ??been?? ??a?? ??little?? ??person?? ??throwing?? ??dice,?? ??but?? ??as?? ??they?? ??watched,?? ??the?? ??

colours?? ??slowly?? ??faded?? ??and?? ??filled?? ??in?? ??once?? ??more,?? ??transforming?? ??into?? ??a?? ??different?? ??scene,?? ??looking?? ??

like?? ??a?? ??long,?? ??fat?? ??and?? ??thick?? ??black?? ??creepy?? ??crawler.?? ??

“What?? ??in?? ??the?? ??world?? ??is?? ??this?”?? ??Shi?? ??Qing?? ??Xuan?? ??wondered.?? ??

“An?? ??earthworm??? ??A?? ??leech?”?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??guessed.?? ??“That’s?? ??what?? ??it?? ??looks?? ??like.?? ??There’s?? ??plenty?? ??in?? ??

the?? ??paddy?? ??fields,?? ??so?? ??I’ve?? ??seen?? ??a?? ??lot.”?? ??

Shi?? ??Qing?? ??Xuan?? ??wondered?? ??so?? ??more,?? ??“What?? ??kind?? ??of?? ??life?? ??did?? ??you?? ??lead?? ??to?? ??see?? ??a?? ??lot?? ??of?? ??this?? ??

stuff...”?? ?? ??

Before?? ??his?? ??words?? ??were?? ??finished,?? ??his?? ??entire?? ??person?? ??disappeared.?? ??

It?? ??wasn’t?? ??just?? ??him,?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??himself?? ??disappeared?? ??too.?? ??Turns?? ??out,?? ??just?? ??as?? ??the?? ??words?? ??“what?? ??

in?? ??the?? ??world”?? ??were?? ??uttered,?? ??they?? ??both?? ??felt?? ??hollow?? ??beneath?? ??their?? ??feet?? ??at?? ??the?? ??sa?? ??ti,?? ??and?? ??

the?? ??next?? ??mont?? ??they?? ??started?? ??free-falling?? ??into?? ??another?? ??tunnel.?? ??

Turns?? ??out,?? ??that?? ??stone?? ??wall?? ??wasn’t?? ??a?? ??door?? ??after?? ??all,?? ??and?? ??was?? ??in?? ??all?? ??seriousness,?? ??a?? ??wall.?? ??The?? ??

square?? ??brick?? ??beneath?? ??their?? ??feet?? ??was?? ??the?? ??real?? ??door.?? ??After?? ??tossing?? ??the?? ??dice,?? ??the?? ??doors?? ??

opened?? ??suddenly?? ??and?? ??closed?? ??instantly.?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??and?? ??Shi?? ??Qing?? ??Xuan?? ??free?? ??fell?? ??for?? ??only?? ??a?? ??

mont?? ??before?? ??landing?? ??heavily?? ??onto?? ??the?? ??ground.?? ??

It?? ??was?? ??a?? ??good?? ??thing?? ??that?? ??the?? ??ground?? ??was?? ??soft,?? ??otherwise?? ??the?? ??two?? ??would’ve?? ??cratered?? ??in?? ??

deep.?? ??They?? ??didn’t?? ??think?? ??the?? ??fall?? ??was?? ??painful?? ??and?? ??were?? ??just?? ??pulling?? ??themselves?? ??up?? ??when?? ??

their?? ??heads?? ??knocked?? ??into?? ??each?? ??other.?? ??They?? ??“ah”-ed?? ??and?? ??fell?? ??back?? ??to?? ??the?? ??ground.?? ??Xie?? ??Lain,?? ??

with?? ??one?? ??hand?? ??covering?? ??his?? ??forehead,?? ??was?? ??feeling?? ??about?? ??his?? ??surroundings?? ??with?? ??his?? ??other?? ??

hand?? ??but?? ??only?? ??made?? ??contact?? ??with?? ??the?? ??soft,?? ??wet,?? ??muddy?? ??ground.?? ?? ??

There?? ??was?? ??no?? ??stone?? ??tiles.?? ??That?? ??stone?? ??wall?? ??was?? ??long?? ??gone.?? ??

When?? ??they?? ??fell?? ??earlier,?? ??the?? ??palm?? ??torch?? ??Shi?? ??Qing?? ??Xuan?? ??ignited?? ??had?? ??been?? ??extinguished.?? ??

Now?? ??that?? ??he?? ??had?? ??lit?? ??it?? ??up?? ??once?? ??more?? ??and?? ??brightened?? ??their?? ??surroundings,?? ??the?? ??two?? ??

discovered?? ??that?? ??they?? ??were?? ??in?? ??a?? ??mud?? ??tunnel.?? ??

The?? ??tunnel?? ??was?? ??round?? ??in?? ??shape?? ??with?? ??muddy?? ??walls,?? ??and?? ??didn’t?? ??appear?? ??to?? ??be?? ??man?? ??made.?? ??

Shi?? ??Qing?? ??Xuan?? ??rubbed?? ??his?? ??forehead,?? ??“What?? ??is?? ??this?? ??place??? ??Did?? ??we?? ??get?? ??thrown?? ??here?? ??

because?? ??we?? ??tossed?? ??the?? ??wrong?? ??number?”?? ??

Xie?? ??Lian?? ??humd?? ??and?? ??said,?? ??“It’s?? ??very?? ??possible.?? ??That?? ??stone?? ??door?? ??is?? ??gone,?? ??aning?? ??we?? ??

have?? ??no?? ??chance?? ??of?? ??turning?? ??back.?? ??Let’s?? ??think?? ??of?? ??a?? ??way?? ??to?? ??escape?? ??first.”?? ??

The?? ??two?? ??talked?? ??it?? ??over?? ??and?? ??decided?? ??to?? ??keep?? ??following?? ??the?? ??tunnel?? ??path.?? ??The?? ??tunnel?? ??had?? ??

innurous?? ??twists?? ??and?? ??turns,?? ??and?? ??if?? ??a?? ??full?? ??grown?? ??adult?? ??wanted?? ??to?? ??stand?? ??up?? ??straight?? ??in?? ??it?? ??

they’d?? ??have?? ??a?? ??hard?? ??ti.?? ??They?? ??could?? ??only?? ??bend?? ??at?? ??the?? ??waist?? ??to?? ??walk,?? ??or?? ??crawl,?? ??moving?? ??

both?? ??slowly?? ??and?? ??tiresoly.?? ??The?? ??air?? ??in?? ??this?? ??tunnel?? ??was?? ??also?? ??warm?? ??and?? ??moist,?? ??the?? ??mud?? ??

clingy?? ??and?? ??annoying,?? ??each?? ??of?? ??their?? ??steps?? ??sinking?? ??and?? ??dragging,?? ??watery?? ??and?? ??gross.?? ??

Sotis,?? ??they?? ??would?? ??even?? ??step?? ??into?? ??a?? ??rotten?? ??remains?? ??of?? ??plants?? ??or?? ??animals.?? ??Xie?? ??Lian’s?? ??

face?? ??never?? ??changed,?? ??but?? ??Shi?? ??Qing?? ??Xuan?? ??had?? ??goosebumps?? ??pop?? ??up?? ??all?? ??over.?? ??But?? ??the?? ??more?? ??

they?? ??traversed?? ??the?? ??more?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??felt?? ??sothing?? ??was?? ??off.?? ??“Lord?? ??Wind?? ??Master,?? ??we?? ??better?? ??

move?? ??faster,?? ??otherwise...”?? ??

Just?? ??then,?? ??a?? ??loud,?? ??bizarre?? ??roaring?? ??sound?? ??ca?? ??echoing.?? ??

The?? ??noise?? ??crashed?? ??in,?? ??the?? ??entire?? ??tunnel?? ??shook,?? ??and?? ??small?? ??blots?? ??of?? ??mud?? ??pitter?? ??pattered?? ??

down?? ??from?? ??the?? ??quaking.?? ??The?? ??two?? ??looked?? ??at?? ??each?? ??other,?? ??and?? ??without?? ??a?? ??word,?? ??they?? ??sped?? ??off?? ??

in?? ??the?? ??opposite?? ??direction?? ??of?? ??the?? ??noise.?? ??

Yet,?? ??that?? ??loud?? ??sound?? ??and?? ??the?? ??huge?? ??quaking?? ??shook?? ??the?? ??tunnel?? ??violently,?? ??and?? ??its?? ??speed?? ??

much?? ??faster?? ??than?? ??they,?? ??cutting?? ??in?? ??closer?? ??by?? ??the?? ??second.?? ??The?? ??two?? ??of?? ??them?? ??moved?? ??with?? ??

much?? ??difficulty,?? ??one?? ??step?? ??shallow?? ??and?? ??one?? ??step?? ??deep,?? ??crawling?? ??through?? ??the?? ??twisting?? ??tunnel?? ??

without?? ??end?? ??in?? ??sight,?? ??not?? ??even?? ??a?? ??ray?? ??of?? ??light.?? ??And?? ??not?? ??just?? ??that,?? ??but?? ??in?? ??the?? ??direction?? ??they’re?? ??

running?? ??towards?? ??also?? ??reverberated?? ??the?? ??sa?? ??huge?? ??noise?? ??and?? ??quaking!?? ??

Both?? ??front?? ??and?? ??back?? ??were?? ??blocked,?? ??the?? ??two?? ??had?? ??to?? ??stop.?? ??Along?? ??with?? ??the?? ??crashing?? ??noises,?? ??

the?? ??sound?? ??of?? ??a?? ??heavy?? ??and?? ??gigantic?? ??body?? ??pushing?? ??through?? ??the?? ??mud?? ??whamd?? ??past,?? ??and?? ??

two?? ??humongous?? ??earthworms?? ??wiggled?? ??in,?? ??appearing?? ??before?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??and?? ??Shi?? ??Qing?? ??Xuan.?? ??

The?? ??two?? ??worms?? ??were?? ??swollen?? ??and?? ??large,?? ??their?? ??bodies?? ??a?? ??bruising?? ??purple,?? ??their?? ??skin?? ??lightly?? ??

translucent.?? ??The?? ??body?? ??of?? ??the?? ??insects?? ??were?? ??segnted,?? ??no?? ??head,?? ??no?? ??tail,?? ??the?? ??fronts?? ??were?? ??

only?? ??a?? ??at?? ??stump.?? ??If?? ??those?? ??weren’t?? ??worms?? ??then?? ??what?? ??were?? ??they??? ??

The?? ??stone?? ??door?? ??opened?? ??and?? ??threw?? ??them?? ??into?? ??such?? ??monster’s?? ??nest!?? ??

Xie?? ??Lian?? ??raised?? ??an?? ??arm?? ??to?? ??guard?? ??before?? ??himself,?? ??RuoYe?? ??at?? ??the?? ??ready.?? ??Shi?? ??Qing?? ??Xuan?? ??

untucked?? ??his?? ??Wind?? ??Master?? ??fan?? ??from?? ??who?? ??knows?? ??where.?? ??Unfortunately?? ??in?? ??this?? ??narrow?? ??

tunnel?? ??it?? ??was?? ??impossible?? ??to?? ??start?? ??any?? ??gusts,?? ??and?? ??any?? ??blows?? ??would?? ??only?? ??recoil,?? ??making?? ??it?? ??

hard?? ??to?? ??make?? ??use?? ??of?? ??that?? ??spiritual?? ??device.?? ??Just?? ??then,?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??recalled?? ??that?? ??worms?? ??were?? ??

afraid?? ??of?? ??light?? ??and?? ??heat,?? ??and?? ??he?? ??shouted,?? ??“Lord?? ??Wind?? ??Master,?? ??please?? ??let?? ???? ??so?? ??power,?? ??

and?? ??grow?? ??your?? ??palm?? ??light!”?? ??

Shi?? ??Qing?? ??Xuan?? ??followed?? ??his?? ??direction,?? ??and?? ??tapped?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??with?? ??his?? ??left?? ??hand?? ??while?? ??the?? ??

flas?? ??in?? ??his?? ??right?? ??palm?? ??burst?? ??a?? ??few?? ??feet?? ??higher.?? ??Sure?? ??enough,?? ??the?? ??two?? ??giant?? ??worms?? ??felt?? ??

the?? ??heat?? ??and?? ??shrunk?? ??back,?? ??pulling?? ??away?? ??a?? ??few?? ??feet?? ??in?? ??distance.?? ??The?? ??two,?? ??using?? ??the?? ??

flas,?? ??continued?? ??on?? ??their?? ??path?? ??slowly,?? ??forcing?? ??the?? ??giant?? ??earthworms?? ??to?? ??keep?? ??a?? ??distance,?? ??

and?? ??prayed?? ??for?? ??an?? ??exit.?? ??

However,?? ??the?? ??tunnel?? ??was?? ??narrow,?? ??and?? ??soon?? ??enough,?? ??it?? ??wasn’t?? ??only?? ??the?? ??worms?? ??feeling?? ??the?? ??

heat?? ??from?? ??the?? ??flas,?? ??but?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??and?? ??Shi?? ??Qing?? ??Xuan?? ??themselves?? ??were?? ??sweating?? ??

profusely,?? ??as?? ??if?? ??they?? ??were?? ??baking?? ??in?? ??an?? ??oven,?? ??miserable?? ??and?? ??wretched.?? ??And?? ??the?? ??more?? ??

horrifying?? ??thing?? ??was,?? ??Shi?? ??Qing?? ??Xuan?? ??couldn’t?? ??keep?? ??up?? ??burning?? ??his?? ??powers?? ??to?? ??keep?? ??the?? ??

flas?? ??alive,?? ??and?? ??the?? ??fire?? ??grew?? ??smaller?? ??and?? ??smaller.?? ??They?? ??also?? ??noticed?? ??that?? ??although?? ??the?? ??

giant?? ??earthworms?? ??were?? ??evading?? ??them,?? ??they?? ??weren’t?? ??as?? ??jittery.?? ??

After?? ??a?? ??few?? ??more?? ??steps,?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??felt?? ??his?? ??breathing?? ??grow?? ??difficult?? ??and?? ??said,?? ??“Lord?? ??Wind?? ??

Master,?? ??the?? ??palm?? ??torch?? ??won’t?? ??last.?? ??The?? ??mud?? ??here?? ??may?? ??be?? ??moist?? ??and?? ??loose,?? ??but?? ??we’re?? ??still?? ??

deep?? ??underground.?? ??Soon?? ??the?? ??air?? ??will?? ??no?? ??longer?? ??pass,?? ??the?? ??fire?? ??will?? ??die,?? ??and?? ??we’re?? ??going?? ??to?? ??

faint.”?? ??

Shi?? ??Qing?? ??Xuan?? ??gritted?? ??his?? ??teeth,?? ??“Then?? ??we?? ??can?? ??only?? ??use?? ??the?? ??Distance?? ??Shortening?? ??Array.”?? ??

Although?? ??neither?? ??of?? ??the?? ??two?? ??had?? ??a?? ??free?? ??hand?? ??to?? ??draw?? ??an?? ??array?? ??and?? ??the?? ??current?? ??

environnt?? ??wasn’t?? ??exactly?? ??ideal,?? ??there?? ??was?? ??no?? ??other?? ??way.?? ??“Let?? ???? ??find?? ??sowhere?? ??flat.”?? ??

Xie?? ??Lian?? ??said.?? ??

Just?? ??then,?? ??he?? ??felt?? ??beneath?? ??his?? ??step?? ??a?? ??small?? ??plate?? ??that?? ??didn’t?? ??seem?? ??to?? ??be?? ??moist?? ??and?? ??spongy?? ??

but?? ??more?? ??so?? ??like?? ??a?? ??stone?? ??tile.?? ??Xie?? ??Lian’s?? ??mind?? ??moved?? ??and?? ??he?? ??imdiately?? ??crouched?? ??down?? ??

to?? ??check.?? ??Just?? ??as?? ??he?? ??suspected?? ??–?? ??it?? ??was?? ??another?? ??stone?? ??door!?? ??

There?? ??was?? ??also?? ??another?? ??drawing?? ??of?? ??a?? ??little?? ??person?? ??tossing?? ??dice?? ??on?? ??this?? ??door.?? ??Shi?? ??Qing?? ??

Xuan?? ??also?? ??stepped?? ??onto?? ??the?? ??tile?? ??and?? ??was?? ??overjoyed,?? ??“Quick,?? ??quick,?? ??quick!?? ??Throw?? ??the?? ??dice?? ??

and?? ??open?? ??it!”?? ?? ??

Xie?? ??Lian?? ??was?? ??just?? ??about?? ??to?? ??toss?? ??out?? ??the?? ??dice?? ??but?? ??suddenly?? ??thought,?? ??‘But?? ??what?? ??if?? ??I?? ??roll?? ??out?? ??

worse?? ??outcos?? ??and?? ??open?? ??a?? ??more?? ??horrifying?? ??place?’?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??passed?? ??the?? ??dice?? ??to?? ??Shi?? ??

Qing?? ??Xuan,?? ??“Here,?? ??you?? ??do?? ??it!”?? ??

Without?? ??a?? ??word,?? ??Shi?? ??Qing?? ??Xuan?? ??grabbed?? ??the?? ??dice?? ??and?? ??tossed.?? ??Rattle,?? ??rattle.?? ??This?? ??ti?? ??it?? ??

was?? ??a?? ??‘three’?? ??and?? ??a?? ??‘four’.?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??picked?? ??up?? ??the?? ??dice?? ??readily?? ??and?? ??and?? ??the?? ??two?? ??stood?? ??

together?? ??over?? ??the?? ??tile.?? ??The?? ??palm?? ??torch?? ??on?? ??Shi?? ??Qing?? ??Xuan’s?? ??hand?? ??beca?? ??smaller?? ??by?? ??

another?? ??inch,?? ??and?? ??the?? ??two?? ??giant?? ??worms?? ??were?? ??squirming?? ??and?? ??twisting,?? ??struggling?? ??to?? ??

approach.?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??watched?? ??the?? ??drawing?? ??on?? ??the?? ??tile?? ??closely?? ??as?? ??it?? ??slowly?? ??dissolved?? ??into?? ??

another?? ??picture.?? ??It?? ??was?? ??of?? ??a?? ??forest?? ??and?? ??a?? ??number?? ??of?? ??weirdly?? ??dressed?? ??little?? ??people?? ??were?? ??

dancing?? ??in?? ??circles?? ??around?? ??another.?? ?? ??

Just?? ??then,?? ??the?? ??worms?? ??wouldn’t?? ??hold?? ??back?? ??anymore,?? ??and?? ??rushed?? ??towards?? ??them?? ??with?? ??a?? ??

small?? ??mouth?? ??on?? ??the?? ??head?? ??opening,?? ??dragging?? ??their?? ??heavy?? ??bodies.?? ?? ??

Thankfully,?? ??just?? ??as?? ??the?? ??worms?? ??were?? ??only?? ??re?? ??feet?? ??away?? ??from?? ??them,?? ??the?? ??stone?? ??door?? ??

opened!?? ??

This?? ??ti,?? ??the?? ??two?? ??fell?? ??into?? ??another?? ??narrow?? ??hole,?? ??but?? ??the?? ??ground?? ??was?? ??hard,?? ??cramped,?? ??and?? ??

dry.?? ??The?? ??fall?? ??was?? ??painful?? ??and?? ??the?? ??two?? ??tumbled?? ??and?? ??knocked?? ??into?? ??each?? ??other.?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??was?? ??

used?? ??to?? ??pain?? ??so?? ??he?? ??didn’t?? ??make?? ??a?? ??sound,?? ??but?? ??Shi?? ??Qing?? ??Xuan?? ??yelled?? ??in?? ??pain.?? ??Xie?? ??Lian’s?? ??

ears?? ??were?? ??hurt?? ??by?? ??the?? ??loud?? ??screaming.?? ??Worried?? ??sothing?? ??might?? ??have?? ??happened,?? ??he?? ??

called?? ??out,?? ??“Lord?? ??Wind?? ??Master,?? ??are?? ??you?? ??ok?”?? ??

Shi?? ??Qing?? ??Xuan’s?? ??head?? ??was?? ??at?? ??the?? ??bottom?? ??and?? ??his?? ??legs?? ??up,?? ??“I?? ??don’t?? ??know?? ??if?? ??I’m?? ??ok.?? ??I’ve?? ??

never?? ??fallen?? ??like?? ??this?? ??before.?? ??Your?? ??Highness,?? ??there’s?? ??way?? ??too?? ??much?? ??thrill?? ??working?? ??with?? ??

you.”?? ??

Hearing?? ??this?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??couldn’t?? ??help?? ??but?? ??let?? ??out?? ??a?? ??small?? ??laugh,?? ??and?? ??realized?? ??the?? ??two?? ??of?? ??

them?? ??fell?? ??into?? ??a?? ??hole?? ??in?? ??a?? ??tree.?? ??

He?? ??crawled?? ??out?? ??of?? ??the?? ??hole?? ??with?? ??great?? ??difficulty?? ??and?? ??extended?? ??a?? ??helping?? ??hand?? ??to?? ??Shi?? ??Qing?? ??

Xuan,?? ??“Thanks?? ??for?? ??all?? ??your?? ??hard?? ??work.”?? ??

“You’re?? ??welco.”?? ??Shi?? ??Qing?? ??Xuan?? ??replied.?? ??

He?? ??pulled?? ??on?? ??Xie?? ??Lian’s?? ??hand?? ??and?? ??climbed?? ??out?? ??of?? ??the?? ??hole,?? ??muddy?? ??and?? ??disheveled,?? ??his?? ??

silk?? ??dress?? ??robe?? ??ripped?? ??and?? ??rumpled.?? ??When?? ??he?? ??got?? ??out?? ??he?? ??put?? ??a?? ??hand?? ??over?? ??his?? ??brows?? ??to?? ??

block?? ??out?? ??the?? ??sharp?? ??brightness?? ??of?? ??the?? ??sun.?? ??“Where’s?? ??this?”?? ??

“As?? ??you?? ??see,?? ??a?? ??forest?? ??in?? ??the?? ??deep?? ??mountains.”?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??replied.?? ??He?? ??looked?? ??around?? ??him?? ??

and?? ??said,?? ??“I?? ??think?? ??these?? ??stone?? ??doors?? ??are?? ??a?? ??spiritual?? ??device?? ??that?? ??have?? ??the?? ??sa?? ??function?? ??as?? ??

the?? ??Distance?? ??Shortening?? ??Array.?? ??Different?? ??numbers?? ??tossed?? ??will?? ??take?? ??us?? ??to?? ??different?? ??places.?? ??

I?? ??wonder?? ??if?? ??we?? ??tossed?? ??any?? ??right?? ??numbers.”?? ??

Shi?? ??Qing?? ??Xuan?? ??crossed?? ??his?? ??two?? ??now?? ??uncovered?? ??arms?? ??and?? ??pondered?? ??seriously,?? ??“Using?? ??the?? ??

Distance?? ??Shortening?? ??Array?? ??just?? ??once?? ??requires?? ??an?? ??imnse?? ??amount?? ??of?? ??spiritual?? ??power.?? ??To?? ??

create?? ??these?? ??stone?? ??doors?? ??to?? ??prevent?? ??others?? ??from?? ??snooping?? ??around,?? ??that?? ??Crimson?? ??Rain?? ??

Sought?? ??Flower?? ??is?? ??indeed?? ??powerful?? ??and?? ??no?? ??stranger?? ??to?? ??mind?? ??gas.”?? ??

Although?? ??his?? ??expression?? ??was?? ??solemn,?? ??with?? ??bare?? ??arms?? ??and?? ??such?? ??an?? ??unkempt?? ??disposition,?? ??

he?? ??didn’t?? ??look?? ??serious?? ??at?? ??all?? ??and?? ??rather?? ??hilarious.?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??held?? ??back?? ??his?? ??laugh?? ??with?? ??great?? ??

difficulty?? ??and?? ??thought?? ??about?? ??the?? ??way?? ??Hua?? ??Cheng?? ??would?? ??lift?? ??his?? ??lips?? ??and?? ??shook?? ??his?? ??head.?? ??

‘Rather?? ??than?? ??mind?? ??gas,?? ??it’s?? ??more...?? ??that?? ??he’s?? ??mischievious.’?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??thought.?? ??

The?? ??two?? ??only?? ??just?? ??gotten?? ??out?? ??of?? ??the?? ??hole?? ??in?? ??the?? ??tree,?? ??and?? ??not?? ??even?? ??a?? ??few?? ??steps?? ??after?? ??a?? ??

number?? ??of?? ??red?? ??skinned?? ??naked?? ??people?? ??suddenly?? ??poured?? ??out?? ??from?? ??the?? ??nearby?? ??bushes?? ??and?? ??

surrounded?? ??them.?? ??They?? ??started?? ??jumping,?? ??howling?? ??as?? ??they?? ??did?? ??so,?? ??

“OOOooooHHHOooHHooohhhh!!”?? ??

“...”?? ??

The?? ??two?? ??were?? ??shocked,?? ??and?? ??Shi?? ??Qing?? ??Xuan?? ??cried,?? ??“What?? ??is?? ??this?? ??now?!”?? ??

Xie?? ??Lian?? ??raised?? ??his?? ??hand,?? ??“Don’t?? ??panic,?? ??don’t?? ??panic!”?? ??

He?? ??steadied?? ??himself?? ??to?? ??look?? ??at?? ??those?? ??savages,?? ??and?? ??they?? ??weren’t?? ??truly?? ??naked,?? ??but?? ??were?? ??

wearing?? ??animal?? ??skins?? ??and?? ??leaves,?? ??looking?? ??like?? ??they?? ??were?? ??ready?? ??to?? ??drink?? ??blood.?? ??They?? ??had?? ??

long?? ??branch?? ??spears?? ??and?? ??sharp?? ??stoned?? ??axes?? ??in?? ??hand,?? ??and?? ??when?? ??they?? ??smiled?? ??at?? ??the?? ??two,?? ??

their?? ??teeth?? ??were?? ??jaggedly?? ??sharp?? ??like?? ??saws.?? ??

The?? ??two?? ??ran?? ??without?? ??saying?? ??a?? ??word.?? ??

Shi?? ??Qing?? ??Xuan?? ??shouted?? ??as?? ??he?? ??ran,?? ??“My?? ??brother?? ??used?? ??to?? ??always?? ??tell?? ??!?? ??That?? ??deep?? ??in?? ??the?? ??

southern?? ??mountains?? ??are?? ??many?? ??savage?? ??cannibals?? ??that?? ??live?? ??off?? ??of?? ??human?? ??flesh!?? ??He?? ??told?? ???? ??

not?? ??to?? ??ever?? ??co?? ??to?? ??such?? ??a?? ??place?? ??on?? ??my?? ??own!?? ??Is?? ??that?? ??what?? ??those?? ??are?!”?? ??

Xie?? ??Lian?? ??was?? ??practiced?? ??in?? ??the?? ??art?? ??of?? ??escape?? ??so?? ??his?? ??entire?? ??deanour?? ??and?? ??manner?? ??were?? ??

much?? ??more?? ??serene?? ??than?? ??Shi?? ??Qing?? ??Xuan.?? ??He?? ??replied?? ??calmly,?? ??“Hm.?? ??That’s?? ??very?? ??possible!?? ??

Either?? ??way?? ??let’s?? ??find?? ??the?? ??door?? ??first!?? ??Let’s?? ??see?? ??if?? ??there?? ??are?? ??any?? ??more?? ??stone?? ??doors?? ??nearby!”?? ??

Those?? ??savages?? ??ran?? ??after?? ??them?? ??screaming?? ??and?? ??howling?? ??tirelessly.?? ??Originally,?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??and?? ??

Shi?? ??Qing?? ??Xuan?? ??could?? ??only?? ??escape?? ??and?? ??not?? ??fight?? ??back?? ??because?? ??there?? ??were?? ??heavenly?? ??laws?? ??

that?? ??dictated?? ??that?? ??should?? ??gods?? ??ever?? ??descend?? ??to?? ??the?? ??mortal?? ??realm,?? ??they?? ??shalt?? ??not?? ??use?? ??their?? ??

powers?? ??to?? ??oppress.?? ??This?? ??law?? ??was?? ??to?? ??prevent?? ??heavenly?? ??officials?? ??from?? ??bullying?? ??mortals?? ??and?? ??

create?? ??disasters?? ??borne?? ??of?? ??power.?? ??But?? ??the?? ??cannibals?? ??unceasingly?? ??threw?? ??sharp?? ??rocks?? ??and?? ??

branches?? ??at?? ??them,?? ??and?? ??one?? ??such?? ??branch?? ??scraped?? ??Shi?? ??Qing?? ??Xuan’s?? ??cheek.?? ??

This?? ??was?? ??absolutely?? ??unacceptable.?? ??Shi?? ??Qing?? ??Xuan?? ??felt?? ??his?? ??face?? ??and?? ??there?? ??was?? ??the?? ??lightest?? ??

of?? ??a?? ??bloody?? ??scratch,?? ??and?? ??saw?? ??red.?? ??

He?? ??roared?? ??and?? ??ca?? ??to?? ??a?? ??sudden?? ??stop.?? ??Turning?? ??around,?? ??he?? ??shouted,?? ??“YOU?? ??IGNORANT?? ??

HILLBILLY?? ??SAVAGES!?? ??NOT?? ??ONLY?? ??DID?? ??YOU?? ??NOT?? ??COWER?? ??IN?? ??FEAR?? ??BEFORE?? ??,?? ??

THE?? ??LORD?? ??WIND?? ??MASTER,?? ??YOU?? ??DARE?? ??RUIN?? ??MY?? ??FACE!!?? ??UNBELIEVABLE!!!”?? ??

After?? ??his?? ??cries,?? ??he?? ??pulled?? ??out?? ??his?? ??wind?? ??master?? ??fan,?? ??flashing?? ??it?? ??open?? ??with?? ??a?? ??powerful?? ??

whoosh?? ??and?? ??swun?? ??with?? ??force.?? ??The?? ??savages?? ??were?? ??blown?? ??off?? ??the?? ??ground?? ??and?? ??smashed?? ??into?? ??

nearby?? ??trees,?? ??howling?? ??as?? ??they?? ??hung?? ??off?? ??the?? ??branches.?? ??The?? ??two?? ??could?? ??finally?? ??stop?? ??running,?? ??

and?? ??took?? ??in?? ??deep?? ??breaths?? ??trying?? ??to?? ??calm?? ??their?? ??heartbeat.?? ??That?? ??thought?? ??ca?? ??to?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??

again,?? ??it’s?? ??hard?? ??being?? ??a?? ??god...?? ??in?? ??the?? ??three?? ??realms,?? ??no?? ??one?? ??had?? ??it?? ??easier...?? ??

Shi?? ??Qing?? ??Xuan?? ??huffed?? ??and?? ??turned?? ??to?? ??Xie?? ??Lian,?? ??“Your?? ??Highness,?? ??you?? ??saw?? ??it,?? ??right??? ??They?? ??

were?? ??asking?? ??for?? ??it!?? ??I?? ??wasn’t?? ??using?? ??my?? ??powers?? ??to?? ??oppress.”?? ??

“I?? ??saw,?? ??yes.”?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??said.?? ??

Shi?? ??Qing?? ??Xuan?? ??felt?? ??his?? ??face?? ??again?? ??and?? ??mumbled?? ??under?? ??his?? ??breath,?? ??“Even?? ??my?? ??brother?? ??

wouldn’t?? ??dare...”?? ??He?? ??turned?? ??around?? ??again,?? ??“Let’s?? ??go?? ??find?? ??that?? ??stone?? ??door.”?? ??

Xie?? ??Lian?? ??nodded?? ??silently?? ??and?? ??watched?? ??Shi?? ??Qing?? ??Xuan?? ??fixed?? ??his?? ??clothes?? ??and?? ??hair,?? ??looking?? ??

carefree?? ??once?? ??more.?? ??Unfortunately?? ??he?? ??was?? ??dressed?? ??in?? ??a?? ??bedraggled?? ??purple?? ??silk?? ??dress,?? ??so?? ??

his?? ??air?? ??of?? ??carefree?? ??had?? ??a?? ??flavour?? ??of?? ??queer;?? ??it?? ??was?? ??an?? ??unforgettable?? ??sight.?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??couldn’t?? ??

help?? ??but?? ??lant.?? ??Thinking?? ??back?? ??on?? ??when?? ??they?? ??first?? ??t?? ??at?? ??the?? ??BanYue?? ??Pass,?? ??the?? ??Lord?? ??

Wind?? ??Master?? ??was?? ??such?? ??a?? ??scintillating?? ??figure,?? ??so?? ??much?? ??so?? ??that?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??had?? ??thought?? ??him?? ??a?? ??

powerful?? ??being?? ??with?? ??imasurable?? ??depth;?? ??if?? ??not?? ??of?? ??a?? ??supre?? ??demonic?? ??cultivator,?? ??then?? ??a?? ??

supre?? ??saint.?? ??Now?? ??that?? ??they’re?? ??close,?? ??he?? ??understood?? ??everything?? ??was?? ??but?? ??an?? ??illusion...?? ??

The?? ??two?? ??walked?? ??around?? ??in?? ??circles?? ??in?? ??the?? ??forest?? ??and?? ??finally?? ??found?? ??a?? ??set?? ??of?? ??stone?? ??doors?? ??next?? ??

to?? ??a?? ??different?? ??tree?? ??hole.?? ??This?? ??ti,?? ??Shi?? ??Qing?? ??Xuan?? ??refused?? ??to?? ??toss?? ??the?? ??dice?? ??and?? ??shook?? ??his?? ??

head.?? ??“I?? ??don’t?? ??know?? ??what’s?? ??going?? ??on,?? ??but?? ??even?? ??though?? ??my?? ??luck?? ??isn’t?? ??the?? ??best?? ??every?? ??ti,?? ??

it’s?? ??also?? ??not?? ??the?? ??worst?? ??every?? ??ti.?? ??Lady?? ??Fortune?? ??doesn’t?? ??seem?? ??to?? ??be?? ??with?? ???? ??today;?? ??twice?? ??

I?? ??tossed?? ??and?? ??the?? ??first?? ??ti?? ??was?? ??that?? ??earthworm?? ??tunnel,?? ??and?? ??the?? ??second?? ??ti?? ??a?? ??cannibal?? ??

playground.?? ??Who?? ??knows?? ??what’s?? ??next.”?? ??

Xie?? ??Lian?? ??cleared?? ??his?? ??throat?? ??softly?? ??and?? ??guiltily?? ??replied,?? ??“Maybe?? ??it’s?? ??because?? ??I’m?? ??with?? ??you?? ??so?? ??

I?? ??brought?? ??your?? ??luck?? ??down?? ??with?? ??.”?? ??

“What?? ??are?? ??you?? ??saying!”?? ??Shi?? ??Qing?? ??Xuan?? ??exclaid,?? ??“It’s?? ??impossible?? ??for?? ??anyone?? ??to?? ??bring?? ??

down?? ??the?? ??luck?? ??of?? ??I,?? ??the?? ??Lord?? ??Wind?? ??Master!?? ??But?? ??why?? ??don’t?? ??you?? ??give?? ??it?? ??a?? ??go??? ??Maybe?? ??there’s?? ??

still?? ??so?? ??of?? ??the?? ??luck?? ??you?? ??borrowed?? ??from?? ??your?? ??San?? ??Lang?? ??left.”?? ??

Xie?? ??Lian?? ??didn’t?? ??know?? ??why,?? ??but?? ??he?? ??felt?? ??a?? ??little?? ??embarrassed?? ??when?? ??he?? ??heard?? ??“your?? ??San?? ??

Lang”.?? ??He?? ??wanted?? ??to?? ??explain,?? ??but?? ??at?? ??the?? ??sa?? ??ti,?? ??what’s?? ??there?? ??to?? ??explain??? ??If?? ??he?? ??must?? ??

explain?? ??then?? ??it’d?? ??be?? ??a?? ??little?? ??weird,?? ??so?? ??in?? ??the?? ??end,?? ??he?? ??didn’t?? ??say?? ??anything.?? ??He?? ??felt?? ??the?? ??dice?? ??in?? ??

his?? ??hands?? ??and?? ??tossed?? ??them?? ??out?? ??lightly.?? ??

Two?? ??‘sixes’.?? ??

Xie?? ??Lian?? ??held?? ??his?? ??breath?? ??as?? ??he?? ??watched?? ??the?? ??drawings?? ??on?? ??the?? ??stone?? ??door?? ??transform,?? ??and?? ??

ntally?? ??prepared?? ??himself?? ??to?? ??face?? ??whatever?? ??ca?? ??next.?? ??But?? ??this?? ??ti,?? ??the?? ??picture?? ??didn’t?? ??

change?? ??and?? ??the?? ??stone?? ??door?? ??creaked?? ??open.?? ??

Behind?? ??the?? ??door?? ??was?? ??another?? ??long?? ??stairway?? ??that?? ??descended?? ??into?? ??darkness,?? ??blowing?? ??cold?? ??

air.?? ??

The?? ??two?? ??looked?? ??at?? ??each?? ??other,?? ??both?? ??thinking,?? ??‘Did?? ??we?? ??circle?? ??back?? ??to?? ??the?? ??beginning?? ??after?? ??

going?? ??through?? ??all?? ??that?’?? ??

Even?? ??if?? ??it?? ??was?? ??back?? ??at?? ??the?? ??beginning,?? ??it?? ??was?? ??still?? ??better?? ??than?? ??bizarre?? ??dangers;?? ??they’ve?? ??had?? ??

enough.?? ??Thus,?? ??the?? ??two?? ??decided?? ??to?? ??descend.?? ??The?? ??mont?? ??they?? ??entered?? ??through,?? ??the?? ??door?? ??

closed?? ??behind?? ??them,?? ??and?? ??when?? ??they?? ??reached?? ??out?? ??to?? ??push,?? ??the?? ??door?? ??had?? ??beco?? ??a?? ??stone?? ??

wall.?? ?? ??

“Looks?? ??like?? ??our?? ??only?? ??way?? ??is?? ??downwards.”?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??said.?? ??

“Ugh,?? ??alright.”?? ??Shi?? ??Qing?? ??Xuan?? ??sighed,?? ??“Give?? ???? ??a?? ??break?? ??and?? ??we’ll?? ??continue?? ??to?? ??play?? ??that?? ??

hateful?? ??Crimson?? ??Rain?? ??Sought?? ??Flower’s?? ??ga!”?? ??

The?? ??two?? ??once?? ??again?? ??descended?? ??down?? ??the?? ??long?? ??and?? ??rectangular?? ??stony?? ??path.?? ??After?? ??two?? ??

hundred?? ??steps?? ??or?? ??so,?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??realized?? ??sothing.?? ??“Good?? ??news,?? ??Lord?? ??Wind?? ??Master.?? ??This?? ??

isn’t?? ??the?? ??sa?? ??path?? ??we?? ??took?? ??the?? ??first?? ??ti,?? ??even?? ??though?? ??they’re?? ??similar.”?? ??

Shi?? ??Qing?? ??Xuan?? ??noticed?? ??it?? ??too,?? ??“You’re?? ??right.?? ??The?? ??first?? ??ti?? ??we?? ??reached?? ??the?? ??stone?? ??wall?? ??after?? ??

two?? ??hundred?? ??so?? ??steps,?? ??but?? ??not?? ??this?? ??ti.”?? ??

Xie?? ??Lian?? ??said?? ??softly,?? ??“Looks?? ??like?? ??this?? ??ti?? ??we’re?? ??on?? ??the?? ??right?? ??path.”?? ??

Just?? ??as?? ??he?? ??finished?? ??his?? ??words?? ??the?? ??two?? ??ca?? ??to?? ??a?? ??stop.?? ??

Not?? ??far?? ??before?? ??them?? ??in?? ??the?? ??darkness?? ??wafted?? ??the?? ??stench?? ??of?? ??blood.?? ??Accompanying?? ??the?? ??

sll?? ??was?? ??the?? ??heavy?? ??breathing?? ??of?? ??a?? ??man.?? ??

The?? ??two?? ??didn’t?? ??move?? ??a?? ??muscle?? ??and?? ??said?? ??no?? ??words.?? ??No?? ??light,?? ??no?? ??flas,?? ??yet?? ??the?? ??other?? ??had?? ??

already?? ??sensed?? ??their?? ??presence,?? ??because?? ??right?? ??after?? ??they?? ??stopped,?? ??a?? ??cold?? ??voice?? ??rang?? ??out.?? ??

“I?? ??have?? ??nothing?? ??to?? ??say.”?? ??The?? ??deep?? ??voice?? ??of?? ??a?? ??man?? ??said.?? ??

Hearing?? ??that?? ??voice,?? ??Shi?? ??Qing?? ??Xuan?? ??imdiately?? ??ignited?? ??a?? ??palm?? ??torch.?? ??

Ch.44:?? ??Paradise?? ??to?? ??Ashes;?? ??The?? ??Second?? ??Coming?? ??of?? ??Fang?? ??Xin?? ?? ??

Xie?? ??Lian?? ??didn’t?? ??think?? ??Shi?? ??Qing?? ??Xuan?? ??would?? ??suddenly?? ??light?? ??a?? ??fire?? ??and?? ??didn’t?? ??even?? ??have?? ??the?? ??

ti?? ??to?? ??stop?? ??him?? ??before?? ??it?? ??was?? ??too?? ??late.?? ??The?? ??flas?? ??were?? ??exceedingly?? ??bright?? ??and?? ??revealed?? ??

the?? ??silhouette?? ??of?? ??a?? ??black?? ??clad?? ??man.?? ??

The?? ??man?? ??in?? ??black?? ??had?? ??his?? ??head?? ??hung?? ??low?? ??against?? ??the?? ??stone?? ??wall?? ??at?? ??the?? ??end?? ??of?? ??the?? ??path,?? ??

his?? ??face?? ??as?? ??white?? ??as?? ??a?? ??sheet,?? ??his?? ??hair?? ??a?? ??ss;?? ??but?? ??underneath?? ??that?? ??unkemptness?? ??was?? ??a?? ??

pair?? ??of?? ??eyes?? ??that?? ??shone?? ??with?? ??determination,?? ??like?? ??burning?? ??ice.?? ??Although?? ??he?? ??sat?? ??cross?? ??

legged?? ??without?? ??a?? ??trace?? ??of?? ??discomfort,?? ??the?? ??stench?? ??of?? ??thick?? ??blood?? ??in?? ??the?? ??air?? ??indicated?? ??he?? ??was?? ??

gravely?? ??wounded,?? ??and?? ??was?? ??obviously?? ??imprisoned?? ??here.?? ??His?? ??“I?? ??have?? ??nothing?? ??to?? ??say”?? ??was?? ??

probably?? ??him?? ??mistaking?? ??them?? ??for?? ??interrogators.?? ??

Shi?? ??Qing?? ??Xuan?? ??saw?? ??his?? ??face?? ??and?? ??cried,?? ??“It’s?? ??you!”?? ??

That?? ??man?? ??didn’t?? ??seem?? ??to?? ??expect?? ??other?? ??people?? ??either?? ??and?? ??was?? ??taken?? ??aback,?? ??looking?? ??like?? ??

he?? ??wanted?? ??to?? ??say?? ??“its?? ??you!”?? ??too,?? ??but?? ??alas,?? ??held?? ??back.?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??cald?? ??the?? ??RuoYe?? ??that?? ??was?? ??

ready?? ??to?? ??attack.?? ??“So?? ??you?? ??two?? ??know?? ??each?? ??other?”?? ??

