Novel Name : Heaven Official’s Blessing
Heaven Official’s Blessing Chapter 181-190
Chapter 181-190
Book 4: White-Clothed Calamity
MXTX Author Notes: This book is set in the past timeline; this is about the first banishment after
the fall of XianLe. Follows after Book 2. Not too long~
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Ch.181: Lantern Night; Penny for a Wandering Soul
Xie Lian jolted awake in horror.
His body was drenched in cold sweat from the scare and he shot up from his rest, burying his
face in his hands.
The reason he was woken from shock was because of a dream. Within the dream, both his
father and mother hung themselves and committed suicide. He saw it, but there was no joy nor
grief, no tears to flow, and he woodenly prepared to prepare himself another white silk band.
Just as he was sticking his head into the knot, he saw below there was a white clad man
wearing the crying-smile mask jeering at him, and his heart jolted, the knot tightened, and a
crushing suffocation came. Then he woke up.
It was already daylight outside the window, and from the exterior came a voice, “Your Highness!
Are you awake?”
Xie Lian answered offhandedly, “I’m awake!”
It was only after having violently panted for a good while did he realize that he wasn’t sitting on
a futon, instead it was a sheet of straw mat under his body. Although it was layered with many
batches of hay, extraordinarily soft, but to him it still wasn’t quite comfortable. Even now he still
wasn’t used to such simple and crude bedding.
The one who called for him just now was Feng Xin. He went out early in the morning and had
just brought back food, and was still urging Xie Lian from the outside to go take his meal. Xie
Lian acknowledged him and crawled up.
That sense of suffocation in the dream was too real and his hand unconsciously felt his neck.
He had only wanted to verify whether if there really was a strangle mark left behind by a knotted
white silk band, yet unexpectedly, he had actually felt something.
Xie Lian was shaken at first, and he rushed to grab a mirror tossed on the ground not far away,
but when he looked at his reflection, he realized it was a band of black collar encircling around
his neck. Thus, he finally calmed, and remembered everything.
It was the cursed shackle.
Xie Lian’s fingers probed at it.
Once banished to become a mortal, other than aging slower than normal humans, there weren’t
many other privileges. However, when Jun Wu first fabricated Xie Lian’s cursed shackle, he still
showed some mercy and left him room to accommodate.
While this cursed shackle locked away his spiritual powers, it also sealed his age and flesh body
at the same time, allowing him to neither age nor die. Furthermore, Jun Wu told him, if you
managed to ascend again, then everything in your previous life shall be forgiven, and this thing
would be removed.
But, to wear such a thing on the body was no different than a criminal whose face was branded
as a sinner, no doubt a bone-deep humiliation. Having thought this, Xie Lian reached out to the
side and grabbed a white silk band, ready to pull it over his head. Yet the moment he raised his
hand he suddenly recalled that terrifying feeling of his neck slowly being strangled from the
dream and he hesitated. However, in the end he still pulled it out and wrapped it thoroughly
around his neck and the bottom half of his face before going out.
Feng Xin and Mu Qing were already waiting for him outside. Feng Xin had brought back
steaming hot steamed buns and Mu Qing was slowly munching at it. Feng Xin passed two over
to Xie Lian but when Xie Lian saw those dull and dried crude buns he lost his appetite, so he
shook his head, refusing them.
“Your Highness, you have to eat something in the morning. We have to work afterwards, and it’s
not labour that’d can be done with just sitting around.” Feng Xin said.
Mu Qing didn’t bother looking up, “Yea, even if you don’t eat this there’s nothing else to eat. You
can faint again but you’d still have to eat this in the end.”
Feng Xin glared at him, “Watch your tone.”
Xie Lian had ascended for a few years and had long forgotten what it was like to eat. A few days
ago he nearly fainted, and it was only after that he realized it was because he hadn’t had
anything to eat for several days. This was the incident Mu Qing was referring to. Sitting on the
side, Xie Lian didn’t want those two to start fighting so early in the morning so he changed the
subject immediately, “Let’s go. We don’t even know if we’ll find any work yet today.”
Xie Lian of the past was of a noble and prestigious status, and since he possessed a celestial
body, unneeding of mortal sustenance, naturally there was no need to worry over making a
living. However, the him now, while he was still a crown prince, the Kingdom of XianLe was
already no more; while he was still a god, he had long since been banished. Now that he was
basically no different than a mortal, naturally he needed to concern himself with how to live his
days. The profession of cultivators was of course catching ghosts and performing services, but it
wasn’t like there were demons and monsters for you to catch or rituals to be performed
everyday, so, a majority of the time they still needed to find some casual, temporary work, like
helping with transporting goods or some manual labour.
But even such small errand-like jobs might not be so easily grabbed, since up until now, there
were much too many impoverished civilians who were displaced. When these paupers saw
there was work, they didn’t even need payment; with just a bun and half a bowl of rice and
they’d be willing to labour, swarming up to fight for the work, so how could Xie Lian and
company possibly compete? Even if they managed to grab something, after Xie Lian
deliberated, he might still think that others needed the work more. Sure enough, after walking
the streets for a good while, they still found nothing.
“Can we not find something more stable and respectable to do?” Mu Qing grumbled.
“Rubbish. If it existed we would’ve long since gotten it.” Feng Xin said, “Don’t respectable jobs
need to have faces shown? Who doesn’t recognize His Highness’ face? If he was recognized,
how would the work remain stable?”
Mu Qing stopped talking. Xie Lian on the other hand, wrapped the white bandage covering his
lower half of the face tighter. Indeed, if anyone was to recognize who he was, then they would
have to either flee or they’d be beaten and chased away. And for example, if they were to enlist
for a security guard job, who would possibly be comfortable enough to hire someone with an
unknown background, a security guard who wouldn’t even show his face? They couldn’t go and
take up assassination jobs either, so their choices were very limited.
It was impossible for gods to worry over hunger. However, mortals needed to eat. Ever since Xie
Lian was young he had never had to consider these kinds of affairs, and this was truly the first
time in over tens of years that this problem gripped him. However, if gods didn’t even know what
starvation felt like, how could they possibly understand the feelings of a starving worshipper?
How could they possibly empathize? At this point, he could only take this experience as a form
of training.
Just then, there was a sudden cacophony of gongs and drums from not far in the distance, and
a large crowd gathered to see what was happening. The three followed with the flow and went
up to watch, and there were a few martial artists and clowns hollering with all their might within
the crowd. It was a street busker. Mu Qing tried suggesting again, “If all else fails, why don’t we
go busk?”
Xie Lian was also considering the same thing, but before he responded, Feng Xin was already
replying as he watched, “What foolishness are you spouting? His Highness’ body is worth a
thousand gold, how can he go do something like that?”
Mu Qing rolled his eyes, “We’ve carried bricks already, so how is busking any different?”
“Carrying bricks is feeding ourselves with our own physical strength,” Feng Xin said, “Busking is
to entertain the masses, to amuse them by making fools of ourselves, so of course it’s different!”
Then, one of the clowns who was hopping about tripped and fell. The crowd roared with
laughter as he pulled himself up and bent at the waist to bow, picking up some scattered coins
tossed on the ground. Seeing this, a deep sense of rejection rolled up in Xie Lian’s mind, and he
shook his head forcefully, striking out “busking” as a viable path of employment. When Mu Qing
saw, he said, “Fine. Then let’s start pawning stuff.”
“We’ve already pawned a lot of stuff,” Feng Xin said, “Otherwise we wouldn’t have made it until
now. The rest can’t be pawned.”
Suddenly, behind the crowd came waves of surprised shouts, and someone yelled, “THE
SOLDIERS ARE HERE! THE SOLDIERS ARE HERE!”
Hearing that the soldiers had come, the bustling crowd watching the show broke up. Soon after,
a band of soldiers with weapons in their hands, donned in shiny new armours, their airs
impressive, strutted down the street, interrogating anyone who appeared suspicious. The three
hid in the crowd and heard people beside them talk:
“Who are they trying to catch?”
“Don’t worry, they’re not here to arrest us. I heard they’re trying to capture the XianLe royals
who had escaped.”
“Apparently someone saw suspicious characters around here, so the city’s been really strict in
searches lately.”
“For real?! My goodness, have they actually fled to this place?”
Hearing this, the three exchanged looks and Xie Lian whispered, “Let’s hurry back and see.”
The other two nodded. They silently left the crowd separately, and only after having walked for a
while without garnering attention before they met up again, dashing away.
They ran up to a desolate piece of woods up on a small mountain, and from afar Xie Lian could
see a thick column of smoke coming from within the woods. His heart dropped heavily; could
the YongAn soldiers have already discovered this place and set off fires to murder?
They ran closer, and there was a broken little cottage hidden in the trees, possibly left behind by
some past unknown hunter. The thick smoke was coming from inside this cottage and Xie Lian
blurted, “MOTHER! WHAT’S GOING ON, ARE YOU THERE?”
After his shout, a woman emerged in greeting and called out happily, “My son? You’ve come?”
It was the queen. She was dressed plainly and thinned quite a bit, slightly different than her
affluent lady appearance of the past. Seeing that his mother was fine and her face was full of
delight, obviously unbothered, Xie Lian relaxed but then quickly asked, “What’s with the
smoke?”
The queen replied, embarrassed, “…It’s not really anything. I just wanted to do a little cooking
today…”
Xie Lian didn’t know whether to laugh or cry and said, “Don’t! What cooking? Just settle with the
food Feng Xin and Mu Qing bring you everyday. This smoke is too conspicuous; where there’s
smoke, there’s people, you’ll attract the YongAn soldiers. We bumped into them in the city
earlier. This city will also tighten their security, we’ll need to move to a different place again.”
Feng Xin and Mu Qing entered the cottage to put the smoke out, and the queen didn’t dare to
be negligent either, so she went to the back rooms to talk to the king. Feng Xin came out and
whispered, “Your Highness, are you not going to go see his majesty?”
Xie Lian shook his head, “No.”
The two of them, father and son, one was the king of a fallen kingdom, the other was a
banished god, just who was the more pathetic, the more ashamed really couldn’t be compared.
If they were to be forced to sit down to face each other, they’d only glare at one another instead
of having a heart to heart, so if they could avoid seeing each other, it’d be for the best. Xie Lian
called out, “Mother, why don’t you pack up in a bit, and we’ll leave today. We’ll come pick you up
in the evening. We’ll leave for now.”
The queen quickly came out again, “My son, you’re leaving just like that? You haven’t visited in
so many days, why leave so fast?”
“I have to go train.” Xie Lian said.
In truth, it was to go find work, otherwise they couldn’t possibly gather enough sustenance for so
many people. “Have you eaten yet this morning?” The queen asked.
Xie Lian shook his head. The three of them were starving by now. The queen said, “Then you’ll
break your body. Fortunately, I just stewed a pot of porridge, come in and grab a bite.”
Xie Lian wondered inwardly, ‘Why was there so much smoke like the palace was on fire if it was
just a pot of porridge…’
The queen turned to Feng Xin and Mu Qing, “You two children come eat with us too.”
Feng Xin and Mu Qing hadn’t expected to receive such a treatment at all and tried to decline,
but the queen was adamant, so the two could only sit down timidly at the table, both feeling
rather surprised and flattered.
However, after the queen brought over that pot, their surprise soon turned into dread.
After returning to the city, Mu Qing’s stomach was still turning, and he said as he stumbled, “I
thought… that porridge, it smelled like bran water, but I hadn’t thought it’d taste like it too!”
Feng Xin gritted his teeth, “Shut up! Don’t force people to remember that pot of stuff! The queen
is… body of ten thousand gold after all… never cooked… this is already… UGH! …”
Mu Qing humphed, “Did I say something wrong? If you didn’t think it was like bran water, why
don’t you… go ask the queen to grant you another bowl! UGH! …”
The two were heaving back and forth and Xie Lian grabbed hold of the both of them, patting
their backs, “Stop heaving! Look, up ahead… there seems to be some work!”
Sure enough, when the three stumbled over, there were a couple little ringleaders shouting on
the streets looking for hired help. The pay was fairly decent and there wasn’t a limit to the
number of help needed, they would take everyone who’d come, so the three quickly signed up,
mixing in with a group of disheveled, skinny to the bones paupers, forming a large band as they
came to a muddy, empty field. It seemed there was the intention of building a new residence
here so the area was going to start on overhaul, beginning with filling in the grounds first. The
three worked hard, their bodies covered in mud. Feng Xin was hauling earth as he hugged his
stomach, his face green, cursing, “…Fuck me! I think that pot of stewed bran water turned into a
spirit in my stomach!”
Xie Lian was carrying a basket full of earth and he looked back, speaking in a hushed voice,
“Can you hang on? … Do you want to sit down for a bit on the side?”
Mu Qing turned to Xie Lian, “Why don’t you go rest on the side.”
“No. I can still hang on.” Xie Lian replied.
Mu Qing rolled his eyes, “Don’t be stubborn. If you dirty your clothes I’m the one who has to
wash them. I’d rather do your part of the work.” Not far in the distance, someone yelled, “WORK
HARD AND DON’T TALK! DON’T BE LAZY! YOU STILL WANT TO GET PAID?”
Feng Xin was tenacious and continued to hang on, even hauling twice the amount of mud than
before, “It’s not like it’s a lot of pay, why make so much fuss like they’re all that?”
After a grueling day, having fought from high noon to sunset, the work was finally done.
Physically, the three weren’t completely exhausted, but to have worked so hard only for some
meagre pay and a bite to eat, the heart was more tired than the body. When they finally gained
some free time, they laid down on a field that was slightly more clean to rest. Just then, another
group came around, rowdy and noisy. A couple of the men were hauling a stone statue as they
walked over slowly.
Xie Lian looked up slightly, “What statue is that?”
Mu Qing glanced at it too, “Maybe the new divine statue to guard over this place.”
Xie Lian didn’t speak.
If this was the past, then the chosen divine statue to guard land would be his crown prince
statue without question, yet now who knows which god this would be. It was most likely to be
Jun Wu, or perhaps whichever official who was newly ascended.
After a long pause, in the end Xie Lian still couldn’t help but wonder just who it was that
replaced him, so he forced himself to get up and shuffled close to the crowd to take a look. That
stone statue had its back facing him so he couldn’t see the face clearly, but, it seemed to be
kneeling. Now he was even more curious. Which heavenly official’s divine statue kneeled? Then
then went around the large circle before turning to look.
When he saw, his entire mind went blank.
The face of that divine statue was his own!
That kneeling statue was settled onto the ground, and someone on the side rudely patted its
head, “It’s finally transported. This bastard is pretty heavy!”
“Why did you haul over a statue like this? It’s kinda ugly, why not bring over the Heavenly
Martial Emperor? Isn’t this that what’s-his-face…”
“It’s that one, right? Didn’t they say worshipping him would bring bad luck? You guys still dare
worship him? And to go out of your way to transport him all the way here…”
“Now, none of you understand. Worshipping a God of Misfortune would certainly bring bad luck,
but this statue isn’t for worshipping, it’s for stepping. If you step on a God of Misfortune, doesn’t
that mean it’d ensure your everlasting good fortune?”
The crowd was enlightened, “What a good meaning, an excellent symbolism!”
Feng Xin and Mu Qing could also sense something wrong and when they approached, they too
fell silent. Feng Xin was about to explode but Mu Qing held him back, warning him with his eyes
and said under his breath, “The crown prince hasn’t even started anything, so what are you
going to yell for?”
Indeed, Xie Lian was quiet and Feng Xin wasn’t sure whether if he had other considerations, so
he didn’t dare move recklessly. Thus, he forced himself to swallow his angry words, but his eyes
were blazing like flames. Finally, someone grumbled, “Isn’t this… rather inappropriate? He was
a god once, His Highness the Crown Prince.”
“Please, XianLe has fallen, so what crown prince?”
Another said, “What you said was wrong. Stepping on a God of Misfortune isn’t anything
inappropriate, in fact, he should thank us.”
Xie Lian suddenly piped up, “Oh? Why should he thank you?”
That man explained presumptuously, “Have you seen the thresholds of temples? It’s trampled
by thousands, hundreds of thousands, but does My Lord see just how many wealthy
households are fighting to pay for one of those temple thresholds to be used as their
substitutes? It’s because every step stepped on that threshold, that threshold would absolve
them of a sin, pay a debt, collect a merit. This kneeling statue has the same function. If we each
step a step on its head, or spit on it, aren’t we also collecting merits for the crown prince? So, he
should thank us…”
Xie Lian couldn’t listen anymore.
When that man said the word “thank” his fist was already raised and he lunged.
The crowd instantly exploded, “WHAT ARE YOU DOING?!” “FIGHT!” “WHO’S CAUSING
TROUBLE?”
Feng Xin already couldn’t wait to beat people up, so he also cried as he joined the brawl. Mu
Qing couldn’t tell if he joined in himself or if he got pulled in. In any case, all three of them
started fighting. In the midst of the brawl, there were a number of times when the white bandage
on Xie Lian’s face was almost yanked off, but thank goodness that didn’t happen. The three of
them were all skilled in martial arts, but the other party had the numbers, plus afterwards, Mu
Qing were holding the other two back, warning them that to kill mortals was to add to their
crimes, so the fight ended up being miserably restrained. In the end, while the fight was
gratifying, the three were still booted out.
After walking alongside a river for a while looking unkempt, their steps finally slowed. Mu Qing
complained angrily, his face black and blue, “We worked so hard all day, but in the end we
gained nothing all because of a fight!”
Feng Xin wiped at the blood on his lips, “How can you bring up money at a time like this?”
“It’s precisely because it’s a time like this that money has to be brought up!” Mu Qing countered,
“A time like this? What time is it? Time when we’re starving! It doesn’t matter if you don’t admit
it, but nothing can be done without money! Can you both not suck it up just a little bit?”
Xie Lian didn’t speak. Feng Xin spoke, “How do we endure this? He’s been made into that kind
of kneeling statue for people to step on! You’re not the one being stepped on the face, so of
course you can speak so lightly of it.”
“Since the war’s been lost, it’s not the first time that something like this has happened.” Mu Qing
said, “And there will surely be more in the future. If he can’t learn to get used to it soon, he might
as well just die.”
Feng Xin argued in distaste, “Get used to it? Get used to what? Being humiliated by others? Get
used to mortals stepping on his face? Why does he have to get used to something like that?”
Xie Lian cried out in irritation, “That’s enough! Stop arguing. Is something small like this worth
fighting over?”
The two shut up uniformly.
After a pause, Xie Lian sighed. “Let’s go. Find a carriage to go pick up mother and father. We
have to leave this city tonight.”
Feng Xin acknowledged, “Alright.”
The two walked side by side for a bit when suddenly they noticed Mu Qing didn’t follow. Xie Lian
looked back, confused, “Mu Qing?”
After some silence, Mu Qing spoke, “Your Highness, I want to talk to you about something.”
“What is it?” Xie Lian asked, but Feng Xin said impatiently, “What’s with you now? I already said
I won’t argue with you anymore, what more do you want?”
“I want to leave.” Mu Qing said simply.
“…”
Although before he opened his mouth Xie Lian had already had a vague bad premonition, but
when Mu Qing actually said those words out loud, Xie Lian’s breath still stopped.
Feng Xin suspected that he might have heard wrong, “What? What did you say?”
Mu Qing straightened his back, his black obsidian eyes unyielding, and his demeanor calm,
“Please permit me to leave.”
“Leave?” Feng Xin exclaimed, “What should His Highness do if you leave? What about the king
and the queen?”
Mu Qing opened and closed his mouth a couple times, but in the end he still said, “I’m sorry. I
can only do so much.”
“No, you explain yourself right now, what the heck do you mean ‘you can only do so much’?”
Feng Xin demanded.
Mu Qing replied, “The king and the queen are His Highness’ parents, and I have my own
mother. She needs my care too. I can’t say I need to go take care of someone else and
someone else’s parents and neglect my own mother. So, I pray Your Highness will understand, I
cannot continue to follow by your side.”
Xie Lian was feeling faint and leaned against a wall on the side. Feng Xin questioned coldly, “Is
that the real reason? How come you’ve never mentioned it before?”
“This is one of the reasons.” Mu Qing said, “Another reason is, I feel, we’ve sunken into a
dilemma, but as to how to break out of this dilemma, we have very different ideas. Pardon my
honesty, but if things keep going on like this, nothing will get better even in a million years. So,
our paths have diverged.”
Feng Xin was so angry he started chuckling and nodded, turning to Xie Lian, “Your Highness,
you hear that? Remember what I first said? If you were ever banished, he’d for sure be the first
to break away. Didn’t I tell you?”
Mu Qing seemed be faintly enraged by his words and said flatly, “Will you please not force me.
I’m only speaking the truth. Everyone has their own views; no one was born destined to be the
righteous path of the mortal realm, the centre of the world. Perhaps you enjoy orbiting around
another person, but others might not be the same as you.”
“Where did all those concealed sour words come from? I don’t give a damn.” Feng Xin said,
“Can’t you just say plainly that you’re going to turn your back on us?”
“Enough!”
Hearing Xie Lian voice up, the two both stopped. Xie Lian removed his hand from his forehead
and turned to Mu Qing. He stared at him for a while before speaking, “I don’t like forcing other
people.”
Mu Qing pursed his lips but still stood tall.
“Go.” Xie Lian said.
Mu Qing looked at him, speaking not a word. Then he bowed deeply and really turned around to
walk away.
Watching his retreating back unblinkingly as it disappeared into the night, Feng Xin said in
disbelief, “Your Highness, you’d really let him go just like that?”
Xie Lian sighed, “What else can I do? I already said I don’t like forcing other people.”
“No, but? That bastard!” Feng Xin exclaimed, “What’s with him? He really left, just like that?!
Ran off? What the fuck!”
Xie Lian crouched down next to the riverside, rubbing his forehead, “Nevermind it. Since his
heart has left us already, what’s the use in keeping him? Tie him up and force him to wash my
clothes?”
Feng Xin didn’t know what else to say either and crouched down too. A moment later he spat
angrily, “Goddammit. That bastard can share in the wealth but not the suffering, running away
the moment shit hits the fan. Does he remember nothing of your kindness?!”
“I’m the one who told him not to remember it,” Xie Lian said, “So you too… there’s no need to
hang it around your lips.”
“But he can’t possibly really remember nothing?!” Feng Xin refuted, “What the actual fuck! But
don’t you worry, Your Highness, I will never, ever leave you.”
Xie Lian forced a small smile but didn’t say anything. Feng Xin stood back up, “Shall we go pick
up the king and the queen? I’ll go find a carriage, you just wait here.”
Xie Lian nodded, “Thank you for the trouble. Be careful.”
Feng Xin acknowledged and left. Xie Lian also rose to his feet and walked alongside the river
for another while, his entire person still feeling a little light on the feet, like nothing was real.
Mu Qing’s departure really shocked him to the core.
First, he had never thought that someone so close would just up and leave. Second, Xie Lian
had always believed in “forever”. For example, friends would always be friends forever; no
betrayal, no deception, no breaking up. Perhaps there’d be times when they’d part, but it for
sure wouldn’t be over reasons like “life is too horrible”.
This was like how in stories, the hero and the beauty were a match made in heaven, and so
they should never part, remaining true to each other forever and ever. If they couldn’t, it’d still
must be because they were forced apart by a tragic death, not because the hero preferred to
eat meat while the beauty preferred to eat fish, or because the hero scorned the beauty for
spending too lavishly and the beauty scorned the hero over his bad habits.
To suddenly step and lose one’s footing, plunging millions of miles down only to discover you
were still in the mortal realm really wasn’t a good feeling.
Walking around randomly for a bit, there were suddenly a number of shimmering golden light
floating over from ahead. Only then did Xie Lian snap out of it, and when he looked closer, he
found the light were actually lanterns after lanterns floating above the water, flowing over along
with the current of the river. There were also a couple of children, laughingly playing by the
riverside.
Xie Lian remembered, “Ah, today is ZhongYuan*.”
In the past, there would always be a grand service performed for the ZhongYuan Festival at the
Royal Holy Pavilion; he’d look forward to it long before the event and would never have
forgotten. Now, he didn’t keep anything in mind at all. He shook his head and continued on his
way. Just then, a voice came from the road ahead, “Kids, kids, will you buy it?”
This voice was exceedingly old and raspy, laced with a trace of the chilling air of evil. Xie Lian
instinctively knew something was wrong and he gazed over, only to see the two children from
earlier with lanterns in their hands stopped by the roadside, looking at something with both
curiosity and a little fear.
Within the darkness in front of them sat a man. It seemed to be an elder in black robes, dirty
and disheveled as he melted into one with the black night. In his hand held a lantern, and he
beckoned the two children shadily, “My lanterns are very different than the ordinary lanterns in
your arms. These are rare treasures; if you make wishes they are guaranteed to come true.”
Those two small children were doubtful, “R-Really?”
That elder said, “Of course. Look.”
The lantern in his hand was clearly unlit, but it suddenly glowed an inexplicable red light. There
were over ten other lanterns on the ground next to him, and they too, flickered with a haunting
green light, exceedingly peculiar.
The two small children were amazed, but Xie Lian knew exactly what he was looking at. Rare
treasures? It was clearly the phosphorescence of the dead!
There must be the souls of little ghosts sealed within that lantern for it to glow such a peculiar
light. As for this elder, he must be some sketchy scam cultivator who captured those unlucky
wandering feral spirits from who knows where and tied them into the lanterns.Those two
children didn’t know about the trick and was clapping in delight, wanting to buy the lanterns. Xie
Lian quickly rushed over, “Don’t buy it. He’s lying to you.”
That elder glared, “You little bastard, what did you say?!”
Xie Lian exposed him directly, “That lantern isn’t a treasure, it’s a demonic contraption. There
are ghosts filled inside, if you bring this home to play, ghosts will cling on to you.”
When those children heard there were ghosts, they didn’t dare linger and cried “WAH!” as they
ran away. That elder leapt three feet up to his feet, yelling angrily, “YOU DARE RUIN MY
BUSINESS??”
Xie Lian reasoned, “How can you conduct such a business here? Nevermind ignorant children,
even grown ups who buy your wicked lanterns would fall into great misfortune, maybe even get
clung onto by resentful ghosts, and wouldn’t that be a great wrong? Even if you must sell such a
thing, you should go to a specialized place to sell.”
That elder rebuked, “You make it sound so easy. Where would you find such a specialized place
to sell such things? Everyone just finds a random place and sets up shop!” He said as he picked
up a bunch of those ugly, poorly made lanterns, huffing as he got ready to leave. Xie Lian hastily
called out, “Wait!”
“What? What do you want?” That elder said gruffly, “Are you going to buy?”
“No way.” Xie Lian said, “You actually plan on continuing to sell somewhere else? Where did all
the ghosts in your lanterns come from?”
“I caught them on the barren battlefield. They’re everywhere.” That elder replied.
Then weren’t they the wandering souls of deceased soldiers?
Having heard this, it was impossible for Xie Lian to leave it alone, and he admonished solemnly,
“Stop selling them. Today is ZhongYuan! If this stirs up anything it won’t be funny. Besides,
those are the heroic souls of warriors, how can you sell them like trinkets?”
“When people die they become nothing but wisps, who cares if it’s a heroic soul or not?” That
elder said, “Of course it’s my old bones that’s more important. We all gotta make a living around
here, if you don’t let me sell, what am I to do? Go homeless? If you’re so passionate about this,
why don’t you spend the money, huh?”
“You…”
In the end, Xie Lian admitted defeat, “Fine. I’ll buy.” Then he reached into his pocket and
scoured every corner, only to dig out some pennies, “Is this enough?”
That elder glanced at it and exclaimed, “Of course not! How can this little bit be enough?!”
Xie Lian didn’t know too well just how much money would be considered normal when buying
over ten lanterns, and he never looked at the pricetag when he purchased things in the past,
but, under such a woeful situation, he managed to learn how to bargain without being taught,
“Your lanterns don’t look that pretty, and they’re very unlucky. You might as well sell them to me
for cheap.”
“It’s already this price and you’re asking for cheaper?” That elder argued, “I’ve never seen
anyone more broke than you, how embarrassing!”
Xie Lian could feel shame dig into his skin by his words, “I’m a Crown Prince, I’m telling you.
Never in my life has anyone called me broke.” But just as the words left his lips he regretted
them, Still, that elder did not take his words seriously at all, and he laughed, “If you’re the Crown
Prince then I’m the good ol’ Emperor!”
Xie Lian felt a little relieved but also a little awkward. Still, in the end he might as well break all
the broken jars and said plainly, “Will you sell? This is all the money I’ve got.”
After much back and forth, the two finally completed the transaction. Xie Lian used that
pathetically sad bit of money to buy over ten ghost lanterns and he brought them to the
riverside. That elder disappeared the moment he got the money while Xie Lian on the other
hand, sat down by the shore, untying each red knot wrapped over the lanterns, releasing all the
little ghosts who were sealed by the spell, and performed a simple service for them.
Sparks of haunting ghost fires floated out from the lanterns. These souls were all new ghosts
who had recently passed away, bleary and unfocused with no clear conscience of their own,
very weak and vulnerable, which was why that elder captured them so easily. When they were
released from those cramped lanterns, they all swarmed around Xie Lian, circling him intimately,
sometimes rubbing against him. Xie Lian rose to his feet and urged softly, “Go on. Go.”
With the help of the gentle push from his hand, those spirits rose higher and higher, floating
towards the horizon, gradually dissipating. This was what they called spirits returning to the
world.
Xie Lian gazed at the starry sky for a long time when suddenly, behind him came a tiny little
voice.
“Your Highness…” That voice called.
Xie Lian was taken aback and instantly looked to where the voice came from. Only then did he
notice that there was a tiny ball of ghost fire who remained, not yet passed to yonder heavens
nor dissipated into sparks.
It seemed, this little ghost was stronger than all the other little ghosts, and not only did it
possess its own conscience, it could also speak. He walked over, bewildered, “Were you calling
me just now? You… recognize me?”
Having been noticed, that little ball of ghost fire seemed to become quite lively, jumping up and
down. Judging by its voice, it seemed to also be a young man. “Of course I recognize you!”
Xie Lian remembered that he was covered all over in mud, looking unseemly and undignified,
and felt more and more awkward. He clenched his hand into a fist and pressed it against his
lips, really not wanting to admit to his identity and thought maybe if he could just tell it it was
mistaken? A moment later, he schooled his expression, “Why have you remained here? Haven’t
I sent you all off? Have I perhaps missed a step?” Otherwise why would there be one remaining
after having performed a service?
The ghost without a name floated before him, not too close, not too far, and it answered, “No.
You’ve done nothing wrong. I’m the one who didn’t want to leave, that’s all.”
Xie Lian mused, “Do you have an unfulfilled wish or some attachment?”
“Yes.” The nameless ghost replied.
“Then, why don’t you tell me. What is it?” Xie Lian asked. “If it’s not anything difficult, I’ll do my
best to help you.”
Behind the back of this nameless ghost were three thousand lanterns flowing languidly along
the night, and it said, “I have a beloved who is still in this world.”
After some silence, Xie Lian said, “I see. Is it your wife?”
“No, Your Highness. We never married.”
“Ah.”
The nameless ghost said, “In fact, I might not be well remembered. We never really talked.”
‘Never really talked?’ Xie Lian thought, ‘If that’s the case, how did this person become the
‘beloved’ that tied your spirit to the world? Just how beautiful must this person be?’
Humming for a moment, he said, “So then, what is your wish?”
The nameless ghost answered, “I want to protect them*.”
Usually, a spirit’s wish would be “I want to tell her I love her” “I want to have a round of physical
relations”, or the scarier, “I want her to accompany me down under”. “To protect” really was quite
rare, and Xie Lian blinked, “But, you no longer belong to this world.”
The nameless ghost replied, “What of it?”
“If you remain forcibly, you won’t be able to rest in peace.” Xie Lian said.
The nameless ghost didn’t seem to care, “I pray to never rest in peace.”
A wisp of a wandering spirit was actually this stubborn. Typically, such a willful spirit was nine
times out of ten extremely dangerous, yet for some reason, Xie Lian didn’t sense any
murderous intent from it, so he wasn’t concerned. He continued, “If your beloved knew you
couldn’t rest in peace because of them, they might feel guilty and troubled.”
The nameless ghost hesitated for a moment and replied, “Then, I just won’t let them know why I
haven’t gone.”
“After having seen so much, it’d be known sooner or later.” Xie Lian said.
The nameless ghost said, “Then I won’t let them find out I’m protecting them either.”
Having listened to this point, Xie Lian’s heart couldn’t help but be moved and thought, this man’s
“love” wasn’t just talk.
Within the lanterns were all the wandering feral spirits that elder captured from the barren
battlefield, so the one before him now must also be a young warrior. He said quietly, “This war
separated you from your beloved… I’m sorry. I didn’t win.”
However, the nameless ghost declared, “To die in battle for you is my greatest honour.”
Xie Lian was instantly stunned.
“To die in battle for the Crown Prince is the greatest honour for a XianLe soldier” was a phrase
that some general from XianLe taught the soldiers, and used this slogan to excite their will to
battle, proclaiming that even if they died, they would’ve died for a purpose, and in death they
shall pass on to the immortal realm. That was of course a lie. Yet, even though this young
soldier had passed away, his soul drifting in the mortal realm, he still firmly remembered this
phrase. And, he answered with such solemnity and sincerity.
Suddenly, Xie Lian felt the rims of his eyes grow hot, his vision becoming blurry. He replied, “I’m
sorry. Forget me.”
The flickering flames of the nameless ghost flared brighter, “I won’t forget. Your Highness, I am
forever your most devoted believer.”
Xie Lian forced down his sob, “…I’ve already lost all my believers. Believing in me won’t do you
any good, it might even bring disasters. Do you know? Even my friend has left me.”
The nameless ghost declared as if swearing an oath, “I won’t.”
“You will.” Xie Lian said.
The ghost was insistent, “Believe me, Your Highness.”
“I don’t believe you.” Xie Lian said.
He no longer believed anyone, and he no longer believed in himself either.
———-
●Memory refresher: [中元節] ZhongYuan Festival takes place in mid July on the lunar
calendar and celebrates the underworld.
●Third person pronoun He/She in Chinese has the same pronunciation but different
characters. Hua Cheng used ‘Him’ but Xie Lian understood it as ‘Her’, so in this
translation, ‘Them’ is used since the discrepancy in meaning is not very consequential in
this context.
———
Ch.182: Hero Defeated by a Penny
Before the entire city was locked in a strict search, Xie Lian and company traveled all night and
came to another city.
He still settled the king and queen in a secluded place before he himself and Feng Xin went out
to earn money. However, they who couldn’t earn much money in the other city wouldn’t
magically be luckier in a new one.
The two still worked a full day’s labour only to earn meagre pay like always, but since the group
of three who never left each other’s sides was suddenly missing one member, the other two
were both having a hard time getting used to it. For example, in the past it had always been Mu
Qing who was responsible in keeping the money pouch, constantly keeping count, and now that
Mu Qing left, Feng Xin straight up said he might lose the money pouch by accident, so Xie Lian
had no choice but to keep it on his person. Every time he counted that sad bit of amount, he
really couldn’t believe it was all he earned after a hard day’s labour. It must be known that in the
past, the amount of money he granted beggars weren’t even this little.
With Mu Qing gone, the one who brought food for the king and queen was also gone, so Xie
Lian had no choice but to take Feng Xin with him and personally deliver all sorts of daily
necessities to the king and queen’s hiding place. That she could see her son so frequently, the
queen was very happy, and when she got happy, she entered the kitchen. That day, she once
again made Xie Lian and Feng Xin try her newly stewed soup, dragging them to the table, “You
both need to fatten up, look how thin you’ve become.”
Feng Xin was streaming cold sweat, and the moment his butt touched the bench he bounced
up, waving his hands, “No no no, Your Majesty, Feng Xin doesn’t dare, I absolutely mustn’t!”
The queen chided pleasantly, “My child, what’s there to be afraid of? Come, sit down.”
How could Feng Xin dare tell her? He really didn’t dare, and after he forced himself to sit down,
the queen delivered the fruits of her labour. Feng Xin inhaled sharply and removed the pot
cover. Xie Lian sat at the head of the table and when the both of them saw what was in the pot,
they both looked ghastly.
Xie Lian said under his breath, “This chicken… died a tragic death.”
“…” Feng Xin’s lips trembled, “Your Highness, you didn’t see right. There’s no chicken in this.”
“??? Then what’s that thing floating like a dead chicken?” Xie Lian wondered.
“I think it’s stew paste… but the shape is a little off?” Feng Xin replied.
The two studied the pot for a good while but still couldn’t figure it out. The queen ladled a full
bowl for Xie Lian and Feng Xin himself rushed to ladle himself a bowl. When the queen went to
the back rooms to find the king, they instantly poured out the soup in their own bowls and
pretended to wipe their mouths looking as if they ate up in one sip and hadn’t had enough, “I’m
full, I’m full.”
Seeing this, the queen was delighted, “Was it good?”
Xie Lian praised hollowly, “It was, it was!”
The queen said happily, “If it’s good then have some more!”
Xie Lian almost spat out a mouthful of that nonexistent soup and raised his handkerchief to
pretend he’s wiping at his lips. Just then, the queen seemed to have hesitated before speaking,
“My son, I want to ask you a question, please don’t think your mom nosy.”
Xie Lian stiffened and placed the handkerchief down, “What is it? Please ask.”
The queen sat down next to him and asked, “Where’s that child Mu Qing? How come he hasn’t
come the past few days?”
He knew it.
Xie Lian’s heart squeezed tighter with her mention of Mu Qing, “Oh, I gave him a mission, so
he’s gone off elsewhere.”
The queen seemed to have breathed a sigh of relief and nodded, then right after, she asked,
“When will he be back?”
“Maybe, he’ll need to be out for a long time… he won’t be back any time soon.” Xie Lian replied.
Hearing this, the queen seemed troubled, and Xie Lian noticed, “Is something the matter?”
The queen instantly replied, “Oh, it’s nothing.”
Feng Xin was the sharper one, and he suddenly spoke up, “Your Majesty, what’s wrong with
your hands?”
Hands?
Xie Lian looked down and was instantly shocked.
His mother’s pair of delicate, exquisitely maintained wealthy hands were at this moment, looking
rather horrifying. The joints were scraped and peeling, and there were faint traces of blood. Xie
Lian stood up abruptly and grabbed her hands, “What’s going on?”
The queen quickly explained, “It’s nothing. I only just washed some clothes and blankets, but
I’m not very good at it.”
Xie Lian blurted, “Why are you doing the washings yourself? You could’ve…”
But he was stumped before he finished his words. Could’ve what? Could’ve had the palace
attendants do the washing? Could’ve had Mu Qing do the washing? All of that was impossible
now.
On the road of escape, it had been Mu Qing who was the acting personal attendant, and his
duties of taking care of all the personal necessities included the care for Xie Lian, the king, and
the queen. With him gone, suddenly all the nitty gritty had no one to take care of.
No one to cook, no one to wash, no one to fold the blankets. The simple days of the past
suddenly became difficult. Xie Lian himself was alright in suffering through it since there were
much too many other things to worry about, but his mother who had lived a comfortable,
luxurious life, when had she ever done such crude labour? But if the queen didn’t do this work
herself, who else could take over?
After some silence, Xie Lian said, “Don’t let this trouble you. I’ll take care of the washing.”
The queen smiled, “No need. You just take care of yourself. I’ve never done laundry nor cooked
before, but since my time is free everyday, doing the chores myself is still quite fun. Especially
since you both enjoyed the meal, it’s made me quite happy.”
That pot of soup was stewed by such a pair of hands of his mother’s. Xie Lian and Feng Xin
exchanged a look and felt rather horrid. Just then, the queen added, “Oh yes, there was another
thing. Is there any way you can bring some medicine back tomorrow?”
Xie Lian’s eyes widened slightly, “Medicine? What kind of medicine?”
The queen’s face was troubled, “Sigh, I’m not quite sure either. Why don’t you go to the
pharmacy and inquire, see what kind of medicine should be taken for symptoms like coughing
up blood?”
“Coughing up blood?!” Xie Lian was shocked, “Who’s coughing up blood? You? Father? Why
didn’t you say something sooner?”
His voice was raised and the queen immediately hushed, “Lower your voice!” However, it was
too late, and an outraged voice came from the back of the cottage, “I TOLD YOU NOT TO SAY
ANYTHING UNNECESSARY!”
It was the king. Seeing that he had already heard, the queen didn’t worry over hushing anymore
and called towards the back rooms, “But it won’t do if this keeps up!”
Xie Lian walked straight into the rooms and saw the king was huddled in a bed of ragged
blankets. He hadn’t looked closely recently, but now that he saw, the king was looking ill, his
cheeks sunken, appearing even more sickly inside a gloomy room. There wasn’t any aura of the
king at all; he was nothing more than an ashen faced old man.
Xie Lian didn’t need to check his pulse to know that he must’ve been ill for a long time, and
nothing light either. In fact, the entire room permeated with the suffocating, musty air of
sickness. Recalling that the queen had said the symptom was “coughing up blood”, in his
moment of distraught his voice was raised, “WHAT’S GOING ON HERE??”
The king steeled his face, “What’s with that tone?”
Both the queen and Feng Xin entered the room too. Xie Lian admonished, “Who cares what
tone I’m using. If you’re sick why didn’t you say something sooner?”
The king was furious, “Are you lecturing your king? At any given time, what this king can and
cannot say is not for you to say!”
Seeing that he was still acting tough, Xie Lian was in disbelief, “You’re unbelievable! Are you still
throwing the weight of your title around at a time like this?”
The king was outraged, “GET OUT! GET OUT OF HERE!”
The queen and Feng Xin immediately dragged Xie Lian out, “My son! Don’t be like that. He’s
your father, and he’s ill. Take a step back.”
On the run and ill, this was like adding frost to snow. Xie Lian buried his face in his hands,
“Mother! Why didn’t you both say something sooner? If you had, the illness wouldn’t have
dragged out to coughing up blood! Do you know how hard that is to cure?” Or rather, based on
their current situation, it was impossible to cure!
The queen was both dismayed and aggrieved, “We… We didn’t know either, that it’d worsen like
this.”
Feng Xin added, “Yea. Besides, we had been dodging YongAn pursuit this entire way, there was
no time to stop.”
Xie Lian pulled his face from his hands, “I’ll take him to find a doctor in the city right now.”
“NO NEED!” The king cried from within the room.
Xie Lian looked back and was just about to rebuke with “I’m the one who makes the call right
now” but Feng Xin responded first, “Your Highness, if you take His Majesty to the doctors in the
city, you’ll be discovered for sure.”
Hearing this, Xie Lian instantly froze. The queen also spoke up, “That’s what we were afraid of,
which was why we didn’t say anything in the past few days. My son, why don’t you just… think
of a way to bring back some medicine first?”
In the back rooms, the king started coughing violently again, and the queen went in to look after
him. Xie Lian was dazed for a good moment, then he turned and went out. Feng Xin called out,
“Your Highness! What do you plan to do?”
Xie Lian didn’t answer but started rummaging through all the shelves and chests in the cottage.
Feng Xin asked, “What are you looking for?” He didn’t respond, and a brief moment later, he
dug out something from the bottom of a chest.
It was an ancient sacred sword. Feng Xin looked and questioned, “What are you doing taking
HongJing out?”
After some silence, Xie Lian replied, “I’m going to pawn it.”
Feng Xin was shocked and immediately exclaimed, “YOU CAN’T!”
Xie Lian slammed the chest shut heavily, “I’ve already pawned off so many swords, this is just
one more.”
Throughout their journey, in order to make up enough funds for carriages and bribes for
crossing checkpoints, Xie Lian had already pawned off over half of his beloved sacred swords.
And since they couldn’t go to large, bustling pawn shops, sometimes they’d even be
blackmailed by shady merchants who discovered their identities and had to suffer bargained
sales. Feng Xin exclaimed, “It’s not the same! Don’t you really like this sword? Otherwise why
haven’t you pawned it already and instead stuffed it at the bottom of the chest? Besides, this
was a sword the Emperor gifted you, it won’t sound good if this got out!”
Xie Lian said tiredly, “No matter how much I like it it’s still not as important as a life. Let’s go,
let’s go.”
The two made way to the city with the sword, both looking downtrodden. When they came to the
pawn shop, Xie Lian stopped in his step and looked at the HongJing in his hand. Feng Xin
peered at him, “Why don’t we forget about pawning it? Let’s try… let’s think of another way?”
Xie Lian shook his head, “It’s too late. Besides, we don’t know if there’s any other way that can
make up enough money.”
If they went to steal, to rob, to trick, no mortal would be a match for them, and money would
pour in much faster. However, it was precisely because they must uphold the moral compass
and adhere to the ethical regulation of mortals, earn money honestly, that things would be so
difficult. Having made up his mind, Xie Lian said, “This has to be pawned. Once it’s pawned let’s
go buy medicine.” While he said so, his feet still didn’t move. Feng Xin knew he was reluctant to
let go, that this was the last sacred sword Xie Lian had, so he said, “Let’s look around some
more.”
Right then, on the other end of the street came clamouring noise, shouting and yelling, and
someone cried, “WHO’S CAUSING TROUBLE??” “THE AUDACITY!” “CATCH HIM! CATCH
HIM!”
The two were both startled, and Xie Lian instantly backed up to the side in alarm, “Who?!”
Feng Xin was alarmed too and went over the check, returning after he was assured, “It’s
nothing! Don’t worry! It has nothing to do with us. It’s not anyone looking for us and it’s not the
YongAn soldiers either.”
Only then did Xie Lian’s tension relax, “What’s going on?”
“I’m not sure.” Feng Xin said, “Looks to be a fight between some mad servants, want to go
see?”
“Let’s go see.” Xie Lian said, “Hopefully it’s not some thug.”
The two shuffled over to watch, and saw in the centre there were a couple men who were
brawling, and the surrounding audience were cheering. Feng Xin patted a passerby on the side
who was enjoying the show, “Hey buddy, what’s going on here?”
That passerby chuckled, “You don’t know? This is too exciting! The servant is beating the
master!”
Such an affair! Xie Lian was speechless, “How come? And why is it a good thing?”
“Of course it’s a good thing!” That passerby said, “This master really is no good! This servant
followed him since he was young, very loyal, but him! He only knew how to take advantage, not
only did he gave no pay, he even worked him to the bone. The servant couldn’t take it anymore,
so you see, you see! They’re fighting!”
Sure enough, the one doing all the beating was cursing as he threw punches, yelling things like,
“I’ve had it with you for a long time!” “Why don’t you figure for yourself what you’ve given me??”
“My family’s so poor we have nothing to eat, but you still ride over my head all high and mighty!”
“From today onwards, I ain’t your dog no more!” etc. The master who was getting beaten was
hugging his head and screaming while the crowd cheered, but their shouts were making Xie
Lian’s heart lurch in waves, giving him chills for some reason, and he glimpsed at Feng Xin’s
face without thinking. Feng Xin didn’t notice his strange behaviour at all, and when he heard of
all the crummy deeds from the others, he commented offhandedly, “I see, then this master really
is no good, no wonder the servant is rebelling.”
He didn’t mean anything by it, but Xie Lian’s heart cracked, and he gripped HongJing tighter.
After much headaches, HongJing was pawned, and the two finally had money. They
immediately went to inquire after a doctor and purchased over ten different kinds of medicine to
take back.
The medicine to cure symptoms of coughing blood was expensive, and the quantity needed was
immense. It wasn’t just one or two packets of medicine, healed in a couple days, so how things
turn out to be afterwards must be closely observed. That evening, Feng Xin unwrapped a few
bundles of medicine and started stewing outside the cottage, fanning wildly at the flames with a
torn fan. As for Xie Lian, he was once again rummaging through the shelves and chests all over
the house. After a while, he finally fumbled out a shimmering golden soft belt.
Originally, Xie Lian had a number of golden belts, but their end was the same as those sacred
swords, all pawned off. There was only this one left, and Xie Lian had wanted to keep it as a
souvenir at first, but now, he had decided to use it for something.
Coincidentally, Feng Xin looked up at him, “Your Highness, what are you doing holding that
belt? You’re not thinking of pawning it too, are you?”
However, Xie Lian walked over and handed the golden belt to him.
Seeing this, Feng Xin’s eyes bulged, and he was bewildered, “…What are you doing giving this
to me??? Your Highness, when you shut the chest just now you didn’t also shut your brain in
too, did you???”
“…” Only then did Xie Lian remember that in the Upper Court, to gift a golden belt had a special
meaning, and his face instantly darkened, “You think too much, I don’t mean it that way at all.
You just take it like it’s regular gold!” Then he stuffed it to him. Feng Xin glared with that
shimmering golden belt around his neck, “No. You still gotta tell me why are you suddenly
stuffing me with gold?”
“Just take it as compensation that I’ve owed you for so long.” Xie Lian said.
Feng Xin was confused, “No, but. What’s with you all of a sudden? Why are you talking
compensation to me at a time like this? You might just as well pawn this off and buy more
medicine for His Majesty. It’s fine if you don’t pawn it too. Keep it for yourself. This is something
that only heavenly officials can possess.”
———–
Ch.183: Hero Defeated by a Penny 2
Hearing him mention medicine, Xie Lian looked back and turned his gaze towards the interior of
the cottage where the king and the queen were resting. A moment later, he said, “I can think of
other ways for the medicine, so just take this.”
Xie Lian was determined to give and Feng Xin couldn’t understand why, so he was both
confused and felt it kind of funny, and he shrugged, picking up that ragged cattail leaf fan and
continued to fan the flames to stew the medicine, “Fine then, I’ll keep it for you for now.
Whenever you want it back just let me know.”
Xie Lian shook his head, “I won’t ask for it back, you can do with it as you will.”
