Ch.58:? ?On? ?the? ?Martial? ?Deity? ?Avenue;? ?An? ?Awe-Inspiring? ?First? ?Impression? ?


    The? ?sword? ?thrusted,? ?prating? ?the? ?heart? ?of? ?the? ?ghost,? ?and? ?killed? ?it? ?dead? ?on? ?the? ?ground.? ?


    “By? ?the? ?heaven’s? ?blessings,? ?ghosts? ?are? ?yed? ?and? ?evil? ?is? ?subdued!”? ? ?


    On? ?either? ?sides? ?of? ?the? ?Martial? ?Deity? ?Avenue,? ?cheers? ?erupted? ?like? ?ocean? ?current,? ing? ?


    waves? ?after? ?waves,? ?one? ?higher? ?after? ?the? ?other.? ?Before? ?the? ?crimson? ?red? ?gates? ?of? ?the? ?


    pce,? ?in? ?the? ?courtyard,? ?the? ?two? ?cultivators? ?who? ?yed? ?the? ?roles? ?of? ?god? ?and? ?ghost? ?


    bowed? ?to? ?the? ?surrounding? ?crowds? ?and? ?stood? ?down? ?after? ?to? ?the? ?side.? ?The? ?martial? ?match? ?


    that? ?opened? ?the? ?act? ?heightened? ?the? ?excitement? ?in? ?the? ?city;? ?not? ?only? ?the? ?streets? ?were? ?


    elbow-to-elbow? ?crowded,? ?even? ?the? ?roofs? ?were? ?littered? ?with? ?brave? ?climbers,? ?pping,? ?


    hollering,? ?the? ?crowds? ?going? ?wild.? ? ?


    A? ?celebration? ?of? ?this? ?magnitude? ?was? ?truly? ?brimming? ?and? ?bustling.? ?In? ?the? ?history? ?of? ?the? ?


    Kingdom? ?of? ?Xianle,? ?if? ?any? ?festival? ?of? ?ShangYuan*? ?was? ?to? ?be? ?described? ?thus,? ?it? ?must? ?be? ?


    today!? ?


    Upon? ?the? ?towering? ?tform,? ?a? ?row? ?of? ?finely? ?dressed? ?royals? ?and? ?nobles,? ?all? ?wearing? ?


    courteous? ?smiles? ?on? ?their? ?faces,? ?overlooked? ?below? ?to? ?the? ?crowd.? ?Within? ?the? ?pce,? ?a? ?


    long? ?line? ?of? ?hundreds? ?waited? ?silently.? ?When? ?the? ?bell? ?chimed,? ?Guoshi? ?smoothed? ?his? ?


    non-existent? ?moustache? ?and? ?called,? ?“Path-Opening? ?Warriors!”? ? ?


    “Present!”? ? ?


    Crown? ?Prince’s? ?Celestial? ?fairies!”? ?


    “Present!”? ? ?


    “Musicians!”? ?


    “Present!”? ? ?


    “Calvary!”? ? ?


    “Present!”? ?


    “Ghost!”? ? ?


    “Present!”? ? ?


    “The? ?God-Pleasing? ?Martial? ?Warrior!”? ?


    No? ?one? ?answered.? ?Guoshi? ?frowned,? ?noticing? ?a? plication,? ?and? ?turned? ?his? ?head,? ?“The? ?


    God-Pleasing? ?Martial? ?Warrior?? ?Where’s? ?the? ?Crown? ?Prince?”? ? ?


    Still,? ?no? ?one? ?responded.? ?The? ?one? ?who? ?answered? ?to? ?“ghost”? ?earlier? ?hesitated,? ?then? ?


    removed? ?the? ?horrifying? ?mask,? ?revealing? ?a? ?clean,? ?pale? ?face.? ?


    This? ?young? ?man? ?appeared? ?to? ?be? ?about? ?sixteen? ?or? ?seventeen,? ?his? ?skin? ?and? ?lips? ?were? ?both? ?


    light? ?in? ?colour,? ?fresh? ?and? ?neat,? ?with? ?a? ?pair? ?of? ?eyes? ?ck? ?like? ?obsidian,? ?shining? ?bright.? ?His? ?


    hair? ?was? ?soft? ?and? ?silky,? ?a? ?few? ?loose? ?strands? ?lightly? ?littered? ?on? ?his? ?forehead? ?and? ?cheeks.? ?


    He? ?looked? ?quiet? ?and? ?obedient,? ?contrasting? ?with? ?the? ?monstrous? ?mask? ?in? ?his? ?hand.? ?


    He? ?replied? ?quietly,? ?“His? ?Highness? ?the? ?Crown? ?Prince? ?has? ?left.”? ?


    Guoshi? ?almost? ?fainted.? ?


    But? ?for? ?the? ?sake? ?of? ?this? ?grand? ?asion? ?he? ?couldn’t? ?faint,? ?so? ?he? ?held? ?on,? ?and? ?shouted? ?with? ?


    angry? ?exasperation,? ?“Wha-?!? ?He? ?left?!? ?When? ?did? ?His? ?Highness? ?leave??? ?The? ?ceremonial? ?


    parade? ?is? ?about? ?to? ?leave? ?the? ?pce? ?gates!!? ?When? ?the? ?grand? ?stage? ?is? ?revealed? ?and? ?


    there’s? ?only? ?a? ?ghost? ?but? ?no? ?god,? ?my? ?old? ?bones? ?won’t? ?be? ?able? ?to? ?swim? ?out? ?of? ?all? ?the? ?spit? ?


    that’ll? e? ?flying? ?at? ?me!? ?Mu? ?Qing,? ?why? ?didn’t? ?you? ?stop? ?him???”? ? ?


    Mu? ?Qing? ?lowered? ?his? ?head,? ?“When? ?His? ?Highness? ?left? ?he? ?told? ?me? ?to? ?pass? ?on? ?the? ?


    message,? ?saying? ?not? ?to? ?worry,? ?and? ?everything? ?can? ?go? ?as? ?nned.? ?He? ?will? ?return? ?


    promptly.”? ?


    Guoshi? ?was? ?hysterical,? ?“How? ?can? ?I? ?not? ?worry?? ?What? ?do? ?you? ?mean,? ?‘promptly’?? ?When? ?is? ?


    ‘promptly’?? ?What? ?if? ?he? ?doesn’t? ?make? ?it??”? ?


    Outside? ?the? ?pce? ?gates,? ?some? ?of? ?the? ?people? ?who? ?had? ?been? ?waiting? ?since? ?early? ?


    morning? ?were? ?losing? ?patience,? ?and? ?were? ?noisily? ?demanding? ?for? ?the? ?event? ?to? ?start.? ?A? ?


    cultivator? ?came? ?rushing? ?forward,? ?“My? ?Lord? ?Guoshi,? ?the? ?queen? ?sent? ?a? ?messenger? ?asking? ?


    why? ?the? ?parade? ?hasn’t? ?started?? ?The? ?fortuitous? ?hour*? ?is? ?fast? ?approaching,? ?if? ?we? ?don’t? ?


    leave? ?now? ?we’ll? ?miss? ?it!”? ? ?


    Hearing? ?this,? ?Guoshi? ?prayed? ?that? ?a? ?rebel? ?army? ?would? ?suddenly? ?invade? ?and? ?disrupt? ?the? ?


    ShangYuan? ?Parade? pletely.? ? ?


    That? ?this? ?headache? ?would? ?happen? ?right? ?at? ?the? ?most? ?crucial? ?moment!? ?


    If? ?this? ?Headache? ?was? ?anyone? ?else,? ?he? ?would’ve? ?roared? ?with? ?rage? ?already,? ?even? ?raising? ?


    his? ?sword? ?to? ?kill? ?wouldn’t? ?be? ?strange.? ?But? ?this? ?Headache? ?just? ?so? ?happened? ?to? ?be? ?his? ?pride? ?


    and? ?joy,? ?and? ?the? ?very,? ?very,? ?very? ?distinguished,? ?precious? ?son? ?of? ?another.? ?He? ?couldn’t? ?beat? ?


    him,? ?he? ?couldn’t? ?yell? ?at? ?him,? ?and? ?he? ?definitely? ?couldn’t? ?kill? ?him.? ?Rather? ?than? ?kill? ?him,? ?he’d? ?


    more? ?likely? ?kill? ?himself!? ? ?


    Just? ?then,? ?someone? ?ran? ?across? ?the? ?ck? ?pce? ?path,? ?rushing? ?into? ?the? ?pce,? ?shouting,? ?


    “Lord? ?Guoshi,? ?why? ?hasn’t? ?the? ?parade? ?started?? ?The? ?time? ?is? ?about? ?to? ?pass,? ?everyone? ?


    outside? ?is? ?on? ?edge!”? ?


    The? ?one? ?who? ?came? ?was? ?also? ?a? ?young? ?man? ?of? ?sixteen? ?or? ?seventeen,? ?his? ?form? ?upright? ?and? ?


    tall,? ?his? ?skin? ?the? ?colour? ?of? ?wheat,? ?his? ?back? ?carried? ?a? ?long? ?ck? ?bow? ?and? ?a? ?snow-white? ?


    quiver.? ?His? ?lips? ?were? ?pressed? ?tight,? ?his? ?brows? ?knit.? ?Even? ?at? ?such? ?a? ?young? ?age? ?his? ?eyes? ?


    were? ?strong? ?and? ?determined.? ?The? ?moment? ?Guoshi? ?saw? ?him,? ?he? ?grabbed? ?him,? ?“Feng? ?Xin!? ?


    Where’s? ?His? ?Highness??”? ? ?


    Feng? ?Xin? ?was? ?taken? ?aback,? ?but? ?instantly? ?appeared? ?to? ?have? ?understood? ?something,? ?and? ?


    anger? ?filled? ?his? ?eyes,? ?turning? ?his? ?gaze? ?to? ?Mu? ?Qing.? ?As? ?for? ?Mu? ?Qing? ?he? ?had? ?already? ?put? ?his? ?


    ghost? ?mask? ?back? ?on? ?without? ?a? ?word,? ?his? ?expression? ?unseen.? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?said? ?gravely,? ?


    “There’s? ?no? ?time? ?to? ?exin!? ?Please? ?start? ?the? ?parade? ?immediately,? ?His? ?Highness? ?the? ?


    Crown? ?Prince? ?will? ?not? ?disappoint? ?you!”? ? ?


    There? ?was? ?no? ?escape.? ?Bringing? ?out? ?a? ?grand? ?stage? ?without? ?the? ?God-Pleasing? ?Martial? ?


    Warrior? ?was? ?death;? ?dying? ?the? ?procession? ?and? ?missing? ?the? ?fortuitous? ?hour? ?was? ?also? ?


    death.? ?Despairingly,? ?Guoshi? ?waved? ?his? ?hand,? ?“Start? ?the? ?music;? ?depart!”? ? ?


    Upon? ?receiving? ?the? mand,? ?the? ?flutes? ?and? ?strings? ?started? ?to? ?y,? ?and? ?the? ?hundreds? ?of? ?


    royal? ?warriors? ?at? ?the? ?front? ?of? ?the? ?procession? ?cried,? ?beginning? ?their? ?march,? ?leading? ?the? ?


    massive,? ?impressive? ?parade.? ?They? ?have? ?departed!? ?


    The? ?warriors? ?at? ?the? ?front? ?symbolized? ?the? ?thorny? ?paths? ?of? ?the? ?mortal? ?world.? ?Immediately? ?


    following? ?were? ?the? ?virgin? ?girls? ?especially? ?chosen,? ?beautiful? ?and? ?elegant,? ?a? ?basket? ?in? ?their? ?


    hands,? ?tossing? ?flowers? ?in? ?the? ?air? ?like? ?fairies,? ?paving? ?the? ?path? ?with? ?blossoms? ?and? ?filling? ?it? ?


    with? ?fragrance.? ?The? ?musicians? ?rode? ?in? ?carriages? ?of? ?gold.? ?The? ?moment? ?the? ?procession? ?left? ?


    the? ?pce? ?gates,? ?the? ?crowds? ?were? ?amazed? ?and? ?astonished,? ?fighting? ?to? ?catch? ?the? ?


    flowers.? ?However,? ?no? ?matter? ?how? ?mourous,? ?how? ?grand,? ?this? ?was? ?only? ?the? ?warm-up? ?


    act.? ?The? ?grand? ?float,? ?a? ?glorious? ?stage? ?was? ?about? ?to? ?emerge.? ?


    Sixteen? ?white? ?stallions? ?decked? ?in? ?gold? ?pulled? ?the? ?grand? ?stage? ?from? ?the? ?depths? ?of? ?the? ?


    pce? ?gates,? ?slowly? ing? ?into? ?sight? ?before? ?the? ?eyes? ?of? ?millions.? ?On? ?the? ?stage? ?was? ?a? ?


    ck? ?d? ?ghost,? ?a? ?monstrous? ?mask? ?on? ?his? ?face,? ?a? ?nine? ?feet? ?zanbato? ?in? ?his? ?hand? ?before? ?


    him,? ?and? ?gravely,? ?he? ?shifted? ?to? ?a? ?fighting? ?stance.? ? ?


