Read Heaven Official's Blessing Chapter 151-160

Chapter 151-160

Ch.151:? ?Panic? ?Left? ?and? ?Right;? ?East? ?or? ?West? ?Undecided? ?3? ?

“Really?? ?How? ?can? ?you? ?tell?”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?asked.? ?

Hua? ?Cheng? ?was? ?about? ?to? ?speak? ?when? ?Pei? ?Su,? ?whose? ?speech? ?was? ?broken,? ?extended? ?his? ?

trembling? ?finger? ?and? ?started? ?writing? ?on? ?the? ?ground.? ?Out? ?of? ?some? ?unknown? ?respect,? ?the? ?group? ?

gathered? ?to? ?watch? ?him,? ?and? ?crookedly,? ?the? ?words? ?‘battle? ?formation’? ?were? ?formed? ?under? ?his? ?finger.? ?

Once? ?he? ?was? ?done? ?writing,? ?it? ?was? ?like? ?he? ?had? ?used? ?up? ?the? ?last? ?bit? ?of? ?his? ?energy,? ?clenched? ?his? ?

hand? ?into? ?a? ?fist,? ?and? ?stopped? ?moving.? ?

Hua? ?Cheng? ?raised? ?his? ?head,? ?“This? ?is? ?it? ?exactly.? ?The? ?Protection? ?Steed? ?of? ?the? ?Rain? ?Master? ?is? ?a? ?

black? ?ox? ?transformed? ?from? ?the? ?golden? ?beast? ?on? ?the? ?knocker? ?to? ?the? ?gates? ?of? ?the? ?Royal? ?Cultivation? ?

Hall? ?of? ?the? ?Kingdom? ?of? ?YuShi.? ?Usually? ?when? ?it? ?walked? ?it? ?wouldn’t? ?leave? ?traces,? ?but? ?once? ?it? ?enters? ?

battle,? ?it? ?would? ?change? ?form.? ?So,? ?this? ?hoof? ?mark? ?is? ?different? ?than? ?the? ?shapes? ?of? ?normal? ?hoof? ?

marks;? ?it’s? ?much? ?bigger.”? ?

“Lord? ?Ghost? ?King? ?is? ?shockingly? ?well-informed.”? ?Pei? ?Ming? ?commented.? ?

Hua? ?Cheng? ?pointed? ?at? ?the? ?marks? ?on? ?the? ?ground? ?and? ?continued? ?to? ?speak? ?to? ?Xie? ?Lian,? ?“Gege,? ?look? ?

here.”? ? ?

Xie? ?Lian? ?moved? ?his? ?head? ?closer,? ?“Yea,? ?you’re? ?right...? ?this? ?hoof? ?mark? ?appeared? ?very? ?suddenly,? ?so? ?

it? ?must’ve? ?also? ?been? ?very? ?sudden? ?when? ?they? ?ran? ?into? ?the? ?enemy.”? ? ?

“Yea,”? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?said,? ?“And? ?this? ?hoof? ?mark? ?is? ?deep,? ?so? ?it’s? ?obvious? ?the? ?enemy? ?wasn’t? ?weak.? ?

That? ?ox? ?fought? ?the? ?enemy? ?here? ?with? ?its? ?horns,? ?and? ?was? ?pressed? ?deep? ?into? ?the? ?earth? ?for? ?more? ?

than? ?two? ?inches.”? ? ?

The? ?two? ?were? ?simulating? ?the? ?fight? ?scene? ?that? ?had? ?just? ?passed,? ?and? ?Pei? ?Ming? ?also? ?didn’t? ?back? ?

down,? ?“But? ?in? ?the? ?end,? ?both? ?sides? ?ended? ?in? ?a? ?tie.”? ?

“That’s? ?right.”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?agreed.? ?

There? ?was? ?no? ?trace? ?of? ?blood? ?around? ?nor? ?dispersing? ?essences? ?of? ?evil,? ?so? ?it? ?appeared,? ?when? ?they? ?

ran? ?into? ?each? ?other,? ?they? ?matched? ?on? ?quick? ?and? ?hard,? ?but? ?once? ?they? ?found? ?each? ?other? ?a? ?pain? ?to? ?

deal? ?with,? ?they? ?both? ?abandoned? ?the? ?fight.? ?

Hua? ?Cheng? ?informed? ?them? ?that? ?the? ?creature? ?in? ?the? ?east? ?had? ?changed? ?its? ?direction,? ?and? ?the? ?group? ?

continued? ?on? ?westward,? ?but? ?now? ?their? ?pace? ?slowed.? ?Soon,? ?a? ?giant,? ?peculiar? ?building? ?appeared? ?on? ?

the? ?side? ?of? ?the? ?road.? ?Looking? ?from? ?afar,? ?it? ?was? ?more? ?impressive? ?than? ?all? ?the? ?other? ?houses? ?around,? ?

and? ?even? ?though? ?some? ?of? ?its? ?enclosures? ?and? ?eaves? ?were? ?collapsed,? ?it? ?still? ?assumed? ?a? ?presence? ?

of? ?awe.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?unconsciously? ?stopped? ?in? ?his? ?step,? ?“What? ?is? ?this? ?place?”? ? ?

Hua? ?Cheng? ?only? ?gave? ?it? ?a? ?glance? ?and? ?answered,? ?“WuYong’s? ?divine? ?temple.”? ?

Pei? ?Ming? ?had? ?one? ?of? ?Pei? ?Su’s? ?arm? ?hooked? ?over? ?his? ?shoulders? ?to? ?drag? ?him? ?along,? ?“And? ?how? ?does? ?

Hua? ?Chengzhu? ?know? ?it’s? ?a? ?divine? ?temple?”? ? ?

“Because? ?it’s? ?written? ?on? ?it.”? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?said.? ?

Hearing? ?this,? ?the? ?group? ?looked? ?up.? ?On? ?the? ?surface? ?of? ?the? ?stone? ?beam? ?before? ?the? ?gates? ?of? ?this? ?

building,? ?indeed? ?there? ?were? ?engraved? ?a? ?row? ?of? ?giant? ?characters.? ?Although? ?worn? ?through? ?the? ?

ages,? ?and? ?there? ?were? ?some? ?strange? ?scratch? ?marks,? ?but? ?they? ?were? ?still? ?considerably? ?clear.? ?

However,? ?after? ?some? ?silence,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?said,? ?“There’s? ?certainly? ?writing,? ?but...”? ?

But? ?he? ?couldn’t? ?understand? ?this? ?writing? ?at? ?all!? ? ?

He? ?had? ?never? ?imagined? ?that? ?not? ?even? ?something? ?like? ?this? ?could? ?trip? ?up? ?Hua? ?Cheng.? ?

He? ?turned? ?to? ?Xie? ?Lian,? ?“The? ?gist? ?of? ?the? ?meaning? ?to? ?that? ?row? ?of? ?words? ?is? ?‘Eminent? ?Crown? ?Prince? ?

Descends? ?With? ?Light? ?to? ?Shine? ?Everlasting? ?Unto? ?the? ?Land? ?of? ?WuYong’? ?and? ?such? ?nonsensical? ?

praises.? ?Gege? ?look,? ?the? ?last? ?couple? ?of? ?characters? ?at? ?the? ?end? ?there,? ?don’t? ?they? ?resemble? ?‘Wu’? ?and? ?

‘Yong’?”? ?

When? ?he? ?heard? ?‘Eminent? ?Crown? ?Prince’,? ?Xie? ?Lian’s? ?expression? ?twitched? ?unnoticeably,? ?and? ?when? ?

he? ?looked? ?closer,? ?sure? ?enough? ?although? ?that? ?row? ?of? ?characters? ?looked? ?like? ?the? ?drawings? ?of? ?

children,? ?all? ?circles? ?and? ?curves? ?mixed? ?with? ?many? ?odd? ?symbols,? ?but? ?the? ?words? ?‘WuYong’? ?were? ?in? ?

shapes? ?and? ?strokes? ?he? ?was? ?familiar? ?with,? ?like? ?they? ?were? ?just? ?derivative? ?writing.? ?

“Hua? ?Chengzhu? ?can? ?actually? ?read? ?and? ?interpret? ?the? ?lost? ?writing? ?of? ?an? ?ancient? ?kingdom,? ?I? ?am? ?truly? ?

in? ?awe.”? ?Pei? ?Ming? ?said.? ?

Hua? ?Cheng? ?cocked? ?an? ?eyebrow? ?and? ?smiled? ?fakely,? ?“I’ve? ?stayed? ?in? ?Mount? ?TongLu? ?for? ?ten? ?years.? ?

Much? ?can? ?already? ?be? ?done? ?in? ?a? ?month,? ?if? ?I? ?can’t? ?even? ?interpret? ?some? ?words? ?after? ?ten? ?years,? ?then? ?

what? ?am? ?I? ?doing? ?on? ?this? ?earth,? ?am? ?I? ?right?”? ? ?

Not? ?even? ?the? ?top? ?ten? ?civil? ?gods? ?in? ?the? ?Upper? ?Heavens? ?might? ?dare? ?proclaim? ?such? ?words,? ?and? ?as? ?a? ?

martial? ?god,? ?what? ?could? ?Pei? ?Ming? ?do?? ?So? ?he? ?could? ?only? ?smile? ?fakely? ?too,? ?“Perhaps.”? ?

Xie? ?Lian? ?puffed? ?a? ?breath? ?lightly,? ?“Thank? ?goodness? ?San? ?Lang? ?is? ?here.”? ?

“I? ?can? ?only? ?maybe? ?translate? ?some? ?rough? ?WuYong? ?words.”? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?said,? ?“If? ?we? ?run? ?into? ?more? ?

difficult? ?ones? ?then? ?I’ll? ?need? ?to? ?ask? ?gege? ?to? ?help? ?evaluate? ?together.”? ? ?

Xie? ?Lian? ?sweated,? ?“Um...? ?I’m? ?sure? ?I’m? ?not? ?as? ?good? ?as? ?San? ?Lang? ?in? ?this.? ?But,? ?the? ?god? ?worshipped? ?

by? ?WuYong,? ?is? ?it? ?also? ?their? ?crown? ?prince?”? ? ?

Hua? ?Cheng? ?hugged? ?his? ?arms,? ?“I? ?think? ?so,? ?yes.”? ? ?

Xie? ?Lian? ?frowned? ?to? ?think,? ?“If? ?my? ?master? ?knew? ?of? ?the? ?crown? ?prince? ?of? ?WuYong,? ?then? ?he? ?must? ?also? ?

know? ?if? ?he? ?ascended.? ?So? ?why? ?did? ?he? ?tell? ?me? ?that? ?that? ?crown? ?prince? ?‘died’?”? ?

“There? ?are? ?three? ?possibilities,”? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?said,? ?“First,? ?he? ?didn’t? ?actually? ?know;? ?second,? ?he’s? ?

lying;? ?third,? ?he? ?didn’t? ?lie,? ?and? ?the? ?crown? ?prince? ?of? ?WuYong? ?really? ?did? ?die,? ?but? ?it? ?wasn’t? ?a? ?typical? ?

death.”? ? ?

“If? ?the? ?Emperor? ?was? ?here? ?then? ?perhaps? ?we? ?could’ve? ?asked? ?if? ?he? ?knew? ?of? ?this? ?kingdom,? ?if? ?he? ?knew? ?

such? ?a? ?person.”? ?Pei? ?Ming? ?said.? ?

However,? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?said,? ?“Maybe? ?not.? ?The? ?Kingdom? ?of? ?WuYong? ?disappeared? ?over? ?two? ?

thousand? ?years? ?ago.? ?In? ?comparison,? ?Jun? ?Wu? ?is? ?only? ?a? ?young’un.? ?They’re? ?of? ?completely? ?different? ?

dynasties.”? ?

Jun? ?Wu? ?ascended? ?around? ?one? ?thousand? ?five? ?hundred? ?years? ?ago,? ?and? ?was? ?a? ?famed? ?general? ?of? ?a? ?

warring? ?era? ?who? ?later? ?proclaimed? ?himself? ?king? ?and? ?successfully? ?became? ?an? ?immortal? ?after? ?ruling? ?

for? ?some? ?time.? ?As? ?the? ?number? ?one? ?martial? ?god? ?who? ?ruled? ?for? ?a? ?thousand? ?years,? ?his? ?background? ?

was? ?already? ?completely? ?out? ?in? ?the? ?open.? ?As? ?for? ?the? ?‘dynasties’? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?spoke? ?of,? ?he? ?was? ?

referring? ?to? ?the? ?dynasties? ?of? ?the? ?heavens.? ?

Currently,? ?Jun? ?Wu? ?was? ?the? ?ruler,? ?and? ?hundreds? ?of? ?heavenly? ?officials? ?formed? ?the? ?Upper? ?Court,? ?

making? ?the? ?current? ?dynasty,? ?and? ?the? ?government? ?before? ?them? ?belonged? ?to? ?a? ?different? ?dynasty.? ?

Just? ?as? ?how? ?regimes? ?change? ?in? ?the? ?mortal? ?realm,? ?the? ?heavenly? ?realm? ?would? ?also? ?go? ?through? ?

dynasty? ?changes.? ?Although? ?the? ?time? ?it’d? ?take? ?would? ?be? ?very,? ?very? ?long,? ?but? ?fundamentally? ?they’re? ?

the? ?same.? ?New? ?worshippers? ?would? ?replace? ?the? ?old,? ?and? ?new? ?gods? ?would? ?replace? ?the? ?old? ?ones.? ?

Sometimes,? ?the? ?decline? ?of? ?a? ?god? ?wasn’t? ?caused? ?by? ?any? ?mistakes? ?he? ?might’ve? ?done? ?and? ?was? ?

banished? ?as? ?a? ?result,? ?but? ?because? ?another,? ?more? ?powerful? ?god? ?had? ?appeared,? ?for? ?no? ?other? ?

reason? ?than? ?because? ?people’s? ?lives? ?and? ?beliefs? ?gradually? ?changed? ?and? ?no? ?longer? ?needed? ?him.? ?

For? ?example,? ?a? ?heavenly? ?official? ?who? ?controlled? ?horses? ?must? ?dwell? ?very? ?well? ?because? ?people? ?

couldn’t? ?leave? ?their? ?horses? ?and? ?carriages? ?alone? ?when? ?they? ?were? ?in? ?need? ?of? ?transportation.? ?Who? ?

wouldn’t? ?want? ?their? ?horses? ?to? ?be? ?strong? ?and? ?healthy,? ?their? ?travels? ?safe?? ?Thus,? ?his? ?donations? ?

would? ?never? ?cease.? ?

However,? ?if? ?one? ?day? ?mortals? ?discovered? ?something? ?completely? ?new? ?that? ?ran? ?faster? ?than? ?horses,? ?

then? ?when? ?this? ?new? ?invention? ?overtook? ?horses,? ?worshippers? ?of? ?this? ?heavenly? ?official? ?who? ?

controlled? ?horses? ?would? ?inevitably? ?decrease.? ?Such? ?heavenly? ?officials? ?who? ?flash? ?by? ?like? ?shooting? ?

stars? ?make? ?up? ?the? ?majority? ?of? ?the? ?heavens.? ?

This? ?way? ?of? ?decline? ?was? ?the? ?cruelest,? ?because? ?the? ?process? ?could? ?not? ?be? ?turned? ?around.? ?Unless? ?

that? ?heavenly? ?official? ?jumped? ?down? ?from? ?the? ?heavens? ?and? ?return? ?to? ?being? ?mortal? ?to? ?re-cultivate? ?a? ?

new? ?path,? ?to? ?become? ?a? ?brand? ?new? ?god? ?and? ?ascend,? ?then? ?he? ?would? ?be? ?destined? ?to? ?watch? ?his? ?own? ?

decline? ?until? ?he? ?disappeared.? ?However,? ?not? ?everyone? ?possessed? ?the? ?courage? ?and? ?fortune.? ?

The? ?gods? ?of? ?the? ?previous? ?dynasty? ?were? ?said? ?to? ?have? ?faded? ?thus,? ?and? ?some? ?also? ?said? ?it? ?was? ?

because? ?they? ?caused? ?a? ?great? ?calamity,? ?fought? ?a? ?chaotic? ?battle,? ?which? ?was? ?why? ?they? ?all? ?fell? ?from? ?

grace? ?at? ?the? ?same? ?time.? ?But,? ?it? ?couldn’t? ?be? ?proven,? ?and? ?it? ?wasn’t? ?important? ?anymore.? ?Since,? ?a? ?few? ?

centuries? ?later,? ?Jun? ?Wu? ?was? ?born,? ?and? ?created? ?a? ?new? ?heavenly? ?dynasty.? ?Also,? ?following? ?right? ?

after? ?him,? ?a? ?great? ?number? ?of? ?heavenly? ?officials? ?of? ?the? ?new? ?age? ?ascended? ?incessantly,? ?filling? ?the? ?

gaps? ?for? ?the? ?worshippers,? ?and? ?gradually? ?formed? ?the? ?stable? ?Upper? ?Court? ?of? ?today.? ?

Which? ?meant,? ?unless? ?there? ?were? ?heavenly? ?officials? ?older? ?than? ?the? ?one? ?thousand? ?five? ?hundred? ?

year? ?old? ?Jun? ?Wu,? ?there? ?was? ?no? ?one? ?who? ?could? ?know? ?of? ?how? ?the? ?god? ?worshipped? ?in? ?the? ?Kingdom? ?

of? ?WuYong? ?was? ?silently? ?wiped? ?of? ?all? ?traces.? ?

The? ?group? ?of? ?them? ?crossed? ?over? ?the? ?mostly? ?collapsed? ?enclosure? ?and? ?entered? ?the? ?dark? ?great? ?hall.? ?

It? ?only? ?took? ?a? ?few? ?steps? ?for? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?to? ?notice? ?something? ?amiss.? ?

He? ?had? ?thought? ?the? ?great? ?hall? ?was? ?dark? ?on? ?the? ?inside? ?because? ?the? ?interior? ?hadn’t? ?seen? ?light? ?for? ?

years,? ?the? ?windows? ?all? ?shut.? ?Yet,? ?after? ?looking? ?around,? ?the? ?more? ?he? ?looked? ?the? ?more? ?he? ?found? ?

things? ?peculiar.? ?He? ?walked? ?next? ?to? ?the? ?wall,? ?his? ?fingers? ?brushing? ?lightly? ?across,? ?and? ?when? ?he? ?

brought? ?them? ?before? ?his? ?eyes,? ?he? ?blurted,? ?“This? ?is...”? ?

“Black.”? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?said.? ?

It? ?wasn’t? ?that? ?the? ?light? ?was? ?dim,? ?it? ?was? ?that? ?the? ?walls? ?of? ?this? ?immense? ?divine? ?hall? ?were? ?all? ?black!? ?

“As? ?far? ?as? ?I? ?know,? ?almost? ?all? ?the? ?divine? ?temples? ?in? ?Mount? ?TongLu? ?are? ?like? ?this,”? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?said.? ?

It? ?was? ?a? ?chilling? ?sight.? ?Why? ?would? ?the? ?walls? ?of? ?divine? ?temples? ?be? ?painted? ?in? ?the? ?colour? ?as? ?black? ?as? ?

hell?? ?Just? ?seeing? ?the? ?colour? ?makes? ?one? ?anxious,? ?so? ?how? ?could? ?anyone? ?worship? ?the? ?divine? ?with? ?a? ?

sincere? ?heart? ?in? ?this? ?state?? ?

“All? ?like? ?this?”? ?Pei? ?Ming? ?wondered,? ?“Rotten? ?away? ?from? ?neglect? ?perhaps?”? ? ?

“The? ?houses? ?we? ?passed? ?by? ?earlier? ?were? ?black? ?like? ?this,”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?said,? ?“Technically,? ?those? ?houses? ?

would’ve? ?been? ?the? ?same? ?in? ?age.”? ?

As? ?he? ?spoke,? ?he? ?continued? ?to? ?feel? ?and? ?lightly? ?explored? ?the? ?walls? ?of? ?this? ?divine? ?temple.? ?Not? ?only? ?

were? ?the? ?walls? ?chillingly? ?black,? ?they? ?were? ?also? ?rugged,? ?like? ?the? ?ruined? ?face? ?of? ?a? ?woman? ?that? ?was? ?

covered? ?with? ?scars,? ?and? ?it? ?was? ?also? ?exceedingly? ?solid.? ?Something? ?clicked? ?in? ?Xie? ?Lian’s? ?mind,? ?

“This? ?divine? ?temple? ?was? ?burnt? ?by? ?fire? ?before.”? ?

“How? ?can? ?you? ?tell?”? ?Pei? ?Ming? ?asked.? ?

Xie? ?Lian? ?turned? ?around,? ?“The? ?walls? ?of? ?this? ?divine? ?temple? ?should’ve? ?been? ?covered? ?with? ?murals? ?

before,? ?painted? ?with? ?a? ?special? ?paint,? ?a? ?very? ?heavy? ?layer.? ?After? ?fires? ?have? ?burnt? ?them,? ?they? ?would? ?

turn? ?black,? ?and? ?parts? ?would? ?melt? ?and? ?change? ?shape.? ?After? ?solidifying,? ?they? ?would? ?feel? ?rugged? ?and? ?

hard? ?like? ?this.”? ? ?

“Your? ?Highness? ?certainly? ?knows? ?a? ?lot,? ?I? ?might? ?as? ?well? ?be? ?in? ?awe? ?of? ?you? ?too.”? ?Pei? ?Ming? ?said.? ?

Xie? ?Lian? ?rubbed? ?his? ?forehead? ?and? ?lightly? ?cleared? ?his? ?throat,? ?“This...? ?isn’t? ?anything? ?to? ?be? ?in? ?awe? ?of.? ?

I? ?only? ?know? ?because? ?in? ?the? ?past,? ?after? ?many? ?of? ?my? ?crown? ?prince? ?palaces? ?were? ?burnt,? ?they’d? ?end? ?

up? ?like? ?this,”? ? ?

“...”? ?

Hearing? ?this,? ?the? ?crowd? ?fell? ?silent.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?suddenly? ?remembered? ?another? ?thing,? ?“And? ?that? ?stone? ?

beam? ?outside!? ?There? ?were? ?many? ?scratch? ?marks? ?on? ?those? ?engraved? ?praises? ?on? ?the? ?stone? ?beam,? ?

and? ?it? ?didn’t? ?look? ?like? ?regular? ?wears? ?and? ?tears,? ?so? ?it? ?must’ve? ?been? ?people? ?who? ?were? ?slashing? ?at? ?it? ?

with? ?blades.”? ? ?

Pei? ?Ming? ?frowned,? ?“Why? ?would? ?they? ?do? ?that?”? ? ?

Hua? ?Cheng? ?replied? ?coldly,? ?“Because? ?they? ?don’t? ?agree? ?with? ?the? ?words.”? ? ?

“That’s? ?right.”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?said,? ?“It’s? ?the? ?same? ?as? ?breaking? ?an? ?establishment? ?plaque.”? ? ?

Ban? ?Yue? ?was? ?slightly? ?taken? ?aback,? ?“So,? ?this? ?divine? ?temple? ?was? ?burnt? ?down? ?by? ?the? ?people? ?of? ?

WuYong? ?themselves?”? ? ?

After? ?some? ?silence,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?was? ?about? ?to? ?speak? ?when? ?Pei? ?Ming? ?suddenly? ?said,? ?“What’s? ?the? ?

meaning? ?of? ?this?”? ? ?

Xie? ?Lian? ?turned? ?his? ?head? ?to? ?see,? ?and? ?saw? ?Pei? ?Ming? ?raising? ?his? ?left? ?arm,? ?a? ?scorpion? ?tailed? ?snake? ?

biting? ?deeply? ?into? ?his? ?left? ?hand,? ?and? ?its? ?tail? ?was? ?swinging,? ?trying? ?to? ?sting? ?him.? ?Ban? ?Yue? ?was? ?ready? ?

to? ?kneel? ?again,? ?“I’m? ?sorry,? ?I’ve? ?snakes? ?all? ?over? ?my? ?body...”? ?

Xie? ?Lian? ?didn’t? ?know? ?whether? ?to? ?laugh? ?or? ?cry? ?and? ?held? ?her? ?up,? ?“Ban? ?Yue,? ?don’t? ?get? ?into? ?the? ?habit? ?

of? ?kneeling? ?to? ?apologize.? ?General? ?Pei,? ?how? ?did? ?you? ?get? ?yourself? ?bitten? ?by? ?her? ?snake?”? ? ?

Pei? ?Ming? ?raised? ?his? ?hand,? ?his? ?expression? ?dark,? ?“How? ?should? ?I? ?know?? ?I? ?was? ?only? ?putting? ?my? ?arms? ?

around? ?her? ?and? ?it? ?became? ?like? ?this.”? ? ?

Xie? ?Lian? ?asked? ?patiently,? ?“Then,? ?General? ?Pei,? ?what? ?were? ?you? ?doing? ?putting? ?your? ?arm? ?around? ?her? ?

shoulders?”? ?

“...”? ?It? ?was? ?only? ?then? ?that? ?Pei? ?Ming? ?seemed? ?to? ?notice? ?and? ?started? ?to? ?contemplate? ?this? ?question.? ?A? ?

moment? ?later,? ?he? ?answered,? ?“A? ?habit.? ?In? ?a? ?dark,? ?creepy? ?place? ?like? ?this,? ?isn’t? ?it? ?normal? ?to? ?hold? ?

women? ?in? ?your? ?arms? ?to? ?comfort? ?them? ?and? ?calm? ?their? ?fears?”? ? ?

“I’m? ?sorry,? ?but? ?I? ?wasn’t? ?scared.”? ?Ban? ?Yue? ?said.? ?

“...”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?understood.? ?This? ?was? ?nothing? ?more? ?than? ?a? ?tragedy? ?inflicted? ?by? ?Pei? ?Ming? ?himself? ?

whose? ?hands? ?were? ?itching? ?unconsciously.? ?Pei? ?Ming? ?finally? ?yanked? ?off? ?that? ?scorpion? ?tailed? ?snake,? ?

and? ?his? ?left? ?hand? ?was? ?already? ?greatly? ?swollen.? ?“Give? ?me? ?the? ?antidote,? ?quick.”? ? ?

“I’m? ?sorry,? ?all? ?the? ?ShanYue? ?ferns? ?on? ?me? ?are? ?used? ?up.”? ?Ban? ?Yue? ?said.? ?

“It’s? ?alright.”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?said,? ?“General? ?Pei,? ?you’re? ?a? ?heavenly? ?official.? ?The? ?swelling? ?will? ?go? ?down? ?in? ?

a? ?jiffy.”? ?Then? ?he? ?turned? ?around? ?and? ?continued? ?to? ?examine? ?the? ?walls.? ?Suddenly,? ?his? ?eyes? ?swept? ?a? ?

blackened? ?area,? ?and? ?he? ?instantly? ?froze.? ?

“Everyone,? ?come? ?see.”? ?He? ?called,? ?“There’s? ?still? ?a? ?face? ?here? ?on? ?this? ?wall!”? ? ?

———-? ?

?MXTX? ?Author? ?Notes:? ?I’ve...? ?never? ?studied? ?the? ?chemical? ?components? ?of? ?mural? ?paints,? ?and? ?

I’ve? ?never? ?researched? ?what? ?they’d? ?be? ?like? ?after? ?being? ?burnt.? ?Everyone,? ?please? ?just? ?take? ?

those? ?mural? ?paints? ?as? ?some? ?sort? ?of? ?mysterious,? ?unique? ?mixture...? ?

———-? ?

Ch.152:? ?Four? ?Heavenly? ?Kings? ?Hidden? ?on? ?Darkened? ?Walls? ?

There? ?really? ?was? ?a? ?face.? ?Maybe? ?it? ?was? ?because? ?the? ?flames? ?didn’t? ?burn? ?thoroughly? ?or? ?maybe? ?the? ?

paint? ?above? ?after? ?having? ?melted? ?flowed? ?down? ?and? ?covered? ?the? ?image? ?prevented? ?it? ?from? ?ruin,? ?but? ?

either? ?way,? ?beneath? ?the? ?tip? ?of? ?Xie? ?Lian’s? ?finger? ?was? ?certainly? ?a? ?small,? ?half? ?a? ?human? ?face.? ?He? ?

started? ?to? ?carefully? ?scratch? ?away? ?that? ?solidified? ?black? ?material,? ?and? ?Pei? ?Ming? ?commented? ?while? ?

holding? ?his? ?very? ?swollen? ?left? ?hand,? ?“Your? ?Highness? ?is? ?that? ?fascinated? ?in? ?some? ?mural?”? ? ?

“It’s? ?not? ?fascination,”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?replied,? ?“But? ?I? ?have? ?a? ?daring? ?idea.”? ? ?

“Let’s? ?hear? ?it.”? ?Pei? ?Ming? ?said.? ?

“Since? ?we’ve? ?obtained? ?this? ?rare? ?chance? ?of? ?coming? ?to? ?Mount? ?TongLu,? ?other? ?than? ?stopping? ?the? ?

potential? ?Ghost? ?King,? ?perhaps? ?we? ?can? ?also? ?seek? ?the? ?source? ?of? ?their? ?origin?? ?For? ?example,? ?who? ?

created? ?them,? ?and? ?what? ?kind? ?of? ?power? ?is? ?supporting? ?this?? ?Perhaps? ?we? ?may? ?even? ?destroy? ?it? ?in? ?one? ?

strike,? ?rid? ?the? ?world? ?of? ?this? ?disaster? ?for? ?good,? ?and? ?never? ?worry? ?for? ?another? ?Ghost? ?King? ?to? ?be? ?born.”? ? ?

“That? ?really? ?is? ?a? ?daring? ?thought.”? ?Pei? ?Ming? ?said,? ?“But,? ?if? ?Hua? ?Chengzhu? ?hasn’t? ?found? ?anything? ?out,? ?

then? ?we’ll? ?probably? ?end? ?up? ?wasting? ?even? ?more? ?time? ?on? ?it.? ?Under? ?the? ?current? ?circumstances,? ?I? ?

don’t? ?recommend? ?doing? ?so.”? ?

However,? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?spoke? ?up,? ?“I? ?didn’t? ?find? ?anything? ?out? ?because? ?my? ?talents? ?are? ?dull,? ?and? ?my? ?

abilities? ?are? ?limited.? ?Besides,? ?at? ?the? ?time? ?I? ?was? ?too? ?busy? ?killing.? ?If? ?gege? ?is? ?to? ?take? ?lead? ?on? ?this? ?

investigation? ?then? ?the? ?results? ?will? ?be? ?different.”? ?

“No,? ?no,? ?no.? ?I’m? ?the? ?one? ?whose? ?abilities? ?are? ?limited.? ?San? ?Lang? ?is? ?much? ?more? ?capable? ?than? ?me.”? ?

Xie? ?Lian? ?said.? ?

“...”? ?

Like? ?he? ?couldn’t? ?listen? ?anymore,? ?Pei? ?Ming? ?tossed? ?Pei? ?Su? ?over? ?to? ?Ban? ?Yue? ?and? ?turned? ?to? ?walk? ?out,? ?

“I? ?think? ?I’m? ?gonna? ?go? ?out? ?for? ?some? ?fresh? ?air.”? ? ?

Over? ?on? ?this? ?side,? ?it? ?actually? ?wasn’t? ?difficult? ?for? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?to? ?brush? ?off? ?a? ?few? ?pieces? ?of? ?those? ?black? ?

hardened? ?substances? ?and? ?he? ?blinked,? ?“These? ?can? ?actually? ?be...”? ?

This? ?layer? ?of? ?seemingly? ?burnt? ?black,? ?hardened? ?material? ?could? ?actually? ?be? ?peeled? ?off? ?in? ?large? ?

pieces!? ?

Between? ?the? ?exchange? ?of? ?some? ?words? ?he? ?had? ?already? ?peeled? ?of? ?a? ?large? ?area,? ?revealing? ?a? ?

human? ?face? ?about? ?the? ?size? ?of? ?a? ?baby’s? ?fist.? ?Although? ?the? ?lines? ?were? ?simple,? ?but? ?the? ?expression? ?

on? ?the? ?face? ?was? ?lively,? ?like? ?it? ?was? ?chasing? ?after? ?something,? ?and? ?even? ?the? ?passion? ?in? ?the? ?eyes? ?

were? ?depicted.? ?That? ?layer? ?of? ?black? ?hardened? ?material? ?seemed? ?to? ?have? ?become? ?a? ?protective? ?layer? ?

of? ?sorts,? ?and? ?the? ?colours? ?of? ?the? ?murals? ?under? ?wraps? ?were? ?still? ?vibrant? ?like? ?it? ?was? ?only? ?recently? ?

completed.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?turned? ?his? ?head? ?back,? ?“San? ?Lang,? ?let’s? ?do? ?this? ?together...”? ?

Hua? ?Cheng? ?didn’t? ?move,? ?but? ?in? ?the? ?darkness,? ?there? ?was? ?a? ?field? ?of? ?silver? ?light? ?shimmering.? ?Soon,? ?

hundreds? ?of? ?silver? ?butterflies? ?silently? ?appeared,? ?fluttering,? ?and? ?they? ?paused? ?on? ?the? ?blackened? ?

walls.? ?Along? ?with? ?the? ?uniform? ?flapping? ?of? ?their? ?wings,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?heard? ?a? ?small? ?chipping? ?sound,? ?and? ?

like? ?a? ?mask? ?shattering,? ?innumerous? ?small? ?cracks? ?crawled? ?across? ?the? ?black? ?walls.? ?

And? ?then,? ?crumble.? ?

The? ?black,? ?hardened? ?material? ?that? ?were? ?covering? ?the? ?walls? ?at? ?first? ?had? ?all? ?fallen,? ?revealing? ?the? ?

true? ?image? ?behind? ?–? ? ?

A? ?giant,? ?colourful? ?mural!? ?

Xie? ?Lian? ?raised? ?his? ?head? ?to? ?look? ?at? ?this? ?wall? ?and? ?could? ?only? ?feel? ?his? ?mind? ?exploding.? ?

The? ?entire? ?mural? ?was? ?visibly? ?divided? ?into? ?four? ?levels.? ?The? ?highest? ?level? ?was? ?shimmering? ?gold? ?light? ?

blanketed? ?with? ?clouds,? ?no? ?people.? ?

The? ?second? ?level,? ?there? ?was? ?only? ?one? ?character? ?painted,? ?and? ?it? ?was? ?a? ?handsome,? ?white? ?clad? ?

young? ?man.? ?Golden? ?light? ?was? ?depicted? ?surrounding? ?his? ?person,? ?and? ?the? ?light? ?was? ?painted? ?with? ?

the? ?same? ?paint? ?as? ?the? ?first? ?level.? ? ?

The? ?third? ?level,? ?there? ?were? ?four? ?characters? ?depicted.? ?Each? ?of? ?their? ?faces,? ?clothes,? ?expressions,? ?

and? ?gestures? ?were? ?all? ?different,? ?and? ?they? ?were? ?half? ?the? ?size? ?as? ?the? ?white? ?clad? ?young? ?man? ?of? ?the? ?

second? ?level.? ?

The? ?fourth? ?level,? ?which? ?was? ?the? ?lowest? ?level,? ?had? ?countless? ?figures? ?drawn,? ?and? ?they? ?were? ?again,? ?

half? ?the? ?size? ?of? ?those? ?in? ?the? ?third? ?level.? ?Each? ?of? ?their? ?faces? ?were? ?exactly? ?the? ?same,? ?their? ?

expressions? ?open,? ?each? ?full? ?of? ?passion,? ?worship,? ?rapture.? ?The? ?first? ?face? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?had? ?peeled? ?was? ?

one? ?of? ?those? ?faces? ?situated? ?at? ?the? ?very? ?bottom.? ?

The? ?lines? ?of? ?the? ?entire? ?mural? ?were? ?elegant? ?and? ?mature,? ?and? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?was? ?stunned? ?for? ?a? ?long? ?time? ?

before? ?he? ?could? ?speak,? ?“San? ?Lang,? ?have...? ?you? ?ever? ?seen? ?this? ?before?”? ? ?

Hua? ?Cheng? ?said? ?slowly,? ?“I’ve? ?crossed? ?over? ?half? ?of? ?Mount? ?TongLu? ?and? ?have? ?walked? ?through? ?

almost? ?every? ?single? ?divine? ?temple? ?of? ?WuYong,? ?but? ?I? ?can? ?swear? ?I? ?have? ?never? ?seen? ?something? ?like? ?

this? ?before.”? ?

Xie? ?Lian? ?came? ?to,? ?“I? ?don’t? ?think? ?this? ?mural? ?is? ?from? ?two? ?thousand? ?years? ?ago.”? ?

“There’s? ?no? ?way? ?it? ?can? ?be.”? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?said,? ?“Look? ?at? ?how? ?well? ?the? ?colours? ?and? ?the? ?overall? ?

condition? ?it’s? ?been? ?kept,? ?I? ?say? ?at? ?most? ?a? ?hundred? ?years.? ?Maybe,? ?it’s? ?even? ?newer? ?than? ?that.”? ? ?

Which? ?meant,? ?this? ?mural? ?was? ?painted? ?on? ?afterwards!? ?

Xie? ?Lian? ?pointed? ?at? ?the? ?highest? ?level,? ?“That? ?level? ?should? ?be? ?depicting? ?‘the? ?heavens’,? ?since? ?‘The? ?

Path? ?of? ?Heavens’? ?sits? ?above? ?all? ?sentient? ?beings.”? ?

Then? ?he? ?pointed? ?at? ?the? ?second? ?level,? ?“This? ?level? ?should? ?be? ?the? ?crown? ?prince? ?of? ?WuYong.? ?Since? ?

this? ?divine? ?temple? ?was? ?worshipping? ?the? ?Crown? ?Prince? ?of? ?WuYong,? ?then? ?the? ?main? ?character? ?of? ?this? ?

mural? ?is? ?naturally? ?him,? ?so? ?he’s? ?the? ?biggest? ?figure? ?in? ?this? ?painting? ?with? ?the? ?same? ?colour? ?light? ?

surrounding? ?him? ?as? ?the? ?heavens.? ?He’s? ?also? ?only? ?just? ?below? ?the? ?Path? ?of? ?Heaven.”? ?

Then? ?he? ?pointed? ?to? ?the? ?fourth? ?level,? ?“The? ?figures? ?at? ?the? ?lowest? ?level? ?are? ?the? ?smallest,? ?their? ?faces? ?

the? ?same,? ?so? ?they? ?must? ?be? ?the? ?people? ?of? ?WuYong.”? ? ?

Finally,? ?he? ?pointed? ?at? ?the? ?third? ?level,? ?“But,? ?who? ?are? ?these? ?four?? ?No? ?matter? ?their? ?positions? ?or? ?faces,? ?

they? ?are? ?all? ?situated? ?above? ?the? ?people? ?of? ?WuYongAnd? ?below? ?that? ?of? ?the? ?crown? ?prince.? ?This? ?

means? ?their? ?status? ?should? ?be? ?the? ?same.? ?Governors?? ?Vassals?? ?Or...”? ?

Hua? ?Cheng? ?walked? ?a? ?few? ?steps? ?closer? ?and? ?aid,? ?“Gege,? ?look,? ?they? ?also? ?have? ?a? ?sheen? ?of? ?spiritual? ?

light? ?on? ?their? ?bodies.”? ?

Sure? ?enough,? ?they? ?did,? ?only,? ?because? ?the? ?light? ?from? ?the? ?Crown? ?Prince? ?of? ?WuYong? ?was? ?too? ?

strong,? ?in? ?comparison,? ?the? ?spiritual? ?light? ?on? ?their? ?persons? ?were? ?practically? ?outshone.? ?It? ?dawned? ?

on? ?Xie? ?Lian,? ?“They’re? ?the? ?heavenly? ?officials? ?the? ?crown? ?prince? ?appointed? ?after? ?he? ?ascended.”? ?

Which? ?meant? ?they? ?were? ?the? ?same? ?characters? ?as? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?and? ?Mu? ?Qing? ?once? ?upon? ?a? ?time.? ?

Xie? ?Lian? ?made? ?a? ?round? ?through? ?the? ?great? ?hall,? ?and? ?confirmed? ?it? ?was? ?only? ?this? ?wall? ?facing? ?the? ?

gates? ?that? ?had? ?hidden? ?secrets;? ?the? ?other? ?three? ?walls? ?were? ?so? ?burnt? ?they? ?couldn’t? ?be? ?more? ?ashen.? ?

Just? ?who? ?left? ?this? ?mural? ?behind?? ?Who? ?was? ?it? ?left? ?behind? ?for?? ?What? ?kind? ?of? ?message? ?was? ?being? ?

communicated?? ?

With? ?just? ?this? ?one? ?painting,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?couldn’t? ?deduce? ?much.? ?After? ?humming? ?for? ?a? ?moment,? ?he? ?

turned? ?to? ?Hua? ?Cheng,? ?“When? ?we? ?continue? ?on? ?the? ?road,? ?let’s? ?pay? ?more? ?attention? ?on? ?the? ?other? ?

WuYong? ?divine? ?temples.? ?I’ve? ?a? ?feeling? ?that? ?a? ?mural? ?like? ?this...? ?isn’t? ?the? ?only? ?one.”? ? ?

Hua? ?Cheng? ?straightened? ?his? ?head,? ?“I’ve? ?that? ?very? ?intention.”? ?

The? ?two? ?and? ?Ban? ?Yue? ?who? ?was? ?supporting? ?Pei? ?Su? ?up? ?left? ?the? ?divine? ?temple,? ?and? ?only? ?then? ?did? ?

