Novel Name : Heaven Official’s Blessing
Heaven Official’s Blessing Chapter 121-130
Chapter 121-130
Ch.121: Combined Spirit; Coffin Boat Enters the Demon Sea 2
Just as the words left his lips, the two suddenly felt weightless once more and their
positions changed from lying to upright – that coffin boat abruptly rose up and swiftly
plunged, forcefully flipping upside down!
Hua Cheng had his arms tight around Xie Lian’s waist, his other hand shielding his
head, and he exclaimed, “Hold on tight to me!”
If this was the outside, all the spinning can be three times more violent and Xie Lian
would be able to deal with it, yet the problem was they were trapped inside a narrow,
tight space, their limbs unable to stretch out, and they were left ignorant of what was
happening outside. Tense and anxious. Xie Lian wondered, “What if the coffin boat
breaks?”
“Don’t worry. Even if it breaks, I’m here, you won’t sink.” Hua Cheng said.
At this moment, they were both pressed against each other firmly, and Hua Cheng’s
words were uttered through the brush of his lips over Xie Lian’s hair, and Xie Lian could
almost feel the slight trembling of his adam’s apple, his mind going astray. Then, his
attention was stolen away by another wave of violent rolling. It was like this boat had
become a toy being jostled about by a toddler, shaking and swinging it unceasingly.
Without any other choice, Xie Lian embraced Hua Cheng tightly with one hand, and the
other held on to the edge of the coffin.
Amidst that chaos, the two dipped and dropped, flipped and flopped into who knows
how many different positions, banging heavily into all sorts of different parts of each
other, thoroughly rubbing against one another. Even though Hua Cheng had the
appearance of a young man, it was only having been tumbled about like this did Xie
Lian realize that Hua Cheng was solid and hard from top to bottom. Xie Lian was going
starry-eyed from this torment and when the feeling finally faded for a moment, he found
that Hua Cheng was now on top of him, pressing down heavily, suffocating him.
With great difficulties, Xie Lian raised a hand and grabbed onto the arm Hua Cheng had
supporting himself up next to his body and softly groaned, his head spinning, “Is it over
yet…”
For some reason, Hua Cheng didn’t respond. Yet before Xie Lian finished his sentence,
his breathing suddenly hitched. Because, he suddenly noticed that a certain body part
of his was experiencing an unthinkable shift.
“……………….”
In an instant, Xie Lian was feeling more incredulous than if he was to see a steel tree
blossom. At least, if he saw a steel tree blossom, his mind wouldn’t be as blank.
A horrifying embarrassment and awkwardness battered him more violently than the
tempest was battering the coffin outside. Xie Lian hastily closed his knees. However,
closing his knees didn’t seem to be the right move and he seemed to have touched
something he shouldn’t have because Hua Cheng grunted brusquely, “Don’t move!”
That grunt was deep and sharp, and Xie Lian quickly flattened his legs again. But if he
didn’t close his knees, he was scared Hua Cheng might notice his body’s reaction, in
which case he might as well just smash his own head against the coffin and die. This
could’ve been explained away by ‘unavoidable natural reaction’, but the awkward thing
was, there was already that incident on that island. Once or twice he could say it was
unintentional, but after third or fourth times, how could he possibly explain himself?
Under such a dire situation, Xie Lian blurted, “No! San Lang… don’t, don’t touch me!”
After a brief moment of silence, Hua Cheng said with a dark voice, “Very well. Let’s
break out of here.”
It was like he was absolved and he cried, “GO!”
Suddenly, another vicious weightlessness attacked, and the the coffin that contained the
two was thrusted into the air!
At the same time, Hua Cheng and Xie Lian both smacked their palm on either side of
the coffin and instantly it cracked into pieces. The two broke out of the boat and the pair
leapt out under the moonlight. Xie Lian looked back and saw a giant water dragon
dangle broken pieces of that coffin in its mouth, roaring in the pouring rain, baring its
sharp teeth, as if raging at the empty casket it thought was full of food. It must’ve been
that water dragon just then that was throwing the coffin boat about in its mouth,
snapping here and twisting there.
That coffin boat had gone to sea at first and drifted for a while, but it was dragged back
by that water dragon. The two landed and returned to the Black Water Island once
more. Back at the beach, there were two more figures and it was the Water Master Wu
Du and General Pei. Shi Wudu still had his spiritual seal out, beckoning the rain and
winds as if he was going to summon that water dragon. Pei Ming patted his shoulder,
“Water Master-xiong! Just take it easy, will you? This round is over but who knows when
the next round will come, so just save your energy for now.”
Turns out, that sudden pouring rain just now was the accompaniment to Shi Wudu’s
Heavenly Calamity. The storm was calming down and Shi Wudu threw his hand, turning
to Hua Cheng and Xie Lian, questioning, “What’s with you two?”
“…”
Pei Ming piped up too, “Yea, Your Highness. Why don’t you two explain yourselves?
What’s going on? What are you two doing in there?”
When that coffin boat exploded, the disposition of their tight embrace was open for all to
see. Xie Lian blinked and was about to speak when he suddenly realized that both he
and Hua Cheng, after having tumbled around inside that narrow coffin boat, both have
their hair mussed and their clothes disheveled, appearing as inappropriate as one could
imagine. And after having wiped away the rain off his face, his cheeks were still burning.
Hua Cheng took a step forward, shielding him. A moment later Xie Lian softly cleared
his throat, “…Nothing’s going on. Just… the coffin’s too small.”
Shi Wudu was puzzled, “I wasn’t asking about that.”
Pei Ming pointed at all the leftover wood pieces they left behind on the beach and
asked, “The coffin was made on the spot, right? Why didn’t you build a bigger one?”
“…”
The design of the coffin boat was decided by both Hua Cheng and Xie Lian, and at the
time it seemed neither of them thought of building it bigger, so Xie Lian could only laugh
awkwardly, “You’re right. Haha, haha. Did My Lords only just drift close to this island?”
“That’s right.” Pei Ming replied, “Water Master-xiong battled against the currents of this
Black Water Demon Lair and we only just made it to this island. Didn’t expect to see a
coffin drift about on the surface of the Black Water Demon Lair seas, what a curious
sight.”
Xie Lian could feel his heart dropping, and he smiled, “Really curious indeed.”
“You.” Shi Wudu said.
He turned to Hua Cheng and squinted, “On the ship, didn’t you say that only coffin wood
that has carried the deceased won’t sink in the Black Water Demon Lair?”
Pei Ming pulled out his sword and said leisurely, “Yea. There’s the coffin wood, but
where’s the deceased?”
Hua Cheng smiled too, “If you’re so concerned with who’s dead, I suggest you go kill
yourself.”
Pei Ming pointed the sword at him, “Such arrogance. As expected of Crimson Rain
Sought Flower!”
As suspected, he had already guessed. Hua Cheng burst out laughing, and seeing that
a fight was about to start, Xie Lian blocked in front of Hua Cheng, “My Lords, please
calm yourselves. There’s no need to worry, San Lang is on this journey out of
generosity.”
“San Lang?” Pei Ming wondered, “I’ve never heard of how Crimson Rain Sought Flower
ranked from whatever house. Generous? Your Highness, are you sure that’s the word to
describe him?”
Shi Wudu had to stand in the spotlight so he pushed Pei Ming aside and said sharply,
“Are you the one messing things up on this trip? What’s your intention in luring us here
to the Black Water Demon Lair? Where’s Qingxuan?”
“This is someone else’s territory, did you think I want to be here?” Hua Cheng
answered.
Xie Lian was already used to these kinds of situations and changed the subject with
practised ease, “Has the Lord Wind Master not been found yet? Didn’t General Pei go
looking for them?”
Pei Ming flipped open his arms, “They were fished up at first, but a giant wave from
Water Master-xiong came and flushed them away.”
“Don’t mislead, Pei-xiong.” Shi Wudu said, “I can’t raise waves. Those creatures in the
sea kept coming one after the other, you couldn’t find them in the first place!”
Xie Lian quickly said, “Calm down, calm down. Um… Lord Wind Master is together with
Lord Earth Master so there shouldn’t be any big troubles.”
Shi Wudu humphed, “Earth Master? What good is the Earth Master! Mediocre and
average, he’s not a martial god either, his spiritual powers aren’t even as strong as
Qingxuan’s.” Then, he seemed to suddenly remember that Shi Qingxuan no longer
possessed any trace of spiritual powers, and his face fell, falling silent. Xie Lian
however, thought every spiritual stream had their focus, so although Ming Yi wasn’t a
martial god and his spiritual powers weren’t exactly strong, but he still wasn’t as horrible
as the Water Master described. Besides, the skills the Earth Master showed that time at
the Banyue Pass wasn’t bad; even if he wasn’t the best, he wasn’t the worst.
Pei Ming said too, “Don’t be too worried just yet. As long as they don’t run into the
Demon Xuan, Lord Earth Master should be able to take care of things.”
Hua Cheng laughed, “The Heavenly Calamity is already pursuing you everywhere,
fighting you. You made a huge mess of his lair, and you actually dare hope that the lair
master hasn’t noticed?”
Suddenly, Shi Wudu’s face twitched, and took out a golden longevity locket out of the
collar of his robes. Pei Ming asked, “Water Master-xiong, did something happen?”
That golden longevity locket seemed to be vibrating in his palm, and Shi Wudu said,
“Qingxuan is close by… and he’s hurt!”
Xie Lian took a look at that golden locket and it looked exactly the same as the one Shi
Qingxuan was wearing that day, the one he removed to build the protection array and
left behind in the end. “Is the Lord Wind Master still wearing that longevity locket? I
recall he removed it before.”
“I picked it up and put it around him again.” Shi Wudu said.
Turns out, those two longevity lockets were forged by the golden core of the two
brothers. When they were near each other and one was hurt, the lockets would call out
to each other, and the closer they were to each other the stronger the cry. This wasn’t a
casted spell but a natural attribute and so it was unaffected by the powers of the Demon
Lair. Shi Wudu removed the longevity locket from around his neck and dangled the
chain from his hand, holding his arm out straight and slowly turned in a circle. When he
was facing a certain direction, the vibration of that golden locket abruptly grew stronger.
It was the direction to the forest, towards unfathomably deep heart of this lonely island.
Shi Wudu said grimly, “Looks like Qingxuan is on this island right now.”
Then, he strode in large steps towards that forest. Naturally, Pei Ming followed along.
Xie Lian contemplated, since the Wind and Earth Masters were both on the island and
the Wind Master seemed to be injured and bleeding, then they should be found first and
worry about the rest later. “My Lords, there are minions hidden inside the forest, be
careful of ambush.”
Hua Cheng came to follow too and Xie Lian was going to grab for his hand at first, but
then he remembered his disgraceful state back inside the coffin boat, and the
outstretched hand shrank back in spite of himself. In the end, he tugged onto Hua
Cheng’s sleeve, not daring to look at the face of the other. Pei Ming however, looked
back frequently, and appeared to be very interested, “Crimson Rain Sought Flower, Your
Highness, the two of you really are stuck together like glue. A Ghost King like yourself
following after us so openly, aren’t you even going to try to avoid suspicion?”
Xie Lian replied languidly, “What is General Pei saying? Under these circumstances, it’s
less suspicious if he came along. Otherwise if My Lords were to run into any dangers,
how can he hope to clear his name if My Lords were to suspect him?”
“He’s made it to the title of Supreme, so what’s the difference if he’s in front of our eyes
or not? Would it not be easy for him to simply create a clone?” Pei Ming said.
Just as the words left his lips, a sharp sound ripped through the air. Pei Ming raised his
hand and caught a stealth arrow, “So there is something, that was close! Water
Master-xiong, be careful…”
Before he finished speaking there were more swishing sounds and several more stealth
arrows came flying towards him. Cling clang. Pei Ming swept his sword around and
wondered woefully, “What the hell?”
Shi Wudu laughed out loud, “Pei-xiong, I think you best watch yourself instead!” Then
he quickened his pace.
If it was only ambushing arrows from somewhere hidden it wasn’t anything to be afraid
of, just really annoying. Irritated, Pei Ming flattened a field of shrubberies and soon
picked out a few little minions, “You guys got guts!”
Those little ghosts looked scrawny and sallow skinned, only the lowest of minions, and
hanging from his hand, they were terrified by the general into little balls, begging for
mercy. They were only guarding the door after all, so fighting intruders couldn’t be
helped. After scaring them with some words Pei Ming let them go. However, when they
ran into more cunning and vicious ones later, Pei Ming squashed them into a ball and
dribbled as they made their way. The four of them brushed away branches and pushed
their way through bushes through the thick forest, walking for who knows how long but
the golden locket in Shi Wudu’s hand was crying louder and louder. Finally, they
reached a large empty area within the middle of the forest.
The heart of the forest was a lake, and the four walked towards it. Suddenly, Pei Ming
spoke up, “Crimson Rain Sought Flower, if you keep this prank up, I won’t be able to
tolerate you any longer.”
Both Hua Cheng and Xie Lian looked to him, then looked at each other. Pei Ming
frowned, “If you want to fight then challenge me like a man. Pei isn’t like those
thirty-three heavenly officials, I’m not afraid of you. Shoving me every now and then is
meaningless.”
Hua Cheng raised his brows, “Gege, you have to believe me. That’s got nothing to do
with me.”
Xie Lian intervened, “General Pei, he doesn’t play those meaningless pranks.”
Pei Ming was doubtful, “Really?”
Xie Lian became alarmed, “Be careful, it might be something else on this island stirring
trouble.”
Pei Ming stopped talking. Just then, Shi Wudu slowed his pace, “It’s here.”
That golden longevity locket seemed to be crying at its hardest at this place, meaning
Shi Qingxuan was somewhere here. Yet, everything here could be seen clearly; other
than a lake, there was nothing else.
“Could there be an underground palace?” Pei Ming wondered.
Shi Wudu stared at the surface of the water, and Xie Lian said, “It’s also possible that
it’s at the bottom of the waters.”
However, this lake of the Black Water Island shouldn’t be entered so randomly, lest one
be unable to resurface once in. The surface of that lake was calm without ripples,
appearing like a giant mirror, reflecting the blanched moon hung high in the night sky
without stars or clouds. The four walked along the edge of the lake. Xie Lian was still
thinking of how to investigate the bottom of the lake when without warning, a terrified
scream ripped through the night air.
The one leading the group was Shi Wudu, the one bringing up the rear was Pei Ming.
The three in front all looked back, and the one who screamed was the little ghost Pei
Ming had captured on the road. Its skull was gone and black blood was spurting meters
high from its neck, the head that was flung into the air was screaming piercingly.
“General Pei, what are you doing killing it so suddenly?” Xie Lian asked.
Pei Ming however, exclaimed, “NO!” But before he could explain, his body sank, one
knee hitting the ground. Hua Cheng laughed, “There’s no need for such formalities
either?”
Yet, Pei Ming’s expression was starkly shocked and he shouted, “WATER
MASTER-XIONG, WATCH OUT!!!”
However, what’s there to watch out for? Other than the four of them by the lake, there
was nothing else!
It was as if Pei Ming was bound by something invisible; Shi Wudu was rushing over to
help when suddenly a flash of chilling light from the air greeted him instead. He dodged
just in time, yet a trail of blood was still sliced across one of his cheeks. He wiped it with
his hand and his face dropped.
Xie Lian placed himself in front of Hua Cheng to shield him and said, “The invisibility
spell?!”
Pei Ming finally broke free of the thing that was formlessly constraining him, and he
shouted, “GATHER AROUND! DON’T BREAK UP!”
Shi Wudu didn’t care for that much; the moment he felt that longevity locket start crying
again he started charging around the lake, frantically calling out, “QINGXUAN!
QINGXUAN!”
It was a chaotic situation, however it was precisely amidst this ruckus that Xie Lian
suddenly noticed something exceedingly unnerving.
Along the edge of the lakeshore, the area was flat and empty, nothing to be seen.
However, the lakeshore reflected on the lake’s surface was different.
In the reflection, the other shore of the lake stood a charcoal black building. That
building was chillingly gloomy, looking nothing like a residence but more so a prison.
There was no door, only a set of windows high above, unforgivingly sealed by rows of
iron bars. From between those iron bars peeked a pale white hand, waving desperately
as if begging for help.
Xie Lian whipped his head up and looked to the shore before him and there was
veritably nothing besides Shi Wudu holding out the longevity locket. When he looked
down again, the reflection in the lake also veritably showed that chilling iron prison. Shi
Wudu was searching around right before that iron prison but he couldn’t see it.
Xie Lian blurted out, “My LordS! I FOUND IT! LOOK…”
Just then, his pupils suddenly shrank. Something new was reflected within the Black
Water Lake.
A shadowy figure had appeared soundlessly behind both him and Hua Cheng.
———-
●MXTX Author Notes: And so that day, the crown prince who’d always thought
himself indifferent to X suddenly discovered he was rock hard~
———
Ch.122: The Nether Water Manor; Black Robes White Bones
Yet on the shore, there was not a single soul behind them!
Xie Lian had carried Fang Xin on him the entire journey, and the moment he saw the
reflection he immediately swung the sword back. That black shadow was clearly
stabbed, yet it felt like a ball of waves was stabbed instead, and it broke up into a series
of ripples before it disappeared on the spot. Hua Cheng also raised his brows slightly,
glancing in the direction of where that black shadow disappeared and knitted his brows.
Soon after, more and more shadowy figures appeared in the water reflection, their
blanched faces and pale hands the only things eye-catching in the blackened night. Xie
Lian unsheathed his sword and swept, shouting, “GENERAL PEI! GO TO THE
WATERS AND LOOK AT THE REFLECTIONS! THE REFLECTIONS IN THE WATER
CAN REVEAL THOSE CREATURES!”
If they weren’t in the Demon Lair, those little ghosts wouldn’t be able to come near a
heavenly official at all. Pei Ming wasn’t able to see the enemy earlier, yet now that he
could observe through the water, he watched the reflection and easily took care of the
crowd of ghosts surrounding him with but two swings of his sword. Shi Wudu also finally
noticed the strange reflections and he knelt by the waters, shouting into the lake with his
head down, “QINGXUAN? ARE YOU THERE?!”
That water was black, that iron prison was also black, and melded into one, it was hard
to notice; only that one hand was white. Suddenly, a face appeared between the iron
bars, and it was Shi Qingxuan!
He didn’t seem to be able to see the Shi Wudu outside the iron prison, and his
expression was one of chilling terror. His two hands clutched the iron bars, desperately
trying to squeeze his head out, looking like he was crying for help yet not a single sound
passed through. He didn’t yell for very long before suddenly, several shrivelled,
decaying hands grabbed at his head, pulled at this face, his neck, his shoulders, and
yanked him down!
Seeing this, Shi Wudu cursed and was about to jump right into the water when Pei Ming
pulled him back, “Water Master-xiong, you can’t! Can’t you tell this is a trap? You can’t
manipulate the waters of the South Sea, and as a Water God, if you enter someone
else’s water territory, aren’t you just asking to be butchered?”
Shi Wudu patted his shoulder and only said this: “Then help me guard the outside.”
Then he shoved him away, leapt and jumped into the Black Water Lake!
The moment he entered the waters he sank right down. Pei Ming called out, “WATER
MASTER-XIONG!” But he couldn’t follow because he knew that this lake was most
likely a ‘boundary’. Much like the mechanisms setup in ancient graves, outsiders could
open the tomb gates and intrude, but once inside, the doors would close automatically
and would not open from the inside, leaving the intruders to die trapped within. It’d be
hard pressed to say that this ‘boundary’ didn’t have a similar mechanism. Xie Lian
called out, “General Pei! Don’t go in. There’s a corpse right by your feet, hurry back to
the beach and build a coffin to prepare for evacuation. I’ll go in!”
“Your Highness? Will you be alright?!” Pei Ming asked.
“Your spiritual powers are pretty much cut down coming to this place, so we’re equals
now. I’m more experienced than you fighting with bare fists!”
Pei Ming then glanced at the Hua Cheng standing next to Xie Lian and recalled that he
could float on the water surface, so the two of them were much more useful than he
would be here, not less, so without further ado, he picked up the corpse of that little
ghost and rushed out of the woods. Xie Lian turned to face Hua Cheng, “San Lang, will
you lend me a little spiritual power again… just a little, a little little bit is enough!”
Without a word, Hua Cheng gave his small back a gentle pat. When Xie Lian swung
Fang Xin again, a giant pillar like white light flashed and every little ghost on scene was
killed by the strike. Xie Lian was speechless for a moment and instantly sheathed the
sword. “I’m off!”
The two jumped into the water at the same time. However, at the bottom of the Black
Water Lake, other than the abnormally cold lake water, there wasn’t anything strange.
This water was also different than the ship-sinking waters of the Black Water Demon
Lair, and one could obviously float within, not unlike a normal lake. Xie Lian was puzzled
and swam downwards directly. It didn’t take long for him to reach the bottom but there
wasn’t any strange mechanism to be seen and he didn’t see Lord Wind Master or Lord
Water Master either. He knitted his brows and mused for a moment before he swam
back up. Moments later, Xie Lian broke through the surface and sucked in a few
breaths, wiping wetness off of his face, and it was only then did he realize that the
landscapes upon the shore had transformed!
Next to the Black Water Lake, there stood an iron prison, and it was the exact same one
reflected in the waters earlier.
However, other than the prison, everything else on the shoreside was still exactly the
same. It was also overly quiet, adding to the hauntingness of the place. Shi Wudu had
already climbed ashore and was just smashing against the giant lock on that iron prison
with a giant boulder. He was the heavenly official who controlled water, now that he
entered the domain of another who could control water and he lost the ability to
manipulate water, he was like a beast with fangs and claws removed. When Xie Lian
and Hua Cheng climbed ashore, the moment Shi Wudu saw Xie Lian his eyes lit up and
he raised his hand, “A martial god! Thank god! Quick, use your martial god ways to take
care of this!”
“…”
Will everyone now understand the benefits of a martial god? Xie Lian thought internally
as he silently approached and gave the lock a kick, cracking it soundly. Another kick
and the prison gates opened. Shi Wudu rushed to go in and cried, “QING—”
Yet before he even charged in, a crowd came rushing out instead, wailing and howling,
“OH OH OH OH OH AH AH AH AH AH WU WU WU WU WAH WAH WAH WAH WAH!”
Those people were all disheveled and unkempt, emaciated and gaunt, their eyes blank,
their ragged clothes covering nothing, revealing rows of ribs. They were so filthy it was
like they hadn’t bathed in over ten years; their hands were swinging and grabbing
randomly, pounding at their own chests and stopping in their steps, they roared and
cried incoherently, exceedingly horrifying, and they streamed out like a wave of polluted
waters, leaving Shi Wudu in petrified shock.
However, they were only trying to escape; they didn’t stick around to harass, and so
even if Shi Wudu was momentarily stunned, he didn’t care for them and continued to
charge into the building, “QING—!”
Yet before he could even make a few steps, he staggered in his step and almost fell –
that ground was extremely slippery! There was also a rotten stench emanating from
within the iron prison that was hard to describe, and even Xie Lian who was still outside
could smell it, holding his breath. Shi Wudu thus covered his orifices with his sleeve and
continued to charge in, finally able to yell the full name, “QINGXUAN?!”
It was pitch black within the prison, and all around them were muffled sobbing and
strange murmured chattering. Moments later, a weak voice came, “…ge…”
Sure enough. Shi Qingxuan was sitting brokenly in the deepest part of the iron prison,
leaning against a wall. On the wall was that sole tall window of the iron prison, and the
moonlight leaking through the window illuminated his person, making him look white as
a sheet. Next to him was surrounded by a number of filthy creatures. Some had rotten
sores covering their entire bodies, some were imitating the cries of a pig, some were
pecking grain like they were chickens, and some were hugging Shi Qingxuan, wailing
and calling him baby, all of them insane.
Shi Qingxuan had once been an esteemed heavenly official, and never once had he
ever fallen to such a state. Shi Wudu immediately went up and shot out a blast, “GET
LOST! WHAT KIND OF GHOSTS ARE THESE?!”
He and Shi Qingxuan resembled each other, yet their auras were completely different.
Although his spiritual powers were cut down right now, his might was even more
domineering, and those mad men scrambled away in fear. Xie Lian couldn’t help but
feel sympathy and Shi Qingxuan also chided, “Ge, don’t fight, they’re not little ghosts.
They’re all… live people!”
Sure enough, although each of those figures looked more demonic than demons, but
when looked closely, they were all in fact humans. Xie Lian couldn’t help but be taken
aback, ‘Why would the Black Water Demon Xuan lock up a bunch of those people
here?’ he wondered.
Shi Wudu however, didn’t care for them at all. He held up that longevity locket in one
hand, and the other grabbed hold of Shi Qingxuan arm, “How did you come here?
Where are you hurt?”
Shi Qingxuan really was quite dirty, but other than a scratch on his leg that was bleeding
a bit, there didn’t seem to much else. “I don’t know how we got here. A wave surged
and knocked us out and when we came to, we were already here. This is just a small
scratch, it’s nothing serious! Ming-xiong’s injuries are more severe.”
Only then did the others realize that Ming Yi was lying on the ground nearby, looking
ashen, but not ashen from displeasure. Patches of purple and blue covered his face and
Xie Lian asked, “What’s happened to Lord Earth Master?”
“Seemed he was bitten by those creatures in the sea,” Shi Qingxuan replied, “Those
Skeleton Fish have green moss on their teeth and bones, and they’re all poisonous! I
gave him all the medicine I had on me, but… sigh.”
Xie Lian squatted down and was going to look him over carefully, but he almost fainted
from the disgusting stench of the place. Looking around, there were some wooden
buckets placed about, and within those buckets were all swills, emanating an astringent
and musty smell. There was even the rotten stink of sores and blood, and the horrifying
stench of chamber pots that hadn’t been emptied for months.
Shi Wudu couldn’t tolerate it any longer, “Such a disgusting hobby, it seems this
Ship-Sinking Black Water doesn’t have any sense of class either. Qingxuan, let’s go!”
He pulled Shi Qingxuan up and started to drag him out but Shi Qingxuan spoke up, “I’m
fine, no need to assist me.” Then he went to carry Ming Yi before slowly moving out of
the iron prison.
However, it was easier to come than go. The boundary passage in the Black Water
Lake was already sealed shut. They entered the waters a few times and emerged
through the surface but the sceneries never changed, proving that they were truly kept
within the boundary of the Black Water Lake, unable to leave.
“Where’s General Pei?” Shi Qingxuan asked.
“I made Pei-xiong stay outside. He should be able to think of a way.” Shi Wudu replied.
“I told General Pei to go build a coffin boat so the moment we get out we can evacuate.”
Xie Lian said.
“If he’s completed the coffin boat then it’s also fine if he goes back to report first before
coming back for us.” Shi Wudu said.
However, Ming Yi was wounded, and while they weren’t sure how powerful the poison
was, it was still better to leave as soon as possible, so they might not be able to wait
that long. After some contemplation, Xie Lian said, “This Black Water Demon Xuan
might live in seclusion out here in the sea but there’s no way he’d never leave. Surely
he wouldn’t have to cross an entire Black Water Demon Lair every time he wants to go
out?”
“You’re very right.” Shi Wudu said, “There must be a place on this island that can cast
the Distance Shortening spell.”
Shi Wudu didn’t particularly care for Xie Lian at first, but now that they’re shouldering
hardships together and Xie Lian saved Shi Qingxuan time and time again, naturally he
now looked at him differently, and agreed without any scrooge. Just then, Ming Yi
slightly raised a hand, and Shi Qingxuan asked, “Ming-xiong? What do you want to
say?”
Looking like he was trying to save strength, Ming Yi didn’t speak, and only raised that
hand higher. The others looked to the direction of his raised hand and saw in the deep
of the forest stood a black, gloomy building.
Ming Yi dropped his hand and croaked, “That place… what’s it for, do you know?”
“No.” Xie Lian said, “We didn’t see it on the way here.”
Shi Wudu squinted, “That must be the Nether Water Manor of that Black Demon Xuan.”
In rumours, the residence of Black Demon Xuan was called the ‘Nether Water Manor’.
Making the decision, Shi Wudu said, “Let’s go.”
He actually started walking towards the manor without any fear of retribution. Although it
seemed tactlessly rude, but under the current circumstances, what other choice did they
have?
If it’s said that they were spinning about in someone else’s backyard earlier, then now
they’re about to go break in through someone else’s front doors. Xie Lian whispered to
Hua Cheng, “San Lang, if this is awkward for you, you don’t need to come.”
However, Hua Cheng also looked somber and said, “Quicken your pace, gege. Leave
here as soon as possible.”
Xie Lian nodded and stopped speaking. However, he could tell faintly that Hua Cheng
seemed to have scruples, and it wasn’t about the master of this land but something
else.
He’d always thought there was something off, and he thought of all the little questions
that have been piling up for a while now, and they were making him feel anxious. Soon,
the group crossed through the forest, disregarding that band of insane mad men
running about, and came before that haunting black building.
It was then did they realize that this ‘Nether Water Manor’ was in fact a large palace, its
build and make were very similar to the exquisit Wind Master Palace and Water Master
Palace. The palace doors were tightly shut, and after the group of them hiked up the
countless steps and stood before the gates, Xie Lian knocked on the doors and called
out brightly, “Pardon the intrusion! We have, by accident, offended bluntly. We deeply
apologize.”
No one answered. Xie Lian steadied his mind and slowly pushed open the palace
doors.
At first, based on Xie Lian’s years of experience and past patterns, even if there was
something inside it wouldn’t come out and greet the moment the doors open. Yet he had
to eat his own words. With the first look and there was something petrifying.
In the grand, spacious centre of the great hall sat a person. And this person, dressed in
all black, its face snow white – was a corpse!
Instantly Xie Lian shut the doors soundly.
He thought, ‘Did I maybe open the doors incorrectly? Something like that shouldn’t
show itself so fast?’
He had wanted to try greeting again and start over but Shi Wudu had already walked
past him and pushed open the doors, humphing, “We’ve already come, so what does it
matter if he doesn’t welcome us?”
The group slowly stepped into the palace and stealthily approached that set of skeleton
dressed in black. Xie Lian examined it carefully and wondered, “Who does this corpse
belong to? Why is it being worshipped here?”
Ming Yi knitted his brows, “…Wasn’t, General Pei, left behind? It can’t be him?”
That really could be a possibility. Shi Wudu was slightly stunned and looked it over a
few more times and immediately refuted, “It shouldn’t be. The body shape of this set of
bones is flatter than General Pei.”
Suddenly, Shi Qingxuan said, “Wait.”
The group looked to him and Shi Qingxuan said, “Isn’t the answer obvious? This is the
Nether Water Manor. The only one that could be worshipped in the Nether Water Manor
is naturally…”
Xie Lian understood what he wanted to say, “Black Water Demon Xuan?”
———
Ch.123: The Nether Water Manor; Black Robes White Bones 2
Then, he dismissed the idea, “That’s not possible.”
Xie Lian glanced in Hua Cheng’s direction, “Ashes are the life source of those in the
ghost realm, it’s their fatal weakness. How can something so important be so easily
displayed out in the open?”
This fact was something Hua Cheng told him himself when they first met. For some
reason, he said it so matter of factly yet in his mind he subconsciously remembered the
other things Hua Cheng had also said. Hua Cheng was also watching him intently and
Xie Lian lost himself for a moment. He then immediately turned his head away and
cleared his throat softly.
“Then… whose bones could this belong to?” Shi Qingxuan wondered.
The group of them surrounded that haunting skeleton and started examining it. Xie Lian
spoke up, “First, it’s a man.”
“We see that.” The group said.
Xie Lian continued, “Second, this man’s hands and feet should be fairly dextrous,
especially his fingers. He should have practiced some sort of martial arts but his skills
might not be strong. Majority of exceptional martial artists trained in a pure body, the
bone structure shouldn’t be like this.”
Shi Wudu however, only swept his eyes over the corpse a couple times before turning
away, “As long as that thing won’t stand in our way, it doesn’t matter who he is. Lord
Earth Master, where do you think we can cast the Distance Shortening…”
However, before he finished his sentence that skeleton suddenly raised its head and
lunged at him without warning!
Fortunately, Xie Lian reacted swiftly and chopped it down with his hand, and that
skeleton fell to the ground into a heap of broken bones. Shi Qingxuan exclaimed, “Ge!”
In the group of five, Hua Cheng would never give a helping hand to protect anyone else,
and Xie Lian, being the only martial god, suddenly appeared extremely important.
Although Shi Wudu was attacked, he still remained rather calm, and had only backed
one step earlier too. “What’s with this skeleton? Does it still have lingering souls
possessing it?”
Xie Lian squatted down and turned over the bones, studying the pile, then shook his
head, “That’s weird.”
“What’s weird?” Shi Wudu asked.
Xie Lian rose to his feet, “This skeleton clearly doesn’t have a single piece of a soul left,
otherwise when we came close earlier we would have noticed any odd movements.”
“If that’s the case, then how can it still savagely rise and harm so suddenly?” Shi Wudu
asked.
Humming for a moment, Xie Lian answered, “I think, it’s terminal lucidity.”
Shi Qingxuan was puzzled, “Terminal lucidity? Doesn’t that only happen to the living? I
mean, those on the verge of death… still counts as the living.”
“The dead is the same,” Xie Lian explained, “For example, the Seventh Day* is also a
form of terminal lucidity, when the souls of the deceased return to greet family on the
seventh day. In fact, it’s the same for anything. I think, Lord Water Master must’ve
provoked it earlier, which was why it suddenly gathered the last of its strength and made
such a move.”
Because it made sense, Shi Wudu was valuing his words more and more, “Then
according to Your Highness, what was the provocation?”
“It was either something you said or something on you.” Xie Lian said.
“What did I say?” Shi Wudu wondered.
Ming Yi blew out a breath, “…’As long as that thing won’t stand in our way, it doesn’t
matter who he is’.”
Shi Qingxuan scratched his head, puzzled, “Was there something wrong with that?
Could this good brother have a bad temper?”
Nothing conclusive could come from further discussion, so Xie Lian said, “Either way
the souls have dispersed, so let it go.” He then picked up the bones and placed them
upon the altar anew, clapping his hands in prayer and bowed a few times. Shi Qingxuan
came over too and randomly bowed a couple times.
The five of them then wandered about the Nether Water Manor. There wasn’t anyone
there so it seemed that legendary Black Water Demon Xuan wasn’t home. The
framework of the Water Manor was complex; there were many big and small side
chambers within, but there was one that was particularly hidden and narrow, its doors
had strange spells drawn upon it, the very leftover trace of having the Distance
Shortening spells casted.
It seemed that on this Black Water Island, there was indeed a place that the Distance
Shortening array could be used, and that place was this tiny side chamber. To set a
chamber specifically as a connection point, the amount of spiritual powers required
would be much less than if one was to draw a completely new array. Since they didn’t
have much spiritual powers at their disposal, this was perfect. Ming Yi was the expert,
and with just a glance he stated, “This array only allows for one direction.”
Xie Lian understood, “Which means that it can only send forth, but one cannot be sent
here from elsewhere, correct?”
Ming Yi nodded, “So the spiritual powers needed can be further cut down.”
“Isn’t that exactly what we need?” Shi Qingxuan said, “We only need to leave. This is
great! Let’s get outta here, don’t let that Black Water master discover us.” Then, with
Ming Yi in one arm, he was about to push open the doors with his other hand when
Ming Yi shouted sharply, “Stop! There’s a trap!”
Hearing this, Shi Qingxuan stumbled back three feet, “What trap?!”
Ming Yi was also dragged back for three feet along with him and was speechless for a
moment. Then he gestured for Shi Qingxuan to assist him again and they went back to
the door. Ming Yi looked over the spells on that door for a while before stating firmly, “It’s
a trap. Arrays drawn in this chamber at most can only send one person away at a time.”
“That’s a thing?” Shi Qingxuan exclaimed, “Then what happens if two people are sent
together???”
Ming Yi answered coldly, “When those two reached their destination, you’ll find they will
have been crushed into one person.”
“…”
Among those present, only Ming Yi was the expert when it came to this. The rest was
one water god, one wind god, and one martial god, none of them particularly familiar in
this area. Xie Lian’s first reaction was to look at Hua Cheng, and seeing that he was
only watching that array with a dark look but didn’t voice any objections, it seemed Ming
Yi wasn’t lying. Xie Lian hummed, “If that’s really the case, then should ignorant
intruders try to use this array to escape, they’d result in an… atrocious end. No wonder
it’s a trap.”
Just then, there was rumbling in the skies outside. Twisted lightning crawled across the
gloomy clouds, flashing white and blue upon the faces inside the Nether Water Manor,
making them appear like five menacing ghosts. The group all looked at each other and
Shi Qingxuan said, “Ge, it’s another…”
Shi Wudu’s face was dropping and he didn’t respond. However, everyone knew that this
was his Heavenly Calamity in pursuit of him again. Pei Ming’s casual words faintly
echoed in Xie Lian’s mind again, “Water Master-xiong, you’re really unlucky this time…”
“Since we can use the Distance Shortening array here, then let’s hurry and get out of
here.” Shi Qingxuan urged, “If a Heavenly Lightning is to strike here and destroy the
Water Manor, then…” Then this would surely cause greater animosity. To dismantle a
heavenly official’s temple was to destroy their brand, it would build deep hatred.
Although it’s unclear whether the ghost realm held the same taboo, no one would want
to have their house demolished for no reason.
“Then Lord Earth Master, you must go first. You’re wounded.” Xie Lian said.
However, Ming Yi shook his head, “The array will need to be redrawn after every use.
None of you know how to draw it so I have to stay behind to repair the array.”
“Then Ming-xiong, I’ll stay with you and go second last.” Shi Qingxuan said.
“What are you saying?” Shi Wudu said, “If you… even if you stay you’d be of no use.
Leave now and go to the East Sea!”
However, Shi Qingxuan countered, “Everyone’s about equally useless right now, so it
doesn’t matter. This whole thing had nothing to do with Ming-xiong but he had to suffer
like this, I…” He sighed, “I feel really bad.”
“We’re all being sent to the same location anyway, it won’t take long, so what are you
afraid of?” Shi Wudu said.
If this was before, Shi Wudu had only needed to say a few words and Shi Qingxuan
would listen. Yet things weren’t the same now, and Shi Qingxuan wasn’t listening,
asking instead, “If we left first, what about General Pei? Wouldn’t he be left behind?”
Shi Wudu also noticed that his younger brother wasn’t as obedient anymore and his
expression grew complicated. A moment later he replied, “It’s fine, Pei-xiong’s
stubbornly resilient. He can hang on until we get reinforcements from heaven.”
“…” Xie Lian didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. Although his instincts told him the
Water Master wasn’t wrong and didn’t mean any harm, but still he suddenly felt pity for
Pei Ming. After a pause, he said, “Wait.”
The group looked to him. Xie Lian said, “Lord Earth Master, are you sure this chamber
can really start up the Distance Shortening array? Won’t there be any issues? I don’t
think it’s wise to just use it so carelessly, why not test it first?”
Ming Yi’s hand really did stop, “How? If we must test it we’ll still need a volunteer.”
Shi Qingxuan raised his hand, “Then I volunteer.”
Hua Cheng hadn’t spoken throughout the whole thing but now he crossed his arms and
said, “Sorry to interrupt. Have you all never thought of a problem?”
“And what esteemed opinion does My Lord have?” Ming Yi asked.
“How would you know if the volunteer has reached the predetermined destination?” Hua
Cheng pointed out.
Xie Lian blinked, “That’s right. Lord Earth Master did say this array only goes one
direction.”
Which meant, once sent out, that person would not be able to return and let the others
know whether if they’ve reached the destination safely. Where they were now was also
isolated from the outside world, the spiritual communication arrays blocked, so it
seemed they’ve come to a dead end. It seemed they’ve all forgotten that fact just now.
Hua Cheng concluded, “So, it’s completely meaningless to keep discussing this issue.
It’s just one word: go or leave. End this swiftly. Scared? Then stay behind.”
Although he was smiling, Xie Lian could sense that Hua Cheng was slightly restless as
if he wanted to leave this place as soon as possible. This restlessness should’ve been
around ever since they were brought back by Shi Wudu’s water dragons, and it was
only getting worse.
Shi Wudu didn’t want to wait anymore either. That Heavenly Thunder was exploding
next to his ears, and if he didn’t leave it would strike sooner than later, and no one
would have a good time. Thus, he charged into that side chamber and slammed the
door. Ming Yi immediately completed the array. When the door was opened once more,
faint smoke wafted from the inside but it was empty within.
“Done. Next.” Ming Yi said.
“Then, Your Highness…” Shi Qingxuan started, but before he could finish Ming Yi had
already grabbed him and stuffed him inside, closing the door, completing the array. The
second time the door opened, Ming Yi looked at the remaining two. Xie Lian spoke up,
“San Lang, why don’t you go first?”
However, Hua Cheng pulled him along and said darkly, “Gege, we go together.”
Xie Lian was taken aback, “But couldn’t this array only allow for one at a time…”
“I’m not alive, don’t worry.” Hua Cheng said.
Xie Lian still felt rather concerned for some reason but he couldn’t put his fingers on it.
Hua Cheng brought him through the door and said to the Ming Yi outside, “Puqi Shrine.”
Ming Yi nodded silently. That set of doors slowly closed before Xie Lian, and through the
closing crack, he glanced at Ming Yi’s dark expression, wondering in spite of himself,
“Can Lord Earth Master really hold on?”
Hua Cheng closed the door with his own hand, waited for a moment, then reopened it.
What appeared before the two was already the interior of Puqi Shrine. It was the middle
of the night; Qi Rong was sleeping sprawled out like he died a violent death, and he
hogged all the blankets, his snores roaring to the skies. Guzi used to have a good
sleeping form, but perhaps with his cheap dad’s bad influence, now he was also spread
out on top of Qi Rong’s stomach like a dead fish. Lang Ying himself was curled neatly in
the corner and was covered by a few shirts. Xie Lian lifted the blanket covering Qi
Rong, suppressed the urge to smother his face, and covered the two small children.
“So… we’re back?” He whispered.
Hua Cheng closed the door behind him, “En. It’s over.”
“Not yet, I don’t think.” Xie Lian said, “We don’t know if Lord Wind Master and the others
have returned yet.”
He lightly pushed the door open and only raised his voice once he was outside the
shrine, calling the spiritual communication array that was temporarily set up from before,
“Lord Earth Master? Are you all back?”
There was no response. Thinking that Ming Yi might not have acted that quick, Xie Lian
entered the communication array of the Heavenly Court. He wouldn’t have known had
he not entered, but once he had he jumped in surprise. It was complete chaos inside.
Every heavenly official was yelling, and even Ling Wen was throwing a fit, “DON’T
THROW EVERY USELESS INFORMATION MY WAY, HOW MUCH DO YOU THINK I
HAVE TO GO THROUGH EVERYDAY? DON’T YOU ALL KNOW TO USE YOUR
BRAINS A LITTLE BEFORE ASKING ME?!”
“Ling Wen!” Xie Lian called out hastily, “Have Lord Water Master and the others not
return?!”
As if she changed into a completely different person, Ling Wen instantly caught hold of
him, “Your Highness! Why is your voice suddenly so loud… have you returned from the
East Sea? Where did Lord Water Master and General Pei go?? How come there’s been
no communication?”
“I came back from the South Sea.” Xie Lian said.
“The South Sea?”
“The South Sea, Black Water Demon Lair.”
Ling Wen was dumbfounded, “But… how did you all end up over there?! We never
touch that place. Are ol’ Pei and the others there too?”
“It’s a long story,” Xie Lian said, “Lord Water Master was fighting the trial and
accidentally entered the Black Water Demon Lair. We finally escaped. He and Lord
Wind Master returned before I did, so they should’ve reached the East Sea by now, did
you not see them?”
“No!” Ling Wen said, “The East Sea had calmed down a long time ago, and those two
hundred something fishermen have all been rescued, but there’s no trace of them on
the shores or in the sea!”
“How can that be?!” Xie Lian exclaimed, “Unless…”
Unless what?
Ling Wen asked anxiously, “Unless what? Your Highness? Your Highness do you still
have something to say? Should we send heavenly officials to the South Sea right now?”
Xie Lian muttered, “It’s too late.”
He shut down the communication array and whipped around, “San Lang.”
Hua Cheng seemed to already expect what he was going to ask and was silent with his
hands clenched at his sides, watching him solemnly. “Did you and that person reach an
agreement a long time ago?” Xie Lian asked.
Hua Cheng didn’t immediately respond but just as he moved his lips, Xie Lian quickly
said, “No no no, don’t tell me! You don’t have to answer me. If you had long reached an
agreement with someone else, I certainly wouldn’t want you to become someone who’d
go back on their word because of me. It’s my fault for asking you so suddenly, I didn’t
mean to put you in a difficult situation.”
“I’m sorry, Your Highness.” Hua Cheng said.
Xie Lian shook his head, “Don’t apologize. I should’ve figured this out a long time ago. It
must be due to some sort of agreement that you couldn’t interfere and couldn’t tell me
the truth directly.”
It wasn’t like Hua Cheng hadn’t tried to stop him but he didn’t obstruct Xie Lian’s desire
either, and only accompanied him on the trip, protecting him the whole way, even with a
plan to break away already prepared. Only, there was always something that dragged
Xie Lian deeper into the heart of the affair.
“I should be thanking you instead.” Xie Lian said.
“You’ve figured everything out?” Hua Cheng asked.