After?? ??crossing?? ??so?? ??many?? ??hurdles?? ??and?? ??found?? ??soone,?? ??Shi?? ??Qing?? ??Xuan?? ??looked?? ??relieved?? ??and?? ??

was?? ??about?? ??to?? ??respond?? ??when?? ??that?? ??man?? ??cut?? ??in?? ??and?? ??said?? ??in?? ??an?? ??indisputable?? ??tone,?? ??“I?? ??don’t?? ??

know?? ??him.”?? ??

Shi?? ??Qing?? ??Xuan?? ??raged?? ??at?? ??those?? ??words?? ??and?? ??pointed?? ??at?? ??him?? ??with?? ??his?? ??fan,?? ??“Is?? ??it?? ??so?? ??shaful?? ??

to?? ??know?? ????? ??What?? ??hurtful?? ??words,?? ??Ming-Xiong*!?? ??I’m?? ??your?? ??best?? ??friend!”?? ??

The?? ??man?? ??denied?? ??it?? ??resolutely,?? ??“I?? ??have?? ??no?? ??friends?? ??that?? ??would?? ??run?? ??around?? ??in?? ??that?? ??sort?? ??of?? ??

attire.”?? ??

“...”?? ??

Shi?? ??Qing?? ??Xuan?? ??was?? ??still?? ??in?? ??his?? ??ragged?? ??purple?? ??silk?? ??dress,?? ??truly...?? ??a?? ??shaful?? ??sight.?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??

wanted?? ??to?? ??laugh?? ??and?? ??thought?? ??there’s?? ??really?? ??people?? ??in?? ??this?? ??world?? ??who?? ??would?? ??use?? ??

‘soone’s?? ??best?? ??friend’?? ??to?? ??validate?? ??themselves;?? ??it’s?? ??definitely?? ??Shi?? ??Qing?? ??Xuan’s?? ??style.?? ??But?? ??

“Ming-Xiong”??? ??If?? ??he?? ??rembers?? ??correctly,?? ??of?? ??the?? ??five?? ??elental?? ??masters,?? ??the?? ??Earth?? ??

Master’s?? ??na?? ??was?? ??Ming?? ??Yi.?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??spoke?? ??up,?? ??“Are?? ??you?? ??perhaps?? ??the?? ??Lord?? ??Earth?? ??

Master?”?? ??

“It’s?? ??him.?? ??You’ve?? ??t?? ??before.”?? ??Shi?? ??Qing?? ??Xuan?? ??replied.?? ??

Xie?? ??Lian?? ??looked?? ??Ming?? ??Yi?? ??over?? ??and?? ??said,?? ??“Have?? ??we?”?? ??He?? ??didn’t?? ??recall?? ??ever?? ??eting?? ??such?? ??a?? ??

character.?? ??

“You?? ??have.”?? ??Shi?? ??Qing?? ??Xuan?? ??said.?? ??

“We?? ??haven’t.”?? ??Ming?? ??Yi?? ??stated.?? ??

“Yea,?? ??you?? ??have!”?? ??Shi?? ??Qing?? ??Xuan?? ??said?? ??exasperatedly,?? ??“Last?? ??ti?? ??at?? ??the?? ??BanYue?? ??Pass!?? ??You?? ??

guys?? ??didn’t?? ??forget?? ??that?? ??fast,?? ??did?? ??you?”?? ??

“...”?? ??

Seeing?? ??Ming?? ??Yi’s?? ??face?? ??go?? ??from?? ??pale?? ??white?? ??to?? ??grim,?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??finally?? ??rembered!?? ??Last?? ??ti?? ??

when?? ??they?? ??t?? ??at?? ??the?? ??BanYue?? ??Pass,?? ??wasn’t?? ??there?? ??a?? ??black?? ??clad?? ??lady?? ??next?? ??to?? ??Shi?? ??Qing?? ??

Xuan?!?? ??

Hua?? ??Cheng?? ??already?? ??told?? ??him?? ??at?? ??the?? ??ti?? ??that?? ??that?? ??wasn’t?? ??the?? ??Water?? ??Master,?? ??but?? ??must?? ??also?? ??

be?? ??one?? ??of?? ??the?? ??five?? ??elental?? ??masters.?? ??As?? ??expected,?? ??Shi?? ??Qing?? ??Xuan?? ??was?? ??not?? ??only?? ??

passionate?? ??about?? ??transforming?? ??into?? ??his?? ??female?? ??form,?? ??he’s?? ??also?? ??passionate?? ??about?? ??

dragging?? ??others?? ??into?? ??doing?? ??the?? ??sa.?? ??No?? ??wonder?? ??the?? ??black?? ??clad?? ??lady?? ??at?? ??the?? ??ti?? ??looked?? ??

extrely?? ??pissed?? ??and?? ??disgusted.?? ??Thinking?? ??back?? ??on?? ??how?? ??Shi?? ??Qing?? ??Xuan?? ??begged?? ??him?? ??to?? ??

“join?? ??in?? ??the?? ??fun”,?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??sighed?? ??thinking?? ??that?? ??was?? ??close,?? ??and?? ??was?? ??glad?? ??he?? ??didn’t?? ??relent.?? ?? ??

“Lord?? ??Earth?? ??Master,?? ??was?? ??the?? ??Ascending?? ??Fire?? ??Dragon?? ??set?? ??forth?? ??by?? ??you?”?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??asked.?? ??

“It?? ??was.”?? ??Ming?? ??Yi?? ??answered.?? ??

They?? ??found?? ??the?? ??right?? ??person.?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??nodded?? ??and?? ??said,?? ??“The?? ??Lord?? ??Earth?? ??Master?? ??is?? ??

probably?? ??heavily?? ??wounded.?? ??We?? ??best?? ??make?? ??our?? ??escape?? ??now?? ??and?? ??talk?? ??later.”?? ??

Without?? ??any?? ??prompt,?? ??Shi?? ??Qing?? ??Xuan?? ??knelt?? ??down?? ??and?? ??carried?? ??Ming?? ??Yi?? ??on?? ??his?? ??back,?? ??“Then?? ??

let’s?? ??get?? ??out?? ??of?? ??here.”?? ??

The?? ??three?? ??retraced?? ??their?? ??steps?? ??and?? ??Shi?? ??Qing?? ??Xuan?? ??talked?? ??as?? ??he?? ??walked,?? ??“I?? ??say,?? ??

Ming-Xiong,?? ??aren’t?? ??you?? ??good?? ??at?? ??fighting??? ??You?? ??were?? ??perfectly?? ??fine?? ??back?? ??at?? ??the?? ??BanYue?? ??

Pass,?? ??so?? ??how?? ??did?? ??you?? ??get?? ??beat?? ??up?? ??this?? ??bad?? ??in?? ??just?? ??several?? ??days??? ??How?? ??did?? ??you?? ??piss?? ??off?? ??

that?? ??Crimson?? ??Rain?? ??Sought?? ??Flower?”?? ??

His?? ??tone?? ??was?? ??a?? ??teasing?? ??taunt?? ??and?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??ntally?? ??noted,?? ??‘Fearless?? ??of?? ??getting?? ??punched?? ??

in?? ??the?? ??face,?? ??that’s?? ??definitely?? ??the?? ??way?? ??to?? ??talk?? ??to?? ??a?? ??good?? ??friend.’?? ??Ming?? ??Yi?? ??looked?? ??like?? ??he’s?? ??had?? ??

enough?? ??of?? ??listening?? ??to?? ??Shi?? ??Qing?? ??Xuan?? ??talk?? ??and?? ??only?? ??said,?? ??“Shut?? ??up!”?? ??

Xie?? ??Lian?? ??also?? ??wanted?? ??to?? ??know?? ??the?? ??answer?? ??to?? ??the?? ??sa?? ??question?? ??but?? ??changed?? ??his?? ??

wording,?? ??“Lord?? ??Earth?? ??Master,?? ??why?? ??would?? ??Hua?? ??Cheng?? ??want?? ??to?? ??provoke?? ??you?”?? ??

Ming?? ??Yi?? ??didn’t?? ??tell?? ??him?? ??to?? ??shut?? ??up?? ??but?? ??didn’t?? ??answer?? ??either.?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??turned?? ??his?? ??head?? ??

slightly?? ??to?? ??look?? ??at?? ??him?? ??and?? ??saw?? ??he?? ??had?? ??his?? ??eyes?? ??closed.?? ??After?? ??having?? ??been?? ??imprisoned?? ??

and?? ??interrogated?? ??for?? ??days?? ??and?? ??heavily?? ??wounded,?? ??Ming?? ??Yi?? ??must’ve?? ??finally?? ??let?? ??down?? ??his?? ??

guard?? ??after?? ??being?? ??rescued?? ??and?? ??could?? ??relax?? ??at?? ??last.?? ??It?? ??wasn’t?? ??anything?? ??urgent?? ??anyway,?? ??so?? ??

Xie?? ??Lian?? ??didn’t?? ??try?? ??to?? ??wake?? ??him.?? ??The?? ??three?? ??ran?? ??up?? ??the?? ??stairs?? ??and?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??threw?? ??out?? ??his?? ??

dice?? ??at?? ??the?? ??top.?? ??He?? ??didn’t?? ??know?? ??what?? ??number?? ??he?? ??tossed?? ??out?? ??in?? ??the?? ??dark,?? ??only?? ??that?? ??before?? ??

them?? ??ca?? ??a?? ??soft?? ??creaking?? ??sound,?? ??and?? ??a?? ??crack?? ??of?? ??light?? ??appeared.?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??pushed?? ??at?? ??the?? ??

door?? ??and?? ??was?? ??just?? ??thinking?? ??whether?? ??if?? ??he’d?? ??have?? ??the?? ??chance?? ??to?? ??take?? ??Lang?? ??Ying?? ??away?? ??too?? ??

when?? ??he?? ??realized?? ??the?? ??first?? ??step?? ??his?? ??took?? ??was?? ??hollow.?? ??

The?? ??mont?? ??he?? ??felt?? ??himself?? ??fall?? ??forward?? ??he?? ??cried,?? ??“Don’t?? ??co?? ??out!”?? ??

Xie?? ??Lian?? ??flipped?? ??in?? ??the?? ??air?? ??and?? ??fell?? ??on?? ??sothing?? ??hard.?? ??He?? ??was?? ??just?? ??feeling?? ??relieved?? ??that?? ??it?? ??

wasn’t?? ??so?? ??bladed?? ??mountain?? ??or?? ??a?? ??sea?? ??of?? ??fire?? ??he?? ??fell?? ??into?? ??when?? ??he?? ??raised?? ??his?? ??head?? ??and?? ??

realized?? ??a?? ??bladed?? ??mountain?? ??or?? ??a?? ??sea?? ??of?? ??fire?? ??might’ve?? ??been?? ??a?? ??better?? ??alternative.?? ??Hua?? ??

Cheng’s?? ??exceptionally?? ??handso?? ??face?? ??was?? ??inches?? ??away?? ??from?? ??his,?? ??his?? ??brows?? ??raised,?? ??

looking?? ??at?? ??him.?? ??

This?? ??ti?? ??when?? ??the?? ??stone?? ??door?? ??opened,?? ??his?? ??hollowed?? ??step?? ??made?? ??him?? ??fall?? ??on?? ??top?? ??of?? ??Hua?? ??

Cheng!?? ??

The?? ??place?? ??of?? ??his?? ??fall?? ??was?? ??the?? ??armoury!?? ??Hua?? ??Cheng?? ??was?? ??seated?? ??on?? ??the?? ??throne?? ??of?? ??the?? ??

armoury,?? ??composedly?? ??wiping?? ??the?? ??scimitar?? ??E-Ming.?? ??Even?? ??when?? ??soone?? ??suddenly?? ??fell?? ??on?? ??

top?? ??of?? ??him?? ??from?? ??above?? ??he’d?? ??only?? ??moved?? ??his?? ??hands?? ??away?? ??and?? ??stopped?? ??the?? ??cleaning?? ??

without?? ??any?? ??air?? ??of?? ??surprise.?? ??He?? ??calmly?? ??looked?? ??at?? ??Xie?? ??Lian,?? ??as?? ??if?? ??waiting?? ??for?? ??an?? ??explanation.?? ??

Of?? ??course?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??had?? ??none,?? ??and?? ??could?? ??only?? ??lay?? ??in?? ??his?? ??lap?? ??and?? ??stare?? ??back?? ??boldly.?? ??

Suddenly,?? ??he?? ??saw?? ??another?? ??person?? ??at?? ??the?? ??peripheral?? ??of?? ??his?? ??vision,?? ??and?? ??when?? ??he?? ??turned?? ??

around,?? ??he?? ??saw?? ??it?? ??was?? ??Lang?? ??Ying.?? ??

That?? ??bandaged?? ??boy?? ??was?? ??sitting?? ??on?? ??the?? ??floor?? ??looking?? ??frightened,?? ??his?? ??hands?? ??grabbing?? ??his?? ??

head,?? ??staring?? ??at?? ??the?? ??two?? ??of?? ??them.?? ??Why?? ??was?? ??Lang?? ??Ying?? ??here?? ??too??? ??It?? ??looked?? ??as?? ??if?? ??Hua?? ??

Cheng?? ??was?? ??interrogating?? ??him??? ??And?? ??when?? ??Xie?? ??Lian’s?? ??eyes?? ??moved?? ??upwards,?? ??he?? ??saw?? ??half?? ??

of?? ??Shi?? ??Qing?? ??Xuan’s?? ??white?? ??boot?? ??stepping?? ??out.?? ??There?? ??wasn’t?? ??ti?? ??to?? ??think,?? ??and?? ??in?? ??a?? ??hurry,?? ??

Xie?? ??Lian?? ??gripped?? ??Hua?? ??Cheng’s?? ??shoulders.?? ?? ??

“I’m?? ??sorry!”?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??cried,?? ??then?? ??pushed?? ??Hua?? ??Cheng?? ??aside.?? ??

This?? ??push?? ??threw?? ??Hua?? ??Cheng?? ??over?? ??a?? ??ter?? ??away?? ??and?? ??he?? ??even?? ??tumbled?? ??a?? ??couple?? ??tis.?? ??

After?? ??tumbling,?? ??Hua?? ??Cheng?? ??imdiately?? ??stood?? ??and?? ??steadied?? ??himself,?? ??and?? ??by?? ??then?? ??Shi?? ??

Qing?? ??Xuan,?? ??carrying?? ??Ming?? ??Yi,?? ??already?? ??jumped?? ??and?? ??landed?? ??with?? ??ease?? ??the?? ??sa?? ??spot?? ??Hua?? ??

Cheng?? ??was?? ??just?? ??sitting.?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??forced?? ??himself?? ??to?? ??look?? ??back,?? ??and?? ??Hua?? ??Cheng?? ??was?? ??still?? ??

looking?? ??at?? ??him?? ??without?? ??a?? ??word,?? ??but?? ??his?? ??brows?? ??were?? ??raised?? ??higher.?? ??

Xie?? ??Lian?? ??leapt?? ??to?? ??his?? ??feet?? ??and?? ??backed?? ??off?? ??a?? ??few?? ??feet,?? ??apologizing?? ??as?? ??he?? ??did?? ??so,?? ??“I’m?? ??sorry!?? ??

I’m?? ??sorry!”?? ??

Lang?? ??Ying?? ??ran?? ??towards?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??while?? ??watching?? ??Hua?? ??Cheng,?? ??still?? ??appearing?? ??quite?? ??afraid,?? ??

and?? ??hid?? ??behind?? ??him.?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??shielded?? ??him?? ??and?? ??said,?? ??“San?? ??Lang,?? ??allow?? ???? ??to?? ??explain.”?? ??

“I’m?? ??waiting.”?? ??Hua?? ??Cheng?? ??responded.?? ??

“Wait,?? ??isn’t?? ??it?? ??the?? ??opposite?”?? ??Shi?? ??Qing?? ??Xuan?? ??spoke?? ??up,?? ??“He?? ??should?? ??be?? ??the?? ??one?? ??who?? ??owes?? ??

you?? ??an?? ??explanation!?? ??He’s?? ??the?? ??one?? ??responsible?? ??for?? ??the?? ??missing?? ??heavenly?? ??official;?? ??be?? ??wary,?? ??

Your?? ??Highness!”?? ??

This?? ??was?? ??exactly?? ??the?? ??situation?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??didn’t?? ??want?? ??to?? ??face.?? ??He?? ??looked?? ??at?? ??Hua?? ??Cheng?? ??

intently,?? ??“San?? ??Lang,?? ??I?? ??don’t?? ??know?? ??what?? ??the?? ??misunderstanding?? ??was?? ??between?? ??you?? ??and?? ??the?? ??

Lord?? ??Earth?? ??Master,?? ??but?? ??let’s?? ??all?? ??calm?? ??down?? ??and?? ??talk?? ??this?? ??out.”?? ??

The?? ??best?? ??case?? ??scenario?? ??would?? ??be?? ??Hua?? ??Cheng?? ??letting?? ??them?? ??go?? ??without?? ??harm.?? ??Although?? ??the?? ??

Earth?? ??Master?? ??was?? ??wounded,?? ??his?? ??life?? ??was?? ??not?? ??at?? ??stake?? ??and?? ??he?? ??wasn’t?? ??missing?? ??any?? ??limbs.?? ??If?? ??

he?? ??could?? ??drop?? ??it,?? ??then?? ??all?? ??of?? ??this?? ??wouldn’t?? ??have?? ??to?? ??devolve?? ??to?? ??the?? ??worst?? ??extre?? ??case.?? ??If?? ??

Hua?? ??Cheng?? ??let?? ??them?? ??leave?? ??and?? ??they?? ??report?? ??back?? ??to?? ??the?? ??heavens,?? ??then?? ??they’d?? ??be?? ??in?? ??his?? ??

debt?? ??and?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??could?? ??use?? ??it?? ??as?? ??a?? ??chance?? ??to?? ??ask?? ??Jun?? ??Wu?? ??to?? ??dismiss?? ??the?? ??whole?? ??thing.?? ??

However,?? ??Hua?? ??Cheng?? ??said?? ??instead,?? ??“Earth?? ??Master??? ??What?? ??Earth?? ??Master?”?? ?? ??

After?? ??a?? ??pause,?? ??he?? ??continued,?? ??“Oh,?? ??did?? ??you?? ??an?? ??the?? ??one?? ??the?? ??Wind?? ??Master?? ??is?? ??carrying??? ??

He’s?? ??nothing?? ??more?? ??than?? ??an?? ??inept?? ??subordinate?? ??of?? ??mine.”?? ??

Hearing?? ??this,?? ??both?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??and?? ??Shi?? ??Qing?? ??Xuan?? ??were?? ??taken?? ??aback.?? ??“He’s?? ??obviously?? ??one?? ??of?? ??

the?? ??heavenly?? ??officials,?? ??how?? ??dare?? ??you?? ??say?? ??otherwise!”?? ??Shi?? ??Qing?? ??Xuan?? ??said.?? ??

Hua?? ??Cheng?? ??laughed,?? ??“Then,?? ??I?? ??wonder?? ??why?? ??your?? ??honourable?? ??heavenly?? ??official?? ??would?? ??hide?? ??

his?? ??identity,?? ??drop?? ??his?? ??respectable?? ??title?? ??and?? ??co?? ??work?? ??as?? ??an?? ??officer?? ??under?? ???”?? ??

Hua?? ??Cheng?? ??drew?? ??out?? ??E-Ming?? ??in?? ??a?? ??flash?? ??of?? ??crescent?? ??moon,?? ??“If?? ??that?? ??is?? ??truly?? ??the?? ??Earth?? ??

Master,?? ??then?? ??what?? ??patience?? ??to?? ??put?? ??on?? ??an?? ??act?? ??for?? ??ten?? ??years.?? ??In?? ??the?? ??past?? ??ten?? ??years?? ??I?? ??had?? ??

thought?? ??him?? ??suspicious?? ??from?? ??ti?? ??to?? ??ti,?? ??but?? ??there?? ??was?? ??no?? ??proof.?? ??If?? ??it?? ??wasn’t?? ??for?? ??bumping?? ??

into?? ??him?? ??and?? ??the?? ??Wind?? ??Master?? ??at?? ??BanYue,?? ??I’d?? ??still?? ??be?? ??in?? ??the?? ??clouds.”?? ?? ??

In?? ??that?? ??mont?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??understood?? ??everything.?? ??

So?? ??that’s?? ??what?? ??happened!?? ??

The?? ??Earth?? ??Master?? ??went?? ??missing?? ??and?? ??was?? ??imprisoned?? ??ultimately?? ??was?? ??because?? ??he?? ??had?? ??

hidden?? ??his?? ??true?? ??identity?? ??ten?? ??years?? ??ago?? ??to?? ??go?? ??undercover?? ??as?? ??a?? ??ghost?? ??officer?? ??under?? ??Hua?? ??

Cheng.?? ??In?? ??other?? ??words,?? ??he?? ??was?? ??a?? ??spy.?? ??Hua?? ??Cheng?? ??had?? ??thought?? ??his?? ??actions?? ??surreptitious,?? ??

but?? ??without?? ??concrete?? ??evidence,?? ??he’d?? ??only?? ??kept?? ??him?? ??under?? ??his?? ??watch.?? ??And?? ??it?? ??was?? ??only?? ??

recently?? ??that?? ??Hua?? ??Cheng?? ??finally?? ??uncovered?? ??his?? ??identity?? ??as?? ??the?? ??Earth?? ??Master.?? ??

During?? ??that?? ??journey?? ??to?? ??the?? ??BanYue?? ??Pass,?? ??Hua?? ??Cheng?? ??had?? ??seen?? ??the?? ??Earth?? ??Master?? ??next?? ??to?? ??

the?? ??Wind?? ??Master.?? ??

Even?? ??under?? ??the?? ??disguise?? ??of?? ??a?? ??woman?? ??(thanks?? ??to?? ??the?? ??Wind?? ??Master),?? ??Hua?? ??Cheng?? ??still?? ??saw?? ??

beneath?? ??that?? ??fake?? ??skin,?? ??and?? ??discovered?? ??that?? ??black?? ??clad?? ??lady?? ??was?? ??the?? ??ghost?? ??officer?? ??he?? ??

suspected,?? ??and?? ??locked?? ??his?? ??identity?? ??on?? ??as?? ??one?? ??of?? ??the?? ??five?? ??elental?? ??masters.?? ??

After?? ??the?? ??whole?? ??ordeal?? ??at?? ??BanYue?? ??had?? ??concluded,?? ??Hua?? ??Cheng?? ??probably?? ??left?? ??PuQi?? ??Shrine?? ??

to?? ??go?? ??conclude?? ??things?? ??with?? ??the?? ??Earth?? ??Master.?? ??It?? ??may?? ??have?? ??been?? ??during?? ??Hua?? ??Cheng’s?? ??

pursuit?? ??to?? ??kill,?? ??whilst?? ??under?? ??dire?? ??circumstances,?? ??that?? ??Ming?? ??Yi?? ??set?? ??off?? ??the?? ??distress?? ??signal.?? ??

Then,?? ??Jun?? ??Wu?? ??summoned?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??and?? ??gave?? ??him?? ??the?? ??mission?? ??to?? ??run?? ??this?? ??rescue.?? ??

That?? ??a?? ??heavenly?? ??official?? ??did?? ??not?? ??mind?? ??his?? ??duties?? ??but?? ??went?? ??undercover?? ??in?? ??the?? ??ghost?? ??realm?? ??

for?? ??over?? ??a?? ??decade?? ??was?? ??quite?? ??the?? ??scandal.?? ??Nevermind?? ??the?? ??politics?? ??behind?? ??it;?? ??if?? ??Ming?? ??Yi?? ??was?? ??

to?? ??remain?? ??imprisoned?? ??and?? ??tortured,?? ??if?? ??he?? ??was?? ??to?? ??actually?? ??die?? ??under?? ??Hua?? ??Cheng’s?? ??hands,?? ??

then?? ??all?? ??heaven?? ??would?? ??break?? ??loose;?? ??it?? ??would?? ??be?? ??absolute?? ??chaos?? ??in?? ??the?? ??world.?? ??If?? ??that?? ??day?? ??

were?? ??to?? ??co,?? ??no?? ??one?? ??would?? ??be?? ??spared.?? ??After?? ??thinking?? ??all?? ??this?? ??through,?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??could?? ??

only?? ??say,?? ??“I?? ??understand?? ??that?? ??the?? ??fault?? ??is?? ??ours.?? ??But,?? ??San?? ??Lang,?? ??I?? ??hope?? ??you?? ??will?? ??let?? ??us?? ??go?? ??this?? ??

ti?? ??around.”?? ??

Hua?? ??Cheng?? ??watched?? ??him?? ??intently,?? ??and?? ??after?? ??a?? ??mont,?? ??said?? ??in?? ??a?? ??calm?? ??tone,?? ??“Your?? ??

Highness,?? ??so?? ??things?? ??are?? ??best?? ??not?? ??to?? ??be?? ??involved?? ??in?? ??too?? ??much.”?? ??

Suddenly,?? ??Shi?? ??Qing?? ??Xuan?? ??cried?? ??from?? ??the?? ??side,?? ??“Wind:?? ??co?? ??to?? ??!”?? ??

The?? ??mont?? ??the?? ??fan?? ??ca?? ??out,?? ??wild?? ??gusts?? ??started?? ??blowing?? ??through?? ??the?? ??armoury.?? ??The?? ??

many?? ??weapons?? ??hung?? ??on?? ??the?? ??walls?? ??and?? ??on?? ??the?? ??shelves?? ??started?? ??rattling.?? ??“Lord?? ??Wind?? ??

Master!?? ??We?? ??haven’t?? ??done?? ??anything?? ??yet??”?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??said,?? ??alard.?? ??

“I?? ??don’t?? ??think?? ??either?? ??of?? ??you?? ??are?? ??going?? ??to?? ??make?? ??a?? ??move?? ??first,”?? ??Shi?? ??Qing?? ??Xuan?? ??said,?? ??“So?? ??I’ll?? ??

be?? ??the?? ??bad?? ??guy?? ??this?? ??ti.?? ??WIND!?? ??WIIINNNNNDDD?? ??CO?? ??TO?? ??!!!”?? ??

There?? ??was?? ??a?? ??huge?? ??cracking?? ??sound,?? ??and?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??could?? ??feel?? ??layers?? ??of?? ??dust?? ??falling?? ??on?? ??his?? ??

head?? ??from?? ??above.?? ??He?? ??raised?? ??his?? ??head?? ??and?? ??saw?? ??that?? ??it?? ??was?? ??the?? ??roof?? ??that?? ??was?? ??being?? ??raised?? ??

by?? ??the?? ??gusts,?? ??breaking?? ??at?? ??the?? ??seams?? ??into?? ??a?? ??large?? ??crack.?? ??

The?? ??armoury?? ??had?? ??no?? ??windows?? ??or?? ??other?? ??visible?? ??exits,?? ??and?? ??Shi?? ??Qing?? ??Xuan?? ??had?? ??no?? ??intention?? ??

to?? ??fight?? ??but?? ??to?? ??escape?? ??through?? ??the?? ??crack?? ??of?? ??the?? ??roof!?? ??

Within?? ??the?? ??mad?? ??gales,?? ??Hua?? ??Cheng’s?? ??raven?? ??black?? ??hair?? ??and?? ??maple?? ??red?? ??clothes?? ??flew?? ??wildly?? ??

with?? ??the?? ??winds,?? ??but?? ??his?? ??person?? ??never?? ??moved,?? ??He?? ??smirked,?? ??“You?? ??have?? ??a?? ??fan,?? ??and?? ??

coincidentally,?? ??so?? ??do?? ??I.”?? ??

From?? ??one?? ??of?? ??the?? ??many?? ??shelves,?? ??Hua?? ??Cheng?? ??retrieved?? ??a?? ??fan.?? ??It?? ??was?? ??small?? ??and?? ??intricate,?? ??its?? ??

spine?? ??and?? ??leaf?? ??made?? ??of?? ??pure?? ??gold,?? ??serene?? ??and?? ??beautiful.?? ??Hua?? ??Cheng?? ??twirled?? ??it?? ??in?? ??his?? ??

hand,?? ??snapping?? ??it?? ??open.?? ??He?? ??grinned?? ??wordlessly,?? ??elegant?? ??amidst?? ??his?? ??murderous?? ??aura.?? ??He?? ??

flipped?? ??his?? ??hand?? ??and?? ??fanned,?? ??and?? ??a?? ??strong?? ??gust?? ??shot?? ??towards?? ??them?? ??with?? ??a?? ??blinding?? ??silver?? ??

flash.?? ??The?? ??three?? ??dodged?? ??and?? ??heard?? ??behind?? ??them?? ??the?? ??sound?? ??of?? ??hail?? ??like?? ??darts?? ??smashing?? ??

against?? ??the?? ??walls?? ??and?? ??ground.?? ??When?? ??they?? ??turned?? ??their?? ??heads?? ??to?? ??see,?? ??it?? ??was?? ??long?? ??rows?? ??

upon?? ??rows?? ??of?? ??golden?? ??foils?? ??nailed?? ??to?? ??the?? ??ground.?? ??Each?? ??foil?? ??thin?? ??but?? ??deeply?? ??embedded,?? ??its?? ??

sharpness?? ??apparent?? ??and?? ??vicious.?? ??

Each?? ??weapon?? ??within?? ??this?? ??armoury?? ??was?? ??a?? ??treasure?? ??to?? ??behold;?? ??a?? ??simple?? ??hand?? ??could?? ??have?? ??

such?? ??murderous?? ??effect!?? ??

Hua?? ??Cheng?? ??flipped?? ??his?? ??hand?? ??again?? ??and?? ??another?? ??golden?? ??gust?? ??blew.?? ??The?? ??winds?? ??called?? ??forth?? ??

by?? ??Shi?? ??Qing?? ??Xuan?? ??were?? ??strong,?? ??but?? ??the?? ??stronger?? ??it?? ??was,?? ??the?? ??more?? ??dangerous?? ??the?? ??situation?? ??

beca.?? ??The?? ??armoury?? ??was?? ??a?? ??re?? ??chamber,?? ??its?? ??space?? ??limited.?? ??A?? ??portion?? ??of?? ??the?? ??winds?? ??

raised?? ??by?? ??the?? ??Wind?? ??Master?? ??fan?? ??would?? ??rebound?? ??around?? ??the?? ??interior,?? ??hauling?? ??the?? ??golden?? ??

foils?? ??along,?? ??dancing?? ??in?? ??this?? ??madness.?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??was?? ??afraid?? ??the?? ??golden?? ??foils?? ??would?? ??harm?? ??

people,?? ??so?? ??he?? ??shielded?? ??Lang?? ??Ying?? ??and?? ??cried,?? ??“Lord?? ??Wind?? ??Master,?? ??please?? ??stop?? ??for?? ??now!”?? ??

The?? ??golden?? ??foils?? ??had?? ??continuously?? ??brushed?? ??closely?? ??against?? ??Shi?? ??Qing?? ??Xuan?? ??and?? ??Ming?? ??Yi.?? ??

Shi?? ??Qing?? ??Xuan?? ??wanted?? ??to?? ??stop?? ??too,?? ??however?? ??the?? ??roof?? ??had?? ??been?? ??raised?? ??by?? ??his?? ??winds,?? ??

revealing?? ??a?? ??crack,?? ??and?? ??if?? ??he?? ??should?? ??stop?? ??now?? ??all?? ??of?? ??his?? ??efforts?? ??would?? ??go?? ??to?? ??waste.?? ??Just?? ??

then?? ??the?? ??golden?? ??foils?? ??encircling?? ??them?? ??suddenly?? ??flew?? ??upwards?? ??uniformly.?? ??There?? ??was?? ??a?? ??

cacophony?? ??of?? ??crackling?? ??before?? ??a?? ??person?? ??broke?? ??through?? ??the?? ??roof?? ??and?? ??jumped?? ??through?? ??the?? ??

crack,?? ??debris?? ??and?? ??dust?? ??coming?? ??down?? ??with?? ??him.?? ??

The?? ??mont?? ??he?? ??landed?? ??that?? ??person?? ??shouted,?? ??“Lord?? ??Wind?? ??Master,?? ??I?? ??apologize?? ??but?? ??I?? ??just?? ??

couldn’t?? ??sit?? ??still?? ??anymore!”?? ??

Shi?? ??Qing?? ??Xuan?? ??was?? ??overjoyed,?? ??“Qian?? ??Qiu?? ??you’ve?? ??co?? ??in?? ??the?? ??nick?? ??of?? ??ti!”?? ??

That?? ??young?? ??man?? ??carried?? ??a?? ??longsword,?? ??its?? ??blade?? ??the?? ??size?? ??of?? ??a?? ??grown?? ??man’s?? ??palm?? ??–?? ??it?? ??was?? ??

indeed?? ??Lang?? ??Qian?? ??Qiu.?? ??His?? ??longsword?? ??was?? ??a?? ??shimring?? ??gold,?? ??but?? ??looking?? ??at?? ??it?? ??closely,?? ??it?? ??

wasn’t?? ??because?? ??his?? ??sword?? ??was?? ??golden,?? ??but?? ??because?? ??it?? ??sucked?? ??up?? ??all?? ??the?? ??golden?? ??foils,?? ??

covering?? ??the?? ??blade?? ??completely,?? ??making?? ??it?? ??look?? ??as?? ??if?? ??it?? ??was?? ??a?? ??golden?? ??sword.?? ??

Lang?? ??Qian?? ??Qiu’s?? ??longsword?? ??was?? ??forged?? ??by?? ??a?? ??curious?? ??tal?? ??borne?? ??of?? ??a?? ??lodestone?? ??

mountain?? ??and?? ??had?? ??the?? ??ability?? ??to?? ??magnetize?? ??tals.?? ??As?? ??long?? ??as?? ??the?? ??object?? ??of?? ??suction?? ??did?? ??

not?? ??exceed?? ??a?? ??certain?? ??level?? ??of?? ??spiritual?? ??power,?? ??once?? ??he?? ??had?? ??the?? ??sword?? ??in?? ??hand,?? ??he?? ??could?? ??

ntally?? ??release?? ??its?? ??ability?? ??and?? ??magnetize?? ??all?? ??surrounding?? ??tals,?? ??lting?? ??it?? ??into?? ??his?? ??

blade.?? ??Sure?? ??enough,?? ??soon?? ??the?? ??innurous?? ??golden?? ??foils?? ??were?? ??all?? ??sucked?? ??into?? ??the?? ??sword?? ??

and?? ??dissolved?? ??into?? ??the?? ??blade.?? ??Seeing?? ??this,?? ??Hua?? ??Cheng?? ??laughed?? ??out?? ??loud,?? ??closed?? ??his?? ??fan?? ??

and?? ??threw?? ??it?? ??away?? ??behind?? ??him.?? ??“Are?? ??the?? ??heavenly?? ??officials?? ??so?? ??pathetically?? ??poor?? ??that?? ??they?? ??

couldn’t?? ??let?? ??a?? ??teeny?? ??bit?? ??of?? ??gold?? ??go?”?? ??

If?? ??those?? ??words?? ??were?? ??directed?? ??at?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??he?? ??would?? ??only?? ??pretend?? ??not?? ??to?? ??have?? ??heard?? ??them.?? ??

But?? ??they?? ??were?? ??directed?? ??at?? ??Lang?? ??Qian?? ??Qiu,?? ??a?? ??noble?? ??born?? ??of?? ??royalty.?? ??He?? ??hadn’t?? ??cared?? ??for?? ??

riches?? ??his?? ??entire?? ??life,?? ??and?? ??although?? ??he?? ??knew?? ??the?? ??enemy?? ??was?? ??intentionally?? ??taunting?? ??him,?? ??he?? ??

was?? ??still?? ??boiling?? ??with?? ??rage.?? ??He?? ??raised?? ??his?? ??sword?? ??with?? ??both?? ??his?? ??hands?? ??and?? ??struck?? ??towards?? ??

Hua?? ??Cheng.?? ??Hua?? ??Cheng?? ??drew?? ??out?? ??his?? ??scimitar?? ??with?? ??one?? ??hand,?? ??generating?? ??silver?? ??

shimrs?? ??in?? ??the?? ??air,?? ??calmly?? ??ready?? ??to?? ??welco?? ??the?? ??attack.?? ??

Lang?? ??Qian?? ??Qiu’s?? ??strike?? ??used?? ??all?? ??of?? ??his?? ??power.?? ??He?? ??was?? ??born?? ??a?? ??charging?? ??bull?? ??fearless?? ??of?? ??

tigers,?? ??but?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??had?? ??clearly?? ??seen?? ??the?? ??difference?? ??between?? ??their?? ??strengths,?? ??and?? ??if?? ??this?? ??

strike?? ??was?? ??to?? ??land,?? ??he?? ??will?? ??die?? ??for?? ??sure!?? ??

On?? ??the?? ??sidelines,?? ??even?? ??Shi?? ??Qing?? ??Xuan?? ??who?? ??was?? ??no?? ??swordsman?? ??watched?? ??with?? ??alarm?? ??and?? ??

yelled,?? ??“Qian?? ??Qiu!?? ??Don’t!!!”?? ??

But?? ??in?? ??that?? ??split?? ??second,?? ??how?? ??could?? ??a?? ??shout?? ??stop?? ??the?? ??arrow?? ??that’s?? ??left?? ??the?? ??bow??? ?? ??

Just?? ??as?? ??the?? ??blades?? ??of?? ??a?? ??sword?? ??and?? ??a?? ??scimitar?? ??was?? ??about?? ??to?? ??make?? ??contact,?? ??a?? ??blinding?? ??

white?? ??light?? ??blew?? ??up?? ??within?? ??the?? ??armoury.?? ??

It?? ??was?? ??a?? ??light?? ??so?? ??imnse?? ??it?? ??covered?? ??every?? ??inch?? ??of?? ??the?? ??armoury,?? ??and?? ??everyone?? ??lost?? ??their?? ??

sight?? ??temporarily.?? ??All?? ??they?? ??could?? ??see?? ??was?? ??white.?? ??Xie?? ??Lian,?? ??however,?? ??was?? ??prepared,?? ??and?? ??

could?? ??sowhat?? ??see.?? ??His?? ??right?? ??hand?? ??gathered?? ??all?? ??of?? ??the?? ??powers?? ??he?? ??borrowed?? ??from?? ??Shi?? ??

Qing?? ??Xuan?? ??and?? ??created?? ??a?? ??giant?? ??fla?? ??and?? ??blazed?? ??it?? ??towards?? ??a?? ??random?? ??direction.?? ??

A?? ??corner?? ??of?? ??the?? ??armoury?? ??imdiately?? ??caught?? ??on?? ??fire.?? ??Soon?? ??after,?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??released?? ??

RuoYe,?? ??wrapped?? ??himself,?? ??Shi?? ??Qing?? ??Xuan,?? ??Ming?? ??Yi,?? ??Lang?? ??Qian?? ??Qiu,?? ??and?? ??Lang?? ??Ying,?? ??and?? ??

shouted,?? ??“Lord?? ??Wind?? ??Master,?? ??blow?? ??us?? ??upwards!”?? ??

Even?? ??though?? ??Shi?? ??Qing?? ??Xuan?? ??couldn’t?? ??open?? ??his?? ??eyes,?? ??he?? ??still?? ??followed?? ??Xie?? ??Lian’s?? ??direction.?? ??

He?? ??raised?? ??his?? ??fan?? ??and?? ??snapped?? ??downwards,?? ??and?? ??a?? ??violent?? ??twister?? ??ford?? ??from?? ??flat?? ??

ground,?? ??blowing?? ??towards?? ??the?? ??ceiling?? ??and?? ??at?? ??last?? ??broke?? ??through?? ??the?? ??shaky?? ??roof!?? ?? ??

RuoYe?? ??had?? ??the?? ??five?? ??of?? ??them?? ??in?? ??a?? ??bundle?? ??and?? ??flew?? ??towards?? ??the?? ??sky.?? ??In?? ??midair,?? ??sight?? ??finally?? ??

returned?? ??to?? ??many?? ??of?? ??them,?? ??and?? ??Shi?? ??Qing?? ??Xuan?? ??could?? ??see?? ??down?? ??below?? ??them?? ??giant?? ??flas?? ??

ablaze,?? ??black?? ??smoke?? ??heavy?? ??in?? ??the?? ??air;?? ??the?? ??armoury?? ??was?? ??burning.?? ??He?? ??was?? ??afraid?? ??Hua?? ??

Cheng?? ??would?? ??give?? ??chase?? ??and?? ??flapped?? ??his?? ??fan.?? ??Now?? ??it?? ??really?? ??beca?? ??‘fanning?? ??the?? ??fla’;?? ??

the?? ??blaze?? ??instantly?? ??erupted?? ??in?? ??size,?? ??and?? ??kindles?? ??landed?? ??on?? ??all?? ??the?? ??nearby?? ??buildings.?? ??Now?? ??

over?? ??half?? ??of?? ??Paradise?? ??Manor?? ??was?? ??ablaze!?? ??

With?? ??great?? ??difficulty,?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??finally?? ??grabbed?? ??hold?? ??of?? ??the?? ??Shi?? ??Qing?? ??Xuan?? ??who?? ??was?? ??fanning?? ??

with?? ??all?? ??his?? ??might.?? ??“Lord?? ??Wind?? ??Master,?? ??please?? ??stop?? ??fanning!?? ??The?? ??whole?? ??place?? ??is?? ??going?? ??to?? ??

burn?? ??down!”?? ??

Startled,?? ??Shi?? ??Qing?? ??Xuan?? ??cried,?? ??“Alright,?? ??alright?? ??I’m?? ??stopping!?? ??Let?? ???? ??go,?? ??Your?? ??Highness,?? ??

your?? ??grip?? ??is?? ??too?? ??strong!”?? ??

It?? ??wasn’t?? ??until?? ??the?? ??Wind?? ??Master?? ??stopped?? ??his?? ??winds?? ??that?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??let?? ??go.?? ??He?? ??looked?? ??down?? ??

and?? ??amidst?? ??the?? ??red?? ??flas,?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??was?? ??still?? ??able?? ??to?? ??spot?? ??a?? ??crimson?? ??silhouette.?? ??They?? ??

were?? ??too?? ??high?? ??in?? ??the?? ??sky?? ??and?? ??he?? ??couldn’t?? ??see?? ??clearly,?? ??but?? ??his?? ??gut?? ??instinct?? ??told?? ??him?? ??that?? ??in?? ??

that?? ??mont?? ??in?? ??ti,?? ??Hua?? ??Cheng?? ??was?? ??standing?? ??there?? ??watching?? ??him.?? ??

He?? ??didn’t?? ??give?? ??chase?? ??and?? ??didn’t?? ??put?? ??out?? ??the?? ??flas.?? ??He?? ??only?? ??stood?? ??there,?? ??letting?? ??the?? ??

wildfires?? ??devour?? ??capriciously.?? ??