Xie? ?Lian? ?remember? ?the? ?other? ?member,? ?“Where’s? ?General? ?Pei?”? ? ?

Pei? ?Ming? ?said? ?earlier? ?that? ?he? ?was? ?going? ?for? ?some? ?fresh? ?air? ?and? ?came? ?out? ?first,? ?and? ?he? ?didn’t? ?come? ?

back? ?in? ?after? ?they’ve? ?dallied? ?in? ?the? ?great? ?hall? ?for? ?a? ?good? ?while.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?called? ?out? ?a? ?few? ?times? ?but? ?

there? ?were? ?no? ?responses.? ?“I? ?hope? ?he? ?hasn’t? ?gotten? ?lost? ?at? ?a? ?time? ?like? ?this?”? ? ?

The? ?four? ?looked? ?around? ?the? ?small,? ?desolate? ?town,? ?and? ?since? ?they? ?couldn’t? ?use? ?the? ?spiritual? ?

communication? ?array? ?in? ?Mount? ?TongLu,? ?their? ?search? ?was? ?fruitless.? ?Just? ?as? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?was? ?feeling? ?a? ?

little? ?desperate,? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?spoke? ?up,? ?“Gege,? ?don’t? ?worry.? ?I’ve? ?a? ?way.”? ?

He? ?extended? ?a? ?hand,? ?and? ?in? ?his? ?palm? ?a? ?tiny? ?little? ?silver? ?butterfly? ?slowly? ?started? ?flapping? ?its? ?wings,? ?

flew? ?around? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?and? ?circled? ?him? ?a? ?few? ?times.? ?Although? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?thought? ?it? ?was? ?precious,? ?he? ?

didn’t? ?know? ?what? ?it? ?could? ?do,? ?“What...”? ?

Just? ?then,? ?he? ?suddenly? ?heard? ?a? ?series? ?of? ?laboured? ?breathing.? ?Soon? ?after,? ?the? ?voice? ?of? ?a? ?man? ?

came? ?from? ?the? ?body? ?of? ?that? ?silver? ?butterfly.? ?

That? ?man? ?said,? ?“I? ?never? ?thought? ?I’d? ?see? ?you? ?here.”? ?

Pei? ?Ming!? ?

Xie? ?Lian? ?looked? ?to? ?Hua? ?Cheng.? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?snickered,? ?“Yesterday,? ?I? ?placed? ?a? ?silver? ?butterfly? ?on? ?

everyone.”? ? ?

Pei? ?Su? ?arduously? ?raised? ?his? ?head,? ?“...So,? ?you? ?can? ?use,? ?that? ?silver? ?butterfly,? ?to? ?mon,? ?itor,? ?the? ?

other’s? ?every? ?movement,? ?without? ?them? ?notic,? ?ing,? ?you?? ?As? ?expected,? ?of? ?Crimson? ?Rain,? ?Sought? ?

Flower.”? ?

“Don’t? ?speak? ?if? ?you? ?don’t? ?know? ?how.”? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?sniped.? ?

“...”? ?

Xie? ?Lian? ?cupped? ?that? ?little? ?silver? ?butterfly? ?in? ?his? ?palm? ?and? ?called? ?to? ?it,? ?“General? ?Pei?? ?Where? ?are? ?

you?? ?Who’s? ?in? ?front? ?of? ?you?”? ? ?

“I’m? ?sorry,? ?gege,”? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?said,? ?“You? ?can? ?only? ?listen,? ?not? ?speak.”? ? ?

Xie? ?Lian? ?gave? ?it? ?a? ?thought? ?a? ?said,? ?“Fair? ?enough.”? ?If? ?the? ?listener’s? ?voice? ?could? ?also? ?be? ?passed? ?

through,? ?then? ?wouldn’t? ?it? ?be? ?easily? ?noticed? ?by? ?the? ?other? ?party?? ?

Soon? ?after,? ?the? ?frigid? ?voice? ?of? ?another? ?young? ?man? ?said? ?exhaustedly,? ?“Ol’? ?Pei,? ?a? ?word? ?of? ?warning? ?–? ?

you? ?best? ?not? ?say? ?any? ?ridiculous? ?nonsense? ?right? ?now.? ?Careful? ?I? ?just? ?might? ?smack? ?you? ?to? ?death.”? ?

Hearing? ?that? ?voice,? ?Xie? ?Lian’s? ?eyes? ?slightly? ?widened.? ?

It’s? ?Ling? ?Wen’s? ?male? ?form!? ?

“I? ?see!”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?exclaimed,? ?“So? ?the? ?black? ?clad? ?man? ?who’s? ?been? ?killing? ?all? ?the? ?way...? ?is? ?Ling? ?Wen? ?

in? ?his? ?male? ?form.”? ? ?

“Is,? ?it? ?Senior? ?Ling? ?Wen,? ?who? ?took? ?General? ?Pei? ?away?”? ?Pei? ?Su? ?asked.? ?

“I? ?don’t? ?know.? ?I’m? ?still? ?listening.”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?replied.? ?

On? ?the? ?other? ?end,? ?Pei? ?Ming? ?said,? ?“Noble? ?Jie,? ?what’s? ?with? ?the? ?fury.”? ? ?

“Shut? ?up.”? ?Ling? ?Wen? ?said,? ?“I? ?told? ?you? ?not? ?to? ?speak.? ?I’m? ?not? ?the? ?furious? ?one,? ?it’s? ?someone? ?else.? ?I’m? ?

telling? ?you? ?now,? ?I? ?can’t? ?control? ?my? ?body? ?right? ?now,? ?so? ?if? ?I? ?wreck? ?you? ?I’m? ?not? ?liable.”? ? ?

“We’re? ?both? ?in? ?this? ?state? ?right? ?now,? ?can’t? ?even? ?move? ?a? ?muscle,? ?so? ?who’re? ?you? ?scaring?”? ?Pei? ?Ming? ?

said.? ?

Xie? ?Lian? ?raised? ?his? ?head,? ?“It’s? ?not? ?Ling? ?Wen? ?who? ?caught? ?General? ?Pei.? ?Right? ?now? ?they’re? ?both? ?

held? ?prisoner? ?somewhere,? ?bound? ?by? ?someone.”? ?Then? ?he? ?mused,? ?“They? ?can? ?even? ?suppress? ?the? ?

Brocade? ?Immortal,? ?who? ?can? ?it? ?be?”? ? ?

“Are? ?you? ?still? ?wearing...?”? ?Pei? ?Ming? ?asked.? ?

He? ?didn’t? ?say? ?it? ?out? ?loud,? ?but? ?everyone? ?knew? ?what? ?he? ?was? ?referring? ?to.? ?

The? ?Brocade? ?Immortal!? ?

“Yea.? ?He? ?really? ?doesn’t? ?like? ?you,? ?so? ?watch? ?what? ?you? ?say.”? ?Ling? ?Wen? ?replied.? ?

“How? ?would? ?you? ?know? ?what? ?he’s? ?thinking?”? ?Pei? ?Ming? ?wondered,? ?“Honestly,? ?I? ?can’t? ?believe? ?you.? ?

Why? ?would? ?you? ?stupidly? ?go? ?stir? ?up? ?this? ?trouble.? ?To? ?so? ?recklessly? ?rob? ?the? ?Great? ?Martial? ?Temple,? ?

break? ?your? ?own? ?golden? ?bowl*,? ?and? ?now? ?you’ve? ?come? ?running? ?to? ?Mount? ?TongLu.? ?What,? ?he? ?told? ?

you? ?to? ?do? ?all? ?this?”? ? ?

“He? ?didn’t? ?make? ?me,? ?I’m? ?the? ?one? ?who? ?wants? ?to? ?come.”? ?Ling? ?Wen? ?said,? ?“Ol’? ?Pei,? ?stop? ?asking? ?

questions!? ?He’s? ?getting? ?mad.? ?I? ?can? ?feel? ?it.”? ? ?

Pei? ?Ming? ?shut? ?up.? ?After? ?a? ?while,? ?Ling? ?Wen? ?puffed? ?a? ?light? ?breath,? ?seeming? ?like? ?the? ?Brocade? ?

Immortal? ?had? ?finally? ?calmed.? ?Thus,? ?Ling? ?Wen? ?asked,? ?“And? ?what’s? ?with? ?you,? ?Ol’? ?Pei?? ?What’re? ?you? ?

doing? ?coming? ?to? ?Mount? ?TongLu?? ?And? ?were? ?you? ?stung? ?by? ?a? ?million? ?hornets? ?on? ?your? ?left? ?arm? ?or? ?

what,? ?looking? ?wounded? ?like? ?that?”? ?

Pei? ?Ming’s? ?voice? ?was? ?also? ?aggrieved? ?and? ?woeful,? ?“Bad? ?luck,? ?it’s? ?complicated.? ?Long? ?story? ?short,? ?

Little? ?Pei? ?isn’t? ?making? ?things? ?easy.? ?Things? ?weren’t? ?supposed? ?to? ?be? ?this? ?pathetic,? ?but? ?who? ?knew? ?

the? ?moment? ?I’ve? ?come? ?I’d? ?run? ?into? ?my? ?unlucky? ?star.? ?Think? ?I’d? ?let? ?anyone? ?drag? ?me? ?to? ?this? ?hellish? ?

place? ?if? ?I? ?wasn’t? ?injured?? ?I? ?didn’t? ?even? ?see? ?who? ?it? ?was.”? ?

‘Will? ?you? ?just? ?say? ?what? ?hellish? ?place? ?it? ?is? ?directly?’? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?thought,? ?‘A? ?cave? ?or? ?a? ?house? ?or? ?

something? ?so? ?I’d? ?at? ?least? ?know? ?where? ?to? ?look.’? ?

However,? ?it? ?wasn’t? ?like? ?there? ?was? ?no? ?clue? ?whatsoever.? ?The? ?Distance? ?Shortening? ?Array? ?couldn’t? ?

be? ?used? ?in? ?Mount? ?TongLu,? ?so? ?Pei? ?Ming? ?mustn’t? ?have? ?gone? ?far.? ?He? ?could? ?hear? ?their? ?voices? ?were? ?

somewhat? ?hollow? ?with? ?faint? ?echoes,? ?so? ?they? ?must? ?be? ?somewhere? ?that? ?was? ?spacious.? ?And,? ?Xie? ?

Lian? ?could? ?faintly? ?hear? ?the? ?sound? ?of? ?water.? ?

They? ?haven’t? ?run? ?across? ?any? ?rivers? ?or? ?lakes? ?along? ?the? ?way? ?earlier,? ?and? ?there? ?wasn’t? ?a? ?building? ?

more? ?spacious? ?than? ?that? ?WuYong? ?divine? ?temple.? ?Therefore,? ?there? ?was? ?only? ?one? ?place? ?they? ?could? ?

be? ?–? ?

Underground!? ?

But,? ?this? ?small? ?town? ?wasn’t? ?that? ?small,? ?so? ?where,? ?underground?? ?

Pei? ?Ming? ?asked,? ?“And? ?what? ?about? ?you?? ?I? ?hear? ?you? ?killed? ?over? ?a? ?thousand? ?monsters? ?and? ?demons,? ?

everyone’s? ?terrified.? ?Congratulations.? ?Well? ?you? ?can’t? ?be? ?the? ?number? ?one? ?civil? ?god? ?anymore,? ?so? ?

why? ?not? ?change? ?careers? ?and? ?join? ?us? ?martial? ?gods?? ?What? ?manner? ?of? ?creature? ?is? ?this? ?that? ?can? ?bind? ?

you? ?here?”? ? ?

Ling? ?Wen? ?laughed? ?bitterly,? ?“I? ?don’t? ?know? ?either.? ?I? ?accidentally? ?fought? ?with? ?Lord? ?Rain? ?Master,? ?and? ?

was? ?dizzy? ?afterwards,? ?so? ?someone? ?probably? ?took? ?the? ?chance? ?to? ?ambush? ?me? ?from? ?behind.? ?No? ?

need? ?to? ?ask,? ?he’ll? ?show? ?himself? ?sooner? ?or? ?later.? ?Just? ?remember? ?not? ?to? ?expose? ?your? ?identity.”? ?

Just? ?then,? ?a? ?third? ?voice? ?interrupted? ?their? ?conversation,? ?“Pei? ?Ming,? ?Nangong? ?Jie,? ?you? ?fucking? ?pair,? ?

no? ?need? ?to? ?spin? ?your? ?wheel? ?of? ?fortune.? ?Think? ?I? ?don’t? ?know? ?what’s? ?under? ?your? ?fake? ?skins?!”? ? ?

———? ?

?Golden/Steel? ?bowl? ?is? ?an? ?expression? ?meaning? ?a? ?steady? ?job? ?

———? ?

Ch.153:? ?Why? ?Not? ?Xu? ?Li;? ?Why? ?Not? ?Jing? ?Wen? ?

It? ?was? ?the? ?voice? ?of? ?a? ?man? ?but? ?one? ?very? ?foreign.? ?Even? ?though? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?knew? ?that? ?the? ?other? ?end? ?

couldn’t? ?hear? ?him,? ?he? ?still? ?subconsciously? ?lowered? ?his? ?voice,? ?“Someone’s? ?here.? ?I? ?don’t? ?know? ?if? ?

he’ll? ?do? ?anything? ?to? ?General? ?Pei,? ?we? ?have? ?to? ?find? ?where? ?they? ?are? ?as? ?soon? ?as? ?possible.”? ? ?

The? ?two? ?on? ?the? ?other? ?end? ?seemed? ?to? ?have? ?been? ?stunned? ?by? ?the? ?newcomer,? ?and? ?it? ?took? ?a? ?

moment? ?before? ?Pei? ?Ming? ?spoke,? ?“Might? ?I? ?ask? ?who? ?My? ?Lord? ?is?? ?Since? ?you’ve? ?reached? ?this? ?point,? ?

why? ?not? ?show? ?your? ?face?”? ?

“You? ?should? ?be? ?the? ?one? ?to? ?answer? ?that? ?question.”? ?That? ?voice? ?said.? ?

“The? ?grudge? ?must? ?be? ?with? ?you.”? ?Ling? ?Wen? ?said,? ?“Probably? ?another? ?female? ?ghost? ?who? ?you? ?

ruined.”? ? ?

“Keep? ?talking? ?shit? ?with? ?your? ?eyes? ?wide? ?open,? ?why? ?don’t? ?you...? ?Just? ?which? ?part? ?of? ?this...? ?thing...? ?

looks? ?like? ?a? ?female? ?ghost?? ?Besides,? ?he? ?didn’t? ?just? ?capture? ?me,? ?so? ?maybe? ?he’s? ?got? ?grudges? ?with? ?

you?”? ? ?

“Nevermind.? ?Let’s? ?not? ?push? ?this? ?around? ?courteously? ?at? ?a? ?time? ?like? ?this,? ?and? ?overcome? ?this? ?

obstacle? ?together.”? ?Ling? ?Wen? ?said,? ?“It’s? ?also? ?possible? ?he’s? ?got? ?grudges? ?against? ?the? ?both? ?of? ?us.? ?Do? ?

you? ?recall? ?anyone? ?like? ?that?”? ? ?

“No.? ?There’s? ?too? ?many.”? ?Pei? ?Ming? ?said.? ?

That? ?man? ?seemed? ?to? ?have? ?approached? ?and? ?his? ?voice? ?became? ?louder,? ?but? ?the? ?strange? ?thing? ?was,? ?

there? ?was? ?no? ?sound? ?of? ?footsteps? ?but? ?instead? ?a? ?series? ?of? ?odd? ?thumping? ?sounds.? ?He? ?griped,? ?“Can? ?

you? ?both? ?be? ?less? ?shameless? ?and? ?stop? ?flirting? ?in? ?front? ?of? ?me?”? ? ?

It? ?seemed? ?the? ?words? ?he? ?used? ?and? ?his? ?tone? ?exposed? ?something,? ?and? ?after? ?some? ?silence,? ?Ling? ?

Wen? ?said,? ?“You’re...? ?Jing? ?Wen? ?Zhen? ?Jun?”? ?

That? ?voice? ?didn’t? ?respond.? ?Pei? ?Ming? ?also? ?seemed? ?to? ?be? ?a? ?little? ?taken? ?aback,? ?“Jing? ?Wen? ?Zhen? ?

Jun?? ?No? ?way.? ?Did? ?Jing? ?Wen? ?Zhen? ?Jun? ?ever? ?speak? ?so? ?discourteously?”? ? ?

Ling? ?Wen? ?humphed,? ?“He’s? ?always? ?been? ?this? ?way.? ?Puts? ?on? ?a? ?face? ?in? ?front? ?of? ?others,? ?and? ?another? ?

in? ?front? ?of? ?me,? ?so? ?of? ?course? ?you? ?wouldn’t? ?recognize? ?him.”? ?

On? ?this? ?end,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?furrowed? ?his? ?brows,? ?“Jing? ?Wen? ?Zhen? ?Jun?”? ? ?

He? ?seemed? ?to? ?have? ?a? ?faint? ?impression? ?of? ?this? ?title,? ?but? ?he? ?couldn’t? ?be? ?sure.? ?It? ?sounded? ?as? ?if? ?he? ?

was? ?a? ?civil? ?god,? ?but? ?there? ?were? ?much? ?too? ?many? ?civil? ?gods? ?who? ?had? ?such? ?words? ?like? ?“Literature”,? ?

“Respect”,? ?“Quietude”? ?in? ?their? ?titles*.? ?Just? ?then,? ?Pei? ?Su? ?said? ?in? ?a? ?low? ?voice,? ?“Jing? ?Wen? ?Zhen? ?Jun,? ?

is,? ?the,? ?previous? ?number? ?one? ?civil? ?god,? ?who? ?had? ?first,? ?appointed? ?Ling,? ?Wen? ?Zhen? ?Jun? ?to? ?the? ?

heavens.”? ? ?

Hearing? ?this,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?finally? ?remembered.? ?The? ?first? ?time? ?he? ?ascended,? ?Ling? ?Wen? ?was? ?still? ?a? ?

junior? ?civil? ?official? ?in? ?the? ?Lower? ?Court.? ?The? ?number? ?one? ?civil? ?god? ?of? ?the? ?Upper? ?Court? ?wasn’t? ?her,? ?

but? ?another? ?civil? ?god,? ?and? ?that? ?civil? ?god? ?appeared? ?to? ?be? ?this? ?Jing? ?Wen? ?Zhen? ?Jun!? ?

However,? ?the? ?god? ?Jing? ?Wen? ?had? ?long? ?since? ?declined;? ?there? ?was? ?not? ?a? ?single? ?Temple? ?of? ?Jing? ?Wen? ?

to? ?be? ?found? ?within? ?any? ?eight? ?hundred? ?mile? ?radius.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?couldn’t? ?help? ?but? ?wonder,? ?“So? ?

everyone? ?knows? ?each? ?other.? ?So? ?why? ?can’t? ?we? ?just? ?talk? ?peacefully?? ?Must? ?we? ?just? ?fight? ?and? ?

constrain? ?without? ?talking.”? ?

However,? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?said,? ?“It’s? ?because? ?everyone? ?knows? ?each? ?other? ?that? ?there? ?must? ?be? ?

constraining? ?first.”? ?

Just? ?as? ?the? ?words? ?left? ?his? ?lips,? ?Jing? ?Wen? ?on? ?the? ?other? ?end? ?spoke? ?up? ?again.? ?It? ?seemed? ?since? ?his? ?

identity? ?was? ?revealed,? ?he? ?must? ?put? ?on? ?a? ?front? ?and? ?so? ?he? ?changed? ?his? ?tone,? ?his? ?voice? ?becoming? ?

more? ?polite;? ?only,? ?his? ?words? ?were? ?still? ?embedded? ?with? ?needles,? ?“Nangong,? ?are? ?you? ?pleased? ?being? ?

the? ?top? ?ranking? ?civil? ?god? ?in? ?the? ?Upper? ?Court?? ?Why? ?did? ?you? ?break? ?your? ?own? ?golden? ?bowl? ?to? ?come? ?

running? ?here?”? ?

Pei? ?Ming? ?piped? ?up,? ?“You? ?see?? ?The? ?grudge? ?is? ?with? ?you.? ?I’ve? ?been? ?had? ?because? ?of? ?you.”? ? ?

However,? ?Jing? ?Wen? ?said,? ?“General? ?Pei,? ?don’t? ?think? ?that? ?just? ?because? ?I’m? ?seeking? ?vengeance? ?

against? ?Nangong? ?that? ?you’re? ?off? ?the? ?hook.? ?This? ?bitch? ?insulted? ?and? ?harassed? ?the? ?worshippers? ?of? ?

my? ?Temple? ?of? ?Jing? ?Wen,? ?secretly? ?desecrated? ?my? ?temples? ?and? ?set? ?them? ?ablaze,? ?don’t? ?think? ?I? ?don’t? ?

know? ?who? ?lent? ?her? ?all? ?the? ?martial? ?officials? ?to? ?help? ?her!”? ? ?

“...”? ?

Jing? ?Wen? ?continued,? ?“Don’t? ?you? ?laugh? ?either,? ?Nangong.? ?And? ?to? ?think? ?I? ?appointed? ?you? ?back? ?then? ?

out? ?of? ?sympathy? ?for? ?talent.? ?This? ?is? ?how? ?you? ?repay? ?me?? ?You? ?ungrateful,? ?venomous? ?wench.? ?I’ve? ?

waited? ?for? ?this? ?day? ?for? ?too? ?long,? ?too? ?long!”? ? ?

Xie? ?Lian? ?covered? ?his? ?forehead? ?with? ?his? ?palm,? ?thinking? ?inwardly,? ?‘The? ?Three? ?Tumours? ?certainly? ?live? ?

up? ?to? ?their? ?names,? ?each? ?nastier? ?than? ?the? ?other!’? ?

Yet? ?unexpectedly,? ?Ling? ?Wen? ?only? ?replied? ?flatly,? ?“Jing? ?Wen? ?Zhen? ?Jun,? ?there’s? ?no? ?one? ?here? ?but? ?us? ?

right? ?now? ?and? ?you’ve? ?had? ?your? ?say,? ?so? ?why? ?keep? ?up? ?the? ?act?? ?Did? ?you? ?actually? ?appoint? ?me? ?as? ?a? ?

deputy? ?official? ?because? ?you’re? ?sympathetic? ?of? ?talent?? ?Just? ?why? ?did? ?you? ?appoint? ?me? ?and? ?how? ?did? ?

you? ?treat? ?me? ?after? ?appointing? ?me,? ?others? ?might? ?not? ?know,? ?but? ?I’m? ?sure? ?you’re? ?personally? ?more? ?

than? ?clear.”? ? ?

Xie? ?Lian? ?was? ?becoming? ?more? ?curious? ?the? ?more? ?he? ?listened,? ?“What? ?happened? ?between? ?Jing? ?Wen? ?

Zhen? ?Jun? ?and? ?Ling? ?Wen?? ?General? ?Pei? ?Junior,? ?do? ?you? ?know? ?the? ?story? ?behind? ?this?”? ? ?

Pei? ?Su? ?was? ?also? ?listening? ?intently,? ?“I’m,? ?sorry.? ?I? ?have? ?yet? ?to? ?as,? ?cend? ?a,? ?t,? ?the? ?time,? ?so? ?I? ?don’t? ?kn,? ?

ow? ?much.”? ? ?

Xie? ?Lian? ?woefully? ?thought? ?his? ?broken? ?sentences? ?was? ?probably? ?never? ?going? ?to? ?heal.? ?On? ?the? ?side,? ?

Hua? ?Cheng? ?spoke? ?up,? ?“Gege,? ?no? ?need? ?to? ?ask? ?others,? ?just? ?ask? ?me.”? ?

Xie? ?Lian? ?was? ?amazed,? ?“San? ?Lang,? ?you? ?know? ?about? ?heaven’s? ?old? ?past? ?scandals? ?too?”? ?

Turns? ?out,? ?it? ?wasn’t? ?just? ?his? ?imagination.? ?When? ?it? ?came? ?to? ?all? ?the? ?shady? ?histories? ?and? ?hearsays? ?of? ?

every? ?major? ?heavenly? ?official? ?in? ?the? ?Upper? ?Court,? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?certainly? ?did? ?his? ?studies.? ?He? ?

nodded,? ?and? ?indeed? ?told? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?what? ?he? ?knew.? ?

Turns? ?out,? ?Jing? ?Wen? ?and? ?Ling? ?Wen? ?were? ?both? ?civil? ?gods? ?born? ?of? ?the? ?Kingdom? ?of? ?XuLi.? ?Jing? ?Wen? ?

was? ?older? ?than? ?Ling? ?Wen? ?by? ?many? ?centuries,? ?and? ?had? ?a? ?deep? ?foundation? ?in? ?the? ?Kingdom? ?of? ?XuLi.? ?

At? ?first,? ?the? ?two? ?never? ?crossed? ?paths.? ?

However,? ?there? ?was? ?one? ?year? ?the? ?Kingdom? ?of? ?XuLi? ?conducted? ?a? ?ceremonial? ?festival? ?to? ?revere? ?

and? ?worship? ?the? ?civil? ?gods.? ?As? ?a? ?part? ?of? ?the? ?festival,? ?there? ?was? ?a? ?small? ?contest.? ?Using? ?the? ?

Kingdom? ?of? ?XuLi? ?as? ?the? ?subject,? ?the? ?content? ?unrestricted,? ?the? ?young? ?scholars? ?were? ?to? ?write? ?an? ?

anonymous? ?essay? ?and? ?have? ?them? ?hung? ?in? ?the? ?largest? ?civil? ?god? ?temple? ?in? ?the? ?kingdom? ?–? ?at? ?the? ?

time,? ?that? ?temple? ?was? ?the? ?Palace? ?of? ?Jing? ?Wen.? ?The? ?essays? ?would? ?then? ?be? ?judged? ?by? ?the? ?people? ?

and? ?finally,? ?the? ?best? ?one? ?would? ?be? ?selected? ?as? ?the? ?winner? ?to? ?be? ?commended.? ?

It? ?just? ?so? ?happened? ?Jing? ?Wen? ?Zhen? ?Jun? ?descended? ?at? ?the? ?time? ?to? ?dally,? ?and? ?on? ?a? ?moment’s? ?

impulse,he? ?thought? ?it’d? ?be? ?fun? ?to? ?transform? ?into? ?the? ?form? ?of? ?a? ?scholar? ?and? ?join? ?the? ?contest.? ?With? ?

an? ?easy? ?swing,? ?he? ?wrote? ?a? ?jaunty,? ?elegant? ?piece,? ?singing? ?praises? ?of? ?the? ?glory? ?of? ?the? ?Kingdom? ?of? ?

XuLi,? ?confident? ?that? ?his? ?essay? ?would? ?stand? ?out? ?from? ?the? ?crowd.? ?He? ?imagined? ?that? ?once? ?the? ?

results? ?of? ?the? ?contest? ?was? ?revealed? ?and? ?he? ?took? ?the? ?top? ?place,? ?if? ?he? ?revealed? ?his? ?true? ?form? ?then? ?

and? ?unveil? ?that? ?the? ?top? ?placer? ?was? ?actually? ?the? ?clone? ?of? ?Jing? ?Wen? ?Zhen? ?Jun,? ?surely? ?his? ?name? ?

would? ?be? ?passed? ?down? ?beautifully? ?to? ?future? ?generations.? ?

If? ?things? ?really? ?turned? ?out? ?that? ?way,? ?it? ?would’ve? ?been? ?a? ?happy? ?ending.? ?Yet? ?unexpectedly,? ?there? ?

happened? ?a? ?very? ?awkward? ?accident.? ?

After? ?the? ?ceremony? ?ended? ?and? ?the? ?ranking? ?board? ?was? ?revealed,? ?the? ?top? ?player? ?was? ?not? ?Jing? ?

Wen’s? ?“Ode? ?to? ?XuLi”,? ?but? ?a? ?political? ?critical? ?discourse? ?called? ?“Not? ?XuLi”.? ?

This? ?turn? ?of? ?events? ?might? ?have? ?been? ?awkward,? ?but? ?to? ?bystanders,? ?it? ?was? ?rather? ?interesting.? ?Xie? ?

Lian? ?inquired,? ?“Has? ?San? ?Lang? ?ever? ?read? ?that? ?“Not? ?XuLi”?”? ? ?

“I’ve? ?flipped? ?through? ?it.”? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?said,? ?“If? ?gege? ?wants? ?to? ?read? ?it,? ?I’ll? ?recite? ?a? ?summary? ?for? ?you? ?

another? ?time.”? ? ?

Xie? ?Lian? ?hurriedly? ?said,? ?“No,? ?it’s? ?ok.? ?But,? ?to? ?be? ?able? ?to? ?defeat? ?the? ?already? ?ascended? ?Jing? ?Wen? ?

Zhen? ?Jun,? ?I? ?imagine? ?it? ?must’ve? ?been? ?very? ?well? ?written.”? ? ?

Hua? ?Cheng? ?commented,? ?“It’s? ?not? ?bad,? ?but? ?it? ?wasn’t? ?that? ?amazing? ?either.? ?It’s? ?just? ?the? ?political? ?

situation? ?in? ?the? ?Kingdom? ?of? ?XuLi? ?wasn’t? ?that? ?great? ?at? ?the? ?time,? ?the? ?people? ?were? ?full? ?of? ?complaints,? ?

so? ?when? ?they? ?saw? ?such? ?a? ?piece,? ?it? ?matched? ?their? ?taste.? ?Plus,? ?essays? ?like? ?“Ode? ?to? ?XuLi”? ?were? ?

rampant,? ?so? ?the? ?people? ?were? ?already? ?tired? ?of? ?it.? ?When? ?comparing? ?the? ?two,? ?naturally? ?“Not? ?XuLi”? ?

would? ?win.”? ?

Xie? ?Lian? ?nodded? ?lightly,? ?“There? ?is? ?no? ?such? ?thing? ?as? ?number? ?one? ?in? ?literature,? ?it’s? ?all? ?subjective.? ?

Something? ?like? ?this? ?isn’t? ?really? ?anything,? ?especially? ?if? ?the? ?content? ?wasn’t? ?even? ?the? ?same? ?thing.”? ? ?

“Correct.”? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?said,? ?“Jing? ?Wen? ?thought? ?so? ?at? ?first? ?too.”? ?

The? ?people? ?of? ?XuLi? ?sought? ?everywhere? ?for? ?the? ?author? ?of? ?“Not? ?XuLi”,? ?but? ?of? ?course? ?no? ?one? ?

claimed? ?it.? ?Who? ?would? ?dare? ?claim? ?such? ?a? ?thing?? ?Those? ?who? ?were? ?greedy? ?for? ?fame? ?and? ?falsely? ?

came? ?forward? ?were? ?all? ?exposed? ?quickly.? ?Soon,? ?because? ?officers? ?had? ?caught? ?wind? ?of? ?this,? ?the? ?

ceremonial? ?festival? ?removed? ?that? ?top? ?ranking? ?essay.? ?

As? ?for? ?Jing? ?Wen? ?Zhen? ?Jun,? ?although? ?he? ?wasn’t? ?too? ?pleased? ?with? ?the? ?contest? ?and? ?sniffed? ?at? ?it,? ?still? ?

after? ?a? ?few? ?months? ?he’d? ?forgotten? ?the? ?whole? ?thing.? ?Only,? ?the? ?tragedy? ?was,? ?after? ?a? ?few? ?months,? ?a? ?

shocking? ?news? ?started? ?spreading? ?among? ?the? ?civil? ?gods? ?in? ?the? ?Upper? ?Court? ?–? ?the? ?individual? ?who? ?

authored? ?“Not? ?XuLi”? ?and? ?won? ?the? ?top? ?rank? ?in? ?the? ?Civil? ?God? ?Ceremonial? ?Festival? ?of? ?XuLi? ?was? ?

found,? ?and? ?was? ?apprehended? ?and? ?locked? ?up? ?in? ?prison.? ?And? ?this? ?individual? ?was? ?a? ?young? ?woman? ?

who? ?sold? ?shoes? ?on? ?the? ?streets!? ?

How? ?could? ?this? ?be!? ?Unacceptable!? ?

“...A-A? ?shoe? ?seller?”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?was? ?amazed.? ?

“Yes.”? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?replied.? ?“That? ?was? ?what? ?Nangong? ?Jie? ?did? ?while? ?mortal.”? ? ?

No? ?wonder? ?he’s? ?heard? ?people? ?call? ?the? ?Palace? ?of? ?Ling? ?Wen? ?“Palace? ?of? ?Worn? ?Out? ?Shoes”? ?under? ?

their? ?breaths,? ?and? ?it? ?wasn’t? ?just? ?once? ?or? ?twice.? ?Since? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?didn’t? ?think? ?it? ?right? ?to? ?inquire? ?for? ?the? ?

root? ?of? ?such? ?things,? ?he’s? ?never? ?learned? ?where? ?the? ?term? ?came? ?from.? ? ?

Originally,? ?there? ?was? ?no? ?way? ?anyone? ?would? ?connect? ?“Not? ?XuLi”? ?with? ?a? ?shoe? ?selling? ?maiden.? ?

However,? ?that? ?young? ?girl? ?would? ?sometimes? ?help? ?others? ?scribe? ?letters? ?or? ?sonnets? ?to? ?make? ?some? ?

extra? ?income,? ?and? ?one? ?day,? ?one? ?of? ?the? ?employers? ?discovered? ?her? ?writing? ?was? ?similar? ?to? ?that? ?of? ?

that? ?top? ?ranking? ?essay,? ?and? ?reported? ?her? ?in,? ?which? ?was? ?how? ?she? ?was? ?caught.? ?

After? ?learning? ?of? ?this? ?news,? ?Jing? ?Wen? ?Zhen? ?Jun? ?swung? ?his? ?brush? ?and? ?immediately? ?appointed? ?that? ?

young? ?girl? ?named? ?Nangong? ?Jie? ?to? ?the? ?heavens.? ?

It? ?must? ?be? ?known? ?that? ?at? ?the? ?time,? ?lady? ?heavenly? ?officials? ?were? ?already? ?few? ?in? ?numbers.? ?It? ?wasn’t? ?

that? ?there? ?weren’t? ?any,? ?but? ?most? ?of? ?them? ?were? ?in? ?control? ?of? ?flowers? ?and? ?plants,? ?crafts? ?and? ?

embroidery,? ?singing? ?or? ?dancing? ?or? ?other? ?such? ?skills.? ?Even? ?when? ?appointing? ?deputy? ?officials,? ?no? ?

one? ?would? ?want? ?to? ?appoint? ?a? ?woman? ?to? ?be? ?their? ?deputy? ?official? ?of? ?the? ?Lower? ?Court.? ?Lady? ?civil? ?

gods? ?were? ?even? ?more? ?rare.? ?The? ?women? ?of? ?civil? ?god? ?palaces? ?were? ?all? ?cool? ?beauties,? ?and? ?they? ?

didn’t? ?control? ?anything? ?literature? ?related,? ?but? ?moreso? ?gentle? ?souls? ?who? ?grinded? ?ink? ?and? ?laid? ?

papers;? ?they? ?weren’t? ?considered? ?heavenly? ?officials,? ?more? ?like? ?objects? ?to? ?be? ?appreciated.? ?

Jing? ?Wen? ?Zhen? ?Jun’s? ?actions? ?received? ?the? ?praise? ?of? ?bearing? ?sympathy? ?for? ?talents? ?among? ?civil? ?

gods,? ?and? ?everyone? ?claimed? ?this? ?little? ?girl? ?had? ?the? ?best? ?of? ?luck? ?to? ?be? ?able? ?to? ?to? ?run? ?into? ?someone? ?

like? ?Jing? ?Wen? ?Zhen? ?Jun? ?who? ?possessed? ?eyes? ?of? ?wisdom.? ?Not? ?only? ?did? ?she? ?escape? ?the? ?trial? ?of? ?

prison,? ?she? ?was? ?able? ?to? ?climb? ?above? ?to? ?the? ?trees? ?to? ?become? ?a? ?phoenix,? ?truly? ?a? ?beautiful? ?tale.? ?

However,? ?at? ?this? ?very? ?moment,? ?the? ?main? ?characters? ?of? ?this? ?‘beautiful? ?tale’? ?were? ?going? ?at? ?each? ?

other’s? ?throats.? ?

On? ?that? ?end,? ?Jing? ?Wen? ?said,? ?“I? ?regarded? ?you? ?highly? ?and? ?used? ?you? ?heavily,? ?but? ?you? ?made? ?it? ?sound? ?

like? ?I? ?bore? ?ill? ?intentions.”? ? ?

Ling? ?Wen? ?had? ?always? ?been? ?someone? ?who? ?treated? ?others? ?politely,? ?never? ?sounding? ?

condescending? ?nor? ?taunting.? ?However,? ?now? ?her? ?voice? ?had? ?an? ?air? ?of? ?derision,? ?“Please.? ?There’s? ?

really? ?no? ?need? ?for? ?you? ?to? ?go? ?around? ?telling? ?everyone? ?how? ?highly? ?you? ?regarded? ?me.? ?If? ?you? ?really? ?

did,? ?you? ?wouldn’t? ?have? ?made? ?me? ?serve? ?tea? ?and? ?water? ?to? ?everyone? ?in? ?the? ?palace? ?for? ?so? ?many? ?

years,? ?wipe? ?tables,? ?walk? ?hundreds? ?of? ?miles? ?just? ?to? ?pick? ?up? ?a? ?set? ?of? ?poetry? ?scripts,? ?and? ?

unceasingly? ?deliver? ?gifts? ?to? ?other? ?heavenly? ?officials? ?during? ?every? ?holiday.”? ?

Xie? ?Lian? ?mused? ?and? ?that? ?really? ?did? ?seem? ?to? ?have? ?been? ?the? ?case.? ?When? ?he? ?first? ?ascended,? ?every? ?

time? ?he? ?saw? ?Ling? ?Wen,? ?she? ?was? ?always? ?running? ?errands.? ?It? ?was? ?precisely? ?because? ?she? ?ran? ?so? ?

many? ?errands? ?that? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?faintly? ?remembered? ?such? ?a? ?character.? ?Jin? ?Wen? ?retaliated,? ?“At? ?the? ?end? ?

of? ?the? ?day,? ?you’re? ?just? ?upset? ?I? ?refused? ?to? ?promote? ?you.? ?But? ?why? ?don’t? ?you? ?think? ?about? ?why? ?I? ?

wouldn’t? ?promote? ?you?”? ? ?

“Why?”? ?Ling? ?Wen? ?said,? ?“I? ?want? ?to? ?know? ?why? ?too.? ?When? ?I? ?was? ?a? ?mortal? ?I? ?had? ?time? ?and? ?leisure? ?to? ?

read? ?and? ?write,? ?even? ?when? ?I? ?was? ?locked? ?up? ?in? ?jail? ?I? ?could? ?at? ?least? ?reflect? ?calmly? ?against? ?the? ?wall.? ?

After? ?being? ?appointed,? ?there? ?wasn’t? ?a? ?day? ?I? ?wasn’t? ?labouring? ?away? ?for? ?you,? ?running? ?errands? ?and? ?

prostrating.? ?If? ?you? ?had? ?wanted? ?to? ?torment? ?me,? ?then? ?it? ?was? ?a? ?pretty? ?good? ?idea.”? ? ?

“NANGONG!”? ?Jing? ?Wen? ?shouted,? ?“You? ?still? ?dare? ?refuse? ?to? ?admit? ?your? ?wrongs? ?even? ?now?!”? ? ?

Ling? ?Wen? ?countered,? ?“And? ?what? ?wrongs? ?have? ?I? ?committed?”? ? ?

“Are? ?you? ?saying? ?it’s? ?all? ?my? ?fault?”? ?Jing? ?Wen? ?demanded,? ?“What? ?I? ?made? ?you? ?do? ?were? ?obviously? ?the? ?

best? ?for? ?you.? ?If? ?you? ?can’t? ?even? ?take? ?care? ?of? ?such? ?small? ?matters,? ?what? ?right? ?do? ?you? ?have? ?to? ?do? ?

more? ?important? ?things?? ?I? ?was? ?giving? ?you? ?the? ?opportunity? ?to? ?cultivate? ?and? ?train? ?your? ?mind.? ?You’re? ?

the? ?one? ?who’s? ?incapable? ?but? ?you? ?dare? ?blame? ?me? ?for? ?not? ?promoting? ?you?? ?You? ?think? ?too? ?highly? ?of? ?

yourself,? ?but? ?you’re? ?a? ?woman? ?after? ?all,? ?you? ?can’t? ?reach? ?that? ?high.? ?You? ?have? ?to? ?admit? ?this? ?truth!”? ? ?

Ling? ?Wen? ?laughed? ?out? ?loud,? ?seeming? ?to? ?be? ?enraged,? ?and? ?her? ?voice? ?dropped,? ?“Very? ?well!? ?You? ?said? ?

I? ?couldn’t? ?reach? ?that? ?high,? ?then,? ?might? ?I? ?ask? ?you,? ?had? ?the? ?prominence? ?of? ?the? ?Palace? ?of? ?Jing? ?Wen? ?

at? ?its? ?peak? ?ever? ?reached? ?even? ?the? ?knees? ?of? ?my? ?Palace? ?of? ?Ling? ?Wen??”? ? ?