Xie Lian nodded. “Pretty much. In fact, I should’ve figured it out a long time ago, but he
really is incredible. I’d often think too much too, dismissing my own suspicions, and
always end up overlooking the most straightforward possibilities.”
After a pause, he continued, “And, that person really gave you a lot of face. To
peacefully send me away, he put in considerable effort and wasted much time
detouring.”
“Your Highness,” Hua Cheng said, “This whole thing ends here. It’s over.”
Xie Lian sighed, “I also wish that’s the case. But, he might have crossed the line.”
After some silence, Hua Cheng said gently, “But you’ve come back and there’s no way
for you to return to the Demon Lair. Let them take care of their own affairs now.”
“Don’t be so sure.” Xie Lian said.
Hearing this, Hua Cheng froze.
“I suddenly thought of an idea just now. I’ve a way to connect with Lord Wind Master.”
Xie Lian said.
He raised his hands and started forming a hand seal, “So, sorry, San Lang, but I have to
go back for a bit.”
Seeing that hand seal, Hua Cheng instantly understood. Clearly he hadn’t expected this
move and his eyes widened, “…gege?”
Xie Lian enunciated: “SOUL–SHIFTING–SPELL!”
After closing his eyes, that familiar weightless sensation invaded, like his soul was
pulled out and whipped into the air before plunging, and when he opened his eyes
again, what was before him wasn’t Hua Cheng’s face but an endless black night and
mountainous woods speedily backing away on either sides. Xie Lian could also hear
harsh breathing coming from his own mouth and violent heart beats.
Success!
The Soul Shifting Spell wasn’t used often and burns an abundance of spiritual power. It
was stronger than spiritual communication and also more wicked and rare, so spiritual
barriers generally wouldn’t include that spell in its blockage.
That day, he and Shi Qingxuan had used the Soul Shifting Spell, and since then Shi
Qingxuan hadn’t yet had time to seal his spiritual consciousness before he lost his
powers and turned into a mortal. This was like the two had exchanged the keys to each
other’s house and made use of each other’s home. After switching back, Shi Qingxuan
should’ve immediately change the locks on his door so Xie Lian wouldn’t be able to
re-enter, but he didn’t. So, Xie Lian could still use the key from before and open Shi
Qingxuan’s door. Only, Shi Qingxuan could no longer open Xie Lian’s door. Thus, the
two were now using the same body, and Xie Lian’s body should’ve gone limp and
collapsed. Maybe Hua Cheng caught him?
Shi Qingxuan was breathless as he ran, terrified, as if something was chasing him and
he was fleeing. Xie Lian listened intently and against the wind, a series of howls and
wails came from behind – it was that band of insane crazies that were locked up at the
iron prison. They seemed to really like Shi Qingxuan, or rather, it should be described
as ‘yearning for’. They pursued relentlessly with their eyes rolled back and their tongues
out, and Shi Qingxuan’s ribs and lungs were burning, wanting to cry but no tears,
wanting to scream but no voice. Xie Lian could sense the way he ran was without
method, and if it continued, he wouldn’t last long, so he took over the control of the body
directly. “Lord Wind Master!”
He was using Shi Qingxuan’s mouth to speak, and Shi Qingxuan was so surprised he
almost bit his tongue, “WHO?! WHO’S IN MY BODY?!?!?”
“My Lord, calm down!” Xie Lian said, “I’ve come back to find you using the Soul Shifting
Spell! Give me the body, I’ll help you run.”
Xie Lian felt the corners of Shi Qingxuan’s eyes stream two lines of hot tears, “YOUR
HIGHNESS?! WHAT A COMFORT!!! YOU’RE SO RELIABLE!!! THANK YOU!!!”
“No need for thanks!” Xie Lian said, “Listen to me, Lord Wind Master, run away!”
“AM I NOT RUNNING RIGHT NOW?!” Shi Qingxuan exclaimed.
“I don’t mean like this,” Xie Lian explained, “I meant, you need to escape…” Just as he
spoke, several insane, filthy maniacs jumped out from the woods next to them and
lunged at Shi Qingxuan all at once. Xie Lian cracked his knuckles and he leapt, giving
them thirty rounds of power kicks, knocking those lunatics onto the ground unable to
rise. Shi Qingxuan was shocked with eyes wide, “Did I do that? That’s amazing. Martial
gods are so awesome! I want to be a martial god too, now.”
Xie Lian however, killed his joy earnestly, “My Lord, you can’t. Your body isn’t cut out for
becoming a martial god…”
The two conversed using the same body, as if it was one person asking and answering
their own questions, and from another’s perspective, it was truly bizarre. “Lord Wind
Master, where’s Lord Water Master?” Xie Lian asked.
Shi Qingxuan scanned around and said, “I don’t know where both Ming-xiong and my
brother went. Earlier when I opened the door, I found I was still at the Nether Water
Manor, and I was only sent to a different chamber. I don’t know where things went
wrong…”
Suddenly, Xie Lian tipped his foot and leapt up, flying into a tree. Shi Qingxuan didn’t
understand why but having his body lift and move so freely was a curious feeling, so he
allowed Xie Lian to control his body as he will, lightly and skillfully climbing atop a tree
branch. “Your Highness, why did you so suddenly…”
Before he finished his sentence Xie Lian covered his mouth.
Actually, it was also his own mouth. Xie Lian quickly climbed to the tip of the branch and
sat, hiding within dense leaves. Soon after, a slender shadow stumbled into view at the
end of the road. Looking closely, it was Ming Yi.
His face still looked ashen, adding an air of gloom to his handsomeness, but he could
still somewhat walk. Shi Qingxuan was overjoyed and dropped his hands ready to call
out to him when Xie Lian raised his hands again and covered his mouth. This time he
used both hands, smothering so firmly he could hardly breathe. Shi Qingxuan wasn’t
someone rash, and knew that Xie Lian must’ve acted for a reason so he stopped
struggling. He watched as Ming Yi walked past them down that little path before Xie
Lian loosened his hands slightly and stealthily slipped off the tree, sneaking through the
thick woods.
Having dashed for a while, Shi Qingxuan looked back around and whispered, “Your
Highness, why didn’t you let me call out to Ming-xiong earlier?”
Xie Lian didn’t respond but his body suddenly froze. Shi Qingxuan turned his head back
again and his pupils violently shrank.
Ming Yi, who had clearly been long gone, was standing right in front of him. Or rather,
them.
Ming Yi seemed to be supporting himself up with an arm on a tree and he frowned,
“…Why are you here too?”
Shi Qingxuan blurted, “I…”
Xie Lian didn’t say a word but moved a hand behind his back and waved, gesturing for
him to absolutely not give away that there’s a third ‘person’ present. Shi Qingxuan
understood but Ming Yi’s brows seemed to knit tighter, “What’s your hand doing behind
your back? Are you hiding something?”
Shi Qingxuan immediately flipped open both hands to show him, “NO!”
Xie Lian could feel that his own blood run cold and his knees go weak. It seemed,
although Ming Yi was also very dependable in Shi Qingxuan’s mind, this sudden
appearance also gave him quite the fright.
Ming Yi looked bewildered, “I didn’t mean for you to actually show me.”
Although his expression was one of disgust, it was nevertheless something familiar, so
Shi Qingxuan sighed a breath of relief, the goosebumps popped up on half his body
slowly fading away. While Xie Lian was hugely anxious, he didn’t dare to speak rashly
right this moment.
“Where’s Lord Water Master?” Ming Yi asked.
“You haven’t seen my brother either?” Shi Qingxuan asked, “I’m almost looking for him
everywhere. Didn’t you say you can send us out of the Black Water Island? How come
His Highness went back but we’re still here?”
Xie Lian listened and grew even more apprehensive. Although he did his best to
suppress the “hahaha, hahaha” that’d no doubt appear when Shi Qingxuan was overly
nervous, but to speak so calmly wasn’t like Shi Qingxuan either. Thus, he pulled at his
hair wildly and pointed at Ming Yi, yelling, “MING-XIONG!!! Didn’t I tell you to practice
more when you’ve got the time? You didn’t draw wrong cause you’re rusty, did you?!!”
Although slightly exaggerated but it was pretty effective. Sure enough, Ming Yi didn’t
notice anything amiss and his face dropped, “Get lost! Draw it yourself if you’ve got the
skills.”
Although that’s what he said, still he walked over. Shi Qingxuan was still frozen on the
spot so Xie Lian quickly moved for him, grabbing Ming Yi’s shoulders, “Ming-xiong,
how’s your injuries? The poison isn’t manifesting further, is it?”
Ming Yi shook his head, “It’s fine. Let’s find Lord Water Master first.”
Shi Qingxuan nodded and the two slowly made way. Xie Lian couldn’t find any chance
to warn him, feeling more distressed and uptight with each step. Suddenly, he felt his
mouth open slightly, and it was Shi Qingxuan who was soundlessly moving his lips. Xie
Lian immediately became spirited and carefully discerned the shapes he was forming.
He had said: ‘Just what exactly is going on?’
Xie Lian was afraid Ming Yi who was so close by would notice so he lowered his head
slightly and responded with simply lip movement too: ‘He’s fake.’
The moment the words left his lips Xie Lian could feel a thin layer of goosebumps
popping on his arms.
Shi Qingxuan’s eyes bulged and asked with his lips, ‘Fake?! Then who is he?!’
Xie Lian gave his answer wordlessly.
He said: ‘The Reverend of Empty Words.”
Shi Qingxuan sucked in a breath and Ming Yi’s voice came from overhead, “What is it?”
Shi Qingxuan sucked that breath in all the way then exhaled, his voice trembling, “I’m
scared.”
After a moment of silence, Ming Yi said, “It’s too early to be scared now.”
If this was before, then his words would no doubt be interpreted as a twisted form of
comfort. However, right now it reeked of an unspeakable chill, like it was some sort of
threat.
Shi Qingxuan lowered his head and lipped to Xie Lian, “No way. The Reverend of
Empty Words can’t shapeshift!”
Truthfully, when the words left Xie Lian’s mouth he also felt ‘Reverend of Empty Words’
wasn’t quite appropriate. Rather, it was too disrespectful; too impertinent. A few days
ago, the ‘Reverend of Empty Words’ Shi Qingxuan bumped into was no more than a
minion or a pathetic clone, or, some leftover crumbs. Thus, he gave a second answer:
‘Black Water Demon Xuan.’
Shi Qingxuan tripped. “What’s with you now?” Ming Yi demanded.
Shi Qingxuan’s teeth were chattering, “I want to die…”
Ming Yi responded coldly, “Dream on.”
That again. That same frosty tone of voice with those equally icy, cruel words. It was no
different than before, yet now, they took on a completely different meaning. However,
this was far from over. Xie Lian soundlessly gave a third name:
‘He Xuan.’
Shi Qingxuan seemed to not be able to take anymore.
His heart was beating like drums and Xie Lian noticed too. Coincidentally, they were just
crossing a small creek, and making the decision on the spot, he said, “Ming-xiong, I
think you best rest a bit before we continue our search!”
“What time do we have to rest right now?” Ming Yi said.
“You’re poisoned. The more you move the more the poison will fester.” Xie Lian said,
“And even if you won’t rest, a mortal like myself gotta rest. Sit down, I’ll go get you some
water.”
Thus, keeping his hands and feet steady without revealing any shivers, he made Ming
Yi sit down on the grass and he himself went by the creek, borrowing the sounds of the
current to speak with a low voice. Shi Qingxuan cupped a palm full of water and
splashed it on his own face, calming down. Then he whispered, “Your Highness, what
are you saying??? Just who is the person behind me??? Did one of the three shapeshift
into Ming-xiong??? Or did they all possess Ming-xiong???”
“Lord Wind Master, calm down!” Xie Lian said, “It’s not them, it’s him! The one that’s
next to you right now is only one person. From the very beginning it had always been
the one person. No one shapeshifted. No one was possessed!”
Shi Qingxuan mumbled, “But, but Ming-xiong, he…”
“Don’t call him Ming-xiong anymore. The real Ming-xiong is already dead!” Xie Lian
said.
Shi Qingxuan exclaimed, “How do you know? Did you see?”
“I wasn’t the only one who saw,” Xie Lian said, “You saw it too. The real Lord Earth
Master was that skeleton worshipped inside the Nether Water Manor! Why did you think
he couldn’t control the Earth Master Crescent Moon Shovel well? Because that didn’t
belong to him in the first place! The one behind you, several hundreds of years ago his
original name was He Xuan. He cultivated into a Supreme and changed his name to
Black Water Demon Xuan. He devoured the Reverend of Empty Words and sent that
creature to find you. He imprisoned and murdered the real Earth Master, and took on his
name, assuming his position in the heavens!!!”
Just as the words left his lips, his entire person suddenly froze.
A hand had slapped onto his shoulder without warning.
———-
●[頭七] Seventh Day - It’s a common belief that spirits of the dead returns home
on the seventh day of death.
●MXTX Author Notes: So Black Water had actually already shown up, and he’s
been hanging around before everyone’s eyes.
The Wind Master had never met the real Ming Yi; the one before him had always
been the one person, and it’s the same for all of you too.
Certified number one best actor of this book!
I’ve held this back for so, so long, now I feel great. Please don’t spoil this for
others who haven’t read it yet!!! Don’t hint at it or spoil this in the forums! It
really affects the reading experience!! It won’t be fun then. Don’t spoil! Don’t
spoil!! Important things must be said three times!!!
———-
Ch.124: Unravel the Dead Knot; Water Master Battles Demon Xuan
TW: Violence
Ming Yi’s voice came from behind them, “What are you grumbling about all by yourself?”
Shi Qingxuan’s body stiffened, “I… I… I…”
Xie Lian wanted to help him respond but the tongue was refusing control. It couldn’t be
helped; his most trusted, beloved friend turned out to be the one he feared the most,
hiding next to him by his side. Now that there was no one around, who knows what he
was going to do; who wouldn’t be scared?
Suddenly, Ming Yi’s fingers dug in, pain flared in Shi Qingxuan’s shoulder, and he was
pushed downward.
A pale white hand suddenly lunged out from out of the creek and grabbed for Shi
Qingxuan’s neck.
A water ghoul!
With Ming Yi’s push, that hand missed. Then, he blasted it with his palm, and screams
came from the waters. That creature was probably obliterated by the blast. Shi
Qingxuan sat on the ground, having fallen over, and Ming Yi pulled him up, “Do you
have something wrong with your brain, washing your face with just any water from the
Black Water Demon Lair?”
“…”
Shi Qingxuan used the creek water that had been soaking the corpses of water ghouls
just now to calm down and should be feeling disgusted, yet he had no mind to notice
those details. His face and hair were still dripping, drenched like a drowned dog, lost
and forlorn, and he dazedly let ‘Ming Yi’ pull him up, and dazedly followed after him.
Truthfully, when thinking about it closely, everything relating to this ‘Ming-xiong’ had
always reeked of dubiousness.
He was the Earth Master. Therefore, very matter of factly, every Distance Shortening
array on the road was drawn by him. That should’ve been his specialty technique, yet it
had frequent issues.
Leaving Puqi Shrine, the four of them were sent to the town of Fu Gu for some unknown
reason, and problems also occurred when both the Wind and Water Masters were being
transported out of the Black Water Island. Was it the transportation chamber that had
been wasted through the years in need of repairs? Was it something else causing
troubles? Was the culprit behind the scenes too omnipotent?
Why think so much? The simplest answer was it was Ming Yi who had meddled in
everything!
The first time the Wind Master was taken away by the ‘Reverend of Empty Words’ it
was ‘Ming Yi’ who lost sight of him; the Wind Master who lost his spiritual powers was
also first discovered by him; the one who stayed by Shi Qingxuan’s side and knew
inside and out of his fears and actions was him; the one who knew the Wind Master’s
verbal password and could command the ‘Reverend of Empty Words’ to threaten Shi
Qingxuan to open the doors to that protection array at the Terrace of Cascading Wine
was also him.
At that time, he cracked the establishment plaque to the Temple of Wind and Water with
his own hands without feeling, and maybe it was done out of necessity, or, maybe he
was doing it on purpose in the first place.
Under the guise of an excuse to openly dismantle the establishment plaque of his
enemy and his enemy had to be grateful too, what daring arrogance.
With little odd actions such as these, it wasn’t like Xie Lian was never suspicious, and
he had tried to probe, asking those three questions. Yet he had never thought that
something this inconceivable, this audacious, could happen: that a ghost had
impersonated a heavenly official and had always been hiding amongst them!
The Ship-Sinking Black Water had always been low-key?
To exist under a different identity for years, of course he’s low-key.
‘Ming-Yi’s’ response at the time really didn’t have any flaws. He had devoured the
Reverend of Empty Words and possessed its powers, able to command it like a minion.
A Supreme Ghost King could naturally override its might, unfettered by the restrictions
of its unique trait. If he wanted to speak the truth then he could speak the truth, if he
wished to deceive he could speak lies.
That set of skeletons had dexterous hands and feet, corresponding with the identity of
the Earth Master. Why worship it in the Nether Water Manor? It had to be done. That
was the remains of a heavenly official after all; if it wasn’t treated with solemn respect
and carelessly buried, it wouldn’t rest in peace and the coffin would not hold. Thus, he
could only regard it with grand formalities and worship it within his own halls.
However, what made Xie Lian guess his identity wasn’t just this, but that lunge.
The Water Master asked why the skeleton would experience terminal lucidity? Ming Yi
answered in a rush to say it was “As long as that thing won’t stand in my way, it doesn’t
matter who he is”, but in actuality, what really provoked the real Ming Yi wasn’t that, but
the words after – “Lord Earth Master”! Because, he was the real Earth Master!
And the one impersonating him was standing right before him, nonchalantly and
intentionally leading them astray.
Sometimes, ‘Ming Yi’ would also do the opposite on purpose and pull them back on
track to escape suspicion. For example, he said to Hua Cheng “You really do have spies
in the heavens”. Yet wasn’t that spy himself? That was why Hua Cheng responded so
ironically, “Don’t you already know that?” Implying, “Why play pretend?”
However, the word ‘spy’ was probably inaccurate. An agreement was more likely
between those two. Such as, an exchange of information.
The two Supreme Ghost Kings cooperated out of mutual benefit, so it was a win-win
situation. Black Water snuck into the Heavenly Court and grasped all movements of the
heavenly realm, big and small, and Hua Cheng on the other hand, took root in the
mortal realm, expanding the number of worshippers. Besides this, whether if they
cooperated in other matters, it wasn’t known.
Jun Wu sending the ‘Earth Master’ to infiltrate Ghost City was no different than flooding
the Temple of the Dragon King*, sending thieves to a bandit’s lair.
Up until now, there were probably only two accidents that arose while he was
undercover. The first one was that spell of Ascending Fire Dragon.
An impostor obviously wouldn’t do something so pointless. Xie Lian was more inclined
to think that the one who casted that Ascending Fire Dragon spell was the real Ming Yi
who managed to escape.
In order to disguise oneself as someone completely different and sneak into the
Heavenly Court, one must be able to have a thorough understanding of that person.
Thus, the impersonated must be kept alive so small details such as experiences, skills,
spiritual device manipulation, etc., could be dug out little by little. The fake Ming Yi more
than likely kidnapped and imprisoned the real Ming Yi right after he passed his
Heavenly Calamity but not yet ascended. Otherwise if the real Ming Yi had already
made contact with other heavenly officials, it’d be easy for the imposter to be
discovered.
That was an accident, so when Hua Cheng received the news he had to back to help
his partner deal with the aftermath. Coincidentally, Xie Lian also received the mission
from Jun Wu: Ghost City rescue.
He didn’t think so at the time, but thinking back now, he realized maybe that operation
went a little too smoothly? Xie Lian really did rescue the ‘Earth Master’ from the
dungeons of Paradise Manor, but how did he find the dungeon in the first place?
Wasn’t it because he first saw the cursed shackle of Hua Cheng’s subordinate, the one
who wore a demon mask, then saw him sneaking about Paradise Manor?
Something like a cursed shackle was a sign of humiliation, and normally when heavenly
officials were banished, they would hide it away. So why did that masked man wear it on
his wrist so openly? And why did he hide it afterwards? Besides ‘carelessness’, the
other explanation was it was done intentionally to grab Xie Lian’s attention, so Xie Lian
could follow along and discover the ‘imprisoned’ fake Earth Master. The real Ming Yi
who had set off the distress signal was probably killed after this. Because his corpse
couldn’t be destroyed but his flesh couldn’t be kept to allow others to find clues of his
identity, he was dissolved to nothing but white bones.
The second accident was after Shi Qingxuan was spooked by the Reverend of Empty
Words, he sought Xie Lian for help.
It was obvious Hua Cheng didn’t want Xie Lian to be pulled into this affair, which was
why at the time, Ming Yi declared “Coming here was not my intention”. Afterwards when
they were at the Terrace of Cascading Wine, when Hua Cheng went away it was
probably to meet up with Ming Yi and question what was going on.
Xie Lian didn’t have the chance to explain all of this to Shi Qingxuan in detail, but Shi
Qingxuan himself must’ve gradually thought each detail through too, the hands hiding
under his sleeves trembling.
The two walked side by side, and Xie Lian’s mind was churning; just where had Shi
Wudu gone?
The first one to cross through that array to leave was Shi Wudu, and the last one was
‘Ming Yi’, so he shouldn’t have been able to jump over Shi Qingxuan to do anything to
Shi Wudu, which meant there were three possibilities: first, Shi Wudu was sent
somewhere else; second, there’s something else waiting where Shi Wudu was sent and
he had already fallen victim; third, Shi Wudu left on his own.
If it was the first or second possibility, then there was no reason for Ming Yi to keep
acting in front of Shi Qingxuan right now, searching for Shi Wudu. Having thought this
far, Xie Lian suddenly heard ‘Ming Yi’ ask, “Where’s your golden locket?”
Shi Qingxuan was momentarily puzzled but Xie Lian was immediately filled with dread.
Ming Yi asked a couple times before Shi Qingxuan responded, “Huh?”
‘Ming Yi’ said gruffly, “Didn’t you say those two golden longevity lockets were forged by
the golden cores of you and your brother, and if the master is hurt they would cry?”
“…”
Shi Qingxuan told Ming Yi everything, so naturally he also knew how that spiritual
device worked. Which meant, he was going to use the golden locket to find Shi Wudu!
“But… but, my scratches are healed!” Shi Qingxuan said.
“That’s easy to solve.” ‘Ming Yi’ said coldly. Then, he raised his arm slightly. Xie Lian
was alarmed, was he going to cut Lord Wind Master??? He tensed in defense, however,
Ming Yi squeezed the gash on his own arm instead.
The gash that had already ceased bleeding oozed again. “Give me the locket, I’ll wear
it.” He said.
“…”
Seeing this, Xie Lian couldn’t help but be awed.
If this gesture wasn’t comprised of hidden maliciousness and murderous intent, then
such a person truly was worthy to be befriended!
However, Shi Qingxuan was still rooted on the spot, hesitant to move. The moment he
gave the longevity locket, the two golden lockets would cry for each other. Should Shi
Wudu notice, he would for sure come find him directly. ‘Ming Yi’ furrowed his brows,
“Are you scared stupid?”
“…No!” Shi Qingxuan said, “Actually, this, this locket, didn’t I tell you? It only works if I’m
the one who wears it.”
‘Ming Yi’ looked doubtful, “Really?”
Shi Qingxuan gripped the longevity locket tightly and nodded his head firmly, “That’s
right!”
‘Ming Yi’ stared at him for a moment but then seemed to abandon the idea. He looked at
the gash on his own arm but didn’t say anything. Just then, that longevity locket around
Shi Qingxuan’s neck suddenly started vibrating.
The colours of Shi Qingxuan’s face instantly changed and ‘Ming Yi’ reacted immediately,
going in the direction the longevity locket was point without pause.
The golden lockets cry meant Shi Wudu was hurt. Yet when he entered the array earlier
he was perfectly fine, so what hurt him?
Xie Lian could sense that Shi Qingxuan was anxious to go but also not. They were
trapped in the illusion within the Black Water Lake, and there was no one else on the
island. Pei Ming was building a coffin boat outside the boundary waiting for their return.
Shi Qingxuan was mortal right now; if Shi Wudu was hurt, none in heaven or earth could
heed their call. If they were to give themselves up, how could they possibly escape?
After rushing for a while, Shi Qingxuan spoke up, “Ming… xiong, I think it’s a trap. It’s
probably best not to go!”
“What trap?” ‘Ming Yi’ asked.
Shi Qingxuan lied bold-facedly, “How can my brother possibly get hurt? It mustn’t be
him over there.”
However, ‘Ming Yi’ had more reasons and rationale than he did, “We’re in the territory of
a Supreme Demon King. Lord Water Master might not have what it takes to protect
himself. No matter what it is, let’s go take a look first.”
Shi Qingxuan couldn’t think of an excuse not to go, and Xie Lian couldn’t come up with
anything either, so he watched silently instead, ready to act at a moment’s notice.
Following the growing vibrations of the longevity locket, the two walked closer and
closer to the target, and soon they saw Shi Wudu lying on the ground, scruffily curled
up, holding his stomach, looking to be in immense pain. Shi Qingxuan was shocked and
shouted, “GE!” Then he rushed over with Ming Yi close behind. Yet, when they
approached Shi Wudu, he suddenly leapt to his feet and embraced him, bursting out in
crazed laughter. Fully enveloped in his arms, Shi Qingxuan was exceedingly bemused,
and only then did he realize that man bore a twisted face – it wasn’t Shi Wudu! It was
only an insane maniac dressed in Shi Wudu’s robes and wearing that golden locket!
He hadn’t yet opened his mouth to speak when Ming Yi, who was next to him, suddenly
collapsed, a small ball-sized black hole appeared on his chest, spilling fresh blood. A
figure in white leapt off a tree, grabbed him and ran, shouting, “RUN!”
Xie Lian looked closely and saw, this was the real Shi Wudu!
“GE?!” Shi Qingxuan exclaimed.
Shi Wudu barked with a low voice, “Don’t talk and come with me! He’s no good!”
In a flash Xie Lian understood. Turns out, Shi Wudu wasn’t one to be underestimated
either. The moment he walked out of the transportation array and saw he was still in the
Nether Water Manor, he had already known something was amiss. He didn’t think things
as complicated as Xie Lian did, and he was much sharper. The first one he suspected
was Ming Yi, so he hid to make himself invisible, watching from the shadows just what
he was up to. He was probably sent to a different location than Shi Qingxuan, otherwise
he would’ve taken Shi Qingxuan along to hide with him. After finding Ming Yi and Shi
Qingxuan together, he dragged a maniac over, dressed it in his outer robes and put the
golden locket around its neck then smacked it with a blast, garnering Ming Yi’s attention
first before ambushing. It was a rather ruthless move, since there wasn’t any solid proof
that Ming Yi did anything, yet Shi Wudu was going straight for his life!
Shi Qingxuan couldn’t help but look back, but when he did, he saw the ‘Ming Yi’ whose
heart was now blasted through, lie for a bit before sitting up, stoically lowered his head
to look at that bloody hole, before slowly rising to his feet. Xie Lian could feel Shi
Qingxuan’s blood run cold all the way to his own heart. Even for heavenly officials, who
can move so easily after being struck like this? It had to be something inhuman!
The two brothers dashed for a while when suddenly, hairs on Xie Lian’s back stood, and
he shouted, “WATCH OUT!” He pulled the Water Master, and a sharp whistling sound
shot through the air, chillingly flashing by. If it wasn’t for Xie Lian’s pull, the Water Master
would’ve lost his head already.
It was those invisible creatures from the water’s reflection!
Shi Wudu cursed. He flipped out the Water Master fan and swung; several thin and long
water arrows jetted out through the waves on the surface of his fan, encircling their
bodies, forming a protective circle. Now those invisible creatures couldn’t do anything to
them. The two continued to flee, and Shi Qingxuan couldn’t help but looked back again.
This time, he could feel chills down his spine, “He… he’s catching up!”
Sure enough, ‘Ming Yi’ was only about twenty feet behind them, walking forward slowly.
Although it looked like his steps were slow, yet with every step, the distance between
him and the two ahead would instantly pull significantly closer, looking like with several
more steps he could touch the hems of their robes.
Shi Wudu never looked back, but with one more swing of his fan, twenty to thirty more
razor-sharp dragon-like water arrows shot out from the surface of his fan. Even though
they were made of water, yet they ripped through the air like steel blades. With another
swing, their numbers doubled. Fanning a few times, hundreds of water arrows jetted
towards ‘Ming Yi’, attacking him from all around. With but one misstep, his body would
be pierced with holes through his body. Yet, ‘Ming Yi’ caught the first water arrow with
but his bare hands and yanked like it was a rope, and that Water Master fan was
yanked out of Shi Wudu’s hand!
The moment the fan left his hand, the water dragon arrows that were dancing wildly in
the skies instantly dissolved into drizzles, falling from above. Shi Wudu abruptly stopped
in his step and looked at his hand in disbelief. For over hundreds of years, this was the
first time anyone was able to take the Water Master fan from his hand. He knew he
couldn’t escape anymore and finally looked back. That ‘Ming Yi’ was walking towards
them with steady steps.
His entire person seemed to be going through an intricate transformation. With every
step a change happened. That already blanched face seemed to be even paler, the
same bloodless translucence like Hua Cheng, and his forehead becoming sharper, his
brows deeper, which, naturally, made him appear even more somber. On the hems of
his once plain black robes silently and inconspicuously grew patterns of waves weaved
by thin threads, shimmering a mysterious silver glow. Once he had come before the
Wind and Water Masters, his face was still about the same, but he was already a
completely different person.
The Earth Master wasn’t a martial god so he was no good at martial arts, his spiritual
powers average. However, the one before them now, was obviously neither.
“Just who are you?” Shi Wudu demanded cautiously.
‘Ming Yi’ seemed to have found the question funny and squinted his eyes, “You’re
standing in my territory and you need to ask who I am?”
“…Black Water Demon Xuan?” Shi Wudu ventured.
‘Ming Yi’ glanced at Shi Qingxuan but Shi Qingxuan didn’t react. Shi Wudu continued,
“You’ve always been the Earth Master? Or…” He trailed off as he guessed too. “I see.”
However, what he figured out was only that Demon Xuan had infiltrated the heavens.
Shi Wudu said, “You and I have always minded our own business; well waters don’t
interfere with rivers, we’ve ruled over our own domains. Intruding in your territory wasn’t
my intention, so why don’t we both take a step back?”
“Water Tyrant,” ‘Ming Yi’ said, “So there are also times when you don’t dare to be
tyrannical?”
Shi Wudu was proud by nature, and hearing this, displeasure flashed across his face.
Though since they were under someone else’s roof and his younger brother was by his
side, he had to lower his head. Still, he wasn’t willing to back down, “If it wasn’t the
wrong place and time, I wouldn’t be afraid of you.”
‘Ming Yi’ took another step forward and said chillingly, “Shi Wudu, look at my face. Do
you know who I am?”
Shi Wudu watched him with a frown. He had seen the face of the Earth Master a few
times so he didn’t understand what he was trying to say. “You want me to tell you who
you are?” After a pause, he thought he was trying to imply his identity couldn’t be
revealed, so he said, “It doesn’t matter who you are. I swear on my Water Master name,
as long as you don’t involve me or my brother, I won’t care for anything you do…”
He hadn’t finished his sentence before ‘Ming Yi’ cut him off icily, “Noble people really are
forgetful. Water Tyrant, how many mortal names and mortal births did you flip through
back then to so arduously find the one me? What, it hasn’t even been a few hundred
years and you’ve already forgotten how I look like?”
Hearing this, Shi Wudu’s face was starting to twitch little by little.
An expression like ‘seen a ghost’ that only mortals experienced was now showing on his
face for the first time. Shi Wudu’s pupils shrank to the smallest they could and he
blurted, “You’re still alive?!”
“I’m dead!” He Xuan said coldly.
Then, he suddenly raised a hand, pressed his fingers together swung his palm upwards.
Xie Lian felt a sudden pain lunging at his head, and it seemed Shi Qingxuan who was
affected by He Xuan’s spiritual might and fainted.
An unknown amount of time went by before Xie Lian slowly came to along with Shi
Qingxuan’s consciousness. Before his eyes were opened he could already feel
something rubbing against him back and forth.
As he sluggishly opened his eyes, he found they were several hairy and foul heads. A
band of those insane maniacs surrounded his person, watching his face with nutty
giggles and feeling him all over with their hands. Xie Lian was still fairly calm because
he immediately determined that this wasn’t a life-threatening situation; those maniacs
were just a little filthy but not a threat. However, Shi Qingxuan was stunned and
instantly wanted to push them away. Yet, there came loud cling and clangs of iron
shackles, a coldness on his wrists and ankles, and he couldn’t move a limb. He looked
up and turns out he was cuffed onto a wall by several iron chains thick as a wooden
club, his arms raised and suspended.
Seeing the floors and the ceiling, he was probably back at the Nether Water Manor. Xie
Lian could feel exactly what Shi Qingxuan was feeling and it was a deep searing pain in
his head. He was just about to say “Lord Wind Master, be calm, I’ll teach you how to
break free from cuffs like these… “ when suddenly he realized that he couldn’t make a
single sound!
Perplexed, Xie Lian quickly diagnosed himself. A large part of his spiritual powers really
was lost, and although his spirit was still able to remain in Shi Qingxuan’s body, he
could no longer manipulate his body, not even voice any warnings. Could the powers he
borrowed from Hua Cheng be all used up?
Impossible. He knew exactly how much spiritual powers it took to perform the Soul
Shifting Spell. The powers Hua Cheng lent him could only be more and never less. Yet,
he could sense his spiritual powers were rapidly slipping away, driving him nuts and
anxious. Just then, a raspy voice called out from across, “Qingxuan!”
Shi Qingxuan’s eyes were bleary, but when he bemusedly looked to where that voice
came from, he saw it was Shi Wudu who was calling him.
He wasn’t fettered by any iron shackles, but his white robes were filthy and unkempt. He
was kneeling on the ground, and when he saw Shi Qingxuan come to, he showed a
glad expression, seeming to want to come over but was instantly kicked down by
someone next to him, forcing him to kneel anew. That man stood with fists clenched at
his sides, his expression cold and sinister, his skin so pale it brought shivers, and it was
that Black Water Demon Xuan. Or rather, He Xuan.
Behind him was a divine altar, and four obsidian black and smooth urns stood serenely
upon it. Two shredded fans were thrown onto the floor – it was the Wind Master fan and
the Water Master fan.
Father, mother, sister, fiancee.
“Prostrate.” He Xuan said.
Shi Wudu’s eyes were fixed on Shi Qingxuan and from his lips he uttered an answer,
“Fine.”
With that, he actually knelt before the altar and dong, dong, dong, kowtowed over ten
times before the urns soundly. Then, as he rose slightly, He Xuan stomped down on his
head and said coldly, “Did I permit you to get up?”
This stomp instantly crushed Shi Wudu’s head onto the floor and he bled from his
orifices. He gritted his teeth, “…no.”
The elder brother who was once so proud his head was never bowed was now being
trampled onto the ground by another. Although Shi Qingxuan knew what he had done
deserved a retribution ten times worse than this, but blood was thicker than water, and
in the end he still couldn’t bear to see him like this. “Ge…”
Hearing his voice, He Xuan’s chilling eyes swept over. Even if he couldn’t raise his
head, Shi Wudu knew that meek sound wasn’t going to bring anything good, and he
immediately shouted, “YOU BE QUIET!”
After pondering for a moment, He Xuan removed the boot from his head. Shi Wudu was
filled with trepidation but he couldn’t get up, and he groaned, “Qingxuan!”
He Xuan languidly approached. Those insane mad men were terrified of him, and they
scampered away whimpering, though they were still sneaking glimpses at Shi
Qingxuan, as if watching for something on his person. Shi Qingxuan was chained onto
the wall, and he watched as that face he should be more than familiar with but now
dreadfully foreign come closer with every step.
He Xuan crouched down in front of him, paused, then asked, “Is the Reverend of Empty
Words scary?”
His tone was cool and impassive, but Shi Qingxuan was bug-eyed, his lips quivering,
unable to speak.
The Reverend of Empty Words back then was already extremely horrifying, yet this
person before him now who had swallowed the Reverend of Empty Words was ten
times, a hundred times more terrifying than the nightmare of his younger years. But this
terror was something he should’ve endured from the beginning.
“He Xuan,” Shi Wudu spoke up, “A man must answer to what he has done alone. It was
my idea to use you to prevent his misfortune. This has nothing to do with my little
brother.”
He Xuan sneered. “Nothing to do with him?”
He stared at Shi Qingxuan unblinking, enunciating each word, “Your little brother, an
ordinary, common mortal, obtained the ability to ascend; his endless glory was robbed
from my fate, plundered from my divinity. And you tell me that this has nothing to do with
him?”
Every word was like a blade, and every blade pierced the heart. This was said for Shi
Qingxuan to hear, and even though Shi Qingxuan already knew everything, he still
bowed his head, feeling like he could never hold it high again in his life. Shi Wudu said
with forced calm, “Since… you’ve always been by his side, then you should know very
well that I didn’t deceive you. He’s not one to hide anything, he really didn’t know
anything about this!”
He Xuan exclaimed sharply, “THAT’S PRECISELY WHY HE’S SO CONTEMPTIBLE!
WHY IS HE ALLOWED TO KNOW NOTHING?!”
Shi Qingxuan’s head was bowed even lower.
What right did he have to suck another’s blood, trample another’s bones to reach the
skies, yet still maintain a peace of mind, enjoying all such luxuries without any sense of
burden?
He Xuan added, “He didn’t know then, but is he still ignorant now?!”
Shi Qingxuan looked up and said with a quivering voice, “Ming-xiong, I…”
“SHUT UP!” He Xuan shouted.
His face was almost savage. When Shi Qingxuan saw, a cold shiver went down his
spine, and he fell silent. He Xuan whipped around and started pacing back and forth
within the hall of Nether Water Manor, growling, “I’ve given you chances!”
Shi Qingxuan shut his eyes, clenching his fists. Xie Lian recalled that excessively
furious “Fine. Very well!” back at the town of Fu Gu, and that scene of ‘Ming Yi’ blocking
Shi Qingxuan’s path to follow Pei Ming in going to the East Sea.
Only, every time, Shi Qingxuan had chosen to help Shi Wudu.
He whispered, “…I’m sorry.”
He Xuan stopped. He demanded, “And what good is your apology?”
That row of four urns were placed squarely in front of Shi Qingxuan, as if they too were
jeering at his feather light sorry, drilling misery into his heart, scorching his innards, like
everything he said would be seen through. Shi Qingxuan begged, “…I know it’s futile,
but I…”
He Xuan said cooly, “But you what? You know it’s futile but you still want to express
your utmost sincerity, hoping you can move me, that I would let go of this grudge and
dissolve this resentment?”
Shi Qingxuan hastily said, “NO! No! That’s not what I meant! It’s just.. It’s just, I, I, I
really am very sorry I’ve wronged you. Really. Ming… He… Young Master He. I know
both my brother and I are in the wrong. At this point, there’s no turning back, so…”
He Xuan was listening intently, “So?”
Yet at this very moment, any more words were only sound weak and pathetic. Shi
Qingxuan tried desperately to come up with something but drew a blank, unable to
continue.
He Xuan said coldly, “Well, talk. Why did you stop? So are you willing to die for your
sins?”
Shi Qingxuan was taken aback. Shi Wudu couldn’t listen anymore and shouted, “HE
XUAN!!! The offender is me, it’s the Reverend of Empty Words. Qingxuan’s sin doesn’t
deserve death, you…”
“And who in my family has sinned?” He Xuan countered, “Who of my family deserved
death?”
Shi Wudu choked. He Xuan continued, “Go on. Tell me. Are you willing?”
“…I am.” Shi Qingxuan whispered.
Hearing this, He Xuan sneered. Since Shi Qingxuan had his head bowed, Xie Lian
couldn’t see his expression, but even if he saw, he probably wouldn’t be able to tell what
he was feeling right this moment.
Then, He Xuan walked away with his fists by his sides. That band of crazed lunatics
saw him leave and came to surround him once more, hugging Shi Qingxuan’s arms and
thighs refusing to let go. Some were also pulling at his hair, some hooked around his
neck, each of them with mad glints in their eyes, as if they want to eat him alive into
their stomachs. Even though Xie Lian had lived among the homeless before, he too felt
his blood run cold, and he wondered, ‘Just who are these people? Why did Demon
Xuan collect such a group of mad men here?’
However, Shi Qingxuan only silently endured the pushing and shoving of those mad
men, tolerating their pulling and dragging, scared to make a sound. He Xuan watched
with cold eyes for a while, then he spoke, “Do you know who these people are?”
A few decaying stick-like fingers clawed at Shi Qingxuan’s face and felt all over his
person, but he didn’t even dare to breathe, so of course he hadn’t the time to ponder
who those people were, and he shook his head. He Xuan answered, “Vile fates. Sordid
fortunes. Lives lower than beasts. Fates that can drive a man mad.”
“…”
A deep sense of chill crawled into Xie Lian’s heart, and he could roughly guess what He
Xuan planned to do. Shi Wudu also understood in a flash, his eyes bulging, “… YOU?!”
He Xuan stood between Shi Wudu and Shi Qingxuan and said coldly, “Now, I give you
two options.”
He pointed at Shi Wudu first, “Option one. You, pick one from this crowd and exchange
your brother’s fate with him. Then, you make yourself disappear in the mortal realm.”
Shi Wudu’s eyes were growing bloodshot, his shoulders starting to shake. He Xuan
continued, “Since you enjoy switching fates so much, you must be quite skilled at it. No
need for me to teach you.”
If the reasons behind this move was disregarded, then it was truly malicious. Although
Shi Qingxuan’s original fate wasn’t good enough to ascend, it was still a life that was
filled with peaceful luxury and leisure. Looking at those mad men, they were either
wrought with disease and rotten sores, or driven to madness by adversities. No matter
what it was clear that they were all those who suffered wretched and miserable
fortunes. If Shi Qingxuan was to exchange fates with any of them, wouldn’t he fall into
the same tragic state? Those were lives that could drive a man mad, and henceforth he
would suffer endless agony and torment.
This trial, it was obvious Shi Wudu had failed to pass his Heavenly Calamity this time.
And now the affair with the Reverend of Empty Words had been outed, he would no
doubt be banished. After being banished to mortal realm, he would not be able to
provide Shi Qingxuan with a good fate any longer. A common mortal with his powers
stripped away and a sordid man suffering vile fortunes, how could they possibly
continue to live their lives?
Shi Wudu huffed a breath and gritted his teeth, “And the second option?”
He Xuan continued, “The second option. You.”
This time, the one he eyed was Shi Qingxuan.
He slowly enunciated each word. “I won’t touch your fate. But, here in this place, chop
off your brother’s head for me.”
CLANG! He threw a rusty blade onto the ground. Shi Qingxuan stared at that blade, his
eyes wide. He Xuan continued, “Then, never show yourself before me again, and I will
pretend you’ve never existed in this world.”
A hatred so deep that it had seeped into his bones for hundreds of years finally erupted
at the peak; anyone could see the colour of fervent madness burning in his eyes.
Anyone could see that he wasn’t bluffing. After a moment of silence, Shi Wudu croaked,
“…I’ll end myself. Let me do it myself.”
“You’ve no right to bargain with me.” He Xuan said.
Shi Wudu looked at Shi Qingxuan and mumbled miserably, “You’re asking for our
lives…”
Shi Qingxuan however, wasn’t as despairing as he was, and said hurriedly, “Ge! Ge!
Let’s, let’s choose the first option. The first one.”
A moment later, Shi Wudu calmed down. “No. I choose the second one.”
“…” Shi Qingxuan was dumbfounded, “Why the second option? Can we not both live?
Ge, I can’t do it, I really can’t.”
Shi Wudu said furiously, “QUIET! Don’t you understand? To have me lose everything
and watch you become a grimey creature, you think I can do it?! Why don’t I just go
ahead and die from madness!”
“Ge!” Shi Qingxuan exclaimed, “Nevermind… living is still better than death. Besides,
really, if you think about it, we’ve… we’ve lived for hundreds of years already, it’s time
to… it’s time to…” As he talked he seemed to remember just how well he lived the past
few hundred years, and he was so ashamed he daren’t continue.
He Xuan was still watching them coldly. Shi Wudu finally crawled to his feet, grabbed
that blade spotty with rust, and stumbled to the wallside. He grasped his younger
brother’s shoulder and said, “Come!” Then he whispered harshly, “…Go find General
Pei. Ask him to take care of you.”
That blade was terrifyingly heavy and covered in rust; nevermind killing a man, even
killing a chicken it’d be difficult. If this blade was used to cut off anyone’s head, both the
executioner and the target would suffer great pains. Shi Qingxuan was so horrified he
couldn’t keep a hold of it in his hands, dropping it a number of times on the ground.
“Nevermind, ge, nevermind! Didn’t you tell me yourself? Everyone only cares for
themselves in this world, why would anyone take care of us? Haven’t we always taken
cared of each other? Don’t give this thing to me, DON’T GIVE IT TO ME!”
Shi Wudu shouted, “QINGXUAN! Don’t be so immature!”
Then, he smiled bitterly, “…Your brother’s been named the Water Tyrant, you know this.
Having surged so many waves over the years, there’s at least a thousand. I’ve enemies
covering the heavens to the earth. It’d be easier if I die. If I die then nothing else will
happen to you. If I don’t die but have nothing, then that’s truly a fate worse than death. If
I’m not the Water God, I can’t take care of you. I won’t even be able to protect myself.