Outside?? ??the?? ??Paradise?? ??Manor,?? ??screams?? ??and?? ??howling?? ??roared?? ??from?? ??all?? ??over?? ??the?? ??Ghost?? ??City?? ??

streets,?? ??and?? ??crowds?? ??of?? ??ghosts?? ??ran?? ??amok.?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??couldn’t?? ??breathe,?? ??and?? ??his?? ??voice?? ??

cracked,?? ??mumbling?? ??to?? ??himself,?? ??“I...?? ??only?? ??wanted?? ??to?? ??start?? ??a?? ??small?? ??fire?? ??to?? ??create?? ??a?? ??

distraction,?? ??how?? ??did?? ??it?? ??turn?? ??out?? ??like?? ??this...”?? ??

It?? ??was?? ??only?? ??earlier?? ??that?? ??Hua?? ??Cheng?? ??had?? ??leaned?? ??against?? ??the?? ??doors?? ??of?? ??that?? ??armoury,?? ??half?? ??

jokingly?? ??telling?? ??him?? ??he?? ??wanted?? ??to?? ??gift?? ??him?? ??the?? ??entire?? ??armoury?? ??with?? ??every?? ??weapon?? ??inside,?? ??

but?? ??now?? ??everything?? ??was?? ??engulfed?? ??in?? ??a?? ??sea?? ??of?? ??fire.?? ??Although?? ??there?? ??may?? ??be?? ??many?? ??golden?? ??

devices?? ??that?? ??were?? ??unafraid?? ??of?? ??intense?? ??heat,?? ??there?? ??were?? ??surely?? ??also?? ??many?? ??that?? ??could?? ??not?? ??

touch?? ??flas.?? ??After?? ??all?? ??this?? ??burning,?? ??many?? ??treasures?? ??would?? ??beco?? ??ashes.?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??had?? ??

not?? ??expected?? ??the?? ??flas?? ??to?? ??grow?? ??so?? ??violently,?? ??devouring?? ??the?? ??entire?? ??Paradise?? ??Manor.?? ??

Even?? ??if?? ??Hua?? ??Cheng?? ??didn’t?? ??consider?? ??it?? ??a?? ??‘ho’,?? ??it?? ??was?? ??still?? ??his?? ??residence!?? ??

Seeing?? ??how?? ??crushed?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??was,?? ??Shi?? ??Qing?? ??Xuan?? ??also?? ??felt?? ??bad,?? ??“Um...?? ??I’m?? ??really?? ??sorry,?? ??

Your?? ??Highness!?? ??I?? ??didn’t?? ??think?? ??things?? ??through?? ??and?? ??only?? ??wanted?? ??to?? ??escape?? ??faster.?? ??This?? ??is?? ??all?? ??

my?? ??fault!?? ??It?? ??was?? ??most?? ??definitely?? ??only?? ??a?? ??small?? ??fla?? ??at?? ??first...?? ??if?? ??the?? ??Crimson?? ??Rain?? ??Sought?? ??

Flower?? ??cos?? ??knocking?? ??for?? ??paybacks?? ??you?? ??just?? ??tell?? ??him?? ??to?? ??co?? ??to?? ??!?? ??Don’t?? ??worry?? ??I?? ??can?? ??

pay?? ??whatever?? ??amount!?? ??Money?? ??is?? ??never?? ??an?? ??issue!”?? ??

But?? ??money?? ??was?? ??definitely?? ??not?? ??the?? ??issue.?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??closed?? ??his?? ??eyes?? ??and?? ??couldn’t?? ??speak.?? ??Shi?? ??

Qing?? ??Xuan?? ??patted?? ??his?? ??shoulder?? ??in?? ??consolation?? ??but?? ??suddenly?? ??felt?? ??wetness?? ??in?? ??his?? ??palm?? ??and?? ??

a?? ??strange,?? ??stark?? ??sll?? ??of?? ??blood.?? ??He?? ??turned?? ??his?? ??head?? ??to?? ??see?? ??and?? ??his?? ??face?? ??lost?? ??colour,?? ??“Your?? ??

Highness,?? ??what?? ??happened?? ??to?? ??your?? ??hand!”?? ??

Xie?? ??Lian’s?? ??right?? ??hand?? ??was?? ??covered?? ??in?? ??blood.?? ??His?? ??entire?? ??right?? ??arm?? ??was?? ??thoroughly?? ??dyed?? ??

with?? ??blood,?? ??and?? ??the?? ??trembling?? ??was?? ??not?? ??slight.?? ??Yet?? ??both?? ??his?? ??hands?? ??still?? ??sternly?? ??held?? ??onto?? ??

that?? ??white?? ??silk?? ??band?? ??to?? ??keep?? ??everyone?? ??from?? ??getting?? ??blown?? ??apart?? ??by?? ??the?? ??wild?? ??winds.?? ??

“What’s?? ??going?? ??on?? ??with?? ??you?!”?? ??Shi?? ??Qing?? ??Xuan?? ??cried.?? ??

Xie?? ??Lian?? ??blinked?? ??back?? ??and?? ??strained?? ??to?? ??steady?? ??himself?? ??before?? ??shaking?? ??his?? ??head,?? ??“It’s?? ??

nothing...?? ??just?? ??a?? ??small?? ??injury.?? ??It’ll?? ??get?? ??better?? ??once?? ??we?? ??get?? ??back.”?? ??

“That?? ??white?? ??light?? ??was?? ??you?”?? ??Shi?? ??Qing?? ??Xuan?? ??rembered.?? ??“Your?? ??Highness,?? ??you?? ??broke?? ??

those?? ??two?? ??off?”?? ??

“I’m?? ??a?? ??swordsman?? ??after?? ??all.”?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??replied.?? ??

Shi?? ??Qing?? ??Xuan?? ??had?? ??guessed?? ??right.?? ??Right?? ??then?? ??when?? ??the?? ??blades?? ??of?? ??Hua?? ??Cheng?? ??and?? ??Lang?? ??

Qian?? ??Qiu?? ??were?? ??about?? ??to?? ??make?? ??contact,?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??flashed?? ??in.?? ??

He?? ??picked?? ??up?? ??a?? ??sword?? ??from?? ??the?? ??pile?? ??of?? ??weapons?? ??on?? ??the?? ??shelves?? ??and?? ??made?? ??two?? ??moves?? ??

between?? ??the?? ??sword?? ??and?? ??the?? ??scimitar.?? ??

The?? ??first?? ??move,?? ??he?? ??knocked?? ??back?? ??Lang?? ??Qian?? ??Qiu’s?? ??longsword.?? ??The?? ??second?? ??move,?? ??he?? ??

blocked?? ??the?? ??scimitar?? ??E-Ming.?? ??

The?? ??strength?? ??of?? ??those?? ??two?? ??moves?? ??were?? ??not?? ??only?? ??powerful,?? ??but?? ??extrely?? ??well?? ??controlled.?? ??

Even?? ??when?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??blocked?? ??both?? ??blades,?? ??the?? ??force?? ??of?? ??the?? ??strikes?? ??were?? ??not?? ??rebounded?? ??

onto?? ??the?? ??attackers.?? ??

Because,?? ??with?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??sandwiched?? ??in?? ??the?? ??middle,?? ??he?? ??used?? ??his?? ??sword?? ??and?? ??his?? ??own?? ??arm?? ??to?? ??

absorb?? ??both?? ??attacks?? ??completely.?? ??

Lang?? ??Qian?? ??Qiu’s?? ??longsword?? ??was?? ??manageable,?? ??but?? ??Hua?? ??Cheng’s?? ??scimitar?? ??was?? ??a?? ??force?? ??to?? ??

be?? ??reckoned?? ??with.?? ??The?? ??sword?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??used?? ??was?? ??one?? ??from?? ??Hua?? ??Cheng’s?? ??collection,?? ??so?? ??

naturally?? ??it?? ??was?? ??also?? ??a?? ??formidable?? ??blade.?? ??When?? ??the?? ??two?? ??blades?? ??t?? ??it?? ??blasted?? ??that?? ??

blinding?? ??white?? ??light.?? ??With?? ??the?? ??two?? ??moves,?? ??the?? ??first?? ??strike?? ??against?? ??Lang?? ??Qian?? ??Qiu’s?? ??

longsword?? ??created?? ??a?? ??crack,?? ??and?? ??the?? ??second?? ??strike?? ??against?? ??the?? ??scimitar?? ??E-Ming?? ??shattered?? ??

the?? ??sword?? ??to?? ??pieces.?? ??

All?? ??of?? ??this?? ??was?? ??done?? ??within?? ??a?? ??fraction?? ??of?? ??a?? ??second,?? ??faster?? ??than?? ??the?? ??eye?? ??could?? ??see.?? ??Shi?? ??

Qing?? ??Xuan?? ??looked?? ??at?? ??the?? ??miserable?? ??state?? ??of?? ??Xie?? ??Lian’s?? ??right?? ??hand,?? ??the?? ??whole?? ??right?? ??arm?? ??a?? ??

bloody?? ??ss?? ??and?? ??comnted,?? ??“Your?? ??Highness...?? ??you’re?? ??way?? ??too?? ??intense.?? ??I?? ??can’t?? ??believe?? ??

you?? ??blocked?? ??them?? ??single-handedly!”?? ?? ??

The?? ??Flower-Crowned?? ??Martial?? ??God;?? ??Sword?? ??in?? ??One?? ??Hand,?? ??Flower?? ??in?? ??the?? ??Other.?? ??Shi?? ??Qing?? ??

Xuan?? ??only?? ??rembered?? ??the?? ??flower,?? ??but?? ??had?? ??forgotten.?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??ascended?? ??because?? ??of?? ??his?? ??

sword.?? ??

Thinking?? ??back?? ??on?? ??how?? ??close?? ??of?? ??a?? ??call?? ??it?? ??was,?? ??Shi?? ??Qing?? ??Xuan’s?? ??heart?? ??was?? ??still?? ??racing.?? ??

“Thank?? ??goodness?? ??Your?? ??Highness?? ??had?? ??the?? ??moves,?? ??otherwise?? ??who?? ??knows?? ??how?? ??many?? ??

pieces?? ??Lang?? ??Qian?? ??Qiu?? ??would?? ??be?? ??cut?? ??by?? ??Hua?? ??Cheng.”?? ??

The?? ??strange?? ??thing?? ??was,?? ??next?? ??to?? ??them?? ??Lang?? ??Qian?? ??Qiu?? ??appeared?? ??to?? ??be?? ??unhard,?? ??but?? ??his?? ??

expression?? ??was?? ??frozen,?? ??like?? ??his?? ??soul?? ??had?? ??left?? ??his?? ??body.?? ??“Qian?? ??Qiu?”?? ??Shi?? ??Qing?? ??Xuan?? ??called,?? ??

“Qian?? ??Qiu?? ??are?? ??you?? ??alright??? ??Wake?? ??up!?? ??What’s?? ??with?? ??you??? ??Have?? ??your?? ??sight?? ??not?? ??returned?? ??

yet???”?? ??

Riding?? ??on?? ??tailwind,?? ??the?? ??group?? ??of?? ??them?? ??finally?? ??reached?? ??the?? ??heavenly?? ??capital.?? ??Dragging?? ??and?? ??

carrying,?? ??they?? ??rushed?? ??past?? ??the?? ??Ascension?? ??Gates?? ??and?? ??ran?? ??straight?? ??for?? ??the?? ??Great?? ??Martial?? ??

Hall.?? ??Lang?? ??Ying?? ??couldn’t?? ??enter?? ??the?? ??hall,?? ??so?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??settled?? ??him?? ??in?? ??a?? ??small?? ??side?? ??chamber.?? ??

No?? ??one?? ??seed?? ??to?? ??be?? ??on?? ??duty,?? ??so?? ??he?? ??called?? ??within?? ??the?? ??communication?? ??array:?? ??“Is?? ??any?? ??

honourable?? ??official?? ??here??? ??Please?? ??everyone,?? ??co?? ??quickly?? ??to?? ??the?? ??Great?? ??Martial?? ??Hall!?? ??It’s?? ??

an?? ??ergency,?? ??we?? ??have?? ??a?? ??wounded?? ??official!”?? ??

As?? ??he?? ??shouted,?? ??next?? ??to?? ??him?? ??Shi?? ??Qing?? ??Xuan?? ??snapped?? ??his?? ??fingers?? ??and?? ??switched?? ??back?? ??to?? ??his?? ??

white?? ??cultivator?? ??robe,?? ??and?? ??released?? ??a?? ??hundred?? ??thousand?? ??rits.?? ??“It’s?? ??two?? ??wounded?? ??

officials!”?? ??

Xie?? ??Lian?? ??said?? ??hurriedly,?? ??“Lord?? ??Wind?? ??Master?? ??don’t?? ??be?? ??so?? ??excited.?? ??We?? ??can?? ??just?? ??talk,?? ??there’s?? ??

no?? ??need?? ??to?? ??release?? ??any?? ??rits.?? ??Everyone?? ??will?? ??naturally?? ??co.”?? ??

“No,?? ??Your?? ??Highness,”?? ??Shi?? ??Qing?? ??Xuan?? ??said,?? ??“You?? ??have?? ??to?? ??know,?? ??spreading?? ??rits?? ??works?? ??

faster?? ??than?? ??talking?? ??by?? ??a?? ??hundred?? ??tis!”?? ??

Soon?? ??enough,?? ??a?? ??voice?? ??ca?? ??from?? ??afar,?? ??“Who’s?? ??wounded?”?? ??

When?? ??the?? ??word?? ??“who”?? ??was?? ??uttered,?? ??the?? ??voice?? ??was?? ??still?? ??far?? ??away,?? ??but?? ??by?? ??the?? ??last?? ??word?? ??the?? ??

person?? ??had?? ??appeared,?? ??and?? ??it?? ??was?? ??Feng?? ??Xin.?? ??He?? ??entered?? ??the?? ??hall?? ??and?? ??looked?? ??at?? ??Xie?? ??Lian,?? ??

then?? ??at?? ??Lang?? ??Qian?? ??Qiu,?? ??his?? ??face?? ??faltering.?? ?? ??

“I’m?? ??fine,?? ??but?? ??the?? ??Lord?? ??Earth?? ??Master?? ??seed?? ??to?? ??be?? ??heavily?? ??wounded.”?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??said.?? ??

“So?? ??what?”?? ??Another?? ??voice?? ??ca,?? ??“There’s?? ??so?? ??many?? ??heavenly?? ??officials.?? ??Whoever?? ??returned?? ??

unscathed?? ??after?? ??each?? ??round?? ??of?? ??patrol?”?? ??

The?? ??voice?? ??was?? ??decorous?? ??and?? ??llow,?? ??but?? ??the?? ??words?? ??sharp.?? ??It?? ??was?? ??Mu?? ??Qing.?? ??He?? ??crossed?? ??

into?? ??the?? ??Great?? ??Hall?? ??and?? ??also?? ??took?? ??a?? ??look?? ??at?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??then?? ??at?? ??Lang?? ??Qian?? ??Qiu.?? ??Yet?? ??his?? ??

expression?? ??was?? ??the?? ??opposite?? ??of?? ??Feng?? ??Xin,?? ??having?? ??only?? ??raised?? ??a?? ??brow,?? ??as?? ??if?? ??ready?? ??to?? ??

spectate?? ??a?? ??good?? ??show.?? ??He?? ??saw?? ??that?? ??Feng?? ??Xing?? ??moved?? ??to?? ??check?? ??on?? ??Xie?? ??Lian’s?? ??arm?? ??so?? ??he?? ??

bent?? ??to?? ??check?? ??on?? ??Ming?? ??Yi?? ??and?? ??said,?? ??“So?? ??this?? ??is?? ??the?? ??Lord?? ??Earth?? ??Master?”?? ?? ??

During?? ??that?? ??exchange,?? ??a?? ??number?? ??of?? ??heavenly?? ??officials?? ??poured?? ??into?? ??the?? ??hall.?? ??The?? ??Earth?? ??

Master?? ??Yi?? ??had?? ??always?? ??been?? ??inconspicuous?? ??and?? ??out?? ??of?? ??sight,?? ??so?? ??for?? ??many?? ??it?? ??was?? ??the?? ??first?? ??

ti?? ??they?? ??had?? ??ever?? ??seen?? ??his?? ??person,?? ??and?? ??they?? ??cluttered?? ??around?? ??staring?? ??at?? ??him?? ??curiously.?? ??

The?? ??masses?? ??were?? ??mostly?? ??confused,?? ??not?? ??knowing?? ??the?? ??reason?? ??they?? ??were?? ??called?? ??to?? ??the?? ??

Great?? ??Martial?? ??Hall,?? ??but?? ??having?? ??collected?? ??the?? ??Wind?? ??Master’s?? ??rits,?? ??they?? ??had?? ??to?? ??co?? ??and?? ??

check?? ??things?? ??out.?? ?? ??

“Thanks,?? ??but?? ??I’m?? ??alright.?? ??It’ll?? ??get?? ??better?? ??by?? ??itself?? ??after?? ??a?? ??while.”?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??said?? ??to?? ??Feng?? ??Xin.?? ??

Feng?? ??Xin?? ??didn’t?? ??mince?? ??words?? ??either,?? ??“Watch?? ??yourself.”?? ??

Xie?? ??Lian?? ??uttered?? ??another?? ??thanks?? ??softly,?? ??but?? ??when?? ??he?? ??turned?? ??around,?? ??Lang?? ??Qian?? ??Qiu?? ??was?? ??

watching?? ??him?? ??with?? ??a?? ??frozen?? ??expression.?? ??“Your?? ??Highness?? ??Tai?? ??Hua,?? ??what’s?? ??wrong?”?? ??he?? ??

asked.?? ??

Feng?? ??Xin?? ??also?? ??noticed?? ??sothing?? ??off?? ??about?? ??Lang?? ??Qian?? ??Qiu?? ??and?? ??questioned,?? ??“Was?? ??His?? ??

Highness?? ??Tai?? ??Hua?? ??also?? ??injured?? ??sowhere?”?? ?? ??

“I?? ??don’t?? ??think?? ??so.?? ??Let?? ???? ??see.”?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??said?? ??and?? ??extended?? ??his?? ??hand,?? ??reaching?? ??for?? ??Lang?? ??

Qian?? ??Qiu’s?? ??brow.?? ??Yet,?? ??in?? ??a?? ??flash,?? ??Lang?? ??Qian?? ??Qiu?? ??seized?? ??Xie?? ??Lian’s?? ??wrist.?? ??

There?? ??was?? ??hesitation?? ??on?? ??Lang?? ??Qian?? ??Qiu’s?? ??face,?? ??as?? ??if?? ??he?? ??discovered?? ??sothing?? ??but?? ??wasn’t?? ??

sure,?? ??but?? ??a?? ??fire?? ??had?? ??started?? ??burning?? ??within?? ??his?? ??eyes.?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??felt?? ??a?? ??wave?? ??of?? ??rage?? ??

trembling?? ??from?? ??Lang?? ??Qian?? ??Qiu’s?? ??arm?? ??to?? ??his.?? ??

Now?? ??all?? ??the?? ??spectating?? ??officials?? ??had?? ??noticed?? ??this?? ??strange?? ??situation?? ??and?? ??started?? ??whispering?? ??

amongst?? ??themselves.?? ??Shi?? ??Qing?? ??Xuan?? ??and?? ??Mu?? ??Qing?? ??both?? ??started?? ??to?? ??rise?? ??and?? ??Feng?? ??Xin?? ??

spoke,?? ??“Your?? ??Highness?? ??Tai?? ??Hua,?? ??what?? ??are?? ??you?? ??doing?”?? ??

Lang?? ??Qian?? ??Qiu?? ??finally?? ??moved?? ??his?? ??lips.?? ??He?? ??only?? ??said?? ??two?? ??words?? ??but?? ??Xie?? ??Lian’s?? ??heart?? ??sank?? ??

to?? ??the?? ??very?? ??bottom.?? ??

“...Guoshi?”?? ??Lang?? ??Qian?? ??Qiu?? ??gritted?? ??his?? ??teeth.?? ??

Xie?? ??Lian’s?? ??pupil?? ??shrank?? ??slightly.?? ??

The?? ??onlooking?? ??officials?? ??half?? ??guessed?? ??half?? ??confused,?? ??muttering,?? ??“What?? ??Guoshi??? ??Who’s?? ??the?? ??

Guoshi?”?? ??So?? ??were?? ??more?? ??astute?? ??and?? ??figured?? ??it?? ??out.?? ??

Lang?? ??Qian?? ??Qiu?? ??was?? ??the?? ??Crown?? ??Prince?? ??of?? ??YongAn,?? ??and?? ??the?? ??Guoshi?? ??of?? ??YongAn?? ??during?? ??his?? ??

ti?? ??was?? ??the?? ??second?? ??of?? ??the?? ??Two?? ??Wicked?? ??Masters:?? ??The?? ??Guoshi?? ??Fang?? ??Xin.?? ??No?? ??one?? ??knew?? ??of?? ??

his?? ??origin?? ??or?? ??his?? ??real?? ??identity.?? ??Yet?? ??here,?? ??Lang?? ??Qian?? ??Qiu?? ??had?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??in?? ??his?? ??grip?? ??and?? ??called?? ??

him?? ??“Guoshi”,?? ??aning...?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??was?? ??the?? ??evil?? ??that?? ??brought?? ??ruin?? ??to?? ??YongAn?? ??–?? ??the?? ??Guoshi?? ??

Fang?? ??Xin?!?? ??

However,?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??was?? ??the?? ??Crown?? ??Prince?? ??of?? ??XianLe.?? ??The?? ??kingdom?? ??of?? ??XianLe?? ??had?? ??fallen?? ??

in?? ??the?? ??hands?? ??of?? ??the?? ??kingdom?? ??of?? ??YongAn,?? ??so?? ??why?? ??would?? ??he?? ??go?? ??and?? ??beco?? ??the?? ??Guoshi?? ??of?? ??

YongAn??? ??

The?? ??Prince?? ??Tai?? ??Hua?? ??was?? ??renown?? ??for?? ??his?? ??optimism?? ??and?? ??cheerfulness,?? ??never?? ??having?? ??played?? ??

mind?? ??gas?? ??nor?? ??made?? ??things?? ??difficult?? ??for?? ??anyone,?? ??and?? ??he?? ??had?? ??never?? ??exhibited?? ??such?? ??an?? ??

expression;?? ??half?? ??despair?? ??half?? ??rage,?? ??half?? ??enmity?? ??half?? ??hatred.?? ??

Lang?? ??Qian?? ??Qiu?? ??had?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??in?? ??a?? ??deadly?? ??grip,?? ??his?? ??breathing?? ??becoming?? ??harsher,?? ??and?? ??finally?? ??

said?? ??in?? ??a?? ??strained?? ??voice,?? ??“You...?? ??I?? ??killed?? ??you?? ??with?? ??my?? ??own?? ??two?? ??hands.?? ??Sealed?? ??you?? ??in?? ??that?? ??

coffin.?? ??You...?? ??Guoshi,?? ??you?? ??certainly?? ??are?? ??a?? ??crafty?? ??one!”?? ??

Heavens.?? ??It?? ??looked?? ??like?? ??sothing?? ??big?? ??was?? ??about?? ??to?? ??go?? ??down?? ??today.?? ??

—-?? ??

●‘Xiong’?? ??is?? ??a?? ??more?? ??formal?? ??way?? ??to?? ??say?? ??‘older?? ??brother’?? ??than?? ??‘gege’,?? ??but?? ??also?? ??used?? ??

informally?? ??between?? ??male?? ??friends?? ??aning?? ??‘bro’.?? ?? ??

?? ??

Ch.45:?? ??The?? ??Black-Hearted?? ??Guoshi;?? ??Gilded?? ??Banquet?? ??Awash?? ??in?? ??Blood?? ??

Feng?? ??Xin?? ??was?? ??the?? ??closest?? ??to?? ??the?? ??two,?? ??and?? ??he?? ??looked?? ??at?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??with?? ??an?? ??unconcealed?? ??

shock.?? ??Mu?? ??Qing?? ??on?? ??the?? ??other?? ??hand?? ??had?? ??glowing?? ??eyes,?? ??the?? ??schooled?? ??shock?? ??had?? ??a?? ??hidden?? ??

layer?? ??of?? ??excitent.?? ??Shi?? ??Qing?? ??Xuan?? ??let?? ??go?? ??of?? ??Ming?? ??Yi?? ??and?? ??said,?? ??“Qian?? ??Qiu?? ??did?? ??you?? ??

misunderstand?? ??sothing??? ??If?? ??His?? ??Highness?? ??was?? ??that?? ??Guoshi?? ??Fang?? ??Xin,?? ??how?? ??would?? ??you?? ??

not?? ??recognize?? ??him?? ??until?? ??now?”?? ?? ??

Another?? ??voice?? ??rang?? ??out?? ??the?? ??sidelines,?? ??“Qing?? ??Xuan,?? ??you?? ??don’t?? ??know??? ??Legends?? ??say?? ??the?? ??

Guoshi?? ??Fang?? ??Xin?? ??was?? ??proud,?? ??mysterious,?? ??and?? ??cold.?? ??He’d?? ??always?? ??worn?? ??a?? ??white?? ??gold?? ??

mask,?? ??having?? ??never?? ??shown?? ??his?? ??real?? ??face?? ??to?? ??anyone.?? ??His?? ??Highness?? ??Tai?? ??Hua?? ??must’ve?? ??never?? ??

known?? ??his?? ??true?? ??identity.”?? ??

The?? ??one?? ??who?? ??spoke?? ??had?? ??his?? ??arms?? ??crossed?? ??and?? ??stood?? ??far?? ??on?? ??the?? ??sidelines.?? ??It?? ??was?? ??Pei?? ??

Ming.?? ??Just?? ??seeing?? ??his?? ??face?? ??made?? ??Shi?? ??Qing?? ??Xuan?? ??annoyed,?? ??and?? ??he?? ??swung?? ??his?? ??whisk,?? ??“If?? ??

that’s?? ??the?? ??case,?? ??then?? ??no?? ??one?? ??had?? ??seen?? ??what?? ??the?? ??Guoshi?? ??Fang?? ??Xin?? ??looked?? ??like.?? ??Why?? ??must?? ??

General?? ??Pei?? ??make?? ??it?? ??sound?? ??like?? ??it’s?? ??a?? ??sure?? ??thing?? ??that?? ??His?? ??Highness?? ??XianLe?? ??is?? ??the?? ??Guoshi?? ??

Fang?? ??Xin?”?? ?? ??

When?? ??in?? ??action,?? ??Shi?? ??Qing?? ??Xuan?? ??and?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??were?? ??ridiculous?? ??and?? ??hilarious,?? ??but?? ??once?? ??in?? ??

the?? ??heavenly?? ??court,?? ??they?? ??changed?? ??their?? ??composure,?? ??calm?? ??and?? ??poised,?? ??mindful?? ??of?? ??their?? ??

behaviour.?? ??Just?? ??then,?? ??a?? ??snow?? ??white?? ??silhouette?? ??appeared?? ??from?? ??the?? ??back?? ??chambers.?? ??

The?? ??mont?? ??he?? ??arrived?? ??everyone?? ??cald?? ??down.?? ??The?? ??chattering?? ??officials?? ??all?? ??stood?? ??in?? ??their?? ??

place,?? ??silencing?? ??their?? ??gossip,?? ??and?? ??bowed,?? ??“Your?? ??Majesty.”?? ??

Jun?? ??Wu?? ??raised?? ??his?? ??hand?? ??slightly?? ??and?? ??everyone?? ??straightened?? ??once?? ??more.?? ??He?? ??walked?? ??

willfully,?? ??and?? ??as?? ??he?? ??passed?? ??by?? ??Xie?? ??Lian,?? ??he?? ??tapped?? ??on?? ??his?? ??right?? ??shoulder.?? ??The?? ??sleeve?? ??that?? ??

was?? ??still?? ??dripping?? ??with?? ??fresh?? ??blood?? ??ceased?? ??imdiately?? ??after?? ??the?? ??tap.?? ?? ??

After?? ??taking?? ??a?? ??mont?? ??to?? ??look?? ??over?? ??Ming?? ??Yi,?? ??Jun?? ??Wu?? ??stated,?? ??“It’s?? ??nothing?? ??serious.?? ??Settle?? ??

the?? ??Earth?? ??Master?? ??in.”?? ??

Thus,?? ??four?? ??famous?? ??dicinal?? ??heavenly?? ??officials?? ??ca?? ??over?? ??to?? ??lift?? ??Ming?? ??Yi?? ??up?? ??and?? ??took?? ??him?? ??

away.?? ??Shi?? ??Qing?? ??Xuan?? ??looked?? ??as?? ??if?? ??he?? ??wanted?? ??to?? ??follow,?? ??but?? ??seeing?? ??the?? ??current?? ??tension?? ??in?? ??

the?? ??Great?? ??Martial?? ??Hall,?? ??he?? ??couldn’t?? ??not?? ??worry?? ??and?? ??decided?? ??not?? ??to?? ??go?? ??after?? ??all.?? ??

With?? ??his?? ??hands?? ??behind?? ??his?? ??back,?? ??Jun?? ??Wu?? ??returned?? ??to?? ??the?? ??throne?? ??before?? ??speaking?? ??again,?? ??

“So?? ??tell?? ??.?? ??What’s?? ??happened?? ??now??? ??Why?? ??won’t?? ??Tai?? ??Hua?? ??let?? ??XianLe?? ??go,?? ??and?? ??why?? ??is?? ??

XianLe?? ??bowing?? ??his?? ??head?”?? ??

Lang?? ??Qian?? ??Qiu?? ??glanced?? ??at?? ??Xie?? ??Lian,?? ??seeing?? ??that?? ??he?? ??was?? ??still?? ??silent,?? ??as?? ??they?? ??were?? ??

surrounded?? ??by?? ??heavenly?? ??officials,?? ??there?? ??was?? ??no?? ??need?? ??to?? ??fear?? ??his?? ??escape,?? ??so?? ??Lang?? ??Qian?? ??

Qiu?? ??released?? ??his?? ??hand?? ??and?? ??turned?? ??to?? ??Jun?? ??Wu?? ??in?? ??a?? ??bow,?? ??“My?? ??Lord,?? ??many?? ??hundreds?? ??of?? ??

years?? ??ago,?? ??this?? ??man?? ??altered?? ??his?? ??na?? ??to?? ??Fang?? ??Xin,?? ??slaughtered?? ??my?? ??clan,?? ??and?? ??brought?? ??

ruin?? ??to?? ??my?? ??kingdom.?? ??I?? ??request?? ??for?? ??a?? ??duel,?? ??and?? ??pray?? ??the?? ??lord?? ??will?? ??be?? ??our?? ??judge!”?? ??

Within?? ??the?? ??Great?? ??Martial?? ??Hall,?? ??even?? ??ones?? ??who?? ??had?? ??never?? ??heard?? ??of?? ??the?? ??na?? ??Fang?? ??Xin?? ??ran?? ??

to?? ??research?? ??the?? ??na?? ??within?? ??the?? ??communication?? ??array.?? ??What?? ??was?? ??uncovered?? ??was?? ??an?? ??

astonishing?? ??tale.?? ??Good?? ??thing?? ??Ling?? ??Wen?? ??was?? ??present?? ??to?? ??answer?? ??everyone’s?? ??query:?? ??“The?? ??

Guoshi?? ??Fang?? ??Xin?? ??was?? ??the?? ??saviour?? ??and?? ??teacher?? ??to?? ??the?? ??Crown?? ??Prince?? ??of?? ??YongAn,?? ??Lang?? ??

Qian?? ??Qiu.?? ??He?? ??was?? ??nad?? ??one?? ??of?? ??the?? ??Two?? ??Wicked?? ??Masters?? ??because?? ??of?? ??the?? ??infamous?? ??

bloodbath?? ??that?? ??washed?? ??the?? ??Gilded?? ??Banquet?? ??of?? ??the?? ??YongAn?? ??monarchy.”?? ??

“What?? ??was?? ??the?? ??Gilded?? ??Banquet?”?? ??Shi?? ??Qing?? ??Xuan?? ??asked.?? ??

“Lord?? ??Wind?? ??Master,”?? ??Ling?? ??Wen?? ??replied,?? ??“This?? ??Gilded?? ??Banquet?? ??was?? ??first?? ??a?? ??tradition?? ??passed?? ??

down?? ??from?? ??the?? ??nobilities?? ??of?? ??XianLe,?? ??and?? ??called?? ??thus?? ??because?? ??every?? ??cutlery,?? ??utensils,?? ??

cups,?? ??and?? ??instrunts?? ??were?? ??of?? ??the?? ??highest?? ??grade?? ??of?? ??gold,?? ??exquisite?? ??and?? ??luxurious.”?? ??

After?? ??the?? ??kingdom?? ??of?? ??YongAn?? ??was?? ??established,?? ??at?? ??the?? ??beginning?? ??they?? ??announced?? ??to?? ??the?? ??

world?? ??they?? ??would?? ??not?? ??follow?? ??the?? ??culture?? ??of?? ??excess?? ??from?? ??the?? ??old?? ??kingdom,?? ??and?? ??put?? ??all?? ??their?? ??

focus?? ??on?? ??their?? ??peoples.?? ??Yet,?? ??after?? ??a?? ??few?? ??decades,?? ??the?? ??old?? ??ways?? ??were?? ??relearnt,?? ??including?? ??

that?? ??culture?? ??of?? ??excess.”?? ??

Ling?? ??Wen?? ??continued:?? ??“On?? ??the?? ??night?? ??of?? ??the?? ??seventeenth?? ??birthday?? ??of?? ??the?? ??Crown?? ??Prince?? ??of?? ??

YongAn,?? ??the?? ??palace?? ??threw?? ??a?? ??Gilded?? ??Banquet?? ??in?? ??celebration.?? ??That?? ??Guoshi?? ??Fang?? ??Xin...?? ??in?? ??

that?? ??feast,?? ??with?? ??one?? ??sword?? ??in?? ??hand,?? ??slaughtered?? ??every?? ??royalty?? ??in?? ??attendance.”?? ??

The?? ??golden?? ??goblets?? ??toppled?? ??and?? ??blood?? ??spilt?? ??like?? ??wine.?? ??

“Only?? ??the?? ??Crown?? ??Prince?? ??of?? ??YongAn?? ??escaped?? ??because?? ??of?? ??his?? ??late?? ??arrival?? ??to?? ??the?? ??feast.?? ??

Otherwise?? ??he?? ??too?? ??would’ve?? ??been?? ??annihilated.”?? ??

This?? ??coup?? ??d’etat?? ??was?? ??aid?? ??at?? ??the?? ??building?? ??of?? ??YongAn,?? ??and?? ??if?? ??it?? ??wasn’t?? ??for?? ??Lang?? ??Qian?? ??Qiu?? ??

who?? ??had?? ??the?? ??people’s?? ??heart?? ??and?? ??his?? ??hard?? ??work,?? ??there?? ??would?? ??no?? ??doubt?? ??be?? ??a?? ??riot.?? ??It?? ??was?? ??

with?? ??great?? ??difficulty?? ??that?? ??the?? ??chaos?? ??was?? ??settled,?? ??and?? ??soon?? ??after,?? ??the?? ??YongAn?? ??monarchy?? ??

released?? ??a?? ??bounty?? ??to?? ??pursue?? ??the?? ??fugitive?? ??murderer.?? ??At?? ??last?? ??when?? ??he?? ??was?? ??captured,?? ??Lang?? ??

Qian?? ??Qiu?? ??killed?? ??the?? ??evil?? ??Guoshi?? ??Fang?? ??Xin?? ??with?? ??his?? ??own?? ??two?? ??hands,?? ??sealed?? ??the?? ??corpse?? ??

within?? ??a?? ??triple?? ??layered?? ??coffin,?? ??before?? ??sealing?? ??it?? ??again?? ??underground.?? ??

However,?? ??the?? ??roots?? ??of?? ??the?? ??monarchy?? ??had?? ??been?? ??gravely?? ??damaged,?? ??and?? ??since?? ??then,?? ??it?? ??

inevitably?? ??declined?? ??before?? ??it?? ??was?? ??overtaken?? ??by?? ??another?? ??clan?? ??in?? ??the?? ??end.?? ?? ??

Lang?? ??Qian?? ??Qiu?? ??glared?? ??at?? ??Xie?? ??Lian,?? ??“I?? ??never?? ??understood?? ??why?? ??you?? ??did?? ??what?? ??you?? ??did.?? ??You?? ??

said?? ??you?? ??couldn’t?? ??stand?? ??seeing?? ??us?? ??on?? ??the?? ??throne,?? ??but?? ??I?? ??didn’t?? ??believe?? ??it,?? ??and?? ??I?? ??never?? ??

thought?? ??you?? ??wanted?? ??to?? ??overthrow?? ??the?? ??monarchy?? ??to?? ??take?? ??our?? ??place.?? ??But?? ??now?? ??I?? ??finally?? ??know?? ??

why.”?? ??

The?? ??heavenly?? ??officials?? ??were?? ??eyes?? ??wide?? ??with?? ??shock,?? ??muttering?? ??to?? ??each?? ??other.?? ??

“This?? ??is?? ??revenge!”?? ??

“It?? ??couldn’t?? ??have?? ??been?? ??anything?? ??else!?? ??The?? ??kingdom?? ??of?? ??XianLe?? ??had?? ??fallen,?? ??so?? ??he?? ??had?? ??to?? ??

ruin?? ??YongAn?? ??too.?? ??YongAn?? ??killed?? ??his?? ??royal?? ??parents,?? ??so?? ??he?? ??had?? ??to?? ??murder?? ??the?? ??royal?? ??parents?? ??

of?? ??the?? ??Crown?? ??Prince?? ??of?? ??YongAn.?? ??An?? ??eye?? ??for?? ??an?? ??eye.?? ??It’s?? ??pure?? ??vengeance!”?? ??

“But?? ??the?? ??ones?? ??who?? ??wiped?? ??out?? ??XianLe?? ??wasn’t?? ??Lang?? ??Qian?? ??Qiu’s?? ??generation,?? ??this?? ??rage?? ??was?? ??

unreasonable...”?? ??

“And?? ??here?? ??I?? ??thought?? ??the?? ??Laughing?? ??Stock?? ??of?? ??the?? ??Three?? ??Realms?? ??was?? ??a?? ??fool,?? ??but?? ??he’s?? ??

actually?? ??quite?? ??the?? ??aggressive?? ??character.?? ??Going?? ??undercover?? ??as?? ??a?? ??Guoshi?? ??in?? ??enemy?? ??state,?? ??

slaughtering?? ??the?? ??entire?? ??monarchy?? ??in?? ??one?? ??go.?? ??Incredible...”?? ??

Xie?? ??Lian?? ??could?? ??feel?? ??Jun?? ??Wu’s?? ??eyes?? ??on?? ??him,?? ??and?? ??closed?? ??his?? ??own.?? ??He?? ??heard?? ??Jun?? ??Wu?? ??say,?? ??

“Tai?? ??Hua,?? ??you?? ??firmly?? ??believe?? ??XianLe?? ??to?? ??be?? ??Fang?? ??Xin,?? ??but?? ??do?? ??you?? ??have?? ??proof?”?? ??

“The?? ??Guoshi?? ??Fang?? ??Xin?? ??was?? ??the?? ??one?? ??who?? ??taught?? ???? ??swordsmanship;?? ??how?? ??can?? ??I?? ??not?? ??

recognize?? ??him?? ??the?? ??mont?? ??he?? ??strikes?”?? ??Lang?? ??Qian?? ??Qiu?? ??replied.?? ??

The?? ??gossipping?? ??poured?? ??in?? ??like?? ??tides.?? ??

“Nevermind?? ??making?? ??a?? ??ss?? ??of?? ??things,?? ??but?? ??isn’t?? ??teaching?? ??the?? ??Crown?? ??Prince?? ??

swordsmanship?? ??a?? ??little?? ??too?? ??extra?”?? ?? ??

“No?? ??wonder?? ??after?? ??the?? ??third?? ??ascension?? ??we?? ??haven’t?? ??seen?? ??him?? ??touch?? ??a?? ??single?? ??sword.?? ??He’s?? ??

afraid?? ??to?? ??show?? ??his?? ??tail.”?? ??

Lang?? ??Qian?? ??Qiu?? ??stated:?? ??“This?? ??ti?? ??I?? ??went?? ??to?? ??the?? ??Ghost?? ??City?? ??and?? ??fought?? ??with?? ??Crimson?? ??Rain?? ??

Sought?? ??Flower...”?? ??

The?? ??mont?? ??he?? ??ntioned?? ??the?? ??Ghost?? ??City?? ??and?? ??Hua?? ??Cheng,?? ??many?? ??of?? ??the?? ??officials?? ??

shivered?? ??again?? ??in?? ??fright,?? ??but?? ??Lang?? ??Qian?? ??Qiu?? ??continued:?? ??“When?? ??I?? ??was?? ??twelve,?? ??there?? ??was?? ??

once?? ??when?? ??I?? ??was?? ??kidnapped?? ??during?? ??an?? ??outing.?? ??The?? ??kidnappers?? ??dragged?? ???? ??onto?? ??the?? ??

streets?? ??and?? ??when?? ??the?? ??guards?? ??caught?? ??up?? ??they?? ??started?? ??brawling.?? ??A?? ??street?? ??perforr?? ??was?? ??

dragged?? ??in,?? ??and?? ??bruised?? ??as?? ??he?? ??was,?? ??he?? ??intercepted?? ??the?? ??fight?? ??with?? ??but?? ??a?? ??tree?? ??branch,?? ??and?? ??

easily?? ??rescued?? ???? ??with?? ??but?? ??a?? ??few?? ??swings.?? ?? ??

The?? ??kidnappers?? ??and?? ??the?? ??guards?? ??both?? ??suffered?? ??grave?? ??damages,?? ??and?? ??it?? ??was?? ??this?? ??street?? ??

perforr?? ??who?? ??escorted?? ???? ??all?? ??the?? ??way?? ??back?? ??to?? ??the?? ??palace.?? ??Out?? ??of?? ??imnse?? ??gratitude,?? ??

his?? ??majesty?? ??my?? ??father?? ??and?? ??the?? ??queen?? ??my?? ??mother?? ??fervently?? ??tried?? ??to?? ??retain?? ??him?? ??and?? ??

discovered?? ??his?? ??skills?? ??in?? ??swordsmanship,?? ??and?? ??so?? ??he?? ??was?? ??ultimately?? ??invited?? ??to?? ??beco?? ??the?? ??

Guoshi.?? ??He?? ??taught?? ???? ??the?? ??way?? ??of?? ??the?? ??blades?? ??for?? ??five?? ??years.?? ??I’m?? ??more?? ??than?? ??familiar?? ??with?? ??

his?? ??style,?? ??how?? ??can?? ??I?? ??be?? ??wrong?”?? ??

“Your?? ??Highness?? ??Tai?? ??Hua,”?? ??Mu?? ??Qing?? ??said?? ??faintly,?? ??“You’re?? ??saying?? ??that?? ??what?? ??you?? ??saw?? ??was?? ??but?? ??

a?? ??shadow,?? ??and?? ??other?? ??than?? ??you,?? ??no?? ??one?? ??else?? ??has?? ??seen?? ??it.?? ??So?? ??all?? ??of?? ??this?? ??is?? ??only?? ??by?? ??your?? ??

words.”?? ??