Xie? ?Lian? ?could? ?smell? ?the? ?thick? ?brews? ?of? ?their? ?past? ?resentment? ?and? ?rage? ?growing? ?thicker,? ?and? ?

thought? ?inwardly? ?that? ?he? ?couldn’t? ?have? ?them? ?keep? ?talking? ?any? ?longer.? ?Without? ?any? ?other? ?choice,? ?

he? ?employed? ?a? ?very? ?brutish? ?method.? ?

With? ?a? ?powerful? ?fist? ?he? ?punched? ?the? ?ground,? ?and? ?along? ?with? ?the? ?astounding? ?huge? ?boom,? ?

instantly,? ?a? ?large? ?crater? ?was? ?formed? ?with? ?him? ?in? ?the? ?centre.? ?

Hua? ?Cheng? ?instantly? ?understood? ?what? ?he? ?was? ?planning? ?and? ?cried,? ?“Gege!”? ? ?

Xie? ?Lian? ?flapped? ?his? ?hand? ?to? ?disperse? ?the? ?dust? ?in? ?the? ?air? ?and? ?coughed? ?a? ?few? ?times,? ?“This? ?way? ?is? ?

the? ?most? ?direct.? ?I’ll? ?take? ?care? ?of? ?this? ?side!? ?San? ?Lang,? ?you? ?and? ?General? ?Pei? ?Junior...? ?go? ?lie? ?down? ?

on? ?the? ?side!”? ? ?

At? ?first? ?he? ?had? ?wanted? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?and? ?Pei? ?Su? ?to? ?try? ?the? ?other? ?direction,? ?but? ?under? ?their? ?current? ?

states? ?they? ?were? ?both? ?not? ?as? ?capable.? ?As? ?if? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?was? ?going? ?to? ?listen? ?to? ?him? ?and? ?obediently? ?

lie? ?around.? ?He? ?picked? ?the? ?opposite? ?direction? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?had? ?chosen,? ?summoned? ?E-Ming,? ?and? ?

plunged? ?the? ?blade,? ?piercing? ?the? ?ground.? ?

This? ?strike? ?and? ?Xie? ?Lian’s? ?fist? ?earlier? ?created? ?the? ?same? ?effect.? ?The? ?two? ?took? ?turns? ?to? ?produce? ?one? ?

large? ?noise? ?after? ?the? ?other,? ?the? ?two? ?of? ?them? ?going? ?further? ?and? ?further? ?away? ?from? ?each? ?other.? ?After? ?

pounding? ?a? ?few? ?times,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?stopped? ?to? ?listen,? ?but? ?Pei? ?Ming? ?and? ?Ling? ?Wen? ?didn’t? ?seem? ?to? ?

have? ?any? ?reactions? ?like? ?they? ?didn’t? ?hear? ?the? ?booming? ?noises? ?he? ?was? ?creating.? ? ?

As? ?for? ?Jing? ?Wen,? ?Ling? ?Wen? ?seemed? ?to? ?have? ?stabbed? ?him? ?where? ?it? ?hurt,? ?and? ?he? ?sneered? ?as? ?the? ?

mask? ?of? ?politeness? ?was? ?ripped? ?off,? ?returning? ?to? ?using? ?the? ?bitter? ?tones? ?of? ?when? ?he? ?was? ?calling? ?

them? ?a? ?fucking? ?pair,? ?“Nangong? ?Jie,? ?stop? ?wagging? ?your? ?tail? ?like? ?a? ?wretch? ?who’d? ?won? ?in? ?front? ?of? ?me!? ?

If? ?it? ?wasn’t? ?for? ?me? ?appointing? ?you? ?into? ?the? ?heavens,? ?who? ?knows? ?how? ?many? ?you’d? ?have? ?bore? ?

spawns? ?for? ?in? ?jail!”? ? ?

Now? ?those? ?words? ?were? ?exceedingly? ?vulgar? ?and? ?Xie? ?Lian’s? ?hand? ?almost? ?slipped.? ?Even? ?Pei? ?Ming? ?

couldn’t? ?listen? ?anymore,? ?“You? ?were? ?at? ?least? ?a? ?civil? ?god? ?once,? ?can? ?you? ?not? ?be? ?this? ?classless?”? ? ?

“See,? ?Nangong,”? ?Jing? ?Wen? ?accused,? ?“See? ?how? ?your? ?good? ?lover? ?is? ?shielding? ?you!? ?Who? ?are? ?you,? ?

General? ?Pei,? ?to? ?accuse? ?me? ?of? ?classlessness?”? ? ?

“In? ?your? ?mind,? ?who? ?isn’t? ?my? ?lover?”? ?Ling? ?Wen? ?spat,? ?“You’re? ?looking? ?for? ?retribution?? ?Let’s? ?talk? ?

retribution!”? ? ?

Xie? ?Lian? ?had? ?leapt? ?quite? ?the? ?distance? ?by? ?now,? ?and? ?he? ?once? ?again? ?slammed? ?the? ?ground.? ?This? ?

time,? ?Jing? ?Wen? ?on? ?the? ?other? ?end? ?of? ?the? ?silver? ?butterfly? ?was? ?alarmed,? ?“What’s? ?the? ?noise?!”? ? ?

Xie? ?Lian’s? ?heart? ?jumped,? ?it’s? ?the? ?right? ?direction!? ?

Pei? ?Ming? ?and? ?Ling? ?Wen? ?both? ?heard? ?too.? ?Pei? ?Ming? ?hesitantly? ?wondered,? ?“Did? ?someone? ?start? ?

fighting? ?above?”? ? ?

Going? ?harder,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?dashed? ?a? ?few? ?meters? ?and? ?pounded? ?again? ?thunderously.? ?Pei? ?Ming? ?

exclaimed,? ?“It’s? ?closer? ?now!? ?What? ?a? ?powerful? ?blow!? ?It? ?came? ?from? ?above!”? ? ?

It’s? ?here!? ?

Xie? ?Lian? ?didn’t? ?throw? ?another? ?fist;? ?he? ?pulled? ?out? ?Fang? ?Xin? ?and? ?thrusted? ?the? ?sword? ?downwards? ?–? ?

The? ?aura? ?of? ?the? ?sword? ?erupted? ?and? ?the? ?ground? ?rumbled? ?as? ?it? ?caved? ?in.? ?Soon? ?after,? ?he? ?fell? ?into? ?a? ?

chilling? ?underground? ?cave.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?mentally? ?prayed? ?that? ?he? ?didn’t? ?crash? ?over? ?Pei? ?Ming? ?and? ?Ling? ?

Wen,? ?and? ?he? ?waved? ?away? ?the? ?dust? ?in? ?the? ?air? ?as? ?he? ?rose? ?to? ?his? ?feet,? ?turning? ?around? ?with? ?the? ?

sword? ?in? ?his? ?grip,? ?and? ?called,? ?“Jing...”? ?

The? ?moment? ?the? ?figure? ?of? ?that? ?“Jing? ?Wen? ?Zhen? ?Jun”? ?entered? ?his? ?sight,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?couldn’t? ?help? ?but? ?

widen? ?his? ?eyes.? ?

———? ?

?“Wen”? ?is? ?the? ?word? ?for? ?“Literature”;? ?“Jing”? ?is? ?the? ?word? ?for? ?“Respect”;? ?“Jing”,? ?same? ?tone? ?but? ?

different? ?character? ?is? ?the? ?word? ?for? ?“Quietude”.? ? ?

——–? ?

Ch.154:? ?Why? ?Not? ?Xu? ?Li;? ?Why? ?Not? ?Jing? ?Wen? ?2? ?

Seeing? ?there? ?was? ?a? ?sudden? ?intruder,? ?Jing? ?Wen? ?was? ?alarmed,? ?“WHO? ?ARE? ?YOU?!”? ? ?

However,? ?the? ?one? ?was? ?questioning? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?wasn’t? ?actually? ?a? ?‘man’,? ?but? ?an? ?extremely? ?coarsely? ?

made? ?stone? ?statue? ?of? ?a? ?man,? ?its? ?body? ?bare? ?but? ?wrapped? ?full? ?of? ?cloths,? ?somehow? ?bizarre? ?and? ?at? ?

the? ?same? ?time? ?silly.? ?

No? ?wonder? ?there? ?was? ?no? ?sound? ?of? ?footsteps? ?when? ?he? ?walked? ?but? ?an? ?odd? ?thumping? ?sound;? ?no? ?

wonder? ?when? ?Pei? ?Ming? ?and? ?Ling? ?Wen? ?saw? ?him? ?they? ?were? ?both? ?stunned;? ?and? ?no? ?wonder? ?Pei? ?Ming? ?

said? ?Ling? ?Wen? ?was? ?talking? ?shit? ?with? ?eyes? ?wide? ?open.? ?Because,? ?this? ?thing? ?looked? ?nothing? ?like? ?a? ?

female? ?ghost? ?from? ?head? ?to? ?toe.? ?

Pei? ?Ming? ?and? ?Ling? ?Wen? ?were? ?both? ?wrapped? ?all? ?over? ?by? ?a? ?scroll-like? ?material,? ?tightly? ?bound? ?in? ?Jing? ?

Wen’s? ?hands,? ?unable? ?to? ?move.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?finally? ?snapped? ?out? ?of? ?it,? ?“???Me???”? ? ?

However,? ?Jing? ?Wen? ?said,? ?“You’re? ?the? ?Crown? ?Prince? ?of? ?XianLe?”? ? ?

Xie? ?Lian? ?was? ?taken? ?aback,? ?“Huh?? ?You? ?actually? ?recognize? ?me?? ?Well? ?that? ?truly? ?is...”? ?

But,? ?it? ?wasn’t? ?strange.? ?When? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?first? ?ascended,? ?it? ?was? ?an? ?earth-shattering? ?ordeal.? ?He? ?might? ?

not? ?know? ?every? ?heavenly? ?official? ?of? ?the? ?Upper? ?Court,? ?but? ?every? ?heavenly? ?official? ?of? ?the? ?Upper? ?

Court? ?knew? ?him.? ?Just? ?like? ?now,? ?he? ?completely? ?did? ?not? ?remember? ?how? ?Jing? ?Wen? ?looked? ?like,? ?but? ?

Jing? ?Wen? ?still? ?remembered? ?him,? ?“Of? ?course.? ?Your? ?Highness’? ?journey? ?of? ?godhood? ?experienced? ?

such? ?ups? ?and? ?downs,? ?it’d? ?be? ?difficult? ?not? ?to? ?recognize? ?you!”? ? ?

Xie? ?Lian? ?was? ?weirdly? ?touched? ?and? ?subconsciously? ?replied,? ?“I’m? ?honoured,? ?I’m? ?honoured...? ?But,? ?

how? ?did? ?you? ?become...”? ?

“How? ?did? ?I? ?become? ?this? ?form?”? ?Jing? ?Wen? ?finished? ?for? ?him.? ? ?

Xie? ?Lian? ?cleared? ?his? ?throat? ?softly? ?and? ?nodded,? ?feeling? ?like? ?his? ?question? ?was? ?a? ?bit? ?impolite.? ?

However,? ?Jing? ?Wen? ?used? ?this? ?chance? ?to? ?set? ?off,? ?“ISN’T? ?IT? ?ALL? ?THANKS? ?TO? ?THAT? ?BITCH? ?

NANGONG? ?JIE!? ?After? ?the? ?Palace? ?of? ?Jing? ?Wen? ?declined,? ?my? ?spiritual? ?powers? ?became? ?weaker? ?and? ?

weaker,? ?and? ?she’d? ?add? ?insult? ?to? ?injury,? ?coming? ?after? ?me? ?to? ?try? ?and? ?kill? ?me.? ?I’ve? ?no? ?other? ?choice? ?but? ?

to? ?possess? ?this? ?stone? ?statue? ?in? ?order? ?to? ?survive? ?til? ?now!”? ? ?

“Compared? ?to? ?you? ?I’m? ?not? ?that? ?bad.”? ?Ling? ?Wen? ?said,? ?“You’d? ?personally? ?order? ?me? ?to? ?stay? ?in? ?the? ?

Palace? ?of? ?Jing? ?Wen? ?until? ?midnight,? ?then? ?turn? ?around? ?and? ?say? ?I? ?shamelessly? ?hang? ?around? ?til? ?late? ?

to? ?harass? ?you.? ?Words? ?murder? ?without? ?form;? ?I’ve? ?been? ?much? ?nicer? ?responding? ?with? ?blatant? ?

violence.”? ? ?

Then,? ?he? ?suddenly? ?kicked? ?out,? ?and? ?stomped? ?directly? ?on? ?Jing? ?Wen’s? ?lower? ?body.? ?To? ?Xie? ?Lian,? ?this? ?

move? ?really? ?didn’t? ?look? ?like? ?it’d? ?be? ?powerful,? ?since? ?a? ?stone? ?statue? ?wasn’t? ?a? ?flesh? ?body,? ?and? ?at? ?

most? ?maybe? ?a? ?couple? ?cloths? ?on? ?Jing? ?Wen’s? ?body? ?would? ?rip.? ?Yet? ?unexpectedly,? ?Jing? ?Wen? ?let? ?out? ?a? ?

tragic? ?wail? ?like? ?his? ?nuts? ?really? ?were? ?kicked,? ?and? ?he? ?hastily? ?covered? ?his? ?lower? ?half? ?body.? ?

However,? ?it? ?was? ?too? ?late.? ?That? ?layer? ?of? ?white? ?cloth? ?wrapped? ?around? ?his? ?crotch? ?was? ?kicked? ?off? ?by? ?

Ling? ?Wen,? ?and? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?swiftly? ?saw.? ?Under? ?that? ?white? ?cloth,? ?there? ?was? ?nothing.? ?

Nothing? ?meant? ?that? ?although? ?this? ?was? ?a? ?barenaked? ?stone? ?statue,? ?down? ?in? ?his? ?crotch? ?area? ?what? ?

was? ?supposed? ?to? ?be? ?there? ?wasn’t? ?there.? ?

This? ?was? ?the? ?statue? ?of? ?a? ?eunuch!? ?

‘So? ?it’s? ?a? ?eunuch? ?slave? ?statue!’? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?thought.? ?

This? ?sort? ?of? ?stone? ?statues? ?were? ?often? ?seen? ?in? ?the? ?graves? ?of? ?concubines,? ?and? ?were? ?burial? ?effects? ?

steeped? ?in? ?the? ?essence? ?of? ?yin*;? ?indeed? ?a? ?good? ?choice? ?for? ?possession.? ?However,? ?that? ?a? ?male? ?

heavenly? ?official? ?like? ?Jing? ?Wen? ?who? ?was? ?so? ?small-minded? ?when? ?it? ?came? ?to? ?losing? ?to? ?a? ?woman? ?

would? ?end? ?up? ?as? ?a? ?stone? ?statue? ?of? ?a? ?eunuch? ?slave? ?was? ?exceedingly? ?ironic!? ? ?

Ling? ?Wen? ?burst? ?out? ?laughing,? ?“And? ?here? ?I? ?was? ?wondering? ?why? ?you? ?were? ?so? ?anxious? ?and? ?furious!? ?

So? ?this? ?is? ?why!? ?I? ?can’t? ?reach? ?that? ?high?? ?Look? ?at? ?yourself,? ?how? ?high? ?can? ?you? ?go,? ?I? ?can’t? ?wait? ?to? ?see!? ?

Hahahahahaha...”? ?

Jing? ?Wen? ?ripped? ?off? ?the? ?rest? ?of? ?the? ?cloth? ?that? ?covered? ?his? ?shame? ?and? ?trampled? ?it,? ?furious? ?like? ?he’d? ?

gone? ?mad,? ?and? ?grabbed? ?at? ?Ling? ?Wen’s? ?hair,? ?yelling,? ?“SHUT? ?UP!? ?AND? ?HOW? ?MANY? ?HEAVENLY? ?

OFFICIALS? ?HAVE? ?YOU? ?SLEPT? ?WITH? ?TO? ?GET? ?WHERE? ?YOU? ?ARE??? ?DON’T? ?BE? ?SO? ?PLEASED? ?

WITH? ?YOURSELF!? ?APOLOGIZE? ?RIGHT? ?NOW!”? ?

A? ?large? ?bundle? ?of? ?Ling? ?Wen’s? ?hair? ?was? ?almost? ?pulled? ?off? ?of? ?his? ?head,? ?but? ?he? ?endured? ?the? ?pain? ?

without? ?begging? ?for? ?mercy,? ?nevermind? ?apologizing.? ?Pei? ?Ming? ?commented? ?with? ?disgust,? ?“Are? ?you? ?

really? ?a? ?civil? ?god?? ?Such? ?a? ?lack? ?of? ?class? ?and? ?elegance,? ?even? ?shrews? ?on? ?the? ?streets? ?are? ?better? ?than? ?

you!”? ? ?

Xie? ?Lian? ?mentally? ?cried? ?grievances,? ?scared? ?that? ?Jing? ?Wen? ?would? ?strangle? ?the? ?two? ?to? ?death? ?on? ?a? ?

whim,? ?and? ?cried? ?a? ?“Hey!”? ?in? ?spite? ?of? ?himself,? ?raising? ?his? ?hand,? ?“Calm? ?down!? ?Jing? ?Wen? ?Zhen? ?Jun!? ?

It? ?really? ?doesn’t? ?matter? ?if? ?you? ?have? ?the? ?thing? ?or? ?not!? ?Really!? ?It’s? ?true!”? ? ?

Jing? ?Wen? ?had? ?Ling? ?Wen? ?in? ?one? ?hand,? ?the? ?other? ?covering? ?his? ?groin,? ?and? ?he? ?roared,? ?“LIES!? ?HOW? ?

CAN? ?IT? ?NOT? ?MATTER?!? ?WHY? ?DON’T? ?YOU? ?GET? ?RID? ?OF? ?YOURS? ?AND? ?SEE??”? ? ?

Xie? ?Lian? ?said? ?earnestly,? ?“It’s? ?true!? ?Believe? ?me!? ?Even? ?though!? ?I? ?have? ?the? ?thing!? ?But!? ?It’s? ?the? ?same? ?

as? ?if? ?I? ?don’t? ?have? ?one!? ?Because? ?I’m? ?that!”? ? ?

He? ?once? ?again? ?sacrificed? ?himself,? ?using? ?his? ?own? ?person? ?as? ?proof.? ?Hearing? ?this,? ?Jing? ?Wen? ?

seemed? ?to? ?have? ?calmed? ?a? ?bit,? ?“You’re? ?what?!”? ? ?

“Just,? ??that?!? ?You? ?understand.”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?said,? ?“And? ?even? ?if? ?I? ?have? ?it,? ?I? ?never? ?use? ?it!? ?Cough,? ?actually,? ?

whether? ?it? ?be? ?male? ?heavenly? ?officials? ?or? ?lady? ?heavenly? ?officials,? ?or...? ?other? ?heavenly? ?officials,? ?

such? ?things? ?are? ?all? ?superficial,? ?no? ?need? ?to? ?be? ?so? ?preoccupied...”? ? ?

Jing? ?Wen? ?cut? ?him? ?off,? ?“If? ?you? ?don’t? ?think? ?it? ?matters,? ?why? ?don’t? ?you? ?chop? ?it? ?off? ?to? ?prove? ?it?”? ? ?

Xie? ?Lian:? ?“???”? ? ?

Jing? ?Wen? ?immediately? ?added,? ?“Didn’t? ?you? ?say? ?it? ?makes? ?no? ?difference?? ?Hypocrite.? ?You’re? ?

obviously? ?reluctant? ?in? ?losing? ?the? ?thing,? ?so? ?don’t? ?you? ?use? ?that? ?bullshit? ?to? ?cajole? ?me!? ?I’m? ?no? ?

young’un? ?who’ll? ?cry? ?and? ?repent? ?just? ?because? ?you’ve? ?given? ?me? ?two? ?candies!? ?It’s? ?alright? ?if? ?you? ?

won’t? ?chop? ?yours? ?off,? ?I’ll? ?chop? ?off? ?his!”? ? ?

He? ?was? ?referring? ?to? ?Pei? ?Ming.? ?Pei? ?Ming? ?was? ?dumbfounded,? ?“WHAT? ?THE? ?FUCK?!”? ? ?

Now? ?things? ?were? ?going? ?out? ?of? ?control.? ?Although? ?there? ?were? ?many? ?who? ?wanted? ?to? ?cut? ?off? ?General? ?

Pei’s? ?thing,? ?there? ?was? ?no? ?way? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?wanted? ?Jing? ?Wen? ?to? ?get? ?his? ?way? ?here,? ?and? ?he? ?said? ?hastily,? ?

“Jing? ?Wen? ?Zhen? ?Jun!? ?Even? ?though? ?it’s? ?wrong? ?for? ?Ling? ?Wen? ?to? ?bully? ?you? ?after? ?you’ve? ?declined,? ?but? ?

if? ?you’ve? ?bullied? ?her? ?too? ?then? ?you’re? ?technically? ?even.? ?There’s? ?no? ?need? ?to? ?be? ?so? ?extreme!”? ?As? ?he? ?

spoke? ?to? ?try? ?and? ?create? ?distractions,? ?he? ?secretly? ?released? ?RuoYe? ?at? ?the? ?same? ?time,? ?and? ?it? ?

slithered? ?behind? ?Jing? ?Wen? ?like? ?a? ?snake.? ? ?

However,? ?Jing? ?Wen? ?countered,? ?“Even?? ?It’s? ?not? ?that? ?simple.? ?But? ?now? ?you’ve? ?reminded? ?me,? ?I’ve? ?

something? ?I? ?need? ?to? ?grill? ?that? ?bitch!? ?–? ?Nangong,? ?did? ?you? ?play? ?a? ?part? ?in? ?the? ?fall? ?of? ?the? ?Kingdom? ?of? ?

XuLi??”? ?

Jing? ?Wen? ?was? ?the? ?civil? ?god? ?worshipped? ?in? ?the? ?Kingdom? ?of? ?XuLi,? ?which? ?meant? ?XuLi? ?was? ?his? ?

foundation.? ?If? ?the? ?foundation? ?was? ?ruined,? ?naturally? ?he? ?would? ?be? ?assaulted,? ?even? ?suffer? ?decline.? ?

Thus,? ?it? ?was? ?logical? ?for? ?Jing? ?Wen? ?to? ?suspect? ?Ling? ?Wen.? ?However,? ?after? ?he? ?posed? ?the? ?question,? ?

Ling? ?Wen? ?kept? ?her? ?lips? ?sealed? ?refusing? ?to? ?answer.? ?Jing? ?Wen? ?yelled,? ?“JUST? ?SAY? ?IT!? ?WAS? ?IT? ?YOU? ?

CAUSING? ?SHIT? ?IN? ?THE? ?DARK??? ?I? ?JUST? ?KNEW? ?IT? ?WAS? ?YOU!? ?IT? ?MUST’VE? ?BEEN? ?YOU,? ?

OTHERWISE? ?THE? ?KINGDOM? ?WOULDN’T? ?HAVE? ?FALLEN? ?SO? ?FAST!? ?IT’S? ?ALL? ?YOU? ?

INSIDIOUS? ?BITCH’S? ?FAULT!? ?THAT? ?IDIOT? ?GENERAL? ?MUST’VE? ?FALLEN? ?IN? ?YOUR? ?HANDS!”? ?

‘Ling? ?Wen? ?hasn’t? ?even? ?responded? ?and? ?you’re? ?answering? ?your? ?own? ?questions...’? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?thought,? ?

‘Wait,? ?what?? ?What? ?general?’? ?

On? ?the? ?other? ?side,? ?Ling? ?Wen? ?suddenly? ?started? ?snickering? ?under? ?his? ?breath.? ?If? ?it? ?wasn’t? ?because? ?

Jing? ?Wen? ?possessed? ?a? ?unik? ?slave’s? ?statue? ?and? ?couldn’t? ?show? ?any? ?expressions,? ?he? ?must’ve? ?been? ?

gritting? ?his? ?teeth? ?a? ?long? ?time? ?ago,? ?“What? ?are? ?you? ?laughing? ?about?”? ?

Ling? ?Wen? ?lifted? ?his? ?head? ?slightly? ?and? ?said? ?lightly,? ?“Do? ?you? ?know? ?what? ?the? ?consequences? ?are? ?for? ?

calling? ?him? ?an? ?idiot? ?to? ?his? ?face?”? ? ?

Jing? ?Wen? ?still? ?hasn’t? ?understood? ?when? ?the? ?next? ?moment,? ?the? ?scroll? ?binding? ?Ling? ?Wen? ?suddenly? ?

ripped? ?apart,? ?and? ?from? ?the? ?shreds,? ?a? ?hand? ?emerged? ?from? ?within? ?black? ?sleeves? ?and? ?seized? ?his? ?

head.? ?

Jing? ?Wen? ?hadn’t? ?even? ?had? ?a? ?chance? ?to? ?speak? ?a? ?word? ?when? ?he? ?was? ?subdued,? ?and? ?upon? ?his? ?

coarse? ?face? ?a? ?crack? ?appeared,? ?then? ?another,? ?then? ?another...? ?

Within? ?three? ?cracking? ?sounds,? ?his? ?entire? ?body? ?was? ?shattered? ?into? ?pieces!? ?

As? ?for? ?Ling? ?Wen,? ?he? ?broke? ?free? ?of? ?his? ?bondage? ?and? ?stood? ?where? ?he? ?was? ?as? ?streams? ?of? ?black? ?

smoke? ?permeated,? ?a? ?pile? ?of? ?crumbled? ?stones? ?laying? ?at? ?his? ?feet.? ?

So? ?it? ?turned? ?out? ?that? ?the? ?‘ancient? ?kingdom’? ?in? ?the? ?legends? ?of? ?the? ?Brocade? ?Immortal? ?was? ?the? ?

Kingdom? ?of? ?XuLi,? ?and? ?Bai? ?Jing? ?was? ?also? ?a? ?person? ?of? ?XuLi.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?was? ?just? ?organizing? ?his? ?

thoughts? ?when? ?he? ?heard? ?Pei? ?Ming,? ?who? ?was? ?still? ?tightly? ?bound? ?by? ?the? ?scroll? ?speak? ?up,? ?“Ling? ?

Wen?? ?Stop.”? ? ?

Ling? ?Wen? ?turned? ?around? ?and? ?was? ?stalking? ?towards? ?him? ?step? ?by? ?step.? ?Remembering? ?Ling? ?Wen? ?

telling? ?Pei? ?Ming? ?earlier? ?that? ?“He? ?really? ?doesn’t? ?like? ?you”,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?thought,? ?‘Oh? ?no,? ?is? ?he? ?going? ?to? ?

kill? ?him?’? ?

Ling? ?Wen? ?soothed? ?as? ?he? ?walked,? ?“Bai? ?Jing,? ?he’s? ?already? ?dead.? ?It’s? ?all? ?nonsense,? ?don’t? ?listen? ?to? ?

him.”? ?

However,? ?it? ?didn’t? ?seem? ?to? ?be? ?very? ?effective,? ?so? ?Ling? ?Wen? ?turned? ?to? ?Pei? ?Ming,? ?“Ol’? ?Pei,? ?I’ve? ?no? ?

way? ?to? ?stop? ?him.? ?He? ?heard? ?Jing? ?Wen? ?say? ?you’re? ?my? ?lover? ?and? ?has? ?steeled? ?his? ?mind? ?to? ?kill? ?you.? ?

Your? ?Highness,? ?help? ?me!”? ?

No? ?need? ?to? ?ask,? ?Xie? ?lian? ?had? ?already? ?swung? ?his? ?sword? ?and? ?slashed? ?through? ?the? ?scroll? ?binding? ?

Pei? ?Ming,? ?and? ?Pei? ?Ming? ?jumped? ?to? ?his? ?feet,? ?the? ?two? ?leaping? ?out? ?of? ?the? ?underground? ?cave,? ?

returning? ?to? ?the? ?ground? ?above? ?once? ?more.? ?Looking? ?down? ?back? ?into? ?the? ?cave,? ?they? ?saw? ?Ling? ?Wen? ?

had? ?punched? ?through? ?where? ?Pei? ?Ming? ?was? ?just? ?lying? ?and? ?debris? ?flew,? ?his? ?strength? ?considerable,? ?

even? ?harder? ?than? ?when? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?was? ?punching? ?to? ?scout? ?for? ?them? ?earlier!? ?

Xie? ?Lian? ?tucked? ?RuoYe? ?away,? ?wrapping? ?it? ?on? ?his? ?wrist,? ?and? ?Pei? ?Ming? ?also? ?worked? ?out? ?the? ?kinks? ?in? ?

his? ?arms.? ?After? ?having? ?bound? ?for? ?so? ?long,? ?the? ?swelling? ?on? ?his? ?left? ?arm? ?had? ?gone? ?down? ?somewhat,? ?

the? ?bulge? ?of? ?it? ?now? ?looking? ?the? ?size? ?of? ?having? ?been? ?stung? ?by? ?fifty? ?thousand? ?hornets? ?instead? ?of? ?a? ?

million.? ? ?

“What? ?is? ?this? ?fucking? ?resentment...”? ?He? ?started,? ?but? ?before? ?he? ?even? ?finished,? ?Ling? ?Wen? ?had? ?

already? ?flashed? ?before? ?him!? ?

The? ?two? ?exchanged? ?a? ?blow,? ?and? ?both? ?were? ?pushed? ?a? ?few? ?meters? ?back.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?and? ?Pei? ?Ming? ?

exchanged? ?a? ?look,? ?thinking? ?things? ?too? ?troublesome,? ?they? ?both? ?bolted? ?at? ?the? ?same? ?time.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?

turned? ?his? ?head? ?back? ?and? ?yelled? ?as? ?he? ?ran,? ?“LING? ?WEN!? ?CAN? ?YOU? ?TRY? ?AND? ?CALM? ?GENERAL? ?

BAI? ?DOWN? ?AGAIN??”? ? ?

Ling? ?Wen? ?was? ?hot? ?on? ?their? ?tail,? ?“I? ?TRIED!? ?BUT? ?HE? ?DOESN’T? ?BELIEVE? ?ME? ?ANYMORE!”? ?

“IT? ?MUST? ?BE? ?BECAUSE? ?HE’S? ?HURT? ?THAT? ?YOU? ?LIED? ?TO? ?HIM!”? ?Pei? ?Ming? ?shouted.? ?

“LING? ?WEN!”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?cried,? ?“CAN? ?YOU? ?CHANGE? ?BACK? ?TO? ?YOUR? ?FEMALE? ?FORM?? ?THE? ?

KILLING? ?STRENGTH? ?WOULD? ?BE? ?REDUCED? ?IN? ?A? ?WOMAN’S? ?BODY!”? ? ?

“NO!”? ?Ling? ?Wen? ?answered.? ?

“WHY? ?NOT?”? ? ?

“HE? ?WON’T? ?LET? ?ME? ?CHANGE? ?BACK!”? ?Ling? ?Wen? ?replied.? ?

“I? ?get? ?it!”? ?Pei? ?Ming? ?said,? ?“The? ?bastard? ?is? ?afraid? ?of? ?pressing? ?against? ?a? ?woman’s? ?body!? ?What? ?a? ?

wimp!”? ?

RUMBLE!? ??A? ?roof? ?came? ?crashing? ?towards? ?them,? ?almost? ?crushing? ?over? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?and? ?Pei? ?Ming.? ?

Ling? ?Wen? ?cried,? ?“I? ?DIDN’T? ?THROW? ?THAT!? ?YOUR? ?FAULT? ?FOR? ?INSULTING? ?HIM,? ?NOW? ?HE’S? ?

EVEN? ?MORE? ?MAD,? ?YOU’RE? ?BOTH? ?IN? ?DANGER!”? ? ?

Xie? ?Lian? ?cried? ?hastily,? ?“HUH?!? ?WHAT’S? ?IT? ?GOT? ?TO? ?DO? ?WITH? ?ME?? ?I’VE? ?SAID? ?NOTHING!? ?LING? ?

WEN,? ?CAN? ?YOU? ?TELL? ?HIM? ?TO? ?COUNT? ?ME? ?OUT? ?PLEASE??”? ? ?

“BETTER? ?TO? ?COUNT? ?YOU? ?IN,? ?EASIER? ?WHEN? ?THERE’S? ?MORE? ?PEOPLE? ?TO? ?SHOULDER? ?

THE? ?BURDEN.”? ?Ling? ?Wen? ?yelled,? ?“YOUR? ?HIGHNESS,? ?WHERE’S? ?LITTLE? ?PEI?? ?THE? ?GUOSHI? ?

BAN? ?YUE?? ?YOUR? ?CRIMSON? ?RAIN? ?SOUGHT? ?FLOWER???”? ?

“Don’t? ?count? ?on? ?them,? ?they’ve? ?gone? ?the? ?other? ?direction? ?to? ?search? ?for? ?you? ?both.”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?yelled? ?

back,? ?“We’ve? ?already? ?run? ?for? ?over? ?ten? ?miles,? ?run? ?first? ?talk? ?later!? ?He’s? ?already? ?absorbed? ?over? ?a? ?

thousand? ?ghosts,? ?it? ?won’t? ?be? ?wise? ?to? ?face? ?him? ?head? ?on? ?right? ?now!”? ? ?

Yet? ?unexpectedly,? ?just? ?as? ?the? ?words? ?left? ?his? ?lips,? ?he? ?feet? ?suddenly? ?went? ?light,? ?and? ?his? ?entire? ?body? ?

was? ?hoisted? ?up.? ?It? ?wasn’t? ?just? ?him,? ?Pei? ?Ming? ?too,? ?and? ?when? ?they? ?looked? ?closely,? ?turns? ?out? ?the? ?two? ?

of? ?them? ?were? ?captured? ?by? ?a? ?large? ?net? ?and? ?were? ?now? ?hanging? ?in? ?the? ?air.? ?

Trouble? ?seemed? ?to? ?have? ?flown? ?over? ?from? ?out? ?of? ?nowhere,? ?and? ?that? ?net? ?seemed? ?to? ?have? ?been? ?

made? ?of? ?a? ?special? ?kind? ?of? ?material,? ?and? ?bare? ?hands? ?couldn’t? ?rip? ?it? ?apart.? ?Just? ?then,? ?from? ?all? ?

around? ?in? ?the? ?woods? ?at? ?least? ?one? ?or? ?two? ?hundred? ?fang-baring? ?monsters? ?and? ?demons? ?came? ?

jumping? ?out,? ?clapping? ?in? ?joy,? ?“CAUGHT? ?THEM!!!!”? ?

“HAHAHAHAHA? ?HOW? ?MANY? ?IS? ?THIS? ?NOW?? ?THIS? ?TRAP? ?IS? ?SO? ?GOOD!”? ? ?

“LET’S? ?SEE? ?WHAT? ?WE? ?CAUGHT,? ?HOW? ?MANY? ?HEADS!”? ? ?

It? ?appeared? ?that? ?in? ?a? ?moment? ?of? ?careless? ?panic,? ?they? ?fell? ?into? ?the? ?trap? ?of? ?these? ?low? ?level? ?little? ?

minions.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?reached? ?for? ?Fang? ?Xin? ?without? ?thinking? ?to? ?slash? ?through? ?the? ?net,? ?but? ?when? ?he? ?

found? ?his? ?back? ?empty,? ?he? ?realized? ?that? ?Fang? ?Xin? ?had? ?fallen? ?from? ?his? ?grip? ?earlier? ?when? ?the? ?

suddenly? ?drew? ?up.? ?Ling? ?Wen? ?had? ?already? ?chased? ?them? ?to? ?the? ?net,? ?and? ?right? ?at? ?his? ?feet? ?was? ?Fang? ?

Xin.? ?The? ?mob? ?of? ?little? ?minions? ?hadn’t? ?yet? ?realized? ?just? ?what? ?had? ?come,? ?and? ?they? ?were? ?all? ?

overjoyed,? ?“ANOTHER? ?ONE!”? ? ?

Ling? ?Wen? ?raised? ?his? ?hands? ?and? ?two? ?balls? ?of? ?black? ?ghost? ?fires? ?were? ?ignited? ?in? ?his? ?palms.? ?He? ?

raised? ?his? ?head? ?to? ?face? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?and? ?Pei? ?Ming,? ?“You? ?two,? ?this...? ?really? ?isn’t? ?up? ?to? ?me.”? ? ?

Xie? ?Lian? ?puffed? ?a? ?breath,? ?“Ling? ?Wen,? ?can? ?I? ?ask? ?what? ?would? ?happen? ?if? ?we? ?should? ?be? ?hit? ?by? ?that? ?

thing?”? ?

“Last? ?time? ?I? ?used? ?ghost? ?fires? ?this? ?big? ?and? ?hit? ?His? ?Highness? ?Qi? ?Ying,? ?he? ?was? ?injured,? ?but? ?it? ?wasn’t? ?

too? ?bad.? ?He? ?could? ?still? ?hop? ?around? ?and? ?run.”? ? ?

It? ?sounded? ?like? ?the? ?damage? ?wouldn’t? ?be? ?that? ?great,? ?so? ?even? ?if? ?they? ?were? ?hit? ?it? ?wouldn’t? ?be? ?too? ?

bad,? ?so? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?and? ?Pei? ?Ming? ?both? ?sighed? ?in? ?relief.? ?“Alright,? ?alright...”? ?

But? ?just? ?as? ?they? ?said? ?the? ?second? ?“alright”,? ?the? ?two? ?balls? ?of? ?ghost? ?fires? ?in? ?Ling? ?Wen’s? ?hands? ?

suddenly? ?erupted? ?to? ?ten? ?times? ?the? ?size,? ?turning? ?into? ?two? ?giant? ?pillars? ?of? ?flames? ?blazing? ?to? ?the? ?

skies!? ?

Xie? ?Lian:? ?“...”? ?

Pei? ?Ming:? ?“...”? ?

“...But? ?how? ?would? ?things? ?be? ?after? ?getting? ?hit? ?by? ?flames? ?this? ?size? ?I? ?can’t? ?say.”? ?Ling? ?Wen? ?said.? ?

Pei? ?Ming? ?roared,? ?“WAIT!? ?I’M? ?REALLY? ?NOT? ?YOUR? ?LOVER? ?THOUGH?!?!?!?”? ?

“I? ?know? ?that!? ?But? ?it’s? ?useless? ?if? ?we’re? ?the? ?only? ?ones? ?who? ?know!”? ?Ling? ?Wen? ?exclaimed.? ?

That? ?band? ?of? ?monsters? ?and? ?demons? ?were? ?stunned? ?by? ?those? ?two? ?balls? ?of? ?flaming? ?ghost? ?fires,? ?and? ?

they? ?quickly? ?drew? ?their? ?weapons,? ?indignantly? ?circling? ?them,? ?shouting? ?arrogantly,? ?“YOU? ?

BASTARD!? ?HOW? ?DARE? ?YOU? ?COME? ?STEAL? ?OUR? ?KILL? ?WHEN? ?YOU’RE? ?NOTHING!? ?GET? ?

HIM!!!”? ?

However,? ?pathetic? ?little? ?minion? ?like? ?them? ?posed? ?no? ?threat? ?to? ?the? ?Brocade? ?Immortal,? ?and? ?were? ?

nothing? ?more? ?another? ?wave? ?of? ?fresh? ?nourishment? ?for? ?him.? ?Ling? ?Wen? ?inclined? ?his? ?head? ?slightly,? ?his? ?

pupils? ?reflecting? ?the? ?vibrant? ?light? ?of? ?the? ?ghost? ?fires,? ?looking? ?like? ?he? ?was? ?ready? ?to? ?receive? ?the? ?new? ?

heads? ?who? ?were? ?ready? ?to? ?sacrifice? ?themselves.? ?Right? ?at? ?that? ?moment,? ?a? ?wild? ?whirlwind? ?blew? ?by.? ?

Amidst? ?series? ?of? ?terrified? ?wails,? ?that? ?mob? ?of? ?little? ?minions? ?were? ?blown? ?to? ?the? ?sky? ?in? ?a? ?blink? ?of? ?an? ?

eye!? ?

Rather? ?than? ?say? ?they? ?were? ?blown? ?to? ?the? ?sky? ?by? ?‘wind’,? ?it? ?was? ?more? ?like? ?there? ?was? ?a? ?formless,? ?

peculiar? ?giant? ?hand? ?that? ?snatched? ?them? ?and? ?hauled? ?them? ?into? ?the? ?sky!? ?

The? ?Brocade? ?Immortal? ?seemed? ?to? ?have? ?sensed? ?something? ?and? ?became? ?alarmed,? ?and? ?the? ?

blazing? ?ghost? ?fires? ?in? ?Ling? ?Wen’s? ?hands? ?also? ?dropped? ?some? ?as? ?he? ?scanned? ?the? ?surrounding? ?

area.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?arduously? ?looked? ?up,? ?but? ?the? ?dense? ?branches? ?of? ?trees? ?blocked? ?his? ?sight.? ?The? ?wails? ?

of? ?those? ?ghosts? ?also? ?came? ?to? ?an? ?abrupt? ?stop,? ?so? ?he? ?couldn’t? ?figure? ?out? ?what? ?exactly? ?happened? ?

above? ?at? ?all.? ?Pei? ?Ming? ?was? ?also? ?alarmed,? ?“Who’s? ?come?”? ? ?

Alert? ?and? ?watchful? ?for? ?a? ?while,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?suddenly? ?said,? ?“Do? ?you? ?all? ?not? ?smell? ?that?”? ?

“What?”? ?Pei? ?Ming? ?asked.? ?

“The? ?scent? ?of? ?flowers.”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?replied.? ?

Pei? ?Ming? ?was? ?confused,? ?“There’re? ?flowers?”? ? ?

