<h4>Chapter 191-198</h4>


    Ch.191:? ?No? ?Grief? ?No? ?Joy;? ?White? ?Cloth? ?Brings? ?Cmity? ?to? ?this? ?World? ?


    TW:? ?Suicide? ?Attempt;? ?Suicide? ?


    Xie? ?Lian? ?couldn’t? ?tell? ?if? ?he? ?was? ?awake? ?or? ?asleep.? ?


    If? ?he? ?said? ?he? ?was? ?awake,? ?then? ?he? ?neither? ?sensed? ?nor? ?reacted? ?to? ?anything? ?of? ?the? ?outside? ?world,? ?


    having? ?no? ?memories? ?of? ?anything;? ?if? ?he? ?said? ?he? ?was? ?asleep,? ?his? ?eyes? ?had? ?been? ?open? ?the? ?entire? ?


    time.? ?


    By? ?the? ?time? ?he? ?came? ?to,? ?White? ?No-Face? ?had? ?already? ?strapped? ?that? ?ck? ?sword? ?on? ?his? ?waist,? ?like? ?


    an? ?elder? ?rewarding? ?a? ?child,? ?“This? ?is? ?my? ?gift? ?to? ?you.”? ? ?


    Then,? ?he? ?patted? ?the? ?hilt,? ?and? ?said? ?gently,? ?his? ?voice? ?thick? ?with? ?deeper? ?meaning,? ?“It? ?will? ?certainly? ?be? ?


    much? ?sharper? ?than? ?all? ?the? ?other? ?ones? ?you’ve? ?once? ?collected? ?from? ?Jun? ?Wu.”? ? ?


    Xie? ?Lian? ?let? ?him? ?hang? ?that? ?sword? ?as? ?he? ?willed,? ?neither? ?speaking? ?nor? ?retaliating,? ?since,? ?any? ?


    retaliation? ?would? ?be? ?pointless.? ?


    In? ?that? ?state,? ?he? ?donned? ?a? ?new? ?set? ?of? ?robes,? ?and? ?strapped? ?with? ?a? ?new? ?sacred? ?sword,? ?he? ?dragged? ?


    the? ?body? ?that? ?felt? ?like? ?it? ?was? ?reborn,? ?and? ?walked? ?out? ?of? ?the? ?Temple? ?of? ?the? ?Crown? ?Prince? ?towards? ?


    the? ?darkness.? ?White? ?No-Face? ?then? ?called? ?after? ?him? ?from? ?behind,? ?“Wait.”? ? ?


    Xie? ?Lian? ?paused? ?in? ?his? ?step.? ?White? ?No-Face? ?came? ?to? ?his? ?side? ?soundlessly,? ?and? ?ced? ?a? ?white? ?


    silk? ?band? ?in? ?his? ?hands,? ?“You? ?forgot? ?this.”? ? ?


    It? ?was? ?that? ?white? ?silk? ?band? ?he? ?had? ?used? ?to? ?cover? ?his? ?face? ?at? ?first,? ?then? ter? ?was? ?used? ?to? ?bind? ?him.? ?


    Xie? ?Lian? ?wobbled? ?down? ?the? ?mountain? ?by? ?himself.? ?


    It? ?was? ?already? ?day,? ?the? ?sun? ?had? e? ?out,? ?but? ?when? ?the? ?sun? ?was? ?shining? ?down? ?on? ?him,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?


    didn’t? ?feel? ?warm? ?at? ?all.? ?


    On? ?his? ?way? ?down? ?the? ?mountain,? ?he? ?saw? ?a? ?little? ?stream,? ?plip? ?plop,? ?clear? ?and? ?lively.? ?He? ?walked? ?to? ?


    the? ?streamside,? ?and? ?the? ?waters? ?reflected? ?his? ?appearance.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?stared? ?at? ?that? ?pale? ?face.? ?


    The? ?face? ?was? ?smooth? ?and? ?white? ?as? ?chalk? ?without? ?a? ?single? ?cut.? ?The? ?same? ?with? ?the? ?neck,? ?then,? ?the? ?


    chest,? ?and? ?all? ?of? ?his? ?abdomen,? ?they? ?were? ?all? ?the? ?same.? ?The? ?more? ?he? ?looked? ?the? ?more? ?he? ?couldn’t? ?


    look? ?any? ?longer,? ?and? ?he? ?put? ?his? ?head? ?down,? ?cupping? ?stream? ?waters? ?in? ?his? ?hands,? ?washing? ?his? ?


    face? ?and? ?drinking? ?a? ?few? ?mouthfuls.? ?He? ?drank? ?and? ?drank? ?and? ?suddenly? ?noticed? ?there? ?was? ?


    something? ?in? ?the? ?upstream.? ?