Mu?? ??Qing’s?? ??argunt?? ??sounded?? ??like?? ??it?? ??was?? ??in?? ??Xie?? ??Lian’s?? ??favour,?? ??but?? ??it?? ??was?? ??actually?? ??more?? ??

complex.?? ??He?? ??had?? ??already?? ??seen?? ??that?? ??Lang?? ??Qian?? ??Qiu?? ??wouldn’t?? ??let?? ??this?? ??go,?? ??and?? ??the?? ??more?? ??he?? ??

was?? ??questioned,?? ??the?? ??more?? ??he?? ??will?? ??prove?? ??himself,?? ??and?? ??not?? ??the?? ??least?? ??bit?? ??helpful?? ??to?? ??Xie?? ??Lian’s?? ??

situation.?? ??Sure?? ??enough,?? ??Lang?? ??Qian?? ??Qiu?? ??demanded,?? ??“Fine.?? ??Please?? ??bring?? ???? ??a?? ??sword!”?? ??

There?? ??were?? ??many?? ??martial?? ??gods?? ??within?? ??the?? ??hall?? ??that?? ??carry?? ??a?? ??sword,?? ??and?? ??hearing?? ??his?? ??call,?? ??

there?? ??was?? ??imdiately?? ??a?? ??sword?? ??thrown?? ??towards?? ??him.?? ??Lang?? ??Qian?? ??Qiu?? ??caught?? ??it?? ??and?? ??forced?? ??

it?? ??in?? ??front?? ??of?? ??Xie?? ??Lian,?? ??“Take?? ??it.?? ??We’ll?? ??duel?? ??now?? ??without?? ??holding?? ??back,?? ??using?? ??everything?? ??

we’ve?? ??got?? ??and?? ??see?? ??whether?? ??if?? ??we?? ??have?? ??the?? ??sa?? ??style,?? ??and?? ??whether?? ??if?? ??I?? ??was?? ??taught?? ??by?? ??

you!”?? ??

Everyone?? ??thought?? ??to?? ??duel?? ??in?? ??the?? ??Great?? ??Martial?? ??Hall?? ??was?? ??reckless,?? ??but?? ??with?? ??the?? ??Gilded?? ??

Banquet,?? ??that?? ??a?? ??Crown?? ??Prince’s?? ??entire?? ??family?? ??was?? ??slaughtered?? ??in?? ??cold?? ??blood,?? ??they?? ??could?? ??

understand?? ??why?? ??he?? ??was?? ??this?? ??agitated.?? ??Xie?? ??Lian’s?? ??injury?? ??was?? ??still?? ??on?? ??Shi?? ??Qing?? ??Xuan’s?? ??

mind,?? ??and?? ??he?? ??said,?? ??“Qian?? ??Qiu,?? ??His?? ??Highness?? ??blocked?? ??that?? ??attack?? ??from?? ??Hua?? ??Cheng?? ??for?? ??

you,?? ??and?? ??injured?? ??his?? ??right?? ??arm?? ??like?? ??this,?? ??so?? ??how?? ??can?? ??he?? ??duel?? ??with?? ??you?”?? ??

Hearing?? ??this,?? ??Lang?? ??Qian?? ??Qiu?? ??suddenly?? ??extended?? ??his?? ??left?? ??palm,?? ??and?? ??smacked?? ??heavily?? ??

upon?? ??his?? ??own?? ??right?? ??arm.?? ??There?? ??was?? ??a?? ??loud?? ??crack?? ??and?? ??a?? ??mist?? ??of?? ??blood?? ??spurted?? ??out?? ??from?? ??his?? ??

entire?? ??right?? ??arm?? ??from?? ??the?? ??shoulder,?? ??bleeding?? ??profusely,?? ??and?? ??fell?? ??limply.?? ??There?? ??wasn’t?? ??any?? ??

need?? ??to?? ??check?? ??to?? ??understand?? ??that?? ??it?? ??was?? ??a?? ??heavy?? ??injury?? ??and?? ??everyone?? ??was?? ??shocked.?? ??Xie?? ??

Lian?? ??was?? ??also?? ??taken?? ??aback?? ??and?? ??raised?? ??his?? ??eyes,?? ??“What?? ??are?? ??you?? ??doing?”?? ??

“The?? ??Lord?? ??Wind?? ??Master?? ??was?? ??right.”?? ??Lang?? ??Qian?? ??Qiu?? ??said,?? ??“You?? ??did?? ??injure?? ??your?? ??arm?? ??saving?? ??

,?? ??and?? ??so?? ??I?? ??return?? ??an?? ??arm?? ??to?? ??you.?? ??But?? ??saving?? ???? ??is?? ??one?? ??thing,?? ??killing?? ??my?? ??clan?? ??is?? ??the?? ??

undeniable?? ??truth.?? ??I?? ??know?? ??you’re?? ??dextrous?? ??and?? ??can?? ??use?? ??a?? ??sword?? ??with?? ??either?? ??arms?? ??without?? ??

lessening?? ??your?? ??skills.?? ??We’ll?? ??duel?? ??with?? ??our?? ??left.?? ??Pick?? ??up?? ??the?? ??sword?? ??if?? ??you’re?? ??a?? ??man!”?? ??

Xie?? ??Lian?? ??looked?? ??at?? ??the?? ??sword,?? ??then?? ??looked?? ??at?? ??him,?? ??and?? ??finally,?? ??shook?? ??his?? ??head?? ??slowly.?? ??“I’ve?? ??

sworn?? ??many?? ??years?? ??ago?? ??to?? ??never?? ??kill?? ??with?? ??the?? ??sword?? ??again.”?? ??

With?? ??those?? ??words,?? ??Lang?? ??Qian?? ??Qiu?? ??recalled?? ??that?? ??night?? ??when?? ??he?? ??finally?? ??arrived?? ??at?? ??the?? ??feast,?? ??

the?? ??scene?? ??of?? ??that?? ??black?? ??robed?? ??man?? ??pulling?? ??out?? ??a?? ??longsword?? ??from?? ??the?? ??dead?? ??bodies?? ??of?? ??his?? ??

parents,?? ??and?? ??his?? ??eyes?? ??reddened?? ??with?? ??madness,?? ??the?? ??sword?? ??in?? ??his?? ??left?? ??hand?? ??emitting?? ??a?? ??

shaking,?? ??crackling?? ??sound?? ??from?? ??his?? ??left?? ??grip.?? ??Shi?? ??Qing?? ??Xuan?? ??swung?? ??out?? ??his?? ??whisk?? ??again?? ??

and?? ??it?? ??wrapped?? ??around?? ??the?? ??sword?? ??to?? ??hold?? ??it?? ??down.?? ??“I?? ??think?? ??there?? ??might?? ??be?? ??so?? ??sort?? ??of?? ??

misunderstanding?? ??here.?? ??If?? ??that?? ??Guoshi?? ??Fang?? ??Xin?? ??had?? ??always?? ??worn?? ??a?? ??mask,?? ??then?? ??anyone?? ??

could’ve?? ??pretended?? ??to?? ??be?? ??him?? ??to?? ??commit?? ??murder.?? ??How?? ??does?? ??my?? ??Lord?? ??think?”?? ??

Everyone?? ??turned?? ??their?? ??gaze?? ??to?? ??the?? ??jaded?? ??throne.?? ?? ??

“Xian?? ??Le.”?? ??Jun?? ??Wu?? ??spoke.?? ??

“Yes,?? ??my?? ??lord.”?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??bowed.?? ??

“Do?? ??you?? ??concede?? ??to?? ??Tai?? ??Hua’s?? ??accusations?”?? ??Jun?? ??Wu?? ??asked.?? ??

“I?? ??concede.”?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??replied.?? ??

The?? ??“I?? ??concede”?? ??was?? ??uttered?? ??in?? ??a?? ??frozen?? ??tone,?? ??very?? ??unlike?? ??Xie?? ??Lian’s?? ??usual?? ??manner?? ??of?? ??

speaking,?? ??and?? ??the?? ??faces?? ??of?? ??Feng?? ??Xin,?? ??Mu?? ??Qing,?? ??and?? ??Shi?? ??Qing?? ??Xuan?? ??all?? ??dropped.?? ??

Jun?? ??Wu?? ??nodded,?? ??and?? ??asked,?? ??“The?? ??Guoshi?? ??Fang?? ??Xin?? ??who?? ??spilt?? ??blood?? ??upon?? ??the?? ??Gilded?? ??

Banquet–?? ??was?? ??it?? ??you?”?? ?? ??

After?? ??a?? ??mont?? ??of?? ??silence,?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??raised?? ??his?? ??head,?? ??determined,?? ??“That’s?? ??right.?? ??It?? ??was?? ??

!”?? ??

Words?? ??of?? ??steel?? ??with?? ??no?? ??turning?? ??back.?? ??“So?? ??you?? ??admit.?? ??Very?? ??good.”?? ??Lang?? ??Qian?? ??Qiu?? ??said.?? ??

As?? ??aforentioned,?? ??there?? ??were?? ??innurous?? ??heavenly?? ??officials?? ??with?? ??mortal?? ??blood?? ??on?? ??their?? ??

hands?? ??in?? ??the?? ??upper?? ??court.?? ??But?? ??truthfully,?? ??there?? ??hadn’t?? ??been?? ??that?? ??many?? ??who?? ??had?? ??their?? ??blood?? ??

debt?? ??escalate?? ??to?? ??this?? ??point.?? ??It?? ??might?? ??be?? ??because?? ??those?? ??mortals?? ??didn’t?? ??have?? ??soone?? ??like?? ??

Lang?? ??Qian?? ??Qiu?? ??in?? ??the?? ??family?? ??who?? ??could?? ??ascend?? ??and?? ??demand?? ??justice?? ??from?? ??the?? ??heavens.?? ??

Before?? ??Pei?? ??Su?? ??had?? ??General?? ??Pei?? ??as?? ??a?? ??shield,?? ??but?? ??in?? ??the?? ??end?? ??he?? ??couldn’t?? ??escape?? ??exile.?? ??Xie?? ??

Lian?? ??had?? ??no?? ??one?? ??behind?? ??him,?? ??so?? ??now?? ??it’d?? ??all?? ??depend?? ??on?? ??whether?? ??if?? ??Jun?? ??Wu?? ??still?? ??value?? ??past?? ??

affections?? ??and?? ??hold?? ??the?? ??heart?? ??to?? ??protect?? ??him.?? ??

Yet,?? ??many?? ??still?? ??couldn’t?? ??fathom?? ??what?? ??attitude?? ??Jun?? ??Wu?? ??held?? ??towards?? ??Xie?? ??Lian.?? ??The?? ??first?? ??

ascension,?? ??the?? ??Crown?? ??Prince?? ??of?? ??XianLe?? ??was?? ??of?? ??course?? ??treated?? ??with?? ??the?? ??utmost?? ??favour;?? ??

the?? ??second?? ??ascension,?? ??the?? ??two?? ??had?? ??a?? ??huge?? ??fight,?? ??and?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??even?? ??stabbed?? ??Jun?? ??Wu?? ??a?? ??

few?? ??tis?? ??before?? ??he?? ??was?? ??defeated;?? ??and?? ??this?? ??third?? ??ascension,?? ??the?? ??two?? ??had?? ??been?? ??at?? ??peace?? ??

with?? ??each?? ??other,?? ??as?? ??if?? ??the?? ??past?? ??conflicts?? ??had?? ??been?? ??forgotten,?? ??and?? ??Jun?? ??Wu?? ??even?? ??built?? ??a?? ??

palace?? ??for?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??in?? ??the?? ??nicest?? ??area?? ??of?? ??the?? ??heavenly?? ??capital.?? ??It?? ??was?? ??truly?? ??difficult?? ??to?? ??

understand.?? ??Now,?? ??everyone?? ??had?? ??their?? ??ears?? ??attentive,?? ??waiting?? ??eagerly?? ??to?? ??hear?? ??how?? ??the?? ??lord?? ??

will?? ??sentence?? ??Xie?? ??Lian.?? ??

However,?? ??before?? ??Jun?? ??Wu?? ??had?? ??the?? ??chance?? ??to?? ??pass?? ??verdict,?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??spoke?? ??up?? ??first.?? ??“Xian?? ??

Le?? ??has?? ??a?? ??presumptuous?? ??request.”?? ??

“What?? ??is?? ??it.”?? ??Jun?? ??Wu?? ??responded.?? ??

“I?? ??humbly?? ??ask?? ??the?? ??Lord?? ??to?? ??remove?? ??my?? ??godhood,?? ??and?? ??banish?? ???? ??to?? ??the?? ??mortal?? ??realm.”?? ??Xie?? ??

Lian?? ??said.?? ??

So?? ??of?? ??the?? ??heavenly?? ??officials?? ??were?? ??astonished,?? ??and?? ??at?? ??the?? ??sa?? ??ti?? ??amazed.?? ??Of?? ??

course?? ??no?? ??one?? ??wanted?? ??to?? ??be?? ??banished,?? ??it’s?? ??not?? ??easy?? ??to?? ??ascend.?? ??To?? ??work?? ??so?? ??hard?? ??to?? ??climb?? ??

so?? ??high?? ??only?? ??to?? ??fall,?? ??just?? ??thinking?? ??about?? ??it?? ??felt?? ??rueful.?? ??To?? ??dare?? ??ask?? ??for?? ??banishnt?? ??from?? ??Jun?? ??

Wu?? ??so?? ??straightforwardly,?? ??a?? ??lot?? ??of?? ??them?? ??couldn’t?? ??do?? ??it.?? ??So?? ??of?? ??the?? ??other?? ??heavenly?? ??officials?? ??

didn’t?? ??think?? ??much?? ??of?? ??it.?? ??After?? ??all,?? ??at?? ??this?? ??point?? ??it?? ??might?? ??be?? ??better?? ??to?? ??back?? ??off?? ??than?? ??to?? ??fight?? ??to?? ??

the?? ??death.?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??had?? ??been?? ??banished?? ??twice?? ??already;?? ??a?? ??third?? ??ti?? ??probably?? ??ant?? ??

nothing?? ??to?? ??him,?? ??and?? ??maybe?? ??he’s?? ??even?? ??used?? ??to?? ??it.?? ??

Lang?? ??Qian?? ??Qiu?? ??on?? ??the?? ??other?? ??hand,?? ??objected,?? ??“I?? ??don’t?? ??need?? ??you?? ??to?? ??banish?? ??yourself.?? ??

Ascension?? ??is?? ??because?? ??you?? ??have?? ??the?? ??skills.?? ??I?? ??only?? ??want?? ??a?? ??duel.”?? ??

“I?? ??don’t?? ??want?? ??to?? ??fight?? ??you.”?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??said.?? ??

“Why?”?? ??Lang?? ??Qian?? ??Qiu?? ??shouted,?? ??“It’s?? ??not?? ??like?? ??we’ve?? ??never?? ??fought?? ??before.?? ??Life?? ??or?? ??death,?? ??

the?? ??outco?? ??doesn’t?? ??matter,?? ??let’s?? ??just?? ??put?? ??an?? ??end?? ??to?? ??this!”?? ??

Xie?? ??Lian?? ??said?? ??plainly,?? ??“No?? ??reason.?? ??Fight?? ??,?? ??and?? ??you?? ??will?? ??for?? ??sure?? ??die.”?? ??

?? ??

Ch.46:?? ??Enraged?? ??Nan?? ??Yang;?? ??Fist?? ??Fight?? ??with?? ??Xuan?? ??Zheng?? ??

Although?? ??the?? ??words?? ??were?? ??an?? ??understatent?? ??lightly?? ??said,?? ??it?? ??caused?? ??all?? ??those?? ??around?? ??to?? ??

take?? ??in?? ??a?? ??harsh?? ??breath.?? ??Many?? ??had?? ??in?? ??their?? ??minds:?? ??you’re?? ??nothing?? ??more?? ??than?? ??a?? ??powerless?? ??

rubbish?? ??god,?? ??how?? ??could?? ??you?? ??be?? ??so?? ??shaless?? ??to?? ??say?? ??to?? ??the?? ??one?? ??Lang?? ??Qian?? ??Qiu,?? ??Martial?? ??

God?? ??of?? ??the?? ??East,?? ??that?? ??if?? ??you?? ??fight?? ??he’ll?? ??die?? ??for?? ??sure??? ??What?? ??arrogance!?? ??It?? ??was?? ??like?? ??the?? ??

request?? ??for?? ??banishnt?? ??was?? ??because?? ??fighting?? ??Lang?? ??Qian?? ??Qiu?? ??was?? ??beneath?? ??him.?? ??Pure?? ??

bullshit.?? ??Yet?? ??Lang?? ??Qian?? ??Qiu?? ??didn’t?? ??think?? ??his?? ??words?? ??were?? ??exaggerated?? ??at?? ??all.?? ??“I?? ??said,?? ??life?? ??

and?? ??death?? ??don’t?? ??matter!?? ??I?? ??don’t?? ??need?? ??you?? ??to?? ??let?? ???? ??off?? ??easy?? ??either!”?? ??

Xie?? ??Lian?? ??ignored?? ??him?? ??and?? ??reiterated?? ??his?? ??request?? ??to?? ??Jun?? ??Wu,?? ??“Pray?? ??my?? ??lord?? ??banish?? ???? ??to?? ??

the?? ??lesser?? ??realm.”?? ??

Shi?? ??Qing?? ??Xuan?? ??suddenly?? ??raised?? ??his?? ??arm,?? ??“Wait!?? ??I?? ??have?? ??more?? ??to?? ??say!”?? ??

“Speak,?? ??Wind?? ??Master.”?? ??Jun?? ??Wu?? ??said.?? ??

“Everyone?? ??here?? ??seed?? ??to?? ??think?? ??His?? ??Highness?? ??Xian?? ??Le?? ??spilt?? ??the?? ??blood?? ??of?? ??YongAn?? ??royalty?? ??

for?? ??revenge.?? ??Yet,?? ??if?? ??it?? ??was?? ??revenge,?? ??then?? ??why?? ??did?? ??he?? ??let?? ??the?? ??Crown?? ??Prince?? ??of?? ??YongAn,?? ??His?? ??

Highness?? ??Tai?? ??Hua?? ??go??? ??Logically,?? ??the?? ??one?? ??an?? ??avenger?? ??would?? ??want?? ??to?? ??cut?? ??down?? ??the?? ??most?? ??

should?? ??be?? ??the?? ??Crown?? ??Prince?? ??himself,?? ??am?? ??I?? ??wrong?”?? ??

It?? ??wasn’t?? ??that?? ??no?? ??one?? ??had?? ??thought?? ??of?? ??this?? ??detail,?? ??but?? ??no?? ??one?? ??had?? ??thought?? ??it?? ??necessary?? ??to?? ??

voice?? ??it?? ??either.?? ??Now?? ??that?? ??the?? ??Wind?? ??Master?? ??took?? ??the?? ??lead,?? ??so?? ??nodded?? ??their?? ??heads?? ??in?? ??

agreent.?? ??Shi?? ??Qing?? ??Xuan?? ??continued,?? ??“His?? ??Highness?? ??and?? ??I?? ??haven’t?? ??known?? ??each?? ??other?? ??for?? ??

long,?? ??but?? ??I?? ??did?? ??see?? ??with?? ??my?? ??own?? ??eyes?? ??him?? ??fighting?? ??head?? ??on?? ??against?? ??the?? ??scimitar?? ??E-Ming?? ??in?? ??

order?? ??to?? ??protect?? ??His?? ??Highness?? ??Tai?? ??Hua.?? ??Qian?? ??Qiu,?? ??if?? ??he?? ??regarded?? ??the?? ??YongAn?? ??monarchy?? ??

with?? ??hatred,?? ??why?? ??would?? ??he?? ??unnecessarily?? ??defend?? ??you?? ??against?? ??the?? ??blade?”?? ??

Hearing?? ??that?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??faced?? ??E-Ming?? ??head?? ??on,?? ??both?? ??Feng?? ??Xin?? ??and?? ??Mu?? ??Qin?? ??stared?? ??at?? ??Xie?? ??

Lian.?? ??Around,?? ??there?? ??were?? ??whispers?? ??saying,?? ??“Maybe?? ??he?? ??was?? ??just?? ??feeling?? ??guilty”,?? ??but?? ??Shi?? ??

Qing?? ??Xuan?? ??imdiately?? ??raised?? ??his?? ??voice?? ??to?? ??exclaim,?? ??“That?? ??was?? ??the?? ??weapon?? ??of?? ??

misfortune;?? ??the?? ??cursed?? ??blade!?? ??SO!?? ??I?? ??think?? ??this?? ??whole?? ??business?? ??is?? ??highly?? ??suspect!”?? ??

“I’m?? ??envious?? ??that?? ??His?? ??Royal?? ??Highness?? ??has?? ??gained?? ??the?? ??Lord?? ??Wind?? ??Master’s?? ??friendship?? ??to?? ??

defend?? ??him?? ??so.”?? ??Pei?? ??Ming?? ??said,?? ??“Too?? ??bad?? ??our?? ??Little?? ??Pei?? ??isn’t?? ??as?? ??fortunate.”?? ??

“General?? ??Pei,?? ??don’t?? ??muddy?? ??the?? ??waters.”?? ??Shi?? ??Qing?? ??Xuan?? ??said,?? ??“Can?? ??Little?? ??Pei’s?? ??case?? ??be?? ??

compared?? ??the?? ??sa??? ??I?? ??saw?? ??him?? ??commit?? ??cris?? ??with?? ??my?? ??own?? ??eyes?? ??too,?? ??and?? ??heard?? ??with?? ??

my?? ??own?? ??ears?? ??his?? ??admission?? ??of?? ??said?? ??cris.”?? ??

“Then?? ??isn’t?? ??that?? ??exactly?? ??the?? ??sa?? ??as?? ??today?”?? ??Pei?? ??Ming?? ??argued,?? ??“His?? ??Highness?? ??Tai?? ??Hua?? ??

saw?? ??him?? ??commit?? ??cris,?? ??and?? ??heard?? ??him?? ??admit?? ??to?? ??said?? ??cris?? ??with?? ??his?? ??own?? ??ears.?? ??How?? ??is?? ??

that?? ??any?? ??different?”?? ??

Shi?? ??Qing?? ??Xuan?? ??grew?? ??furious?? ??and?? ??was?? ??about?? ??to?? ??argue?? ??back?? ??when?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??held?? ??him?? ??back,?? ??

“Lord?? ??Wind?? ??Master,?? ??thank?? ??you,?? ??I?? ??am?? ??in?? ??your?? ??debt.?? ??But?? ??please?? ??let?? ??this?? ??go.”?? ??

Shi?? ??Qing?? ??Xuan?? ??himself?? ??hadn’t?? ??thought?? ??of?? ??a?? ??good?? ??coback?? ??against?? ??Pei?? ??Ming?? ??yet,?? ??so?? ??he?? ??

only?? ??pointed?? ??at?? ??him?? ??but?? ??no?? ??more?? ??words?? ??ca?? ??out.?? ??

Finally,?? ??Jun?? ??Wu?? ??spoke,?? ??his?? ??tone?? ??tranquil.?? ??“Everyone?? ??please?? ??calm?? ??down.”?? ??

His?? ??voice?? ??wasn’t?? ??particularly?? ??loud,?? ??very?? ??serene,?? ??yet?? ??everyone?? ??within?? ??the?? ??Great?? ??Martial?? ??

Hall?? ??heard?? ??his?? ??words?? ??clearly,?? ??and?? ??they?? ??all?? ??stood?? ??back?? ??to?? ??position.?? ??Once?? ??the?? ??hall?? ??quieted?? ??

down,?? ??Jun?? ??Wu?? ??spoke?? ??again,?? ??“Tai?? ??Hua,?? ??your?? ??actions?? ??have?? ??always?? ??been?? ??impulsive.?? ??When?? ??

situations?? ??arise,?? ??one?? ??mustn’t?? ??be?? ??rash;?? ??listen?? ??calmly,?? ??assess,?? ??and?? ??then?? ??evaluate?? ??once?? ??you?? ??

know?? ??the?? ??whole?? ??story.”?? ??

Lang?? ??Qian?? ??Qiu?? ??lowered?? ??his?? ??head?? ??to?? ??heed?? ??the?? ??lesson.?? ??Jun?? ??Wu?? ??continued,?? ??“Xian?? ??Le?? ??

refuses?? ??to?? ??give?? ??us?? ??that?? ??full?? ??story,?? ??so?? ??his?? ??request?? ??for?? ??banishnt?? ??is?? ??denied.?? ??He?? ??will?? ??be?? ??

detained?? ??in?? ??the?? ??Palace?? ??of?? ??Xian?? ??Le,?? ??and?? ??I?? ??will?? ??personally?? ??interrogate?? ??him?? ??afterwards.?? ??

Before?? ??then,?? ??the?? ??two?? ??of?? ??you?? ??shan’t?? ??et.”?? ??

It?? ??was?? ??a?? ??conclusion?? ??no?? ??one?? ??had?? ??expected.?? ??

Jun?? ??Wu?? ??actually?? ??shielded?? ??Xie?? ??Lian,?? ??the?? ??laughing?? ??stock?? ??of?? ??the?? ??three?? ??realms?? ??who?? ??had?? ??no?? ??

temples,?? ??no?? ??devotees,?? ??and?? ??no?? ??rits!?? ??

Lang?? ??Qian?? ??Qiu?? ??was?? ??the?? ??martial?? ??god?? ??who?? ??ruled?? ??the?? ??east;?? ??if?? ??he?? ??was?? ??unhappy?? ??with?? ??the?? ??

verdict,?? ??then?? ??what?? ??a?? ??losing?? ??business!?? ??Even?? ??then?? ??Jun?? ??Wu?? ??chose?? ??to?? ??shield?? ??Xie?? ??Lian...?? ??

didn’t?? ??that?? ??an?? ??he’s?? ??still?? ??very?? ??much?? ??in?? ??favour?!?? ??

Many?? ??of?? ??the?? ??officials?? ??now?? ??saw?? ??where?? ??the?? ??wind?? ??was?? ??blowing,?? ??and?? ??decided?? ??ntally?? ??that?? ??

from?? ??now?? ??on?? ??they?? ??wouldn’t?? ??publicly?? ??ntion?? ??the?? ??words?? ??“laughingstock?? ??of?? ??the?? ??three?? ??

realms”.?? ??Shi?? ??Qing?? ??Xuan?? ??let?? ??out?? ??a?? ??sigh?? ??of?? ??relief?? ??and?? ??loudly?? ??praised?? ??Jun?? ??Wu?? ??for?? ??his?? ??wisdom.?? ??

Lang?? ??Qian?? ??Qiu?? ??on?? ??the?? ??other?? ??hand,?? ??only?? ??stared?? ??at?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??intently,?? ??“Whatever?? ??the?? ??lord?? ??

wishes?? ??to?? ??question,?? ??go?? ??ahead?? ??and?? ??question,?? ??but?? ??whatever?? ??the?? ??conclusion,?? ??I?? ??will?? ??still?? ??duel?? ??

him!”?? ??

With?? ??that,?? ??Lang?? ??Qian?? ??Qiu?? ??bowed?? ??to?? ??Jun?? ??Wu?? ??before?? ??he?? ??turned?? ??and?? ??left?? ??the?? ??hall.?? ??Jun?? ??Wu?? ??

waved?? ??his?? ??hand?? ??and?? ??a?? ??couple?? ??martial?? ??officials?? ??ca?? ??forward?? ??to?? ??take?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??away.?? ??As?? ??

they?? ??passed?? ??by?? ??Shi?? ??Qing?? ??Xuan,?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??spoke?? ??in?? ??a?? ??soft?? ??voice,?? ??“Lord?? ??Wind?? ??Master,?? ??

thanks?? ??for?? ??everything.?? ??But?? ??if?? ??you?? ??must?? ??help?? ??,?? ??don’t?? ??say?? ??anymore?? ??on?? ??my?? ??behalf,?? ??but?? ??can?? ??

I?? ??ask?? ??you?? ??to?? ??do?? ??two?? ??things?? ??for?? ???”?? ??

Shi?? ??Qing?? ??Xuan?? ??was?? ??still?? ??feeling?? ??bad?? ??about?? ??fanning?? ??the?? ??fire?? ??that?? ??burnt?? ??down?? ??Paradise?? ??

Manor,?? ??and?? ??wished?? ??dearly?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??would?? ??ask?? ??him?? ??for?? ??anything,?? ??“Whatever?? ??you?? ??need.”?? ?? ??

“The?? ??boy?? ??I?? ??settled?? ??in?? ??the?? ??side?? ??chambers,?? ??please?? ??take?? ??care?? ??of?? ??him.”?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??said.?? ??

“Nothing?? ??I?? ??can’t?? ??do!?? ??What’s?? ??the?? ??second?? ??thing?”?? ??Shi?? ??Qing?? ??Xuan?? ??said.?? ??

“If?? ??General?? ??Pei?? ??still?? ??wants?? ??to?? ??make?? ??things?? ??difficult?? ??for?? ??Ban?? ??Yue?? ??in?? ??the?? ??future,?? ??please?? ??help?? ??

her?? ??out.”?? ?? ??

“Of?? ??course.”?? ??Shi?? ??Qing?? ??Xuan?? ??replied,?? ??“I?? ??won’t?? ??let?? ??Pei?? ??Ming?? ??get?? ??his?? ??way.?? ??Where?? ??is?? ??she?”?? ??

“I’ve?? ??hidden?? ??her?? ??in?? ??a?? ??small?? ??pickle?? ??jar?? ??in?? ??my?? ??PuQi?? ??Shrine.?? ??If?? ??you?? ??have?? ??the?? ??ti,?? ??please?? ??air?? ??

her?? ??out?? ??sotis.”?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??said.?? ??

“...”?? ??

After?? ??thanking?? ??the?? ??Wind?? ??Master,?? ??two?? ??heavenly?? ??officials?? ??brought?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??before?? ??the?? ??

Palace?? ??of?? ??Xian?? ??Le?? ??before?? ??courteously?? ??excusing?? ??themselves.?? ??

“Thanks?? ??for?? ??your?? ??hard?? ??work.”?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??bowed?? ??his?? ??head?? ??slightly.?? ??

Stepping?? ??through?? ??the?? ??front?? ??gates,?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??closed?? ??the?? ??doors?? ??behind?? ??him.?? ??Looking?? ??around,?? ??

as?? ??he?? ??expected,?? ??not?? ??just?? ??appearance?? ??wise?? ??but?? ??all?? ??the?? ??facilities?? ??were?? ??exactly?? ??the?? ??sa?? ??as?? ??

his?? ??previous?? ??palace.?? ??Last?? ??ti?? ??he?? ??passed?? ??by?? ??he?? ??didn’t?? ??enter,?? ??never?? ??having?? ??guessed?? ??that?? ??

the?? ??first?? ??ti?? ??he?? ??was?? ??to?? ??step?? ??foot?? ??in?? ??here?? ??would?? ??be?? ??due?? ??to?? ??detention.?? ??Not?? ??the?? ??best?? ??sign.?? ??

But?? ??after?? ??so?? ??much?? ??excitent?? ??of?? ??the?? ??past?? ??few?? ??days,?? ??his?? ??heart?? ??was?? ??tired,?? ??and?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??

passed?? ??out?? ??imdiately?? ??on?? ??the?? ??ground.?? ?? ??

He?? ??dreamt?? ??of?? ??many?? ??things.?? ??

He?? ??seed?? ??to?? ??be?? ??ditating?? ??with?? ??his?? ??eyes?? ??closed,?? ??when?? ??when?? ??he?? ??blinked?? ??open,?? ??he?? ??

found?? ??himself?? ??sitting?? ??in?? ??the?? ??lotus?? ??position?? ??before?? ??a?? ??desk,?? ??his?? ??black?? ??robes?? ??flowing?? ??on?? ??the?? ??

floor?? ??in?? ??layers?? ??around?? ??him,?? ??and?? ??on?? ??his?? ??face?? ??seed?? ??to?? ??be?? ??a?? ??cold,?? ??heavy?? ??mask.?? ??

When?? ??he?? ??lowered?? ??his?? ??head,?? ??the?? ??sight?? ??before?? ??him?? ??was?? ??of?? ??a?? ??young?? ??boy?? ??sprawled?? ??over?? ??the?? ??

desk.?? ??The?? ??boy?? ??appeared?? ??to?? ??be?? ??fourteen?? ??or?? ??fifteen?? ??years?? ??of?? ??age,?? ??his?? ??attire?? ??distinguished,?? ??

his?? ??form?? ??strumming?? ??with?? ??life,?? ??but?? ??fast?? ??asleep.?? ??

He?? ??shook?? ??his?? ??head?? ??and?? ??walked?? ??over.?? ??Bending?? ??slightly,?? ??he?? ??knocked?? ??on?? ??the?? ??desk,?? ??“Your?? ??

Royal?? ??Highness.”?? ??

Maybe?? ??it?? ??was?? ??because?? ??of?? ??the?? ??cold?? ??mask,?? ??even?? ??his?? ??voice?? ??was?? ??cool.?? ??The?? ??boy?? ??finally?? ??woke?? ??

with?? ??a?? ??start.?? ??When?? ??he?? ??raised?? ??his?? ??eyes?? ??and?? ??saw?? ??him,?? ??he?? ??sat?? ??upright?? ??imdiately?? ??in?? ??horror:?? ??

“G-G-G-Guoshi!!!!”?? ??

He?? ??said:?? ??“You?? ??fell?? ??asleep?? ??again.?? ??Copy?? ??the?? ??Ethics?? ??Scripture?? ??ten?? ??tis?? ??as?? ??punishnt.”?? ??

The?? ??Crown?? ??Prince?? ??cried?? ??in?? ??dismay:?? ??“Master,?? ??please?? ??no!?? ??Why?? ??don’t?? ??you?? ??have?? ???? ??run?? ??ten?? ??

laps?? ??around?? ??the?? ??palace?? ??as?? ??punishnt?”?? ??

“Copy?? ??twenty?? ??tis.?? ??Do?? ??it?? ??now,?? ??and?? ??write?? ??nicely.”?? ??

The?? ??Crown?? ??Prince?? ??seed?? ??to?? ??fear?? ??him,?? ??and?? ??sat?? ??up?? ??properly?? ??to?? ??start?? ??writing.?? ??He?? ??then?? ??sat?? ??

back?? ??at?? ??his?? ??original?? ??position?? ??and?? ??continued?? ??to?? ??ditate.?? ??

Truthfully,?? ??everyone?? ??in?? ??the?? ??palace?? ??was?? ??a?? ??little?? ??scared?? ??of?? ??him.?? ??But?? ??this?? ??sense?? ??of?? ??distance?? ??

and?? ??oppressive?? ??power?? ??was?? ??created?? ??intentionally?? ??by?? ??him.?? ??

However,?? ??this?? ??Crown?? ??Prince?? ??may?? ??be?? ??too?? ??young,?? ??so?? ??he?? ??could?? ??never?? ??hold?? ??that?? ??sense?? ??of?? ??

fear?? ??for?? ??long.?? ??Not?? ??long?? ??after?? ??he?? ??started?? ??copying?? ??the?? ??scripture,?? ??he?? ??called?? ??out:?? ??“Master!”?? ??

He?? ??put?? ??down?? ??the?? ??book?? ??in?? ??hand,?? ??“What?? ??is?? ??it?”?? ??

“I’ve?? ??beco?? ??skilled?? ??in?? ??all?? ??the?? ??sword?? ??techniques?? ??you?? ??taught?? ???? ??last?? ??ti.?? ??Isn’t?? ??it?? ??ti?? ??for?? ??

a?? ??new?? ??technique?”?? ??The?? ??Crown?? ??Prince?? ??said.?? ??

“Alright.?? ??What?? ??do?? ??you?? ??want?? ??to?? ??learn?”?? ??He?? ??said.?? ??

“I?? ??want?? ??to?? ??learn?? ??the?? ??technique?? ??you?? ??used?? ??to?? ??save?? ??!”?? ??The?? ??Crown?? ??Prince?? ??exclaid.?? ??

He?? ??contemplated?? ??for?? ??a?? ??bit?? ??and?? ??said:?? ??“That?? ??one??? ??No.”?? ??

“Why?”?? ??The?? ??Crown?? ??Prince?? ??asked.?? ??

“That?? ??technique?? ??is?? ??impractical.?? ??At?? ??least?? ??it’s?? ??unsuitable?? ??for?? ??one?? ??in?? ??your?? ??position.”?? ??He?? ??

explained.?? ??

The?? ??Crown?? ??Prince?? ??didn’t?? ??understand:?? ??“But?? ??isn’t?? ??it?? ??convenient??? ??Using?? ??one?? ??sword?? ??to?? ??

dissolve?? ??the?? ??power?? ??of?? ??two!?? ??You?? ??saved?? ???? ??with?? ??that?? ??technique!”?? ??

It?? ??was?? ??normal?? ??for?? ??the?? ??Crown?? ??Prince?? ??not?? ??to?? ??understand.?? ??He?? ??said:?? ??“Your?? ??royal?? ??highness,?? ??let?? ??

?? ??ask?? ??you?? ??a?? ??question.”?? ??

“Ask!”?? ?? ??

He?? ??said:?? ??“Once?? ??there?? ??were?? ??two?? ??people,?? ??eyes?? ??sunken?? ??red?? ??with?? ??hunger,?? ??and?? ??started?? ??

fighting?? ??in?? ??order?? ??to?? ??rob?? ??each?? ??other?? ??of?? ??food.?? ??In?? ??ca?? ??a?? ??third?? ??person,?? ??and?? ??he?? ??wanted?? ??to?? ??stop?? ??

the?? ??fight.?? ??Do?? ??you?? ??think?? ??words?? ??would?? ??be?? ??effective?? ??in?? ??this?? ??situation?”?? ??

“...No,?? ??it’d?? ??be?? ??useless.?? ??They?? ??only?? ??want?? ??food,?? ??right?”?? ??

“That’s?? ??right.?? ??Because?? ??the?? ??root?? ??of?? ??the?? ??problem?? ??wasn’t?? ??solved,?? ??no?? ??one?? ??would?? ??listen?? ??to?? ??your?? ??

reason.?? ??Thus,?? ??the?? ??only?? ??way?? ??this?? ??third?? ??person?? ??can?? ??stop?? ??the?? ??fight?? ??was?? ??to?? ??provide?? ??what?? ??they?? ??

wanted.?? ??To?? ??give?? ??food?? ??from?? ??his?? ??own?? ??purse.”?? ??

The?? ??Crown?? ??Prince?? ??seed?? ??to?? ??understand?? ??but?? ??not.?? ??

He?? ??continued:?? ??“The?? ??reasoning?? ??is?? ??the?? ??sa.?? ??You?? ??must?? ??understand?? ??that?? ??the?? ??mont?? ??a?? ??

sword?? ??is?? ??unsheathed,?? ??soone?? ??will?? ??be?? ??hurt.?? ??When?? ??power?? ??is?? ??released,?? ??sothing?? ??must?? ??

receive?? ??it.”?? ??

“Thus,?? ??it?? ??was?? ??wrong?? ??for?? ??you?? ??to?? ??say?? ??I?? ??dissolved?? ??the?? ??force?? ??of?? ??two?? ??swords.?? ??Nothing?? ??was?? ??

dissolved;?? ??I?? ??absorbed?? ??their?? ??attacks.?? ??To?? ??stop?? ??an?? ??attack?? ??by?? ??hurting?? ??oneself?? ??is?? ??a?? ??foolish?? ??

technique,?? ??and?? ??only?? ??used?? ??when?? ??there?? ??are?? ??no?? ??other?? ??alternatives.”?? ??

“You’re?? ??an?? ??esteed?? ??Crown?? ??Prince.?? ??You’ve?? ??no?? ??use?? ??for?? ??sothing?? ??of?? ??the?? ??sort.”?? ??

The?? ??Crown?? ??Prince?? ??continued?? ??to?? ??copy?? ??his?? ??scripture,?? ??but?? ??after?? ??a?? ??while,?? ??he?? ??face?? ??sunk?? ??with?? ??

thought.?? ?? ??

He?? ??asked:?? ??“Did?? ??you?? ??have?? ??any?? ??other?? ??questions?”?? ??

After?? ??a?? ??mont?? ??of?? ??hesitation,?? ??the?? ??Crown?? ??Prince?? ??said:?? ??“One?? ??thing.?? ??Master,?? ??if?? ??the?? ??third?? ??

person?? ??didn’t?? ??have?? ??enough?? ??food,?? ??then?? ??what?? ??should?? ??be?? ??done?”?? ?? ??

“...”?? ??

The?? ??Crown?? ??Prince?? ??continued:?? ??“If?? ??both?? ??of?? ??the?? ??hungry?? ??had?? ??gotten?? ??food?? ??but?? ??wanted?? ??more,?? ??

and?? ??fought?? ??harder?? ??because?? ??of?? ??greed,?? ??and?? ??sought?? ??more?? ??food?? ??from?? ??the?? ??third?? ??person,?? ??what?? ??

should?? ??be?? ??done?”?? ??

“What?? ??do?? ??you?? ??think?”?? ??He?? ??asked.?? ??

The?? ??Crown?? ??Prince?? ??pondered?? ??and?? ??said:?? ??“I?? ??don’t?? ??know...?? ??Maybe,?? ??he?? ??shouldn’t?? ??have?? ??

intercepted?? ??from?? ??the?? ??start.”?? ??

—?? ??

The?? ??Great?? ??Hall?? ??was?? ??gold.?? ??Everything?? ??was?? ??golden.?? ??However,?? ??at?? ??present,?? ??it?? ??all?? ??beca?? ??

crimson.?? ??

Every?? ??golden?? ??banquet?? ??table?? ??sprawled?? ??a?? ??person.?? ??Their?? ??throats?? ??were?? ??pierced,?? ??their?? ??deaths?? ??

tragic.?? ??

His?? ??hand?? ??that?? ??held?? ??the?? ??sword?? ??wouldn’t?? ??stop?? ??shaking.?? ??The?? ??stately?? ??king?? ??was?? ??covered?? ??in?? ??

blood,?? ??his?? ??eyes?? ??red?? ??filled?? ??with?? ??pain?? ??and?? ??hatred.?? ??Next?? ??to?? ??his?? ??feet?? ??was?? ??the?? ??dead?? ??body?? ??of?? ??the?? ??

queen.?? ??

His?? ??sword?? ??in?? ??hand,?? ??he?? ??took?? ??one?? ??step?? ??after?? ??another?? ??and?? ??walked?? ??over.?? ??When?? ??the?? ??king?? ??

raised?? ??his?? ??head?? ??and?? ??saw?? ??him,?? ??he?? ??was?? ??dumbfounded.?? ??“Guoshi??? ??You...?!”?? ??

A?? ??severely?? ??cold?? ??and?? ??cruel?? ??sword?? ??struck.?? ??

Right?? ??at?? ??the?? ??sa?? ??ti,?? ??he?? ??sensed?? ??sothing?? ??and?? ??turned?? ??his?? ??head?? ??imdiately.?? ??The?? ??

young?? ??Crown?? ??Prince?? ??was?? ??just?? ??outside?? ??the?? ??door,?? ??standing?? ??amidst?? ??the?? ??corpses?? ??of?? ??guards.?? ??