After pawning HongJing, their pockets were a bit fuller, and they finally managed to have a few
good meals. Since the queen’s skills were so shocking, Xie Lian graciously asked mother to
look after father and absolutely not enter the kitchen as he himself would take over and manage
the cooking. Although he didn’t have much experience, but even if he’d never had pig’s feet he’d
seen pigs walk, what he made was still somewhat edible, so the party was saved from mouth
and stomach troubles.
That day after the fight with the king, Xie Lian was actually feeling regretful, but he didn’t know
how to apologize to his father, so he could only do his utmost in caring after him. A patient who
coughed blood couldn’t be chilled, so he added more blankets and small heaters for him.
The YongAn soldiers were coming down hard on catching all the escaped XianLe nobilities, and
soon, this city also heightened security. They finally settled but now they must leave again.
Xie Lian had already lost count of how many cities he had passed while on the run with his
parents in tow. To be honest, what he’d seen on the road, everything was much more peaceful
than he imagined. The most tragic was only the royal capital of XianLe; everywhere else didn’t
seem to have been severely affected.
After all, to regular civilians, the king, the crown prince, the royal capital, the nobility, were all
things that were extremely faraway. The change of a king didn’t seem to have made much
difference. Especially since the new king wasn’t a tyrant, and once he ascended the throne
there weren’t any particularly strict decrees, so other than having a new topic for after dinner
conversations, there weren’t much more laments.
“When the king was named Xie I planted this plot of land; now the king is named Lang and I still
plant the same plot of land!” Xie Lian heard people say.
They weren’t wrong. But the strange thing was, in regards to the rumoured crown prince who
went from invincible to losing every battle, everyone’s attitude towards it were all amazingly
unified, as if the moment they spoke of him everyone would suddenly transform into a patriotic
citizen of XianLe. He really couldn’t understand nor accept it.
However, he really didn’t have much mind to worry over those things anymore. The money they
made from pawning HongJing didn’t last for a few months before it was all depleted.
An illness that made one cough blood was already hard to cure, plus the king was frustrated
and depressed, so there needed to be a great amount of medication to help him hang on in a
passable state. If the medication should be cut off, his condition would no doubt worsen
considerably. Xie Lian had nothing left on hand to pawn, and on this day, after having loitered
the streets for a long time, he mulled and mulled before finally turning to Feng Xin, “Why don’t
we… give it a try?”
Feng Xin peered at him, “Then let’s, give it a try?”
It wasn’t the first time the two hesitantly thought to “give it a try”, it was just before now, they
hadn’t made up their minds. Besides, there was once when they were conversing, the king
overheard their intent and became outraged, throwing a huge fit, and was intransigent that Xie
Lian not do such shameful things for money, otherwise he would refuse to drink his medicine, so
in the end the two had to abandon the thought. Yet now that they were in dire straits, there was
no need to say it clearly; they both understood each other. Xie Lian nodded, and wrapped the
white silk band tighter around his face.
“Your Highness, you don’t have to do this, just me alone is enough.” Feng Xin said, “So even if
the king asks it’d be alright!”
Then, he inhaled deeply, held his breath for a moment, before suddenly roaring at the
pedestrians on the street, “DEAR FOLKS ON THE STREET, DON’T MISS OUT ON THIS–”
All the pedestrians jumped in surprise, and they all gathered around, chattering, “What’s with
the yelling?!” “What’re you guys up to?” “What’ve you got to show us?” “I wanna see shattering
boulders on the chest!”
Feng Xin removed the bow on his back and boldly pulled at it, “My… My nickname is “Godly
Archer”; I can shoot a bullseye from a hundred feet away. I will show off my embarrassing skill
for everyone to see. If you all enjoy the show, will you p-, please grant some coins!”
What “Godly Archer”, what “embarrassing skill”; those were all words they learned watching
street performers. While they kept saying they would never busk, they had long since kept in
mind how all the others had been doing it. The crowd grumbled, “Stop wasting your breath! Just
get on with it!” “We’ve been waiting! Now hurry up!”
Feng Xin placed an arrow upon the bow, pointed at an idle man in the crowd who was munching
on a fruit and said, “Will this uncle please step out, place this apple on your head, and I can
shoot it without fault from three hundred steps away!”
That idle man shrank his neck and withdrew into the crowd, “I’M NOT DOIN’ IT!”
Feng Xin exclaimed, “I won’t hit you, don’t worry! If I shoot you by accident I’ll pay however
much in recompense!”
That idle man yelled back, “I’m no fool! If you shoot me by accident, it won’t matter how much
you pay me back! Since you’re out here to perform, don’t you got an assistant or somethin’?
Shouldn’t you be shooting the one next to you?!”
The crowd all chimed in, “Yea!” Xie Lian said too, “Let me.” Someone from the crowd tossed
over a fruit and Xie Lian caught it, ready to put it on his head. However, Feng Xin never had the
intention of having Xie Lian get involved, so why would he allow this? In his moment of panic, he
grabbed the fruit and ate it up himself, then he changed the direction of the arrow, targeting a
banner hanging high up on a tall building and cried, “I’LL SHOOT THAT!” Then he shot the
arrow. He was extremely skilled in archery, so of course he shot the target, and the surrounding
audience all cheered and laughed, “WELL DANG! YOU DO GOT IT!” They laughed and
babbled, and there were actually some who tossed a few coins.
Small, round little coins tumbled and rolled on the ground, and Feng Xin went up to pick them
up. Xie Lian also silently crouched down to pick them up, but his heart was feeling low, like he
lost something.
In the past, Feng Xin was the crown prince’s servant; nevermind the common peasants, even
normal ministers had to be courteous and polite when they saw him, some even tried to get
friendly. Before when they hauled rocks and earth, just heeding the hollering ringleaders was
stifling, now they had to endure being watched like monkeys. His skill of shooting in hundred
feet wasn’t used to kill enemies in battle but to entertain the masses, just thinking of it made his
stomach turn.
Just then, the sharp voice of a woman came, “WHO’S SHOOTING ARROWS IN THE
STREETS??”
When Xie Lian heard, his heart dropped. Everyone in the crowd pointed at Feng Xin, “IT’S HIM!”
Feng Xin was bewildered and the crowd parted as several women came stomping over, holding
an arrow, the one Feng Xin shot out earlier. Those women surrounded him, “You damned brat!
DID YOU SHOOT THIS? WHAT GUTS! Shooting weapons randomly in broad daylight, you
destroyed our screen! Tell me, how are you gonna pay this??”
“Yea, you’ve scared away so many of our customers!”
Turns out, the banner Feng Xin shot through earlier was so powerful that it flew all the way to
someone else’s yard. Feng Xin already didn’t like talking to women, and these ladies wore
heavy makeup, their foundations layering their faces, smothering and suffocating. They
probably came with ill intent, and yelled to the point where he kept waving his hands, backing
away. Xie Lian hastily came to shield in front of him, “I’m sorry, I’m sorry. He didn’t mean to. As
for compensation, we’ll think of something…”
Those women’s tempers were flaring, and they pushed and shoved, “AND WHO ARE YOU?
YOU…” yet unexpectedly, with this push and pull, the white bandage covering Xie Lian’s face
slipped, and when those women saw his face, their eyes lit up, their tones taking a greasy turn,
“Aiyoh, what a handsome little gege!”
Xie Lian: “???”
One of the women clapped, her eyes crescent and blossoming, “VERY WELL! It’s decided!
You’re together, right? We’ll take you as repayment then!”
Xie Lian: “???”
Before his head had even wrapped around this development, Xie Lian was dragged away by
those women, all the way to a rather lavish little establishment. When he looked up, the higher
levels were all women dressed like blossoming flowers, chirping like birds. Only then did Xie
Lian realize he was taken away by a bunch of brothel mistresses!
Instantly goosebumps raised on his skin, “Wait, I don’t have money, I really don’t have any
money!”
Those brothel mistresses cackled, “Of course you’ve got no money, that’s why we’ve brought
you here to earn money!”
“??? Sorry, but, I’m a man?” Xie Lian exclaimed.
The brothel mistresses replied in annoyance, “We know you’re a man, we’re not blind!”
Feng Xin, who was surrounded by the crowd finally broke through the sea of people and darted
over, shouting, “LET GO OF HIS H… LET GO OF HIM THIS INSTANT!”
The two were in a horrid state and bolted, and since they knew they were in the wrong, they
didn’t dare fight back. The enraged brothel mistresses called over some thirty fighters, chasing
them all over the city. They had never been involved in such a situation, and all in all, they would
never dare approach that area again.
But, the two could confirm that busking was a viable way of earning money, so they changed a
place and set up shop. They were fresh faces so the locals were all very interested, plus Feng
Xin was an honest, good man with a proper appearance, looking rather handsome, so in the
first few days, they did manage to earn a small fortune that could help pay for food and
medication for at least half a month. However, good things didn’t last, and it didn’t take half a
month before someone came knocking.
That day, after Xie Lian and Feng Xin had packed up, several beefy men came to look for them.
Xie Lian was greatly alarmed, scared that they were YongAn soldiers, his fists ready to strike
under his sleeves, and he demanded in a low voice, “Who are you?”
The leading man humphed, “You guys have been dallying on our turf for days, but you don’t
know who we are?”
Xie Lian and Feng Xin were both puzzled. Another man spoke up, “You stole so much of our
business, don’t you think it’s rude if you don’t explain yourselves?”
The two finally understood what was going on. Turns out, those were the other local street
performers.
Every working man in the world belonged in guilds and gangs, drawing their own turf. When the
two of them came, they took all their customers away, so when the others couldn’t make money,
of course they’d come looking for trouble. The two of them weren’t learned of the world, so how
could they possibly know this set of etiquette?
‘If it wasn’t because we’re at the end of our ropes, who’d want to steal a business like this?’ Xie
Lian thought bitterly, but he still spoke courteously, “It’s not really a matter of stealing, right?
People will go watch what they want to watch, it’s not like we were forcing anyone to come
watch our… shooting performance.”
As if the other party would listen, and they exclaimed rudely, “NOT A MATTER OF STEALING?
NO ONE’S MADE ANYTHING THE PAST FEW DAYS, YOU’VE TAKEN ALL THE GRUB!”
CRACK! The mob jumped in surprise and looked over, and saw Feng Xin drop his fist from the
wall on the side, and on the wall was a giant punch mark, cracks crawling out all around.
He said coldly, “Are you all looking for trouble?”
The mob of beefy men were certainly here to start trouble at first, to talk with their fists, but after
Feng Xin’s punch, there was no doubt that his fist was more solid than theirs, and instantly their
fires were extinguished by half. Still, they refused to let this go so easily, and the leading man
changed his tune after having been stumped for a second, “How about this, we’ll do this by the
rules. Let’s compete our skills, and the winner gets to stay, the losers will pack up and leave,
never to set up shop in this area again!”
Hearing that it’d be a competition, Feng Xin was even more glad. Of course he was glad. How
could mortals possibly compete with them? It was a sure win!
Xie Lian also breathed a sigh of relief, “I agree to this. How do you want to do this?”
That man proclaimed loudly, “We’ll use our best busking trick!”
In between talk, two other men had brought over a few long, rectangular stone slates, and that
man patted the stone slates, “Shattering boulders on the chest! How about it, do you dare?”
Seeing how proud he looked, it seemed this was indeed his specialty. Xie Lian also squatted
down and felt that slate and looked up, “This won’t be a problem for me, but, will this really not
be a problem for you?” That slate was the real deal. That man laughed, “Judging by the shape
of you, you best worry after yourself!”
Feng Xin squatted next to him, “Your Highness, let me?” Xie Lian shook his head, “No. You’ve
worked hard the past few days, let me do this, this time.” He should exert some effort too.
Thus, Xie Lian and that man both laid down on the ground, a stone slate pressing down on both
their chests. Feng Xin received a large hammer, turned it in his grip, and was just about to
smash it down when Xie Lian suddenly spoke up, “Wait.”
The others were delighted, “What, do you admit defeat? It’s not too late to admit defeat now,
we’ll let you go!”
“No. I want to add another slate.” Xie Lian said.
Hearing this, the mob was shocked, “ARE YOU CRAZY???”
Xie Lian explained lazily, “Didn’t everyone say so? This is a competition. If we both used one
slate each, there’d be no difference in skill so how can it be considered a competition?”
The street performers all looked doubtful, some even thought he went mad, and some thought
he was bluffing. After much discussion, they indeed added another stone slate on top of his
chest. Yet unexpectedly, Xie Lian wanted them to add another one!
Now everyone was sure he was losing it, and they added a third slate incredulously. Thus, upon
Xie Lian’s chest were three stone slates weighing heavily down, looking rather terrifying.
Under the concentrated watch of the crowd, Feng Xin raised the large hammer, and without
blinking, he smashed down, and those three stone slates cleanly cracked into multiple pieces.
Amidst cheers, Xie Lian crawled up from the ground, uninjured and calm, dusting off his robes in
ease while everyone watched in awe. The leader’s face was pale and dark, and Xie Lian
thought, ‘Now he should know to back off, right?’
He had thought the other party would concede to his victory and never come seek trouble again,
yet unexpectedly, that man’s expression changed and changed, and suddenly, he gritted his
teeth, “Add two more on me too! No, add three more!”
“Big bro, you can’t!” The mob exclaimed, “This man must know wicked spells, there’s no need
for you to go along with him!”
“Yea, he must be faking it!”
Feng Xin exclaimed angrily, “What the fuck? You’re the ones who lack skills but you’d turn
around and say we’re using wicked spells and faking it?”
However, the leader cried, “THE STONE SLATES AND HAMMER ALL BELONG TO US, HOW
WOULD WE NOT KNOW IF THERE’S WICKED SPELLS? THIS BRAT DOES HAVE SOME
SKILLS, BUT, STACKING THREE SLATES IS NOTHING! I CAN STACK FOUR! AS LONG AS
WE WIN, THEY HAVE TO LEAVE!”
“That’s impossible, give up!” Feng Xin said, “Don’t lose your life over this.” But that man was
bullheaded, forcing the others to stack four sinkingly heavy stone slates on his body, “YOU
JUST WATCH!”
Xie Lian could tell things were going wrong and whispered, “Feng Xin, should we stop this?
There’s no way mortals can take four slates.” Feng Xin whispered back, “Let’s watch first? He
shouldn’t be asking for death, just a couple smashes and he should know to back off.”
Xie Lian frowned slightly and nodded, deciding to watch and see. Sure enough, the little buddy
holding the hammer only apprehensively knocked once and that man’s face changed. The one
holding the hammer immediately stopped, not daring to move again, but that man yelled,
“HARDER! DID YOU MISS A MEAL? WHY IS YOUR SMASH SO PATHETIC?”
That little buddy didn’t dare to be sloppy and the second time, he used all his strength, and
BANG!, after that loud sound, the face of that man exploded in red, like he was holding back a
big mouthful of blood. Xie Lian and Feng Xin both saw things were going in the wrong direction
and quickly called out, “Wait! Don’t force yourself!”
That man yelled, “WHO’S FORCING THEMSELVES? THIS IS MY SPECIALTY! JUST WATCH,
I’LL MAKE YOU THOROUGHLY CONCEDE YOUR DEFEAT!” With a distraught face, that little
buddy smashed again. Now he’d done it. That man ‘PFFT’-ed and spat a full mouthful of blood
all over the ground, scaring the little buddy and he dropped the hammer. The mob all rushed up,
“Let it go, let it go, big bro, if those two bastards want to cling onto this place then let them cling,
your life is more important!”
Veins popped on that man’s forehead and blood foamed at his mouth, “I WON’T LET THIS GO!
It’s been days since we all had a bite to eat, if this keeps up, isn’t this asking for our livelihoods?
CONTINUE! I refuse to believe that I can’t compete with this tender, delicate little brat! THIS IS
MY SPECIALTY!”
Xie Lian couldn’t watch anymore and spoke up first, “Let it go. If this is the case then I concede
defeat. Starting tomorrow we won’t come anymore. Come on, Feng Xin!”
Then he turned to leave. Behind them the mob cheered, and Feng Xin followed up, “Your
Highness, we’re gonna give up this place just like that?”
They finally found a way to earn money but now they had to abandon it. Xie Lian sighed,
“There’s no other way. That few rounds just now already caused great internal injuries in him,
I’m afraid he’s almost half handicapped. If we kept competing someone will die. If that happens
we won’t be able to stay either.”
Feng Xin scratched his head and cursed, “He really was asking to die!”
“We’re all trying to make a living.” Xie Lian said simply.
Xie Lian was also feeling a little bad. Had he known, he wouldn’t have asked to stack three
slates, and would’ve admitted defeat early so that man wouldn’t force himself to take on four
slates. Even if he was boorish and reckless, there were still parts of him that was respectable.
“Don’t talk about it anymore,” Xie Lian said, “We don’t absolutely have to busk here, putting all
our eggs in one basket.”
However, that night, when they returned to their hiding place, the queen sorrowfully informed
him that the king’s symptoms were worsening, and that he might not be able to endure any
more moving, that he needed rest for a while. Which meant, they could not leave this city for the
time being.
Xie Lian rummaged through the shelves and chests again but he couldn’t find anything to pawn,
so he sat next to the chest, spacing out. Feng Xin was stewing medicine, humming as he did so.
He hummed and hummed, sounding more and more offkey, and while Xie Lian didn’t pay
attention at first, he couldn’t ignore it after a while, “What’s with you? In a good mood?”
Feng Xin looked up, “Huh? No?”
Xie Lian didn’t believe him, “Really?”
He had noticed that in the past few days after they started performing on the streets, Feng Xin
was acting a bit strange. Sometimes he’d grin like a fool for no reason, sometimes he’d
suddenly turn troubled. When Mu Qing was around, Xie Lian and Feng Xin rarely left each
other’s sides. After Mu Qing left, sometimes Feng Xin would have to go deliver food or run some
other errands for the king and the queen, so he’d be gone for a period of time in a day. Xie Lian
felt he must’ve bumped into something, but he didn’t have the energy to care. Eyeing the
medicine pot in front of Feng Xin and silent for a while, Xie Lian questioned, “Is this the last
packet?”
Feng Xin flipped through the bundles on the ground, “It is. If we don’t go tomorrow…” He
remembered the king was inside the cottage and couldn’t have him overhear, so Feng Xin
lowered his voice, “If we don’t go busk tomorrow what’ll we do?”
“…”
After a long while, Xie Lian abruptly stood up, “You stay here and guard. I’ll go think of a way.”
Feng Xin was confused, “Where are you going? What way can you possibly think of?”
Xie Lian left without looking back, “Don’t mind me. And don’t follow me.”
———–
Ch.184: Blocking the Mountain Path; Crown Prince Fails in Robbery
He exhorted over and over to make sure Feng Xin would stay behind to guard the king and the
queen while he himself exited the small, dilapidated cottage. As he walked, he kept looking
back, his heart racing fast. After walking a long way, he finally relaxed when he was certain
Feng Xin didn’t follow.
Steadying himself, having walked and stopped for over ten miles, Xie Lian finally found a place
he felt was the ideal location – a fairly deserted, secluded mountain road.
Xie Lian scanned his surroundings and there was no one around, then he covered his face with
the white silk band, wrapping it tightly and securely around his face before he leapt onto a tree
to hide himself. He then held his breath and focused. The next step would to be wait for
travelers to pass by.
That’s right. His ‘way’ was the so-called “steal from the rich and give to the poor”.
In the past, Xie Lian had only heard of this kind of worldly vigilantes who’d steal from the rich to
give to the poor from books and plays; he’d never done it himself, and he never thought to do it,
since, his original belief was this: no matter how it was prettied up, no matter how just the
reason, robbery was robbery, stealing was stealing. Otherwise, by Xie Lian’s physical prowess,
nevermind flying across the rooftops to pilfer small things, murdering guards and cleaning out
an entire treasury wouldn’t be anything difficult.
But now that he’d reached this point, there really was no other way. If he must say so, “to rob”
was a teeny bit better than ”to steal”, probably because the former was still considerably “out in
the open”. After much internal dilemma, Xie Lian still slapped the face of his former self, and
planned to steal others’ wealth in order to give to his own poverty.
This was the fastest way!
Xie Lian perched on the tree, the moon hiding the wind bellowing, and it was deserted all
around, empty of the living, yet his heart was thumping wildly.
Even when facing the most violent of beasts Xie Lian had never been this nervous. When he
dug out a cold and hard bun, he hand was slightly trembling.
If you could still be picky when it came to food, it could only mean you weren’t genuinely hungry.
When Xie Lian understood this, suddenly he became used to the taste of steamed buns.
Winter was fast approaching and the nights were extremely cold. Xie Lian munched at the cold
bun and puffed out mouthfuls of white breaths. Since he didn’t want to be seen, Xie Lian never
considered a place where there’d be more people, and specifically picked a desolate area. He
waited a full four hours before a traveler came strolling slowly from the ends of the mountain
road.
Xie Lian was energized, stuffed down that bun in a couple bites, and focused on the traveler
who was approaching slowly. Then, he discovered that it was an old man.
Such an elderly old man but he was dressed fresh and bright, so he should be fairly wealthy.
However, he was of course not within Xie Lian’s scope of consideration. Xie Lian couldn’t tell if
he was disappointed or relieved, but either way he resolutely decided to ignore the old man and
let him go, continuing the wait for the next person.
Two hours later, Xie Lian’s feet were going numb from the squatting, his lower half of the body
practically frozen before a second person appeared. When he saw that figure was also walking
slowly, he wondered, ‘Could it be another senior?’
When that figure finally came closer, he discovered it wasn’t a senior but a youth.
That youth appeared simple and good-natured, his face covered with smiles, and the reason he
was walking so slowly was because he was carrying a heavy bag of rice. Xie Lian’s palms were
sweating and he said to himself, ‘…Do I attack?’
After a moment of hesitation, he gave up in the end.
The reason he gave up was because this young man’s clothes were patched, the straw shoes
on his feet were worn through, exposing his toes, obviously from a poor household. He must’ve
looked so happy because there was finally a bag of rice to fill his stomach, and perhaps his
family had starved for many days, and perhaps this bag of rice was bought after selling the only
ox in his household. If he was robbed, wouldn’t he fall into despair?
Xie Lian imagined all sorts of scenarios on his own, and it wasn’t until after did he thought
maybe he could’ve just taken half a bag of rice, but by then that young man was long gone.
Thus, Xie Lian resolutely decided that he wouldn’t think of it anymore, and continue to wait until
the next one.
He perched on this tree like this and waited helplessly for many hours, from the darkened night
to the break of day. In that time, there were over a dozen passersby who passed through this
mountain road, yet every time when Xie Lian was about to attack, there were always all sorts of
reasons why it’d be inappropriate to do so and he’d let them go. Many times he’d thought,
nevermind! Just go back! There were no bandits who’d rob like him at all; it’d be a miracle if he
was actually fruitful. But, when he thought of how there was no more food nor medicine if he
went back, he forced himself to keep waiting.
After almost half a day, finally, far in the distance of the mountain road came the last traveler.
It was a middle aged man, donned in fine clothing, neither wealthy nor noble, his appearance
savage and greasy, rather obnoxious, and Xie Lian could tell he wasn’t anyone good with just a
glance.
But, one mustn’t judge a book by its cover, Xie Lian couldn’t help but think, ‘What if this man
only appears savage but he’s actually a good person? Even if he’s loaded, did that warrant
getting robbed?’
As he was fighting his internal struggles, a sudden growling sound from his stomach woke him
from his stupor, and Xie Lian sighed inwardly, ‘Nevermind, I can’t bother with that much. You’re
it!’
Making up his mind, he leapt down from the tree and shouted, “STAND STILL!”
To have a masked man cutting off the road halfway, that man was surprised and he cried in
alarm, “Who are you? Hiding here sneakily with your face hidden, what are you planning??”
Xie Lian forced himself to say, “…GIVE… GIVE…” But in the end there was a hurdle in his
mind, and he stammered a couple times before finally squeezing out – “GIVE ME ALL THE
MONEY ON YOUR PERSON!”
That man widened his mouth, leapt three feet high, and screamed, “SOMEBODY! HELP!
ROBBERS!” Then he turned and ran. More than his escape, Xie Lian was even more worried
that his cries would alert others, and while the place was in fact already a desolate, barren
mountain and there was a low chance of anyone showing up, even if anyone did show up he
could just flee, but thieves had guilty conscience after all, and Xie Lian immediately yelled,
“STOP! DON’T YELL ANYMORE!”
As if that man would listen to him. He fled and fled and ran into the woods, then yelped
“AIYOH!” tragically. Xie Lian was afraid there were beasts in the woods attacking the man and
quickly cried, “WAIT! Watch out!…” Yet unexpectedly, when he caught up and saw, he was
instantly stupefied, his face blanching rapidly.
Within the woods were already a group of people, and they were all looking in his direction.
When Xie Lian looked closer, he noticed something off. They weren’t people at all. That middle
aged man didn’t see them at all, and was still in a panic, and, within that group, there seemed to
be some familiar faces.
Of course they were familiar. He had seen a number of them in the Heavenly Capital before in
the past, some from the Upper Court, some from the Lower Court. They were all heavenly
officials!
That man yelped tragically earlier because he tripped and fell, and his hands were gripping a
large bundle of protection charms while he chanted to himself, “My god, my god! Come save
me! Come save me quick!” And the ‘gods’ that he was crying for really came as he wished.
Right at this moment, countless heavenly officials’ eyes were all staring at Xie Lian intently,
freezing him on the spot with their gaze. When that man saw the strange masked robber was
frozen in a daze, he quickly crawled up and ran off. Xie Lian couldn’t move a step to go give
chase; his entire body was stiff, drenched in cold sweat, his heart filled with horror.
That’s right. Horror.
He could only pray this white silk band was wrapped around his face tightly enough that those
little heavenly officials he’d acquainted in the past wouldn’t recognize him. However, things
would never go as one hoped, and one of the heavenly officials looked him up and down before
he said in surprise, “…Isn’t this… your royal highness?”
“…”
Another heavenly official was even more shocked, “Ah, it really is! Why is Your Highness here?
And dressed like this too?”
Xie Lian’s heart was sinking deeper and deeper, it was going to sink into the bottom of the earth.
“That man earlier was screaming ‘help’ ‘robbery’ ‘robber’? A robber is chasing him? That robber
is… Your Highness?!”
“My heavens! Your Highness.. You would actually do something like this?!”
Hearing this, Xie Lian almost fainted on the spot. He didn’t know how much time went by before
he croaked, “I…”
He wanted to say something but words were not coming out, stuck in his throat. The faces of
those heavenly officials were also unreadable. A moment later, one of the heavenly officials
patted his shoulder,”Don’t worry, don’t worry, Your Highness, we understand.”
Xie Lian received those pats on the shoulder, they weren’t hard, but he almost lost his balance,
and he tried again, “I…”
That heavenly official laughed out loud, “You’re only doing this because you’ve got it really hard,
it’s understandable. Don’t you worry, we won’t tell anyone about this.”
The reason why things were so hard to say was also because of this reason. Since the other
party said it out loud first, then he completely didn’t know what else he could add. It was a
moment later before he mumbled, “…Alright, thank you. Then, I’m… I’m going to head back
now. I’m leaving.”
He didn’t know how he left either. Either way, when he was finally conscious of himself, he was
already standing at an empty mountain road again, and it was the cold night breeze of winter
that snapped him out.
Only then did Xie Lian finally realize just what a horrifying thing had happened just now.
He, Xie Lian, the Crown Prince of XianLe – a robber?!
How did it come to this?!
The Xie Lian at this moment was filled with regrets; the him of the past must’ve been mad to
have thought of robbing on the roads, and now things were out of control. Why was he so
unlucky that while nothing was accomplished, he’d get caught red handed?
Xie Lian had never encountered something like this in his past life so he was at a complete loss
on what to do. He was burning up from head to toe, his mind completely muddled, and he hid
his face in his hands. If time could go backwards, he was even willing to use his bountiful health
and cultivation to exchange for it. Just as he was deep in distraught, in his peripheral vision
there was suddenly a blurry white silhouette up ahead, and Xie Lian was instantly startled,
whipping his head up, “WHO GOES THERE?!”
When he looked up, that figure instantly disappeared, and cold sweat covered his body again.
Although he didn’t see that man’s face, but, he still felt, on the face of that man seemed to have
been a mask!
Nevertheless, after scanning his surroundings, he didn’t see traces of anyone, and Xie Lian
couldn’t help but suspect perhaps the figure he saw was nothing but a hallucination in his
moment of panic. Whether if it was, he didn’t dare to stay there any longer and hurried down the
mountain.
After he returned, Feng Xin had already waited up for him for almost half a day, and the moment
he saw him he exclaimed, “Your Highness, where did you run off to? What ideas did you come
up with?”
Xie Lian didn’t dare tell him. He couldn’t tell anyone, especially Feng Xin. Xie Lian couldn’t
imagine at all what Feng Xin, who had believed so faithfully in his utmost righteousness and
morals, would think if he should find out. He could only hope that that incident would be forever
buried in his heart and rot in his stomach. Thus, Xie Lian replied ambiguously, “Nothing.”
Feng Xin was astonished, “Huh? Then why have you gone for so long?”
Xie Lian’s mind was going numb, “Don’t ask anymore. I didn’t do anything,”
Feng Xin was bewildered, but no matter how he questioned Xie Lian refused to answer, so as
the servant it wasn’t his place to push and could only say in a whisper, “So do we still go busk
tomorrow?”
“I’m not going out anymore.” Xie Lian replied.
He was now thrown in complete chaos, his mind filled with impossible worries: What if he
bumped into that middle aged man? What if the entire city was now searching for him? Feng Xin
also noticed him looking off, and said, “You must be tired? Then how about this, Your Highness,
just stay in. I’ll go myself. You just focus on training.”
However, he didn’t know that Xie Lian now had no mind to train and cultivate either.
Xie Lian was focused on cultivation at first, because that was the only way there might be a
chance of returning to the Upper Court. Yet now, he was terrified of the prospect of returning to
the Upper Court.
Although those junior officials said they wouldn’t tell anyone, but would they really not tell?
Could this affair have already reached the ears of everyone in the heavens?
When he thought this was a possibility, Xie Lian couldn’t breathe. There was absolutely no way
he could endure being branded with this, to be pointed at by the entire upper and lower court, by
the entire mortal realm, even!
In his exhaustion, Xie Lian passed out heavily. This slumber was unsettled, and he turned back
and forth, invaded by unknown nightmares, and when he jolted awake in shock and looked
outside the window, the skies were already dark.
Feng Xin wasn’t around; he must’ve went out to busk on his own and hadn’t yet returned, and in
the room next to him came the hushed voices and soft coughing of the king and queen. Xie Lian
laid on the floor. Now that he was awake, he couldn’t help keep thinking, if that incident really
was spread around, how would his parents react if they found out? How shocked would they
be? The king might stomp his feet in outrage, yelling as he spat blood that he was the shame of
XianLe. The queen on the other hand would definitely not yell at him, but she would for sure be
extremely anguished, because the child she loved most brought them shame.
Having thought this, Xie Lian was having trouble breathing again. He needed to find somewhere
where he can be by himself and be calm, so he rolled off of the straw mat and charged out,
running blindly for over ten miles with the frigid winds blowing at his face.
He didn’t dare stop anywhere where there were people, because he constantly felt the others
were staring at him, judging him for how unkempt he was. Finally, he came to a graveyard with
not a single soul before he stopped in his step,
This night was colder than the night before, and only having come here did Xie Lian notice that
his cheeks and hands were practically frostbitten, his body shivering. It wasn’t just the cold;
there was also horror and panic. Xie Lian hugged his arms unconsciously, puffed a few
mouthfuls of hot air, swept his eyes and discovered right before a tombstone were two jars of
wine being offered.
It seemed, the master of this tombstone was someone who loved wine when they were alive, so
after death, the others would bring them wine when they came to sweep the grave. Xie Lian
crouched down. He had never drunken wine before, but he had heard people say that wine
could warm the body and could help forget. After a moment’s hesitation, he suddenly reached
for a wine jar, yanked the clog off and started dunking the contents down his throat.
This wine wasn’t any fine wines, cheap and large in quantity, the taste pungent and strong. Xie
Lian swallowed a few large mouthfuls and started choking on it, coughing, but he really did
seem to have gotten a bit warmer. Thus, Xie Lian wiped at his cheek and sat himself down on
the ground, hugged the jar and continued to chug the wine in large mouthfuls.
In his daze, he seemed to have noticed a small ball of haunting little ghost fire come flying out,
going around in circles around him twirling about, looking quite anxious. Xie Lian only cared to
focus on his drinking and didn’t look like he saw at all. That ball of ghost fire appeared to be
using all of its might to come close to him, but because it was nothing but hollowed flames,
every time it came near, it would always just pass right through his body, never able to actually
touch him.
Upon finishing a jar, Xie Lian was already tipsy and groggy, his drunken eyes slackened. When
he saw it darting here and there, looking rather pitiful but also really funny, he couldn’t help but
“pfft” and laugh out loud, his arm resting on the edges of the wine jar, “What are you doing?”
That ball of ghost fire instantly froze in mid air.
————-
Ch.185: Thirty-Three Heavenly Officials Fight Over Auspicious Land
Xie Lian asked, “Is this your grave? Am I drinking your wine?”
He was a drunken mess, and didn’t really hear clearly if that ghost fire said anything, and had
thought the master of the grave was displeased, trying to chase him away. He grumbled, “I get
it. I’ll go.”
Xie Lian hugged the wine jar and crawled up, swaying and wobbly as he took his steps. Yet
unexpectedly, he didn’t go very far before he lost his footing and THUD – he fell all over himself.
Turns out, there was a giant pit in this graveyard. It was probably pre-dug to prepare the burial
of a deceased, though, the deceased hasn’t yet been buried before Xie Lian himself came lying
in.
Xie Lian’s forehead knocked on the outer edges of the pit and it hurt, worsening his dizziness,
his head throbbing. He was woozy for a while before he struggled to get up, both his hands
muddied and bloodied with scrapes and cuts somewhere.
He held out his hands and looked at them without really registering anything, then tried to climb
out of the pit. However, he had just downed an entire jar of wine, his limbs were limp, he
couldn’t exert any power, so while he attempted to climb out a few times, he’d slip down every
time. Xie Lian fell back to the bottom of the pit and glared at the moon-covered cloudy night sky
for a bit, growing very angry.
This pit wasn’t even that deep so why couldn’t he climb out no matter how he tried?
The more he thought the angrier he became and he started mumbling in spite of himself,
“…What the fuck.”
Xie Lian had never cursed before. This was the very first time such words came out of his
mouth. But the curious thing was, after he cursed, the stifling tension in his chest seemed to
have dispersed instantly. Thus, like a child who had tasted sweets, Xie Lian clung on to the side
walls of the burial pit and used all his strength to yell with a deafening voice, “GOD FUCKING
DAMMIT!”
He slapped at the ground and yelled, “IS ANYONE THERE? IS THERE ANYONE WHO CAN
HELP PULL ME OUT??”
Of course there wasn’t anyone. There was only a small ball of haunting ghost fire, blazing
unceasingly. After Xie Lian had fallen, that ball of ghost fire came rushing over seeming to have
wanted to grab him, but it could never make contact. Xie Lian didn’t bother with it at all and said
angrily, “Someone might as well just come and bury me!”
Cursing as he would, he still continued to climb. Crssh crssh, Xie Lian finally climbed out using
his own powers, but was already incredibly unkempt and he laid on the ground huffing,
breathing laboriously. It took a brief moment before he flipped over, hugging himself and curled
up.
“So cold.” Xie Lian whispered.
His voice was tiny, afraid that anyone would overhear. However, that ghost fire heard, and it
came flying, pressing itself against his body, its flames suddenly much brighter than before, like
it was burning itself up with all it had.
Still, a ghost fire was cold.
No matter how close it pressed, no matter how it could burn itself to ashes, it would still not be
able to bring a sliver of warmth to the living.
In his daze, Xie Lian seemed to have heard a tiny, feeble voice.
That voice seemed so close yet far, like it was a dream but not, and it cried in despair, “God,
please wait for me, just wait for me… Please give me a little more time… let me… let me…”
“…”
Xie Lian wondered inwardly, ‘God? Is it calling for me?’ But, even if it was praying to him it’d be
pointless, since, even when he was a god he couldn’t do anything. Now that he wasn’t a god,
there was even less he could do.
…
“…Your Highness? Your Highness? Your Highness!”
It was Feng Xin’s pushing that woke Xie Lian up.
He blinked open his eyes laboriously and found he was lying in a small alleyway. Feng Xin’s
face was hanging from above, and when he noticed Xie Lian was awake, he finally let out a
breath of relief, but soon after it was replaced with traces of anger, “Your Highness! What’s
going on with you? Running off on your own for days without a word! If you don’t come back
soon, I won’t be able to keep lying to their majesties any longer!”
Xie Lian slowly sat himself up, “Days?”
When the word left his lips, he found his throat was dried, his voice hoarse, and his temple was
throbbing, his head aching like it was going to split. He seemed to recall something, but at the
same time couldn’t exactly remember. Feng Xin crouched down by his side, “That’s right! Two
days! Just where did you go?? Why were you running mad like that just now?”
Was he drunk for two days? Wasn’t he at some wild graveyard? Why was he lying here? And
judging from Feng Xin’s tone, a sense of foreboding filled Xie Lian, “What did I do?”
Feng Xin said gruffly, “You were possessed! Crashing stalls everywhere, beating people up. You
even went up to stop the patrolling YongAn soldiers! I don’t know what else you’ve done before
that!”
When Xie Lian heard he even went to stop YongAn soldiers, he was taken aback, “I went to stop
the soldiers? Then… what happened to those soldiers?”
“Thank goodness I bumped into you and stopped you.” Feng Xin replied, “And you look like this,
so they thought you must be some crazy drunkard and only yelled at you but didn’t bother,
otherwise you’d be dead for sure. Just what happened to you? Why does it look like you drank?”
Xie Lian looked down at himself and he was covered from head to toe with mud and grime. He
scratched his head, and it was also messy like a criminal who was about to be dragged down to
be interrogated and executed. He certainly did appear very much like a crazy drunkard who
slept on the streets all day.
After a moment of silence, Xie Lian crawled to his feet and replied vaguely, “Mm… I drank a bit.”
Feng Xin couldn’t wrap his head around this, “Huh? How can you drink? Just how much did you
drink to be drunk for two days?”
Seeing Feng Xing’s look of disbelief, Xie Lian was irritated for no good reason and he walked on
ahead, “I already said I didn’t drink much, just a bit. Nothing’s up. Why can’t I drink.”
Feng Xin hadn’t expected him to answer like this and was stunned for a moment, then he
chased after him, “What do you mean ‘nothing’s up’? Why? Has Your Highness forgotten?
Drinking breaks the mandate, you can’t break any mandates, otherwise how can you cultivate?
You have to ascend again.”
“…” The moment he heard cultivation and ascension, Xie Lian didn’t want to listen anymore and
he quickened his pace. Feng Xin called out, “Your Highness!”
He caught up again and after a moment’s hesitation, he tried, “Did something happen? Tell
me?”
Hearing Feng Xin question so carefully, Xie Lian opened and closed his mouth, wanting to
speak but couldn’t.
If he didn’t tell anyone soon he might just break down, but he also wasn’t sure how Feng Xin
would react if he told him.
He didn’t dare to gamble.
Seeing him distracted, Feng Xin added, “For real, it’s not like you killed or robbed, so what can’t
Your Highness tell me?”
Hearing “it’s not like you killed or robbed”, Xie Lian instantly felt suffocated.
If it could be said that he might’ve been stirred, that he might’ve felt a little relieved, then at this
moment, everything was thoroughly shattered. Xie Lian lowered his head and turned to keep
walking, and replied hazily, “It’s nothing… just, I’m really tired. You…” He was just about to
make up an excuse when suddenly, he noticed something on the side of Feng Xin’s cheek and
he stopped in his steps, “What’s with your face?”
Feng Xin felt his cheek, seemingly to have touched somewhere hurt and his muscles tensed.
The thing on his face was a gash. And, one of his arms was also wrapped in bandages, layered
and tied neatly and attentively.
It couldn’t have been Feng Xin himself who wrapped those bandages, but what Xie Lian was
concerned with were the injuries underneath the dressings. “How did you get hurt?”
By Feng Xin’s abilities, no mortals could easily harm him, and it was his arm that was injured
too. Feng Xin didn’t seem to care, “Oh, it’s nothing. Just some thugs trying to crash the
business, that’s all.”
Xie Lian was shocked and baffled, “Those local street performers from the other day?”
“Yea, them.” Feng Xin replied.
“Why did they go crash your show?” Xie Lian questioned, but then he understood afterwards,
“Was it because we admitted defeat that day but then you still went to busk so they came to
chase you out?”
That was pretty much the whole story. After learning the reason, a sudden rage exploded in Xie
Lian’s chest.
“Don’t go anymore!” Xie Lian’s voice was hard.
However, Feng Xin brushed him off, “Who cares about them! I will go whether they like it or not.
The one who admitted defeat was you, not me. I didn’t admit defeat, so it doesn’t count as going
back on my word. I’m gonna setup shop there and busk no matter what, and besides crashing
the show sneakily, what else can they do to me? I wasn’t prepared this time, but I will be next
time. If it came to fists, I’m not scared of them!”
Hearing this, that sudden wave of rage that rushed to Xie Lian’s head instantly dissipated, and it
was replaced by guilt.
Feng Xin had been like this while he himself was depressed and wallowing in misery. How could
he possibly face this loyal servant that still haven’t abandoned him when things had reached this
point?
Having thought this, Xie Lian sighed, “I’m sorry, Feng Xin.”
Feng Xin was taken aback then waved his hand widely, “Why is Your Highness apologizing to
me? What rubbish.”
“You’re out earning money all by yourself the past couple of days, sorry for your trouble.” Xie
Lian said.
“As long as you focus on your cultivation and ascend again soon, it’ll be worth it!” Feng Xin
replied.
The word “ascend” came up again, and Xie Lian nodded his head heavily.
The king and queen believed Feng Xin’s lies and thought Xie Lian had spent the past couple of
days out training. When they saw him return, the queen happily cooked a meal as always. Xie
Lian didn’t have the heart, so he took Feng Xin’s bowl over and helped him eat it. He didn’t
sleep that night.
The next day, Feng Xin rose and left bright and early in the morning while Xie Lian remained to
cultivate.
However, while he already pulled himself together and gathered all of his energy, he still couldn’t
focus.
Everyone should know this logic. The only way to stand out from the crowd was to study hard,
practice makes perfect. But, who in a million could truly work to the point of ‘practice makes
perfect’? By that same logic, no matter how much he told himself to clear his mind, how could
he possibly achieve it just because he told himself to?
For the next ten consecutive days, the progress of his cultivation was at a standstill, nothing was
achieved, and Xie Lian couldn’t help but be anxious. Especially since every night when Feng
Xin dragged his exhausted body back, and he and the queen asked if Xie Lian had made any
progress, Xie Lian could feel an inexplicable immense pressure.
He didn’t dare tell the truth, so he could only vaguely answer that yes there was progress, and
so the Feng Xin and the queen were both very happy. Still, things couldn’t go on like this. After
two months, Xie Lian could no longer allow things to continue the way they were.
One day, when Feng Xin returned in the deep night, the two were eating leftovers from the day
before at the table. As they ate, Xie Lian suddenly turned to him, “I’m afraid I’ll have to leave for
a period of time.”
Feng Xin was taken aback as he stuffed his face with rice, “Huh? Leave? Where are you
going?”
Xie Lian said slowly, “I’m going to go search for a quiet land filled with spiritual energy and close
myself off to cultivate.”
If a cultivation place was abundant in spiritual energy, then it was significantly beneficial to the
cultivator. Before, Xie Lian couldn’t make up his mind on whether he should leave his parents
and the two attendants behind, which was why he never parted. Now, he’s changed his mind.
Feng Xin didn’t think too much on it however, “Great! Your Highness, you should’ve done this a
long time ago! Quiet cultivation is the most effective after all!”
Xie Lian nodded, paused, then said, “I’ll have to trouble you to look after father and mother while
I’m gone.”
Feng Xin was about to respond but suddenly hesitated for a moment. Although it was but a
flash, but Xie Lian knew him so well, how could he not have notice that moment of hesitation?
Right then, the king bellowed from within the back room, “If you must go then go. This king
doesn’t need anyone to look after.”
Feng Xin and Xie Lian lowered their bowls and chopsticks and looked to the room. It seemed
the king hadn’t yet rest and heard their exchange, interrupting their conversation. Xie Lian shook
his head and whispered, “Acting tough again.” Feng Xin smiled then said, “Don’t worry Your
Highness. Of course I’d look after them.”
Now he answered so straightforwardly. Still, Xie Lian didn’t forget that before Feng Xin
answered, there was that small moment of hesitation, like he had other concerns.
However, when he thought about it, maybe he saw wrong. Other than them, Feng Xin didn’t
know anyone else, had no other dependents, so what other concerns could he have? So Xie
Lian stopped thinking and changed his mind to considerations for his departure the next day.
The next day, Xie Lian carried a simply satchel and temporarily bid farewell to his parents and
Feng Xin.
The walked for who knows how many tens of miles, eating and sleeping out in the open for
days, and finally found a place, a quiet deep mountain that was perfect for quiet cultivation. After
examining the area, Xie Lian was startled at first, but soon after, his heart was filled with joy,
“Such luck… the fengshui of this land is excellent, I’ve actually found a most auspicious piece of
land!”
Having been unfortunate up to this point, to have his luck turn so suddenly, Xie Lian still couldn’t
believe it, and had to check and recheck before he was absolutely sure. Indeed, this area was a
sacred land brimming with spiritual energy. If he could immerse himself and focus on cultivation
for the next few months, then surely he could achieve twice the results with half the effort, and
make exponential progress!
It was as if Xie Lian had saw hope, and the gloomy feelings of recent days suddenly cleared, his
heart leaping with joy, “Father, mother, Feng Xin, wait for me. I’ll return very soon!”
Following along the steep and perilous mountain path and hiking for seven to eight hours, Xie
Lian finally entered the deep recesses of this spiritual mountain before sunset.
Crossing through the dense forests, he could sense clearly that he was coming closer and
closer to the source of the spiritual energy. Xie Lian’s steps were also growing faster and lighter.
Yet unexpectedly, just as he was picking out a location for his quiet cultivation, there suddenly
came the clamouring noise of footsteps behind him.
How could there be so many feet in such a secluded mountain? Xie Lian looked over
unconsciously. He had never expected that with this glance, the smile hanging off his lips would
freeze.
Behind him appeared a number of people, about maybe thirty of them, all different in shapes
and sizes donned in various attires. However, the one thing they all had in common was they
were all heavenly officials. A small number of them were officials without rank in the Upper
Court, and the majority of them were the officials of the Lower Court.
Among them were those junior officials that bumped into his failed robbery the last time!
When they saw Xie Lian, their faces changed, and they tugged and elbowed each other, saying
something under their breaths. As for Xie Lian, when he saw them, immediately his hands
started trembling.
Both parties stared at each other. It was a brief moment before one of the heavenly officials
cleared his throat, “What a coincidence, that we’d run into your royal highness here.”
“Indeed. Why has your royal highness come here too?”
“…:
Xie Lian inclined his head lightly, forcing himself to be calm and composed, and responded
without any sign of inferiority, “I’m here to train.”
Even though the him today wasn’t the him of the past, still Xie Lian tried to use the same tone
before he was banished, refusing to allow himself to sound subservient or guilty.
The heavenly official smiled, “Even more of a coincidence. We’ve come to train too.”
“Yea, yea, who knew that we’d all run into each other here, hohoho…”
Turns out, Xie Lian wasn’t the only one who spotted this auspicious land. This group of heavenly
officials have also targeted it.
Having run into this situation, Xie Lian started hesitating. Would he have to cultivate alongside
this many heavenly officials?
To be honest, he rejected the idea of cultivating with other heavenly officials from the bottom of
his heart. First, he had come to close himself off to cultivate quietly; if he couldn’t be by himself
and had to be with so many people, then there’d no doubt be disturbances. Some people enjoy
cultivation in groups so they could take care of one another, but Xie Lian had always cultivated
quietly on his own.
Second, ever since that robbery incident, he became ill at ease when he saw heavenly officials
he had acquainted in the past, feeling like the eyes of the others were piercing like needles,
tormenting him. Just like right now, he had the delusional feeling that they were all watching him
with judgment, so, he wouldn’t be able to focus on cultivation at all.
Although when it came to taking over auspicious lands, there was a first come first served rule,
and as long as Xie Lian was strong enough, he could very well say he was there first, pleas go
find somewhere else to train. However, those few junior officials who bumped into his robbery
incident were right before him, so he couldn’t act too tough. Besides, it’d also be thuggish of him
to chase away so many heavenly officials while keeping the auspicious land for himself. Even if
Xie Lian didn’t want to train next to the other heavenly officials, there was no other choice.
There wasn’t any time to go find another place with such plentiful spiritual energy, so Xie Lian
could only nod, “Yea, what a coincidence. Then, I’ll head in first. My Lords, please do as you
will.”
Then, he made a move to leave in haste so he could go hide himself in the quietest cave. Yet
unexpectedly, just as he turned around, a heavenly official behind him spoke up, “Hold up.”
Xie Lian paused in his step and turned his head back, puzzled, “What is it?”
Those thirty some heavenly officials exchanged looks with each other, some whispering. A
moment later, someone stepped out, and he smiled, “Your Highness had taken over a number
of auspicious lands in the past. Why don’t you let us have this one this time?”
Xie Lian was stunned for a good while before he understood.
What they meant was to have him leave the place by himself?
How baffling. What bullies!
A rush of blood came charging up to his head. Xie Lian thought angrily, ‘I was here first, but I
didn’t ask you all to leave, so why did you all turn around to have me leave?’