    He? ?looked? ?up? ?slowly,? ?and? ?saw? ?not? ?far? ?in? ?the? ?distance,? ?on? ?the? ?shores? ?of? ?the? ?upstream,? ?next? ?to? ?a? ?


    giant? ?boulder,? ?was? ?a? ?slumped? ?corpse.? ?Judging? ?by? ?his? ?attire,? ?it? ?was? ?that? ?buff? ?street? ?performer.? ?


    That? ?man? ?didn’t? ?descend? ?the? ?mountain? ?and? ?died? ?on? ?the? ?road? ?instead.? ?Upon? ?the? ?giant? ?boulder? ?


    was? ?a? ?particrly? ?obvious? ?pool? ?of? ?blood,? ?so? ?it? ?appeared? ?he? ?smashed? ?himself? ?against? ?it? ?out? ?of? ?


    either? ?pain? ?or? ?fear,? ?and? ?died.? ?The? ?corpse? ?was? ?already? ?rotten,? ?half? ?of? ?it? ?soaked? ?in? ?the? ?water,? ?


    emitting? ?waves? ?of? ?foul? ?stench,? ?unmoving,? ?but? ?the? ?several? ?deformed? ?little? ?faces? ?growing? ?on? ?that? ?


    half? ?rotten? ?face? ?were? ?still? ?squirming.? ?


    Xie? ?Lian? ?knelt? ?by? ?the? ?stream? ?and? ?puked? ?his? ?guts? ?out? ?for? ?over? ?an? ?hour,? ?heaving? ?until? ?there? ?was? ?


    blood.? ?


    After? ?descending? ?the? ?mountain,? ?he? ?walked? ?for? ?a? ?long? ?time,? ?strolling? ?down? ?the? ?main? ?streets? ?


    aimlessly? ?without? ?a? ?destination? ?in? ?mind.? ?Suddenly,? ?a? ?hand? ?gripped? ?his? ?shoulder? ?and? ?yanked? ?him? ?


    into? ?an? ?alley.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?looked? ?around? ?and? ?before? ?he? ?even? ?saw? ?the? ?other’s? ?face,? ?he? ?saw? ?an? ?


    iing? ?fist,? ?“WHERE? ?DID? ?YOU? ?RUN? ?OFF? ?TO? ?THESE? ?PAST? ?FEW? ?DAYS???”? ? ?


    Behind? ?the? ?fist? ?was? ?Feng? ?Xin’s? ?furious? ?face,? ?and? ?by? ?the? ?time? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?saw,? ?he? ?was? ?already? ?


    knocked? ?down? ?by? ?the? ?punch.? ?


    Feng? ?Xin? ?hadn’t? ?expected? ?that? ?he’d? ?be? ?knocked? ?down? ?so? ?easily,? ?and? ?he? ?looked? ?at? ?his? ?own? ?fist,? ?


    then? ?at? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?who? ?was? ?on? ?the? ?ground,? ?confused.? ?Before? ?he? ?went? ?to? ?help? ?him? ?up,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?had? ?


    already? ?crawled? ?up? ?himself.? ?Feng? ?Xin’s? ?face? ?changed? ?but? ?in? ?the? ?end? ?he? ?still? ?wasn’t? ?over? ?his? ?


    temper? ?and? ?added,? ?“You’ve? ?got? ?such? ?a? ?temper!? ?Dropping? ?only? ?a? ?word? ?before? ?running? ?away,? ?


    disappearing? ?for? ?two? ?months!? ?Do? ?you? ?know? ?just? ?how? ?worried? ?His? ?Majesties? ?have? ?been??”? ? ?


    Xie? ?Lian? ?wiped? ?away? ?the? ?sttered? ?nosebleed? ?from? ?his? ?face,? ?“I’m? ?sorry.”? ?


    Seeing? ?that? ?he? ?was? ?making? ?things? ?worse? ?with? ?the? ?wiping,? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?heaved? ?a? ?heavy? ?sigh,? ?“Your? ?