    Guoshi’s? ?heart? ?was? ?tense,? ?waiting? ?for? ?a? ?miracle.? ?Yet,? ?no? ?miracles? ?happened.? ?The? ?crowd? ?


    broke? ?into? ?chatter.? ?Above? ?on? ?the? ?high? ?tform,? ?the? ?royals? ?and? ?nobles? ?frowned,? ?looking? ?at? ?


    each? ?other,? ?all? ?wondering,? ?“What’s? ?going? ?on?? ?Why? ?is? ?the? ?God-Pleasing? ?Martial? ?Warrior? ?


    not? ?on? ?stage?”? ? ?


    “Has? ?His? ?Highness? ?the? ?Crown? ?Prince? ?not? ?arrived? ?yet?”? ? ?


    “Where’s? ?brother? ?Lian?”? ? ?


    In? ?the? ?centre? ?of? ?the? ?tall? ?tform? ?sat? ?a? ?dignified,? ?handsome? ?man,? ?and? ?a? ?pale? ?skinned,? ?


    amiable? ?and? ?gracious? ?noble? ?woman.? ?They? ?were? ?the? ?king? ?and? ?queen? ?of? ?the? ?Kingdom? ?of? ?


    Xianle.? ?Not? ?seeing? ?the? ?one? ?who? ?should? ?be? ?there,? ?the? ?queen? ?appeared? ?worried? ?and? ?gave? ?


    the? ?king? ?a? ?look.? ?The? ?king? ?took? ?hold? ?of? ?her? ?hand,? ?using? ?his? ?gaze? ?to? fort,? ?telling? ?her? ?not? ?


    to? ?worry,? ?and? ?watch? ?and? ?see? ?what? ?would? ?happen.? ?The? ?crowds? ?below? ?however? ?had? ?no? ?


    one? ?to? fort? ?them,? ?and? ?yelled? ?crazedly,? ?the? ?shouting? ?so? ?loud? ?it? ?could? ?almost? ?raise? ?


    roofs.? ?The? ?Guoshi? ?wished? ?he? ?had? ?the? ?courage? ?to? ?kill? ?himself.? ?Yet,? ?Mu? ?Qing? ?who? ?was? ?on? ?


    stage? ?was? ?quite? ?calm.? ?Even? ?without? ?his? ?opponent? ?he? ?looked? ?at? ?ease,? ?taking? ?care? ?of? ?his? ?


    own? ?mission,? ?and? ??CLANG?,? ?threw? ?his? ?heavy? ?sabre? ?down,? ?resting? ?it? ?upright? ?before? ?him.? ? ?


    Performing? ?a? ?round? ?of? ?chilling? ?ughter,? ?the? ?ck? ?d? ?youth? ?impressively? ?ended? ?the? ?


    opening? ?act? ?of? ?bing? ?a? ?‘ghost’.? ? ?


    By? ?face? ?and? ?by? ?form,? ?Mu? ?Qing? ?was? ?delicate? ?and? ?elegant? ?like? ?a? ?gentle? ?schr,? ?but? ?an? ?


    impossibly? ?heavy? ?nine? ?feet? ?zanbato? ?was? ?still? ?swung? ?like? ?it? ?was? ?feather? ?light? ?in? ?his? ?hands,? ?


    as? ?if? ?it? ?was? ?weightless.? ?Another? ?group? ?of? ?cultivators? ?ying? ?ghosts? ?leapt? ?onto? ?the? ?stage? ?


    –? ?they? ?were? ?instantly? ?defeated,? ?and? ?chased? ?off? ?the? ?stage.? ?The? ?sword? ?danced? ?skillfully,? ?


    calm? ?and? ?collected,? ?and? ?made? ?the? ?performance? ?quite? ?exciting? ?to? ?watch,? ?so? ?some? ?in? ?the? ?


    crowds? ?cheered? ?for? ?him.? ?However,? ?the? ?people? ?didn’t? e? ?to? ?watch? ?‘Ghosts? ?Causing? ?


    Havoc’,? ?so? ?after? ?that? ?act? ?there? ?were? ?more? ?noise? ?demanding,? ?“Where’s? ?the? ?God-Pleasing? ?


    Martial? ?Warrior??”? ?


    “Where’s? ?His? ?Highness? ?the? ?Crown? ?Prince??”? ?


    “We? ?want? ?to? ?see? ?His? ?Highness? ?ying? ?the? ?Great? ?Martial? ?Emperor!? ?Defeat? ?evil!”? ? ?


    Upon? ?the? ?towering? ?tform,? ?a? ?furious? ?voice? ?shouted,? ?“Where’s? ?my? ?cousin?? ?What? ?the? ?


    hell!!? ?Who? ?wants? ?to? ?watch? ?this? ?bullshit?? ?Where? ?the? ?fuck? ?is? ?my? ?cousin? ?the? ?Crown? ?


    Prince???”? ?


    No? ?need? ?to? ?see? ?who? ?it? ?was,? ?obviously? ?that? ?loudest? ?voice? ?belonged? ?to? ?none? ?other? ?than? ?Qi? ?


    Rong,? ?the? ?Prince? ?Xiao? ?Jing.? ?Sure? ?enough,? ?many? ?looked? ?up? ?and? ?saw? ?a? ?young? ?man? ?finely? ?


    dressed? ?in? ?a? ?light? ?turquoise? ?brocade? ?with? ?a? ?ne? ?rush? ?to? ?the? ?edge? ?of? ?that? ?tform,? ?


    raising? ?his? ?fists? ?angrily.? ?This? ?young? ?man? ?was? ?no? ?more? ?than? ?fifteen? ?or? ?sixteen,? ?his? ?face? ?


    pale? ?and? ?his? ?brows? ?ck,? ?rather? ?good? ?looking,? ?but? ?his? ?face? ?was? ?twisted,? ?as? ?if? ?he? ?would? ?


    jump? ?off? ?the? ?tower? ?at? ?any? ?time? ?to? ?punch? ?someone.? ?However,? ?the? ?tower? ?was? ?too? ?tall,? ?so? ?if? ?


    he? ?jumped? ?he’d? ?break? ?his? ?legs? ?if? ?not? ?die.? ?So? ?instead,? ?he? ?grabbed? ?a? ?white? ?jaded? ?teapot? ?


    and? ?threw? ?it.? ?


    That? ?thrown? ?teapot? ?was? ?aimed? ?directly? ?at? ?the? ?back? ?of? ?the? ?head? ?of? ?the? ?ghost,? ?flying? ?at? ?him? ?


    speedily? ?looking? ?like? ?it? ?might? ?knock? ?him? ?out? ?on? ?the? ?spot,? ?but? ?surprisingly,? ?the? ?ghost? ?


    shifted? ?his? ?body,? ?raised? ?the? ?zanbato? ?slightly,? ?and? ?caught? ?the? ?teapot? ?on? ?his? ?de.? ?


    The? ?quivering? ?teapot? ?came? ?to? ?a? ?stop? ?at? ?the? ?tip? ?of? ?the? ?de,? ?prompting? ?another? ?wave? ?of? ?


    cheers.? ?Mu? ?Qing? ?then? ?flicked? ?the? ?long? ?sabre? ?and? ?the? ?teapot? ?was? ?hurled? ?into? ?the? ?air,? ter? ?


    caught? ?by? ?someone? ?below? ?the? ?stage.? ?He? ?continued? ?to? ?y? ?the? ?role? ?of? ?the? ?ghost? ?


    nguidly,? ?swinging? ?the? ?zanbato,? ?ughtering? ?humans.? ?Qi? ?Rong? ?was? ?enraged? ?and? ?was? ?


    going? ?to? ?throw? ?something? ?else? ?but? ?the? ?queen? ?had? ?ordered? ?someone? ?to? ?drag? ?him? ?down,? ?


    and? ?so? ?he? ?was? ?dragged? ?down? ?reluctantly.? ?Yet,? ?the? ?faces? ?of? ?the? ?nobles? ?were? ?looking? ?more? ?


    and? ?more? ?grim,? ?some? ?bing? ?restless.? ?


    That? ?the? ?God-Pleasing? ?Martial? ?Warrior? ?would? ?disappear? ?right? ?before? ?the? ?Heavenly? ?


    Procession? ?of? ?the? ?ShangYuan? ?Festival? ?was? ?no? ?funny? ?matter!? ? ?


    Just? ?then,? ?a? ?roaring? ?cheer? ?like? ?the? ?storm? ?exploded? ?from? ?amongst? ?the? ?people,? ?louder? ?than? ?


    the? ?cheers? ?from? ?before.? ?A? ?snow-white? ?silhouette? ?descended? ?from? ?the? ?sky? ?and? nded? ?


    right? ?before? ?the? ?ck? ?d? ?ghost!? ? ?


    Upon? ?his? nding,? ?his? ?heavy? ?white? ?dress? ?fluttered? ?and? ?covered? ?the? ?grand? ?stage? ?in? ?the? ?


    shape? ?of? ?a? ?giant? ?flower,? ?a? ?golden? ?mask? ?hiding? ?his? ?face.? ?He? ?held? ?a? ?sword? ?in? ?one? ?hand,? ?


    and? ?the? ?other? ?gently? ?flicked? ?the? ?foreboding? ?sword,? ?the? ?resounding? ?ringing? ?pleasing? ?to? ?the? ?


    ear.? ?This? ?gesture? ?was? ?serene? ?and? ?confident,? ?as? ?if? ?the? ?ghost? ?meant? ?nothing? ?to? ?him.? ?The? ?


    ghost? ?slowly? ?raised? ?his? ?zanbato? ?and? ?pointed? ?it? ?at? ?him,? ?and? ?the? ?white? ?d? ?martial? ?warrior? ?


    unhurriedly? ?rose? ?to? ?his? ?feet.? ?


    Qi? ?Rong’s? ?eyes? ?were? ?shining? ?brightly,? ?his? ?face? ?red.? ?He? ?jumped? ?up? ?and? ?down,? ?shouting,? ?


    “Cousin? ?Crown? ?Prince!? ?COUSIN? ?CROWN? ?PRINCE? ?HAS? ?COME!!!”? ? ?


    Above? ?and? ?below,? ?all? ?were? ?stunned? ?to? ?silence.? ?


    This? ?entrance? ?was? ?like? ?a? ?real? ?descent? ?of? ?a? ?heavenly? ?being,? ?exceedingly? ?audacious!? ?


    That? ?fortress? ?tower? ?was? ?at? ?least? ?over? ?ten? ?meters? ?tall,? ?and? ?as? ?the? ?eminent? ?Crown? ?Prince? ?


    whose? ?person? ?was? ?worth? ?a? ?thousand? ?gold,? ?he? ?still? ?jumped? ?down? ?from? ?it!? ?In? ?that? ?moment,? ?


    thousands? ?had? ?thought? ?a? ?god? ?had? ?truly? ?descended.? ?When? ?they? ?recovered? ?from? ?their? ?


    shock,? ?fervor? ?filled? ?their? ?veins;? ?the? ?crowd? ?went? ?hysterical,? ?apuding? ?with? ?intensity.? ?Qi? ?


    Rong? ?too? ?was? ?shouting,? ?leading? ?the? ?crowd? ?in? ?mad? ?apuse,? ?shouting? ?until? ?his? ?voice? ?was? ?


    hoarse,? ?pping? ?until? ?both? ?his? ?hands? ?were? ?red.? ?The? ?king? ?and? ?the? ?queen? ?shared? ?a? ?look,? ?


    smiling,? ?and? ?apuded? ?too.? ?The? ?rest? ?of? ?the? ?nobles? ?eased? ?their? ?brows? ?and? ?sighed? ?a? ?


    breath? ?of? ?relief? ?before? ?joining? ?in? ?the? ?cheer.? ?On? ?either? ?sides? ?of? ?the? ?Martial? ?Deity? ?Avenue,? ?


    crowds? ?were? ?going? ?wild? ?like? ?crashing? ?waves,? ?hundreds? ?and? ?thousands? ?of? ?men? ?so? ?excited? ?


    they? ?pushed? ?against? ?the? ?royal? ?guards,? ?wanting? ?to? ?approach? ?closer? ?and? ?holler.? ?


    Upon? ?the? ?grand? ?stage,? ?two? ?forms,? ?one? ?ck,? ?one? ?white,? ?faced? ?each? ?other.? ?Each? ?with? ?


    their? ?own? ?weapon? ?in? ?hand,? ?God? ?and? ?Ghost? ?would? ?finally? ?face? ?off.? ?


    Seeing? ?that? ?everything? ?worked? ?out,? ?Guoshi? ?finally? ?rxed? ?his? ?shoulders? ?and? ?mounted? ?


    the? ?towering? ?tform.? ?After? ?nodding? ?to? ?his? ?fellows? ?in? ?greeting,? ?he? ?found? ?a? ?seat? ?for? ?


    himself? ?and? ?sat? ?down.? ?The? ?king? ?chuckled,? ?“Guoshi,? ?how? ?did? ?you? e? ?up? ?with? ?such? ?an? ?


    exhrating? ?entrance?? ?How? ?exciting.”? ?