But he didn’t dare to act out. After a moment of silence, the hand holding strap of his satchel
slowly clutched harder, and Xie Lian demanded, his voice hard, “My Lords, what is the meaning
of this?”
One of the heavenly officials said, “Well… didn’t we just say… Your Highness had taken over
quite a number of auspicious lands in the past…”
Xie Lian cut him off, “What does that got to do with this? Are you saying that since I’ve taken a
number of spiritual lands in the past, I’m now barred from cultivating in spiritual lands?”
That heavenly official was stumped and stopped talking, looking embarrassed. Xie Lian tried to
remain composed and said, “Also, I don’t quite understand. It’s not like everyone can’t cultivate
here just because I’m here too. Isn’t it common to share spiritual lands when cultivating? What’s
wrong if everyone just mind themselves? Why must you ask me to leave?”
Just then, he heard someone grumble, “…Stop playing ignorant. There’s already thirty
something of us, if you’re cultivating here, what more can the others cultivate…”
Although that man was instantly pushed down by the others, Xie Lian still instantly understood.
So that was it!
The spiritual energy in piece of auspicious land was very limited. When cultivating, if someone
took over half, then the others who came afterwards could only share the other half. If someone
took over eight parts of it, then the other could only take two. The stronger one’s ability to
absorb in spiritual energy to use for oneself, the less spiritual energy there’d be for others to
use.
Those heavenly officials were afraid that if he was also around to cultivate, he’d take away a
majority of the spiritual energy. What was left would have to be shared among the thirty of them,
so there wouldn’t be much left for everyone!
Having realized this, that boiling blood in Xie Lian’s head was charging even more aggressively.
He clenched his fists and said coldly, “…I will cultivate here.”
Another heavenly official spoke up, “Your Highness, we’re only willing to call you Your Highness
out of respect. You’re nothing more than mortal right now, so why must you fight with us over
this spiritual land?”
“Since I’m a mortal and you’re all heavenly officials, then what are you afraid of if I’m here to
train?” Xie Lian said, “If I don’t leave, are you going to chase me away forcefully?”
Of course that wasn’t feasible. If a mortal did not commit any major sins, then heavenly officials
were not allowed to use force against him lest they be punished. The heavenly officials really
couldn’t do anything to him. HOwever, Xie Lian forgot one thing.
Just as he was stubbornly facing those thirty some heavenly officials, a voice suddenly said,
“Your Highness has been banished to the mortal realm, your backbone’s grown much tougher.
Not only would you rob mortals, you’d even offend heavenly officials, hahaha!”
Hearing this, it was as if Xie Lian suddenly plunged into an ice cellar!
He whipped his head up, and saw the one who spoke was an insignificant lower ranking official,
but, he wasn’t any one of the heavenly officials who caught him red handed at the robbery
incident that day!
As he suspected, they already talked! It wasn’t all in Xie Lian’s head earlier, everyone really was
looking at him with an inexplicable eye. Everyone knew. All of these heavenly officials, they all
knew!!!
In an instant, Xie Lian felt as if all of his bones were pulled out, the flames burning in his veins
extinguished, his eyes red, filled with blood, and he stiffly looked over to those junior officials. He
croaked, “…You said you wouldn’t tell anyone.”
———-
Ch.186: Thirty-Three Heavenly Officials Fight Over Auspicious Land 2
Perhaps the surge of emotions in his eyes were too strong and too piercing, the junior officials
being stared at by him quickly waved their hands, “We didn’t tell any outsiders!”
Xie Lian demanded with his eyes red, “Then how did they know??”
None of the thirty some heavenly officials present appeared surprised when they heard his
question. Since so many heavenly officials already knew, then how many officials in the Upper
Court have already heard?
Having been questioned by him, those heavenly officials were stumped for a bit before they
argued, “Well it’s not like they’re outsiders, we’re all close friends here. There aren’t any secrets
between us, so telling them isn’t the same as telling anyone else. Other than to the heavenly
officials here, we won’t say anything…” Xie Lian didn’t wait for him to finish before he cried
sharply, “LIES! WHAT A BUNCH OF LIES! I DON’T BELIEVE YOU!!!”
To have him interrupt so sharply, those junior officials were also starting to feel a little
embarrassed, shrinking back into the crowd. Just then, one of the heavenly officials suddenly
shouted, “WHAT DOES IT MATTER IF YOU BELIEVE THEM OR NOT? It’s already pretty good
that no one exposed what good deed Your Highness has done here in the mortal realm, and still
you ask them to keep a secret for you? What duty do we have to keep a secret for you? WHAT
A JOKE!”
It was like a bucket of ice cold water was thrown in Xie Lian’s face followed by a blade piercing
his heart, and he quickly said, “NO! I…”
Another one piped up, “If you didn’t do anything immoral, you wouldn’t fear talk. You’re the one
who’s corrupted, and you blame others for not keeping their words? If anyone was to keep such
unjust affairs a secret for you, then that’d be the true crime!”
“NO!!!” Xie Lian cried, “I…”
He wanted to say that there was a reason, that he hadn’t wanted to, but he also knew very well
in his heart that no matter what reason there was, they weren’t important. What mattered was,
he did indeed tried to rob!
A blemish like this was like a brand of shame marked on his face, and it was making him turn
infinitely small before these heavenly officials, too afraid to even raise his voice in defending
himself. Seeing that his will was diminishing, one of the martial gods stepped out, “Your
Highness, now do you understand why we don’t want you here to cultivate with us?”
Xie Lian lowered his head and clenched his fists.
That martial god continued, “We are not on the same path, and those not of the same paths
shall not cross. You best leave.”
Hearing him say “Those not of the same paths shall not cross” so presumptuously, Xie Lian
suddenly understood.
They could talk in circles, but at the end of the day, it was all just so he’d let go of this spiritual
land!
The knuckles of his fists were cracking and the lump in his throat pressed down for a while
before Xie Lian said darkly, “…I’m not leaving. I will stay here and train.”
At this moment, his anger towards those thirty some heavenly officials had surpassed his
embarrassment.
Since things had progressed to this point, then he might as well break all the broken jars and
give it his all. Instead of running away with tail between his legs, he’d rather thicken his face and
stand his ground, forcing them to relent. Xie Lian whipped his head up and reiterated, “I will stay
here to train. This mountain isn’t any of yours domain, none of you have any right to ask me to
leave!”
Seeing how he had hardened his attitude, those thirty some heavenly officials’ faces all
darkened. Xie Lian heard someone mutter, “Why must it be like this?”
“I have never seen anyone so thick-skinned…”
Still, they could say all they wanted, Xie Lian would stand his ground. Even if his heart was now
bleeding profusely having been stabbed by spears of lips and swords of tongues, still he will
stubbornly remain without moving.
That martial god said, “It seems Your Highness will force your way and bring displeasure to
everyone?”
Xie Lian said coldly, “Come chase me out if you’ve got what it takes! Even if you all want to, you
haven’t the skills!”
The moment he said this a number of the heavenly official’s instantly dropped their faces and
pulled out their weapons!
Of course they would. To martial gods, his words just now was a grave provocation.There were
a number of them present who were martial gods; there was no way they could pretend they
didn’t hear.
Having been surrounded, Xie Lian wasn’t scared a bit. He had no blades in his hands and could
only grip tightly onto the branch he used as a trekking pole. One of the martial gods said
severely, “Your Highness, if you apologize immediately, we can pretend you didn’t just offend
us.”
However, Xie Lian replied, “If I brought any displeasure to any of you, I refuse to apologize.”
Gripping that tree branch, he pointed forward, “Because none of you are fit to be gods!”
Before him was a wave of outrage.
Someone clicked his tongue, “We’re not fit? And someone like you who robbed mortals is
worthy?!”
Xie Lian couldn’t hold back anymore, and he didn’t want to anymore either. Sweeping that
branch he charged forward to attack, yelling, “YOU BULLIES!”
Those martial gods readied their weapons to welcome his attack. The heavenly officials
standing in the back cried, “It’s not like we forced you to go rob, so what reason do you have to
begrudge us??”
However, they were too glad too early. At first they thought without spiritual powers and without
weapons, Xie Lian must be easy to take down. Yet unexpectedly, that wasn’t the case at all.
Even though it was only a branch in Xie Lian’s hand, it was swung like a vicious blade, forcing
them back, exceedingly strong. Both sides didn’t fight for very long before a number of the
martial gods’ swords were sent flying, and they were even scared of getting scratched by the
sharp winds swept by the swinging branch, each of them so startled they fled to hide in the
back.
Esteemed heavenly officials couldn’t even defeat a banished mortal, what an embarrassment!
Just then, one of the heavenly officials watching the fight suddenly shrieked from the distance,
“WHAT’S THIS?!”
With that cry, the other heavenly officials became alarmed too, “WHAT’S GOING ON?”
That heavenly official seemed to be in excruciating pain, covering his face and bent at the waist,
“A, a ball of ghost fire hit my eyes just now… is he playing tricks?”
Xie Lian recalled that this was the official that was pointing at him shouting he was a robber, and
he snorted, “What ghost fire? If you want to rob me of spiritual land then just say so, there’s no
need to slander me any further!”
His fury flared again, and his attacks became more aggressive. The spears and blades of that
circle of martial gods were all stricken away by his normal, perfectly sized branch, and the
weapons clattered as they all fell all over the ground. Suddenly, someone yelled, “IT’S
CAUGHT! IT’S CAUGHT! LOOK!”
Xie Lian paused and steadied himself, and saw those heavenly officials in a riot, and something
was in someone’s hand being raised high for all to see, “There really is a ghost fire, he’s playing
dirty! We’ve got proof!”
Xie Lian looked closely, and sure enough it was a ball of hauntingly blazing little ghost fire. He
cried angrily, “I DON’T EVEN KNOW WHAT’S GOING ON! HOW DARE YOU ACCUSE ME OF
PLAYING TRICKS JUST BY CATCHING SOME GHOST FIRE? IT’S NOT LIKE GHOST FIRES
ARE ANYTHING RARE! DO YOU SEE MY NAME CARVED ON IT??”
That heavenly official who shrieked held his eye, “Why would normal ghost fires attack my
eyes? If it wasn’t under your control why would it act like this?”
Xie Lian rebuked, “And I can say it’s some wandering spirit on the mountain that were scared by
you lot and came crashing in a daze! What kind of proof is that?!”
The first martial god who made a move went and grabbed the ghost fire. “Who cares whose
control it’s under. A harmful thing like this, just disperse it!” he said as he gripped harder, looking
like he was going to squeeze that spirit apart. Seeing this, Xie Lian blurted, “LET IT GO!”
In the end he still couldn’t bear to have wandering spirits be dragged into their quarrel, and he
went up to fight that martial god to retrieve the ghost fire. Since his intention was to take the
spirit back, he held back at bit, and the two stood at a standstill. Suddenly, a few of the heavenly
officials from behind called out, “You’re here?! Come quick! Come see for yourself just what’s
going on!”
It sounded as if someone had come. The heavenly officials all looked over and said, “You’re
finally here!” “We’ve been waiting for you, come give us a hand!”
Hearing this, Xie Lian was startled at first, and thought, ‘Could this be someone powerful’ Then
he thought, ‘Well who cares who it is. If they’re going to give me trouble, I’ll just fight another
round! I’m not afraid of anyone!!!’
He was guts filled with resentment right now, and was prepared to enter into a brawl. Yet
unexpectedly, when the crowd had parted, and the one who arrived fashionably late came
forward, Xie Lian was thoroughly stunned.
He had never thought that the one who’d come would be Mu Qing!
Mu Qing obviously hadn’t expected that he’d bump into Xie Lian in such a situation. The
moment their eyes met, they were both shocked. Xie Lian’s eyes were wide and completely
forgot about the martial gods he had been fighting, and he muttered, “…Why are you here?
Aren’t you…”
He noticed something after only having said a few words, and he instantly understood and shut
up.
What Mu Qing was wearing right now wasn’t that old, worn black robes when they were on the
run, but the martial heavenly official attire of the Lower Court.
In the past, when Feng Xin and Mu Qing were working as Xie Lian’s left and right hands, their
abilities were much admired and appreciated, catching the eyes of many. Later when Xie Lian
was banished, there were a number of heavenly officials who thought it a shame that Feng Xin
and Mu Qing were banished together, and there were even some who’d come ask in secret
whether they’d be willing to transfer to other palaces to serve. It wasn’t impossible for a
heavenly official who, out of admiration, would pull Mu Qing up to the Lower Court to serve
them.
That must’ve been it. Moreover, he must’ve done well for himself, otherwise he wouldn’t be
banding together with this group of heavenly officials to come search for auspicious lands to
cultivate.
Xie Lian was still in the body of a mortal, but Mu Qing had already returned to the Lower Court.
To have a scenario like this, how ironic.
On the other side, Mu Qing finally steadied himself with great effort and asked in confusion,
“What’s going on here?”
Those heavenly officials all fought to tell their tales. Xie Lian stood from afar, his body extremely
stiff.
He noticed that they didn’t especially tell Mu Qing about his robbery. What did this mean?
It meant Mu Qing already heard about the incident. Mu Qing also knew he went to rob!!!
Drops after drops of cold sweat rolled down from the side of Xie Lian’s face, and he involuntarily
backed up a couple steps. That martial god who had been facing him earlier huffed in anger,
“He wants to take the spiritual land all for himself and chase us out, Mu Qing, hurry and help!”
What help?
Have Mu Qing help fight him?
Xie Lian was going numb with rage, shocked to the core. He finally snapped to and stammered
furiously, “…You, you’re all giving a false account, so shameless! It wasn’t like that at all! I clearly
wasn’t!”
Mu Qing was only watching from the side, and Xie Lian was going anxious with rage and
charged out with the branch again. Those martial gods were having trouble defending, backing
away in defeat, and they yelled again, “MU QING! WHAT ARE YOU DOING STANDING
THERE??”
The other heavenly officials also joined in on the yelling, but Mu Qing still looked hesitant, like
he didn’t know whether he should attack. Xie Lian heard them urge Mu Qing to surround
himself, and his heart blazed with rage, “MU QING ISN’T LIKE YOU ALL. HE’S MY FRIEND,
HE WOULD NEVER HELP YOU!!!”
He raged and raged, and put more strength into his hand, sending another row of weapons
flying. The rest of the heavenly officials saw that he was growing bolder the more he fought, that
things weren’t going down right, and they cried urgently, “MU QING! ARE YOU JUST GOING
TO WATCH HIM MESS THINGS UP AS HE WILL??”
Mu Qing’s expression changed to something unreadable, and he took a step forward, his fingers
twitching. The heavenly officials next to him prompted, “Don’t just stand there, give us a hand!”
It just had to be at this moment that someone remarked sarcastically, “It’s understandable that
Mu Qing doesn’t want to move. He was His Highness’ personal attendant after all, so even if His
Highness was robbing mortals and spiritual land, he still had to consider the old affection of their
past relations. It’s already more than enough that he didn’t join His Highness, so how can we
possibly expect him to help us?”
The words sounded like they were giving Mu Qing an out, truly wicked. Immediately, veins
popped on Mu Qing’s forehead.
The air was growing delicate, and Xie Lian could tell things were going wrong, “Mu Qing…”
He only called out the name, but the next moment, his hands were light followed by the sound of
something being slashed.
Xie Lian blinked and looked down. What was slashed was his only ‘weapon’, that tree branch.
When he looked up again, the Mu Qing before him was already holding a zanbato.
Right at that moment, the tip of the blade was pointed at Xie Lian, and the one controlling the
sabre said coldly, “…Please leave.”
“…”
Xie Lian stared at Mu Qing with that broken branch in his hand, and after a long while, he tried,
“I… hadn’t really wanted to rob anyone. I wasn’t going to take over this spiritual land either. I
came here first.”
“…”
Mu Qing repeated expressionlessly, “Please leave.”
Xie Lian gazed at him and hesitated for a moment, “…You know I’m not lying, right?”
When he asked this, he was a little hopeful but also a little scared. A voice was telling him, don’t
ask anymore, just turn around and walk away! Still, he couldn’t help but ask.
Before Mu Qing responded, Xie Lian’s body suddenly slumped forward, and he fell heavily onto
the ground.
The ground was the muddy earth of the mountain path, filled with holes and ditches, covered in
rocks and fallen leaves. Xie Lian laid sprawled on the ground, bulging his eyes and was still in a
state of disbelief.
One of the heavenly officials had shoved him while he was at a loss, and made him fall this
embarrassingly in front of so many eyes.
It really was too embarrassing. All around were voices, high and low, filling the air, all entering
Xie Lian’s ears. His eyes were extremely wide, and he looked before him at the blackened
ground before slowly raising his head and saw Mu Qing who was standing not too far away from
him.
Mu Qing was standing among those heavenly officials, not looking at him, and just like all the
others, he had no intention of giving Xie Lian a hand to help pull him up.
Thus, Xie Lian understood. No one would give him a hand to help pull him up.
He laid there for a good while before he crawled up himself.
Those heavenly officials thought he was about to start another bout and were exceedingly
alarmed, but Xie Lian didn’t seek to fight anyone anymore. His head was bowed low as he
fumbled around, and after finding that little satchel the queen packed for him, he picked it up
silently, carried it back on his back, turned around and headed to descend the mountain step by
step.
As he walked, his steps grew faster and faster. It didn’t take long before Xie Lian started running
madly.
He held his breath and ran all the way down the mountain, not taking a moment to rest. He
didn’t know how far he’s run, and suddenly, without minding his footing, he tripped and fell
again, and that breath he was holding finally came out with a mouthful of angry blood.
In his moment of panic, he hadn’t thought to get up, and only sat up on the ground panting.
Even when his breathing returned to normal he hadn’t thought to stand up, and instead started
spacing out right on the spot.
Suddenly, a hand was extended to him.
Xie Lian blinked slowly at it, and his eyes followed this arm and looked up. It was Mu Qing
again.
He was standing next to Xie Lian, his face slightly pale with his hand reached out. A brief
moment later, he said with a stiffly, “Are you alright?”
Xie Lian watched him with empty eyes and didn’t speak.
Perhaps it was because he was growing uncomfortable by this chilling gaze, and Mu Qing
averted his eyes.
Still his hand was outstretched. “Get up.”
But, this hand had reached out too late.
Xie Lian didn’t take his hand, and he didn’t get up either. He only continued to stare at him with
unblinking eyes.
The two were in a standstill for a long time, and Mu Qing’s face was growing darker and darker.
Just as he was about to take his hand back, Xie Lian suddenly grabbed a handful of mud and
slung it at Mu Qing with a soundly “PA!”
Mu Qing had never expected he would do such a thing and really didn’t know whether if it could
be called rude or juvenile. A ball of dirty mud splattered on his chest, splashing spots onto his
face, and he was bewildered. A moment later, anger rolled up but he forced it down and he said
darkly, “…I didn’t have a choice!”
He indeed didn’t have a choice. He was getting along well with those heavenly officials, and if
he just stood and watched his colleagues get beaten by Xie Lian without helping, others would
think he was on Xie Lian’s side, and that would ruin his days.
It was as if Xie Lian forgot how to speak, and only continued to hurl mud at him. Mu Qing
blocked a couple times but he couldn’t keep it up, and he cried furiously, “ARE YOU CRAZY??
DIDN’T I JUST TELL YOU I DIDN’T HAVE A CHOICE? DIDN’T YOU GO ROB BECAUSE YOU
ALSO DIDN’T HAVE A CHOICE??”
Scram! Get out of here! Leave!
Those were the only words echoing in Xie Lian’s mind, but he couldn’t utter a single sound, and
could only crazily grab at anything at his disposal to throw. He didn’t care who he was hurling at
either. Finally, Mu Qing couldn’t take this anymore, and he steeled his face as he swept his
sleeves and left. Xie Lian panted harshly for a bit and fell back down, spacing out again.
He sat in that position until night fell.
After the skies turned dark, a large number of phosphorescent flames came floating, dancing
hauntingly about. It was as if Xie Lian didn’t see them and didn’t bother to muster any strength.
However, those phosphorescent flames seemed to be upset that they weren’t noticed, and more
and more gathered by his side. Xie Lian still ignored them.
Until the figure of a person appeared from within the phosphorescent flames.
The arrival of that person seemed to always be accompanied by an immense ominous
foreboding. Xie Lian sensed something and slowly lifted his head.
About ten feet away, the silhouette of a white clothed man was standing amidst the countless
floating phosphorescent flames, and half of the mask on his face was smiling hauntingly.
He greeted pleasantly, “How are you, Your Highness.”
———–
Ch.187: Cold White Ghost; Warm Words Confounding the Crown Prince
In the dark night, both Xie Lian’s pupils instantly shrank to two extremely small dots, and his
voice trembled, “…It’s you?!”
White No-Face!
Hairs on Xie Lian’s back rose and he leapt to his feet, grabbing for his sword but there was
nothing, and only then did he remember he pawned all of his swords. Even that branch he took
for a weapon earlier was broken. Which meant, he was facing this creature with neither spiritual
power nor weapons!
A few years ago when XianLe fell, White No-Face disappeared from the world. Xie Lian never
bothered to search for him, and never thought of searching for him, only praying that he would
just so soundlessly never appear again, yet who knew this creature would suddenly appear
before him!
That white clothed figure approached languidly, and Xie Lian felt a sudden chill and couldn’t
help but back away a couple steps, yet he immediately snapped to: no backing away! Even
fleeing was pointless!
He cried sharply, “WHAT DO YOU WANT??”
White No-Face didn’t answer, and continued to come closer with hands at his sides. Xie Lian
was shaking from his feet to his hands, and even the white puffs of air from his lips seemed to
be trembling.
He forced himself to recall the jeers, the indifference, and the mocking laughter of those thirty
some heavenly officials, and Mu Qing who’d turned his face away, and all of a sudden, he forgot
his fear as he shouted and struck out with a hand chop.
However, before that hand even chopped, there was an excruciating pain. The other party
actually predicted Xie Lian’s move and was a step faster, flashing behind his back and kicked
the hollow of his knee!
Too fast!
Xie Lian’s knees dropped heavily to the ground, and only then did a terrifying thought enter his
mind.
The movement was this creature was faster than he had thought!
The next moment, Xie Lian felt something even more horrifying – a cold hand with its fingers
stretched open was pressed over his skull!
He started screaming. That hand had only used a bit of strength and Xie Lian’s entire body was
pulled up from the head. Xie Lian had no doubt that based on this creature’s strength, should
his fingers curl in they could easily smash his skull, and his head would instantly turn into
smeared bloody flesh smushed between bones. He also had no doubt that the next thing White
No-Face planned to do was exactly that!
Xie Lian breathed harshly, thinking he was dead for sure, and squeezed his eyes shut. Yet
unexpectedly, that creature had no intention of exerting any more force, and instead it withdrew
its murderous intent and sighed softly.
That sound of his soft sigh lasted for a while and the other party showed no signs of moving. In
the dead silence, Xie Lian reopened his eyes little by little.
Ghost fires filled the air and they were dancing in wild joy, each of the balls of flames were
watching the show, cackling as the spirits of the deceased laughed. However, most of the ghost
fires seemed to have been stunned by something, not daring to approach the two, and only a
ball of ghost fire with its flames that were abnormally bright were hanging above them, using its
own flames to attack the one behind Xie Lian again and again. No one could tell what it was
doing, but no matter how one looked at it, it was like an insect fighting a tree.
Then, Xie Lian’s body froze abruptly.
White No-Face had hugged him!
Xie Lian knelt in a slump while he was encircled by a pair of cold but powerful arms and pulled
into a lifeless embrace.
Without knowing when, White No-Face had also sat down and he murmured, “So sad, so sad.
Your Highness, look at yourself, look what they’ve done to you.”
He murmured softly as he caressed Xie Lian’s head, his hands gentle and merciful, like he was
petting a wounded puppy or his child who was about to pass away from severe illness.
Under the moonlight, the smiling face of that cry-smiling mask was hidden in the darkness,
revealing only the other half that was crying, seeming like it was genuinely shedding tears of
grief for Xie Lian.
Through his gesture, Xie Lian actually felt a peculiar kind of loving compassion. Just as he
would’ve been in the embrace of his best friend or a familiar family member, his shivering body
miraculously became warmer.
He had never thought that in such a state, the one who would give him compassion and warmth
would be this strange creature.
Deep in Xie Lian’s throat came waves of suppressed sobs, shaking harder and harder. That ball
of ghost fire flew to his heart, looking as if it wanted to warm him, but wasn’t confident that it
could help chase away the cold, so it didn’t press close.
White No-Face helped clean off the mud of his person and beckoned, “Come to my side.”
“…I…I…” Xie Lian’s voice trembled.
Before he finished his words, his hand suddenly flashed out and went straight for White
No-Face’s mask!
His attack was successful, and that mask was smacked high into the air. Xie Lian himself had
leapt and flipped to meters away, the terror from earlier completely gone. He said darkly in rage,
“Who’s going to your side, you… monster!”
That tragically pale cry-smiling mask fell to the ground, and all the ghost fires in the air seemed
to be stupefied, and they suddenly lost order, dancing madly without stopping, shrieking without
a sound. White No-Face on the other hand, covered his face and started chuckling softly.
That laugh was making all of Xie Lian’s hairs stand, “What are you laughing about?”
White No-Face humphed softly, “You will come to my side one day.”
His tone was confident. Xie Lian didn’t understand what he meant and said in disbelief, “What
side is your side? You destroyed XianLe and you still want me to go over to your side? Are you
crazy? I think you’re sick in the head!”
He didn’t know how to cuss at others, and even in extreme rage he only knew how to say those
words, otherwise he would’ve used the world’s most vicious, most vengeful words to curse that
creature. White No-Face laughed out loud, and with his hand covering his face, he held his
head tall, “You will come. In this world, no one but me will truly understand you, and no one but
me will forever stay by your side.”
Xie Lian felt chills and still tried to argue, “GET OUT OF HERE! Enough with your arrogant
nonsense! How could there be no one just because you said so?”
A ball of ghost fire flew to his side and moved up and down, like it was nodding in agreement.
However, wicked wisps like it were all around, so Xie Lian didn’t notice this particular one.
Before him, White No-Face said warmly, “Oh? Is there someone? Maybe there were people in
the past, but do you think they’d still be there from now on?”
“…”
Xie Lian demanded, “What do you mean? What are you hinting at?”
White No-Face didn’t answer and only sneered and turned around, looking like it was about to
drift away.
He said softly, “I will wait for you here, Your Highness.”
As if Xie Lian would let him go just like that, “WAIT! DON’T GO! What did you do to them? DID
YOU TOUCH MY PARENTS AND FENG XIN??”
He chased after him, reaching his arms out to grab at the silhouette of that white clothed man,
yet unexpectedly, the other party lightly swept its sleeve and grabbed a ball of ghost fire.
He didn’t particularly aim to attack Xie Lian, but Xie Lian sensed a horrifying force coming at
him, and his entire person was thrown high into the air, hitting against a tree. A large crack, and
that giant tree with the width of two grown men split and fell by this collision.
If this was before, then Xie Lian wouldn’t even frown if he should break ten trees. However, his
body was mortal right now, and with such a crash, it was like his bones fell apart, and he fell
heavily to the ground, losing consciousness.
The final moment as his eyes closed, Xie Lian seemed to have seen that white clothed figure
reach out a hand and held up within his palm a blazing ghost fire, and he chuckled, “Spirit, tell
me, what is your name? How interesting…”
When he came to, everything was gone.
Xie Lian was covered with the astringence of blood from his chest to the mouth, and his head
spun for a good while before he suddenly stumbled to crawl up. He muttered, “…Father! Mother!
Feng Xin!”
He remembered everything that had happened before he passed out, and didn’t dare to waste a
single second. He ran like mad for tens of miles, and finally after twenty somes days since he
left with the satchel on his back, he returned to the king and the others’ hiding place in a deep
night.
Xie Lian was panicking the entire way, extremely anxious, scared that White No-Face had
already done something to his friend and family. The moment he returned to that dilapidated
cottage he shoved the door open, and blurted out before even catching his breath, “FATHER!
MOTHER! FENG XIN!”
Thank goodness. The house didn’t look as tragic as he had imagined, and nothing was out of
place either, still looking exactly the same as when he had left.
Xie Lian had run madly with a body covered in injuries, his throat so dry it was going to smoke.
He relaxed a little and only then did he swallowed before continuing deeper into the house,
“Feng Xin! Where are you guys…”
He pushed a door open and his voice died in his throat. Feng Xin was inside and when he saw
Xie Lian had come back, he exclaimed in amazement, “Your Highness! Why are you back?”
However, Xie Lian wasn’t looking at him, but was staring intently at the one facing Feng Xin.
Before Feng Xin stood a black clad man.
It was Mu Qing.
Mu Qing turned his head back and saw Xie Lian. He pressed his lips, looking grim. Feng Xin
went around him and came over to greet Xie Lian, “Didn’t you go to train? How was it? I thought
you’d be gone for at least several months. Did you come back so soon because you’ve made
excellent progress?”
Xie Lian stared at Mu Qing, “Where’s father and mother?”
“Sleeping in the room. They’ve already gone to rest.” Feng Xin said. “Why are your clothes so
dirty? What’s with the cuts on your face? Who fought with you?”
Xie Lian didn’t answer. Only when he heard his parents were fine did he completely relax, and
he turned to Mu Qing, “Why are you here?”
Mu Qing didn’t speak, and Feng Xin replied for him, “He came to deliver something,”
“What?” Xie Lian questioned.
Mu Qing raised his hand lightly, pointing to the side. What he was pointing at were several clean
sacks, probably with rice or grain in them.
Seeing Xie Lian so quiet, Mu Qing said softly, “I heard you are needing medicine. I’ll think of a
way to get some later.”
“Alright.” Feng Xin said, “I’ll say my thanks then. We do need all this stuff right now. Heavenly
officials can’t gift mortals things privately, so you be careful too.” Then he shuffled to Xie Lian’s
side and whispered, “I’m pretty surprised too, that he’d actually come back to help. I’m the one
who judged him wrong. In any case…” However, Xie Lian suddenly spoke up, “Don’t need it.”
Mu Qing’s expression turned ashen for a moment, and he clenched his fists. Feng Xin was
puzzled, “What don’t we need?”
Xie Lian enunciated slowly, “I don’t need your help. I also… don’t want any of your stuff. Please
leave.”
When he heard the words “Please leave”, Mu Qing’s face became even more ashened.
Feng Xin also noticed something was wrong and asked, “Just what is going on?”
Mu Qing bowed his head, “I’m sorry.”
Having known Mu Qing for so many years, this was the first time they heard him say those
words, and it was also the first time he apologized to genuinely, but Xie Lian had no more mind
to be surprised, “Please leave!”
He was still unable to control his emotions, and he grabbed those sacks and started throwing
them at Mu Qing. White rice spilled the ground, and Mu Qing was thrown into a distraught state.
He only raised an arm to block but still held back. Feng Xin held Xie Lian down and was
alarmed, “Your Highness! What’s going on? What did he do?? Didn’t you go cultivate?? Just
what exactly happened??”
Having been held down, Xie Lian said with red eyes, “…Why don’t you ask him? I did go to train,
but ask him just why I’ve returned!”
It was too noisy out and the queen who was sleeping in the back rooms was shaken awake.
She emerged after pulling on an outer robe, “My son, have you returned? What’s happened to
you…” Feng Xin quickly said, “Nothing! Your majesty, please go back in!” Then he forcefully
pushed her back and closed the door. Then he demanded, “What did you do? Mu Qing just
what exactly did you do?? Your Highness, did the cuts on your face come from him??”
Xie Lian’s breathing was growing harsher and more turbulent, and couldn’t force a word out. Mu
Qing exclaimed, “It wasn’t me! I didn’t hit His Highness, I only asked him to leave. Other than
that I didn’t say anything harsh, and I didn’t move against him either! They were determined to
take over that spiritual land, and under those circumstances if you didn’t leave, nothing would
end!”
“YOU!…”
After having exchanged so many words, Feng Xin finally got the gist of what had transpired. He
widened his eyes and pointed at Mu Qing, unable to speak. A moment later, he bent down and
grabbed a sack and flung it over, roaring, “SCRAM! SCRAM SCRAM SCRAM!”
Mu Qing was hit in the face by the sacks of rice he brought and backed two steps away. All
three of them in the house were panting harshly, and Feng Xin cried, “I WAS WONDERING
WHY YOU SUDDENLY HAD A CHANGE OF HEART! I CAN’T FUCKING BELIEVE THIS,
HOLY SHIT… DON’T LET ME SEE YOU EVER AGAIN!”
Mu Qing exclaimed with a cracked voice, “YES! I WAS WRONG, I ADMIT IT, AND I
APOLOGIZE! BUT I WANTED TO SOLVE ALL THE CURRENT PROBLEMS FIRST BEFORE
WE THINK ABOUT ANYTHING ELSE! Your parents and my mother, the three of us, who knows
how long we’d have to struggle in the mud! If I went back first, maybe there’d still be a
chance…”
Feng Xin cussed, “ALL FUCKING BULLSHIT, STOP YOUR BULLSHIT! NO ONE WANTS TO
HEAR YOUR EXCUSES, SCRAM SCRAM SCRAM SCRAM SCRAM SCRAM SCRAM!”
Mu Qing tried again, “If you put yourself in my shoes…” Feng Xin cut him off, “I TOLD YOU TO
STOP YOUR BULLSHIT! I’M NOT LISTENING! I JUST KNOW THAT EVEN IN YOUR SHOES I
WOULDN’T HAVE DONE THE SAME THING AS YOU. NO NEED TO PUT MYSELF IN YOUR
SHOES BECAUSE YOU’RE NOTHING MORE THAN A TRAITOR!”
Mu Qing’s face was now green and he took a step forward, “When His Highness was in a tight
spot, wasn’t he forced to commit robbery too? Why when it comes to me, you can’t accept it?”
Feng Xin spat, “HUH? ROBBERY? WHO COMMITTED ROBBERY? His Highness
COMMITTED ROBBERY? WHAT SHIT TALK ARE YOU FUCKING SAYING?”
“…”
Xie Lian stopped breathing.
Watching Feng Xin’s raging face gradually changing to shock, Mu Qing finally realized
something was wrong and he turned to Xie Lian hesitatingly, “You… you didn’t…?”
He had never expected that Xie Lian hadn’t told Feng Xin about that incident!
“AAAAAHHHHHH!!!!”
Xie Lian had gone mad and he grabbed a random object by his hand and started chasing Mu
Qing out. Mu Qing also realized that he might’ve screwed up, and didn’t dare to speak even
having been hit a few times. Yet when he ran out the door and looked back, the thing Xie Lian
was using to chase him out was actually a broom, and his face instantly darkened, “Did you
have to taunt me like this??”
Xie Lian cried brokenly, “GET OUT OF HERE!”
Xie Lian’s swung fist blew out sharp gales, and Mu Qing was hit, barely dodging the brunt of the
attack, a thin bloody cut appearing on his cheek. He reached out and touched the cut, looked at
the blood on his hand, his expression unreadable, “…Fine. I’m leaving.”
Xie Lian was shaking all over and he bent over deeply down at the waist. Mu Qing took a few
steps forward and still placed the rice sacks on the ground in the end, “I’m really leaving.”
Xie Lian whipped his head up. When Mu Qing saw his eyes, he swallowed. Not hanging around
any longer, he swept his sleeves and left.
Only then did the thoroughly stunned Feng Xin came running out, “Your Highness! He’s fucking
lying, right? What robbery?”
Xie Lian covered his forehead, “…Don’t ask anymore. Please, Feng Xin, I beg you to please
don’t ask anymore.”
“No, of course I don’t believe it.” Feng Xin said, “I just want to know what really happened…”
Xie Lian screamed and covered his ears, escaping back into the cottage and locked himself in
his room.
Feng Xin was completely convinced that he would never do such a thing, but that was precisely
why this had become the worst case scenario!
Xie Lian wanted to just run away, escape to somewhere where no one knew him, but when he
remembered what White No-Face had said, he didn’t dare to go too far either, and could only
shut himself inside the room. No matter how Feng Xin and the queen called for him he’d refuse
to emerge.
It took two days before Xie Lian felt calmer, and when Feng Xin came to knock again, he silently
opened the door. Feng Xin was holding a plate and stood at the door, “Her Majesty made you
this during the day today, and exhorted that I’d absolutely bring this to you.”
The things in that plate were something green and purple, a horrifying sight. Feng Xin
continued, “If Your Highness think your life might be in danger, I can finish this for you, I won’t
tell Her Majesty, haha.”
Xie Lian could tell that Feng Xin still really wanted to prod and ask what the robbery was about,
but was also scared that Xie Lian might lock himself up again, and so he forced it down and
pretended that incident never happened and there was nothing to question, pretending to be at
ease. However, he wasn’t good at joking, and the jokes he made were all dry, making things
even more awkward.
To be honest, the taste of his mother’s cooking really was quite terrifying, and the more times
she entered the kitchen, the more effort she put in, the more astray the path of her progress. Xie
Lian had also never cooked, but the meals he made didn’t taste too bad. It seemed, it could only
be explained by way of natural talent. Nevertheless, Xie Lian still took the plate, and sat by the
table to eat it down honestly. Either way, he couldn’t taste whatever he ate now.
At least, the one consoling thing in all of this was while he was sure he was done for and the
king had overheard that night, based on how things were the past few days, it didn’t look like the
king and the queen knew about his robbery incident. Otherwise, by the king’s temperament, he
would’ve started yelling at him already. Feng Xin would never tell them either, so Xie Lian could
relax for now.
As he was thinking this, Feng Xin suddenly rose to his feet, and Xie Lian snapped out of it,
“What are you doing?”
Feng Xin grabbed his bow and said, “It’s time for me to go busking.”
Xie Lian stood up too, “I’ll go with you.”
After a moment of hesitation, Feng Xin said, “Forget it. You just rest a bit more.”
Although Feng Xin didn’t ask any more questions, Xie Lian was still feeling uncomfortable all
over, as if now that Feng Xin had learn such a thing, there was something between them that
could never go back. Every word and every look Feng Xin gave him seemed to have taken on a
different meaning, worthy of deeper interpretation. Xie Lian shook his head and sighed, “Let me
be honest with you. I don’t have the mind to cultivate right now.”
Feng Xin had expected this too, and he bowed his head, not knowing what to say. Xie Lian
continued, “So if that’s the case, instead of rotting inside the house, I might as well go busk too,
so I could at least earn some money, so at least I’m not…”
At least he wouldn’t be an invalid.
Yet for some reason, he couldn’t bring himself to say the last two words. Perhaps it was
because he really felt like he was already an invalid, so he didn’t dare to reveal it so easily.
Feng Xin was still a little worried, “I can do it on my own too. Your Highness, you’ve only had
one meal in the past two days, so why don’t you rest for a few more days?”
The more he insisted, the more Xie Lian was anxious to prove himself, and he turned to look in
the mirror, “It’s fine, I’ll just clean myself up and…”
He was going to tidy himself up at first so he at least wouldn’t be a disheveled, crazy beggar, yet
unexpectedly, he saw an exceedingly horrifying image reflected in the mirror.
The him in the mirror didn’t have a face – because in his reflection, what was on his face was a
half crying half smiling cry-smiling mask.
———
Ch.188: Cold White Ghost; Warm Words Confounding the Crown Prince 2
Xie Lian instantly screamed on the spot, and Feng Xin jumped in surprise, “WHAT? WHAT IS
IT??”
Xie Lian pointed at the mirror, his face pale, “HIM! I… I, MY…”
Feng Xin followed his arm and looked to the mirror, and a good moment later, he turned to look
at Xie Lian, bewildered, “…What’s with you?”
Xie Lian was terrified to the bone, and he gripped him hard, squeezing out only a few words with
great difficulty, “MY! MY! MY FACE! YOU DON’T SEE IT? THE THING ON MY FACE??”
Feng Xin stared at his face and sighed. Xie Lian was still confused why there wasn’t any
reaction from him when Feng Xin said, “Your Highness, have you finally noticed that there are
cuts on your face?”
It was as if Xie Lian was plunged into an ice cellar.
Why? How could this happen? Why would Feng Xin say that?
Could it be that Feng Xin couldn’t see the mask on his face in the mirror at all?!
Xie Lian blurted, “You don’t see it? There’s something on my face!”
Feng Xin was puzzled, “What thing? What exactly do you mean? I don’t see anything?”
Xie Lian looked at the mirror again, “That’s impossible! I…”
However, when he looked again this time, the mask on his face in the mirror had disappeared,
and what reflected what that panicking face of his.
There were bruises and cuts crisscrossing on his face, looking lost and disturbed, exceedingly
unkempt, like a small worker was beaten to a pulp by a wealthy master. Xie Lian was stunned in
spite of himself, and probled the side of his cheek, wondering inwardly, ‘…Is this me?’
Just then, he heard Feng Xin speak, “Your Highness, are you… too tired, perhaps? Or are you
just exhausted from being angry at that stinkin’ bastard? Listen to me, don’t go out in the next
few days, and just take it easy.”
Xie Lian finally snapped out of it and saw Feng Xin was about to leave the door with the bow on
his back, dangling a stool in his hand, and he explained hastily, “No! I…”
Feng Xin pushed the door while looking back, “Is there anything else?”
The words had made it to this lips but he forcefully swallowed them down because a strange
thought suddenly appeared in his mind: Life now was already very difficult; if he told Feng Xin
that White No-Face could be coming back to harass them, what would Feng Xin do?
Feng Xin was also fairly traumatized by White No-Face, what would he do? Would he think of
backing away, and leave like Mu Qing?
Just as his imagination was running wild, Feng Xin had already left. Xie Lian snapped to the
sound of the door closing, and so he could only shrink back to bed, wrap himself in blankets,
planning to take another nap.
Suddenly, he smelled something foul.
Xie Lian crawled up, and at first he thought it was the queen cooking again or some rat that died
in a corner, and he got up to check. He looked all over, but in the end he discovered that the
source of the foul smell was actually himself.
Only then did Xie Lian remember that it had been over two weeks since he last washed up or
changed, so of course he’d smell.
Xie Lian held his breath, a wave of self hatred crashing through him. Just thinking that both his
parents and Feng Xin must’ve noticed but didn’t bother to tell him made him feel another wave
of embarrassment. He sneakily opened the door and looked around; there wasn’t anyone
outside, so he found himself a set of fresh clothing and planned to boil some water for a bath.
After much struggle, he finally soaked in the bathtub at last. He sank himself into the water,
holding his breath until he was suffocating, and only resurfacing when he felt he was going to
pass out. Then he rubbed at his face roughly.
After wiping himself down, Xie Lian reached out to grab for his clothes, absentmindedly shaking
out his robes and was just about to put them on when suddenly, he noticed something wrong.
That wasn’t his clothes at all but White No-Face’s tragically blanched funeral garb with
expansive sleeves!!!
Xie Lian could only feel the hot water he was soaking in turning into a pot of icy pond all of a
sudden, his hairs standing on ends, and he cried in dismay, “WHO?! WHO DID THIS??”
Who changed out his clothes in secret while he wasn’t paying attention??
He jumped out, still wet and dripping, and knocked the bathtub over. A large splash, and
instantly the entire cottage was flooded with bathwater, startling both the king and queen who
were in the next room. The queen supported the king as they entered to see, and Xie Lian was
sprawled on the ground naked, the floor flooded with water, and in her shock, she came rushing
forward to hug him, “My son, what happened to you??”
Xie Lian was wet and dripping, his hair strewn, and he looked up, hugging her back, “Mom, a
ghost, there’s a ghost, there’s a ghost clinging to me! He’s constantly following me!”
His appearance was no different than one who had lost his mind, and the queen couldn’t take it
anymore as she wept in anguish and held her son. The king also watched Xie Lian
dumbfoundedly; a man of forty some looking like he was now over sixty. The frigid air of winter
jolted Xie Lian, and he pointed, “The clothes. Look at the clothes!…”
However, when he looked at those clothes again, how was it the funeral garb at all? Was it not
just his white cultivation robes?
Xie Lian was suddenly filled with rage, and he slammed a fist on the wooden tub, roaring, “JUST
WHAT DO YOU WANT? ARE YOU PLAYING WITH ME?”
The queen forced back her tears and hugged him, “My son don’t be angry, just put on some
clothes first, put them on, don’t catch a cold…”
That day, Feng Xin also came back really late. Exhaustion was written on his face, much more
so than before.
Xie Lian had been waiting for him for a long time, and he spoke impatiently, “Feng Xin, I have
something very important to tell you.”
Although that creature White No-Face was too bizarrely powerful, even if he told Feng Xin, it
would be pointless to set up guard beforehand, nevertheless, after much thinking he still
believed something like this shouldn’t be kept secret from Feng Xin, so he decided to tell him
the truth. Unexpectedly, Feng Xin didn’t immediately ask him what it was, and only said, “Oh
good. I’ve got something I wanted to say to you too.”
Xie Lian thought the matter with White No-Face was more important, and anything else urgent
could come after, but he sat down at the table and asked, “You go first. What is it?”
Feng Xin hesitated for a moment and said, “Your Highness, you go first.”
Xie Lian didn’t have the mind to be courteous anymore and whispered, “Feng Xin, you must be
absolutely careful. White No-Face has come back.”
“…”
Feng Xin’s expression instantly changed, “White No-Face has returned? Why would you say
that? Did you see it?”
“Yes!” Xie Lian exclaimed, “I saw it!”
Feng Xin paled, “That’s… That’s not right, why would it be seen by you? Why are you still here
all fine after having seen it???”
Xie Lian buried his face in his hands, “…I don’t know either! Not only did he not kill me, he
even…”
He even hugged him and pat his head like a loving elder, and beckoned him, “Come to my
side”.
After having listened to the strange encounter of the past few days, Feng Xin’s shock gradually
faded away, and it was replaced by confusion, “Just what is he thinking?”
“Either way he must not have any good intentions, and he also seemed to be following me
everywhere,” Xie Lian said, “In any case… you just be careful! Help me remind father and
mother to be careful too, but don’t frighten them.”
“Alright.” Feng Xin said, “I won’t go out for the next few days. The stuff that bastard gave us…
should last us for some time.”
It was quite embarrassing to say. When Mu Qing left, he still left behind everything he brought
over. Although Xie Lian lost control of himself at the time, flinging the stuff at him saying he
didn’t need his stuff nor help, but after calming down, they still picked up everything secretly in
defeat. Xie Lian sighed and nodded. Then he said, “Oh yes, what was it that you wanted to say
to me?”
Having brought this up, Feng Xin hesitated again. After a pause, he opened his mouth, and was
surprisingly humming and hawing, scratching at his head as he stammered out, “Actually, it’s…
Your Highness, do you still, have money on you? Or something that can be pawned?”
Xie Lian had never thought he’d ask such a silly question at a time like this and was a little
perplexed, “Huh? Why are you asking this?”
Feng Xin sweated as he replied boldly, “…It’s nothing… just, if you happen to have some, can
you… lend me some?”
Xie Lian laughed bitterly, “…Do you think I’d have any more?”
Feng Xin sighed too, “I thought so.”
Xie Lian gave it a thought and said, “But didn’t I gift you that golden belt before?”
Feng Xin mumbled, “That’s not enough. Far from it…”
Xie Lian was shocked, “Feng Xin? What exactly have you done out there? How can a golden
belt not be enough? Do you owe someone money for beating someone up? Tell me?”
Feng Xin snapped out of it and quickly said, “Oh no! Don’t take this to heart, I was only asking!”
After asking over and over, Feng Xin still swore everything was fine, and Xie Lian said worriedly,
“Well if there’s anything, you have to tell me, and we can think of a solution together.”
“Don’t worry about me.” Feng Xin said, “No solution will just fall from the sky. Your Highness,
you just focus on solving your problems!”
When he brought it up, Xie Lian’s heart sank again.
Just as he expected, all the days that followed, that creature harassed him unceasingly and
wouldn’t leave him alone.
Xie Lian could always see that cry-smiling mask or that white silhouette in many unsuspecting
places. Sometimes it’d be at the headboard in the deep night, sometimes it’d be a reflection in
the water, sometimes it’d be at the other side of the door when he opened said door, and
sometimes, it’d even be standing right behind Feng Xin.
White No-Face seemed to be taking scaring him as entertainment, and, purposely only let him
be the only one who would see. Every time when Xie Lian couldn’t take it anymore and pointed
at him screaming, all the others would rush over or look over, and he’d disappear. Xie Lian had
been passing days like this in shaken agitation, so bitter he wished he could catch that creature
and chop it into eight pieces, but he couldn’t even manage to step on the other’s shadow.
Inevitably, his days and nights became flipped, both his heart and body exhausted.
One day, he jolted awake in the middle of the night, and felt irrepressibly thirsty. Thinking that he
hadn’t drank anything properly the entire day, he crawled up ready to go get some water to
drink. However, from outside the room creeped faint voices and weak candlelight. Xie Lian was
startled and instantly hid behind the door, his heart thumping, ‘Who could it be? If it’s father,
mother, and Feng Xin, why would they sneak around like this?’
Yet who knew, the ones sneaking around really were his father, mother, and Feng Xin. Feng
Xin’s voice was extremely hushed, “His Highness is resting now, right?”
The queen also whispered, “He’s asleep now.”
“Finally.” The king said, “Don’t wake him too early tomorrow, let him sleep some more.”
Those words made Xie Lian’s heart squeeze, then soon after, he heard the queen said, “Sigh…
if this keeps up, when would my son ever get better?”
Xie Lian could feel something amiss with those words, and just then, Feng Xin said with a quiet
voice, “He’s only like this because he’s overworked. Too much has happened recently. Will your
majesties also keep a closer eye on him, and if there’s anything off with His Highness, please do
let me know as soon as possible, but don’t let him know. Also, don’t say anything that’d provoke
him…”
Xie Lian eavesdropped hiding behind the door, his mind going blank, and waves of blood rushed
up to his brain.