Xie? ?Lian? ?closed? ?his? ?eyes.? ?A? ?moment? ?later,? ?he? ?said? ?with? ?conviction,? ?“Yes.? ?It’s? ?the? ?scent? ?of? ?flowers.”? ? ?

The? ?scent? ?of? ?flowers? ?was? ?mellow,? ?peculiar,? ?fresh? ?and? ?cool.? ?It? ?came? ?from? ?an? ?unknown? ?place,? ?with? ?

an? ?unknown? ?name.? ?It? ?was? ?exceedingly? ?light;? ?exceedingly? ?soft,? ?faint? ?like? ?it? ?wasn’t? ?even? ?there.? ? ?

Pei? ?Ming? ?furrowed? ?his? ?brows,? ?“I? ?don’t? ?smell? ?flowers,? ?but? ?I? ?definitely? ?smell...”? ?

Before? ?he? ?finished? ?his? ?sentence? ?he? ?felt? ?something? ?drip? ?onto? ?his? ?face.? ?He? ?wiped? ?with? ?his? ?hand? ?

without? ?thinking? ?and? ?his? ?pupils? ?shrank.? ?

It? ?was? ?blood.? ?

A? ?couple? ?drops? ?also? ?fell? ?onto? ?the? ?ghost? ?fires? ?in? ?Ling? ?Wen’s? ?hands,? ?and? ?those? ?flames? ?instantly? ?

weakened? ?a? ?notch.? ?His? ?expression? ?became? ?even? ?more? ?alarmed,? ?and? ?whipped? ?his? ?head? ?up.? ?In? ?

that? ?instant? ?–? ?

Falling? ?from? ?the? ?heavens? ?was? ?the? ?blowing? ?rain? ?of? ?blood!? ?

Pei? ?Ming? ?was? ?hung? ?higher? ?than? ?Xie? ?Lian,? ?and? ?the? ?sudden? ?battering? ?of? ?this? ?blood? ?deluge? ?

drenched? ?him? ?into? ?a? ?bloody? ?drowned? ?rat,? ?leaving? ?only? ?a? ?pair? ?of? ?eyes? ?that? ?were? ?black? ?and? ?white,? ?

round? ?and? ?bulging.? ?The? ?ghost? ?fires? ?in? ?Ling? ?Wen’s? ?hands? ?were? ?long? ?extinguished? ?completely,? ?and? ?

he? ?disappeared? ?under? ?the? ?tree? ?to? ?avoid? ?the? ?same? ?end? ?as? ?the? ?defenseless? ?Pei? ?Ming.? ?As? ?for? ?Xie? ?

Lian,? ?he? ?suddenly? ?felt? ?the? ?net? ?tear,? ?his? ?body? ?drop,? ?and? ?he? ?plunged? ?downwards.? ?He? ?flipped? ?in? ?the? ?

air? ?as? ?he? ?fell,? ?and? ?landed? ?steadily? ?just? ?as? ?the? ?bloody? ?rain? ?was? ?about? ?to? ?descend? ?upon? ?him.? ? ?

There? ?was? ?no? ?time? ?to? ?escape,? ?so? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?raised? ?his? ?sleeve,? ?ready? ?to? ?block? ?as? ?much? ?as? ?he? ?can.? ?

Yet,? ?after? ?the? ?darkness,? ?he? ?heard? ?a? ?soft,? ?low? ?rumbling? ?of? ?laughter.? ? ?

Suddenly,? ?the? ?air? ?was? ?filled? ?with? ?the? ?mysterious,? ?alluring? ?fragrance? ?of? ?blossoms.? ? ?

Xie? ?Lian? ?lifted? ?his? ?head? ?a? ?little? ?and? ?looked? ?up.? ?He? ?didn’t? ?feel? ?any? ?raindrops? ?hitting? ?his? ?face;? ?

instead,? ?it? ?was? ?something? ?soft? ?and? ?gentle? ?brushing? ?past.? ?

He? ?reached? ?out? ?and? ?caught? ?it.? ?Looking? ?down,? ?what? ?flew? ?quietly? ?into? ?the? ?heart? ?of? ?his? ?palm? ?was? ?a? ?

small? ?piece? ?of? ?vibrantly? ?red? ?flower? ?petal.? ?

He? ?looked? ?up? ?once? ?more,? ?his? ?breath? ?hitched.? ?He? ?couldn’t? ?believe? ?it.? ?

The? ?bloody? ?rain? ?that? ?enveloped? ?the? ?sky? ?had? ?transformed? ?into? ?a? ?fluttering? ?shower? ?of? ?flower? ?petals!? ?

There? ?was? ?no? ?need? ?to? ?even? ?guess? ?who? ?had? ?come.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?curled? ?his? ?fingers? ?and? ?clenched? ?his? ?

hand,? ?clutching? ?that? ?flower? ?petal? ?as? ?the? ?name? ?blurted? ?from? ?his? ?lips,? ?“San? ?Lang!”? ? ?

He? ?turned? ?around? ?and? ?saw? ?Ling? ?Wen? ?had? ?soundlessly? ?fallen? ?to? ?the? ?ground,? ?and? ?that? ?softly? ?

laughing,? ?raven? ?black? ?hair,? ?crimson? ?robed,? ?tall? ?and? ?slender? ?young? ?man? ?who? ?stood? ?there? ?solitarily? ?

could? ?be? ?none? ?other? ?than? ?Hua? ?Cheng.? ?

Blossoms? ?fell? ?like? ?dripping? ?blood;? ?blood? ?danced? ?like? ?petals? ?in? ?the? ?wind.? ?That? ?face? ?was? ?as? ?spirited? ?

and? ?handsome? ?as? ?the? ?first? ?time? ?they? ?met,? ?his? ?eyes? ?bright? ?and? ?alive.? ?He? ?languidly? ?sheathed? ?that? ?

long? ?and? ?slender? ?silver? ?scimitar? ?back? ?into? ?its? ?scabbard,? ?and? ?spoke? ?with? ?a? ?deep? ?voice,? ?“Your? ?

Highness,? ?I’ve? ?come? ?back.”? ?

———? ?

Ch.155:? ?Mountains? ?High? ?and? ?Roads? ?Unending;? ?Narrow? ?Paths? ?Blocked? ?

Treading? ?across? ?the? ?ground? ?strewn? ?with? ?crimson? ?fragments? ?of? ?exquisite? ?jade,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?walked? ?

over? ?slowly.? ?When? ?he? ?saw? ?Hua? ?Cheng’s? ?shoulders? ?were? ?littered? ?with? ?a? ?bit? ?of? ?red? ?blossoms,? ?he? ?

had? ?wanted? ?to? ?dust? ?them? ?off? ?for? ?him? ?but? ?suddenly? ?realized? ?that? ?gesture? ?would? ?be? ?overly? ?intimate,? ?

so? ?he? ?forced? ?down? ?the? ?urge? ?and? ?tucked? ?his? ?arms? ?behind? ?his? ?back,? ?smiling,? ?“I? ?didn’t? ?know? ?that? ?not? ?

only? ?can? ?you? ?bring? ?forth? ?bloody? ?rain,? ?you? ?can? ?also? ?make? ?flowers? ?shower.? ?How? ?fun!”? ? ?

Hua? ?Cheng? ?also? ?walked? ?closer? ?towards? ?him,? ?easily? ?dusting? ?off? ?the? ?petals? ?on? ?his? ?shoulders,? ?also? ?

smiling,? ?“This? ?was? ?just? ?something? ?spontaneously? ?inspired,? ?a? ?trick? ?I? ?only? ?just? ?came? ?up? ?with? ?today.? ?

Originally? ?there? ?should’ve? ?been? ?the? ?usual? ?blood? ?rain,? ?but? ?I? ?suddenly? ?remembered? ?gege? ?was? ?also? ?

present,? ?and? ?wouldn’t? ?you? ?blame? ?me? ?if? ?you? ?were? ?to? ?be? ?drenched?? ?So? ?I? ?held? ?back? ?at? ?the? ?last? ?

second? ?and? ?transformed? ?it? ?to? ?flowers? ?instead.? ?I’m? ?glad? ?you? ?found? ?it? ?fun.”? ?

However,? ?while? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?wasn’t? ?drenched,? ?Pei? ?Ming? ?was? ?completely? ?soaked.? ?He? ?called? ?out? ?while? ?

hanging? ?in? ?the? ?air,? ?“Excuse? ?me,? ?you? ?two,? ?let? ?me? ?down? ?will? ?you?”? ? ?

A? ?few? ?silver? ?butterflies? ?fluttered? ?upwards,? ?their? ?wings? ?shimmering? ?silver? ?as? ?they? ?tore? ?the? ?net,? ?

allowing? ?Pei? ?Ming? ?to? ?finally? ?break? ?free,? ?landing? ?steadily? ?on? ?the? ?ground.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?looked? ?down? ?and? ?

saw? ?on? ?the? ?centre? ?of? ?Ling? ?Wen’s? ?spine? ?rested? ?a? ?silver? ?butterfly,? ?“San? ?Lang,? ?Ling? ?Wen? ?and? ?the? ?

Brocade? ?Immortal? ?are? ?both? ?alright,? ?right?”? ? ?

“They’re? ?fine.”? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?said,? ?“I’ve? ?only? ?put? ?them? ?to? ?sleep? ?temporarily.”? ? ?

Xie? ?Lian? ?was? ?amazed,? ?“This? ?Brocade? ?Immortal? ?was? ?going? ?berserk? ?but? ?you? ?managed? ?to? ?subdue? ?it? ?

so? ?fast.”? ?

Hua? ?Cheng? ?raised? ?his? ?brows,? ?“It? ?was? ?fine.? ?For? ?some? ?reason? ?it? ?didn’t? ?seem? ?to? ?want? ?to? ?fight? ?me.”? ?

Xie? ?Lian? ?hummed? ?and? ?said,? ?“That’s? ?true.? ?Before? ?when? ?you? ?put? ?it? ?on,? ?it? ?didn’t? ?do? ?anything? ?to? ?you? ?

either,? ?and? ?even? ?showed? ?itself.”? ?

Just? ?then,? ?Pei? ?Ming? ?walked? ?over,? ?“Save? ?the? ?talking? ?for? ?later,? ?you? ?two.? ?Aren’t? ?you? ?going? ?to? ?peel? ?

that? ?robe? ?off? ?of? ?him? ?first?”? ? ?

“Um...? ?wouldn’t? ?that? ?be? ?rather? ?inappropriate?”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?said.? ?

Pei? ?Ming? ?didn’t? ?seem? ?to? ?think? ?anything? ?of? ?it,? ?“He’s? ?in? ?his? ?male? ?form? ?right? ?now,? ?so? ?what’s? ?there? ?to? ?

be? ?embarrassed? ?about?”? ?His? ?hands? ?moved? ?as? ?he? ?spoke,? ?yet? ?just? ?as? ?his? ?hands? ?reached? ?Ling? ?

Wen’s? ?collar,? ?it? ?was? ?like? ?something? ?jabbed? ?at? ?him? ?hard,? ?and? ?his? ?face? ?dropped,? ?yanking? ?his? ?arms? ?

back,? ?his? ?hands? ?covered? ?in? ?blood,? ?“This? ?robe!? ?It? ?bites!”? ? ?

Only? ?then? ?did? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?say? ?lazily,? ?“The? ?Brocade? ?Immortal? ?won’t? ?let? ?Ling? ?Wen? ?go,? ?you? ?won’t? ?be? ?

able? ?to? ?take? ?it? ?off? ?of? ?him.”? ? ?

Pei? ?Ming? ?looked? ?at? ?his? ?bloodied? ?hands? ?and? ?said,? ?“If? ?something? ?like? ?this? ?happens? ?again,? ?will? ?My? ?

Lord? ?Ghost? ?King? ?please? ?warn? ?me? ?sooner?”? ?

Xie? ?Lian? ?said? ?gently,? ?“General? ?Pei,? ?it’s? ?not? ?that? ?he? ?didn’t? ?want? ?to? ?warn? ?you,? ?your? ?hands? ?moved? ?too? ?

fast.”? ?

Hua? ?Cheng? ?snickered,? ?“That’s? ?it? ?exactly.”? ?

“...”? ?

Although? ?crippled,? ?wills? ?remained? ?strong.? ?The? ?three? ?moved? ?to? ?head? ?back? ?the? ?way? ?they? ?came? ?and? ?

someone? ?had? ?to? ?carry? ?the? ?male? ?Ling? ?Wen,? ?so? ?Pei? ?Ming? ?took? ?up? ?that? ?responsibility? ?without? ?a? ?

word.? ? ?

Pei? ?Su? ?and? ?Ban? ?Yue? ?were? ?still? ?in? ?the? ?same? ?small? ?town? ?from? ?before,? ?the? ?group? ?reconvening? ?near? ?

the? ?divine? ?temple? ?of? ?WuYong,? ?and? ?when? ?Pei? ?Su? ?saw? ?them? ?come? ?back,? ?he? ?strode? ?over? ?to? ?greet? ?

them,? ?“General,? ?your,? ?highness,? ?that? ?mural,? ?in? ?that,? ?temple,? ?had? ?disappeared!”? ? ?

Pei? ?Ming? ?was? ?carrying? ?Ling? ?Wen? ?in? ?one? ?arm? ?while? ?the? ?other? ?hand? ?slicked? ?back? ?his? ?blood? ?soaked? ?

hair,? ?“What? ?mural?”? ?

Seeing? ?Pei? ?Ming? ?was? ?covered? ?in? ?wine? ?red? ?colour,? ?Ban? ?Yue’s? ?eyes? ?widened.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?gave? ?Pei? ?

Ming? ?a? ?brief? ?account? ?and? ?went? ?back? ?into? ?the? ?temple? ?with? ?Pei? ?Su? ?to? ?check.? ?Sure? ?enough,? ?that? ?wall? ?

earlier? ?had? ?become? ?exactly? ?the? ?same? ?as? ?the? ?other? ?three? ?burnt? ?ashen? ?walls,? ?like? ?that? ?mural? ?had? ?

never? ?existed.? ?

Hua? ?Cheng? ?dropped? ?his? ?hand? ?from? ?the? ?wall,? ?“That? ?mural? ?was? ?created? ?by? ?magic.”? ? ?

Xie? ?Lian? ?nodded,? ?“Perhaps,? ?the? ?one? ?who? ?left? ?it? ?had? ?concerns? ?and? ?didn’t? ?dare? ?leave? ?it? ?for? ?too? ?

long.”? ?

On? ?the? ?other? ?side,? ?Ban? ?Yue? ?was? ?hesitant? ?for? ?a? ?long? ?time? ?but? ?in? ?the? ?end? ?still? ?drudged? ?up? ?the? ?

courage? ?to? ?ask? ?Pei? ?Ming,? ?“Are...? ?you? ?ok?”? ? ?

Pei? ?Ming? ?gave? ?her? ?a? ?look? ?and? ?bluffed,? ?“Why? ?don’t? ?you? ?ask? ?your? ?snakes? ?if? ?I’d? ?be? ?ok? ?having? ?gotten? ?

bitten? ?like? ?this?”? ? ?

Pei? ?Su? ?opened? ?his? ?mouth? ?as? ?if? ?to? ?speak? ?but? ?wasn’t? ?sure? ?if? ?he? ?should? ?say? ?something? ?for? ?justice? ?

sake.? ?Ban? ?Yue’s? ?eyes? ?widened? ?even? ?bigger,? ?mumbling? ?as? ?she? ?tried? ?to? ?argue,? ?“But...? ?a? ?bite? ?from? ?

the? ?scorpion? ?tailed? ?snakes? ?wouldn’t? ?fester? ?to? ?the? ?whole? ?body? ?like? ?this...”? ?

Pei? ?Ming? ?raised? ?the? ?left? ?hand? ?that? ?carried? ?the? ?bite? ?mark? ?and? ?waved? ?it? ?in? ?front? ?of? ?her,? ?proving? ?that? ?

he? ?was? ?indeed? ?bitten.? ?‘Iron? ?proof’? ?was? ?solid? ?like? ?the? ?mountains,? ?and? ?Ban? ?Yue? ?could? ?only? ?

apologize,? ?“I’m? ?sorry...”? ?

Pei? ?Su? ?couldn’t? ?watch? ?anymore? ?and? ?patted? ?her? ?shoulder,? ?“Do,? ?n’t? ?take? ?it? ?to? ?heart.? ?This? ?wasn’t? ?

caused? ?by? ?the? ?bite? ?of? ?your,? ?snakes.”? ?

Xie? ?Lian? ?couldn’t? ?watch? ?anymore? ?either,? ?speaking? ?up? ?exasperatedly,? ?“General? ?Pei,? ?can? ?you? ?not? ?

tease? ?little? ?girls? ?at? ?a? ?time? ?like? ?this?”? ? ?

However,? ?this? ?was? ?the? ?source? ?of? ?Pei? ?Ming’s? ?life.? ?He? ?used? ?his? ?spiritual? ?powers? ?to? ?cleanse? ?himself? ?

of? ?all? ?the? ?blood? ?and? ?grime,? ?his? ?face? ?bright? ?and? ?alive? ?as? ?he? ?laughed? ?out? ?loud,? ?“Aren’t? ?little? ?girls? ?

made? ?for? ?teasing?? ?Besides,? ?the? ?Guoshiess? ?of? ?Banyue? ?is? ?how? ?many? ?centuries? ?old? ?now?? ?What? ?

little? ?girl?? ?Afraid? ?she? ?might? ?get? ?embarrassed?”? ? ?

“...”? ?No? ?one? ?wanted? ?to? ?talk? ?to? ?him? ?anymore.? ?

Although? ?Pei? ?Su’s? ?broken? ?sentences? ?wasn’t? ?healed,? ?he? ?could? ?still? ?move? ?like? ?normal? ?now? ?and? ?

took? ?over? ?the? ?task? ?of? ?carrying? ?Ling? ?Wen.? ?The? ?group? ?of? ?them? ?crossed? ?the? ?small? ?town? ?and? ?

continued? ?down? ?to? ?the? ?next? ?level? ?of? ?Mount? ?TongLu.? ?

A? ?day? ?later,? ?the? ?group? ?reached? ?a? ?small? ?valley.? ?

On? ?either? ?sides? ?of? ?the? ?valley? ?were? ?steep,? ?tall? ?mountains? ?with? ?hardened? ?rocky? ?bluffs? ?with? ?a? ?

mountain? ?path? ?in? ?between? ?them.? ?Only? ?when? ?they’ve? ?come? ?to? ?this? ?point? ?did? ?Ling? ?Wen? ?finally? ?wake? ?

blearily.? ?

Although? ?awake,? ?he? ?still? ?couldn’t? ?move,? ?because? ?that? ?silver? ?butterfly? ?was? ?still? ?firmly? ?resting? ?on? ?his? ?

back.? ?When? ?Ling? ?Wen? ?discovered? ?that? ?he? ?was? ?being? ?carried? ?on? ?the? ?back? ?of? ?someone,? ?his? ?

expression? ?never? ?changed? ?and? ?only? ?asked? ?in? ?confusion,? ?“...Why? ?are? ?there? ?so? ?many? ?people?? ?How? ?

come? ?you’re? ?all? ?here?? ?Isn’t? ?this? ?Mount? ?TongLu?”? ? ?

“This? ?is? ?many?”? ?Pei? ?Ming? ?answered,? ?“Let? ?me? ?tell? ?you,? ?there’ll? ?be? ?more? ?later,? ?you? ?haven’t? ?seen? ?

everyone? ?yet.? ?There’s? ?enough? ?of? ?us? ?to? ?play? ?a? ?round? ?of? ?cards.”? ? ?

Xie? ?Lian? ?wholeheartedly? ?agreed? ?with? ?the? ?sentiment? ?and? ?couldn’t? ?help? ?but? ?smile.? ?After? ?a? ?pause,? ?

he? ?spoke? ?up,? ?“By? ?the? ?way,? ?Ling? ?Wen,? ?back? ?at? ?PuQi? ?Shrine? ?Qi? ?Ying? ?chased? ?after? ?you.? ?Where? ?is? ?he? ?

now?”? ? ?

Ling? ?Wen? ?replied,? ?“Don’t? ?know.? ?After? ?entering? ?Mount? ?TongLu,? ?there? ?were? ?too? ?many? ?inhuman? ?

creatures? ?swarming? ?in,? ?and? ?His? ?Highness? ?Qi? ?Ying? ?was? ?lost? ?in? ?the? ?crowd.? ?I? ?have? ?no? ?idea? ?where? ?he? ?

could? ?be? ?right? ?now? ?either.”? ? ?

Pei? ?Ming? ?sighed? ?at? ?Ling? ?Wen,? ?“I? ?can’t? ?believe? ?you? ?didn’t? ?tell? ?me? ?the? ?one? ?who? ?plucked? ?the? ?last? ?life? ?

line? ?of? ?XuLi? ?was? ?you.? ?How? ?mean.”? ? ?

Only? ?then? ?did? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?remember? ?that? ?Pei? ?Ming? ?was? ?also? ?from? ?the? ?kingdom? ?of? ?XuLi.? ?However,? ?he? ?

didn’t? ?seem? ?to? ?have? ?any? ?attachments? ?left? ?for? ?XuLi,? ?since? ?he? ?was? ?only? ?a? ?general? ?and? ?not? ?the? ?king,? ?

and? ?was? ?even? ?sabotaged? ?by? ?the? ?ruler? ?before? ?he? ?ascended,? ?so? ?there? ?was? ?no? ?trace? ?of? ?fury? ?or? ?

surliness? ?in? ?his? ?voice,? ?but? ?moreso? ?just? ?poking? ?fun.? ?However,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?was? ?still? ?worried? ?that? ?talking? ?

too? ?much? ?of? ?XuLi? ?would? ?provoke? ?the? ?Brocade? ?Immortal,? ?so? ?he? ?swiftly? ?changed? ?the? ?subject,? ?

turning? ?his? ?head? ?back? ?to? ?ask,? ?“San? ?Lang,? ?I’ve? ?always? ?been? ?curious? ?of? ?something.”? ?

After? ?entering? ?the? ?valley,? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?had? ?been? ?watching? ?the? ?two? ?tall? ?mountains? ?closely.? ?“What? ?is? ?

it?”? ? ?

“The? ?‘Kiln’? ?of? ?Mount? ?TongLu,? ?what? ?is? ?it? ?exactly?? ?Is? ?it? ?really? ?just? ?a? ?giant? ?stove?”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?asked.? ?

Hua? ?Cheng? ?smiled? ?faintly? ?and? ?brought? ?his? ?gaze? ?back,? ?“Of? ?course? ?not.? ?But,? ?it’s? ?a? ?good? ?question,? ?

gege.”? ?He? ?raised? ?his? ?hand? ?and? ?pointed,? ?“It? ?just? ?so? ?happens? ?we? ?can? ?see? ?it? ?now.”? ? ?

The? ?group? ?looked? ?to? ?the? ?direction? ?he? ?was? ?pointing,? ?and? ?all? ?unconsciously? ?stopped? ?in? ?their? ?steps.? ?

“...That’s...? ?the? ?‘Kiln’?”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?questioned.? ?

Hua? ?Cheng? ?crossed? ?his? ?arms,? ?“That’s? ?right.”? ? ?

Reflected? ?in? ?his? ?inky? ?black? ?eyes? ?was? ?a? ?large? ?mountain? ?from? ?an? ?exceedingly? ?far? ?distance? ?away.? ? ?

Far? ?like? ?it? ?sat? ?at? ?the? ?edge? ?of? ?the? ?world,? ?tall? ?like? ?it? ?reached? ?the? ?heavens,? ?enthroned? ?

condescendingly? ?among? ?all? ?the? ?peaks,? ?painted? ?in? ?a? ?deep,? ?sunken? ?blue,? ?the? ?summit? ?of? ?the? ?

mountains? ?were? ?surrounded? ?by? ?a? ?sea? ?of? ?clouds? ?and? ?heavenly? ?winds.? ?A? ?layer? ?of? ?snow? ?could? ?

faintly? ?be? ?seen? ?like? ?a? ?field? ?of? ?ice? ?that? ?never? ?melted.? ?

Hua? ?Cheng? ?said? ?leisurely,? ?“The? ?‘Kiln’? ?is? ?a? ?live? ?volcano,? ?and? ?the? ?heart? ?of? ?all? ?of? ?Mount? ?TongLu.? ?

When? ?a? ?new? ?ghost? ?king? ?is? ?born,? ?that? ?is? ?also? ?when? ?it? ?wakes.”? ? ?

“A? ?volcanic? ?eruption?”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?asked.? ?

“That’s? ?right.”? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?replied,? ?“So,? ?all? ?Supreme? ?Ghost? ?Kings? ?are? ?born? ?accompanied? ?by? ?

blazing? ?fires,? ?lava,? ?and? ?ruinous? ?disasters.”? ?

Imagining? ?that? ?fiery? ?scenario? ?that? ?made? ?eyes? ?glow? ?red,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?was? ?lost? ?in? ?thought.? ?Pei? ?Ming? ?

spoke? ?up,? ?“That’s? ?too? ?far? ?away.? ?If? ?we? ?continue? ?in? ?this? ?speed,? ?not? ?counting? ?slaying? ?all? ?the? ?ghosts? ?

en? ?route,? ?it’s? ?gonna? ?take? ?a? ?long? ?time.”? ? ?

Xie? ?Lian? ?nodded,? ?“That’s? ?why? ?historically? ?every? ?time? ?Mount? ?TongLu? ?opens? ?its? ?gates? ?to? ?slaughter,? ?

it’s? ?like? ?an? ?arduous? ?childbirth.”? ?

Hua? ?Cheng? ?chuckled,? ?“Gege’s? ?metaphor? ?is? ?ingenious.”? ?Then,? ?he? ?suddenly? ?stopped.? ?“We’re? ?

here.”? ? ?

“???”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?was? ?dumbfounded,? ?“So? ?fast?”? ? ?

Hua? ?Cheng? ?explained,? ?“We’re? ?here,? ?but? ?not? ?at? ?the? ?Kiln.? ?We’ve? ?come? ?to? ?a? ?WuYong? ?divine? ?temple.”? ? ?

Sure? ?enough,? ?ahead? ?in? ?the? ?centre? ?of? ?the? ?valley? ?was? ?a? ?leaning,? ?large? ?palace? ?temple.? ?

This? ?was? ?the? ?second? ?WuYong? ?divine? ?temple? ?they? ?had? ?come? ?across.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?almost? ?wanted? ?to? ?

rub? ?his? ?eyes? ?and? ?was? ?perplexed,? ?“Is? ?that? ?temple? ?real?”? ? ?

It? ?couldn’t? ?be? ?helped.? ?In? ?fact,? ?almost? ?everyone? ?was? ?doubtful? ?whether? ?if? ?that? ?temple? ?was? ?real? ?since? ?

it? ?appeared? ?too? ?abruptly.? ?

It? ?shouldn’t? ?have? ?appeared? ?here.? ?Who? ?had? ?ever? ?seen? ?any? ?temple? ?or? ?shrine? ?be? ?constructed? ?on? ?

such? ?a? ?narrow? ?valley? ?over? ?small? ?mountain? ?roads?? ?What? ?is? ?this? ?shitty? ?fengshui?? ?

Even? ?if? ?it? ?had? ?to? ?be? ?built? ?here? ?no? ?matter? ?what,? ?it? ?should? ?at? ?least? ?be? ?constructed? ?on? ?the? ?side.? ?But,? ?

this? ?WuYong? ?divine? ?temple? ?just? ?had? ?to? ?be? ?bluntly? ?constructed? ?right? ?in? ?the? ?middle? ?of? ?the? ?valley? ?

road? ?like? ?a? ?brainless? ?little? ?tyrant,? ?brazenly? ?blocking? ?the? ?mountain? ?path!? ?

Pei? ?Ming? ?lowered? ?his? ?voice,? ?“Where? ?there? ?is? ?abnormality? ?there? ?is? ?evil,? ?everyone? ?be? ?careful.”? ? ?

Ling? ?Wen? ?who? ?was? ?leaning? ?heavily? ?on? ?Pei? ?Su’s? ?shoulder,? ?arduously? ?lifted? ?his? ?head,? ?“Everyone,? ?if? ?

you? ?don’t? ?want? ?to? ?go? ?inside? ?you? ?can? ?just? ?leap? ?and? ?run? ?across? ?the? ?cliffs.”? ? ?

However,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?said,? ?“No.? ?We? ?have? ?to? ?go? ?in.? ?See? ?if? ?there’s? ?any? ?murals.”? ? ?

“Don’t? ?worry,? ?gege.”? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?said,? ?“If? ?you? ?want? ?to? ?go? ?in? ?and? ?see? ?then? ?do? ?so.? ?It’s? ?no? ?big? ?deal.”? ? ?

Since? ?he? ?said? ?so,? ?for? ?some? ?reason? ?everyone? ?relaxed,? ?and? ?the? ?group? ?of? ?them? ?slowly? ?approached.? ?

The? ?entire? ?time? ?they? ?walked? ?and? ?until? ?they? ?reached? ?the? ?entrance,? ?nothing? ?odd? ?happened.? ?

Crossing? ?through? ?the? ?temple? ?doors? ?and? ?entering? ?the? ?great? ?hall,? ?sure? ?enough,? ?the? ?walls? ?inside? ?this? ?

temple? ?were? ?also? ?in? ?the? ?blackened? ?colour? ?from? ?the? ?aftermath? ?of? ?fire.? ?With? ?a? ?light? ?scratch,? ?small? ?

pieces? ?of? ?hardened? ?fragments? ?also? ?fell? ?just? ?like? ?in? ?the? ?previous? ?temple.? ?

Xie? ?Lian? ?was? ?tense? ?and? ?alert? ?at? ?first,? ?but? ?since? ?there? ?didn’t? ?seem? ?to? ?be? ?anything? ?hiding? ?in? ?the? ?

darkness,? ?he? ?relaxed? ?a? ?bit? ?and? ?said,? ?“Let’s? ?do? ?this.”? ? ?

Soon? ?after,? ?the? ?ashen? ?‘protection’? ?layer? ?on? ?the? ?wall? ?was? ?cleaned? ?off? ?bit? ?by? ?bit,? ?revealing? ?the? ?mural? ?

behind.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?and? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?began? ?to? ?examine? ?it? ?closely.? ?

The? ?contents? ?of? ?the? ?mural? ?in? ?this? ?divine? ?temple? ?were? ?completely? ?different? ?than? ?the? ?previous? ?one.? ?

They? ?started? ?studying? ?it? ?from? ?the? ?highest? ?level,? ?the? ?top? ?of? ?the? ?painting,? ?and? ?a? ?white? ?clad? ?young? ?

man? ?sat? ?poised? ?upon? ?a? ?jaded? ?futon,? ?his? ?brows? ?quietly? ?handsome.? ?It? ?was? ?that? ?Crown? ?Prince? ?of? ?

WuYong.? ?His? ?eyes? ?were? ?tightly? ?shut,? ?and? ?judging? ?from? ?his? ?posture,? ?he? ?seemed? ?to? ?be? ?in? ?deep? ?

reflective? ?meditation.? ?However,? ?it? ?wasn’t? ?tranquil.? ?

THis? ?Highness? ?the? ?crown? ?prince? ?had? ?brows? ?deeply? ?furrowed,? ?a? ?few? ?drops? ?of? ?cold? ?sweat? ?

appeared? ?to? ?be? ?dripping? ?down? ?from? ?his? ?forehead.? ?Surrounding? ?him? ?were? ?four? ?characters,? ?their? ?

expressions? ?deep? ?with? ?concern? ?–? ?it? ?was? ?the? ?four? ?guardian? ?deputies? ?under? ?the? ?crown? ?prince? ?from? ?

the? ?previous? ?mural.? ?Their? ?accessories? ?and? ?attire? ?were? ?exactly? ?the? ?same? ?as? ?the? ?previous? ?painting.? ?

Continuing? ?to? ?look? ?downwards,? ?the? ?protection? ?layer? ?was? ?still? ?falling? ?apart? ?gradually,? ?not? ?yet? ?fully? ?

cleaned? ?away,? ?and? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?saw? ?a? ?field? ?of? ?chaotic? ?red.? ?He? ?frowned? ?slightly,? ?“That’s? ?weird.”? ? ?

He? ?reached? ?out? ?and? ?lightly? ?touched? ?the? ?wall,? ?puzzled,? ?“Is? ?this? ?mural? ?poorly? ?kept?”? ? ?

Although? ?he? ?couldn’t? ?quite? ?tell? ?what? ?the? ?painting? ?was? ?depicting,? ?but? ?he? ?could? ?see? ?that? ?this? ?spread? ?

of? ?lines? ?and? ?colours? ?were? ?all? ?blurry? ?and? ?hazy,? ?like? ?it? ?was? ?trapped? ?in? ?a? ?layer? ?of? ?mist,? ?fading? ?away.? ?

But,? ?this? ?mural? ?was? ?created? ?by? ?magic,? ?so? ?how? ?could? ?it? ?deteriorate? ?like? ?a? ?normal? ?painting?? ? ?

Hua? ?Cheng? ?was? ?also? ?looking? ?at? ?it? ?intently,? ?knitting? ?his? ?brows,? ?“Let’s? ?give? ?it? ?another? ?minute.”? ?

The? ?two? ?exchanged? ?looks.? ?Once? ?the? ?burnt,? ?black,? ?hardened? ?material? ?was? ?thoroughly? ?wiped? ?

clean,? ?the? ?entire? ?painting? ?complete,? ?they? ?took? ?a? ?few? ?steps? ?back? ?and? ?stood? ?shoulder? ?to? ?shoulder? ?

to? ?look.? ?As? ?the? ?entirety? ?of? ?the? ?mural? ?reflected? ?in? ?Xie? ?Lian’s? ?eyes,? ?his? ?breathing? ?stopped,? ?and? ?he? ?

felt? ?his? ?head? ?go? ?numb.? ?

He? ?wondered? ?out? ?loud,? ?stunned,? ?“Is? ?this...? ?hell?”? ? ?

———-? ?

Ch.156:? ?Mountains? ?High? ?and? ?Roads? ?Unending;? ?Narrow? ?Paths? ?Blocked? ?2? ?

Hua? ?Cheng? ?said? ?darkly,? ?“No.? ?It’s? ?the? ?mortal? ?realm.”? ? ?

It? ?indeed? ?was? ?the? ?mortal? ?realm,? ?because? ?depicted? ?within? ?the? ?painting? ?were? ?crammed? ?houses,? ?

dense? ?forests,? ?crowds;? ?yet,? ?they? ?were? ?all? ?submerged? ?in? ?a? ?vast,? ?endless? ?sea? ?of? ?fire? ?and? ?flowing? ?

lava.? ? ?

The? ?houses? ?and? ?trees? ?were? ?ablaze,? ?flames? ?burned? ?on? ?the? ?people’s? ?bodies? ?and? ?they? ?were? ?

screaming.? ?Those? ?twisted? ?faces? ?were? ?drawn? ?so? ?realistically? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?could? ?almost? ?hear? ?their? ?

wails? ?next? ?to? ?his? ?ears.? ?

In? ?the? ?centre? ?of? ?the? ?painting? ?was? ?a? ?vibrantly? ?red? ?mountain? ?like? ?a? ?giant? ?Kiln? ?glowing? ?from? ?the? ?heat,? ?

exceedingly? ?horrifying.? ?The? ?fires? ?and? ?lava? ?were? ?all? ?spewed? ?from? ?this? ?mountain.? ?

“The? ?meaning? ?of? ?this? ?mural? ?is...? ?volcanic? ?eruption,? ?the? ?fall? ?of? ?the? ?Kingdom? ?of? ?WuYong?”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?

pondered.? ?

“Yes.? ?And? ?no.”? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?said.? ?

It? ?dawned? ?on? ?Xie? ?Lian,? ?“It? ?certainly? ?wasn’t? ?completely? ?right,? ?because? ?this? ?is...? ?a? ?dream.”? ?

This? ?portrayal? ?of? ?tragedy? ?at? ?the? ?bottom? ?of? ?the? ?painting? ?should? ?be? ?a? ?depiction? ?of? ?the? ?Crown? ?Prince? ?

of? ?WuYong’s? ?dream.? ?

The? ?Crown? ?Prince? ?of? ?WuYongAnd? ?the? ?four? ?guardian? ?gods? ?were? ?surrounded? ?by? ?golden? ?light,? ?

meaning? ?at? ?this? ?time? ?he? ?had? ?already? ?ascended.? ?He? ?was? ?in? ?the? ?middle? ?of? ?being? ?tormented? ?by? ?a? ?

dream,? ?so? ?the? ?content? ?of? ?the? ?dream? ?state? ?had? ?lines? ?and? ?colours? ?that? ?were? ?more? ?‘hollow’? ?in? ?

contrast? ?with? ?the? ?‘real’.? ?

Some? ?heavenly? ?officials? ?possessed? ?enormous? ?spiritual? ?might,? ?their? ?talents? ?abnormally? ?incredible,? ?

and? ?when? ?they? ?saw? ?miniscule? ?omens,? ?they? ?could? ?peek? ?into? ?the? ?future? ?in? ?their? ?dreams.? ?This? ?was? ?

what? ?they? ?called? ?prophecy? ?dreams.? ?Had? ?this? ?dream? ?state? ?of? ?tHis? ?Highness? ?the? ?crown? ?prince? ?

become? ?reality?? ?Was? ?this? ?how? ?the? ?Kingdom? ?of? ?WuYong? ?fell?? ?

Humming? ?for? ?a? ?moment,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?remarked,? ?“There? ?must? ?be? ?someone? ?who? ?wanted? ?to? ?tell? ?us? ?

something.? ?The? ?story? ?in? ?this? ?mural? ?should? ?be? ?the? ?continuation? ?from? ?the? ?previous? ?one.? ?I? ?think,? ?the? ?

closer? ?we? ?get? ?to? ?the? ?‘Kiln’,? ?the? ?more? ?our? ?questions? ?would? ?be? ?answered.”? ? ?

Just? ?then,? ?Ling? ?Wen? ?was? ?watching? ?outside? ?the? ?windows? ?and? ?spoke? ?up,? ?“Everyone,? ?there’s? ?

something? ?I? ?must? ?ask.? ?Don’t? ?you? ?all? ?think? ?it’s? ?strange?”? ? ?

“What’s? ?strange?”? ?Pei? ?Ming? ?asked.? ?

“Not? ?sure? ?if? ?I? ?remembered? ?wrong,? ?but? ?have? ?those? ?two? ?mountain? ?bluffs? ?ever? ?been? ?this? ?close?”? ? ?

Everyone? ?looked? ?out? ?of? ?the? ?windows.? ?Sure? ?enough,? ?earlier? ?when? ?they? ?had? ?entered,? ?the? ?mountain? ?

bluffs? ?outside? ?were? ?about? ?three? ?meters? ?away,? ?but? ?now,? ?it? ?was? ?pushing? ?extremely? ?close,? ?like? ?it? ?was? ?

going? ?to? ?press? ?into? ?them? ?at? ?any? ?moment.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?was? ?about? ?to? ?go? ?out? ?and? ?check? ?but? ?he? ?heard? ?a? ?

series? ?of? ?weird? ?crackling? ?and? ?creaking? ?sounds,? ?like? ?the? ?disturbance? ?of? ?earth? ?and? ?trees,? ?bricks? ?

and? ?stones? ?being? ?pressured.? ?

Now? ?everyone? ?had? ?sensed? ?it.? ?“What’s? ?going? ?on?”? ? ?

The? ?bricks? ?under? ?their? ?feet? ?were? ?quivering,? ?the? ?ceiling? ?above? ?their? ?heads? ?was? ?also? ?shaking,? ?one? ?

piece,? ?two? ?pieces,? ?many? ?pieces? ?of? ?debris? ?and? ?dust? ?were? ?falling.? ?“Is? ?it? ?an? ?earthquake?”? ?Pei? ?Ming? ?

wondered.? ?

Just? ?as? ?the? ?words? ?left? ?his? ?lips,? ?the? ?walls? ?were? ?already? ?cracked? ?into? ?shocking? ?‘wrinkles’? ?from? ?the? ?

pressure.? ?“It’s? ?not? ?an? ?earthquake!”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?exclaimed,? ?“It’s...”? ?

The? ?mountain? ?bluffs? ?on? ?either? ?side? ?were? ?pushing? ?into? ?the? ?divine? ?temple? ?of? ?WuYong? ?sitting? ?in? ?its? ?

middle!? ?

There? ?was? ?no? ?time? ?to? ?explain.? ?He? ?shouted,? ?“RUN!”? ? ?

No? ?need? ?for? ?him? ?to? ?tell? ?them,? ?Pei? ?Ming? ?had? ?already? ?kicked? ?down? ?a? ?wall? ?and? ?opened? ?an? ?exit.? ?The? ?

group? ?broke? ?through? ?the? ?wall? ?and? ?exited,? ?running? ?forward.? ?However,? ?they? ?were? ?still? ?running? ?

within? ?the? ?divine? ?temple? ?of? ?WuYong? ?because? ?this? ?temple? ?palace? ?was? ?long? ?and? ?deep,? ?and? ?other? ?

than? ?the? ?great? ?hall,? ?there? ?were? ?still? ?many? ?side? ?chambers,? ?small? ?chambers,? ?incense? ?rooms,? ?

training? ?halls,? ?etc.? ?Thus,? ?the? ?group? ?had? ?to? ?keep? ?running? ?and? ?keep? ?breaking? ?down? ?walls,? ?kicking? ?

down? ?doors.? ?It? ?was? ?times? ?like? ?these? ?that? ?a? ?martial? ?god’s? ?typical? ?way? ?of? ?doing? ?things? ?really? ?helped.? ?