I’m scared that we won’t even last two days… TAKE THIS!”
Shi Qingxuan was going to weep from horror, and cried uncontrollably, “NO! I CAN’T I
CAN’T I CAN’T, GE, I CAN’T, I REALLY CAN’T! DON’T FORCE ME! DON’T GIVE IT TO
ME!!! HELP, HELP, HELP!!!”
He started screaming with every fibre of his being until he was hoarse, crying for help.
Shi Wudu exclaimed, “IT’S ALRIGHT! Don’t be scared, Qingxuan, this won’t hurt as
much as exchanging fate or stripping spiritual power…”
He Xuan had been infinitely patient up to this point but now he suddenly kicked out.
Without warning, Shi Wudu was knocked to the side and he spat out a mouth full of
blood, tumbling on the ground, unable to get up. Shi Qingxuan yelled from the wall,
“GE!”
He Xuan said chillingly, “Quiet! Enough of that disgusting display of brotherly love. Open
your eyes and see where you are. No one will be moved by you here.”
Unexpectedly, after Shi Wudu puked out mouthfuls of blood, he suddenly leapt to his
feet and grabbed for Shi Qingxuan’s neck. Xie Lian was stunned, feeling his breathing
stop, and blood rushing to his head. Shi Qingxuan gasped, “…Ge?”
Shi Wudu gritted through his blood-covered teeth, “Qingxuan! I can’t leave you alone
like this! If I die there’s no way you’ll be able to survive in this world, so you might as
well come with me!”
Then, he exerted more strength in his hands and gripped harder. Shi Qingxuan’s sight
was going dark, and dying groans were escaping from his throat. Xie Lian as shocked to
the core, was the Lord Water Master really going to strangle Lord Wind Master to
death?!
Soon after, the pressure on his throat suddenly disappeared; a large amount of fresh air
poured in, and Shi Qingxuan coughed unceasingly from the choking, finally catching his
breath. However, it was He Xuan standing right next to them who had ripped off Shi
Wudu’s two arms from the elbows down that were wringing Shi Qingxuan’s neck. He
Said coldly, “Did I give you a third path?”
With two forearms broken off, Shi Wudu was spurting blood like a fountain, yet he
started laughing uproariously. He Xuan tossed the two forearms aside like they were
trash, “What are you laughing about?”
Shi Wudu waved those empty, blood-soaked long sleeves and said, “I’m laughing at
you! I’m laughing at you thinking you’ve got the upper hand! Did you think you’ve finally
taken your revenge after enduring for so many years? Does it feel good?”
“Seeing you broken like this, it does feel good.” He Xuan said.
“Is that right?” Shi Wudu said, “Then let me tell you, I feel good too!”
He used those broken arms that were bleeding profusely to tug He Xuan’s collar,
“Because I see the you right now who is so filled with rage, so filled with suffering, so
filled with hate, yet you are still powerless in bringing your family back. You’re still
nothing more than a ghost in the gutters of the shadows. BE AS MAD AS YOU WANT,
THEY’RE LONG GONE! But me, and my brother, we’ve lived for so long, and we’ve
been heavenly officials for hundreds of years, so even if he can’t be one any longer,
even he can’t live anymore, he still profited. I’M STILL THE VICTOR SO I FEEL EVEN
BETTER THAN YOU! HAHAHAHAHAHAHA…”
The more he listened the more He Xuan’s pale face dropped, as if a cold, barren land
had caught on ghost fire, and suddenly, the air in the chamber dropped steeply in
temperature. Shi Qingxuan was terrified to the core and croaked with a hoarse voice,
“…Ge, stop talking. Can you please stop talking. Ge, my god, what are you saying?
What nonsense are you spewing…”
He Xuan whipped out his hand and choked Shi Wudu’s neck, “HAVE YOU NO
REMORSE!”
Shi Wudu laughed wildly, “Remorse? HMPH! WHAT A JOKE! And to think you’re a
Supreme Ghost King, the Ship Sinking Black Water. YOU WANT TO TALK TO ME
ABOUT REMORSE? LET ME TELL YOU, THERE IS NO SUCH THING!”
Shi Qingxuan wailed and Shi Wudu continued with his head held high, “EVERYTHING I
HAVE TODAY, I FOUGHT FOR MYSELF. I WILL FIGHT FOR WHAT I DON’T HAVE. I
WILL CHANGE FATE I DON’T POSSESS. MY FATE IS UP TO ME AND NOT THE
HEAVENS!”
This was the first time Xie Lian had heard this interpretation of “My fate is up to me and
not the heavens”, and he was blown away. He Xuan also burst out laughing, sounding
like his eyes were opened to a new world by Shi Wudu’s unshakable tenacity in refusing
to admit wrongs. His expression was growing more and more frightening, and Shi
Qingxuan broke down, “…Gege, I beg you I beg you, please stop talking, please shut
up. Help…”
However, Shi Wudu’s smug arrogance was undaunted, “Qingxuan, gege will go ahead
first. I will wait for you down below. Hahahahaha…”
Before he finished his sentence, He Xuan placed his hand over his head and gripped
his hair. Shi Qingxuan’s soul was going to leave his body, the iron chains banged and
clanged against the wall madly, “MING-XIONG! MING-XIONG! I’M SORRY, I’M SORRY
I’M SORRY I’M SORRY I’M SORRY I’M SORRY I’M SORRY! WE’RE THE ONES WHO
SINNED! WE’RE THE ONES WHO ARE WRONG. IT’S MY FAULT! MY BROTHER
ONLY DID WHAT HE DID BECAUSE OF ME. MY BROTHER’S GONE MAD, HE’S
CRAZY CAN’T YOU SEE! I… YOU… YOU…”
He wanted to beg, to pray for mercy, but his pleas wouldn’t leave his lips, and he could
only use his eyes to kowtow. He Xuan watched him, and in a fleeting moment, he
seemed to have remembered something. He calmed and stopped.
Seeing this, it was like there was a thread of hope, and Shi Qingxuan let out a breath of
relief, tears finally rolling down. But before he could speak, he heard He Xuan’s cruel
voice rang, “You’ve called the wrong person.”
Then, he his hand shot up and wrenched Shi Wudu’s head from his neck!
“AAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH–!!!”
With the head separated from the body, blood erupted from the clean breach of Shi
Wudu’s neck, spraying far onto Shi Qingxuan’s body and face. Finally, Shi Qingxuan
couldn’t take it anymore, and he started screaming like he was crazy.
To see a headless corpse stand without collapsing, those mad men found it incredibly
interesting, and they all started freaking in delight, spinning around him in circles, their
bare feet smearing bloody footprints all over. They clapped and cheered as they spun,
“YO YO YO! HE’S DEAD HE’S DEAD!”
“DEAD, DEAD! HEHEHE!”
Shi Qingxuan screamed for who knows how long, screamed until it felt like his soul and
spirit had fled, and he couldn’t remember when he had stopped. When Xie Lian came to
along with his consciousness, he was already a lifeless heap on the blood-soaked floor.
He Xuan was standing not far from him with Shi Wudu’s head, still with eyes round and
wide, dangling from his hand. He was looking down on Shi Qingxuan, watching from
above.
A moment later, He Xuan asked blandly, “Do you have anything else you want to say?”
“…”
Shi Qingxuan’s eyes were dead, his gaze unfocused as he stared at that row of urns
atop the altar before him and those two shredded fans on the ground. It was a long time
before he mumbled, “…I want to die.”
He Xuan said coldly, “Dream on.”
Then, He Xuan extended a hand towards him and Shi Qingxuan closed his eyes.
At the same time, Xie Lian’s soul was suddenly yanked out and thrusted upward!
When he fell back down and reopened his eyes, he was lying limply in the embrace of a
red clad man. With one hand gently grasping his chin, Hua Cheng was kissing him
deeply. No wonder Xie Lian felt the spiritual power supporting the Soul Shifting Spell
was slipping away so rapidly. Turns out, Hua Cheng used the fastest and most effective
way to suck out all the powers he lent Xie Lian, and successfully brought Xie Lian’s soul
back into his own body.
—————-
●Dragons controlled water and weather in Chinese lore, so this was basically
saying Jun Wu’s actions were futile.
●[我命由我不由天] “My fate is up to me and not the heavens” - this is one of the
doctrines of Taoism, a fundamental view on death and destiny. I’m too
emotionally compromised right now to write more about the subject, I’ll do this
tmr. Loll
—————
Ch.125: Unravel the Dead Knot; Water Master Battles Demon Xuan 2
Seeing Xie Lian come to, Hua Cheng parted his lips slowly, seeming to pull away.
However, under such dire circumstances, Xie Lian couldn’t care for that much anymore.
He raised both his arms, circled them around his neck and moved to suck back the
spiritual powers Hua Cheng had sucked away.
Clearly Hua Cheng hadn’t expected him to do this and it took him by surprise as
spiritual powers flowed back the other way. Afraid he was going to break away, Xie Lian
cupped his face with his hands, flipped their bodies over and pushed Hua Cheng onto
the ground, pressing him down. A wave of cool currents poured into this body and
streamed down his throat into his stomach, warm and pleasant. Just then, the little
wooden door of Puqi Shrine creaked open, and a giant green caterpillar-like shadow
crawled out of the shrine, “What the fuck, which son of a bitch is this bold?! A thieving
punk? You dare come to MY house to steal, and disturb MY slumber?! Achoo! This
ancestor’s gonna show you a thing…” He trailed off when he saw the two outside the
shrine who looked like they were wrapped in each others arms kissing fervently and
passionately, their silhouettes overlapping, one red one white, who else could they be?
Instantly, he shrieked, “YIIIEEEEEAAAAAAHHHHHHHHH!!”
Hua Cheng raised his hand and was originally going to grab for Xie Lian’s shoulder, but
hearing Qi Rong make noise he turned his wrist and Qi Rong yelped as he was thrown
back inside with the door slamming shut behind him with a PANG! Only then did Hua
Cheng rolled them over again and pressed down on Xie Lian’s body. He lifted his face,
his breathing harsh, his eyes dark and shimmering, “Your Highness!”
Xie Lian didn’t have the time to explain; he lifted his arm and hooked them around Hua
Cheng’s neck, pulling him down once more. Having sucked enough spiritual power, he
choked a cough before crying, “SOUL-SHIFTING-SPELL!”
This time however, just as his soul was pulled out, before he was even thrown upwards
it was like there was a wall blocking him, and he was heavily rebounded back into his
own body. He “Ah”-ed in shock. Opening his eyes, above him was still that starry night
sky and the anxious face of Hua Cheng. Xie Lian sat up and hugged his head,
murmuring, “…I can’t pass through anymore.”
Did Shi Qingxuan die? Or did Black Water Demon Xuan reinforced his barrier? No
matter what, either way, he couldn’t return to Shi Qingxuan’s body. Even if he was to
hurry to the South Sea, he’d for sure be too late.
Seeing him bemused, Hua Cheng said, “Your Highness, I’m sorry.”
Xie Lian looked at him. Hua Cheng added, “But, outsiders can’t possibly interfere in this
affair.”
Xie Lian waved his hand, “…You don’t need to apologize. Truthfully, even if I’m there I
won’t be able to do much.”
With the Soul Shifting Spell, he could only enter Shi Qingxuan’s body. However, Shi
Qingxuan was no more than mortal, and even if Xie Lian could help him break free of
those shackles, how could he possibly fight against the master of the Black Water
Demon Lair? Even escape was impossible.
After he’d gathered himself, Xie Lian swiftly returned to the spiritual communication
array of the heavens, “Ling Wen, have you all set off?”
“Your Highness!” Ling Wen exclaimed, “How come you just went silent for such a long
period of time? We’ve already dispatched a number of heavenly officials over to the
South Sea. His Highness Qi Ying returned, so he will set off in a bit too, but the Black
Water Demon Lair isn’t easy to enter, who knows when we’ll find them.”
Xie Lian croaked, “Wait, I’ll go with you all. Maybe I’ll still remember the way. But I’ll
need to trouble you to send someone to pick me up from Puqi Shrine.”
“Very well. He’s arrived just now.” Ling Wen said.
Slight taken aback, Xie Lian turned his head back. Hua Cheng had disappeared, but
two junior officials came forward from Puqi Village, and behind them followed a tall,
wavy black haired youth. It was Quan Yizhen.
Xie Lian inclined his head to greet him. Quan Yizhen didn’t understand formalities so he
didn’t reciprocate the gesture, but Xie Lian didn’t mind. He looked around but didn’t see
Hua Cheng’s shadow anywhere, and he understood that Hua Cheng was giving him
room to deal with this affair.
The two and the junior officials left for the South Sea. Following Xie Lian’s suggestion,
they went out of their way to gather over ten hefty coffins that had carried the dead to
prepare for any unexpected situations. After the ship flew through the waters for over six
hours, they ran into a bizarre sight upon the surface of the sea.
A number of corpses of giant skeleton fish were floating on the seas’ surface and they
collided with the ship. Many heavenly officials were instantly alarmed, “ARE WE
THERE?!”
“That’s can’t be.” Xie Lian said, “If we’ve already entered the Black Water Demon Lair,
the ship won’t keep afloat on the waters and still move this fast too.”
However, this was clearly the remains from General Pei and Water Master’s battle the
night before. Quan Yizhen was perched on the side railing of the ship, maintaining that
high difficulty position when suddenly, he said, “There’s a black island ahead. Is that the
one?”
Xie Lian focused his eyes and sure enough there really was a shadowy island. Also,
from afar, it did indeed resemble that Black Water Island!
Xie Lian frowned slightly, “It really does look like it. But how can it be found so easily,
and the ship didn’t sink? Everyone remain vigilant, this might be a trap.”
But just as the words left his lips he realized it wasn’t a trap. On the beach there was a
figure, under the bright sun, slashing at logs with the sacred sword meant for killing
enemies making coffins. On the side there were already three completed coffins, and he
was making a fourth just then. Xie Lian immediately started waving, “GENERAL PEI! It’s
General Pei! It’s this island without a doubt!”
The ship immediately changed direction and steered swiftly over. When Pei Ming saw
that reinforcements had arrived, he didn’t appear particularly delighted, but instead he
threw the sword into the ground, rubbed his nose and asked, sounding grim, “You all
just had to come just as I finish making these, what the heck.”
“It’s already amazing that anyone even showed up.” Quan Yizhen said. “When everyone
heard it was to save you, no one had time.”
“…” Pei Ming bore the expression like he didn’t want to bother with children and turned
to Xie Lian, “Your Highness, you went back first? How did you build this ship? How can
it float on the waters of the Demon Lair?”
“I don’t think it’s the ship,” Xie Lian said, “The curse of the Black Water Demon Lair had
dispersed.”
Taken aback, Pei Ming tested it with his sword, and sure enough, with but one swing a
field of large trees fell. His spiritual powers had returned. Speechless for a moment, Pei
Ming shook his head, “Had I known, I wouldn’t have worked so hard to build these
coffins.”
It was true that he did labour tirelessly all night. He made coffins for four but three of
them were now useless.
The group of heavenly officials entered the island and ran straight for the heart of the
forest. The little ghosts ambushing in the woods had never seen such a battle formation
and were all scampering away in terror, fleeing left right and centre. Once they reached
the Black Water Lake within the trees, they didn’t run into any invisible creatures.
Without the disturbance of any foreign spiritual barriers, after some examination they
were able to break the boundary, disperse the illusion, and soon enough, the iron prison
and the Nether Water Manor all appeared before their eyes.
Once they entered the Nether Water Manor, Xie Lian collected the remains of that black
robed skeleton and tucked it away, holding it in his hands as he ran all over the palace.
Soon, they found that great hall. Upon that mottled wall, the two bloody steel shackles
were already empty. A headless corpse laid on the floor in the middle of the hall, its
blood already run dry, and a group of mad men were throwing random objects at it. The
moment the heavenly officials entered that group of maniacs became even more
excited.
When Pei Ming came in, he was stunned for a good while before he finally dared to
recognize who that corpse belonged to. Shaken, he exclaimed, “…Water Master-xiong!”
Xie Lian was already knowledgeable about this and instructed, “Will everyone please
search here and on this entire island for Lord Wind Master, or… his corpse.”
However, no matter how much they looked, there were no traces of Shi Qingxuan on
the island.
Had the Black Water Demon Xuan taken the Wind Master away? Or perhaps the Wind
Master was murdered directly and his dead body sunken into the seas, his flesh
devoured by fish?
Although Shi Wudu went berserk at the very end and provoked He Xuan to kill violently,
he was now dead, but he wasn’t killed by Shi Qingxuan’s own hands, so would He Xuan
still switch Wind Master’s fate?
Chasing away those irritating lunatics, Pei Ming half crouched down on the floor, and
was lost in thought for a long time before he sighed, “Water Master-xiong. You’ve been
proud your whole life but ended like this. I don’t even know if your eyes are closed*.
Truly, the higher you climb, the harder you fall. Life is full of surprises, and one cannot
escape whatever that comes. Even when mortal has become god, we do not have the
good fortune to avoid fate in the end.”
Quan Yizhen didn’t hold such deep sentiments and ran around soundly within the
Nether Water Manor. When he came by, glanced at the dead body and thought it
strange, “Where’s the head?”
“It was taken by the Black Water Demon Xuan.” Xie Lian replied.
“What grudge, what resentment did the Demon Lair Master hold against him? And
where’s Qingxuan? Earth Master? Did all three Water Earth Wind officials all perish?”
“It was a great grudge indeed, a great resentment.” Xie Lian said, “As for Lord Earth
Master, it depends on which you’re asking after. The real one is in my hands, the fake
one was the one who took away Lord Water Master’s head.”
“What?!”
Xie Lian eyed him and said softly, “General Pei didn’t know, right? Black Water Demon
Xuan’s real surname was He, his courtesy name is Xuan.”
Hearing this, Pei Ming’s face changed slightly. It seemed, Pei Ming and Ling Wen
weren’t completely in the dark in regards to the things Shi Wudu had done. Only, just
how much they knew wasn’t known.
Everything that had to be reported was reported, everything that needed to be dealt with
were dealt. When Xie Lian returned to Puqi village again, an entire day had passed. Xie
Lian’s steps were weary with exhaustion.
When he returned to Puqi Shrine and opened the door, he could hear Qi Rong barking
and yelling, “HUA CHENG YOU FUCKER! XIE LIAN YOU DOG FUCKER! HAVE YOU
TWO NO SHAME AAHHH FUCK! WHAT THE HELL WAS THAT IN THE MIDDLE OF
THE NIGHT I’M FUCKING HORRIFIED!!! THIS GRAND MASTER’S EYES ARE
FUCKING BLINDED, YOU FUCKING OWE ME!!!”
There was nothing but vulgarities and profanities coming out of his mouth and Xie Lian
was immediately reminded of the terrifying image of how he and Hua Cheng took turns
holding each other down on the ground sucking powers the night before. He didn’t think
it embarrassing at the time, but now he couldn’t escape and almost threw the door shut
to flee. Hua Cheng was leaning his chair back, his boots crossed and stacked on the
table, but the moment he heard Xie Lian push the door in to enter he put his legs down
and casually smacked the back of Qi Rong’s head, knocking him out. He rose to his
feet, “Gege.”
Xie Lian nodded and closed the door behind him, stepping over the Qi Rong who was
bound like a little green worm on the ground and sat down. “Did Guzi and Lang Ying go
out to play?”
“Yea, I let them out. You’ve worked hard.” Hua Cheng said.
“No, you’re the one who worked hard.” Xie Lian said.
Hua Cheng smiled. Then he said, “I had thought gege would blame me.”
Xie Lian shook his head, “San Lang doesn’t need to think so much. I really don’t. In fact,
you were right about this whole thing. Outsiders really… can’t possibly interfere.”
After some thought, he still asked, “San Lang, what do you think that Black Water
Demon Xuan will do to Lord Wind Master?”
Hua Cheng was silent for a moment before he answered, “I don’t know either. Black
Water is someone rather eccentric. He’s endured by himself for too many years, no one
can know what he’s thinking.”
‘No one can know what he’s thinking’ – Xie Lian suddenly remembered that this was
also the same remark many of the heavenly officials in the Upper Court had given the
Crimson Rain Sought Flower.
The Ship Sinking Black Water emerged from Mount Tong’lu, slaughtering millions of
ghosts. Crimson Rain Sought Flower was the same. He Xuan had endured years by
himself; the time Hua Cheng endured alone couldn’t be any less.
What made the Ship Sinking Black Water of today was hatred. Then, what about
Crimson Rain Sought Flower?
What made Hua Cheng the Hua Cheng of today?
In an instant, much flashed in Xie Lian’s mind, and he shook his head, discarding that
‘noble, gracious special someone’, and organized his thoughts. “But, San Lang, there’s
something I don’t understand. This whole business with the Water Master committing
fraud, it should’ve been done quite covertly. His deception lasted for so long so how did
Black Water learn the truth? If it’s not convenient for you to answer you don’t have to
respond.”
“He’s fled and moved his domain and even dropped the fake heavenly official act, so
what’s there to be inconvenient over?” Hua Cheng replied, “It’s simple, actually. That
night Black Water died, Shi Wudu had gone to confirm his death.”
“Because only when the prey is dead that the Reverend of Empty Words would find the
next target?” Xie Lian wondered.
“Yea. Black Water didn’t know who that person was but remembered that face. It was
only after he became a ghost and knew more of the affairs of heaven and earth did he
discover that that man was the Water God.”
No wonder. But this was puzzling. Why would an esteemed Water God go observe how
a mortal died out of the blue? Xie Lian asked, “But this shouldn’t make him think of
changing fates?”
Hua Cheng replied, “That’s why he impersonated the real Earth Master and infiltrated
the heavens to investigate. Pretty brave if I must say so myself.”
“If not for killing the real Earth Master afterwards and dragging in over two hundred
fishermen, then he really can be called courageous and clever.”
However, Hua Cheng said, “Gege, I don’t know if the real Earth Master was killed by
him. But, the one who dragged those fishermen into the stormy East Sea I’m afraid is
someone else.”
———-
●To die with eyes closed is to rest in peace.
●MXTX Author Notes: I’ve explained this a couple times in the text but I’ll explain
again. In regards to the Reverend of Empty Words, the only way to solve the
situation was ascension. Since most of the heavenly officials in the Middle Court
are useless, and it’s impossible for Shi Wudu to keep his little brother by his side
24/7, appointing Shi Qingxuan to the Middle Court doesn’t solve the problem at
all.
———
Ch.126: Subject Ache of Separation; Restless Heart Strays the Path of Ink
Xie Lian was slightly taken aback, “Then who can it be? Technically, a tempest like this
shouldn’t involve more than fifty people.”
“I suspect it might be the same person who sent that empty shelled cultivator that led to
the BanYue Pass incident”
If that was true, then it did seem like there’s always been a hand that had been pushing
him to the heart of every case every time. Feeling a little baffled, Xie Lian wondered,
“What’s that person after?”
Hua Cheng shook his head but seemed to be deep in thought too. Just then, there was
the laughing sounds of children playing coming from the outside, and his sharp eyes
immediately swept over. Following his gaze, Xie Lian looked out of the window, but he
only saw two little children outside playing; Guzi was riding atop of Lang Ying’s
shoulders, looking carefree and cheery.
Naturally, the Water Master’s audacious deception in committing a fraudulent
substitution, the Wind Master being a fraud, the Earth Master a fraud too, and that the
Water Master’s head and body were separated, nowhere to be found, these four cases,
each more explosive than the next, blew up the heavens like four bombs, raising a tidal
wave that flooded the Upper and Middle Courts.
All of a sudden, everyone was shocked and shaken; no one knew what to say in
regards to the matter, and crickets filled the Great Martial Hall. Even Jun Wu’s hand
didn’t seem able to support his head anymore.
Since Ming Yi had never really went out of his way to be friendly with anyone, and only
someone like Shi Qingxuan who enjoyed pestering others and assume overly familiar
relationships managed to be on good terms with him, barely anyone else was close with
him. However, when they realized that one of their own colleagues was that legendary
Supreme Ghost King, the shock was truly too great.
In order to play the role of the Earth Master properly, in the past so many years, this
Ghost King had worked hard and diligently, gathering a large number of worshippers in
the mortal realm, and he even managed to make it into the top ten during the Battle of
the Lanterns in the Mid Autumn Festival Banquet, truly terrifying, as expected of a
Supreme Ghost King.
Without mentioning the grudges between Black Water Demon Xuan and Water Master
Wu Du, but the true murderer behind the real Earth Master Yi was no doubt Black Water
Demon Xuan, no questions about it. Thus, The Upper Court officially released an arrest
warrant. However, everyone knew that if a Supreme Ghost King wanted to hide, he
wouldn’t be so easily found.
As they say, once a man falls, all will tread on him. In the past, the Wind and Water
Masters stood in greatness and glory with hundreds at their beck and call. Every time
Shi Wudu appeared he was extolled and celebrated. Yet now with his abrupt death,
suddenly all of his supporters didn’t dare blow a single breath. Shi Qingxuan loved
making friends and was generous, yet those innumerous ‘good friends’ all disappeared
to who knows where. Pei Ming collected Shi Wudu’s headless corpse, and on the day of
his burial, it was quiet and empty of people. Other than Xie Lian and Ling Wen, there
weren’t many other heavenly officials who showed.
Xie Lian noted, in the past recent days, whether or not intentionally, but there were
already a band of people burning down and desecrating the temples of Wind and Water.
Although he couldn’t bear the sight of it and tried to stop them a few times, but as time
went on, when people discover their prayers were no longer answered, the acts of
aggression would only grow worse. He could stop them once, but he couldn’t stop them
forever. In another ten years, perhaps even in only a few years, people would
completely forget the two Wind and Water heavenly officials who used to rule at the
summit of heaven. He couldn’t help but feel melancholic.
Once the funeral was over, Xie Lian turned to Ling Wen, “The whereabouts of Lord
Wind Master… of Qingxuan is now in your hands. We’re counting on you.”
Ling Wen was also looking solemn, having not smiled in days, “Without Your Highness’
appeal I would still do my utmost in my duty.”
Pei Ming however, said, “Your Highness, rather than let the Palace of Ling Wen drag
their old broken ox cart feet, why not ask your Crimson Rain Sought Flower directly, see
if he can ask after that Crazy Black Water where he’s taken Qingxuan? He’s taken
Water Master-xiong’s head already, what more does he want?”
Xie Lian shook his head and replied helplessly, “General Pei, please don’t think things
so matter-of-factly. If a Supreme Demon King wanted to do something, would he need
to report it to the other?”
Thus, Pei Ming didn’t say anything further.
When Xie Lian returned to Puqi Shrine, there were many villagers surrounding the
shrine whispering to each other. Xie Lian didn’t need to ask to know what was
happening, because right within Puqi Shrine came howling and shrieking. The village
head was scared and nervous, tugging at him, “Daozhang, your mad little cousin, he he
he, he’s…”
The excuse Xie Lian had given the world was that Qi Rong was his insane younger
cousin, rejected by others without anyone willing to care for him, so Xie Lian took him in
out of obligation. On some level, this wasn’t a lie.
“Is he going mad again? Don’t worry, he’s properly locked up. He won’t escape.
Everyone can go home.” Xie Lian said.
The villagers all murmured, “Oh. Let’s go, let’s go.” Before they dispersed, the village
head gave Xie Lian a basket of eggs, “Um, Daozhang, your Xiao Hua…”
Xie Lian was bewildered at first, “??? Xiao Hua???” Then it dawned on him, “Oh, San
Lang?” Then he remembered that Hua Cheng’s current identity to the outside world was
his younger brother who ran away from home and came over to play, and Xie Lian
couldn’t help but feel a little flustered.
“Yea. Your Xiao Hua helped us fix some stuff again today, you’ll have to reward him
properly tonight.” The village head said.
“Yea! Give him some supplements, get him strong and buff. He’ll get even better at
labour!”
Xie Lian couldn’t help but smile, “I will, I will. For sure, for sure.”
When he opened the door, Lang Ying was already asleep curled up in the corner. Qi
Rong was lying on the ground like a corpse and wailing, looking like his innards were on
fire. Guzi was massaging his shoulders, chopping his back, “Dad, are you better?”
“…”
Xie Lian removed the bamboo hat from his head and put the eggs down, “What’s with
you? Ate something bad?”
Qi Rong spat, “As long as you don’t fucking cook me anything, I won’t suffer
stomachaches even if I were to lick shit and grime on the ground!”
Listening to him exaggerate, Xie Lian tucked his hands across in his sleeves, “Then will
you really try licking those things and see if you get stomachaches?”
“P’TUI, P’TUI, P’TUI!” Qi Rong spat again, “What the fuck did this old master say?
You’re showing your evil heart again, trying to come up with different ways to torture me!
AIYOYOYOYOYOYO, my good son, that’s good, that’s good, now chop this side.
Hehehehe~ Aiiiieee fuck, what the fuck’s going on, I’ve been nothing but aggravated
lately, like a fucking tom cat in rut. AM I SICK?! COUSIN CROWN PRINCE! I’M SICK!
IT MUST BE ‘CAUSE YOU’VE BEEN TORTURING ME THAT I’M SICK! You god
fucking snow lotus, you’re out for blood!”
Xie Lian crouched down and felt his forehead, “Are you burning up?” After a pause he
dropped his hand and frowned, “That’s not it. You’re not faking it, are you?”
Qi Rong was going to start cussing again and Guzi said pathetically, “Daozhang, my
dad didn’t lie to you. He hasn’t been feeling well lately, and he’s wailed for a long time
today.”
Watching Qi Rong wiggle on the floor, Xie Lian shook his head and rose to his feet
ready to look for the medicine box when he suddenly noticed that the donation box was
heavy. That donation box was newly built by Hua Cheng so it shouldn’t have anything
inside. Puzzled, Xie Lian took the key out and opened it to see and was flabbergasted.
He was once again blinded by a box full of shining gold bars.
PA! Xie Lian quickly shut the donation box again.
Didn’t he already return that box of gold bars given by the Water Master? Who else
would gift him something like this???
It couldn’t be Hua Cheng; he wouldn’t do something so simple and crude like stuffing
him with gold bars. Xie Lian turned his head around and asked, “Qi Rong, did someone
come by?”
Qi Rong pointed at his face and cussed, “OI, WHAT’S WRONG WITH YOU. DO YOU
REALLY TAKE ME FOR A GUARD DOG? THINK YOU’RE A SUPREME? EVEN A
SUPREME ISN’T THIS SHAMELESS. NOT EVEN THAT SHITTY BLACK WATER AND
HUA CHENG THAT FUCKER DARE TAKE ME FOR A GUARD DOG!”
BANG! The door of Puqi Shrine was kicked open by someone, and it was Hua Cheng
who came in. The moment he saw him Qi Rong instantly became mute, and silently
wriggled to the side, not daring to make any more mentions of what he saw that night.
“San Lang, you’re back.” Xie Lian said.
Hua Cheng smiled cheerfully, “Yea.”
“Thanks for your hard work.” Xie Lian said, “The village head gifted some things to have
me reward you, so we’ll eat something good tonight.”
“Sounds good.” Hua Cheng said, “But, gege, do you want to go over to my place
tonight?”
“The Ghost City?” Xie Lian asked.
“En.” Hua Cheng replied, “And take this thing along too.” He pointed at Qi Rong, “See if
there’s any way we can pull his soul out.”
Humming for a moment, Xie Lian acquiesced, “That’s probably a good idea. In any
case, it’s not good to keep dragging our feet on this.” Of course, the most important
reason was because Qi Rong ate too much, and his Puqi Shrine could no longer afford
it.
When Qi Rong heard they were going to send him to the Ghost City, he was terrified
and objected as hard as he could. However, his objections fell on deaf ears. A blast of
smoke later, he was turned into a green daruma by Hua Cheng, and Guzi carried him in
his hands as they left for the Ghost City.
The Ghost City was bustling as always, and walking down the main street, the ghosts all
remembered Xie Lian. Seeing that he had come again, they all shouted, “GRAND
UNCLE! … Ah, no, Chengzhu’s Lord Friend, you’ve come again!”
“Quack! Is it because you miss our specialty street food, quack!”
Xie Lian brought that basket of eggs along and gave them away as souvenirs from the
mortal realm. Many who received the eggs were overjoyed, some deciding to eat it
along with their own blood, and some proclaiming they will hatch an eight feet monster
from their eggs. Hua Cheng released the spell on Qi Rong and after a blast of green
smoke, the man possessed by Qi Rong appeared on the street, hugging his head and
crouching in defense, not speaking a word. Some of the ghosts caught the scent on his
body and exclaimed, “Eh? Isn’t this the Green Ghost?”
The crowd of ghosts all approached and surrounded him, and smelling about they were
all thrilled, “HAHAHAHHAHAHA, IT REALLY IS THE GREEN GHOST! THIS DUMB ***
IS HERE AGAIN HAHAHAHAHAHHAHA!”
“HAVEN’T YOU BEEN BEATEN ENOUGH LAST TIME HAHAHAHAHA AND YOU
DARE COME AGAIN!”
“Watch over the little one,” Hua Cheng said, “As for the big one, think of a way to drag
him out without hurting the body.”
“YESSIR! MY LORD!”
Thus, several beautiful female ghosts hugged Guzi, hummed a little lullaby and put him
to sleep. The other demons, monsters, and ghosts then started playing tag with Qi
Rong. One screaming as he fled, and the group of ghosts hot in pursuit behind him. Hua
Cheng and Xie Lian watched for a bit then turned away, heading inside Qiandeng
Temple.
The two stepped in to the hall leisurely and approached the altar. That altar was still
covered with brushes, ink, and paper. Xie Lian had been feeling rather heavy recently,
and seeing those stationary, he had the intention to relax the mood. He smiled softly,
“Last time when I taught you, I said you’ll need to practice when you’ve got the time.
But, I suppose you haven’t been practicing lately,”
Hua Cheng cleared his throat, “Gege, you’ve given away my reward to other people,
what will I eat tonight?”
Xie Lian imitated him and raised his brows slightly, “Don’t change the subject.”
“I can practice the sword but not calligraphy.” Hua Cheng said, “If gege isn’t beside me
to instruct, I’ll probably go astray practicing all by myself, and get worse the more I
write.”
Xie Lian’s brows were rising higher, “San Lang is so smart, how can there be anything
you’re no good at?”
Hua Cheng picked up a brush and dipped it in a bit of ink, looking very humble, “It’s
true. Pray gege teach me.”
Xie Lian sighed a breath, “Why don’t you write something first.”
Thus, Hua Cheng very seriously wrote two verses. Xie Lian watched for a bit but really
couldn’t watch anymore, “…Stop, stop. You… best stop after all.”
Don’t waste good paper and ink any more. “Oh,” Hua Cheng said obediently and really
did stop, putting the brush away. Xie Lian shook his head, “San Lang, don’t… don’t tell
anyone that I taught you how to write.”
“Gege, I tried my best.” Hua cheng pouted. The way he spoke really sounded like he
was aggrieved. A proud Supreme Ghost King; if his name should be announced, all
three realms would shiver in fright. Yet right now he stood like a young student,
obediently listening to Xie Lian’s critique. Having lectured on a few more crucial points,
Xie Lian held his hand again like the last time, “Let’s try again. Be serious this time.”
“Alright.” Hua Cheng said,
The two were immersed in composing. After writing for a while, Xie Lian asked casually,
“Why is it still ‘Ache of Separation’*?”
Hua Cheng also answered casually, “I like this poem.”
“I like it too,” Xie Lian said, “But, does San Lang have any other poems you like? Once
you’re familiar with copying this poem, you can try copying others.” Roughly counting,
this poem only had so many words. The two of them had written it for over ten times, so
it should be time to change to a different one. However, Hua Cheng was adamant, “This
one is fine.”
Placing the brush down, he blew lightly at the ink and smiled, “If I like something, then
my heart will not have room for any other, and I’ll always treasure it. A thousand times, a
million times, no matter how many years this will not change. This poem is the same.”
“…” Xie Lian gave a small smile, “Is that right.”
“En.” Hua Cheng replied.
“…”
Xie Lian released his hand and cleared his throat quietly, “Then, very well. San Lang is
a sentimental man. That’s good… oh, why don’t you practice some more by yourself.
Ah, that’s right. Qi Rong doesn’t seem to be feeling well lately.”
Hua Cheng put down the paper and picked up the brush again, “How is he unwell?”
Xie Lian turned around with his back facing Hua Cheng, “He said something like he was
feeling agitated all over. But I’ve looked him over and it didn’t seem to be caused by that
man’s body. It can’t be because the weather’s bad?”
Behind him, Hua Cheng questioned, “When did this start?”
“It should be just in the past few days.” Xie Lian replied, “Today was especially bad…”
Before he finished his sentence, a sense of foreboding suddenly grew in his mind. Just
then, there was a light PA! sound behind him, like an object was dropped in mid air.
Xie Lian whipped around, “SAN LANG?!”
The brush that was in Hua Cheng’s hand earlier had dropped, landing on the snow
white paper, slashing a long erratic trail of ink. Hua Cheng’s expression was sullen, his
body unsteady, and he held himself up with a hand clutching the edge of the altar, while
the other hand covered his right eye.
————
●[離思] “Ache of Separation” is the title of the poem Hua Cheng was writing in
chapter 97.
●MXTX Author’s Note: Hua Hua is aggravated too! It’s [ ] season again!
———–
Ch.127: Mount Tong’lu Reopens; All Ghosts Aroused
Judging from his expression, it seemed as if his right eye was throbbing and in an
overwhelming amount of pain. Xie Lian instantly sprung forward, “Are you okay?”
The corner of Hua Cheng’s mouth twitched but he forced the words back. The silver
eyes engraved on top of E’ming’s hilt snapped open and the eyeball started to spin
wildly. Veins popped along the surface of the hand that Hua Cheng rested on top of the
altar, threatening to flip the table at any second. Xie Lian reached out his hand, wanting
to help, but Hua Cheng growled, “Stay back!”
Seeing Xie Lian freeze, Hua Cheng gritted out through his teeth, “… Your Highness,
please, hurry and get away from me. I might…”
Xie Lian cut him off, “How can you tell me to leave when you’re like this?!”
Hua Cheng said, his voice nothing but gentle, “If you were to stay here any longer, I-“
In that instant, waves after waves of ghostly howls and cries sounded from outside the
Qiandeng Temple. Ghosts were doubling over on the Ghost City Main Street, bawling
their eyes out, clutching their heads and wailing, as if their skulls had split open and
they were on the verge of death. Amidst the chaos, Qi Rong was sprinting fast ahead.
Due to the fact that he was possessing a human’s body, although the flesh body had
diminished his powers, it also acted as a protective barrier against any ghost-effective
attacks. It was solely because of this that Qi Rong was still jumping about resiliently and
seizing this chance to flee. The group of female ghosts that were cradling Guzi had now
fallen onto the ground and crying about their headaches. Unable to sing their hypnotic
melody, Guzi groggily woke up only to see Qi Rong bolting away like a madman. He
jumped to his feet and chased after him while yelling, “Dad! Dad! Wait for me!”
As he ran, Qi Rong turned around, stuck out his tongue and made a face,
“LULULULULALALALA, GOOD BOY, DAD’S LEAVING! HAHAHAHHAHAHAHA”
Yet Guzi still chased after him relentlessly with his two small pair of legs. Seeing that the
distance between them has grown bigger, he broke out in tears, “Dad! Please don’t
throw me away. Dad, take me with you!”
Qi Rong spat out continuously, “GET LOST! GET LOST! DON’T FOLLOW ME! WHAT A
NUISANCE!”
A drop of his spit flew so far that it hit Guzi on the forehead and knocked him down on
his butt. He cried even harder, to the point as if his heart was going to break and his
lungs were going to burst. Xie Lian couldn’t bear it any longer and he stormed out of
Qiandeng Temple in anger, “Qi Rong!”
The moment Qi Rong saw Xie Lian blocking the path in front of him, he spun around in
fear and ran back the way he came from. Along the way, he scooped up Guzi from the
ground and threatened, “DON’T COME ANY CLOSER! COME AND I’LL BITE OFF THE
HEAD OF THIS LITTLE BRAT BEFORE YOUR EYES!! What a good boy, you’re gonna
become your dad’s meal, how filial! Tomorrow dad’ll cook you! You can pick between
being braised or steamed! HAHAHAHAHA!”
Xie Lian wasn’t fazed by the threat at all. However, just when he was about to give
chase, a loud crash sounded behind him. As if suddenly struck by fury, Hua Cheng had
swept the ink brush and paper pad off the table and to the ground. Fearing for the worst,
Xie Lian couldn’t afford to deal with Qi Rong and turned around, “San Lang…”
All of a sudden, he was embraced tightly by Hua Cheng. There was a tremble in his
voice as the Supreme Ghost King whispered, “I lied. Don’t leave me.”
“…” Xie Lian became as still as a statue locked within the pair of strong arms, “San
Lang? Do you recognize me?”
It seemed as if he was at a point where he had lost all senses and wasn’t able to
recognize who was in front of him. He clutched Xie Lian even tighter in his arms and
repeatedly muttered, “… I lied. Don’t leave me.”
Xie Lian widened his eyes. Outside the temple, while Guzi wailed uncontrollably, Qi
Rong broke out in a series of hysterical laughter. He cackled, “HEHE! HUA CHENG
YOU FUCKER! ! THAT’LL TEACH YOU FOR LOOKING DOWN ON ME ALL THE
TIME! LOOK AT YOU, ALL COCKY ALL DAY! AIN’T THIS KARMA! YOU’RE DONE
FOR!!”
Upon hearing this, the ghosts on the streets who were on the verge of exhaustion from
the pain immediately cursed back, “Green Ghost! You piece of useless trash, ya dare to
swear at our lord?!”
The annoying ruckus going on around them drove Hua Cheng to the edge and even
more infuriated. He raised his hand as if about to blast them to pieces. Instinctively, Xie
Lian hugged him back to keep the hand down. He soothed, “Okay, okay. I won’t leave, I
won’t leave you.” With a flick of his hand, the Qiandeng Temple’s grand doors closed
shut by themselves. To prevent Qi Rong from busting into the temple under these
circumstances, Xie Lian shooed, “If you’re gonna scram, then get lost! I don’t have time
for you! If you don’t get lost, then just wait and see what I’ll… -AH!”
To his surprise, Hua Cheng was unsatisfied with only a shallow embrace, and he
shoved Xie Lian roughly on top of the jaded table. Ink, paper, brushes all fell and
scattered across the floor. Caught up in the struggle, Xie Lian’s hand accidentally glided
past the ink pad stationed on the table, leaving crimson red marks along the paper
underneath him. Upon ‘Ache of Separation’, the two characters ‘Mount Wu’ in the line
“After Mount Wu removed, clouds are no longer clouds”, was now stained with vivid
blood-like markings, making it stunningly beautiful. “San…” Xie Lian started.
Before he could finish, Hua Cheng held him by the shoulders and leaned down to kiss
him.
Qi Rong, who had undoubtedly heard something that didn’t sound right, laughed,
“Cousin Crown Prince, you better be careful! Hua Cheng is probably like a rabid dog
right now, he’ll bite whoever he sees! I, myself, will personally go and help you spread
the news. There are quite a few monks and cultivators who seek revenge against Hua
Cheng, they might as well come now and take care of him! AHAHAHAHAHA…” Xie
Lian’s heart tightened as Qi Rong’s laughter faded in the distance. If Qi Rong really did
call forth the group of cultivators who Hua Cheng had wronged, under the demons’
current weakened condition, how could Ghost City defend itself?
Yet, amidst all this, Hua Cheng wasn’t allowing him any breaks to think. Although he
wasn’t alive and shouldn’t emit any warmth, in this very moment, his body was burning
hot, as if he was struck by a high fever. With their lips tightly pressed against each
other’s, Xie Lian was practically forced to accept the incoming waves of heat. The
hands that were originally trying to push Hua Cheng away now sank into the folds of the
red fabric near his shoulders instead.
Maybe it was because Hua Cheng’s spiritual energy was too strong, Xie Lian felt his
throat, chest, and stomach were filled to the brim by warmth, to the point that it became
uncomfortable. If he continued to endure this, he might just burst under the sheer
amount of power that was being poured in. He tightened his jaw and raised his palm to
slap. Although he did land a blow, but because he really couldn’t bring himself to hit
Hua Cheng, the hand only tapped his shoulder instead, the force neither light nor heavy.
Unfazed, Hua Cheng seized his wrist, held it down, and continued the attack on Xie
Lian’s lips.
He really couldn’t let this continue any further. This time, Xie Lian used both of his
hands. After shoving Hua Cheng away, he fled to the side of the altar in panic, panting
for breath. However, with bloodshot eyes, Hua Cheng hounded him and followed over,
pressing him against the altar. Xie Lian cried, “San Lang!”
“…”
Perhaps his voice did reach him, for Hua Cheng stared at his face for a long time before
suddenly, wrapping him in a bone-crushing hug.
Seeing that he had gained some senses and stopped his advances, Xie Lian let out a
sigh in relief. However, as he stood in Hua Cheng’s embrace, he felt the unsettling
energy inside of the Supreme fighting to break out. No wonder Hua Cheng kissed him
the moment he caught him. With such chaos going on internally, he had to find an outlet
to expel it. Though, in order to fully return him to his normal state, blood must be
drained. However, Hua Cheng wasn’t alive, how would he have any blood to let?