What did this mean? What did they mean?
He roared internally, “I’M NOT CRAZY! I DIDN’T LIE! I WAS TELLING THE TRUTH!”
Xie Lian raised his hand and PANG! Crashed the door open. All three inside the room were
startled, and Feng Xin rose to this feet, “Your Highness? Why aren’t you asleep??”
Xie Lian was furious, “YOU DON’T BELIEVE ME??”
Feng Xin was taken aback, “Of course I believe you! You…” Xie Lian cut him off, “Then what did
you mean by those words just now? Are you saying that everything I saw were all
hallucinations, that I’m just delusional?”
The king and queen wanted to intercept and Xie Lian instantly said, “Don’t speak, you guys
don’t understand anything!”
“No!” Feng Xin exclaimed, “I believe you, Your Highness, but you’ve been overworked too, and
that’s also the truth!”
Xie Lian looked at him and didn’t speak, but somewhere in his heart there were chilling winds
blowing in.
He believed that overall, Feng Xin still believed in him. At least eighty percent.
But it wasn’t complete trust. After all, how Xie Lian passed his recent days really were too
mental. If it was any other outsider looking in, they would’ve no doubt determined him to be a
mad man, so what right did he have to demand anyone to trust him completely?
But it shouldn’t be like this. The Feng Xin of the past would have absolute faith in him no matter
what! Even if there was only twenty percent of doubt, it was still unbearable!
Xie Lian was filled with rage and resentment, but he couldn’t tell who it was directed at; to White
No-Face, to Feng Xin, to everyone, or to himself. He didn’t speak a word. He turned and went
out the door, and Feng Xin chased after him, “Your Highness, where are you going?”
Xie Lian forced himself to be calm, “Don’t mind me, don’t follow me, go back.”
“No, but where are you going? I’ll go with you!” Feng Xin said.
Xie Lian made up his mind and suddenly started running wildly. Feng Xin wasn’t as fast as him,
and was soon left far behind, and could only shout after him. The king and queen both came out
and started shouting for him too, but Xie Lian pretended not to hear, and ran faster.
He had no choice but to make the first attack!
If White No-Face planned to kill Xie Lian, or Feng Xin, or his parents, it would be a piece of
cake. Yet he just wouldn’t kill, and would instead play him like a toy, making a food of him!
Xie Lian ran as he roared in the black night, “COME THE HELL OUT!!! YOU SHADY GUTTER
MONSTER!!! GET THE HELL OUT!!!”
White No-Face was coming strictly for him, so he believed that White No-Face would’ve
followed him for sure. However, after cursing the world with insufficient vocabularies, there was
none of the usual sneers drifting from unexpected shadowed corners, nor did any figures
appear languidly behind his back, putting an unsuspecting hand on his head.
After running madly for a number of miles, Xie Lian finally exhausted his strength, and he bent
deeply at the waist, supporting himself up with hands on his knees, panting harshly, his chest
and throat flooded with the taste of rusted iron.
A good while later, he suddenly whipped up and continued forward, saying under his breath,
“…So you want to drag this out with me? Fine, we’ll drag this out slowly!”
He walked by himself through a deserted, barren fields, through old woods and deep mountains,
for who knows how long, and fog gradually started to thicken.
All around were the blackened old trees flashing their claws, and they were all leaning forward,
exceedingly pushed down, as if they were inviting him to step into a field of forbidden land of no
return. Xie Lian could tell that whatever was ahead wasn’t going to be anything good, but it was
unavoidable. Besides, he must put an end to this, so this would’ve come sooner or later. Thus,
with a darkened expression he continued forward. As he walked, within the white fog, a row of
something shimmering appeared like a glowing wall.
Xie Lian had never seen anything like it and he furrowed his brows slightly, stopping in his
breath. As for that ‘wall’, it was actually slowly pushing forward towards him!
Xie Lian was tensed in alarm and broke off a branch, gripping it in his hand at the ready. Only
when that ‘wall’ made it to not two meters away from him did he realize in bewilderment that it
wasn’t a wall, but countless ghost fires. Because there were too many, from afar it looked like a
blazing wall, or a giant net.
While those ghost fires were strange, they didn’t emit any murderous intent, and only drifted
towards him silently, blocking him from continuing forward. Xie Lian tried going around them, but
those ghost fires immediately changed direction and continued to block Xie Lian. At the same
time, he heard many voices:
“Don’t go there.”
“Don’t go over.”
“There are no good things ahead.”
“Turn around, don’t continue to walk!”
Those voices were stoic and condensed like tides, giving him chills down his back. Xie Lian was
surrounded and noticed, within these ghost fires, there was one ball of flames that was
particularly bright, and particularly silent.
Although something like a ghost fire didn’t have eyes, but when he gazed at that ghost fire, he
could almost sense a burning gaze staring at him.
It seemed, this ghost was the strongest among these ghost fires. All the other ghost fires were
all only following after it.
———–
Ch.189: Cold White Ghost; Warm Words Confounding the Crown Prince 3
“Move.” Xie Lian said coldly.
That ghost fire didn’t move.
“Why are you blocking my way?” Xie Lian demanded.
That ghost fire didn’t answer, and the other little ghost fires only repeated “Don’t go there”
nonstop. Xie Lian didn’t want to bother with those things at all, and he struck out a hand,
dispersing them.
He didn’t disperse the spirits; this hand was only for breaking apart the blocking formation of
those ghost fires, like waving away a band of fireflies or a school of goldfish.
Xie Lian passed through quickly, wilted branches and broken leaves crackling under his steps.
Yet when he looked back, the ghost fires had also swiftly caught up to him, looking like it was
ready to form another wall. Xie Lian warned, “Don’t follow me.”
That ball of the brightest and hottest ghost fire was flying at the very front, unheeding of his
words, and Xie Lian raised his hand like he was going to strike again, warning fiercely, “Keep
following me and I just might disperse your spirits!”
With a threat like this, many of the ghost fires became scared, fluttering and shriveling backing
away. However, that leading ghost fire only paused for a moment in mid air before it continued
to trail behind him keeping a distance of not five feet away, making Xie Lian think that it was
telling him “It doesn’t matter if you disperse me”, or perhaps, it knew that Xie Lian wouldn’t really
hit it.
A sudden inexplicable anger filled Xie Lian. In the past, if he shouted, what little minions would
dare continue their harassment? They would’ve disappeared in a flash with tails between their
legs. Now, not only do people step all over him as they willed, even this tiny little ball of ghost
fire wouldn’t obey him, taking his threat for nothing. Xie Lian’s eyes reddened from anger and he
mumbled, “…Even a little ghost like you is like this… you’re all like this…everyone’s like this!”
It was a little funny to be so enraged by such a small thing, yet at this moment, Xie Lian was
genuinely filled with furious resentment. Unexpectedly, after he mumbled those words, that ball
of ghost fires seemed to have understood that he was both angry and sad, and it stopped in mid
air, no longer moving forward. Leading those hundreds of little ghost fires, they backed away
slowly. Not long after, they disappeared completely into the night.
Xie Lian blew out a breath, turned and continued forward.
After some seven to eight hundred feet, corners of eaves faintly appeared within the beguiling
fog ahead, like an old temple of the deep mountains. When Xie Lian approached and looked
closer, his eyes widened slightly.
It was… a Crown Prince temple.
Of course, it was a broken down Temple of the Crown Prince. It had already suffered the pillage
of thugs, the establishment plaque fallen on the ground, broken in half. Xie Lian paused in front
of the temple entrance for a moment, then he lifted his feet and crossed over that piece of
broken establishment plaque and entered the temple. The divine statue within the great hall had
also long since vanished, perhaps smashed or burnt, or thrown into the sea. The altar was
empty and desolate, only the burnt base of the statue remained. On either side, the “Body in
Abyss, Heart in Paradise” were slashed some thirty times, just like a beautiful woman whose
face was cut by knives, no longer beautiful, only chillingly savage.
Xie Lian kept his composure and sat down on the ground inside the great hall, waiting for White
No-Face to appear. After one incense time, a figure really did appear from within the beguiling
fog outside the temple.
However, this figure wasn’t right; it wasn’t as at ease as White No-Face, and the sound of their
steps was wrong too, much more hurried, not like White No-Face’s silent creeping. So, the one
approaching must definitely not be White No-Face, nor anyone he knew.
Then, who could it be?
Xie Lian was tense and alarmed, and only saw clearly when that person ta-ta-ta-ed and finally
rushed into the Temple of the Crown Prince. Unfortunately, the person who arrived didn’t match
any of his guesses at all – no matter how he studied him he was only a passerby without any
flaws.
But Xie Lian still didn’t relax his guard; who knows if this could be White No-Face’s disguise?
In a wild, barren mountain, within a broken down Taoist temple, to suddenly run into someone,
Xie Lian was guarded against the other, the other was also guarded against Xie Lian. A brief
moment later, he finally ventured to ask, “This… daozhang? Do you know what this place is?”
Xie Lian knitted his brows slightly and looked up, “You don’t know what this place is? Then how
did you come here?”
“I got lost!” That man said, “I walked around and around but I just can’t seem to get out!”
Xie Lian knew that this wasn’t getting lost at all. If this man wasn’t White No-Face in disguise,
then he was most likely lured in by something.
“Don’t go around anymore, you’re not going to be able to get out.” Xie Lian said.
“Huh? What are you saying?”
However, Xie Lian didn’t respond anymore and continued his meditation. If he was lured in by
White No-Face, then panicking would be pointless. If he wouldn’t let anyone go then there was
no point in trying to escape, so it’d be better instead if Xie Lian just waited quietly to see what he
planned on doing.
That man was also tired from running around, so he sat on the side to rest, the two at peace
with each other. It didn’t take long before another figure appeared from within the beguiling fog,
entering the temple, and it was another confused traveler. Seeing that there were people inside
the temple. He quickly approached, “Hey buddies! May I ask what this place is?”
Those two travelers started chatting, and a premonition started growing in Xie Lian’s mind.
Sure enough, it didn’t take two hours before over ten people came to this Temple of the Crown
Prince one after the other. Men, women, seniors, children, all kinds; some by themselves, some
in groups of three or four, some were whole families, and most of them came because they
were lost. The reason they got lost were also innumerous and bizarre, some were even just
strolling down city streets and they could get lost all the way over here, exceedingly incredible.
Inside this temple, Xie Lian even saw that street performer who was adamant in competing
against him with the boulder shattering trick. He didn’t look very good; it seemed the competition
last time injured him significantly. The two saw each other but didn’t say a word, and only
nodded their heads.
It was easy to see that these were all ordinary people, and, they were all brought here into the
deep mountains intentionally by White No-Face!
The alarm in Xie Lian’s head was becoming louder and louder but still he didn’t move. He dug
out a cold steamed bun and bit into it forcefully, chewed forcefully, then swallowed forcefully. He
must store all of his energy in order to face a big battle that was surely coming.
Four hours later, this Temple of the Crown Prince was bursting with “lost” people from inside out.
Xie Lian had counted silently; there was about a hundred of them. Not a single one would be
able to get out of these woods.
When there was a crowd, there’d be bustling noise, and everyone started chatting, “Did you also
end up here for no reason? This reeks of evil!”
Someone suggested, “Why don’t we go try and find a way out again?”
Someone immediately agreed, “Let’s go, let’s go, I refuse to believe that with so many of us, not
a single one was able to get out!”
However, Xie Lian who was sitting in the corner abruptly looked up, “It won’t matter however
much you walk. There is no exit.”
The crowd looked to him, “How come?”
Xie Lian said bitterly, “Because you were all lead here by a monster. You’re all his toys, so why
would he let you all go so easily?”
“…”
Within the crowd, there were some who thought he was exaggerating, some who thought he
was mental, and some who thought he shouldn’t be underestimated. Someone stood up, “Who
are you? What basis do you have to say such a thing?”
“He seems to be the first one here. When I came he was already sitting there.”
“Weird…”
“Yea, and his face is covered too.”
“Do you have any proof?”
Xie Lian said quietly, “There is no proof. It doesn’t matter if you all believe it or not. That monster
certainly didn’t lure you all here to invite you in for a meal. I don’t think I need to tell you all to be
a little more careful.”
Just as he finished speaking, before anyone responded, the sounds of rushing footsteps came
from the far distance. Everyone instantly perked up, “Another one’s coming!”
There was immediately those who wanted to go out and check it out, but just as they crossed
over the temple threshold they hastily slipped back, since, what accompanied that running noise
were waves of crazed screaming.
That screaming voice didn’t sound human at all, and everyone’s faces dropped, all backing into
the temple, “What the heck, who could that be? It’s not some beast, is it??”
As that figure within the beguiling fog fast approached, Xie Lian narrowed his eyes, “No, that’s
indeed a person!”
Only, that person was running in their direction and howling deafeningly at the same time, his
hands covering his face. Seeing that he was about to run into the temple at any second, Xie
Lian squeezed through the crowd and stood at the front to see just what the situation was, yet it
was as if that man had no eyes, and crashed straight into a tree by the entrance of the Crown
Prince Temple. PANG! and he was bounced back for a good meter, then he fell to the ground
and passed out.
The crowd was shocked, and each of them squeezed about, stretching their necks to see,
wondering anxiously, “…What… What’s with that man?”
Some who were gutsier, including that street performer, were going to go and examine him and
Xie Lian immediately called out, “Don’t go near him!”
Those people jumped at his sharp tone and asked, “Then what do we do? Just let him lie
there?”
“I will go take a look.” Xie Lian said.
“Then you be careful, yea?” The crowd said.
Xie Lian nodded and approached that tree slowly, crouching down, and was about to move the
hand that was covering the man’s face when that man suddenly jumped out and let out two
shrieking cries.
That’s right, two shrieking cries. And, it was two sounds that went off at the same time. One
came from his mouth, and the other, came from his face – on the face of that man was another
face!
The human face disease!
Goosebumps were instantly raised on Xie Lian’s skin, his pupils shrank, and the crowd within
the temple were also stupefied by that horrifying scene. After that man had jumped up, he
dropped his hands and was about to charge to where the people were, but thankfully Xie Lian
was quick with his hands, and he struck out. That face disease victim was instantly sent flying
by his slap to meters away. Xie Lian then hastily backed away to shield the entrance of the
temple while the crowd behind him all exclaimed in panic and shock, “I thought this disease only
appeared in the royal capital? So many died in the imperial city, wasn’t that disease
extinguished??”
“It’s not real, it can’t be real? Is that really a face on his face??”
What was even more horrifying was the next moment, all around came even more wailing, and
over ten wobbling figures came gathering towards the temple.
There wasn’t any need to look to know that they were all face disease victims!
Someone yelled, “EVERYONE RUN! SPREAD OUT! DON’T LET THEM COME CLOSE!!!”
However, Xie Lian shouted, “DON’T SPREAD OUT! WHO KNOWS HOW MANY MORE OF
THEM ARE IN THE WOODS!! IF THERE ARE MORE OF THEM OUTSIDE THEN IT’LL ALL
BE OVER!”
“Then what do we do??”
“We can’t just be sitting ducks!”
“Isn’t that just waiting for death to come to me??”
The branch Xie Lian broke off en route before had always been hung on his waist, and he pulled
it out, wielding it like a sword, “Don’t worry, they can’t come here. Of course I’d get to say
whether if they can come close!”
This was his domain, the Hall of the Crown Prince!
“You…”
Not waiting for anyone’s questions, Xie Lian leapt out, the branch swun with a swish and in an
instant those face disease victims fell to the ground. This wasn’t hard for Xie Lian at all,
committing his actions to his words, and sure enough none of those freaks could get close. The
crowd within the temple were watching with their breaths held, shaken as the fight went on, and
when they saw Xie Lian won, they all cheered, hollering to thank the heavens.
At that moment, in the night air within the woods, many ghost fires came drifting, dancing madly
all over, and Xie Lian couldn’t tell if they were helping in driving away those face disease
victims, but either way Xie Lian didn’t think they were obstructing him.
After making a sweep, Xie Lian tried to sheath his sword out of habit, and only when the
scabbard came empty did Xie Lian realize what he was holding in his hand wasn’t a sword but a
tree branch and felt awkward for a moment. The next second, he saw from not far in the
distance a white clad figure waving, beckoning him. Having just fought a battle, Xie Lian’s blood
was still boiling, and he instantly gave chase, “DON’T EVEN THINK ABOUT ESCAPING!”
That band of ghost fires also zoomed over and followed after him to charge forward, like they
were lighting his way. Naturally, White No-Face wasn’t going to escape, and he strolled at an
easy pace, his steps languid, but always ahead by seven to eight feet. Xie Lian pursued for a
few feet, but his mind suddenly lit up, and he instantly turned back. Seeing that he wasn’t
chasing anymore, White No-Face stopped, “Why aren’t you following?”
Xie Lian looked back, “You just want to lead me away in order to spread another round of the
human face disease, so why would I follow after you to let you have your way?”
However, White No-Face only smiled, “No, you’re mistaken. My objective isn’t “to lead you
away”. My objective is only you.”
Although with the cry-smiling mask on, his expression was concealed, but for some reason, Xie
Lian could sense he was smiling.
Moving him out of the way indeed made no sense. If White No-Face wanted to spread the
human face disease again, he could’ve done so anywhere in the world and Xie Lian wouldn’t be
able to stop him, so why must he do so in this deep mountains?
Xie Lian stopped in his step, “Then just what exactly are you planning??”
He had asked that same question countless times, and was going to lose his patience. White
No-Face replied, “I’ve already told you. I want you to come to my side.”
Xie Lian pulled out his tree branch and pointed it at him, and while this was not threatening
whatsoever, and even a little funny, it was nevertheless the only weapon he had on hand. Thank
goodness, a particularly bright ball of ghost fire landed on the tip of that branch, and helped
added some battle aura. Xie Lian demanded sharply, “What do you want with me on your side?
To take your life?”
White No-Face only chuckled softly and said warmly, “Your Highness, you are a beautiful block
of jade. Allow me to guide and educate you.”
“…”
Xie Lian was feeling both incredulous and furious, and he couldn’t help but click his tongue,
“And you think yourself worthy of educating me? My master is the Guoshi of XianLe, and what
the heck are you?? Where did you come from, you monster!”
White No-Face extended a finger and waved it, “You’re mistaken again. Your Highness, perhaps
it is better to say that in this world, only I am worthy to educate you. Your master? The Guoshi of
XianLe?”
His voice became arrogant and condescending, “Before me, that creature isn’t worth
mentioning. On the contrary, you’ve been taking in very well the things I’ve been teaching you.”
Xie Lian spat angrily, “What did you teach me? What nonsense are you spewing? I don’t
understand at all!”
White No-Face humphed mockingly, “The first thing I taught you was: You are powerless in the
face of many things in this world.”
Hearing this, countless chaotic images and voices flashed through Xie Lian’s mind. At last, he
gritted his teeth and lunged his ‘sword’, but White No-Face easily evaded, “The second thing–”
He seized Xie Lian, making him lose his balance and almost tripped, and Xie Lian felt a hand
pet the top of his head, “You want to save the common people, do you? The common people
don’t need to be saved by you. They aren’t worthy.”
Xie Lian’s movement faltered for a moment, and slapped away that hand, turning around and
stabbed again. PA! White No-Face snapped the branch in his hand, blitzed behind his person,
and two ice cold fingers were already placed on the two fatal points behind his head!
With those two prodding fingers, Xie Lian felt like his brain was going to be pierced at any
moment and he froze. A voice came from behind, “If you don’t come to my side, then you will
never win against me, and you will always be defeated by me.”
Xie Lian panted and said darkly, “…Come at me anytime!”
After a pause, he slowly enunciated each word, “It’s only right now that I can’t win. You can
defeat me countless times, but you can’t kill me. As long as you can’t kill me, one day, I will
surely defeat you!”
When that ghost fire heard his words, it blazed even more ferociously, like it was going to
brighten the entire night sky. Behind him, White No-Face was silent for a while, then he asked, “I
can’t kill you?”
Xie Lian held his breath and didn’t speak.
In truth, he didn’t know just how tough this undying body Jun Wu granted him was either. If
White No-Face really did smash through his skull in a moment of fury, would he still be alive?
Just then, White No-Face said quietly, “Indeed, I can’t kill you. But I won’t kill you either. Only,
don’t be too confident now. I hope, you won’t have regrets over this later.”
Regret? Why would he regret?
Xie Lian hadn’t yet figured it out when a hand chopped violently on his neck, and instantly his
sight sank into darkness.
Within the darkness, there seemed to be light and warmth coming from some distance ahead.
Xie Lian moved towards the light, and came to little by little.
He opened his eyes slowly, and the first thing that came within his vision was a ball of ghost fire
above him. It seemed, the light and warm he felt while he was unconscious came from it.
Seeing he’d woken, that ghost fire immediately came pressing over, then it seemed to have
thought coming too close to him wasn’t acceptable and backed off slightly. Xie Lian kept feeling
this ball of ghost fire seemed particularly exceptional. If he remembered correctly, the one who
created a formation to block him was also it. He wanted to reach out and poke at it, yet
unexpectedly, his hand couldn’t move at all.
Xie Lian was perplexed and instantly snapped out of it. He dropped his head to look and only
then did he discover the reason why he couldn’t move his hand. All of his arms and legs were
bound.
He was firmly tied down upon the altar, that broken base of the statue under his body. There
were many people squeezed below the altar, and pairs after pairs of round, unblinking eyes
were watching him.
————-
Ch.190: Heart Pierced By a Hundred Swords; Savage Ghost Takes Form
TW: Violence
Why were they all staring at him like that?
Suddenly, Xie Lian heard a whisper from the side, “So similar..”
“It’s not just similar… it’s the exact same!”
“Is it really him?”
Someone bluntly asked, “You are… that prince?”
Out of habit, Xie Lian started to say, “I’m not…”
Yet, before he could finish, he realized that the white silk that he used to cover his face had
been undone. In this moment, the thing that had him completely tied down was that exact white
silk. His face was now fully exposed in front of the crowd before him.
Xie Lian’s heart felt as if it was dangled by a single thread, but he steeled himself and met those
gazes.
He didn’t know if it was just his imagination, but he saw a tinge of suspicion stirring inside the
looks that they gave him. But, at least, perhaps due to the imminent danger at hand, those eyes
didn’t bear any hatred or anger as he had feared. However, in the next second, a wave of
inhuman howls sounded from outside the temple.
Xie Lian whipped his head around and discovered that the source of the howl came from the
face diseased infectees that he had previously been knocked down. They had somehow
regained their footing and their number increased in folds. Hand in hand, they circled outside of
the Crown Prince temple while chanting. One couldn’t tell if they were performing a horrifying
ritual or whether if they were purely dancing as the crazed demons they were. The crowd inside
the temple huddled together in absolute terror. A young child broke out in cries and the parents
took him into their arms while covering his eyes and ears. Every face in the room was stricken
with horror, “What do we do? What do we do?”
“Would these people be able to break in…”
“Even if they don’t charge in, since they’re so close, would we also get infected?… What will we
do if we accidentally get infected?!”
Xie Lian fought against his bindings but wasn’t able to loosen it in the slightest. It seemed that
this white silk had already been tampered with and had probably been injected with spiritual
power. With veins visibly seen on his forehead from the continuous struggle, he roared, “White
No-Face!”
No response came, instead an icy cold hand patted his head. Xie Lian froze, goosebumps
rising. The scene that he saw as he turned his head made him paralyzed.
No wonder the people below him were giving him strange stares — not only was his face
exposed, but White No-face was also seated right behind him, in the darkness.
In front of such an eccentric character dressed in white robes, no one dare to let out a single
breath, let alone move carelessly. As a result, White No-Face barely regarded them as anything
and under everyone’s watchful eyes, he helped Xie Lian up.
Xie Lian came up to a sitting position from where he laid. Sitting on top of the altar, it seemed as
if he was a bound living statue. Aside from moving his eyes and neck, he wasn’t able to do
anything else.
Although the situation was beyond eerie, the howling face disease infectees outside were more
terrifying. The attention of the crowd below quickly returned to the disfigured creatures outside.
Someone muttered, “…From what I heard, I’ve heard anyone living within the same district can
infect each other, this disease spreads exceedingly fast! Being this close in proximity, it’s
inevitable!”
At the thought that they would soon fall victim to the horrifying plague, a sea of despair filled the
temple. One person suggested, “Why don’t a few of us go out and knock down some of these
disfigured creatures and create an opening for the rest of the folks to escape?”
However, aside from whether they would even be able to kill so many freaks, anyone that went
forth would certainly be infected with the face disease. This was a primary example of sacrificing
one’s life to save others. With such an obvious fate, who would willingly volunteer? No one
would.
Xie Lian would, if he could. However, he was being restrained by White No-Face at the moment.
Although he could knock down seven or eight of them at a time, but with seventeen or eighteen
of them, it would be hard to stop them all. There would bound to be one that would break
through and rush into the Crown Prince temple. As for trying to kill White No-Face? He would be
a fool to consider that.
However, they needed someone to calm everyone down. Xie Lian gathered his composure and
spoke calmly, “Everyone, please don’t do anything rash! It won’t spread that fast, we still have
time to think of a solution.”
But just by saying “It won’t spread that fast” won’t be enough to convince them fully.
Surprisingly, the one who lifted the despair was none other than White No-Face. He stated icily,
“There is a way to get rid of and cure the face disease.”
As soon as the words left his mouth, the crowd of people snapped their heads up, “It can be
cured? How?!”
Xie Lian felt his heart stop. White No-Face mused leisurely, “Why don’t you ask His Highness?
His Highness knows the method.”
All of a sudden, the hundred pairs of eyes zoomed in on Xie Lian. The sharpness of the gazes
made him instinctively recoil, but he was blocked by White No-Face, who shoved him forward
instead. He could hear the hopeful voices of a few, “Your Highness, do you really know?”
Before Xie Lian could answer, someone else shouted excitedly, “I’ve heard from somebody that
he does know!”
There were also some with suspicion, “If he knew, then why did the capital still…? Unless, he
knew but didn’t tell anybody?”
“Prince, please hurry up and tell us, yea?”
Xie Lian denied immediately, “I don’t know!”
However, White No-Face insisted, “You lie.”
Fueled by anger, Xie Lian wanted to rebuke but was afraid that it would instead drive White
No-face to leak more information. Though deep down, he had a feeling that no matter if he
denied it or not, White No-Face would say it regardless. After struggling for a while, he admitted
defeatedly, “There’s…no way. It’s useless!”
After a pause, the sea of people started to stir, “What do you mean useless? How would we
know it’s useless if you don’t even tell us?”
A drop of cold sweat slid down from his forehead. Xie Lian thought, “I really can’t say it…”
He mustn’t!
If the truth should ever come to light, then it’ll all be over and done for!
Within the crowd, someone had finally become fed up and jumped to their feet, “We’re already
on the doorstep of death, what is there to keep hidden? Unless you want all of us to wait here
like sitting ducks until we die?”
In a gentle voice, White No-face offered, “Then, let me tell you.”
“Be quiet!” Xie Lian yelled.
Naturally, his shout didn’t carry a single ounce of threat, and White No-Face ignored him and
continued, “Do you know what kind of people within the capital were the least likely to be
infected with the face disease?”
The crowd watched him attentively, although afraid to get close, they couldn’t help but ask,
“Wh-what kind?”
White No-Face answered, “Soldiers.”
It’s over.
White No-Face continued on, “Why is it that it’s the soldiers? Because they all did this one thing.
Yet, this thing, isn’t done by normal citizens, and that’s why the citizens got infected with the
face disease.”
The crowd widened their eyes. Holding onto their breaths, they inquired, “and that thing is…?”
Xie Lian lunged in his direction, but at most, it was just an effort. Laughing, White No-Face
shoved him back. “What is it you ask?”
“Manslaughter.” He hummed.
It’s over!!!
He actually said it. On top of the altar, Xie Lian’s heart felt cold as ice. After the initial shock, the
people repeated in disbelief, “….manslaughter? You have to kill to be immune? You have to kill
in order to be cured?”
“It must be a lie!”
Unfortunately wasn’t, it wasn’t. It wasn’t a lie!
This was the ultimate truth. Xie Lian had verified it himself. The hand stained with blood, the one
that ended a life, was immune to the face disease.
Nobody had expected this to be the answer to gaining immunity. Dumbstruck, they chattered
among themselves, “How can this be?”
“I always thought it was odd since the beginning, but I really haven’t heard of anyone in the
army getting infected with the face disease! I’m afraid that it’s the truth!”
“It’s the truth!”
“But doesn’t that mean, in order to prevent being infected, we have to go kill someone first?”
“Who do we kill?”
The person who posed the question immediately got lectured, “what do you mean ‘who do we
kill’? Don’t tell me you actually want to kill?”
The man didn’t dare to say anything more. However, these hundred pairs of eyes that were
previously filled with simply terror and nothing else now contained many other emotions. Some
with curiously, some with suspicion.
This was the situation that Xie Lian feared. Once the cure for face disease had been exposed,
one thing would inevitably happen.
The killing of one another.
This was the sole reason that Xie Lian had kept the secret to himself after finding out the way to
gain immunity. As long as you kill, then you’d be safe from the disease — perhaps the majority
of people would be able to control themselves, but there would bound to be someone who
would be desperate enough to take the risk. Once the first blood had been spilled to prevent the
disease, it would soon be followed by a second, then a third…
As more and more were following suit, the world would be thrown into chaos. If that was the
result, it would be for the better to guard it firmly and not let anyone know.
Xie Lian smiled wryly, “Now you understand why I said this method is useless.”
The crowd was silent. Xie Lian sighed and gathered his spirit. With a gentle tone, he soothed,
“No matter what, please stay calm and don’t act rashly, or else, you’ll play right into this
creature’s hands.”
Among the crowd, there was a couple that looked of noble status. With a child wrapped within
her arms, she wailed, “How did it turn out like this? Why did it come to this point? Why does it
have to be us of all people? We never did anything wrong!”
A nearby person snapped back, “Cry cry cry, what are you crying for? All you know is cry and
cry! No one here did anything wrong! You think you’re the only unlucky one?”
The wife retorted angrily, “What, you’re not even going to let people cry?”
“What’s the use of crying to the point that it turns into a nuisance? You might as well shut your
mouth!”
It was unbelievable that a fight could break out for such petty reasons. With everyone on the
edge of an emotional breakdown, a small touch would set fire immediately. Xie Lian was quick
to pacify, “Stop arguing! Stay calm! Only a calm mind will bring the solution!”
However, the more he tried to calm the crowd, the more agitated they became, “Stay calm?
How can we be calm in this sort of situation? If you’re so calm, why don’t you think of
something? Let’s see what you got!”
“…” Xie Lian was silenced by the question. What kind of solution was there?
None!
He dug his mind desperately for an answer of something, even to the point of where he felt as if
his mind was on the verge of exploding, he wasn’t able to think of any way to resolve the
situation in front of him!
Suddenly, he felt a pinch on the side of his cheek. A hand cupped his face and twisted it to face
the audience below the altar. Xie Lian widened his eyes in confusion. An icy cold voice sounded
behind him, “Who to kill? Upon seeing this face, do you still not know who to kill?”
“…”
With such a question being asked, not only did the movement stop from below the altar, but
even the ring of ghost fires that hung from above had halted.
White No-Face reminded them softly, “Did you forget? He is a god. Which means…”
Before he could hear the rest, Xie Lian felt a wave of coldness washed over his chest.
Stunned, he gazed down and saw the tip of a pitch black sword pushing out from his abdomen.
The blade was long and slender, its body coloured as deep as black jade. The ridge reflected
the light in the form of a crisp silver line. The cold steel was every bit as dangerous and icy as
the coldest winter night. It was without a doubt, a rare and treasured sword. The exact kind that
Xie Lian would wrack his brains on obtaining and never let it leave his grasp.
Unable to move his gaze from it, the tip of the sword started to slowly inch back until it
disappeared from his abdomen once again. “— His body … is immortal.” White No-Face
finished.
Before anyone had the chance to react, White No-Face has tossed the blade towards them.
CLANG! The point pierced the ground and stood tilted before the numerous pairs of eyes, its
thick, frigid aura slowly seeping out.
A gush of blood rushed up his throat and the ball of ghost fire flew to him as if trying to cover his
wound. Xie Lian choked on the blood and grimaced, “You..You!”
There were lights dancing in front of his vision, and as if suddenly enraged, the ghost fire shot
straight at White No-Face. However, the ghost caught it effortlessly and held it captive within his
palm. “Take a good look.” He said.
In the next second, with his other hand, he yanked Xie Lian’s face to face him, “What about me?
Aren’t you the one who proclaimed that you wanted to save the common people?”
Xie Lian reasoned, “But, But I-I…”
But he never thought that under this type of situation, he would use this sort of method to save
people?!
Below the altar, there were already people who were scared to tears by the bloody scene, but
there were also others who still daringly watched on, “…He…would he really not die?!”
“It’s true… take a look, there’s barely any blood….he’s still alive, still alive and breathing just as
before!”
Xie Lian was racked by another intense, painstaking cough. Someone clarified, “So in other
words, even if we kill him, he wouldn’t die?!”
“That’s great!”
The one who cheered got scolded, “Great? What’s so great about this?”
The scolded person said quietly, “Since he wouldn’t be able to die…then don’t we now have a
solution?”
“But to stab someone, that’s too…”
“But he’s a god! Even if he’s stabbed, he still wouldn’t die! We’re just common folks here. If we
were to get infected with the face disease then our fates are sealed!”
Watching the struggle unfold, White No-Face mocked, “The common people are here waiting for
you to save them. Please, go ahead.”
Flames of anger lit up in Xie Lian’s eyes. “The only way to save the common people is to
eradicate a twisted monster like you!”
White No-Face sneered, “What’s the matter? Your Highness, didn’t you confidently say that you
won’t be able to die? You couldn’t possibly be scared now? Since you won’t be able to die, then
sacrifice yourself and relieve others of their sufferings. Isn’t that a delightful thing?”
Xie Lian spat, “Was this your plan all along? You think that everyone in the world is as sadistic
as you?”
True to his words, the expressions of the people below weren’t the ecstatic ones that people
wore at the thought of being rescued, instead, it was hesitation. There were conflicting thoughts
and none of them were able to land on the same opinion. Yet, at the same time, no one dared to
pull out the black blade. As if reading his mind, White No-Face laughed out loud. He shook his
head disapprovingly and sighed, “Stupid child, foolish child.”
Xie Lian turned away his head and refused to let the other pat him. He barked, “Get lost!”
White No-face pitied, “You think they don’t want to do it? Wrong, it’s not that they don’t want to,
it’s solely because no one wants to be the first, that’s all.”
“Ahhhhh!”
There was a painful cry that erupted from under the altar. The noble looking wife from before
cried, “My child, my child!”
The child in her arms wailed uncontrollably as bumpy dark spots started rising from his chubby
arm. The people around them immediately backed away, leaving an empty gap in between.
“This is bad, the kid is infected!!!”
There was an emptiness in the couples’ eyes. The two exchanged a look and jumped to their
feet. They walked to the front of the altar, pulled out the black sword from the ground and held it
within the child’s hands. Grimacing, they lunged at Xie Lian.
“…!”
The black blade was exceedingly sharp, for when Xie Lian felt the excruciating pain explode
from his abdomen, the couple had already pulled out the sword, dropped it to the ground with a
loud clang while continuously apologizing, “Sorry…our child is still young, there was really…no
other way. Sorry, sorry, sorry….”
As they tried to atone for their actions wearing ashened expressions, they bowed many times in
front of Xie Lian before returning to the crowd with their child. With thick layers of blood clogging
up his throat, Xie Lian was about throw up until he heard White No-Face snicker beside him.
He forced down the mouthful of blood and hissed, “What are you laughing at? You think that you
got what you wanted? This was all forced by you!”
The ghost fire within the ghost’s hand flickered even more fiercely. Taking his time, he
explained, “Humans need force in order to reveal their true selves.”
Among the hundred, there was now one person who wasn’t afraid of the face disease anymore.
Seeing the dark prints slowly fading away from the child’s arm, the people around them
swallowed heavily in silence.
After a long while, under the dead silence, a young man finally stepped out.
With thick skin, he walked towards the altar. He bowed several times with his hands clasped in
front of him and begged, “I’m sorry. I don’t want to do this. I really don’t want to do this, but I
don’t have any other way. I recently just got married, my mother, my wife, they’re still at home,
waiting for me…”
Word by word, he couldn’t continue any further, so he shut his eyes, raised the sword and thrust
it towards Xie Lian.
However, because his eyes were closed, the sword tilted to the side and punctured Xie Lian’s
side instead. When he opened his eyes and realized that the spot wasn’t fatal, in a moment’s
panic, he pulled out the weapon frantically and with trembling hands, he stabbed again!
Xie Lian, who had gritted his teeth to prevent any sounds from coming out, let out nothing more
than a small whimper after the two consecutive jabs. A stream of fresh blood seeped out from
the side of his lips.
It’s true that he won’t die. However, that didn’t mean he wouldn’t feel the pain from the wounds.
The sound of every inch of flesh that had been tangled by the weapon, the feeling of every bone
being scraped made him crazed and wishing for death just to be relieved of the torture. When it
came to this, he was no different than a mortal.
When the second person finished his business, he stepped down as well, but this time, without
giving a single bow. The expressions he wore on his face was a mixture of regret and joy from
the deed he committed. It was hard to say which was more. Once he retreated back to the
group, the silence returned.
Not long after, a few more people looked as if they wanted to stand up with reasons of their
own. However, before they could rise, a person interrupted, “I can’t stand this anymore.”
The crowd turned to the direction of the voice and Xie Lian too lifted his head. The one who
spoke was actually the buff street performer. He scolded, “Are you honestly doing everything
this monster tells you to do? From what I see, he’s just babbling nonsense. Even if it was true,
just because he can’t die doesn’t mean that this isn’t murder!”
The bystanders around him advised him, “Buddy, wake up, everyone here is about die!”
The street performer defended, “Aren’t I here too? Wouldn’t I die too? But did I do anything?”
That shut a few up, but split second after, someone accused, “A person like you probably don’t
have any elders or children in your family right? Every man for himself, but a lot of us here have
a family to look after, how can we be compared to you?”
The street performer pointed at the couple that were the first ones to go up and said, “It’s true
that I don’t have a wife and son, but if I had, even if I had to die, I would never let my son see
me resort to using those methods, let alone to guide him hand-in-hand in doing it. If your child
grows up to be a criminal, it’s the parents who are to be blamed. If you’re that eager, why not let
your child take a stab at you?”
The wife had a full face of misery, “Don’t curse my son! If you want to curse, curse at me
instead!” The husband was furious, “Have you lost your mind? You want my son to kill his own
mother and father? How immoral!!”
The street performer probably didn’t understand what the word meant and retorted, “Killing is
still killing! At least it can be said as courage if you let your son kill you. Speaking of which, why
don’t you guys might as well go for the strange creature in the mask?”
Upon hearing that, White No-Face burst out in laughter. The crowd was scared and furious.
Their fear went towards the monster and their anger was directed at the street performer. They
lowered their voices and chided, “You..! Shut your mouth!”
What if they had accidentally angered the monster?
The street performer understood immediately, “Oh, so you don’t have the balls to kill the big evil
guy, and instead choose to stab another?”
Unable to suffer through the humiliation from a meer brute any longer, a person challenged,
“This buddy has been preaching endlessly, and here I thought he might be someone special.
Looking at him now, with a ghastly face that’s devoid of blood, I’d say he probably has a couple
days left at most and that’s why he dares to criticize us all without a care in the world. If you’re
so righteous, why don’t you sacrifice yourself to help us fellas here.”
The street performer corrected, “I don’t want to sacrifice myself, but neither does everyone else.
Who does? Do you? Do you? But at least, I won’t stab anyone.”
Someone said, “But he’s different.”
“How so?”
“He’s a god! To save the common people — he said so himself. Also- Also, he can’t die!”
The street performer was about argue back, but Xie Lian couldn’t hold back any longer. He
coughed weakly and called out, “B-buddy! Hey buddy!”
He opened his mouth, but as a result of the stabs prior to this, the sound that came out was
many folds fainter. The street performer whipped his head around and Xie Lian’s voice was filled
with gratefulness, “Thank you! But… it’s okay.”
If he continued, then he’d probably get beaten up. Xie Lian recalled that all the grave internal
wounds that this man carried was due to their competition in the past. Guilty at heart, he added,
“Thank you! The boulder shattering injuries that you received from before, has it healed?”
“Ah? What are you saying! How can I be hurt? Boulder shattering is my life skill!” The buff man
exclaimed proudly.
Seeing that the man refused to lose face even in this situation was practically the same as if
spitting out a mouthful of blood while saying “I’m completely fine.” Xie Lian wanted to laugh.
Suddenly, a person pointed at the street performer and screamed, “It’s spreading! It’s
spreading!”
Xie Lian was stunned, and as was the street performer. Following the direction of the finger, the
street performer touched his face, and as expected, he felt something uneven.
The people around him immediately distanced themselves. Xie Lian opened his mouth, wanting
to call over the street performer. But to do what? To stab him with the sword too?
The words were lost in his throat.
In the moment of his hesitation, the street performer stroked his face several more times before
dashing out of the temple. Seeing the event unfold, Xie Lian called after him, “Where are you
going? Come back! If you don’t treat it, it will spread!”
But the man ran even faster and hollered back, “I’m not coming back! If I said I won’t do it, then I
won’t do it…”. Soon after, his figure disappeared. The disfigured creatures around the temple
somehow knew that the man was now one of them and thus didn’t block his path. Xie Lian
continued to call out, until he wasn’t able to see his shadow anymore. The people below the
altar muttered, “It’s over, he’s gone!”
“That stupid idiot! It will spread regardless where you go, it’s already too late! He’s already
infected!”
“He.. couldn’t possibly have gone down the mountain to kill, right?”
However, the words that the buff man said prior to his departure held the people in the temple at
bay. Time has passed and no one went up to pick up the sword. The situation was momentarily
paused.
Xie Lian couldn’t tell if he felt joy, hesitation, or fear, but most importantly, he didn’t know what to
do next. As he was fighting to clear his mind, someone stood up. “Can I say something?”
It was a middle aged man. Xie Lian looked up and found the man to be somewhat familiar, but
he couldn’t recall where their paths had crossed. While trying to remember, the man announced,
“In all honesty, he had tried to rob me before!”
“…”
It was that guy!!!
The crowd was shocked, “Rob?”
“Isn’t he a prince? Isn’t he a god? To commit robbery?”
The guy confirmed, “It’s the absolute truth.”
“So? What do you actually want to say?”
“Nothing else. I just want to remind everyone that he had tried to steal!” The man crouched
down again after he finished his statement.
The temple fell into a solemn silence again after the outburst. With that single statement, it had
planted a seed of darkness within their hearts.
To steal….
Suddenly, another howl came from under the altar. Someone shrieked, “My leg, my leg! It’s…
feels strange!”
Again?!
To their surprise, it wasn’t only one person. At the same time, another person cried, “Me too! My
back! Someone please help me take a look on my back!”
No one dared to come close to the two, leaving the two having to inspect themselves. One
rolled up their pant leg while the other took off his top. After taking a clear look at the state of
their bodies, the rest of the people started screaming in fear.
The faces on these two people’s bodies have gained complete shapes!
“How did it grow that fast?!”
“Did you guys forget? We already spent quite a long time in here!”
“But how did they not notice?!”
“It’s not grown in an obvious place and it’s only a bit itchy. How would I know that it’d turn to
this!”
“It’s over, it’s over. We probably already have it growing on us.”
“Quick! Everyone do a checkup! Take a good look at your body!”
It was pure chaos inside the CrownPrince Temple. Screams pierced through the air upon
inspection. As expected! There were already quite a lot of people that had faces appearing all
over their bodies, it’s just that they haven’t noticed them before. Now that they’ve taken a look,
they realized that these new faces were completely developed with all five facial features!
As if knowing the situation, the disfigured creatures outside the Prince Temple danced even
wilder hand-in-hand. Yet, inside, a thick fog of dread spread rapidly in all directions. Xie Lian’s
heart pounded non-stop like it was about to break through his chest.
From what he remembered, the face disease takes a while to spread, why is it spreading so fast
now?
White No-Face, it must be White No-Face!
He snapped his head to the direction of the cold-eyed spectator that had initiated all this. Before
he could open his mouth, someone shot up. Panting heavily, the person with reddened eyes
criticized, “You…you’re a god, you’re a prince, yet you dare to commit robbery?”
Xie Lian was dumbfounded, not understanding why the man brought up that incident out of all
things, and replied, “I…”
The man cut him off sharply, “We pray to you, and what did you do? Rob! What did you bring? A
plague!”
He brought the plague?
Shock was written across Xie Lian’s face, “….Me? It’s not me?! I only…”
They’ve finally arrived at the point where the people’s patience had reached its absolute limit.
With red colouring the rim of their eyes, the hundred people surrounded him. The one that was
closest pulled out the leaning black sword from the ground. Xie Lian stopped breathing.
The man grasped the black sword shakily while mumbling, “You…You need to ask for
forgiveness right? You need to atone for your sins right?”
The dark blade emitted a terrifying aura, and Xie Lian’s fear had soared the peak.
There were so many people, if every single one of them were to stab him with this sword, what
would he become at the end of all this?
Aside from the thought of being punctured countless times and leaving nothing but thousands of
holes and an indistinguishable pile of flesh, there was something else that he feared even more.
He felt that if he was to let them do what they wanted, there was something in his heart that
would never return to its original state.
Unwilling to think any further, Xie Lian couldn’t help but to cry out for help, “Hel-”
Yet, before the phrase “Help me” could leave his throat, that same icy black blade was thrust
into his body once again. Xie Lian widened his eyes in horror.
The razor sharp sword was then roughly pulled out. The next person followed without second
wasted, and the next stab was practically shoved into the same spot. The sound locked in Xie
Lian’s throat finally broke free and a painful long scream tore through his body.
The scream was so piercing that the people around him felt goosebumps. There were some
who closed their eyes and turned their faces away, “…Don’t let him cry out. Let’s speed this up
and get the job done fast!”
Xie Lian felt someone had muffled his mouth and restrained his hands and feet. The person
ordered, “Hold him down and don’t let him fall. Also, don’t stab in the wrong spot, if it’s not fatal,
it doesn’t count!”
“Line up one by one, no cutting the line! I told you guys not to cut, I was here first!”
“Which area is fatal? How would I know if it counts or not?”
“Whatever you do, just aim it at the heart, throat, and abdomen!”
“If you’re not sure if you stabbed in a fatal area, just do it again!”
“No way! If you get more than one turn, where would others stab?”
The initial hesitation and reluctance reduced to nonchalance. The more time that has passed,
the more fluid their movements became. The endless in and out movements of the sword, Xie
Lian’s eyes were wide open and fat droplets of tears rolled down his face. Deep inside his heart,
there was a voice that was silently screaming and howling.
Help me.
Help me, help me, help me.
Help me, help me, help, help, help, help, help, help, help, help, help, help, help, help, help, help
me!!!!
It hurts, it hurts, it hurts, it hurts, it hurts, it hurts….. it hurts, it hurts, it hurts, it hurts, it hurts, it
hurts, it hurts, it hurts, it hurts, it hurts, IT HURTS IT HURTS IT HURTS IT HURTS IT HURTS IT
HURTS IT HURTS IT HURTS IT HURTS IT HURTS IT HURTS IT HURTS IT HURTS IT HURTS
IT HURTS!!!!!
Why can’t I die.
WHY CAN’T I DIE?!!!
He wanted to wail with the most tragic sound, but he couldn’t find one word in his throat for it
probably had already been sliced through. He wanted to go wild from the pain. It was as if he
was suffering all the pain from multiple lifetimes and that from now on, he wouldn’t be able to
feel any other pain. He couldn’t see anything, the world was pitch black other than the ball of fire
that was burning furiously from nearby. It grew brighter and stronger. Yet, within the palm of
White No-Face, it wasn’t able to escape.
He couldn’t hear his own heartbreaking scream but instead, he heard the sound of another
heart-wrenching wail and it seemed as if it came from that ring of flames. Although it didn’t come
from him, but the pain that he could hear was the same as his, as if he was the one that had
made that sound.
In the end, he wasn’t able to hang on to his sanity any longer. There was mumbling in his throat,
and his consciousness completely shattered. At the same time, an explosion blew from within
the Crown Prince Temple and a wave of raging flames gushed out.
“AAAHHHHHHHHHHHHH!”
There was a mixture of high and low pitched screams. The scorching fire roared, lighting
everything in flames, making it impossible for anyone to escape. The ghost fire flickered vividly.
In an instant, the hundred living bodies that resided inside the Crown Prince Temple were
burned to hundred sets of charcoal black bones!
When the flame gradually subsided and regathered, that original small ball of ghost fire had
already vanished. In its place stood a vaguely shaped silhouette of a young man.
The youth dropped down to his knees in front of the scorched black surface of the altar. He bent
over deeply, clutching his head with both of his hands, and bellowed in immense and
devastating pain.
He didn’t dare to look at what had become of the person lying on the altar, because what laid
there didn’t look human anymore.
Bones and skulls alike scattered across the interior of the Crown Prince Temple. White No-Face
cackled uncontrollably as he turned around and exited the temple. The rage of fire didn’t only
stop at just this Crown Prince Temple, even the frenzied disfigured creatures outside had turned
to piles of dried corpses and waste. As if blind to it, White No-Face walked past these charcoal
ash like remains.
This entire forest, no, this entire mountain trembled and mourned in agony!
Countless black shadows flew up to the sky. They were the souls that were scared witless of
this now lifeless land and were scrambling to escape. A strong gust of wind scattered them in all
different directions. Above the Crown Prince Temple, a gigantic layer of black cloud was
rumbling in restlessness. Slowly rotating, it resembled a colossal demonic eye.