However,? ?they? ?only? ?crossed? ?through? ?two? ?little? ?chambers? ?before? ?a? ?giant? ?boulder? ?the? ?size? ?of? ?half? ?a? ?

man? ?crashed? ?through? ?the? ?roof,? ?falling? ?heavily? ?next? ?to? ?Xie? ?Lian’s? ?feet.? ?

Giant? ?boulders? ?were? ?falling? ?from? ?atop? ?the? ?two? ?mountain? ?bluffs? ?on? ?each? ?side!? ?

The? ?rumbling? ?noises? ?were? ?endless? ?as? ?more? ?and? ?more? ?rocks? ?fell? ?from? ?the? ?skies.? ?Large? ?one? ?were? ?

like? ?water? ?barrels,? ?small? ?ones? ?were? ?the? ?size? ?of? ?heads,? ?and? ?they? ?dropped? ?from? ?high? ?in? ?the? ?skies,? ?

their? ?powers? ?astounding.? ?Fortunately? ?there? ?was? ?a? ?layer? ?of? ?roof? ?blocking? ?them? ?and? ?everyone’s? ?

physical? ?abilities? ?were? ?considerable? ?and? ?was? ?able? ?to? ?dodge? ?in? ?time.? ?Only? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?was? ?the? ?

most? ?at? ?ease;? ?as? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?ran? ?and? ?dodged,? ?he? ?suddenly? ?heard? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?beckon? ?him,? ?“Gege,? ?

wanna? ?come? ?here?”? ?

He? ?turned? ?his? ?head? ?back? ?to? ?look.? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?was? ?following? ?closely? ?behind? ?him,? ?his? ?steps? ?steady? ?

like? ?he? ?was? ?flying,? ?holding? ?a? ?red? ?umbrella? ?he? ?took? ?out? ?from? ?who? ?knows? ?where,? ?and? ?was? ?smiling? ?

brightly? ?at? ?him? ?from? ?under? ?the? ?umbrella.? ?Those? ?fallen? ?rocks? ?were? ?soundly? ?crashing? ?onto? ?the? ?

surface? ?of? ?the? ?umbrella,? ?but? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?held? ?the? ?handle? ?with? ?a? ?single? ?hand? ?without? ?swaying!? ?

Xie? ?Lian? ?instantly? ?took? ?cover? ?under? ?his? ?umbrella.? ?“Whew,? ?that? ?was? ?close.? ?Thank? ?goodness? ?for? ?

San? ?Lang.”? ? ?

San? ?Lang? ?smiled? ?and? ?very? ?considerately? ?leaned? ?the? ?umbrella? ?more? ?to? ?his? ?side,? ?“Come? ?closer? ?

here.”? ? ?

Even? ?though? ?it? ?wasn’t? ?the? ?right? ?time,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?still? ?felt? ?his? ?heart? ?skip? ?a? ?beat? ?in? ?spite? ?of? ?himself,? ?

“Are? ?you? ?tired? ?holding? ?this? ?up?? ?How? ?about? ?I? ?hold? ?the? ?umbrella? ?for? ?you...”? ?

The? ?others? ?were? ?fleeing? ?and? ?dodging,? ?running? ?madly,? ?and? ?seeing? ?how? ?the? ?two? ?were? ?having? ?a? ?

good? ?time,? ?they? ?couldn’t? ?stand? ?it? ?and? ?couldn’t? ?help? ?but? ?call? ?out,? ?“Hey!? ?Isn’t? ?that? ?unfair?!”? ?

“Hua? ?Chengzhu,? ?may? ?I? ?ask? ?if? ?you? ?have? ?any? ?more? ?spare? ?umbrellas??”? ? ?

“Can? ?I? ?hide? ?under? ?that? ?umbrella? ?too??”? ? ?

Hua? ?Cheng? ?smiled? ?fakely,? ?“No.? ?And? ?no.”? ? ?

Under? ?the? ?objections? ?of? ?the? ?others,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?was? ?feeling? ?a? ?little? ?embarrassed,? ?and? ?he? ?mumbled,? ?

“Oh,? ?this? ?mountain? ?sure? ?is? ?strange!”? ?And? ?was? ?about? ?to? ?sneak? ?away? ?as? ?he? ?spoke,? ?but? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?

stopped? ?him? ?unnoticeably,? ?and? ?leisurely? ?explained,? ?“Gege? ?is? ?right,? ?this? ?mountain? ?is? ?certainly? ?

strange.? ?Strange? ?like? ?spirits.? ?There? ?are? ?three? ?large? ?mountains? ?in? ?Mount? ?TongLu,? ?and? ?they? ?are? ?

called? ?‘Old? ?Age’,? ?‘Sickness’,? ?and? ?‘Death’.? ?Although? ?they’re? ?not? ?different? ?than? ?other? ?mountains,? ?

they? ?could? ?move? ?as? ?they? ?will? ?within? ?the? ?perimeters? ?of? ?Mount? ?TongLu,? ?so,? ?some? ?would? ?take? ?them? ?

as? ?Mount? ?TongLu’s? ?landmarks.”? ?

Fallen? ?rocks? ?continued? ?to? ?crash? ?down? ?violently,? ?but? ?it? ?was? ?peace? ?and? ?harmony? ?under? ?the? ?

umbrella.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?replied,? ?“I? ?see!? ?So? ?before,? ?that? ?time? ?when? ?Rong? ?Guang? ?was? ?disguised? ?as? ?the? ?

Swift? ?Life-Extinguishing? ?Blade? ?Demon,? ?the? ?mountain? ?that? ?was? ?blocking? ?our? ?way? ?was? ?one? ?of? ?

those? ?three? ?mountain? ?spirits?”? ? ?

Ling? ?Wen? ?was? ?bumping? ?up? ?and? ?down? ?on? ?Pei? ?Su’s? ?back? ?but? ?still? ?tried? ?arduously? ?to? ?converse,? ?“No? ?

wonder? ?this? ?divine? ?temple? ?of? ?WuYong? ?was? ?so? ?strangely? ?built? ?in? ?the? ?middle? ?of? ?the? ?‘valley’.? ?Its? ?

original? ?location? ?was? ?probably? ?not? ?that? ?curious,? ?and? ?it? ?was? ?those? ?two? ?mountain? ?spirits? ?that? ?came? ?

attacking? ?on? ?their? ?own!”? ?

“But? ?‘Birth’,? ?‘Old? ?Age’,? ?‘Sickness’,? ?‘Death’? ?are? ?a? ?set*,”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?said,? ?“Since? ?there’s? ?‘Old? ?Age’,? ?

‘Sickness’? ?and? ?‘Death’,? ?where’s? ?‘Birth’?”? ? ?

“Regrettably,? ?there’s? ?no? ?‘Birth’.? ?At? ?least,? ?I’ve? ?never? ?seen? ?it? ?before.”? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?replied.? ?

“Meaning? ?there’s? ?no? ?chance? ?for? ?life? ?here,? ?is? ?it?? ?How? ?cruel!”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?said.? ?

Immediately? ?after,? ?Ban? ?Yue? ?exclaimed,? ?“The? ?mountain? ?bluffs? ?are? ?still? ?coming? ?closer!”? ? ?

When? ?they? ?first? ?entered? ?the? ?valley,? ?the? ?mountain? ?path? ?was? ?about? ?a? ?couple? ?kilometers? ?wide,? ?

growing? ?narrower? ?as? ?they? ?walked.? ?When? ?they? ?approached? ?the? ?gates? ?of? ?that? ?WuYong? ?temple,? ?the? ?

road? ?was? ?no? ?more? ?than? ?thirty? ?meters? ?wide.? ?And? ?now,? ?the? ?space? ?between? ?the? ?two? ?mountain? ?bluffs? ?

were? ?less? ?than? ?ten? ?meters,? ?the? ?building? ?and? ?the? ?walls? ?were? ?all? ?cracking? ?and? ?bending? ?from? ?the? ?

pressure.? ?Since? ?the? ?divine? ?temple? ?of? ?WuYong? ?employed? ?stone? ?beams? ?and? ?other? ?such? ?solid? ?

construction? ?materials,? ?it? ?wedged? ?between? ?the? ?two? ?mountains? ?that? ?were? ?simultaneously? ?pushing? ?

closer.? ?However,? ?it? ?might? ?not? ?last? ?for? ?much? ?longer,? ?and? ?Pei? ?Ming? ?yelled,? ?“Neither? ?forward? ?nor? ?

back? ?is? ?passable,? ?let’s? ?break? ?through? ?the? ?roof? ?and? ?go? ?upwards!? ?This? ?shower? ?of? ?rocks? ?is? ?nothing,? ?

just? ?break? ?them? ?into? ?pieces!”? ? ?

However,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?exclaimed,? ?“We? ?can’t!? ?Right? ?now? ?there’s? ?the? ?the? ?temple? ?wedged? ?between,? ?if? ?

we? ?go? ?upwards,? ?what? ?if? ?the? ?two? ?mountain? ?spirits? ?throw? ?a? ?smacking? ?blow? ?or? ?something?? ?We’ll? ?be? ?

clapped? ?to? ?death!”? ? ?

In? ?between? ?their? ?exchanges,? ?the? ?two? ?sides? ?were? ?pushing? ?closer? ?even? ?faster,? ?rumbling? ?and? ?

quaking,? ?the? ?spaces? ?they’re? ?in? ?had? ?become? ?less? ?than? ?six? ?meters? ?in? ?width.? ?Under? ?such? ?

circumstances,? ?Ling? ?Wen? ?was? ?still? ?immobile,? ?and? ?he? ?couldn’t? ?help? ?but? ?cry,? ?“CAN? ?EVERYONE? ?

PLEASE? ?COME? ?UP? ?WITH? ?SOMETHING? ?FASTER???? ?I? ?DON’T? ?WANT? ?TO? ?GET? ?SQUISHED? ?TO? ?

DEATH,? ?THANK? ?YOU???”? ? ?

Fire? ?was? ?burning? ?their? ?behinds,? ?but? ?ideas? ?didn’t? ?just? ?come? ?so? ?easily.? ?As? ?the? ?space? ?continued? ?to? ?

shrink,? ?shrinking? ?to? ?only? ?the? ?length? ?of? ?a? ?person,? ?Pei? ?Ming? ?suddenly? ?gave? ?a? ?loud? ?shout? ?and? ?leapt? ?

up? ?sideways.? ?His? ?arms? ?pushed? ?against? ?the? ?mountain? ?on? ?the? ?left? ?and? ?his? ?legs? ?pushed? ?against? ?on? ?

the? ?right,? ?his? ?entire? ?person? ?becoming? ?a? ?‘spike’,? ?wedging? ?sideways? ?between? ?the? ?two? ?large? ?

mountains.? ?“EVEN? ?IF? ?I’M? ?GONNA? ?BE? ?SQUISHED? ?TO? ?DEATH? ?I? ?DON’T? ?WANNA? ?BE? ?FUCKING? ?

SQUISHED? ?TO? ?DEATH? ?BY? ?THOSE? ?TWO? ?SHITS.? ?I’LL? ?HOLD? ?THEM? ?DOWN? ?FOR? ?NOW,? ?YOU? ?

GUYS? ?HURRY? ?AND? ?THINK? ?OF? ?SOMETHING!”? ? ?

“...”? ?

Everyone? ?was? ?stunned? ?by? ?his? ?deed,? ?and? ?Ling? ?Wen? ?arduously? ?gave? ?him? ?a? ?thumbs? ?up,? ?“Ol’? ?Pei,? ?

what? ?a? ?man!”? ? ?

Pei? ?Ming? ?gritted? ?his? ?teeth,? ?“WELCOME!”? ? ?

There? ?was? ?no? ?need? ?to? ?explain? ?a? ?martial? ?god’s? ?strength;? ?those? ?two? ?mountain? ?bluffs? ?were? ?still? ?trying? ?

to? ?press? ?closer? ?to? ?the? ?middle? ?but? ?they? ?seemed? ?to? ?have? ?been? ?obtrusively? ?stopped? ?by? ?Pei? ?Ming,? ?

and? ?they? ?fell? ?into? ?stalemate.? ?However,? ?this? ?was? ?Pei? ?Ming? ?exerting? ?all? ?the? ?spiritual? ?powers? ?he? ?

possessed,? ?and? ?would? ?surely? ?not? ?last.? ?As? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?was? ?rapidly? ?spinning? ?his? ?wheels? ?trying? ?to? ?

come? ?up? ?with? ?a? ?way? ?to? ?escape,? ?the? ?two? ?mountain? ?spirits? ?were? ?slowly? ?gaining? ?the? ?upper? ?hand,? ?

forcing? ?Pei? ?Ming’s? ?knees? ?to? ?bend.? ? ?

Seeing? ?the? ?situation? ?not? ?going? ?in? ?their? ?favour,? ?Pei? ?Su? ?cried,? ?“GEN,? ?ERAL? ?I,? ?‘LL? ?COME? ?ASSIST? ?

YOU!”? ?He? ?tossed? ?Ling? ?Wen? ?who? ?was? ?leaning? ?on? ?his? ?shoulders? ?to? ?Ban? ?Yue? ?and? ?also? ?joined? ?the? ?

ranks? ?of? ?human? ?spikes.? ?However,? ?he? ?was? ?but? ?a? ?mortal? ?at? ?the? ?moment,? ?so? ?how? ?could? ?he? ?use? ?

spiritual? ?power?? ?The? ?Brocade? ?Immortal? ?on? ?Ling? ?Wen? ?could’ve? ?been? ?useful,? ?but? ?he? ?was? ?too? ?much? ?

of? ?a? ?risk,? ?and? ?releasing? ?him? ?might? ?be? ?adding? ?oil? ?to? ?flames,? ?like? ?stepping? ?on? ?a? ?venomous? ?snake? ?

after? ?falling? ?into? ?the? ?nest? ?of? ?a? ?hoard? ?of? ?jackals.? ?Thus,? ?Ban? ?Yue? ?put? ?Ling? ?Wen? ?down? ?and? ?said,? ?“Me? ?

too...”? ?

However,? ?she? ?had? ?the? ?body? ?of? ?a? ?little? ?girl? ?after? ?all,? ?her? ?limbs? ?nowhere? ?the? ?length? ?of? ?two? ?grown? ?

men? ?and? ?was? ?too? ?short? ?to? ?wedge? ?between? ?the? ?walls,? ?so? ?she? ?clapped? ?her? ?palms? ?onto? ?Pei? ?Su’s? ?

back,? ?transferring? ?spiritual? ?powers? ?to? ?him.? ?The? ?powers? ?of? ?the? ?two? ?combined? ?exploded,? ?their? ?faces? ?

both? ?red? ?and? ?veins? ?popping.? ? ?

As? ?for? ?Hua? ?Cheng,? ?whose? ?powers? ?were? ?the? ?strongest? ?in? ?the? ?group,? ?he? ?was? ?only? ?watching? ?them? ?

as? ?he? ?twirled? ?the? ?red? ?umbrella? ?in? ?his? ?hand,? ?not? ?a? ?bit? ?concerned.? ?Suddenly,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?pounded? ?a? ?

fist? ?in? ?his? ?own? ?palm? ?and? ?cried,? ?“I’VE? ?GOT? ?IT!? ?I’VE? ?GOT? ?IT? ?I’VE? ?GOT? ?IT? ?I’VE? ?GOT? ?IT!”? ? ?

He’s? ?gotten? ?an? ?idea!? ?Xie? ?lian? ?said,? ?“Since? ?going? ?forwards,? ?back? ?or? ?upwards? ?won’t? ?work,? ?then? ?we’ll? ?

go? ?downwards!? ?Let’s? ?dig? ?a? ?hole? ?and? ?hide? ?for? ?the? ?moment!”? ?

Ling? ?Wen? ?instantly? ?latched? ?on,? ?“Good? ?idea!? ?Will? ?you? ?please? ?start? ?on? ?it? ?right? ?now!”? ?

Pei? ?Ming? ?said? ?while? ?gritting? ?his? ?teeth,? ?“THEN...? ?PLEASE...? ?HURRY...!!!”? ? ?

“Okokok!”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?responded? ?while? ?already? ?crazily? ?slashing? ?at? ?the? ?ground? ?with? ?Fang? ?Xin? ?to? ?drill? ?

a? ?pit,? ?sand? ?and? ?earth? ?flying? ?all? ?over? ?the? ?place.? ?Next? ?to? ?him,? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?was? ?holding? ?the? ?umbrella? ?

over? ?him,? ?and? ?not? ?only? ?was? ?he? ?not? ?helping,? ?he? ?was? ?even? ?coaxing? ?him,? ?“Gege,? ?don’t? ?dig? ?anymore.? ?

Sit? ?down? ?and? ?rest.”? ? ?

No? ?one? ?could? ?take? ?it? ?anymore? ?and? ?they? ?all? ?cried,? ?“HUA? ?CHENGZHU!!!”? ?

“Hm?? ?Did? ?someone? ?call? ?me?”? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?said.? ?

Ling? ?Wen? ?laid? ?on? ?the? ?ground? ?in? ?a? ?heap,? ?“Hua? ?Chengzhu,? ?both? ?yourself? ?and? ?His? ?Highness? ?are? ?

here? ?too,? ?if? ?you? ?have? ?any? ?tricks? ?or? ?ideas? ?how? ?about? ?you? ?contribute?? ?None? ?of? ?us? ?want? ?to? ?become? ?

stuffings? ?between? ?rock? ?planks? ?after? ?all.”? ?And? ?words? ?no? ?one? ?dared? ?say:? ?If? ?you? ?don’t? ?have? ?anything,? ?

can? ?you? ?please? ?go? ?and? ?become? ?a? ?human? ?spike? ?too?? ? ?

Although? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?was? ?anxious,? ?he? ?was? ?still? ?instinctively? ?trusting? ?of? ?Hua? ?Cheng,? ?so? ?he? ?asked? ?as? ?

he? ?continued? ?to? ?dig? ?the? ?pit,? ?“San? ?Lang,? ?you? ?have? ?a? ?way?”? ? ?

Hua? ?Cheng? ?chuckled,? ?“Gege? ?only? ?needs? ?to? ?wait,? ?no? ?need? ?for? ?you? ?to? ?do? ?anything,? ?it’ll? ?be? ?fine? ?in? ?a? ?

moment.”? ? ?

Fire? ?was? ?burning? ?their? ?behinds? ?now,? ?and? ?although? ?everyone? ?all? ?felt? ?he? ?must? ?have? ?an? ?idea,? ?they? ?

still? ?couldn’t? ?help? ?but? ?feel? ?the? ?burn.? ?Ling? ?Wen? ?was? ?about? ?to? ?say? ?more? ?when? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?suddenly? ?

said,? ?“What’s? ?that? ?noise?”? ? ?

Amidst? ?the? ?loud? ?rumbling? ?of? ?falling? ?boulders? ?came? ?another? ?strange? ?noise? ?approaching? ?rapidly.? ?

GRK? ?GRK!? ?GRK? ?GRK? ?GRK? ?GRK!? ??Rapidly? ?fast,? ?growing? ?closer? ?and? ?closer.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?thought? ?this? ?

sound? ?was? ?familiar? ?like? ?he’d? ?heard? ?it? ?before? ?somewhere,? ?and? ?he? ?stopped? ?his? ?mad? ?digging.? ?

“This...? ?COULD? ?THIS? ?BE?!”? ? ?

Just? ?as? ?the? ?words? ?left? ?his? ?lips,? ?a? ?spot? ?next? ?to? ?his? ?feet? ?suddenly? ?caved? ?in,? ?revealing? ?a? ?black? ?hole? ?

that? ?was? ?big? ?enough? ?to? ?allow? ?two? ?people? ?to? ?drop? ?in.? ?Within? ?the? ?hole,? ?the? ?head? ?of? ?a? ?shovel? ?was? ?

raised,? ?reflecting? ?a? ?bright? ?white? ?light.? ?

The? ?sacred? ?shovel? ?of? ?the? ?Earth? ?Master!? ?

That? ?shovel? ?showed? ?itself? ?but? ?quickly? ?shrank? ?back? ?into? ?the? ?hole.? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?spoke? ?up,? ?“A? ?little? ?

late,? ?but? ?at? ?least? ?he? ?made? ?it.? ?Let’s? ?go.”? ?

Without? ?another? ?word,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?picked? ?up? ?Ling? ?Wen? ?and? ?threw? ?him? ?down,? ?then? ?Ban? ?Yue? ?and? ?Pei? ?

Su,? ?then? ?Pei? ?Ming.? ?With? ?the? ?‘spike’? ?wedged? ?in? ?the? ?middle? ?gone,? ?the? ?two? ?mountain? ?spirits? ?

increased? ?their? ?speed,? ?and? ?amidst? ?the? ?scratching,? ?quaking? ?sounds,? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?circled? ?his? ?arm? ?

around? ?Xie? ?Lian’s? ?waist? ?and? ?held? ?him? ?tight,? ?“Let’s? ?hurry!”? ?Then? ?with? ?him? ?in? ?his? ?arms,? ?they? ?jumped? ?

into? ?the? ?underground? ?path.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?only? ?felt? ?like? ?he? ?sank? ?into? ?darkness,? ?and? ?soon? ?after,? ?a? ?

thundering? ?roar? ?came? ?from? ?above.? ?

Those? ?two? ?large? ?mountains? ?finally,? ?completely,? ?pressed? ?themselves? ?together!? ?

If? ?they? ?were? ?still? ?above? ?ground? ?right? ?now? ?they? ?would’ve? ?for? ?sure? ?been? ?crushed? ?into? ?meat? ?

pancakes.? ?After? ?steadying? ?the? ?spirit? ?somewhat,? ?two? ?small? ?balls? ?of? ?flames? ?were? ?ignited? ?in? ?the? ?

darkness.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?looked? ?around? ?at? ?the? ?underground? ?path? ?they? ?were? ?situated? ?in? ?at? ?the? ?moment,? ?

neither? ?wide? ?nor? ?narrow,? ?neat? ?and? ?orderly,? ?as? ?expected? ?of? ?the? ?path? ?dug? ?by? ?the? ?sacred? ?shovel? ?of? ?

the? ?Earth? ?Master.? ?The? ?others? ?who? ?had? ?dropped? ?in? ?first? ?were? ?all? ?sprawled? ?on? ?the? ?ground,? ?huffing.? ?

Hua? ?Cheng? ?released? ?his? ?waist,? ?and? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?also? ?dropped? ?the? ?arm? ?that? ?had? ?unconsciously? ?

gripped? ?his? ?shoulder,? ?watching? ?that? ?black? ?clad? ?man? ?holding? ?the? ?shovel.? ?

That? ?black? ?clad? ?man? ?was? ?also? ?breathing? ?harshly,? ?leaning? ?against? ?the? ?shovel? ?and? ?wiped? ?at? ?his? ?

cold? ?sweat.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?took? ?a? ?few? ?steps? ?closer,? ?looking? ?him? ?over? ?closely.? ?This? ?individual? ?appeared? ?

to? ?be? ?a? ?neat? ?and? ?tidy? ?good? ?youth,? ?considerably? ?handsome? ?but? ?only? ?about? ?a? ?seven.? ?Only,? ?he? ?

didn’t? ?seem? ?to? ?have? ?much? ?personality.? ?No? ?doubt? ?he? ?must? ?be? ?someone? ?whose? ?presence? ?was? ?

usually? ?very? ?faint.? ?

Xie? ?Lian? ?approached? ?him? ?and? ?that? ?black? ?clad? ?man? ?looked? ?up,? ?“Your? ?Highness...”? ? ?

But? ?before? ?he? ?finished? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?had? ?already? ?seized? ?his? ?wrist,? ?“Where’s? ?the? ?Lord? ?Wind? ?Master?”? ? ?

That? ?black? ?clad? ?man? ?was? ?taken? ?aback,? ?“Huh?? ?I...? ?This? ?I? ?don’t? ?know.”? ? ?

Xie? ?Lian? ?exhaled? ?and? ?said? ?solemnly,? ?“My? ?Lord? ?Black? ?Water,? ?why? ?keep? ?up? ?the? ?act?? ?Your? ?revenge? ?

is? ?none? ?of? ?my? ?business,? ?but? ?Lord? ?Wind? ?Master? ?did? ?once? ?share? ?a? ?friendship? ?with? ?you? ?and? ?had? ?

never? ?done? ?any? ?crime? ?or? ?harm,? ?so? ?I? ?hope...”? ?

Just? ?then,? ?Ling? ?Wen? ?interrupted,? ?“Black? ?Water?? ?Your? ?Highness,? ?why? ?do? ?you? ?think? ?he’s? ?Black? ?

Water?? ?Their? ?faces? ?are? ?different.”? ? ?

Xie? ?Lian? ?looked? ?back? ?and? ?replied? ?doubtfully,? ?“Because? ?he’s? ?holding? ?the? ?sacred? ?shovel? ?of? ?the? ?

Earth? ?Master.? ?Besides,? ?don’t? ?we? ?all? ?know? ?the? ?key? ?to? ?a? ?good? ?disguise?? ?This? ?face? ?is? ?so? ?boringly? ?

plain,? ?not? ?noticeable? ?in? ?a? ?crowd? ?at? ?all,? ?so? ?it? ?must? ?be? ?a? ?fake.”? ?

The? ?trick? ?to? ?disguise? ?was? ?discussed? ?before,? ?and? ?the? ?face? ?of? ?this? ?black? ?clad? ?youth? ?before? ?them? ?

perfectly? ?complied? ?to? ?the? ?key? ?component? ?of? ?an? ?impeccable? ?fake? ?skin:? ?boringly? ?plain.? ?

Even? ?if? ?one? ?was? ?to? ?stare? ?at? ?his? ?face? ?for? ?two? ?hours,? ?after? ?a? ?good? ?night’s? ?sleep,? ?his? ?appearance? ?

would? ?be? ?completely? ?forgotten? ?the? ?next? ?day,? ?so? ?no? ?doubt? ?this? ?was? ?a? ?molded? ?fake? ?face?? ?

“...”? ?

However,? ?a? ?moment? ?later,? ?that? ?black? ?clad? ?youth? ?said,? ?“I’m? ?sorry? ?Your? ?Highness,? ?but,? ?I...? ?I? ?really? ?

do? ?look? ?like? ?this.”? ?

“...”? ?

Hua? ?Cheng? ?walked? ?over? ?too? ?and? ?lightly? ?cleared? ?his? ?throat,? ?“Gege,? ?this,? ?really? ?isn’t? ?Black? ?Water.”? ?

“...”? ?

??? ?

“This? ?really? ?is? ?his? ?true? ?appearance.”? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?said.? ?

So,? ?this? ?was? ?a? ?real,? ?naturally? ?born? ?pedestrian? ?face!? ?

Xie? ?Lian? ?slapped? ?his? ?forehead? ?with? ?his? ?palm,? ?and? ?a? ?moment? ?later,? ?he? ?changed? ?to? ?pressing? ?hands? ?

together? ?in? ?a? ?prayer,? ?inclining? ?to? ?bow? ?in? ?apology,? ?“...I’m? ?sorry.”? ?

He? ?actually? ?thought? ?things? ?so? ?matter-of-factly.? ?He? ?actually? ?said? ?to? ?this? ?person’s? ?face? ?that? ?he? ?

looked? ?boringly? ?plain,? ?not? ?noticeable? ?in? ?a? ?crowd.? ?It? ?couldn’t? ?be? ?helped,? ?this? ?face? ?of? ?his? ?really? ?was? ?

too? ?much? ?of? ?a? ?model? ?for? ?a? ?perfect? ?disguise!? ?

That? ?black? ?clad? ?youth? ?was? ?also? ?feeling? ?extremely? ?awkward? ?and? ?he? ?waved? ?his? ?hand,? ?“Don’t? ?worry,? ?

it’s? ?nothing,? ?I’m? ?already? ?used? ?to? ?it...”? ?

Ling? ?Wen? ?then? ?said,? ?“Your? ?Highness? ?Yin? ?Yu,? ?thank? ?goodness? ?for? ?you? ?this? ?time.”? ? ?

———? ?

?Birth,? ?Aging,? ?Sickness,? ?Death? ?are? ?the? ?four? ?causes? ?of? ?suffering? ?in? ?Buddhism.? ?

———? ?

Ch.157:? ?Mountains? ?High? ?and? ?Roads? ?Unending;? ?Narrow? ?Paths? ?Blocked? ?3? ?

Upon? ?hearing? ?that? ?address,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?blinked,? ?and? ?only? ?then? ?did? ?he? ?realize? ?that? ?youth’s? ?voice? ?was? ?

a? ?little? ?familiar,? ?and? ?he? ?should’ve? ?heard? ?it? ?a? ?few? ?times? ?before,? ?and? ?the? ?next? ?moment,? ?his? ?eyes? ?

moved? ?downwards? ?to? ?look? ?at? ?that? ?youth’s? ?wrist.? ?Although? ?his? ?wrist? ?was? ?covered? ?by? ?sleeves,? ?but? ?

Xie? ?Lian? ?was? ?sure? ?that? ?under? ?it? ?hid? ?a? ?ring? ?of? ?black? ?cursed? ?shackle.? ?

Pei? ?Ming? ?also? ?rose? ?to? ?his? ?feet? ?to? ?double? ?check? ?that? ?black? ?clad? ?youth’s? ?identity,? ?“His? ?Highness? ?Yin? ?

Yu?? ?Well? ?I’ll? ?be.? ?I? ?didn’t? ?think? ?we’d? ?run? ?into? ?you? ?here.? ?What? ?are? ?you...”? ?

Yin? ?Yu? ?scratched? ?the? ?tip? ?of? ?his? ?nose? ?with? ?his? ?finger? ?and? ?returned? ?the? ?greeting,? ?“Ling? ?Wen? ?Zhen? ?

Jun,? ?General? ?Pei,? ?General? ?Pei? ?Junior.”? ? ?

Suddenly,? ?a? ?voice? ?humphed,? ?“Yin? ?Yu?? ?You’re? ?that? ?Yin? ?Yu? ?who? ?was? ?thoroughly? ?and? ?miserably? ?

defeated? ?by? ?his? ?own? ?shidi?”? ? ?

The? ?faces? ?of? ?the? ?heavenly? ?officials? ?all? ?stiffened,? ?and? ?that? ?voice? ?continued,? ?“I? ?gotta? ?say,? ?aren’t? ?you? ?

a? ?little? ?too? ?pathetic?? ?Banishment? ?aside,? ?I? ?can’t? ?believe? ?you’d? ?turn? ?your? ?back? ?just? ?like? ?that? ?and? ?

went? ?to? ?become? ?a? ?ghost? ?errand? ?boy.? ?Compared? ?to? ?that? ?Quan? ?Yi? ?Zhen,? ?you? ?really? ?got? ?on? ?badly,? ?

and? ?to? ?think? ?you’re? ?his? ?shixiong...”? ? ?

That? ?voice? ?came? ?from? ?Rong? ?Guang? ?who? ?was? ?shut? ?inside? ?the? ?pot.? ?Pei? ?Su? ?instantly? ?stuck? ?a? ?

talisman? ?on? ?to? ?shut? ?him? ?up.? ?

Even? ?though,? ?whether? ?if? ?it? ?was? ?under? ?Jun? ?Wu? ?or? ?Hua? ?Chengzhu,? ?Yin? ?Yu? ?was? ?an? ?errand? ?boy? ?and? ?

there? ?was? ?no? ?difference,? ?still,? ?to? ?be? ?in? ?the? ?same? ?room? ?as? ?the? ?heavenly? ?colleagues? ?of? ?many? ?years? ?

now? ?that? ?he? ?had? ?become? ?a? ?ghost? ?officer? ?was? ?like? ?an? ?arresting? ?officer? ?turned? ?thief? ?who? ?was? ?

exposed? ?by? ?old? ?comrades,? ?and? ?the? ?air? ?was? ?filled? ?with? ?awkwardness.? ?No? ?one? ?knew? ?what? ?to? ?say,? ?

so? ?Yin? ?Yu? ?could? ?only? ?turn? ?around? ?silently,? ?and? ?continued? ?digging? ?the? ?hole? ?with? ?the? ?Earth? ?Master? ?

shovel.? ?

The? ?group? ?continued? ?onwards? ?as? ?the? ?path? ?was? ?dug.? ?Pei? ?Ming? ?still? ?had? ?the? ?brother? ?of? ?his? ?friend? ?on? ?

mind? ?and? ?asked,? ?“Since? ?Hua? ?Chengzhu? ?managed? ?to? ?get? ?the? ?Earth? ?Master? ?shovel,? ?does? ?this? ?

mean? ?the? ?two? ?lords? ?communicate? ?with? ?each? ?other?? ?I? ?recall? ?when? ?I? ?asked? ?His? ?Highness? ?at? ?the? ?

time,? ?His? ?Highness? ?excused? ?My? ?Lord? ?and? ?said? ?My? ?Lord? ?wasn’t? ?close? ?with? ?that? ?Black? ?Water? ?

Demon? ?Xuan,? ?and? ?for? ?sure? ?didn’t? ?know? ?his? ?whereabouts.? ?If? ?it’s? ?possible,? ?will? ?you? ?give? ?that? ?Demon? ?

Xuan? ?a? ?shout? ?and? ?ask? ?him? ?to? ?please? ?release? ?Qing? ?Xuan? ?if? ?he? ?hasn’t? ?killed? ?him? ?yet?”? ? ?

However,? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?replied,? ?“You’re? ?mistaken.? ?It’s? ?true? ?I? ?don’t? ?know? ?Black? ?Water’s? ?

whereabouts.”? ?

“Then? ?where? ?did? ?the? ?shovel? ?come? ?from?”? ?

“I? ?found? ?it? ?on? ?the? ?ground.”? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?said.? ?

“...”? ?

So? ?he? ?was? ?going? ?to? ?stubbornly? ?admit? ?to? ?nothing.? ?What? ?do?? ?No? ?one? ?could? ?do? ?anything? ?to? ?him,? ?and? ?

under? ?the? ?current? ?circumstances,? ?everyone? ?depended? ?on? ?him? ?too,? ?so? ?Pei? ?Ming? ?could? ?only? ?snort,? ?

“Alright,? ?fine.? ?Hua? ?Chengzhu? ?certainly? ?is? ?lucky? ?to? ?be? ?able? ?to? ?come? ?across? ?a? ?spiritual? ?device? ?so? ?

easily.”? ? ?

Ling? ?Wen? ?who? ?was? ?being? ?carried? ?on? ?Pei? ?Su’s? ?back? ?said? ?out? ?of? ?habit,? ?“This? ?sacred? ?shovel? ?belongs? ?

to? ?heavenly? ?officials? ?of? ?the? ?Upper? ?Court,? ?will? ?Hua? ?Chengzhu? ?return...”? ?However,? ?before? ?he? ?

finished? ?realized? ?he? ?was? ?no? ?longer? ?actively? ?in? ?office? ?in? ?the? ?Upper? ?Court? ?and? ?there? ?was? ?no? ?need? ?

for? ?him? ?to? ?collect? ?debt? ?on? ?its? ?behalf,? ?so? ?he? ?shut? ?up.? ?

Xie? ?Lian? ?rubbed? ?his? ?forehead? ?and? ?was? ?just? ?wondering? ?whether? ?if? ?he? ?should? ?ask? ?after? ?it? ?secretly? ?

when? ?he? ?heard? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?say? ?softly? ?using? ?a? ?voice? ?only? ?he? ?could? ?hear,? ?“Black? ?Water? ?ditched? ?it.? ?

After? ?he? ?stopped? ?disguising? ?himself? ?as? ?the? ?Earth? ?Master,? ?he? ?tossed? ?the? ?shovel? ?away? ?in? ?the? ?Ghost? ?

City? ?and? ?fled.? ?Before? ?coming? ?to? ?Mount? ?TongLu,? ?I? ?thought? ?it? ?might? ?be? ?useful? ?so? ?I? ?sent? ?for? ?someone? ?

to? ?grab? ?it.”? ? ?

“I? ?see.”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?replied,? ?“And? ?here? ?I? ?thought? ?I? ?could? ?find? ?out? ?Lord? ?Wind? ?Master’s? ?whereabouts...? ?

this? ?sacred? ?shovel? ?is? ?perfect? ?for? ?dealing? ?with? ?the? ?mountain? ?spirits,? ?San? ?Lang? ?really? ?does? ?think? ?of? ?

everything.”? ?

“It’s? ?only? ?because? ?I’ve? ?gained? ?experience? ?from? ?being? ?suffocatingly? ?chased? ?by? ?those? ?mountain? ?

spirits? ?the? ?last? ?time,? ?that’s? ?all.”? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?replied.? ?

Xie? ?Lian? ?tried? ?in? ?spite? ?of? ?himself? ?to? ?imagine? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?who? ?entered? ?Mount? ?TongLu? ?for? ?the? ?first? ?

time? ?charging? ?through? ?obstacles? ?like? ?a? ?novice.? ?Just? ?then,? ?a? ?few? ?small? ?balls? ?of? ?tiny? ?silver? ?light? ?

suddenly? ?lit? ?up,? ?and? ?it? ?was? ?those? ?wraith? ?butterflies? ?who? ?were? ?shimmering? ?in? ?the? ?darkness,? ?

becoming? ?guiding? ?lights.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?hovered? ?a? ?palm? ?under? ?a? ?small? ?silver? ?butterfly? ?and? ?looked? ?

upwards,? ?“Just? ?what? ?is? ?this? ?mountain? ?spirit?? ?Why? ?do? ?they? ?attack? ?us?”? ? ?

“It’s? ?hard? ?to? ?say? ?what? ?it? ?is,”? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?replied,? ?“When? ?I? ?first? ?came,? ?they’ve? ?already? ?existed? ?for? ?a? ?

long? ?time.? ?But,? ?it’s? ?not? ?that? ?they? ?were? ?attacking? ?us? ?specifically.? ?They? ?will? ?try? ?to? ?stop? ?anyone? ?who? ?

wants? ?to? ?enter? ?Mount? ?TongLu,? ?and? ?if? ?they? ?can’t? ?stop? ?them,? ?they? ?will? ?attack.”? ? ?

“Attacking? ?indiscriminately?”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?wondered,? ?“If? ?you? ?think? ?about? ?it,? ?their? ?purpose? ?is? ?exactly? ?

the? ?same? ?as? ?ours.? ?Lord? ?Rain? ?Master? ?and? ?His? ?Highness? ?Qi? ?Ying? ?are? ?both? ?here? ?in? ?Mount? ?TongLu,? ?I? ?

hope? ?nothing? ?will? ?happen? ?to? ?them.”? ? ?

Yin? ?Yu? ?had? ?been? ?diligently? ?digging? ?and? ?opening? ?the? ?path,? ?but? ?when? ?he? ?heard? ?Quan? ?Yi? ?Zhen’s? ?

name,? ?his? ?action? ?seemed? ?to? ?have? ?faltered? ?for? ?a? ?moment.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?noticed? ?and? ?glanced? ?at? ?him,? ?

recalling? ?before? ?when? ?he? ?wore? ?a? ?mask,? ?he? ?had? ?met? ?Quan? ?Yi? ?Zhen.? ?Only,? ?at? ?the? ?time,? ?Yin? ?Yu? ?had? ?

appeared? ?like? ?he? ?didn’t? ?know? ?Quan? ?Yi? ?Zhen? ?at? ?all.? ?If? ?Quan? ?Yi? ?Zhen? ?had? ?known? ?it? ?was? ?his? ?shixiong? ?

standing? ?before? ?him,? ?what? ?would’ve? ?happened?? ?

Ling? ?Wen? ?raised? ?his? ?head? ?with? ?difficulty,? ?“Your? ?Highness? ?Yin? ?Yu,? ?have? ?you? ?seen? ?His? ?Highness? ?Qi? ?

Ying?? ?He’s? ?come? ?to? ?my? ?Palace? ?of? ?Ling? ?Wen? ?many? ?times? ?to? ?have? ?me? ?help? ?him? ?look? ?for? ?you.”? ? ?

Yin? ?Yu? ?stammered? ?for? ?a? ?second,? ?“R-Really?”? ? ?

“Really.”? ?Ling? ?Wen? ?said,? ?“When? ?you? ?first? ?descended,? ?he? ?came? ?almost? ?once? ?a? ?day.? ?Later,? ?there? ?

was? ?never? ?any? ?news,? ?so? ?he? ?came? ?once? ?every? ?three? ?days,? ?then? ?once? ?every? ?month.? ?Until? ?just? ?

recently,? ?he’d? ?come? ?at? ?least? ?once? ?a? ?year.? ?He’d? ?always? ?felt? ?there? ?was? ?a? ?misunderstanding? ?

between? ?you? ?in? ?regards? ?to? ?the? ?Brocade? ?Immortal? ?affair? ?and? ?wanted? ?to? ?hear? ?your? ?side? ?of? ?the? ?story,? ?

so? ?he? ?could? ?explain? ?it? ?to? ?others.? ?Yet,? ?there? ?was? ?never? ?any? ?sign? ?of? ?you? ?nor? ?any? ?communication.”? ? ?

Yin? ?Yu? ?fell? ?silent? ?and? ?only? ?heaved? ?a? ?sigh,? ?refocusing? ?on? ?digging? ?with? ?renewed? ?vigour.? ?‘He? ?doesn’t? ?

want? ?to? ?talk? ?about? ?it? ?anymore.’? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?thought.? ?