After a moment of consideration, Xie Lian came to a conclusion, “… Forgive me.”
He cupped Hua Cheng’s face and voluntarily covered the other’s lips with his own,
gently guiding the turbulent flow of heat into his own body, helping to ease the pain and
suffering of the other. Instinctively, Hua Cheng looped his arm around Xie Lian’s waist,
making Xie Lian shiver just the slightest. In the next second, the two were tumbling on
top of the altar.
It really wasn’t fair. Xie Lian wouldn’t dare touch anywhere on Hua Cheng that’s even
slightly dangerous. Yet, because of his cloudy state of mind, Hua Cheng’s fingers were
roaming across every inch of his body shamelessly, making Xie Lian suffer in silent
torment. This altar was originally a place where one would make offerings to a god, but
it now resided a ghost and a god who were entangled in a heated battle of tongues.
Although preposterous, the scene was beyond breathtaking.
In the past, both parties were more or less clear headed and there was always a
justifiable reason. Committing this sort of act was at least controlled, since there was
nothing beyond just lips covering lips. However, this time, with the roaming hand on top
of the hazey state of mind, it well exceeded the boundary of only lips and teeth. In his
foggy mind, Xie Lian finally realized one thing. Although every time it was out of his
control and he had no choice, but in truth, there was a hidden desire he couldn’t hold
back every time.
After suffering through the entire night, the unsettling energy inside of Hua Cheng finally
began to calm down. The arm that was clutching onto Xie Lian slowly released its grip.
Xie Lian flipped over and sat up. Watching Hua Cheng’s sleeping face, he finally sighed
a breath.
Thrown to the side, E’ming’s single eyeball was still spinning around frantically. Xie Lian
picked up the scimitar, and it was only after a long series of pets that the blade finally
softened into a crescent eye smile, as if it was finally satisfied. Not long after, Hua
Cheng shot up from where he was sleeping, “…Your Highness?!”
Hastily, Xie Lian adjusted his expression. He turned around and beamed, “You’re
awake? Everything’s fine now.”
Hua Cheng did a quick scan around him. Needless to say, it was a giant mess inside
the Qiandeng Temple. His face was uncharacteristically distraught, as if he couldn’t
remember what happened the night before. Xie Lian jumped at the chance to speak, his
voice calm and confident, “What happened last night? All your subordinates were
suddenly struck by either a fever or throbbing headache. Everyone was restless. You
were too, and you had quite the temper!”
Hua Cheng demanded, “Other than that?”
“Other than what? There’s nothing else.” Xie Lian blinked.
He could feel Hua Cheng’s gaze on him as the Supreme continued to grill him, “Was
there really nothing? Then, how did I calm down?”
Xie Lian softly cleared his throat, as if he was slightly embarrassed, “To tell you the
truth, San Lang, please don’t be mad at me. Other than doing this…” He motioned at
E’ming who he was currently petting and admitted, “I, also, cough cough, had a fight
with you.”
“…”
Hua Cheng looked at him suspiciously, “…we fought?”
Xie Lian held down his fort and watched him earnestly, “That’s right. Look, the hall is
such a mess because of our fight.”
“…”
There was a pause before Hua Cheng puffed a sigh in relief and rested his head on his
hand.
Seeing that he wasn’t hounding for answers anymore, Xie Lian finally felt his suspended
heart settle down after and silently released his breath.
“It opened.” Hua Cheng muttered all of a sudden.
“What did?” Xie Lian asked.
Hua Cheng lifted his head, and with a somber voice, he clarified, “Mount Tong’lu
reopened.”
The meaning of this announcement couldn’t be clearer for the two. Xie Lian widened his
eyes, “A new ghost king…is about to be born?”
—
When Xie Lian returned to report in, the Heavenly Court was also rumbling with thunder
unceasingly. Stepping into the Great Martial Hall, Xie Lian unconsciously looked for
someone to inquire “What’s the matter with Lord Thunder Master?” But only when the
words left his lips did he realize that the spot where the Wind Master once stood was
now empty. The Water Master who stood right up front and the Earth Master who sat in
the corner were all vacant. He was taken aback, his heart sighing, then he looked over
and saw Lang Qing Qiu enter the hall.
Having not seen him for so long, his entire person had thinned a size, looking much
gloomier. His eyes met with Xie Lian’s then turned away without a word.
Xie Lian scanned around and realized he couldn’t find anyone he could converse with
casually.
A voice answered him, “It’s nothing. A Ghost King is about to be born; ghosts cry and
gods sound, the thunder will not stop.”
The one who responded was Feng Xin. For some reason, when Xie Lian saw him he
couldn’t help but feel an incredible sense of friendliness. However, one of Feng Xin’s
eyes was purple, and Xie Lian couldn’t help but gaze over to the Mu Qing who was
standing far away on the other side of the hall. Mu Qing’s cheek was swollen. It seemed
after building their grudges for so many years, the brawl the last time must’ve been
aggressive.
Jun Wu Spoke up, “The reason why I’ve summoned everyone here today, I’m sure
you’re all very aware.”
The heavenly officials all acknowledged. Jun Wu continued slowly, “The universe is a
kiln, all sentient beings are copper; in the deep waters and scalding fires, all trials
breathe within.”
“Mount Tong’lu is a natural ominous land crawling with malicious tidings, a live volcano
that can erupt at any given time.”
“Every few hundred years, the City of Gu within the mountain will open its gates, and
around millions of ghosts. It especially affects the previous Ghost Kings. Every
monsters, demons, and ghosts that thirst to reach the level of Supreme will make their
way to Mount Tong’lu. Once gathered, Mount Tong’lu will be sealed once more, and the
slaughtering will officially begin.”
“When the last one remains standing, a new Ghost King will be born.”
“The Crimson Rain Sought Flower and the Ship Sinking Black Water are both such
Supreme Ghost Kings who were born thus. The two became Supremes and emerged
from the Mountain. Black Water spent twelve years. Hua Cheng spent ten years.”
Mu Qing said coldly, “One Black Water, one Hua Cheng are both already difficult to deal
with. Just see what they’ve done. If another one comes along, we won’t sleep a wink.”
Xie Lian commented gently, “General Xuan Zhen, I won’t comment on what Black Water
has done. But, Hua Cheng hasn’t done anything really out of line.”
Mu Qing, with his puffy, swollen cheeks, gave him a look. Pei Ming spoke up, “They are
quite difficult to deal with. So, we must stop this gathering of millions of ghosts, am I
right?”
“That’s correct.” Jun Wu said. “The gathering of millions of ghosts will take about a few
months. We will need to stop them before they gather.”
“What if we don’t stop them in time? Is there any way to rally?” Xie Lian asked.
“There is.” Jun Wu said, “However, hopefully we will not reach that step. The most
urgent business right now is the arousal of ghosts had started a wave of chaos, and
many of the monsters and demons that had been sealed away have escaped. Many of
these are extremely dangerous inhuman creatures such as that female ghost Xuan Ji,
the fetus spirit, the Brocade Immortal. At this moment they must all be rushing to
towards Mount Tong’lu. They must be immediately apprehended once more.”
“They’ve all escaped?” Xie Lian remarked, “Then this is certainly quite the chaos.”
“Which is why I’m afraid every martial god must take heed, and thoroughly investigate
their warranted domains.” Jun Wu said.
“Then… what about me?” Xie Lian asked.
Although Xie Lian was the God of Rubbish at the moment, nevertheless he still
ascended as a martial god the last two times, and he’s basically being used as a martial
god right now too, the only difference was he didn’t have a domain. Humming for a
moment, Jun Wu said, “Xian Le, why don’t you go with Qi Ying.”
——
●MXTX Author’s Note: The crown prince is enlightened, so who will confess first~
Of course, being aggravated doesn’t mean Hua Hua needed to kiss, but, Hua
Hua really wants to kiss! Of course he also wants to…
—–
Ch.128: Blinded by the Heart; Brocade Immortal Forged by Blood
After a pause, Jun Wu asked, “Where’s Qi Ying?”
Xie Lian looked around and indeed there wasn’t a shadow of that young martial god.
Perhaps because incidents upon incidents kept happening in the heavens, the Palace
of Ling Wen was so busy it was going to fly off, and Ling Wen also had a few more dark
circles under her eyes. “It’s been a long time since Qi Ying came to these meetings.
We’ve never been able to connect with him.”
Some heavenly officials on the side clicked their tongues, “Where did that little brat run
off to again?”
“Not here again? So envious that he doesn’t need to attend all these meetings.”
“Since we do not know Qi Ying’s whereabouts, once we find him we will let you know
and have the two of you coordinate.” Jun Wu said.
Xie Lian inclined his head in acknowledgement, “Yes, My Lord.”
The mortal realm was in the midst of autumn, the weather was chilly, and it was so
inside Puqi Shrine. Although Xie Lian wore just the one layer, he didn’t feel cold;
however, on the way home, he still used the money he made from collecting scraps to
buy two new sets of robes for Lang Ying.
Hua Cheng had returned to the Ghost City and Qi Rong ran away with Guzi in tow, so
now there was only Lang Ying left in Puqi Shrine. It had felt cramped before, but now it
suddenly became deserted. As he walked, Xie Lian could see from afar Lang Ying
sweeping in front of the shrine silently, raking the fallen golden leaves into a pile.
Maybe it was all in his mind, but Lang Ying used to slouch, coiled in fear and
nervousness, but now his limbs seemed to be stretched out, finally assuming the
appearance of a cheerful boy, and Xie Lian couldn’t help but feel heartened. He
approached and took the broom, and was just about to bring him inside when the
villagers who had been hiding in wait for some time all ambushed him, aunties and
grandpas, uncles and sisters all clamoured around him, “Daozhang, you’re back!”
“Did you go collect scraps in town again? You’ve worked hard, you’ve worked hard…
Um, how come we haven’t seen Xiao Hua lately?”
“Yea, yea, we haven’t seen him for days! We miss the little guy.”
“…” Xie Lian smiled awkwardly, “Xiao… Hua went back home.”
“Huh?” The village head was puzzled, “Which home? I thought this was Xiao Hua’s
home? Isn’t he living with you???”
“No, no,” Xie Lian replied, “He only came over to play. Now that we’re all busy, we
parted ways.”
That night, Hua Cheng had hounded him for answers afterwards, but Xie Lian was
stubbornly adamant that the two only had a fight. Now that Mount Tong’lu reopened,
Hua Cheng now had more on his plate. If a new Supreme Ghost King really emerged, it
would mean an assault on all three realms. Hua Cheng and Black Water, although one
was flashy and the other low-key, they both had their own styles and more or less knew
their place and kept themselves in order. But who knows what kind of creature would
emerge this time. What if Mount Tong’lu birthed a madman like Qi Rong who would fight
them for their domains, then that’d be rather difficult to deal with. Thus, Xie Lian used
the excuse that he was busy and said the two best not see each other for the time being
and focus on their own duties, then the two bid farewell amiably.
Although it seemed sudden and cold, like he turned his back on a friend, but Xie Lian
really didn’t know what else to do.
He didn’t have the confidence he could hide his feelings right now.
Just then, behind him, Lang Ying suddenly spoke up, “Fire.”
“…???”
Only then did Xie Lian realize that while he was spacing out lost in thought, he
accidentally took up the pot and spatula and ruined all the meat and vegetables he just
brought back to Puqi Shrine. The fire under the pot was meters high, almost scorching
the ceiling, and Xie Lian hastily slapped at the flames to put it out. However, he slapped
too hard and the entire stove collapsed. Much rumbles later, Xie Lian stood there dazed
with a pot in hand, not knowing what to do. It was just around meal time and the
villagers were all holding their bowls eating happily outside the door. Surprised by the
ruckus, they all came around again, “WHAT’S HAPPENED?! WHAT’S HAPPENED?!
Daozhang, did your place blow up again?!”
Xie Lian quickly opened the window, “It’s nothing, it’s nothing! Cough cough cough
cough…”
The village head came over to take a look, “Jeebus, this is an absolute tragedy!
Daozhang, I think it’s best if you call Xiao Hua back.”
Wordless for a moment, Xie Lian said, “It’s alright. After all… he’s not from my
household.”
When he snapped out of it, Lang Ying had already started to help him clean up the
mess on the ground, and a plate of something colourfully red and purple was on the
table – it was randomly plated when he was zoning out. If the thing he made last time
was named ‘Love for All Seasons Stew’, then this time it should be named ‘Fried Riot of
Colours’. But other than Hua Cheng, there was probably no second person on this earth
who could swallow the stuff. Xie Lian himself couldn’t bear the sight of it and turned
around to wash the pot, rubbing his forehead, “Nevermind, don’t eat it. Throw it away.”
However, after he finished washing the pot and turned around, he saw Lang Ying who
had taken the plate had already silently eaten the food. Stunned, Xie Lian immediately
went over to stop him, and held him by the shoulders, “…God, are you alright? Do you
feel bad anywhere???”
Lang Ying shook his head. Since his face was completely wrapped in bandages, his
expression was hidden. Even Qi Rong and Black Water would lose their minds when
they ate what he cooked, but Lang Ying was actually able to handle it, so just how
hungry was he? Or did his strength suddenly increase? Xie Lian teased himself and
forced a smile, then cleaned up and went to bed.
There were two mats in Puqi Shrine, one for each person. When Xie Lian was reminded
that the mat beneath him was laid upon by both him and Hua Cheng together, he
couldn’t sleep, his eyes wide awake, but he didn’t dare to toss and turn lest he rouse
Lang Ying. After much internal struggles, he was just thinking he might as well go out for
a breath of fresh air when suddenly, he heard the window creak. Someone had pushed
open the wooden frame softly and hopped inside.
Xie Lian’s back was facing the window, and he laid there on the ground on his side,
shocked.
What kind of person would be so hard on themselves as to come steal in Puqi Shrine?
Wasn’t this just labour without returns?
That person was light on their feet, extremely skilled, and if not for someone like Xie
Lian who was extraordinarily sharp in his senses, no one would’ve noticed. Once he
hopped in, he ran straight for the donation box. Xie Lian immediately remembered that
the donation box was full of gold bars before, so was this person here for the gold? But
those gold bars had long been given to Ling Wen to have her find their master. Listening
attentively, Xie Lian realized that person wasn’t actually cracking the lock, but was
stuffing something one after the other into the donation box!
After that individual had done their work, they seemed to be looking to hop outside of
the window to leave. Xie Lian mentally plotted thinking that he’d follow after that person
once they were out to see just where they’re going and who they were. Yet
unexpectedly, when that person passed the altar table and saw it filled with plates, they
seemed to be hungry and didn’t think before munching down on those leftover Fried
Riot of Colours, stuffing a few mouthfuls down their throat.
The next second, THUD! And they were knocked out on the ground.
Xie Lian immediately turned over and sat up, ‘My trouble’s actually saved!’ He lit up the
lights to look, and on the ground was a purple faced figure lying flat, and Xie Lian hastily
went to rescue his life, pouring large mouthfuls of water down his throat before that
person slowly came to. The first thing he uttered when he woke was, “WHAT THE HELL
WAS THAT THING!”
Xie Lian pretended not to hear and chided solemnly, “Your Highness Qi Ying, you really
are too rash, stuffing whatever you find in your mouth without knowing what it is.”
That youth had a straight nose and deep brows, his head full of raven black curly hair;
who else could it be but the Martial God of the West, Quan Yizhen?
He glared, “How should I know that anyone would actually poison their own food offered
in their own shrine?”
“…” Xie Lian rubbed his forehead and opened that donation box to see it was filled to
the rim with gold bars. “Was it also you who filled the box last time?”
Quan Yizhen nodded. Xie Lian asked, “Why are you giving me all this?”
“Because I have a lot.” Quan Yizhen replied.
“…”
Truthfully, even if he wouldn’t say it Xie Lian could probably guess that this was most
likely because at the Mid Autumn Banquet, Xie Lian slung out a chopstick to cut down
the curtains of the stage. “Take those back with you, I won’t accept rewards without
having done anything.” Xie Lian said.
Quan Yizhen didn’t say anything, very obviously not listening.
Xie Lian didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. Just then, Lang Ying spoke up coldly, “He’s
telling you to take those away.”
When had he sat up? Xie Lian looked back to glance at him, feeling strange. In the past,
Lang Ying basically made himself invisible, desperately shrinking himself into the
ground, so why did he say so much without prompting today? And using such unfriendly
tones too. But, he didn’t think too much, and figured if anything, he could just give the
box to Ling Wen to stuff it back to Quan Yizhen. He straightened his expression, “Your
Highness, you’ve come just in time. You didn’t attend the meeting at the Great Martial
Hall today, but Jun Wu has given us a mission, have you seen the scroll? Nevermind,
it’s alright, I know you haven’t looked through it. I’ve looked through it already. This time
we’re a team together, and the creature we’re responsible for is called the ‘Brocade
Immortal’.”
The Venerable of Empty Words was called a ‘venerable’ because people didn’t dare to
call it a rogue, a hellion, or an annoying devil so directly, so it was a tentative flattery.
Why was that Brocade Immortal venerated as an immortal? This was because
according to legends, that creature truly possessed the ability to become a god once.
Legends say many centuries ago, there was a young man in some ancient kingdom,
who although dumb and foolish by nature, his intellect no better than that of a six year
old child, but once on the battlefield he was no longer the same. His martial skills were
extraordinary and was also brave but kind. When two kingdoms collided in battle, his
kingdom was able to claim overwhelming victories because he charged in the front
lines. Because he was mentally weak and had no family, all the rewards he gained from
battle were taken by others, leaving him penniless. No households were willing to have
their daughters marry such a man, and very few girls were willing to come close. That
young man was also dumb to a certain point, and ever since he was young he had
never made any contacts with ladies, never daring to speak a word.
However, this person possessed the potential to ascend, and he should’ve risen to the
heavens in a few years. At first, it didn’t matter if no girls liked him, but the sad thing
was, he still fell in love with a girl, and he fell deeply. On the day of his birthday, that girl
sewed him a brocade robe as a gift.
Although it was a brocade robe, it was extremely bizarre. It was more like a horrid
pocket. This was the first time in that young man’s life that he received a gift from a girl
he loved, and filled with exalted joy, plus his natural stupidity, he didn’t notice anything
strange with it, eagerly pulling the ‘brocade robe’ over his body. There weren’t any
sleeves for the arms to go through, so he asked his beloved girl, “How come my arms
can’t stretch out?”
That girl smiled cheerfully, “This is my first time sewing so I’m not very skilled. But, if you
don’t have any arms then this won’t be a problem?”
Thus, this young man raised a weapon and chopped off his arms. Now, the robe fit.
However, it wasn’t enough, and he asked again, “How come my legs can’t stretch out?”
That girl replied, “If you don’t have any legs then this won’t be a problem?”
Thus, this young man asked another to chop off his legs too. Finally, he asked, “How
come my head can’t peek out?”
The conclusion was easily imaginable.
Originally, Xie Lian had also thought the ‘Brocade Immortal’ was perhaps a monster or a
demon wearing a brocade robe, but turns out it was actually the robe itself. When Mount
Tong’lu reopened and millions of ghosts were roused, someone had robbed away that
robe. Having been smeared by the obsessed blood of that young man, that brocade
robe was forged into an exceedingly malicious and powerful spiritual device, and
throughout the centuries, it changed hands among ghosts, using it to cause harm.
Therefore, never accept any old, used clothing from unknown origins, and if you are to
run into someone who wish to gift you a brocade robe on the street in the middle of the
night, never take it. Should you wear this brocade robe, you will become a pig for
slaughter.
Of course, this was only a legend and sounded rather outlandish, and the stories could
very well be made up by people who simply extracted from the unique nature of the
brocade robe. Nevertheless, this Brocade Immortal must be stopped. They must not let
it go to Mount Tong’lu.
———-
●MXTX Author’s Note: First, the real Lang Ying has no relation to Hua Hua
whatsoever. But, believe me, there’s only Hua Hua in this world who can eat the
things the crown prince cooks (So, Hua Hua never left! He switched Lang Ying
out with himself today.)
I don’t understand why no one noticed _(:з」∠)_ I thought I made it very obvious
already!!! Since that’s the case, I might as well rip off his mask directly,
hahahahaha!
———
Ch.129: Blinded by the Heart; Brocade Immortal Forged by Blood 2
“Your Highness Qi Ying? Your Highness? Are you listening?”
Xie Lian reached out and waved his hands in front of Quan Yizhen. Quan Yizhen
seemed to have spaced out and only now did his spirit return to this body. “Oh.”
It appeared he wasn’t listening. Xie Lian wasn’t in the position to say much so he said
instead, “This mission is urgent, and we have to find that brocade robe. Its original form
is…”
Quan Yizhen interrupted, “A sleeveless, headless, gunny sack like blood-soaked robe.”
Xie Lian smiled, “So you do know. I thought you didn’t read the scroll. But, since this
robe is a wicked object, extremely magical with thousands of forms. There are millions
of clothes in this world, so to search for such a robe is no different than seeking a
needle in the ocean.”
“Oh.” Quan Yizhen said, “Then what should we do?”
Xie Lian explained, “Ghosts and demons who got their hands on the robe will usually
transform into a merchant, and beseech people to buy or exchange old for new in busy
streets. But that’s from centuries ago, so if anyone was to do this now it’d be more or
less strange. But, their habits and ways of doing things won’t change so easily so fast.
In any case, let’s go into town and see if we can catch wind of any such news.”
Ghosts would be more interested in such an object than mortals. Underground
information from the ghost realm would be much faster than in the mortal realm, which
meant, asking Hua Cheng directly would surely save a lot of trouble. However, it wasn’t
too long ago when Xie Lian told him they shouldn’t meet for the time being, and it
wouldn’t look good to go back on his words the moment he needed something. Besides,
the Brocade Immortal was only just stolen, and the robber might not dare be so swift in
bringing it out to cause harm. Quan Yizhen nodded, rose to his feet, and followed him
for a few steps. Xie Lian noticed that Lang Ying also followed suit so he told him, “You
stay here.”
Lang Ying shook his head. Before Xie Lian could say anymore, there was a sudden
THUD! behind him. Quan Yizhen had collapsed again.
Xie Lian whipped around, “Are you alright?”
That shade of purple was colouring Quan Yizhen’s face again, and a moment later,
unable to hold back any longer, he finally flipped over, crouched onto the floor, and
“WAH” puked all over the floor.
“…”
After puking, Quan Yizhen rolled over, his face facing upwards, his soul leaving from his
mouth.
“Qi Ying… can you still walk?” Xie Lian asked carefully.
Quan Yizhen had his limbs all stretched out flat, “I think. I can’t.”
“…”
Woeful, Xie Lian could only drag Quan Yizhen who had lost all willpower to fight onto
the side and covered him with a blanket, letting him recover for the moment.
It took until the next day before Quan Yizhen looked slightly better. Either way, Xie Lian
didn’t dare to let him eat anything random, and asked for some porridge from the village
head’s home, bringing it back to fill the stomach of the other two. Quan Yizhen sat in the
spot Hua Cheng usually occupied, and for some reason, Lang Ying kept staring at him,
seemingly unfriendly. Xie Lian placed the porridge in front of the two and
subconsciously called, “San Lang…”
Before the words completely left his lips, the two turned to look at him. Xie Lian instantly
froze and only then did he realize what he blurted, and he cleared his throat softly,
“Please continue.”
The two sat at the altar table eating their porridge while Xie Lian took up the axe and
went outside. As he chopped wood, he thought back on the clues the scroll provided:
“The Brocade Immortal was first sealed under a Great Martial Temple, and the seal of
that temple was extremely powerful. Skilled masters filled the ranks of the heavy
security guarding the hall, and a simple arousal of ghosts should not have allowed it to
escape on its own, which meant someone eyed the opportunity and stole it away amidst
the chaos…”
Before it was always Hua Cheng who chopped wood, and now that he was doing it
himself, for some reason it didn’t feel like the wood he chopped was as good as Hua
Cheng’s. Quan Yizhen drank a few mouthfuls of watery porridge pathetically and fell
over directly to keep sleeping within Puqi Shrine. Lang Ying on the other hand, came
out looking to help out.
“There’s no need. San… Lang Ying, heat some water later and take a bath.”
Now that he thought about it, Lang Ying didn’t seemed to have bathed in a long time.
Ghosts certainly wouldn’t have the trouble of skin oils and grime, but hanging out
outside all day, surely there’s dirt. Still, he couldn’t point it out so straightforwardly lest
he hurt other people’s self-esteem. Lang Ying seemed to be taken aback and didn’t
respond, but Xie Lian had already carried a bundle of logs inside to heat water. “I sold
some scraps in town yesterday and bought you two autumn robes. Once you’re done
bathing, why don’t you see if they fit you?”
Lang Ying was just putting on the new robes, but hearing him, he turned to leave
without a word. Xie Lian grabbed on to him, chiding solemnly, “Don’t go! Bathing is
without question. Don’t worry, I won’t unwrap the bandages on your head.”
Lang Ying still protested, and went out the door to chop wood gloomily, refusing to come
back in. Exasperated, Xie Lian could only go grab some logs, heated the water, and
peeled off his own clothes. Ruoye looped around Xie Lian’s chest, unwrapping itself.
Lang Ying came back in, a large bundle of logs in his carry, and when he saw Xie Lian
with his upper body bare, his eyes instantly widened. Xie Lian on the other hand, was
testing the temperature of the water with his hand, thinking it was just right, and was
already submerging into the bath with his underpants on. Seeing Lang Ying come in, he
called out, “Oh, perfect timing. Can you please pass me the scroll that’s hung under the
bamboo hat on the wall?
Not only did Lang Ying not come over, he backed all the way outside and PANG! shut
the door. Xie Lian was puzzled. Not a moment later, it seemed Lang Ying remembered
something, and forcefully kicked the door open. Xie Lian hastily cried, “Don’t kick that
door! That door is…”
Lang Ying however, didn’t spare a look at him. He walked straight inside, picked up
Quan Yizhen who was lying on the floor like a stiff corpse, and dragged him out the
door. Quan Yizhen seemed to be deeply asleep, only activity as big as shaking
mountains could wake him up, so he felt nothing while getting dragged away the entire
way. Xie Lian didn’t know whether to laugh or cry, “What are you doing? It’s alright, it’s
not like I’m a girl. Come in.”
When Hua Cheng wasn’t around, it wasn’t like he hadn’t bathed inside Puqi Shrine.
After all, Puqi Shrine really was too small, its ability to provide for daily life minimal. That
there was a water barrel for bathing was already plenty; there wasn’t a pool bath with
screens stretching over meters long to let him row a boat while he played and bathed.
However, whether intentional or not, Xie Lian had never bathed in front of Hua Cheng
before. Since the one before him right now wasn’t Hua Cheng but someone else, he
didn’t feel like this was anything.
“…”
Lang Ying flipped Quan Yizhen over, grabbed a few random clothes to pile over his
head, before he himself took that scroll Xie Lian asked for and passed it over with his
head bowed, then continued to sit in the corner. Xie Lian on the other hand, rolled open
the scroll and was reading through it carefully while he let his hair loose.
Steam warmed his face, giving it a rosy glow. His long hair and lashes were shimmering
black and dripping wet. Suddenly, he felt that thin silver chain on his chest, and at the
end of the chain hung a diamond ring.
Xie Lian gripped that ring, closing his fingers tightly around it. Suddenly, at the
peripheral of his vision, he saw on the corner of the altar was a tiny little flower.
He subconsciously picked up that flower and brought it before his eyes, feeling his mind
cloud just like the lingering hot air surrounding him, and he needed a hand to wave
away the haze. Just then, a series of knocks sounded outside the door,
That sound pulled him out of his thoughts, and Xie Lian placed the flower back. He was
just about to ask who it was when he realized the knocking wasn’t on Puqi Shrine’s door
but the village head’s house next door.
In between the knocking, the delicate voice of a woman sounded, “Is anyone home?
Exchange old for new, exchange old for new. I have a brand new robe that I have no
use for and want to find a set of old clothes that I might fancy. Are any masters in the
house willing? Is anyone home?”
Without him needing to go search, that creature actually came knocking all by itself!
She knocked and inquired after every house, yet not a single household opened their
door to her. Naturally. When Xie Lian wasn’t collecting scraps he would open lectures at
Puqi Shrine, educating all those aunties and grannies on hundreds of little tricks of how
to identify evil. To run into such an obviously strange uninvited guest in the middle of the
night, no villagers would pay it any mind. People of today weren’t as easy to deceive as
the olden days. That creature knocked all around but still no one responded. Finally, it
came to Puqi Shrine’s door. Xie Lian held his breath, waiting tensely. Yet, it seemed
before that creature even knocked it could feel this wasn’t a place she should’ve come.
With an “Aiyoh”, her footsteps sounded to leave and Xie Lian quickly called out, “WAIT! I
want to exchange!” Then, he whispered to Lang Ying, “Open the door, quickly. Don’t be
scared, nothing will happen!”
Lang Ying was not scared at all. He went up and opened the door. Outside the door
stood a girl, her figure slender and sensual, and just by the bottom half of her face one
could tell she was lovely and charming. However, she was wearing a headscarf
covering the top half of her face, like she didn’t have any eyes, looking rather unnerving.
She glanced inside and covered her mouth as she giggled, “Daozhang, what kind of old
clothes did you want to use to exchange for my new clothes?”
Xie Lian was still soaking in the water barrel simply to make it lower its guard. He
smiled, “That will depend on what your new clothes look like.”
That girl extended an arm and gave it a gentle shake. From her bag a shining brocade
robe was shook out and rolled open to reveal itself, glamourous and beautiful, but the
style seemed to be a bit old and it was emitting an air of evil all over. Xie Lian praised,
“Beautiful. Beautiful. Lang Ying, give this lady that set of clothes I brought back from
town.”
Lang Ying handed the robe over with only a hand. That girl exchanged the new robe
and giggled, receiving the old robe. As she was about to turn around, her face suddenly
dropped, like something had pinched her hand, and she screamed, throwing the old
robes onto the ground. Within the heap of that hemp robe was Ruoye who was coiled
up in a bundle, having snuck in who knows when, and it peeped out of the sleeve like a
white viper hissing at the girl.
And that ‘girl’ wasn’t a girl either. A scream and a jump after, her headscarf was pecked
off by the ambushing Ruoye and it ell to the ground. Although the bottom half of her
face was enchanting, but the top half of her face was full of wrinkles, extremely old,
forming a horrifying contrast – what ‘girl’? This was clearly an eighty year old hag!
——–
Ch. 130: Separating Colours; Textile House Wide Open
It’s the Half Maquillage Woman!
The Half Maquillage Woman was a vulgar monster formed by the jealousy of older
women towards young girls. They couldn’t accept their own aging and were adamant
that consuming the blood and flesh of young girls could bring back their youth. They
enjoyed squeaking in high pitched voices, faking the sound of a young girl to speak.
However, as they say, “eyes are the windows to the soul’; old age was something they
could not hide no matter how hard they tried, and while the more blood and flesh they
consume, the younger the bottom half of their face appeared, the upper half of the face
that held the eyes would appear older, and the contrast of the face would become even
more stark. Even then, they stubbornly refused to see the wrongs of their ways.
Xie Lian emerged from the bath dripping, stepping a foot onto the edge of the water
barrel, ready to leap to take her down, yet it was like Quan Yizhen had returned from
death, and he shot up and slapped. That Half Maquillage Woman really was too weak,
and she was struck to the ground with a wailing cry, “HAVE MERCY!”
In no hurry, Xie Lian grabbed for his cultivation robes and casually draped it over
himself, “So you’re the one who stole the Brocade Immortal?”
The Half Maquillage Woman immediately cried, “It’s not me, it’s not me! I wouldn’t dare
to break into the Great Martial Temple!”
That’s true too, if he thought about it. Typical lower class ghosts really didn’t have the
guts to break in to the Great Martial Temples so rashly; they’d be blown away to
smithereens for sure. Besides, this Half Maquillage Woman probably had no connection
to the Brocade Immortal, and with a rough look, her ghost age was probably eighty
something while that Brocade Immortal was said to be centuries old.
“Then where did you get your hands on this brocade robe?” Xie Lian questioned.
That Half Maquillage Woman picked up her headscarf and covered the top half of her
face anew, her voice shrieking high again, “To… to answer daozhang! I… I picked it up
in the Ghost City…”
“…”
Was that a thing? Picked it up from the Ghost City???
Xie Lian was speechless for a moment, then he questioned, “Then who was the one
who sold the brocade robe to you?”
The Half Maquillage Woman answered anxiously, “Daozhang! I beg you, please let me
off the hook! I don’t know either. It’s not like businesses in the Ghost City need to have
their eighteen generations of ancestry checked!”
That’s true too. If starting a business in Ghost City required having eighteen generations
of ancestry checked, it wouldn’t be as bustling as it was now. Things could only thrive if
there were room for loopholes. Xie Lian interrogated for a while but was fruitless, and
after determining this Half Maquillage Woman was no more than a little minion, he
called, “Qi Ying, have one of your heavenly officials come collect this female ghost,”
However, Quan Yizhen said, “No. I don’t have any heavenly officials in my palace.”
“Not even one?” Xie Lian asked, “You’ve never appointed any deputy generals?”
Quan Yizhen was confidently staunch in his answer, “Not a single one.”
“…”
So, turns out this Martial God of the West was a lone wolf and had never appointed
anyone, not even a helper to manage the nitty gritty. At least for Xie Lian it was because
he couldn’t afford it. Quan Yizhen’s situation could probably only be explained by his
eccentric character. Without any other choice, Xie Lian could only fumble out a clay jar
and seal that Half Maquillage Woman away. Then, he took the brocade robe in Lang
Ying’s hands. When he shook it open to inspect it however, his brows knitted slightly.
It certainly was wicked, but, what’s the best way to describe it? In Xie Lian’s opinion, this
type of essence of evil was too superficial, like it was nothing more than layers of
cosmetic foundation, and not emitted from within. Xie Lian’s guts told him that this thing
wasn’t as dangerous as legends say, but still he was high on guard. Just then, Quan
Yizhen took a glimpse at the robe and said, “It’s fake.”
Xie Lian was taken aback, “How do you know?”
“This robe is fake,” Quan Yizhen said, “I’ve seen the real Brocade Immortal before. It’s
way more powerful than this.”
Xie Lian was amazed, “When have you seen it? There’s actually quite a number of
people who’ve seen the Brocade Immortal before, but because it was hard to tell, how
do you determine whether if it’s real or fake?”
But Quan Yizhen stopped talking. Coincidentally, Ling Wen reached out to him via the
spiritual communication array just then, her voice rang in his ear, “Your Highness, we’ve
just received information that there seemed to be a little ghost with the Brocade
Immortal in hand who appeared about twenty miles away from your Puqi Shrine. We’ll
need to trouble you to go take a look.”
“Another one? Alright.” Xie Lian replied. Then he glanced at Quan Yizhen, and without
making a sound, he asked within the array, “Oh, by the way, another thing. Ling Wen,
has Qi Ying seen the Brocade Immortal before?”
“Qi Ying?” Ling Wen said, “He didn’t just see it. It was much more than that.”
“How do you mean?” Xie Lian asked.
“It’s complicated.” Ling Wen replied, “But has Your Highness ever heard? The martial
god that ruled the west didn’t used to be the Palace of Qi Ying. It was the Palace of Yin
Yu.”
Xie Lian recalled that this was something the Wind Master had told him while he
stripped back at the Paradise Manor that one time, and couldn’t help but feel his heart
squeeze, “I’ve heard this before. I heard, the two Highnesses used to be a pair of
shixiong and shidi?”*
Turns out, before Yin Yu had ascended, he was the head disciple in their sect. One day,
he saw a brash little street urchin, and in a moment of softheartedness, he asked the
master to take him in. This little child was Quan Yizhen.
Disciples of the same generation, Yin Yu had always taken very good care of Quan
Yizhen. He was the first to ascend, and he even appointed Quan Yizhen as a deputy
general. Ling Wen said, “You’ve met Qi Ying a few times, so you should know. He’s a
little bit…”
“Ignorant of the ways of the world? That’s a good thing.” Xie Lian said.
Ling Wen chuckled, “Good or not it depends on the person and the situation. Some
people think he’s a selfish loose cannon, ignorant of manners and doesn’t give people
the respect they deserve. The first few years when he first stepped into the Heavenly
Court, if it wasn’t for His Highness Yin Yu who shielded him, he’d probably be beaten to
death already by who knows how many people.”
“Those two Highnesses must share a very good relationship then.” Xie Lian mused.
“It was good at first,” Ling Wen said, “But the sad thing was, later, Qi Ying himself
ascended too.”
Both ascended from the West, so what to do? Thus, the two agreed to rule the West
together.
A pair of shixiong and shidi watching over a domain together sounded like a beautiful
tale, yet, in the end, a mountain could not support two tigers.
If one was to say that Yin Yu’s ability was enough for the heavens to send forth a
Heavenly Calamity, a one in a million, then Quan Yizhen’s ability was good enough to
pass three Heavenly Calamities, and there might not even be one in a million who could
possess this potential. It was alright at the beginning, it wasn’t obvious, but the more
time passed, the larger the skills gap was between the two. Quan Yizhen truly was
asocial; not only did he ignore building relationships with fellow heavenly colleagues, he
never tried to please his devotees either. In fact, other than Yin Yu, he didn’t bother to
remember the names of any other heavenly officials at all, and was even audacious
enough to beat up his followers, telling them to go eat shit. He was as out of line as they
come. Yet, his domain grew bigger and bigger, and his followers increased. In
comparison, the Palace of Yin Yu was losing its shine, and finally became restless.
On their birthdays, this pair of shixiong and shidi would always gift each other presents.
One year, on the day of Quan Yizhen’s birthday, Yin Yu gifted him an impressive
armour.
“…”
“The Brocade Immortal?” Xie Lian asked.
“That’s right.” Ling Wen said.
Not only could this Brocade Immortal suck blood and murder, it also had a wicked
ability: whoever it’s been gifted to will obey any commands of the one who gave the gift.
Since the two shixiong and shidi had maintained a good relationship, Quan Yizhen put
on that armour without any second thoughts. Soon after, seemingly unintentional, Yin Yu
played a prank. Under the control of the Brocade Immortal, Quan Yizhen lost his mind
and did what he was told. If it wasn’t for Jun Wu who noticed something amiss and
stopped him in time, he would’ve almost cut off his own head and dribbled it like a ball.
“So, this incident was a huge deal at the time, quite the uproar.” Ling Wen said, “To do
something like harming a fellow heavenly colleague, as an esteemed heavenly official,
Yin Yu was naturally banished immediately.”
Which meant, after this the two heavenly officials should’ve fallen out. However, when
Xie Lian recalled that silly play the worshippers of the Palace of Qi Ying put on during
the Mid Autumn Festival Banquet, that clown who was jumping up and down behind
Quan Yizhen’s back most likely being Ying Yu, yet at the time, Quan Yizhen’s reaction
was rage, followed by him leaping down to beat up his own worshippers. “I think Qi Ying
should still think very highly of His Highness Yin Yu. Was there maybe a
misunderstanding in all this?”
“Who knows.” Ling Wen said, “Whether if there’s a misunderstanding, the person in
question’s been banished for so many years now, so who’s to care?”
Xie Lian nodded and was about to bid farewell when Ling Wen added, “Wait. Your
Highness, there’s more. I wasn’t done earlier. Sixty miles out from your Puqi Shrine also
has an unknown creature appearing with the Brocade Immortal in hand.”
“…Isn’t that a little too far? Why are there more?” Xie Lian asked.
“I’m not done.” Ling Wen said, “Listen well, there’s more: forty-two miles out northwest,
fifteen miles out southeast, twenty-two miles out north…”
After reporting twenty-seven to eight locations in one breath, Ling Wen finally said, “Yea.
That’s about it for now.”
By the time she was done reporting, Xie Lian had forgotten everything and was feeling
rather woeful, “Your palace is quite efficient this time, huh. But, “for now”? Are you
saying there might be more…? Could the Ghost City be distributing the Brocade
Immortal?”
“Most likely.” Ling Wen replied. “There are many peddlers with unknown origins in the
Ghost City who often sell counterfeits with a fake skin. Once they’re done selling fakes
they’d change skin, so connoisseurs usually won’t buy anything randomly. Still, there
are nonetheless ghosts who’d consider it as digging for antiques, thinking maybe they’d
hit the jackpot this time. Now that the Brocade Immortal was stolen, many small time
vendors in the ghost realm received news and are using this chance to deceive buyers,
saying any random robe they found is the Brocade Immortal. What’s incredible is that
there’s still many ghosts who’d fall for it, and would try it out on people. It’s really given
us who gather information a lot of headaches.”
This was completely messing up their search for the real Brocade Immortal; with so
many ‘Brocade Immortals’ popping up everywhere, who knows which one is the real
one?
However, since they took on the mission, they had to come up with a way to complete it.
“I guess, let’s start with the closest one and search one by one.” Xie Lian said.
Xie Lian didn’t have any spiritual powers, Quan Yizhen didn’t know how to draw the
Distance Shortening array, and neither of the two had deputy officials. But, fortunately,
of the locations Ling Wen reported on, the closest to them was only five miles out; it was
an abandoned textile house. Without further ado, they hastily departed in the middle of
the night.
At first Xie Lian was going to make Lang Ying stay back at Puqi Shrine, but he tagged
along himself and refused to be ushered back. Since this trip shouldn’t be too
dangerous and could help grow Lang Ying’s experience, thinking he was going to teach
Lang Ying cultivation anyway, Xie Lian brought him along.
The three hurried on their way in the night. Suddenly, ahead of them on the road came
creepy voices chanting a work song, “YI YU XI! YI YU XI!”
Hearing that familiar work song, Xie Lian stopped in his step. Ahead in the mist, the
giant contour of a shadow gradually emerged along with those four haunting ghost fires
floating about. Quan Yizhen was about to make a move, ready to beat it down first
before asking questions, but Xie Lian pulled him back, “Don’t worry. I know them.”
Sure enough, four golden skeletons carrying a step litter appeared before the three.
Quan Yizhen had never seen anything so magical like it before, and his eyes widened,
bright and shimmering. That head skeleton sang, “Is this Your Highness the Crown
Prince of Xianle?”
“It is. May I help you?” Xie Lian answered.
The golden skeleton sang, “Nothing, nothing, only, we brothers have time on our hands
and wanted to inquire if His Highness the Crown Prince is in a hurry, perhaps we can
help give you a ride?”
The journey wasn’t long so Xie Lian wanted to decline, but Quan Yizhen cut in and
exclaimed “YES!” and was already climbing on enthusiastically, looking like he really
wanted to give this strange but glamourous step litter a try. Xie Lian didn’t know whether
to laugh or cry and went up to grab him when suddenly, that step litter tipped, forcefully
tossing Quan Yizhen off of it. Xie Lian was going to fall back too, but was steadied by
someone. He blurted, “San…” but when he looked back, it was Lang Ying who had
climbed on without anyone noticing, and he was holding onto Xie Lian’s arm tightly, a
pair of inky black eyes watching him, silent and wordless.
The skeletons hastily picked up the step litter, their eight legs spinning like four sets of
fire wheels, dashing away steadily while shouting, “Move, move! Don’t block the way,
don’t block the way!”
Quan Yizhen was heartlessly thrown onto the ground, but he jumped to his feet,
appearing not to have given up yet and was ready to leap up, but those skeletons were
too fast, and he was always a step behind, so he ended up hot in pursuit right behind,
looking like he really, really, wanted to ride the step litter to get a feel for it. Watching him
chase after so vigorously, Xie Lian, who was riding the step litter, couldn’t help but feel
this was a little mean, like he was bullying a child. Although he knew this step litter
belonged to Hua Cheng and he might not appreciate letting other heavenly officials ride
it, still he couldn’t help but ask, “Um… can’t this litter take three people?”
The skeletons sang, “It can’t, it can’t! It can only seat two people!”
They ran like fire wheels the entire way, and Quan Yizhen chased them the entire way.
Once at their destination, the golden skeletons dropped Xie Lian and Lang Ying off, then
picked up the step littler and disappeared from sight. Quan Yizhen was never able to
board the vehicle in the end, and was extremely disappointed, watching that step littler
disappear longingly. Xie Lian stepped off the litter holding Lang Ying’s hand, and heard
ahead of them loud cries and wails, and they all came from that abandoned Textile
House. Xie Lian was puzzled. Didn’t they say this textile house was abandoned?
They walked closer and finally made clear of those wailing voices:
“THIS LOWLY ONE WON’T EVER DARE TO SELL COUNTERFEITS ON OL’ HUA
CHENGZHU’S TERRITORY AGAIN!”
“WE REALLY WON’T DARE TO ANYMORE! BUT, PLEASE TELL THE GOOD OL’
CHENGZHU THAT I ALSO GOT THOSE FAKE BROCADE IMMORTALS FROM THE
DISTRIBUTION OF OTHER GHOSTS! I’M A VICTIM TOO!!!”
The three came before the textile house and bumped into a black clad, ghost masked
man who only just emerged from within, seeming to have been waiting for a long time.
He inclined his head slightly and greeted, “Your Highness.”
This voice belonged to that ghost officer who had once helped Xie Lian catch Lang Ying
and brought him to Paradise Manor. And at the time, Xie Lian had seen a cursed
shackle on his wrist.
———-
●TGCF is currently undergoing edits, and some passages are still being worked
on. In the early, unedited version of ch.42, Shi Qingxuan had a long spiel on Yin
Yu and Quan Yizhen that’s now been cut out. Perhaps MXTX hasn’t gotten to this
chapter yet to make the plot line up smoothly.