This was the birth of a malicious creature, the signs of a savage ghost taking form!
———————
Book 4: White-Clothed Calamity
MXTX Author Notes: This book is set in the past timeline; this is about the first banishment after
the fall of XianLe. Follows after Book 2. Not too long~
——————————————————————————————————————————-
Ch.181: Lantern Night; Penny for a Wandering Soul
Xie Lian jolted awake in horror.
His body was drenched in cold sweat from the scare and he shot up from his rest, burying his
face in his hands.
The reason he was woken from shock was because of a dream. Within the dream, both his
father and mother hung themselves and committed suicide. He saw it, but there was no joy nor
grief, no tears to flow, and he woodenly prepared to prepare himself another white silk band.
Just as he was sticking his head into the knot, he saw below there was a white clad man
wearing the crying-smile mask jeering at him, and his heart jolted, the knot tightened, and a
crushing suffocation came. Then he woke up.
It was already daylight outside the window, and from the exterior came a voice, “Your Highness!
Are you awake?”
Xie Lian answered offhandedly, “I’m awake!”
It was only after having violently panted for a good while did he realize that he wasn’t sitting on
a futon, instead it was a sheet of straw mat under his body. Although it was layered with many
batches of hay, extraordinarily soft, but to him it still wasn’t quite comfortable. Even now he still
wasn’t used to such simple and crude bedding.
The one who called for him just now was Feng Xin. He went out early in the morning and had
just brought back food, and was still urging Xie Lian from the outside to go take his meal. Xie
Lian acknowledged him and crawled up.
That sense of suffocation in the dream was too real and his hand unconsciously felt his neck.
He had only wanted to verify whether if there really was a strangle mark left behind by a knotted
white silk band, yet unexpectedly, he had actually felt something.
Xie Lian was shaken at first, and he rushed to grab a mirror tossed on the ground not far away,
but when he looked at his reflection, he realized it was a band of black collar encircling around
his neck. Thus, he finally calmed, and remembered everything.
It was the cursed shackle.
Xie Lian’s fingers probed at it.
Once banished to become a mortal, other than aging slower than normal humans, there weren’t
many other privileges. However, when Jun Wu first fabricated Xie Lian’s cursed shackle, he still
showed some mercy and left him room to accommodate.
While this cursed shackle locked away his spiritual powers, it also sealed his age and flesh body
at the same time, allowing him to neither age nor die. Furthermore, Jun Wu told him, if you
managed to ascend again, then everything in your previous life shall be forgiven, and this thing
would be removed.
But, to wear such a thing on the body was no different than a criminal whose face was branded
as a sinner, no doubt a bone-deep humiliation. Having thought this, Xie Lian reached out to the
side and grabbed a white silk band, ready to pull it over his head. Yet the moment he raised his
hand he suddenly recalled that terrifying feeling of his neck slowly being strangled from the
dream and he hesitated. However, in the end he still pulled it out and wrapped it thoroughly
around his neck and the bottom half of his face before going out.
Feng Xin and Mu Qing were already waiting for him outside. Feng Xin had brought back
steaming hot steamed buns and Mu Qing was slowly munching at it. Feng Xin passed two over
to Xie Lian but when Xie Lian saw those dull and dried crude buns he lost his appetite, so he
shook his head, refusing them.
“Your Highness, you have to eat something in the morning. We have to work afterwards, and it’s
not labour that’d can be done with just sitting around.” Feng Xin said.
Mu Qing didn’t bother looking up, “Yea, even if you don’t eat this there’s nothing else to eat. You
can faint again but you’d still have to eat this in the end.”
Feng Xin glared at him, “Watch your tone.”
Xie Lian had ascended for a few years and had long forgotten what it was like to eat. A few days
ago he nearly fainted, and it was only after that he realized it was because he hadn’t had
anything to eat for several days. This was the incident Mu Qing was referring to. Sitting on the
side, Xie Lian didn’t want those two to start fighting so early in the morning so he changed the
subject immediately, “Let’s go. We don’t even know if we’ll find any work yet today.”
Xie Lian of the past was of a noble and prestigious status, and since he possessed a celestial
body, unneeding of mortal sustenance, naturally there was no need to worry over making a
living. However, the him now, while he was still a crown prince, the Kingdom of XianLe was
already no more; while he was still a god, he had long since been banished. Now that he was
basically no different than a mortal, naturally he needed to concern himself with how to live his
days. The profession of cultivators was of course catching ghosts and performing services, but it
wasn’t like there were demons and monsters for you to catch or rituals to be performed
everyday, so, a majority of the time they still needed to find some casual, temporary work, like
helping with transporting goods or some manual labour.
But even such small errand-like jobs might not be so easily grabbed, since up until now, there
were much too many impoverished civilians who were displaced. When these paupers saw
there was work, they didn’t even need payment; with just a bun and half a bowl of rice and
they’d be willing to labour, swarming up to fight for the work, so how could Xie Lian and
company possibly compete? Even if they managed to grab something, after Xie Lian
deliberated, he might still think that others needed the work more. Sure enough, after walking
the streets for a good while, they still found nothing.
“Can we not find something more stable and respectable to do?” Mu Qing grumbled.
“Rubbish. If it existed we would’ve long since gotten it.” Feng Xin said, “Don’t respectable jobs
need to have faces shown? Who doesn’t recognize His Highness’ face? If he was recognized,
how would the work remain stable?”
Mu Qing stopped talking. Xie Lian on the other hand, wrapped the white bandage covering his
lower half of the face tighter. Indeed, if anyone was to recognize who he was, then they would
have to either flee or they’d be beaten and chased away. And for example, if they were to enlist
for a security guard job, who would possibly be comfortable enough to hire someone with an
unknown background, a security guard who wouldn’t even show his face? They couldn’t go and
take up assassination jobs either, so their choices were very limited.
It was impossible for gods to worry over hunger. However, mortals needed to eat. Ever since Xie
Lian was young he had never had to consider these kinds of affairs, and this was truly the first
time in over tens of years that this problem gripped him. However, if gods didn’t even know what
starvation felt like, how could they possibly understand the feelings of a starving worshipper?
How could they possibly empathize? At this point, he could only take this experience as a form
of training.
Just then, there was a sudden cacophony of gongs and drums from not far in the distance, and
a large crowd gathered to see what was happening. The three followed with the flow and went
up to watch, and there were a few martial artists and clowns hollering with all their might within
the crowd. It was a street busker. Mu Qing tried suggesting again, “If all else fails, why don’t we
go busk?”
Xie Lian was also considering the same thing, but before he responded, Feng Xin was already
replying as he watched, “What foolishness are you spouting? His Highness’ body is worth a
thousand gold, how can he go do something like that?”
Mu Qing rolled his eyes, “We’ve carried bricks already, so how is busking any different?”
“Carrying bricks is feeding ourselves with our own physical strength,” Feng Xin said, “Busking is
to entertain the masses, to amuse them by making fools of ourselves, so of course it’s different!”
Then, one of the clowns who was hopping about tripped and fell. The crowd roared with
laughter as he pulled himself up and bent at the waist to bow, picking up some scattered coins
tossed on the ground. Seeing this, a deep sense of rejection rolled up in Xie Lian’s mind, and he
shook his head forcefully, striking out “busking” as a viable path of employment. When Mu Qing
saw, he said, “Fine. Then let’s start pawning stuff.”
“We’ve already pawned a lot of stuff,” Feng Xin said, “Otherwise we wouldn’t have made it until
now. The rest can’t be pawned.”
Suddenly, behind the crowd came waves of surprised shouts, and someone yelled, “THE
SOLDIERS ARE HERE! THE SOLDIERS ARE HERE!”
Hearing that the soldiers had come, the bustling crowd watching the show broke up. Soon after,
a band of soldiers with weapons in their hands, donned in shiny new armours, their airs
impressive, strutted down the street, interrogating anyone who appeared suspicious. The three
hid in the crowd and heard people beside them talk:
“Who are they trying to catch?”
“Don’t worry, they’re not here to arrest us. I heard they’re trying to capture the XianLe royals
who had escaped.”
“Apparently someone saw suspicious characters around here, so the city’s been really strict in
searches lately.”
“For real?! My goodness, have they actually fled to this place?”
Hearing this, the three exchanged looks and Xie Lian whispered, “Let’s hurry back and see.”
The other two nodded. They silently left the crowd separately, and only after having walked for a
while without garnering attention before they met up again, dashing away.
They ran up to a desolate piece of woods up on a small mountain, and from afar Xie Lian could
see a thick column of smoke coming from within the woods. His heart dropped heavily; could
the YongAn soldiers have already discovered this place and set off fires to murder?
They ran closer, and there was a broken little cottage hidden in the trees, possibly left behind by
some past unknown hunter. The thick smoke was coming from inside this cottage and Xie Lian
blurted, “MOTHER! WHAT’S GOING ON, ARE YOU THERE?”
After his shout, a woman emerged in greeting and called out happily, “My son? You’ve come?”
It was the queen. She was dressed plainly and thinned quite a bit, slightly different than her
affluent lady appearance of the past. Seeing that his mother was fine and her face was full of
delight, obviously unbothered, Xie Lian relaxed but then quickly asked, “What’s with the
smoke?”
The queen replied, embarrassed, “…It’s not really anything. I just wanted to do a little cooking
today…”
Xie Lian didn’t know whether to laugh or cry and said, “Don’t! What cooking? Just settle with the
food Feng Xin and Mu Qing bring you everyday. This smoke is too conspicuous; where there’s
smoke, there’s people, you’ll attract the YongAn soldiers. We bumped into them in the city
earlier. This city will also tighten their security, we’ll need to move to a different place again.”
Feng Xin and Mu Qing entered the cottage to put the smoke out, and the queen didn’t dare to
be negligent either, so she went to the back rooms to talk to the king. Feng Xin came out and
whispered, “Your Highness, are you not going to go see his majesty?”
Xie Lian shook his head, “No.”
The two of them, father and son, one was the king of a fallen kingdom, the other was a
banished god, just who was the more pathetic, the more ashamed really couldn’t be compared.
If they were to be forced to sit down to face each other, they’d only glare at one another instead
of having a heart to heart, so if they could avoid seeing each other, it’d be for the best. Xie Lian
called out, “Mother, why don’t you pack up in a bit, and we’ll leave today. We’ll come pick you up
in the evening. We’ll leave for now.”
The queen quickly came out again, “My son, you’re leaving just like that? You haven’t visited in
so many days, why leave so fast?”
“I have to go train.” Xie Lian said.
In truth, it was to go find work, otherwise they couldn’t possibly gather enough sustenance for so
many people. “Have you eaten yet this morning?” The queen asked.
Xie Lian shook his head. The three of them were starving by now. The queen said, “Then you’ll
break your body. Fortunately, I just stewed a pot of porridge, come in and grab a bite.”
Xie Lian wondered inwardly, ‘Why was there so much smoke like the palace was on fire if it was
just a pot of porridge…’
The queen turned to Feng Xin and Mu Qing, “You two children come eat with us too.”
Feng Xin and Mu Qing hadn’t expected to receive such a treatment at all and tried to decline,
but the queen was adamant, so the two could only sit down timidly at the table, both feeling
rather surprised and flattered.
However, after the queen brought over that pot, their surprise soon turned into dread.
After returning to the city, Mu Qing’s stomach was still turning, and he said as he stumbled, “I
thought… that porridge, it smelled like bran water, but I hadn’t thought it’d taste like it too!”
Feng Xin gritted his teeth, “Shut up! Don’t force people to remember that pot of stuff! The queen
is… body of ten thousand gold after all… never cooked… this is already… UGH! …”
Mu Qing humphed, “Did I say something wrong? If you didn’t think it was like bran water, why
don’t you… go ask the queen to grant you another bowl! UGH! …”
The two were heaving back and forth and Xie Lian grabbed hold of the both of them, patting
their backs, “Stop heaving! Look, up ahead… there seems to be some work!”
Sure enough, when the three stumbled over, there were a couple little ringleaders shouting on
the streets looking for hired help. The pay was fairly decent and there wasn’t a limit to the
number of help needed, they would take everyone who’d come, so the three quickly signed up,
mixing in with a group of disheveled, skinny to the bones paupers, forming a large band as they
came to a muddy, empty field. It seemed there was the intention of building a new residence
here so the area was going to start on overhaul, beginning with filling in the grounds first. The
three worked hard, their bodies covered in mud. Feng Xin was hauling earth as he hugged his
stomach, his face green, cursing, “…Fuck me! I think that pot of stewed bran water turned into a
spirit in my stomach!”
Xie Lian was carrying a basket full of earth and he looked back, speaking in a hushed voice,
“Can you hang on? … Do you want to sit down for a bit on the side?”
Mu Qing turned to Xie Lian, “Why don’t you go rest on the side.”
“No. I can still hang on.” Xie Lian replied.
Mu Qing rolled his eyes, “Don’t be stubborn. If you dirty your clothes I’m the one who has to
wash them. I’d rather do your part of the work.” Not far in the distance, someone yelled, “WORK
HARD AND DON’T TALK! DON’T BE LAZY! YOU STILL WANT TO GET PAID?”
Feng Xin was tenacious and continued to hang on, even hauling twice the amount of mud than
before, “It’s not like it’s a lot of pay, why make so much fuss like they’re all that?”
After a grueling day, having fought from high noon to sunset, the work was finally done.
Physically, the three weren’t completely exhausted, but to have worked so hard only for some
meagre pay and a bite to eat, the heart was more tired than the body. When they finally gained
some free time, they laid down on a field that was slightly more clean to rest. Just then, another
group came around, rowdy and noisy. A couple of the men were hauling a stone statue as they
walked over slowly.
Xie Lian looked up slightly, “What statue is that?”
Mu Qing glanced at it too, “Maybe the new divine statue to guard over this place.”
Xie Lian didn’t speak.
If this was the past, then the chosen divine statue to guard land would be his crown prince
statue without question, yet now who knows which god this would be. It was most likely to be
Jun Wu, or perhaps whichever official who was newly ascended.
After a long pause, in the end Xie Lian still couldn’t help but wonder just who it was that
replaced him, so he forced himself to get up and shuffled close to the crowd to take a look. That
stone statue had its back facing him so he couldn’t see the face clearly, but, it seemed to be
kneeling. Now he was even more curious. Which heavenly official’s divine statue kneeled? Then
then went around the large circle before turning to look.
When he saw, his entire mind went blank.
The face of that divine statue was his own!
That kneeling statue was settled onto the ground, and someone on the side rudely patted its
head, “It’s finally transported. This bastard is pretty heavy!”
“Why did you haul over a statue like this? It’s kinda ugly, why not bring over the Heavenly
Martial Emperor? Isn’t this that what’s-his-face…”
“It’s that one, right? Didn’t they say worshipping him would bring bad luck? You guys still dare
worship him? And to go out of your way to transport him all the way here…”
“Now, none of you understand. Worshipping a God of Misfortune would certainly bring bad luck,
but this statue isn’t for worshipping, it’s for stepping. If you step on a God of Misfortune, doesn’t
that mean it’d ensure your everlasting good fortune?”
The crowd was enlightened, “What a good meaning, an excellent symbolism!”
Feng Xin and Mu Qing could also sense something wrong and when they approached, they too
fell silent. Feng Xin was about to explode but Mu Qing held him back, warning him with his eyes
and said under his breath, “The crown prince hasn’t even started anything, so what are you
going to yell for?”
Indeed, Xie Lian was quiet and Feng Xin wasn’t sure whether if he had other considerations, so
he didn’t dare move recklessly. Thus, he forced himself to swallow his angry words, but his eyes
were blazing like flames. Finally, someone grumbled, “Isn’t this… rather inappropriate? He was
a god once, His Highness the Crown Prince.”
“Please, XianLe has fallen, so what crown prince?”
Another said, “What you said was wrong. Stepping on a God of Misfortune isn’t anything
inappropriate, in fact, he should thank us.”
Xie Lian suddenly piped up, “Oh? Why should he thank you?”
That man explained presumptuously, “Have you seen the thresholds of temples? It’s trampled
by thousands, hundreds of thousands, but does My Lord see just how many wealthy
households are fighting to pay for one of those temple thresholds to be used as their
substitutes? It’s because every step stepped on that threshold, that threshold would absolve
them of a sin, pay a debt, collect a merit. This kneeling statue has the same function. If we each
step a step on its head, or spit on it, aren’t we also collecting merits for the crown prince? So, he
should thank us…”
Xie Lian couldn’t listen anymore.
When that man said the word “thank” his fist was already raised and he lunged.
The crowd instantly exploded, “WHAT ARE YOU DOING?!” “FIGHT!” “WHO’S CAUSING
TROUBLE?”
Feng Xin already couldn’t wait to beat people up, so he also cried as he joined the brawl. Mu
Qing couldn’t tell if he joined in himself or if he got pulled in. In any case, all three of them
started fighting. In the midst of the brawl, there were a number of times when the white bandage
on Xie Lian’s face was almost yanked off, but thank goodness that didn’t happen. The three of
them were all skilled in martial arts, but the other party had the numbers, plus afterwards, Mu
Qing were holding the other two back, warning them that to kill mortals was to add to their
crimes, so the fight ended up being miserably restrained. In the end, while the fight was
gratifying, the three were still booted out.
After walking alongside a river for a while looking unkempt, their steps finally slowed. Mu Qing
complained angrily, his face black and blue, “We worked so hard all day, but in the end we
gained nothing all because of a fight!”
Feng Xin wiped at the blood on his lips, “How can you bring up money at a time like this?”
“It’s precisely because it’s a time like this that money has to be brought up!” Mu Qing countered,
“A time like this? What time is it? Time when we’re starving! It doesn’t matter if you don’t admit
it, but nothing can be done without money! Can you both not suck it up just a little bit?”
Xie Lian didn’t speak. Feng Xin spoke, “How do we endure this? He’s been made into that kind
of kneeling statue for people to step on! You’re not the one being stepped on the face, so of
course you can speak so lightly of it.”
“Since the war’s been lost, it’s not the first time that something like this has happened.” Mu Qing
said, “And there will surely be more in the future. If he can’t learn to get used to it soon, he might
as well just die.”
Feng Xin argued in distaste, “Get used to it? Get used to what? Being humiliated by others? Get
used to mortals stepping on his face? Why does he have to get used to something like that?”
Xie Lian cried out in irritation, “That’s enough! Stop arguing. Is something small like this worth
fighting over?”
The two shut up uniformly.
After a pause, Xie Lian sighed. “Let’s go. Find a carriage to go pick up mother and father. We
have to leave this city tonight.”
Feng Xin acknowledged, “Alright.”
The two walked side by side for a bit when suddenly they noticed Mu Qing didn’t follow. Xie Lian
looked back, confused, “Mu Qing?”
After some silence, Mu Qing spoke, “Your Highness, I want to talk to you about something.”
“What is it?” Xie Lian asked, but Feng Xin said impatiently, “What’s with you now? I already said
I won’t argue with you anymore, what more do you want?”
“I want to leave.” Mu Qing said simply.
“…”
Although before he opened his mouth Xie Lian had already had a vague bad premonition, but
when Mu Qing actually said those words out loud, Xie Lian’s breath still stopped.
Feng Xin suspected that he might have heard wrong, “What? What did you say?”
Mu Qing straightened his back, his black obsidian eyes unyielding, and his demeanor calm,
“Please permit me to leave.”
“Leave?” Feng Xin exclaimed, “What should His Highness do if you leave? What about the king
and the queen?”
Mu Qing opened and closed his mouth a couple times, but in the end he still said, “I’m sorry. I
can only do so much.”
“No, you explain yourself right now, what the heck do you mean ‘you can only do so much’?”
Feng Xin demanded.
Mu Qing replied, “The king and the queen are His Highness’ parents, and I have my own
mother. She needs my care too. I can’t say I need to go take care of someone else and
someone else’s parents and neglect my own mother. So, I pray Your Highness will understand, I
cannot continue to follow by your side.”
Xie Lian was feeling faint and leaned against a wall on the side. Feng Xin questioned coldly, “Is
that the real reason? How come you’ve never mentioned it before?”
“This is one of the reasons.” Mu Qing said, “Another reason is, I feel, we’ve sunken into a
dilemma, but as to how to break out of this dilemma, we have very different ideas. Pardon my
honesty, but if things keep going on like this, nothing will get better even in a million years. So,
our paths have diverged.”
Feng Xin was so angry he started chuckling and nodded, turning to Xie Lian, “Your Highness,
you hear that? Remember what I first said? If you were ever banished, he’d for sure be the first
to break away. Didn’t I tell you?”
Mu Qing seemed be faintly enraged by his words and said flatly, “Will you please not force me.
I’m only speaking the truth. Everyone has their own views; no one was born destined to be the
righteous path of the mortal realm, the centre of the world. Perhaps you enjoy orbiting around
another person, but others might not be the same as you.”
“Where did all those concealed sour words come from? I don’t give a damn.” Feng Xin said,
“Can’t you just say plainly that you’re going to turn your back on us?”
“Enough!”
Hearing Xie Lian voice up, the two both stopped. Xie Lian removed his hand from his forehead
and turned to Mu Qing. He stared at him for a while before speaking, “I don’t like forcing other
people.”
Mu Qing pursed his lips but still stood tall.
“Go.” Xie Lian said.
Mu Qing looked at him, speaking not a word. Then he bowed deeply and really turned around to
walk away.
Watching his retreating back unblinkingly as it disappeared into the night, Feng Xin said in
disbelief, “Your Highness, you’d really let him go just like that?”
Xie Lian sighed, “What else can I do? I already said I don’t like forcing other people.”
“No, but? That bastard!” Feng Xin exclaimed, “What’s with him? He really left, just like that?!
Ran off? What the fuck!”
Xie Lian crouched down next to the riverside, rubbing his forehead, “Nevermind it. Since his
heart has left us already, what’s the use in keeping him? Tie him up and force him to wash my
clothes?”
Feng Xin didn’t know what else to say either and crouched down too. A moment later he spat
angrily, “Goddammit. That bastard can share in the wealth but not the suffering, running away
the moment shit hits the fan. Does he remember nothing of your kindness?!”
“I’m the one who told him not to remember it,” Xie Lian said, “So you too… there’s no need to
hang it around your lips.”
“But he can’t possibly really remember nothing?!” Feng Xin refuted, “What the actual fuck! But
don’t you worry, Your Highness, I will never, ever leave you.”
Xie Lian forced a small smile but didn’t say anything. Feng Xin stood back up, “Shall we go pick
up the king and the queen? I’ll go find a carriage, you just wait here.”
Xie Lian nodded, “Thank you for the trouble. Be careful.”
Feng Xin acknowledged and left. Xie Lian also rose to his feet and walked alongside the river
for another while, his entire person still feeling a little light on the feet, like nothing was real.
Mu Qing’s departure really shocked him to the core.
First, he had never thought that someone so close would just up and leave. Second, Xie Lian
had always believed in “forever”. For example, friends would always be friends forever; no
betrayal, no deception, no breaking up. Perhaps there’d be times when they’d part, but it for
sure wouldn’t be over reasons like “life is too horrible”.
This was like how in stories, the hero and the beauty were a match made in heaven, and so
they should never part, remaining true to each other forever and ever. If they couldn’t, it’d still
must be because they were forced apart by a tragic death, not because the hero preferred to
eat meat while the beauty preferred to eat fish, or because the hero scorned the beauty for
spending too lavishly and the beauty scorned the hero over his bad habits.
To suddenly step and lose one’s footing, plunging millions of miles down only to discover you
were still in the mortal realm really wasn’t a good feeling.
Walking around randomly for a bit, there were suddenly a number of shimmering golden light
floating over from ahead. Only then did Xie Lian snap out of it, and when he looked closer, he
found the light were actually lanterns after lanterns floating above the water, flowing over along
with the current of the river. There were also a couple of children, laughingly playing by the
riverside.
Xie Lian remembered, “Ah, today is ZhongYuan*.”
In the past, there would always be a grand service performed for the ZhongYuan Festival at the
Royal Holy Pavilion; he’d look forward to it long before the event and would never have
forgotten. Now, he didn’t keep anything in mind at all. He shook his head and continued on his
way. Just then, a voice came from the road ahead, “Kids, kids, will you buy it?”
This voice was exceedingly old and raspy, laced with a trace of the chilling air of evil. Xie Lian
instinctively knew something was wrong and he gazed over, only to see the two children from
earlier with lanterns in their hands stopped by the roadside, looking at something with both
curiosity and a little fear.
Within the darkness in front of them sat a man. It seemed to be an elder in black robes, dirty
and disheveled as he melted into one with the black night. In his hand held a lantern, and he
beckoned the two children shadily, “My lanterns are very different than the ordinary lanterns in
your arms. These are rare treasures; if you make wishes they are guaranteed to come true.”
Those two small children were doubtful, “R-Really?”
That elder said, “Of course. Look.”
The lantern in his hand was clearly unlit, but it suddenly glowed an inexplicable red light. There
were over ten other lanterns on the ground next to him, and they too, flickered with a haunting
green light, exceedingly peculiar.
The two small children were amazed, but Xie Lian knew exactly what he was looking at. Rare
treasures? It was clearly the phosphorescence of the dead!
There must be the souls of little ghosts sealed within that lantern for it to glow such a peculiar
light. As for this elder, he must be some sketchy scam cultivator who captured those unlucky
wandering feral spirits from who knows where and tied them into the lanterns.Those two
children didn’t know about the trick and was clapping in delight, wanting to buy the lanterns. Xie
Lian quickly rushed over, “Don’t buy it. He’s lying to you.”
That elder glared, “You little bastard, what did you say?!”
Xie Lian exposed him directly, “That lantern isn’t a treasure, it’s a demonic contraption. There
are ghosts filled inside, if you bring this home to play, ghosts will cling on to you.”
When those children heard there were ghosts, they didn’t dare linger and cried “WAH!” as they
ran away. That elder leapt three feet up to his feet, yelling angrily, “YOU DARE RUIN MY
BUSINESS??”
Xie Lian reasoned, “How can you conduct such a business here? Nevermind ignorant children,
even grown ups who buy your wicked lanterns would fall into great misfortune, maybe even get
clung onto by resentful ghosts, and wouldn’t that be a great wrong? Even if you must sell such a
thing, you should go to a specialized place to sell.”
That elder rebuked, “You make it sound so easy. Where would you find such a specialized place
to sell such things? Everyone just finds a random place and sets up shop!” He said as he picked
up a bunch of those ugly, poorly made lanterns, huffing as he got ready to leave. Xie Lian hastily
called out, “Wait!”
“What? What do you want?” That elder said gruffly, “Are you going to buy?”
“No way.” Xie Lian said, “You actually plan on continuing to sell somewhere else? Where did all
the ghosts in your lanterns come from?”
“I caught them on the barren battlefield. They’re everywhere.” That elder replied.
Then weren’t they the wandering souls of deceased soldiers?
Having heard this, it was impossible for Xie Lian to leave it alone, and he admonished solemnly,
“Stop selling them. Today is ZhongYuan! If this stirs up anything it won’t be funny. Besides,
those are the heroic souls of warriors, how can you sell them like trinkets?”
“When people die they become nothing but wisps, who cares if it’s a heroic soul or not?” That
elder said, “Of course it’s my old bones that’s more important. We all gotta make a living around
here, if you don’t let me sell, what am I to do? Go homeless? If you’re so passionate about this,
why don’t you spend the money, huh?”
“You…”
In the end, Xie Lian admitted defeat, “Fine. I’ll buy.” Then he reached into his pocket and
scoured every corner, only to dig out some pennies, “Is this enough?”
That elder glanced at it and exclaimed, “Of course not! How can this little bit be enough?!”
Xie Lian didn’t know too well just how much money would be considered normal when buying
over ten lanterns, and he never looked at the pricetag when he purchased things in the past,
but, under such a woeful situation, he managed to learn how to bargain without being taught,
“Your lanterns don’t look that pretty, and they’re very unlucky. You might as well sell them to me
for cheap.”
“It’s already this price and you’re asking for cheaper?” That elder argued, “I’ve never seen
anyone more broke than you, how embarrassing!”
Xie Lian could feel shame dig into his skin by his words, “I’m a Crown Prince, I’m telling you.
Never in my life has anyone called me broke.” But just as the words left his lips he regretted
them, Still, that elder did not take his words seriously at all, and he laughed, “If you’re the Crown
Prince then I’m the good ol’ Emperor!”
Xie Lian felt a little relieved but also a little awkward. Still, in the end he might as well break all
the broken jars and said plainly, “Will you sell? This is all the money I’ve got.”
After much back and forth, the two finally completed the transaction. Xie Lian used that
pathetically sad bit of money to buy over ten ghost lanterns and he brought them to the
riverside. That elder disappeared the moment he got the money while Xie Lian on the other
hand, sat down by the shore, untying each red knot wrapped over the lanterns, releasing all the
little ghosts who were sealed by the spell, and performed a simple service for them.
Sparks of haunting ghost fires floated out from the lanterns. These souls were all new ghosts
who had recently passed away, bleary and unfocused with no clear conscience of their own,
very weak and vulnerable, which was why that elder captured them so easily. When they were
released from those cramped lanterns, they all swarmed around Xie Lian, circling him intimately,
sometimes rubbing against him. Xie Lian rose to his feet and urged softly, “Go on. Go.”
With the help of the gentle push from his hand, those spirits rose higher and higher, floating
towards the horizon, gradually dissipating. This was what they called spirits returning to the
world.
Xie Lian gazed at the starry sky for a long time when suddenly, behind him came a tiny little
voice.
“Your Highness…” That voice called.
Xie Lian was taken aback and instantly looked to where the voice came from. Only then did he
notice that there was a tiny ball of ghost fire who remained, not yet passed to yonder heavens
nor dissipated into sparks.
It seemed, this little ghost was stronger than all the other little ghosts, and not only did it
possess its own conscience, it could also speak. He walked over, bewildered, “Were you calling
me just now? You… recognize me?”
Having been noticed, that little ball of ghost fire seemed to become quite lively, jumping up and
down. Judging by its voice, it seemed to also be a young man. “Of course I recognize you!”
Xie Lian remembered that he was covered all over in mud, looking unseemly and undignified,
and felt more and more awkward. He clenched his hand into a fist and pressed it against his
lips, really not wanting to admit to his identity and thought maybe if he could just tell it it was
mistaken? A moment later, he schooled his expression, “Why have you remained here? Haven’t
I sent you all off? Have I perhaps missed a step?” Otherwise why would there be one remaining
after having performed a service?
The ghost without a name floated before him, not too close, not too far, and it answered, “No.
You’ve done nothing wrong. I’m the one who didn’t want to leave, that’s all.”
Xie Lian mused, “Do you have an unfulfilled wish or some attachment?”
“Yes.” The nameless ghost replied.
“Then, why don’t you tell me. What is it?” Xie Lian asked. “If it’s not anything difficult, I’ll do my
best to help you.”
Behind the back of this nameless ghost were three thousand lanterns flowing languidly along
the night, and it said, “I have a beloved who is still in this world.”
After some silence, Xie Lian said, “I see. Is it your wife?”
“No, Your Highness. We never married.”
“Ah.”
The nameless ghost said, “In fact, I might not be well remembered. We never really talked.”
‘Never really talked?’ Xie Lian thought, ‘If that’s the case, how did this person become the
‘beloved’ that tied your spirit to the world? Just how beautiful must this person be?’
Humming for a moment, he said, “So then, what is your wish?”
The nameless ghost answered, “I want to protect them*.”
Usually, a spirit’s wish would be “I want to tell her I love her” “I want to have a round of physical
relations”, or the scarier, “I want her to accompany me down under”. “To protect” really was quite
rare, and Xie Lian blinked, “But, you no longer belong to this world.”
The nameless ghost replied, “What of it?”
“If you remain forcibly, you won’t be able to rest in peace.” Xie Lian said.
The nameless ghost didn’t seem to care, “I pray to never rest in peace.”
A wisp of a wandering spirit was actually this stubborn. Typically, such a willful spirit was nine
times out of ten extremely dangerous, yet for some reason, Xie Lian didn’t sense any
murderous intent from it, so he wasn’t concerned. He continued, “If your beloved knew you
couldn’t rest in peace because of them, they might feel guilty and troubled.”
The nameless ghost hesitated for a moment and replied, “Then, I just won’t let them know why I
haven’t gone.”
“After having seen so much, it’d be known sooner or later.” Xie Lian said.
The nameless ghost said, “Then I won’t let them find out I’m protecting them either.”
Having listened to this point, Xie Lian’s heart couldn’t help but be moved and thought, this man’s
“love” wasn’t just talk.
Within the lanterns were all the wandering feral spirits that elder captured from the barren
battlefield, so the one before him now must also be a young warrior. He said quietly, “This war
separated you from your beloved… I’m sorry. I didn’t win.”
However, the nameless ghost declared, “To die in battle for you is my greatest honour.”
Xie Lian was instantly stunned.
“To die in battle for the Crown Prince is the greatest honour for a XianLe soldier” was a phrase
that some general from XianLe taught the soldiers, and used this slogan to excite their will to
battle, proclaiming that even if they died, they would’ve died for a purpose, and in death they
shall pass on to the immortal realm. That was of course a lie. Yet, even though this young
soldier had passed away, his soul drifting in the mortal realm, he still firmly remembered this
phrase. And, he answered with such solemnity and sincerity.
Suddenly, Xie Lian felt the rims of his eyes grow hot, his vision becoming blurry. He replied, “I’m
sorry. Forget me.”
The flickering flames of the nameless ghost flared brighter, “I won’t forget. Your Highness, I am
forever your most devoted believer.”
Xie Lian forced down his sob, “…I’ve already lost all my believers. Believing in me won’t do you
any good, it might even bring disasters. Do you know? Even my friend has left me.”
The nameless ghost declared as if swearing an oath, “I won’t.”
“You will.” Xie Lian said.
The ghost was insistent, “Believe me, Your Highness.”
“I don’t believe you.” Xie Lian said.
He no longer believed anyone, and he no longer believed in himself either.
———-
●Memory refresher: [中元節] ZhongYuan Festival takes place in mid July on the lunar
calendar and celebrates the underworld.
●Third person pronoun He/She in Chinese has the same pronunciation but different
characters. Hua Cheng used ‘Him’ but Xie Lian understood it as ‘Her’, so in this
translation, ‘Them’ is used since the discrepancy in meaning is not very consequential in
this context.
———
Ch.182: Hero Defeated by a Penny
Before the entire city was locked in a strict search, Xie Lian and company traveled all night and
came to another city.
He still settled the king and queen in a secluded place before he himself and Feng Xin went out
to earn money. However, they who couldn’t earn much money in the other city wouldn’t
magically be luckier in a new one.
The two still worked a full day’s labour only to earn meagre pay like always, but since the group
of three who never left each other’s sides was suddenly missing one member, the other two
were both having a hard time getting used to it. For example, in the past it had always been Mu
Qing who was responsible in keeping the money pouch, constantly keeping count, and now that
Mu Qing left, Feng Xin straight up said he might lose the money pouch by accident, so Xie Lian
had no choice but to keep it on his person. Every time he counted that sad bit of amount, he
really couldn’t believe it was all he earned after a hard day’s labour. It must be known that in the
past, the amount of money he granted beggars weren’t even this little.
With Mu Qing gone, the one who brought food for the king and queen was also gone, so Xie
Lian had no choice but to take Feng Xin with him and personally deliver all sorts of daily
necessities to the king and queen’s hiding place. That she could see her son so frequently, the
queen was very happy, and when she got happy, she entered the kitchen. That day, she once
again made Xie Lian and Feng Xin try her newly stewed soup, dragging them to the table, “You
both need to fatten up, look how thin you’ve become.”
Feng Xin was streaming cold sweat, and the moment his butt touched the bench he bounced
up, waving his hands, “No no no, Your Majesty, Feng Xin doesn’t dare, I absolutely mustn’t!”
The queen chided pleasantly, “My child, what’s there to be afraid of? Come, sit down.”
How could Feng Xin dare tell her? He really didn’t dare, and after he forced himself to sit down,
the queen delivered the fruits of her labour. Feng Xin inhaled sharply and removed the pot
cover. Xie Lian sat at the head of the table and when the both of them saw what was in the pot,
they both looked ghastly.
Xie Lian said under his breath, “This chicken… died a tragic death.”
“…” Feng Xin’s lips trembled, “Your Highness, you didn’t see right. There’s no chicken in this.”
“??? Then what’s that thing floating like a dead chicken?” Xie Lian wondered.
“I think it’s stew paste… but the shape is a little off?” Feng Xin replied.
The two studied the pot for a good while but still couldn’t figure it out. The queen ladled a full
bowl for Xie Lian and Feng Xin himself rushed to ladle himself a bowl. When the queen went to
the back rooms to find the king, they instantly poured out the soup in their own bowls and
pretended to wipe their mouths looking as if they ate up in one sip and hadn’t had enough, “I’m
full, I’m full.”
Seeing this, the queen was delighted, “Was it good?”
Xie Lian praised hollowly, “It was, it was!”
The queen said happily, “If it’s good then have some more!”
Xie Lian almost spat out a mouthful of that nonexistent soup and raised his handkerchief to
pretend he’s wiping at his lips. Just then, the queen seemed to have hesitated before speaking,
“My son, I want to ask you a question, please don’t think your mom nosy.”
Xie Lian stiffened and placed the handkerchief down, “What is it? Please ask.”
The queen sat down next to him and asked, “Where’s that child Mu Qing? How come he hasn’t
come the past few days?”
He knew it.
Xie Lian’s heart squeezed tighter with her mention of Mu Qing, “Oh, I gave him a mission, so
he’s gone off elsewhere.”
The queen seemed to have breathed a sigh of relief and nodded, then right after, she asked,
“When will he be back?”
“Maybe, he’ll need to be out for a long time… he won’t be back any time soon.” Xie Lian replied.
Hearing this, the queen seemed troubled, and Xie Lian noticed, “Is something the matter?”
The queen instantly replied, “Oh, it’s nothing.”
Feng Xin was the sharper one, and he suddenly spoke up, “Your Majesty, what’s wrong with
your hands?”
Hands?
Xie Lian looked down and was instantly shocked.
His mother’s pair of delicate, exquisitely maintained wealthy hands were at this moment, looking
rather horrifying. The joints were scraped and peeling, and there were faint traces of blood. Xie
Lian stood up abruptly and grabbed her hands, “What’s going on?”
The queen quickly explained, “It’s nothing. I only just washed some clothes and blankets, but
I’m not very good at it.”
Xie Lian blurted, “Why are you doing the washings yourself? You could’ve…”
But he was stumped before he finished his words. Could’ve what? Could’ve had the palace
attendants do the washing? Could’ve had Mu Qing do the washing? All of that was impossible
now.
On the road of escape, it had been Mu Qing who was the acting personal attendant, and his
duties of taking care of all the personal necessities included the care for Xie Lian, the king, and
the queen. With him gone, suddenly all the nitty gritty had no one to take care of.
No one to cook, no one to wash, no one to fold the blankets. The simple days of the past
suddenly became difficult. Xie Lian himself was alright in suffering through it since there were
much too many other things to worry about, but his mother who had lived a comfortable,
luxurious life, when had she ever done such crude labour? But if the queen didn’t do this work
herself, who else could take over?
After some silence, Xie Lian said, “Don’t let this trouble you. I’ll take care of the washing.”
The queen smiled, “No need. You just take care of yourself. I’ve never done laundry nor cooked
before, but since my time is free everyday, doing the chores myself is still quite fun. Especially
since you both enjoyed the meal, it’s made me quite happy.”
That pot of soup was stewed by such a pair of hands of his mother’s. Xie Lian and Feng Xin
exchanged a look and felt rather horrid. Just then, the queen added, “Oh yes, there was another
thing. Is there any way you can bring some medicine back tomorrow?”
Xie Lian’s eyes widened slightly, “Medicine? What kind of medicine?”
The queen’s face was troubled, “Sigh, I’m not quite sure either. Why don’t you go to the
pharmacy and inquire, see what kind of medicine should be taken for symptoms like coughing
up blood?”
“Coughing up blood?!” Xie Lian was shocked, “Who’s coughing up blood? You? Father? Why
didn’t you say something sooner?”
His voice was raised and the queen immediately hushed, “Lower your voice!” However, it was
too late, and an outraged voice came from the back of the cottage, “I TOLD YOU NOT TO SAY
ANYTHING UNNECESSARY!”
It was the king. Seeing that he had already heard, the queen didn’t worry over hushing anymore
and called towards the back rooms, “But it won’t do if this keeps up!”
Xie Lian walked straight into the rooms and saw the king was huddled in a bed of ragged
blankets. He hadn’t looked closely recently, but now that he saw, the king was looking ill, his
cheeks sunken, appearing even more sickly inside a gloomy room. There wasn’t any aura of the
king at all; he was nothing more than an ashen faced old man.
Xie Lian didn’t need to check his pulse to know that he must’ve been ill for a long time, and
nothing light either. In fact, the entire room permeated with the suffocating, musty air of
sickness. Recalling that the queen had said the symptom was “coughing up blood”, in his
moment of distraught his voice was raised, “WHAT’S GOING ON HERE??”
The king steeled his face, “What’s with that tone?”
Both the queen and Feng Xin entered the room too. Xie Lian admonished, “Who cares what
tone I’m using. If you’re sick why didn’t you say something sooner?”
The king was furious, “Are you lecturing your king? At any given time, what this king can and
cannot say is not for you to say!”
Seeing that he was still acting tough, Xie Lian was in disbelief, “You’re unbelievable! Are you still
throwing the weight of your title around at a time like this?”
The king was outraged, “GET OUT! GET OUT OF HERE!”
The queen and Feng Xin immediately dragged Xie Lian out, “My son! Don’t be like that. He’s
your father, and he’s ill. Take a step back.”
On the run and ill, this was like adding frost to snow. Xie Lian buried his face in his hands,
“Mother! Why didn’t you both say something sooner? If you had, the illness wouldn’t have
dragged out to coughing up blood! Do you know how hard that is to cure?” Or rather, based on
their current situation, it was impossible to cure!
The queen was both dismayed and aggrieved, “We… We didn’t know either, that it’d worsen like
this.”
Feng Xin added, “Yea. Besides, we had been dodging YongAn pursuit this entire way, there was
no time to stop.”
Xie Lian pulled his face from his hands, “I’ll take him to find a doctor in the city right now.”
“NO NEED!” The king cried from within the room.
Xie Lian looked back and was just about to rebuke with “I’m the one who makes the call right
now” but Feng Xin responded first, “Your Highness, if you take His Majesty to the doctors in the
city, you’ll be discovered for sure.”
Hearing this, Xie Lian instantly froze. The queen also spoke up, “That’s what we were afraid of,
which was why we didn’t say anything in the past few days. My son, why don’t you just… think
of a way to bring back some medicine first?”
In the back rooms, the king started coughing violently again, and the queen went in to look after
him. Xie Lian was dazed for a good moment, then he turned and went out. Feng Xin called out,
“Your Highness! What do you plan to do?”
Xie Lian didn’t answer but started rummaging through all the shelves and chests in the cottage.
Feng Xin asked, “What are you looking for?” He didn’t respond, and a brief moment later, he
dug out something from the bottom of a chest.
It was an ancient sacred sword. Feng Xin looked and questioned, “What are you doing taking
HongJing out?”
After some silence, Xie Lian replied, “I’m going to pawn it.”
Feng Xin was shocked and immediately exclaimed, “YOU CAN’T!”
Xie Lian slammed the chest shut heavily, “I’ve already pawned off so many swords, this is just
one more.”
Throughout their journey, in order to make up enough funds for carriages and bribes for
crossing checkpoints, Xie Lian had already pawned off over half of his beloved sacred swords.
And since they couldn’t go to large, bustling pawn shops, sometimes they’d even be
blackmailed by shady merchants who discovered their identities and had to suffer bargained
sales. Feng Xin exclaimed, “It’s not the same! Don’t you really like this sword? Otherwise why
haven’t you pawned it already and instead stuffed it at the bottom of the chest? Besides, this
was a sword the Emperor gifted you, it won’t sound good if this got out!”
Xie Lian said tiredly, “No matter how much I like it it’s still not as important as a life. Let’s go,
let’s go.”
The two made way to the city with the sword, both looking downtrodden. When they came to the
pawn shop, Xie Lian stopped in his step and looked at the HongJing in his hand. Feng Xin
peered at him, “Why don’t we forget about pawning it? Let’s try… let’s think of another way?”
Xie Lian shook his head, “It’s too late. Besides, we don’t know if there’s any other way that can
make up enough money.”
If they went to steal, to rob, to trick, no mortal would be a match for them, and money would
pour in much faster. However, it was precisely because they must uphold the moral compass
and adhere to the ethical regulation of mortals, earn money honestly, that things would be so
difficult. Having made up his mind, Xie Lian said, “This has to be pawned. Once it’s pawned let’s
go buy medicine.” While he said so, his feet still didn’t move. Feng Xin knew he was reluctant to
let go, that this was the last sacred sword Xie Lian had, so he said, “Let’s look around some
more.”
Right then, on the other end of the street came clamouring noise, shouting and yelling, and
someone cried, “WHO’S CAUSING TROUBLE??” “THE AUDACITY!” “CATCH HIM! CATCH
HIM!”
The two were both startled, and Xie Lian instantly backed up to the side in alarm, “Who?!”
Feng Xin was alarmed too and went over the check, returning after he was assured, “It’s
nothing! Don’t worry! It has nothing to do with us. It’s not anyone looking for us and it’s not the
YongAn soldiers either.”
Only then did Xie Lian’s tension relax, “What’s going on?”
“I’m not sure.” Feng Xin said, “Looks to be a fight between some mad servants, want to go
see?”
“Let’s go see.” Xie Lian said, “Hopefully it’s not some thug.”
The two shuffled over to watch, and saw in the centre there were a couple men who were
brawling, and the surrounding audience were cheering. Feng Xin patted a passerby on the side
who was enjoying the show, “Hey buddy, what’s going on here?”
That passerby chuckled, “You don’t know? This is too exciting! The servant is beating the
master!”
Such an affair! Xie Lian was speechless, “How come? And why is it a good thing?”
“Of course it’s a good thing!” That passerby said, “This master really is no good! This servant
followed him since he was young, very loyal, but him! He only knew how to take advantage, not
only did he gave no pay, he even worked him to the bone. The servant couldn’t take it anymore,
so you see, you see! They’re fighting!”
Sure enough, the one doing all the beating was cursing as he threw punches, yelling things like,
“I’ve had it with you for a long time!” “Why don’t you figure for yourself what you’ve given me??”
“My family’s so poor we have nothing to eat, but you still ride over my head all high and mighty!”
“From today onwards, I ain’t your dog no more!” etc. The master who was getting beaten was
hugging his head and screaming while the crowd cheered, but their shouts were making Xie
Lian’s heart lurch in waves, giving him chills for some reason, and he glimpsed at Feng Xin’s
face without thinking. Feng Xin didn’t notice his strange behaviour at all, and when he heard of
all the crummy deeds from the others, he commented offhandedly, “I see, then this master really
is no good, no wonder the servant is rebelling.”
He didn’t mean anything by it, but Xie Lian’s heart cracked, and he gripped HongJing tighter.
After much headaches, HongJing was pawned, and the two finally had money. They
immediately went to inquire after a doctor and purchased over ten different kinds of medicine to
take back.
The medicine to cure symptoms of coughing blood was expensive, and the quantity needed was
immense. It wasn’t just one or two packets of medicine, healed in a couple days, so how things
turn out to be afterwards must be closely observed. That evening, Feng Xin unwrapped a few
bundles of medicine and started stewing outside the cottage, fanning wildly at the flames with a
torn fan. As for Xie Lian, he was once again rummaging through the shelves and chests all over
the house. After a while, he finally fumbled out a shimmering golden soft belt.
Originally, Xie Lian had a number of golden belts, but their end was the same as those sacred
swords, all pawned off. There was only this one left, and Xie Lian had wanted to keep it as a
souvenir at first, but now, he had decided to use it for something.
Coincidentally, Feng Xin looked up at him, “Your Highness, what are you doing holding that
belt? You’re not thinking of pawning it too, are you?”
However, Xie Lian walked over and handed the golden belt to him.
Seeing this, Feng Xin’s eyes bulged, and he was bewildered, “…What are you doing giving this
to me??? Your Highness, when you shut the chest just now you didn’t also shut your brain in
too, did you???”
“…” Only then did Xie Lian remember that in the Upper Court, to gift a golden belt had a special
meaning, and his face instantly darkened, “You think too much, I don’t mean it that way at all.
You just take it like it’s regular gold!” Then he stuffed it to him. Feng Xin glared with that
shimmering golden belt around his neck, “No. You still gotta tell me why are you suddenly
stuffing me with gold?”
“Just take it as compensation that I’ve owed you for so long.” Xie Lian said.
Feng Xin was confused, “No, but. What’s with you all of a sudden? Why are you talking
compensation to me at a time like this? You might just as well pawn this off and buy more
medicine for His Majesty. It’s fine if you don’t pawn it too. Keep it for yourself. This is something
that only heavenly officials can possess.”
———–
Ch.183: Hero Defeated by a Penny 2
Hearing him mention medicine, Xie Lian looked back and turned his gaze towards the interior of
the cottage where the king and the queen were resting. A moment later, he said, “I can think of
other ways for the medicine, so just take this.”
Xie Lian was determined to give and Feng Xin couldn’t understand why, so he was both
confused and felt it kind of funny, and he shrugged, picking up that ragged cattail leaf fan and
continued to fan the flames to stew the medicine, “Fine then, I’ll keep it for you for now.
Whenever you want it back just let me know.”
Xie Lian shook his head, “I won’t ask for it back, you can do with it as you will.”