Ling? ?Wen? ?was? ?also? ?a? ?perceptive? ?individual? ?and? ?could? ?tell? ?too,? ?so? ?he? ?didn’t? ?say? ?anymore? ?either,? ?

leaving? ?Yin? ?Yu? ?to? ?concentrate? ?on? ?opening? ?the? ?path.? ?An? ?unknown? ?amount? ?of? ?time? ?had? ?passed? ?

before? ?Yin? ?Yu? ?spoke? ?up,? ?“Chengzhu,? ?Your? ?Highness,? ?we’ve? ?already? ?dug? ?about? ?thirty? ?miles.? ?Do? ?

we? ?continue?”? ? ?

That? ?Earth? ?Master? ?shovel? ?worked? ?its? ?magic? ?like? ?the? ?winds? ?and? ?progressed? ?through? ?the? ?ground? ?as? ?

if? ?it? ?was? ?cutting? ?tofu,? ?leaving? ?not? ?a? ?single? ?mount? ?of? ?shredded? ?earth? ?behind.? ?Since? ?the? ?group? ?of? ?

them? ?ran? ?like? ?they? ?were? ?fleeing,? ?they? ?moved? ?faster? ?than? ?when? ?they? ?were? ?above? ?ground,? ?and? ?in? ?

the? ?blink? ?of? ?an? ?eye? ?they? ?actually? ?ran? ?for? ?thirty? ?miles.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?noticed? ?that? ?Yin? ?Yu? ?also? ?included? ?

him? ?in? ?the? ?question? ?and? ?was? ?confused,? ?replying? ?gently,? ?“You? ?don’t? ?need? ?to? ?ask? ?me.”? ? ?

“It’s? ?all? ?the? ?same.”? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?said,? ?“What? ?does? ?gege? ?think?”? ? ?

Xie? ?Lian? ?gave? ?it? ?a? ?thought,? ?“Since? ?we? ?were? ?almost? ?out? ?of? ?the? ?valley? ?by? ?the? ?time? ?the? ?mountain? ?

spirits? ?came? ?crushing,? ?thirty? ?miles? ?should? ?be? ?far? ?enough.? ?Air? ?underground? ?isn’t? ?sufficient,? ?if? ?we? ?

keep? ?going? ?down? ?here? ?we? ?might? ?get? ?dizzy,? ?so? ?let’s? ?start? ?digging? ?upwards.”? ? ?

Yin? ?Yu? ?acknowledged,? ?“Yes? ?sir!”? ?And? ?instantly? ?changed? ?directions,? ?digging? ?in? ?a? ?slant? ?upwards,? ?

even? ?erecting? ?beautiful? ?mud? ?stairs? ?as? ?he? ?went.? ?‘This? ?man? ?really? ?is? ?outstanding? ?as? ?an? ?assistant;? ?

hands? ?fast? ?and? ?competent,? ?and? ?not? ?a? ?single? ?excessive? ?word.’? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?remarked? ?inwardly.? ?

Everyone? ?followed? ?behind? ?Yin? ?Yu,? ?and? ?after? ?climbing? ?over? ?ten? ?steps,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?suddenly? ?felt? ?he? ?

stepped? ?on? ?something? ?hard? ?and? ?protruding? ?from? ?the? ?ground.? ?It? ?wasn’t? ?like? ?rocks? ?and? ?it? ?wasn’t? ?like? ?

mud,? ?so? ?he? ?looked? ?down? ?and? ?crouched,? ?using? ?his? ?hands? ?to? ?scrape? ?at? ?the? ?ground.? ?A? ?moment? ?

later,? ?his? ?brows? ?knitted? ?slightly.? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?noticed? ?and? ?exclaimed,? ?“Gege,? ?don’t? ?touch!”? ?

However,? ?it? ?was? ?too? ?late.? ?When? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?stood? ?up? ?again,? ?he? ?already? ?had? ?dangling? ?in? ?each? ?of? ?his? ?

hands? ?a? ?skull,? ?“Everyone,? ?a? ?question.? ?Have? ?we? ?dug? ?into? ?a? ?mass? ?grave?”? ? ?

Pei? ?Ming? ?also? ?pulled? ?out? ?a? ?femur,? ?sighing,? ?“Probably.? ?Look? ?at? ?the? ?structure? ?of? ?this? ?bone.? ?It? ?

must’ve? ?belonged? ?to? ?an? ?exquisitely? ?beautiful? ?woman? ?with? ?long,? ?slender? ?legs.? ?To? ?have? ?her? ?bones? ?

buried? ?here,? ?what? ?a? ?real? ?shame.”? ? ?

“Very? ?unfortunate? ?indeed.”? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?said,? ?“The? ?legs? ?are? ?long,? ?that’s? ?for? ?sure,? ?but? ?that’s? ?the? ?

bone? ?of? ?a? ?man.”? ? ?

Once? ?Pei? ?Ming? ?heard? ?it? ?didn’t? ?belong? ?to? ?a? ?woman,? ?he? ?lost? ?interest? ?and? ?tossed? ?that? ?femur? ?away.? ?

Hua? ?Cheng? ?added,? ?“To? ?say? ?more? ?accurately,? ?it’s? ?the? ?bones? ?of? ?a? ?man? ?who’s? ?deformed? ?after? ?

turning? ?into? ?a? ?ghost,? ?so? ?there? ?must? ?be? ?corpse? ?poison? ?on? ?it.”? ? ?

Pei? ?Ming? ?opened? ?his? ?palms,? ?and? ?sure? ?enough,? ?areas? ?where? ?his? ?hands? ?touched? ?the? ?bone? ?now? ?

oozed? ?green? ?corpse? ?aura.? ? ?

“Can? ?you? ?manage? ?to? ?keep? ?your? ?hands? ?to? ?yourself?? ?Can? ?you?”? ?Ling? ?Wen? ?berated.? ?

“Corpse,? ?poison,? ?won’t? ?do? ?any,? ?harm.? ?Gen,? ?eral? ?is? ?a? ?heavenly? ?official,? ?it’ll? ?be? ?fi,? ?ne? ?after? ?a,? ?while.”? ?

Pei? ?Su? ?said.? ?

Truthfully,? ?that? ?femur? ?wasn’t? ?just? ?slender,? ?it? ?was? ?also? ?rather? ?sturdy;? ?it? ?was? ?robust? ?and? ?light? ?when? ?

swung,? ?so? ?Pei? ?Ming? ?picked? ?it? ?back? ?up,? ?wrapping? ?the? ?end? ?tip? ?with? ?a? ?cloth? ?to? ?hold? ?it,? ?looking? ?like? ?he? ?

planned? ?on? ?using? ?it? ?as? ?a? ?weapon.? ?“Your? ?Highness,? ?how? ?come? ?you’re? ?fine? ?holding? ?those? ?two? ?

heads?”? ?

Xie? ?Lian? ?gently? ?put? ?down? ?the? ?two? ?skulls? ?and? ?showed? ?his? ?hands? ?to? ?the? ?others.? ?Turns? ?out,? ?his? ?

palms? ?were? ?also? ?radiating? ?green,? ?but? ?that? ?green? ?was? ?rapidly? ?fading.? ?

Xie? ?Lian? ?explained,? ?“Truth? ?to? ?be? ?told,? ?I’ve? ?been? ?poisoned? ?by? ?corpses? ?many? ?times,? ?at? ?least? ?eight? ?

hundred? ?times? ?if? ?not? ?a? ?thousand,? ?so? ?I’m? ?quite? ?immune? ?to? ?it? ?now.? ?This? ?level? ?of? ?poison? ?is? ?still? ?

manageable.”? ? ?

Hearing? ?this? ?explanation,? ?everyone? ?thought? ?it? ?was? ?silly? ?for? ?some? ?reason? ?and? ?wanted? ?to? ?laugh.? ?

Hua? ?Cheng? ?however,? ?didn’t? ?seem? ?to? ?be? ?very? ?happy,? ?and? ?he? ?walked? ?over,? ?stepped? ?on? ?the? ?skulls? ?

and? ?crushed? ?them? ?into? ?pieces.? ?

Xie? ?Lian? ?was? ?at? ?ease? ?at? ?first,? ?but? ?after? ?he? ?heard? ?that? ?violent,? ?furiously? ?brutal? ?even,? ?sound? ?of? ?

bones? ?being? ?crushed,? ?he? ?intuitively? ?sensed? ?Hua? ?Cheng’s? ?upset? ?emotion.? ?He? ?wanted? ?to? ?ask? ?what? ?

was? ?going? ?on,? ?but? ?somehow? ?felt? ?he? ?himself? ?seemed? ?to? ?be? ?the? ?cause? ?of? ?this? ?upset,? ?and? ?didn’t? ?

dare? ?to? ?ask? ?while? ?stunned.? ?

A? ?moment? ?later,? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?demanded,? ?his? ?voice? ?flat,? ?“What’s? ?taking? ?so? ?long?”? ? ?

The? ?distance? ?from? ?the? ?tunnel? ?to? ?the? ?surface? ?of? ?the? ?ground? ?should? ?only? ?be? ?no? ?more? ?than? ?six? ?

meters,? ?and? ?even? ?if? ?the? ?distance? ?might? ?be? ?slightly? ?longer? ?since? ?they? ?were? ?digging? ?at? ?a? ?slant,? ?it? ?still? ?

shouldn’t? ?have? ?taken? ?this? ?long.? ?Yin? ?Yu? ?was? ?also? ?baffled,? ?“I’m? ?confused? ?too...? ?Wait,? ?it’s? ?done.? ?It’s? ?

been? ?dug? ?through!”? ? ?

Right? ?after? ?Hua? ?Cheng’s? ?inquiry? ?the? ?Earth? ?Master’s? ?shovel? ?dug? ?through? ?to? ?the? ?surface,? ?and? ?Yin? ?

Yu? ?cleared? ?a? ?large? ?hole,? ?leaping? ?out? ?first,? ?“We’re...? ?out?”? ? ?

The? ?others? ?climbed? ?out.? ?However,? ?the? ?moment? ?their? ?feet? ?stepped? ?onto? ?the? ?‘surface’? ?of? ?the? ?

ground,? ?they? ?were? ?all? ?puzzled.? ? ?

“We’re? ?back? ?above? ?ground?? ?That’s? ?not? ?right.? ?What? ?is? ?this? ?place?”? ?Pei? ?Ming? ?asked.? ?

The? ?place? ?where? ?they’ve? ?come? ?out? ?was? ?definitely? ?not? ?the? ?surface? ?of? ?the? ?ground? ?since? ?light? ?was? ?

extremely? ?dim.? ?Ling? ?Wen? ?commented,? ?“Since? ?it? ?was? ?still? ?day? ?when? ?we? ?were? ?walking? ?through? ?the? ?

valley,? ?there’s? ?no? ?reason? ?why? ?the? ?skies? ?would? ?turn? ?dark? ?so? ?fast.”? ? ?

A? ?few? ?wraith? ?butterflies? ?flew? ?out? ?while? ?shimmering,? ?and? ?circled? ?around? ?the? ?area.? ?The? ?group? ?finally? ?

saw? ?clearly? ?just? ?where? ?they? ?were.? ?

This? ?was? ?an? ?enormously? ?large? ?cave.? ?Empty? ?and? ?spacious,? ?the? ?dome? ?extremely? ?high? ?up? ?and? ?wide? ?

like? ?an? ?ink? ?black? ?night? ?sky.? ?All? ?around? ?were? ?innumerous? ?small? ?caves,? ?and? ?each? ?cave? ?lead? ?to? ?

different? ?directions.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?was? ?amazed,? ?“Is? ?this? ?place? ?man? ?made? ?or? ?naturally? ?formed?”? ? ?

Hua? ?Cheng? ?crossed? ?his? ?arms? ?and? ?took? ?a? ?glance,? ?“Naturally? ?formed.”? ? ?

Even? ?though? ?he? ?still? ?answered? ?Xie? ?Lian’s? ?every? ?question,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?still? ?kept? ?in? ?mind? ?that? ?little? ?

moment? ?of? ?awry? ?earlier.? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?added,? ?“The? ?point? ?we? ?picked? ?to? ?dig? ?upwards? ?to? ?earlier? ?

happened? ?to? ?right? ?under? ?this? ?mountain.? ?We’ve? ?dug? ?into? ?this? ?mountain.”? ?

Xie? ?Lian? ?nodded.? ?“I? ?see.? ?Then? ?let’s? ?hurry? ?and? ?find? ?the? ?exit.”? ? ?

Pei? ?Su? ?spoke? ?up,? ?“But,? ?wh,? ?ich? ?way?”? ? ?

That? ?was? ?the? ?question? ?of? ?the? ?hour.? ?Other? ?than? ?those? ?small? ?caverns? ?that? ?no? ?person? ?could? ?crawl? ?

through,? ?there? ?were? ?still? ?at? ?least? ?seven? ?or? ?eight? ?other? ?cavities? ?that? ?could? ?allow? ?for? ?people? ?to? ?pass? ?

through.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?hugged? ?his? ?arms? ?and? ?contemplated,? ?and? ?Pei? ?Su? ?said,? ?“Break,? ?up,? ?into,? ?groups?? ?

It’s? ?the? ?fastest? ?way.”? ? ?

Xie? ?Lian? ?dropped? ?his? ?arms.? ?“No.? ?Breaking? ?up? ?is? ?the? ?worst? ?thing? ?to? ?do? ?in? ?this? ?situation.? ?If? ?there? ?

should? ?be? ?anything? ?hiding? ?in? ?the? ?shadows,? ?then? ?it’d? ?be? ?too? ?easy? ?to? ?ambush? ?us.? ?I’d? ?rather? ?take? ?

time? ?to? ?find? ?the? ?right? ?path? ?than? ?divide? ?our? ?powers.”? ? ?

Pei? ?Ming? ?held? ?that? ?new? ?weapon? ?made? ?of? ?femur? ?in? ?his? ?hand,? ?seeming? ?to? ?have? ?gotten? ?addicted? ?to? ?

swinging? ?it,? ?and? ?spoke? ?as? ?he? ?swung? ?it,? ?“Then? ?let’s? ?move? ?together.? ?Let’s? ?go? ?this? ?way? ?first.”? ? ?

Thus,? ?the? ?group? ?picked? ?a? ?path? ?and? ?moved? ?together.? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?and? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?took? ?the? ?lead? ?at? ?

the? ?very? ?front.? ?After? ?walking? ?silently? ?for? ?a? ?while,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?tried? ?testing? ?the? ?waters? ?and? ?whispered,? ?

“San? ?Lang?”? ? ?

Hua? ?Cheng? ?seemed? ?to? ?have? ?long? ?since? ?come? ?around? ?and? ?answered,? ?“Does? ?gege? ?have? ?

questions?”? ? ?

Xie? ?Lian? ?felt? ?it’d? ?be? ?awkward? ?to? ?ask? ?if? ?he? ?was? ?angry? ?earlier? ?and? ?replied? ?offhandedly,? ?“No,? ?it’s? ?

nothing.? ?Just...? ?this? ?tunnel? ?is? ?all? ?winding? ?and? ?twisted? ?like? ?intestines,? ?I’m? ?a? ?little? ?dizzy.”? ? ?

Hua? ?Cheng? ?instantly? ?replied,? ?“Then? ?do? ?you? ?want? ?to? ?take? ?a? ?break?”? ? ?

He? ?didn’t? ?sound? ?like? ?he? ?was? ?joking? ?at? ?all.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?hurriedly? ?said,? ?“No? ?need,? ?no? ?need.”? ?Behind? ?

them,? ?Pei? ?Ming? ?piped? ?up,? ?“Did? ?I? ?hear? ?that? ?right?? ?Your? ?Highness,? ?you? ?get? ?dizzy? ?from? ?a? ?little? ?

walking?”? ? ?

“...”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?also? ?felt? ?his? ?offhanded? ?reply? ?just? ?now? ?was? ?somewhat? ?embarrassing,? ?like? ?he? ?was? ?

forcibly? ?making? ?conversation,? ?so? ?he? ?pretended? ?like? ?he? ?didn’t? ?hear? ?Pei? ?Ming’s? ?comment? ?and? ?

spoke? ?up? ?solemnly,? ?“Everyone,? ?do? ?follow? ?closely,? ?this? ?tunnel? ?has? ?many? ?turns? ?and? ?corners,? ?so? ?it’s? ?

easy? ?for? ?things? ?to? ?happen...”? ? ?

As? ?he? ?spoke,? ?he? ?turned? ?his? ?head? ?back? ?to? ?look? ?and? ?he? ?instantly? ?stopped? ?from? ?shock,? ?grabbing? ?

Hua? ?Cheng? ?to? ?stop? ?him? ?too,? ?“San? ?Lang!”? ? ?

“What? ?is? ?it?”? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?asked? ?and? ?turned? ?to? ?look? ?back? ?too,? ?then? ?he? ?also? ?frowned.? ?

There? ?was? ?no? ?one? ?behind? ?them!? ?

Right? ?before? ?he? ?spoke,? ?Pei? ?Ming? ?was? ?still? ?not? ?far? ?behind? ?them? ?teasing,? ?yet? ?now,? ?in? ?that? ?dark? ?cave? ?

it? ?was? ?empty? ?except? ?for? ?the? ?two? ?of? ?them.? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?immediately? ?gripped? ?Xie? ?Lian’s? ?shoulder,? ?

his? ?voice? ?dark,? ?“Gege,? ?stay? ?close? ?to? ?me.? ?Don’t? ?run? ?off? ?anywhere.”? ? ?

Xie? ?Lian? ?also? ?held? ?his? ?breath,? ?tense? ?and? ?alert,? ?“Is? ?there? ?something? ?hiding? ?in? ?this? ?mountain?”? ?

“No.”? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?said,? ?“But? ?it’s? ?precisely? ?because? ?there’s? ?nothing? ?that’s? ?it’s? ?worrisome.”? ? ?

Because? ?this? ?meant? ?there’s? ?something? ?that? ?could? ?come? ?close? ?under? ?their? ?radar? ?and? ?kidnap? ?

everyone? ?away!? ? ?

——–? ?

Ch.158:? ?Buried? ?Together? ?Alive;? ?No? ?Resting? ?in? ?Peace? ?in? ?the? ?Earth? ?

Xie? ?Lian? ?said? ?in? ?a? ?low? ?whisper,? ?“...There’s? ?no? ?way? ?it? ?can? ?steal? ?behind? ?us? ?and? ?do? ?something? ?so? ?

major? ?without? ?us? ?noticing.”? ?

Even? ?if? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?didn’t? ?believe? ?in? ?his? ?own? ?ability? ?to? ?observe,? ?he? ?believed? ?in? ?Hua? ?Cheng’s.? ?

Besides,? ?to? ?be? ?real,? ?when? ?it? ?came? ?to? ?gut? ?instincts? ?for? ?danger,? ?he? ?trusted? ?himself? ?quite? ?a? ?bit.? ?“Let’s? ?

retrace? ?our? ?steps? ?and? ?see.”? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?said.? ?

The? ?two? ?walked? ?side? ?by? ?side? ?and? ?returned? ?the? ?way? ?they? ?came,? ?turning? ?and? ?rounding? ?corners? ?in? ?

the? ?cave? ?for? ?a? ?while? ?before? ?they? ?came? ?to? ?a? ?stop.? ?

It? ?wasn’t? ?that? ?they? ?voluntarily? ?stopped,? ?but? ?rather,? ?there? ?was? ?no? ?more? ?path? ?to? ?go? ?on? ?and? ?were? ?

forced? ?to? ?stop.? ?Even? ?though? ?that? ?tunnel? ?was? ?winding? ?and? ?full? ?of? ?turns,? ?it? ?was? ?still? ?only? ?just? ?the? ?one? ?

path,? ?yet? ?now? ?before? ?they? ?even? ?reached? ?the? ?starting? ?point,? ?there? ?was? ?a? ?cold,? ?hard? ?stone? ?wall? ?that? ?

appeared? ?out? ?of? ?nowhere!? ?

The? ?two? ?never? ?faltered.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?wondered,? ?“Is? ?this? ?an? ?illusion? ?or? ?is? ?this? ?real?”? ?

A? ?silver? ?butterfly? ?languidly? ?flew? ?over,? ?and? ?tapped? ?lightly? ?on? ?that? ?rugged? ?stone? ?wall.? ?There? ?was? ?

nothing? ?out? ?of? ?place? ?but? ?it? ?was? ?bounded? ?back.? ?“It’s? ?real.”? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?said.? ?

Xie? ?Lian? ?nodded,? ?“Then? ?this? ?is? ?troublesome.”? ? ?

There? ?were? ?usually? ?two? ?types? ?of? ?demonic? ?walls:? ?the? ?first? ?type? ?made? ?one? ?see? ?an? ?illusion,? ?meaning? ?

one? ?would? ?think? ?there? ?was? ?a? ?wall? ?when? ?there? ?wasn’t,? ?and? ?was? ?nothing? ?but? ?an? ?illusion.? ?This? ?type? ?

was? ?easy? ?to? ?get? ?rid? ?of;? ?just? ?touch? ?it? ?or? ?give? ?yourself? ?a? ?slap,? ?pour? ?a? ?bucket? ?of? ?cold? ?water? ?to? ?wake? ?

up? ?then? ?go? ?up? ?to? ?touch? ?it.? ?

The? ?second? ?type? ?muddled? ?one’s? ?sense? ?of? ?direction? ?and? ?memories? ?of? ?the? ?path.? ?This? ?type? ?was? ?a? ?

little? ?more? ?powerful.? ?For? ?example,? ?at? ?a? ?fork? ?in? ?the? ?road,? ?when? ?you? ?thought? ?you? ?had? ?chosen? ?the? ?

left,? ?in? ?reality,? ?your? ?mind? ?was? ?confounded? ?and? ?you? ?actually? ?went? ?right? ?instead.? ?And? ?the? ?so-called? ?

“The? ?Devil’s? ?Turn? ?Around? ?in? ?Circles”? ?was? ?but? ?a? ?small? ?trick:? ?when? ?people? ?step? ?with? ?their? ?left? ?and? ?

right? ?feet,? ?there? ?was? ?naturally? ?a? ?slight? ?deviation? ?between? ?the? ?steps,? ?and? ?inhuman? ?creatures? ?

would? ?confound? ?your? ?mind? ?to? ?widen? ?this? ?deviation.? ?Thus,? ?without? ?knowing,? ?when? ?you? ?thought? ?

you? ?had? ?been? ?walking? ?in? ?a? ?straight? ?line,? ?in? ?reality? ?you? ?would’ve? ?walked? ?in? ?a? ?large? ?circle,? ?and? ?once? ?

you’ve? ?made? ?a? ?round? ?back? ?you? ?would? ?be? ?puzzled:? ?Eh?? ?How? ?did? ?I? ?end? ?up? ?back? ?here? ?again?!? ?

However,? ?to? ?the? ?two? ?of? ?them,? ?both? ?methods? ?were? ?but? ?meager? ?tricks.? ?As? ?for? ?this? ?cold? ?stone? ?wall? ?

before? ?them,? ?it? ?was? ?actually? ?the? ?third? ?type:? ?it? ?was? ?real.? ?

Xie? ?Lian? ?was? ?just? ?thinking? ?whether? ?if? ?he? ?should? ?brutishly? ?punch? ?through? ?this? ?wall? ?to? ?see? ?what? ?was? ?

behind? ?it? ?when? ?he? ?heard? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?speak? ?up,? ?“Gege,? ?give? ?me? ?your? ?hand.”? ?

Xie? ?Lian:? ?“?”? ?

Although? ?puzzled,? ?he? ?still? ?obediently? ?gave? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?his? ?hand.? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?gently? ?grasped? ?his? ?

hand? ?and? ?held? ?it? ?in? ?his? ?palm,? ?his? ?other? ?hand? ?hovering? ?over? ?like? ?he? ?was? ?putting? ?something? ?on? ?him.? ? ?

Xie? ?Lian? ?held? ?his? ?breath? ?for? ?a? ?moment,? ?and? ?soon? ?after,? ?he? ?raised? ?his? ?hand,? ?curious,? ?“This? ?is?”? ? ?

On? ?the? ?third? ?finger? ?of? ?his? ?left? ?hand? ?was? ?a? ?very? ?thin? ?red? ?string,? ?and? ?it? ?was? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?who? ?had? ?

personally? ?tied? ?it? ?on? ?him.? ?This? ?red? ?string? ?also? ?extended? ?out,? ?long? ?and? ?ceaselessly? ?connecting? ?

with? ?the? ?red? ?string? ?knotted? ?around? ?Hua? ?Cheng’s? ?finger.? ?

Hua? ?Cheng? ?raised? ?his? ?own? ?hand? ?and? ?showed? ?him? ?the? ?tiny? ?butterfly? ?red? ?knot? ?that’s? ?now? ?identical? ?

on? ?both? ?their? ?fingers,? ?smiling,? ?“Now? ?we’re? ?joined? ?together.”? ? ?

Hearing? ?this,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?could? ?feel? ?his? ?face? ?grow? ?hot.? ?Maybe? ?he? ?was? ?a? ?little? ?too? ?self-conscious,? ?and? ?

he? ?hurriedly? ?rubbed? ?his? ?face,? ?scared? ?that? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?might? ?notice? ?his? ?heart? ?was? ?beating? ?faster? ?

than? ?normal.? ?He? ?smiled,? ?“Is? ?this? ?some? ?sort? ?of? ?a? ?spell?”? ? ?

“En.”? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?straightened? ?his? ?expression? ?somewhat? ?and? ?dropped? ?his? ?hand,? ?“Even? ?though? ?

we? ?won’t? ?be? ?separating? ?voluntarily,? ?but? ?just? ?in? ?case.? ?This? ?string? ?won’t? ?break? ?and? ?won’t? ?grow? ?

shorter.? ?If? ?the? ?string? ?doesn’t? ?break,? ?then? ?it? ?means? ?the? ?person? ?on? ?the? ?other? ?end? ?is? ?alright.? ?Unless? ?

the? ?person? ?is? ?no? ?more,? ?otherwise,? ?this? ?string? ?will? ?for? ?sure? ?lead? ?to? ?the? ?other.”? ?

“What? ?do? ?you? ?mean? ?‘no? ?more’?”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?asked.? ?

“Dead,? ?or? ?dissipated.”? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?explained.? ?

Xie? ?Lian? ?was? ?about? ?to? ?speak? ?when? ?suddenly,? ?the? ?faint? ?sounds? ?of? ?tremors? ?came? ?from? ?the? ?

distance.? ?He? ?listened? ?tensely? ?and? ?wondered,? ?“Is? ?someone? ?throwing? ?fists?”? ? ?

This? ?power? ?and? ?frequency,? ?it? ?was? ?as? ?if? ?someone? ?was? ?throwing? ?punches? ?heavily? ?at? ?the? ?body? ?of? ?

the? ?mountain.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?remarked,? ?“This? ?power? ?definitely? ?doesn’t? ?belong? ?to? ?a? ?mortal,? ?it? ?must? ?be? ?a? ?

martial? ?god.? ?Could? ?it? ?be? ?General? ?Pei?”? ? ?

“It’s? ?coming? ?from? ?ahead? ?of? ?us.”? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?observed.? ?

This? ?“ahead”? ?naturally? ?meant? ?the? ?way? ?they? ?intended? ?to? ?head? ?in,? ?but? ?had? ?to? ?turn? ?back? ?because? ?

Pei? ?Ming? ?and? ?the? ?others? ?disappeared? ?halfway.? ?However,? ?Pei? ?Ming? ?and? ?the? ?others? ?disappeared? ?

behind? ?them,? ?so? ?how? ?could? ?they? ?suddenly? ?reappear? ?ahead?? ?And? ?if? ?it? ?wasn’t? ?Pei? ?Ming,? ?then? ?who? ?

could? ?it? ?be?? ?

The? ?two? ?exchanged? ?a? ?look? ?and? ?walked? ?side? ?by? ?side,? ?ready? ?to? ?check? ?things? ?out.? ?However,? ?

halfway? ?down? ?the? ?path,? ?that? ?mountain? ?punching? ?sound? ?suddenly? ?disappeared,? ?unknown? ?whether? ?

if? ?it? ?was? ?intentional? ?or? ?because? ?energy? ?was? ?depleted.? ?

But? ?since? ?they? ?had? ?already? ?come? ?this? ?far,? ?why? ?would? ?they? ?turn? ?back?? ?Thus,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?and? ?Hua? ?

Cheng? ?continued? ?to? ?walk? ?in? ?the? ?direction? ?where? ?the? ?sound? ?came? ?from.? ?A? ?few? ?silver? ?butterflies? ?

danced? ?in? ?the? ?bluish,? ?dark? ?cave? ?ahead? ?of? ?them,? ?lighting? ?their? ?way.? ?Suddenly,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?sharply? ?

caught? ?sight? ?of? ?something? ?odd? ?on? ?the? ?stone? ?wall? ?on? ?the? ?side,? ?“What’s? ?that?? ?A? ?red? ?string?”? ? ?

From? ?afar,? ?they? ?really? ?couldn’t? ?tell? ?what? ?it? ?was,? ?but? ?it? ?was? ?exceedingly? ?bizarre,? ?looking? ?like? ?a? ?red? ?

string? ?but? ?much? ?thicker? ?and? ?it? ?kept? ?twisting,? ?appearing? ?more? ?like? ?a? ?red,? ?long? ?worm.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?

approached? ?easily? ?and? ?looked? ?at? ?it? ?closely,? ?“Isn’t? ?this? ?Ban? ?Yue’s? ?scorpion? ?tailed? ?snake?”? ? ?

Sure? ?enough,? ?it? ?was? ?the? ?bottom? ?half? ?of? ?one? ?of? ?the? ?wine? ?red? ?scorpion? ?tailed? ?snake? ?bared? ?on? ?the? ?

outside? ?of? ?the? ?wall,? ?twisting? ?and? ?throwing? ?its? ?body.? ?Its? ?upper? ?half? ?body? ?seemed? ?to? ?be? ?buried? ?into? ?

the? ?stone? ?wall.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?wondered,? ?“Did? ?it? ?crawl? ?into? ?a? ?hole? ?and? ?couldn’t? ?get? ?out?”? ? ?

“Probably? ?not.”? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?said.? ?

This? ?scorpion? ?tailed? ?snake’s? ?entire? ?body? ?was? ?hung? ?in? ?mid? ?air,? ?and? ?snakes? ?didn’t? ?climbed? ?walls,? ?so? ?

how? ?could? ?it? ?have? ?slithered? ?to? ?such? ?a? ?height? ?before? ?crawling? ?into? ?a? ?hole?? ?Besides,? ?there? ?were? ?

many? ?holes? ?on? ?this? ?stone? ?wall,? ?so? ?if? ?it? ?must? ?slither,? ?why? ?pick? ?such? ?a? ?small? ?one?? ?This? ?‘hole’? ?was? ?

also? ?strange,? ?almost? ?the? ?exact? ?same? ?shape? ?as? ?the? ?snake’s? ?body,? ?which? ?was? ?why? ?it? ?trapped? ?it? ?so? ?

completely.? ?

Xie? ?Lian? ?had? ?wanted? ?to? ?grab? ?hold? ?of? ?that? ?snake? ?and? ?pull? ?it? ?out? ?to? ?see,? ?but? ?that? ?snake? ?was? ?

abnormally? ?alert,? ?swinging? ?its? ?tail? ?madly,? ?randomly? ?pricking,? ?almost? ?stinging? ?Xie? ?Lian.? ?Thus,? ?Hua? ?

Cheng? ?flicked? ?it,? ?looking? ?like? ?he? ?did? ?so? ?very? ?casually,? ?but? ?that? ?snake? ?seemed? ?to? ?have? ?been? ?

shocked? ?by? ?it? ?and? ?became? ?too? ?stunned? ?to? ?move.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?didn’t? ?know? ?whether? ?to? ?laugh? ?or? ?cry,? ?

and? ?was? ?just? ?about? ?to? ?speak? ?when? ?he? ?suddenly? ?closed? ?his? ?mouth,? ?“Do? ?you? ?hear? ?that?”? ? ?

“I? ?hear? ?it.”? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?said.? ?

The? ?two? ?looked? ?ahead? ?at? ?the? ?same? ?time.? ? ?

In? ?the? ?darkness,? ?there? ?was? ?the? ?sound? ?of? ?a? ?series? ?of? ?low? ?breathing,? ?very? ?steady,? ?very? ?calm.? ? ?

The? ?two? ?wraith? ?butterflies? ?dallied? ?and? ?danced? ?around? ?each? ?other,? ?and? ?fluttered? ?towards? ?that? ?

breathing? ?sound,? ?flying? ?higher? ?and? ?higher,? ?the? ?silver? ?light? ?also? ?lifting? ?higher.? ?Gradually,? ?a? ?pair? ?of? ?

hands? ?were? ?illuminated.? ?

It? ?was? ?the? ?hands? ?of? ?a? ?person.? ?The? ?hands? ?of? ?a? ?man.? ?The? ?back? ?of? ?the? ?hands? ?were? ?spotted? ?with? ?

blood,? ?covered? ?with? ?gashes,? ?drooping? ?down? ?like? ?the? ?dead.? ?Going? ?up? ?further,? ?the? ?messy? ?head? ?of? ?a? ?

person? ?was? ?illuminated,? ?and? ?that? ?head? ?was? ?also? ?drooping? ?like? ?the? ?dead.? ?

However,? ?there? ?was? ?no? ?lower? ?body.? ?

That’s? ?right.? ?This? ?person? ?who? ?was? ?“hung”? ?so? ?highly? ?upon? ?the? ?stone? ?wall? ?didn’t? ?have? ?a? ?lower? ?body.? ?

He? ?only? ?bared? ?an? ?upper? ?half? ?body? ?like? ?he? ?was? ?grown? ?straight? ?out? ?of? ?the? ?stone? ?wall!? ? ?

In? ?the? ?past,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?had? ?seen? ?some? ?nobles? ?and? ?aristocrats? ?who? ?when? ?they’ve? ?successfully? ?

hunted? ?rare? ?game,? ?would? ?cut? ?off? ?the? ?game’s? ?head,? ?treat? ?it? ?with? ?chemical? ?solutions? ?to? ?prevent? ?it? ?

from? ?rotting? ?and? ?hang? ?it? ?on? ?the? ?walls? ?of? ?their? ?residence.? ?The? ?sight? ?before? ?him? ?now? ?reminded? ?him? ?

of? ?the? ?heads? ?of? ?tigers,? ?bucks,? ?wolves,? ?and? ?other? ?such? ?beasts? ?that? ?were? ?hung? ?on? ?those? ?walls? ?

neatly? ?in? ?a? ?row.? ?However,? ?this? ?man? ?was? ?clearly? ?still? ?breathing,? ?so? ?he? ?was? ?still? ?alive!? ? ?

Xie? ?Lian? ?took? ?a? ?step? ?closer,? ?“What? ?is? ?this? ?creature?? ?The? ?true? ?body? ?of? ?the? ?mountain? ?spirit?”? ? ?

However,? ?there? ?was? ?no? ?response? ?coming? ?from? ?next? ?to? ?him.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?suddenly? ?felt? ?his? ?heart? ?go? ?

cold.? ?He? ?whipped? ?his? ?head? ?around? ?and? ?sure? ?enough? ?–? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?was? ?gone!? ?

“SAN? ?LANG?!”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?exclaimed.? ?

Naturally,? ?no? ?one? ?answered,? ?but? ?the? ?man? ?hung? ?on? ?the? ?wall? ?mumbled,? ?like? ?he? ?was? ?talking? ?in? ?his? ?

sleep? ?but? ?about? ?to? ?wake.? ?Under? ?the? ?current? ?circumstances? ?however,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?had? ?not? ?a? ?bit? ?of? ?

interest? ?in? ?him,? ?and? ?turned? ?around? ?in? ?a? ?circle? ?twice? ?standing? ?where? ?he? ?was? ?when? ?suddenly,? ?he? ?

remembered? ?the? ?red? ?string? ?tied? ?around? ?his? ?finger? ?and? ?raised? ?it? ?in? ?cheer.? ?Sure? ?enough,? ?that? ?red? ?

string? ?was? ?still? ?there,? ?unbroken.? ?Thus,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?relaxed? ?a? ?little,? ?and? ?he? ?picked? ?up? ?that? ?red? ?string,? ?

pulling? ?it? ?as? ?he? ?walked.? ?Walk? ?and? ?walk,? ?and? ?reached? ?the? ?end? ?of? ?the? ?thread.? ?

The? ?other? ?end? ?of? ?this? ?red? ?string? ?was? ?linked? ?into? ?a? ?stone? ?wall!? ?

Xie? ?Lian? ?couldn’t? ?believe? ?it? ?and? ?yanked? ?at? ?it? ?twice,? ?but? ?more? ?red? ?string? ?was? ?pulled? ?out? ?incessantly? ?

from? ?within? ?the? ?stone? ?wall,? ?making? ?him? ?wonder? ?was? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?actually? ?inside? ?this? ?stone? ?wall? ?at? ?

this? ?very? ?moment?? ?

When? ?he? ?thought? ?that? ?might? ?be? ?a? ?possibility,? ?without? ?another? ?word,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?raised? ?Fang? ?Xin? ?and? ?

was? ?ready? ?to? ?shatter? ?this? ?wall.? ?Yet? ?unexpectedly,? ?the? ?tip? ?of? ?his? ?sword? ?hadn’t? ?even? ?touched? ?the? ?

stone? ?wall? ?when? ?his? ?sight? ?suddenly? ?went? ?black,? ?and? ?as? ?if? ?the? ?stone? ?wall? ?before? ?him? ?suddenly? ?

opened? ?a? ?giant? ?mouth,? ?it? ?howled? ?and? ?swallowed? ?his? ?entire? ?person? ?whole!? ?

The? ?blackness? ?of? ?his? ?sight? ?didn’t? ?go? ?away? ?quickly,? ?and? ?as? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?was? ?swallowed,? ?it? ?grew? ?darker? ?

and? ?darker.? ?All? ?around? ?was? ?sand? ?and? ?mud? ?crushing? ?at? ?him,? ?exceedingly? ?suffocating.? ?The? ?sand? ?

and? ?mud? ?was? ?also? ?moving? ?endlessly,? ?the? ?feeling? ?was? ?like? ?he? ?was? ?swallowed? ?into? ?the? ?stomach? ?of? ?

a? ?giant? ?monster,? ?and? ?that? ?monster? ?had? ?also? ?eaten? ?a? ?bunch? ?of? ?other? ?things? ?besides? ?him,? ?tumbling? ?

everything? ?in? ?its? ?stomach? ?trying? ?to? ?digest.? ?It? ?also? ?felt? ?like? ?he? ?was? ?sunken? ?into? ?a? ?quicksand,? ?unable? ?

to? ?exert? ?power? ?thought? ?he? ?had? ?the? ?strength,? ?and? ?the? ?more? ?he? ?tried? ?to? ?struggle? ?the? ?deeper? ?he’d? ?

sink.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?wanted? ?to? ?break? ?the? ?wall? ?to? ?escape? ?but? ?then? ?thought? ?perhaps? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?was? ?

probably? ?in? ?here,? ?so? ?instead? ?of? ?backing? ?out? ?he? ?moved? ?forward,? ?swinging? ?his? ?arms? ?to? ?break? ?away? ?

the? ?earth? ?and? ?sand? ?as? ?he? ?pulled? ?at? ?the? ?red? ?string? ?to? ?continue? ?onwards.? ?Just? ?then,? ?a? ?hand? ?

suddenly? ?stretched? ?out? ?from? ?the? ?front,? ?seizing? ?his? ?wrist? ?without? ?fault.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?was? ?alarmed,? ?

“WHO?!”? ? ?

The? ?moment? ?he? ?opened? ?his? ?mouth? ?it? ?was? ?filled? ?with? ?a? ?mouthful? ?of? ?mud,? ?and? ?he? ?spat? ?it? ?out? ?

miserably.? ?As? ?for? ?that? ?hand,? ?it? ?clutched? ?him? ?and? ?pulled,? ?pulling? ?him? ?into? ?someone’s? ?arms,? ?a? ?

familiar? ?voice? ?coming? ?from? ?above? ?his? ?head,? ?“Gege,? ?it’s? ?me!”? ? ?

Hearing? ?that? ?voice,? ?Xie? ?Lian’s? ?entire? ?person? ?relaxed,? ?hugging? ?the? ?other? ?tightly,? ?blurting,? ?“...Thank? ?

goodness,? ?the? ?red? ?string? ?didn’t? ?break.? ?I? ?really? ?did? ?find? ?you!”? ? ?

Hua? ?Cheng? ?also? ?embraced? ?him? ?back? ?tightly,? ?speaking? ?with? ?conviction,? ?“It? ?didn’t? ?break!? ?I’ve? ?found? ?

you? ?too.”? ? ?

Turns? ?out,? ?the? ?weird? ?incident? ?that? ?happened? ?to? ?the? ?two? ?was? ?the? ?same.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?was? ?observing? ?

that? ?half-bodied? ?man? ?hung? ?high? ?on? ?the? ?wall,? ?and? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?was? ?keeping? ?an? ?eye? ?on? ?their? ?

surroundings,? ?guarding? ?against? ?anything? ?that? ?might? ?ambush? ?them? ?from? ?the? ?shadows.? ?Yet? ?

unexpectedly,? ?it? ?only? ?took? ?a? ?blink? ?of? ?an? ?eye? ?for? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?who? ?was? ?standing? ?next? ?to? ?him? ?to? ?

disappear,? ?a? ?stone? ?wall? ?erected? ?out? ?of? ?nowhere? ?standing? ?in? ?his? ?stead.? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?pulled? ?at? ?the? ?

red? ?string,? ?searching? ?as? ?he? ?followed,? ?and? ?discovered? ?the? ?ends? ?were? ?linked? ?into? ?the? ?wall,? ?so? ?he? ?

went? ?in? ?directly? ?to? ?look? ?for? ?Xie? ?Lian.? ?