Ch.121: Combined Spirit; Coffin Boat Enters the Demon Sea 2
Just as the words left his lips, the two suddenly felt weightless once more and their
positions changed from lying to upright – that coffin boat abruptly rose up and swiftly
plunged, forcefully flipping upside down!
Hua Cheng had his arms tight around Xie Lian’s waist, his other hand shielding his
head, and he exclaimed, “Hold on tight to me!”
If this was the outside, all the spinning can be three times more violent and Xie Lian
would be able to deal with it, yet the problem was they were trapped inside a narrow,
tight space, their limbs unable to stretch out, and they were left ignorant of what was
happening outside. Tense and anxious. Xie Lian wondered, “What if the coffin boat
breaks?”
“Don’t worry. Even if it breaks, I’m here, you won’t sink.” Hua Cheng said.
At this moment, they were both pressed against each other firmly, and Hua Cheng’s
words were uttered through the brush of his lips over Xie Lian’s hair, and Xie Lian could
almost feel the slight trembling of his adam’s apple, his mind going astray. Then, his
attention was stolen away by another wave of violent rolling. It was like this boat had
become a toy being jostled about by a toddler, shaking and swinging it unceasingly.
Without any other choice, Xie Lian embraced Hua Cheng tightly with one hand, and the
other held on to the edge of the coffin.
Amidst that chaos, the two dipped and dropped, flipped and flopped into who knows
how many different positions, banging heavily into all sorts of different parts of each
other, thoroughly rubbing against one another. Even though Hua Cheng had the
appearance of a young man, it was only having been tumbled about like this did Xie
Lian realize that Hua Cheng was solid and hard from top to bottom. Xie Lian was going
starry-eyed from this torment and when the feeling finally faded for a moment, he found
that Hua Cheng was now on top of him, pressing down heavily, suffocating him.
With great difficulties, Xie Lian raised a hand and grabbed onto the arm Hua Cheng had
supporting himself up next to his body and softly groaned, his head spinning, “Is it over
yet…”
For some reason, Hua Cheng didn’t respond. Yet before Xie Lian finished his sentence,
his breathing suddenly hitched. Because, he suddenly noticed that a certain body part
of his was experiencing an unthinkable shift.
“……………….”
In an instant, Xie Lian was feeling more incredulous than if he was to see a steel tree
blossom. At least, if he saw a steel tree blossom, his mind wouldn’t be as blank.
A horrifying embarrassment and awkwardness battered him more violently than the
tempest was battering the coffin outside. Xie Lian hastily closed his knees. However,
closing his knees didn’t seem to be the right move and he seemed to have touched
something he shouldn’t have because Hua Cheng grunted brusquely, “Don’t move!”
That grunt was deep and sharp, and Xie Lian quickly flattened his legs again. But if he
didn’t close his knees, he was scared Hua Cheng might notice his body’s reaction, in
which case he might as well just smash his own head against the coffin and die. This
could’ve been explained away by ‘unavoidable natural reaction’, but the awkward thing
was, there was already that incident on that island. Once or twice he could say it was
unintentional, but after third or fourth times, how could he possibly explain himself?
Under such a dire situation, Xie Lian blurted, “No! San Lang… don’t, don’t touch me!”
After a brief moment of silence, Hua Cheng said with a dark voice, “Very well. Let’s
break out of here.”
It was like he was absolved and he cried, “GO!”
Suddenly, another vicious weightlessness attacked, and the the coffin that contained the
two was thrusted into the air!
At the same time, Hua Cheng and Xie Lian both smacked their palm on either side of
the coffin and instantly it cracked into pieces. The two broke out of the boat and the pair
leapt out under the moonlight. Xie Lian looked back and saw a giant water dragon
dangle broken pieces of that coffin in its mouth, roaring in the pouring rain, baring its
sharp teeth, as if raging at the empty casket it thought was full of food. It must’ve been
that water dragon just then that was throwing the coffin boat about in its mouth,
snapping here and twisting there.
That coffin boat had gone to sea at first and drifted for a while, but it was dragged back
by that water dragon. The two landed and returned to the Black Water Island once
more. Back at the beach, there were two more figures and it was the Water Master Wu
Du and General Pei. Shi Wudu still had his spiritual seal out, beckoning the rain and
winds as if he was going to summon that water dragon. Pei Ming patted his shoulder,
“Water Master-xiong! Just take it easy, will you? This round is over but who knows when
the next round will come, so just save your energy for now.”
Turns out, that sudden pouring rain just now was the accompaniment to Shi Wudu’s
Heavenly Calamity. The storm was calming down and Shi Wudu threw his hand, turning
to Hua Cheng and Xie Lian, questioning, “What’s with you two?”
“…”
Pei Ming piped up too, “Yea, Your Highness. Why don’t you two explain yourselves?
What’s going on? What are you two doing in there?”
When that coffin boat exploded, the disposition of their tight embrace was open for all to
see. Xie Lian blinked and was about to speak when he suddenly realized that both he
and Hua Cheng, after having tumbled around inside that narrow coffin boat, both have
their hair mussed and their clothes disheveled, appearing as inappropriate as one could
imagine. And after having wiped away the rain off his face, his cheeks were still burning.
Hua Cheng took a step forward, shielding him. A moment later Xie Lian softly cleared
his throat, “…Nothing’s going on. Just… the coffin’s too small.”
Shi Wudu was puzzled, “I wasn’t asking about that.”
Pei Ming pointed at all the leftover wood pieces they left behind on the beach and
asked, “The coffin was made on the spot, right? Why didn’t you build a bigger one?”
“…”
The design of the coffin boat was decided by both Hua Cheng and Xie Lian, and at the
time it seemed neither of them thought of building it bigger, so Xie Lian could only laugh
awkwardly, “You’re right. Haha, haha. Did My Lords only just drift close to this island?”
“That’s right.” Pei Ming replied, “Water Master-xiong battled against the currents of this
Black Water Demon Lair and we only just made it to this island. Didn’t expect to see a
coffin drift about on the surface of the Black Water Demon Lair seas, what a curious
sight.”
Xie Lian could feel his heart dropping, and he smiled, “Really curious indeed.”
“You.” Shi Wudu said.
He turned to Hua Cheng and squinted, “On the ship, didn’t you say that only coffin wood
that has carried the deceased won’t sink in the Black Water Demon Lair?”
Pei Ming pulled out his sword and said leisurely, “Yea. There’s the coffin wood, but
where’s the deceased?”
Hua Cheng smiled too, “If you’re so concerned with who’s dead, I suggest you go kill
yourself.”
Pei Ming pointed the sword at him, “Such arrogance. As expected of Crimson Rain
Sought Flower!”
As suspected, he had already guessed. Hua Cheng burst out laughing, and seeing that
a fight was about to start, Xie Lian blocked in front of Hua Cheng, “My Lords, please
calm yourselves. There’s no need to worry, San Lang is on this journey out of
generosity.”
“San Lang?” Pei Ming wondered, “I’ve never heard of how Crimson Rain Sought Flower
ranked from whatever house. Generous? Your Highness, are you sure that’s the word to
describe him?”
Shi Wudu had to stand in the spotlight so he pushed Pei Ming aside and said sharply,
“Are you the one messing things up on this trip? What’s your intention in luring us here
to the Black Water Demon Lair? Where’s Qingxuan?”
“This is someone else’s territory, did you think I want to be here?” Hua Cheng
answered.
Xie Lian was already used to these kinds of situations and changed the subject with
practised ease, “Has the Lord Wind Master not been found yet? Didn’t General Pei go
looking for them?”
Pei Ming flipped open his arms, “They were fished up at first, but a giant wave from
Water Master-xiong came and flushed them away.”
“Don’t mislead, Pei-xiong.” Shi Wudu said, “I can’t raise waves. Those creatures in the
sea kept coming one after the other, you couldn’t find them in the first place!”
Xie Lian quickly said, “Calm down, calm down. Um… Lord Wind Master is together with
Lord Earth Master so there shouldn’t be any big troubles.”
Shi Wudu humphed, “Earth Master? What good is the Earth Master! Mediocre and
average, he’s not a martial god either, his spiritual powers aren’t even as strong as
Qingxuan’s.” Then, he seemed to suddenly remember that Shi Qingxuan no longer
possessed any trace of spiritual powers, and his face fell, falling silent. Xie Lian
however, thought every spiritual stream had their focus, so although Ming Yi wasn’t a
martial god and his spiritual powers weren’t exactly strong, but he still wasn’t as horrible
as the Water Master described. Besides, the skills the Earth Master showed that time at
the Banyue Pass wasn’t bad; even if he wasn’t the best, he wasn’t the worst.
Pei Ming said too, “Don’t be too worried just yet. As long as they don’t run into the
Demon Xuan, Lord Earth Master should be able to take care of things.”
Hua Cheng laughed, “The Heavenly Calamity is already pursuing you everywhere,
fighting you. You made a huge mess of his lair, and you actually dare hope that the lair
master hasn’t noticed?”
Suddenly, Shi Wudu’s face twitched, and took out a golden longevity locket out of the
collar of his robes. Pei Ming asked, “Water Master-xiong, did something happen?”
That golden longevity locket seemed to be vibrating in his palm, and Shi Wudu said,
“Qingxuan is close by… and he’s hurt!”
Xie Lian took a look at that golden locket and it looked exactly the same as the one Shi
Qingxuan was wearing that day, the one he removed to build the protection array and
left behind in the end. “Is the Lord Wind Master still wearing that longevity locket? I
recall he removed it before.”
“I picked it up and put it around him again.” Shi Wudu said.
Turns out, those two longevity lockets were forged by the golden core of the two
brothers. When they were near each other and one was hurt, the lockets would call out
to each other, and the closer they were to each other the stronger the cry. This wasn’t a
casted spell but a natural attribute and so it was unaffected by the powers of the Demon
Lair. Shi Wudu removed the longevity locket from around his neck and dangled the
chain from his hand, holding his arm out straight and slowly turned in a circle. When he
was facing a certain direction, the vibration of that golden locket abruptly grew stronger.
It was the direction to the forest, towards unfathomably deep heart of this lonely island.
Shi Wudu said grimly, “Looks like Qingxuan is on this island right now.”
Then, he strode in large steps towards that forest. Naturally, Pei Ming followed along.
Xie Lian contemplated, since the Wind and Earth Masters were both on the island and
the Wind Master seemed to be injured and bleeding, then they should be found first and
worry about the rest later. “My Lords, there are minions hidden inside the forest, be
careful of ambush.”
Hua Cheng came to follow too and Xie Lian was going to grab for his hand at first, but
then he remembered his disgraceful state back inside the coffin boat, and the
outstretched hand shrank back in spite of himself. In the end, he tugged onto Hua
Cheng’s sleeve, not daring to look at the face of the other. Pei Ming however, looked
back frequently, and appeared to be very interested, “Crimson Rain Sought Flower, Your
Highness, the two of you really are stuck together like glue. A Ghost King like yourself
following after us so openly, aren’t you even going to try to avoid suspicion?”
Xie Lian replied languidly, “What is General Pei saying? Under these circumstances, it’s
less suspicious if he came along. Otherwise if My Lords were to run into any dangers,
how can he hope to clear his name if My Lords were to suspect him?”
“He’s made it to the title of Supreme, so what’s the difference if he’s in front of our eyes
or not? Would it not be easy for him to simply create a clone?” Pei Ming said.
Just as the words left his lips, a sharp sound ripped through the air. Pei Ming raised his
hand and caught a stealth arrow, “So there is something, that was close! Water
Master-xiong, be careful…”
Before he finished speaking there were more swishing sounds and several more stealth
arrows came flying towards him. Cling clang. Pei Ming swept his sword around and
wondered woefully, “What the hell?”
Shi Wudu laughed out loud, “Pei-xiong, I think you best watch yourself instead!” Then
he quickened his pace.
If it was only ambushing arrows from somewhere hidden it wasn’t anything to be afraid
of, just really annoying. Irritated, Pei Ming flattened a field of shrubberies and soon
picked out a few little minions, “You guys got guts!”
Those little ghosts looked scrawny and sallow skinned, only the lowest of minions, and
hanging from his hand, they were terrified by the general into little balls, begging for
mercy. They were only guarding the door after all, so fighting intruders couldn’t be
helped. After scaring them with some words Pei Ming let them go. However, when they
ran into more cunning and vicious ones later, Pei Ming squashed them into a ball and
dribbled as they made their way. The four of them brushed away branches and pushed
their way through bushes through the thick forest, walking for who knows how long but
the golden locket in Shi Wudu’s hand was crying louder and louder. Finally, they
reached a large empty area within the middle of the forest.
The heart of the forest was a lake, and the four walked towards it. Suddenly, Pei Ming
spoke up, “Crimson Rain Sought Flower, if you keep this prank up, I won’t be able to
tolerate you any longer.”
Both Hua Cheng and Xie Lian looked to him, then looked at each other. Pei Ming
frowned, “If you want to fight then challenge me like a man. Pei isn’t like those
thirty-three heavenly officials, I’m not afraid of you. Shoving me every now and then is
meaningless.”
Hua Cheng raised his brows, “Gege, you have to believe me. That’s got nothing to do
with me.”
Xie Lian intervened, “General Pei, he doesn’t play those meaningless pranks.”
Pei Ming was doubtful, “Really?”
Xie Lian became alarmed, “Be careful, it might be something else on this island stirring
trouble.”
Pei Ming stopped talking. Just then, Shi Wudu slowed his pace, “It’s here.”
That golden longevity locket seemed to be crying at its hardest at this place, meaning
Shi Qingxuan was somewhere here. Yet, everything here could be seen clearly; other
than a lake, there was nothing else.
“Could there be an underground palace?” Pei Ming wondered.
Shi Wudu stared at the surface of the water, and Xie Lian said, “It’s also possible that
it’s at the bottom of the waters.”
However, this lake of the Black Water Island shouldn’t be entered so randomly, lest one
be unable to resurface once in. The surface of that lake was calm without ripples,
appearing like a giant mirror, reflecting the blanched moon hung high in the night sky
without stars or clouds. The four walked along the edge of the lake. Xie Lian was still
thinking of how to investigate the bottom of the lake when without warning, a terrified
scream ripped through the night air.
The one leading the group was Shi Wudu, the one bringing up the rear was Pei Ming.
The three in front all looked back, and the one who screamed was the little ghost Pei
Ming had captured on the road. Its skull was gone and black blood was spurting meters
high from its neck, the head that was flung into the air was screaming piercingly.
“General Pei, what are you doing killing it so suddenly?” Xie Lian asked.
Pei Ming however, exclaimed, “NO!” But before he could explain, his body sank, one
knee hitting the ground. Hua Cheng laughed, “There’s no need for such formalities
either?”
Yet, Pei Ming’s expression was starkly shocked and he shouted, “WATER
MASTER-XIONG, WATCH OUT!!!”
However, what’s there to watch out for? Other than the four of them by the lake, there
was nothing else!
It was as if Pei Ming was bound by something invisible; Shi Wudu was rushing over to
help when suddenly a flash of chilling light from the air greeted him instead. He dodged
just in time, yet a trail of blood was still sliced across one of his cheeks. He wiped it with
his hand and his face dropped.
Xie Lian placed himself in front of Hua Cheng to shield him and said, “The invisibility
spell?!”
Pei Ming finally broke free of the thing that was formlessly constraining him, and he
shouted, “GATHER AROUND! DON’T BREAK UP!”
Shi Wudu didn’t care for that much; the moment he felt that longevity locket start crying
again he started charging around the lake, frantically calling out, “QINGXUAN!
QINGXUAN!”
It was a chaotic situation, however it was precisely amidst this ruckus that Xie Lian
suddenly noticed something exceedingly unnerving.
Along the edge of the lakeshore, the area was flat and empty, nothing to be seen.
However, the lakeshore reflected on the lake’s surface was different.
In the reflection, the other shore of the lake stood a charcoal black building. That
building was chillingly gloomy, looking nothing like a residence but more so a prison.
There was no door, only a set of windows high above, unforgivingly sealed by rows of
iron bars. From between those iron bars peeked a pale white hand, waving desperately
as if begging for help.
Xie Lian whipped his head up and looked to the shore before him and there was
veritably nothing besides Shi Wudu holding out the longevity locket. When he looked
down again, the reflection in the lake also veritably showed that chilling iron prison. Shi
Wudu was searching around right before that iron prison but he couldn’t see it.
Xie Lian blurted out, “My LordS! I FOUND IT! LOOK…”
Just then, his pupils suddenly shrank. Something new was reflected within the Black
Water Lake.
A shadowy figure had appeared soundlessly behind both him and Hua Cheng.
———-
●MXTX Author Notes: And so that day, the crown prince who’d always thought
himself indifferent to X suddenly discovered he was rock hard~
———
Ch.122: The Nether Water Manor; Black Robes White Bones
Yet on the shore, there was not a single soul behind them!
Xie Lian had carried Fang Xin on him the entire journey, and the moment he saw the
reflection he immediately swung the sword back. That black shadow was clearly
stabbed, yet it felt like a ball of waves was stabbed instead, and it broke up into a series
of ripples before it disappeared on the spot. Hua Cheng also raised his brows slightly,
glancing in the direction of where that black shadow disappeared and knitted his brows.
Soon after, more and more shadowy figures appeared in the water reflection, their
blanched faces and pale hands the only things eye-catching in the blackened night. Xie
Lian unsheathed his sword and swept, shouting, “GENERAL PEI! GO TO THE
WATERS AND LOOK AT THE REFLECTIONS! THE REFLECTIONS IN THE WATER
CAN REVEAL THOSE CREATURES!”
If they weren’t in the Demon Lair, those little ghosts wouldn’t be able to come near a
heavenly official at all. Pei Ming wasn’t able to see the enemy earlier, yet now that he
could observe through the water, he watched the reflection and easily took care of the
crowd of ghosts surrounding him with but two swings of his sword. Shi Wudu also finally
noticed the strange reflections and he knelt by the waters, shouting into the lake with his
head down, “QINGXUAN? ARE YOU THERE?!”
That water was black, that iron prison was also black, and melded into one, it was hard
to notice; only that one hand was white. Suddenly, a face appeared between the iron
bars, and it was Shi Qingxuan!
He didn’t seem to be able to see the Shi Wudu outside the iron prison, and his
expression was one of chilling terror. His two hands clutched the iron bars, desperately
trying to squeeze his head out, looking like he was crying for help yet not a single sound
passed through. He didn’t yell for very long before suddenly, several shrivelled,
decaying hands grabbed at his head, pulled at this face, his neck, his shoulders, and
yanked him down!
Seeing this, Shi Wudu cursed and was about to jump right into the water when Pei Ming
pulled him back, “Water Master-xiong, you can’t! Can’t you tell this is a trap? You can’t
manipulate the waters of the South Sea, and as a Water God, if you enter someone
else’s water territory, aren’t you just asking to be butchered?”
Shi Wudu patted his shoulder and only said this: “Then help me guard the outside.”
Then he shoved him away, leapt and jumped into the Black Water Lake!
The moment he entered the waters he sank right down. Pei Ming called out, “WATER
MASTER-XIONG!” But he couldn’t follow because he knew that this lake was most
likely a ‘boundary’. Much like the mechanisms setup in ancient graves, outsiders could
open the tomb gates and intrude, but once inside, the doors would close automatically
and would not open from the inside, leaving the intruders to die trapped within. It’d be
hard pressed to say that this ‘boundary’ didn’t have a similar mechanism. Xie Lian
called out, “General Pei! Don’t go in. There’s a corpse right by your feet, hurry back to
the beach and build a coffin to prepare for evacuation. I’ll go in!”
“Your Highness? Will you be alright?!” Pei Ming asked.
“Your spiritual powers are pretty much cut down coming to this place, so we’re equals
now. I’m more experienced than you fighting with bare fists!”
Pei Ming then glanced at the Hua Cheng standing next to Xie Lian and recalled that he
could float on the water surface, so the two of them were much more useful than he
would be here, not less, so without further ado, he picked up the corpse of that little
ghost and rushed out of the woods. Xie Lian turned to face Hua Cheng, “San Lang, will
you lend me a little spiritual power again… just a little, a little little bit is enough!”
Without a word, Hua Cheng gave his small back a gentle pat. When Xie Lian swung
Fang Xin again, a giant pillar like white light flashed and every little ghost on scene was
killed by the strike. Xie Lian was speechless for a moment and instantly sheathed the
sword. “I’m off!”
The two jumped into the water at the same time. However, at the bottom of the Black
Water Lake, other than the abnormally cold lake water, there wasn’t anything strange.
This water was also different than the ship-sinking waters of the Black Water Demon
Lair, and one could obviously float within, not unlike a normal lake. Xie Lian was puzzled
and swam downwards directly. It didn’t take long for him to reach the bottom but there
wasn’t any strange mechanism to be seen and he didn’t see Lord Wind Master or Lord
Water Master either. He knitted his brows and mused for a moment before he swam
back up. Moments later, Xie Lian broke through the surface and sucked in a few
breaths, wiping wetness off of his face, and it was only then did he realize that the
landscapes upon the shore had transformed!
Next to the Black Water Lake, there stood an iron prison, and it was the exact same one
reflected in the waters earlier.
However, other than the prison, everything else on the shoreside was still exactly the
same. It was also overly quiet, adding to the hauntingness of the place. Shi Wudu had
already climbed ashore and was just smashing against the giant lock on that iron prison
with a giant boulder. He was the heavenly official who controlled water, now that he
entered the domain of another who could control water and he lost the ability to
manipulate water, he was like a beast with fangs and claws removed. When Xie Lian
and Hua Cheng climbed ashore, the moment Shi Wudu saw Xie Lian his eyes lit up and
he raised his hand, “A martial god! Thank god! Quick, use your martial god ways to take
care of this!”
“…”
Will everyone now understand the benefits of a martial god? Xie Lian thought internally
as he silently approached and gave the lock a kick, cracking it soundly. Another kick
and the prison gates opened. Shi Wudu rushed to go in and cried, “QING—”
Yet before he even charged in, a crowd came rushing out instead, wailing and howling,
“OH OH OH OH OH AH AH AH AH AH WU WU WU WU WAH WAH WAH WAH WAH!”
Those people were all disheveled and unkempt, emaciated and gaunt, their eyes blank,
their ragged clothes covering nothing, revealing rows of ribs. They were so filthy it was
like they hadn’t bathed in over ten years; their hands were swinging and grabbing
randomly, pounding at their own chests and stopping in their steps, they roared and
cried incoherently, exceedingly horrifying, and they streamed out like a wave of polluted
waters, leaving Shi Wudu in petrified shock.
However, they were only trying to escape; they didn’t stick around to harass, and so
even if Shi Wudu was momentarily stunned, he didn’t care for them and continued to
charge into the building, “QING—!”
Yet before he could even make a few steps, he staggered in his step and almost fell –
that ground was extremely slippery! There was also a rotten stench emanating from
within the iron prison that was hard to describe, and even Xie Lian who was still outside
could smell it, holding his breath. Shi Wudu thus covered his orifices with his sleeve and
continued to charge in, finally able to yell the full name, “QINGXUAN?!”
It was pitch black within the prison, and all around them were muffled sobbing and
strange murmured chattering. Moments later, a weak voice came, “…ge…”
Sure enough. Shi Qingxuan was sitting brokenly in the deepest part of the iron prison,
leaning against a wall. On the wall was that sole tall window of the iron prison, and the
moonlight leaking through the window illuminated his person, making him look white as
a sheet. Next to him was surrounded by a number of filthy creatures. Some had rotten
sores covering their entire bodies, some were imitating the cries of a pig, some were
pecking grain like they were chickens, and some were hugging Shi Qingxuan, wailing
and calling him baby, all of them insane.
Shi Qingxuan had once been an esteemed heavenly official, and never once had he
ever fallen to such a state. Shi Wudu immediately went up and shot out a blast, “GET
LOST! WHAT KIND OF GHOSTS ARE THESE?!”
He and Shi Qingxuan resembled each other, yet their auras were completely different.
Although his spiritual powers were cut down right now, his might was even more
domineering, and those mad men scrambled away in fear. Xie Lian couldn’t help but
feel sympathy and Shi Qingxuan also chided, “Ge, don’t fight, they’re not little ghosts.
They’re all… live people!”
Sure enough, although each of those figures looked more demonic than demons, but
when looked closely, they were all in fact humans. Xie Lian couldn’t help but be taken
aback, ‘Why would the Black Water Demon Xuan lock up a bunch of those people
here?’ he wondered.
Shi Wudu however, didn’t care for them at all. He held up that longevity locket in one
hand, and the other grabbed hold of Shi Qingxuan arm, “How did you come here?
Where are you hurt?”
Shi Qingxuan really was quite dirty, but other than a scratch on his leg that was bleeding
a bit, there didn’t seem to much else. “I don’t know how we got here. A wave surged
and knocked us out and when we came to, we were already here. This is just a small
scratch, it’s nothing serious! Ming-xiong’s injuries are more severe.”
Only then did the others realize that Ming Yi was lying on the ground nearby, looking
ashen, but not ashen from displeasure. Patches of purple and blue covered his face and
Xie Lian asked, “What’s happened to Lord Earth Master?”
“Seemed he was bitten by those creatures in the sea,” Shi Qingxuan replied, “Those
Skeleton Fish have green moss on their teeth and bones, and they’re all poisonous! I
gave him all the medicine I had on me, but… sigh.”
Xie Lian squatted down and was going to look him over carefully, but he almost fainted
from the disgusting stench of the place. Looking around, there were some wooden
buckets placed about, and within those buckets were all swills, emanating an astringent
and musty smell. There was even the rotten stink of sores and blood, and the horrifying
stench of chamber pots that hadn’t been emptied for months.
Shi Wudu couldn’t tolerate it any longer, “Such a disgusting hobby, it seems this
Ship-Sinking Black Water doesn’t have any sense of class either. Qingxuan, let’s go!”
He pulled Shi Qingxuan up and started to drag him out but Shi Qingxuan spoke up, “I’m
fine, no need to assist me.” Then he went to carry Ming Yi before slowly moving out of
the iron prison.
However, it was easier to come than go. The boundary passage in the Black Water
Lake was already sealed shut. They entered the waters a few times and emerged
through the surface but the sceneries never changed, proving that they were truly kept
within the boundary of the Black Water Lake, unable to leave.
“Where’s General Pei?” Shi Qingxuan asked.
“I made Pei-xiong stay outside. He should be able to think of a way.” Shi Wudu replied.
“I told General Pei to go build a coffin boat so the moment we get out we can evacuate.”
Xie Lian said.
“If he’s completed the coffin boat then it’s also fine if he goes back to report first before
coming back for us.” Shi Wudu said.
However, Ming Yi was wounded, and while they weren’t sure how powerful the poison
was, it was still better to leave as soon as possible, so they might not be able to wait
that long. After some contemplation, Xie Lian said, “This Black Water Demon Xuan
might live in seclusion out here in the sea but there’s no way he’d never leave. Surely
he wouldn’t have to cross an entire Black Water Demon Lair every time he wants to go
out?”
“You’re very right.” Shi Wudu said, “There must be a place on this island that can cast
the Distance Shortening spell.”
Shi Wudu didn’t particularly care for Xie Lian at first, but now that they’re shouldering
hardships together and Xie Lian saved Shi Qingxuan time and time again, naturally he
now looked at him differently, and agreed without any scrooge. Just then, Ming Yi
slightly raised a hand, and Shi Qingxuan asked, “Ming-xiong? What do you want to
say?”
Looking like he was trying to save strength, Ming Yi didn’t speak, and only raised that
hand higher. The others looked to the direction of his raised hand and saw in the deep
of the forest stood a black, gloomy building.
Ming Yi dropped his hand and croaked, “That place… what’s it for, do you know?”
“No.” Xie Lian said, “We didn’t see it on the way here.”
Shi Wudu squinted, “That must be the Nether Water Manor of that Black Demon Xuan.”
In rumours, the residence of Black Demon Xuan was called the ‘Nether Water Manor’.
Making the decision, Shi Wudu said, “Let’s go.”
He actually started walking towards the manor without any fear of retribution. Although it
seemed tactlessly rude, but under the current circumstances, what other choice did they
have?
If it’s said that they were spinning about in someone else’s backyard earlier, then now
they’re about to go break in through someone else’s front doors. Xie Lian whispered to
Hua Cheng, “San Lang, if this is awkward for you, you don’t need to come.”
However, Hua Cheng also looked somber and said, “Quicken your pace, gege. Leave
here as soon as possible.”
Xie Lian nodded and stopped speaking. However, he could tell faintly that Hua Cheng
seemed to have scruples, and it wasn’t about the master of this land but something
else.
He’d always thought there was something off, and he thought of all the little questions
that have been piling up for a while now, and they were making him feel anxious. Soon,
the group crossed through the forest, disregarding that band of insane mad men
running about, and came before that haunting black building.
It was then did they realize that this ‘Nether Water Manor’ was in fact a large palace, its
build and make were very similar to the exquisit Wind Master Palace and Water Master
Palace. The palace doors were tightly shut, and after the group of them hiked up the
countless steps and stood before the gates, Xie Lian knocked on the doors and called
out brightly, “Pardon the intrusion! We have, by accident, offended bluntly. We deeply
apologize.”
No one answered. Xie Lian steadied his mind and slowly pushed open the palace
doors.
At first, based on Xie Lian’s years of experience and past patterns, even if there was
something inside it wouldn’t come out and greet the moment the doors open. Yet he had
to eat his own words. With the first look and there was something petrifying.
In the grand, spacious centre of the great hall sat a person. And this person, dressed in
all black, its face snow white – was a corpse!
Instantly Xie Lian shut the doors soundly.
He thought, ‘Did I maybe open the doors incorrectly? Something like that shouldn’t
show itself so fast?’
He had wanted to try greeting again and start over but Shi Wudu had already walked
past him and pushed open the doors, humphing, “We’ve already come, so what does it
matter if he doesn’t welcome us?”
The group slowly stepped into the palace and stealthily approached that set of skeleton
dressed in black. Xie Lian examined it carefully and wondered, “Who does this corpse
belong to? Why is it being worshipped here?”
Ming Yi knitted his brows, “…Wasn’t, General Pei, left behind? It can’t be him?”
That really could be a possibility. Shi Wudu was slightly stunned and looked it over a
few more times and immediately refuted, “It shouldn’t be. The body shape of this set of
bones is flatter than General Pei.”
Suddenly, Shi Qingxuan said, “Wait.”
The group looked to him and Shi Qingxuan said, “Isn’t the answer obvious? This is the
Nether Water Manor. The only one that could be worshipped in the Nether Water Manor
is naturally…”
Xie Lian understood what he wanted to say, “Black Water Demon Xuan?”
———
Ch.123: The Nether Water Manor; Black Robes White Bones 2
Then, he dismissed the idea, “That’s not possible.”
Xie Lian glanced in Hua Cheng’s direction, “Ashes are the life source of those in the
ghost realm, it’s their fatal weakness. How can something so important be so easily
displayed out in the open?”
This fact was something Hua Cheng told him himself when they first met. For some
reason, he said it so matter of factly yet in his mind he subconsciously remembered the
other things Hua Cheng had also said. Hua Cheng was also watching him intently and
Xie Lian lost himself for a moment. He then immediately turned his head away and
cleared his throat softly.
“Then… whose bones could this belong to?” Shi Qingxuan wondered.
The group of them surrounded that haunting skeleton and started examining it. Xie Lian
spoke up, “First, it’s a man.”
“We see that.” The group said.
Xie Lian continued, “Second, this man’s hands and feet should be fairly dextrous,
especially his fingers. He should have practiced some sort of martial arts but his skills
might not be strong. Majority of exceptional martial artists trained in a pure body, the
bone structure shouldn’t be like this.”
Shi Wudu however, only swept his eyes over the corpse a couple times before turning
away, “As long as that thing won’t stand in our way, it doesn’t matter who he is. Lord
Earth Master, where do you think we can cast the Distance Shortening…”
However, before he finished his sentence that skeleton suddenly raised its head and
lunged at him without warning!
Fortunately, Xie Lian reacted swiftly and chopped it down with his hand, and that
skeleton fell to the ground into a heap of broken bones. Shi Qingxuan exclaimed, “Ge!”
In the group of five, Hua Cheng would never give a helping hand to protect anyone else,
and Xie Lian, being the only martial god, suddenly appeared extremely important.
Although Shi Wudu was attacked, he still remained rather calm, and had only backed
one step earlier too. “What’s with this skeleton? Does it still have lingering souls
possessing it?”
Xie Lian squatted down and turned over the bones, studying the pile, then shook his
head, “That’s weird.”
“What’s weird?” Shi Wudu asked.
Xie Lian rose to his feet, “This skeleton clearly doesn’t have a single piece of a soul left,
otherwise when we came close earlier we would have noticed any odd movements.”
“If that’s the case, then how can it still savagely rise and harm so suddenly?” Shi Wudu
asked.
Humming for a moment, Xie Lian answered, “I think, it’s terminal lucidity.”
Shi Qingxuan was puzzled, “Terminal lucidity? Doesn’t that only happen to the living? I
mean, those on the verge of death… still counts as the living.”
“The dead is the same,” Xie Lian explained, “For example, the Seventh Day* is also a
form of terminal lucidity, when the souls of the deceased return to greet family on the
seventh day. In fact, it’s the same for anything. I think, Lord Water Master must’ve
provoked it earlier, which was why it suddenly gathered the last of its strength and made
such a move.”
Because it made sense, Shi Wudu was valuing his words more and more, “Then
according to Your Highness, what was the provocation?”
“It was either something you said or something on you.” Xie Lian said.
“What did I say?” Shi Wudu wondered.
Ming Yi blew out a breath, “…’As long as that thing won’t stand in our way, it doesn’t
matter who he is’.”
Shi Qingxuan scratched his head, puzzled, “Was there something wrong with that?
Could this good brother have a bad temper?”
Nothing conclusive could come from further discussion, so Xie Lian said, “Either way
the souls have dispersed, so let it go.” He then picked up the bones and placed them
upon the altar anew, clapping his hands in prayer and bowed a few times. Shi Qingxuan
came over too and randomly bowed a couple times.
The five of them then wandered about the Nether Water Manor. There wasn’t anyone
there so it seemed that legendary Black Water Demon Xuan wasn’t home. The
framework of the Water Manor was complex; there were many big and small side
chambers within, but there was one that was particularly hidden and narrow, its doors
had strange spells drawn upon it, the very leftover trace of having the Distance
Shortening spells casted.
It seemed that on this Black Water Island, there was indeed a place that the Distance
Shortening array could be used, and that place was this tiny side chamber. To set a
chamber specifically as a connection point, the amount of spiritual powers required
would be much less than if one was to draw a completely new array. Since they didn’t
have much spiritual powers at their disposal, this was perfect. Ming Yi was the expert,
and with just a glance he stated, “This array only allows for one direction.”
Xie Lian understood, “Which means that it can only send forth, but one cannot be sent
here from elsewhere, correct?”
Ming Yi nodded, “So the spiritual powers needed can be further cut down.”
“Isn’t that exactly what we need?” Shi Qingxuan said, “We only need to leave. This is
great! Let’s get outta here, don’t let that Black Water master discover us.” Then, with
Ming Yi in one arm, he was about to push open the doors with his other hand when
Ming Yi shouted sharply, “Stop! There’s a trap!”
Hearing this, Shi Qingxuan stumbled back three feet, “What trap?!”
Ming Yi was also dragged back for three feet along with him and was speechless for a
moment. Then he gestured for Shi Qingxuan to assist him again and they went back to
the door. Ming Yi looked over the spells on that door for a while before stating firmly, “It’s
a trap. Arrays drawn in this chamber at most can only send one person away at a time.”
“That’s a thing?” Shi Qingxuan exclaimed, “Then what happens if two people are sent
together???”
Ming Yi answered coldly, “When those two reached their destination, you’ll find they will
have been crushed into one person.”
“…”
Among those present, only Ming Yi was the expert when it came to this. The rest was
one water god, one wind god, and one martial god, none of them particularly familiar in
this area. Xie Lian’s first reaction was to look at Hua Cheng, and seeing that he was
only watching that array with a dark look but didn’t voice any objections, it seemed Ming
Yi wasn’t lying. Xie Lian hummed, “If that’s really the case, then should ignorant
intruders try to use this array to escape, they’d result in an… atrocious end. No wonder
it’s a trap.”
Just then, there was rumbling in the skies outside. Twisted lightning crawled across the
gloomy clouds, flashing white and blue upon the faces inside the Nether Water Manor,
making them appear like five menacing ghosts. The group all looked at each other and
Shi Qingxuan said, “Ge, it’s another…”
Shi Wudu’s face was dropping and he didn’t respond. However, everyone knew that this
was his Heavenly Calamity in pursuit of him again. Pei Ming’s casual words faintly
echoed in Xie Lian’s mind again, “Water Master-xiong, you’re really unlucky this time…”
“Since we can use the Distance Shortening array here, then let’s hurry and get out of
here.” Shi Qingxuan urged, “If a Heavenly Lightning is to strike here and destroy the
Water Manor, then…” Then this would surely cause greater animosity. To dismantle a
heavenly official’s temple was to destroy their brand, it would build deep hatred.
Although it’s unclear whether the ghost realm held the same taboo, no one would want
to have their house demolished for no reason.
“Then Lord Earth Master, you must go first. You’re wounded.” Xie Lian said.
However, Ming Yi shook his head, “The array will need to be redrawn after every use.
None of you know how to draw it so I have to stay behind to repair the array.”
“Then Ming-xiong, I’ll stay with you and go second last.” Shi Qingxuan said.
“What are you saying?” Shi Wudu said, “If you… even if you stay you’d be of no use.
Leave now and go to the East Sea!”
However, Shi Qingxuan countered, “Everyone’s about equally useless right now, so it
doesn’t matter. This whole thing had nothing to do with Ming-xiong but he had to suffer
like this, I…” He sighed, “I feel really bad.”
“We’re all being sent to the same location anyway, it won’t take long, so what are you
afraid of?” Shi Wudu said.
If this was before, Shi Wudu had only needed to say a few words and Shi Qingxuan
would listen. Yet things weren’t the same now, and Shi Qingxuan wasn’t listening,
asking instead, “If we left first, what about General Pei? Wouldn’t he be left behind?”
Shi Wudu also noticed that his younger brother wasn’t as obedient anymore and his
expression grew complicated. A moment later he replied, “It’s fine, Pei-xiong’s
stubbornly resilient. He can hang on until we get reinforcements from heaven.”
“…” Xie Lian didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. Although his instincts told him the
Water Master wasn’t wrong and didn’t mean any harm, but still he suddenly felt pity for
Pei Ming. After a pause, he said, “Wait.”
The group looked to him. Xie Lian said, “Lord Earth Master, are you sure this chamber
can really start up the Distance Shortening array? Won’t there be any issues? I don’t
think it’s wise to just use it so carelessly, why not test it first?”
Ming Yi’s hand really did stop, “How? If we must test it we’ll still need a volunteer.”
Shi Qingxuan raised his hand, “Then I volunteer.”
Hua Cheng hadn’t spoken throughout the whole thing but now he crossed his arms and
said, “Sorry to interrupt. Have you all never thought of a problem?”
“And what esteemed opinion does My Lord have?” Ming Yi asked.
“How would you know if the volunteer has reached the predetermined destination?” Hua
Cheng pointed out.
Xie Lian blinked, “That’s right. Lord Earth Master did say this array only goes one
direction.”
Which meant, once sent out, that person would not be able to return and let the others
know whether if they’ve reached the destination safely. Where they were now was also
isolated from the outside world, the spiritual communication arrays blocked, so it
seemed they’ve come to a dead end. It seemed they’ve all forgotten that fact just now.
Hua Cheng concluded, “So, it’s completely meaningless to keep discussing this issue.
It’s just one word: go or leave. End this swiftly. Scared? Then stay behind.”
Although he was smiling, Xie Lian could sense that Hua Cheng was slightly restless as
if he wanted to leave this place as soon as possible. This restlessness should’ve been
around ever since they were brought back by Shi Wudu’s water dragons, and it was
only getting worse.
Shi Wudu didn’t want to wait anymore either. That Heavenly Thunder was exploding
next to his ears, and if he didn’t leave it would strike sooner than later, and no one
would have a good time. Thus, he charged into that side chamber and slammed the
door. Ming Yi immediately completed the array. When the door was opened once more,
faint smoke wafted from the inside but it was empty within.
“Done. Next.” Ming Yi said.
“Then, Your Highness…” Shi Qingxuan started, but before he could finish Ming Yi had
already grabbed him and stuffed him inside, closing the door, completing the array. The
second time the door opened, Ming Yi looked at the remaining two. Xie Lian spoke up,
“San Lang, why don’t you go first?”
However, Hua Cheng pulled him along and said darkly, “Gege, we go together.”
Xie Lian was taken aback, “But couldn’t this array only allow for one at a time…”
“I’m not alive, don’t worry.” Hua Cheng said.
Xie Lian still felt rather concerned for some reason but he couldn’t put his fingers on it.
Hua Cheng brought him through the door and said to the Ming Yi outside, “Puqi Shrine.”
Ming Yi nodded silently. That set of doors slowly closed before Xie Lian, and through the
closing crack, he glanced at Ming Yi’s dark expression, wondering in spite of himself,
“Can Lord Earth Master really hold on?”
Hua Cheng closed the door with his own hand, waited for a moment, then reopened it.
What appeared before the two was already the interior of Puqi Shrine. It was the middle
of the night; Qi Rong was sleeping sprawled out like he died a violent death, and he
hogged all the blankets, his snores roaring to the skies. Guzi used to have a good
sleeping form, but perhaps with his cheap dad’s bad influence, now he was also spread
out on top of Qi Rong’s stomach like a dead fish. Lang Ying himself was curled neatly in
the corner and was covered by a few shirts. Xie Lian lifted the blanket covering Qi
Rong, suppressed the urge to smother his face, and covered the two small children.
“So… we’re back?” He whispered.
Hua Cheng closed the door behind him, “En. It’s over.”
“Not yet, I don’t think.” Xie Lian said, “We don’t know if Lord Wind Master and the others
have returned yet.”
He lightly pushed the door open and only raised his voice once he was outside the
shrine, calling the spiritual communication array that was temporarily set up from before,
“Lord Earth Master? Are you all back?”
There was no response. Thinking that Ming Yi might not have acted that quick, Xie Lian
entered the communication array of the Heavenly Court. He wouldn’t have known had
he not entered, but once he had he jumped in surprise. It was complete chaos inside.
Every heavenly official was yelling, and even Ling Wen was throwing a fit, “DON’T
THROW EVERY USELESS INFORMATION MY WAY, HOW MUCH DO YOU THINK I
HAVE TO GO THROUGH EVERYDAY? DON’T YOU ALL KNOW TO USE YOUR
BRAINS A LITTLE BEFORE ASKING ME?!”
“Ling Wen!” Xie Lian called out hastily, “Have Lord Water Master and the others not
return?!”
As if she changed into a completely different person, Ling Wen instantly caught hold of
him, “Your Highness! Why is your voice suddenly so loud… have you returned from the
East Sea? Where did Lord Water Master and General Pei go?? How come there’s been
no communication?”
“I came back from the South Sea.” Xie Lian said.
“The South Sea?”
“The South Sea, Black Water Demon Lair.”
Ling Wen was dumbfounded, “But… how did you all end up over there?! We never
touch that place. Are ol’ Pei and the others there too?”
“It’s a long story,” Xie Lian said, “Lord Water Master was fighting the trial and
accidentally entered the Black Water Demon Lair. We finally escaped. He and Lord
Wind Master returned before I did, so they should’ve reached the East Sea by now, did
you not see them?”
“No!” Ling Wen said, “The East Sea had calmed down a long time ago, and those two
hundred something fishermen have all been rescued, but there’s no trace of them on
the shores or in the sea!”
“How can that be?!” Xie Lian exclaimed, “Unless…”
Unless what?
Ling Wen asked anxiously, “Unless what? Your Highness? Your Highness do you still
have something to say? Should we send heavenly officials to the South Sea right now?”
Xie Lian muttered, “It’s too late.”
He shut down the communication array and whipped around, “San Lang.”
Hua Cheng seemed to already expect what he was going to ask and was silent with his
hands clenched at his sides, watching him solemnly. “Did you and that person reach an
agreement a long time ago?” Xie Lian asked.
Hua Cheng didn’t immediately respond but just as he moved his lips, Xie Lian quickly
said, “No no no, don’t tell me! You don’t have to answer me. If you had long reached an
agreement with someone else, I certainly wouldn’t want you to become someone who’d
go back on their word because of me. It’s my fault for asking you so suddenly, I didn’t
mean to put you in a difficult situation.”
“I’m sorry, Your Highness.” Hua Cheng said.
Xie Lian shook his head, “Don’t apologize. I should’ve figured this out a long time ago. It
must be due to some sort of agreement that you couldn’t interfere and couldn’t tell me
the truth directly.”
It wasn’t like Hua Cheng hadn’t tried to stop him but he didn’t obstruct Xie Lian’s desire
either, and only accompanied him on the trip, protecting him the whole way, even with a
plan to break away already prepared. Only, there was always something that dragged
Xie Lian deeper into the heart of the affair.
“I should be thanking you instead.” Xie Lian said.
“You’ve figured everything out?” Hua Cheng asked.