After pawning HongJing, their pockets were a bit fuller, and they finally managed to have a few
good meals. Since the queen’s skills were so shocking, Xie Lian graciously asked mother to
look after father and absolutely not enter the kitchen as he himself would take over and manage
the cooking. Although he didn’t have much experience, but even if he’d never had pig’s feet he’d
seen pigs walk, what he made was still somewhat edible, so the party was saved from mouth
and stomach troubles.
That day after the fight with the king, Xie Lian was actually feeling regretful, but he didn’t know
how to apologize to his father, so he could only do his utmost in caring after him. A patient who
coughed blood couldn’t be chilled, so he added more blankets and small heaters for him.
The YongAn soldiers were coming down hard on catching all the escaped XianLe nobilities, and
soon, this city also heightened security. They finally settled but now they must leave again.
Xie Lian had already lost count of how many cities he had passed while on the run with his
parents in tow. To be honest, what he’d seen on the road, everything was much more peaceful
than he imagined. The most tragic was only the royal capital of XianLe; everywhere else didn’t
seem to have been severely affected.
After all, to regular civilians, the king, the crown prince, the royal capital, the nobility, were all
things that were extremely faraway. The change of a king didn’t seem to have made much
difference. Especially since the new king wasn’t a tyrant, and once he ascended the throne
there weren’t any particularly strict decrees, so other than having a new topic for after dinner
conversations, there weren’t much more laments.
“When the king was named Xie I planted this plot of land; now the king is named Lang and I still
plant the same plot of land!” Xie Lian heard people say.
They weren’t wrong. But the strange thing was, in regards to the rumoured crown prince who
went from invincible to losing every battle, everyone’s attitude towards it were all amazingly
unified, as if the moment they spoke of him everyone would suddenly transform into a patriotic
citizen of XianLe. He really couldn’t understand nor accept it.
However, he really didn’t have much mind to worry over those things anymore. The money they
made from pawning HongJing didn’t last for a few months before it was all depleted.
An illness that made one cough blood was already hard to cure, plus the king was frustrated
and depressed, so there needed to be a great amount of medication to help him hang on in a
passable state. If the medication should be cut off, his condition would no doubt worsen
considerably. Xie Lian had nothing left on hand to pawn, and on this day, after having loitered
the streets for a long time, he mulled and mulled before finally turning to Feng Xin, “Why don’t
we… give it a try?”
Feng Xin peered at him, “Then let’s, give it a try?”
It wasn’t the first time the two hesitantly thought to “give it a try”, it was just before now, they
hadn’t made up their minds. Besides, there was once when they were conversing, the king
overheard their intent and became outraged, throwing a huge fit, and was intransigent that Xie
Lian not do such shameful things for money, otherwise he would refuse to drink his medicine, so
in the end the two had to abandon the thought. Yet now that they were in dire straits, there was
no need to say it clearly; they both understood each other. Xie Lian nodded, and wrapped the
white silk band tighter around his face.
“Your Highness, you don’t have to do this, just me alone is enough.” Feng Xin said, “So even if
the king asks it’d be alright!”
Then, he inhaled deeply, held his breath for a moment, before suddenly roaring at the
pedestrians on the street, “DEAR FOLKS ON THE STREET, DON’T MISS OUT ON THIS–”
All the pedestrians jumped in surprise, and they all gathered around, chattering, “What’s with
the yelling?!” “What’re you guys up to?” “What’ve you got to show us?” “I wanna see shattering
boulders on the chest!”
Feng Xin removed the bow on his back and boldly pulled at it, “My… My nickname is “Godly
Archer”; I can shoot a bullseye from a hundred feet away. I will show off my embarrassing skill
for everyone to see. If you all enjoy the show, will you p-, please grant some coins!”
What “Godly Archer”, what “embarrassing skill”; those were all words they learned watching
street performers. While they kept saying they would never busk, they had long since kept in
mind how all the others had been doing it. The crowd grumbled, “Stop wasting your breath! Just
get on with it!” “We’ve been waiting! Now hurry up!”
Feng Xin placed an arrow upon the bow, pointed at an idle man in the crowd who was munching
on a fruit and said, “Will this uncle please step out, place this apple on your head, and I can
shoot it without fault from three hundred steps away!”
That idle man shrank his neck and withdrew into the crowd, “I’M NOT DOIN’ IT!”
Feng Xin exclaimed, “I won’t hit you, don’t worry! If I shoot you by accident I’ll pay however
much in recompense!”
That idle man yelled back, “I’m no fool! If you shoot me by accident, it won’t matter how much
you pay me back! Since you’re out here to perform, don’t you got an assistant or somethin’?
Shouldn’t you be shooting the one next to you?!”
The crowd all chimed in, “Yea!” Xie Lian said too, “Let me.” Someone from the crowd tossed
over a fruit and Xie Lian caught it, ready to put it on his head. However, Feng Xin never had the
intention of having Xie Lian get involved, so why would he allow this? In his moment of panic, he
grabbed the fruit and ate it up himself, then he changed the direction of the arrow, targeting a
banner hanging high up on a tall building and cried, “I’LL SHOOT THAT!” Then he shot the
arrow. He was extremely skilled in archery, so of course he shot the target, and the surrounding
audience all cheered and laughed, “WELL DANG! YOU DO GOT IT!” They laughed and
babbled, and there were actually some who tossed a few coins.
Small, round little coins tumbled and rolled on the ground, and Feng Xin went up to pick them
up. Xie Lian also silently crouched down to pick them up, but his heart was feeling low, like he
lost something.
In the past, Feng Xin was the crown prince’s servant; nevermind the common peasants, even
normal ministers had to be courteous and polite when they saw him, some even tried to get
friendly. Before when they hauled rocks and earth, just heeding the hollering ringleaders was
stifling, now they had to endure being watched like monkeys. His skill of shooting in hundred
feet wasn’t used to kill enemies in battle but to entertain the masses, just thinking of it made his
stomach turn.
Just then, the sharp voice of a woman came, “WHO’S SHOOTING ARROWS IN THE
STREETS??”
When Xie Lian heard, his heart dropped. Everyone in the crowd pointed at Feng Xin, “IT’S HIM!”
Feng Xin was bewildered and the crowd parted as several women came stomping over, holding
an arrow, the one Feng Xin shot out earlier. Those women surrounded him, “You damned brat!
DID YOU SHOOT THIS? WHAT GUTS! Shooting weapons randomly in broad daylight, you
destroyed our screen! Tell me, how are you gonna pay this??”
“Yea, you’ve scared away so many of our customers!”
Turns out, the banner Feng Xin shot through earlier was so powerful that it flew all the way to
someone else’s yard. Feng Xin already didn’t like talking to women, and these ladies wore
heavy makeup, their foundations layering their faces, smothering and suffocating. They
probably came with ill intent, and yelled to the point where he kept waving his hands, backing
away. Xie Lian hastily came to shield in front of him, “I’m sorry, I’m sorry. He didn’t mean to. As
for compensation, we’ll think of something…”
Those women’s tempers were flaring, and they pushed and shoved, “AND WHO ARE YOU?
YOU…” yet unexpectedly, with this push and pull, the white bandage covering Xie Lian’s face
slipped, and when those women saw his face, their eyes lit up, their tones taking a greasy turn,
“Aiyoh, what a handsome little gege!”
Xie Lian: “???”
One of the women clapped, her eyes crescent and blossoming, “VERY WELL! It’s decided!
You’re together, right? We’ll take you as repayment then!”
Xie Lian: “???”
Before his head had even wrapped around this development, Xie Lian was dragged away by
those women, all the way to a rather lavish little establishment. When he looked up, the higher
levels were all women dressed like blossoming flowers, chirping like birds. Only then did Xie
Lian realize he was taken away by a bunch of brothel mistresses!
Instantly goosebumps raised on his skin, “Wait, I don’t have money, I really don’t have any
money!”
Those brothel mistresses cackled, “Of course you’ve got no money, that’s why we’ve brought
you here to earn money!”
“??? Sorry, but, I’m a man?” Xie Lian exclaimed.
The brothel mistresses replied in annoyance, “We know you’re a man, we’re not blind!”
Feng Xin, who was surrounded by the crowd finally broke through the sea of people and darted
over, shouting, “LET GO OF HIS H… LET GO OF HIM THIS INSTANT!”
The two were in a horrid state and bolted, and since they knew they were in the wrong, they
didn’t dare fight back. The enraged brothel mistresses called over some thirty fighters, chasing
them all over the city. They had never been involved in such a situation, and all in all, they would
never dare approach that area again.
But, the two could confirm that busking was a viable way of earning money, so they changed a
place and set up shop. They were fresh faces so the locals were all very interested, plus Feng
Xin was an honest, good man with a proper appearance, looking rather handsome, so in the
first few days, they did manage to earn a small fortune that could help pay for food and
medication for at least half a month. However, good things didn’t last, and it didn’t take half a
month before someone came knocking.
That day, after Xie Lian and Feng Xin had packed up, several beefy men came to look for them.
Xie Lian was greatly alarmed, scared that they were YongAn soldiers, his fists ready to strike
under his sleeves, and he demanded in a low voice, “Who are you?”
The leading man humphed, “You guys have been dallying on our turf for days, but you don’t
know who we are?”
Xie Lian and Feng Xin were both puzzled. Another man spoke up, “You stole so much of our
business, don’t you think it’s rude if you don’t explain yourselves?”
The two finally understood what was going on. Turns out, those were the other local street
performers.
Every working man in the world belonged in guilds and gangs, drawing their own turf. When the
two of them came, they took all their customers away, so when the others couldn’t make money,
of course they’d come looking for trouble. The two of them weren’t learned of the world, so how
could they possibly know this set of etiquette?
‘If it wasn’t because we’re at the end of our ropes, who’d want to steal a business like this?’ Xie
Lian thought bitterly, but he still spoke courteously, “It’s not really a matter of stealing, right?
People will go watch what they want to watch, it’s not like we were forcing anyone to come
watch our… shooting performance.”
As if the other party would listen, and they exclaimed rudely, “NOT A MATTER OF STEALING?
NO ONE’S MADE ANYTHING THE PAST FEW DAYS, YOU’VE TAKEN ALL THE GRUB!”
CRACK! The mob jumped in surprise and looked over, and saw Feng Xin drop his fist from the
wall on the side, and on the wall was a giant punch mark, cracks crawling out all around.
He said coldly, “Are you all looking for trouble?”
The mob of beefy men were certainly here to start trouble at first, to talk with their fists, but after
Feng Xin’s punch, there was no doubt that his fist was more solid than theirs, and instantly their
fires were extinguished by half. Still, they refused to let this go so easily, and the leading man
changed his tune after having been stumped for a second, “How about this, we’ll do this by the
rules. Let’s compete our skills, and the winner gets to stay, the losers will pack up and leave,
never to set up shop in this area again!”
Hearing that it’d be a competition, Feng Xin was even more glad. Of course he was glad. How
could mortals possibly compete with them? It was a sure win!
Xie Lian also breathed a sigh of relief, “I agree to this. How do you want to do this?”
That man proclaimed loudly, “We’ll use our best busking trick!”
In between talk, two other men had brought over a few long, rectangular stone slates, and that
man patted the stone slates, “Shattering boulders on the chest! How about it, do you dare?”
Seeing how proud he looked, it seemed this was indeed his specialty. Xie Lian also squatted
down and felt that slate and looked up, “This won’t be a problem for me, but, will this really not
be a problem for you?” That slate was the real deal. That man laughed, “Judging by the shape
of you, you best worry after yourself!”
Feng Xin squatted next to him, “Your Highness, let me?” Xie Lian shook his head, “No. You’ve
worked hard the past few days, let me do this, this time.” He should exert some effort too.
Thus, Xie Lian and that man both laid down on the ground, a stone slate pressing down on both
their chests. Feng Xin received a large hammer, turned it in his grip, and was just about to
smash it down when Xie Lian suddenly spoke up, “Wait.”
The others were delighted, “What, do you admit defeat? It’s not too late to admit defeat now,
we’ll let you go!”
“No. I want to add another slate.” Xie Lian said.
Hearing this, the mob was shocked, “ARE YOU CRAZY???”
Xie Lian explained lazily, “Didn’t everyone say so? This is a competition. If we both used one
slate each, there’d be no difference in skill so how can it be considered a competition?”
The street performers all looked doubtful, some even thought he went mad, and some thought
he was bluffing. After much discussion, they indeed added another stone slate on top of his
chest. Yet unexpectedly, Xie Lian wanted them to add another one!
Now everyone was sure he was losing it, and they added a third slate incredulously. Thus, upon
Xie Lian’s chest were three stone slates weighing heavily down, looking rather terrifying.
Under the concentrated watch of the crowd, Feng Xin raised the large hammer, and without
blinking, he smashed down, and those three stone slates cleanly cracked into multiple pieces.
Amidst cheers, Xie Lian crawled up from the ground, uninjured and calm, dusting off his robes in
ease while everyone watched in awe. The leader’s face was pale and dark, and Xie Lian
thought, ‘Now he should know to back off, right?’
He had thought the other party would concede to his victory and never come seek trouble again,
yet unexpectedly, that man’s expression changed and changed, and suddenly, he gritted his
teeth, “Add two more on me too! No, add three more!”
“Big bro, you can’t!” The mob exclaimed, “This man must know wicked spells, there’s no need
for you to go along with him!”
“Yea, he must be faking it!”
Feng Xin exclaimed angrily, “What the fuck? You’re the ones who lack skills but you’d turn
around and say we’re using wicked spells and faking it?”
However, the leader cried, “THE STONE SLATES AND HAMMER ALL BELONG TO US, HOW
WOULD WE NOT KNOW IF THERE’S WICKED SPELLS? THIS BRAT DOES HAVE SOME
SKILLS, BUT, STACKING THREE SLATES IS NOTHING! I CAN STACK FOUR! AS LONG AS
WE WIN, THEY HAVE TO LEAVE!”
“That’s impossible, give up!” Feng Xin said, “Don’t lose your life over this.” But that man was
bullheaded, forcing the others to stack four sinkingly heavy stone slates on his body, “YOU
JUST WATCH!”
Xie Lian could tell things were going wrong and whispered, “Feng Xin, should we stop this?
There’s no way mortals can take four slates.” Feng Xin whispered back, “Let’s watch first? He
shouldn’t be asking for death, just a couple smashes and he should know to back off.”
Xie Lian frowned slightly and nodded, deciding to watch and see. Sure enough, the little buddy
holding the hammer only apprehensively knocked once and that man’s face changed. The one
holding the hammer immediately stopped, not daring to move again, but that man yelled,
“HARDER! DID YOU MISS A MEAL? WHY IS YOUR SMASH SO PATHETIC?”
That little buddy didn’t dare to be sloppy and the second time, he used all his strength, and
BANG!, after that loud sound, the face of that man exploded in red, like he was holding back a
big mouthful of blood. Xie Lian and Feng Xin both saw things were going in the wrong direction
and quickly called out, “Wait! Don’t force yourself!”
That man yelled, “WHO’S FORCING THEMSELVES? THIS IS MY SPECIALTY! JUST WATCH,
I’LL MAKE YOU THOROUGHLY CONCEDE YOUR DEFEAT!” With a distraught face, that little
buddy smashed again. Now he’d done it. That man ‘PFFT’-ed and spat a full mouthful of blood
all over the ground, scaring the little buddy and he dropped the hammer. The mob all rushed up,
“Let it go, let it go, big bro, if those two bastards want to cling onto this place then let them cling,
your life is more important!”
Veins popped on that man’s forehead and blood foamed at his mouth, “I WON’T LET THIS GO!
It’s been days since we all had a bite to eat, if this keeps up, isn’t this asking for our livelihoods?
CONTINUE! I refuse to believe that I can’t compete with this tender, delicate little brat! THIS IS
MY SPECIALTY!”
Xie Lian couldn’t watch anymore and spoke up first, “Let it go. If this is the case then I concede
defeat. Starting tomorrow we won’t come anymore. Come on, Feng Xin!”
Then he turned to leave. Behind them the mob cheered, and Feng Xin followed up, “Your
Highness, we’re gonna give up this place just like that?”
They finally found a way to earn money but now they had to abandon it. Xie Lian sighed,
“There’s no other way. That few rounds just now already caused great internal injuries in him,
I’m afraid he’s almost half handicapped. If we kept competing someone will die. If that happens
we won’t be able to stay either.”
Feng Xin scratched his head and cursed, “He really was asking to die!”
“We’re all trying to make a living.” Xie Lian said simply.
Xie Lian was also feeling a little bad. Had he known, he wouldn’t have asked to stack three
slates, and would’ve admitted defeat early so that man wouldn’t force himself to take on four
slates. Even if he was boorish and reckless, there were still parts of him that was respectable.
“Don’t talk about it anymore,” Xie Lian said, “We don’t absolutely have to busk here, putting all
our eggs in one basket.”
However, that night, when they returned to their hiding place, the queen sorrowfully informed
him that the king’s symptoms were worsening, and that he might not be able to endure any
more moving, that he needed rest for a while. Which meant, they could not leave this city for the
time being.
Xie Lian rummaged through the shelves and chests again but he couldn’t find anything to pawn,
so he sat next to the chest, spacing out. Feng Xin was stewing medicine, humming as he did so.
He hummed and hummed, sounding more and more offkey, and while Xie Lian didn’t pay
attention at first, he couldn’t ignore it after a while, “What’s with you? In a good mood?”
Feng Xin looked up, “Huh? No?”
Xie Lian didn’t believe him, “Really?”
He had noticed that in the past few days after they started performing on the streets, Feng Xin
was acting a bit strange. Sometimes he’d grin like a fool for no reason, sometimes he’d
suddenly turn troubled. When Mu Qing was around, Xie Lian and Feng Xin rarely left each
other’s sides. After Mu Qing left, sometimes Feng Xin would have to go deliver food or run some
other errands for the king and the queen, so he’d be gone for a period of time in a day. Xie Lian
felt he must’ve bumped into something, but he didn’t have the energy to care. Eyeing the
medicine pot in front of Feng Xin and silent for a while, Xie Lian questioned, “Is this the last
packet?”
Feng Xin flipped through the bundles on the ground, “It is. If we don’t go tomorrow…” He
remembered the king was inside the cottage and couldn’t have him overhear, so Feng Xin
lowered his voice, “If we don’t go busk tomorrow what’ll we do?”
“…”
After a long while, Xie Lian abruptly stood up, “You stay here and guard. I’ll go think of a way.”
Feng Xin was confused, “Where are you going? What way can you possibly think of?”
Xie Lian left without looking back, “Don’t mind me. And don’t follow me.”
———–
Ch.184: Blocking the Mountain Path; Crown Prince Fails in Robbery
He exhorted over and over to make sure Feng Xin would stay behind to guard the king and the
queen while he himself exited the small, dilapidated cottage. As he walked, he kept looking
back, his heart racing fast. After walking a long way, he finally relaxed when he was certain
Feng Xin didn’t follow.
Steadying himself, having walked and stopped for over ten miles, Xie Lian finally found a place
he felt was the ideal location – a fairly deserted, secluded mountain road.
Xie Lian scanned his surroundings and there was no one around, then he covered his face with
the white silk band, wrapping it tightly and securely around his face before he leapt onto a tree
to hide himself. He then held his breath and focused. The next step would to be wait for
travelers to pass by.
That’s right. His ‘way’ was the so-called “steal from the rich and give to the poor”.
In the past, Xie Lian had only heard of this kind of worldly vigilantes who’d steal from the rich to
give to the poor from books and plays; he’d never done it himself, and he never thought to do it,
since, his original belief was this: no matter how it was prettied up, no matter how just the
reason, robbery was robbery, stealing was stealing. Otherwise, by Xie Lian’s physical prowess,
nevermind flying across the rooftops to pilfer small things, murdering guards and cleaning out
an entire treasury wouldn’t be anything difficult.
But now that he’d reached this point, there really was no other way. If he must say so, “to rob”
was a teeny bit better than ”to steal”, probably because the former was still considerably “out in
the open”. After much internal dilemma, Xie Lian still slapped the face of his former self, and
planned to steal others’ wealth in order to give to his own poverty.
This was the fastest way!
Xie Lian perched on the tree, the moon hiding the wind bellowing, and it was deserted all
around, empty of the living, yet his heart was thumping wildly.
Even when facing the most violent of beasts Xie Lian had never been this nervous. When he
dug out a cold and hard bun, he hand was slightly trembling.
If you could still be picky when it came to food, it could only mean you weren’t genuinely hungry.
When Xie Lian understood this, suddenly he became used to the taste of steamed buns.
Winter was fast approaching and the nights were extremely cold. Xie Lian munched at the cold
bun and puffed out mouthfuls of white breaths. Since he didn’t want to be seen, Xie Lian never
considered a place where there’d be more people, and specifically picked a desolate area. He
waited a full four hours before a traveler came strolling slowly from the ends of the mountain
road.
Xie Lian was energized, stuffed down that bun in a couple bites, and focused on the traveler
who was approaching slowly. Then, he discovered that it was an old man.
Such an elderly old man but he was dressed fresh and bright, so he should be fairly wealthy.
However, he was of course not within Xie Lian’s scope of consideration. Xie Lian couldn’t tell if
he was disappointed or relieved, but either way he resolutely decided to ignore the old man and
let him go, continuing the wait for the next person.
Two hours later, Xie Lian’s feet were going numb from the squatting, his lower half of the body
practically frozen before a second person appeared. When he saw that figure was also walking
slowly, he wondered, ‘Could it be another senior?’
When that figure finally came closer, he discovered it wasn’t a senior but a youth.
That youth appeared simple and good-natured, his face covered with smiles, and the reason he
was walking so slowly was because he was carrying a heavy bag of rice. Xie Lian’s palms were
sweating and he said to himself, ‘…Do I attack?’
After a moment of hesitation, he gave up in the end.
The reason he gave up was because this young man’s clothes were patched, the straw shoes
on his feet were worn through, exposing his toes, obviously from a poor household. He must’ve
looked so happy because there was finally a bag of rice to fill his stomach, and perhaps his
family had starved for many days, and perhaps this bag of rice was bought after selling the only
ox in his household. If he was robbed, wouldn’t he fall into despair?
Xie Lian imagined all sorts of scenarios on his own, and it wasn’t until after did he thought
maybe he could’ve just taken half a bag of rice, but by then that young man was long gone.
Thus, Xie Lian resolutely decided that he wouldn’t think of it anymore, and continue to wait until
the next one.
He perched on this tree like this and waited helplessly for many hours, from the darkened night
to the break of day. In that time, there were over a dozen passersby who passed through this
mountain road, yet every time when Xie Lian was about to attack, there were always all sorts of
reasons why it’d be inappropriate to do so and he’d let them go. Many times he’d thought,
nevermind! Just go back! There were no bandits who’d rob like him at all; it’d be a miracle if he
was actually fruitful. But, when he thought of how there was no more food nor medicine if he
went back, he forced himself to keep waiting.
After almost half a day, finally, far in the distance of the mountain road came the last traveler.
It was a middle aged man, donned in fine clothing, neither wealthy nor noble, his appearance
savage and greasy, rather obnoxious, and Xie Lian could tell he wasn’t anyone good with just a
glance.
But, one mustn’t judge a book by its cover, Xie Lian couldn’t help but think, ‘What if this man
only appears savage but he’s actually a good person? Even if he’s loaded, did that warrant
getting robbed?’
As he was fighting his internal struggles, a sudden growling sound from his stomach woke him
from his stupor, and Xie Lian sighed inwardly, ‘Nevermind, I can’t bother with that much. You’re
it!’
Making up his mind, he leapt down from the tree and shouted, “STAND STILL!”
To have a masked man cutting off the road halfway, that man was surprised and he cried in
alarm, “Who are you? Hiding here sneakily with your face hidden, what are you planning??”
Xie Lian forced himself to say, “…GIVE… GIVE…” But in the end there was a hurdle in his
mind, and he stammered a couple times before finally squeezing out – “GIVE ME ALL THE
MONEY ON YOUR PERSON!”
That man widened his mouth, leapt three feet high, and screamed, “SOMEBODY! HELP!
ROBBERS!” Then he turned and ran. More than his escape, Xie Lian was even more worried
that his cries would alert others, and while the place was in fact already a desolate, barren
mountain and there was a low chance of anyone showing up, even if anyone did show up he
could just flee, but thieves had guilty conscience after all, and Xie Lian immediately yelled,
“STOP! DON’T YELL ANYMORE!”
As if that man would listen to him. He fled and fled and ran into the woods, then yelped
“AIYOH!” tragically. Xie Lian was afraid there were beasts in the woods attacking the man and
quickly cried, “WAIT! Watch out!…” Yet unexpectedly, when he caught up and saw, he was
instantly stupefied, his face blanching rapidly.
Within the woods were already a group of people, and they were all looking in his direction.
When Xie Lian looked closer, he noticed something off. They weren’t people at all. That middle
aged man didn’t see them at all, and was still in a panic, and, within that group, there seemed to
be some familiar faces.
Of course they were familiar. He had seen a number of them in the Heavenly Capital before in
the past, some from the Upper Court, some from the Lower Court. They were all heavenly
officials!
That man yelped tragically earlier because he tripped and fell, and his hands were gripping a
large bundle of protection charms while he chanted to himself, “My god, my god! Come save
me! Come save me quick!” And the ‘gods’ that he was crying for really came as he wished.
Right at this moment, countless heavenly officials’ eyes were all staring at Xie Lian intently,
freezing him on the spot with their gaze. When that man saw the strange masked robber was
frozen in a daze, he quickly crawled up and ran off. Xie Lian couldn’t move a step to go give
chase; his entire body was stiff, drenched in cold sweat, his heart filled with horror.
That’s right. Horror.
He could only pray this white silk band was wrapped around his face tightly enough that those
little heavenly officials he’d acquainted in the past wouldn’t recognize him. However, things
would never go as one hoped, and one of the heavenly officials looked him up and down before
he said in surprise, “…Isn’t this… your royal highness?”
“…”
Another heavenly official was even more shocked, “Ah, it really is! Why is Your Highness here?
And dressed like this too?”
Xie Lian’s heart was sinking deeper and deeper, it was going to sink into the bottom of the earth.
“That man earlier was screaming ‘help’ ‘robbery’ ‘robber’? A robber is chasing him? That robber
is… Your Highness?!”
“My heavens! Your Highness.. You would actually do something like this?!”
Hearing this, Xie Lian almost fainted on the spot. He didn’t know how much time went by before
he croaked, “I…”
He wanted to say something but words were not coming out, stuck in his throat. The faces of
those heavenly officials were also unreadable. A moment later, one of the heavenly officials
patted his shoulder,”Don’t worry, don’t worry, Your Highness, we understand.”
Xie Lian received those pats on the shoulder, they weren’t hard, but he almost lost his balance,
and he tried again, “I…”
That heavenly official laughed out loud, “You’re only doing this because you’ve got it really hard,
it’s understandable. Don’t you worry, we won’t tell anyone about this.”
The reason why things were so hard to say was also because of this reason. Since the other
party said it out loud first, then he completely didn’t know what else he could add. It was a
moment later before he mumbled, “…Alright, thank you. Then, I’m… I’m going to head back
now. I’m leaving.”
He didn’t know how he left either. Either way, when he was finally conscious of himself, he was
already standing at an empty mountain road again, and it was the cold night breeze of winter
that snapped him out.
Only then did Xie Lian finally realize just what a horrifying thing had happened just now.
He, Xie Lian, the Crown Prince of XianLe – a robber?!
How did it come to this?!
The Xie Lian at this moment was filled with regrets; the him of the past must’ve been mad to
have thought of robbing on the roads, and now things were out of control. Why was he so
unlucky that while nothing was accomplished, he’d get caught red handed?
Xie Lian had never encountered something like this in his past life so he was at a complete loss
on what to do. He was burning up from head to toe, his mind completely muddled, and he hid
his face in his hands. If time could go backwards, he was even willing to use his bountiful health
and cultivation to exchange for it. Just as he was deep in distraught, in his peripheral vision
there was suddenly a blurry white silhouette up ahead, and Xie Lian was instantly startled,
whipping his head up, “WHO GOES THERE?!”
When he looked up, that figure instantly disappeared, and cold sweat covered his body again.
Although he didn’t see that man’s face, but, he still felt, on the face of that man seemed to have
been a mask!
Nevertheless, after scanning his surroundings, he didn’t see traces of anyone, and Xie Lian
couldn’t help but suspect perhaps the figure he saw was nothing but a hallucination in his
moment of panic. Whether if it was, he didn’t dare to stay there any longer and hurried down the
mountain.
After he returned, Feng Xin had already waited up for him for almost half a day, and the moment
he saw him he exclaimed, “Your Highness, where did you run off to? What ideas did you come
up with?”
Xie Lian didn’t dare tell him. He couldn’t tell anyone, especially Feng Xin. Xie Lian couldn’t
imagine at all what Feng Xin, who had believed so faithfully in his utmost righteousness and
morals, would think if he should find out. He could only hope that that incident would be forever
buried in his heart and rot in his stomach. Thus, Xie Lian replied ambiguously, “Nothing.”
Feng Xin was astonished, “Huh? Then why have you gone for so long?”
Xie Lian’s mind was going numb, “Don’t ask anymore. I didn’t do anything,”
Feng Xin was bewildered, but no matter how he questioned Xie Lian refused to answer, so as
the servant it wasn’t his place to push and could only say in a whisper, “So do we still go busk
tomorrow?”
“I’m not going out anymore.” Xie Lian replied.
He was now thrown in complete chaos, his mind filled with impossible worries: What if he
bumped into that middle aged man? What if the entire city was now searching for him? Feng Xin
also noticed him looking off, and said, “You must be tired? Then how about this, Your Highness,
just stay in. I’ll go myself. You just focus on training.”
However, he didn’t know that Xie Lian now had no mind to train and cultivate either.
Xie Lian was focused on cultivation at first, because that was the only way there might be a
chance of returning to the Upper Court. Yet now, he was terrified of the prospect of returning to
the Upper Court.
Although those junior officials said they wouldn’t tell anyone, but would they really not tell?
Could this affair have already reached the ears of everyone in the heavens?
When he thought this was a possibility, Xie Lian couldn’t breathe. There was absolutely no way
he could endure being branded with this, to be pointed at by the entire upper and lower court, by
the entire mortal realm, even!
In his exhaustion, Xie Lian passed out heavily. This slumber was unsettled, and he turned back
and forth, invaded by unknown nightmares, and when he jolted awake in shock and looked
outside the window, the skies were already dark.
Feng Xin wasn’t around; he must’ve went out to busk on his own and hadn’t yet returned, and in
the room next to him came the hushed voices and soft coughing of the king and queen. Xie Lian
laid on the floor. Now that he was awake, he couldn’t help keep thinking, if that incident really
was spread around, how would his parents react if they found out? How shocked would they
be? The king might stomp his feet in outrage, yelling as he spat blood that he was the shame of
XianLe. The queen on the other hand would definitely not yell at him, but she would for sure be
extremely anguished, because the child she loved most brought them shame.
Having thought this, Xie Lian was having trouble breathing again. He needed to find somewhere
where he can be by himself and be calm, so he rolled off of the straw mat and charged out,
running blindly for over ten miles with the frigid winds blowing at his face.
He didn’t dare stop anywhere where there were people, because he constantly felt the others
were staring at him, judging him for how unkempt he was. Finally, he came to a graveyard with
not a single soul before he stopped in his step,
This night was colder than the night before, and only having come here did Xie Lian notice that
his cheeks and hands were practically frostbitten, his body shivering. It wasn’t just the cold;
there was also horror and panic. Xie Lian hugged his arms unconsciously, puffed a few
mouthfuls of hot air, swept his eyes and discovered right before a tombstone were two jars of
wine being offered.
It seemed, the master of this tombstone was someone who loved wine when they were alive, so
after death, the others would bring them wine when they came to sweep the grave. Xie Lian
crouched down. He had never drunken wine before, but he had heard people say that wine
could warm the body and could help forget. After a moment’s hesitation, he suddenly reached
for a wine jar, yanked the clog off and started dunking the contents down his throat.
This wine wasn’t any fine wines, cheap and large in quantity, the taste pungent and strong. Xie
Lian swallowed a few large mouthfuls and started choking on it, coughing, but he really did
seem to have gotten a bit warmer. Thus, Xie Lian wiped at his cheek and sat himself down on
the ground, hugged the jar and continued to chug the wine in large mouthfuls.
In his daze, he seemed to have noticed a small ball of haunting little ghost fire come flying out,
going around in circles around him twirling about, looking quite anxious. Xie Lian only cared to
focus on his drinking and didn’t look like he saw at all. That ball of ghost fire appeared to be
using all of its might to come close to him, but because it was nothing but hollowed flames,
every time it came near, it would always just pass right through his body, never able to actually
touch him.
Upon finishing a jar, Xie Lian was already tipsy and groggy, his drunken eyes slackened. When
he saw it darting here and there, looking rather pitiful but also really funny, he couldn’t help but
“pfft” and laugh out loud, his arm resting on the edges of the wine jar, “What are you doing?”
That ball of ghost fire instantly froze in mid air.
————-
Ch.185: Thirty-Three Heavenly Officials Fight Over Auspicious Land
Xie Lian asked, “Is this your grave? Am I drinking your wine?”
He was a drunken mess, and didn’t really hear clearly if that ghost fire said anything, and had
thought the master of the grave was displeased, trying to chase him away. He grumbled, “I get
it. I’ll go.”
Xie Lian hugged the wine jar and crawled up, swaying and wobbly as he took his steps. Yet
unexpectedly, he didn’t go very far before he lost his footing and THUD – he fell all over himself.
Turns out, there was a giant pit in this graveyard. It was probably pre-dug to prepare the burial
of a deceased, though, the deceased hasn’t yet been buried before Xie Lian himself came lying
in.
Xie Lian’s forehead knocked on the outer edges of the pit and it hurt, worsening his dizziness,
his head throbbing. He was woozy for a while before he struggled to get up, both his hands
muddied and bloodied with scrapes and cuts somewhere.
He held out his hands and looked at them without really registering anything, then tried to climb
out of the pit. However, he had just downed an entire jar of wine, his limbs were limp, he
couldn’t exert any power, so while he attempted to climb out a few times, he’d slip down every
time. Xie Lian fell back to the bottom of the pit and glared at the moon-covered cloudy night sky
for a bit, growing very angry.
This pit wasn’t even that deep so why couldn’t he climb out no matter how he tried?
The more he thought the angrier he became and he started mumbling in spite of himself,
“…What the fuck.”
Xie Lian had never cursed before. This was the very first time such words came out of his
mouth. But the curious thing was, after he cursed, the stifling tension in his chest seemed to
have dispersed instantly. Thus, like a child who had tasted sweets, Xie Lian clung on to the side
walls of the burial pit and used all his strength to yell with a deafening voice, “GOD FUCKING
DAMMIT!”
He slapped at the ground and yelled, “IS ANYONE THERE? IS THERE ANYONE WHO CAN
HELP PULL ME OUT??”
Of course there wasn’t anyone. There was only a small ball of haunting ghost fire, blazing
unceasingly. After Xie Lian had fallen, that ball of ghost fire came rushing over seeming to have
wanted to grab him, but it could never make contact. Xie Lian didn’t bother with it at all and said
angrily, “Someone might as well just come and bury me!”
Cursing as he would, he still continued to climb. Crssh crssh, Xie Lian finally climbed out using
his own powers, but was already incredibly unkempt and he laid on the ground huffing,
breathing laboriously. It took a brief moment before he flipped over, hugging himself and curled
up.
“So cold.” Xie Lian whispered.
His voice was tiny, afraid that anyone would overhear. However, that ghost fire heard, and it
came flying, pressing itself against his body, its flames suddenly much brighter than before, like
it was burning itself up with all it had.
Still, a ghost fire was cold.
No matter how close it pressed, no matter how it could burn itself to ashes, it would still not be
able to bring a sliver of warmth to the living.
In his daze, Xie Lian seemed to have heard a tiny, feeble voice.
That voice seemed so close yet far, like it was a dream but not, and it cried in despair, “God,
please wait for me, just wait for me… Please give me a little more time… let me… let me…”
“…”
Xie Lian wondered inwardly, ‘God? Is it calling for me?’ But, even if it was praying to him it’d be
pointless, since, even when he was a god he couldn’t do anything. Now that he wasn’t a god,
there was even less he could do.
…
“…Your Highness? Your Highness? Your Highness!”
It was Feng Xin’s pushing that woke Xie Lian up.
He blinked open his eyes laboriously and found he was lying in a small alleyway. Feng Xin’s
face was hanging from above, and when he noticed Xie Lian was awake, he finally let out a
breath of relief, but soon after it was replaced with traces of anger, “Your Highness! What’s
going on with you? Running off on your own for days without a word! If you don’t come back
soon, I won’t be able to keep lying to their majesties any longer!”
Xie Lian slowly sat himself up, “Days?”
When the word left his lips, he found his throat was dried, his voice hoarse, and his temple was
throbbing, his head aching like it was going to split. He seemed to recall something, but at the
same time couldn’t exactly remember. Feng Xin crouched down by his side, “That’s right! Two
days! Just where did you go?? Why were you running mad like that just now?”
Was he drunk for two days? Wasn’t he at some wild graveyard? Why was he lying here? And
judging from Feng Xin’s tone, a sense of foreboding filled Xie Lian, “What did I do?”
Feng Xin said gruffly, “You were possessed! Crashing stalls everywhere, beating people up. You
even went up to stop the patrolling YongAn soldiers! I don’t know what else you’ve done before
that!”
When Xie Lian heard he even went to stop YongAn soldiers, he was taken aback, “I went to stop
the soldiers? Then… what happened to those soldiers?”
“Thank goodness I bumped into you and stopped you.” Feng Xin replied, “And you look like this,
so they thought you must be some crazy drunkard and only yelled at you but didn’t bother,
otherwise you’d be dead for sure. Just what happened to you? Why does it look like you drank?”
Xie Lian looked down at himself and he was covered from head to toe with mud and grime. He
scratched his head, and it was also messy like a criminal who was about to be dragged down to
be interrogated and executed. He certainly did appear very much like a crazy drunkard who
slept on the streets all day.
After a moment of silence, Xie Lian crawled to his feet and replied vaguely, “Mm… I drank a bit.”
Feng Xin couldn’t wrap his head around this, “Huh? How can you drink? Just how much did you
drink to be drunk for two days?”
Seeing Feng Xing’s look of disbelief, Xie Lian was irritated for no good reason and he walked on
ahead, “I already said I didn’t drink much, just a bit. Nothing’s up. Why can’t I drink.”
Feng Xin hadn’t expected him to answer like this and was stunned for a moment, then he
chased after him, “What do you mean ‘nothing’s up’? Why? Has Your Highness forgotten?
Drinking breaks the mandate, you can’t break any mandates, otherwise how can you cultivate?
You have to ascend again.”
“…” The moment he heard cultivation and ascension, Xie Lian didn’t want to listen anymore and
he quickened his pace. Feng Xin called out, “Your Highness!”
He caught up again and after a moment’s hesitation, he tried, “Did something happen? Tell
me?”
Hearing Feng Xin question so carefully, Xie Lian opened and closed his mouth, wanting to
speak but couldn’t.
If he didn’t tell anyone soon he might just break down, but he also wasn’t sure how Feng Xin
would react if he told him.
He didn’t dare to gamble.
Seeing him distracted, Feng Xin added, “For real, it’s not like you killed or robbed, so what can’t
Your Highness tell me?”
Hearing “it’s not like you killed or robbed”, Xie Lian instantly felt suffocated.
If it could be said that he might’ve been stirred, that he might’ve felt a little relieved, then at this
moment, everything was thoroughly shattered. Xie Lian lowered his head and turned to keep
walking, and replied hazily, “It’s nothing… just, I’m really tired. You…” He was just about to
make up an excuse when suddenly, he noticed something on the side of Feng Xin’s cheek and
he stopped in his steps, “What’s with your face?”
Feng Xin felt his cheek, seemingly to have touched somewhere hurt and his muscles tensed.
The thing on his face was a gash. And, one of his arms was also wrapped in bandages, layered
and tied neatly and attentively.
It couldn’t have been Feng Xin himself who wrapped those bandages, but what Xie Lian was
concerned with were the injuries underneath the dressings. “How did you get hurt?”
By Feng Xin’s abilities, no mortals could easily harm him, and it was his arm that was injured
too. Feng Xin didn’t seem to care, “Oh, it’s nothing. Just some thugs trying to crash the
business, that’s all.”
Xie Lian was shocked and baffled, “Those local street performers from the other day?”
“Yea, them.” Feng Xin replied.
“Why did they go crash your show?” Xie Lian questioned, but then he understood afterwards,
“Was it because we admitted defeat that day but then you still went to busk so they came to
chase you out?”
That was pretty much the whole story. After learning the reason, a sudden rage exploded in Xie
Lian’s chest.
“Don’t go anymore!” Xie Lian’s voice was hard.
However, Feng Xin brushed him off, “Who cares about them! I will go whether they like it or not.
The one who admitted defeat was you, not me. I didn’t admit defeat, so it doesn’t count as going
back on my word. I’m gonna setup shop there and busk no matter what, and besides crashing
the show sneakily, what else can they do to me? I wasn’t prepared this time, but I will be next
time. If it came to fists, I’m not scared of them!”
Hearing this, that sudden wave of rage that rushed to Xie Lian’s head instantly dissipated, and it
was replaced by guilt.
Feng Xin had been like this while he himself was depressed and wallowing in misery. How could
he possibly face this loyal servant that still haven’t abandoned him when things had reached this
point?
Having thought this, Xie Lian sighed, “I’m sorry, Feng Xin.”
Feng Xin was taken aback then waved his hand widely, “Why is Your Highness apologizing to
me? What rubbish.”
“You’re out earning money all by yourself the past couple of days, sorry for your trouble.” Xie
Lian said.
“As long as you focus on your cultivation and ascend again soon, it’ll be worth it!” Feng Xin
replied.
The word “ascend” came up again, and Xie Lian nodded his head heavily.
The king and queen believed Feng Xin’s lies and thought Xie Lian had spent the past couple of
days out training. When they saw him return, the queen happily cooked a meal as always. Xie
Lian didn’t have the heart, so he took Feng Xin’s bowl over and helped him eat it. He didn’t
sleep that night.
The next day, Feng Xin rose and left bright and early in the morning while Xie Lian remained to
cultivate.
However, while he already pulled himself together and gathered all of his energy, he still couldn’t
focus.
Everyone should know this logic. The only way to stand out from the crowd was to study hard,
practice makes perfect. But, who in a million could truly work to the point of ‘practice makes
perfect’? By that same logic, no matter how much he told himself to clear his mind, how could
he possibly achieve it just because he told himself to?
For the next ten consecutive days, the progress of his cultivation was at a standstill, nothing was
achieved, and Xie Lian couldn’t help but be anxious. Especially since every night when Feng
Xin dragged his exhausted body back, and he and the queen asked if Xie Lian had made any
progress, Xie Lian could feel an inexplicable immense pressure.
He didn’t dare tell the truth, so he could only vaguely answer that yes there was progress, and
so the Feng Xin and the queen were both very happy. Still, things couldn’t go on like this. After
two months, Xie Lian could no longer allow things to continue the way they were.
One day, when Feng Xin returned in the deep night, the two were eating leftovers from the day
before at the table. As they ate, Xie Lian suddenly turned to him, “I’m afraid I’ll have to leave for
a period of time.”
Feng Xin was taken aback as he stuffed his face with rice, “Huh? Leave? Where are you
going?”
Xie Lian said slowly, “I’m going to go search for a quiet land filled with spiritual energy and close
myself off to cultivate.”
If a cultivation place was abundant in spiritual energy, then it was significantly beneficial to the
cultivator. Before, Xie Lian couldn’t make up his mind on whether he should leave his parents
and the two attendants behind, which was why he never parted. Now, he’s changed his mind.
Feng Xin didn’t think too much on it however, “Great! Your Highness, you should’ve done this a
long time ago! Quiet cultivation is the most effective after all!”
Xie Lian nodded, paused, then said, “I’ll have to trouble you to look after father and mother while
I’m gone.”
Feng Xin was about to respond but suddenly hesitated for a moment. Although it was but a
flash, but Xie Lian knew him so well, how could he not have notice that moment of hesitation?
Right then, the king bellowed from within the back room, “If you must go then go. This king
doesn’t need anyone to look after.”
Feng Xin and Xie Lian lowered their bowls and chopsticks and looked to the room. It seemed
the king hadn’t yet rest and heard their exchange, interrupting their conversation. Xie Lian shook
his head and whispered, “Acting tough again.” Feng Xin smiled then said, “Don’t worry Your
Highness. Of course I’d look after them.”
Now he answered so straightforwardly. Still, Xie Lian didn’t forget that before Feng Xin
answered, there was that small moment of hesitation, like he had other concerns.
However, when he thought about it, maybe he saw wrong. Other than them, Feng Xin didn’t
know anyone else, had no other dependents, so what other concerns could he have? So Xie
Lian stopped thinking and changed his mind to considerations for his departure the next day.
The next day, Xie Lian carried a simply satchel and temporarily bid farewell to his parents and
Feng Xin.
The walked for who knows how many tens of miles, eating and sleeping out in the open for
days, and finally found a place, a quiet deep mountain that was perfect for quiet cultivation. After
examining the area, Xie Lian was startled at first, but soon after, his heart was filled with joy,
“Such luck… the fengshui of this land is excellent, I’ve actually found a most auspicious piece of
land!”
Having been unfortunate up to this point, to have his luck turn so suddenly, Xie Lian still couldn’t
believe it, and had to check and recheck before he was absolutely sure. Indeed, this area was a
sacred land brimming with spiritual energy. If he could immerse himself and focus on cultivation
for the next few months, then surely he could achieve twice the results with half the effort, and
make exponential progress!
It was as if Xie Lian had saw hope, and the gloomy feelings of recent days suddenly cleared, his
heart leaping with joy, “Father, mother, Feng Xin, wait for me. I’ll return very soon!”
Following along the steep and perilous mountain path and hiking for seven to eight hours, Xie
Lian finally entered the deep recesses of this spiritual mountain before sunset.
Crossing through the dense forests, he could sense clearly that he was coming closer and
closer to the source of the spiritual energy. Xie Lian’s steps were also growing faster and lighter.
Yet unexpectedly, just as he was picking out a location for his quiet cultivation, there suddenly
came the clamouring noise of footsteps behind him.
How could there be so many feet in such a secluded mountain? Xie Lian looked over
unconsciously. He had never expected that with this glance, the smile hanging off his lips would
freeze.
Behind him appeared a number of people, about maybe thirty of them, all different in shapes
and sizes donned in various attires. However, the one thing they all had in common was they
were all heavenly officials. A small number of them were officials without rank in the Upper
Court, and the majority of them were the officials of the Lower Court.
Among them were those junior officials that bumped into his failed robbery the last time!
When they saw Xie Lian, their faces changed, and they tugged and elbowed each other, saying
something under their breaths. As for Xie Lian, when he saw them, immediately his hands
started trembling.
Both parties stared at each other. It was a brief moment before one of the heavenly officials
cleared his throat, “What a coincidence, that we’d run into your royal highness here.”
“Indeed. Why has your royal highness come here too?”
“…:
Xie Lian inclined his head lightly, forcing himself to be calm and composed, and responded
without any sign of inferiority, “I’m here to train.”
Even though the him today wasn’t the him of the past, still Xie Lian tried to use the same tone
before he was banished, refusing to allow himself to sound subservient or guilty.
The heavenly official smiled, “Even more of a coincidence. We’ve come to train too.”
“Yea, yea, who knew that we’d all run into each other here, hohoho…”
Turns out, Xie Lian wasn’t the only one who spotted this auspicious land. This group of heavenly
officials have also targeted it.
Having run into this situation, Xie Lian started hesitating. Would he have to cultivate alongside
this many heavenly officials?
To be honest, he rejected the idea of cultivating with other heavenly officials from the bottom of
his heart. First, he had come to close himself off to cultivate quietly; if he couldn’t be by himself
and had to be with so many people, then there’d no doubt be disturbances. Some people enjoy
cultivation in groups so they could take care of one another, but Xie Lian had always cultivated
quietly on his own.
Second, ever since that robbery incident, he became ill at ease when he saw heavenly officials
he had acquainted in the past, feeling like the eyes of the others were piercing like needles,
tormenting him. Just like right now, he had the delusional feeling that they were all watching him
with judgment, so, he wouldn’t be able to focus on cultivation at all.
Although when it came to taking over auspicious lands, there was a first come first served rule,
and as long as Xie Lian was strong enough, he could very well say he was there first, pleas go
find somewhere else to train. However, those few junior officials who bumped into his robbery
incident were right before him, so he couldn’t act too tough. Besides, it’d also be thuggish of him
to chase away so many heavenly officials while keeping the auspicious land for himself. Even if
Xie Lian didn’t want to train next to the other heavenly officials, there was no other choice.
There wasn’t any time to go find another place with such plentiful spiritual energy, so Xie Lian
could only nod, “Yea, what a coincidence. Then, I’ll head in first. My Lords, please do as you
will.”
Then, he made a move to leave in haste so he could go hide himself in the quietest cave. Yet
unexpectedly, just as he turned around, a heavenly official behind him spoke up, “Hold up.”
Xie Lian paused in his step and turned his head back, puzzled, “What is it?”
Those thirty some heavenly officials exchanged looks with each other, some whispering. A
moment later, someone stepped out, and he smiled, “Your Highness had taken over a number
of auspicious lands in the past. Why don’t you let us have this one this time?”
Xie Lian was stunned for a good while before he understood.
What they meant was to have him leave the place by himself?
How baffling. What bullies!
A rush of blood came charging up to his head. Xie Lian thought angrily, ‘I was here first, but I
didn’t ask you all to leave, so why did you all turn around to have me leave?’
But he didn’t dare to act out. After a moment of silence, the hand holding strap of his satchel
slowly clutched harder, and Xie Lian demanded, his voice hard, “My Lords, what is the meaning
of this?”