    Guoshi? ?wiped? ?sweat? ?from? ?his? ?face? ?and? ?smiled,? ?“It’s? ?indeed? ?exciting.? ?But? ?unfortunately,? ?


    this? ?lowly? ?servant? ?didn’t? e? ?up? ?with? ?it.? ?I’m? ?afraid? ?it’s? ?His? ?Highness? ?the? ?Crown? ?Prince’s? ?


    own? ?idea.”? ?


    The? ?queen? ?patted? ?her? ?heart,? ?“That? ?mischievous? ?child.? ?To? ?jump? ?from? ?such? ?a? ?height? ?


    without? ?a? ?word? ?of? ?warning!? ?I? ?almost? ?stood? ?up? ?in? ?fright.”? ?


    Guoshi? ?couldn’t? ?help? ?but? ce? ?his? ?words? ?with? ?pride,? ?“My? ?queen? dy? ?can? ?be? ?at? ?ease.? ?The? ?


    martial? ?might? ?of? ?His? ?Highness? ?the? ?Crown? ?Prince? ?is? ?extraordinary.? ?Tens? ?of? ?meters? ?is? ?


    nothing? ?to? ?him,? ?and? ?even? ?with? ?towers? ?that? ?are? ?many? ?times? ?higher,? ?he? ?can? ?easily? ?mount? ?


    and? ?easily? ?jump? ?with? ?his? ?eyes? ?closed.”? ? ?


    The? ?queen? ?appeared? ?pleased? ?and? ?said? ?gently,? ?“Thanks? ?to? ?the? ?teachings? ?of? ?Guoshi.”? ?


    Guoshi? ughed,? ?“It’s? ?nothing,? ?it’s? ?nothing.? ?His? ?Highness? ?the? ?Crown? ?Prince,? ?darling? ?of? ?the? ?


    heavens,? ?is? ?divinely? ?gifted,? ?marvelously? ?talented,? ?and? ?graciously? ?brilliant.? ?It? ?is? ?the? ?fortune? ?


    collected? ?for? ?three? ?lifetimes? ?that? ?gave? ?this? ?lowly? ?servant? ?the? ?chance? ?to? ?be? ?his? ?


    teacher.? ?I? ?have? ?a? ?premonition? ?that? ?with? ?His? ?Highness? ?the? ?Crown? ?Prince’s? ?presence,? ?


    today? ?will? ?go? ?down? ?in? ?history? ?as? ?the? ?most? ?impressive? ?Martial? ?Match? ?of? ?the? ?God-Pleasing? ?


    Ceremony.”? ?


    His? ?words? ?of? ?praise? ?were? ?smooth? ?and? ?alluded? ?the? ?heavens.? ?The? ?king? ?smiled? ?faintly? ?and? ?


    turned? ?his? ?head? ?back? ?to? ?watch? ?the? ?performance.? ?“I? ?hope? ?that’s? ?the? ?case.”? ?


    In? ?the? ?Heavenly? ?Procession? ?of? ?the? ?ShangYuan? ?Festival,? ?the? ?God-Pleasing? ?Martial? ?


    Warrior? ?and? ?the? ?Ghost? ?were? ?the? ?two? ?most? ?important? ?roles.? ?Both? ?must? ?be? ?young? ?men? ?


    exceedingly? ?skilled? ?in? ?martial? ?arts.? ?Especially? ?the? ?God-Pleasing? ?Martial? ?Warrior;? ?the? ?


    presentation? ?and? ?make? ?of? ?his? ?costume? ?were? ?strict,? ?transcendently? ?mourous;? ?and? ?after? ?


    dressing,? ?everything? ?worn? ?weighed? ?to? ?be? ?about? ?forty? ?to? ?fifty? ?pounds.? ?The? ?Martial? ?Warrior? ?


    must,? ?under? ?this? ?heavy? ?burden,? ?before? ?the? ?eyes? ?of? ?millions,? ?march? ?around? ?the? ?capital? ?


    many? ?times,? ?and? ?perform? ?in? ?the? ?martial? ?match? ?for? ?at? ?least? ?four? ?hours.? ?There? ?must? ?be? ?no? ?


    mistakes? ?made? ?throughout,? ?and? ?so? ?the? ?performer? ?must? ?be? ?extraordinarily? ?skilled.? ?


    Fortunately,? ?both? ?young? ?men? ?were? ?exceedingly? ?talented.? ?The? ?sabre? ?parried? ?with? ?the? ?


    sword,? ?one? ?shed,? ?another? ?struck;? ?the? ?thrilling? ?match? ?was? ?a? ?sight? ?to? ?behold.? ?The? ?


    moves? ?were? ?also? ?calcted? ?to? ?the? ?minutest? ?detail,? ?obviously? ?having? ?practiced? ?and? ?


    rehearsed? ?a? ?number? ?of? ?times.? ?


    “Who’s? ?the? ?one? ?ying? ?the? ?ghost? ?and? ?parrying? ?with? ?the? ?Crown? ?Prince?”? ?The? ?king? ?asked.? ?


    Guoshi? ?cleared? ?his? ?throat,? ?“Your? ?majesty,? ?he’s? ?a? ?young? ?trainee? ?from? ?the? ?Royal? ?Holy? ?


    Pavilion.? ?His? ?name? ?is? ?Mu? ?Qing.”? ? ?


    The? ?queen? ?said? ?gently,? ?“I? ?see? ?that? ?child? ?is? ?also? ?rather? ?skilled? ?in? ?fighting,? ?just? ?a? ?bit? ?weaker? ?


    than? ?my? ?son.? ?Maybe? ?about? ?the? ?same? ?level? ?as? ?Feng? ?Xin?”? ? ?


    Guoshi? ?didn’t? ?appear? ?to? ?agree? ?to? ?her? ?sentiment.? ?Qi? ?Rong? ?had? ?been? ying? ?on? ?the? p? ?of? ?


    the? ?queen? ?munching? ?on? ?grapes,? ?and? ?spat? ?out? ?the? ?skins? ?in? ?a? ?rush,? ?“Psh,? ?psh,? ?psh!? ?No? ?


    way,? ?no? ?way!? ?Not? ?just? ?a? ?bit? ?weaker,? ?he’s? ?farrrr? ?weaker!? ?Not? ?just? ?anyone? ?can? pare? ?to? ?


    cousin? ?Crown? ?Prince!”? ? ?


    Hearing? ?this,? ?the? ?queen? ?patted? ?his? ?head,? ?smiling,? ?and? ?the? ?rest? ?of? ?the? ?nobles? ?all? ughed,? ?


    their? ?bodies? ?swaying? ?back? ?and? ?forth? ?in? ?mirth.? ?They? ?teased,? ?“Little? ?Rong? ?certainly? ?clings? ?to? ?


    his? ?cousin!? ?If? ?he? ?doesn’t? ?praise? ?him? ?for? ?a? ?day? ?he’s? ?miserable.”? ? ?


    Down? ?below? ?in? ?the? ?crowd,? ?the? ?cheers? ?and? ?hollers? ?were? ?rising? ?to? ?the? ?heavens:? ?“FIGHT!? ?


    FIGHT!? ?KILL? ?HIM!”? ? ?


    “SLAY? ?THE? ?EVIL!”? ? ?


    The? ?roars? ?of? ?excitement? ?was? ?growing? ?stronger.? ?Qi? ?Rong? ?was? ?also? ?adding? ?to? ?the? ?noise,? ?


    both? ?his? ?hands? ?around? ?his? ?mouth? ?like? ?a? ?trumpet,? ?shouting? ?and? ughing,? ?“COUSIN? ?


    CROWN? ?PRINCE,? ?GO!? ?YOU? ?CAN? ?EASILY? ?KNOCK? ?HIM? ?DOWN? ?WITH? ?ONE? ?HAND,? ?


    SHOW? ?HIM? ?OFF!”? ? ?


    Suddenly,? ?the? ?ghost? ?on? ?the? ?stage? ?shed? ?forward.? ?The? ?Martial? ?Warrior? ?repelled? ?the? ?


    attack? ?with? ?his? ?sword,? ?but? ?“Hmm?”-ed.? ?


    Technically,? ?during? ?the? ?Heavenly? ?Parade,? ?the? ?martial? ?match? ?was? ?a? ?performance? ?for? ?


    pleasing? ?the? ?gods,? ?and? ?at? ?most? ?one? ?should? ?only? ?use? ?a? ?seventh? ?of? ?their? ?power,? ?ceasing? ?


    after? ?swords? ?touch.? ?However,? ?the? ?strike? ?he? ?received? ?just? ?now,? ?the? ?sword? ?in? ?his? ?hand? ?


    almost? ?flew? ?out.? ?Obviously? ?his? ?opponent? ?had? ?used? ?all? ?of? ?his? ?might? ?in? ?that? ?blow.? ? ?


    Xie? ?Lian? ?raised? ?his? ?head? ?slightly? ?and? ?called? ?out,? ?“Mu? ?Qing?”? ? ?


    The? ?young? ?man? ?ying? ?the? ?ghost? ?didn’t? ?say? ?a? ?word,? ?and? ?shed? ?at? ?him? ?again.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?


    had? ?no? ?time? ?to? ?think,? ?and? ?received? ?one? ?attack? ?after? ?the? ?other,? ?their? ?weapons? ?nging.? ?


    ‘Well? ?this? ?is? ?more? ?exciting? ?than? ?fake? ?y.’? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?thought,? ?and? ?his? ?spirit? ?heightened,? ?


    getting? ?more? ?into? ?the? ?fight.? ? ?


    Thus,? ?under? ?the? ?crashing? ?roars? ?of? ?cheers,? ?the? ?weapons? ?shed? ?and? ?sparks? ?flew.? ?The? ?


    more? ?invigourating? ?the? ?fight? ?was? ?on? ?stage,? ?the? ?louder? ?the? ?cheers? ?below.? ?Suddenly,? ?there? ?


    was? ?a? ?deafening? ?schwing,? ?white? ?light? ?shed,? ?and? ?the? ?crowd? ?“Ah”-ed,? ?their? ?breaths? ?held.? ?


    That? ?nine? ?feet? ?zanbato? ?of? ?the? ?ghost? ?was? ?snapped? ?out? ?of? ?his? ?hand? ?by? ?the? ?long? ?slender? ?


    sword? ?of? ?the? ?God-Pleasing? ?Martial? ?Warrior,? ?and? ?it? ?flew? ?towards? ?a? ?stone? ?pir? ?of? ?the? ?


    towering? ?tform,? ?nailing? ?into? ?it.? ?A? ?few? ?bystanders? ?tried? ?to? ?pull? ?it? ?out,? ?but? ?even? ?when? ?they? ?


    pulled? ?with? ?all? ?their? ?strength? ?the? ?zanbato? ?didn’t? ?move? ?an? ?inch.? ?


    “What? ?kind? ?of? ?sabre? ?is? ?this?? ?What? ?strength? ?you? ?must? ?need!”? ? ?


    Upon? ?the? ?grand? ?stage,? ?the? ?God-Pleasing? ?Martial? ?Warrior? ?shook? ?his? ?sword,? ?and? ?flicked? ?on? ?


    the? ?de? ?again.? ?Another? ?tinkling? ?sound,? ?and? ?behind? ?the? ?golden? ?mask? ?came? ?soft? ?


    chuckling.? ?


    “You? ?fought? ?well,? ?but? ?you? ?still? ?lost.”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?said? ?calmly? ?but? ?cheerfully.? ?


    The? ?ghost? ?lost? ?his? ?weapon,? ?half? ?kneeled? ?on? ?the? ?ground,? ?still? ?silent? ?but? ?his? ?fist? ?gripped? ?


    tighter.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?craftily? ?spun? ?his? ?sword,? ?and? ?under? ?the? ?cheers? ?from? ?all? ?around,? ?was? ?


    about? ?to? ?lunge? ?his? ?final? ?strike,? ?‘ying’? ?the? ?ghost,? ?when? ?just? ?then,? ?there? ?was? ?screaming? ?


    from? ?above!? ?


    Shocked,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?lowered? ?his? ?sword? ?and? ?looked? ?up,? ?and? ?saw? ?a? ?blurry? ?shadow? ?falling? ?


    rapidly? ?from? ?the? ?city? ?wall.? ?


    In? ?that? ?moment,? ?he? ?didn’t? ?have? ?time? ?to? ?think,? ?and? ?in? ?a? ?sh,? ?he? ?tipped? ?his? ?feet? ?and? ?


    pushed? ?off? ?the? ?ground,? ?leaping? ?into? ?the? ?air,? ?darting? ?upwards? ?weightlessly.? ?


    He? ?surged? ?and? ?flew,? ?his? ?sleeves? ?fluttering? ?open? ?like? ?the? ?wings? ?of? ?a? ?butterfly,? ?then? nded? ?


    gracefully,? ?light? ?like? ?a? ?feather.? ?Tightly? ?in? ?his? ?hold? ?was? ?a? ?person,? ?and? ?only? ?when? ?he? ?


    touched? ?solid? ?ground? ?did? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?sigh? ?a? ?breath? ?of? ?relief,? ?and? ?looked? ?down.? ?


    In? ?his? ?arms? ?was? ?a? ?child,? ?head? ?wrapped? ?full? ?of? ?bandages,? ?dirty? ?and? ?unkempt,? ?curled? ?in? ?his? ?


    hold,? ?watching? ?him? ?dazedly.? ? ?