Xie Lian nodded. “Pretty much. In fact, I should’ve figured it out a long time ago, but he
really is incredible. I’d often think too much too, dismissing my own suspicions, and
always end up overlooking the most straightforward possibilities.”
After a pause, he continued, “And, that person really gave you a lot of face. To
peacefully send me away, he put in considerable effort and wasted much time
detouring.”
“Your Highness,” Hua Cheng said, “This whole thing ends here. It’s over.”
Xie Lian sighed, “I also wish that’s the case. But, he might have crossed the line.”
After some silence, Hua Cheng said gently, “But you’ve come back and there’s no way
for you to return to the Demon Lair. Let them take care of their own affairs now.”
“Don’t be so sure.” Xie Lian said.
Hearing this, Hua Cheng froze.
“I suddenly thought of an idea just now. I’ve a way to connect with Lord Wind Master.”
Xie Lian said.
He raised his hands and started forming a hand seal, “So, sorry, San Lang, but I have to
go back for a bit.”
Seeing that hand seal, Hua Cheng instantly understood. Clearly he hadn’t expected this
move and his eyes widened, “…gege?”
Xie Lian enunciated: “SOUL–SHIFTING–SPELL!”
After closing his eyes, that familiar weightless sensation invaded, like his soul was
pulled out and whipped into the air before plunging, and when he opened his eyes
again, what was before him wasn’t Hua Cheng’s face but an endless black night and
mountainous woods speedily backing away on either sides. Xie Lian could also hear
harsh breathing coming from his own mouth and violent heart beats.
Success!
The Soul Shifting Spell wasn’t used often and burns an abundance of spiritual power. It
was stronger than spiritual communication and also more wicked and rare, so spiritual
barriers generally wouldn’t include that spell in its blockage.
That day, he and Shi Qingxuan had used the Soul Shifting Spell, and since then Shi
Qingxuan hadn’t yet had time to seal his spiritual consciousness before he lost his
powers and turned into a mortal. This was like the two had exchanged the keys to each
other’s house and made use of each other’s home. After switching back, Shi Qingxuan
should’ve immediately change the locks on his door so Xie Lian wouldn’t be able to
re-enter, but he didn’t. So, Xie Lian could still use the key from before and open Shi
Qingxuan’s door. Only, Shi Qingxuan could no longer open Xie Lian’s door. Thus, the
two were now using the same body, and Xie Lian’s body should’ve gone limp and
collapsed. Maybe Hua Cheng caught him?
Shi Qingxuan was breathless as he ran, terrified, as if something was chasing him and
he was fleeing. Xie Lian listened intently and against the wind, a series of howls and
wails came from behind – it was that band of insane crazies that were locked up at the
iron prison. They seemed to really like Shi Qingxuan, or rather, it should be described
as ‘yearning for’. They pursued relentlessly with their eyes rolled back and their tongues
out, and Shi Qingxuan’s ribs and lungs were burning, wanting to cry but no tears,
wanting to scream but no voice. Xie Lian could sense the way he ran was without
method, and if it continued, he wouldn’t last long, so he took over the control of the body
directly. “Lord Wind Master!”
He was using Shi Qingxuan’s mouth to speak, and Shi Qingxuan was so surprised he
almost bit his tongue, “WHO?! WHO’S IN MY BODY?!?!?”
“My Lord, calm down!” Xie Lian said, “I’ve come back to find you using the Soul Shifting
Spell! Give me the body, I’ll help you run.”
Xie Lian felt the corners of Shi Qingxuan’s eyes stream two lines of hot tears, “YOUR
HIGHNESS?! WHAT A COMFORT!!! YOU’RE SO RELIABLE!!! THANK YOU!!!”
“No need for thanks!” Xie Lian said, “Listen to me, Lord Wind Master, run away!”
“AM I NOT RUNNING RIGHT NOW?!” Shi Qingxuan exclaimed.
“I don’t mean like this,” Xie Lian explained, “I meant, you need to escape…” Just as he
spoke, several insane, filthy maniacs jumped out from the woods next to them and
lunged at Shi Qingxuan all at once. Xie Lian cracked his knuckles and he leapt, giving
them thirty rounds of power kicks, knocking those lunatics onto the ground unable to
rise. Shi Qingxuan was shocked with eyes wide, “Did I do that? That’s amazing. Martial
gods are so awesome! I want to be a martial god too, now.”
Xie Lian however, killed his joy earnestly, “My Lord, you can’t. Your body isn’t cut out for
becoming a martial god…”
The two conversed using the same body, as if it was one person asking and answering
their own questions, and from another’s perspective, it was truly bizarre. “Lord Wind
Master, where’s Lord Water Master?” Xie Lian asked.
Shi Qingxuan scanned around and said, “I don’t know where both Ming-xiong and my
brother went. Earlier when I opened the door, I found I was still at the Nether Water
Manor, and I was only sent to a different chamber. I don’t know where things went
wrong…”
Suddenly, Xie Lian tipped his foot and leapt up, flying into a tree. Shi Qingxuan didn’t
understand why but having his body lift and move so freely was a curious feeling, so he
allowed Xie Lian to control his body as he will, lightly and skillfully climbing atop a tree
branch. “Your Highness, why did you so suddenly…”
Before he finished his sentence Xie Lian covered his mouth.
Actually, it was also his own mouth. Xie Lian quickly climbed to the tip of the branch and
sat, hiding within dense leaves. Soon after, a slender shadow stumbled into view at the
end of the road. Looking closely, it was Ming Yi.
His face still looked ashen, adding an air of gloom to his handsomeness, but he could
still somewhat walk. Shi Qingxuan was overjoyed and dropped his hands ready to call
out to him when Xie Lian raised his hands again and covered his mouth. This time he
used both hands, smothering so firmly he could hardly breathe. Shi Qingxuan wasn’t
someone rash, and knew that Xie Lian must’ve acted for a reason so he stopped
struggling. He watched as Ming Yi walked past them down that little path before Xie
Lian loosened his hands slightly and stealthily slipped off the tree, sneaking through the
thick woods.
Having dashed for a while, Shi Qingxuan looked back around and whispered, “Your
Highness, why didn’t you let me call out to Ming-xiong earlier?”
Xie Lian didn’t respond but his body suddenly froze. Shi Qingxuan turned his head back
again and his pupils violently shrank.
Ming Yi, who had clearly been long gone, was standing right in front of him. Or rather,
them.
Ming Yi seemed to be supporting himself up with an arm on a tree and he frowned,
“…Why are you here too?”
Shi Qingxuan blurted, “I…”
Xie Lian didn’t say a word but moved a hand behind his back and waved, gesturing for
him to absolutely not give away that there’s a third ‘person’ present. Shi Qingxuan
understood but Ming Yi’s brows seemed to knit tighter, “What’s your hand doing behind
your back? Are you hiding something?”
Shi Qingxuan immediately flipped open both hands to show him, “NO!”
Xie Lian could feel that his own blood run cold and his knees go weak. It seemed,
although Ming Yi was also very dependable in Shi Qingxuan’s mind, this sudden
appearance also gave him quite the fright.
Ming Yi looked bewildered, “I didn’t mean for you to actually show me.”
Although his expression was one of disgust, it was nevertheless something familiar, so
Shi Qingxuan sighed a breath of relief, the goosebumps popped up on half his body
slowly fading away. While Xie Lian was hugely anxious, he didn’t dare to speak rashly
right this moment.
“Where’s Lord Water Master?” Ming Yi asked.
“You haven’t seen my brother either?” Shi Qingxuan asked, “I’m almost looking for him
everywhere. Didn’t you say you can send us out of the Black Water Island? How come
His Highness went back but we’re still here?”
Xie Lian listened and grew even more apprehensive. Although he did his best to
suppress the “hahaha, hahaha” that’d no doubt appear when Shi Qingxuan was overly
nervous, but to speak so calmly wasn’t like Shi Qingxuan either. Thus, he pulled at his
hair wildly and pointed at Ming Yi, yelling, “MING-XIONG!!! Didn’t I tell you to practice
more when you’ve got the time? You didn’t draw wrong cause you’re rusty, did you?!!”
Although slightly exaggerated but it was pretty effective. Sure enough, Ming Yi didn’t
notice anything amiss and his face dropped, “Get lost! Draw it yourself if you’ve got the
skills.”
Although that’s what he said, still he walked over. Shi Qingxuan was still frozen on the
spot so Xie Lian quickly moved for him, grabbing Ming Yi’s shoulders, “Ming-xiong,
how’s your injuries? The poison isn’t manifesting further, is it?”
Ming Yi shook his head, “It’s fine. Let’s find Lord Water Master first.”
Shi Qingxuan nodded and the two slowly made way. Xie Lian couldn’t find any chance
to warn him, feeling more distressed and uptight with each step. Suddenly, he felt his
mouth open slightly, and it was Shi Qingxuan who was soundlessly moving his lips. Xie
Lian immediately became spirited and carefully discerned the shapes he was forming.
He had said: ‘Just what exactly is going on?’
Xie Lian was afraid Ming Yi who was so close by would notice so he lowered his head
slightly and responded with simply lip movement too: ‘He’s fake.’
The moment the words left his lips Xie Lian could feel a thin layer of goosebumps
popping on his arms.
Shi Qingxuan’s eyes bulged and asked with his lips, ‘Fake?! Then who is he?!’
Xie Lian gave his answer wordlessly.
He said: ‘The Reverend of Empty Words.”
Shi Qingxuan sucked in a breath and Ming Yi’s voice came from overhead, “What is it?”
Shi Qingxuan sucked that breath in all the way then exhaled, his voice trembling, “I’m
scared.”
After a moment of silence, Ming Yi said, “It’s too early to be scared now.”
If this was before, then his words would no doubt be interpreted as a twisted form of
comfort. However, right now it reeked of an unspeakable chill, like it was some sort of
threat.
Shi Qingxuan lowered his head and lipped to Xie Lian, “No way. The Reverend of
Empty Words can’t shapeshift!”
Truthfully, when the words left Xie Lian’s mouth he also felt ‘Reverend of Empty Words’
wasn’t quite appropriate. Rather, it was too disrespectful; too impertinent. A few days
ago, the ‘Reverend of Empty Words’ Shi Qingxuan bumped into was no more than a
minion or a pathetic clone, or, some leftover crumbs. Thus, he gave a second answer:
‘Black Water Demon Xuan.’
Shi Qingxuan tripped. “What’s with you now?” Ming Yi demanded.
Shi Qingxuan’s teeth were chattering, “I want to die…”
Ming Yi responded coldly, “Dream on.”
That again. That same frosty tone of voice with those equally icy, cruel words. It was no
different than before, yet now, they took on a completely different meaning. However,
this was far from over. Xie Lian soundlessly gave a third name:
‘He Xuan.’
Shi Qingxuan seemed to not be able to take anymore.
His heart was beating like drums and Xie Lian noticed too. Coincidentally, they were just
crossing a small creek, and making the decision on the spot, he said, “Ming-xiong, I
think you best rest a bit before we continue our search!”
“What time do we have to rest right now?” Ming Yi said.
“You’re poisoned. The more you move the more the poison will fester.” Xie Lian said,
“And even if you won’t rest, a mortal like myself gotta rest. Sit down, I’ll go get you some
water.”
Thus, keeping his hands and feet steady without revealing any shivers, he made Ming
Yi sit down on the grass and he himself went by the creek, borrowing the sounds of the
current to speak with a low voice. Shi Qingxuan cupped a palm full of water and
splashed it on his own face, calming down. Then he whispered, “Your Highness, what
are you saying??? Just who is the person behind me??? Did one of the three shapeshift
into Ming-xiong??? Or did they all possess Ming-xiong???”
“Lord Wind Master, calm down!” Xie Lian said, “It’s not them, it’s him! The one that’s
next to you right now is only one person. From the very beginning it had always been
the one person. No one shapeshifted. No one was possessed!”
Shi Qingxuan mumbled, “But, but Ming-xiong, he…”
“Don’t call him Ming-xiong anymore. The real Ming-xiong is already dead!” Xie Lian
said.
Shi Qingxuan exclaimed, “How do you know? Did you see?”
“I wasn’t the only one who saw,” Xie Lian said, “You saw it too. The real Lord Earth
Master was that skeleton worshipped inside the Nether Water Manor! Why did you think
he couldn’t control the Earth Master Crescent Moon Shovel well? Because that didn’t
belong to him in the first place! The one behind you, several hundreds of years ago his
original name was He Xuan. He cultivated into a Supreme and changed his name to
Black Water Demon Xuan. He devoured the Reverend of Empty Words and sent that
creature to find you. He imprisoned and murdered the real Earth Master, and took on his
name, assuming his position in the heavens!!!”
Just as the words left his lips, his entire person suddenly froze.
A hand had slapped onto his shoulder without warning.
———-
●[頭七] Seventh Day - It’s a common belief that spirits of the dead returns home
on the seventh day of death.
●MXTX Author Notes: So Black Water had actually already shown up, and he’s
been hanging around before everyone’s eyes.
The Wind Master had never met the real Ming Yi; the one before him had always
been the one person, and it’s the same for all of you too.
Certified number one best actor of this book!
I’ve held this back for so, so long, now I feel great. Please don’t spoil this for
others who haven’t read it yet!!! Don’t hint at it or spoil this in the forums! It
really affects the reading experience!! It won’t be fun then. Don’t spoil! Don’t
spoil!! Important things must be said three times!!!
———-
Ch.124: Unravel the Dead Knot; Water Master Battles Demon Xuan
TW: Violence
Ming Yi’s voice came from behind them, “What are you grumbling about all by yourself?”
Shi Qingxuan’s body stiffened, “I… I… I…”
Xie Lian wanted to help him respond but the tongue was refusing control. It couldn’t be
helped; his most trusted, beloved friend turned out to be the one he feared the most,
hiding next to him by his side. Now that there was no one around, who knows what he
was going to do; who wouldn’t be scared?
Suddenly, Ming Yi’s fingers dug in, pain flared in Shi Qingxuan’s shoulder, and he was
pushed downward.
A pale white hand suddenly lunged out from out of the creek and grabbed for Shi
Qingxuan’s neck.
A water ghoul!
With Ming Yi’s push, that hand missed. Then, he blasted it with his palm, and screams
came from the waters. That creature was probably obliterated by the blast. Shi
Qingxuan sat on the ground, having fallen over, and Ming Yi pulled him up, “Do you
have something wrong with your brain, washing your face with just any water from the
Black Water Demon Lair?”
“…”
Shi Qingxuan used the creek water that had been soaking the corpses of water ghouls
just now to calm down and should be feeling disgusted, yet he had no mind to notice
those details. His face and hair were still dripping, drenched like a drowned dog, lost
and forlorn, and he dazedly let ‘Ming Yi’ pull him up, and dazedly followed after him.
Truthfully, when thinking about it closely, everything relating to this ‘Ming-xiong’ had
always reeked of dubiousness.
He was the Earth Master. Therefore, very matter of factly, every Distance Shortening
array on the road was drawn by him. That should’ve been his specialty technique, yet it
had frequent issues.
Leaving Puqi Shrine, the four of them were sent to the town of Fu Gu for some unknown
reason, and problems also occurred when both the Wind and Water Masters were being
transported out of the Black Water Island. Was it the transportation chamber that had
been wasted through the years in need of repairs? Was it something else causing
troubles? Was the culprit behind the scenes too omnipotent?
Why think so much? The simplest answer was it was Ming Yi who had meddled in
everything!
The first time the Wind Master was taken away by the ‘Reverend of Empty Words’ it
was ‘Ming Yi’ who lost sight of him; the Wind Master who lost his spiritual powers was
also first discovered by him; the one who stayed by Shi Qingxuan’s side and knew
inside and out of his fears and actions was him; the one who knew the Wind Master’s
verbal password and could command the ‘Reverend of Empty Words’ to threaten Shi
Qingxuan to open the doors to that protection array at the Terrace of Cascading Wine
was also him.
At that time, he cracked the establishment plaque to the Temple of Wind and Water with
his own hands without feeling, and maybe it was done out of necessity, or, maybe he
was doing it on purpose in the first place.
Under the guise of an excuse to openly dismantle the establishment plaque of his
enemy and his enemy had to be grateful too, what daring arrogance.
With little odd actions such as these, it wasn’t like Xie Lian was never suspicious, and
he had tried to probe, asking those three questions. Yet he had never thought that
something this inconceivable, this audacious, could happen: that a ghost had
impersonated a heavenly official and had always been hiding amongst them!
The Ship-Sinking Black Water had always been low-key?
To exist under a different identity for years, of course he’s low-key.
‘Ming-Yi’s’ response at the time really didn’t have any flaws. He had devoured the
Reverend of Empty Words and possessed its powers, able to command it like a minion.
A Supreme Ghost King could naturally override its might, unfettered by the restrictions
of its unique trait. If he wanted to speak the truth then he could speak the truth, if he
wished to deceive he could speak lies.
That set of skeletons had dexterous hands and feet, corresponding with the identity of
the Earth Master. Why worship it in the Nether Water Manor? It had to be done. That
was the remains of a heavenly official after all; if it wasn’t treated with solemn respect
and carelessly buried, it wouldn’t rest in peace and the coffin would not hold. Thus, he
could only regard it with grand formalities and worship it within his own halls.
However, what made Xie Lian guess his identity wasn’t just this, but that lunge.
The Water Master asked why the skeleton would experience terminal lucidity? Ming Yi
answered in a rush to say it was “As long as that thing won’t stand in my way, it doesn’t
matter who he is”, but in actuality, what really provoked the real Ming Yi wasn’t that, but
the words after – “Lord Earth Master”! Because, he was the real Earth Master!
And the one impersonating him was standing right before him, nonchalantly and
intentionally leading them astray.
Sometimes, ‘Ming Yi’ would also do the opposite on purpose and pull them back on
track to escape suspicion. For example, he said to Hua Cheng “You really do have spies
in the heavens”. Yet wasn’t that spy himself? That was why Hua Cheng responded so
ironically, “Don’t you already know that?” Implying, “Why play pretend?”
However, the word ‘spy’ was probably inaccurate. An agreement was more likely
between those two. Such as, an exchange of information.
The two Supreme Ghost Kings cooperated out of mutual benefit, so it was a win-win
situation. Black Water snuck into the Heavenly Court and grasped all movements of the
heavenly realm, big and small, and Hua Cheng on the other hand, took root in the
mortal realm, expanding the number of worshippers. Besides this, whether if they
cooperated in other matters, it wasn’t known.
Jun Wu sending the ‘Earth Master’ to infiltrate Ghost City was no different than flooding
the Temple of the Dragon King*, sending thieves to a bandit’s lair.
Up until now, there were probably only two accidents that arose while he was
undercover. The first one was that spell of Ascending Fire Dragon.
An impostor obviously wouldn’t do something so pointless. Xie Lian was more inclined
to think that the one who casted that Ascending Fire Dragon spell was the real Ming Yi
who managed to escape.
In order to disguise oneself as someone completely different and sneak into the
Heavenly Court, one must be able to have a thorough understanding of that person.
Thus, the impersonated must be kept alive so small details such as experiences, skills,
spiritual device manipulation, etc., could be dug out little by little. The fake Ming Yi more
than likely kidnapped and imprisoned the real Ming Yi right after he passed his
Heavenly Calamity but not yet ascended. Otherwise if the real Ming Yi had already
made contact with other heavenly officials, it’d be easy for the imposter to be
discovered.
That was an accident, so when Hua Cheng received the news he had to back to help
his partner deal with the aftermath. Coincidentally, Xie Lian also received the mission
from Jun Wu: Ghost City rescue.
He didn’t think so at the time, but thinking back now, he realized maybe that operation
went a little too smoothly? Xie Lian really did rescue the ‘Earth Master’ from the
dungeons of Paradise Manor, but how did he find the dungeon in the first place?
Wasn’t it because he first saw the cursed shackle of Hua Cheng’s subordinate, the one
who wore a demon mask, then saw him sneaking about Paradise Manor?
Something like a cursed shackle was a sign of humiliation, and normally when heavenly
officials were banished, they would hide it away. So why did that masked man wear it on
his wrist so openly? And why did he hide it afterwards? Besides ‘carelessness’, the
other explanation was it was done intentionally to grab Xie Lian’s attention, so Xie Lian
could follow along and discover the ‘imprisoned’ fake Earth Master. The real Ming Yi
who had set off the distress signal was probably killed after this. Because his corpse
couldn’t be destroyed but his flesh couldn’t be kept to allow others to find clues of his
identity, he was dissolved to nothing but white bones.
The second accident was after Shi Qingxuan was spooked by the Reverend of Empty
Words, he sought Xie Lian for help.
It was obvious Hua Cheng didn’t want Xie Lian to be pulled into this affair, which was
why at the time, Ming Yi declared “Coming here was not my intention”. Afterwards when
they were at the Terrace of Cascading Wine, when Hua Cheng went away it was
probably to meet up with Ming Yi and question what was going on.
Xie Lian didn’t have the chance to explain all of this to Shi Qingxuan in detail, but Shi
Qingxuan himself must’ve gradually thought each detail through too, the hands hiding
under his sleeves trembling.
The two walked side by side, and Xie Lian’s mind was churning; just where had Shi
Wudu gone?
The first one to cross through that array to leave was Shi Wudu, and the last one was
‘Ming Yi’, so he shouldn’t have been able to jump over Shi Qingxuan to do anything to
Shi Wudu, which meant there were three possibilities: first, Shi Wudu was sent
somewhere else; second, there’s something else waiting where Shi Wudu was sent and
he had already fallen victim; third, Shi Wudu left on his own.
If it was the first or second possibility, then there was no reason for Ming Yi to keep
acting in front of Shi Qingxuan right now, searching for Shi Wudu. Having thought this
far, Xie Lian suddenly heard ‘Ming Yi’ ask, “Where’s your golden locket?”
Shi Qingxuan was momentarily puzzled but Xie Lian was immediately filled with dread.
Ming Yi asked a couple times before Shi Qingxuan responded, “Huh?”
‘Ming Yi’ said gruffly, “Didn’t you say those two golden longevity lockets were forged by
the golden cores of you and your brother, and if the master is hurt they would cry?”
“…”
Shi Qingxuan told Ming Yi everything, so naturally he also knew how that spiritual
device worked. Which meant, he was going to use the golden locket to find Shi Wudu!
“But… but, my scratches are healed!” Shi Qingxuan said.
“That’s easy to solve.” ‘Ming Yi’ said coldly. Then, he raised his arm slightly. Xie Lian
was alarmed, was he going to cut Lord Wind Master??? He tensed in defense, however,
Ming Yi squeezed the gash on his own arm instead.
The gash that had already ceased bleeding oozed again. “Give me the locket, I’ll wear
it.” He said.
“…”
Seeing this, Xie Lian couldn’t help but be awed.
If this gesture wasn’t comprised of hidden maliciousness and murderous intent, then
such a person truly was worthy to be befriended!
However, Shi Qingxuan was still rooted on the spot, hesitant to move. The moment he
gave the longevity locket, the two golden lockets would cry for each other. Should Shi
Wudu notice, he would for sure come find him directly. ‘Ming Yi’ furrowed his brows,
“Are you scared stupid?”
“…No!” Shi Qingxuan said, “Actually, this, this locket, didn’t I tell you? It only works if I’m
the one who wears it.”
‘Ming Yi’ looked doubtful, “Really?”
Shi Qingxuan gripped the longevity locket tightly and nodded his head firmly, “That’s
right!”
‘Ming Yi’ stared at him for a moment but then seemed to abandon the idea. He looked at
the gash on his own arm but didn’t say anything. Just then, that longevity locket around
Shi Qingxuan’s neck suddenly started vibrating.
The colours of Shi Qingxuan’s face instantly changed and ‘Ming Yi’ reacted immediately,
going in the direction the longevity locket was point without pause.
The golden lockets cry meant Shi Wudu was hurt. Yet when he entered the array earlier
he was perfectly fine, so what hurt him?
Xie Lian could sense that Shi Qingxuan was anxious to go but also not. They were
trapped in the illusion within the Black Water Lake, and there was no one else on the
island. Pei Ming was building a coffin boat outside the boundary waiting for their return.
Shi Qingxuan was mortal right now; if Shi Wudu was hurt, none in heaven or earth could
heed their call. If they were to give themselves up, how could they possibly escape?
After rushing for a while, Shi Qingxuan spoke up, “Ming… xiong, I think it’s a trap. It’s
probably best not to go!”
“What trap?” ‘Ming Yi’ asked.
Shi Qingxuan lied bold-facedly, “How can my brother possibly get hurt? It mustn’t be
him over there.”
However, ‘Ming Yi’ had more reasons and rationale than he did, “We’re in the territory of
a Supreme Demon King. Lord Water Master might not have what it takes to protect
himself. No matter what it is, let’s go take a look first.”
Shi Qingxuan couldn’t think of an excuse not to go, and Xie Lian couldn’t come up with
anything either, so he watched silently instead, ready to act at a moment’s notice.
Following the growing vibrations of the longevity locket, the two walked closer and
closer to the target, and soon they saw Shi Wudu lying on the ground, scruffily curled
up, holding his stomach, looking to be in immense pain. Shi Qingxuan was shocked and
shouted, “GE!” Then he rushed over with Ming Yi close behind. Yet, when they
approached Shi Wudu, he suddenly leapt to his feet and embraced him, bursting out in
crazed laughter. Fully enveloped in his arms, Shi Qingxuan was exceedingly bemused,
and only then did he realize that man bore a twisted face – it wasn’t Shi Wudu! It was
only an insane maniac dressed in Shi Wudu’s robes and wearing that golden locket!
He hadn’t yet opened his mouth to speak when Ming Yi, who was next to him, suddenly
collapsed, a small ball-sized black hole appeared on his chest, spilling fresh blood. A
figure in white leapt off a tree, grabbed him and ran, shouting, “RUN!”
Xie Lian looked closely and saw, this was the real Shi Wudu!
“GE?!” Shi Qingxuan exclaimed.
Shi Wudu barked with a low voice, “Don’t talk and come with me! He’s no good!”
In a flash Xie Lian understood. Turns out, Shi Wudu wasn’t one to be underestimated
either. The moment he walked out of the transportation array and saw he was still in the
Nether Water Manor, he had already known something was amiss. He didn’t think things
as complicated as Xie Lian did, and he was much sharper. The first one he suspected
was Ming Yi, so he hid to make himself invisible, watching from the shadows just what
he was up to. He was probably sent to a different location than Shi Qingxuan, otherwise
he would’ve taken Shi Qingxuan along to hide with him. After finding Ming Yi and Shi
Qingxuan together, he dragged a maniac over, dressed it in his outer robes and put the
golden locket around its neck then smacked it with a blast, garnering Ming Yi’s attention
first before ambushing. It was a rather ruthless move, since there wasn’t any solid proof
that Ming Yi did anything, yet Shi Wudu was going straight for his life!
Shi Qingxuan couldn’t help but look back, but when he did, he saw the ‘Ming Yi’ whose
heart was now blasted through, lie for a bit before sitting up, stoically lowered his head
to look at that bloody hole, before slowly rising to his feet. Xie Lian could feel Shi
Qingxuan’s blood run cold all the way to his own heart. Even for heavenly officials, who
can move so easily after being struck like this? It had to be something inhuman!
The two brothers dashed for a while when suddenly, hairs on Xie Lian’s back stood, and
he shouted, “WATCH OUT!” He pulled the Water Master, and a sharp whistling sound
shot through the air, chillingly flashing by. If it wasn’t for Xie Lian’s pull, the Water Master
would’ve lost his head already.
It was those invisible creatures from the water’s reflection!
Shi Wudu cursed. He flipped out the Water Master fan and swung; several thin and long
water arrows jetted out through the waves on the surface of his fan, encircling their
bodies, forming a protective circle. Now those invisible creatures couldn’t do anything to
them. The two continued to flee, and Shi Qingxuan couldn’t help but looked back again.
This time, he could feel chills down his spine, “He… he’s catching up!”
Sure enough, ‘Ming Yi’ was only about twenty feet behind them, walking forward slowly.
Although it looked like his steps were slow, yet with every step, the distance between
him and the two ahead would instantly pull significantly closer, looking like with several
more steps he could touch the hems of their robes.
Shi Wudu never looked back, but with one more swing of his fan, twenty to thirty more
razor-sharp dragon-like water arrows shot out from the surface of his fan. Even though
they were made of water, yet they ripped through the air like steel blades. With another
swing, their numbers doubled. Fanning a few times, hundreds of water arrows jetted
towards ‘Ming Yi’, attacking him from all around. With but one misstep, his body would
be pierced with holes through his body. Yet, ‘Ming Yi’ caught the first water arrow with
but his bare hands and yanked like it was a rope, and that Water Master fan was
yanked out of Shi Wudu’s hand!
The moment the fan left his hand, the water dragon arrows that were dancing wildly in
the skies instantly dissolved into drizzles, falling from above. Shi Wudu abruptly stopped
in his step and looked at his hand in disbelief. For over hundreds of years, this was the
first time anyone was able to take the Water Master fan from his hand. He knew he
couldn’t escape anymore and finally looked back. That ‘Ming Yi’ was walking towards
them with steady steps.
His entire person seemed to be going through an intricate transformation. With every
step a change happened. That already blanched face seemed to be even paler, the
same bloodless translucence like Hua Cheng, and his forehead becoming sharper, his
brows deeper, which, naturally, made him appear even more somber. On the hems of
his once plain black robes silently and inconspicuously grew patterns of waves weaved
by thin threads, shimmering a mysterious silver glow. Once he had come before the
Wind and Water Masters, his face was still about the same, but he was already a
completely different person.
The Earth Master wasn’t a martial god so he was no good at martial arts, his spiritual
powers average. However, the one before them now, was obviously neither.
“Just who are you?” Shi Wudu demanded cautiously.
‘Ming Yi’ seemed to have found the question funny and squinted his eyes, “You’re
standing in my territory and you need to ask who I am?”
“…Black Water Demon Xuan?” Shi Wudu ventured.
‘Ming Yi’ glanced at Shi Qingxuan but Shi Qingxuan didn’t react. Shi Wudu continued,
“You’ve always been the Earth Master? Or…” He trailed off as he guessed too. “I see.”
However, what he figured out was only that Demon Xuan had infiltrated the heavens.
Shi Wudu said, “You and I have always minded our own business; well waters don’t
interfere with rivers, we’ve ruled over our own domains. Intruding in your territory wasn’t
my intention, so why don’t we both take a step back?”
“Water Tyrant,” ‘Ming Yi’ said, “So there are also times when you don’t dare to be
tyrannical?”
Shi Wudu was proud by nature, and hearing this, displeasure flashed across his face.
Though since they were under someone else’s roof and his younger brother was by his
side, he had to lower his head. Still, he wasn’t willing to back down, “If it wasn’t the
wrong place and time, I wouldn’t be afraid of you.”
‘Ming Yi’ took another step forward and said chillingly, “Shi Wudu, look at my face. Do
you know who I am?”
Shi Wudu watched him with a frown. He had seen the face of the Earth Master a few
times so he didn’t understand what he was trying to say. “You want me to tell you who
you are?” After a pause, he thought he was trying to imply his identity couldn’t be
revealed, so he said, “It doesn’t matter who you are. I swear on my Water Master name,
as long as you don’t involve me or my brother, I won’t care for anything you do…”
He hadn’t finished his sentence before ‘Ming Yi’ cut him off icily, “Noble people really are
forgetful. Water Tyrant, how many mortal names and mortal births did you flip through
back then to so arduously find the one me? What, it hasn’t even been a few hundred
years and you’ve already forgotten how I look like?”
Hearing this, Shi Wudu’s face was starting to twitch little by little.
An expression like ‘seen a ghost’ that only mortals experienced was now showing on his
face for the first time. Shi Wudu’s pupils shrank to the smallest they could and he
blurted, “You’re still alive?!”
“I’m dead!” He Xuan said coldly.
Then, he suddenly raised a hand, pressed his fingers together swung his palm upwards.
Xie Lian felt a sudden pain lunging at his head, and it seemed Shi Qingxuan who was
affected by He Xuan’s spiritual might and fainted.
An unknown amount of time went by before Xie Lian slowly came to along with Shi
Qingxuan’s consciousness. Before his eyes were opened he could already feel
something rubbing against him back and forth.
As he sluggishly opened his eyes, he found they were several hairy and foul heads. A
band of those insane maniacs surrounded his person, watching his face with nutty
giggles and feeling him all over with their hands. Xie Lian was still fairly calm because
he immediately determined that this wasn’t a life-threatening situation; those maniacs
were just a little filthy but not a threat. However, Shi Qingxuan was stunned and
instantly wanted to push them away. Yet, there came loud cling and clangs of iron
shackles, a coldness on his wrists and ankles, and he couldn’t move a limb. He looked
up and turns out he was cuffed onto a wall by several iron chains thick as a wooden
club, his arms raised and suspended.
Seeing the floors and the ceiling, he was probably back at the Nether Water Manor. Xie
Lian could feel exactly what Shi Qingxuan was feeling and it was a deep searing pain in
his head. He was just about to say “Lord Wind Master, be calm, I’ll teach you how to
break free from cuffs like these… “ when suddenly he realized that he couldn’t make a
single sound!
Perplexed, Xie Lian quickly diagnosed himself. A large part of his spiritual powers really
was lost, and although his spirit was still able to remain in Shi Qingxuan’s body, he
could no longer manipulate his body, not even voice any warnings. Could the powers he
borrowed from Hua Cheng be all used up?
Impossible. He knew exactly how much spiritual powers it took to perform the Soul
Shifting Spell. The powers Hua Cheng lent him could only be more and never less. Yet,
he could sense his spiritual powers were rapidly slipping away, driving him nuts and
anxious. Just then, a raspy voice called out from across, “Qingxuan!”
Shi Qingxuan’s eyes were bleary, but when he bemusedly looked to where that voice
came from, he saw it was Shi Wudu who was calling him.
He wasn’t fettered by any iron shackles, but his white robes were filthy and unkempt. He
was kneeling on the ground, and when he saw Shi Qingxuan come to, he showed a
glad expression, seeming to want to come over but was instantly kicked down by
someone next to him, forcing him to kneel anew. That man stood with fists clenched at
his sides, his expression cold and sinister, his skin so pale it brought shivers, and it was
that Black Water Demon Xuan. Or rather, He Xuan.
Behind him was a divine altar, and four obsidian black and smooth urns stood serenely
upon it. Two shredded fans were thrown onto the floor – it was the Wind Master fan and
the Water Master fan.
Father, mother, sister, fiancee.
“Prostrate.” He Xuan said.
Shi Wudu’s eyes were fixed on Shi Qingxuan and from his lips he uttered an answer,
“Fine.”
With that, he actually knelt before the altar and dong, dong, dong, kowtowed over ten
times before the urns soundly. Then, as he rose slightly, He Xuan stomped down on his
head and said coldly, “Did I permit you to get up?”
This stomp instantly crushed Shi Wudu’s head onto the floor and he bled from his
orifices. He gritted his teeth, “…no.”
The elder brother who was once so proud his head was never bowed was now being
trampled onto the ground by another. Although Shi Qingxuan knew what he had done
deserved a retribution ten times worse than this, but blood was thicker than water, and
in the end he still couldn’t bear to see him like this. “Ge…”
Hearing his voice, He Xuan’s chilling eyes swept over. Even if he couldn’t raise his
head, Shi Wudu knew that meek sound wasn’t going to bring anything good, and he
immediately shouted, “YOU BE QUIET!”
After pondering for a moment, He Xuan removed the boot from his head. Shi Wudu was
filled with trepidation but he couldn’t get up, and he groaned, “Qingxuan!”
He Xuan languidly approached. Those insane mad men were terrified of him, and they
scampered away whimpering, though they were still sneaking glimpses at Shi
Qingxuan, as if watching for something on his person. Shi Qingxuan was chained onto
the wall, and he watched as that face he should be more than familiar with but now
dreadfully foreign come closer with every step.
He Xuan crouched down in front of him, paused, then asked, “Is the Reverend of Empty
Words scary?”
His tone was cool and impassive, but Shi Qingxuan was bug-eyed, his lips quivering,
unable to speak.
The Reverend of Empty Words back then was already extremely horrifying, yet this
person before him now who had swallowed the Reverend of Empty Words was ten
times, a hundred times more terrifying than the nightmare of his younger years. But this
terror was something he should’ve endured from the beginning.
“He Xuan,” Shi Wudu spoke up, “A man must answer to what he has done alone. It was
my idea to use you to prevent his misfortune. This has nothing to do with my little
brother.”
He Xuan sneered. “Nothing to do with him?”
He stared at Shi Qingxuan unblinking, enunciating each word, “Your little brother, an
ordinary, common mortal, obtained the ability to ascend; his endless glory was robbed
from my fate, plundered from my divinity. And you tell me that this has nothing to do with
him?”
Every word was like a blade, and every blade pierced the heart. This was said for Shi
Qingxuan to hear, and even though Shi Qingxuan already knew everything, he still
bowed his head, feeling like he could never hold it high again in his life. Shi Wudu said
with forced calm, “Since… you’ve always been by his side, then you should know very
well that I didn’t deceive you. He’s not one to hide anything, he really didn’t know
anything about this!”
He Xuan exclaimed sharply, “THAT’S PRECISELY WHY HE’S SO CONTEMPTIBLE!
WHY IS HE ALLOWED TO KNOW NOTHING?!”
Shi Qingxuan’s head was bowed even lower.
What right did he have to suck another’s blood, trample another’s bones to reach the
skies, yet still maintain a peace of mind, enjoying all such luxuries without any sense of
burden?
He Xuan added, “He didn’t know then, but is he still ignorant now?!”
Shi Qingxuan looked up and said with a quivering voice, “Ming-xiong, I…”
“SHUT UP!” He Xuan shouted.
His face was almost savage. When Shi Qingxuan saw, a cold shiver went down his
spine, and he fell silent. He Xuan whipped around and started pacing back and forth
within the hall of Nether Water Manor, growling, “I’ve given you chances!”
Shi Qingxuan shut his eyes, clenching his fists. Xie Lian recalled that excessively
furious “Fine. Very well!” back at the town of Fu Gu, and that scene of ‘Ming Yi’ blocking
Shi Qingxuan’s path to follow Pei Ming in going to the East Sea.
Only, every time, Shi Qingxuan had chosen to help Shi Wudu.
He whispered, “…I’m sorry.”
He Xuan stopped. He demanded, “And what good is your apology?”
That row of four urns were placed squarely in front of Shi Qingxuan, as if they too were
jeering at his feather light sorry, drilling misery into his heart, scorching his innards, like
everything he said would be seen through. Shi Qingxuan begged, “…I know it’s futile,
but I…”
He Xuan said cooly, “But you what? You know it’s futile but you still want to express
your utmost sincerity, hoping you can move me, that I would let go of this grudge and
dissolve this resentment?”
Shi Qingxuan hastily said, “NO! No! That’s not what I meant! It’s just.. It’s just, I, I, I
really am very sorry I’ve wronged you. Really. Ming… He… Young Master He. I know
both my brother and I are in the wrong. At this point, there’s no turning back, so…”
He Xuan was listening intently, “So?”
Yet at this very moment, any more words were only sound weak and pathetic. Shi
Qingxuan tried desperately to come up with something but drew a blank, unable to
continue.
He Xuan said coldly, “Well, talk. Why did you stop? So are you willing to die for your
sins?”
Shi Qingxuan was taken aback. Shi Wudu couldn’t listen anymore and shouted, “HE
XUAN!!! The offender is me, it’s the Reverend of Empty Words. Qingxuan’s sin doesn’t
deserve death, you…”
“And who in my family has sinned?” He Xuan countered, “Who of my family deserved
death?”
Shi Wudu choked. He Xuan continued, “Go on. Tell me. Are you willing?”
“…I am.” Shi Qingxuan whispered.
Hearing this, He Xuan sneered. Since Shi Qingxuan had his head bowed, Xie Lian
couldn’t see his expression, but even if he saw, he probably wouldn’t be able to tell what
he was feeling right this moment.
Then, He Xuan walked away with his fists by his sides. That band of crazed lunatics
saw him leave and came to surround him once more, hugging Shi Qingxuan’s arms and
thighs refusing to let go. Some were also pulling at his hair, some hooked around his
neck, each of them with mad glints in their eyes, as if they want to eat him alive into
their stomachs. Even though Xie Lian had lived among the homeless before, he too felt
his blood run cold, and he wondered, ‘Just who are these people? Why did Demon
Xuan collect such a group of mad men here?’
However, Shi Qingxuan only silently endured the pushing and shoving of those mad
men, tolerating their pulling and dragging, scared to make a sound. He Xuan watched
with cold eyes for a while, then he spoke, “Do you know who these people are?”
A few decaying stick-like fingers clawed at Shi Qingxuan’s face and felt all over his
person, but he didn’t even dare to breathe, so of course he hadn’t the time to ponder
who those people were, and he shook his head. He Xuan answered, “Vile fates. Sordid
fortunes. Lives lower than beasts. Fates that can drive a man mad.”
“…”
A deep sense of chill crawled into Xie Lian’s heart, and he could roughly guess what He
Xuan planned to do. Shi Wudu also understood in a flash, his eyes bulging, “… YOU?!”
He Xuan stood between Shi Wudu and Shi Qingxuan and said coldly, “Now, I give you
two options.”
He pointed at Shi Wudu first, “Option one. You, pick one from this crowd and exchange
your brother’s fate with him. Then, you make yourself disappear in the mortal realm.”
Shi Wudu’s eyes were growing bloodshot, his shoulders starting to shake. He Xuan
continued, “Since you enjoy switching fates so much, you must be quite skilled at it. No
need for me to teach you.”
If the reasons behind this move was disregarded, then it was truly malicious. Although
Shi Qingxuan’s original fate wasn’t good enough to ascend, it was still a life that was
filled with peaceful luxury and leisure. Looking at those mad men, they were either
wrought with disease and rotten sores, or driven to madness by adversities. No matter
what it was clear that they were all those who suffered wretched and miserable
fortunes. If Shi Qingxuan was to exchange fates with any of them, wouldn’t he fall into
the same tragic state? Those were lives that could drive a man mad, and henceforth he
would suffer endless agony and torment.
This trial, it was obvious Shi Wudu had failed to pass his Heavenly Calamity this time.
And now the affair with the Reverend of Empty Words had been outed, he would no
doubt be banished. After being banished to mortal realm, he would not be able to
provide Shi Qingxuan with a good fate any longer. A common mortal with his powers
stripped away and a sordid man suffering vile fortunes, how could they possibly
continue to live their lives?
Shi Wudu huffed a breath and gritted his teeth, “And the second option?”
He Xuan continued, “The second option. You.”
This time, the one he eyed was Shi Qingxuan.
He slowly enunciated each word. “I won’t touch your fate. But, here in this place, chop
off your brother’s head for me.”
CLANG! He threw a rusty blade onto the ground. Shi Qingxuan stared at that blade, his
eyes wide. He Xuan continued, “Then, never show yourself before me again, and I will
pretend you’ve never existed in this world.”
A hatred so deep that it had seeped into his bones for hundreds of years finally erupted
at the peak; anyone could see the colour of fervent madness burning in his eyes.
Anyone could see that he wasn’t bluffing. After a moment of silence, Shi Wudu croaked,
“…I’ll end myself. Let me do it myself.”
“You’ve no right to bargain with me.” He Xuan said.
Shi Wudu looked at Shi Qingxuan and mumbled miserably, “You’re asking for our
lives…”
Shi Qingxuan however, wasn’t as despairing as he was, and said hurriedly, “Ge! Ge!
Let’s, let’s choose the first option. The first one.”
A moment later, Shi Wudu calmed down. “No. I choose the second one.”
“…” Shi Qingxuan was dumbfounded, “Why the second option? Can we not both live?
Ge, I can’t do it, I really can’t.”
Shi Wudu said furiously, “QUIET! Don’t you understand? To have me lose everything
and watch you become a grimey creature, you think I can do it?! Why don’t I just go
ahead and die from madness!”
“Ge!” Shi Qingxuan exclaimed, “Nevermind… living is still better than death. Besides,
really, if you think about it, we’ve… we’ve lived for hundreds of years already, it’s time
to… it’s time to…” As he talked he seemed to remember just how well he lived the past
few hundred years, and he was so ashamed he daren’t continue.
He Xuan was still watching them coldly. Shi Wudu finally crawled to his feet, grabbed
that blade spotty with rust, and stumbled to the wallside. He grasped his younger
brother’s shoulder and said, “Come!” Then he whispered harshly, “…Go find General
Pei. Ask him to take care of you.”
That blade was terrifyingly heavy and covered in rust; nevermind killing a man, even
killing a chicken it’d be difficult. If this blade was used to cut off anyone’s head, both the
executioner and the target would suffer great pains. Shi Qingxuan was so horrified he
couldn’t keep a hold of it in his hands, dropping it a number of times on the ground.
“Nevermind, ge, nevermind! Didn’t you tell me yourself? Everyone only cares for
themselves in this world, why would anyone take care of us? Haven’t we always taken
cared of each other? Don’t give this thing to me, DON’T GIVE IT TO ME!”
Shi Wudu shouted, “QINGXUAN! Don’t be so immature!”
Then, he smiled bitterly, “…Your brother’s been named the Water Tyrant, you know this.
Having surged so many waves over the years, there’s at least a thousand. I’ve enemies
covering the heavens to the earth. It’d be easier if I die. If I die then nothing else will
happen to you. If I don’t die but have nothing, then that’s truly a fate worse than death. If
I’m not the Water God, I can’t take care of you. I won’t even be able to protect myself.