The?? ??boy’s?? ??eyes?? ??were?? ??blank,?? ??as?? ??if?? ??wondering?? ??what?? ??he?? ??saw?? ??was?? ??reality?? ??or?? ??a?? ??dream.?? ??He?? ??

took?? ??a?? ??step?? ??and?? ??almost?? ??tripped?? ??on?? ??the?? ??threshold,?? ??his?? ??mind?? ??lost.?? ?? ??

He?? ??pulled?? ??out?? ??his?? ??sword;?? ??blood?? ??splattered?? ??onto?? ??his?? ??black?? ??robes.?? ??

The?? ??Crown?? ??Prince?? ??didn’t?? ??trip?? ??on?? ??the?? ??threshold?? ??but?? ??tripped?? ??on?? ??the?? ??dead?? ??bodies?? ??on?? ??the?? ??

ground.?? ??He?? ??rushed?? ??to?? ??the?? ??king’s?? ??body,?? ??his?? ??voice?? ??finally?? ??returning:?? ??“Father!??? ??Mother?!”?? ??

Yet?? ??the?? ??king?? ??would?? ??never?? ??speak?? ??again.?? ??The?? ??Crown?? ??Prince?? ??couldn’t?? ??shake?? ??him?? ??awake?? ??and?? ??

whipped?? ??his?? ??head?? ??madly?? ??towards?? ??him,?? ??his?? ??eyes?? ??wide:?? ??“Master!?? ??What?? ??are?? ??you?? ??doing??? ??

WHAT?? ??DID?? ??YOU?? ??DO?!?? ??Guoshi!!!”?? ??

It?? ??was?? ??a?? ??long?? ??while?? ??after?? ??before?? ??he?? ??heard?? ??his?? ??own?? ??voice?? ??devoid?? ??of?? ??emotion?? ??–?? ??

“You?? ??all?? ??deserved?? ??it.”?? ??

—?? ??

Xie?? ??Lian?? ??didn’t?? ??sleep?? ??well?? ??and?? ??rolled?? ??awake?? ??with?? ??a?? ??start.?? ??

He?? ??sleepily?? ??rubbed?? ??his?? ??eyes?? ??and?? ??realized?? ??he?? ??didn’t?? ??actually?? ??sleep?? ??that?? ??long,?? ??and?? ??didn’t?? ??

dream?? ??anything?? ??nice?? ??either.?? ??Good?? ??thing?? ??there?? ??was?? ??sothing?? ??on?? ??his?? ??chest?? ??that?? ??poked?? ??

him?? ??awake.?? ??He?? ??sat?? ??for?? ??a?? ??while,?? ??then?? ??found?? ??sothing?? ??in?? ??his?? ??clothes?? ??after?? ??feeling?? ??around?? ??

for?? ??it.?? ??He?? ??opened?? ??his?? ??palm?? ??and?? ??revealed?? ??two?? ??dice,?? ??the?? ??sa?? ??ones?? ??from?? ??the?? ??Paradise?? ??

Manor.?? ??

A?? ??sea?? ??of?? ??red?? ??subconsciously?? ??floated?? ??in?? ??his?? ??mind.?? ??The?? ??scene?? ??was?? ??blurry?? ??but?? ??that?? ??crimson?? ??

silhouette?? ??was?? ??clear?? ??as?? ??day,?? ??watching?? ??him?? ??unmoving?? ??within?? ??that?? ??sea?? ??of?? ??red.?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??

sighed,?? ??“I?? ??wonder?? ??how?? ??much?? ??is?? ??left?? ??of?? ??San?? ??Lang’s?? ??Paradise?? ??Manor.?? ??If?? ??I?? ??get?? ??banished?? ??

again?? ??this?? ??ti,?? ??who?? ??knows?? ??how?? ??much?? ??junk?? ??I’ll?? ??have?? ??to?? ??sell?? ??or?? ??how?? ??long?? ??it’d?? ??take?? ??to?? ??pay?? ??

him?? ??back...?? ??decades,?? ??centuries,?? ??if?? ??anything?? ??I’ll?? ??pay?? ??him?? ??with?? ??my?? ??entire?? ??life.”?? ??

Xie?? ??Lian?? ??looked?? ??at?? ??the?? ??dice?? ??for?? ??a?? ??bit?? ??before?? ??clapping?? ??his?? ??hands?? ??close,?? ??shook?? ??them?? ??in?? ??his?? ??

palms?? ??and?? ??tossed?? ??them?? ??to?? ??the?? ??ground.?? ??The?? ??dice?? ??rattled?? ??and?? ??rolled?? ??around?? ??the?? ??ground?? ??

before?? ??coming?? ??to?? ??a?? ??stop.?? ??

As?? ??expected,?? ??all?? ??the?? ??luck?? ??he?? ??borrowed?? ??from?? ??Hua?? ??Cheng?? ??were?? ??used?? ??up.?? ??He?? ??was?? ??hoping?? ??

for?? ??another?? ??roll?? ??of?? ??two?? ??sixes,?? ??but?? ??it?? ??was?? ??only?? ??snake?? ??eyes.?? ??

Xie?? ??Lian?? ??couldn’t?? ??help?? ??but?? ??laugh,?? ??shook?? ??his?? ??head,?? ??and?? ??suddenly?? ??heard?? ??footsteps?? ??coming?? ??

from?? ??behind.?? ??He?? ??steadied?? ??himself?? ??imdiately?? ??and?? ??packed?? ??away?? ??both?? ??the?? ??dice?? ??and?? ??his?? ??

smile.?? ?? ??

The?? ??footsteps?? ??didn’t?? ??sound?? ??like?? ??Jun?? ??Wu.?? ??Jun?? ??Wu?? ??walked?? ??with?? ??deep?? ??certainty,?? ??unhurried.?? ??

Although?? ??Hua?? ??Cheng?? ??walked?? ??with?? ??nonchalance,?? ??often?? ??lazy,?? ??yet?? ??the?? ??aura?? ??of?? ??confidence?? ??

and?? ??surety?? ??were?? ??exactly?? ??the?? ??sa.?? ??This?? ??set?? ??of?? ??footsteps?? ??however,?? ??were?? ??a?? ??little?? ??floaty.?? ??Xie?? ??

Lian?? ??turned?? ??his?? ??head?? ??around?? ??and?? ??was?? ??taken?? ??aback,?? ??“It’s?? ??you.”?? ??

The?? ??person?? ??before?? ??him?? ??was?? ??clad?? ??in?? ??black,?? ??his?? ??face?? ??fair?? ??and?? ??his?? ??lips?? ??thin.?? ??His?? ??expression?? ??

was?? ??indifferent,?? ??maybe?? ??even?? ??cool.?? ??As?? ??a?? ??martial?? ??god,?? ??he?? ??looked?? ??more?? ??like?? ??a?? ??civil?? ??god.?? ??Who?? ??

else?? ??could?? ??it?? ??be?? ??but?? ??Mu?? ??Qing.?? ??

He?? ??saw?? ??Xie?? ??Lian’s?? ??startled?? ??expression?? ??and?? ??raised?? ??his?? ??brows,?? ??“Who?? ??did?? ??you?? ??think??? ??Feng?? ??

Xin?”?? ??

Without?? ??waiting?? ??for?? ??a?? ??response,?? ??he?? ??lifted?? ??his?? ??black?? ??robes?? ??and?? ??crossed?? ??the?? ??threshold?? ??of?? ??

the?? ??door.?? ??“Feng?? ??Xin?? ??probably?? ??won’t?? ??co?? ??after?? ??all.”?? ??

“What?? ??are?? ??you?? ??doing?? ??here?”?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??asked.?? ??

“The?? ??emperor?? ??detained?? ??you,?? ??and?? ??won’t?? ??let?? ??His?? ??Highness?? ??Tai?? ??Hua?? ??co.?? ??But?? ??he?? ??didn’t?? ??say?? ??

I?? ??couldn’t?? ??co.”?? ??Mu?? ??Qing?? ??said.?? ?? ??

He?? ??didn’t?? ??bother?? ??answering?? ??Xie?? ??Lian’s?? ??Question.?? ??Whatever.?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??wasn’t?? ??actually?? ??

curious?? ??anyway,?? ??and?? ??didn’t?? ??question?? ??him?? ??further.?? ??Mu?? ??Qing?? ??looked?? ??around?? ??the?? ??newly?? ??built?? ??

palace?? ??of?? ??XianLe,?? ??his?? ??eyes?? ??ending?? ??up?? ??on?? ??Xie?? ??Lian.?? ??After?? ??so?? ??thought,?? ??he?? ??suddenly?? ??

threw?? ??sothing?? ??at?? ??him.?? ??A?? ??blue?? ??shadow?? ??flashed?? ??in?? ??the?? ??air;?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??caught?? ??it?? ??with?? ??his?? ??left?? ??

hand,?? ??and?? ??when?? ??he?? ??opened?? ??his?? ??palm?? ??it?? ??was?? ??a?? ??small?? ??blue?? ??porcelain?? ??bottle.?? ??

It?? ??was?? ??a?? ??bottle?? ??of?? ??dicine.?? ??Mu?? ??Qing?? ??said?? ??apathetically,?? ??“Dragging?? ??around?? ??a?? ??bloody?? ??right?? ??

arm?? ??doesn’t?? ??look?? ??good.”?? ??

Xie?? ??Lian?? ??held?? ??the?? ??bottle?? ??but?? ??didn’t?? ??move,?? ??and?? ??watched?? ??him?? ??with?? ??discern?? ??instead.?? ??

After?? ??his?? ??third?? ??ascension?? ??there?? ??could?? ??only?? ??be?? ??one?? ??word?? ??to?? ??describe?? ??the?? ??way?? ??Mu?? ??Qing?? ??

treated?? ??him:?? ??weird.?? ??It?? ??always?? ??felt?? ??like?? ??he?? ??was?? ??waiting?? ??for?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??to?? ??get?? ??booted?? ??for?? ??the?? ??

third?? ??ti?? ??so?? ??he?? ??could?? ??make?? ??sneering?? ??remarks.?? ??Yet?? ??now?? ??that?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??might?? ??actually?? ??get?? ??

booted?? ??for?? ??the?? ??third?? ??ti,?? ??he?? ??suddenly?? ??beca?? ??friendly?? ??and?? ??even?? ??ca?? ??to?? ??gift?? ??him?? ??

dication.?? ??This?? ??180?? ??degree?? ??change?? ??in?? ??attitude?? ??actually?? ??made?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??feel?? ??a?? ??little?? ??weird.?? ??

Seeing?? ??that?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??wasn’t?? ??moving,?? ??Mu?? ??Qing?? ??smirked?? ??faintly,?? ??“Use?? ??it?? ??if?? ??you?? ??want.?? ??Either?? ??

way?? ??no?? ??one?? ??else?? ??is?? ??gonna?? ??co.”?? ??

It?? ??wasn’t?? ??a?? ??smile?? ??without?? ??mirth;?? ??it?? ??was?? ??obvious?? ??that?? ??he’s?? ??actually?? ??feeling?? ??pretty?? ??good.?? ??

Although?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??didn’t?? ??feel?? ??his?? ??right?? ??arm?? ??was?? ??in?? ??pain,?? ??there?? ??was?? ??no?? ??reason?? ??to?? ??just?? ??leave?? ??

the?? ??injuries?? ??be?? ??either.?? ??That?? ??pat?? ??from?? ??Jun?? ??Wu?? ??was?? ??a?? ??quick?? ??fix,?? ??but?? ??it’s?? ??better?? ??to?? ??have?? ??

dication.?? ??Thus,?? ??he?? ??opened?? ??the?? ??small?? ??blue?? ??bottle?? ??and?? ??carelessly?? ??started?? ??pouring?? ??the?? ??

contents?? ??onto?? ??his?? ??arm.?? ??What?? ??ca?? ??out?? ??of?? ??the?? ??bottle?? ??wasn’t?? ??powder?? ??or?? ??pill,?? ??but?? ??a?? ??light?? ??blue?? ??

smoke.?? ??The?? ??smoke?? ??floated?? ??wildly,?? ??wrapping?? ??around?? ??his?? ??arm,?? ??its?? ??scent?? ??cool?? ??and?? ??

refreshing.?? ??It?? ??was?? ??certainly?? ??a?? ??high?? ??grade?? ??item.?? ??

Mu?? ??Qing?? ??suddenly?? ??asked,?? ??“Was?? ??everything?? ??Lang?? ??Qian?? ??Qiu?? ??said?? ??true??? ??Did?? ??you?? ??really?? ??kill?? ??

all?? ??those?? ??YongAn?? ??royalties?”?? ??

Xie?? ??Lian?? ??raised?? ??his?? ??eyes?? ??to?? ??look?? ??at?? ??him.?? ??Even?? ??if?? ??Mu?? ??Qing?? ??had?? ??been?? ??forcibly?? ??hiding?? ??it,?? ??Xie?? ??

Lian?? ??could?? ??still?? ??see?? ??a?? ??thread?? ??of?? ??uncontrollable?? ??excitent?? ??in?? ??his?? ??eyes.?? ??He?? ??seed?? ??to?? ??be?? ??

highly?? ??interested?? ??in?? ??the?? ??details?? ??of?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??spilling?? ??blood?? ??at?? ??the?? ??Gilded?? ??Banquet?? ??and?? ??

continued?? ??his?? ??questions,?? ??“How?? ??did?? ??you?? ??kill?? ??them?”?? ??

Just?? ??then,?? ??another?? ??set?? ??of?? ??footfalls?? ??ca?? ??from?? ??behind?? ??them.?? ??The?? ??two?? ??turned?? ??their?? ??heads?? ??at?? ??

the?? ??sa?? ??ti,?? ??and?? ??the?? ??one?? ??visiting?? ??this?? ??ti?? ??was?? ??Feng?? ??Xin!?? ??The?? ??mont?? ??he?? ??entered?? ??he?? ??

saw?? ??Mu?? ??Qing?? ??in?? ??the?? ??main?? ??hall,?? ??even?? ??smiling?? ??next?? ??to?? ??a?? ??crouching?? ??Xie?? ??Lian,?? ??he?? ??imdiately?? ??

frowned?? ??with?? ??alarm,?? ??“What?? ??are?? ??you?? ??doing?? ??here?”?? ??

Xie?? ??Lian?? ??waved?? ??the?? ??little?? ??bottle?? ??in?? ??his?? ??hand.?? ??Mu?? ??Qing?? ??schooled?? ??his?? ??expression.?? ??He?? ??was?? ??

just?? ??saying?? ??that?? ??Feng?? ??Xin?? ??wouldn’t?? ??be?? ??coming,?? ??and?? ??Feng?? ??Xin?? ??arrived?? ??the?? ??next?? ??second;?? ??not?? ??

funny?? ??at?? ??all.?? ?? ??

“This?? ??isn’t?? ??your?? ??palace.?? ??What??? ??You?? ??can?? ??co?? ??but?? ??I?? ??can’t?”?? ??Mu?? ??Qing?? ??rebutted.?? ??

Feng?? ??Xin?? ??ignored?? ??him?? ??and?? ??turned?? ??to?? ??Xie?? ??Lian.?? ??He?? ??hadn’t?? ??even?? ??opened?? ??his?? ??mouth?? ??and?? ??Xie?? ??

Lian?? ??spoke?? ??up,?? ??“If?? ??the?? ??two?? ??of?? ??you?? ??ca?? ??to?? ??ask?? ??the?? ??sa?? ??question,?? ??then?? ??I?? ??will?? ??give?? ??you?? ??one?? ??

answer.?? ??There’s?? ??no?? ??need?? ??to?? ??not?? ??believe;?? ??every?? ??word?? ??I?? ??said?? ??at?? ??the?? ??Great?? ??Martial?? ??Hall?? ??today?? ??

was?? ??true.”?? ??

Feng?? ??Xin?? ??paled.?? ??Mu?? ??Qing?? ??hated?? ??that?? ??expression?? ??and?? ??said?? ??in?? ??annoyance,?? ??“Alright,?? ??put?? ??that?? ??

face?? ??away.?? ??After?? ??everything,?? ??who?? ??are?? ??you?? ??looking?? ??pained?? ??for?”?? ?? ??

Feng?? ??Xin?? ??glared?? ??at?? ??him,?? ??“Not?? ??for?? ??you!?? ??Get?? ??out!”?? ?? ??

“And?? ??who?? ??are?? ??you?? ??to?? ??tell?? ???? ??to?? ??get?? ??out?”?? ??Mu?? ??Qing?? ??said,?? ??“Speaking?? ??as?? ??if?? ??you’re?? ??so?? ??loyal.?? ??

How?? ??many?? ??years?? ??did?? ??you?? ??last?? ??again??? ??Didn’t?? ??you?? ??run?? ??away?? ??too?”?? ??

Veins?? ??popped?? ??all?? ??over?? ??Feng?? ??Xin’s?? ??face.?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??could?? ??sense?? ??this?? ??exchange?? ??was?? ??going?? ??in?? ??

the?? ??wrong?? ??direction?? ??and?? ??raised?? ??his?? ??hand,?? ??“Hold?? ??it.?? ??Hold?? ??it.”?? ??

As?? ??if?? ??Mu?? ??Qing?? ??was?? ??the?? ??type?? ??to?? ??hold?? ??it?? ??back.?? ??He?? ??sneered,?? ??“Everyone?? ??says?? ??it?? ??was?? ??because?? ??

you?? ??couldn’t?? ??stand?? ??seeing?? ??your?? ??old?? ??master?? ??fall?? ??from?? ??grace.?? ??What?? ??a?? ??pretty?? ??excuse.?? ??At?? ??the?? ??

end?? ??of?? ??the?? ??day,?? ??you?? ??just?? ??didn’t?? ??want?? ??to?? ??waste?? ??the?? ??rest?? ??of?? ??your?? ??days?? ??following?? ??a?? ??broken?? ??

man.”?? ??

Feng?? ??Xin?? ??swung?? ??out?? ??his?? ??fist,?? ??“WHAT?? ??THE?? ??FUCK?? ??DO?? ??YOU?? ??KNOW?!”?? ??

Bam!?? ????Feng?? ??Xin’s?? ??fist?? ??landed?? ??squarely?? ??on?? ??Mu?? ??Qing’s?? ??face.?? ??Mu?? ??Qing?? ??was?? ??a?? ??standard?? ??pretty?? ??

boy;?? ??a?? ??bashing?? ??punch?? ??from?? ??Feng?? ??Xin?? ??was?? ??like?? ??a?? ??persimmon?? ??smashed?? ??on?? ??his?? ??face,?? ??bloody?? ??

and?? ??miserable.?? ??Yet?? ??he?? ??stood?? ??his?? ??ground,?? ??and?? ??without?? ??even?? ??a?? ??whine,?? ??he?? ??punched?? ??right?? ??

back.?? ??When?? ??the?? ??two?? ??ascended?? ??they?? ??both?? ??obtained?? ??their?? ??own?? ??spiritual?? ??devices,?? ??yet?? ??at?? ??the?? ??

height?? ??of?? ??anger,?? ??the?? ??best?? ??tool?? ??to?? ??release?? ??their?? ??rage?? ??was?? ??their?? ??fists.?? ??When?? ??Feng?? ??Xin?? ??and?? ??

Mu?? ??Qing?? ??fought?? ??eight?? ??hundred?? ??years?? ??ago,?? ??their?? ??martial?? ??arts?? ??were?? ??at?? ??the?? ??sa?? ??level.?? ??After?? ??

eight?? ??hundred?? ??years?? ??there?? ??was?? ??still?? ??no?? ??difference.?? ??Each?? ??punch?? ??landed;?? ??the?? ??brawl?? ??was?? ??

ssy?? ??and?? ??mad,?? ??each?? ??holding?? ??their?? ??own.?? ?? ??

Feng?? ??Xin?? ??cried?? ??angrily,?? ??“Don’t?? ??think?? ??I?? ??don’t?? ??know?? ??your?? ??nasty?? ??thoughts!?? ??The?? ??more?? ??cris?? ??

he?? ??commit?? ??the?? ??happier?? ??you?? ??beco!!”?? ??

Mu?? ??Qing?? ??spat,?? ??“I?? ??knew?? ??you?? ??always?? ??looked?? ??down?? ??on?? ??,?? ??what?? ??a?? ??joke!?? ??Look?? ??at?? ??yourself!?? ??

What?? ??right?? ??do?? ??you?? ??have?? ??to?? ??look?? ??down?? ??on?? ??.?? ??The?? ??pot?? ??calling?? ??the?? ??kettle?? ??black!”?? ??

Lang?? ??Qian?? ??Qiu?? ??and?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??hadn’t?? ??even?? ??started?? ??dueling?? ??and?? ??Feng?? ??Xin?? ??and?? ??Mu?? ??Qing?? ??

already?? ??started?? ??brawling.?? ??Their?? ??grudges?? ??had?? ??been?? ??building?? ??for?? ??a?? ??long?? ??ti;?? ??the?? ??fight?? ??was?? ??

uncontrolled?? ??and?? ??riotous,?? ??each?? ??cussing?? ??at?? ??the?? ??other?? ??without?? ??hearing?? ??what?? ??was?? ??cussed?? ??

back,?? ??and?? ??certainly?? ??had?? ??no?? ??mind?? ??to?? ??hear?? ??anything?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??had?? ??to?? ??say.?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??recalled?? ??

back?? ??when?? ??the?? ??three?? ??of?? ??them?? ??were?? ??younger,?? ??Mu?? ??Qing?? ??had?? ??been?? ??soft-spoken?? ??and?? ??

well-mannered,?? ??and?? ??if?? ??Feng?? ??Xin?? ??had?? ??hit?? ??anyone?? ??it?? ??was?? ??all?? ??under?? ??Xie?? ??Lian’s?? ??command,?? ??

and?? ??he’d?? ??stop?? ??when?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??said?? ??stop.?? ??Now?? ??neither?? ??was?? ??the?? ??case.?? ?? ??

Dragging?? ??his?? ??arm,?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??ran?? ??towards?? ??the?? ??door,?? ??hoping?? ??to?? ??call?? ??for?? ??help?? ??from?? ??any?? ??nearby?? ??

officials,?? ??but,?? ??before?? ??he?? ??even?? ??stepped?? ??foot?? ??out?? ??of?? ??the?? ??main?? ??hall,?? ??there?? ??was?? ??a?? ??huge?? ??loud?? ??

BANG???? ??that?? ??exploded?? ??from?? ??the?? ??front.?? ??Feng?? ??Xin?? ??and?? ??Mu?? ??Qing?? ??were?? ??also?? ??shocked?? ??by?? ??the?? ??

large?? ??noise?? ??and?? ??stopped,?? ??their?? ??eyes?? ??alert,?? ??looking?? ??to?? ??where?? ??the?? ??sound?? ??ca?? ??from.?? ??

The?? ??front?? ??doors?? ??to?? ??the?? ??Palace?? ??of?? ??Xian?? ??Le?? ??was?? ??kicked?? ??open?? ??by?? ??soone.?? ??Beyond?? ??the?? ??door?? ??

wasn’t?? ??the?? ??expansive?? ??Great?? ??Martial?? ??Avenue?? ??of?? ??the?? ??Heavenly?? ??Court,?? ??but?? ??a?? ??dead,?? ??deep?? ??

blackness.?? ?? ??

And?? ??from?? ??within?? ??the?? ??darkness,?? ??innurous?? ??chilling?? ??silver?? ??butterflies?? ??rushed?? ??out?? ??towards?? ??

them.?? ?? ??

Ch.47:?? ??Raiding?? ??a?? ??Heavenly?? ??Palace;?? ??Three?? ??Lines?? ??to?? ??Scare?? ??All?? ??Gods?? ??

Silver?? ??shimred?? ??turbulently,?? ??and?? ??without?? ??thinking,?? ??Xie?? ??Lian’s?? ??first?? ??reaction?? ??was?? ??to?? ??block?? ??

with?? ??his?? ??hand,?? ??and?? ??the?? ??RuoYe?? ??on?? ??his?? ??arm,?? ??if?? ??the?? ??situation?? ??called?? ??for?? ??it,?? ??would?? ??attack?? ??

automatically.?? ??Yet,?? ??those?? ??silver?? ??butterflies?? ??never?? ??charged?? ??towards?? ??him,?? ??and?? ??instead,?? ??flew?? ??

around?? ??him?? ??to?? ??attack?? ??the?? ??two?? ??behind?? ??who?? ??were?? ??fist?? ??fighting?? ??just?? ??monts?? ??ago.?? ??

Feng?? ??Xin?? ??and?? ??Mu?? ??Qing?? ??suffered?? ??before?? ??in?? ??the?? ??hands?? ??of?? ??those?? ??wraithe?? ??butterflies,?? ??knew?? ??

how?? ??powerful?? ??they?? ??were,?? ??and?? ??didn’t?? ??dare?? ??to?? ??be?? ??careless.?? ??They?? ??both?? ??raised?? ??their?? ??hands?? ??at?? ??

the?? ??sa?? ??ti?? ??and?? ??cried,?? ??“SHIELD!”?? ??

Millions?? ??of?? ??silver?? ??butterflies?? ??jetted?? ??towards?? ??them,?? ??flapping?? ??their?? ??wings?? ??like?? ??blasting?? ??winds,?? ??

but?? ??there?? ??was?? ??an?? ??invisible?? ??wall?? ??blocking?? ??them,?? ??and?? ??the?? ??butterflies?? ??smashed?? ??against?? ??it?? ??like?? ??

a?? ??thunderstorm,?? ??hailing?? ??and?? ??battering.?? ??White?? ??lights?? ??flared?? ??from?? ??the?? ??friction?? ??like?? ??sparks.?? ??It?? ??

appeared?? ??that?? ??the?? ??two?? ??had?? ??casted?? ??a?? ??spell?? ??to?? ??shield,?? ??but?? ??even?? ??against?? ??a?? ??magical?? ??shield?? ??

the?? ??wraith?? ??butterflies?? ??were?? ??forceful?? ??and?? ??endless,?? ??crazy?? ??like?? ??moths?? ??to?? ??flas.?? ??Even?? ??with?? ??a?? ??

spiritual?? ??defense?? ??the?? ??two?? ??seed?? ??to?? ??be?? ??pushed?? ??back?? ??by?? ??the?? ??relentless?? ??deluge?? ??of?? ??

butterflies.?? ??

A?? ??mont?? ??of?? ??carelessness?? ??and?? ??the?? ??enemy?? ??took?? ??the?? ??upper?? ??hand.?? ??If?? ??they?? ??didn’t?? ??release?? ??

the?? ??shield?? ??the?? ??butterflies?? ??will?? ??push?? ??closer,?? ??if?? ??they?? ??did,?? ??there’d?? ??still?? ??be?? ??no?? ??chance?? ??for?? ??them?? ??

to?? ??grab?? ??for?? ??their?? ??weapons,?? ??and?? ??both?? ??Feng?? ??Xin?? ??and?? ??Mu?? ??Qing?? ??ntally?? ??swore,?? ??gritting?? ??their?? ??

teeth?? ??to?? ??hang?? ??on.?? ??Feng?? ??Xin?? ??took?? ??a?? ??glance?? ??and?? ??saw?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??was?? ??still?? ??standing?? ??where?? ??he?? ??

was,?? ??his?? ??head?? ??lowered,?? ??and?? ??shouted?? ??imdiately,?? ??“Your?? ??Highness,?? ??don’t?? ??stand?? ??there,?? ??

co?? ??behind?? ??the?? ??shield!”?? ??

Yet,?? ??when?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??turned?? ??his?? ??head,?? ??not?? ??a?? ??single?? ??hair?? ??was?? ??hard.?? ??He?? ??frowned,?? ??“Huh?”?? ??

The?? ??two?? ??looked?? ??closely?? ??and?? ??almost?? ??spat?? ??blood?? ??from?? ??angry?? ??shock?? ??on?? ??the?? ??spot.?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??

had?? ??in?? ??his?? ??hand?? ??a?? ??wraith?? ??butterfly,?? ??looking?? ??rather?? ??confused.?? ??Earlier?? ??when?? ??the?? ??butterflies?? ??

were?? ??gusting?? ??through?? ??like?? ??wild?? ??winds,?? ??there?? ??was?? ??one?? ??that?? ??was?? ??a?? ??little?? ??slow?? ??and?? ??couldn’t?? ??

follow.?? ??It’d?? ??flapped?? ??with?? ??difficulty?? ??in?? ??front?? ??of?? ??Xie?? ??Lian,?? ??and?? ??he?? ??thought?? ??it?? ??worked?? ??really?? ??hard?? ??

but?? ??the?? ??poor?? ??little?? ??silver?? ??butterfly?? ??couldn’t?? ??fly?? ??anymore,?? ??so?? ??he?? ??subconsciously?? ??extended?? ??

his?? ??palm?? ??just?? ??beneath?? ??it.?? ??That?? ??silver?? ??butterfly?? ??landed?? ??on?? ??his?? ??palm,?? ??wings?? ??still?? ??flapping,?? ??but?? ??

refused?? ??to?? ??leave?? ??anymore.?? ?? ??

Both?? ??Feng?? ??Xin?? ??and?? ??Mu?? ??Qing?? ??popped?? ??veins,?? ??“DON’T?? ??TOUCH?? ??THAT?? ??THING?? ??WITH?? ??YOUR?? ??

HAND!!!”?? ??

Just?? ??then,?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??felt?? ??a?? ??tightening?? ??on?? ??his?? ??wrist?? ??–?? ??soone?? ??had?? ??gotten?? ??a?? ??hold?? ??of?? ??him,?? ??

and?? ??pulled?? ??hard.?? ??His?? ??entire?? ??person?? ??was?? ??pulled?? ??into?? ??the?? ??darkness?? ??beyond?? ??the?? ??door.?? ??

Yet,?? ??although?? ??he?? ??was?? ??shrouded?? ??in?? ??the?? ??dark,?? ??he?? ??didn’t?? ??feel?? ??any?? ??alarm?? ??or?? ??insecurity.?? ??This?? ??

darkness?? ??was?? ??like?? ??a?? ??layer?? ??of?? ??gentle?? ??armour;?? ??not?? ??only?? ??did?? ??he?? ??not?? ??sense?? ??danger,?? ??it?? ??actually?? ??

sohow?? ??cald?? ??him?? ??down.?? ??

Even?? ??if?? ??the?? ??person?? ??behind?? ??the?? ??darkness?? ??hadn’t?? ??shown?? ??himself,?? ??but?? ??with?? ??the?? ??silver?? ??

butterflies,?? ??would?? ??it?? ??be?? ??hard?? ??to?? ??guess?? ??who?? ??it?? ??was??? ??Mu?? ??Qing?? ??cried?? ??in?? ??disbelief,?? ??“What?? ??

impudence?? ??to?? ??co?? ??all?? ??the?? ??way?? ??to?? ??the?? ??heavenly?? ??court!?? ??What?? ??arrogance!”?? ??

A?? ??voice?? ??laughed,?? ??“We’re?? ??all?? ??the?? ??sa.?? ??Wasn’t?? ??the?? ??Upper?? ??Court?? ??impudent?? ??in?? ??my?? ??territory?”?? ??

Even?? ??if?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??already?? ??knew?? ??who?? ??it?? ??was?? ??that?? ??grabbed?? ??him,?? ??but?? ??hearing?? ??the?? ??familiar?? ??

voice?? ??from?? ??so?? ??close,?? ??he?? ??was?? ??still?? ??a?? ??little?? ??startled.?? ??Feng?? ??Xin?? ??shouted,?? ??“Hua?? ??Cheng,?? ??the?? ??

Heavenly?? ??Martial?? ??Emperor?? ??is?? ??here?? ??in?? ??the?? ??Heavenly?? ??Court.?? ??You?? ??let?? ??him?? ??go!”?? ??

Hua?? ??Cheng?? ??clicked?? ??his?? ??tongue,?? ??“Then?? ??let’s?? ??see?? ??if?? ??you?? ??have?? ??the?? ??skill.”?? ??

As?? ??he?? ??finished?? ??his?? ??words,?? ??the?? ??giant?? ??doors?? ??closed?? ??heavily?? ??with?? ??a?? ??bang.?? ?? ??

Xie?? ??Lian?? ??could?? ??feel?? ??Hua?? ??Cheng?? ??holding?? ??him?? ??tightly?? ??with?? ??one?? ??hand,?? ??taking?? ??him?? ??to?? ??an?? ??

unknown?? ??destination.?? ??It?? ??was?? ??black?? ??all?? ??around?? ??them,?? ??and?? ??the?? ??silver?? ??bells?? ??on?? ??the?? ??black?? ??

boots?? ??clinged?? ??and?? ??clanged?? ??in?? ??his?? ??ears.?? ??The?? ??ground?? ??beneath?? ??their?? ??feet?? ??were?? ??uneven;?? ??it?? ??

really?? ??wasn’t?? ??the?? ??bright,?? ??glorious?? ??roads?? ??of?? ??heaven,?? ??but?? ??moreso?? ??a?? ??wild?? ??valley.?? ??

Hua?? ??Cheng?? ??must’ve?? ??used?? ??the?? ??Distance?? ??Shortening?? ??array?? ??to?? ??connect?? ??the?? ??front?? ??gates?? ??of?? ??

the?? ??Palace?? ??to?? ??Xian?? ??Le?? ??to?? ??so?? ??valley.?? ??But?? ??to?? ??connect?? ??the?? ??Heavenly?? ??Court?? ??to?? ??sowhere?? ??

else?? ??using?? ??the?? ??Distance?? ??Shortening?? ??Array?? ??was?? ??no?? ??easy?? ??feat,?? ??at?? ??least,?? ??only?? ??a?? ??handful?? ??of?? ??

heavenly?? ??officials?? ??could?? ??do?? ??it,?? ??so?? ??how?? ??had?? ??he?? ??done?? ??it??? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??was?? ??about?? ??to?? ??speak?? ??when?? ??

a?? ??voice?? ??exploded?? ??in?? ??his?? ??ear,?? ??“YOUR?? ??HIGHNESS!?? ??WHERE?? ??ARE?? ??YOU?!”?? ??

The?? ??angry?? ??roar?? ??ca?? ??from?? ??Feng?? ??Xin.?? ??His?? ??voice?? ??was?? ??in?? ??his?? ??ear?? ??but?? ??his?? ??person?? ??was?? ??not.?? ??It?? ??

was?? ??all?? ??shouted?? ??within?? ??the?? ??communication?? ??array.?? ??Xie?? ??Lian’s?? ??eardrums?? ??hurt?? ??from?? ??the?? ??

noise,?? ??and?? ??many?? ??of?? ??the?? ??heavenly?? ??officials?? ??were?? ??also?? ??blasted?? ??out,?? ??asking?? ??in?? ??fright,?? ??“What’s?? ??

going?? ??on,?? ??General?? ??Nan?? ??Yang??? ??Did?? ??sothing?? ??happen?”?? ??

Mu?? ??Qing?? ??entered?? ??the?? ??communication?? ??array?? ??too,?? ??“Bad?? ??news!?? ??Where’s?? ??Ling?? ??Wen??? ??Report?? ??

to?? ??the?? ??Emperor,?? ??Xie?? ??Lian’s?? ??escaped!”?? ??

He?? ??usually?? ??spoke?? ??gently?? ??and?? ??courteously,?? ??but?? ??now?? ??his?? ??voice?? ??was?? ??laced?? ??with?? ??worry?? ??and?? ??

anxiety.?? ??Ling?? ??Wen?? ??reacted?? ??imdiately,?? ??“What??? ??I’ll?? ??go?? ??to?? ??the?? ??Palace?? ??of?? ??Xian?? ??Le?? ??to?? ??take?? ??a?? ??

look!”?? ??

An?? ??official?? ??cried?? ??in?? ??shock,?? ??“The?? ??laug...?? ??His?? ??Royal?? ??Highness?? ??ran?? ??away??? ??Wasn’t?? ??he?? ??

detained?? ??in?? ??the?? ??Palace?? ??of?? ??Xian?? ??Le?!”?? ??

Shi?? ??Qing?? ??Xuan?? ??entered?? ??the?? ??communication?? ??array?? ??too,?? ??“I?? ??just?? ??saw?? ??a?? ??bunch?? ??of?? ??Middle?? ??Court?? ??

martial?? ??officials?? ??guarding?? ??the?? ??palace,?? ??you?? ??can?? ??only?? ??enter?? ??but?? ??not?? ??leave,?? ??so?? ??how?? ??could?? ??he?? ??

escape?”?? ??

Feng?? ??Xin?? ??shouted,?? ??“HE?? ??DIDN’T?? ??RUN?? ??AWAY,?? ??HE?? ??WAS?? ??KIDNAPPED!?? ??Your?? ??Highness?? ??can?? ??

you?? ??still?? ??hear?? ??us?? ??speak??? ??Where?? ??are?? ??you?? ??right?? ??now??”?? ??

In?? ??that?? ??mont,?? ??everyone?? ??spoke,?? ??and?? ??they?? ??all?? ??talked?? ??loudly,?? ??each?? ??asking?? ??for?? ??answers.?? ??

The?? ??ss?? ??of?? ??the?? ??Guoshi?? ??Fang?? ??Xin?? ??and?? ??Lang?? ??Qian?? ??Qiu?? ??hadn’t?? ??even?? ??cleared?? ??yet.?? ??Jun?? ??Wu?? ??

detained?? ??Xie?? ??Lian,?? ??but?? ??the?? ??person?? ??in?? ??question?? ??was?? ??gone!?? ??Wasn’t?? ??this?? ??starting?? ??more?? ??

problems?? ??and?? ??gossip??? ??Either?? ??way?? ??they?? ??must?? ??find?? ??the?? ??person?? ??first,?? ??so?? ??Ling?? ??Wen?? ??rushed?? ??to?? ??

check?? ??on?? ??the?? ??situation,?? ??to?? ??see?? ??if?? ??she?? ??could?? ??locate?? ??Xie?? ??Lian.?? ??Feng?? ??Xin?? ??and?? ??Mu?? ??Qing?? ??were?? ??

yelling?? ??within?? ??the?? ??communication?? ??array,?? ??looking?? ??for?? ??skilled?? ??martial?? ??gods?? ??to?? ??give?? ??chase,?? ??

and?? ??Shi?? ??Qing?? ??Xuan?? ??released?? ??many?? ??more?? ??waves?? ??of?? ??rits.?? ??The?? ??communication?? ??array?? ??was?? ??

in?? ??complete?? ??chaos,?? ??loud?? ??and?? ??tumultuous,?? ??to?? ??the?? ??point?? ??where?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??couldn’t?? ??even?? ??get?? ??a?? ??

word?? ??in.?? ??He?? ??took?? ??a?? ??deep?? ??breath?? ??and?? ??was?? ??about?? ??to?? ??tell?? ??everyone?? ??to?? ??calm?? ??down?? ??when?? ??Hua?? ??

Cheng?? ??suddenly?? ??turned?? ??around,?? ??and?? ??two?? ??fingers?? ??ca?? ??forward.?? ?? ??

Those?? ??cold?? ??digits?? ??gently?? ??touched?? ??his?? ??temple,?? ??and?? ??Hua?? ??Cheng?? ??laughed,?? ??“Haha.?? ??Long?? ??ti?? ??

no?? ??see.?? ??How’s?? ??everyone?? ??doing?”?? ??

With?? ??the?? ??soft?? ??touch?? ??of?? ??his?? ??two?? ??fingers,?? ??Hua?? ??Cheng?? ??entered?? ??the?? ??heavenly?? ??communication?? ??

array?? ??through?? ??Xie?? ??Lian.?? ??His?? ??casual?? ??greeting?? ??was?? ??heard?? ??not?? ??just?? ??by?? ??Xie?? ??Lian,?? ??but?? ??all?? ??the?? ??

heavenly?? ??officials?? ??hustling?? ??within?? ??the?? ??communication?? ??array,?? ??and?? ??they?? ??all?? ??fell?? ??into?? ??a?? ??dead?? ??

silence.?? ??

“...”?? ??

“...”?? ??

“...”?? ??

There?? ??was?? ??a?? ??silent?? ??uproar?? ??in?? ??everyone’s?? ??minds.?? ??

No?? ??wonder!!?? ??Such?? ??arrogance?? ??could?? ??only?? ??co?? ??from?? ??That?? ??Person!?? ??

Hua?? ??Cheng?? ??continued,?? ??“I?? ??don’t?? ??know?? ??if?? ??you?? ??all?? ??missed?? ??,?? ??but?? ??I?? ??didn’t?? ??think?? ??about?? ??any?? ??of?? ??

you?? ??at?? ??all.”?? ??

“...”?? ??

There?? ??were?? ??indeed?? ??many?? ??heavenly?? ??officials?? ??in?? ??the?? ??heavens?? ??who?? ??secretly?? ??thought?? ??about?? ??

him?? ??everyday,?? ??but?? ??hearing?? ??that?? ??Hua?? ??Cheng?? ??didn’t?? ??think?? ??about?? ??them?? ??at?? ??all,?? ??they?? ??all?? ??

chanted?? ??heavenly?? ??blessings?? ??thank?? ??you?? ??thank?? ??you?? ??thank?? ??you?? ??please?? ??continue?? ??to?? ??never?? ??

think?? ??of?? ??us.?? ??Then,?? ??Hua?? ??Cheng?? ??snickered,?? ??“However,?? ??I’ve?? ??been?? ??fairly?? ??free?? ??recently.?? ??If?? ??

anyone?? ??is?? ??feeling?? ??bored?? ??and?? ??want?? ??to?? ??tussle?? ??with?? ??,?? ??by?? ??all?? ??ans?? ??they’re?? ??welco?? ??to.”?? ??

“...”?? ??

Under?? ??the?? ??circumstances,?? ??his?? ??intent?? ??was?? ??more?? ??than?? ??obvious:?? ??“If?? ??anyone?? ??is?? ??brave?? ??enough?? ??

to?? ??give?? ??chase,?? ??I’ll?? ??challenge?? ??that?? ??person?? ??next?? ??ti.”?? ??

It’d?? ??be?? ??a?? ??challenge?? ??they’re?? ??sure?? ??to?? ??lose?? ??and?? ??have?? ??their?? ??faces?? ??sweep?? ??the?? ??floor.?? ??Wasn’t?? ??this?? ??

a?? ??blatant?? ??threat???? ??

Earlier?? ??when?? ??they?? ??heard?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??ran?? ??away?? ??or?? ??was?? ??kidnapped,?? ??the?? ??communication?? ??array?? ??

roared?? ??to?? ??life.?? ??It?? ??was?? ??after?? ??all?? ??a?? ??rare?? ??riot,?? ??and?? ??all?? ??cared?? ??deeply;?? ??so?? ??martial?? ??gods?? ??were?? ??

even?? ??ready?? ??to?? ??heed?? ??the?? ??call,?? ??prepared?? ??to?? ??give?? ??chase.?? ??However,?? ??with?? ??only?? ??three?? ??lines?? ??from?? ??