In? ?truth,? ?from? ?the? ?very? ?beginning? ?there? ?was? ?just? ?the? ?extra? ?wall? ?separating? ?them,? ?but? ?both? ?had? ?

thought? ?the? ?other? ?were? ?within? ?the? ?wall,? ?so? ?they? ?both? ?went? ?in? ?at? ?the? ?same? ?time.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?repeated? ?

again? ?for? ?the? ?umpteeth? ?time? ?mentally? ?that? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?really? ?thought? ?of? ?everything,? ?“Thank? ?

goodness? ?we’re? ?linked? ?by? ?a? ?red? ?string!? ?Otherwise,? ?who? ?knows? ?if? ?we’d? ?find? ?each? ?other.? ?No? ?wonder? ?

General? ?Pei? ?and? ?the? ?others? ?disappeared? ?so? ?abruptly,? ?so? ?it? ?wasn’t? ?anyone? ?who? ?ambushed,? ?but? ?

rather...? ?they? ?were? ?swallowed? ?by? ?the? ?mountain? ?spirit.”? ?

“That’s? ?right.”? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?said,? ?“We? ?didn’t? ?pick? ?a? ?good? ?spot? ?and? ?ended? ?up? ?digging? ?right? ?into? ?the? ?

stomach? ?of? ?the? ?mountain? ?spirit.”? ? ?

Xie? ?Lian? ?cleared? ?his? ?throat? ?softly.? ?

That’s? ?right.? ?They? ?were? ?currently? ?no? ?doubt? ?in? ?the? ?stomach? ?of? ?one? ?of? ?the? ?three? ?mountain? ?spirits.? ?At? ?

the? ?time? ?when? ?Ying? ?Yu? ?asked? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?whether? ?to? ?dig? ?upwards,? ?the? ?chosen? ?location? ?just? ?

happened? ?to? ?be? ?the? ?resting? ?place? ?of? ?this? ?mountain? ?spirits,? ?and? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?cheerfully? ?agreed.? ?His? ?

luck? ?truly? ?was? ?completely? ?out? ?of? ?this? ?world,? ?no? ?lie.? ?The? ?sand? ?and? ?mud? ?from? ?all? ?around? ?were? ?

crushing? ?their? ?space,? ?squishing? ?tighter? ?and? ?tighter,? ?becoming? ?more? ?and? ?more? ?suffocating.? ?Xie? ?

Lian? ?felt? ?they? ?really? ?shouldn’t? ?stay? ?in? ?that? ?place? ?any? ?longer? ?and? ?asked,? ?“How? ?do? ?we? ?get? ?out? ?now?”? ? ?

Hua? ?Cheng? ?replied,? ?“It? ?got? ?dug? ?through? ?at? ?the? ?bottom? ?so? ?it’s? ?not? ?very? ?happy.? ?It’s? ?trying? ?to? ?digest? ?

us? ?at? ?the? ?moment,? ?so? ?it’s? ?a? ?bit? ?troublesome.? ?But,? ?rest? ?assured? ?gege,? ?we’ll? ?get? ?out? ?eventually.”? ?

Then? ?he? ?joked,? ?“To? ?die? ?buried? ?together*? ?probably? ?feels? ?like? ?this.”? ? ?

When? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?heard? ?he? ?was? ?slightly? ?taken? ?aback,? ?but? ?the? ?corners? ?of? ?his? ?lips? ?actually? ?curved? ?

upwards.? ?When? ?he? ?noticed? ?he? ?hastily? ?suppressed? ?it,? ?“The? ?half-bodied? ?man? ?outside? ?was? ?probably? ?

also? ?swallowed? ?by? ?the? ?mountain? ?spirit.? ?The? ?mountain? ?punching? ?sound? ?we? ?heard? ?must? ?be? ?him? ?

trying? ?to? ?escape,? ?pounding? ?at? ?the? ?stone? ?walls.? ?He? ?and? ?that? ?scorpion? ?snake? ?are? ?the? ?same,? ?they? ?

weren’t? ?swallowed? ?fully,? ?and? ?was? ?only? ?half? ?devoured.”? ?Which? ?was? ?why? ?the? ?effect? ?was? ?

exceedingly? ?creepy.? ? ?

“But? ?he’s? ?not? ?someone? ?from? ?the? ?party? ?that? ?came? ?to? ?Mount? ?TongLu? ?with? ?us.”? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?pointed? ?

out.? ?

Xie? ?Lian? ?suddenly? ?recalled? ?that? ?messy? ?hair? ?and? ?said,? ?“Wait,? ?I? ?know? ?who? ?that? ?was.? ?It? ?was? ?probably? ?

Qi? ?Ying!”? ? ?

Hua? ?Cheng? ?thought? ?for? ?a? ?bit? ?before? ?he? ?seemed? ?to? ?remember,? ?“Oh,? ?the? ?one? ?with? ?the? ?curly? ?hair.”? ? ?

“I? ?wonder? ?if? ?he’s? ?alright,”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?said,? ?“Did? ?he? ?pass? ?out?? ?He? ?seemed? ?to? ?have? ?lost? ?

consciousness? ?earlier.”? ? ?

“He’s? ?fine,? ?just? ?asleep.”? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?said.? ?

“...”? ?

“How? ?do? ?you? ?know?”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?asked.? ?

“I? ?left? ?a? ?few? ?silver? ?butterflies? ?outside.”? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?said,? ?“I? ?sent? ?one? ?over? ?just? ?now.? ?My? ?right? ?eye? ?

can? ?see? ?the? ?present? ?situation? ?outside.”? ? ?

Just? ?as? ?the? ?words? ?left? ?his? ?lips,? ?he? ?“Hm?”-ed? ?lightly,? ?seeming? ?to? ?have? ?seen? ?something? ?strange.? ?

“What’s? ?happened? ?outside?”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?asked.? ?

Hua? ?Cheng? ?didn’t? ?say? ?anything,? ?only? ?bowing? ?his? ?head? ?slightly,? ?gently? ?lifting? ?Xie? ?Lian’s? ?chin? ?as? ?the? ?

two? ?touched? ?foreheads.? ?Xie? ?Lian’s? ?eyes? ?widened,? ?but? ?then? ?he? ?closed? ?his? ?eyes,? ?then? ?reopened? ?

his? ?eyes,? ?“This? ?is...? ?truly? ?magical.”? ? ?

His? ?right? ?eye? ?seemed? ?to? ?see? ?a? ?scene? ?completely? ?different? ?than? ?what? ?was? ?before? ?him.? ?Although? ?

still? ?dark,? ?but? ?he? ?could? ?still? ?see? ?the? ?general? ?silhouettes? ?of? ?things.? ?

This? ?silver? ?butterfly? ?that? ?was? ?monitoring? ?the? ?external? ?world? ?seemed? ?to? ?be? ?hiding? ?behind? ?a? ?bunch? ?

of? ?weeds,? ?and? ?below? ?the? ?scene,? ?a? ?black? ?shadow? ?was? ?slowly? ?approaching.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?whispered,? ?

“Someone’s? ?come,? ?I? ?wonder? ?who? ?it? ?is.? ?Where? ?is? ?your? ?silver? ?butterfly? ?hiding?? ?Would? ?it? ?be? ?

discovered?”? ? ?

“It’s? ?in? ?his? ?hair,”? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?said,? ?“The? ?light? ?is? ?hidden,? ?it? ?won’t? ?be? ?discovered.”? ? ?

That? ?black? ?shadow? ?finally? ?approached? ?close? ?enough? ?and? ?lifted? ?his? ?head,? ?his? ?face? ?pale? ?white.? ?

“Yin? ?Yu?”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?said.? ?

———–? ?

?[?????????????]? ?“Same? ?quilt? ?when? ?alive;? ?same? ?cave? ?(grave)? ?when? ?dead”? ?–? ?This? ?is? ?a? ?

verse? ?from? ?“The? ?Propitious? ?Pavilion? ?of? ?Romance”? ?one? ?of? ?the? ?tales? ?recorded? ?in? ?the? ?book? ?

“Mount? ?QingPing? ?Hall? ?Novella? ?Collection”,? ?which? ?was? ?the? ?oldest? ?recorded? ?novella? ?

collection? ?in? ?Chinese? ?history.? ?This? ?verse? ?describes? ?a? ?married? ?couple? ?who? ?are? ?intimately? ?in? ?

love.? ?

When? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?said? ?“To? ?die? ?buried? ?together”,? ?he? ?was? ?quoting? ?the? ?second? ?half? ?of? ?this? ?

verse? ?that? ?basically? ?had? ?the? ?same? ?sentiment? ?as? ?‘not? ?even? ?death? ?shall? ?do? ?us? ?part’.? ?

———-? ?

Ch.159:? ?This? ?Jade? ?Refuses? ?to? ?be? ?a? ?Thrown? ?Away? ?Brick? ?

It? ?was? ?indeed? ?Yin? ?Yu.? ?

That? ?Earth? ?Master? ?shovel? ?was? ?still? ?in? ?his? ?hand.? ?With? ?the? ?divine? ?device? ?still? ?in? ?his? ?grip,? ?even? ?if? ?he? ?

was? ?swallowed? ?by? ?a? ?mountain? ?spirit? ?he? ?could? ?still? ?swiftly? ?dig? ?out? ?a? ?path? ?to? ?escape,? ?thus,? ?it? ?wasn’t? ?

strange? ?for? ?him? ?to? ?appear? ?here.? ?After? ?all,? ?Quan? ?Yi? ?Zhen’s? ?furious? ?pounding? ?earlier? ?was? ?

considerably? ?alarming.? ?

Since? ?the? ?images? ?the? ?left? ?and? ?the? ?right? ?eyes? ?saw? ?were? ?different,? ?it? ?was? ?quite? ?uncomfortable,? ?and? ?

Xie? ?Lian? ?blinked? ?lightly,? ?which? ?made? ?him? ?discover? ?that? ?even? ?with? ?his? ?eyes? ?closed? ?his? ?right? ?eye? ?

could? ?still? ?see? ?the? ?scene? ?outside,? ?thus? ?he? ?just? ?kept? ?his? ?eyes? ?closed.? ?Just? ?then,? ?the? ?field? ?of? ?vision? ?

suddenly? ?shuddered,? ?then? ?wildly? ?shook,? ?swinging? ?from? ?left? ?to? ?right.? ?It? ?appeared? ?Quan? ?Yi? ?Zhen? ?

finally? ?came? ?to? ?and? ?was? ?shaking? ?his? ?head.? ?

Seeing? ?him? ?look? ?up,? ?Yin? ?Yu? ?reacted? ?swiftly? ?and? ?raised? ?his? ?hand? ?to? ?bring? ?his? ?ghost? ?mask? ?down? ?to? ?

cover? ?his? ?face.? ?However,? ?Quan? ?Yi? ?Zhen? ?didn’t? ?have? ?the? ?time? ?to? ?mind? ?him? ?at? ?all? ?since? ?the? ?moment? ?

he? ?woke,? ?his? ?entire? ?body? ?was? ?violently? ?yanked? ?backwards? ?and? ?another? ?chunk? ?sank.? ?

That? ?mountain? ?spirit? ?had? ?swallowed? ?another? ?chunk? ?of? ?Quan? ?Yi? ?Zhen’s? ?body!? ? ?

Taking? ?advantage? ?of? ?the? ?fact? ?his? ?arms? ?were? ?still? ?out,? ?Quan? ?Yi? ?Zhen? ?continued? ?to? ?smash? ?at? ?the? ?

wall? ?with? ?his? ?fists? ?while? ?trying? ?to? ?pull? ?himself? ?out? ?at? ?the? ?same? ?time.? ?However,? ?this? ?mountain? ?spirit? ?

was? ?probably? ?thousands? ?of? ?years? ?in? ?age,? ?its? ?wicked? ?powers? ?immense,? ?and? ?it? ?opened? ?its? ?mouth? ?

wide? ?to? ?suck? ?again.? ?Quan? ?Yi? ?Zhen? ?was? ?sinking? ?deeper? ?and? ?deeper,? ?until? ?the? ?sound? ?of? ?wall? ?

pounding? ?disappeared? ?as? ?both? ?his? ?hands? ?seemed? ?have? ?been? ?dragged? ?into? ?the? ?stone? ?wall.? ?Right? ?

at? ?the? ?same? ?time,? ?the? ?mountain? ?spirit? ?seemed? ?have? ?stopped? ?its? ?movements.? ?However,? ?Quan? ?Yi? ?

Zhen? ?had? ?only? ?a? ?head? ?left? ?exposed? ?on? ?the? ?outside.? ?

It? ?seemed? ?only? ?then? ?did? ?he? ?realize? ?there? ?was? ?someone? ?standing? ?below? ?him? ?and? ?demanded? ?

without? ?thinking,? ?“Who? ?are? ?you?”? ? ?

Yin? ?Yu? ?didn’t? ?respond,? ?but? ?through? ?his? ?mask,? ?the? ?sharpness? ?of? ?his? ?eyes? ?could? ?be? ?seen.? ?

Those? ?eyes? ?made? ?one? ?feel? ?chills.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?couldn’t? ?help? ?but? ?think,? ?‘...Those? ?don’t? ?look? ?like? ?the? ?

eyes? ?that? ?desired? ?a? ?reunion? ?at? ?all?’? ?

Quan? ?Yi? ?Zhen? ?continued? ?to? ?speak? ?without? ?thinking,? ?“Is? ?that? ?shovel? ?in? ?your? ?hand?? ?Help? ?dig? ?me? ?out? ?

of? ?this? ?wall,? ?I? ?want? ?to? ?come? ?out.”? ? ?

He? ?had? ?always? ?talked? ?this? ?way.? ?Naive,? ?matter? ?of? ?fact,? ?fearless? ?and? ?unconcerned? ?of? ?

consequences,? ?almost? ?like? ?that? ?of? ?a? ?child.? ?He? ?didn’t? ?even? ?ask? ?who? ?the? ?other? ?was? ?before? ?making? ?

him? ?help,? ?completely? ?inconscient? ?of? ?whether? ?if? ?the? ?peculiar? ?shadowed? ?figure? ?who? ?appeared? ?

under? ?such? ?a? ?circumstance? ?would? ?be? ?there? ?to? ?kill? ?him.? ?Hearing? ?his? ?demand,? ?Yin? ?Yu’s? ?hand? ?that? ?

was? ?holding? ?the? ?Earth? ?Master? ?shovel? ?gripped? ?harder.? ?

A? ?moment? ?later,? ?with? ?that? ?snow? ?bright? ?shovel? ?in? ?his? ?grip,? ?he? ?slowly? ?approached? ?Quan? ?Yi? ?Zhen.? ?

Taking? ?one? ?step? ?after? ?the? ?other,? ?like? ?he? ?was? ?a? ?murderer? ?about? ?to? ?commit? ?a? ?major? ?crime.? ?For? ?

some? ?reason,? ?watching? ?this? ?play? ?out? ?was? ?making? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?grow? ?anxiously? ?unnerved,? ?“...Wait,? ?

why? ?does? ?it? ?look? ?like? ?he? ?wants? ?to? ?gouge? ?out? ?Qi? ?Ying’s? ?head? ?with? ?the? ?shovel?”? ? ?

“He? ?just? ?might.”? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?said.? ?

Xie? ?Lian:? ?“???”? ?

Hua? ?Cheng? ?added,? ?“But,? ?we? ?can’t? ?have? ?him? ?kill? ?Quan? ?Yi? ?Zhen? ?for? ?the? ?moment.? ?Right? ?now? ?the? ?

mountain? ?spirit? ?can? ?only? ?swallow? ?whole? ?so? ?digestion? ?isn’t? ?easy,? ?but? ?if? ?Quan? ?Yi? ?Zhen? ?dies? ?leaving? ?

only? ?a? ?corpse,? ?then? ?he’d? ?be? ?much? ?easier? ?to? ?digest.? ?If? ?the? ?mountain? ?spirit? ?should? ?devour? ?a? ?

heavenly? ?official,? ?its? ?powers? ?would? ?grow? ?exponentially,? ?so? ?it’d? ?mean? ?more? ?trouble? ?for? ?us? ?to? ?get? ?

out.”? ? ?

Xie? ?Lian? ?quickly? ?said,? ?“Wait,? ?wait,? ?wait,? ?wait.? ?San? ?Lang,? ?easy? ?digestion? ?aside,? ?Yin? ?Yu? ?is? ?your? ?

subordinate,? ?so? ?in? ?your? ?understanding? ?of? ?him,? ?do? ?you? ?think? ?he? ?will? ?kill? ?Qi? ?Ying?? ?Do? ?they? ?have? ?a? ?

deep? ?grudge? ?between? ?them?”? ? ?

Qi? ?Ying? ?had? ?been? ?so? ?determined? ?in? ?his? ?search? ?for? ?Yin? ?Yu,? ?and? ?since? ?they? ?were? ?shixiong? ?and? ?shidi? ?

under? ?the? ?same? ?sect,? ?there? ?was? ?no? ?way? ?he? ?couldn’t? ?have? ?seen? ?clearly? ?his? ?character,? ?so? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?

thought? ?that? ?Quan? ?Yi? ?Zhen? ?believed? ?Yin? ?Yu? ?was? ?someone? ?worthy? ?for? ?him? ?to? ?seek.? ?And? ?with? ?Quan? ?

Yi? ?Zhen’s? ?personality,? ?he? ?couldn’t? ?have? ?done? ?anything? ?for? ?anyone? ?to? ?want? ?to? ?kill? ?him.? ?

Hua? ?Cheng? ?replied,? ?“There? ?isn’t.? ?But,? ?sometimes,? ?the? ?desire? ?to? ?kill? ?someone? ?didn’t? ?have? ?to? ?come? ?

from? ?some? ?deep? ?grudge;? ?it? ?can? ?very? ?well? ?come? ?from? ?small? ?matters.? ?Especially? ?small? ?matters? ?you? ?

yourself? ?don’t? ?notice.”? ? ?

“What? ?small? ?matters?”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?asked.? ?

Just? ?as? ?the? ?words? ?left? ?his? ?lips,? ?the? ?scene? ?his? ?right? ?eye? ?saw? ?had? ?changed.? ?What? ?he? ?saw? ?wasn’t? ?

Hua? ?Cheng’s? ?red? ?robes? ?and? ?it? ?wasn’t? ?the? ?scene? ?of? ?one? ?man? ?facing? ?one? ?head? ?on? ?the? ?stone? ?wall? ?

outside,? ?but? ?a? ?large? ?street.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?was? ?just? ?about? ?to? ?ask? ?what? ?this? ?was? ?when? ?he? ?heard? ?a? ?

bustling? ?noise? ?coming? ?from? ?ahead.? ?

There? ?was? ?a? ?crowd? ?of? ?cultivators? ?on? ?the? ?road,? ?seeming? ?to? ?be? ?surrounding? ?someone? ?and? ?yelling? ?

furiously.? ?When? ?he? ?looked? ?closer,? ?he? ?discovered? ?that? ?among? ?the? ?crowd? ?was? ?a? ?small? ?child? ?

crouched? ?down,? ?his? ?head? ?full? ?of? ?curly? ?hair,? ?his? ?face? ?covered? ?in? ?blood.? ?

To? ?be? ?surrounded? ?and? ?yelled? ?at? ?by? ?such? ?a? ?crowd,? ?if? ?it? ?was? ?any? ?normal? ?child? ?they? ?would’ve? ?been? ?

terrified? ?and? ?crying? ?already,? ?but? ?this? ?child? ?was? ?only? ?about? ?ten? ?years? ?of? ?age,? ?and? ?not? ?only? ?was? ?he? ?

not? ?scared,? ?he? ?seemed? ?to? ?be? ?excited? ?even,? ?his? ?eyes? ?darting? ?around,? ?his? ?little? ?fists? ?itching? ?to? ?be? ?

tested.? ?Just? ?then,? ?a? ?young? ?cultivator? ?pushed? ?through? ?the? ?crowd? ?and? ?approached,? ?“Let? ?it? ?go,? ?stop? ?

yelling,? ?he? ?should? ?know? ?he’s? ?wrong? ?by? ?now.”? ? ?

Xie? ?Lian? ?“eh”-ed? ?softly.? ?

That? ?young? ?cultivator? ?had? ?bright? ?eyes,? ?a? ?glowing,? ?spirited? ?face,? ?his? ?back? ?straight? ?standing? ?tall,? ?it? ?

was? ?Yin? ?Yu.? ?

However,? ?perhaps? ?it? ?was? ?because? ?this? ?was? ?when? ?Yin? ?Yu? ?was? ?at? ?the? ?height? ?of? ?his? ?youth,? ?his? ?air? ?

confident? ?and? ?bold,? ?and? ?his? ?will? ?not? ?yet? ?dimmed? ?from? ?the? ?wear? ?and? ?drain? ?of? ?time,? ?appearing? ?to? ?be? ?

much? ?brighter? ?than? ?the? ?faint? ?impression? ?he? ?left? ?in? ?Xie? ?Lian’s? ?mind? ?when? ?they? ?first? ?met,? ?and? ?

anyone? ?would? ?call? ?him? ?an? ?impressive? ?young? ?man.? ?They? ?were? ?practically? ?two? ?different? ?people.? ?Xie? ?

Lian? ?remarked? ?inwardly,? ?‘He? ?wasn’t? ?so? ?boringly? ?plain? ?back? ?then!’? ? ?

Hua? ?Cheng? ?laughed? ?out? ?loud,? ?“Who? ?wasn’t? ?young? ?once?”? ? ?

Only? ?then? ?did? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?realized? ?he? ?accidently? ?spoke? ?his? ?mind? ?out? ?loud,? ?“San? ?Lang’s? ?right? ?eye? ?can? ?

see? ?these? ?things? ?too?”? ?

“It’s? ?not? ?my? ?right? ?eye? ?that? ?can? ?see? ?it,? ?it’s? ?something? ?else? ?that? ?did.? ?I’m? ?only? ?borrowing? ?it? ?for? ?

viewing,? ?that’s? ?all.”? ? ?

“Amazing.? ?Incredible.”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?was? ?amazed.? ?

“It’s? ?easy.”? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?said,? ?“If? ?you? ?are? ?to? ?pick? ?a? ?subordinate,? ?you? ?must? ?do? ?a? ?thorough? ?

background? ?check.? ?This? ?I’m? ?still? ?pretty? ?good? ?at.? ?If? ?in? ?the? ?future? ?gege? ?has? ?a? ?need? ?and? ?wants? ?to? ?

search? ?someone’s? ?background,? ?come? ?find? ?me? ?anytime.”? ? ?

Just? ?then,? ?in? ?the? ?scene? ?their? ?right? ?eye? ?was? ?showing,? ?another? ?quietly? ?handsome? ?young? ?man? ?

around? ?Yin? ?Yu’s? ?age? ?said? ?furiously,? ?“Knew? ?he’s? ?wrong? ?my? ?ass!? ?Look? ?at? ?him,? ?does? ?it? ?look? ?like? ?he? ?

knew? ?he? ?was? ?in? ?the? ?wrong?? ?This? ?brat? ?doesn’t? ?know? ?anything? ?at? ?all!? ?We? ?were? ?minding? ?our? ?own? ?

business? ?doing? ?our? ?morning? ?training? ?and? ?he? ?ruined? ?the? ?session? ?with? ?his? ?randomly? ?thrown? ?rocks? ?

and? ?mud,? ?we’ve? ?gotta? ?teach? ?him? ?a? ?lesson!”? ? ?

Yin? ?Yu? ?stopped? ?him,? ?“Let? ?it? ?go,? ?Jian? ?Yu.? ?He’s? ?already? ?been? ?beaten? ?by? ?you? ?like? ?this,? ?I’m? ?sure? ?he? ?

won’t? ?dare? ?to? ?do? ?it? ?again? ?next? ?time.? ?You’ve? ?all? ?vented? ?your? ?anger,? ?what? ?more? ?is? ?there? ?to? ?

discipline?? ?If? ?you? ?discipline? ?him? ?anymore? ?he’s? ?going? ?to? ?die.? ?Look? ?at? ?this? ?child? ?dressed? ?like? ?this,? ?

there? ?mustn’t? ?be? ?anyone? ?at? ?home? ?and? ?no? ?one? ?to? ?discipline? ?him.? ?Just? ?ignore? ?him? ?and? ?go? ?back? ?to? ?

calm? ?down.”? ? ?

Jian? ?Yu? ?spat? ?as? ?he? ?turned? ?around,? ?“I’m? ?telling? ?you? ?this? ?brat? ?is? ?mental,? ?he’s? ?not? ?normal!? ?Look? ?at? ?

him,? ?looking? ?so? ?happy? ?when? ?people? ?are? ?beating? ?him? ?up!? ?I? ?think? ?he? ?wants? ?to? ?go? ?another? ?round!”? ? ?

Yin? ?Yu? ?pushed? ?them? ?away? ?to? ?leave,? ?“Sigh!? ?You? ?said? ?yourself? ?he’s? ?mental,? ?so? ?why? ?bother? ?so? ?much? ?

with? ?him?”? ? ?

It? ?was? ?easy? ?to? ?tell? ?that? ?Yin? ?Yu’s? ?words? ?had? ?weight? ?among? ?those? ?of? ?his? ?sect,? ?and? ?while? ?the? ?crowd? ?

was? ?still? ?upset,? ?they? ?still? ?went? ?away.? ?Yin? ?Yu? ?took? ?a? ?look? ?at? ?the? ?child? ?sitting? ?on? ?the? ?ground,? ?and? ?he? ?

crouched? ?down,? ?but? ?before? ?he? ?even? ?opened? ?his? ?mouth,? ?this? ?little? ?child? ?scooped? ?a? ?handful? ?of? ?mud? ?

and? ?threw? ?it? ?to? ?his? ?face,? ?his? ?expression? ?still? ?excited.? ?

The? ?mud? ?hit? ?Yin? ?Yu? ?squarely? ?in? ?the? ?face? ?and? ?he? ?was? ?speechless? ?for? ?a? ?moment.? ?He? ?wiped? ?himself? ?

clean? ?and? ?asked,? ?“Little? ?kid,? ?why? ?are? ?you? ?so? ?mischievous?? ?Why? ?did? ?you? ?hit? ?the? ?cultivators? ?of? ?our? ?

temple?”? ?

That? ?small? ?child? ?leapt? ?up? ?and? ?struck? ?an? ?attacking? ?stance,? ?“Come? ?at? ?me!”? ? ?

“...”? ?

Yin? ?Yu? ?stood? ?up,? ?“This? ?attacking? ?stance? ?is? ?of? ?our? ?sect,? ?who? ?taught? ?you?”? ? ?

That? ?small? ?child? ?only? ?urged,? ?“Come? ?at? ?me!”? ?And? ?jumped? ?up? ?and? ?down? ?where? ?he? ?was? ?like? ?a? ?silly? ?

little? ?monkey,? ?and? ?he? ?even? ?grabbed? ?for? ?handfuls? ?of? ?mud? ?and? ?rocks? ?from? ?the? ?ground? ?to? ?throw? ?at? ?

his? ?‘opponent’,? ?incredibly? ?accurate? ?in? ?his? ?aim.? ?Yin? ?Yu? ?was? ?older? ?than? ?him? ?by? ?a? ?few? ?years,? ?and? ?

minding? ?his? ?own? ?status,? ?he? ?couldn’t? ?fight? ?a? ?child,? ?so? ?he? ?ended? ?up? ?running? ?around? ?while? ?dodging? ?

the? ?attacks,? ?“This? ?fighting? ?stance? ?also? ?came? ?from? ?our? ?sect,? ?did? ?you? ?climb? ?the? ?walls? ?and? ?peek? ?to? ?

learn? ?in? ?secret? ?everyday...Stop? ?hitting? ?me!? ?I? ?SAID,? ?STOP? ?HITTING? ?ME!? ?I? ?DIDN’T? ?EVEN? ?HIT? ?

YOU!? ?DO? ?YOU? ?REALLY? ?LIKE? ?FIGHTING? ?SO? ?MUCH?!”? ?

Yet? ?unexpectedly,? ?when? ?those? ?words? ?came? ?out,? ?Quan? ?Yi? ?Zhen? ?actually? ?did? ?come? ?to? ?a? ?sudden? ?

stop? ?and? ?nodded,? ?rubbing? ?his? ?muddy,? ?grimy? ?little? ?hands,? ?“I? ?like? ?it.”? ? ?

He? ?actually? ?said? ?it? ?so? ?seriously,? ?both? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?and? ?Yin? ?Yu? ?were? ?stunned.? ?

There? ?was? ?no? ?need? ?to? ?say? ?who? ?this? ?child? ?was.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?was? ?in? ?awe,? ?“Qi? ?Ying? ?really? ?is? ?a? ?martial? ?

fanatic.? ?He? ?was? ?born? ?to? ?be? ?a? ?martial? ?god.”? ? ?

Even? ?though? ?at? ?that? ?moment,? ?others? ?all? ?thought? ?Quan? ?Yi? ?Zhen? ?was? ?a? ?mental? ?child,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?felt? ?

he? ?could? ?relate.? ?

Since,? ?there? ?must? ?be? ?‘fanaticism’? ?towards? ?something? ?first? ?before? ?one? ?can? ?achieve? ?a? ?state? ?of? ?

‘godly’.? ? ?

When? ?it? ?came? ?to? ?this? ?point,? ?those? ?who? ?could? ?understand? ?this? ?sense? ?of? ?obsession? ?meant? ?there? ?

was? ?potential,? ?that? ?there? ?was? ?a? ?possibility;? ?and? ?those? ?who? ?couldn’t? ?and? ?only? ?knew? ?how? ?to? ?taunt? ?

those? ?‘mental’? ?‘idiots’,? ?would? ?have? ?no? ?hope? ?in? ?this? ?path? ?from? ?the? ?very? ?beginning.? ?

Yin? ?Yu? ?blinked? ?then? ?laughed.? ?But? ?he? ?didn’t? ?laugh? ?for? ?very? ?long? ?before? ?another? ?ball? ?of? ?mud? ?was? ?

splattered? ?on? ?his? ?face,? ?and? ?he? ?quickly? ?called? ?out,? ?“Hey!? ?I? ?said? ?stop? ?hitting? ?me...? ?Listen? ?to? ?me!? ?

How? ?about? ?–? ?do? ?you? ?want? ?to? ?enter? ?our? ?sect? ?and? ?learn? ?how? ?to? ?fight?”? ? ?

Hearing? ?this,? ?Quan? ?Yi? ?Zhen’s? ?movements? ?stopped,? ?a? ?ball? ?of? ?mud? ?in? ?his? ?hand,? ?but? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?didn’t? ?

know? ?whether? ?if? ?he? ?threw? ?it? ?because? ?soon? ?after,? ?right? ?at? ?that? ?moment? ?the? ?stone? ?wall? ?outside? ?

came? ?a? ?resounding? ??CLUNK?? ?sound,? ?and? ?Yin? ?Yu? ?had? ?stabbed? ?the? ?Earth? ?Master? ?shovel? ?on? ?the? ?wall.? ?

He? ?didn’t? ?actually? ?break? ?Quan? ?Yi? ?Zhen’s? ?neck? ?with? ?his? ?shovel,? ?but? ?that? ?sharp? ?metal? ?brushed? ?past? ?

Quan? ?Yi? ?Zhen’s? ?face,? ?exceedingly? ?deadly.? ?

That? ?silver? ?butterfly? ?hidden? ?in? ?Quan? ?Yi? ?Zhen’s? ?hair? ?was? ?quite? ?steady,? ?and? ?while? ?it? ?didn’t? ?flutter? ?

from? ?the? ?sudden? ?strike,? ?the? ?image? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?saw? ?in? ?his? ?right? ?eye? ?changed? ?from? ?the? ?shock,? ?and? ?he? ?

blurted? ?in? ?spite? ?of? ?himself,? ?“DON’T!”? ?

Hua? ?Cheng? ?however,? ?seemed? ?to? ?have? ?expected? ?this? ?already.? ?“Just? ?watch.? ?He? ?certainly? ?does? ?

have? ?the? ?intention,? ?but? ?his? ?killing? ?intent? ?isn’t? ?that? ?strong? ?yet.”? ? ?

Quan? ?Yi? ?Zhen? ?only? ?had? ?a? ?head? ?exposed? ?on? ?the? ?outside,? ?“You? ?want? ?to? ?kill? ?me?”? ? ?

Yin? ?Yu? ?didn’t? ?respond.? ?

Quan? ?Yi? ?Zhen? ?seemed? ?to? ?be? ?confused,? ?“Have? ?I? ?done? ?something? ?wrong?”? ? ?

Xie? ?Lian? ?also? ?asked,? ?“Did? ?he? ?do? ?something?”? ? ?

“It’s? ?difficult? ?to? ?say.”? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?said,? ?“Gege,? ?watch? ?for? ?yourself.”? ? ?

Then,? ?the? ?vision? ?before? ?Xie? ?Lian’s? ?right? ?eye? ?showed? ?a? ?cultivation? ?hall? ?with? ?long? ?white? ?walls? ?and? ?

black? ?tiles.? ?Yin? ?Yu? ?looked? ?a? ?few? ?years? ?older? ?than? ?earlier,? ?and? ?was? ?sitting? ?poised,? ?pouring? ?over? ?a? ?

desk? ?writing? ?fervently.? ?Next? ?to? ?him? ?was? ?a? ?large? ?crowd? ?of? ?trainees? ?crying? ?their? ?grievances,? ?angry? ?

and? ?hungry? ?for? ?justice,? ?“Yin? ?Yu? ?shixiong,? ?the? ?way? ?Quan? ?Yi? ?Zhen? ?eats? ?is? ?too? ?unbearable!? ?Every? ?

time? ?at? ?meal? ?time? ?his? ?rice? ?would? ?spray? ?everywhere,? ?and? ?he? ?eats? ?three? ?times? ?as? ?much? ?as? ?

everyone,? ?like? ?he’s? ?a? ?starving? ?ghost? ?or? ?something,? ?hogging? ?the? ?rice? ?bucket,? ?no? ?one? ?could? ?eat? ?

well!”? ? ?

“Yin? ?Yu? ?shixiong,? ?I? ?can’t? ?live? ?with? ?him? ?anymore,? ?I? ?want? ?to? ?change? ?rooms.? ?He’s? ?always? ?so? ?cranky? ?

in? ?the? ?mornings? ?I? ?worry? ?everyday? ?that? ?he’ll? ?kick? ?and? ?break? ?my? ?ribs,? ?I? ?can’t? ?deal? ?with? ?him!”? ? ?

“Yin? ?Yu? ?shixiong,? ?I? ?don’t? ?want? ?to? ?be? ?in? ?his? ?group? ?anymore.? ?That? ?bastard? ?never? ?cooperates? ?with? ?

others? ?nor? ?is? ?he? ?considerate? ?of? ?anyone,? ?he? ?only? ?cares? ?to? ?throw? ?fists? ?randomly? ?and? ?show? ?off,? ?I’d? ?

rather? ?be? ?in? ?the? ?same? ?group? ?as? ?the? ?weakest? ?shidi? ?than? ?with? ?him!”? ? ?

Yin? ?Yu? ?was? ?getting? ?overwhelmed? ?by? ?all? ?the? ?complaints,? ?“Alright,? ?alright,? ?then,? ?how? ?about? ?this.? ?I’ll? ?

investigate? ?first,? ?and? ?after? ?I’ve? ?investigated? ?I’ll? ?think? ?of? ?what? ?the? ?best? ?course? ?of? ?action? ?is.? ?Go? ?back? ?

for? ?today.”? ? ?

The? ?one? ?who? ?slapped? ?the? ?table? ?and? ?complained? ?the? ?loudest? ?was? ?of? ?course? ?Jian? ?Yu,? ?and? ?he? ?

obviously? ?wasn’t? ?satisfied? ?with? ?this? ?response,? ?“Yin? ?Yu,? ?you? ?shouldn’t? ?have? ?had? ?the? ?Master? ?take? ?

that? ?brat? ?in? ?in? ?the? ?first? ?place,? ?now? ?trouble’s? ?come? ?through? ?the? ?door.? ?Look,? ?how? ?long? ?has? ?he? ?been? ?

with? ?us? ?now?? ?What? ?days? ?has? ?he? ?not? ?caused? ?chaos?? ?What? ?days? ?has? ?he? ?not? ?caused? ?destruction?!”? ? ?

The? ?crowd? ?were? ?trying? ?to? ?force? ?his? ?hand? ?so? ?Yin? ?Yu? ?tried? ?to? ?pacify? ?them,? ?“It’s? ?not? ?like? ?the? ?things? ?he? ?

did? ?were? ?that? ?bad...”? ?

“NOT? ?THAT? ?BAD?!? ?HE’S? ?KILLED? ?OUR? ?PEACE? ?AND? ?QUIET,? ?SO? ?HOW? ?CAN? ?WE? ?CULTIVATE? ?IN? ?

PEACE?”? ?

“Yea,? ?there’s? ?never? ?been? ?this? ?much? ?trouble? ?in? ?the? ?past!”? ? ?

Yin? ?Yu? ?could? ?only? ?say,? ?“Yi? ?Zhen? ?didn’t? ?mean? ?anything? ?malicious,? ?he’s? ?just? ?too? ?ignorant? ?of? ?the? ?

ways? ?of? ?the? ?world? ?and? ?didn’t? ?know? ?how? ?to? ?get? ?along? ?with? ?others.”? ? ?

“Ignorance? ?of? ?the? ?ways? ?of? ?the? ?world? ?isn’t? ?a? ?pass? ?for? ?pardon,? ?if? ?he? ?doesn’t? ?know? ?can’t? ?he? ?learn?? ?

Since? ?we? ?all? ?live? ?in? ?this? ?world? ?full? ?of? ?people,? ?then? ?you? ?must? ?learn? ?how? ?to? ?get? ?along? ?with? ?others.? ?

How? ?old? ?is? ?he? ?now,? ?he? ?can’t? ?always? ?be? ?like? ?a? ?child?? ?There? ?are? ?people? ?who? ?are? ?dads? ?now? ?at? ?his? ?

age!”? ? ?

“Master’s? ?favouritism? ?aside,? ?this? ?brat? ?has? ?only? ?been? ?here? ?for? ?how? ?many? ?years?? ?The? ?moment? ?he? ?

came? ?he? ?took? ?over? ?all? ?the? ?benefits;? ?the? ?best? ?training? ?hall? ?was? ?given? ?to? ?him,? ?the? ?best? ?potion? ?

produced? ?every? ?season? ?is? ?given? ?to? ?him,? ?he? ?can? ?even? ?skip? ?morning? ?and? ?evening? ?lessons,? ?exempt? ?

from? ?reciting? ?sutras,? ?and? ?even? ?when? ?the? ?master? ?catches? ?him? ?he’d? ?only? ?get? ?lightly? ?reprimanded,? ?

no? ?lectures? ?at? ?all!? ?WHAT’S? ?SO? ?GOOD? ?ABOUT? ?HIM?!? ?Ying? ?Yu? ?shixiong!? ?You’re? ?the? ?eldest? ?

disciple,? ?if? ?you? ?act? ?like? ?that? ?then? ?we’d? ?all? ?let? ?it? ?go,? ?we’ve? ?nothing? ?to? ?say.? ?But? ?who? ?the? ?hell? ?is? ?he?? ?

No? ?education,? ?no? ?manners,? ?so? ?what? ?if? ?he’s? ?talented?? ?None? ?of? ?us? ?will? ?accept? ?him!”? ? ?

This? ?had? ?the? ?veiled? ?intent? ?to? ?alienate? ?Quan? ?Yi? ?Zhen? ?and? ?the? ?crowd? ?all? ?agreed? ?in? ?unison.? ?When? ?

Yin? ?Yu? ?heard,? ?his? ?expression? ?instantly? ?grew? ?dim,? ?and? ?he? ?gripped? ?his? ?brush.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?thought? ?

things? ?were? ?getting? ?discouraging.? ?

Those? ?with? ?ordinary? ?patience? ?would? ?easily? ?fall? ?for? ?this? ?hook,? ?and? ?if? ?it? ?was? ?someone? ?narrow? ?

minded,? ?then? ?even? ?without? ?the? ?hook? ?he? ?would’ve? ?already? ?be? ?jumping? ?on? ?his? ?feet,? ?so? ?when? ?the? ?

lure? ?flashed,? ?wouldn’t? ?he? ?just? ?explode?? ?

However,? ?unexpectedly,? ?after? ?some? ?contemplation,? ?Yin? ?Yu? ?put? ?down? ?his? ?brush? ?and? ?admonished? ?

solemnly,? ?“Shidi,? ?I? ?think? ?what? ?you? ?are? ?all? ?saying? ?isn’t? ?right.”? ? ?