    Highness!? ?Forget? ?it? ?with? ?the? ?apology,? ?it’s? ?meaningless? ?between? ?us,? ?but? ?you...? ?just? ?what? ?


    happened? ?to? ?you?? ?Can’t? ?you? ?tell? ?me?”? ?He? ?noticed? ?that? ?ck? ?sword? ?hanging? ?on? ?Xie? ?Lian’s? ?waist? ?


    and? ?asked,? ?“And? ?where? ?did? ?you? ?get? ?that? ?sword? ?from?”? ? ?


    Xie? ?Lian? ?had? ?wanted? ?to? ?tell.? ?But,? ?when? ?he? ?remembered? ?the? ?quarrel? ?between? ?him? ?and? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?


    when? ?he? ?left,? ?and? ?the? ?doubtful? ?expression? ?on? ?Feng? ?Xin’s? ?face? ?at? ?the? ?time,? ?plus? ?that? ?experience? ?


    he? ?never? ?wanted? ?to? ?think? ?about? ?again,? ?he? ?only? ?repeated,? ?“I’m? ?sorry.”? ? ?


    The? ?two? ?returned? ?to? ?the? ?hiding? ?ce? ?from? ?before,? ?and? ?when? ?the? ?queen? ?saw? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?she? ?hugged? ?


    him? ?and? ?wept.? ?The? ?king? ?looked? ?as? ?if? ?he? ?aged? ?quite? ?a? ?bit? ?again;? ?before? ?it? ?was? ?finding? ?white? ?hairs? ?in? ?


    ck,? ?now? ?it’s? ?to? ?find? ?ck? ?strands? ?among? ?all? ?the? ?white.? ?However,? ?he? ?wasn’t? ?enraged? ?for? ?some? ?


    reason,? ?and? ?only? ?spoke? ?a? ?few? ?words? ?before? ?going? ?silent.? ?The? ?three? ?of? ?them? ?were? ?probably? ?afraid? ?


    that? ?if? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?was? ?provoked? ?again? ?he’d? ?run? ?away? ?for? ?another? ?half? ?a? ?month,? ?so? ?their? ?words? ?and? ?


    gestures? ?around? ?him? ?were? ?all? ?very? ?careful.? ?


    “Feng? ?Xin.”? ?


    After? ?a? ?simple? ?and? ?coarse? ?meal,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?untied? ?the? ?ck? ?sword? ?on? ?his? ?waist? ?and? ?passed? ?it? ?over,? ?


    “Take? ?this? ?sword.? ?Pawn? ?it.”? ? ?


    Feng? ?Xin? ?noticed? ?the? ?hand? ?holding? ?the? ?sword? ?was? ?trembling? ?but? ?couldn’t? ?guess? ?why,? ?“Why? ?do? ?


    you? ?want? ?me? ?to? ?pawn? ?it?”? ? ?


    “Didn’t? ?you? ?ask? ?for? ?money? ?before?”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?said.? ?


    Hearing? ?this,? ?there? ?was? ?suddenly? ?a? ?sh? ?of? ?hurt? ?on? ?Feng? ?Xin’s? ?face,? ?and? ?soon? ?after,? ?he? ?shook? ?his? ?


    head,? ?“I? ?don’t? ?need? ?it? ?anymore.”? ? ?


    Xie? ?Lian? ?didn’t? ?speak? ?another? ?word.? ?He? ?tossed? ?the? ?ck? ?sword? ?on? ?the? ?side? ?and? ?stopped? ?caring? ?


    for? ?it,? ?then? ?he? ?flopped? ?over? ?and? ?fell? ?asleep.? ?


    This? ?time,? ?when? ?he? ?returned,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?acted? ?as? ?if? ?nothing? ?had? ?happened,? ?hoping? ?that? ?everything? ?


    would? ?return? ?to? ?normal? ?as? ?soon? ?as? ?possible,? ?that? ?he? ?could? ?return? ?to? ?his? ?original? ?state.? ?Soon,? ?he? ?


    and? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?went? ?out? ?to? ?perform? ?on? ?the? ?streets.? ?


    At? ?first? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?was? ?still? ?worried,? ?“Forget? ?it,? ?just? ?rest? ?for? ?a? ?couple? ?more? ?days.”? ?


    “I’ve? ?already? ?rested? ?for? ?almost? ?two? ?months.”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?said? ?“If? ?those? ?street? ?performers? ?keep? ?


    ing? ?to? ?stir? ?up? ?trouble,? ?then? ?it’d? ?be? ?easier? ?to? ?deal? ?with? ?it? ?with? ?two? ?people.”? ? ?


    However,? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?said,? ?“They’ve? ?stopped? ing? ?a? ?long? ?time? ?ago.”? ? ?