One of the heavenly officials said, “Well… didn’t we just say… Your Highness had taken over
quite a number of auspicious lands in the past…”
Xie Lian cut him off, “What does that got to do with this? Are you saying that since I’ve taken a
number of spiritual lands in the past, I’m now barred from cultivating in spiritual lands?”
That heavenly official was stumped and stopped talking, looking embarrassed. Xie Lian tried to
remain composed and said, “Also, I don’t quite understand. It’s not like everyone can’t cultivate
here just because I’m here too. Isn’t it common to share spiritual lands when cultivating? What’s
wrong if everyone just mind themselves? Why must you ask me to leave?”
Just then, he heard someone grumble, “…Stop playing ignorant. There’s already thirty
something of us, if you’re cultivating here, what more can the others cultivate…”
Although that man was instantly pushed down by the others, Xie Lian still instantly understood.
So that was it!
The spiritual energy in piece of auspicious land was very limited. When cultivating, if someone
took over half, then the others who came afterwards could only share the other half. If someone
took over eight parts of it, then the other could only take two. The stronger one’s ability to
absorb in spiritual energy to use for oneself, the less spiritual energy there’d be for others to
use.
Those heavenly officials were afraid that if he was also around to cultivate, he’d take away a
majority of the spiritual energy. What was left would have to be shared among the thirty of them,
so there wouldn’t be much left for everyone!
Having realized this, that boiling blood in Xie Lian’s head was charging even more aggressively.
He clenched his fists and said coldly, “…I will cultivate here.”
Another heavenly official spoke up, “Your Highness, we’re only willing to call you Your Highness
out of respect. You’re nothing more than mortal right now, so why must you fight with us over
this spiritual land?”
“Since I’m a mortal and you’re all heavenly officials, then what are you afraid of if I’m here to
train?” Xie Lian said, “If I don’t leave, are you going to chase me away forcefully?”
Of course that wasn’t feasible. If a mortal did not commit any major sins, then heavenly officials
were not allowed to use force against him lest they be punished. The heavenly officials really
couldn’t do anything to him. HOwever, Xie Lian forgot one thing.
Just as he was stubbornly facing those thirty some heavenly officials, a voice suddenly said,
“Your Highness has been banished to the mortal realm, your backbone’s grown much tougher.
Not only would you rob mortals, you’d even offend heavenly officials, hahaha!”
Hearing this, it was as if Xie Lian suddenly plunged into an ice cellar!
He whipped his head up, and saw the one who spoke was an insignificant lower ranking official,
but, he wasn’t any one of the heavenly officials who caught him red handed at the robbery
incident that day!
As he suspected, they already talked! It wasn’t all in Xie Lian’s head earlier, everyone really was
looking at him with an inexplicable eye. Everyone knew. All of these heavenly officials, they all
knew!!!
In an instant, Xie Lian felt as if all of his bones were pulled out, the flames burning in his veins
extinguished, his eyes red, filled with blood, and he stiffly looked over to those junior officials. He
croaked, “…You said you wouldn’t tell anyone.”
———-
Ch.186: Thirty-Three Heavenly Officials Fight Over Auspicious Land 2
Perhaps the surge of emotions in his eyes were too strong and too piercing, the junior officials
being stared at by him quickly waved their hands, “We didn’t tell any outsiders!”
Xie Lian demanded with his eyes red, “Then how did they know??”
None of the thirty some heavenly officials present appeared surprised when they heard his
question. Since so many heavenly officials already knew, then how many officials in the Upper
Court have already heard?
Having been questioned by him, those heavenly officials were stumped for a bit before they
argued, “Well it’s not like they’re outsiders, we’re all close friends here. There aren’t any secrets
between us, so telling them isn’t the same as telling anyone else. Other than to the heavenly
officials here, we won’t say anything…” Xie Lian didn’t wait for him to finish before he cried
sharply, “LIES! WHAT A BUNCH OF LIES! I DON’T BELIEVE YOU!!!”
To have him interrupt so sharply, those junior officials were also starting to feel a little
embarrassed, shrinking back into the crowd. Just then, one of the heavenly officials suddenly
shouted, “WHAT DOES IT MATTER IF YOU BELIEVE THEM OR NOT? It’s already pretty good
that no one exposed what good deed Your Highness has done here in the mortal realm, and still
you ask them to keep a secret for you? What duty do we have to keep a secret for you? WHAT
A JOKE!”
It was like a bucket of ice cold water was thrown in Xie Lian’s face followed by a blade piercing
his heart, and he quickly said, “NO! I…”
Another one piped up, “If you didn’t do anything immoral, you wouldn’t fear talk. You’re the one
who’s corrupted, and you blame others for not keeping their words? If anyone was to keep such
unjust affairs a secret for you, then that’d be the true crime!”
“NO!!!” Xie Lian cried, “I…”
He wanted to say that there was a reason, that he hadn’t wanted to, but he also knew very well
in his heart that no matter what reason there was, they weren’t important. What mattered was,
he did indeed tried to rob!
A blemish like this was like a brand of shame marked on his face, and it was making him turn
infinitely small before these heavenly officials, too afraid to even raise his voice in defending
himself. Seeing that his will was diminishing, one of the martial gods stepped out, “Your
Highness, now do you understand why we don’t want you here to cultivate with us?”
Xie Lian lowered his head and clenched his fists.
That martial god continued, “We are not on the same path, and those not of the same paths
shall not cross. You best leave.”
Hearing him say “Those not of the same paths shall not cross” so presumptuously, Xie Lian
suddenly understood.
They could talk in circles, but at the end of the day, it was all just so he’d let go of this spiritual
land!
The knuckles of his fists were cracking and the lump in his throat pressed down for a while
before Xie Lian said darkly, “…I’m not leaving. I will stay here and train.”
At this moment, his anger towards those thirty some heavenly officials had surpassed his
embarrassment.
Since things had progressed to this point, then he might as well break all the broken jars and
give it his all. Instead of running away with tail between his legs, he’d rather thicken his face and
stand his ground, forcing them to relent. Xie Lian whipped his head up and reiterated, “I will stay
here to train. This mountain isn’t any of yours domain, none of you have any right to ask me to
leave!”
Seeing how he had hardened his attitude, those thirty some heavenly officials’ faces all
darkened. Xie Lian heard someone mutter, “Why must it be like this?”
“I have never seen anyone so thick-skinned…”
Still, they could say all they wanted, Xie Lian would stand his ground. Even if his heart was now
bleeding profusely having been stabbed by spears of lips and swords of tongues, still he will
stubbornly remain without moving.
That martial god said, “It seems Your Highness will force your way and bring displeasure to
everyone?”
Xie Lian said coldly, “Come chase me out if you’ve got what it takes! Even if you all want to, you
haven’t the skills!”
The moment he said this a number of the heavenly official’s instantly dropped their faces and
pulled out their weapons!
Of course they would. To martial gods, his words just now was a grave provocation.There were
a number of them present who were martial gods; there was no way they could pretend they
didn’t hear.
Having been surrounded, Xie Lian wasn’t scared a bit. He had no blades in his hands and could
only grip tightly onto the branch he used as a trekking pole. One of the martial gods said
severely, “Your Highness, if you apologize immediately, we can pretend you didn’t just offend
us.”
However, Xie Lian replied, “If I brought any displeasure to any of you, I refuse to apologize.”
Gripping that tree branch, he pointed forward, “Because none of you are fit to be gods!”
Before him was a wave of outrage.
Someone clicked his tongue, “We’re not fit? And someone like you who robbed mortals is
worthy?!”
Xie Lian couldn’t hold back anymore, and he didn’t want to anymore either. Sweeping that
branch he charged forward to attack, yelling, “YOU BULLIES!”
Those martial gods readied their weapons to welcome his attack. The heavenly officials
standing in the back cried, “It’s not like we forced you to go rob, so what reason do you have to
begrudge us??”
However, they were too glad too early. At first they thought without spiritual powers and without
weapons, Xie Lian must be easy to take down. Yet unexpectedly, that wasn’t the case at all.
Even though it was only a branch in Xie Lian’s hand, it was swung like a vicious blade, forcing
them back, exceedingly strong. Both sides didn’t fight for very long before a number of the
martial gods’ swords were sent flying, and they were even scared of getting scratched by the
sharp winds swept by the swinging branch, each of them so startled they fled to hide in the
back.
Esteemed heavenly officials couldn’t even defeat a banished mortal, what an embarrassment!
Just then, one of the heavenly officials watching the fight suddenly shrieked from the distance,
“WHAT’S THIS?!”
With that cry, the other heavenly officials became alarmed too, “WHAT’S GOING ON?”
That heavenly official seemed to be in excruciating pain, covering his face and bent at the waist,
“A, a ball of ghost fire hit my eyes just now… is he playing tricks?”
Xie Lian recalled that this was the official that was pointing at him shouting he was a robber, and
he snorted, “What ghost fire? If you want to rob me of spiritual land then just say so, there’s no
need to slander me any further!”
His fury flared again, and his attacks became more aggressive. The spears and blades of that
circle of martial gods were all stricken away by his normal, perfectly sized branch, and the
weapons clattered as they all fell all over the ground. Suddenly, someone yelled, “IT’S
CAUGHT! IT’S CAUGHT! LOOK!”
Xie Lian paused and steadied himself, and saw those heavenly officials in a riot, and something
was in someone’s hand being raised high for all to see, “There really is a ghost fire, he’s playing
dirty! We’ve got proof!”
Xie Lian looked closely, and sure enough it was a ball of hauntingly blazing little ghost fire. He
cried angrily, “I DON’T EVEN KNOW WHAT’S GOING ON! HOW DARE YOU ACCUSE ME OF
PLAYING TRICKS JUST BY CATCHING SOME GHOST FIRE? IT’S NOT LIKE GHOST FIRES
ARE ANYTHING RARE! DO YOU SEE MY NAME CARVED ON IT??”
That heavenly official who shrieked held his eye, “Why would normal ghost fires attack my
eyes? If it wasn’t under your control why would it act like this?”
Xie Lian rebuked, “And I can say it’s some wandering spirit on the mountain that were scared by
you lot and came crashing in a daze! What kind of proof is that?!”
The first martial god who made a move went and grabbed the ghost fire. “Who cares whose
control it’s under. A harmful thing like this, just disperse it!” he said as he gripped harder, looking
like he was going to squeeze that spirit apart. Seeing this, Xie Lian blurted, “LET IT GO!”
In the end he still couldn’t bear to have wandering spirits be dragged into their quarrel, and he
went up to fight that martial god to retrieve the ghost fire. Since his intention was to take the
spirit back, he held back at bit, and the two stood at a standstill. Suddenly, a few of the heavenly
officials from behind called out, “You’re here?! Come quick! Come see for yourself just what’s
going on!”
It sounded as if someone had come. The heavenly officials all looked over and said, “You’re
finally here!” “We’ve been waiting for you, come give us a hand!”
Hearing this, Xie Lian was startled at first, and thought, ‘Could this be someone powerful’ Then
he thought, ‘Well who cares who it is. If they’re going to give me trouble, I’ll just fight another
round! I’m not afraid of anyone!!!’
He was guts filled with resentment right now, and was prepared to enter into a brawl. Yet
unexpectedly, when the crowd had parted, and the one who arrived fashionably late came
forward, Xie Lian was thoroughly stunned.
He had never thought that the one who’d come would be Mu Qing!
Mu Qing obviously hadn’t expected that he’d bump into Xie Lian in such a situation. The
moment their eyes met, they were both shocked. Xie Lian’s eyes were wide and completely
forgot about the martial gods he had been fighting, and he muttered, “…Why are you here?
Aren’t you…”
He noticed something after only having said a few words, and he instantly understood and shut
up.
What Mu Qing was wearing right now wasn’t that old, worn black robes when they were on the
run, but the martial heavenly official attire of the Lower Court.
In the past, when Feng Xin and Mu Qing were working as Xie Lian’s left and right hands, their
abilities were much admired and appreciated, catching the eyes of many. Later when Xie Lian
was banished, there were a number of heavenly officials who thought it a shame that Feng Xin
and Mu Qing were banished together, and there were even some who’d come ask in secret
whether they’d be willing to transfer to other palaces to serve. It wasn’t impossible for a
heavenly official who, out of admiration, would pull Mu Qing up to the Lower Court to serve
them.
That must’ve been it. Moreover, he must’ve done well for himself, otherwise he wouldn’t be
banding together with this group of heavenly officials to come search for auspicious lands to
cultivate.
Xie Lian was still in the body of a mortal, but Mu Qing had already returned to the Lower Court.
To have a scenario like this, how ironic.
On the other side, Mu Qing finally steadied himself with great effort and asked in confusion,
“What’s going on here?”
Those heavenly officials all fought to tell their tales. Xie Lian stood from afar, his body extremely
stiff.
He noticed that they didn’t especially tell Mu Qing about his robbery. What did this mean?
It meant Mu Qing already heard about the incident. Mu Qing also knew he went to rob!!!
Drops after drops of cold sweat rolled down from the side of Xie Lian’s face, and he involuntarily
backed up a couple steps. That martial god who had been facing him earlier huffed in anger,
“He wants to take the spiritual land all for himself and chase us out, Mu Qing, hurry and help!”
What help?
Have Mu Qing help fight him?
Xie Lian was going numb with rage, shocked to the core. He finally snapped to and stammered
furiously, “…You, you’re all giving a false account, so shameless! It wasn’t like that at all! I clearly
wasn’t!”
Mu Qing was only watching from the side, and Xie Lian was going anxious with rage and
charged out with the branch again. Those martial gods were having trouble defending, backing
away in defeat, and they yelled again, “MU QING! WHAT ARE YOU DOING STANDING
THERE??”
The other heavenly officials also joined in on the yelling, but Mu Qing still looked hesitant, like
he didn’t know whether he should attack. Xie Lian heard them urge Mu Qing to surround
himself, and his heart blazed with rage, “MU QING ISN’T LIKE YOU ALL. HE’S MY FRIEND,
HE WOULD NEVER HELP YOU!!!”
He raged and raged, and put more strength into his hand, sending another row of weapons
flying. The rest of the heavenly officials saw that he was growing bolder the more he fought, that
things weren’t going down right, and they cried urgently, “MU QING! ARE YOU JUST GOING
TO WATCH HIM MESS THINGS UP AS HE WILL??”
Mu Qing’s expression changed to something unreadable, and he took a step forward, his fingers
twitching. The heavenly officials next to him prompted, “Don’t just stand there, give us a hand!”
It just had to be at this moment that someone remarked sarcastically, “It’s understandable that
Mu Qing doesn’t want to move. He was His Highness’ personal attendant after all, so even if His
Highness was robbing mortals and spiritual land, he still had to consider the old affection of their
past relations. It’s already more than enough that he didn’t join His Highness, so how can we
possibly expect him to help us?”
The words sounded like they were giving Mu Qing an out, truly wicked. Immediately, veins
popped on Mu Qing’s forehead.
The air was growing delicate, and Xie Lian could tell things were going wrong, “Mu Qing…”
He only called out the name, but the next moment, his hands were light followed by the sound of
something being slashed.
Xie Lian blinked and looked down. What was slashed was his only ‘weapon’, that tree branch.
When he looked up again, the Mu Qing before him was already holding a zanbato.
Right at that moment, the tip of the blade was pointed at Xie Lian, and the one controlling the
sabre said coldly, “…Please leave.”
“…”
Xie Lian stared at Mu Qing with that broken branch in his hand, and after a long while, he tried,
“I… hadn’t really wanted to rob anyone. I wasn’t going to take over this spiritual land either. I
came here first.”
“…”
Mu Qing repeated expressionlessly, “Please leave.”
Xie Lian gazed at him and hesitated for a moment, “…You know I’m not lying, right?”
When he asked this, he was a little hopeful but also a little scared. A voice was telling him, don’t
ask anymore, just turn around and walk away! Still, he couldn’t help but ask.
Before Mu Qing responded, Xie Lian’s body suddenly slumped forward, and he fell heavily onto
the ground.
The ground was the muddy earth of the mountain path, filled with holes and ditches, covered in
rocks and fallen leaves. Xie Lian laid sprawled on the ground, bulging his eyes and was still in a
state of disbelief.
One of the heavenly officials had shoved him while he was at a loss, and made him fall this
embarrassingly in front of so many eyes.
It really was too embarrassing. All around were voices, high and low, filling the air, all entering
Xie Lian’s ears. His eyes were extremely wide, and he looked before him at the blackened
ground before slowly raising his head and saw Mu Qing who was standing not too far away from
him.
Mu Qing was standing among those heavenly officials, not looking at him, and just like all the
others, he had no intention of giving Xie Lian a hand to help pull him up.
Thus, Xie Lian understood. No one would give him a hand to help pull him up.
He laid there for a good while before he crawled up himself.
Those heavenly officials thought he was about to start another bout and were exceedingly
alarmed, but Xie Lian didn’t seek to fight anyone anymore. His head was bowed low as he
fumbled around, and after finding that little satchel the queen packed for him, he picked it up
silently, carried it back on his back, turned around and headed to descend the mountain step by
step.
As he walked, his steps grew faster and faster. It didn’t take long before Xie Lian started running
madly.
He held his breath and ran all the way down the mountain, not taking a moment to rest. He
didn’t know how far he’s run, and suddenly, without minding his footing, he tripped and fell
again, and that breath he was holding finally came out with a mouthful of angry blood.
In his moment of panic, he hadn’t thought to get up, and only sat up on the ground panting.
Even when his breathing returned to normal he hadn’t thought to stand up, and instead started
spacing out right on the spot.
Suddenly, a hand was extended to him.
Xie Lian blinked slowly at it, and his eyes followed this arm and looked up. It was Mu Qing
again.
He was standing next to Xie Lian, his face slightly pale with his hand reached out. A brief
moment later, he said with a stiffly, “Are you alright?”
Xie Lian watched him with empty eyes and didn’t speak.
Perhaps it was because he was growing uncomfortable by this chilling gaze, and Mu Qing
averted his eyes.
Still his hand was outstretched. “Get up.”
But, this hand had reached out too late.
Xie Lian didn’t take his hand, and he didn’t get up either. He only continued to stare at him with
unblinking eyes.
The two were in a standstill for a long time, and Mu Qing’s face was growing darker and darker.
Just as he was about to take his hand back, Xie Lian suddenly grabbed a handful of mud and
slung it at Mu Qing with a soundly “PA!”
Mu Qing had never expected he would do such a thing and really didn’t know whether if it could
be called rude or juvenile. A ball of dirty mud splattered on his chest, splashing spots onto his
face, and he was bewildered. A moment later, anger rolled up but he forced it down and he said
darkly, “…I didn’t have a choice!”
He indeed didn’t have a choice. He was getting along well with those heavenly officials, and if
he just stood and watched his colleagues get beaten by Xie Lian without helping, others would
think he was on Xie Lian’s side, and that would ruin his days.
It was as if Xie Lian forgot how to speak, and only continued to hurl mud at him. Mu Qing
blocked a couple times but he couldn’t keep it up, and he cried furiously, “ARE YOU CRAZY??
DIDN’T I JUST TELL YOU I DIDN’T HAVE A CHOICE? DIDN’T YOU GO ROB BECAUSE YOU
ALSO DIDN’T HAVE A CHOICE??”
Scram! Get out of here! Leave!
Those were the only words echoing in Xie Lian’s mind, but he couldn’t utter a single sound, and
could only crazily grab at anything at his disposal to throw. He didn’t care who he was hurling at
either. Finally, Mu Qing couldn’t take this anymore, and he steeled his face as he swept his
sleeves and left. Xie Lian panted harshly for a bit and fell back down, spacing out again.
He sat in that position until night fell.
After the skies turned dark, a large number of phosphorescent flames came floating, dancing
hauntingly about. It was as if Xie Lian didn’t see them and didn’t bother to muster any strength.
However, those phosphorescent flames seemed to be upset that they weren’t noticed, and more
and more gathered by his side. Xie Lian still ignored them.
Until the figure of a person appeared from within the phosphorescent flames.
The arrival of that person seemed to always be accompanied by an immense ominous
foreboding. Xie Lian sensed something and slowly lifted his head.
About ten feet away, the silhouette of a white clothed man was standing amidst the countless
floating phosphorescent flames, and half of the mask on his face was smiling hauntingly.
He greeted pleasantly, “How are you, Your Highness.”
———–
Ch.187: Cold White Ghost; Warm Words Confounding the Crown Prince
In the dark night, both Xie Lian’s pupils instantly shrank to two extremely small dots, and his
voice trembled, “…It’s you?!”
White No-Face!
Hairs on Xie Lian’s back rose and he leapt to his feet, grabbing for his sword but there was
nothing, and only then did he remember he pawned all of his swords. Even that branch he took
for a weapon earlier was broken. Which meant, he was facing this creature with neither spiritual
power nor weapons!
A few years ago when XianLe fell, White No-Face disappeared from the world. Xie Lian never
bothered to search for him, and never thought of searching for him, only praying that he would
just so soundlessly never appear again, yet who knew this creature would suddenly appear
before him!
That white clothed figure approached languidly, and Xie Lian felt a sudden chill and couldn’t
help but back away a couple steps, yet he immediately snapped to: no backing away! Even
fleeing was pointless!
He cried sharply, “WHAT DO YOU WANT??”
White No-Face didn’t answer, and continued to come closer with hands at his sides. Xie Lian
was shaking from his feet to his hands, and even the white puffs of air from his lips seemed to
be trembling.
He forced himself to recall the jeers, the indifference, and the mocking laughter of those thirty
some heavenly officials, and Mu Qing who’d turned his face away, and all of a sudden, he forgot
his fear as he shouted and struck out with a hand chop.
However, before that hand even chopped, there was an excruciating pain. The other party
actually predicted Xie Lian’s move and was a step faster, flashing behind his back and kicked
the hollow of his knee!
Too fast!
Xie Lian’s knees dropped heavily to the ground, and only then did a terrifying thought enter his
mind.
The movement was this creature was faster than he had thought!
The next moment, Xie Lian felt something even more horrifying – a cold hand with its fingers
stretched open was pressed over his skull!
He started screaming. That hand had only used a bit of strength and Xie Lian’s entire body was
pulled up from the head. Xie Lian had no doubt that based on this creature’s strength, should
his fingers curl in they could easily smash his skull, and his head would instantly turn into
smeared bloody flesh smushed between bones. He also had no doubt that the next thing White
No-Face planned to do was exactly that!
Xie Lian breathed harshly, thinking he was dead for sure, and squeezed his eyes shut. Yet
unexpectedly, that creature had no intention of exerting any more force, and instead it withdrew
its murderous intent and sighed softly.
That sound of his soft sigh lasted for a while and the other party showed no signs of moving. In
the dead silence, Xie Lian reopened his eyes little by little.
Ghost fires filled the air and they were dancing in wild joy, each of the balls of flames were
watching the show, cackling as the spirits of the deceased laughed. However, most of the ghost
fires seemed to have been stunned by something, not daring to approach the two, and only a
ball of ghost fire with its flames that were abnormally bright were hanging above them, using its
own flames to attack the one behind Xie Lian again and again. No one could tell what it was
doing, but no matter how one looked at it, it was like an insect fighting a tree.
Then, Xie Lian’s body froze abruptly.
White No-Face had hugged him!
Xie Lian knelt in a slump while he was encircled by a pair of cold but powerful arms and pulled
into a lifeless embrace.
Without knowing when, White No-Face had also sat down and he murmured, “So sad, so sad.
Your Highness, look at yourself, look what they’ve done to you.”
He murmured softly as he caressed Xie Lian’s head, his hands gentle and merciful, like he was
petting a wounded puppy or his child who was about to pass away from severe illness.
Under the moonlight, the smiling face of that cry-smiling mask was hidden in the darkness,
revealing only the other half that was crying, seeming like it was genuinely shedding tears of
grief for Xie Lian.
Through his gesture, Xie Lian actually felt a peculiar kind of loving compassion. Just as he
would’ve been in the embrace of his best friend or a familiar family member, his shivering body
miraculously became warmer.
He had never thought that in such a state, the one who would give him compassion and warmth
would be this strange creature.
Deep in Xie Lian’s throat came waves of suppressed sobs, shaking harder and harder. That ball
of ghost fire flew to his heart, looking as if it wanted to warm him, but wasn’t confident that it
could help chase away the cold, so it didn’t press close.
White No-Face helped clean off the mud of his person and beckoned, “Come to my side.”
“…I…I…” Xie Lian’s voice trembled.
Before he finished his words, his hand suddenly flashed out and went straight for White
No-Face’s mask!
His attack was successful, and that mask was smacked high into the air. Xie Lian himself had
leapt and flipped to meters away, the terror from earlier completely gone. He said darkly in rage,
“Who’s going to your side, you… monster!”
That tragically pale cry-smiling mask fell to the ground, and all the ghost fires in the air seemed
to be stupefied, and they suddenly lost order, dancing madly without stopping, shrieking without
a sound. White No-Face on the other hand, covered his face and started chuckling softly.
That laugh was making all of Xie Lian’s hairs stand, “What are you laughing about?”
White No-Face humphed softly, “You will come to my side one day.”
His tone was confident. Xie Lian didn’t understand what he meant and said in disbelief, “What
side is your side? You destroyed XianLe and you still want me to go over to your side? Are you
crazy? I think you’re sick in the head!”
He didn’t know how to cuss at others, and even in extreme rage he only knew how to say those
words, otherwise he would’ve used the world’s most vicious, most vengeful words to curse that
creature. White No-Face laughed out loud, and with his hand covering his face, he held his
head tall, “You will come. In this world, no one but me will truly understand you, and no one but
me will forever stay by your side.”
Xie Lian felt chills and still tried to argue, “GET OUT OF HERE! Enough with your arrogant
nonsense! How could there be no one just because you said so?”
A ball of ghost fire flew to his side and moved up and down, like it was nodding in agreement.
However, wicked wisps like it were all around, so Xie Lian didn’t notice this particular one.
Before him, White No-Face said warmly, “Oh? Is there someone? Maybe there were people in
the past, but do you think they’d still be there from now on?”
“…”
Xie Lian demanded, “What do you mean? What are you hinting at?”
White No-Face didn’t answer and only sneered and turned around, looking like it was about to
drift away.
He said softly, “I will wait for you here, Your Highness.”
As if Xie Lian would let him go just like that, “WAIT! DON’T GO! What did you do to them? DID
YOU TOUCH MY PARENTS AND FENG XIN??”
He chased after him, reaching his arms out to grab at the silhouette of that white clothed man,
yet unexpectedly, the other party lightly swept its sleeve and grabbed a ball of ghost fire.
He didn’t particularly aim to attack Xie Lian, but Xie Lian sensed a horrifying force coming at
him, and his entire person was thrown high into the air, hitting against a tree. A large crack, and
that giant tree with the width of two grown men split and fell by this collision.
If this was before, then Xie Lian wouldn’t even frown if he should break ten trees. However, his
body was mortal right now, and with such a crash, it was like his bones fell apart, and he fell
heavily to the ground, losing consciousness.
The final moment as his eyes closed, Xie Lian seemed to have seen that white clothed figure
reach out a hand and held up within his palm a blazing ghost fire, and he chuckled, “Spirit, tell
me, what is your name? How interesting…”
When he came to, everything was gone.
Xie Lian was covered with the astringence of blood from his chest to the mouth, and his head
spun for a good while before he suddenly stumbled to crawl up. He muttered, “…Father! Mother!
Feng Xin!”
He remembered everything that had happened before he passed out, and didn’t dare to waste a
single second. He ran like mad for tens of miles, and finally after twenty somes days since he
left with the satchel on his back, he returned to the king and the others’ hiding place in a deep
night.
Xie Lian was panicking the entire way, extremely anxious, scared that White No-Face had
already done something to his friend and family. The moment he returned to that dilapidated
cottage he shoved the door open, and blurted out before even catching his breath, “FATHER!
MOTHER! FENG XIN!”
Thank goodness. The house didn’t look as tragic as he had imagined, and nothing was out of
place either, still looking exactly the same as when he had left.
Xie Lian had run madly with a body covered in injuries, his throat so dry it was going to smoke.
He relaxed a little and only then did he swallowed before continuing deeper into the house,
“Feng Xin! Where are you guys…”
He pushed a door open and his voice died in his throat. Feng Xin was inside and when he saw
Xie Lian had come back, he exclaimed in amazement, “Your Highness! Why are you back?”
However, Xie Lian wasn’t looking at him, but was staring intently at the one facing Feng Xin.
Before Feng Xin stood a black clad man.
It was Mu Qing.
Mu Qing turned his head back and saw Xie Lian. He pressed his lips, looking grim. Feng Xin
went around him and came over to greet Xie Lian, “Didn’t you go to train? How was it? I thought
you’d be gone for at least several months. Did you come back so soon because you’ve made
excellent progress?”
Xie Lian stared at Mu Qing, “Where’s father and mother?”
“Sleeping in the room. They’ve already gone to rest.” Feng Xin said. “Why are your clothes so
dirty? What’s with the cuts on your face? Who fought with you?”
Xie Lian didn’t answer. Only when he heard his parents were fine did he completely relax, and
he turned to Mu Qing, “Why are you here?”
Mu Qing didn’t speak, and Feng Xin replied for him, “He came to deliver something,”
“What?” Xie Lian questioned.
Mu Qing raised his hand lightly, pointing to the side. What he was pointing at were several clean
sacks, probably with rice or grain in them.
Seeing Xie Lian so quiet, Mu Qing said softly, “I heard you are needing medicine. I’ll think of a
way to get some later.”
“Alright.” Feng Xin said, “I’ll say my thanks then. We do need all this stuff right now. Heavenly
officials can’t gift mortals things privately, so you be careful too.” Then he shuffled to Xie Lian’s
side and whispered, “I’m pretty surprised too, that he’d actually come back to help. I’m the one
who judged him wrong. In any case…” However, Xie Lian suddenly spoke up, “Don’t need it.”
Mu Qing’s expression turned ashen for a moment, and he clenched his fists. Feng Xin was
puzzled, “What don’t we need?”
Xie Lian enunciated slowly, “I don’t need your help. I also… don’t want any of your stuff. Please
leave.”
When he heard the words “Please leave”, Mu Qing’s face became even more ashened.
Feng Xin also noticed something was wrong and asked, “Just what is going on?”
Mu Qing bowed his head, “I’m sorry.”
Having known Mu Qing for so many years, this was the first time they heard him say those
words, and it was also the first time he apologized to genuinely, but Xie Lian had no more mind
to be surprised, “Please leave!”
He was still unable to control his emotions, and he grabbed those sacks and started throwing
them at Mu Qing. White rice spilled the ground, and Mu Qing was thrown into a distraught state.
He only raised an arm to block but still held back. Feng Xin held Xie Lian down and was
alarmed, “Your Highness! What’s going on? What did he do?? Didn’t you go cultivate?? Just
what exactly happened??”
Having been held down, Xie Lian said with red eyes, “…Why don’t you ask him? I did go to train,
but ask him just why I’ve returned!”
It was too noisy out and the queen who was sleeping in the back rooms was shaken awake.
She emerged after pulling on an outer robe, “My son, have you returned? What’s happened to
you…” Feng Xin quickly said, “Nothing! Your majesty, please go back in!” Then he forcefully
pushed her back and closed the door. Then he demanded, “What did you do? Mu Qing just
what exactly did you do?? Your Highness, did the cuts on your face come from him??”
Xie Lian’s breathing was growing harsher and more turbulent, and couldn’t force a word out. Mu
Qing exclaimed, “It wasn’t me! I didn’t hit His Highness, I only asked him to leave. Other than
that I didn’t say anything harsh, and I didn’t move against him either! They were determined to
take over that spiritual land, and under those circumstances if you didn’t leave, nothing would
end!”
“YOU!…”
After having exchanged so many words, Feng Xin finally got the gist of what had transpired. He
widened his eyes and pointed at Mu Qing, unable to speak. A moment later, he bent down and
grabbed a sack and flung it over, roaring, “SCRAM! SCRAM SCRAM SCRAM!”
Mu Qing was hit in the face by the sacks of rice he brought and backed two steps away. All
three of them in the house were panting harshly, and Feng Xin cried, “I WAS WONDERING
WHY YOU SUDDENLY HAD A CHANGE OF HEART! I CAN’T FUCKING BELIEVE THIS,
HOLY SHIT… DON’T LET ME SEE YOU EVER AGAIN!”
Mu Qing exclaimed with a cracked voice, “YES! I WAS WRONG, I ADMIT IT, AND I
APOLOGIZE! BUT I WANTED TO SOLVE ALL THE CURRENT PROBLEMS FIRST BEFORE
WE THINK ABOUT ANYTHING ELSE! Your parents and my mother, the three of us, who knows
how long we’d have to struggle in the mud! If I went back first, maybe there’d still be a
chance…”
Feng Xin cussed, “ALL FUCKING BULLSHIT, STOP YOUR BULLSHIT! NO ONE WANTS TO
HEAR YOUR EXCUSES, SCRAM SCRAM SCRAM SCRAM SCRAM SCRAM SCRAM!”
Mu Qing tried again, “If you put yourself in my shoes…” Feng Xin cut him off, “I TOLD YOU TO
STOP YOUR BULLSHIT! I’M NOT LISTENING! I JUST KNOW THAT EVEN IN YOUR SHOES I
WOULDN’T HAVE DONE THE SAME THING AS YOU. NO NEED TO PUT MYSELF IN YOUR
SHOES BECAUSE YOU’RE NOTHING MORE THAN A TRAITOR!”
Mu Qing’s face was now green and he took a step forward, “When His Highness was in a tight
spot, wasn’t he forced to commit robbery too? Why when it comes to me, you can’t accept it?”
Feng Xin spat, “HUH? ROBBERY? WHO COMMITTED ROBBERY? His Highness
COMMITTED ROBBERY? WHAT SHIT TALK ARE YOU FUCKING SAYING?”
“…”
Xie Lian stopped breathing.
Watching Feng Xin’s raging face gradually changing to shock, Mu Qing finally realized
something was wrong and he turned to Xie Lian hesitatingly, “You… you didn’t…?”
He had never expected that Xie Lian hadn’t told Feng Xin about that incident!
“AAAAAHHHHHH!!!!”
Xie Lian had gone mad and he grabbed a random object by his hand and started chasing Mu
Qing out. Mu Qing also realized that he might’ve screwed up, and didn’t dare to speak even
having been hit a few times. Yet when he ran out the door and looked back, the thing Xie Lian
was using to chase him out was actually a broom, and his face instantly darkened, “Did you
have to taunt me like this??”
Xie Lian cried brokenly, “GET OUT OF HERE!”
Xie Lian’s swung fist blew out sharp gales, and Mu Qing was hit, barely dodging the brunt of the
attack, a thin bloody cut appearing on his cheek. He reached out and touched the cut, looked at
the blood on his hand, his expression unreadable, “…Fine. I’m leaving.”
Xie Lian was shaking all over and he bent over deeply down at the waist. Mu Qing took a few
steps forward and still placed the rice sacks on the ground in the end, “I’m really leaving.”
Xie Lian whipped his head up. When Mu Qing saw his eyes, he swallowed. Not hanging around
any longer, he swept his sleeves and left.
Only then did the thoroughly stunned Feng Xin came running out, “Your Highness! He’s fucking
lying, right? What robbery?”
Xie Lian covered his forehead, “…Don’t ask anymore. Please, Feng Xin, I beg you to please
don’t ask anymore.”
“No, of course I don’t believe it.” Feng Xin said, “I just want to know what really happened…”
Xie Lian screamed and covered his ears, escaping back into the cottage and locked himself in
his room.
Feng Xin was completely convinced that he would never do such a thing, but that was precisely
why this had become the worst case scenario!
Xie Lian wanted to just run away, escape to somewhere where no one knew him, but when he
remembered what White No-Face had said, he didn’t dare to go too far either, and could only
shut himself inside the room. No matter how Feng Xin and the queen called for him he’d refuse
to emerge.
It took two days before Xie Lian felt calmer, and when Feng Xin came to knock again, he silently
opened the door. Feng Xin was holding a plate and stood at the door, “Her Majesty made you
this during the day today, and exhorted that I’d absolutely bring this to you.”
The things in that plate were something green and purple, a horrifying sight. Feng Xin
continued, “If Your Highness think your life might be in danger, I can finish this for you, I won’t
tell Her Majesty, haha.”
Xie Lian could tell that Feng Xin still really wanted to prod and ask what the robbery was about,
but was also scared that Xie Lian might lock himself up again, and so he forced it down and
pretended that incident never happened and there was nothing to question, pretending to be at
ease. However, he wasn’t good at joking, and the jokes he made were all dry, making things
even more awkward.
To be honest, the taste of his mother’s cooking really was quite terrifying, and the more times
she entered the kitchen, the more effort she put in, the more astray the path of her progress. Xie
Lian had also never cooked, but the meals he made didn’t taste too bad. It seemed, it could only
be explained by way of natural talent. Nevertheless, Xie Lian still took the plate, and sat by the
table to eat it down honestly. Either way, he couldn’t taste whatever he ate now.
At least, the one consoling thing in all of this was while he was sure he was done for and the
king had overheard that night, based on how things were the past few days, it didn’t look like the
king and the queen knew about his robbery incident. Otherwise, by the king’s temperament, he
would’ve started yelling at him already. Feng Xin would never tell them either, so Xie Lian could
relax for now.
As he was thinking this, Feng Xin suddenly rose to his feet, and Xie Lian snapped out of it,
“What are you doing?”
Feng Xin grabbed his bow and said, “It’s time for me to go busking.”
Xie Lian stood up too, “I’ll go with you.”
After a moment of hesitation, Feng Xin said, “Forget it. You just rest a bit more.”
Although Feng Xin didn’t ask any more questions, Xie Lian was still feeling uncomfortable all
over, as if now that Feng Xin had learn such a thing, there was something between them that
could never go back. Every word and every look Feng Xin gave him seemed to have taken on a
different meaning, worthy of deeper interpretation. Xie Lian shook his head and sighed, “Let me
be honest with you. I don’t have the mind to cultivate right now.”
Feng Xin had expected this too, and he bowed his head, not knowing what to say. Xie Lian
continued, “So if that’s the case, instead of rotting inside the house, I might as well go busk too,
so I could at least earn some money, so at least I’m not…”
At least he wouldn’t be an invalid.
Yet for some reason, he couldn’t bring himself to say the last two words. Perhaps it was
because he really felt like he was already an invalid, so he didn’t dare to reveal it so easily.
Feng Xin was still a little worried, “I can do it on my own too. Your Highness, you’ve only had
one meal in the past two days, so why don’t you rest for a few more days?”
The more he insisted, the more Xie Lian was anxious to prove himself, and he turned to look in
the mirror, “It’s fine, I’ll just clean myself up and…”
He was going to tidy himself up at first so he at least wouldn’t be a disheveled, crazy beggar, yet
unexpectedly, he saw an exceedingly horrifying image reflected in the mirror.
The him in the mirror didn’t have a face – because in his reflection, what was on his face was a
half crying half smiling cry-smiling mask.
———
Ch.188: Cold White Ghost; Warm Words Confounding the Crown Prince 2
Xie Lian instantly screamed on the spot, and Feng Xin jumped in surprise, “WHAT? WHAT IS
IT??”
Xie Lian pointed at the mirror, his face pale, “HIM! I… I, MY…”
Feng Xin followed his arm and looked to the mirror, and a good moment later, he turned to look
at Xie Lian, bewildered, “…What’s with you?”
Xie Lian was terrified to the bone, and he gripped him hard, squeezing out only a few words with
great difficulty, “MY! MY! MY FACE! YOU DON’T SEE IT? THE THING ON MY FACE??”
Feng Xin stared at his face and sighed. Xie Lian was still confused why there wasn’t any
reaction from him when Feng Xin said, “Your Highness, have you finally noticed that there are
cuts on your face?”
It was as if Xie Lian was plunged into an ice cellar.
Why? How could this happen? Why would Feng Xin say that?
Could it be that Feng Xin couldn’t see the mask on his face in the mirror at all?!
Xie Lian blurted, “You don’t see it? There’s something on my face!”
Feng Xin was puzzled, “What thing? What exactly do you mean? I don’t see anything?”
Xie Lian looked at the mirror again, “That’s impossible! I…”
However, when he looked again this time, the mask on his face in the mirror had disappeared,
and what reflected what that panicking face of his.
There were bruises and cuts crisscrossing on his face, looking lost and disturbed, exceedingly
unkempt, like a small worker was beaten to a pulp by a wealthy master. Xie Lian was stunned in
spite of himself, and probled the side of his cheek, wondering inwardly, ‘…Is this me?’
Just then, he heard Feng Xin speak, “Your Highness, are you… too tired, perhaps? Or are you
just exhausted from being angry at that stinkin’ bastard? Listen to me, don’t go out in the next
few days, and just take it easy.”
Xie Lian finally snapped out of it and saw Feng Xin was about to leave the door with the bow on
his back, dangling a stool in his hand, and he explained hastily, “No! I…”
Feng Xin pushed the door while looking back, “Is there anything else?”
The words had made it to this lips but he forcefully swallowed them down because a strange
thought suddenly appeared in his mind: Life now was already very difficult; if he told Feng Xin
that White No-Face could be coming back to harass them, what would Feng Xin do?
Feng Xin was also fairly traumatized by White No-Face, what would he do? Would he think of
backing away, and leave like Mu Qing?
Just as his imagination was running wild, Feng Xin had already left. Xie Lian snapped to the
sound of the door closing, and so he could only shrink back to bed, wrap himself in blankets,
planning to take another nap.
Suddenly, he smelled something foul.
Xie Lian crawled up, and at first he thought it was the queen cooking again or some rat that died
in a corner, and he got up to check. He looked all over, but in the end he discovered that the
source of the foul smell was actually himself.
Only then did Xie Lian remember that it had been over two weeks since he last washed up or
changed, so of course he’d smell.
Xie Lian held his breath, a wave of self hatred crashing through him. Just thinking that both his
parents and Feng Xin must’ve noticed but didn’t bother to tell him made him feel another wave
of embarrassment. He sneakily opened the door and looked around; there wasn’t anyone
outside, so he found himself a set of fresh clothing and planned to boil some water for a bath.
After much struggle, he finally soaked in the bathtub at last. He sank himself into the water,
holding his breath until he was suffocating, and only resurfacing when he felt he was going to
pass out. Then he rubbed at his face roughly.
After wiping himself down, Xie Lian reached out to grab for his clothes, absentmindedly shaking
out his robes and was just about to put them on when suddenly, he noticed something wrong.
That wasn’t his clothes at all but White No-Face’s tragically blanched funeral garb with
expansive sleeves!!!
Xie Lian could only feel the hot water he was soaking in turning into a pot of icy pond all of a
sudden, his hairs standing on ends, and he cried in dismay, “WHO?! WHO DID THIS??”
Who changed out his clothes in secret while he wasn’t paying attention??
He jumped out, still wet and dripping, and knocked the bathtub over. A large splash, and
instantly the entire cottage was flooded with bathwater, startling both the king and queen who
were in the next room. The queen supported the king as they entered to see, and Xie Lian was
sprawled on the ground naked, the floor flooded with water, and in her shock, she came rushing
forward to hug him, “My son, what happened to you??”
Xie Lian was wet and dripping, his hair strewn, and he looked up, hugging her back, “Mom, a
ghost, there’s a ghost, there’s a ghost clinging to me! He’s constantly following me!”
His appearance was no different than one who had lost his mind, and the queen couldn’t take it
anymore as she wept in anguish and held her son. The king also watched Xie Lian
dumbfoundedly; a man of forty some looking like he was now over sixty. The frigid air of winter
jolted Xie Lian, and he pointed, “The clothes. Look at the clothes!…”
However, when he looked at those clothes again, how was it the funeral garb at all? Was it not
just his white cultivation robes?
Xie Lian was suddenly filled with rage, and he slammed a fist on the wooden tub, roaring, “JUST
WHAT DO YOU WANT? ARE YOU PLAYING WITH ME?”
The queen forced back her tears and hugged him, “My son don’t be angry, just put on some
clothes first, put them on, don’t catch a cold…”
That day, Feng Xin also came back really late. Exhaustion was written on his face, much more
so than before.
Xie Lian had been waiting for him for a long time, and he spoke impatiently, “Feng Xin, I have
something very important to tell you.”
Although that creature White No-Face was too bizarrely powerful, even if he told Feng Xin, it
would be pointless to set up guard beforehand, nevertheless, after much thinking he still
believed something like this shouldn’t be kept secret from Feng Xin, so he decided to tell him
the truth. Unexpectedly, Feng Xin didn’t immediately ask him what it was, and only said, “Oh
good. I’ve got something I wanted to say to you too.”
Xie Lian thought the matter with White No-Face was more important, and anything else urgent
could come after, but he sat down at the table and asked, “You go first. What is it?”
Feng Xin hesitated for a moment and said, “Your Highness, you go first.”
Xie Lian didn’t have the mind to be courteous anymore and whispered, “Feng Xin, you must be
absolutely careful. White No-Face has come back.”
“…”
Feng Xin’s expression instantly changed, “White No-Face has returned? Why would you say
that? Did you see it?”
“Yes!” Xie Lian exclaimed, “I saw it!”
Feng Xin paled, “That’s… That’s not right, why would it be seen by you? Why are you still here
all fine after having seen it???”
Xie Lian buried his face in his hands, “…I don’t know either! Not only did he not kill me, he
even…”
He even hugged him and pat his head like a loving elder, and beckoned him, “Come to my
side”.
After having listened to the strange encounter of the past few days, Feng Xin’s shock gradually
faded away, and it was replaced by confusion, “Just what is he thinking?”
“Either way he must not have any good intentions, and he also seemed to be following me
everywhere,” Xie Lian said, “In any case… you just be careful! Help me remind father and
mother to be careful too, but don’t frighten them.”
“Alright.” Feng Xin said, “I won’t go out for the next few days. The stuff that bastard gave us…
should last us for some time.”
It was quite embarrassing to say. When Mu Qing left, he still left behind everything he brought
over. Although Xie Lian lost control of himself at the time, flinging the stuff at him saying he
didn’t need his stuff nor help, but after calming down, they still picked up everything secretly in
defeat. Xie Lian sighed and nodded. Then he said, “Oh yes, what was it that you wanted to say
to me?”
Having brought this up, Feng Xin hesitated again. After a pause, he opened his mouth, and was
surprisingly humming and hawing, scratching at his head as he stammered out, “Actually, it’s…
Your Highness, do you still, have money on you? Or something that can be pawned?”
Xie Lian had never thought he’d ask such a silly question at a time like this and was a little
perplexed, “Huh? Why are you asking this?”
Feng Xin sweated as he replied boldly, “…It’s nothing… just, if you happen to have some, can
you… lend me some?”
Xie Lian laughed bitterly, “…Do you think I’d have any more?”
Feng Xin sighed too, “I thought so.”
Xie Lian gave it a thought and said, “But didn’t I gift you that golden belt before?”
Feng Xin mumbled, “That’s not enough. Far from it…”
Xie Lian was shocked, “Feng Xin? What exactly have you done out there? How can a golden
belt not be enough? Do you owe someone money for beating someone up? Tell me?”
Feng Xin snapped out of it and quickly said, “Oh no! Don’t take this to heart, I was only asking!”
After asking over and over, Feng Xin still swore everything was fine, and Xie Lian said worriedly,
“Well if there’s anything, you have to tell me, and we can think of a solution together.”
“Don’t worry about me.” Feng Xin said, “No solution will just fall from the sky. Your Highness,
you just focus on solving your problems!”
When he brought it up, Xie Lian’s heart sank again.
Just as he expected, all the days that followed, that creature harassed him unceasingly and
wouldn’t leave him alone.
Xie Lian could always see that cry-smiling mask or that white silhouette in many unsuspecting
places. Sometimes it’d be at the headboard in the deep night, sometimes it’d be a reflection in
the water, sometimes it’d be at the other side of the door when he opened said door, and
sometimes, it’d even be standing right behind Feng Xin.
White No-Face seemed to be taking scaring him as entertainment, and, purposely only let him
be the only one who would see. Every time when Xie Lian couldn’t take it anymore and pointed
at him screaming, all the others would rush over or look over, and he’d disappear. Xie Lian had
been passing days like this in shaken agitation, so bitter he wished he could catch that creature
and chop it into eight pieces, but he couldn’t even manage to step on the other’s shadow.
Inevitably, his days and nights became flipped, both his heart and body exhausted.
One day, he jolted awake in the middle of the night, and felt irrepressibly thirsty. Thinking that he
hadn’t drank anything properly the entire day, he crawled up ready to go get some water to
drink. However, from outside the room creeped faint voices and weak candlelight. Xie Lian was
startled and instantly hid behind the door, his heart thumping, ‘Who could it be? If it’s father,
mother, and Feng Xin, why would they sneak around like this?’
Yet who knew, the ones sneaking around really were his father, mother, and Feng Xin. Feng
Xin’s voice was extremely hushed, “His Highness is resting now, right?”
The queen also whispered, “He’s asleep now.”
“Finally.” The king said, “Don’t wake him too early tomorrow, let him sleep some more.”
Those words made Xie Lian’s heart squeeze, then soon after, he heard the queen said, “Sigh…
if this keeps up, when would my son ever get better?”
Xie Lian could feel something amiss with those words, and just then, Feng Xin said with a quiet
voice, “He’s only like this because he’s overworked. Too much has happened recently. Will your
majesties also keep a closer eye on him, and if there’s anything off with His Highness, please do
let me know as soon as possible, but don’t let him know. Also, don’t say anything that’d provoke
him…”
Xie Lian eavesdropped hiding behind the door, his mind going blank, and waves of blood rushed
up to his brain.
What did this mean? What did they mean?