The? ?crowd? ?was? ?taken? ?aback.? ?Yin? ?Yu? ?continued,? ?“I’m? ?going? ?to? ?say? ?something? ?unpleasant.? ?No? ?

matter? ?what? ?path? ?we? ?cultivate,? ?talent? ?truly? ?is? ?something? ?incredible.? ?Besides,? ?not? ?only? ?is? ?he? ?

talented,? ?he’s? ?willing? ?to? ?work? ?hard.? ?If? ?you? ?really? ?think? ?the? ?master? ?is? ?playing? ?favourites,? ?then? ?let’s? ?

work? ?harder? ?to? ?keep? ?up? ?with? ?him,? ?overtake? ?him,? ?and? ?the? ?training? ?halls,? ?the? ?potion? ?halls? ?will? ?

naturally? ?open? ?their? ?doors? ?to? ?everyone? ?then.? ?If? ?everyone? ?has? ?the? ?time? ?to? ?be? ?mad,? ?then? ?why? ?not? ?

use? ?that? ?energy? ?to? ?cultivate? ?and? ?train? ?more,? ?am? ?I? ?right?”? ? ?

Hearing? ?his? ?reprimand,? ?everyone’s? ?enthusiasm? ?dropped,? ?but? ?they? ?still? ?said,? ?“Shixiong? ?is? ?being? ?

generous,? ?not? ?disputing? ?with? ?him.”? ? ?

“This? ?patience? ?alone? ?threw? ?him? ?out? ?for? ?ten? ?thousand? ?miles.”? ? ?

Jian? ?Yu? ?however,? ?warned,? ?“Yin? ?Yu,? ?you? ?speak? ?for? ?him? ?today,? ?but? ?be? ?careful? ?of? ?him? ?screwing? ?you? ?

over? ?in? ?the? ?future!”? ? ?

In? ?any? ?case,? ?after? ?this? ?round? ?of? ?complaints,? ?neither? ?parties? ?were? ?pleased.? ?After? ?the? ?crowd? ?of? ?

fellow? ?disciples? ?left,? ?Yin? ?Yu? ?closed? ?the? ?door? ?and? ?was? ?about? ?the? ?shut? ?the? ?windows? ?when? ?he? ?

suddenly? ?found? ?there? ?was? ?someone? ?perched? ?on? ?it,? ?and? ?he? ?jumped? ?in? ?surprise,? ?“Who’s? ?there?!”? ?

Quan? ?Yi? ?Zhen? ?had? ?his? ?head? ?bowed,? ?perching? ?on? ?the? ?window? ?sill,? ?and? ?once? ?Yin? ?Yu? ?saw? ?that? ?it? ?was? ?

him,? ?he? ?questioned,? ?“When? ?did? ?you? ?come?”? ?He? ?pulled? ?at? ?him? ?but? ?Quan? ?Yi? ?Zhen? ?didn’t? ?move,? ?“Yi? ?

Zhen,? ?if? ?you’re? ?going? ?to? ?perch,? ?find? ?a? ?different? ?place? ?to? ?perch.? ?I’m? ?going? ?to? ?shut? ?the? ?window.”? ?

Quan? ?Yi? ?Zhen? ?suddenly? ?asked,? ?“Shixiong,? ?am? ?I? ?annoying?”? ? ?

————–? ?

Ch.160:? ?This? ?Jade? ?Refuses? ?to? ?be? ?a? ?Thrown? ?Away? ?Brick? ?2? ?

Yin? ?Yu? ?puffed? ?a? ?dry? ?laugh? ?and? ?said,? ?“You? ?heard?”? ?

Quan? ?Yi? ?Zhen? ?nodded,? ?and? ?Yin? ?Yu’s? ?expression? ?grew? ?complicated,? ?scratching? ?the? ?bridge? ?of? ?his? ?

nose? ?with? ?the? ?joint? ?of? ?a? ?finger,? ?“...You’re...? ?not...? ?that? ?bad...? ?I? ?guess...”? ?

Any? ?normal? ?person? ?would’ve? ?picked? ?up? ?on? ?how? ?forced? ?the? ?words? ?were,? ?but? ?Quan? ?Yi? ?Zhen? ?

seemed? ?to? ?have? ?only? ?took? ?them? ?at? ?face? ?value.? ?“Oh.”? ?

Yin? ?Yu? ?could? ?tell? ?he? ?took? ?it? ?for? ?truth? ?and? ?smiled,? ?before? ?finally? ?giving? ?him? ?some? ?encouragement,? ?

“You? ?don’t? ?need? ?to? ?mind? ?them.? ?You? ?didn’t? ?do? ?anything? ?wrong,? ?really.? ?It’s? ?good? ?like? ?this? ?too.”? ? ?

Anyone? ?with? ?clear? ?eyes? ?could? ?see? ?that? ?the? ?shixiong? ?and? ?shidis? ?couldn’t? ?stand? ?Quan? ?Yi? ?Zhen? ?and? ?

found? ?fault? ?everywhere? ?not? ?because? ?his? ?appetite? ?was? ?big,? ?not? ?because? ?he’s? ?cranky? ?in? ?the? ?

mornings,? ?and? ?not? ?because? ?he’s? ?inconsiderate? ?of? ?others? ?in? ?groups? ?and? ?only? ?cared? ?to? ?show? ?

himself? ?off.? ?

At? ?the? ?end? ?of? ?the? ?day,? ?what? ?they? ?really? ?couldn’t? ?stand? ?was? ?the? ?last? ?part:? ?he? ?entered? ?the? ?latest? ?but? ?

received? ?the? ?most.? ?

Quan? ?Yi? ?Zhen? ?nodded,? ?“I? ?think? ?so? ?too.”? ? ?

Yin? ?Yu? ?patted? ?his? ?shoulder,? ?“Go? ?train!? ?That’s? ?the? ?most? ?important.? ?Don’t? ?think? ?about? ?anything? ?

unnecessary.”? ? ?

Thus? ?Quan? ?Yi? ?Zhen? ?hopped? ?off? ?the? ?window.? ?Looking? ?at? ?where? ?he? ?was? ?headed,? ?he? ?indeed? ?went? ?to? ?

train.? ?As? ?for? ?Yin? ?Yu,? ?he? ?shut? ?the? ?window? ?and? ?also? ?picked? ?up? ?the? ?books? ?on? ?the? ?desk? ?and? ?started? ?

studying.? ?

After? ?watching? ?the? ?two? ?scenarios,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?praised,? ?“San? ?Lang,? ?this? ?subordinate? ?of? ?yours? ?really? ?is? ?

a? ?rare? ?character.? ?What? ?a? ?great? ?personality.”? ?But? ?then? ?he? ?remembered? ?the? ?Yin? ?Yu? ?outside? ?just? ?now? ?

almost? ?gouged? ?out? ?Quan? ?Yi? ?Zhen’s? ?head? ?with? ?the? ?Earth? ?Master? ?shovel,? ?and? ?quickly? ?asked,? ?“Is? ?

everything? ?alright? ?out? ?there?”? ? ?

Hua? ?Cheng? ?thus? ?showed? ?him? ?the? ?outside.? ?Yin? ?Yu? ?had? ?calmed? ?down,? ?pulled? ?out? ?the? ?Earth? ?Master? ?

shovel,? ?and? ?seemed? ?to? ?be? ?contemplating? ?just? ?what? ?he? ?should? ?do? ?with? ?Quan? ?Yi? ?Zhen’s? ?head.? ?Xie? ?

Lian? ?relaxed? ?a? ?little? ?and? ?said,? ?“I? ?suppose? ?the? ?problems? ?between? ?them? ?started? ?after? ?ascension?”? ? ?

“Correct.”? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?replied.? ?

Then,? ?a? ?sumptuous? ?great? ?hall? ?appeared? ?before? ?Xie? ?Lian’s? ?eye.? ?

Yin? ?Yu? ?sat? ?poised? ?and? ?proper? ?in? ?the? ?centre? ?of? ?the? ?grand? ?hall,? ?and? ?Jian? ?Yu? ?and? ?Quan? ?Yi? ?Zhen? ?

stood? ?guard? ?behind? ?him,? ?one? ?on? ?the? ?left? ?and? ?one? ?on? ?the? ?right.? ?Within? ?the? ?hall,? ?gods? ?after? ?gods? ?

came? ?in? ?and? ?about;? ?they? ?were? ?all? ?heavenly? ?officials? ?of? ?the? ?Upper? ?Court.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?saw? ?many? ?

familiar? ?faces,? ?like? ?the? ?male? ?Ling? ?Wen,? ?the? ?apathetic? ?Pei? ?Ming,? ?Lang? ?Qian? ?Qiu? ?with? ?his? ?perfect? ?

smile...? ?they? ?were? ?all? ?in? ?formal? ?attire? ?with? ?attending? ?junior? ?officials? ?behind? ?them? ?holding? ?large,? ?red? ?

gift? ?boxes? ?in? ?their? ?hands.? ?

Obviously,? ?this? ?was? ?the? ?Heavenly? ?Court,? ?the? ?Palace? ?of? ?Yin? ?Yu.? ?This? ?day? ?was? ?the? ?Palace? ?Opening? ?

Ceremony? ?of? ?the? ?Palace? ?of? ?Yin? ?Yu,? ?the? ?grand,? ?propitious? ?day? ?his? ?divine? ?residence? ?was? ?erected.? ?

Xie? ?Lian? ?was? ?slightly? ?amazed.? ?It? ?wasn’t? ?hard? ?for? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?to? ?see? ?the? ?images? ?of? ?the? ?mortal? ?

realm.? ?The? ?mortal? ?realm? ?was? ?his? ?domain,? ?and? ?as? ?long? ?as? ?he? ?wanted? ?to? ?cast? ?the? ?net,? ?any? ?

pedestrian,? ?feral? ?spirit,? ?birds? ?and? ?beasts? ?could? ?all? ?become? ?his? ?eyes.? ?However,? ?the? ?Heavenly? ?

Court? ?was? ?the? ?heaven’s? ?boundary,? ?so? ?how? ?could? ?he? ?see? ?it? ?too?? ? ?

Hua? ?Cheng? ?seemed? ?to? ?have? ?guessed? ?what? ?he? ?was? ?thinking? ?and? ?said,? ?“Gege,? ?take? ?a? ?look? ?at? ?the? ?

corner? ?near? ?the? ?hall? ?entrance.”? ?

Xie? ?Lian? ?listened? ?to? ?him? ?and? ?gazed? ?over.? ?The? ?perimeters? ?of? ?this? ?‘corner’? ?was? ?actually? ?quite? ?big,? ?

because? ?this? ?grand? ?hall? ?was? ?not? ?small,? ?and? ?next? ?to? ?the? ?corner? ?of? ?the? ?hall? ?entrance? ?had? ?at? ?least? ?

over? ?ten? ?figures? ?going? ?in? ?and? ?out.? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?added,? ?“Guess? ?which? ?one? ?is? ?Black? ?Water?”? ? ?

Only? ?then? ?did? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?remember? ?that? ?He? ?Xuan? ?had? ?always? ?been? ?undercover? ?in? ?the? ?Upper? ?Court,? ?

and? ?it? ?must’ve? ?been? ?him? ?who? ?had? ?been? ?selling? ?all? ?the? ?information? ?to? ?Hua? ?Cheng.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?

focused? ?and? ?tried? ?to? ?guess,? ?and? ?a? ?moment? ?later,? ?he? ?found? ?one? ?that? ?seemed? ?to? ?match,? ?“That? ?one? ?

in? ?black?”? ? ?

“This? ?guess? ?is? ?too? ?conservative,? ?it’s? ?wrong.? ?Guess? ?again.”? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?said.? ?

“That? ?one? ?not? ?smiling? ?nor? ?speaking?”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?tried? ?again.? ?

“Wrong? ?again.”? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?said.? ?

He? ?guessed? ?a? ?number? ?of? ?people? ?and? ?they? ?were? ?all? ?wrong.? ?Just? ?then,? ?someone? ?announced,? ?

“PRESENTING:? ?LORD? ?WIND? ?MASTER–”? ?

Xie? ?Lian? ?instantly? ?looked? ?to? ?the? ?entrance? ?of? ?the? ?grand? ?hall.? ?Shi? ?Qing? ?Xuan? ?was? ?fanning? ?his? ?wind? ?

master? ?fan,? ?strolling? ?swayingly? ?as? ?he? ?crossed? ?over? ?the? ?threshold,? ?his? ?face? ?bright? ?full? ?of? ?the? ?

breeze? ?of? ?spring.? ?He? ?tossed? ?his? ?gift? ?box? ?on? ?the? ?side? ?and? ?raised? ?his? ?hands? ?in? ?courtesy,? ?

“Congratulations? ?to? ?the? ?Palace? ?of? ?Yin? ?Yu? ?for? ?its? ?grand? ?opening,? ?I’ve? ?come? ?late,? ?give? ?me? ?wine? ?as? ?

punishment,? ?hahahaha!”? ? ?

Yin? ?Yu,? ?sitting? ?in? ?his? ?throne,? ?smiled,? ?“Nonsense,? ?My? ?Lord? ?is? ?not? ?late.? ?Lord? ?Wind? ?Master,? ?please? ?

this? ?way!”? ? ?

Hua? ?Cheng? ?finally? ?revealed? ?the? ?answer,? ?“It’s? ?this? ?one.”? ? ?

Xie? ?Lian:? ?“???? ?Lord? ?Wind? ?Master? ?is? ?Black? ?Water?”? ? ?

Now? ?that? ?was? ?too? ?incredible.? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?laughed,? ?“Gege? ?misunderstood.? ?Not? ?this? ?one,? ?the? ?one? ?

behind? ?him.”? ? ?

Xie? ?Lian? ?looked? ?closely,? ?and? ?saw? ?standing? ?at? ?the? ?side? ?of? ?the? ?hall? ?entrance? ?behind? ?Shi? ?Qing? ?Xuan? ?

was? ?a? ?low? ?ranking? ?heavenly? ?official? ?responsible? ?for? ?receiving? ?gifts? ?from? ?all? ?the? ?guests,? ?his? ?

appearance? ?undistinguished? ?but? ?fervent? ?smiles? ?covered? ?his? ?face.? ?Shi? ?Qing? ?Xuan? ?crossed? ?into? ?the? ?

hall? ?looking? ?very? ?pleased,? ?and? ?casually? ?tossed? ?him? ?a? ?small? ?pearl? ?as? ?tips.? ?That? ?heavenly? ?official’s? ?

eyes? ?shone,? ?catching? ?the? ?pearl? ?with? ?both? ?his? ?hands,? ?and? ?thanked? ?My? ?Lord? ?profusely,? ?looking? ?

every? ?part? ?a? ?servant.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?couldn’t? ?help? ?but? ?comment,? ?“...That’s? ?Black? ?Water?? ?A? ?Black? ?Water? ?

with? ?such? ?a? ?bright? ?smile?”? ? ?

“That’s? ?him.”? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?said,? ?“The? ?smile? ?is? ?fake,? ?that’s? ?all.? ?The? ?man? ?has? ?at? ?least? ?over? ?fifty? ?

clones? ?stationed? ?throughout? ?the? ?Heavenly? ?Court,? ?each? ?with? ?a? ?different? ?identity? ?so? ?he? ?could? ?

monitor? ?over? ?eighty? ?heavenly? ?officials? ?of? ?the? ?Upper? ?Court? ?and? ?over? ?three? ?hundred? ?heavenly? ?

officials? ?of? ?the? ?Middle? ?Court.? ?Otherwise,? ?with? ?just? ?the? ?Earth? ?Master? ?identity? ?it’s? ?far? ?from? ?

adequate.”? ?

“...”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?couldn’t? ?help? ?but? ?be? ?in? ?absolute? ?awe? ?of? ?Black? ?Water’s? ?acting,? ?his? ?ability? ?to? ?plant? ?

pawns,? ?and? ?inconceivably? ?exuberant? ?energy,? ?“Then,? ?where? ?are? ?those? ?fifty? ?some? ?clones? ?now?”? ? ?

“Jun? ?Wu? ?is? ?probably? ?pulling? ?out? ?those? ?nails? ?one? ?by? ?one? ?right? ?now.”? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?replied.? ?

Just? ?as? ?the? ?words? ?left? ?his? ?lips.? ?A? ?sudden? ?sharp? ?voice? ?suddenly? ?came? ?from? ?the? ?outside,? ?“Your? ?

Highness? ?YIN? ?YU,? ?YOU? ?BETTER? ?GIVE? ?US? ?A? ?GOOD? ?EXPLANATION? ?TODAY? ?FOR? ?YOUR? ?

SHIDI!”? ? ?

The? ?smiles? ?on? ?all? ?the? ?heavenly? ?officials? ?instantly? ?dropped,? ?and? ?they? ?all? ?looked? ?to? ?the? ?sound? ?at? ?the? ?

same? ?time.? ?It? ?appeared? ?there? ?was? ?someone? ?who? ?intended? ?to? ?barge? ?in? ?but? ?was? ?stopped,? ?so? ?they? ?

were? ?unrelentingly? ?yelling? ?outside,? ?“ARE? ?YOU? ?NOT? ?GOING? ?TO? ?DISCIPLINE? ?YOUR? ?SHIDI? ?

QUAN? ?YI? ?ZHEN? ?WHO? ?BEAT? ?UP? ?HEAVENLY? ?OFFICIALS? ?OF? ?HIGHER? ?RANKS?”? ? ?

Yin? ?Yu’s? ?light? ?smile? ?disappeared,? ?and? ?he? ?lowered? ?his? ?voice,? ?questioning? ?the? ?two? ?behind? ?him,? ?

“What’s? ?going? ?on?? ?Yi? ?Zhen,? ?you? ?picked? ?another? ?fight? ?with? ?someone?”? ? ?

“Yea.”? ?Quan? ?Yi? ?Zhen? ?replied.? ?

Jian? ?Yu? ?bulged? ?his? ?eyes? ?in? ?rage,? ?gritting? ?his? ?teeth,? ?“You? ?again,? ?you? ?stinkin’? ?brat!”? ? ?

When? ?incidents? ?like? ?these? ?happen,? ?Shi? ?Qing? ?Xuan? ?was? ?always? ?the? ?first? ?to? ?speak,? ?and? ?he? ?spoke? ?

up? ?after? ?tucking? ?his? ?whisk? ?in? ?his? ?back? ?collar,? ?“What’s? ?going? ?on?? ?Today? ?is? ?the? ?Palace? ?Grand? ?

Opening,? ?so? ?why? ?can’t? ?this? ?wait?”? ? ?

To? ?cause? ?havoc? ?on? ?someone’s? ?propitious? ?day,? ?they’re? ?either? ?blind? ?and? ?ignorant? ?or? ?they? ?were? ?

trying? ?to? ?pick? ?fights? ?on? ?purpose.? ?The? ?mob? ?outside? ?the? ?palace? ?yelled,? ?“WELL? ?NOW,? ?SO? ?IT’S? ?My? ?

Lord’S? ?JOYOUS? ?PALACE? ?GRAND? ?OPENING? ?DAY,? ?WE? ?DIDN’T? ?KNOW.? ?BUT? ?HE? ?DIDN’T? ?

CHOOSE? ?HIS? ?DAYS? ?WHEN? ?HE? ?CAME? ?LOOKING? ?FOR? ?FIGHTS,? ?SO? ?WHY? ?DO? ?WE? ?NEED? ?TO? ?

CHOOSE? ?DAYS? ?WHEN? ?WE’RE? ?SEEKING? ?REVENGE?? ?QUAN? ?YI? ?ZHEN? ?BELONGS? ?TO? ?THE? ?

PALACE? ?OF? ?YIN? ?YU,? ?PERSONALLY? ?APPOINTED? ?BY? ?HIS? ?HIGHNESS? ?YIN? ?YU,? ?SO? ?WHO? ?

ELSE? ?CAN? ?WE? ?SEEK? ?IF? ?NOT? ?HIM?”? ? ?

There? ?it? ?was:? ?they? ?were? ?here? ?to? ?pick? ?fights.? ?Ling? ?Wen? ?furrowed? ?his? ?brows? ?slightly,? ?“Why? ?must? ?this? ?

be?”? ? ?

Yin? ?Yu? ?rose? ?to? ?his? ?feet? ?resignedly,? ?“I? ?understand.? ?However,? ?it’s? ?not? ?a? ?good? ?time? ?right? ?now,? ?can? ?we? ?

talk? ?afterwards?”? ? ?

The? ?mob? ?outside? ?snorted,? ?“WE? ?CAN? ?ONLY? ?HOPE? ?THE? ?PALACE? ?OF? ?YIN? ?YU? ?WON’T? ?COVER? ?

THIS? ?UP!”? ?

The? ?truth? ?of? ?things? ?hadn’t? ?even? ?been? ?cleared? ?and? ?the? ?accusation? ?of? ?‘covering? ?up’? ?already? ?shot? ?

over,? ?simply? ?pure? ?harassment.? ?Shi? ?Qing? ?Xuan? ?seemed? ?to? ?be? ?ready? ?to? ?speak? ?up? ?again? ?when? ?

Quan? ?Yi? ?Zhen? ?suddenly? ?jumped? ?down? ?from? ?behind? ?Yin? ?Yu,? ?“ARE? ?YOU? ?LEAVING? ?OR? ?NOT?”? ? ?

The? ?troublemakers? ?were? ?obviously? ?confident? ?that? ?he? ?wouldn’t? ?dare? ?retaliate? ?during? ?this? ?occasion? ?

and? ?they? ?shouted? ?fearlessly,? ?“WHY,? ?YOU? ?GONNA? ?FIGHT? ?IF? ?WE? ?DON’T? ?GO?? ?ALL? ?THE? ?

FELLOW? ?HEAVENLY? ?COLLEAGUES? ?ARE? ?WATCHING...”? ?

Yet,? ?Quan? ?Yi? ?Zhen? ?wasn’t? ?someone? ?who? ?could? ?be? ?predicted? ?by? ?normal? ?rationale,? ?and? ?without? ?

another? ?word,? ?he? ?raised? ?his? ?fists? ?and? ?dashed? ?out.? ?Terrible? ?wails? ?came? ?from? ?outside? ?the? ?palace? ?

and? ?every? ?heavenly? ?official? ?inside? ?the? ?hall? ?were? ?stunned!? ?

It? ?was? ?only? ?after? ?a? ?while? ?that? ?Ling? ?Wen? ?spoke? ?up,? ?“Guards,? ?go? ?stop? ?him,? ?they’re? ?going? ?to? ?die!”? ?

Yin? ?Yu? ?was? ?also? ?dumbfounded? ?and? ?hurried? ?out,? ?“Stop? ?this? ?instant!”? ?But? ?those? ?troublemakers? ?only? ?

yelled,? ?“THINK? ?YOUR? ?PALACE? ?OF? ?YIN? ?YU? ?IS? ?ALL? ?THAT?!? ?GOOD,? ?VERY? ?GOOD!? ?SHIXIONG? ?

AND? ?SHIDI? ?ARE? ?GANGING? ?UP? ?TO? ?BULLY? ?PEOPLE!”? ? ?

...? ?

That? ?evening,? ?in? ?the? ?side? ?chamber? ?of? ?the? ?Palace? ?of? ?Yin? ?Yu,? ?Yin? ?Yu? ?was? ?pacing? ?back? ?and? ?forth? ?

while? ?Jian? ?Yu? ?was? ?stomping? ?in? ?rage,? ?“A? ?PERFECTLY? ?GOOD? ?GRAND? ?OPENING? ?CEREMONY? ?

IS? ?COMPLETELY? ?RUINED? ?BY? ?THAT? ?STINKIN’? ?BRAT!!!”? ? ?

Xie? ?Lian? ?could? ?understand? ?Jian? ?Yu’s? ?anger? ?completely.? ?

Xie? ?Lian? ?himself? ?didn’t? ?care? ?much? ?for? ?something? ?like? ?the? ?Grand? ?Opening? ?Ceremony? ?of? ?a? ?Palace,? ?

but? ?many? ?other? ?heavenly? ?officials? ?thought? ?it? ?significant.? ?It? ?was? ?a? ?ritual? ?that? ?validated? ?a? ?heavenly? ?

official’s? ?formal? ?inclusion? ?to? ?the? ?Heavenly? ?Court.? ?Today’s? ?incident,? ?for? ?lack? ?of? ?a? ?proper? ?example,? ?

was? ?like? ?an? ?emperor? ?of? ?the? ?mortal? ?realm? ?whose? ?enthroning? ?ceremony? ?was? ?ruined,? ?so? ?who? ?

wouldn’t? ?be? ?angry?? ?

Yin? ?Yu? ?sighed,? ?“Let? ?it? ?go.? ?It? ?must? ?be? ?the? ?others? ?who? ?provoked? ?him? ?first.? ?Besides,? ?he? ?didn’t? ?cause? ?

trouble? ?today,? ?and? ?it? ?was? ?the? ?others? ?who? ?purposely? ?chose? ?today? ?to? ?come? ?pick? ?fights,? ?so? ?what? ?can? ?

we? ?do?”? ?

“There’s? ?so? ?many? ?people? ?in? ?the? ?Upper? ?Court,? ?why? ?don’t? ?others? ?pick? ?on? ?others? ?and? ?just? ?had? ?to? ?

provoke? ?him?”? ?Jian? ?Yu? ?demanded.? ?

“You? ?know? ?this.”? ?Yin? ?Yu? ?said,? ?“He’s? ?never? ?one? ?to? ?take? ?a? ?beating? ?without? ?fighting? ?back.? ?It’s? ?not? ?that? ?

others? ?don’t? ?pick? ?on? ?others,? ?it’s? ?that? ?everyone? ?else? ?knows? ?how? ?to? ?endure? ?the? ?provocations? ?and? ?

he? ?doesn’t.”? ? ?

“This? ?is? ?the? ?Heavenly? ?Court,”? ?Jian? ?Yu? ?ranted,? ?“It’s? ?not? ?the? ?mortal? ?realm.? ?Is? ?it? ?so? ?hard? ?to? ?put? ?your? ?

head? ?down? ?and? ?stay? ?low? ?profile?!? ?If? ?he? ?never? ?stirred? ?up? ?trouble? ?and? ?stayed? ?an? ?honest? ?soul,? ?then? ?

today’s? ?incident? ?would’ve? ?never? ?had? ?the? ?opportunity? ?to? ?happen!? ?Now? ?look? ?at? ?us.? ?We’ve? ?lost? ?all? ?

faces!? ?So? ?many? ?heavenly? ?officials? ?were? ?watching!? ?Once? ?it? ?gets? ?out,? ?who? ?cares? ?who? ?started? ?it?? ?

They’d? ?only? ?say? ?the? ?Palace? ?of? ?Yin? ?Yu? ?was? ?being? ?unreasonable? ?and? ?roughed? ?people? ?up? ?in? ?broad? ?

daylight? ?in? ?public,? ?who’s? ?gonna? ?debate? ?who’s? ?right? ?or? ?wrong??? ?Do? ?you? ?think? ?he? ?has? ?reason??? ?HE? ?

DOESN’T!!? ?The? ?moment? ?things? ?go? ?down,? ?the? ?moment? ?you? ?strike? ?a? ?fist,? ?you’re? ?the? ?unreasonable? ?

one!? ?HE? ?UNDERSTANDS? ?SHIT!? ?HE? ?ONLY? ?KNOWS? ?HOW? ?TO? ?CAUSE? ?TROUBLE? ?FOR? ?US!”? ?

After? ?his? ?blow? ?up,? ?Jian? ?Yu? ?ragingly? ?left? ?the? ?side? ?chamber,? ?leaving? ?Yin? ?Yu? ?sitting? ?where? ?he? ?was,? ?his? ?

heart? ?heavy? ?with? ?worry.? ?

A? ?moment? ?later,? ?he? ?looked? ?back,? ?and? ?the? ?shadow? ?of? ?a? ?figure? ?was? ?perched? ?on? ?the? ?window? ?sill.? ?Yin? ?

Yu? ?jumped? ?in? ?surprise? ?once? ?again? ?by? ?the? ?familiar? ?scene,? ?“Why? ?are? ?you? ?perching? ?here? ?again?? ?

When? ?did? ?you? ?come?? ?What? ?is? ?this? ?habit?”? ? ?

Quan? ?Yi? ?Zhen? ?didn’t? ?answer? ?his? ?question,? ?but? ?said? ?instead,? ?“They? ?cussed? ?at? ?me? ?first.”? ? ?

Yin? ?Yu? ?opened? ?his? ?mouth? ?to? ?speak? ?but? ?then? ?closed? ?it.? ?Then? ?he? ?comforted,? ?“Yi? ?Zhen,? ?don’t? ?take? ?

what? ?Jian? ?Yu? ?said? ?to? ?heart.”? ? ?

Quan? ?Yi? ?Zhen? ?only? ?continued? ?to? ?say? ?what? ?was? ?on? ?his? ?mind,? ?“They? ?cussed? ?at? ?me? ?first.? ?I? ?don’t? ?

even? ?know? ?them.? ?They? ?said? ?I? ?was? ?a? ?low? ?ranking? ?heavenly? ?official,? ?and? ?yelled? ?at? ?me? ?for? ?no? ?

reason.? ?They? ?laughed? ?at? ?me,? ?told? ?me? ?to? ?scram,? ?and? ?not? ?to? ?block? ?their? ?way.? ?I? ?told? ?them? ?to? ?

apologize? ?and? ?they? ?wouldn’t,? ?so? ?I? ?beat? ?them.? ?They? ?only? ?shut? ?up? ?when? ?I? ?beat? ?them,? ?otherwise? ?I? ?

wouldn’t? ?have? ?hit? ?them.”? ? ?

Although? ?things? ?were? ?considerably? ?peaceful? ?now,? ?but? ?in? ?the? ?earlier? ?days,? ?some? ?heavenly? ?officials? ?

of? ?both? ?the? ?Upper? ?Court? ?and? ?Lower? ?Court? ?would? ?indeed? ?throw? ?the? ?weight? ?of? ?their? ?ranks? ?around? ?

and? ?would? ?bully? ?the? ?lower? ?rank? ?officials? ?with? ?the? ?least? ?amount? ?of? ?experience.? ?It? ?was? ?something? ?

that? ?happened? ?often.? ?Yin? ?Yu? ?sighed.? ?

“Are? ?lower? ?ranked? ?heavenly? ?officials? ?below? ?other? ?people?”? ?Quan? ?Yi? ?Zhen? ?asked.? ?

“No.”? ?Yin? ?Yu? ?replied.? ?

Were? ?they? ?not?? ? ?

It? ?was? ?obvious? ?that? ?he? ?himself? ?didn’t? ?believe? ?in? ?his? ?own? ?words,? ?and? ?Quan? ?Yi? ?Zhen? ?also? ?noticed.? ?A? ?

good? ?while? ?later,? ?he? ?said? ?bluntly,? ?“I? ?don’t? ?like? ?it? ?here.”? ? ?

Yin? ?Yu? ?said? ?nothing.? ?Quan? ?Yi? ?Zhen? ?continued,? ?“They? ?think? ?I’m? ?annoying,? ?but? ?I? ?think? ?they’re? ?even? ?

more? ?annoying.? ?Before,? ?there’s? ?at? ?least? ?sixteen? ?hours? ?in? ?the? ?day? ?I? ?could? ?train,? ?but? ?now? ?half? ?of? ?that? ?

time? ?is? ?taken? ?up? ?by? ?talking? ?and? ?listening? ?to? ?nonsense? ?with? ?people,? ?greeting? ?and? ?visiting.? ?There? ?

are? ?people? ?who’d? ?shame? ?me,? ?hit? ?me,? ?for? ?no? ?good? ?reason,? ?without? ?apologizing,? ?and? ?I? ?can’t? ?even? ?

fight? ?back.? ?This? ?is? ?no? ?heaven.? ?I? ?don’t? ?like? ?it? ?here.”? ?

Yin? ?Yu? ?sighed,? ?“I? ?don’t? ?like? ?it? ?here? ?either.”? ? ?

“Then? ?let’s? ?go? ?back.”? ?Quan? ?Yi? ?Zhen? ?said.? ?

However,? ?Yin? ?Yu? ?only? ?shook? ?his? ?head,? ?“Even? ?though? ?I? ?don’t? ?like? ?it? ?here,? ?I? ?still? ?want? ?to? ?stay.”? ? ?

Quan? ?Yi? ?Zhen? ?couldn’t? ?understand,? ?“If? ?you? ?don’t? ?like? ?it? ?here,? ?why? ?stay?”? ? ?

Yin? ?Yu? ?didn’t? ?know? ?what? ?to? ?say,? ?his? ?smile? ?forlorn,? ?unable? ?to? ?explain? ?it? ?to? ?him.? ?How? ?to? ?explain? ?to? ?

Quan? ?Yi? ?Zhen? ?that? ?the? ?Heavenly? ?Court? ?was? ?the? ?dream? ?end? ?goal? ?of? ?how? ?many? ?people? ?who? ?sought? ?

the? ?cultivation? ?path,? ?and? ?just? ?how? ?difficult? ?it? ?was? ?for? ?someone? ?his? ?age? ?to? ?achieve? ?ascension?? ?Yin? ?

Yu? ?tried,? ?“This...? ?is? ?because,? ?ascension? ?is? ?really? ?hard.? ?Since? ?it? ?didn’t? ?come? ?easily? ?and? ?we’ve? ?

made? ?it? ?here,? ?then? ?I? ?want? ?to? ?try? ?and? ?do? ?better.”? ? ?

Quan? ?Yi? ?Zhen? ?however,? ?didn’t? ?think? ?much? ?of? ?it,? ?“What’s? ?so? ?great? ?about? ?ascension!? ?Who? ?cares? ?if? ?

one? ?ascends?”? ? ?

Yin? ?Yu? ?found? ?him? ?both? ?exasperating? ?and? ?a? ?little? ?funny,? ?“What? ?do? ?you? ?mean? ?what’s? ?so? ?great? ?about? ?

it?!? ?Why? ?don’t? ?you? ?give? ?it? ?a? ?try? ?then?”? ? ?

Watching? ?up? ?to? ?this? ?point,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?commented,? ?“People,? ?really? ?shouldn’t? ?joke? ?lightly.”? ? ?

“Indeed.”? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?said,? ?“Half? ?a? ?year? ?later? ?when? ?Quan? ?Yi? ?Zhen? ?actually? ?ascends,? ?he? ?wouldn’t? ?

find? ?it? ?so? ?funny? ?anymore.”? ? ?

“Can? ?we? ?watch? ?that? ?part? ?too?”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?asked.? ?

“We? ?can.? ?Hold? ?on.”? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?replied.? ?

The? ?scene? ?changed,? ?and? ?this? ?time,? ?it? ?was? ?still? ?the? ?Heavenly? ?Court;? ?however,? ?the? ?occasion? ?was? ?a? ?

banquet? ?beneath? ?the? ?moon.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?watched? ?for? ?a? ?moment? ?and? ?wondered,? ?“The? ?Mid? ?Autumn? ?

Banquet?”? ? ?

“That’s? ?right.”? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?said.? ?

“Where’s? ?Black? ?Water? ?hiding? ?this? ?time?”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?asked.? ?

“Look? ?at? ?who’s? ?eating.”? ?Hua? ?Cheng? ?answered.? ?

At? ?the? ?banquet,? ?every? ?heavenly? ?official? ?was? ?busy? ?clinking? ?glasses,? ?making? ?greetings? ?and? ?games,? ?

but? ?there? ?was? ?only? ?one? ?person? ?whose? ?face? ?was? ?stuffed? ?in? ?the? ?giant? ?bowl? ?in? ?front? ?of? ?him.? ?This? ?

time,? ?He? ?Xuan? ?wasn’t? ?hiding,? ?but? ?was? ?sitting? ?in? ?the? ?corner? ?openly? ?in? ?the? ?guise? ?of? ?the? ?Earth? ?

Master,? ?however,? ?there? ?was? ?still? ?no? ?one? ?who? ?noticed? ?him.? ?

Yin? ?Yu? ?and? ?Jian? ?Yu? ?were? ?seated? ?next? ?to? ?the? ?‘Earth? ?Master’,? ?the? ?placements? ?considered? ?the? ?edge? ?

of? ?the? ?feast.? ?Yin? ?Yu? ?wasn’t? ?eating? ?and? ?wasn’t? ?talking? ?to? ?anyone.? ?Next? ?to? ?him,? ?Jian? ?Yu? ?whispered,? ?

“Thank? ?god? ?that? ?mental,? ?stinkin’? ?brat? ?didn’t? ?come!”? ? ?

Yin? ?Yu? ?heard? ?him? ?and? ?whispered? ?back,? ?“He’s? ?ascended? ?for? ?a? ?while? ?now,? ?it? ?wouldn’t? ?be? ?good? ?if? ?

others? ?heard? ?you? ?talk? ?about? ?him? ?like? ?that,? ?so? ?be? ?more? ?mindful.”? ? ?

“The? ?truth? ?is? ?thus,? ?am? ?I? ?wrong?”? ?Jian? ?Yu? ?said,? ?“So? ?what? ?if? ?he’s? ?ascended?? ?His? ?brain? ?won’t? ?get? ?any? ?

smarter? ?no? ?matter? ?how? ?many? ?more? ?hundreds? ?of? ?heads? ?he? ?obtains.”? ? ?

As? ?they? ?conversed,? ?a? ?new? ?group? ?of? ?heavenly? ?officials? ?arrived? ?and? ?was? ?just? ?seating? ?themselves.? ?

They? ?were? ?mostly? ?new? ?faces? ?and? ?they? ?greeted? ?simply,? ?and? ?a? ?heavenly? ?official? ?inquired? ?

offhandedly,? ?“And? ?this? ?lord? ?is?”? ? ?

Another? ?heavenly? ?official? ?also? ?offhandedly? ?answered,? ?“This? ?lord? ?is? ?the? ?martial? ?god? ?who? ?rules? ?the? ?

west.”? ? ?

Hearing? ?this,? ?that? ?heavenly? ?official? ?who? ?made? ?the? ?inquiry? ?instantly? ?became? ?enthusiastic? ?and? ?

stood? ?up? ?to? ?toast,? ?“Oh!? ?Oh? ?oh? ?oh!? ?I’ve? ?heard? ?much? ?about? ?you!? ?I’ve? ?admired? ?My? ?Lord? ?for? ?a? ?long? ?

time!”? ? ?

Yin? ?Yu? ?quickly? ?stood? ?up? ?too,? ?smiling,? ?“Please,? ?it? ?hasn’t? ?been? ?long.”? ? ?

That? ?heavenly? ?official? ?replied,? ?“Oh,? ?don’t? ?be? ?so? ?humble,? ?My? ?Lord!? ?I’ve? ?truly? ?admired? ?you? ?for? ?a? ?

long? ?time!? ?I’ve? ?long? ?heard? ?Your? ?Highness? ?Qi? ?Ying? ?of? ?the? ?west? ?is? ?young? ?and? ?capable,? ?and? ?after? ?

only? ?ascending? ?for? ?a? ?few? ?years? ?you’re? ?already? ?deeply? ?rooted? ?in? ?the? ?hearts? ?of? ?devotees.? ?You’ve? ?

even? ?made? ?it? ?to? ?the? ?top? ?ten? ?in? ?this? ?year’s? ?Mid? ?Autumn? ?Battle? ?of? ?the? ?Lanterns!? ?You? ?are? ?truly? ?the? ?

hero? ?of? ?the? ?west,? ?your? ?status? ?immovable,? ?your? ?future? ?endlessly? ?bright,? ?endlessly? ?bright!? ?To? ?see? ?

My? ?Lord? ?today,? ?you? ?seem? ?a? ?bit? ?older? ?than? ?I? ?imagined?? ?But? ?still? ?fairly? ?young,? ?worthy? ?of? ?the? ?praise? ?

young? ?and? ?capable!”? ? ?

Hearing? ?this,? ?the? ?smile? ?on? ?Yin? ?Yu’s? ?face? ?froze,? ?and? ?whether? ?if? ?this? ?toast? ?should? ?be? ?accepted? ?

became? ?extremely? ?awkward.? ?The? ?other? ?party? ?continued? ?to? ?fervently? ?trying? ?to? ?build? ?a? ?relationship,? ?

even? ?addressing? ?him? ?like? ?they’re? ?brothers,? ?“An? ?honest? ?word,? ?I? ?rarely? ?consider? ?anyone? ?worthy,? ?but? ?

brother? ?Quan? ?just? ?feels? ?so? ?much? ?like? ?family!? ?My? ?domain? ?is? ?also? ?in? ?the? ?west,? ?so? ?if? ?brother? ?has? ?any? ?

need? ?in? ?the? ?future,? ?as? ?long? ?as? ?you? ?think? ?well? ?of? ?me,? ?by? ?all? ?means? ?just? ?let? ?me? ?know!? ?We? ?should? ?all? ?

help? ?each? ?other? ?out,? ?eh?? ?Hahaha...”? ? ?

He? ?laughed? ?heartily,? ?and? ?those? ?on? ?the? ?side? ?who? ?knew? ?Yin? ?Yu? ?also? ?laughed? ?heartily.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?

could? ?almost? ?cross? ?through? ?time? ?and? ?feel? ?that? ?suffocating? ?awkwardness? ?brimming? ?in? ?the? ?air.? ?

Jian? ?Yu’s? ?face? ?was? ?growing? ?blue? ?from? ?rage,? ?but? ?Yin? ?Yu? ?was? ?still? ?somewhat? ?composed.? ?While? ?his? ?

hand? ?trembled? ?for? ?a? ?second,? ?but? ?he? ?still? ?steadied? ?himself.? ?“Unfortunately...”? ?

However,? ?just? ?as? ?he? ?was? ?going? ?to? ?clear? ?this? ?misunderstanding,? ?someone? ?called? ?out,? ?“Qi? ?Ying? ?is? ?

here!”? ? ?

—–?

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