I’m scared that we won’t even last two days… TAKE THIS!”
Shi Qingxuan was going to weep from horror, and cried uncontrollably, “NO! I CAN’T I
CAN’T I CAN’T, GE, I CAN’T, I REALLY CAN’T! DON’T FORCE ME! DON’T GIVE IT TO
ME!!! HELP, HELP, HELP!!!”
He started screaming with every fibre of his being until he was hoarse, crying for help.
Shi Wudu exclaimed, “IT’S ALRIGHT! Don’t be scared, Qingxuan, this won’t hurt as
much as exchanging fate or stripping spiritual power…”
He Xuan had been infinitely patient up to this point but now he suddenly kicked out.
Without warning, Shi Wudu was knocked to the side and he spat out a mouth full of
blood, tumbling on the ground, unable to get up. Shi Qingxuan yelled from the wall,
“GE!”
He Xuan said chillingly, “Quiet! Enough of that disgusting display of brotherly love. Open
your eyes and see where you are. No one will be moved by you here.”
Unexpectedly, after Shi Wudu puked out mouthfuls of blood, he suddenly leapt to his
feet and grabbed for Shi Qingxuan’s neck. Xie Lian was stunned, feeling his breathing
stop, and blood rushing to his head. Shi Qingxuan gasped, “…Ge?”
Shi Wudu gritted through his blood-covered teeth, “Qingxuan! I can’t leave you alone
like this! If I die there’s no way you’ll be able to survive in this world, so you might as
well come with me!”
Then, he exerted more strength in his hands and gripped harder. Shi Qingxuan’s sight
was going dark, and dying groans were escaping from his throat. Xie Lian as shocked to
the core, was the Lord Water Master really going to strangle Lord Wind Master to
death?!
Soon after, the pressure on his throat suddenly disappeared; a large amount of fresh air
poured in, and Shi Qingxuan coughed unceasingly from the choking, finally catching his
breath. However, it was He Xuan standing right next to them who had ripped off Shi
Wudu’s two arms from the elbows down that were wringing Shi Qingxuan’s neck. He
Said coldly, “Did I give you a third path?”
With two forearms broken off, Shi Wudu was spurting blood like a fountain, yet he
started laughing uproariously. He Xuan tossed the two forearms aside like they were
trash, “What are you laughing about?”
Shi Wudu waved those empty, blood-soaked long sleeves and said, “I’m laughing at
you! I’m laughing at you thinking you’ve got the upper hand! Did you think you’ve finally
taken your revenge after enduring for so many years? Does it feel good?”
“Seeing you broken like this, it does feel good.” He Xuan said.
“Is that right?” Shi Wudu said, “Then let me tell you, I feel good too!”
He used those broken arms that were bleeding profusely to tug He Xuan’s collar,
“Because I see the you right now who is so filled with rage, so filled with suffering, so
filled with hate, yet you are still powerless in bringing your family back. You’re still
nothing more than a ghost in the gutters of the shadows. BE AS MAD AS YOU WANT,
THEY’RE LONG GONE! But me, and my brother, we’ve lived for so long, and we’ve
been heavenly officials for hundreds of years, so even if he can’t be one any longer,
even he can’t live anymore, he still profited. I’M STILL THE VICTOR SO I FEEL EVEN
BETTER THAN YOU! HAHAHAHAHAHAHA…”
The more he listened the more He Xuan’s pale face dropped, as if a cold, barren land
had caught on ghost fire, and suddenly, the air in the chamber dropped steeply in
temperature. Shi Qingxuan was terrified to the core and croaked with a hoarse voice,
“…Ge, stop talking. Can you please stop talking. Ge, my god, what are you saying?
What nonsense are you spewing…”
He Xuan whipped out his hand and choked Shi Wudu’s neck, “HAVE YOU NO
REMORSE!”
Shi Wudu laughed wildly, “Remorse? HMPH! WHAT A JOKE! And to think you’re a
Supreme Ghost King, the Ship Sinking Black Water. YOU WANT TO TALK TO ME
ABOUT REMORSE? LET ME TELL YOU, THERE IS NO SUCH THING!”
Shi Qingxuan wailed and Shi Wudu continued with his head held high, “EVERYTHING I
HAVE TODAY, I FOUGHT FOR MYSELF. I WILL FIGHT FOR WHAT I DON’T HAVE. I
WILL CHANGE FATE I DON’T POSSESS. MY FATE IS UP TO ME AND NOT THE
HEAVENS!”
This was the first time Xie Lian had heard this interpretation of “My fate is up to me and
not the heavens”, and he was blown away. He Xuan also burst out laughing, sounding
like his eyes were opened to a new world by Shi Wudu’s unshakable tenacity in refusing
to admit wrongs. His expression was growing more and more frightening, and Shi
Qingxuan broke down, “…Gege, I beg you I beg you, please stop talking, please shut
up. Help…”
However, Shi Wudu’s smug arrogance was undaunted, “Qingxuan, gege will go ahead
first. I will wait for you down below. Hahahahaha…”
Before he finished his sentence, He Xuan placed his hand over his head and gripped
his hair. Shi Qingxuan’s soul was going to leave his body, the iron chains banged and
clanged against the wall madly, “MING-XIONG! MING-XIONG! I’M SORRY, I’M SORRY
I’M SORRY I’M SORRY I’M SORRY I’M SORRY I’M SORRY! WE’RE THE ONES WHO
SINNED! WE’RE THE ONES WHO ARE WRONG. IT’S MY FAULT! MY BROTHER
ONLY DID WHAT HE DID BECAUSE OF ME. MY BROTHER’S GONE MAD, HE’S
CRAZY CAN’T YOU SEE! I… YOU… YOU…”
He wanted to beg, to pray for mercy, but his pleas wouldn’t leave his lips, and he could
only use his eyes to kowtow. He Xuan watched him, and in a fleeting moment, he
seemed to have remembered something. He calmed and stopped.
Seeing this, it was like there was a thread of hope, and Shi Qingxuan let out a breath of
relief, tears finally rolling down. But before he could speak, he heard He Xuan’s cruel
voice rang, “You’ve called the wrong person.”
Then, he his hand shot up and wrenched Shi Wudu’s head from his neck!
“AAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH–!!!”
With the head separated from the body, blood erupted from the clean breach of Shi
Wudu’s neck, spraying far onto Shi Qingxuan’s body and face. Finally, Shi Qingxuan
couldn’t take it anymore, and he started screaming like he was crazy.
To see a headless corpse stand without collapsing, those mad men found it incredibly
interesting, and they all started freaking in delight, spinning around him in circles, their
bare feet smearing bloody footprints all over. They clapped and cheered as they spun,
“YO YO YO! HE’S DEAD HE’S DEAD!”
“DEAD, DEAD! HEHEHE!”
Shi Qingxuan screamed for who knows how long, screamed until it felt like his soul and
spirit had fled, and he couldn’t remember when he had stopped. When Xie Lian came to
along with his consciousness, he was already a lifeless heap on the blood-soaked floor.
He Xuan was standing not far from him with Shi Wudu’s head, still with eyes round and
wide, dangling from his hand. He was looking down on Shi Qingxuan, watching from
above.
A moment later, He Xuan asked blandly, “Do you have anything else you want to say?”
“…”
Shi Qingxuan’s eyes were dead, his gaze unfocused as he stared at that row of urns
atop the altar before him and those two shredded fans on the ground. It was a long time
before he mumbled, “…I want to die.”
He Xuan said coldly, “Dream on.”
Then, He Xuan extended a hand towards him and Shi Qingxuan closed his eyes.
At the same time, Xie Lian’s soul was suddenly yanked out and thrusted upward!
When he fell back down and reopened his eyes, he was lying limply in the embrace of a
red clad man. With one hand gently grasping his chin, Hua Cheng was kissing him
deeply. No wonder Xie Lian felt the spiritual power supporting the Soul Shifting Spell
was slipping away so rapidly. Turns out, Hua Cheng used the fastest and most effective
way to suck out all the powers he lent Xie Lian, and successfully brought Xie Lian’s soul
back into his own body.
—————-
●Dragons controlled water and weather in Chinese lore, so this was basically
saying Jun Wu’s actions were futile.
●[我命由我不由天] “My fate is up to me and not the heavens” - this is one of the
doctrines of Taoism, a fundamental view on death and destiny. I’m too
emotionally compromised right now to write more about the subject, I’ll do this
tmr. Loll
—————
Ch.125: Unravel the Dead Knot; Water Master Battles Demon Xuan 2
Seeing Xie Lian come to, Hua Cheng parted his lips slowly, seeming to pull away.
However, under such dire circumstances, Xie Lian couldn’t care for that much anymore.
He raised both his arms, circled them around his neck and moved to suck back the
spiritual powers Hua Cheng had sucked away.
Clearly Hua Cheng hadn’t expected him to do this and it took him by surprise as
spiritual powers flowed back the other way. Afraid he was going to break away, Xie Lian
cupped his face with his hands, flipped their bodies over and pushed Hua Cheng onto
the ground, pressing him down. A wave of cool currents poured into this body and
streamed down his throat into his stomach, warm and pleasant. Just then, the little
wooden door of Puqi Shrine creaked open, and a giant green caterpillar-like shadow
crawled out of the shrine, “What the fuck, which son of a bitch is this bold?! A thieving
punk? You dare come to MY house to steal, and disturb MY slumber?! Achoo! This
ancestor’s gonna show you a thing…” He trailed off when he saw the two outside the
shrine who looked like they were wrapped in each others arms kissing fervently and
passionately, their silhouettes overlapping, one red one white, who else could they be?
Instantly, he shrieked, “YIIIEEEEEAAAAAAHHHHHHHHH!!”
Hua Cheng raised his hand and was originally going to grab for Xie Lian’s shoulder, but
hearing Qi Rong make noise he turned his wrist and Qi Rong yelped as he was thrown
back inside with the door slamming shut behind him with a PANG! Only then did Hua
Cheng rolled them over again and pressed down on Xie Lian’s body. He lifted his face,
his breathing harsh, his eyes dark and shimmering, “Your Highness!”
Xie Lian didn’t have the time to explain; he lifted his arm and hooked them around Hua
Cheng’s neck, pulling him down once more. Having sucked enough spiritual power, he
choked a cough before crying, “SOUL-SHIFTING-SPELL!”
This time however, just as his soul was pulled out, before he was even thrown upwards
it was like there was a wall blocking him, and he was heavily rebounded back into his
own body. He “Ah”-ed in shock. Opening his eyes, above him was still that starry night
sky and the anxious face of Hua Cheng. Xie Lian sat up and hugged his head,
murmuring, “…I can’t pass through anymore.”
Did Shi Qingxuan die? Or did Black Water Demon Xuan reinforced his barrier? No
matter what, either way, he couldn’t return to Shi Qingxuan’s body. Even if he was to
hurry to the South Sea, he’d for sure be too late.
Seeing him bemused, Hua Cheng said, “Your Highness, I’m sorry.”
Xie Lian looked at him. Hua Cheng added, “But, outsiders can’t possibly interfere in this
affair.”
Xie Lian waved his hand, “…You don’t need to apologize. Truthfully, even if I’m there I
won’t be able to do much.”
With the Soul Shifting Spell, he could only enter Shi Qingxuan’s body. However, Shi
Qingxuan was no more than mortal, and even if Xie Lian could help him break free of
those shackles, how could he possibly fight against the master of the Black Water
Demon Lair? Even escape was impossible.
After he’d gathered himself, Xie Lian swiftly returned to the spiritual communication
array of the heavens, “Ling Wen, have you all set off?”
“Your Highness!” Ling Wen exclaimed, “How come you just went silent for such a long
period of time? We’ve already dispatched a number of heavenly officials over to the
South Sea. His Highness Qi Ying returned, so he will set off in a bit too, but the Black
Water Demon Lair isn’t easy to enter, who knows when we’ll find them.”
Xie Lian croaked, “Wait, I’ll go with you all. Maybe I’ll still remember the way. But I’ll
need to trouble you to send someone to pick me up from Puqi Shrine.”
“Very well. He’s arrived just now.” Ling Wen said.
Slight taken aback, Xie Lian turned his head back. Hua Cheng had disappeared, but
two junior officials came forward from Puqi Village, and behind them followed a tall,
wavy black haired youth. It was Quan Yizhen.
Xie Lian inclined his head to greet him. Quan Yizhen didn’t understand formalities so he
didn’t reciprocate the gesture, but Xie Lian didn’t mind. He looked around but didn’t see
Hua Cheng’s shadow anywhere, and he understood that Hua Cheng was giving him
room to deal with this affair.
The two and the junior officials left for the South Sea. Following Xie Lian’s suggestion,
they went out of their way to gather over ten hefty coffins that had carried the dead to
prepare for any unexpected situations. After the ship flew through the waters for over six
hours, they ran into a bizarre sight upon the surface of the sea.
A number of corpses of giant skeleton fish were floating on the seas’ surface and they
collided with the ship. Many heavenly officials were instantly alarmed, “ARE WE
THERE?!”
“That’s can’t be.” Xie Lian said, “If we’ve already entered the Black Water Demon Lair,
the ship won’t keep afloat on the waters and still move this fast too.”
However, this was clearly the remains from General Pei and Water Master’s battle the
night before. Quan Yizhen was perched on the side railing of the ship, maintaining that
high difficulty position when suddenly, he said, “There’s a black island ahead. Is that the
one?”
Xie Lian focused his eyes and sure enough there really was a shadowy island. Also,
from afar, it did indeed resemble that Black Water Island!
Xie Lian frowned slightly, “It really does look like it. But how can it be found so easily,
and the ship didn’t sink? Everyone remain vigilant, this might be a trap.”
But just as the words left his lips he realized it wasn’t a trap. On the beach there was a
figure, under the bright sun, slashing at logs with the sacred sword meant for killing
enemies making coffins. On the side there were already three completed coffins, and he
was making a fourth just then. Xie Lian immediately started waving, “GENERAL PEI! It’s
General Pei! It’s this island without a doubt!”
The ship immediately changed direction and steered swiftly over. When Pei Ming saw
that reinforcements had arrived, he didn’t appear particularly delighted, but instead he
threw the sword into the ground, rubbed his nose and asked, sounding grim, “You all
just had to come just as I finish making these, what the heck.”
“It’s already amazing that anyone even showed up.” Quan Yizhen said. “When everyone
heard it was to save you, no one had time.”
“…” Pei Ming bore the expression like he didn’t want to bother with children and turned
to Xie Lian, “Your Highness, you went back first? How did you build this ship? How can
it float on the waters of the Demon Lair?”
“I don’t think it’s the ship,” Xie Lian said, “The curse of the Black Water Demon Lair had
dispersed.”
Taken aback, Pei Ming tested it with his sword, and sure enough, with but one swing a
field of large trees fell. His spiritual powers had returned. Speechless for a moment, Pei
Ming shook his head, “Had I known, I wouldn’t have worked so hard to build these
coffins.”
It was true that he did labour tirelessly all night. He made coffins for four but three of
them were now useless.
The group of heavenly officials entered the island and ran straight for the heart of the
forest. The little ghosts ambushing in the woods had never seen such a battle formation
and were all scampering away in terror, fleeing left right and centre. Once they reached
the Black Water Lake within the trees, they didn’t run into any invisible creatures.
Without the disturbance of any foreign spiritual barriers, after some examination they
were able to break the boundary, disperse the illusion, and soon enough, the iron prison
and the Nether Water Manor all appeared before their eyes.
Once they entered the Nether Water Manor, Xie Lian collected the remains of that black
robed skeleton and tucked it away, holding it in his hands as he ran all over the palace.
Soon, they found that great hall. Upon that mottled wall, the two bloody steel shackles
were already empty. A headless corpse laid on the floor in the middle of the hall, its
blood already run dry, and a group of mad men were throwing random objects at it. The
moment the heavenly officials entered that group of maniacs became even more
excited.
When Pei Ming came in, he was stunned for a good while before he finally dared to
recognize who that corpse belonged to. Shaken, he exclaimed, “…Water Master-xiong!”
Xie Lian was already knowledgeable about this and instructed, “Will everyone please
search here and on this entire island for Lord Wind Master, or… his corpse.”
However, no matter how much they looked, there were no traces of Shi Qingxuan on
the island.
Had the Black Water Demon Xuan taken the Wind Master away? Or perhaps the Wind
Master was murdered directly and his dead body sunken into the seas, his flesh
devoured by fish?
Although Shi Wudu went berserk at the very end and provoked He Xuan to kill violently,
he was now dead, but he wasn’t killed by Shi Qingxuan’s own hands, so would He Xuan
still switch Wind Master’s fate?
Chasing away those irritating lunatics, Pei Ming half crouched down on the floor, and
was lost in thought for a long time before he sighed, “Water Master-xiong. You’ve been
proud your whole life but ended like this. I don’t even know if your eyes are closed*.
Truly, the higher you climb, the harder you fall. Life is full of surprises, and one cannot
escape whatever that comes. Even when mortal has become god, we do not have the
good fortune to avoid fate in the end.”
Quan Yizhen didn’t hold such deep sentiments and ran around soundly within the
Nether Water Manor. When he came by, glanced at the dead body and thought it
strange, “Where’s the head?”
“It was taken by the Black Water Demon Xuan.” Xie Lian replied.
“What grudge, what resentment did the Demon Lair Master hold against him? And
where’s Qingxuan? Earth Master? Did all three Water Earth Wind officials all perish?”
“It was a great grudge indeed, a great resentment.” Xie Lian said, “As for Lord Earth
Master, it depends on which you’re asking after. The real one is in my hands, the fake
one was the one who took away Lord Water Master’s head.”
“What?!”
Xie Lian eyed him and said softly, “General Pei didn’t know, right? Black Water Demon
Xuan’s real surname was He, his courtesy name is Xuan.”
Hearing this, Pei Ming’s face changed slightly. It seemed, Pei Ming and Ling Wen
weren’t completely in the dark in regards to the things Shi Wudu had done. Only, just
how much they knew wasn’t known.
Everything that had to be reported was reported, everything that needed to be dealt with
were dealt. When Xie Lian returned to Puqi village again, an entire day had passed. Xie
Lian’s steps were weary with exhaustion.
When he returned to Puqi Shrine and opened the door, he could hear Qi Rong barking
and yelling, “HUA CHENG YOU FUCKER! XIE LIAN YOU DOG FUCKER! HAVE YOU
TWO NO SHAME AAHHH FUCK! WHAT THE HELL WAS THAT IN THE MIDDLE OF
THE NIGHT I’M FUCKING HORRIFIED!!! THIS GRAND MASTER’S EYES ARE
FUCKING BLINDED, YOU FUCKING OWE ME!!!”
There was nothing but vulgarities and profanities coming out of his mouth and Xie Lian
was immediately reminded of the terrifying image of how he and Hua Cheng took turns
holding each other down on the ground sucking powers the night before. He didn’t think
it embarrassing at the time, but now he couldn’t escape and almost threw the door shut
to flee. Hua Cheng was leaning his chair back, his boots crossed and stacked on the
table, but the moment he heard Xie Lian push the door in to enter he put his legs down
and casually smacked the back of Qi Rong’s head, knocking him out. He rose to his
feet, “Gege.”
Xie Lian nodded and closed the door behind him, stepping over the Qi Rong who was
bound like a little green worm on the ground and sat down. “Did Guzi and Lang Ying go
out to play?”
“Yea, I let them out. You’ve worked hard.” Hua Cheng said.
“No, you’re the one who worked hard.” Xie Lian said.
Hua Cheng smiled. Then he said, “I had thought gege would blame me.”
Xie Lian shook his head, “San Lang doesn’t need to think so much. I really don’t. In fact,
you were right about this whole thing. Outsiders really… can’t possibly interfere.”
After some thought, he still asked, “San Lang, what do you think that Black Water
Demon Xuan will do to Lord Wind Master?”
Hua Cheng was silent for a moment before he answered, “I don’t know either. Black
Water is someone rather eccentric. He’s endured by himself for too many years, no one
can know what he’s thinking.”
‘No one can know what he’s thinking’ – Xie Lian suddenly remembered that this was
also the same remark many of the heavenly officials in the Upper Court had given the
Crimson Rain Sought Flower.
The Ship Sinking Black Water emerged from Mount Tong’lu, slaughtering millions of
ghosts. Crimson Rain Sought Flower was the same. He Xuan had endured years by
himself; the time Hua Cheng endured alone couldn’t be any less.
What made the Ship Sinking Black Water of today was hatred. Then, what about
Crimson Rain Sought Flower?
What made Hua Cheng the Hua Cheng of today?
In an instant, much flashed in Xie Lian’s mind, and he shook his head, discarding that
‘noble, gracious special someone’, and organized his thoughts. “But, San Lang, there’s
something I don’t understand. This whole business with the Water Master committing
fraud, it should’ve been done quite covertly. His deception lasted for so long so how did
Black Water learn the truth? If it’s not convenient for you to answer you don’t have to
respond.”
“He’s fled and moved his domain and even dropped the fake heavenly official act, so
what’s there to be inconvenient over?” Hua Cheng replied, “It’s simple, actually. That
night Black Water died, Shi Wudu had gone to confirm his death.”
“Because only when the prey is dead that the Reverend of Empty Words would find the
next target?” Xie Lian wondered.
“Yea. Black Water didn’t know who that person was but remembered that face. It was
only after he became a ghost and knew more of the affairs of heaven and earth did he
discover that that man was the Water God.”
No wonder. But this was puzzling. Why would an esteemed Water God go observe how
a mortal died out of the blue? Xie Lian asked, “But this shouldn’t make him think of
changing fates?”
Hua Cheng replied, “That’s why he impersonated the real Earth Master and infiltrated
the heavens to investigate. Pretty brave if I must say so myself.”
“If not for killing the real Earth Master afterwards and dragging in over two hundred
fishermen, then he really can be called courageous and clever.”
However, Hua Cheng said, “Gege, I don’t know if the real Earth Master was killed by
him. But, the one who dragged those fishermen into the stormy East Sea I’m afraid is
someone else.”
———-
●To die with eyes closed is to rest in peace.
●MXTX Author Notes: I’ve explained this a couple times in the text but I’ll explain
again. In regards to the Reverend of Empty Words, the only way to solve the
situation was ascension. Since most of the heavenly officials in the Middle Court
are useless, and it’s impossible for Shi Wudu to keep his little brother by his side
24/7, appointing Shi Qingxuan to the Middle Court doesn’t solve the problem at
all.
———
Ch.126: Subject Ache of Separation; Restless Heart Strays the Path of Ink
Xie Lian was slightly taken aback, “Then who can it be? Technically, a tempest like this
shouldn’t involve more than fifty people.”
“I suspect it might be the same person who sent that empty shelled cultivator that led to
the BanYue Pass incident”
If that was true, then it did seem like there’s always been a hand that had been pushing
him to the heart of every case every time. Feeling a little baffled, Xie Lian wondered,
“What’s that person after?”
Hua Cheng shook his head but seemed to be deep in thought too. Just then, there was
the laughing sounds of children playing coming from the outside, and his sharp eyes
immediately swept over. Following his gaze, Xie Lian looked out of the window, but he
only saw two little children outside playing; Guzi was riding atop of Lang Ying’s
shoulders, looking carefree and cheery.
Naturally, the Water Master’s audacious deception in committing a fraudulent
substitution, the Wind Master being a fraud, the Earth Master a fraud too, and that the
Water Master’s head and body were separated, nowhere to be found, these four cases,
each more explosive than the next, blew up the heavens like four bombs, raising a tidal
wave that flooded the Upper and Middle Courts.
All of a sudden, everyone was shocked and shaken; no one knew what to say in
regards to the matter, and crickets filled the Great Martial Hall. Even Jun Wu’s hand
didn’t seem able to support his head anymore.
Since Ming Yi had never really went out of his way to be friendly with anyone, and only
someone like Shi Qingxuan who enjoyed pestering others and assume overly familiar
relationships managed to be on good terms with him, barely anyone else was close with
him. However, when they realized that one of their own colleagues was that legendary
Supreme Ghost King, the shock was truly too great.
In order to play the role of the Earth Master properly, in the past so many years, this
Ghost King had worked hard and diligently, gathering a large number of worshippers in
the mortal realm, and he even managed to make it into the top ten during the Battle of
the Lanterns in the Mid Autumn Festival Banquet, truly terrifying, as expected of a
Supreme Ghost King.
Without mentioning the grudges between Black Water Demon Xuan and Water Master
Wu Du, but the true murderer behind the real Earth Master Yi was no doubt Black Water
Demon Xuan, no questions about it. Thus, The Upper Court officially released an arrest
warrant. However, everyone knew that if a Supreme Ghost King wanted to hide, he
wouldn’t be so easily found.
As they say, once a man falls, all will tread on him. In the past, the Wind and Water
Masters stood in greatness and glory with hundreds at their beck and call. Every time
Shi Wudu appeared he was extolled and celebrated. Yet now with his abrupt death,
suddenly all of his supporters didn’t dare blow a single breath. Shi Qingxuan loved
making friends and was generous, yet those innumerous ‘good friends’ all disappeared
to who knows where. Pei Ming collected Shi Wudu’s headless corpse, and on the day of
his burial, it was quiet and empty of people. Other than Xie Lian and Ling Wen, there
weren’t many other heavenly officials who showed.
Xie Lian noted, in the past recent days, whether or not intentionally, but there were
already a band of people burning down and desecrating the temples of Wind and Water.
Although he couldn’t bear the sight of it and tried to stop them a few times, but as time
went on, when people discover their prayers were no longer answered, the acts of
aggression would only grow worse. He could stop them once, but he couldn’t stop them
forever. In another ten years, perhaps even in only a few years, people would
completely forget the two Wind and Water heavenly officials who used to rule at the
summit of heaven. He couldn’t help but feel melancholic.
Once the funeral was over, Xie Lian turned to Ling Wen, “The whereabouts of Lord
Wind Master… of Qingxuan is now in your hands. We’re counting on you.”
Ling Wen was also looking solemn, having not smiled in days, “Without Your Highness’
appeal I would still do my utmost in my duty.”
Pei Ming however, said, “Your Highness, rather than let the Palace of Ling Wen drag
their old broken ox cart feet, why not ask your Crimson Rain Sought Flower directly, see
if he can ask after that Crazy Black Water where he’s taken Qingxuan? He’s taken
Water Master-xiong’s head already, what more does he want?”
Xie Lian shook his head and replied helplessly, “General Pei, please don’t think things
so matter-of-factly. If a Supreme Demon King wanted to do something, would he need
to report it to the other?”
Thus, Pei Ming didn’t say anything further.
When Xie Lian returned to Puqi Shrine, there were many villagers surrounding the
shrine whispering to each other. Xie Lian didn’t need to ask to know what was
happening, because right within Puqi Shrine came howling and shrieking. The village
head was scared and nervous, tugging at him, “Daozhang, your mad little cousin, he he
he, he’s…”
The excuse Xie Lian had given the world was that Qi Rong was his insane younger
cousin, rejected by others without anyone willing to care for him, so Xie Lian took him in
out of obligation. On some level, this wasn’t a lie.
“Is he going mad again? Don’t worry, he’s properly locked up. He won’t escape.
Everyone can go home.” Xie Lian said.
The villagers all murmured, “Oh. Let’s go, let’s go.” Before they dispersed, the village
head gave Xie Lian a basket of eggs, “Um, Daozhang, your Xiao Hua…”
Xie Lian was bewildered at first, “??? Xiao Hua???” Then it dawned on him, “Oh, San
Lang?” Then he remembered that Hua Cheng’s current identity to the outside world was
his younger brother who ran away from home and came over to play, and Xie Lian
couldn’t help but feel a little flustered.
“Yea. Your Xiao Hua helped us fix some stuff again today, you’ll have to reward him
properly tonight.” The village head said.
“Yea! Give him some supplements, get him strong and buff. He’ll get even better at
labour!”
Xie Lian couldn’t help but smile, “I will, I will. For sure, for sure.”
When he opened the door, Lang Ying was already asleep curled up in the corner. Qi
Rong was lying on the ground like a corpse and wailing, looking like his innards were on
fire. Guzi was massaging his shoulders, chopping his back, “Dad, are you better?”
“…”
Xie Lian removed the bamboo hat from his head and put the eggs down, “What’s with
you? Ate something bad?”
Qi Rong spat, “As long as you don’t fucking cook me anything, I won’t suffer
stomachaches even if I were to lick shit and grime on the ground!”
Listening to him exaggerate, Xie Lian tucked his hands across in his sleeves, “Then will
you really try licking those things and see if you get stomachaches?”
“P’TUI, P’TUI, P’TUI!” Qi Rong spat again, “What the fuck did this old master say?
You’re showing your evil heart again, trying to come up with different ways to torture me!
AIYOYOYOYOYOYO, my good son, that’s good, that’s good, now chop this side.
Hehehehe~ Aiiiieee fuck, what the fuck’s going on, I’ve been nothing but aggravated
lately, like a fucking tom cat in rut. AM I SICK?! COUSIN CROWN PRINCE! I’M SICK!
IT MUST BE ‘CAUSE YOU’VE BEEN TORTURING ME THAT I’M SICK! You god
fucking snow lotus, you’re out for blood!”
Xie Lian crouched down and felt his forehead, “Are you burning up?” After a pause he
dropped his hand and frowned, “That’s not it. You’re not faking it, are you?”
Qi Rong was going to start cussing again and Guzi said pathetically, “Daozhang, my
dad didn’t lie to you. He hasn’t been feeling well lately, and he’s wailed for a long time
today.”
Watching Qi Rong wiggle on the floor, Xie Lian shook his head and rose to his feet
ready to look for the medicine box when he suddenly noticed that the donation box was
heavy. That donation box was newly built by Hua Cheng so it shouldn’t have anything
inside. Puzzled, Xie Lian took the key out and opened it to see and was flabbergasted.
He was once again blinded by a box full of shining gold bars.
PA! Xie Lian quickly shut the donation box again.
Didn’t he already return that box of gold bars given by the Water Master? Who else
would gift him something like this???
It couldn’t be Hua Cheng; he wouldn’t do something so simple and crude like stuffing
him with gold bars. Xie Lian turned his head around and asked, “Qi Rong, did someone
come by?”
Qi Rong pointed at his face and cussed, “OI, WHAT’S WRONG WITH YOU. DO YOU
REALLY TAKE ME FOR A GUARD DOG? THINK YOU’RE A SUPREME? EVEN A
SUPREME ISN’T THIS SHAMELESS. NOT EVEN THAT SHITTY BLACK WATER AND
HUA CHENG THAT FUCKER DARE TAKE ME FOR A GUARD DOG!”
BANG! The door of Puqi Shrine was kicked open by someone, and it was Hua Cheng
who came in. The moment he saw him Qi Rong instantly became mute, and silently
wriggled to the side, not daring to make any more mentions of what he saw that night.
“San Lang, you’re back.” Xie Lian said.
Hua Cheng smiled cheerfully, “Yea.”
“Thanks for your hard work.” Xie Lian said, “The village head gifted some things to have
me reward you, so we’ll eat something good tonight.”
“Sounds good.” Hua Cheng said, “But, gege, do you want to go over to my place
tonight?”
“The Ghost City?” Xie Lian asked.
“En.” Hua Cheng replied, “And take this thing along too.” He pointed at Qi Rong, “See if
there’s any way we can pull his soul out.”
Humming for a moment, Xie Lian acquiesced, “That’s probably a good idea. In any
case, it’s not good to keep dragging our feet on this.” Of course, the most important
reason was because Qi Rong ate too much, and his Puqi Shrine could no longer afford
it.
When Qi Rong heard they were going to send him to the Ghost City, he was terrified
and objected as hard as he could. However, his objections fell on deaf ears. A blast of
smoke later, he was turned into a green daruma by Hua Cheng, and Guzi carried him in
his hands as they left for the Ghost City.
The Ghost City was bustling as always, and walking down the main street, the ghosts all
remembered Xie Lian. Seeing that he had come again, they all shouted, “GRAND
UNCLE! … Ah, no, Chengzhu’s Lord Friend, you’ve come again!”
“Quack! Is it because you miss our specialty street food, quack!”
Xie Lian brought that basket of eggs along and gave them away as souvenirs from the
mortal realm. Many who received the eggs were overjoyed, some deciding to eat it
along with their own blood, and some proclaiming they will hatch an eight feet monster
from their eggs. Hua Cheng released the spell on Qi Rong and after a blast of green
smoke, the man possessed by Qi Rong appeared on the street, hugging his head and
crouching in defense, not speaking a word. Some of the ghosts caught the scent on his
body and exclaimed, “Eh? Isn’t this the Green Ghost?”
The crowd of ghosts all approached and surrounded him, and smelling about they were
all thrilled, “HAHAHAHHAHAHA, IT REALLY IS THE GREEN GHOST! THIS DUMB ***
IS HERE AGAIN HAHAHAHAHAHHAHA!”
“HAVEN’T YOU BEEN BEATEN ENOUGH LAST TIME HAHAHAHAHA AND YOU
DARE COME AGAIN!”
“Watch over the little one,” Hua Cheng said, “As for the big one, think of a way to drag
him out without hurting the body.”
“YESSIR! MY LORD!”
Thus, several beautiful female ghosts hugged Guzi, hummed a little lullaby and put him
to sleep. The other demons, monsters, and ghosts then started playing tag with Qi
Rong. One screaming as he fled, and the group of ghosts hot in pursuit behind him. Hua
Cheng and Xie Lian watched for a bit then turned away, heading inside Qiandeng
Temple.
The two stepped in to the hall leisurely and approached the altar. That altar was still
covered with brushes, ink, and paper. Xie Lian had been feeling rather heavy recently,
and seeing those stationary, he had the intention to relax the mood. He smiled softly,
“Last time when I taught you, I said you’ll need to practice when you’ve got the time.
But, I suppose you haven’t been practicing lately,”
Hua Cheng cleared his throat, “Gege, you’ve given away my reward to other people,
what will I eat tonight?”
Xie Lian imitated him and raised his brows slightly, “Don’t change the subject.”
“I can practice the sword but not calligraphy.” Hua Cheng said, “If gege isn’t beside me
to instruct, I’ll probably go astray practicing all by myself, and get worse the more I
write.”
Xie Lian’s brows were rising higher, “San Lang is so smart, how can there be anything
you’re no good at?”
Hua Cheng picked up a brush and dipped it in a bit of ink, looking very humble, “It’s
true. Pray gege teach me.”
Xie Lian sighed a breath, “Why don’t you write something first.”
Thus, Hua Cheng very seriously wrote two verses. Xie Lian watched for a bit but really
couldn’t watch anymore, “…Stop, stop. You… best stop after all.”
Don’t waste good paper and ink any more. “Oh,” Hua Cheng said obediently and really
did stop, putting the brush away. Xie Lian shook his head, “San Lang, don’t… don’t tell
anyone that I taught you how to write.”
“Gege, I tried my best.” Hua cheng pouted. The way he spoke really sounded like he
was aggrieved. A proud Supreme Ghost King; if his name should be announced, all
three realms would shiver in fright. Yet right now he stood like a young student,
obediently listening to Xie Lian’s critique. Having lectured on a few more crucial points,
Xie Lian held his hand again like the last time, “Let’s try again. Be serious this time.”
“Alright.” Hua Cheng said,
The two were immersed in composing. After writing for a while, Xie Lian asked casually,
“Why is it still ‘Ache of Separation’*?”
Hua Cheng also answered casually, “I like this poem.”
“I like it too,” Xie Lian said, “But, does San Lang have any other poems you like? Once
you’re familiar with copying this poem, you can try copying others.” Roughly counting,
this poem only had so many words. The two of them had written it for over ten times, so
it should be time to change to a different one. However, Hua Cheng was adamant, “This
one is fine.”
Placing the brush down, he blew lightly at the ink and smiled, “If I like something, then
my heart will not have room for any other, and I’ll always treasure it. A thousand times, a
million times, no matter how many years this will not change. This poem is the same.”
“…” Xie Lian gave a small smile, “Is that right.”
“En.” Hua Cheng replied.
“…”
Xie Lian released his hand and cleared his throat quietly, “Then, very well. San Lang is
a sentimental man. That’s good… oh, why don’t you practice some more by yourself.
Ah, that’s right. Qi Rong doesn’t seem to be feeling well lately.”
Hua Cheng put down the paper and picked up the brush again, “How is he unwell?”
Xie Lian turned around with his back facing Hua Cheng, “He said something like he was
feeling agitated all over. But I’ve looked him over and it didn’t seem to be caused by that
man’s body. It can’t be because the weather’s bad?”
Behind him, Hua Cheng questioned, “When did this start?”
“It should be just in the past few days.” Xie Lian replied, “Today was especially bad…”
Before he finished his sentence, a sense of foreboding suddenly grew in his mind. Just
then, there was a light PA! sound behind him, like an object was dropped in mid air.
Xie Lian whipped around, “SAN LANG?!”
The brush that was in Hua Cheng’s hand earlier had dropped, landing on the snow
white paper, slashing a long erratic trail of ink. Hua Cheng’s expression was sullen, his
body unsteady, and he held himself up with a hand clutching the edge of the altar, while
the other hand covered his right eye.
————
●[離思] “Ache of Separation” is the title of the poem Hua Cheng was writing in
chapter 97.
●MXTX Author’s Note: Hua Hua is aggravated too! It’s [ ] season again!
———–
Ch.127: Mount Tong’lu Reopens; All Ghosts Aroused
Judging from his expression, it seemed as if his right eye was throbbing and in an
overwhelming amount of pain. Xie Lian instantly sprung forward, “Are you okay?”
The corner of Hua Cheng’s mouth twitched but he forced the words back. The silver
eyes engraved on top of E’ming’s hilt snapped open and the eyeball started to spin
wildly. Veins popped along the surface of the hand that Hua Cheng rested on top of the
altar, threatening to flip the table at any second. Xie Lian reached out his hand, wanting
to help, but Hua Cheng growled, “Stay back!”
Seeing Xie Lian freeze, Hua Cheng gritted out through his teeth, “… Your Highness,
please, hurry and get away from me. I might…”
Xie Lian cut him off, “How can you tell me to leave when you’re like this?!”
Hua Cheng said, his voice nothing but gentle, “If you were to stay here any longer, I-“
In that instant, waves after waves of ghostly howls and cries sounded from outside the
Qiandeng Temple. Ghosts were doubling over on the Ghost City Main Street, bawling
their eyes out, clutching their heads and wailing, as if their skulls had split open and
they were on the verge of death. Amidst the chaos, Qi Rong was sprinting fast ahead.
Due to the fact that he was possessing a human’s body, although the flesh body had
diminished his powers, it also acted as a protective barrier against any ghost-effective
attacks. It was solely because of this that Qi Rong was still jumping about resiliently and
seizing this chance to flee. The group of female ghosts that were cradling Guzi had now
fallen onto the ground and crying about their headaches. Unable to sing their hypnotic
melody, Guzi groggily woke up only to see Qi Rong bolting away like a madman. He
jumped to his feet and chased after him while yelling, “Dad! Dad! Wait for me!”
As he ran, Qi Rong turned around, stuck out his tongue and made a face,
“LULULULULALALALA, GOOD BOY, DAD’S LEAVING! HAHAHAHHAHAHAHA”
Yet Guzi still chased after him relentlessly with his two small pair of legs. Seeing that the
distance between them has grown bigger, he broke out in tears, “Dad! Please don’t
throw me away. Dad, take me with you!”
Qi Rong spat out continuously, “GET LOST! GET LOST! DON’T FOLLOW ME! WHAT A
NUISANCE!”
A drop of his spit flew so far that it hit Guzi on the forehead and knocked him down on
his butt. He cried even harder, to the point as if his heart was going to break and his
lungs were going to burst. Xie Lian couldn’t bear it any longer and he stormed out of
Qiandeng Temple in anger, “Qi Rong!”
The moment Qi Rong saw Xie Lian blocking the path in front of him, he spun around in
fear and ran back the way he came from. Along the way, he scooped up Guzi from the
ground and threatened, “DON’T COME ANY CLOSER! COME AND I’LL BITE OFF THE
HEAD OF THIS LITTLE BRAT BEFORE YOUR EYES!! What a good boy, you’re gonna
become your dad’s meal, how filial! Tomorrow dad’ll cook you! You can pick between
being braised or steamed! HAHAHAHAHA!”
Xie Lian wasn’t fazed by the threat at all. However, just when he was about to give
chase, a loud crash sounded behind him. As if suddenly struck by fury, Hua Cheng had
swept the ink brush and paper pad off the table and to the ground. Fearing for the worst,
Xie Lian couldn’t afford to deal with Qi Rong and turned around, “San Lang…”
All of a sudden, he was embraced tightly by Hua Cheng. There was a tremble in his
voice as the Supreme Ghost King whispered, “I lied. Don’t leave me.”
“…” Xie Lian became as still as a statue locked within the pair of strong arms, “San
Lang? Do you recognize me?”
It seemed as if he was at a point where he had lost all senses and wasn’t able to
recognize who was in front of him. He clutched Xie Lian even tighter in his arms and
repeatedly muttered, “… I lied. Don’t leave me.”
Xie Lian widened his eyes. Outside the temple, while Guzi wailed uncontrollably, Qi
Rong broke out in a series of hysterical laughter. He cackled, “HEHE! HUA CHENG
YOU FUCKER! ! THAT’LL TEACH YOU FOR LOOKING DOWN ON ME ALL THE
TIME! LOOK AT YOU, ALL COCKY ALL DAY! AIN’T THIS KARMA! YOU’RE DONE
FOR!!”
Upon hearing this, the ghosts on the streets who were on the verge of exhaustion from
the pain immediately cursed back, “Green Ghost! You piece of useless trash, ya dare to
swear at our lord?!”
The annoying ruckus going on around them drove Hua Cheng to the edge and even
more infuriated. He raised his hand as if about to blast them to pieces. Instinctively, Xie
Lian hugged him back to keep the hand down. He soothed, “Okay, okay. I won’t leave, I
won’t leave you.” With a flick of his hand, the Qiandeng Temple’s grand doors closed
shut by themselves. To prevent Qi Rong from busting into the temple under these
circumstances, Xie Lian shooed, “If you’re gonna scram, then get lost! I don’t have time
for you! If you don’t get lost, then just wait and see what I’ll… -AH!”
To his surprise, Hua Cheng was unsatisfied with only a shallow embrace, and he
shoved Xie Lian roughly on top of the jaded table. Ink, paper, brushes all fell and
scattered across the floor. Caught up in the struggle, Xie Lian’s hand accidentally glided
past the ink pad stationed on the table, leaving crimson red marks along the paper
underneath him. Upon ‘Ache of Separation’, the two characters ‘Mount Wu’ in the line
“After Mount Wu removed, clouds are no longer clouds”, was now stained with vivid
blood-like markings, making it stunningly beautiful. “San…” Xie Lian started.
Before he could finish, Hua Cheng held him by the shoulders and leaned down to kiss
him.
Qi Rong, who had undoubtedly heard something that didn’t sound right, laughed,
“Cousin Crown Prince, you better be careful! Hua Cheng is probably like a rabid dog
right now, he’ll bite whoever he sees! I, myself, will personally go and help you spread
the news. There are quite a few monks and cultivators who seek revenge against Hua
Cheng, they might as well come now and take care of him! AHAHAHAHAHA…” Xie
Lian’s heart tightened as Qi Rong’s laughter faded in the distance. If Qi Rong really did
call forth the group of cultivators who Hua Cheng had wronged, under the demons’
current weakened condition, how could Ghost City defend itself?
Yet, amidst all this, Hua Cheng wasn’t allowing him any breaks to think. Although he
wasn’t alive and shouldn’t emit any warmth, in this very moment, his body was burning
hot, as if he was struck by a high fever. With their lips tightly pressed against each
other’s, Xie Lian was practically forced to accept the incoming waves of heat. The
hands that were originally trying to push Hua Cheng away now sank into the folds of the
red fabric near his shoulders instead.
Maybe it was because Hua Cheng’s spiritual energy was too strong, Xie Lian felt his
throat, chest, and stomach were filled to the brim by warmth, to the point that it became
uncomfortable. If he continued to endure this, he might just burst under the sheer
amount of power that was being poured in. He tightened his jaw and raised his palm to
slap. Although he did land a blow, but because he really couldn’t bring himself to hit
Hua Cheng, the hand only tapped his shoulder instead, the force neither light nor heavy.
Unfazed, Hua Cheng seized his wrist, held it down, and continued the attack on Xie
Lian’s lips.
He really couldn’t let this continue any further. This time, Xie Lian used both of his
hands. After shoving Hua Cheng away, he fled to the side of the altar in panic, panting
for breath. However, with bloodshot eyes, Hua Cheng hounded him and followed over,
pressing him against the altar. Xie Lian cried, “San Lang!”
“…”
Perhaps his voice did reach him, for Hua Cheng stared at his face for a long time before
suddenly, wrapping him in a bone-crushing hug.
Seeing that he had gained some senses and stopped his advances, Xie Lian let out a
sigh in relief. However, as he stood in Hua Cheng’s embrace, he felt the unsettling
energy inside of the Supreme fighting to break out. No wonder Hua Cheng kissed him
the moment he caught him. With such chaos going on internally, he had to find an outlet
to expel it. Though, in order to fully return him to his normal state, blood must be
drained. However, Hua Cheng wasn’t alive, how would he have any blood to let?
After a moment of consideration, Xie Lian came to a conclusion, “… Forgive me.”