Hua?? ??Cheng,?? ??all?? ??such?? ??passion?? ??disappeared.?? ??If?? ??Jun?? ??Wu?? ??gave?? ??command?? ??to?? ??send?? ??whoever?? ??

to?? ??pursue,?? ??then?? ??it?? ??couldn’t?? ??be?? ??helped;?? ??it’d?? ??be?? ??official?? ??business.?? ??But?? ??this?? ??was?? ??sothing?? ??

that?? ??just?? ??happened,?? ??everything?? ??was?? ??still?? ??a?? ??ss,?? ??so?? ??naturally?? ??no?? ??one?? ??wanted?? ??to?? ??bring?? ??

trouble?? ??to?? ??themselves.?? ??No?? ??one?? ??wanted?? ??Hua?? ??Cheng?? ??to?? ??rember?? ??them.?? ??Thus,?? ??they?? ??all?? ??

pretended?? ??they?? ??weren’t?? ??present,?? ??but?? ??their?? ??ears?? ??were?? ??attentive?? ??to?? ??the?? ??developnt?? ??of?? ??this?? ??

situation,?? ??and?? ??their?? ??hearts?? ??anxious?? ??and?? ??shook.?? ??This?? ??Crimson?? ??Rain?? ??Sought?? ??Flower?? ??was?? ??

overly?? ??fearless!?? ??To?? ??co?? ??all?? ??the?? ??way?? ??to?? ??the?? ??heavens?? ??just?? ??to?? ??kidnap,?? ??and?? ??the?? ??kidnapped?? ??

was?? ??that?? ??laughingstock?? ??of?? ??the?? ??three?? ??realms?? ??–?? ??was?? ??there?? ??so?? ??deeply?? ??rooted?? ??grudge?? ??or?? ??

what????? ??

Silence?? ??befell?? ??the?? ??communication?? ??array;?? ??only?? ??Feng?? ??Xin?? ??continued?? ??to?? ??swear,?? ??and?? ??Hua?? ??

Cheng?? ??removed?? ??his?? ??fingers?? ??after?? ??making?? ??his?? ??speech.?? ??“Don’t?? ??mind?? ??them.”?? ??He?? ??said?? ??to?? ??Xie?? ??

Lian.?? ??

“San?? ??Lang...”?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??blurted,?? ??but?? ??Hua?? ??Cheng?? ??let?? ??go?? ??of?? ??his?? ??hand.?? ??

“We’re?? ??too?? ??close?? ??to?? ??the?? ??Heavenly?? ??Court.?? ??Let’s?? ??hurry.”?? ??Hua?? ??Cheng?? ??said.?? ??

His?? ??voice?? ??was?? ??low,?? ??and?? ??his?? ??tone?? ??was?? ??hard?? ??to?? ??discern.?? ??Yet?? ??his?? ??letting?? ??go?? ??of?? ??Xie?? ??Lian’s?? ??wrist?? ??

was?? ??swift,?? ??almost?? ??as?? ??if?? ??shaken?? ??off.?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??was?? ??imdiately?? ??reminded?? ??of?? ??the?? ??first?? ??ti?? ??

they?? ??t?? ??and?? ??how?? ??he?? ??evaded?? ??his?? ??touch.?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??froze?? ??on?? ??the?? ??spot.?? ??

He?? ??originally?? ??wanted?? ??to?? ??ask?? ??Hua?? ??Cheng?? ??why?? ??he’d?? ??appear?? ??so?? ??suddenly.?? ??Although?? ??he?? ??

didn’t?? ??think?? ??deeply?? ??about?? ??it,?? ??he?? ??sort?? ??of?? ??felt?? ??maybe?? ??he?? ??ca?? ??to?? ??rescue?? ??him,?? ??so?? ??when?? ??he?? ??

called?? ??out?? ??‘San?? ??Lang’?? ??just?? ??now,?? ??he?? ??was?? ??a?? ??little?? ??happy.?? ??But?? ??with?? ??how?? ??Hua?? ??Cheng?? ??shook?? ??off?? ??

his?? ??hand,?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??suddenly?? ??realized:?? ??why?? ??did?? ??he?? ??think?? ??Hua?? ??Cheng?? ??would?? ??co?? ??to?? ??

rescue?? ??him??? ??Nevermind?? ??thinking?? ??whether?? ??if?? ??Hua?? ??Cheng?? ??cared?? ??to?? ??follow?? ??his?? ??actions?? ??that?? ??

closely,?? ??he’d?? ??only?? ??just?? ??escaped?? ??the?? ??Ghost?? ??City?? ??after?? ??setting?? ??Paradise?? ??Manor?? ??on?? ??fire.?? ??It?? ??

was?? ??more?? ??likely?? ??that?? ??Hua?? ??Cheng?? ??ca?? ??knocking?? ??for?? ??paybacks,?? ??for?? ??revenge??? ??

Hua?? ??Cheng?? ??caught,?? ??imprisoned,?? ??and?? ??interrogated?? ??the?? ??Lord?? ??Earth?? ??Master?? ??who?? ??went?? ??

undercover?? ??as?? ??a?? ??spy,?? ??that?? ??was?? ??the?? ??undeniable?? ??truth,?? ??but?? ??the?? ??fault?? ??naturally?? ??laid?? ??with?? ??the?? ??

one?? ??who?? ??went?? ??undercover.?? ??Yet,?? ??he?? ??snuck?? ??into?? ??the?? ??Ghost?? ??City,?? ??burrowed?? ??all?? ??over?? ??Paradise?? ??

Manor?? ??to?? ??find?? ??said?? ??person,?? ??and?? ??set?? ??off?? ??fire.?? ??Even?? ??if?? ??in?? ??the?? ??end?? ??Paradise?? ??Manor?? ??burnt?? ??the?? ??

way?? ??it?? ??did?? ??was?? ??because?? ??Shi?? ??Qing?? ??Xuan?? ??fanned?? ??the?? ??flas,?? ??the?? ??first?? ??kindle?? ??in?? ??the?? ??armoury?? ??

was?? ??started?? ??by?? ??him.?? ??Others?? ??might?? ??not?? ??even?? ??have?? ??thought?? ??of?? ??setting?? ??anything?? ??on?? ??fire,?? ??so?? ??

no?? ??matter?? ??what?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??needed?? ??to?? ??take?? ??responsibility.?? ?? ??

The?? ??two?? ??walked,?? ??one?? ??behind?? ??the?? ??other.?? ??The?? ??more?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??thought,?? ??the?? ??worse?? ??he?? ??felt,?? ??

and?? ??the?? ??guiltier?? ??he?? ??beca.?? ??“...San?? ??Lang,?? ??I’m?? ??sorry.”?? ??He?? ??apologized.?? ??

Hua?? ??Cheng?? ??suddenly?? ??paused?? ??in?? ??his?? ??step,?? ??“Why?? ??are?? ??you?? ??apologizing?”?? ??

Xie?? ??Lian?? ??stopped?? ??too,?? ??“I?? ??went?? ??to?? ??the?? ??Ghost?? ??City?? ??for?? ??investigating?? ??the?? ??missing?? ??Earth?? ??

Master.?? ??I?? ??didn’t?? ??tell?? ??you?? ??the?? ??truth?? ??yet?? ??you?? ??treated?? ???? ??with?? ??utmost?? ??hospitality,?? ??but?? ??I?? ??even?? ??

burnt?? ??down?? ??your?? ??Paradise?? ??Manor.?? ??I?? ??feel?? ??really?? ??bad.”?? ??

Hua?? ??Cheng?? ??didn’t?? ??say?? ??anything.?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??also?? ??knew?? ??that?? ??“I?? ??feel?? ??really?? ??bad”?? ??really?? ??didn’t?? ??

amount?? ??to?? ??much,?? ??and?? ??felt?? ??even?? ??more?? ??ashad.?? ??He?? ??lightly?? ??cleared?? ??his?? ??throat,?? ??“But?? ??I?? ??

reckon?? ??I’ll?? ??be?? ??banished?? ??soon.?? ??After?? ??I?? ??descend?? ??I’ll?? ??for?? ??sure?? ??think?? ??of?? ??a?? ??way?? ??to?? ??repay?? ??you,?? ??see?? ??

if?? ??I?? ??could...”?? ??

“Why?? ??do?? ??you?? ??have?? ??to?? ??repay?? ???”?? ??Hua?? ??Cheng?? ??interrupted.?? ??

His?? ??tone?? ??was?? ??a?? ??little?? ??hard?? ??as?? ??if?? ??he?? ??couldn’t?? ??listen?? ??any?? ??more,?? ??and?? ??he?? ??turned?? ??around?? ??in?? ??a?? ??fit,?? ??

“Did?? ??you?? ??forget?? ??that?? ??my?? ??blade?? ??wounded?? ??your?? ??arm??? ??I?? ??hurt?? ??you,?? ??not?? ??the?? ??other?? ??way?? ??around.?? ??

Why?? ??do?? ??you?? ??have?? ??to?? ??repay?? ???”?? ??

Xie?? ??Lian?? ??never?? ??thought?? ??his?? ??right?? ??arm?? ??was?? ??in?? ??pain,?? ??and?? ??even?? ??now?? ??he?? ??completely?? ??forgot?? ??his?? ??

right?? ??hand?? ??was?? ??injured.?? ??He?? ??paused?? ??then?? ??said,?? ??“My?? ??right?? ??arm??? ??My?? ??right?? ??arm’s?? ??fine.?? ??It’ll?? ??be?? ??

better?? ??soon.?? ??Besides,?? ??it?? ??only?? ??beca?? ??like?? ??this?? ??because?? ??I?? ??rushed?? ??forward?? ??to?? ??strike,?? ??so?? ??

you’re?? ??not?? ??to?? ??bla?”?? ??

Hua?? ??Cheng?? ??watched?? ??him?? ??intently,?? ??his?? ??left?? ??eye?? ??unusually?? ??bright.?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??suddenly?? ??noticed?? ??

that?? ??he?? ??appeared?? ??to?? ??be?? ??shaking.?? ??

After?? ??a?? ??mont,?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??realized?? ??it?? ??wasn’t?? ??Hua?? ??Cheng?? ??who?? ??was?? ??shaking,?? ??but?? ??the?? ??

scimitar?? ??E-Ming?? ??on?? ??his?? ??waist.?? ??

That?? ??silver?? ??scimitar,?? ??hung?? ??upon?? ??red?? ??robes,?? ??was?? ??shaking?? ??nonstop.?? ??The?? ??eye?? ??contoured?? ??by?? ??

a?? ??silver?? ??line?? ??was?? ??also?? ??trembling.?? ??If?? ??it?? ??was?? ??the?? ??eye?? ??of?? ??a?? ??child,?? ??then?? ??this?? ??child,?? ??at?? ??that?? ??

mont?? ??in?? ??ti,?? ??must?? ??be?? ??bawling?? ??with?? ??tears.?? ??

Ch.48:?? ??Adroit?? ??Dice?? ??for?? ??the?? ??Safety?? ??of?? ??Only?? ??One?? ??

Seeing?? ??its?? ??state,?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??unconsciously?? ??reached?? ??out,?? ??wanting?? ??to?? ??pet?? ??it,?? ??“What’s?? ??wrong...”?? ??

But?? ??Hua?? ??Cheng?? ??side?? ??stepped?? ??and?? ??turned?? ??his?? ??body?? ??slightly,?? ??avoiding?? ??Xie?? ??Lian’s?? ??touch,?? ??and?? ??

smacked?? ??hard?? ??on?? ??the?? ??hilt,?? ??“Nothing’s?? ??wrong.?? ??Don’t?? ??mind?? ??it.”?? ??

After?? ??getting?? ??smacked?? ??soundly,?? ??the?? ??cursed?? ??blade?? ??scimitar?? ??E-Ming,?? ??feared?? ??by?? ??all?? ??in?? ??the?? ??

heavens,?? ??shook?? ??even?? ??harder.?? ??Just?? ??then,?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??heard?? ??Feng?? ??Xin?? ??again?? ??in?? ??the?? ??

communication?? ??array:?? ??“How?? ??did?? ??Hua?? ??Cheng?? ??connect?? ??the?? ??Distance?? ??Shortening?? ??Array?? ??to?? ??

the?? ??heavenly?? ??court?!?? ??How?? ??do?? ??we?? ??open?? ??this?? ??door?!”?? ??

Shi?? ??Qing?? ??Xuan?? ??cried,?? ??“General?? ??Nan?? ??Yang!?? ??,?? ??,?? ??!?? ??I?? ??think?? ??I?? ??know?? ??how!?? ??His?? ??Highness?? ??

and?? ??I?? ??suffered?? ??this?? ??trick?? ??of?? ??Hua?? ??Cheng’s?? ??when?? ??we?? ??were?? ??on?? ??our?? ??mission.?? ??Take?? ??two?? ??dice?? ??

and?? ??toss?? ??them?? ??before?? ??the?? ??door,?? ??then?? ??push?? ??to?? ??see?? ??if?? ??it’ll?? ??open.”?? ??

Xie?? ??Lian?? ??rembered.?? ??Wasn’t?? ??he?? ??casually?? ??tossing?? ??dice?? ??for?? ??fun?? ??earlier?? ??in?? ??the?? ??main?? ??hall??? ??

He?? ??could?? ??still?? ??recall?? ??clearly?? ??having?? ??run?? ??pathetically?? ??for?? ??their?? ??lives?? ??in?? ??that?? ??earthworm?? ??cave?? ??

and?? ??from?? ??those?? ??cannibal?? ??savages,?? ??if?? ??they?? ??really?? ??did?? ??open?? ??the?? ??doors,?? ??who?? ??knows?? ??what?? ??

other?? ??calamities?? ??await?? ??them??? ??He?? ??cried?? ??hurriedly,?? ??“Stop!?? ??Don’t!?? ??Be?? ??careful!”?? ??

However,?? ??his?? ??voice?? ??never?? ??made?? ??it?? ??to?? ??the?? ??communication?? ??array.?? ??It?? ??seed?? ??he?? ??didn’t?? ??have?? ??

the?? ??ti?? ??to?? ??refill?? ??his?? ??spiritual?? ??power,?? ??and?? ??it?? ??had?? ??all?? ??but?? ??depleted,?? ??and?? ??could?? ??only?? ??listen?? ??

without?? ??speaking.?? ??Even?? ??if?? ??he?? ??could?? ??speak,?? ??it?? ??might’ve?? ??been?? ??too?? ??late.?? ??Feng?? ??Xin?? ??seed?? ??to?? ??

do?? ??exactly?? ??what?? ??Shi?? ??Qing?? ??Xuan?? ??said?? ??without?? ??a?? ??second?? ??thought.?? ??How?? ??did?? ??he?? ??know??? ??

Because?? ??the?? ??next?? ??second,?? ??Feng?? ??Xin?? ??suddenly?? ??scread?? ??curses?? ??in?? ??the?? ??communication?? ??

array.?? ??He?? ??cussed?? ??whenever?? ??he’s?? ??agitated,?? ??and?? ??when?? ??he?? ??cursed?? ??the?? ??words?? ??were?? ??often?? ??too?? ??

vulgar?? ??for?? ??the?? ??ear,?? ??and?? ??for?? ??censorship?? ??reasons?? ??the?? ??words?? ??shall?? ??not?? ??be?? ??repeated.?? ??Most?? ??of?? ??

the?? ??officials?? ??were?? ??carefully?? ??following?? ??the?? ??situation,?? ??and?? ??asked?? ??imdiately,?? ??“General,?? ??

what’s?? ??happened!”?? ??

Mu?? ??Qing’s?? ??voice?? ??ca?? ??and?? ??it?? ??also?? ??sounded?? ??quite?? ??dismayed,?? ??“What?? ??is?? ??this?? ??place???”?? ??It?? ??

appeared?? ??that?? ??he?? ??entered?? ??through?? ??the?? ??doors?? ??with?? ??Feng?? ??Xin.?? ?? ??

“Be?? ??careful,?? ??guys!”?? ??Shi?? ??Qing?? ??Xuan?? ??called?? ??out,?? ??“Different?? ??numbered?? ??rolls?? ??will?? ??bring?? ??you?? ??to?? ??

different?? ??places.?? ??What?? ??number?? ??did?? ??you?? ??guys?? ??roll?”?? ??

“He?? ??rolled?? ??a?? ??four!”?? ??Mu?? ??Qing?? ??said.?? ??

Xie?? ??Lian?? ??could?? ??hear?? ??Feng?? ??Xin’s?? ??voice?? ??also?? ??carried?? ??a?? ??trace?? ??of?? ??panic?? ??and?? ??terror,?? ??and?? ??was?? ??

worried?? ??they?? ??might?? ??have?? ??run?? ??into?? ??an?? ??extrely?? ??dangerous?? ??place.?? ??His?? ??voice?? ??couldn’t?? ??be?? ??

heard?? ??in?? ??the?? ??communication?? ??array,?? ??but?? ??he?? ??rembered?? ??that?? ??the?? ??one?? ??who?? ??casted?? ??the?? ??spell?? ??

in?? ??the?? ??first?? ??place?? ??was?? ??right?? ??next?? ??to?? ??him,?? ??so?? ??without?? ??thinking?? ??too?? ??much,?? ??he?? ??hurriedly?? ??asked,?? ??

“San?? ??Lang,?? ??what?? ??does?? ??a?? ??roll?? ??of?? ??four?? ??open?? ??to?”?? ?? ??

“Depends,”?? ??Hua?? ??Cheng?? ??replied.?? ??“The?? ??door?? ??will?? ??open?? ??to?? ??whatever?? ??the?? ??roller?? ??fears?? ??the?? ??

most.”?? ??

Just?? ??as?? ??Hua?? ??Cheng?? ??answered,?? ??Mu?? ??Qing?? ??cooly?? ??said,?? ??“You?? ??fought?? ??to?? ??roll?? ??first?? ??and?? ??rolled?? ??out?? ??

a?? ??won’s?? ??bath!?? ??Give?? ???? ??the?? ??dice,?? ??I’ll?? ??roll!”?? ??

Hearing?? ??“won’s?? ??bath”,?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??covered?? ??his?? ??face?? ??with?? ??his?? ??hands.?? ??

Feng?? ??Xin?? ??had?? ??always?? ??kept?? ??his?? ??distance?? ??from?? ??won,?? ??and?? ??always?? ??stayed?? ??away?? ??from?? ??even?? ??

speaking?? ??of?? ??them,?? ??as?? ??if?? ??the?? ??female?? ??sex?? ??were?? ??savage?? ??wild?? ??beasts.?? ??To?? ??him,?? ??a?? ??won’s?? ??

bath,?? ??really?? ??was?? ??the?? ??scariest?? ??place?? ??on?? ??earth,?? ??worse?? ??than?? ??the?? ??imasurable?? ??depths?? ??of?? ??

tiger?? ??caves?? ??or?? ??dragon?? ??lakes.?? ??It?? ??seed?? ??Mu?? ??Qing?? ??had?? ??successfully?? ??taken?? ??the?? ??dice,?? ??and?? ??

Xie?? ??Lian?? ??sighed?? ??a?? ??breath?? ??of?? ??relief.?? ??However,?? ??not?? ??a?? ??mont?? ??later,?? ??the?? ??two?? ??roared?? ??again.?? ??

Shi?? ??Qing?? ??Xuan?? ??woefully?? ??called:?? ??“Generals,?? ??what?? ??did?? ??you?? ??run?? ??into?? ??this?? ??ti?”?? ??

There?? ??was?? ??no?? ??response,?? ??only?? ??odd?? ??burbling?? ??sounds,?? ??as?? ??if?? ??the?? ??two?? ??of?? ??them?? ??had?? ??sunken?? ??into?? ??

water.?? ??Everyone?? ??held?? ??their?? ??breath,?? ??and?? ??after?? ??a?? ??mont,?? ??Feng?? ??Xin?? ??erged,?? ??taking?? ??large?? ??

breaths?? ??of?? ??air,?? ??sounding?? ??as?? ??if?? ??he?? ??broke?? ??through?? ??the?? ??water?? ??surface,?? ??and?? ??spitting?? ??out?? ??

sothing.?? ??He?? ??yelled,?? ??“Black?? ??Marsh?? ??Crocodiles!”?? ??

Turns?? ??out,?? ??the?? ??two?? ??of?? ??them?? ??were?? ??barely?? ??two?? ??steps?? ??out?? ??of?? ??the?? ??won’s?? ??bath?? ??in?? ??a?? ??frenzy,?? ??

when?? ??Mu?? ??Qing?? ??took?? ??the?? ??dice?? ??by?? ??force?? ??and?? ??rolled,?? ??and?? ??their?? ??next?? ??step?? ??led?? ??them?? ??to?? ??fall?? ??into?? ??

a?? ??muddling?? ??marsh.?? ??They?? ??were?? ??imdiately?? ??subrged?? ??to?? ??past?? ??their?? ??waist?? ??in?? ??the?? ??muddy?? ??

marsh,?? ??over?? ??their?? ??mouths,?? ??and?? ??after?? ??fighting?? ??to?? ??get?? ??out,?? ??over?? ??a?? ??dozen?? ??curiously?? ??long?? ??

crocodile?? ??monsters?? ??swam?? ??over?? ??to?? ??surround?? ??them.?? ??Each?? ??of?? ??those?? ??monsters?? ??were?? ??over?? ??

four?? ??ters?? ??in?? ??length,?? ??fed?? ??on?? ??human?? ??flesh,?? ??and?? ??grew?? ??human?? ??arms?? ??and?? ??legs?? ??from?? ??such?? ??

evil?? ??practices.?? ??When?? ??they?? ??moved,?? ??the?? ??sight?? ??was?? ??terrifying?? ??and?? ??gross,?? ??making?? ??the?? ??two?? ??

disgusted?? ??beyond?? ??belief.?? ??Half?? ??sunken?? ??in?? ??the?? ??black?? ??marsh,?? ??the?? ??two?? ??fought?? ??the?? ??crocs?? ??in?? ??

fervour?? ??and?? ??madness,?? ??until?? ??Feng?? ??Xin?? ??finally?? ??had?? ??had?? ??enough,?? ??“Give?? ???? ??the?? ??dice,?? ??let?? ???? ??

throw!?? ??You?? ??didn’t?? ??roll?? ??anything?? ??good?? ??either!”?? ??

Mu?? ??Qing?? ??was?? ??one?? ??to?? ??never?? ??admit?? ??defeat,?? ??and?? ??shot?? ??a?? ??white?? ??spiritual?? ??blast,?? ??“Croc?? ??Monsters?? ??

are?? ??still?? ??more?? ??decent?? ??than?? ??a?? ??won’s?? ??bath!?? ??Who?? ??knows?? ??what?? ??you’ll?? ??roll?? ??next.?? ??Give?? ??it?? ??to?? ??

!”?? ??

“Fuckin–”?? ??Feng?? ??Xin?? ??yelled?? ??angrily,?? ??“Didn’t?? ??you?? ??already?? ??take?? ??the?? ??dice??? ??Where?? ??are?? ??they?!”?? ??

The?? ??two?? ??had?? ??completely?? ??forgot?? ??their?? ??conscience?? ??were?? ??still?? ??connected?? ??to?? ??the?? ??

communication?? ??array,?? ??and?? ??continued?? ??to?? ??fight?? ??each?? ??other,?? ??denouncing?? ??each?? ??other’s?? ??luck?? ??in?? ??

dice?? ??rolling;?? ??the?? ??whereabouts?? ??of?? ??the?? ??dice?? ??long?? ??lost?? ??and?? ??forgotten.?? ??The?? ??heavenly?? ??officials?? ??

listened?? ??to?? ??their?? ??curses?? ??and?? ??shouts;?? ??a?? ??riot?? ??was?? ??the?? ??bigger?? ??the?? ??better?? ??–?? ??exciting!?? ??So?? ??

exciting!!?? ??The?? ??two?? ??generals?? ??finally?? ??ripped?? ??through?? ??their?? ??masks?? ??and?? ??stopped?? ??caring?? ??about?? ??

their?? ??faces!?? ??The?? ??officials?? ??held?? ??back?? ??their?? ??laughter,?? ??so?? ??even?? ??slamming?? ??their?? ??fists?? ??in?? ??their?? ??

own?? ??seats,?? ??wishing?? ??desperately?? ??they?? ??could?? ??be?? ??watching?? ??this?? ??live?? ??and?? ??cheer?? ??the?? ??fight?? ??on.?? ??

Although?? ??Feng?? ??Xin?? ??and?? ??Mu?? ??Qing’s?? ??luck?? ??didn’t?? ??seem?? ??to?? ??be?? ??the?? ??best,?? ??they?? ??were?? ??still?? ??martial?? ??

gods?? ??after?? ??all,?? ??and?? ??a?? ??little?? ??monster?? ??here?? ??and?? ??there?? ??were?? ??at?? ??most?? ??a?? ??nuisance,?? ??so?? ??there?? ??

were?? ??nothing?? ??overly?? ??dangerous.?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??prayed?? ??they?? ??would?? ??give?? ??up?? ??sooner?? ??and?? ??be?? ??

released?? ??from?? ??that?? ??predicant.?? ??At?? ??the?? ??sa?? ??ti,?? ??he?? ??was?? ??thankful?? ??that?? ??he?? ??himself?? ??didn’t?? ??

roll?? ??out?? ??a?? ??number?? ??that?? ??called?? ??forth?? ??any?? ??horrors,?? ??and?? ??rolled?? ??out?? ??a?? ??Hua?? ??Cheng?? ??instead.?? ??He?? ??

spoke?? ??as?? ??he?? ??walked,?? ??“I?? ??rolled?? ??snake?? ??eyes?? ??earlier.?? ??Does?? ??that?? ??an?? ??every?? ??ti?? ??snake?? ??eyes?? ??

is?? ??rolled?? ??I’ll?? ??be?? ??able?? ??to?? ??see?? ??you?”?? ??

The?? ??mont?? ??he?? ??ended?? ??his?? ??sentence?? ??he?? ??realized?? ??his?? ??words?? ??sounded?? ??a?? ??little?? ??weird,?? ??as?? ??if?? ??

he?? ??really?? ??wanted?? ??to?? ??et?? ??Hua?? ??Cheng,?? ??and?? ??thought?? ??it?? ??inappropriate.?? ??But?? ??Hua?? ??Cheng?? ??

replied,?? ??“No.”?? ??

Xie?? ??Lian?? ??felt?? ??a?? ??little?? ??awkward?? ??and?? ??scratched?? ??his?? ??cheek,?? ??“Oh.?? ??So?? ??that’s?? ??not?? ??the?? ??case.?? ??I?? ??got?? ??

it?? ??wrong.”?? ?? ??

Hua?? ??Cheng,?? ??walking?? ??in?? ??front?? ??of?? ??him,?? ??said,?? ??“If?? ??you?? ??wanted?? ??to?? ??see?? ??,?? ??it?? ??won’t?? ??matter?? ??what?? ??

you?? ??roll.?? ??I?? ??will?? ??appear.”?? ??

Hearing?? ??this,?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??swallowed?? ??hard,?? ??and?? ??forgot?? ??everything?? ??else?? ??he?? ??wanted?? ??to?? ??say.?? ??

He?? ??hadn’t?? ??had?? ??the?? ??chance?? ??to?? ??dissect?? ??the?? ??aning?? ??of?? ??those?? ??words?? ??before?? ??the?? ??voice?? ??of?? ??

another?? ??said?? ??in?? ??a?? ??sunken?? ??tone?? ??within?? ??the?? ??communication?? ??array:?? ??“Let?? ??!”?? ?? ??

It?? ??wasn’t?? ??long?? ??after?? ??that?? ??person?? ??had?? ??spoken?? ??that?? ??there?? ??was?? ??a?? ??flash?? ??of?? ??white?? ??light?? ??drew?? ??

across?? ??the?? ??sky?? ??and?? ??a?? ??crashing?? ??sound.?? ??Suddenly,?? ??Hua?? ??Cheng?? ??and?? ??Xie?? ??Lian’s?? ??path?? ??was?? ??

blocked.?? ??

When?? ??the?? ??white?? ??light?? ??cooled?? ??and?? ??slowly?? ??cleared?? ??away,?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??saw?? ??that?? ??the?? ??thing?? ??that?? ??

flew?? ??from?? ??the?? ??sky?? ??and?? ??blocking?? ??them?? ??now?? ??was?? ??a?? ??sword.?? ??

The?? ??sword?? ??was?? ??long?? ??and?? ??slender,?? ??half?? ??entombed?? ??into?? ??the?? ??ground?? ??on?? ??a?? ??slant,?? ??the?? ??body?? ??of?? ??

the?? ??sword?? ??itself?? ??still?? ??quivering.?? ??The?? ??sword?? ??was?? ??dark?? ??like?? ??black?? ??jade,?? ??deep?? ??and?? ??foreboding,?? ??

smoother?? ??than?? ??a?? ??mirror,?? ??and?? ??if?? ??anyone?? ??were?? ??to?? ??go?? ??near,?? ??they?? ??could?? ??see?? ??their?? ??own?? ??

reflection?? ??on?? ??the?? ??blade.?? ??Only?? ??the?? ??thin,?? ??silver?? ??white?? ??line?? ??of?? ??the?? ??heart?? ??of?? ??the?? ??sword?? ??cut?? ??

across?? ??the?? ??blade?? ??in?? ??half.?? ?? ??

The?? ??na?? ??of?? ??this?? ??sword?? ??was?? ??‘Fang?? ??Xin*’.?? ??

A?? ??shadow?? ??landed?? ??in?? ??front?? ??of?? ??the?? ??sword?? ??and?? ??said,?? ??“This?? ??is?? ??your?? ??sword.”?? ??

After?? ??the?? ??death?? ??of?? ??the?? ??Guoshi?? ??Fang?? ??Xin,?? ??the?? ??sword?? ??he?? ??carried?? ??was?? ??kept?? ??by?? ??the?? ??Crown?? ??

Prince?? ??of?? ??YongAn.?? ??The?? ??one?? ??who?? ??had?? ??thrown?? ??the?? ??sword?? ??Fang?? ??Xin?? ??and?? ??blocked?? ??their?? ??path?? ??

was?? ??none?? ??other?? ??than?? ??Lang?? ??Qian?? ??Qiu.?? ??

It?? ??looked?? ??like?? ??Feng?? ??Xin?? ??and?? ??Mu?? ??Qing?? ??failed,?? ??but?? ??Lang?? ??Qian?? ??Qiu?? ??was?? ??able?? ??to?? ??roll?? ??the?? ??right?? ??

numbers.?? ??It?? ??really?? ??couldn’t?? ??be?? ??said?? ??whether?? ??if?? ??it?? ??was?? ??because?? ??of?? ??his?? ??luck?? ??or?? ??if?? ??it?? ??was?? ??Xie?? ??

Lian’s?? ??misfortune.?? ??The?? ??only?? ??thing?? ??that?? ??could?? ??be?? ??said?? ??with?? ??certainty?? ??was?? ??of?? ??the?? ??two?? ??Crown?? ??

Princes,?? ??Lang?? ??Qian?? ??Qiu?? ??had?? ??always?? ??been?? ??more?? ??fortunate?? ??than?? ??Xie?? ??Lian.?? ??

Hua?? ??Cheng?? ??stood?? ??with?? ??his?? ??hands?? ??behind?? ??his?? ??back,?? ??his?? ??expression?? ??unchanged,?? ??only,?? ??his?? ??

body?? ??made?? ??a?? ??small?? ??movent.?? ??The?? ??mont?? ??he?? ??moved,?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??imdiately?? ??stretched?? ??

out?? ??a?? ??hand?? ??to?? ??stop?? ??him?? ??and?? ??said?? ??in?? ??a?? ??small?? ??voice,?? ??“Let?? ??.”?? ??

Right?? ??in?? ??the?? ??middle?? ??of?? ??the?? ??valley,?? ??Lang?? ??Qian?? ??Qiu?? ??blocked?? ??the?? ??only?? ??road,?? ??his?? ??hand?? ??holding?? ??

that?? ??oversized?? ??longsword,?? ??and?? ??said,?? ??“I?? ??only?? ??want?? ??to?? ??duel?? ??with?? ??you?? ??with?? ??all?? ??my?? ??might.?? ??It?? ??

doesn’t?? ??matter?? ??how?? ??this?? ??ends.?? ??Even?? ??if?? ??I?? ??die?? ??in?? ??your?? ??hands,?? ??I?? ??won’t?? ??ask?? ??for?? ??any?? ??

compensation.?? ??I?? ??don’t?? ??need?? ??you?? ??to?? ??ask?? ??the?? ??Great?? ??Lord?? ??for?? ??banishnt.?? ??You?? ??taught?? ???? ??

the?? ??art?? ??of?? ??swordsmanship;?? ??it’s?? ??not?? ??like?? ??you?? ??can’t?? ??win,?? ??so?? ??why?? ??won’t?? ??you?? ??fight?? ???”?? ??

Xie?? ??Lian?? ??knew?? ??even?? ??without?? ??Lang?? ??Qian?? ??Qiu?? ??saying?? ??it?? ??that?? ??he?? ??would?? ??fight?? ??with?? ??everything?? ??

he’s?? ??got.?? ??But,?? ??if?? ??he?? ??didn’t?? ??hold?? ??back,?? ??then?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??must?? ??also?? ??fight?? ??seriously.?? ??If?? ??that?? ??was?? ??

the?? ??case,?? ??none?? ??of?? ??the?? ??scenarios?? ??would?? ??be?? ??what?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??would?? ??want?? ??to?? ??see.?? ??But?? ??if?? ??he?? ??

didn’t?? ??fight?? ??him,?? ??he?? ??wouldn’t?? ??relent.?? ?? ??

After?? ??a?? ??long?? ??while,?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??finally?? ??nodded?? ??his?? ??head?? ??slowly,?? ??“Fine.”?? ??

He?? ??took?? ??a?? ??few?? ??steps?? ??forward?? ??and?? ??approached?? ??that?? ??sword,?? ??pulled?? ??it?? ??from?? ??the?? ??ground,?? ??and?? ??

said?? ??softly,?? ??“You?? ??asked?? ??for?? ??this.”?? ??

After?? ??hundreds?? ??of?? ??years,?? ??Fang?? ??Xin?? ??finally?? ??returned?? ??to?? ??the?? ??hands?? ??of?? ??its?? ??master.?? ??

It?? ??moaned?? ??softly?? ??in?? ??Xie?? ??Lian’s?? ??hands.?? ??Closeby,?? ??Hua?? ??Cheng’s?? ??eyes?? ??also?? ??shone?? ??from?? ??

hearing?? ??the?? ??euphoric?? ??cries?? ??of?? ??that?? ??sword.?? ?? ??

With?? ??the?? ??sword?? ??in?? ??hand,?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??swung?? ??and?? ??pointed?? ??it?? ??to?? ??the?? ??ground?? ??before?? ??saying?? ??

cooly,?? ??“However?? ??this?? ??duel?? ??ends,?? ??do?? ??not?? ??regret?? ??it.”?? ??

“I?? ??WILL?? ??NEVER!”?? ??Lang?? ??Qian?? ??Qiu?? ??shouted.?? ??

Lang?? ??Qian?? ??Qiu?? ??felt?? ??like?? ??his?? ??head?? ??was?? ??going?? ??to?? ??split;?? ??both?? ??his?? ??hands?? ??held?? ??the?? ??longsword?? ??

tightly,?? ??his?? ??eyes?? ??focused,?? ??his?? ??breath?? ??held,?? ??his?? ??sight?? ??locked?? ??onto?? ??Fang?? ??Xin,?? ??the?? ??sword?? ??that?? ??

was?? ??black?? ??as?? ??jade,?? ??not?? ??daring?? ??to?? ??be?? ??careless?? ??for?? ??even?? ??a?? ??mont.?? ?? ??

Xie?? ??Lian?? ??jolted?? ??the?? ??sword,?? ??and?? ??suddenly?? ??dashed?? ??like?? ??an?? ??arrow.?? ??Lang?? ??Qian?? ??Qiu’s?? ??eyes?? ??

cented,?? ??ready?? ??to?? ??strike,?? ??when?? ??suddenly?? ??his?? ??body?? ??froze,?? ??as?? ??if?? ??sothing?? ??had?? ??him?? ??

wrapped?? ??tightly,?? ??and?? ??he?? ??fell?? ??heavily?? ??to?? ??the?? ??ground.?? ??

He?? ??lowered?? ??his?? ??head?? ??to?? ??see?? ??and?? ??found?? ??he?? ??really?? ??was?? ??bound!?? ??A?? ??snow?? ??white?? ??silk?? ??band?? ??was?? ??

wrapped?? ??multiple?? ??tis?? ??around?? ??his?? ??body?? ??like?? ??a?? ??poisonous?? ??snake!?? ?? ??

Lang?? ??Qian?? ??Qiu?? ??was?? ??taught?? ??swordsmanship?? ??by?? ??the?? ??Guoshi?? ??Fang?? ??Xin?? ??ever?? ??since?? ??he?? ??was?? ??

young,?? ??and?? ??held?? ??fear?? ??and?? ??reverence?? ??for?? ??the?? ??Guoshi;?? ??even?? ??after?? ??blood?? ??spilt?? ??like?? ??rivers?? ??at?? ??

the?? ??Gilded?? ??Banquet,?? ??that?? ??awe?? ??had?? ??never?? ??ceased.?? ??The?? ??mont?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??touched?? ??the?? ??

sword,?? ??he?? ??spent?? ??his?? ??entire?? ??focus?? ??on?? ??the?? ??other’s?? ??movent,?? ??and?? ??never?? ??noticed?? ??that?? ??there?? ??

was?? ??a?? ??white?? ??silk?? ??band?? ??that?? ??snuck?? ??behind?? ??to?? ??ambush?? ??him?? ??the?? ??mont?? ??he?? ??was?? ??ready?? ??to?? ??

attack.?? ??How?? ??could?? ??there?? ??be?? ??such?? ??a?? ??shaless?? ??thing????? ??

Seeing?? ??that?? ??RuoYe?? ??succeeded,?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??instantly?? ??relaxed?? ??his?? ??tense?? ??expression?? ??and?? ??

heart.?? ?? ??

He?? ??threw?? ??Fang?? ??Xin?? ??aside?? ??and?? ??took?? ??in?? ??a?? ??long?? ??breath,?? ??thinking,?? ??‘Whew,?? ??that?? ??was?? ??close.’?? ??

Lang?? ??Qian?? ??Qiu?? ??laid?? ??on?? ??the?? ??ground?? ??struggling?? ??to?? ??break?? ??free.?? ??He?? ??didn’t?? ??know?? ??how?? ??vicious?? ??

the?? ??white?? ??silk?? ??band?? ??could?? ??be,?? ??and?? ??the?? ??more?? ??he?? ??struggled?? ??the?? ??tighter?? ??it?? ??bound.?? ??He?? ??cried?? ??

angrily,?? ??“Guoshi,?? ??what?? ??is?? ??this?!?? ??Let?? ???? ??go?? ??and?? ??let’s?? ??fight?? ??to?? ??the?? ??death!”?? ??

Xie?? ??Lian?? ??wiped?? ??sweat?? ??from?? ??his?? ??forehead?? ??and?? ??replied,?? ??“We?? ??already?? ??fought?? ??to?? ??the?? ??death.?? ??

The?? ??thing?? ??that’s?? ??binding?? ??you?? ??is?? ??one?? ??of?? ??my?? ??spiritual?? ??devices.?? ??You?? ??already?? ??lost.”?? ??

“...”?? ??

“How?? ??can?? ??this?? ??count?”?? ??Lang?? ??Qian?? ??Qiu?? ??shouted,?? ??“When?? ??I?? ??said?? ??fight?? ??to?? ??death,?? ??obviously?? ??I?? ??

ant?? ??using?? ??a?? ??sword?? ??to?? ??fight!?? ??Use?? ??a?? ??sword?? ??if?? ??you’re?? ??a?? ??man!?? ??Ambushing?? ??with?? ??a?? ??white?? ??

ribbon??? ??How?? ??cunning!”?? ?? ??

He?? ??really?? ??thought?? ??the?? ??sword?? ??was?? ??the?? ??best?? ??of?? ??all?? ??weapons?? ??and?? ??didn’t?? ??think?? ??much?? ??of?? ??his?? ??

words,?? ??but?? ??it?? ??totally?? ??sounded?? ??like?? ??he?? ??was?? ??a?? ??male?? ??official?? ??who?? ??was?? ??prejudiced?? ??against?? ??

using?? ??white?? ??silk?? ??bands.?? ??But?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??didn’t?? ??care?? ??whether?? ??if?? ??he?? ??acted?? ??like?? ??a?? ??man?? ??or?? ??not.?? ??

He’d?? ??even?? ??crossdressed?? ??before,?? ??and?? ??hung?? ??the?? ??words?? ??‘I?? ??can’t?? ??get?? ??erect’?? ??around?? ??his?? ??lips.?? ??

Nothing?? ??could?? ??get?? ??to?? ??him.?? ??

Xie?? ??Lian?? ??knelt?? ??down?? ??next?? ??to?? ??Lang?? ??Qian?? ??Qiu,?? ??“You?? ??didn’t?? ??think?? ??things?? ??through?? ??and?? ??never?? ??

said?? ??I?? ??had?? ??to?? ??use?? ??a?? ??sword.?? ??I?? ??used?? ??your?? ??loophole,?? ??so?? ??who’re?? ??you?? ??gonna?? ??tell?”?? ??

After?? ??a?? ??pause,?? ??he?? ??continued?? ??in?? ??a?? ??serious?? ??tone,?? ??“That’s?? ??right,?? ??I?? ??ambushed?? ??you.?? ??So?? ??what??? ??I?? ??

succeeded.?? ??Yes,?? ??I?? ??was?? ??cunning,?? ??but?? ??so?? ??what??? ??I?? ??won.?? ??If?? ??your?? ??opponent?? ??was?? ??anyone?? ??other?? ??

than?? ??,?? ??you?? ??would?? ??already?? ??be?? ??dead.”?? ??

Hua?? ??Cheng?? ??stood?? ??not?? ??far?? ??from?? ??the?? ??two,?? ??and?? ??laughed?? ??soundlessly.?? ??He?? ??crossed?? ??his?? ??arms?? ??

and?? ??looked?? ??away.?? ??Lang?? ??Qian?? ??Qiu?? ??was?? ??shocked?? ??to?? ??the?? ??core.?? ??

When?? ??that?? ??person?? ??was?? ??still?? ??the?? ??Guoshi?? ??of?? ??YongAn,?? ??all?? ??of?? ??his?? ??teachings?? ??were?? ??honourable?? ??

and?? ??conscientious,?? ??straightforward?? ??and?? ??genuine.?? ??He’d?? ??never?? ??thought?? ??there’d?? ??be?? ??a?? ??day?? ??

when?? ??he’d?? ??hear?? ??from?? ??the?? ??lips?? ??of?? ??his?? ??once?? ??teacher?? ??sothing?? ??like?? ??“Yes,?? ??I?? ??ambushed,?? ??but?? ??

so?? ??what??? ??I?? ??succeeded;?? ??yes?? ??I?? ??was?? ??cunning,?? ??but?? ??so?? ??what??? ??I?? ??won”.?? ??He?? ??was?? ??stunned.?? ??