He roared internally, “I’M NOT CRAZY! I DIDN’T LIE! I WAS TELLING THE TRUTH!”
Xie Lian raised his hand and PANG! Crashed the door open. All three inside the room were
startled, and Feng Xin rose to this feet, “Your Highness? Why aren’t you asleep??”
Xie Lian was furious, “YOU DON’T BELIEVE ME??”
Feng Xin was taken aback, “Of course I believe you! You…” Xie Lian cut him off, “Then what did
you mean by those words just now? Are you saying that everything I saw were all
hallucinations, that I’m just delusional?”
The king and queen wanted to intercept and Xie Lian instantly said, “Don’t speak, you guys
don’t understand anything!”
“No!” Feng Xin exclaimed, “I believe you, Your Highness, but you’ve been overworked too, and
that’s also the truth!”
Xie Lian looked at him and didn’t speak, but somewhere in his heart there were chilling winds
blowing in.
He believed that overall, Feng Xin still believed in him. At least eighty percent.
But it wasn’t complete trust. After all, how Xie Lian passed his recent days really were too
mental. If it was any other outsider looking in, they would’ve no doubt determined him to be a
mad man, so what right did he have to demand anyone to trust him completely?
But it shouldn’t be like this. The Feng Xin of the past would have absolute faith in him no matter
what! Even if there was only twenty percent of doubt, it was still unbearable!
Xie Lian was filled with rage and resentment, but he couldn’t tell who it was directed at; to White
No-Face, to Feng Xin, to everyone, or to himself. He didn’t speak a word. He turned and went
out the door, and Feng Xin chased after him, “Your Highness, where are you going?”
Xie Lian forced himself to be calm, “Don’t mind me, don’t follow me, go back.”
“No, but where are you going? I’ll go with you!” Feng Xin said.
Xie Lian made up his mind and suddenly started running wildly. Feng Xin wasn’t as fast as him,
and was soon left far behind, and could only shout after him. The king and queen both came out
and started shouting for him too, but Xie Lian pretended not to hear, and ran faster.
He had no choice but to make the first attack!
If White No-Face planned to kill Xie Lian, or Feng Xin, or his parents, it would be a piece of
cake. Yet he just wouldn’t kill, and would instead play him like a toy, making a food of him!
Xie Lian ran as he roared in the black night, “COME THE HELL OUT!!! YOU SHADY GUTTER
MONSTER!!! GET THE HELL OUT!!!”
White No-Face was coming strictly for him, so he believed that White No-Face would’ve
followed him for sure. However, after cursing the world with insufficient vocabularies, there was
none of the usual sneers drifting from unexpected shadowed corners, nor did any figures
appear languidly behind his back, putting an unsuspecting hand on his head.
After running madly for a number of miles, Xie Lian finally exhausted his strength, and he bent
deeply at the waist, supporting himself up with hands on his knees, panting harshly, his chest
and throat flooded with the taste of rusted iron.
A good while later, he suddenly whipped up and continued forward, saying under his breath,
“…So you want to drag this out with me? Fine, we’ll drag this out slowly!”
He walked by himself through a deserted, barren fields, through old woods and deep mountains,
for who knows how long, and fog gradually started to thicken.
All around were the blackened old trees flashing their claws, and they were all leaning forward,
exceedingly pushed down, as if they were inviting him to step into a field of forbidden land of no
return. Xie Lian could tell that whatever was ahead wasn’t going to be anything good, but it was
unavoidable. Besides, he must put an end to this, so this would’ve come sooner or later. Thus,
with a darkened expression he continued forward. As he walked, within the white fog, a row of
something shimmering appeared like a glowing wall.
Xie Lian had never seen anything like it and he furrowed his brows slightly, stopping in his
breath. As for that ‘wall’, it was actually slowly pushing forward towards him!
Xie Lian was tensed in alarm and broke off a branch, gripping it in his hand at the ready. Only
when that ‘wall’ made it to not two meters away from him did he realize in bewilderment that it
wasn’t a wall, but countless ghost fires. Because there were too many, from afar it looked like a
blazing wall, or a giant net.
While those ghost fires were strange, they didn’t emit any murderous intent, and only drifted
towards him silently, blocking him from continuing forward. Xie Lian tried going around them, but
those ghost fires immediately changed direction and continued to block Xie Lian. At the same
time, he heard many voices:
“Don’t go there.”
“Don’t go over.”
“There are no good things ahead.”
“Turn around, don’t continue to walk!”
Those voices were stoic and condensed like tides, giving him chills down his back. Xie Lian was
surrounded and noticed, within these ghost fires, there was one ball of flames that was
particularly bright, and particularly silent.
Although something like a ghost fire didn’t have eyes, but when he gazed at that ghost fire, he
could almost sense a burning gaze staring at him.
It seemed, this ghost was the strongest among these ghost fires. All the other ghost fires were
all only following after it.
———–
Ch.189: Cold White Ghost; Warm Words Confounding the Crown Prince 3
“Move.” Xie Lian said coldly.
That ghost fire didn’t move.
“Why are you blocking my way?” Xie Lian demanded.
That ghost fire didn’t answer, and the other little ghost fires only repeated “Don’t go there”
nonstop. Xie Lian didn’t want to bother with those things at all, and he struck out a hand,
dispersing them.
He didn’t disperse the spirits; this hand was only for breaking apart the blocking formation of
those ghost fires, like waving away a band of fireflies or a school of goldfish.
Xie Lian passed through quickly, wilted branches and broken leaves crackling under his steps.
Yet when he looked back, the ghost fires had also swiftly caught up to him, looking like it was
ready to form another wall. Xie Lian warned, “Don’t follow me.”
That ball of the brightest and hottest ghost fire was flying at the very front, unheeding of his
words, and Xie Lian raised his hand like he was going to strike again, warning fiercely, “Keep
following me and I just might disperse your spirits!”
With a threat like this, many of the ghost fires became scared, fluttering and shriveling backing
away. However, that leading ghost fire only paused for a moment in mid air before it continued
to trail behind him keeping a distance of not five feet away, making Xie Lian think that it was
telling him “It doesn’t matter if you disperse me”, or perhaps, it knew that Xie Lian wouldn’t really
hit it.
A sudden inexplicable anger filled Xie Lian. In the past, if he shouted, what little minions would
dare continue their harassment? They would’ve disappeared in a flash with tails between their
legs. Now, not only do people step all over him as they willed, even this tiny little ball of ghost
fire wouldn’t obey him, taking his threat for nothing. Xie Lian’s eyes reddened from anger and he
mumbled, “…Even a little ghost like you is like this… you’re all like this…everyone’s like this!”
It was a little funny to be so enraged by such a small thing, yet at this moment, Xie Lian was
genuinely filled with furious resentment. Unexpectedly, after he mumbled those words, that ball
of ghost fires seemed to have understood that he was both angry and sad, and it stopped in mid
air, no longer moving forward. Leading those hundreds of little ghost fires, they backed away
slowly. Not long after, they disappeared completely into the night.
Xie Lian blew out a breath, turned and continued forward.
After some seven to eight hundred feet, corners of eaves faintly appeared within the beguiling
fog ahead, like an old temple of the deep mountains. When Xie Lian approached and looked
closer, his eyes widened slightly.
It was… a Crown Prince temple.
Of course, it was a broken down Temple of the Crown Prince. It had already suffered the pillage
of thugs, the establishment plaque fallen on the ground, broken in half. Xie Lian paused in front
of the temple entrance for a moment, then he lifted his feet and crossed over that piece of
broken establishment plaque and entered the temple. The divine statue within the great hall had
also long since vanished, perhaps smashed or burnt, or thrown into the sea. The altar was
empty and desolate, only the burnt base of the statue remained. On either side, the “Body in
Abyss, Heart in Paradise” were slashed some thirty times, just like a beautiful woman whose
face was cut by knives, no longer beautiful, only chillingly savage.
Xie Lian kept his composure and sat down on the ground inside the great hall, waiting for White
No-Face to appear. After one incense time, a figure really did appear from within the beguiling
fog outside the temple.
However, this figure wasn’t right; it wasn’t as at ease as White No-Face, and the sound of their
steps was wrong too, much more hurried, not like White No-Face’s silent creeping. So, the one
approaching must definitely not be White No-Face, nor anyone he knew.
Then, who could it be?
Xie Lian was tense and alarmed, and only saw clearly when that person ta-ta-ta-ed and finally
rushed into the Temple of the Crown Prince. Unfortunately, the person who arrived didn’t match
any of his guesses at all – no matter how he studied him he was only a passerby without any
flaws.
But Xie Lian still didn’t relax his guard; who knows if this could be White No-Face’s disguise?
In a wild, barren mountain, within a broken down Taoist temple, to suddenly run into someone,
Xie Lian was guarded against the other, the other was also guarded against Xie Lian. A brief
moment later, he finally ventured to ask, “This… daozhang? Do you know what this place is?”
Xie Lian knitted his brows slightly and looked up, “You don’t know what this place is? Then how
did you come here?”
“I got lost!” That man said, “I walked around and around but I just can’t seem to get out!”
Xie Lian knew that this wasn’t getting lost at all. If this man wasn’t White No-Face in disguise,
then he was most likely lured in by something.
“Don’t go around anymore, you’re not going to be able to get out.” Xie Lian said.
“Huh? What are you saying?”
However, Xie Lian didn’t respond anymore and continued his meditation. If he was lured in by
White No-Face, then panicking would be pointless. If he wouldn’t let anyone go then there was
no point in trying to escape, so it’d be better instead if Xie Lian just waited quietly to see what he
planned on doing.
That man was also tired from running around, so he sat on the side to rest, the two at peace
with each other. It didn’t take long before another figure appeared from within the beguiling fog,
entering the temple, and it was another confused traveler. Seeing that there were people inside
the temple. He quickly approached, “Hey buddies! May I ask what this place is?”
Those two travelers started chatting, and a premonition started growing in Xie Lian’s mind.
Sure enough, it didn’t take two hours before over ten people came to this Temple of the Crown
Prince one after the other. Men, women, seniors, children, all kinds; some by themselves, some
in groups of three or four, some were whole families, and most of them came because they
were lost. The reason they got lost were also innumerous and bizarre, some were even just
strolling down city streets and they could get lost all the way over here, exceedingly incredible.
Inside this temple, Xie Lian even saw that street performer who was adamant in competing
against him with the boulder shattering trick. He didn’t look very good; it seemed the competition
last time injured him significantly. The two saw each other but didn’t say a word, and only
nodded their heads.
It was easy to see that these were all ordinary people, and, they were all brought here into the
deep mountains intentionally by White No-Face!
The alarm in Xie Lian’s head was becoming louder and louder but still he didn’t move. He dug
out a cold steamed bun and bit into it forcefully, chewed forcefully, then swallowed forcefully. He
must store all of his energy in order to face a big battle that was surely coming.
Four hours later, this Temple of the Crown Prince was bursting with “lost” people from inside out.
Xie Lian had counted silently; there was about a hundred of them. Not a single one would be
able to get out of these woods.
When there was a crowd, there’d be bustling noise, and everyone started chatting, “Did you also
end up here for no reason? This reeks of evil!”
Someone suggested, “Why don’t we go try and find a way out again?”
Someone immediately agreed, “Let’s go, let’s go, I refuse to believe that with so many of us, not
a single one was able to get out!”
However, Xie Lian who was sitting in the corner abruptly looked up, “It won’t matter however
much you walk. There is no exit.”
The crowd looked to him, “How come?”
Xie Lian said bitterly, “Because you were all lead here by a monster. You’re all his toys, so why
would he let you all go so easily?”
“…”
Within the crowd, there were some who thought he was exaggerating, some who thought he
was mental, and some who thought he shouldn’t be underestimated. Someone stood up, “Who
are you? What basis do you have to say such a thing?”
“He seems to be the first one here. When I came he was already sitting there.”
“Weird…”
“Yea, and his face is covered too.”
“Do you have any proof?”
Xie Lian said quietly, “There is no proof. It doesn’t matter if you all believe it or not. That monster
certainly didn’t lure you all here to invite you in for a meal. I don’t think I need to tell you all to be
a little more careful.”
Just as he finished speaking, before anyone responded, the sounds of rushing footsteps came
from the far distance. Everyone instantly perked up, “Another one’s coming!”
There was immediately those who wanted to go out and check it out, but just as they crossed
over the temple threshold they hastily slipped back, since, what accompanied that running noise
were waves of crazed screaming.
That screaming voice didn’t sound human at all, and everyone’s faces dropped, all backing into
the temple, “What the heck, who could that be? It’s not some beast, is it??”
As that figure within the beguiling fog fast approached, Xie Lian narrowed his eyes, “No, that’s
indeed a person!”
Only, that person was running in their direction and howling deafeningly at the same time, his
hands covering his face. Seeing that he was about to run into the temple at any second, Xie
Lian squeezed through the crowd and stood at the front to see just what the situation was, yet it
was as if that man had no eyes, and crashed straight into a tree by the entrance of the Crown
Prince Temple. PANG! and he was bounced back for a good meter, then he fell to the ground
and passed out.
The crowd was shocked, and each of them squeezed about, stretching their necks to see,
wondering anxiously, “…What… What’s with that man?”
Some who were gutsier, including that street performer, were going to go and examine him and
Xie Lian immediately called out, “Don’t go near him!”
Those people jumped at his sharp tone and asked, “Then what do we do? Just let him lie
there?”
“I will go take a look.” Xie Lian said.
“Then you be careful, yea?” The crowd said.
Xie Lian nodded and approached that tree slowly, crouching down, and was about to move the
hand that was covering the man’s face when that man suddenly jumped out and let out two
shrieking cries.
That’s right, two shrieking cries. And, it was two sounds that went off at the same time. One
came from his mouth, and the other, came from his face – on the face of that man was another
face!
The human face disease!
Goosebumps were instantly raised on Xie Lian’s skin, his pupils shrank, and the crowd within
the temple were also stupefied by that horrifying scene. After that man had jumped up, he
dropped his hands and was about to charge to where the people were, but thankfully Xie Lian
was quick with his hands, and he struck out. That face disease victim was instantly sent flying
by his slap to meters away. Xie Lian then hastily backed away to shield the entrance of the
temple while the crowd behind him all exclaimed in panic and shock, “I thought this disease only
appeared in the royal capital? So many died in the imperial city, wasn’t that disease
extinguished??”
“It’s not real, it can’t be real? Is that really a face on his face??”
What was even more horrifying was the next moment, all around came even more wailing, and
over ten wobbling figures came gathering towards the temple.
There wasn’t any need to look to know that they were all face disease victims!
Someone yelled, “EVERYONE RUN! SPREAD OUT! DON’T LET THEM COME CLOSE!!!”
However, Xie Lian shouted, “DON’T SPREAD OUT! WHO KNOWS HOW MANY MORE OF
THEM ARE IN THE WOODS!! IF THERE ARE MORE OF THEM OUTSIDE THEN IT’LL ALL
BE OVER!”
“Then what do we do??”
“We can’t just be sitting ducks!”
“Isn’t that just waiting for death to come to me??”
The branch Xie Lian broke off en route before had always been hung on his waist, and he pulled
it out, wielding it like a sword, “Don’t worry, they can’t come here. Of course I’d get to say
whether if they can come close!”
This was his domain, the Hall of the Crown Prince!
“You…”
Not waiting for anyone’s questions, Xie Lian leapt out, the branch swun with a swish and in an
instant those face disease victims fell to the ground. This wasn’t hard for Xie Lian at all,
committing his actions to his words, and sure enough none of those freaks could get close. The
crowd within the temple were watching with their breaths held, shaken as the fight went on, and
when they saw Xie Lian won, they all cheered, hollering to thank the heavens.
At that moment, in the night air within the woods, many ghost fires came drifting, dancing madly
all over, and Xie Lian couldn’t tell if they were helping in driving away those face disease
victims, but either way Xie Lian didn’t think they were obstructing him.
After making a sweep, Xie Lian tried to sheath his sword out of habit, and only when the
scabbard came empty did Xie Lian realize what he was holding in his hand wasn’t a sword but a
tree branch and felt awkward for a moment. The next second, he saw from not far in the
distance a white clad figure waving, beckoning him. Having just fought a battle, Xie Lian’s blood
was still boiling, and he instantly gave chase, “DON’T EVEN THINK ABOUT ESCAPING!”
That band of ghost fires also zoomed over and followed after him to charge forward, like they
were lighting his way. Naturally, White No-Face wasn’t going to escape, and he strolled at an
easy pace, his steps languid, but always ahead by seven to eight feet. Xie Lian pursued for a
few feet, but his mind suddenly lit up, and he instantly turned back. Seeing that he wasn’t
chasing anymore, White No-Face stopped, “Why aren’t you following?”
Xie Lian looked back, “You just want to lead me away in order to spread another round of the
human face disease, so why would I follow after you to let you have your way?”
However, White No-Face only smiled, “No, you’re mistaken. My objective isn’t “to lead you
away”. My objective is only you.”
Although with the cry-smiling mask on, his expression was concealed, but for some reason, Xie
Lian could sense he was smiling.
Moving him out of the way indeed made no sense. If White No-Face wanted to spread the
human face disease again, he could’ve done so anywhere in the world and Xie Lian wouldn’t be
able to stop him, so why must he do so in this deep mountains?
Xie Lian stopped in his step, “Then just what exactly are you planning??”
He had asked that same question countless times, and was going to lose his patience. White
No-Face replied, “I’ve already told you. I want you to come to my side.”
Xie Lian pulled out his tree branch and pointed it at him, and while this was not threatening
whatsoever, and even a little funny, it was nevertheless the only weapon he had on hand. Thank
goodness, a particularly bright ball of ghost fire landed on the tip of that branch, and helped
added some battle aura. Xie Lian demanded sharply, “What do you want with me on your side?
To take your life?”
White No-Face only chuckled softly and said warmly, “Your Highness, you are a beautiful block
of jade. Allow me to guide and educate you.”
“…”
Xie Lian was feeling both incredulous and furious, and he couldn’t help but click his tongue,
“And you think yourself worthy of educating me? My master is the Guoshi of XianLe, and what
the heck are you?? Where did you come from, you monster!”
White No-Face extended a finger and waved it, “You’re mistaken again. Your Highness, perhaps
it is better to say that in this world, only I am worthy to educate you. Your master? The Guoshi of
XianLe?”
His voice became arrogant and condescending, “Before me, that creature isn’t worth
mentioning. On the contrary, you’ve been taking in very well the things I’ve been teaching you.”
Xie Lian spat angrily, “What did you teach me? What nonsense are you spewing? I don’t
understand at all!”
White No-Face humphed mockingly, “The first thing I taught you was: You are powerless in the
face of many things in this world.”
Hearing this, countless chaotic images and voices flashed through Xie Lian’s mind. At last, he
gritted his teeth and lunged his ‘sword’, but White No-Face easily evaded, “The second thing–”
He seized Xie Lian, making him lose his balance and almost tripped, and Xie Lian felt a hand
pet the top of his head, “You want to save the common people, do you? The common people
don’t need to be saved by you. They aren’t worthy.”
Xie Lian’s movement faltered for a moment, and slapped away that hand, turning around and
stabbed again. PA! White No-Face snapped the branch in his hand, blitzed behind his person,
and two ice cold fingers were already placed on the two fatal points behind his head!
With those two prodding fingers, Xie Lian felt like his brain was going to be pierced at any
moment and he froze. A voice came from behind, “If you don’t come to my side, then you will
never win against me, and you will always be defeated by me.”
Xie Lian panted and said darkly, “…Come at me anytime!”
After a pause, he slowly enunciated each word, “It’s only right now that I can’t win. You can
defeat me countless times, but you can’t kill me. As long as you can’t kill me, one day, I will
surely defeat you!”
When that ghost fire heard his words, it blazed even more ferociously, like it was going to
brighten the entire night sky. Behind him, White No-Face was silent for a while, then he asked, “I
can’t kill you?”
Xie Lian held his breath and didn’t speak.
In truth, he didn’t know just how tough this undying body Jun Wu granted him was either. If
White No-Face really did smash through his skull in a moment of fury, would he still be alive?
Just then, White No-Face said quietly, “Indeed, I can’t kill you. But I won’t kill you either. Only,
don’t be too confident now. I hope, you won’t have regrets over this later.”
Regret? Why would he regret?
Xie Lian hadn’t yet figured it out when a hand chopped violently on his neck, and instantly his
sight sank into darkness.
Within the darkness, there seemed to be light and warmth coming from some distance ahead.
Xie Lian moved towards the light, and came to little by little.
He opened his eyes slowly, and the first thing that came within his vision was a ball of ghost fire
above him. It seemed, the light and warm he felt while he was unconscious came from it.
Seeing he’d woken, that ghost fire immediately came pressing over, then it seemed to have
thought coming too close to him wasn’t acceptable and backed off slightly. Xie Lian kept feeling
this ball of ghost fire seemed particularly exceptional. If he remembered correctly, the one who
created a formation to block him was also it. He wanted to reach out and poke at it, yet
unexpectedly, his hand couldn’t move at all.
Xie Lian was perplexed and instantly snapped out of it. He dropped his head to look and only
then did he discover the reason why he couldn’t move his hand. All of his arms and legs were
bound.
He was firmly tied down upon the altar, that broken base of the statue under his body. There
were many people squeezed below the altar, and pairs after pairs of round, unblinking eyes
were watching him.
————-
Ch.190: Heart Pierced By a Hundred Swords; Savage Ghost Takes Form
TW: Violence
Why were they all staring at him like that?
Suddenly, Xie Lian heard a whisper from the side, “So similar..”
“It’s not just similar… it’s the exact same!”
“Is it really him?”
Someone bluntly asked, “You are… that prince?”
Out of habit, Xie Lian started to say, “I’m not…”
Yet, before he could finish, he realized that the white silk that he used to cover his face had
been undone. In this moment, the thing that had him completely tied down was that exact white
silk. His face was now fully exposed in front of the crowd before him.
Xie Lian’s heart felt as if it was dangled by a single thread, but he steeled himself and met those
gazes.
He didn’t know if it was just his imagination, but he saw a tinge of suspicion stirring inside the
looks that they gave him. But, at least, perhaps due to the imminent danger at hand, those eyes
didn’t bear any hatred or anger as he had feared. However, in the next second, a wave of
inhuman howls sounded from outside the temple.
Xie Lian whipped his head around and discovered that the source of the howl came from the
face diseased infectees that he had previously been knocked down. They had somehow
regained their footing and their number increased in folds. Hand in hand, they circled outside of
the Crown Prince temple while chanting. One couldn’t tell if they were performing a horrifying
ritual or whether if they were purely dancing as the crazed demons they were. The crowd inside
the temple huddled together in absolute terror. A young child broke out in cries and the parents
took him into their arms while covering his eyes and ears. Every face in the room was stricken
with horror, “What do we do? What do we do?”
“Would these people be able to break in…”
“Even if they don’t charge in, since they’re so close, would we also get infected?… What will we
do if we accidentally get infected?!”
Xie Lian fought against his bindings but wasn’t able to loosen it in the slightest. It seemed that
this white silk had already been tampered with and had probably been injected with spiritual
power. With veins visibly seen on his forehead from the continuous struggle, he roared, “White
No-Face!”
No response came, instead an icy cold hand patted his head. Xie Lian froze, goosebumps
rising. The scene that he saw as he turned his head made him paralyzed.
No wonder the people below him were giving him strange stares — not only was his face
exposed, but White No-face was also seated right behind him, in the darkness.
In front of such an eccentric character dressed in white robes, no one dare to let out a single
breath, let alone move carelessly. As a result, White No-Face barely regarded them as anything
and under everyone’s watchful eyes, he helped Xie Lian up.
Xie Lian came up to a sitting position from where he laid. Sitting on top of the altar, it seemed as
if he was a bound living statue. Aside from moving his eyes and neck, he wasn’t able to do
anything else.
Although the situation was beyond eerie, the howling face disease infectees outside were more
terrifying. The attention of the crowd below quickly returned to the disfigured creatures outside.
Someone muttered, “…From what I heard, I’ve heard anyone living within the same district can
infect each other, this disease spreads exceedingly fast! Being this close in proximity, it’s
inevitable!”
At the thought that they would soon fall victim to the horrifying plague, a sea of despair filled the
temple. One person suggested, “Why don’t a few of us go out and knock down some of these
disfigured creatures and create an opening for the rest of the folks to escape?”
However, aside from whether they would even be able to kill so many freaks, anyone that went
forth would certainly be infected with the face disease. This was a primary example of sacrificing
one’s life to save others. With such an obvious fate, who would willingly volunteer? No one
would.
Xie Lian would, if he could. However, he was being restrained by White No-Face at the moment.
Although he could knock down seven or eight of them at a time, but with seventeen or eighteen
of them, it would be hard to stop them all. There would bound to be one that would break
through and rush into the Crown Prince temple. As for trying to kill White No-Face? He would be
a fool to consider that.
However, they needed someone to calm everyone down. Xie Lian gathered his composure and
spoke calmly, “Everyone, please don’t do anything rash! It won’t spread that fast, we still have
time to think of a solution.”
But just by saying “It won’t spread that fast” won’t be enough to convince them fully.
Surprisingly, the one who lifted the despair was none other than White No-Face. He stated icily,
“There is a way to get rid of and cure the face disease.”
As soon as the words left his mouth, the crowd of people snapped their heads up, “It can be
cured? How?!”
Xie Lian felt his heart stop. White No-Face mused leisurely, “Why don’t you ask His Highness?
His Highness knows the method.”
All of a sudden, the hundred pairs of eyes zoomed in on Xie Lian. The sharpness of the gazes
made him instinctively recoil, but he was blocked by White No-Face, who shoved him forward
instead. He could hear the hopeful voices of a few, “Your Highness, do you really know?”
Before Xie Lian could answer, someone else shouted excitedly, “I’ve heard from somebody that
he does know!”
There were also some with suspicion, “If he knew, then why did the capital still…? Unless, he
knew but didn’t tell anybody?”
“Prince, please hurry up and tell us, yea?”
Xie Lian denied immediately, “I don’t know!”
However, White No-Face insisted, “You lie.”
Fueled by anger, Xie Lian wanted to rebuke but was afraid that it would instead drive White
No-face to leak more information. Though deep down, he had a feeling that no matter if he
denied it or not, White No-Face would say it regardless. After struggling for a while, he admitted
defeatedly, “There’s…no way. It’s useless!”
After a pause, the sea of people started to stir, “What do you mean useless? How would we
know it’s useless if you don’t even tell us?”
A drop of cold sweat slid down from his forehead. Xie Lian thought, “I really can’t say it…”
He mustn’t!
If the truth should ever come to light, then it’ll all be over and done for!
Within the crowd, someone had finally become fed up and jumped to their feet, “We’re already
on the doorstep of death, what is there to keep hidden? Unless you want all of us to wait here
like sitting ducks until we die?”
In a gentle voice, White No-face offered, “Then, let me tell you.”
“Be quiet!” Xie Lian yelled.
Naturally, his shout didn’t carry a single ounce of threat, and White No-Face ignored him and
continued, “Do you know what kind of people within the capital were the least likely to be
infected with the face disease?”
The crowd watched him attentively, although afraid to get close, they couldn’t help but ask,
“Wh-what kind?”
White No-Face answered, “Soldiers.”
It’s over.
White No-Face continued on, “Why is it that it’s the soldiers? Because they all did this one thing.
Yet, this thing, isn’t done by normal citizens, and that’s why the citizens got infected with the
face disease.”
The crowd widened their eyes. Holding onto their breaths, they inquired, “and that thing is…?”
Xie Lian lunged in his direction, but at most, it was just an effort. Laughing, White No-Face
shoved him back. “What is it you ask?”
“Manslaughter.” He hummed.
It’s over!!!
He actually said it. On top of the altar, Xie Lian’s heart felt cold as ice. After the initial shock, the
people repeated in disbelief, “….manslaughter? You have to kill to be immune? You have to kill
in order to be cured?”
“It must be a lie!”
Unfortunately wasn’t, it wasn’t. It wasn’t a lie!
This was the ultimate truth. Xie Lian had verified it himself. The hand stained with blood, the one
that ended a life, was immune to the face disease.
Nobody had expected this to be the answer to gaining immunity. Dumbstruck, they chattered
among themselves, “How can this be?”
“I always thought it was odd since the beginning, but I really haven’t heard of anyone in the
army getting infected with the face disease! I’m afraid that it’s the truth!”
“It’s the truth!”
“But doesn’t that mean, in order to prevent being infected, we have to go kill someone first?”
“Who do we kill?”
The person who posed the question immediately got lectured, “what do you mean ‘who do we
kill’? Don’t tell me you actually want to kill?”
The man didn’t dare to say anything more. However, these hundred pairs of eyes that were
previously filled with simply terror and nothing else now contained many other emotions. Some
with curiously, some with suspicion.
This was the situation that Xie Lian feared. Once the cure for face disease had been exposed,
one thing would inevitably happen.
The killing of one another.
This was the sole reason that Xie Lian had kept the secret to himself after finding out the way to
gain immunity. As long as you kill, then you’d be safe from the disease — perhaps the majority
of people would be able to control themselves, but there would bound to be someone who
would be desperate enough to take the risk. Once the first blood had been spilled to prevent the
disease, it would soon be followed by a second, then a third…
As more and more were following suit, the world would be thrown into chaos. If that was the
result, it would be for the better to guard it firmly and not let anyone know.
Xie Lian smiled wryly, “Now you understand why I said this method is useless.”
The crowd was silent. Xie Lian sighed and gathered his spirit. With a gentle tone, he soothed,
“No matter what, please stay calm and don’t act rashly, or else, you’ll play right into this
creature’s hands.”
Among the crowd, there was a couple that looked of noble status. With a child wrapped within
her arms, she wailed, “How did it turn out like this? Why did it come to this point? Why does it
have to be us of all people? We never did anything wrong!”
A nearby person snapped back, “Cry cry cry, what are you crying for? All you know is cry and
cry! No one here did anything wrong! You think you’re the only unlucky one?”
The wife retorted angrily, “What, you’re not even going to let people cry?”
“What’s the use of crying to the point that it turns into a nuisance? You might as well shut your
mouth!”
It was unbelievable that a fight could break out for such petty reasons. With everyone on the
edge of an emotional breakdown, a small touch would set fire immediately. Xie Lian was quick
to pacify, “Stop arguing! Stay calm! Only a calm mind will bring the solution!”
However, the more he tried to calm the crowd, the more agitated they became, “Stay calm?
How can we be calm in this sort of situation? If you’re so calm, why don’t you think of
something? Let’s see what you got!”
“…” Xie Lian was silenced by the question. What kind of solution was there?
None!
He dug his mind desperately for an answer of something, even to the point of where he felt as if
his mind was on the verge of exploding, he wasn’t able to think of any way to resolve the
situation in front of him!
Suddenly, he felt a pinch on the side of his cheek. A hand cupped his face and twisted it to face
the audience below the altar. Xie Lian widened his eyes in confusion. An icy cold voice sounded
behind him, “Who to kill? Upon seeing this face, do you still not know who to kill?”
“…”
With such a question being asked, not only did the movement stop from below the altar, but
even the ring of ghost fires that hung from above had halted.
White No-Face reminded them softly, “Did you forget? He is a god. Which means…”
Before he could hear the rest, Xie Lian felt a wave of coldness washed over his chest.
Stunned, he gazed down and saw the tip of a pitch black sword pushing out from his abdomen.
The blade was long and slender, its body coloured as deep as black jade. The ridge reflected
the light in the form of a crisp silver line. The cold steel was every bit as dangerous and icy as
the coldest winter night. It was without a doubt, a rare and treasured sword. The exact kind that
Xie Lian would wrack his brains on obtaining and never let it leave his grasp.
Unable to move his gaze from it, the tip of the sword started to slowly inch back until it
disappeared from his abdomen once again. “— His body … is immortal.” White No-Face
finished.
Before anyone had the chance to react, White No-Face has tossed the blade towards them.
CLANG! The point pierced the ground and stood tilted before the numerous pairs of eyes, its
thick, frigid aura slowly seeping out.
A gush of blood rushed up his throat and the ball of ghost fire flew to him as if trying to cover his
wound. Xie Lian choked on the blood and grimaced, “You..You!”
There were lights dancing in front of his vision, and as if suddenly enraged, the ghost fire shot
straight at White No-Face. However, the ghost caught it effortlessly and held it captive within his
palm. “Take a good look.” He said.
In the next second, with his other hand, he yanked Xie Lian’s face to face him, “What about me?
Aren’t you the one who proclaimed that you wanted to save the common people?”
Xie Lian reasoned, “But, But I-I…”
But he never thought that under this type of situation, he would use this sort of method to save
people?!
Below the altar, there were already people who were scared to tears by the bloody scene, but
there were also others who still daringly watched on, “…He…would he really not die?!”
“It’s true… take a look, there’s barely any blood….he’s still alive, still alive and breathing just as
before!”
Xie Lian was racked by another intense, painstaking cough. Someone clarified, “So in other
words, even if we kill him, he wouldn’t die?!”
“That’s great!”
The one who cheered got scolded, “Great? What’s so great about this?”
The scolded person said quietly, “Since he wouldn’t be able to die…then don’t we now have a
solution?”
“But to stab someone, that’s too…”
“But he’s a god! Even if he’s stabbed, he still wouldn’t die! We’re just common folks here. If we
were to get infected with the face disease then our fates are sealed!”
Watching the struggle unfold, White No-Face mocked, “The common people are here waiting for
you to save them. Please, go ahead.”
Flames of anger lit up in Xie Lian’s eyes. “The only way to save the common people is to
eradicate a twisted monster like you!”
White No-Face sneered, “What’s the matter? Your Highness, didn’t you confidently say that you
won’t be able to die? You couldn’t possibly be scared now? Since you won’t be able to die, then
sacrifice yourself and relieve others of their sufferings. Isn’t that a delightful thing?”
Xie Lian spat, “Was this your plan all along? You think that everyone in the world is as sadistic
as you?”
True to his words, the expressions of the people below weren’t the ecstatic ones that people
wore at the thought of being rescued, instead, it was hesitation. There were conflicting thoughts
and none of them were able to land on the same opinion. Yet, at the same time, no one dared to
pull out the black blade. As if reading his mind, White No-Face laughed out loud. He shook his
head disapprovingly and sighed, “Stupid child, foolish child.”
Xie Lian turned away his head and refused to let the other pat him. He barked, “Get lost!”
White No-face pitied, “You think they don’t want to do it? Wrong, it’s not that they don’t want to,
it’s solely because no one wants to be the first, that’s all.”
“Ahhhhh!”
There was a painful cry that erupted from under the altar. The noble looking wife from before
cried, “My child, my child!”
The child in her arms wailed uncontrollably as bumpy dark spots started rising from his chubby
arm. The people around them immediately backed away, leaving an empty gap in between.
“This is bad, the kid is infected!!!”
There was an emptiness in the couples’ eyes. The two exchanged a look and jumped to their
feet. They walked to the front of the altar, pulled out the black sword from the ground and held it
within the child’s hands. Grimacing, they lunged at Xie Lian.
“…!”
The black blade was exceedingly sharp, for when Xie Lian felt the excruciating pain explode
from his abdomen, the couple had already pulled out the sword, dropped it to the ground with a
loud clang while continuously apologizing, “Sorry…our child is still young, there was really…no
other way. Sorry, sorry, sorry….”
As they tried to atone for their actions wearing ashened expressions, they bowed many times in
front of Xie Lian before returning to the crowd with their child. With thick layers of blood clogging
up his throat, Xie Lian was about throw up until he heard White No-Face snicker beside him.
He forced down the mouthful of blood and hissed, “What are you laughing at? You think that you
got what you wanted? This was all forced by you!”
The ghost fire within the ghost’s hand flickered even more fiercely. Taking his time, he
explained, “Humans need force in order to reveal their true selves.”
Among the hundred, there was now one person who wasn’t afraid of the face disease anymore.
Seeing the dark prints slowly fading away from the child’s arm, the people around them
swallowed heavily in silence.
After a long while, under the dead silence, a young man finally stepped out.
With thick skin, he walked towards the altar. He bowed several times with his hands clasped in
front of him and begged, “I’m sorry. I don’t want to do this. I really don’t want to do this, but I
don’t have any other way. I recently just got married, my mother, my wife, they’re still at home,
waiting for me…”
Word by word, he couldn’t continue any further, so he shut his eyes, raised the sword and thrust
it towards Xie Lian.
However, because his eyes were closed, the sword tilted to the side and punctured Xie Lian’s
side instead. When he opened his eyes and realized that the spot wasn’t fatal, in a moment’s
panic, he pulled out the weapon frantically and with trembling hands, he stabbed again!
Xie Lian, who had gritted his teeth to prevent any sounds from coming out, let out nothing more
than a small whimper after the two consecutive jabs. A stream of fresh blood seeped out from
the side of his lips.
It’s true that he won’t die. However, that didn’t mean he wouldn’t feel the pain from the wounds.
The sound of every inch of flesh that had been tangled by the weapon, the feeling of every bone
being scraped made him crazed and wishing for death just to be relieved of the torture. When it
came to this, he was no different than a mortal.
When the second person finished his business, he stepped down as well, but this time, without
giving a single bow. The expressions he wore on his face was a mixture of regret and joy from
the deed he committed. It was hard to say which was more. Once he retreated back to the
group, the silence returned.
Not long after, a few more people looked as if they wanted to stand up with reasons of their
own. However, before they could rise, a person interrupted, “I can’t stand this anymore.”
The crowd turned to the direction of the voice and Xie Lian too lifted his head. The one who
spoke was actually the buff street performer. He scolded, “Are you honestly doing everything
this monster tells you to do? From what I see, he’s just babbling nonsense. Even if it was true,
just because he can’t die doesn’t mean that this isn’t murder!”
The bystanders around him advised him, “Buddy, wake up, everyone here is about die!”
The street performer defended, “Aren’t I here too? Wouldn’t I die too? But did I do anything?”
That shut a few up, but split second after, someone accused, “A person like you probably don’t
have any elders or children in your family right? Every man for himself, but a lot of us here have
a family to look after, how can we be compared to you?”
The street performer pointed at the couple that were the first ones to go up and said, “It’s true
that I don’t have a wife and son, but if I had, even if I had to die, I would never let my son see
me resort to using those methods, let alone to guide him hand-in-hand in doing it. If your child
grows up to be a criminal, it’s the parents who are to be blamed. If you’re that eager, why not let
your child take a stab at you?”
The wife had a full face of misery, “Don’t curse my son! If you want to curse, curse at me
instead!” The husband was furious, “Have you lost your mind? You want my son to kill his own
mother and father? How immoral!!”
The street performer probably didn’t understand what the word meant and retorted, “Killing is
still killing! At least it can be said as courage if you let your son kill you. Speaking of which, why
don’t you guys might as well go for the strange creature in the mask?”
Upon hearing that, White No-Face burst out in laughter. The crowd was scared and furious.
Their fear went towards the monster and their anger was directed at the street performer. They
lowered their voices and chided, “You..! Shut your mouth!”
What if they had accidentally angered the monster?
The street performer understood immediately, “Oh, so you don’t have the balls to kill the big evil
guy, and instead choose to stab another?”
Unable to suffer through the humiliation from a meer brute any longer, a person challenged,
“This buddy has been preaching endlessly, and here I thought he might be someone special.
Looking at him now, with a ghastly face that’s devoid of blood, I’d say he probably has a couple
days left at most and that’s why he dares to criticize us all without a care in the world. If you’re
so righteous, why don’t you sacrifice yourself to help us fellas here.”
The street performer corrected, “I don’t want to sacrifice myself, but neither does everyone else.
Who does? Do you? Do you? But at least, I won’t stab anyone.”
Someone said, “But he’s different.”
“How so?”
“He’s a god! To save the common people — he said so himself. Also- Also, he can’t die!”
The street performer was about argue back, but Xie Lian couldn’t hold back any longer. He
coughed weakly and called out, “B-buddy! Hey buddy!”
He opened his mouth, but as a result of the stabs prior to this, the sound that came out was
many folds fainter. The street performer whipped his head around and Xie Lian’s voice was filled
with gratefulness, “Thank you! But… it’s okay.”
If he continued, then he’d probably get beaten up. Xie Lian recalled that all the grave internal
wounds that this man carried was due to their competition in the past. Guilty at heart, he added,
“Thank you! The boulder shattering injuries that you received from before, has it healed?”
“Ah? What are you saying! How can I be hurt? Boulder shattering is my life skill!” The buff man
exclaimed proudly.
Seeing that the man refused to lose face even in this situation was practically the same as if
spitting out a mouthful of blood while saying “I’m completely fine.” Xie Lian wanted to laugh.
Suddenly, a person pointed at the street performer and screamed, “It’s spreading! It’s
spreading!”
Xie Lian was stunned, and as was the street performer. Following the direction of the finger, the
street performer touched his face, and as expected, he felt something uneven.
The people around him immediately distanced themselves. Xie Lian opened his mouth, wanting
to call over the street performer. But to do what? To stab him with the sword too?
The words were lost in his throat.
In the moment of his hesitation, the street performer stroked his face several more times before
dashing out of the temple. Seeing the event unfold, Xie Lian called after him, “Where are you
going? Come back! If you don’t treat it, it will spread!”
But the man ran even faster and hollered back, “I’m not coming back! If I said I won’t do it, then I
won’t do it…”. Soon after, his figure disappeared. The disfigured creatures around the temple
somehow knew that the man was now one of them and thus didn’t block his path. Xie Lian
continued to call out, until he wasn’t able to see his shadow anymore. The people below the
altar muttered, “It’s over, he’s gone!”
“That stupid idiot! It will spread regardless where you go, it’s already too late! He’s already
infected!”
“He.. couldn’t possibly have gone down the mountain to kill, right?”
However, the words that the buff man said prior to his departure held the people in the temple at
bay. Time has passed and no one went up to pick up the sword. The situation was momentarily
paused.
Xie Lian couldn’t tell if he felt joy, hesitation, or fear, but most importantly, he didn’t know what to
do next. As he was fighting to clear his mind, someone stood up. “Can I say something?”
It was a middle aged man. Xie Lian looked up and found the man to be somewhat familiar, but
he couldn’t recall where their paths had crossed. While trying to remember, the man announced,
“In all honesty, he had tried to rob me before!”
“…”
It was that guy!!!
The crowd was shocked, “Rob?”
“Isn’t he a prince? Isn’t he a god? To commit robbery?”
The guy confirmed, “It’s the absolute truth.”
“So? What do you actually want to say?”
“Nothing else. I just want to remind everyone that he had tried to steal!” The man crouched
down again after he finished his statement.
The temple fell into a solemn silence again after the outburst. With that single statement, it had
planted a seed of darkness within their hearts.
To steal….
Suddenly, another howl came from under the altar. Someone shrieked, “My leg, my leg! It’s…
feels strange!”
Again?!
To their surprise, it wasn’t only one person. At the same time, another person cried, “Me too! My
back! Someone please help me take a look on my back!”
No one dared to come close to the two, leaving the two having to inspect themselves. One
rolled up their pant leg while the other took off his top. After taking a clear look at the state of
their bodies, the rest of the people started screaming in fear.
The faces on these two people’s bodies have gained complete shapes!
“How did it grow that fast?!”
“Did you guys forget? We already spent quite a long time in here!”
“But how did they not notice?!”
“It’s not grown in an obvious place and it’s only a bit itchy. How would I know that it’d turn to
this!”
“It’s over, it’s over. We probably already have it growing on us.”
“Quick! Everyone do a checkup! Take a good look at your body!”
It was pure chaos inside the CrownPrince Temple. Screams pierced through the air upon
inspection. As expected! There were already quite a lot of people that had faces appearing all
over their bodies, it’s just that they haven’t noticed them before. Now that they’ve taken a look,
they realized that these new faces were completely developed with all five facial features!
As if knowing the situation, the disfigured creatures outside the Prince Temple danced even
wilder hand-in-hand. Yet, inside, a thick fog of dread spread rapidly in all directions. Xie Lian’s
heart pounded non-stop like it was about to break through his chest.
From what he remembered, the face disease takes a while to spread, why is it spreading so fast
now?
White No-Face, it must be White No-Face!
He snapped his head to the direction of the cold-eyed spectator that had initiated all this. Before
he could open his mouth, someone shot up. Panting heavily, the person with reddened eyes
criticized, “You…you’re a god, you’re a prince, yet you dare to commit robbery?”
Xie Lian was dumbfounded, not understanding why the man brought up that incident out of all
things, and replied, “I…”
The man cut him off sharply, “We pray to you, and what did you do? Rob! What did you bring? A
plague!”
He brought the plague?
Shock was written across Xie Lian’s face, “….Me? It’s not me?! I only…”
They’ve finally arrived at the point where the people’s patience had reached its absolute limit.
With red colouring the rim of their eyes, the hundred people surrounded him. The one that was
closest pulled out the leaning black sword from the ground. Xie Lian stopped breathing.
The man grasped the black sword shakily while mumbling, “You…You need to ask for
forgiveness right? You need to atone for your sins right?”
The dark blade emitted a terrifying aura, and Xie Lian’s fear had soared the peak.
There were so many people, if every single one of them were to stab him with this sword, what
would he become at the end of all this?
Aside from the thought of being punctured countless times and leaving nothing but thousands of
holes and an indistinguishable pile of flesh, there was something else that he feared even more.
He felt that if he was to let them do what they wanted, there was something in his heart that
would never return to its original state.
Unwilling to think any further, Xie Lian couldn’t help but to cry out for help, “Hel-”
Yet, before the phrase “Help me” could leave his throat, that same icy black blade was thrust
into his body once again. Xie Lian widened his eyes in horror.
The razor sharp sword was then roughly pulled out. The next person followed without second
wasted, and the next stab was practically shoved into the same spot. The sound locked in Xie
Lian’s throat finally broke free and a painful long scream tore through his body.
The scream was so piercing that the people around him felt goosebumps. There were some
who closed their eyes and turned their faces away, “…Don’t let him cry out. Let’s speed this up
and get the job done fast!”
Xie Lian felt someone had muffled his mouth and restrained his hands and feet. The person
ordered, “Hold him down and don’t let him fall. Also, don’t stab in the wrong spot, if it’s not fatal,
it doesn’t count!”
“Line up one by one, no cutting the line! I told you guys not to cut, I was here first!”
“Which area is fatal? How would I know if it counts or not?”
“Whatever you do, just aim it at the heart, throat, and abdomen!”
“If you’re not sure if you stabbed in a fatal area, just do it again!”
“No way! If you get more than one turn, where would others stab?”
The initial hesitation and reluctance reduced to nonchalance. The more time that has passed,
the more fluid their movements became. The endless in and out movements of the sword, Xie
Lian’s eyes were wide open and fat droplets of tears rolled down his face. Deep inside his heart,
there was a voice that was silently screaming and howling.
Help me.
Help me, help me, help me.
Help me, help me, help, help, help, help, help, help, help, help, help, help, help, help, help, help
me!!!!
It hurts, it hurts, it hurts, it hurts, it hurts, it hurts….. it hurts, it hurts, it hurts, it hurts, it hurts, it
hurts, it hurts, it hurts, it hurts, it hurts, IT HURTS IT HURTS IT HURTS IT HURTS IT HURTS IT
HURTS IT HURTS IT HURTS IT HURTS IT HURTS IT HURTS IT HURTS IT HURTS IT HURTS
IT HURTS!!!!!
Why can’t I die.
WHY CAN’T I DIE?!!!
He wanted to wail with the most tragic sound, but he couldn’t find one word in his throat for it
probably had already been sliced through. He wanted to go wild from the pain. It was as if he
was suffering all the pain from multiple lifetimes and that from now on, he wouldn’t be able to
feel any other pain. He couldn’t see anything, the world was pitch black other than the ball of fire
that was burning furiously from nearby. It grew brighter and stronger. Yet, within the palm of
White No-Face, it wasn’t able to escape.
He couldn’t hear his own heartbreaking scream but instead, he heard the sound of another
heart-wrenching wail and it seemed as if it came from that ring of flames. Although it didn’t come
from him, but the pain that he could hear was the same as his, as if he was the one that had
made that sound.
In the end, he wasn’t able to hang on to his sanity any longer. There was mumbling in his throat,
and his consciousness completely shattered. At the same time, an explosion blew from within
the Crown Prince Temple and a wave of raging flames gushed out.
“AAAHHHHHHHHHHHHH!”
There was a mixture of high and low pitched screams. The scorching fire roared, lighting
everything in flames, making it impossible for anyone to escape. The ghost fire flickered vividly.
In an instant, the hundred living bodies that resided inside the Crown Prince Temple were
burned to hundred sets of charcoal black bones!
When the flame gradually subsided and regathered, that original small ball of ghost fire had
already vanished. In its place stood a vaguely shaped silhouette of a young man.
The youth dropped down to his knees in front of the scorched black surface of the altar. He bent
over deeply, clutching his head with both of his hands, and bellowed in immense and
devastating pain.
He didn’t dare to look at what had become of the person lying on the altar, because what laid
there didn’t look human anymore.
Bones and skulls alike scattered across the interior of the Crown Prince Temple. White No-Face
cackled uncontrollably as he turned around and exited the temple. The rage of fire didn’t only
stop at just this Crown Prince Temple, even the frenzied disfigured creatures outside had turned
to piles of dried corpses and waste. As if blind to it, White No-Face walked past these charcoal
ash like remains.
This entire forest, no, this entire mountain trembled and mourned in agony!
Countless black shadows flew up to the sky. They were the souls that were scared witless of
this now lifeless land and were scrambling to escape. A strong gust of wind scattered them in all
different directions. Above the Crown Prince Temple, a gigantic layer of black cloud was
rumbling in restlessness. Slowly rotating, it resembled a colossal demonic eye.
This was the birth of a malicious creature, the signs of a savage ghost taking form!
———————
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