He cupped Hua Cheng’s face and voluntarily covered the other’s lips with his own,
gently guiding the turbulent flow of heat into his own body, helping to ease the pain and
suffering of the other. Instinctively, Hua Cheng looped his arm around Xie Lian’s waist,
making Xie Lian shiver just the slightest. In the next second, the two were tumbling on
top of the altar.
It really wasn’t fair. Xie Lian wouldn’t dare touch anywhere on Hua Cheng that’s even
slightly dangerous. Yet, because of his cloudy state of mind, Hua Cheng’s fingers were
roaming across every inch of his body shamelessly, making Xie Lian suffer in silent
torment. This altar was originally a place where one would make offerings to a god, but
it now resided a ghost and a god who were entangled in a heated battle of tongues.
Although preposterous, the scene was beyond breathtaking.
In the past, both parties were more or less clear headed and there was always a
justifiable reason. Committing this sort of act was at least controlled, since there was
nothing beyond just lips covering lips. However, this time, with the roaming hand on top
of the hazey state of mind, it well exceeded the boundary of only lips and teeth. In his
foggy mind, Xie Lian finally realized one thing. Although every time it was out of his
control and he had no choice, but in truth, there was a hidden desire he couldn’t hold
back every time.
After suffering through the entire night, the unsettling energy inside of Hua Cheng finally
began to calm down. The arm that was clutching onto Xie Lian slowly released its grip.
Xie Lian flipped over and sat up. Watching Hua Cheng’s sleeping face, he finally sighed
a breath.
Thrown to the side, E’ming’s single eyeball was still spinning around frantically. Xie Lian
picked up the scimitar, and it was only after a long series of pets that the blade finally
softened into a crescent eye smile, as if it was finally satisfied. Not long after, Hua
Cheng shot up from where he was sleeping, “…Your Highness?!”
Hastily, Xie Lian adjusted his expression. He turned around and beamed, “You’re
awake? Everything’s fine now.”
Hua Cheng did a quick scan around him. Needless to say, it was a giant mess inside
the Qiandeng Temple. His face was uncharacteristically distraught, as if he couldn’t
remember what happened the night before. Xie Lian jumped at the chance to speak, his
voice calm and confident, “What happened last night? All your subordinates were
suddenly struck by either a fever or throbbing headache. Everyone was restless. You
were too, and you had quite the temper!”
Hua Cheng demanded, “Other than that?”
“Other than what? There’s nothing else.” Xie Lian blinked.
He could feel Hua Cheng’s gaze on him as the Supreme continued to grill him, “Was
there really nothing? Then, how did I calm down?”
Xie Lian softly cleared his throat, as if he was slightly embarrassed, “To tell you the
truth, San Lang, please don’t be mad at me. Other than doing this…” He motioned at
E’ming who he was currently petting and admitted, “I, also, cough cough, had a fight
with you.”
“…”
Hua Cheng looked at him suspiciously, “…we fought?”
Xie Lian held down his fort and watched him earnestly, “That’s right. Look, the hall is
such a mess because of our fight.”
“…”
There was a pause before Hua Cheng puffed a sigh in relief and rested his head on his
hand.
Seeing that he wasn’t hounding for answers anymore, Xie Lian finally felt his suspended
heart settle down after and silently released his breath.
“It opened.” Hua Cheng muttered all of a sudden.
“What did?” Xie Lian asked.
Hua Cheng lifted his head, and with a somber voice, he clarified, “Mount Tong’lu
reopened.”
The meaning of this announcement couldn’t be clearer for the two. Xie Lian widened his
eyes, “A new ghost king…is about to be born?”
—
When Xie Lian returned to report in, the Heavenly Court was also rumbling with thunder
unceasingly. Stepping into the Great Martial Hall, Xie Lian unconsciously looked for
someone to inquire “What’s the matter with Lord Thunder Master?” But only when the
words left his lips did he realize that the spot where the Wind Master once stood was
now empty. The Water Master who stood right up front and the Earth Master who sat in
the corner were all vacant. He was taken aback, his heart sighing, then he looked over
and saw Lang Qing Qiu enter the hall.
Having not seen him for so long, his entire person had thinned a size, looking much
gloomier. His eyes met with Xie Lian’s then turned away without a word.
Xie Lian scanned around and realized he couldn’t find anyone he could converse with
casually.
A voice answered him, “It’s nothing. A Ghost King is about to be born; ghosts cry and
gods sound, the thunder will not stop.”
The one who responded was Feng Xin. For some reason, when Xie Lian saw him he
couldn’t help but feel an incredible sense of friendliness. However, one of Feng Xin’s
eyes was purple, and Xie Lian couldn’t help but gaze over to the Mu Qing who was
standing far away on the other side of the hall. Mu Qing’s cheek was swollen. It seemed
after building their grudges for so many years, the brawl the last time must’ve been
aggressive.
Jun Wu Spoke up, “The reason why I’ve summoned everyone here today, I’m sure
you’re all very aware.”
The heavenly officials all acknowledged. Jun Wu continued slowly, “The universe is a
kiln, all sentient beings are copper; in the deep waters and scalding fires, all trials
breathe within.”
“Mount Tong’lu is a natural ominous land crawling with malicious tidings, a live volcano
that can erupt at any given time.”
“Every few hundred years, the City of Gu within the mountain will open its gates, and
around millions of ghosts. It especially affects the previous Ghost Kings. Every
monsters, demons, and ghosts that thirst to reach the level of Supreme will make their
way to Mount Tong’lu. Once gathered, Mount Tong’lu will be sealed once more, and the
slaughtering will officially begin.”
“When the last one remains standing, a new Ghost King will be born.”
“The Crimson Rain Sought Flower and the Ship Sinking Black Water are both such
Supreme Ghost Kings who were born thus. The two became Supremes and emerged
from the Mountain. Black Water spent twelve years. Hua Cheng spent ten years.”
Mu Qing said coldly, “One Black Water, one Hua Cheng are both already difficult to deal
with. Just see what they’ve done. If another one comes along, we won’t sleep a wink.”
Xie Lian commented gently, “General Xuan Zhen, I won’t comment on what Black Water
has done. But, Hua Cheng hasn’t done anything really out of line.”
Mu Qing, with his puffy, swollen cheeks, gave him a look. Pei Ming spoke up, “They are
quite difficult to deal with. So, we must stop this gathering of millions of ghosts, am I
right?”
“That’s correct.” Jun Wu said. “The gathering of millions of ghosts will take about a few
months. We will need to stop them before they gather.”
“What if we don’t stop them in time? Is there any way to rally?” Xie Lian asked.
“There is.” Jun Wu said, “However, hopefully we will not reach that step. The most
urgent business right now is the arousal of ghosts had started a wave of chaos, and
many of the monsters and demons that had been sealed away have escaped. Many of
these are extremely dangerous inhuman creatures such as that female ghost Xuan Ji,
the fetus spirit, the Brocade Immortal. At this moment they must all be rushing to
towards Mount Tong’lu. They must be immediately apprehended once more.”
“They’ve all escaped?” Xie Lian remarked, “Then this is certainly quite the chaos.”
“Which is why I’m afraid every martial god must take heed, and thoroughly investigate
their warranted domains.” Jun Wu said.
“Then… what about me?” Xie Lian asked.
Although Xie Lian was the God of Rubbish at the moment, nevertheless he still
ascended as a martial god the last two times, and he’s basically being used as a martial
god right now too, the only difference was he didn’t have a domain. Humming for a
moment, Jun Wu said, “Xian Le, why don’t you go with Qi Ying.”
——
●MXTX Author’s Note: The crown prince is enlightened, so who will confess first~
Of course, being aggravated doesn’t mean Hua Hua needed to kiss, but, Hua
Hua really wants to kiss! Of course he also wants to…
—–
Ch.128: Blinded by the Heart; Brocade Immortal Forged by Blood
After a pause, Jun Wu asked, “Where’s Qi Ying?”
Xie Lian looked around and indeed there wasn’t a shadow of that young martial god.
Perhaps because incidents upon incidents kept happening in the heavens, the Palace
of Ling Wen was so busy it was going to fly off, and Ling Wen also had a few more dark
circles under her eyes. “It’s been a long time since Qi Ying came to these meetings.
We’ve never been able to connect with him.”
Some heavenly officials on the side clicked their tongues, “Where did that little brat run
off to again?”
“Not here again? So envious that he doesn’t need to attend all these meetings.”
“Since we do not know Qi Ying’s whereabouts, once we find him we will let you know
and have the two of you coordinate.” Jun Wu said.
Xie Lian inclined his head in acknowledgement, “Yes, My Lord.”
The mortal realm was in the midst of autumn, the weather was chilly, and it was so
inside Puqi Shrine. Although Xie Lian wore just the one layer, he didn’t feel cold;
however, on the way home, he still used the money he made from collecting scraps to
buy two new sets of robes for Lang Ying.
Hua Cheng had returned to the Ghost City and Qi Rong ran away with Guzi in tow, so
now there was only Lang Ying left in Puqi Shrine. It had felt cramped before, but now it
suddenly became deserted. As he walked, Xie Lian could see from afar Lang Ying
sweeping in front of the shrine silently, raking the fallen golden leaves into a pile.
Maybe it was all in his mind, but Lang Ying used to slouch, coiled in fear and
nervousness, but now his limbs seemed to be stretched out, finally assuming the
appearance of a cheerful boy, and Xie Lian couldn’t help but feel heartened. He
approached and took the broom, and was just about to bring him inside when the
villagers who had been hiding in wait for some time all ambushed him, aunties and
grandpas, uncles and sisters all clamoured around him, “Daozhang, you’re back!”
“Did you go collect scraps in town again? You’ve worked hard, you’ve worked hard…
Um, how come we haven’t seen Xiao Hua lately?”
“Yea, yea, we haven’t seen him for days! We miss the little guy.”
“…” Xie Lian smiled awkwardly, “Xiao… Hua went back home.”
“Huh?” The village head was puzzled, “Which home? I thought this was Xiao Hua’s
home? Isn’t he living with you???”
“No, no,” Xie Lian replied, “He only came over to play. Now that we’re all busy, we
parted ways.”
That night, Hua Cheng had hounded him for answers afterwards, but Xie Lian was
stubbornly adamant that the two only had a fight. Now that Mount Tong’lu reopened,
Hua Cheng now had more on his plate. If a new Supreme Ghost King really emerged, it
would mean an assault on all three realms. Hua Cheng and Black Water, although one
was flashy and the other low-key, they both had their own styles and more or less knew
their place and kept themselves in order. But who knows what kind of creature would
emerge this time. What if Mount Tong’lu birthed a madman like Qi Rong who would fight
them for their domains, then that’d be rather difficult to deal with. Thus, Xie Lian used
the excuse that he was busy and said the two best not see each other for the time being
and focus on their own duties, then the two bid farewell amiably.
Although it seemed sudden and cold, like he turned his back on a friend, but Xie Lian
really didn’t know what else to do.
He didn’t have the confidence he could hide his feelings right now.
Just then, behind him, Lang Ying suddenly spoke up, “Fire.”
“…???”
Only then did Xie Lian realize that while he was spacing out lost in thought, he
accidentally took up the pot and spatula and ruined all the meat and vegetables he just
brought back to Puqi Shrine. The fire under the pot was meters high, almost scorching
the ceiling, and Xie Lian hastily slapped at the flames to put it out. However, he slapped
too hard and the entire stove collapsed. Much rumbles later, Xie Lian stood there dazed
with a pot in hand, not knowing what to do. It was just around meal time and the
villagers were all holding their bowls eating happily outside the door. Surprised by the
ruckus, they all came around again, “WHAT’S HAPPENED?! WHAT’S HAPPENED?!
Daozhang, did your place blow up again?!”
Xie Lian quickly opened the window, “It’s nothing, it’s nothing! Cough cough cough
cough…”
The village head came over to take a look, “Jeebus, this is an absolute tragedy!
Daozhang, I think it’s best if you call Xiao Hua back.”
Wordless for a moment, Xie Lian said, “It’s alright. After all… he’s not from my
household.”
When he snapped out of it, Lang Ying had already started to help him clean up the
mess on the ground, and a plate of something colourfully red and purple was on the
table – it was randomly plated when he was zoning out. If the thing he made last time
was named ‘Love for All Seasons Stew’, then this time it should be named ‘Fried Riot of
Colours’. But other than Hua Cheng, there was probably no second person on this earth
who could swallow the stuff. Xie Lian himself couldn’t bear the sight of it and turned
around to wash the pot, rubbing his forehead, “Nevermind, don’t eat it. Throw it away.”
However, after he finished washing the pot and turned around, he saw Lang Ying who
had taken the plate had already silently eaten the food. Stunned, Xie Lian immediately
went over to stop him, and held him by the shoulders, “…God, are you alright? Do you
feel bad anywhere???”
Lang Ying shook his head. Since his face was completely wrapped in bandages, his
expression was hidden. Even Qi Rong and Black Water would lose their minds when
they ate what he cooked, but Lang Ying was actually able to handle it, so just how
hungry was he? Or did his strength suddenly increase? Xie Lian teased himself and
forced a smile, then cleaned up and went to bed.
There were two mats in Puqi Shrine, one for each person. When Xie Lian was reminded
that the mat beneath him was laid upon by both him and Hua Cheng together, he
couldn’t sleep, his eyes wide awake, but he didn’t dare to toss and turn lest he rouse
Lang Ying. After much internal struggles, he was just thinking he might as well go out for
a breath of fresh air when suddenly, he heard the window creak. Someone had pushed
open the wooden frame softly and hopped inside.
Xie Lian’s back was facing the window, and he laid there on the ground on his side,
shocked.
What kind of person would be so hard on themselves as to come steal in Puqi Shrine?
Wasn’t this just labour without returns?
That person was light on their feet, extremely skilled, and if not for someone like Xie
Lian who was extraordinarily sharp in his senses, no one would’ve noticed. Once he
hopped in, he ran straight for the donation box. Xie Lian immediately remembered that
the donation box was full of gold bars before, so was this person here for the gold? But
those gold bars had long been given to Ling Wen to have her find their master. Listening
attentively, Xie Lian realized that person wasn’t actually cracking the lock, but was
stuffing something one after the other into the donation box!
After that individual had done their work, they seemed to be looking to hop outside of
the window to leave. Xie Lian mentally plotted thinking that he’d follow after that person
once they were out to see just where they’re going and who they were. Yet
unexpectedly, when that person passed the altar table and saw it filled with plates, they
seemed to be hungry and didn’t think before munching down on those leftover Fried
Riot of Colours, stuffing a few mouthfuls down their throat.
The next second, THUD! And they were knocked out on the ground.
Xie Lian immediately turned over and sat up, ‘My trouble’s actually saved!’ He lit up the
lights to look, and on the ground was a purple faced figure lying flat, and Xie Lian hastily
went to rescue his life, pouring large mouthfuls of water down his throat before that
person slowly came to. The first thing he uttered when he woke was, “WHAT THE HELL
WAS THAT THING!”
Xie Lian pretended not to hear and chided solemnly, “Your Highness Qi Ying, you really
are too rash, stuffing whatever you find in your mouth without knowing what it is.”
That youth had a straight nose and deep brows, his head full of raven black curly hair;
who else could it be but the Martial God of the West, Quan Yizhen?
He glared, “How should I know that anyone would actually poison their own food offered
in their own shrine?”
“…” Xie Lian rubbed his forehead and opened that donation box to see it was filled to
the rim with gold bars. “Was it also you who filled the box last time?”
Quan Yizhen nodded. Xie Lian asked, “Why are you giving me all this?”
“Because I have a lot.” Quan Yizhen replied.
“…”
Truthfully, even if he wouldn’t say it Xie Lian could probably guess that this was most
likely because at the Mid Autumn Banquet, Xie Lian slung out a chopstick to cut down
the curtains of the stage. “Take those back with you, I won’t accept rewards without
having done anything.” Xie Lian said.
Quan Yizhen didn’t say anything, very obviously not listening.
Xie Lian didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. Just then, Lang Ying spoke up coldly, “He’s
telling you to take those away.”
When had he sat up? Xie Lian looked back to glance at him, feeling strange. In the past,
Lang Ying basically made himself invisible, desperately shrinking himself into the
ground, so why did he say so much without prompting today? And using such unfriendly
tones too. But, he didn’t think too much, and figured if anything, he could just give the
box to Ling Wen to stuff it back to Quan Yizhen. He straightened his expression, “Your
Highness, you’ve come just in time. You didn’t attend the meeting at the Great Martial
Hall today, but Jun Wu has given us a mission, have you seen the scroll? Nevermind,
it’s alright, I know you haven’t looked through it. I’ve looked through it already. This time
we’re a team together, and the creature we’re responsible for is called the ‘Brocade
Immortal’.”
The Venerable of Empty Words was called a ‘venerable’ because people didn’t dare to
call it a rogue, a hellion, or an annoying devil so directly, so it was a tentative flattery.
Why was that Brocade Immortal venerated as an immortal? This was because
according to legends, that creature truly possessed the ability to become a god once.
Legends say many centuries ago, there was a young man in some ancient kingdom,
who although dumb and foolish by nature, his intellect no better than that of a six year
old child, but once on the battlefield he was no longer the same. His martial skills were
extraordinary and was also brave but kind. When two kingdoms collided in battle, his
kingdom was able to claim overwhelming victories because he charged in the front
lines. Because he was mentally weak and had no family, all the rewards he gained from
battle were taken by others, leaving him penniless. No households were willing to have
their daughters marry such a man, and very few girls were willing to come close. That
young man was also dumb to a certain point, and ever since he was young he had
never made any contacts with ladies, never daring to speak a word.
However, this person possessed the potential to ascend, and he should’ve risen to the
heavens in a few years. At first, it didn’t matter if no girls liked him, but the sad thing
was, he still fell in love with a girl, and he fell deeply. On the day of his birthday, that girl
sewed him a brocade robe as a gift.
Although it was a brocade robe, it was extremely bizarre. It was more like a horrid
pocket. This was the first time in that young man’s life that he received a gift from a girl
he loved, and filled with exalted joy, plus his natural stupidity, he didn’t notice anything
strange with it, eagerly pulling the ‘brocade robe’ over his body. There weren’t any
sleeves for the arms to go through, so he asked his beloved girl, “How come my arms
can’t stretch out?”
That girl smiled cheerfully, “This is my first time sewing so I’m not very skilled. But, if you
don’t have any arms then this won’t be a problem?”
Thus, this young man raised a weapon and chopped off his arms. Now, the robe fit.
However, it wasn’t enough, and he asked again, “How come my legs can’t stretch out?”
That girl replied, “If you don’t have any legs then this won’t be a problem?”
Thus, this young man asked another to chop off his legs too. Finally, he asked, “How
come my head can’t peek out?”
The conclusion was easily imaginable.
Originally, Xie Lian had also thought the ‘Brocade Immortal’ was perhaps a monster or a
demon wearing a brocade robe, but turns out it was actually the robe itself. When Mount
Tong’lu reopened and millions of ghosts were roused, someone had robbed away that
robe. Having been smeared by the obsessed blood of that young man, that brocade
robe was forged into an exceedingly malicious and powerful spiritual device, and
throughout the centuries, it changed hands among ghosts, using it to cause harm.
Therefore, never accept any old, used clothing from unknown origins, and if you are to
run into someone who wish to gift you a brocade robe on the street in the middle of the
night, never take it. Should you wear this brocade robe, you will become a pig for
slaughter.
Of course, this was only a legend and sounded rather outlandish, and the stories could
very well be made up by people who simply extracted from the unique nature of the
brocade robe. Nevertheless, this Brocade Immortal must be stopped. They must not let
it go to Mount Tong’lu.
———-
●MXTX Author’s Note: First, the real Lang Ying has no relation to Hua Hua
whatsoever. But, believe me, there’s only Hua Hua in this world who can eat the
things the crown prince cooks (So, Hua Hua never left! He switched Lang Ying
out with himself today.)
I don’t understand why no one noticed _(:з」∠)_ I thought I made it very obvious
already!!! Since that’s the case, I might as well rip off his mask directly,
hahahahaha!
———
Ch.129: Blinded by the Heart; Brocade Immortal Forged by Blood 2
“Your Highness Qi Ying? Your Highness? Are you listening?”
Xie Lian reached out and waved his hands in front of Quan Yizhen. Quan Yizhen
seemed to have spaced out and only now did his spirit return to this body. “Oh.”
It appeared he wasn’t listening. Xie Lian wasn’t in the position to say much so he said
instead, “This mission is urgent, and we have to find that brocade robe. Its original form
is…”
Quan Yizhen interrupted, “A sleeveless, headless, gunny sack like blood-soaked robe.”
Xie Lian smiled, “So you do know. I thought you didn’t read the scroll. But, since this
robe is a wicked object, extremely magical with thousands of forms. There are millions
of clothes in this world, so to search for such a robe is no different than seeking a
needle in the ocean.”
“Oh.” Quan Yizhen said, “Then what should we do?”
Xie Lian explained, “Ghosts and demons who got their hands on the robe will usually
transform into a merchant, and beseech people to buy or exchange old for new in busy
streets. But that’s from centuries ago, so if anyone was to do this now it’d be more or
less strange. But, their habits and ways of doing things won’t change so easily so fast.
In any case, let’s go into town and see if we can catch wind of any such news.”
Ghosts would be more interested in such an object than mortals. Underground
information from the ghost realm would be much faster than in the mortal realm, which
meant, asking Hua Cheng directly would surely save a lot of trouble. However, it wasn’t
too long ago when Xie Lian told him they shouldn’t meet for the time being, and it
wouldn’t look good to go back on his words the moment he needed something. Besides,
the Brocade Immortal was only just stolen, and the robber might not dare be so swift in
bringing it out to cause harm. Quan Yizhen nodded, rose to his feet, and followed him
for a few steps. Xie Lian noticed that Lang Ying also followed suit so he told him, “You
stay here.”
Lang Ying shook his head. Before Xie Lian could say anymore, there was a sudden
THUD! behind him. Quan Yizhen had collapsed again.
Xie Lian whipped around, “Are you alright?”
That shade of purple was colouring Quan Yizhen’s face again, and a moment later,
unable to hold back any longer, he finally flipped over, crouched onto the floor, and
“WAH” puked all over the floor.
“…”
After puking, Quan Yizhen rolled over, his face facing upwards, his soul leaving from his
mouth.
“Qi Ying… can you still walk?” Xie Lian asked carefully.
Quan Yizhen had his limbs all stretched out flat, “I think. I can’t.”
“…”
Woeful, Xie Lian could only drag Quan Yizhen who had lost all willpower to fight onto
the side and covered him with a blanket, letting him recover for the moment.
It took until the next day before Quan Yizhen looked slightly better. Either way, Xie Lian
didn’t dare to let him eat anything random, and asked for some porridge from the village
head’s home, bringing it back to fill the stomach of the other two. Quan Yizhen sat in the
spot Hua Cheng usually occupied, and for some reason, Lang Ying kept staring at him,
seemingly unfriendly. Xie Lian placed the porridge in front of the two and
subconsciously called, “San Lang…”
Before the words completely left his lips, the two turned to look at him. Xie Lian instantly
froze and only then did he realize what he blurted, and he cleared his throat softly,
“Please continue.”
The two sat at the altar table eating their porridge while Xie Lian took up the axe and
went outside. As he chopped wood, he thought back on the clues the scroll provided:
“The Brocade Immortal was first sealed under a Great Martial Temple, and the seal of
that temple was extremely powerful. Skilled masters filled the ranks of the heavy
security guarding the hall, and a simple arousal of ghosts should not have allowed it to
escape on its own, which meant someone eyed the opportunity and stole it away amidst
the chaos…”
Before it was always Hua Cheng who chopped wood, and now that he was doing it
himself, for some reason it didn’t feel like the wood he chopped was as good as Hua
Cheng’s. Quan Yizhen drank a few mouthfuls of watery porridge pathetically and fell
over directly to keep sleeping within Puqi Shrine. Lang Ying on the other hand, came
out looking to help out.
“There’s no need. San… Lang Ying, heat some water later and take a bath.”
Now that he thought about it, Lang Ying didn’t seemed to have bathed in a long time.
Ghosts certainly wouldn’t have the trouble of skin oils and grime, but hanging out
outside all day, surely there’s dirt. Still, he couldn’t point it out so straightforwardly lest
he hurt other people’s self-esteem. Lang Ying seemed to be taken aback and didn’t
respond, but Xie Lian had already carried a bundle of logs inside to heat water. “I sold
some scraps in town yesterday and bought you two autumn robes. Once you’re done
bathing, why don’t you see if they fit you?”
Lang Ying was just putting on the new robes, but hearing him, he turned to leave
without a word. Xie Lian grabbed on to him, chiding solemnly, “Don’t go! Bathing is
without question. Don’t worry, I won’t unwrap the bandages on your head.”
Lang Ying still protested, and went out the door to chop wood gloomily, refusing to come
back in. Exasperated, Xie Lian could only go grab some logs, heated the water, and
peeled off his own clothes. Ruoye looped around Xie Lian’s chest, unwrapping itself.
Lang Ying came back in, a large bundle of logs in his carry, and when he saw Xie Lian
with his upper body bare, his eyes instantly widened. Xie Lian on the other hand, was
testing the temperature of the water with his hand, thinking it was just right, and was
already submerging into the bath with his underpants on. Seeing Lang Ying come in, he
called out, “Oh, perfect timing. Can you please pass me the scroll that’s hung under the
bamboo hat on the wall?
Not only did Lang Ying not come over, he backed all the way outside and PANG! shut
the door. Xie Lian was puzzled. Not a moment later, it seemed Lang Ying remembered
something, and forcefully kicked the door open. Xie Lian hastily cried, “Don’t kick that
door! That door is…”
Lang Ying however, didn’t spare a look at him. He walked straight inside, picked up
Quan Yizhen who was lying on the floor like a stiff corpse, and dragged him out the
door. Quan Yizhen seemed to be deeply asleep, only activity as big as shaking
mountains could wake him up, so he felt nothing while getting dragged away the entire
way. Xie Lian didn’t know whether to laugh or cry, “What are you doing? It’s alright, it’s
not like I’m a girl. Come in.”
When Hua Cheng wasn’t around, it wasn’t like he hadn’t bathed inside Puqi Shrine.
After all, Puqi Shrine really was too small, its ability to provide for daily life minimal. That
there was a water barrel for bathing was already plenty; there wasn’t a pool bath with
screens stretching over meters long to let him row a boat while he played and bathed.
However, whether intentional or not, Xie Lian had never bathed in front of Hua Cheng
before. Since the one before him right now wasn’t Hua Cheng but someone else, he
didn’t feel like this was anything.
“…”
Lang Ying flipped Quan Yizhen over, grabbed a few random clothes to pile over his
head, before he himself took that scroll Xie Lian asked for and passed it over with his
head bowed, then continued to sit in the corner. Xie Lian on the other hand, rolled open
the scroll and was reading through it carefully while he let his hair loose.
Steam warmed his face, giving it a rosy glow. His long hair and lashes were shimmering
black and dripping wet. Suddenly, he felt that thin silver chain on his chest, and at the
end of the chain hung a diamond ring.
Xie Lian gripped that ring, closing his fingers tightly around it. Suddenly, at the
peripheral of his vision, he saw on the corner of the altar was a tiny little flower.
He subconsciously picked up that flower and brought it before his eyes, feeling his mind
cloud just like the lingering hot air surrounding him, and he needed a hand to wave
away the haze. Just then, a series of knocks sounded outside the door,
That sound pulled him out of his thoughts, and Xie Lian placed the flower back. He was
just about to ask who it was when he realized the knocking wasn’t on Puqi Shrine’s door
but the village head’s house next door.
In between the knocking, the delicate voice of a woman sounded, “Is anyone home?
Exchange old for new, exchange old for new. I have a brand new robe that I have no
use for and want to find a set of old clothes that I might fancy. Are any masters in the
house willing? Is anyone home?”
Without him needing to go search, that creature actually came knocking all by itself!
She knocked and inquired after every house, yet not a single household opened their
door to her. Naturally. When Xie Lian wasn’t collecting scraps he would open lectures at
Puqi Shrine, educating all those aunties and grannies on hundreds of little tricks of how
to identify evil. To run into such an obviously strange uninvited guest in the middle of the
night, no villagers would pay it any mind. People of today weren’t as easy to deceive as
the olden days. That creature knocked all around but still no one responded. Finally, it
came to Puqi Shrine’s door. Xie Lian held his breath, waiting tensely. Yet, it seemed
before that creature even knocked it could feel this wasn’t a place she should’ve come.
With an “Aiyoh”, her footsteps sounded to leave and Xie Lian quickly called out, “WAIT! I
want to exchange!” Then, he whispered to Lang Ying, “Open the door, quickly. Don’t be
scared, nothing will happen!”
Lang Ying was not scared at all. He went up and opened the door. Outside the door
stood a girl, her figure slender and sensual, and just by the bottom half of her face one
could tell she was lovely and charming. However, she was wearing a headscarf
covering the top half of her face, like she didn’t have any eyes, looking rather unnerving.
She glanced inside and covered her mouth as she giggled, “Daozhang, what kind of old
clothes did you want to use to exchange for my new clothes?”
Xie Lian was still soaking in the water barrel simply to make it lower its guard. He
smiled, “That will depend on what your new clothes look like.”
That girl extended an arm and gave it a gentle shake. From her bag a shining brocade
robe was shook out and rolled open to reveal itself, glamourous and beautiful, but the
style seemed to be a bit old and it was emitting an air of evil all over. Xie Lian praised,
“Beautiful. Beautiful. Lang Ying, give this lady that set of clothes I brought back from
town.”
Lang Ying handed the robe over with only a hand. That girl exchanged the new robe
and giggled, receiving the old robe. As she was about to turn around, her face suddenly
dropped, like something had pinched her hand, and she screamed, throwing the old
robes onto the ground. Within the heap of that hemp robe was Ruoye who was coiled
up in a bundle, having snuck in who knows when, and it peeped out of the sleeve like a
white viper hissing at the girl.
And that ‘girl’ wasn’t a girl either. A scream and a jump after, her headscarf was pecked
off by the ambushing Ruoye and it ell to the ground. Although the bottom half of her
face was enchanting, but the top half of her face was full of wrinkles, extremely old,
forming a horrifying contrast – what ‘girl’? This was clearly an eighty year old hag!
——–
Ch. 130: Separating Colours; Textile House Wide Open
It’s the Half Maquillage Woman!
The Half Maquillage Woman was a vulgar monster formed by the jealousy of older
women towards young girls. They couldn’t accept their own aging and were adamant
that consuming the blood and flesh of young girls could bring back their youth. They
enjoyed squeaking in high pitched voices, faking the sound of a young girl to speak.
However, as they say, “eyes are the windows to the soul’; old age was something they
could not hide no matter how hard they tried, and while the more blood and flesh they
consume, the younger the bottom half of their face appeared, the upper half of the face
that held the eyes would appear older, and the contrast of the face would become even
more stark. Even then, they stubbornly refused to see the wrongs of their ways.
Xie Lian emerged from the bath dripping, stepping a foot onto the edge of the water
barrel, ready to leap to take her down, yet it was like Quan Yizhen had returned from
death, and he shot up and slapped. That Half Maquillage Woman really was too weak,
and she was struck to the ground with a wailing cry, “HAVE MERCY!”
In no hurry, Xie Lian grabbed for his cultivation robes and casually draped it over
himself, “So you’re the one who stole the Brocade Immortal?”
The Half Maquillage Woman immediately cried, “It’s not me, it’s not me! I wouldn’t dare
to break into the Great Martial Temple!”
That’s true too, if he thought about it. Typical lower class ghosts really didn’t have the
guts to break in to the Great Martial Temples so rashly; they’d be blown away to
smithereens for sure. Besides, this Half Maquillage Woman probably had no connection
to the Brocade Immortal, and with a rough look, her ghost age was probably eighty
something while that Brocade Immortal was said to be centuries old.
“Then where did you get your hands on this brocade robe?” Xie Lian questioned.
That Half Maquillage Woman picked up her headscarf and covered the top half of her
face anew, her voice shrieking high again, “To… to answer daozhang! I… I picked it up
in the Ghost City…”
“…”
Was that a thing? Picked it up from the Ghost City???
Xie Lian was speechless for a moment, then he questioned, “Then who was the one
who sold the brocade robe to you?”
The Half Maquillage Woman answered anxiously, “Daozhang! I beg you, please let me
off the hook! I don’t know either. It’s not like businesses in the Ghost City need to have
their eighteen generations of ancestry checked!”
That’s true too. If starting a business in Ghost City required having eighteen generations
of ancestry checked, it wouldn’t be as bustling as it was now. Things could only thrive if
there were room for loopholes. Xie Lian interrogated for a while but was fruitless, and
after determining this Half Maquillage Woman was no more than a little minion, he
called, “Qi Ying, have one of your heavenly officials come collect this female ghost,”
However, Quan Yizhen said, “No. I don’t have any heavenly officials in my palace.”
“Not even one?” Xie Lian asked, “You’ve never appointed any deputy generals?”
Quan Yizhen was confidently staunch in his answer, “Not a single one.”
“…”
So, turns out this Martial God of the West was a lone wolf and had never appointed
anyone, not even a helper to manage the nitty gritty. At least for Xie Lian it was because
he couldn’t afford it. Quan Yizhen’s situation could probably only be explained by his
eccentric character. Without any other choice, Xie Lian could only fumble out a clay jar
and seal that Half Maquillage Woman away. Then, he took the brocade robe in Lang
Ying’s hands. When he shook it open to inspect it however, his brows knitted slightly.
It certainly was wicked, but, what’s the best way to describe it? In Xie Lian’s opinion, this
type of essence of evil was too superficial, like it was nothing more than layers of
cosmetic foundation, and not emitted from within. Xie Lian’s guts told him that this thing
wasn’t as dangerous as legends say, but still he was high on guard. Just then, Quan
Yizhen took a glimpse at the robe and said, “It’s fake.”
Xie Lian was taken aback, “How do you know?”
“This robe is fake,” Quan Yizhen said, “I’ve seen the real Brocade Immortal before. It’s
way more powerful than this.”
Xie Lian was amazed, “When have you seen it? There’s actually quite a number of
people who’ve seen the Brocade Immortal before, but because it was hard to tell, how
do you determine whether if it’s real or fake?”
But Quan Yizhen stopped talking. Coincidentally, Ling Wen reached out to him via the
spiritual communication array just then, her voice rang in his ear, “Your Highness, we’ve
just received information that there seemed to be a little ghost with the Brocade
Immortal in hand who appeared about twenty miles away from your Puqi Shrine. We’ll
need to trouble you to go take a look.”
“Another one? Alright.” Xie Lian replied. Then he glanced at Quan Yizhen, and without
making a sound, he asked within the array, “Oh, by the way, another thing. Ling Wen,
has Qi Ying seen the Brocade Immortal before?”
“Qi Ying?” Ling Wen said, “He didn’t just see it. It was much more than that.”
“How do you mean?” Xie Lian asked.
“It’s complicated.” Ling Wen replied, “But has Your Highness ever heard? The martial
god that ruled the west didn’t used to be the Palace of Qi Ying. It was the Palace of Yin
Yu.”
Xie Lian recalled that this was something the Wind Master had told him while he
stripped back at the Paradise Manor that one time, and couldn’t help but feel his heart
squeeze, “I’ve heard this before. I heard, the two Highnesses used to be a pair of
shixiong and shidi?”*
Turns out, before Yin Yu had ascended, he was the head disciple in their sect. One day,
he saw a brash little street urchin, and in a moment of softheartedness, he asked the
master to take him in. This little child was Quan Yizhen.
Disciples of the same generation, Yin Yu had always taken very good care of Quan
Yizhen. He was the first to ascend, and he even appointed Quan Yizhen as a deputy
general. Ling Wen said, “You’ve met Qi Ying a few times, so you should know. He’s a
little bit…”
“Ignorant of the ways of the world? That’s a good thing.” Xie Lian said.
Ling Wen chuckled, “Good or not it depends on the person and the situation. Some
people think he’s a selfish loose cannon, ignorant of manners and doesn’t give people
the respect they deserve. The first few years when he first stepped into the Heavenly
Court, if it wasn’t for His Highness Yin Yu who shielded him, he’d probably be beaten to
death already by who knows how many people.”
“Those two Highnesses must share a very good relationship then.” Xie Lian mused.
“It was good at first,” Ling Wen said, “But the sad thing was, later, Qi Ying himself
ascended too.”
Both ascended from the West, so what to do? Thus, the two agreed to rule the West
together.
A pair of shixiong and shidi watching over a domain together sounded like a beautiful
tale, yet, in the end, a mountain could not support two tigers.
If one was to say that Yin Yu’s ability was enough for the heavens to send forth a
Heavenly Calamity, a one in a million, then Quan Yizhen’s ability was good enough to
pass three Heavenly Calamities, and there might not even be one in a million who could
possess this potential. It was alright at the beginning, it wasn’t obvious, but the more
time passed, the larger the skills gap was between the two. Quan Yizhen truly was
asocial; not only did he ignore building relationships with fellow heavenly colleagues, he
never tried to please his devotees either. In fact, other than Yin Yu, he didn’t bother to
remember the names of any other heavenly officials at all, and was even audacious
enough to beat up his followers, telling them to go eat shit. He was as out of line as they
come. Yet, his domain grew bigger and bigger, and his followers increased. In
comparison, the Palace of Yin Yu was losing its shine, and finally became restless.
On their birthdays, this pair of shixiong and shidi would always gift each other presents.
One year, on the day of Quan Yizhen’s birthday, Yin Yu gifted him an impressive
armour.
“…”
“The Brocade Immortal?” Xie Lian asked.
“That’s right.” Ling Wen said.
Not only could this Brocade Immortal suck blood and murder, it also had a wicked
ability: whoever it’s been gifted to will obey any commands of the one who gave the gift.
Since the two shixiong and shidi had maintained a good relationship, Quan Yizhen put
on that armour without any second thoughts. Soon after, seemingly unintentional, Yin Yu
played a prank. Under the control of the Brocade Immortal, Quan Yizhen lost his mind
and did what he was told. If it wasn’t for Jun Wu who noticed something amiss and
stopped him in time, he would’ve almost cut off his own head and dribbled it like a ball.
“So, this incident was a huge deal at the time, quite the uproar.” Ling Wen said, “To do
something like harming a fellow heavenly colleague, as an esteemed heavenly official,
Yin Yu was naturally banished immediately.”
Which meant, after this the two heavenly officials should’ve fallen out. However, when
Xie Lian recalled that silly play the worshippers of the Palace of Qi Ying put on during
the Mid Autumn Festival Banquet, that clown who was jumping up and down behind
Quan Yizhen’s back most likely being Ying Yu, yet at the time, Quan Yizhen’s reaction
was rage, followed by him leaping down to beat up his own worshippers. “I think Qi Ying
should still think very highly of His Highness Yin Yu. Was there maybe a
misunderstanding in all this?”
“Who knows.” Ling Wen said, “Whether if there’s a misunderstanding, the person in
question’s been banished for so many years now, so who’s to care?”
Xie Lian nodded and was about to bid farewell when Ling Wen added, “Wait. Your
Highness, there’s more. I wasn’t done earlier. Sixty miles out from your Puqi Shrine also
has an unknown creature appearing with the Brocade Immortal in hand.”
“…Isn’t that a little too far? Why are there more?” Xie Lian asked.
“I’m not done.” Ling Wen said, “Listen well, there’s more: forty-two miles out northwest,
fifteen miles out southeast, twenty-two miles out north…”
After reporting twenty-seven to eight locations in one breath, Ling Wen finally said, “Yea.
That’s about it for now.”
By the time she was done reporting, Xie Lian had forgotten everything and was feeling
rather woeful, “Your palace is quite efficient this time, huh. But, “for now”? Are you
saying there might be more…? Could the Ghost City be distributing the Brocade
Immortal?”
“Most likely.” Ling Wen replied. “There are many peddlers with unknown origins in the
Ghost City who often sell counterfeits with a fake skin. Once they’re done selling fakes
they’d change skin, so connoisseurs usually won’t buy anything randomly. Still, there
are nonetheless ghosts who’d consider it as digging for antiques, thinking maybe they’d
hit the jackpot this time. Now that the Brocade Immortal was stolen, many small time
vendors in the ghost realm received news and are using this chance to deceive buyers,
saying any random robe they found is the Brocade Immortal. What’s incredible is that
there’s still many ghosts who’d fall for it, and would try it out on people. It’s really given
us who gather information a lot of headaches.”
This was completely messing up their search for the real Brocade Immortal; with so
many ‘Brocade Immortals’ popping up everywhere, who knows which one is the real
one?
However, since they took on the mission, they had to come up with a way to complete it.
“I guess, let’s start with the closest one and search one by one.” Xie Lian said.
Xie Lian didn’t have any spiritual powers, Quan Yizhen didn’t know how to draw the
Distance Shortening array, and neither of the two had deputy officials. But, fortunately,
of the locations Ling Wen reported on, the closest to them was only five miles out; it was
an abandoned textile house. Without further ado, they hastily departed in the middle of
the night.
At first Xie Lian was going to make Lang Ying stay back at Puqi Shrine, but he tagged
along himself and refused to be ushered back. Since this trip shouldn’t be too
dangerous and could help grow Lang Ying’s experience, thinking he was going to teach
Lang Ying cultivation anyway, Xie Lian brought him along.
The three hurried on their way in the night. Suddenly, ahead of them on the road came
creepy voices chanting a work song, “YI YU XI! YI YU XI!”
Hearing that familiar work song, Xie Lian stopped in his step. Ahead in the mist, the
giant contour of a shadow gradually emerged along with those four haunting ghost fires
floating about. Quan Yizhen was about to make a move, ready to beat it down first
before asking questions, but Xie Lian pulled him back, “Don’t worry. I know them.”
Sure enough, four golden skeletons carrying a step litter appeared before the three.
Quan Yizhen had never seen anything so magical like it before, and his eyes widened,
bright and shimmering. That head skeleton sang, “Is this Your Highness the Crown
Prince of Xianle?”
“It is. May I help you?” Xie Lian answered.
The golden skeleton sang, “Nothing, nothing, only, we brothers have time on our hands
and wanted to inquire if His Highness the Crown Prince is in a hurry, perhaps we can
help give you a ride?”
The journey wasn’t long so Xie Lian wanted to decline, but Quan Yizhen cut in and
exclaimed “YES!” and was already climbing on enthusiastically, looking like he really
wanted to give this strange but glamourous step litter a try. Xie Lian didn’t know whether
to laugh or cry and went up to grab him when suddenly, that step litter tipped, forcefully
tossing Quan Yizhen off of it. Xie Lian was going to fall back too, but was steadied by
someone. He blurted, “San…” but when he looked back, it was Lang Ying who had
climbed on without anyone noticing, and he was holding onto Xie Lian’s arm tightly, a
pair of inky black eyes watching him, silent and wordless.
The skeletons hastily picked up the step litter, their eight legs spinning like four sets of
fire wheels, dashing away steadily while shouting, “Move, move! Don’t block the way,
don’t block the way!”
Quan Yizhen was heartlessly thrown onto the ground, but he jumped to his feet,
appearing not to have given up yet and was ready to leap up, but those skeletons were
too fast, and he was always a step behind, so he ended up hot in pursuit right behind,
looking like he really, really, wanted to ride the step litter to get a feel for it. Watching him
chase after so vigorously, Xie Lian, who was riding the step litter, couldn’t help but feel
this was a little mean, like he was bullying a child. Although he knew this step litter
belonged to Hua Cheng and he might not appreciate letting other heavenly officials ride
it, still he couldn’t help but ask, “Um… can’t this litter take three people?”
The skeletons sang, “It can’t, it can’t! It can only seat two people!”
They ran like fire wheels the entire way, and Quan Yizhen chased them the entire way.
Once at their destination, the golden skeletons dropped Xie Lian and Lang Ying off, then
picked up the step littler and disappeared from sight. Quan Yizhen was never able to
board the vehicle in the end, and was extremely disappointed, watching that step littler
disappear longingly. Xie Lian stepped off the litter holding Lang Ying’s hand, and heard
ahead of them loud cries and wails, and they all came from that abandoned Textile
House. Xie Lian was puzzled. Didn’t they say this textile house was abandoned?
They walked closer and finally made clear of those wailing voices:
“THIS LOWLY ONE WON’T EVER DARE TO SELL COUNTERFEITS ON OL’ HUA
CHENGZHU’S TERRITORY AGAIN!”
“WE REALLY WON’T DARE TO ANYMORE! BUT, PLEASE TELL THE GOOD OL’
CHENGZHU THAT I ALSO GOT THOSE FAKE BROCADE IMMORTALS FROM THE
DISTRIBUTION OF OTHER GHOSTS! I’M A VICTIM TOO!!!”
The three came before the textile house and bumped into a black clad, ghost masked
man who only just emerged from within, seeming to have been waiting for a long time.
He inclined his head slightly and greeted, “Your Highness.”
This voice belonged to that ghost officer who had once helped Xie Lian catch Lang Ying
and brought him to Paradise Manor. And at the time, Xie Lian had seen a cursed
shackle on his wrist.
———-
●TGCF is currently undergoing edits, and some passages are still being worked
on. In the early, unedited version of ch.42, Shi Qingxuan had a long spiel on Yin
Yu and Quan Yizhen that’s now been cut out. Perhaps MXTX hasn’t gotten to this
chapter yet to make the plot line up smoothly.
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