After?? ??saying?? ??his?? ??fill,?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??stood?? ??up,?? ??“Think?? ??about?? ??it?? ??on?? ??your?? ??own.?? ??Next?? ??ti,?? ??don’t?? ??get?? ??

in?? ??others’?? ??way.”?? ??

——–?? ??

●Fang?? ??Xin?? ??ans?? ??“Affection?? ??of?? ??a?? ??young?? ??woman.”?? ??

——–?? ??

Ch.49:?? ??Adroit?? ??Dice?? ??for?? ??the?? ??Safety?? ??of?? ??Only?? ??One?? ??2?? ??

Seeing?? ??that?? ??he?? ??was?? ??about?? ??to?? ??walk?? ??away,?? ??Lang?? ??Qian?? ??Qiu?? ??imdiately?? ??called?? ??out,?? ??“Stop!”?? ??

Xie?? ??Lian?? ??stopped.?? ??Lang?? ??Qian?? ??Qiu?? ??gritted?? ??his?? ??teeth?? ??and?? ??finally?? ??ground?? ??out,?? ??“You...?? ??owe?? ???? ??

an?? ??explanation.”?? ??

“What?? ??kind?? ??of?? ??explanation?? ??do?? ??you?? ??want?”?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??asked.?? ??

“Of?? ??past?? ??grudges,?? ??for?? ??our?? ??kingdom?? ??and?? ??family.?? ??It’s?? ??not?? ??that?? ??I?? ??can’t?? ??understand?? ??your?? ??hatred?? ??

for?? ??YongAn,?? ??but...”?? ??

He?? ??choked?? ??up.?? ??It?? ??wasn’t?? ??for?? ??another?? ??mont?? ??before?? ??he?? ??continued?? ??in?? ??a?? ??strained,?? ??quivering?? ??

voice,?? ??“But?? ??Guoshi...?? ??Did?? ??my?? ??parents?? ??and?? ??I?? ??not?? ??treat?? ??the?? ??remaining?? ??citizens?? ??of?? ??XianLe?? ??

well??? ??I?? ??was?? ??friends?? ??with?? ??many?? ??of?? ??them,?? ??and?? ??I...?? ??I?? ??did?? ??my?? ??best?? ??to?? ??protect?? ??them.”?? ??

Every?? ??word?? ??he?? ??said?? ??was?? ??the?? ??truth.?? ??

After?? ??the?? ??Kingdom?? ??of?? ??XianLe?? ??had?? ??fallen,?? ??many?? ??remaining?? ??citizens?? ??never?? ??forgot?? ??their?? ??

roots,?? ??and?? ??even?? ??after?? ??the?? ??Kingdom?? ??of?? ??YongAn?? ??was?? ??built?? ??and?? ??started?? ??its?? ??rule,?? ??those?? ??people?? ??

and?? ??their?? ??descendants?? ??continued?? ??to?? ??live?? ??on?? ??as?? ??the?? ??people?? ??of?? ??XianLe,?? ??often?? ??clashing?? ??with?? ??

people?? ??of?? ??the?? ??new?? ??kingdom.?? ??

The?? ??first?? ??few?? ??generations?? ??of?? ??the?? ??YongAn?? ??monarchy?? ??ruled?? ??with?? ??force,?? ??and?? ??cruelly?? ??

massacred?? ??many?? ??of?? ??the?? ??rioting?? ??XianLe?? ??people.?? ??Inversely,?? ??there?? ??were?? ??also?? ??underground?? ??

alliances?? ??ford?? ??by?? ??the?? ??XianLe?? ??people?? ??to?? ??plot?? ??the?? ??assassination?? ??of?? ??many?? ??of?? ??the?? ??YongAn?? ??

nobility,?? ??and?? ??even?? ??succeeded?? ??a?? ??few?? ??tis.?? ??This?? ??continued?? ??on,?? ??and?? ??the?? ??end?? ??result?? ??was?? ??a?? ??

deeply?? ??seeded?? ??hatred?? ??for?? ??each?? ??other?? ??on?? ??both?? ??sides.?? ??

However,?? ??with?? ??the?? ??start?? ??of?? ??the?? ??rule?? ??of?? ??Lang?? ??Qian?? ??Qiu’s?? ??parents,?? ??the?? ??king?? ??took?? ??on?? ??a?? ??

different?? ??attitude,?? ??and?? ??treated?? ??the?? ??XianLe?? ??people?? ??with?? ??kindness?? ??and?? ??compassion.?? ??He?? ??

wanted?? ??to?? ??unite?? ??the?? ??country?? ??of?? ??the?? ??old?? ??and?? ??the?? ??new?? ??against?? ??all?? ??voices?? ??of?? ??dissent.?? ??Even?? ??if?? ??

the?? ??idea?? ??of?? ??granting?? ??princely?? ??titles?? ??to?? ??past?? ??XianLe?? ??royalties?? ??was?? ??absurd,?? ??he?? ??used?? ??it?? ??as?? ??a?? ??

way?? ??to?? ??show?? ??his?? ??sincerity,?? ??and?? ??regarded?? ??them?? ??with?? ??respect.?? ??Lang?? ??Qian?? ??Qiu?? ??himself?? ??had?? ??

never?? ??been?? ??prejudiced?? ??because?? ??of?? ??past?? ??hatred;?? ??everything?? ??was?? ??but?? ??history.?? ??

The?? ??Guoshi?? ??Fang?? ??Xin?? ??then?? ??was?? ??a?? ??mysterious?? ??figure,?? ??having?? ??never?? ??revealed?? ??his?? ??true?? ??

identity,?? ??so?? ??no?? ??one?? ??knew?? ??on?? ??which?? ??side?? ??stood?? ??the?? ??mastermind?? ??behind?? ??the?? ??Gilded?? ??

Banquet?? ??bloodbath.?? ??However,?? ??the?? ??hatred?? ??between?? ??YongAn?? ??and?? ??XianLe?? ??ran?? ??too?? ??deep;?? ??

both?? ??sides?? ??would?? ??accuse?? ??each?? ??other?? ??whenever?? ??anything?? ??should?? ??happen,?? ??and?? ??so?? ??many?? ??of?? ??

the?? ??surviving?? ??nobles?? ??all?? ??pointed?? ??their?? ??fingers?? ??at?? ??XianLe,?? ??and?? ??used?? ??the?? ??chance?? ??to?? ??request?? ??

for?? ??the?? ??complete?? ??annihilation?? ??of?? ??the?? ??remaining?? ??people?? ??of?? ??XianLe.?? ??Yet,?? ??Lang?? ??Qian?? ??Qiu?? ??had?? ??

rejected?? ??all?? ??their?? ??efforts.?? ??

His?? ??determination?? ??protected?? ??the?? ??lives?? ??of?? ??many,?? ??and?? ??prevented?? ??them?? ??from?? ??suffering?? ??a?? ??

naless?? ??genocide.?? ??However,?? ??now?? ??that?? ??he?? ??was?? ??reminiscing,?? ??the?? ??more?? ??good?? ??he?? ??did?? ??then,?? ??

the?? ??more?? ??wronged?? ??he?? ??felt?? ??now.?? ??

Not?? ??that?? ??he?? ??felt?? ??what?? ??he?? ??had?? ??done?? ??was?? ??worthless,?? ??but?? ??he?? ??felt?? ??deeply?? ??aggrieved.?? ??It’s?? ??never?? ??

worthless?? ??to?? ??do?? ??what?? ??you?? ??think?? ??is?? ??right,?? ??but?? ??to?? ??have?? ??shown?? ??so?? ??much?? ??benevolence?? ??without?? ??

reciprocation,?? ??he?? ??couldn’t?? ??help?? ??but?? ??feel?? ??wronged.?? ?? ??

Lang?? ??Qian?? ??Qiu’s?? ??eyes?? ??reddened,?? ??and?? ??continued?? ??to?? ??question,?? ??“Guoshi,?? ??did?? ??I?? ??not?? ??do?? ??

enough??? ??Did?? ??my?? ??parents?? ??do?? ??sothing?? ??wrong??? ??Why?? ??must?? ??you?? ??treat?? ???? ??like?? ??this?”?? ??The?? ??

more?? ??he?? ??thought,?? ??the?? ??more?? ??vexed?? ??he?? ??beca,?? ??and?? ??struggled?? ??against?? ??RuoYe’s?? ??bind?? ??once?? ??

more,?? ??straining?? ??to?? ??lift?? ??his?? ??upper?? ??body,?? ??“Do?? ??you?? ??not?? ??think?? ??you?? ??owe?? ??us?? ??an?? ??explanation??”?? ?? ??

“I?? ??can’t?? ??give?? ??you?? ??one.”?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??said.?? ??

The?? ??response?? ??was?? ??so?? ??direct,?? ??Lang?? ??Qian?? ??Qiu?? ??choked?? ??back?? ??his?? ??anger,?? ??“Guoshi,?? ??you’ve?? ??

changed?? ??so?? ??much.?? ??You?? ??were?? ??never?? ??like?? ??this?? ??before.”?? ??

“...”?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??rubbed?? ??his?? ??forehead?? ??and?? ??said,?? ??“I?? ??rember?? ??I’ve?? ??already?? ??told?? ??you?? ??long?? ??ago,?? ??

not?? ??to?? ??venerate?? ???? ??as?? ??an?? ??incorruptible?? ??saintly?? ??figure;?? ??I’m?? ??nothing?? ??like?? ??the?? ??person?? ??in?? ??your?? ??

mind.?? ??In?? ??the?? ??end?? ??you’d?? ??only?? ??disappoint?? ??yourself.”?? ??

Lang?? ??Qian?? ??Qiu?? ??laid?? ??on?? ??the?? ??ground?? ??and?? ??mumbled,?? ??“...?? ??The?? ??past?? ??you?? ??or?? ??the?? ??present?? ??you,?? ??I?? ??

don’t?? ??know?? ??which?? ??one?? ??is?? ??the?? ??real?? ??you?? ??anymore.”?? ??

“They’re?? ??all?? ??.?? ??But?? ??you?? ??were?? ??only?? ??seventeen?? ??back?? ??then.?? ??Now?? ??that?? ??you’re?? ??older,?? ??of?? ??

course?? ??I’d?? ??be?? ??teaching?? ??you?? ??a?? ??different?? ??lesson.”?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??said.?? ??

Lang?? ??Qian?? ??Qiu?? ??closed?? ??his?? ??mouth?? ??for?? ??a?? ??mont?? ??but?? ??then?? ??blurted,?? ??“Was?? ??it?? ??because?? ??your?? ??

seventeenth?? ??was?? ??a?? ??trial,?? ??that?? ??you?? ??had?? ??to?? ??turn?? ??my?? ??seventeenth?? ??into?? ??a?? ??trial?? ??too?”?? ??

Xie?? ??Lian?? ??didn’t?? ??respond.?? ??

Seeing?? ??that?? ??he?? ??wouldn’t?? ??speak,?? ??Lang?? ??Qian?? ??Qiu’s?? ??anger?? ??flared?? ??and?? ??took?? ??in?? ??a?? ??huge?? ??breath.?? ??

He?? ??yelled,?? ??“IF?? ??THAT?? ??WAS?? ??YOUR?? ??INTENTION?? ??THEN?? ??I?? ??WON’T?? ??LET?? ??YOU?? ??HAVE?? ??YOUR?? ??

WAY!!”?? ??

Xie?? ??Lian’s?? ??eyes?? ??widened?? ??at?? ??those?? ??words.?? ??

Lang?? ??Qian?? ??Qiu?? ??couldn’t?? ??stand,?? ??but?? ??his?? ??eyes?? ??were?? ??bright?? ??and?? ??his?? ??tone?? ??tenacious,?? ??as?? ??if?? ??a?? ??

roaring?? ??fla?? ??was?? ??blazing?? ??within?? ??his?? ??eyes.?? ??He?? ??continued,?? ??his?? ??tone?? ??harsh,?? ??like?? ??he?? ??was?? ??

peeved?? ??but?? ??also?? ??like?? ??he?? ??was?? ??declaring?? ??war,?? ??“If?? ??you?? ??want?? ???? ??to?? ??fill?? ??my?? ??heart?? ??with?? ??hatred?? ??

like?? ??you,?? ??I?? ??surely?? ??won’t!?? ??If?? ??you’re?? ??going?? ??to?? ??force?? ???? ??to?? ??abandon?? ??myself,?? ??I?? ??refuse!?? ??I?? ??will?? ??

never!?? ??—?? ??NO?? ??MATTER?? ??WHAT?? ??YOU?? ??DO?? ??TO?? ??,?? ??I?? ??WILL?? ??NEVER?? ??BECO?? ??LIKE?? ??YOU!!!”?? ?? ??

It?? ??was?? ??a?? ??declaration?? ??so?? ??heroic?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??was?? ??becoming?? ??dazed?? ??just?? ??listening?? ??to?? ??it.?? ??It?? ??took?? ??a?? ??

mont?? ??before?? ??he?? ??ca?? ??to,?? ??and?? ??‘pfft’-ed,?? ??bursting?? ??into?? ??laughter.?? ??

Lang?? ??Qian?? ??Qiu’s?? ??face?? ??was?? ??covered?? ??with?? ??fiery?? ??tears,?? ??his?? ??blood?? ??boiling?? ??with?? ??passion?? ??and?? ??

was?? ??at?? ??the?? ??height?? ??of?? ??his?? ??zealous?? ??cries,?? ??but?? ??all?? ??that?? ??was?? ??deflated?? ??by?? ??Xie?? ??Lian’s?? ??laugh,?? ??and?? ??

he?? ??beca?? ??angrily?? ??bewildered.?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??on?? ??the?? ??other?? ??hand?? ??was?? ??clapping?? ??as?? ??he?? ??laughed,?? ??

his?? ??laughter?? ??growing?? ??by?? ??the?? ??minute,?? ??and?? ??he?? ??cried,?? ??“GOOD!”?? ??

Xie?? ??Lian?? ??couldn’t?? ??rember?? ??the?? ??last?? ??ti?? ??he’d?? ??laughed?? ??this?? ??heartily?? ??or?? ??for?? ??what,?? ??and?? ??it?? ??

took?? ??him?? ??so?? ??ti?? ??before?? ??ceasing.?? ??He?? ??rubbed?? ??his?? ??eyes?? ??and?? ??nodded,?? ??“Good.?? ??

Rember?? ??what?? ??you?? ??said?? ??today.?? ??That?? ??you?? ??will?? ??never?? ??beco?? ??like?? ??.”?? ??

Hua?? ??Cheng?? ??still?? ??had?? ??his?? ??arms?? ??crossed?? ??and?? ??watched?? ??coldly.?? ??Just?? ??as?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??finished?? ??

speaking,?? ??there?? ??was?? ??suddenly?? ??a?? ??blast?? ??of?? ??red?? ??smoke?? ??before?? ??him!?? ??

The?? ??explosion?? ??ca?? ??too?? ??suddenly?? ??and?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??jolted,?? ??thinking?? ??Lang?? ??Qian?? ??Qiu?? ??might’ve?? ??

used?? ??so?? ??strange?? ??trick,?? ??and?? ??imdiately?? ??evaded,?? ??his?? ??gaze?? ??watchful.?? ??However,?? ??the?? ??

blast?? ??was?? ??loud?? ??in?? ??sound?? ??only,?? ??and?? ??didn’t?? ??pose?? ??any?? ??harm.?? ??When?? ??the?? ??smoke?? ??had?? ??cleared,?? ??

Lang?? ??Qian?? ??Qiu?? ??had?? ??disappeared?? ??from?? ??where?? ??he?? ??laid.?? ??What?? ??was?? ??left?? ??was?? ??a?? ??daruma?? ??doll,?? ??

swaying?? ??left?? ??and?? ??right.?? ??

The?? ??daruma?? ??doll?? ??had?? ??a?? ??very?? ??round?? ??face?? ??and?? ??body?? ??like?? ??a?? ??giant?? ??squash.?? ??Its?? ??brows?? ??black?? ??

and?? ??its?? ??expression?? ??like?? ??a?? ??tiger,?? ??cute?? ??and?? ??juvenile.?? ??At?? ??that?? ??mont?? ??it?? ??was?? ??glaring,?? ??plump?? ??

with?? ??anger,?? ??and?? ??it?? ??carried?? ??a?? ??fat?? ??sword?? ??on?? ??its?? ??back,?? ??gallant?? ??in?? ??its?? ??form?? ??–?? ??exactly?? ??like?? ??Lang?? ??

Qian?? ??Qiu,?? ??except?? ??it’s?? ??a?? ??lovable?? ??big?? ??toy.?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??stopped?? ??smiling?? ??and?? ??called,?? ??“Qian?? ??Qiu?!”?? ?? ??

RuoYe?? ??let?? ??go?? ??and?? ??returned?? ??to?? ??wrap?? ??itself?? ??around?? ??Xie?? ??Lian’s?? ??wrist.?? ??Hua?? ??Cheng?? ??walked?? ??

over?? ??leisurely?? ??and?? ??flicked?? ??his?? ??finger?? ??on?? ??the?? ??body?? ??of?? ??that?? ??daruma?? ??doll,?? ??laughing,?? ??“Why?? ??

does?? ??he?? ??look?? ??so?? ??foolish?? ??no?? ??matter?? ??what?? ??form?? ??he?? ??takes?”?? ??

Xie?? ??Lian?? ??picked?? ??up?? ??the?? ??daruma?? ??doll?? ??and?? ??didn’t?? ??know?? ??whether?? ??to?? ??laugh?? ??or?? ??cry,?? ??“This...?? ??

this...?? ??San?? ??Lang,?? ??is?? ??this?? ??Qian?? ??Qiu??? ??Why?? ??did?? ??he?? ??turn?? ??into?? ??this?? ??form??? ??Stop?? ??playing?? ??around?? ??

with?? ??him?? ??and?? ??change?? ??him?? ??back.”?? ??

“No.?? ??Take?? ??him?? ??along?? ??and?? ??let’s?? ??go.”?? ??Hua?? ??Cheng?? ??replied.?? ??

“Go?? ??where?”?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??asked.?? ??

Just?? ??then,?? ??the?? ??two?? ??had?? ??co?? ??to?? ??a?? ??cramped?? ??little?? ??cave.?? ??Hua?? ??Cheng?? ??didn’t?? ??answer?? ??him.?? ??He?? ??

tossed?? ??up?? ??a?? ??dice?? ??and?? ??it?? ??landed?? ??in?? ??his?? ??palm.?? ??He?? ??lowered?? ??his?? ??eyes?? ??to?? ??glance?? ??at?? ??it?? ??before?? ??

entering?? ??the?? ??cave.?? ??

To?? ??turn?? ??soone?? ??into?? ??a?? ??daruma?? ??doll?? ??was?? ??such?? ??a?? ??mischievous?? ??spell?? ??is?? ??very?? ??much?? ??Hua?? ??

Cheng’s?? ??style,?? ??but?? ??it’s?? ??also?? ??hard?? ??to?? ??undo.?? ??Either?? ??way?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??couldn’t?? ??unravel?? ??it,?? ??and?? ??he?? ??

couldn’t?? ??guarantee?? ??any?? ??other?? ??heavenly?? ??officials?? ??could?? ??do?? ??it?? ??either,?? ??so?? ??he?? ??held?? ??the?? ??doll?? ??in?? ??

his?? ??hands?? ??and?? ??was?? ??just?? ??about?? ??to?? ??follow?? ??Hua?? ??Cheng?? ??when?? ??he?? ??abruptly?? ??rembered?? ??the?? ??

tossed?? ??Fang?? ??Xin,?? ??and?? ??doubled?? ??back?? ??to?? ??pick?? ??up?? ??the?? ??sword.?? ??He?? ??strapped?? ??it?? ??onto?? ??his?? ??back,?? ??

and?? ??chased?? ??after?? ??Hua?? ??Cheng.?? ?? ??

Xie?? ??Lian?? ??wanted?? ??Hua?? ??Cheng?? ??to?? ??undo?? ??the?? ??spell?? ??but?? ??the?? ??man?? ??was?? ??noncommittal.?? ??The?? ??two?? ??

walked?? ??around?? ??in?? ??the?? ??cave?? ??for?? ??a?? ??bit,?? ??and?? ??soon?? ??after?? ??it?? ??beca?? ??wider?? ??and?? ??more?? ??spacious?? ??

than?? ??the?? ??entrance.?? ??Footfalls?? ??echoed?? ??in?? ??the?? ??cave,?? ??and?? ??so?? ??distance?? ??in?? ??front?? ??of?? ??them?? ??

ca?? ??a?? ??faint?? ??light?? ??and?? ??sounds?? ??of?? ??singing.?? ??

When?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??was?? ??led?? ??to?? ??Paradise?? ??Manor?? ??in?? ??the?? ??Ghost?? ??City,?? ??he?? ??had?? ??also?? ??heard?? ??singing,?? ??

but?? ??the?? ??graceful?? ??songs?? ??of?? ??charming?? ??female?? ??ghosts?? ??were?? ??enticing?? ??and?? ??beautiful?? ??like?? ??

aphrodisiac,?? ??intoxicating.?? ??This?? ??singing?? ??was?? ??like?? ??the?? ??chaotic?? ??dance?? ??of?? ??demons,?? ??appalling?? ??

and?? ??hideous.?? ??The?? ??two?? ??were?? ??nothing?? ??alike.?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??couldn’t?? ??help?? ??but?? ??ask,?? ??“San?? ??Lang,?? ??

what?? ??is?? ??this?? ??place??? ??

“Shh.”?? ??Hua?? ??Cheng?? ??lightly?? ??silenced?? ??him.?? ??

Xie?? ??Lian’s?? ??question?? ??was?? ??already?? ??voiced?? ??in?? ??a?? ??near?? ??whisper;?? ??hearing?? ??the?? ??shush,?? ??he?? ??held?? ??his?? ??

breath.?? ??Soon?? ??he?? ??discovered?? ??why?? ??the?? ??need?? ??to?? ??be?? ??silent.?? ??Right?? ??in?? ??front?? ??of?? ??them?? ??ca?? ??

bunches?? ??of?? ??floating?? ??green?? ??ghost?? ??fires.?? ??And?? ??when?? ??the?? ??little?? ??bunches?? ??of?? ??flas?? ??

approached,?? ??he?? ??saw?? ??they?? ??were?? ??little?? ??ghosts?? ??dressed?? ??in?? ??green.?? ??

On?? ??the?? ??heads?? ??of?? ??each?? ??little?? ??ghost?? ??was?? ??a?? ??small?? ??flaming?? ??light,?? ??as?? ??if?? ??they?? ??themselves?? ??were?? ??a?? ??

green?? ??candle.?? ??There?? ??was?? ??nowhere?? ??to?? ??hide?? ??in?? ??this?? ??cave?? ??and?? ??the?? ??path?? ??was?? ??narrow.?? ??Xie?? ??

Lian?? ??was?? ??about?? ??to?? ??reach?? ??for?? ??Fang?? ??Xin,?? ??but?? ??thought?? ??RuoYe?? ??would?? ??be?? ??better?? ??suited?? ??in?? ??this?? ??

situation,?? ??and?? ??dropped?? ??his?? ??hand?? ??again.?? ??

But?? ??then,?? ??just?? ??as?? ??the?? ??little?? ??ghosts?? ??passed?? ??by?? ??them,?? ??they?? ??didn’t?? ??bat?? ??an?? ??eyelash?? ??before?? ??

moving?? ??on,?? ??continuing?? ??to?? ??whisper?? ??amongst?? ??themselves.?? ??It?? ??wasn’t?? ??like?? ??they?? ??didn’t?? ??see?? ??

them,?? ??but?? ??more?? ??so?? ??that?? ??they?? ??didn’t?? ??think?? ??it?? ??strange?? ??to?? ??see?? ??them.?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??looked?? ??at?? ??Hua?? ??

Cheng,?? ??and?? ??the?? ??one?? ??standing?? ??next?? ??to?? ??him?? ??wasn’t?? ??the?? ??exceptionally?? ??handso?? ??red-clad?? ??

ghost?? ??king?? ??he?? ??knew,?? ??but?? ??another?? ??little?? ??pale?? ??ghost?? ??with?? ??a?? ??green?? ??fla?? ??on?? ??his?? ??head.?? ?? ??

So?? ??it?? ??seed?? ??that?? ??Hua?? ??Cheng?? ??had?? ??changed?? ??them?? ??into?? ??fake?? ??skins?? ??without?? ??him?? ??knowing?? ??

when?? ??it?? ??happened.?? ??Thinking?? ??that?? ??he?? ??himself?? ??must?? ??be?? ??upholding?? ??a?? ??green?? ??fla?? ??above?? ??his?? ??

head,?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??couldn’t?? ??help?? ??but?? ??raise?? ??a?? ??hand?? ??to?? ??feel.?? ??“Why?? ??must?? ??we...”?? ??Why?? ??must?? ??they?? ??

transform?? ??into?? ??such?? ??a?? ??bizarre?? ??appearance??? ?? ??

Although?? ??he?? ??trailed?? ??off,?? ??Hua?? ??Cheng?? ??obviously?? ??knew?? ??what?? ??he?? ??wanted?? ??to?? ??say.?? ??“I?? ??already?? ??

ntioned?? ??that?? ??the?? ??Green?? ??Ghost?? ??Qi?? ??Rong?? ??is?? ??vulgar?? ??and?? ??crass.?? ??All?? ??of?? ??his?? ??lackeys?? ??have?? ??to?? ??

look?? ??like?? ??this.”?? ??

Xie?? ??Lian?? ??didn’t?? ??realize?? ??that?? ??Hua?? ??Cheng?? ??had?? ??brought?? ??him?? ??to?? ??the?? ??Green?? ??Ghost?? ??Qi?? ??Rong’s?? ??

territory!?? ??

Before?? ??when?? ??the?? ??heavens?? ??and?? ??the?? ??ghost?? ??realm?? ??ntioned?? ??the?? ??Green?? ??Ghost?? ??Qi?? ??Rong,?? ??

they?? ??all?? ??had?? ??to?? ??comnt?? ??on?? ??just?? ??how?? ??uncouth?? ??he?? ??was,?? ??and?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??couldn’t?? ??fathom?? ??why.?? ??

Now?? ??that?? ??he’d?? ??learned?? ??that?? ??all?? ??of?? ??his?? ??little?? ??ghost?? ??subordinates?? ??had?? ??to?? ??dress?? ??like?? ??this,?? ??he?? ??

could?? ??sowhat?? ??understand.?? ??Going?? ??only?? ??by?? ??the?? ??title?? ??‘The?? ??Night-Touring?? ??Green?? ??Lantern’,?? ??

there?? ??was?? ??at?? ??least?? ??still?? ??a?? ??trace?? ??of?? ??sarcastic?? ??elegance,?? ??but?? ??if?? ??it?? ??was?? ??literally?? ??‘green?? ??light’?? ??

walking?? ??around?? ??at?? ??night,?? ??then?? ??there’s?? ??definitely?? ??a?? ??gap?? ??between?? ??what?? ??he?? ??had?? ??in?? ??mind.?? ?? ??

“Didn’t?? ??you?? ??already?? ??destroy?? ??his?? ??lair?”?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??asked.?? ??

“I?? ??did,?? ??but?? ??he?? ??escaped.”?? ??Hua?? ??Cheng?? ??replied.?? ??“Escaped?? ??for?? ??fifty?? ??years,?? ??then?? ??built?? ??a?? ??new?? ??

lair.”?? ??

Xie?? ??Lian?? ??held?? ??the?? ??Lang?? ??Qian?? ??Qiu?? ??daruma?? ??doll?? ??close?? ??to?? ??this?? ??chest,?? ??and?? ??whispered?? ??after?? ??

making?? ??sure?? ??there?? ??was?? ??no?? ??one?? ??around,?? ??“San?? ??Lang,?? ??are?? ??you?? ??here?? ??to?? ??find?? ??the?? ??Green?? ??

Ghost??? ??Why?? ??don’t?? ??you?? ??undo?? ??Qian?? ??Qiu’s?? ??spell?? ??and?? ??let?? ??him?? ??go?? ??first,?? ??and?? ??then?? ??I’ll?? ??

accompany?? ??you?”?? ??

Hua?? ??Cheng?? ??obstinately?? ??refused,?? ??“No,?? ??take?? ??him?? ??with?? ??you.?? ??I?? ??need?? ??him?? ??to?? ??et?? ??soone.”?? ??

Xie?? ??Lian?? ??was?? ??curious.?? ??Hua?? ??Cheng?? ??didn’t?? ??act?? ??like?? ??he?? ??cared?? ??much?? ??for?? ??Lang?? ??Qian?? ??Qiu,?? ??so?? ??

why?? ??would?? ??he?? ??take?? ??him?? ??to?? ??et?? ??anyone?? ??especially??? ??But?? ??all?? ??of?? ??his?? ??options?? ??were?? ??rather?? ??

awkward,?? ??so?? ??he?? ??didn’t?? ??speak?? ??anymore?? ??on?? ??the?? ??subject.?? ??When?? ??the?? ??two?? ??finally?? ??erged?? ??

from?? ??the?? ??cave?? ??and?? ??the?? ??tunnel?? ??opened?? ??to?? ??a?? ??wider?? ??space,?? ??more?? ??caves?? ??appeared?? ??before?? ??

them.?? ??

There?? ??seed?? ??to?? ??be?? ??caves?? ??and?? ??tunnels?? ??dug?? ??all?? ??over?? ??this?? ??mountain;?? ??caves?? ??connecting?? ??

caves,?? ??tunnels?? ??leading?? ??to?? ??more?? ??tunnels.?? ??Each?? ??entrance?? ??had?? ??a?? ??number?? ??of?? ??ghosts?? ??with?? ??a?? ??

green?? ??lantern?? ??on?? ??their?? ??heads?? ??going?? ??in?? ??and?? ??out,?? ??like?? ??a?? ??giant?? ??beehive?? ??or?? ??an?? ??anthill.?? ??If?? ??Xie?? ??

Lian?? ??had?? ??co?? ??in?? ??by?? ??himself,?? ??there’d?? ??be?? ??no?? ??way?? ??he’d?? ??rember?? ??the?? ??way.?? ??Yet,?? ??Hua?? ??

Cheng?? ??acted?? ??like?? ??he?? ??was?? ??at?? ??ho,?? ??and?? ??traversed?? ??through?? ??various?? ??tunnels?? ??and?? ??caves?? ??

without?? ??hesitation,?? ??exceedingly?? ??at?? ??ease,?? ??like?? ??he?? ??knew?? ??the?? ??paths?? ??by?? ??heart.?? ??

The?? ??two?? ??of?? ??them?? ??had?? ??on?? ??their?? ??green?? ??flad?? ??little?? ??ghost?? ??skin,?? ??and?? ??no?? ??one?? ??stopped?? ??them?? ??in?? ??

their?? ??paths.?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??breathed?? ??in?? ??relief,?? ??but?? ??Hua?? ??Cheng?? ??thought?? ??he?? ??was?? ??sighing?? ??and?? ??

asked,?? ??“What’s?? ??wrong?”?? ??

“Nothing,”?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??said,?? ??“I?? ??thought?? ??you?? ??would?? ??attack?? ??the?? ??lair?? ??head?? ??on?? ??instead?? ??of?? ??sneaking?? ??

in.?? ??I’m?? ??not?? ??too?? ??good?? ??with?? ??fighting,?? ??so?? ??I’m?? ??relieved.”?? ??

He?? ??ant?? ??it?? ??when?? ??he?? ??said?? ??he?? ??wasn’t?? ??“good?? ??at?? ??fighting”.?? ??He?? ??may?? ??be?? ??skilled,?? ??but?? ??he?? ??wasn’t?? ??

good?? ??at?? ??dealing?? ??with?? ??the?? ??aftermath.?? ??Hua?? ??Cheng?? ??seed?? ??to?? ??have?? ??puffed?? ??a?? ??laugh.?? ??“I?? ??did?? ??

attack?? ??head?? ??on?? ??the?? ??first?? ??ti,?? ??but?? ??the?? ??mont?? ??he?? ??found?? ??out?? ??he?? ??ran?? ??away.”?? ??Hua?? ??Cheng?? ??

said,?? ??“This?? ??ti?? ??I’m?? ??here?? ??for?? ??his?? ??person,?? ??so?? ??of?? ??course?? ??I?? ??can’t?? ??have?? ??him?? ??notice?? ??I’m?? ??here.”?? ??

Was?? ??the?? ??person?? ??Hua?? ??Cheng?? ??wanted?? ??Qian?? ??Qiu?? ??to?? ??et?? ??the?? ??Green?? ??Ghost??? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??

wondered,?? ??‘Was?? ??there?? ??a?? ??relationship?? ??between?? ??the?? ??two?? ??of?? ??them??? ??Well,?? ??whatever?? ??he?? ??wants?? ??

to?? ??do?? ??I’ll?? ??still?? ??accompany?? ??him,?? ??then?? ??ask?? ??him?? ??to?? ??undo?? ??the?? ??spell?? ??later.’?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??still?? ??had?? ??the?? ??

burning?? ??of?? ??Paradise?? ??Manor?? ??on?? ??his?? ??mind,?? ??and?? ??still?? ??felt?? ??guilty.?? ??As?? ??he?? ??was?? ??thinking,?? ??Hua?? ??

Cheng?? ??spoke,?? ??“That?? ??useless?? ??trash?? ??can’t?? ??do?? ??anything,?? ??but?? ??he’s?? ??very?? ??vigilant.?? ??Those?? ??little?? ??

ghosts?? ??can’t?? ??approach?? ??his?? ??person,?? ??and?? ??it’s?? ??not?? ??easy?? ??disguising?? ??as?? ??his?? ??closest?? ??henchn.?? ??

To?? ??get?? ??close,?? ??there’s?? ??only?? ??one?? ??way.”?? ??

Just?? ??then,?? ??four?? ??little?? ??ghosts?? ??ca?? ??by,?? ??laughing?? ??and?? ??chatting.?? ??Hua?? ??Cheng?? ??slowed?? ??his?? ??

steps,?? ??and?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??followed?? ??his?? ??lead.?? ??Turns?? ??out,?? ??the?? ??little?? ??ghosts?? ??had?? ??behind?? ??them,?? ??a?? ??

train?? ??of?? ??bound?? ??humans,?? ??dragged?? ??by?? ??a?? ??long?? ??rope.?? ??

Among?? ??the?? ??humans,?? ??so?? ??were?? ??ragged?? ??and?? ??unkempt,?? ??so?? ??in?? ??extravagant?? ??clothes,?? ??but?? ??

they?? ??all?? ??seed?? ??to?? ??be?? ??young?? ??n?? ??and?? ??won?? ??under?? ??the?? ??age?? ??of?? ??thirty.?? ??There?? ??was?? ??even?? ??a?? ??

child?? ??who?? ??was?? ??grabbing?? ??onto?? ??the?? ??corner?? ??of?? ??a?? ??sleeve?? ??of?? ??one?? ??of?? ??the?? ??young?? ??n;?? ??they?? ??were?? ??

probably?? ??father?? ??and?? ??son.?? ??Their?? ??hands?? ??were?? ??bound,?? ??and?? ??looking?? ??terrified,?? ??so?? ??ready?? ??to?? ??

faint,?? ??while?? ??trudging?? ??through?? ??the?? ??demonic?? ??lair.?? ??They?? ??brushed?? ??past?? ??Hua?? ??Cheng,?? ??and?? ??

without?? ??missing?? ??a?? ??beat,?? ??he?? ??turned?? ??around?? ??and?? ??seamlessly?? ??joined?? ??the?? ??end?? ??of?? ??the?? ??march.?? ??

He?? ??gently?? ??elbowed?? ??Xie?? ??Lian,?? ??and?? ??he?? ??repeated?? ??Hua?? ??Cheng’s?? ??actions.?? ??When?? ??he?? ??looked?? ??

over,?? ??Hua?? ??Cheng?? ??had?? ??already?? ??changed?? ??skin?? ??again,?? ??and?? ??this?? ??ti,?? ??it?? ??was?? ??a?? ??clean?? ??cut?? ??

young?? ??man.?? ??He?? ??himself?? ??probably?? ??looked?? ??similar.?? ?? ??

The?? ??little?? ??band?? ??made?? ??twists?? ??and?? ??turns?? ??through?? ??the?? ??tunnels?? ??and?? ??caves.?? ??The?? ??little?? ??ghosts?? ??

leading?? ??the?? ??group?? ??seed?? ??to?? ??be?? ??quite?? ??content?? ??in?? ??their?? ??duties,?? ??and?? ??from?? ??ti?? ??to?? ??ti?? ??

showed?? ??off?? ??a?? ??little?? ??authority,?? ??yelling?? ??and?? ??snarling?? ??at?? ??the?? ??prisoners?? ??behind?? ??them,?? ??“No?? ??funny?? ??

business!?? ??–?? ??No?? ??crying!?? ??With?? ??your?? ??faces?? ??all?? ??covered?? ??in?? ??tears?? ??and?? ??snot,?? ??if?? ??you?? ??ruin?? ??our?? ??

great?? ??one’s?? ??appetite,?? ??we’ll?? ??teach?? ??you?? ??what’s?? ??it?? ??like?? ??to?? ??want?? ??to?? ??die!”?? ??

Of?? ??the?? ??Four?? ??Great?? ??Evils,?? ??there?? ??had?? ??never?? ??been?? ??words?? ??that?? ??the?? ??other?? ??three?? ??Supre’s?? ??

devoured?? ??human?? ??flesh,?? ??only?? ??the?? ??Green?? ??Ghost?? ??Qi?? ??Rong?? ??remained?? ??gluttonous;?? ??no?? ??wonder?? ??

his?? ??equals?? ??and?? ??enemies?? ??scoffed?? ??at?? ??any?? ??ntions?? ??of?? ??him,?? ??dismissing?? ??him?? ??as?? ??unsightly?? ??and?? ??

ignorant.?? ??Earlier?? ??Hua?? ??Cheng?? ??said?? ??there?? ??was?? ??only?? ??one?? ??way?? ??to?? ??get?? ??close?? ??to?? ??the?? ??Green?? ??

Ghost?? ??Qi?? ??Rong,?? ??and?? ??it?? ??appeared?? ??that?? ??mixing?? ??in?? ??with?? ??the?? ??‘food’?? ??was?? ??the?? ??way.?? ??As?? ??he?? ??

walked,?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??reached?? ??for?? ??Hua?? ??Cheng’s?? ??hand.?? ??Once?? ??he?? ??succeeded?? ??in?? ??grabbing?? ??hold?? ??

of?? ??it,?? ??he?? ??felt?? ??Hua?? ??Cheng?? ??freeze,?? ??like?? ??he?? ??wanted?? ??to?? ??pull?? ??away.?? ??It?? ??wasn’t?? ??that?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??didn’t?? ??

notice,?? ??but?? ??under?? ??the?? ??circumstances?? ??there?? ??wasn’t?? ??much?? ??room?? ??for?? ??thought.?? ??He?? ??held?? ??Hua?? ??

Cheng’s?? ??hand?? ??tight,?? ??and?? ??lightly?? ??drew?? ??a?? ??word?? ??in?? ??his?? ??palm:?? ??‘Save’.?? ??

Since?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??saw,?? ??then?? ??he?? ??must?? ??save?? ??those?? ??people.?? ??This?? ??gesture?? ??was?? ??him?? ??informing?? ??

Hua?? ??Cheng?? ??of?? ??his?? ??intentions.?? ??

After?? ??the?? ??word?? ??was?? ??written,?? ??Hua?? ??Cheng?? ??gently?? ??folded?? ??his?? ??fingers?? ??and?? ??closed?? ??his?? ??palm.?? ??A?? ??

mont?? ??later,?? ??the?? ??band?? ??exited?? ??a?? ??tunnel?? ??and?? ??proceeded?? ??to?? ??enter?? ??an?? ??exceedingly?? ??large?? ??

cave.?? ??

The?? ??mont?? ??they?? ??entered?? ??the?? ??cave,?? ??a?? ??field?? ??of?? ??shadowed?? ??objects?? ??entered?? ??their?? ??vision.?? ??Xie?? ??

Lian?? ??squinted?? ??and?? ??hadn’t?? ??quite?? ??made?? ??out?? ??what?? ??those?? ??objects?? ??were,?? ??but?? ??instead?? ??he?? ??felt?? ??

Hua?? ??Cheng?? ??grip?? ??his?? ??wrist,?? ??and?? ??drew?? ??a?? ??few?? ??words?? ??on?? ??the?? ??back?? ??of?? ??his?? ??palm:?? ??‘Watch?? ??your?? ??

head.?? ??Don’t?? ??touch.’?? ??

At?? ??first?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??thought?? ??there?? ??hung?? ??many?? ??rags?? ??from?? ??above,?? ??but?? ??when?? ??he?? ??looked?? ??closer,?? ??

his?? ??pupils?? ??shrank?? ??–?? ??what?? ??rags??? ??It?? ??was?? ??a?? ??field?? ??of?? ??blackened,?? ??tightly?? ??packed?? ??people,?? ??feet?? ??

above,?? ??heads?? ??hung?? ??low,?? ??suspended?? ??in?? ??midair.?? ?? ??

The?? ??forest?? ??of?? ??upside?? ??down?? ??corpses!?? ?? ??

However,?? ??although?? ??there?? ??hung?? ??those?? ??flipped?? ??dead?? ??bodies,?? ??there?? ??was?? ??no?? ??bloody?? ??rain?? ??

because?? ??those?? ??corpses?? ??were?? ??all?? ??dried?? ??without?? ??a?? ??drop?? ??of?? ??fresh?? ??blood?? ??left?? ??in?? ??their?? ??veins.?? ??

The?? ??expressions?? ??on?? ??those?? ??dried?? ??corpses?? ??all?? ??looked?? ??to?? ??be?? ??in?? ??pain,?? ??their?? ??mouths?? ??open?? ??

wide,?? ??and?? ??there?? ??was?? ??a?? ??thin?? ??layer?? ??of?? ??snow-like?? ??crystals?? ??on?? ??their?? ??bodies?? ??and?? ??faces.?? ??It?? ??was?? ??

salt.?? ??

In?? ??the?? ??deepest?? ??recesses?? ??of?? ??the?? ??cave,?? ??the?? ??lights?? ??shone?? ??bright?? ??and?? ??there?? ??was?? ??a?? ??giant?? ??chair,?? ??

a?? ??long?? ??table,?? ??golden?? ??goblets?? ??and?? ??jaded?? ??utensils.?? ??Such?? ??extravagance?? ??made?? ??it?? ??look?? ??more?? ??

like?? ??a?? ??royal?? ??banquet?? ??hall?? ??rather?? ??than?? ??a?? ??deep?? ??mountain?? ??cave.?? ??A?? ??bit?? ??further?? ??away?? ??from?? ??the?? ??

long?? ??table?? ??was?? ??an?? ??enormous?? ??steel?? ??cauldron,?? ??big?? ??enough?? ??to?? ??allow?? ??over?? ??ten?? ??people?? ??to?? ??

swim?? ??within.?? ??The?? ??cauldron?? ??was?? ??red?? ??and?? ??boiling,?? ??its?? ??contents?? ??bubbling?? ??in?? ??rage,?? ??and?? ??if?? ??

anyone?? ??should?? ??accidentally?? ??fall?? ??in,?? ??it?? ??would?? ??only?? ??be?? ??seconds?? ??before?? ??they’re?? ??cooked?? ??

through!?? ??