    ——–? ?


    ●ShangYuan? ?Festival? ?is? ?also? ?known? ?as? ?the? ?Lantern? ?Festival,? ?marking? ?the? ?15th? ?and? ?


    st? ?day? ?of? ?the? ?Lunar? ?New? ?Year.? ?It’s? ?a? ?day? ?for? ?worshipping? ?and? ?celebrating? ?the? ?


    celestial? ?heavens.? ? ?


    On? ?a? ?separate? ?note,? ?ZhongYuan? ?celebrates? ?the? ?dead,? ?and? ?XiaYuan? ?celebrates? ?


    the? ?waters.? ?Yuan? ?[?元?]? ?means? ?the? ?origins? ?of? ?the? ?universe? ?in? ?Chinese? ?Foundation? ?


    Philosophy? ?(Iching),? ?and? ?the? ?Yuan? ?festivals? ?divided? ?the? ?lunar? ?year? ?into? ?three:? ?the? ?


    Upper? ?(Shang),? ?the? ?Middle? ?(Zhong),? ?and? ?the? ?Lower? ?(Xia),? ?each? ?celebrating? ?the? ?


    divine? ?forces? ?that? ?invigourate? ?the? ?world.? ?


    ●Fortuitous? ?Hour:? ?the? ?best? ?time? ?to? ?do? ?something? ?based? ?on? ?the? ?daily? ?fortune? ?


    calendar? ?that? ?stiptes? ?how? ?lucky? ?each? ?hour? ?is? ?based? ?on? ?the? ?date,? ?month,? ?year,? ?


    and? ?the? ?stars.? ?


    ——–? ?


    Ch.59:? ?On? ?the? ?Martial? ?Deity? ?Avenue;? ?An? ?Awe-Inspiring? ?First? ?Impression? ?2? ?


    This? ?child? ?was? ?no? ?older? ?than? ?seven? ?or? ?eight,? ?and? ?quite? ?the? ?gaunt? ?and? ?small? ?creature.? ?


    Falling? ?from? ?such? ?a? ?height,? ?his? ?little? ?body? ?was? ?shaking? ?uncontrobly? ?in? ?his? ?arms? ?like? ?a? ?


    newborn? ?of? ?an? ?animal.? ?However,? ?from? ?that? ?mess? ?of? ?bandages? ?wrapped? ?around? ?his? ?head? ?


    peaked? ?a? rge? ?eye? ?ck? ?in? ?colour,? ?reflecting? ?the? ?shadow? ?of? ?a? ?snow-white? ?figure? ?within,? ?


    watching? ?him? ?unblinkingly? ?as? ?if? ?he? ?could? ?no? ?longer? ?see? ?anything? ?else.? ? ?


    Loud? ?gasps? ?were? ?heard? ?from? ?all? ?around,? ?and? ?when? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?raised? ?his? ?head,? ?his? ?heart? ?


    sank.? ?In? ?his? ?peripheral? ?vision? ?he? ?saw? ?lying? ?on? ?the? ?ground? ?not? ?far? ?away? ?a? ?golden? ?object.? ?


    The? ?golden? ?mask? ?that? ?hid? ?his? ?face? ?had? ?fallen.? ?


    Xie? ?Lian? ?had? nded? ?in? ?the? ?middle? ?of? ?the? ?Martial? ?Deity? ?Avenue,? ?and? ?the? ?ceremonial? ?


    parade? ?was? ?miles? ?behind? ?him,? ?the? ?procession? ?not? ?having? ?made? ?it? ?that? ?far? ?yet.? ?The? ?


    sudden? motion? ?broke? ?the? ?steady? ?march? ?of? ?the? ?warriors,? ?the? ?flower? ?tossing? ?celestial? ?


    fairies? ?looked? ?panicked,? ?the? ?golden? ?carriages? ?stopped,? ?a? ?number? ?of? ?white? ?stallions? ?


    stomped? ?their? ?hooves? ?and? ?neighed? ?in? ?rm,? ?and? ?the? ?strings? ?missed? ?notes? ?and? ?their? ?


    rhythms? ?disrupted.? ?Some? ?kept? ?going,? ?and? ?some? ?stopped.? ?Without? ?being? ?able? ?to? ?


    coordinate? ?their? ?march? ?again,? ?the? ?entire? ?situation? ?was? ?going? ?out? ?of? ?control.? ?The? ?crowd? ?on? ?


    both? ?sides? ?of? ?the? ?street? ?still? ?haven’t? ?had? ?the? ?chance? ?to? ?react,? ?but? ?the? ?King? ?of? ?Xianle? ?upon? ?


    the? ?towering? ?tform? ?stood? ?up? ?immediately,? ?watching? ?his? ?son’s? ?silhouette,? ?his? ?


    expression? ?worried? ?and? ?grave.? ?


    The? ?moment? ?he? ?stood,? ?how? ?could? ?the? ?rest? ?of? ?the? ?nobles? ?remain? ?seated?? ?So? ?they? ?all? ?rose? ?


    to? ?their? ?feet? ?in? ?a? ?frenzy.? ?Guoshi’s? ?bottom? ?had? ?only? ?just? ?warmed? ?his? ?seat? ?but? ?now? ?it’s? ?cold? ?


    again.? ?He? ?was? ?rapidly? ?thinking? ?whether? ?if? ?he? ?needed? ?to? ?prostrate? ?on? ?all? ?fours? ?


    immediately? ?to? ?beg? ?for? ?forgiveness,? ?and? ?Qi? ?Rong? ?had? ?already? ?leapt? ?onto? ?the? ?railing,? ?his? ?


    sleeves? ?rolled? ?up,? ?shouting? ?in? ?rage,? ?“WHAT’S? ?GOING? ?ON? ?NOW?? ?WHAT’S? ?


    HAPPENING?? ?WHY? ?DID? ?THE? ?PROCESSION? ?FALL? ?INTO? ?CHAOS?? ?WHAT? ?THE? ?HELL? ?


    ARE? ?YOU? ?USELESS? ?TRASH? ?DOING?? ?DID? ?YOU? ?ALL? ?EAT? ?NOTHING? ?BUT? ?PLAIN? ?


    RICE,? ?SO? ?DUMB? ?YOU? ?CAN’T? ?EVEN? ?HOLD? ?YOUR? ?HORSES???”? ? ?


    The? ?queen’s? ?face? ?was? ?pale,? ?her? ?brows? ?slightly? ?knitted,? ?and? ?hurriedly? ?sent? ?for? ?another? ?to? ?


    drag? ?him? ?back.? ?The? ?crowds? ?were? ?growing? ?agitated? ?and? ?a? ?riot? ?was? ?about? ?to? ?erupt? ?when? ?


    just? ?then,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?rose? ?to? ?his? ?feet.? ? ?


    Usually,? ?the? ?honourable? ?Crown? ?Prince? ?was? ?hidden? ?deep? ?within? ?the? ?pce? ?or? ?training? ?at? ?


    the? ?Royal? ?Holy? ?Pavilion,? ?and? ?rarely? ?had? ?the? ?chance? ?to? ?show? ?his? ?face? ?to? ?the? ?people.? ?This? ?


    was? ?such? ?a? ?rare? ?asion? ?that? ?many? ?couldn’t? ?help? ?but? ?be? ?intrigued,? ?their? ?gazes? ?all? ?falling? ?


    on? ?him.? ?Seeing? ?his? ?face,? ?they? ?all? ?held? ?their? ?breaths.? ?That? ?young? ?man? ?had? ?long? ?brows? ?and? ?


    charming? ?eyes,? ?dignified? ?and? ?handsome,? ?radiating? ?nobility,? ?his? ?aura? ?blindingly? ?bright,? ?


    forcing? ?down? ?the? ?eyes? ?of? ?those? ?looking.? ?With? ?the? ?child? ?in? ?one? ?arm,? ?he? ?raised? ?the? ?other? ?


    with? ?the? ?sword? ?in? ?hand,? ?and? ?pointed? ?it? ?to? ?the? ?grand? ?stage.? ?


    That? ?ghost? ?had? ?been? ?observing? ?the? ?situation? ?from? ?above? ?the? ?stage,? ?and? ?seeing? ?that? ?


    gesture,? ?he? ?paused? ?for? ?a? ?moment? ?before? ?leaping? ?off? ?the? ?ground.? ?


    The? ?crowd? ?wowed? ?in? ?amazement? ?as? ?the? ?ghost,? ?his? ?form? ?like? ?a? ?streak? ?of? ?ck? ?cloud,? ?flew? ?


    across? ?mid? ?air? ?to? ?the? ?stone? ?pir? ?where? ?the? ?sabre? ?was? ?deeply? ?embedded,? ?pulled? ?it? ?out? ?


    from? ?the? ?crack,? ?then? ?flipped? ?again,? nding? ?in? ?the? ?middle? ?of? ?the? ?street? ?before? ?the? ?martial? ?


    warrior.? ? ?


    Seeing? ?that? ?he? ?instantaneously? ?understood? ?his? ?intentions? ?and? ?came? ?forth? ?to? ?cooperate,? ?


    Xie? ?Lian? uded? ?under? ?his? ?breath,? ?“Good? ?Mu? ?Qing!”? ? ?


    Now? ?both? ?the? ?God-Pleasing? ?Martial? ?Warrior? ?and? ?the? ?ghost? ?had? ?descended? ?the? ?stage.? ?


    One? ?ck? ?one? ?white,? ?sabre? ?and? ?sword? ?shed? ?once? ?again,? ?heightening? ?the? ?excitement,? ?


    electrifying? ?the? ?crowd.? ?Upon? ?the? ?towering? ?tform,? ?the? ?faces? ?of? ?nobles? ?finally? ?rxed,? ?


    looking? ?appeased.? ? ?


    The? ?ghost? ?made? ?the? ?act? ?to? ?aim? ?for? ?the? ?child? ?in? ?the? ?warrior’s? ?arms,? ?both? ?hands? ?holding? ?the? ?


    sabre,? ?gripping? ?it? ?to? ?the? ?side? ?and? ?rushed? ?towards? ?Xie? ?Lian.? ?The? ?two? ?faked? ?parrying,? ?


    moves? ?after? ?moves,? ?strike? ?after? ?strike,? ?and? ?leapt? ?back? ?onto? ?stage? ?anew.? ?While? ?the? ?crowd? ?


    was? ?distracted,? ?Mu? ?Qing? ?used? ?the? ?chance? ?to? ?do? ?a? ?somersault? ?on? ?the? ?street,? ?grabbed? ?the? ?


    mask,? ?then? ?dashed? ?through? ?the? ?procession? ?crying? ?in? ?a? ?low? ?voice,? ?“Don’t? ?scramble!? ?


    Compose? ?yourselves!? ?Pretend? ?nothing’s? ?happened? ?and? ?continue? ?the? ?march!? ?Finish? ?


    marching? ?this? ?round? ?and? ?return? ?to? ?the? ?pce!”? ? ?


    All? ?within? ?the? ?procession? ?immediately? ?steadied? ?and? ?returned? ?to? ?their? ?own? ?posts,? ?their? ?


    spirits? ?renewed.? ?The? ?moment? ?Mu? ?Qing? ?returned? ?on? ?stage,? ?his? ?attacks? ?became? ?even? ?


    more? ?vigorous,? ?clinking? ?and? ?nking,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?received? ?more? ?shes.? ?Just? ?then,? ?the? ?


    child? ?in? ?his? ?arms? ?cried? ?out,? ?probably? ?terrified? ?by? ?being? ?stuck? ?between? ?the? ?shing? ?


    weapons.? ?Xie? ?Lian’s? ?left? ?hand? ?held? ?him? ?tighter? ?and? ?whispered,? ?“Don’t? ?be? ?scared!”? ? ?


    Hearing? ?his? ?words,? ?the? ?small? ?child? ?gripped? ?on? ?to? ?the? ?folds? ?of? ?his? ?clothes? ?by? ?the? ?chest.? ?


    Even? ?with? ?a? ?child? ?in? ?one? ?arm? ?and? ?the? ?other? ?hand? ?handling? ?the? ?sword,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?was? ?still? ?


    fighting? ?with? ?ease.? ?Parrying? ?for? ?another? ?while,? ?he? ?felt? ?the? ?child? ?in? ?his? ?arms? ?raise? ?his? ?


    trembling? ?arms? ?and? ?grabbed? ?hold? ?of? ?his? ?shoulders? ?in? ?a? ?deadly? ?grip,? ?as? ?if? ?he’s? ?hanging? ?on? ?


    for? ?dear? ?life.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?soothed? ?again,? ?“Don’t? ?worry,? ?nothing? ?will? ?hurt? ?you.”? ?


    After? ?speaking? ?those? ?words,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?called? ?in? ?a? ?low? ?voice,? ?“Mu? ?Qing!”? ? ?


    The? ?ghost? ?facing? ?him? ?inconspicuously? ?inclined? ?his? ?head,? ?and? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?struck.? ?


    Thus,? ?before? ?the? ?eyes? ?of? ?millions,? ?the? ?God-Pleasing? ?Martial? ?Warrior? ?pierced? ?the? ?heart? ?of? ?


    the? ?ghost,? ?ying? ?it? ?on? ?the? ?spot!? ? ?


    Mu? ?Qing,? ?with? ?his? ?ghost? ?mask? ?on,? ?clutched? ?his? ?‘wound’,? ?stumbled? ?back? ?a? ?few? ?steps,? ?


    struggled? ?for? ?a? ?moment? ?before? ?finally? ??thud?? ?falling? ?to? ?the? ?ground,? ?and? ?stopped? ?moving.? ?


    Above? ?on? ?the? ?tform? ?Qi? ?Rong? ughed? ?out? ?loud,? ?apuding,? ?“DEAD!? ?HE’S? ?DEAD!? ?


    COUSIN? ?CROWN? ?PRINCE? ?HAS? ?SLAIN? ?THE? ?GHOST? ?DEAD!”? ? ?


    While? ?all? ?this? ?was? ?happening,? ?the? ?magnificent? ?Heavenly? ?Procession? ?had? ?continued? ?to? ?


    march,? ?and? ?soon? ?moved? ?onto? ?the? ?path? ?back? ?to? ?the? ?pce.? ?Because? ?of? ?how? ?well? ?the? ?act? ?


    was? ?saved? ?and? ?the? ?unexpected? ?improvised? ?act? ?was? ?exhrating? ?to? ?watch,? ?not? ?only? ?did? ?


    the? ?people? ?not? in,? ?but? ?rather? ?their? ?excitement? ?grew? ?even? ?stronger.? ?Countless? ?


    within? ?the? ?crowd? ?were? ?shouting? ?“Your? ?Highness”,? ?hollering? ?“God”,? ?and? ?followed? ?behind? ?


    the? ?grand? ?stage,? ?thousands? ?and? ?millions? ?rushing? ?to? ?the? ?pce.? ?A? ?few? ?of? ?the? ?generals? ?


    had? ?to? ?send? ?out? ?many? ?more? ?troops? ?of? ?warriors? ?and? ?soldiers? ?to? ?block? ?the? ?overly? ?excited? ?


    people.? ?However,? ?in? ?the? ?end? ?they? ?still? ?couldn’t? ?hold? ?them? ?back,? ?and? ?the? ?crowd? ?broke? ?


    through,? ?pushing? ?themselves? ?towards? ?the? ?pce? ?gates.? ?


    The? ?King? ?of? ?Xianle? ?called? ?from? ?the? ?top? ?of? ?the? ?towering? ?tform,? ?“Guards!? ?Warriors!”? ? ?


    At? ?the? ?same? ?time,? ?the? ?hundreds? ?within? ?the? ?procession? ?all? ?had? ?re-entered? ?the? ?pce,? ?and? ?


    the? ?giant? ?crimson? ?gates? ?closed? ?soundly? ?shut? ?after? ?the? ?grand? ?stage,? ?the? ?colourful? ?banners? ?


    of? ?the? ?performance? ?now? ?out? ?of? ?sight.? ?The? ?people? ?rushed? ?the? ?gates,? ?knocking? ?and? ?


    pping? ?upon? ?it,? ?their? ?cheers? ?ringing? ?to? ?the? ?heavens.? ?


    Inside? ?the? ?tightly? ?closed? ?pce? ?gates,? ?upon? ?the? ?grand? ?stage,? ?the? ?white? ?d? ?


    God-Pleasing? ?Martial? ?Warrior? ?and? ?the? ?ck? ?d? ?ghost? ?both? ?threw? ?their? ?weapons? ?onto? ?


    the? ?ground? ?in? ?two? ?nking? ?sounds,? ?and? ?copsed? ?heavily? ?on? ?the? ?ground.? ? ?


    Xie? ?Lian? ?was? ?covered? ?in? ?sweat,? ?and? ?ripped? ?open? yers? ?and? yers? ?of? ?his? ?elegant? ?


    costume,? ?and? ?exhaled? ?deeply,? ?“That? ?was? ?close.? ?Too? ?close.? ?I’m? ?exhausted.”? ? ?


    Mu? ?Qing? ?also? ?removed? ?his? ?heavy? ?ghost? ?mask,? ?and? ?let? ?out? ?a? ?long? ?breath? ?silently,? ?but? ?


    didn’t? in? ?about? ?being? ?tired.? ?


    When? ?he? ?looked? ?over,? ?he? ?saw? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?was? ?still? ?holding? ?onto? ?that? ?young? ?child,? ?and? ?


    frowned? ?wordlessly.? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?on? ?the? ?other? ?hand,? ?called? ?out? ?as? ?he? ?followed? ?after? ?the? ?


    grand? ?stage? ?in? ?a? ?jog,? ?“Your? ?Highness,? ?what? ?are? ?you? ?doing? ?bringing? ?the? ?child? ?in? ?too?”? ? ?


    That? ?young? ?child? ?was? ?lying? ?over? ?Xie? ?Lian’s? ?chest,? ?his? ?small? ?body? ?frozen? ?and? ?unmoving,? ?


    afraid? ?to? ?even? ?breathe? ?loudly.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?sat? ?up,? ?“What? ?was? ?I? ?to? ?do,? ?throw? ?him? ?back? ?out? ?on? ?


    the? ?streets?? ?It’s? ?a? ?mess? ?out? ?there,? ?he’s? ?such? ?a? ?tiny? ?creature? ?he’d? ?get? ?trampled? ?to? ?death.”? ? ?


    He? ?held? ?up? ?the? ?small? ?child? ?and? ?patted? ?his? ?head,? ?asking? ?casually,? ?“How? ?old? ?are? ?you,? ?little? ?


    guy?”? ? ?


    That? ?child? ?didn’t? ?blink,? ?and? ?his? ?lips? ?uttered? ?no? ?sounds.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?continued? ?his? ?query,? ?his? ?


    tone? ?soothing,? ?“How? ?did? ?you? e? ?to? ?fall? ?earlier?”? ? ?


    “Your? ?Highness,? ?the? ?child? ?probably? ?doesn’t? ?dare? ?to? ?speak,? ?he’s? ?obviously? ?scared? ?


    witless.”? ?Mu? ?Qing? ?said.? ? ?


    Xie? ?Lian? ?patted? ?the? ?head? ?of? ?that? ?young? ?child? ?again,? ?but? ?the? ?unresponsive? ?child? ?made? ?him? ?


    lose? ?interest,? ?so? ?he? ?stopped? ?patting.? ?“So? ?silly.”? ?Xie? ?Lian? mented.? ?“Feng? ?Xin,? ?go? ?find? ?


    someone? ?to? ?take? ?him? ?out? ?through? ?the? ?side? ?doors? ?when? ?you? ?get? ?a? ?chance,? ?see? ?if? ?he’s? ?


    injured,? ?his? ?head? ?is? ?wrapped? ?in? ?bandages.”? ? ?


    “Alright.”? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?extended? ?his? ?hand,? ?“Give? ?him? ?here.”? ? ?


    Xie? ?Lian? ?held? ?the? ?young? ?child? ?up? ?and? ?passed? ?him? ?over,? ?but? ?before? ?he? ?could? ?do? ?so,? ?Feng? ?


    Xin? ?said,? ?“Your? ?Highness,? ?why? ?haven’t? ?you? ?let? ?go?”? ? ?


    “I? ?did? ?let? ?go?”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?was? ?puzzled,? ?but? ?when? ?he? ?looked? ?down,? ?he? ughed? ?


    exasperatedly.? ?Turns? ?out? ?it? ?was? ?the? ?child? ?who? ?was? ?still? ?gripping? ?tightly? ?onto? ?his? ?clothes? ?


    refusing? ?to? ?let? ?go.? ?


    A? ?few? ?were? ?taken? ?aback? ?and? ?started? ughing? ?out? ?loud.? ?While? ?training? ?at? ?the? ?Royal? ?Holy? ?


    Pavilion,? ?so? ?many? ?devoutees,? ?men? ?and? ?women? ?alike,? ?tried? ?their? ?hardest? ?to? ?get? ?a? ?glimpse? ?


    of? ?Xie? ?Lian,? ?whether? ?it? ?be? ?out? ?of? ?curiosity? ?or? ?devotion.? ?But? ?once? ?they’ve? ?seen? ?him? ?once,? ?


    they’d? ?want? ?to? ?see? ?him? ?again,? ?if? ?they? ?could? ?train? ?next? ?to? ?him? ?then? ?even? ?better.? ?They? ?


    couldn’t? ?believe? ?that? ?a? ?child? ?at? ?such? ?a? ?young? ?age? ?would? ?also? ?be? ?the? ?same.? ?Guarding? ?


    around? ?the? ?grand? ?stage? ?were? ?many? ?young? ?trainees? ?from? ?the? ?Royal? ?Holy? ?Pavilion,? ?and? ?


    they? ?all? ?snickered,? ?“Your? ?Highness,? ?this? ?child? ?doesn’t? ?want? ?to? ?leave!”? ? ?


    Xie? ?Lian? ?also? ughed,? ?“Is? ?that? ?right?? ?That? ?won’t? ?do.? ?I’ve? ?got? ?my? ?own? ?things? ?to? ?do.? ?Go? ?


    home,? ?little? ?kid.”? ? ?


    Hearing? ?this,? ?that? ?child? ?finally? ?loosened? ?his? ?grip? ?slowly,? ?letting? ?go? ?of? ?his? ?clothes,? ?and? ?


    Feng? ?Xin? ?picked? ?him? ?up.? ?Even? ?when? ?the? ?person? ?holding? ?him? ?was? ?now? ?Feng? ?Xin,? ?the? ?


    child? ?was? ?still? ?staring? ?at? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?with? ?his? rge,? ?dark? ?eye,? ?looking? ?as? ?if? ?he? ?was? ?


    possessed.? ?Many? ?who? ?was? ?witnessing? ?this? ?started? ?muttering? ?silently,? ?noting? ?that? ?intense? ?


    stare.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?himself? ?however,? ?wasn’t? ?even? ?looking? ?at? ?the? ?child? ?anymore,? ?and? ?only? ?


    spoke? ?to? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?directly,? ?“Don’t? ?pick? ?him? ?up? ?like? ?you’re? ?picking? ?up? ?trash,? ?you’re? ?scaring? ?


    him.”? ? ?


    Feng? ?Xin? ?put? ?the? ?child? ?back? ?down? ?on? ?the? ?ground,? ?“Enough? ?joking? ?around.? ?Guoshi? ?is? ?


    freaking? ?out.? ?Your? ?Highness? ?better? ?think? ?about? ?how? ?you’re? ?going? ?to? ?face? ?him? ter.”? ? ?


    Hearing? ?this,? ?everyone? ?stopped? ughing.? ?


    An? ?hour? ter,? ?at? ?the? ?Royal? ?Holy? ?Pavilion,? ?on? ?the? ?Martial? ?Deity? ?Summit,? ?inside? ?the? ?Great? ?


    Martial? ?Hall.? ?


    Clouds? ?of? ?incense? ?wafted? ?in? ?the? ?air,? ?and? ?the? ?sound? ?of? ?chanting? ?came? ?in? ?waves.? ?Guoshi? ?


    and? ?three? ?other? ?Deputy? ?Guoshi? ?sat? ?in? ?a? ?line? ?by? ?the? ?side? ?wall? ?within? ?the? ?great? ?hall,? ?their? ?


    faces? ?clouded,? ?and? ?Mu? ?Qing? ?was? ?kneeling? ?before? ?them.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?was? ?also? ?kneeling,? ?but? ?


    before? ?him? ?was? ?no? ?one? ?but? ?the? ?golden? ?statue? ?of? ?the? ?the? ?Great? ?Martial? ?God.? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?


    followed? ?his? ?master,? ?and? ?knelt? ?behind? ?him.? ?


    Guoshi? ?picked? ?up? ?that? ?exquisitely? ?crafted? ?golden? ?mask,? ?and? ?after? ?a? ?moment? ?he? ?heaved? ?a? ?


    heavy? ?sigh,? ?“Your? ?Highness,? ?Your? ?Highness.”? ? ?


    Even? ?when? ?kneeling? ?Xie? ?Lian’s? ?back? ?was? ?straight,? ?his? ?posture? ?perfect? ?and? ?his? ?head? ?


    raised,? ?“Present.”? ?


    Guoshi? ?looked? ?pained,? ?“Do? ?you? ?know? ?that? ?in? ?the? ?history? ?of? ?Xianle,? ?having? ?held? ?so? ?many? ?


    ShangYuan? ?Heavenly? ?Ceremonial? ?Processions,? ?never? ?once? ?did? ?the? ?grand? ?stage? ?only? ?


    circle? ?the? ?capital? ?thrice.? ?Thrice!”? ? ?


    Every? ?ritual? ?of? ?the? ?ShangYuan? ?Heavenly? ?Ceremonial? ?Procession,? ?every? ?decoration? ?of? ?


    every? ?ce,? ?had? ?a? ?meaning? ?behind? ?them.? ?To? ?have? ?the? ?grand? ?stage? ?circle? ?the? ?capital? ?


    once? ?symbolized? ?the? ?kingdom’s? ?prayer? ?for? ?the? ?peace? ?and? ?happiness? ?of? ?the? ?people? ?for? ?


    one? ?year;? ?thus,? ?however? ?many? ?rounds? ?the? ?grand? ?stage? ?made? ?meant? ?however? ?many? ?


    years? ?another? ?such? ?grand? ?ceremony? ?need? ?not? ?take? ?ce.? ?Not? ?only? ?signified? ?good? ?


    fortune,? ?it? ?also? ?saved? ?money.? ?Having? ?only? ?made? ?three? ?rounds,? ?didn’t? ?that? ?mean? ?the? ?


    kingdom? ?would? ?only? ?be? ?protected? ?for? ?three? ?years???? ?