The?? ??four?? ??little?? ??ghosts?? ??ushered?? ??the?? ??group?? ??of?? ??prisoners?? ??towards?? ??the?? ??cauldron,?? ??but?? ??so?? ??fell?? ??

to?? ??the?? ??ground?? ??shivering?? ??in?? ??fear?? ??when?? ??they?? ??saw?? ??what?? ??was?? ??waiting?? ??for?? ??them,?? ??and?? ??in?? ??the?? ??

midst?? ??of?? ??yelling,?? ??hitting,?? ??and?? ??pulling,?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??suddenly?? ??felt?? ??next?? ??to?? ??him,?? ??Hua?? ??Cheng’s?? ??arm?? ??

went?? ??stiff?? ??and?? ??stopped?? ??in?? ??his?? ??step.?? ??

He?? ??turned?? ??his?? ??head?? ??to?? ??see,?? ??and?? ??saw?? ??that?? ??although?? ??Hua?? ??Cheng?? ??still?? ??had?? ??on?? ??the?? ??

appearance?? ??of?? ??a?? ??clean?? ??cut?? ??young?? ??man,?? ??his?? ??eyes?? ??were?? ??blazing?? ??with?? ??rage.?? ??

Even?? ??though?? ??Hua?? ??Cheng?? ??was?? ??always?? ??smiling,?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??knew?? ??his?? ??true?? ??emotions?? ??were?? ??

always?? ??hidden?? ??deep?? ??within.?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??had?? ??never?? ??seen?? ??in?? ??his?? ??eyes?? ??a?? ??violent?? ??fury?? ??this?? ??

blatant.?? ??He?? ??followed?? ??Hua?? ??Cheng’s?? ??sight?? ??and?? ??the?? ??next?? ??mont,?? ??felt?? ??his?? ??own?? ??breathing?? ??

stop.?? ??Before?? ??the?? ??extravagant?? ??giant?? ??chair?? ??knelt?? ??a?? ??person.?? ??

In?? ??the?? ??first?? ??glance?? ??it?? ??was?? ??a?? ??person,?? ??but?? ??upon?? ??a?? ??closer?? ??look,?? ??it?? ??was?? ??actually?? ??a?? ??stone?? ??statue?? ??

the?? ??size?? ??of?? ??a?? ??real?? ??person.?? ??It?? ??was?? ??a?? ??rather?? ??interesting?? ??statue?? ??sculpted?? ??in?? ??a?? ??kneeling?? ??

position,?? ??its?? ??back?? ??facing?? ??him,?? ??its?? ??head?? ??downcast.?? ??It?? ??was?? ??the?? ??very?? ??form?? ??that?? ??could?? ??be?? ??

described?? ??as?? ??a?? ??dog?? ??with?? ??its?? ??tail?? ??between?? ??its?? ??legs.?? ??It?? ??was?? ??easy?? ??to?? ??presu?? ??that?? ??the?? ??only?? ??

purpose?? ??of?? ??making?? ??such?? ??a?? ??statue?? ??was?? ??for?? ??humiliating?? ??this?? ??person.?? ??

Xie?? ??Lian?? ??didn’t?? ??need?? ??to?? ??turn?? ??the?? ??statue?? ??around?? ??to?? ??know?? ??that?? ??its?? ??face?? ??must?? ??be?? ??exactly?? ??the?? ??

sa?? ??as?? ??his.?? ??

———–?? ??

Ch.50:?? ??Adroit?? ??Dice?? ??for?? ??the?? ??Safety?? ??of?? ??Only?? ??One?? ??3?? ??

Generally?? ??people?? ??would?? ??not?? ??know?? ??how?? ??their?? ??own?? ??backs?? ??look?? ??like,?? ??but?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??was?? ??

different.?? ??He?? ??was?? ??more?? ??than?? ??familiar?? ??with?? ??how?? ??his?? ??own?? ??back?? ??looked.?? ??

When?? ??the?? ??kingdom?? ??of?? ??XianLe?? ??first?? ??fell,?? ??to?? ??relieve?? ??themselves?? ??of?? ??anger,?? ??the?? ??people?? ??burnt?? ??

down?? ??his?? ??Baqian?? ??Taizi*?? ??Temple,?? ??desecrated?? ??all?? ??of?? ??his?? ??statues,?? ??robbed?? ??the?? ??gems?? ??on?? ??his?? ??

sword?? ??and?? ??cleaned?? ??his?? ??attire?? ??of?? ??gold.?? ??Yet?? ??after?? ??all?? ??that?? ??the?? ??rage?? ??continued?? ??to?? ??burn,?? ??and?? ??so?? ??

they?? ??ca?? ??up?? ??with?? ??a?? ??new?? ??idea,?? ??and?? ??it?? ??was?? ??to?? ??build?? ??such?? ??kneeling?? ??statues.?? ??

The?? ??Crown?? ??Prince?? ??that?? ??was?? ??highly?? ??venerated?? ??and?? ??worshipped?? ??was?? ??sculpted?? ??into?? ??the?? ??form?? ??

of?? ??one?? ??who?? ??knelt?? ??and?? ??begged?? ??for?? ??forgiveness,?? ??and?? ??placed?? ??in?? ??crowded?? ??areas?? ??of?? ??town?? ??so?? ??

everyone?? ??was?? ??free?? ??to?? ??spit?? ??at?? ??or?? ??kick?? ??it?? ??when?? ??they?? ??passed?? ??by,?? ??and?? ??rid?? ??themselves?? ??of?? ??

misfortune.?? ??Or?? ??worse,?? ??so?? ??even?? ??had?? ??him?? ??sculpted?? ??to?? ??be?? ??prostrating,?? ??and?? ??used?? ??the?? ??

statue?? ??directly?? ??as?? ??a?? ??threshold,?? ??allowing?? ??tens?? ??of?? ??thousands?? ??to?? ??walk?? ??all?? ??over?? ??it.?? ??In?? ??the?? ??first?? ??

ten,?? ??twenty?? ??years?? ??after?? ??the?? ??kingdom?? ??of?? ??XianLe?? ??fell,?? ??those?? ??statues?? ??were?? ??a?? ??common?? ??sight?? ??in?? ??

many?? ??of?? ??the?? ??cities?? ??and?? ??towns,?? ??so?? ??how?? ??could?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??himself?? ??not?? ??recognize?? ??his?? ??own?? ??

back??? ??

Just?? ??then,?? ??the?? ??voice?? ??of?? ??a?? ??young?? ??man?? ??said,?? ??“That?? ??little?? ??hyena?? ??Pei?? ??Su?? ??had?? ??to?? ??hug?? ??the?? ??bitch?? ??

legs?? ??of?? ??that?? ??manwhore?? ??Pei?? ??before?? ??he?? ??could?? ??ascend,?? ??so?? ??who?? ??does?? ??he?? ??think?? ??he?? ??is??? ??He’s?? ??

nothing?? ??more?? ??than?? ??an?? ??exiled?? ??wild?? ??dog.?? ??To?? ??ruin?? ??my?? ??plans...?? ??Once?? ??I’m?? ??through?? ??with?? ??him,?? ??

even?? ??after?? ??the?? ??winds?? ??dry?? ??up?? ??his?? ??corpse?? ??no?? ??one?? ??would?? ??dare?? ??go?? ??to?? ??collect?? ??it!”?? ??

Before?? ??the?? ??person?? ??himself?? ??had?? ??appeared,?? ??cussing?? ??was?? ??already?? ??heard.?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??gazed?? ??

over,?? ??and?? ??saw?? ??a?? ??figure?? ??clad?? ??in?? ??green?? ??enter?? ??the?? ??cave?? ??floating?? ??in.?? ??Due?? ??to?? ??a?? ??reason?? ??

sohow?? ??not?? ??worth?? ??ntioning,?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??couldn’t?? ??help?? ??but?? ??look?? ??to?? ??the?? ??top?? ??of?? ??his?? ??head?? ??

first,?? ??and?? ??was?? ??actually?? ??kind?? ??of?? ??disappointed?? ??to?? ??see?? ??that?? ??person?? ??had?? ??only?? ??a?? ??mask?? ??on,?? ??but?? ??

no?? ??light?? ??above?? ??his?? ??head.?? ??A?? ??bunch?? ??of?? ??little?? ??ghosts?? ??dressed?? ??in?? ??green?? ??surrounded?? ??this?? ??green?? ??

clad?? ??man,?? ??and?? ??he?? ??stood?? ??as?? ??if?? ??he?? ??was?? ??surrounded?? ??by?? ??a?? ??circle?? ??of?? ??green?? ??light.?? ??This?? ??must?? ??be?? ??

one?? ??of?? ??the?? ??Four?? ??Evils?? ??in?? ??the?? ??ghost?? ??realm,?? ??the?? ??Green?? ??Ghost?? ??Qi?? ??Rong.?? ??

Ever?? ??since?? ??Nan?? ??Feng?? ??had?? ??first?? ??ntioned?? ??the?? ??na?? ??Qi?? ??Rong,?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??had?? ??kept?? ??it?? ??in?? ??the?? ??

back?? ??of?? ??his?? ??mind?? ??and?? ??wondered?? ??whether?? ??if?? ??this?? ??‘Qi?? ??Rong’?? ??was?? ??the?? ??sa?? ??‘Qi?? ??Rong’?? ??he?? ??

knew.?? ??However,?? ??there?? ??was?? ??an?? ??unwritten?? ??rule?? ??that?? ??no?? ??matter?? ??demons?? ??or?? ??ghosts?? ??they?? ??

would?? ??all?? ??hide?? ??their?? ??real?? ??nas,?? ??and?? ??bury?? ??their?? ??past?? ??lives.?? ??Because?? ??of?? ??this,?? ??he?? ??didn’t?? ??think?? ??

they?? ??were?? ??the?? ??sa?? ??person,?? ??only?? ??that?? ??the?? ??fake?? ??na?? ??had?? ??coincided?? ??with?? ??the?? ??real?? ??one.?? ??

Yet?? ??from?? ??the?? ??looks?? ??of?? ??things,?? ??he?? ??was?? ??more?? ??than?? ??certain.?? ??If?? ??it?? ??wasn’t?? ??that?? ??Qi?? ??Rong?? ??he?? ??knew,?? ??

how?? ??could?? ??there?? ??be?? ??another?? ??‘Qi?? ??Rong’?? ??who?? ??was?? ??obsessed?? ??with?? ??the?? ??statue?? ??of?? ??the?? ??kneeling?? ??

Crown?? ??Prince??? ??And?? ??why?? ??would?? ??the?? ??sound?? ??of?? ??his?? ??voice?? ??be?? ??so?? ??familiar??? ??

The?? ??little?? ??green?? ??ghosts?? ??that?? ??surrounded?? ??Qi?? ??Rong?? ??were?? ??loudly?? ??acclaiming?? ??him?? ??king?? ??and?? ??

wildly?? ??chattered,?? ??so?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??sowhat?? ??figured?? ??out?? ??what?? ??had?? ??transpired.?? ??Turns?? ??out?? ??when?? ??

Qi?? ??Rong?? ??sent?? ??a?? ??few?? ??of?? ??his?? ??henchn?? ??to?? ??the?? ??Ghost?? ??City,?? ??they?? ??failed?? ??in?? ??causing?? ??havoc,?? ??and?? ??

was?? ??decimated?? ??by?? ??Hua?? ??Cheng.?? ??He?? ??then?? ??regrouped?? ??and?? ??was?? ??ready?? ??to?? ??fight?? ??again.?? ??But?? ??

before?? ??the?? ??second?? ??round?? ??had?? ??even?? ??started,?? ??the?? ??henchn?? ??bumped?? ??into?? ??the?? ??exiled?? ??Pei?? ??

Su?? ??on?? ??the?? ??road.?? ??Although?? ??exiled?? ??in?? ??the?? ??mortal?? ??realm,?? ??Pei?? ??Su?? ??nevertheless?? ??was?? ??once?? ??a?? ??

heavenly?? ??official,?? ??and?? ??had?? ??nothing?? ??better?? ??to?? ??do,?? ??so?? ??when?? ??the?? ??henchn?? ??bumped?? ??into?? ??him?? ??

he?? ??might?? ??as?? ??well?? ??clean?? ??them?? ??up,?? ??and?? ??so?? ??they?? ??were?? ??once?? ??again?? ??decimated.?? ??

To?? ??lose?? ??so?? ??many?? ??henchn?? ??in?? ??a?? ??short?? ??period?? ??of?? ??ti,?? ??the?? ??mont?? ??Qi?? ??Rong?? ??received?? ??the?? ??

news?? ??he?? ??was?? ??furious,?? ??and?? ??cursed?? ??nonstop:?? ??“Like?? ??ancestors?? ??like?? ??descendants,?? ??that?? ??

fucking?? ??manwhore?? ??of?? ??a?? ??Pei?? ??Ming?? ??probably?? ??has?? ??sores?? ??all?? ??over?? ??his?? ??crotch.?? ??I?? ??should?? ??chop?? ??off?? ??

both?? ??his?? ??and?? ??Pei?? ??Su’s?? ??fucking?? ??dicks?? ??and?? ??hang?? ??them?? ??at?? ??their?? ??temples,?? ??and?? ??whoever?? ??

worships?? ??them?? ??will?? ??bleed?? ??pus?? ??with?? ??every?? ??step!”?? ??

Xie?? ??Lian?? ??had?? ??to?? ??really?? ??suppress?? ??the?? ??urge?? ??to?? ??cover?? ??his?? ??ears.?? ??The?? ??profanities?? ??were?? ??the?? ??

sa;?? ??when?? ??Feng?? ??Xin?? ??got?? ??upset?? ??his?? ??curses?? ??were?? ??also?? ??too?? ??vulgar?? ??for?? ??ears,?? ??but?? ??as?? ??much?? ??

as?? ??he?? ??swore,?? ??it?? ??was?? ??obvious?? ??that?? ??they?? ??were?? ??only?? ??words?? ??of?? ??temporary?? ??anger,?? ??and?? ??there?? ??

was?? ??no?? ??real?? ??malintent.?? ??Qi?? ??Rong’s?? ??curses?? ??were?? ??different.?? ??The?? ??recipients?? ??have?? ??no?? ??doubt?? ??

that?? ??he?? ??truly?? ??wanted?? ??to?? ??curse?? ??them?? ??to?? ??die?? ??as?? ??crudely?? ??as?? ??the?? ??way?? ??he?? ??condemned,?? ??and?? ??

wholly?? ??unafraid?? ??to?? ??take?? ??cheap?? ??shots,?? ??thoroughly?? ??crass?? ??and?? ??obscene.?? ??

That?? ??group?? ??of?? ??little?? ??green?? ??ghosts?? ??agreed?? ??with?? ??Qi?? ??Rong?? ??loudly.?? ??He?? ??probably?? ??rembered?? ??

the?? ??able?? ??subordinates?? ??he?? ??worked?? ??so?? ??hard?? ??to?? ??raise,?? ??and?? ??continued,?? ??“Too?? ??bad?? ??that?? ??

strong-spirited?? ??woman?? ??Xuan?? ??Ji?? ??was?? ??captured?? ??by?? ??those?? ??two?? ??shaless?? ??Pei?? ??dogs?? ??and?? ??was?? ??

wronged?? ??so?? ??miserably.?? ??She?? ??couldn’t?? ??be?? ??saved?? ??even?? ??now.”?? ??

Xie?? ??Lian?? ??couldn’t?? ??agree?? ??with?? ??those?? ??words.?? ??Indeed?? ??Xuan?? ??Ji?? ??had?? ??a?? ??tragic?? ??story,?? ??but?? ??not?? ??

everything?? ??was?? ??General’s?? ??Pei’s?? ??fault?? ??like?? ??Qi?? ??Rong?? ??had?? ??described.?? ??After?? ??all,?? ??those?? ??ten?? ??

brides?? ??were?? ??kidnapped?? ??by?? ??her?? ??very?? ??person,?? ??and?? ??she?? ??was?? ??the?? ??one?? ??who?? ??killed?? ??them?? ??in?? ??cold?? ??

blood.?? ??Strong-spirited?? ??for?? ??sure,?? ??and?? ??a?? ??good?? ??woman?? ??indeed.?? ??But?? ??to?? ??say?? ??Little?? ??Pei?? ??only?? ??

ascended?? ??because?? ??he?? ??begged?? ??General?? ??Pei?? ??was?? ??sothing?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??couldn’t?? ??agree?? ??with.?? ??

After?? ??seeing?? ??so?? ??many?? ??to?? ??ascended?? ??and?? ??descended,?? ??there?? ??was?? ??one?? ??thing?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??could?? ??

say?? ??with?? ??absolute?? ??certainty:?? ??the?? ??skilled?? ??may?? ??not?? ??always?? ??ascend;?? ??but?? ??the?? ??ascended?? ??is?? ??

always?? ??skilled.?? ??If?? ??one?? ??is?? ??powerless,?? ??no?? ??matter?? ??who?? ??promoted?? ??them,?? ??they?? ??would?? ??not?? ??be?? ??

able?? ??to?? ??overco?? ??heavenly?? ??calamities,?? ??and?? ??could?? ??only?? ??at?? ??most?? ??be?? ??an?? ??official?? ??in?? ??the?? ??

middle?? ??court.?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??hadn’t?? ??interacted?? ??much?? ??with?? ??Pei?? ??Su,?? ??but?? ??even?? ??he?? ??could?? ??see?? ??that?? ??

Little?? ??Pei’s?? ??martial?? ??power?? ??was?? ??above?? ??that?? ??of?? ??Lang?? ??Qian?? ??Qiu.?? ??Only,?? ??power?? ??didn’t?? ??equal?? ??to?? ??

rank;?? ??there’s?? ??politics?? ??at?? ??play?? ??too,?? ??otherwise?? ??Pei?? ??Su?? ??would’ve?? ??long?? ??gotten?? ??his?? ??own?? ??palace.?? ?? ??

Obviously?? ??those?? ??things?? ??weren’t?? ??of?? ??consideration?? ??to?? ??Qi?? ??Rong.?? ??He?? ??swore?? ??like?? ??there?? ??wasn’t?? ??

a?? ??single?? ??one?? ??in?? ??all?? ??of?? ??the?? ??realms?? ??he?? ??didn’t?? ??want?? ??cursed?? ??to?? ??death.?? ??He?? ??called?? ??Pei?? ??Ming?? ??a?? ??

man?? ??whore,?? ??Little?? ??Pei?? ??a?? ??leg-hugging?? ??dog,?? ??Jun?? ??Wu?? ??a?? ??faker,?? ??Ling?? ??Wen?? ??a?? ??bitch,?? ??Lang?? ??Qian?? ??

Qiu?? ??a?? ??moron,?? ??Quan?? ??Yi?? ??Zhen?? ??shit,?? ??the?? ??Water?? ??Master?? ??black-hearted,?? ??the?? ??Wind?? ??Master?? ??a?? ??

slutty?? ??woman?? ??–?? ??he?? ??probably?? ??didn’t?? ??know?? ??Shi?? ??Qing?? ??Xuan?? ??was?? ??actually?? ??a?? ??man.?? ??If?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??

hadn’t?? ??seen?? ??it?? ??for?? ??himself,?? ??he?? ??wouldn’t?? ??be?? ??able?? ??to?? ??believe?? ??anyone?? ??could?? ??be?? ??so?? ??resentful.?? ??

Finally,?? ??Qi?? ??Rong?? ??made?? ??it?? ??to?? ??the?? ??main?? ??point,?? ??which?? ??was?? ??how?? ??Hua?? ??Cheng?? ??and?? ??that?? ??low-key?? ??

Ship-Sinking?? ??Black?? ??Water?? ??looked?? ??down?? ??on?? ??him.?? ??They?? ??were?? ??re?? ??‘Supre’s,?? ??one?? ??day?? ??

for?? ??sure?? ??he’d?? ??have?? ??them?? ??kneel?? ??before?? ??him.?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??should?? ??be?? ??angry?? ??hearing?? ??this,?? ??but?? ??

because?? ??he?? ??couldn’t?? ??even?? ??imagine?? ??how?? ??that?? ??would?? ??ever?? ??play?? ??out,?? ??he?? ??couldn’t?? ??help?? ??but?? ??

find?? ??it?? ??hilarious?? ??instead,?? ??and?? ??stole?? ??a?? ??glimpse?? ??at?? ??Hua?? ??Cheng.?? ??Hua?? ??Cheng?? ??himself?? ??didn’t?? ??

have?? ??any?? ??reaction,?? ??but?? ??instead?? ??was?? ??still?? ??closely?? ??staring?? ??at?? ??that?? ??kneeling?? ??stone?? ??statue.?? ??

Finally,?? ??thankfully,?? ??Qi?? ??Rong?? ??seed?? ??to?? ??be?? ??assuaged?? ??by?? ??all?? ??the?? ??cursing,?? ??and?? ??changed?? ??the?? ??

subject.?? ??“How?? ??was?? ??the?? ??thing?? ??I?? ??sent?? ??you?? ??guys?? ??to?? ??do??? ??Have?? ??Quan?? ??Yi?? ??Zhen?? ??and?? ??that?? ??man?? ??

whore?? ??Pei?? ??started?? ??fighting?? ??yet?”?? ??

He?? ??sat?? ??down?? ??as?? ??he?? ??spoke,?? ??lounging?? ??in?? ??his?? ??luxurious?? ??throne.?? ??He?? ??raised?? ??his?? ??legs?? ??and?? ??

rested?? ??his?? ??boots?? ??on?? ??the?? ??shoulders?? ??of?? ??that?? ??statue,?? ??using?? ??it?? ??as?? ??a?? ??footstool.?? ??

Xie?? ??Lian?? ??had?? ??been?? ??holding?? ??on?? ??to?? ??Hua?? ??Cheng’s?? ??arm,?? ??and?? ??stopped?? ??him?? ??imdiately?? ??when?? ??

he?? ??felt?? ??him?? ??shuffle?? ??a?? ??step?? ??forward.?? ??He?? ??felt?? ??the?? ??pull?? ??back?? ??may?? ??not?? ??be?? ??enough,?? ??so?? ??he?? ??drew?? ??

another?? ??word?? ??in?? ??Hua?? ??Cheng’s?? ??palm:?? ??“Thanks”?? ??

Hua?? ??Cheng?? ??recognized?? ??the?? ??word.?? ??He?? ??lowered?? ??his?? ??head,?? ??then?? ??glanced?? ??at?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??who?? ??

was?? ??watching?? ??him?? ??back?? ??with?? ??gratefulness?? ??in?? ??his?? ??eyes,?? ??thanking?? ??him?? ??for?? ??his?? ??good?? ??

intentions.?? ??Then,?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??shook?? ??his?? ??head?? ??lightly,?? ??and?? ??drew?? ??the?? ??words?? ??“Listen”?? ??and?? ??

“Heaven”.?? ??

Qi?? ??Rong?? ??was?? ??talking?? ??as?? ??if?? ??he?? ??sent?? ??henchn?? ??to?? ??do?? ??sothing,?? ??and?? ??it?? ??had?? ??sothing?? ??to?? ??

do?? ??with?? ??those?? ??two?? ??heavenly?? ??officials.?? ??It?? ??couldn’t?? ??be?? ??anything?? ??good,?? ??so?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??wanted?? ??to?? ??

keep?? ??listening.?? ??As?? ??for?? ??the?? ??statue?? ??getting?? ??used?? ??as?? ??a?? ??footstool,?? ??thinking?? ??back,?? ??it’s?? ??even?? ??

been?? ??used?? ??as?? ??a?? ??threshold?? ??before,?? ??so?? ??really?? ??it?? ??ant?? ??nothing?? ??to?? ??Xie?? ??Lian.?? ??It?? ??was?? ??only?? ??a?? ??

piece?? ??of?? ??rock,?? ??not?? ??his?? ??person.?? ??Although?? ??he?? ??had?? ??only?? ??written?? ??those?? ??three?? ??simple?? ??words,?? ??

when?? ??their?? ??eyes?? ??t,?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??knew?? ??Hua?? ??Cheng?? ??had?? ??understood?? ??what?? ??he?? ??had?? ??ant.?? ??

Hua?? ??Cheng?? ??slowly?? ??held?? ??his?? ??hand?? ??tight?? ??and?? ??turned?? ??his?? ??head?? ??away,?? ??so?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??could?? ??no?? ??

longer?? ??see?? ??his?? ??face.?? ?? ??

A?? ??little?? ??green?? ??ghost?? ??spoke?? ??up,?? ??“We?? ??followed?? ??our?? ??king’s?? ??instructions,?? ??and?? ??have?? ??long?? ??since?? ??

spread?? ??the?? ??rumours?? ??that?? ??Pei?? ??Ming?? ??wants?? ??to?? ??make?? ??Pei?? ??Su?? ??the?? ??martial?? ??god?? ??of?? ??the?? ??west.?? ??

Now?? ??it’s?? ??becoming?? ??more?? ??and?? ??more?? ??of?? ??a?? ??riot,?? ??so?? ??we?? ??used?? ??that?? ??as?? ??an?? ??excuse?? ??and?? ??

desecrated?? ??hundreds?? ??of?? ??Ming?? ??Guan?? ??temples?? ??disguised?? ??as?? ??Qi?? ??Ying?? ??palace’s?? ??devotees,?? ??

and?? ??no?? ??one?? ??was?? ??the?? ??wiser!?? ??Hahaha,?? ??my?? ??lord?? ??may?? ??not?? ??know,?? ??but?? ??those?? ??devotees?? ??are?? ??

really?? ??stupid!?? ??They?? ??saw?? ??us?? ??smashing?? ??temples,?? ??and?? ??smashed?? ??along?? ??with?? ??us?? ??with?? ??even?? ??

more?? ??enthusiasm!”?? ??

Qi?? ??Rong?? ??was?? ??pleased.?? ??“Keep?? ??fueling?? ??them!?? ??Quan?? ??Yi?? ??Zhen?? ??can?? ??endure?? ??it,?? ??but?? ??I?? ??won’t?? ??

believe?? ??that?? ??manwhore?? ??Pei?? ??Ming?? ??can?? ??put?? ??up?? ??with?? ??it!”?? ?? ??

Even?? ??if?? ??what?? ??they?? ??were?? ??spreading?? ??wasn’t?? ??exactly?? ??a?? ??rumour,?? ??this?? ??kind?? ??of?? ??fabrication?? ??was?? ??

still?? ??full?? ??of?? ??malintent,?? ??especially?? ??sothing?? ??as?? ??unscrupulous?? ??as?? ??disguising?? ??as?? ??mortals?? ??to?? ??

sabotage?? ??temples,?? ??absolutely?? ??heinous,?? ??depraved,?? ??and?? ??perverse.?? ??No?? ??wonder?? ??whenever?? ??

Qi?? ??Rong?? ??was?? ??ntioned,?? ??everyone?? ??in?? ??the?? ??heavens?? ??would?? ??say?? ??he?? ??wasn’t?? ??skilled?? ??but?? ??

extrely?? ??troubleso.?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??ntally?? ??noted,?? ??‘If?? ??there’s?? ??a?? ??chance,?? ??do?? ??tell?? ??Jun?? ??Wu?? ??to?? ??

watch?? ??for?? ??any?? ??disputes?? ??between?? ??the?? ??two?? ??heavenly?? ??officials?? ??caused?? ??by?? ??others.’?? ?? ??

When?? ??Qi?? ??Rong?? ??finished?? ??with?? ??business,?? ??he?? ??laid?? ??back,?? ??his?? ??pair?? ??of?? ??long?? ??legs?? ??resting?? ??on?? ??the?? ??

statue?? ??changed?? ??position.?? ??The?? ??little?? ??ghosts?? ??imdiately?? ??knew?? ??what?? ??to?? ??do,?? ??and?? ??went?? ??to?? ??the?? ??

small?? ??crowd?? ??of?? ??people?? ??to?? ??pick?? ??out?? ??the?? ??best?? ??cut.?? ??The?? ??one?? ??child?? ??in?? ??the?? ??group?? ??was?? ??probably?? ??

not?? ??even?? ??ten?? ??years?? ??of?? ??age,?? ??and?? ??wasn’t?? ??very?? ??cognizant?? ??of?? ??the?? ??situation.?? ??He?? ??blinked?? ??his?? ??

large?? ??eyes?? ??and?? ??held?? ??on?? ??tight?? ??to?? ??his?? ??father’s?? ??shirt?? ??corner,?? ??yanking?? ??at?? ??it?? ??the?? ??more?? ??scared?? ??he?? ??

beca.?? ??His?? ??young?? ??father’s?? ??face?? ??was?? ??ashen?? ??pale,?? ??trying?? ??to?? ??comfort?? ??him?? ??with?? ??a?? ??trembling?? ??

voice,?? ??“Don’t?? ??be?? ??scared,?? ??don’t?? ??be?? ??scared.”?? ??Yet?? ??it?? ??was?? ??obvious?? ??he?? ??himself?? ??was?? ??terrified?? ??to?? ??

the?? ??bone.?? ??

One?? ??of?? ??the?? ??little?? ??green?? ??ghosts?? ??saw?? ??there?? ??was?? ??a?? ??child?? ??and?? ??was?? ??delighted,?? ??extending?? ??its?? ??

arm?? ??to?? ??grab?? ??at?? ??him.?? ??The?? ??young?? ??father?? ??scread?? ??and?? ??jolted.?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??moved?? ??before?? ??he?? ??

knew?? ??what?? ??he?? ??was?? ??going?? ??to?? ??do,?? ??but?? ??then?? ??he?? ??felt?? ??movent?? ??from?? ??the?? ??figure?? ??next?? ??to?? ??him.?? ??

Xie?? ??Lian?? ??turned?? ??his?? ??head?? ??to?? ??see,?? ??and?? ??Hua?? ??Cheng?? ??had?? ??stepped?? ??out?? ??from?? ??within?? ??the?? ??crowd.?? ??

Since?? ??Hua?? ??Cheng?? ??ca?? ??especially?? ??to?? ??seek?? ??out?? ??the?? ??Green?? ??Ghost,?? ??now?? ??that?? ??he’d?? ??seen?? ??Qi?? ??

Rong?? ??he?? ??should’ve?? ??removed?? ??the?? ??disguise.?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??had?? ??no?? ??doubt?? ??that?? ??Hua?? ??Cheng?? ??was?? ??

powerful?? ??enough?? ??to?? ??destroy?? ??everything?? ??within?? ??sight?? ??and?? ??no?? ??one?? ??would?? ??be?? ??able?? ??to?? ??stop?? ??

him.?? ??Yet,?? ??Hua?? ??Cheng?? ??did?? ??not?? ??reveal?? ??his?? ??true?? ??form,?? ??and?? ??maintained?? ??the?? ??skin?? ??of?? ??that?? ??normal?? ??

looking?? ??young?? ??man,?? ??and?? ??walked?? ??forward?? ??lazily.?? ??

A?? ??number?? ??of?? ??little?? ??green?? ??ghosts?? ??raised?? ??their?? ??weapons?? ??and?? ??shouted?? ??in?? ??alarm,?? ??“Stop!?? ??What?? ??

are?? ??you?? ??doing?!”?? ?? ??

Qi?? ??Rong?? ??asked?? ??curiously,?? ??with?? ??this?? ??feet?? ??still?? ??up,?? ??“What’s?? ??with?? ??that?? ??little?? ??guy??? ??Take?? ??him?? ??

down.”?? ?? ??

Hua?? ??Cheng?? ??laughed,?? ??“Won’t?? ??you?? ??all?? ??show?? ??a?? ??little?? ??respect?? ??in?? ??the?? ??presence?? ??of?? ??XianLe?? ??

royalty?”?? ??

Hearing?? ??his?? ??words,?? ??not?? ??only?? ??Qi?? ??Rong,?? ??but?? ??even?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??was?? ??taken?? ??aback.?? ?? ??

After?? ??a?? ??frozen?? ??mont,?? ??Qi?? ??Rong?? ??stood?? ??up?? ??in?? ??a?? ??fit,?? ??snorted?? ??beneath?? ??the?? ??mask,?? ??as?? ??if?? ??his?? ??

fury?? ??was?? ??changed?? ??to?? ??a?? ??mad?? ??laugh,?? ??“What?? ??fucking?? ??bravery!?? ??To?? ??make?? ??such?? ??a?? ??joke?? ??before?? ??

?!?? ??Tell?? ??,?? ??and?? ??what?? ??branch?? ??of?? ??the?? ??XianLe?? ??royal?? ??blood?? ??are?? ??you?? ??from??? ??Which?? ??one??”?? ?? ??

Hua?? ??Cheng?? ??replied?? ??leisurely,?? ??“The?? ??Prince?? ??An?? ??Le.”?? ??

Xie?? ??Lian?? ??could?? ??feel?? ??the?? ??Lang?? ??Qian?? ??Qiu?? ??daruma?? ??doll?? ??in?? ??his?? ??arms?? ??jerk?? ??once.?? ??

Prince?? ??An?? ??Le?? ??was?? ??the?? ??descendant?? ??of?? ??the?? ??XianLe?? ??royalty?? ??the?? ??sa?? ??generation?? ??as?? ??Lang?? ??

Qian?? ??Qiu,?? ??and?? ??could?? ??be?? ??said?? ??to?? ??be?? ??friends?? ??with?? ??Lang?? ??Qian?? ??Qiu.?? ??

Qi?? ??Rong’s?? ??mocking?? ??laugh?? ??could?? ??be?? ??heard?? ??from?? ??under?? ??the?? ??mask,?? ??“Prince?? ??An?? ??Le??? ??I?? ??think?? ??

you’re?? ??seeking?? ??your?? ??own?? ??death!?? ??Who?? ??told?? ??you?? ??to?? ??start?? ??shit?? ??in?? ??front?? ??of?? ????? ??The?? ??person?? ??

who?? ??appointed?? ??you?? ??didn’t?? ??teach?? ??you?? ??a?? ??little?? ??history??? ??Prince?? ??An?? ??Le?? ??was?? ??the?? ??last?? ??remaining?? ??

royal?? ??blood?? ??of?? ??XianLe,?? ??and?? ??he’s?? ??already?? ??dead!?? ??Who?? ??the?? ??fuck?? ??are?? ??you?? ??to?? ??pretend?? ??to?? ??be?? ??

XianLe?? ??royalty?? ??before?? ???”?? ?? ??

Hua?? ??Cheng?? ??raised?? ??his?? ??brow,?? ??“Oh??? ??Dead??? ??How?? ??did?? ??he?? ??die?”?? ??

Qi?? ??Rong?? ??shouted,?? ??“TAKE?? ??HIM?? ??DOWN!?? ??TAKE?? ??DOWN?? ??THAT?? ??ODD?? ??PIECE?? ??OF?? ??SHIT!”?? ??

Under?? ??his?? ??command,?? ??a?? ??large?? ??number?? ??of?? ??little?? ??green?? ??ghosts?? ??poured?? ??in?? ??from?? ??all?? ??around?? ??the?? ??

cave,?? ??yelling.?? ??In?? ??the?? ??midst?? ??of?? ??that?? ??chaos,?? ??Hua?? ??Cheng?? ??only?? ??smirked?? ??faintly.?? ??

His?? ??expression?? ??was?? ??nonchalant?? ??before,?? ??but?? ??the?? ??next?? ??mont?? ??it?? ??was?? ??as?? ??if?? ??a?? ??layer?? ??of?? ??frost?? ??

had?? ??been?? ??laid?? ??upon?? ??his?? ??face.?? ??His?? ??form?? ??suddenly?? ??flickered?? ??and?? ??disappeared,?? ??appearing?? ??

the?? ??next?? ??blink?? ??behind?? ??Qi?? ??Rong.?? ??

He?? ??single-handedly?? ??grabbed?? ??the?? ??back?? ??of?? ??Qi?? ??Rong’s?? ??head,?? ??and?? ??smashed?? ??it?? ??down?? ??hard?? ??like?? ??

a?? ??child?? ??playing?? ??with?? ??a?? ??ball.?? ??“And?? ??who?? ??the?? ??fuck?? ??are?? ??you,?? ??to?? ??be?? ??so?? ??insolent?? ??before?? ??!”?? ?? ??

A?? ??loud?? ????BANG???? ??and?? ??that?? ??luxurious?? ??throne?? ??suddenly?? ??had?? ??debris?? ??flying,?? ??dust?? ??filled?? ??the?? ??air.?? ??Xie?? ??

Lian?? ??pulled?? ??the?? ??child?? ??behind?? ??himself?? ??to?? ??shield?? ??him,?? ??and?? ??blocked?? ??off?? ??a?? ??few?? ??small?? ??pebbles.?? ??

When?? ??the?? ??dust?? ??settled,?? ??Qi?? ??Rong?? ??had?? ??disappeared.?? ??At?? ??a?? ??closer?? ??look,?? ??he?? ??didn’t?? ??disappear,?? ??

but?? ??his?? ??entire?? ??head?? ??was?? ??deeply?? ??embedded?? ??into?? ??the?? ??ground?? ??after?? ??Hua?? ??Cheng’s?? ??blow.?? ??

Humans?? ??and?? ??ghosts?? ??alike?? ??scread?? ??and?? ??ran?? ??away.?? ??

“Don’t?? ??run?? ??away!”?? ??Xie?? ??lian?? ??shouted.?? ??If?? ??the?? ??people?? ??alerted?? ??all?? ??the?? ??ghosts?? ??within?? ??the?? ??cave,?? ??

they’d?? ??be?? ??killed?? ??for?? ??sure!?? ??But?? ??of?? ??course,?? ??as?? ??always,?? ??no?? ??one?? ??listened?? ??to?? ??him.?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??

dropped?? ??his?? ??hands?? ??helplessly.?? ?? ??

Under?? ??the?? ??circumstances,?? ??he?? ??had?? ??no?? ??ti?? ??to?? ??worry?? ??about?? ??others?? ??either.?? ??Across?? ??the?? ??room,?? ??

Hua?? ??Cheng?? ??slowly?? ??knelt?? ??down;?? ??he?? ??used?? ??one?? ??hand?? ??to?? ??grab?? ??a?? ??fistful?? ??of?? ??Qi?? ??Rong’s?? ??hair,?? ??and?? ??

pulled?? ??out?? ??a?? ??bloodied?? ??head?? ??from?? ??the?? ??hole?? ??in?? ??the?? ??ground,?? ??and?? ??the?? ??body?? ??was?? ??pulled?? ??out?? ??

along?? ??with?? ??the?? ??head.?? ??After?? ??a?? ??brief?? ??mont?? ??of?? ??observation,?? ??Hua?? ??Cheng?? ??seed?? ??to?? ??be?? ??

extrely?? ??amused,?? ??and?? ??burst?? ??out?? ??laughing.?? ?? ??

Although?? ??he?? ??was?? ??laughing,?? ??his?? ??eyes?? ??were?? ??off?? ??by?? ??a?? ??million?? ??watts,?? ??eerie?? ??and?? ??terrifying.?? ??

RuoYe?? ??flew?? ??out?? ??and?? ??struck?? ??away?? ??a?? ??few?? ??of?? ??the?? ??little?? ??green?? ??ghosts?? ??who?? ??were?? ??trying?? ??to?? ??cut?? ??

down?? ??the?? ??escaping?? ??people.?? ??Xie?? ??Lian?? ??then?? ??turned?? ??around?? ??in?? ??a?? ??rush,?? ??his?? ??instincts?? ??telling?? ??

him?? ??sothing?? ??was?? ??very?? ??wrong.?? ??“San?? ??Lang??? ??San?? ??Lang!”?? ??

Qi?? ??Rong’s?? ??mask?? ??cracked,?? ??so?? ??pieces?? ??falling.?? ??He?? ??threw?? ??up?? ??a?? ??mouthful?? ??of?? ??blood?? ??and?? ??

yelled,?? ??“SOBODY?? ??STOP?? ??HIM!?? ??Y’ALL?? ??CO?? ??AND?? ??STOP?? ??HIM!!”?? ??

Hua?? ??Cheng?? ??was?? ??just?? ??violently?? ??bashing?? ??him,?? ??but?? ??now?? ??he?? ??seed?? ??to?? ??be?? ??at?? ??ease?? ??as?? ??if?? ??they?? ??

were?? ??best?? ??buddies?? ??and?? ??chatting.?? ??He?? ??chuckled,?? ??“Oh,?? ??didn’t?? ??you?? ??know??? ??There?? ??are?? ??so?? ??

things?? ??in?? ??this?? ??world?? ??that’s?? ??unstoppable.?? ??Like,?? ??the?? ??sun?? ??setting?? ??in?? ??the?? ??west.?? ??Also,?? ??an?? ??

elephant?? ??squashing?? ??an?? ??ant.?? ??Or?? ??for?? ??example,?? ??—-?? ???? ??TAKING?? ??YOUR?? ??LOWLY?? ??LIFE!”?? ??

By?? ??his?? ??last?? ??line,?? ??his?? ??face?? ??was?? ??savage?? ??and?? ??ferocious.?? ??He?? ??had?? ??in?? ??his?? ??hold?? ??Qi?? ??Rong’s?? ??whole?? ??

body,?? ??and?? ??he?? ??bashed?? ??it?? ??down?? ??into?? ??the?? ??ground?? ??again!?? ??

Another?? ??loud?? ????BANG??.?? ??Qi?? ??Rong’s?? ??body?? ??laid?? ??in?? ??the?? ??ground?? ??and?? ??was?? ??smushed?? ??into?? ??a?? ??pool?? ??

worse?? ??than?? ??mush.?? ??The?? ??mask?? ??on?? ??his?? ??face?? ??cracked,?? ??breaking?? ??into?? ??small?? ??pieces?? ??revealing?? ??

half?? ??a?? ??face.?? ?? ??

If?? ??anyone?? ??were?? ??to?? ??see?? ??that?? ??half?? ??a?? ??face,?? ??they’d?? ??discover?? ??a?? ??shocking?? ??fact:?? ??

The?? ??Green?? ??Ghost?? ??Qi?? ??Rong?? ??and?? ??the?? ??Crown?? ??Prince?? ??of?? ??XianLe,?? ??one?? ??ghost?? ??one?? ??god,?? ??a?? ??

difference?? ??of?? ??hell?? ??and?? ??heaven,?? ??looked?? ??very?? ??much?? ??alike!?? ??

———–?? ??

●Baqian?? ??Taizi?? ??Temple?? ??translates?? ??to?? ??the?? ??Temple?? ??of?? ??Eight?? ??Thousand?? ??Crowned?? ??

Princes?? ??

●MXTX?? ??Author?? ??Note:?? ??[SPOILER?? ??in?? ??white?? ??font]???? ??Of?? ??course?? ??there?? ??won’t?? ??be?? ??the?? ??

overused?? ??cliche?? ??of?? ??”Because?? ??the?? ??culprit?? ??looks?? ??like?? ??the?? ??protag?? ??so?? ??they?? ??went?? ??to?? ??kill?? ??

pretending?? ??to?? ??be?? ??protag,?? ??and?? ??made?? ??protag?? ??take?? ??the?? ??bla.”?? ??