    The? ?worst? ?thing? ?on? ?top? ?of? ?that? ?was? ?the? ?golden? ?mask? ?on? ?the? ?face? ?of? ?the? ?God-Pleasing? ?


    Martial? ?Warrior? ?had? ?fallen? ?mid-ritual.? ?


    Since? ?ancient? ?times,? ?the? ?people? ?of? ?Xianle? ?had? ?believed? ?that? ?the? ?spiritual? ?aura? ?of? ?a? ?person? ?


    resided? ?upon? ?the? ?five? ?facial? ?features;? ?the? ?spirit? ?of? ?a? ?person? ?was? ?on? ?their? ?face,? ?and? ?the? ?


    best? ?must? ?be? ?offered? ?to? ?the? ?heavens.? ?Thus,? ?in? ?the? ?midst? ?of? ?a? ?ceremony,? ?the? ?Martial? ?


    Warrior? ?must? ?wear? ?a? ?golden? ?mask? ?to? ?hide? ?their? ?features,? ?because? ?his? ?face? ?could? ?only? ?be? ?


    appreciated? ?by? ?the? ?gods,? ?and? ?the? ?mortals? ?have? ?no? ?right? ?to? ?see? ?it.? ?


    Guoshi? ?was? ?both? ?furious? ?and? ?disappointed,? ?“The? ?God-Pleasing? ?Martial? ?Warriors? ?of? ?the? ?


    past? ?circled? ?the? ?capital? ?at? ?minimum? ?five? ?times,? ?at? ?most? ?fifteen? ?or? ?sixteen? ?times.? ?You?? ?You? ?


    can? ?do? ?fifty? ?with? ?your? ?eyes? ?closed!? ?A? ?hundred? ?even!? ?But? ?you? ?killed? ?yourself? ?dead? ?at? ?three? ?


    –? ?why? ?didn’t? ?you? ?just? ?kill? ?me,? ?your? ?master,? ?first???? ?Now? ?look? ?at? ?you.? ?Our? ?dear? ?Highness? ?


    the? ?Crown? ?Prince? ?is? ?going? ?to? ?go? ?down? ?history,? ?dragging? ?me? ?along? ?with? ?you!”? ? ?


    No? ?one? ?dared? ?speak? ?in? ?the? ?great? ?hall.? ?Yet,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?still? ?looked? ?to? ?be? ?at? ?ease? ?and? ?calmly? ?


    responded,? ?“Guoshi,? ?why? ?don’t? ?you? ?look? ?at? ?it? ?this? ?way.? ?If? ?that? ?child? ?had? ?fallen? ?to? ?his? ?death? ?


    with? ?no? ?one? ?to? ?catch? ?him,? ?spilling? ?blood? ?on? ?the? ?path? ?of? ?the? ?procession,? ?wouldn’t? ?that? ?be? ?


    equally? ?ominous?? ?Wouldn’t? ?the? ?parade? ?still? ?have? ?to? e? ?to? ?a? ?stop?? ?At? ?the? ?very? ?least,? ?


    the? ?ceremony? ?ended? ?decently,? ?and? ?that’s? ?the? ?best? ?case? ?scenario.? ?Let’s? ?just? ?call? ?what’s? ?


    happened? ?an? ?ident.”? ? ?


    For? ?a? ?moment,? ?Guoshi’s? ?words? ?were? ?stuck? ?in? ?his? ?throat,? ?but? ?then? ?blew? ?up,? ?“You? ?child!? ?


    With? ?so? ?many? ?royal? ?guards? ?on? ?site,? ?anyone? ?could’ve? ?caught? ?him!? ?Even? ?if? ?the? ?catch? ?is? ?off? ?


    and? ?he? ?breaks? ?an? ?arm,? ?he? ?wouldn’t? ?die.? ?You? ?could’ve? ?just? ?marched? ?forward? ?a? ?few? ?steps,? ?


    perform? ?a? ?little? ?shier,? ?and? ?everyone? ?would? ?forget? ?whatever? ?had? ?fallen? ?and? ?move? ?on.”? ? ?


    Xie? ?Lian? ?raised? ?his? ?brows,? ?“Guoshi,? ?you? ?understand? ?as? ?well? ?as? ?I.? ?Under? ?those? ?


    circumstances? ?no? ?one? ?else? ?but? ?me? ?could? ?have? ?reacted? ?as? ?fast,? ?and? ?there? ?was? ?no? ?second? ?


    person? ?who? ?could’ve? ?caught? ?him? ?without? ?injuries.? ?Let? ?him? ?fall,? ?there’d? ?be? ?one? ?dead.? ?


    Catch? ?him,? ?and? ?there’d? ?be? ?two? ?dead.”? ?


    His? ?words? ?were? ?confident? ?and? ?self-assured.Guoshis? ?also? ?knew? ?that? ?what? ?he? ?had? ?said? ?


    was? ?true,? ?and? ?couldn’t? ?refute.? ?But? ?seeing? ?him? ?kneel? ?before? ?the? ?statue? ?of? ?god,? ?looking? ?like? ?


    all? ?was? ?well? ?and? ?nothing? ?was? ?the? ?matter,? ?Guoshi? ?was? ?all? ?angry,? ?all? ?amused,? ?and? ?all? ?


    proud.? ?Before? ?his? ?precious,? ?darling? ?disciple,? ?he? ?just? ?couldn’t? ?get? ?angry,? ?and? ?could? ?only? ?


    pull? ?at? ?his? ?own? ?hair,? ?and? ?use? ?the? ?pain? ?of? ?his? ?scalp? ?to? ?relieve? ?the? ?worry? ?in? ?his? ?heart.? ?After? ?a? ?


    pause,? ?Guoshi? ?spoke? ?again,? ?“Another? ?thing!”? ? ?


    Xie? ?Lian? ?inclined? ?his? ?head,? ?“This? ?disciple? ?is? ?listening.”? ? ?


    “You? ?did? ?well? ?today? ?on? ?stage.”? ?tate? ?Preceptor? ?said.? ?“But? ?no? ?matter? ?how? ?well? ?you? ?


    performed,? ?you? ?can’t? ?just? ?suddenly? ?change? ?things? ?up? ?right? ?before? ?the? ?start? ?without? ?a? ?


    word? ?of? ?warning.? ?Both? ?majesties? ?were? ?terrified? ?by? ?your? ?act? ?today.? ?Do? ?you? ?know? ?what? ?


    would? ?happen? ?if? ?we? ?miss? ?the? ?fortuitous? ?hour?”? ?


    Xie? ?Lian? ?knitted? ?his? ?long? ?brows,? ?looking? ?puzzled,? ?“Guoshi,? ?in? ?regards? ?to? ?this,? ?haven’t? ?I? ?


    already? ?asked? ?for? ?your? ?permission? ?before? ?today?”? ? ?


    Guoshi? ?was? ?taken? ?aback? ?too,? ?“You’ve? ?asked? ?already?? ?Before? ?today?? ?When?”? ? ?


    Bewildered,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?turned? ?his? ?head? ?and? ?looked,? ?calling? ?out,? ?“Mu? ?Qing?”? ? ?


    ———–? ?


    Ch.60:? ?Lost? ?Red? ?Pearl;? ?Inadvertent? ?Eyes? ?Red? ?with? ?Desire? ?


    Just? ?then,? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?who? ?was? ?kneeling? ?behind? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?spoke? ?up? ?grimly,? ?“His? ?Highness? ?


    did? ?indeed? ?mention? ?it? ?a? ?couple? ?days? ?ago.”? ? ?


    All? ?eyes? ?went? ?to? ?him.? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?continued,? ?“Recently? ?His? ?Highness? ?has? ?been? ?putting? ?a? ?lot? ?


    of? ?thought? ?into? ?the? ?Heavenly? ?Procession,? ?and? ?yesterday? ?he? ?suddenly? ?came? ?up? ?with? ?the? ?


    extraordinary? ?idea? ?of? ?jumping? ?off? ?the? ?tower? ?to? ?simte? ?celestial? ?descent? ?without? ?


    changing? ?anything? ?else? ?in? ?the? ?programming.? ?At? ?the? ?time,? ?His? ?Highness? ?was? ?in? ?the? ?middle? ?


    of? ?rehearsals? ?and? ?couldn’t? ?get? ?away,? ?so? ?he? ?sent? ?Mu? ?Qing? ?to? ?pass? ?on? ?word? ?to? ?Guoshi? ?to? ?


    request? ?for? ?the? ?go? ?ahead.”? ? ?


    He? ?raised? ?his? ?head,? ?anger? ?obvious? ?in? ?his? ?eyes,? ?“Mu? ?Qing? ?returned? ?and? ?told? ?His? ?Highness? ?


    that? ?Guoshi? ?had? ?been? ?informed,? ?so? ?His? ?Highness? ?performed? ?today? ?under? ?the? ?impression? ?


    that? ?he? ?got? ?permission.? ?Who? ?knew? ?Guoshi? ?had? ?not? ?known,? ?and? ?almost? ?ruined? ?the? ?event!”? ? ?


    The? ?cultivators? ?all? ?looked? ?at? ?each? ?other.? ?Guoshi? ?asked,? ?“Who? ?knew? ?of? ?this?”? ? ?


    The? ?other? ?three? ?Deputy? ?Guoshis? ?shook? ?their? ?heads,? ?all? ?denying? ?knowing? ?anything.? ?


    Guoshi? ?turned? ?to? ?Mu? ?Qing,? ?his? ?cloudy? ?expression? ?turning? ?into? ?one? ?of? ?anger,? ?“Mu? ?Qing,? ?


    you? ?intentionally? ?withheld? munication?”? ? ?


    His? ?words? ?and? ?expression? ?showed? ?he? ?already? ?firmly? ?believed? ?Mu? ?Qing? ?to? ?be? ?sabotaging? ?


    the? ?affair? ?purposely.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?nced? ?at? ?the? ?silent,? ?expressionless? ?youth? ?kneeling? ?on? ?the? ?


    side? ?and? ?pondered? ?before? ?speaking? ?up,? ?“Guoshi,? ?I? ?think? ?there? ?must? ?be? ?some? ?kind? ?of? ?


    misunderstanding? ?here.”? ? ?


    Hearing? ?this,? ?Mu? ?Qing? ?shifted? ?his? ?eyes? ?to? ?stare? ?at? ?him,? ?his? ?eyes? ?going? ?dark.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?


    said,? ?“If? ?he? ?had? ?purposely? ?held? ?back? ?word,? ?once? ?the? ?event’s? ?over? ?and? ?we? pared? ?


    notes,? ?his? ?deceit? ?would? ?be? ?revealed,? ?and? ?there’d? ?be? ?no? ?way? ?he? ?could? ?escape? ?taking? ?


    responsibility.? ?Mu? ?Qing? ?is? ?not? ?a? ?short-sighted? ?imbecile,? ?and? ?wouldn’t? ?have? e? ?up? ?with? ?


    such? ?a? ?low? ?tactic.? ?Besides,? ?with? ?the? ?God-Pleasing? ?Martial? ?Warrior? ?missing,? ?what? ?


    advantages? ?does? ?the? ?ghost? ?opponent? ?have?? ?Please? ?hear? ?him? ?out,? ?Guoshi,? ?and? ?then? ?


    draw? ?a? ?conclusion.”? ?


    Finishing? ?his? ?speech,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?inclined? ?his? ?head,? ?“Tell? ?us,? ?Mu? ?Qing.? ?What? ?happened?”? ?


    Mu? ?Qing? ?lowered? ?his? ?eyes? ?and? ?said? ?softly,? ?“I? ?did? ?pass? ?word? ?what? ?His? ?Highness? ?bade? ?me? ?


    to? ?say? ?yesterday.”? ? ?


    Guoshi? ?frowned,? ?“Won’t? ?we? ?know? ?ourselves? ?what? ?you? ?did? ?or? ?did? ?not? ?say?? ?When? ?did? ?you? ?


    tell? ?us?”? ? ?


    “Yesterday,? ?an? ?hour? ?after? ?the? ?evening? ?lesson,? ?when? ?the? ?four? ?Masters? ?were? ?resting? ?at? ?the? ?


    SiXiang? ?Pavilion,? ?this? ?disciple? ?spoke? ?from? ?outside? ?the? ?window.”? ?Mu? ?Qing? ?said.? ?


    Guoshi? ?turned? ?his? ?head? ?to? ?his? ?three? ?fellows,? ?looking? ?puzzled,? ?“Yesterday? ?after? ?the? ?


    evening? ?lessons?? ?What? ?were? ?we? ?doing? ?then?”? ? ?


    The? ?moment? ?the? ?question? ?left? ?his? ?lips? ?he? ?remembered,? ?and? ?his? ?face? ?turned? ?slightly? ?blue? ?


    from? ?awkwardness.? ?The? ?other? ?three? ?Deputy? ?Guoshis? ?also? ?coughed? ?nervously,? ?their? ?


    response? ?ambiguous,? ?“Not? ?really? ?anything.? ?Just...? ?resting? ?is? ?resting!”? ? ?


    Seeing? ?how? ?Guoshis? ?stammered,? ?everyone? ?understood? ?immediately.? ?


    The? ?Royal? ?Holy? ?Pavilion? ?was? ?a? ?ce? ?of? ?quiet? ?meditation? ?and? ?training,? ?and? ?there? ?was? ?


    very? ?little? ?entertainment,? ?only? ?some? ?small? ?games? ?that? ?could? ?be? ?counted? ?as? ?amusement.? ?


    One? ?of? ?them,? ?the? ?most? ?popr? ?one,? ?was? ?ying? ?cards.? ?


    Cards? ?could? ?only? ?be? ?yed? ?secretly,? ?to? ?be? ?seen? ?by? ?no? ?one.? ?The? ?Guoshis? ?had? ?long? ?been? ?


    bored? ?out? ?of? ?their? ?minds? ?residing? ?at? ?the? ?Royal? ?Holy? ?Pavilion,? ?and? ?so? ?they’re? ?heavily? ?


    addicted.? ?When? ?they? ?start? ?ying,? ?they? ?would? ?forget? ?everything? ?and? ?everyone,? ?falling? ?


    into? ?a? ?state? ?akin? ?to? ?obsession? ?or? ?drunkenness,? ?uncontrobly? ?emotional,? ?and? ?definitely? ?


    would? ?not? ?be? ?able? ?to? ?hear? ?anything? ?from? ?the? ?outside.? ?If? ?Mu? ?Qing? ?had? ?said? ?anything? ?at? ?


    that? ?same? ?time,? ?what? ?could? ?they? ?possibly? ?hear?? ?


    One? ?of? ?the? ?Deputy? ?Guoshis? ?said,? ?“Oh,? ?um...? ?maybe? ?there? ?were? ?too? ?many? ?people,? ?your? ?


    voice? ?was? ?too? ?low,? ?and? ?we? ?didn’t? ?hear.? ?Or,? ?um,? ?we? ?didn’t? ?hear? ?clearly.”? ?


    Guoshi? ?demanded? ?suspiciously,? ?“Did? ?you? ?actually? ?go? ?to? ?the? ?SiXiang? ?Pavilion? ?yesterday?”? ? ?


    “I? ?absolutely? ?did.”? ?Mu? ?Qing? ?said,? ?and? ?as? ?proof,? ?he? ?ryed? ?the? ?dress,? ?look,? ?and? ?ent? ?of? ?


    the? ?guard? ?standing? ?at? ?the? ?gate,? ?and? ?without? ?fault.? ?Guoshi? ?had? ?to? ?believe? ?him,? ?but? ?still? ?he? ?


    frowned,? ?“If? ?you? ?had? ?gone? ?to? ?the? ?SiXiang? ?Pavilion,? ?you? ?could’ve? ?just? ?passed? ?on? ?the? ?


    message? ?to? ?the? ?trainee? ?outside? ?the? ?door,? ?or? ?enter? ?the? ?chamber? ?and? municate? ?in? ?


    detail,? ?why? ?speak? ?outside? ?by? ?the? ?window?? ?You? ?didn’t? ?even? ?confirm? ?whether? ?if? ?we? ?heard?”? ? ?


    Mu? ?Qing? ?responded? ?softly,? ?“It’s? ?not? ?like? ?I? ?didn’t? ?try.? ?This? ?disciple? ?had? ?begged? ?the? ?


    shixiong*? ?guarding? ?the? ?door,? ?but? ?for? ?some? ?reason? ?that? ?shixiong? ?had? ?to? ?make? ?things? ?


    difficult,? ?and? ?wouldn’t? ?let? ?me? ?into? ?the? ?chamber? ?or? ?pass? ?on? ?word? ?for? ?me.? ?His? ?words? ?were? ?


    taunting? ?and? ?he? ?booted? ?me? ?out.”? ? ?


    After? ?a? ?pause? ?he? ?continued,? ?“This? ?disciple? ?had? ?no? ?other? ?choice,? ?so? ?I? ?went? ?around? ?to? ?the? ?


    other? ?side? ?of? ?the? ?SiXiang? ?Pavilion,? ?and? ?tried? ?to? ?pass? ?on? ?the? ?message? ?through? ?the? ?


    window.? ?After? ?I? ?spoke,? ?I? ?heard? ?one? ?of? ?the? ?Guoshis? ?say? ?“I? ?understand,? ?now? ?leave.”? ?so? ?this? ?


    disciple? ?had? ?taken? ?that? ?as? ?consent? ?to? ?His? ?Highness’? ?ns,? ?and? ?returned.”? ? ?


    The? ?Guoshis? ?pursed? ?their? ?lips? ?and? ?didn’t? ?speak.? ?


    At? ?the? ?height? ?of? ?a? ?round? ?of? ?card? ?games,? ?who? ?would? ?pay? ?attention? ?to? ?whatever? ?was? ?said? ?


    outside??? ?If? ?they? ?should? ?hear? ?anything? ?of? ?course? ?they’d? ?respond? ?offhandedly? ?with? ?“I? ?


    understand”,? ?but? ?in? ?reality,? ?they? ?probably? ?didn’t? ?even? ?know? ?where? ?the? ?voice? ?came? ?from!? ? ?


    Xie? ?Lian? ?knitted? ?his? ?brows,? ?“That? ?such? ?a? ?thing? ?would? ?happen!? ?Which? ?trainee? ?is? ?this? ?


    impudent?? ?To? ?be? ?so? ?disrespectful? ?to? ?one? ?of? ?my? ?messengers,? ?he’s? ?got? ?guts.”? ?


    Although? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?was? ?usually? ?kind? ?and? ?gentle? ?when? ?interacting? ?with? ?others? ?at? ?the? ?Royal? ?


    Holy? ?Pavilion,? ?and? ?never? ?really? ?put? ?on? ?airs,? ?he? ?was? ?still? ?nheless? ?the? ?esteemed? ?son? ?of? ?


    the? ?king,? ?the? ?prominent? ?Crown? ?Prince,? ?and? ?even? ?as? ?he? ?knelt? ?before? ?the? ?statue? ?of? ?god,? ?he? ?


    had? ?not? ?shown? ?any? ?meekness? ?or? ?timidity.? ?In? ?that? ?moment? ?of? ?sterness,? ?he? ?was? ?strong? ?and? ?


    authoritative? ?without? ?fury.? ?Everyone? ?stayed? ?quiet,? ?and? ?the? ?Guoshis? ?wore? ?unreadable? ?


    expressions? ?on? ?their? ?faces.? ?


    “Why? ?didn’t? ?you? ?report? ?this? ?to? ?me? ?when? ?you? ?returned? ?yesterday?”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?asked.? ?


    Mu? ?Qing? ?turned? ?around? ?while? ?still? ?kneeling,? ?and? ?prostrated,? ?his? ?voice? ?quiet,? ?“Your? ?


    Highness,? ?there’s? ?no? ?need? ?to? ?look? ?further? ?into? ?this? ?matter? ?with? ?that? ?shixiong.? ?I? ?didn’t? ?say? ?


    anything? ?after? ?returning? ?yesterday? ?simply? ?because? ?I? ?don’t? ?want? ?to? ?make? ?this? ?into? ?a? ?big? ?


    deal.? ?And? ?seriously,? ?it’s? ?nothing? ?major.? ?If? ?Your? ?Highness? ?was? ?to? ?defend? ?me? ?openly,? ?then? ?


    it’ll? ?hurt? ?the? ?friendliness? ?between? ?everyone.”? ?


    Xie? ?Lian? ?disagreed,? ?sounding? ?upset,? ?“What? ?is? ?this? ?friendliness? ?with? ?everyone?? ?The? ?kind? ?


    of? ?friendliness? ?you? ?use? ?to? ?abuse? ?others?”? ? ?


    Hearing? ?this,? ?the? ?Guoshis? ?sitting? ?on? ?the? ?side? ?looked? ?even? ?more? ?agitated.? ? ?


    At? ?the? ?end? ?of? ?the? ?day,? ?something? ?like? ?this? ?happened? ?because? ?the? ?Guoshis? ?disliked? ?Mu? ?


    Qing.? ?


    Since? ?they? ?were? ?displeased,? ?then? ?the? ?trainee? ?attendants? ?naturally? ?followed? ?their? ?lead,? ?


    and? ?truly,? ?Mu? ?Qing? ?himself? ?wasn’t? ?that? ?likeable,? ?so? ?it? ?was? ?often? ?that? ?not? ?only? ?did? ?fellow? ?


    trainees? ?inconvenienced? ?him,? ?they’d? ?also? ?make? ?things? ?difficult? ?for? ?him? ?at? ?every? ?turn.? ?Of? ?


    course,? ?this? ?high? ?and? ?mighty? ?disciple? ?wasn’t? ?trying? ?to? ?be? ?sarcastic,? ?but? ?he? ?certainly? ?did? ?


    make? ?a? ?jab.? ?


    Through? ?his? ?words,? ?it? ?was? ?obvious? ?Mu? ?Qing? ?was? ?backing? ?off,? ?but? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?couldn’t? ?listen? ?


    to? ?another? ?word,? ?and? ?suddenly? ?interjected,? ?“It? ?really? ?was? ?nothing? ?major,? ?but? ?you? ?had? ?to? ?


    go? ?and? ?make? ?it? plicated.? ?If? ?you? ?had? ?told? ?the? ?trainee? ?at? ?the? ?door? ?that? ?you? ?went? ?to? ?


    deliver? ?a? ?message? ?by? ?his? ?royal? ?highness’? mand,? ?would? ?he? ?still? ?be? ?brave? ?enough? ?to? ?


    block? ?your? ?way?? ?Also,? ?right? ?before? ?we? ?departed? ?today? ?Guoshi? ?asked? ?you? ?where? ?His? ?


    Highness? ?went,? ?why? ?did? ?you? ?answer? ?so? ?vaguely?? ?Couldn’t? ?you? ?have? ?said? ?clearly? ?that? ?His? ?


    Highness? ?was? ?on? ?top? ?of? ?the? ?tower? ?waiting? ?for? ?the? ?procession? ?to? ?start?”? ? ?


    Mu? ?Qing? ?immediately? ?argued? ?back,? ?calmly? ?and? ?steadily,? ?“I? ?thought? ?Guoshi? ?had? ?already? ?


    known? ?and? ?didn’t? ?expect? ?to? ?be? ?asked? ?that? ?question? ?so? ?I? ?was? ?confused.? ?But? ?right? ?after,? ?I? ?


    told? ?Guoshi? ?His? ?Highness? ?had? ?already? ?said? ?not? ?to? ?worry,? ?and? ?that? ?the? ?procession? ?could? ?


    start? ?without? ?dy? ?as? ?nned,? ?that? ?His? ?Highness? ?would? ?be? ?back? ?promptly.? ?High? ?


    highness? ?might? ?not? ?have? ?been? ?there? ?at? ?the? ?time,? ?but? ?there? ?were? ?many? ?on? ?site? ?who? ?heard? ?


    me,? ?so? ?how? ?can? ?you? ?say? ?I? ?did? ?this? ?intentionally?? ?That? ?I? ?was? ?being? ?vague?”? ? ?


    Feng? ?Xin? ?stared? ?at? ?him? ?angrily.? ?But? ?if? ?he? ?thought? ?about? ?it? ?in? ?detail,? ?Mu? ?Qing? ?did? ?indeed? ?


    say? ?what? ?he? ?did,? ?only? ?Guoshi? ?was? ?too? ?anxious? ?and? ?didn’t? ?want? ?to? ?make? ?hasty? ?decisions,? ?


    so? ?if? ?he? ?must? ?pick? ?at? ?faults,? ?there? ?really? ?wasn’t? ?much? ?to? ?prove? ?anything.? ?Just? ?then,? ?Xie? ?


    Lian? ?spoke? ?up? ?again,? ?“Alright,? ?alright.? ?It’s? ?all? ?just? ?an? ?untimely? ?misunderstanding.? ?It’s? ?all? ?


    just? ?bad? ?luck,? ?so? ?stop? ?fighting.”? ? ?


    Feng? ?Xin? ?looked? ?extremely? ?displeased,? ?but? ?mindful? ?of? ?his? ?position,? ?he? ?dared? ?not? ?be? ?noisy? ?


    in? ?the? ?Great? ?Martial? ?Hall,? ?so? ?he? ?stopped? ?talking.? ?Guoshi? ?didn’t? ?want? ?to? ?pursue? ?this? ?topic? ?


    anymore? ?either,? ?because? ?after? ?all,? ?if? ?they? ?must? ?get? ?to? ?the? ?bottom? ?of? ?things,? ?wasn’t? ?he? ?at? ?


    fault? ?too? ?for? ?being? ?too? ?engrossed? ?in? ?card? ?games?? ?Thus,? ?he? ?simply? ?waved? ?and? ?sighed,? ?


    “Let’s? ?talk? ?more? ter.? ?We? ?will? ?discuss? ?more? ?on? ?what’s? ?transpired? ?and? ?think? ?of? ?a? ?way? ?to? ?


    save? ?the? ?situation.? ?The? ?three? ?of? ?you? ?are? ?dismissed;? ?go? ?remove? ?your? ?costumes? ?and? ?do? ?


    whatever? ?else? ?you? ?must.”? ? ?


    Xie? ?Lian? ?curtseyed? ?and? ?rose? ?to? ?his? ?feet.? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?and? ?Mu? ?Qing? ?both? ?properly? ?kowtowed? ?


    once? ?before? ?rising,? ?following? ?behind? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?about? ?to? ?leave.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?had? ?one? ?foot? ?over? ?


    the? ?threshold? ?when? ?he? ?heard? ?Guoshi? ?speak? ?up,? ?“Your? ?Highness.”? ? ?


    Xie? ?Lian? ?turned? ?his? ?head.? ?“Both? ?his? ?majesty? ?the? ?king? ?and? ?her? dyship? ?the? ?queen? ?had? ?


    asked? ?after? ?you? ?today.? ?If? ?you? ?have? ?time? ?the? ?next? ?few? ?days,? ?go? ?and? ?see? ?them.”? ?Guoshi? ?


    said.? ?


    Xie? ?Lian? ?smiled,? ?“I? ?understand.”? ? ?


    After? ?leaving? ?the? ?Great? ?Martial? ?Hall,? ?the? ?three? ?of? ?them? ?traversed? ?through? ?a? rge? ?part? ?of? ?


    the? ?summit,? ?and? ?returned? ?to? ?the? ?Xianle? ?Pce? ?Training? ?Hall,? ?built? ?especially? ?for? ?the? ?


    Crown? ?Prince.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?could? ?finally? ?remove? ?his? ?ceremonial? ?garb.? ? ?


    As? ?aforementioned,? ?for? ?the? ?ShangYuan? ?Heavenly? ?Ceremonial? ?Procession,? ?the? ?


    ceremonial? ?attire? ?of? ?the? ?God-Pleasing? ?Martial? ?Warrior? ?was? ?exceedingly? ?strict? ?in? ?every? ?


    detail,? ?as? ?every? ?essory? ?and? ?folds? ?had? ?meaning,? ?and? ?cannot? ?ever? ?be? ?disarranged? ?or? ?


    mixed? ?up.? ?For? ?example,? ?the? ?outer? ?robe? ?was? ?to? ?be? ?white,? ?symbolizing? ?‘divine? ?purity’;? ?the? ?


    inner? ?garb? ?was? ?to? ?be? ?red,? ?symbolizing? ?‘canonical? ?tradition’;? ?the? ?golden? ?crown? ?that? ?


    fastened? ?hair? ?symbolized? ?‘royal? ?power’? ?and? ?‘wealth’;? ?white? ?plumes? ?hidden? ?by? ?the? ?heart? ?


    meant? ?‘flight? ?to? ?ascension’;? ?loose? ?cordon? ?ribbons? ?along? ?the? ?sleeves? ?meant? ?‘to? ?carry? ?all? ?


    lives’;? ?etc.,? ?etc.? ?


    It? ?would? ?be? ?easy? ?to? ?imagine? ?that? ?from? ?head? ?to? ?toe,? ?whether? ?to? ?wear? ?or? ?to? ?remove,? ?was? ?no? ?


    simple? ?task.? ?However,? ?as? ?the? ?esteemed? ?Crown? ?Prince,? ?naturally? ?he? ?needn’t? ?do? ?anything? ?


    himself;? ?he? ?only? ?needed? ?to? ?stand? ?and? ?open? ?his? ?arms? ?wide? ?in? ?that? ?refreshing,? ?fragrant? ?


    chamber,? ?and? ?chat? ?with? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?while? ?waiting? ?on? ?the? ?personal? ?attendant? ?Mu? ?Qing? ?to? ?


    help? ?remove? yers? ?after? yers? ?of? ?this? ?God-Pleasing? ?costume.? ? ?


    That? ?outer? ?white? ?robe? ?of? ?the? ?God-Pleasing? ?costume? ?was? ?of? ?high? ?quality,? ?the? ?threads? ?


    delicate? ?and? ?exquisite,? ?the? ?fringes? ?sewn? ?with? ?intricate? ?light? ?golden? ?patterns,? ?elegant? ?but? ?


    not? ?frivolous.? ?In? parison,? ?the? ?ck? ?martial? ?gi? ?of? ?the? ?ghost? ?costume? ?was? ?a? ?difference? ?


    of? ?heaven? ?and? ?earth.? ?Mu? ?Qing? ?himself? ?hadn’t? ?removed? ?his? ?ck? ?gear? ?yet,? ?his? ?hands? ?full? ?


    with? ?the? ?God-Pleasing? ?costume? ?disrobed? ?from? ?Xie? ?Lian,? ?and? ?his? ?fingers? ?twitched,? ?


    inconspicuously? ?feeling? ?up? ?the? ?material? ?of? ?that? ?white? ?robe.? ? ?


    Next? ?to? ?him,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?removed? ?the? ?golden? ?crown,? ?letting? ?his? ?long? ?hair? ?loose,? ?and? ?sat? ?


    down? ?on? ?the? ?edge? ?of? ?his? ?sandalwood? ?bed,? ?kicking? ?off? ?his? ?snow-white? ?boots,? ?waiting? ?for? ?


    someone? ?to? ?bring? ?him? ?fresh? ?clothes.? ?He? ?waited? ?for? ?a? ?bit? ?but? ?noticed? ?Mu? ?Qing? ?wasn’t? ?


    moving,? ?so? ?he? ?inclined? ?his? ?head? ?and? ?asked,? ?“What’s? ?wrong?”? ? ?


    Mu? ?Qing? ?instantly? ?came? ?around? ?and? ?replied,? ?“The? ?costume? ?seemed? ?to? ?be? ?dirty? ?in? ?some? ?


    ces.”? ?


    Xie? ?Lian? ?“Ah”-ed? ?and? ?said,? ?“Bring? ?it? ?over? ?and? ?let? ?me? ?see?”? ? ?


    Sure? ?enough,? ?on? ?the? ?snow-white? ?attire? ?were? ?two? ?distinct? ?little? ?ck? ?hand? ?prints.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?


    took? ?a? ?look? ?and? ?remarked,? ?“It’s? ?probably? ?done? ?by? ?that? ?little? ?kid? ?who? ?fell? ?from? ?the? ?sky.? ?I? ?


    remember? ?he? ?was? ?grabbing? ?on? ?to? ?me? ?and? ?wouldn’t? ?let? ?go.? ?That? ?child’s? ?face? ?was? ?wrapped? ?


    all? ?over? ?with? ?bandages,? ?maybe? ?he? ?had? ?tumbled? ?elsewhere? ?or? ?something.? ?Feng? ?Xin,? ?did? ?


    you? ?check? ?him? ?out?”? ? ?


    Feng? ?Xin? ?was? ?just? ?wrapping? ?up? ?the? ?sword? ?and? ?zanbato,? ?and? ?replied? ?grimly,? ?“No.? ?I? ?took? ?


    him? ?out? ?of? ?the? ?pce,? ?and? ?was? ?about? ?to? ?take? ?a? ?look? ?at? ?his? ?face? ?as? ?you? ?asked,? ?but? ?he? ?


    kicked? ?me? ?in? ?the? ?shin!? ?It? ?actually? ?fucking? ?hurt.”? ? ?


    Xie? ?Lian? ?fell? ?over? ?on? ?the? ?bed? ughing,? ?pointing? ?at? ?him,? ?“It? ?must? ?be? ?because? ?you’re? ?so? ?


    mean.? ?Otherwise? ?how? e? ?he? ?didn’t? ?kick? ?me,? ?but? ?kicked? ?you?”? ?


    “I? ?wasn’t!”? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?cried,? ?“It? ?was? ?like? ?that? ?damned? ?kid? ?was? ?possessed? ?or? ?something,? ?


    and? ?ran? ?away? ?right? ?quick.? ?Or? ?else? ?I? ?would’ve? ?picked? ?him? ?up? ?upside? ?down? ?and? ?shook? ?until? ?


    he? ?cried? ?from? ?fright.”? ?


    Mu? ?Qing? ?turned? ?the? ?white? ?robe? ?over? ?in? ?his? ?hands,? ?“That? ?kid? ?must? ?be? ?a? ?beggar;? ?he’s? ?too? ?


    dirty.? ?Just? ?a? ?simple? ?grab? ?and? ?he? ?could? ?leave? ?ck? ?prints? ?like? ?these.? ?Your? ?Highness,? ?the? ?


    God-Pleasing? ?costume? ?can’t? ?be? ?dirty,? ?isn’t? ?that? ?also? ?a? ?bad? ?omen?”? ?


    Xie? ?Lian? ?stayed? ?in? ?his? ?lying? ?position? ?on? ?the? ?bed,? ?and? ?casually? ?grabbed? ?a? ?book? ?from? ?the? ?


    headboard,? ?covering? ?half? ?of? ?his? ?face,? ?“Three? ?rounds? ?around? ?the? ?capital,? ?I’ve? ?already? ?got? ?


    a? ?good? ?name? ?going? ?down? ?history? ?with? ?the? ?best? ?record.? ?If? ?it’s? ?dirty,? ?it’s? ?dirty,? ?just? ?wash? ?it.”? ? ?


    After? ?a? ?pause,? ?Mu? ?Qing? ?replied? ?quietly,? ?“I? ?will? ?do? ?my? ?best? ?to? ?be? ?careful? ?when? ?I? ?wash? ?it.”? ? ?


    Xie? ?Lian? ?flipped? ?through? ?the? ?book,? ?and? ?came? ?to? ?the? ?page? ?illustrating? ?the? ?art? ?of? ?the? ?sabre,? ?


    and? ?recalled? ?the? ?exhrating? ?sparring? ?earlier? ?that? ?day? ?on? ?the? ?stage.? ?He? ?smiled,? ?“Mu? ?


    Qing,? ?you? ?fought? ?well? ?today? ?on? ?stage.”? ?


    Mu? ?Qing’s? ?shoulders? ?tensed.? ?


    Xie? ?Lian? ?continued,? ?“Only? ?today? ?did? ?I? ?find? ?out? ?that? ?you’re? ?much? ?more? ?skilled? ?with? ?the? ?


    sabre? ?than? ?you? ?are? ?with? ?the? ?sword.”? ?


    Mu? ?Qing’s? ?expression? ?rxed? ?and? ?turned? ?around.? ?There? ?was? ?even? ?a? ?little? ?smile? ?ying? ?


    on? ?his? ?lips,? ?“Really?”? ? ?


    “Yea!”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?answered,? ?“But? ?you? ?might’ve? ?been? ?too? ?hasty.? ?Swinging? ?a? ?sabre? ?is? ?not? ?like? ?


    swinging? ?a? ?sword,? ?look? ?here...”? ?


    The? ?moment? ?the? ?topic? ?on? ?martial? ?arts? ?started,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?became? ?highly? ?enthusiastic,? ?even? ?


    more? ?possessed? ?than? ?when? ?the? ?Guoshis? ?yed? ?cards,? ?and? ?he? ?jumped? ?off? ?the? ?bed? ?


    without? ?even? ?putting? ?on? ?shoes,? ?demonstrating? ?his? ?point? ?on? ?the? ?spot? ?using? ?his? ?hand? ?as? ?


    the? ?pretend? ?sabre.? ?Mu? ?Qing? ?wore? ?a? plicated? ?expression,? ?but? ?after? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?


    demonstrated? ?a? ?few? ?moves,? ?he? ?started? ?to? ?watch? ?seriously.? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?on? ?the? ?other? ?hand,? ?


    swung? ?the? ?now? ?properly? ?wrapped? ?zanbato,? ?and? ?chased? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?back? ?onto? ?the? ?bed,? ?


    shouting,? ?“IF? ?YOU’RE? ?GOING? ?TO? ?SHOW? ?OFF? ?AT? ?LEAST? ?PUT? ?ON? ?YOUR? ?SHOES? ?


    BEFORE? ?YOU? ?DO!? ?You’re? ?the? ?Crown? ?Prince!? ?Hair? ?loose? ?and? ?feet? ?bare,? ?what? ?a? ?


    disgrace!”? ? ?


    Xie? ?Lian? ?was? ?just? ?at? ?the? ?height? ?of? ?his? ?excitement? ?but? ?got? ?chased? ?onto? ?the? ?bed? ?like? ?ducks? ?


    to? ?the? ?pen,? ?and? ?was? ?rather? ?bitter.? ?“Alright!? ?Jeez.”? ?He? ?said,? ?and? ?ran? ?through? ?his? ?long? ?hair? ?


    with? ?both? ?his? ?hands,? ?ready? ?to? ?tie? ?it? ?up? ?before? ?continuing? ?his? ?lecture? ?to? ?Mu? ?Qing? ?when? ?


    suddenly,? ?he? ?frowned,? ?“That’s? ?weird.”? ?


    “What? ?is? ?it?”? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?asked.? ?


    ——? ?


    ●Shixiong? ?-? ?Older? ?cultivation? ?brother,? ?like? ?senpai.?