    It? ?wasn’t? ?because? ?that? ?buff? ?street? ?performer? ?from? ?before? ?had? ?died? ?and? ?there? ?was? ?no? ?one? ?to? ?lead,? ?


    but? ?because? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?had? ?settled? ?here? ?for? ?a? ?long? ?time? ?now.? ?When? ?he? ?first? ?arrived,? ?everyone? ?


    thought? ?he? ?was? ?a? ?novelty,? ?but? ?after? ?time? ?passed,? ?that? ?novelty? ?had? ?also? ?faded? ?away,? ?and? ?now? ?


    watching? ?him? ?was? ?no? ?different? ?than? ?watching? ?the? ?other? ?local? ?buskers.? ?Compared? ?to? ?before,? ?Feng? ?


    Xin? ?lost? ?his? petitive? ?edge.? ?Now? ?that? ?he? ?wasn’t? ?a? ?threat,? ?the? ?other? ?street? ?performers? ?stopped? ?


    looking? ?for? ?trouble,? ?since? ?everyone? ?made? ?about? ?the? ?same? ?amount? ?of? ?money,? ?it? ?was? ?all? ?the? ?same.? ? ?


    Thus,? ?no? ?matter? ?how? ?hard? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?shot? ?his? ?arrows,? ?no? ?matter? ?how? ?expert? ?his? ?skills,? ?the? ?


    audience? ?that? ?came? ?to? ?watch? ?and? ?rewarded? ?his? ?efforts? ?were? ?less? ?than? ?half? ?of? ?before.? ?In? ?fact,? ?it? ?


    was? ?less? ?than? ?ten? ?percent? ?of? ?before.? ?After? ?working? ?for? ?over? ?half? ?the? ?day,? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?was? ?exhausted? ?


    and? ?sweating? ?profusely,? ?sitting? ?down? ?on? ?the? ?side.? ?


    “Let? ?me? ?go? ?up.”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?said.? ?


    “Nah,? ?don’t? ?worry? ?about? ?it.”? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?replied.? ?


    However,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?didn’t? ?bother? ?listening? ?to? ?him? ?and? ?went? ?up.? ?Seeing? ?that? ?the? ?faces? ?changed,? ?the? ?


    passersby? ?all? ?became? ?interested? ?again,? ?“And? ?what? ?special? ?skills? ?do? ?you? ?have,? ?little? ?buddy?”? ? ?


    Xie? ?Lian? ?didn’t? ?respond.? ?He? ?picked? ?up? ?a? ?branch? ?and? ?started? ?striking? ?out? ?a? ?set? ?of? ?art? ?of? ?the? ?sword.? ?


    Between? ?the? ?shrieking? ?sounds? ?of? ?the? ?blows,? ?the? ?point? ?was? ?sharp? ?with? ?the? ?aura? ?of? ?the? ?sword,? ?and? ?


    thus,? ?there? ?were? ?a? ?few? ?who? ?gave? ?face? ?and? ?cheered.? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?watched? ?from? ?the? ?side,? ?his? ?


    expression? plicated,? ?and? ?after? ?watching? ?for? ?a? ?bit? ?he? ?turned? ?his? ?head? ?away.? ?


    Xie? ?Lian? ?didn’t? ?feel? ?shame? ?at? ?all,? ?nor? ?did? ?he? ?feel? ?any? ?burden? ?in? ?his? ?heart,? ?and? ?only? ?continued? ?to? ?


    swing? ?the? ?sword? ?seriously.? ?Just? ?then,? ?there? ?was? ?suddenly? ?someone? ?in? ?the? ?crowd? ?who? ?yelled,? ?


    “IT’S? ?BORING? ?IT’S? ?BORING!? ?WHAT? ?A? ?PATHETIC? ?ACT!? ?Who? ?wants? ?to? ?watch? ?you? ?poke? ?a? ?


    chicken? ?blind? ?with? ?a? ?tree? ?branch?”? ? ?


    Feng? ?Xin? ?immediately? ?jumped? ?to? ?his? ?feet? ?and? ?shouted,? ?“YOU? ?WATCH? ?YOUR? ?MOUTH!”? ? ?


    Xie? ?Lian? ?faltered? ?in? ?his? ?movements? ?and? ?gazed? ?over.? ?Within? ?the? ?crowd? ?was? ?a? ?man? ?who? ?was? ?


    munching? ?on? ?a? ?melon? ?and? ?spitting? ?seeds,? ?obviously? ?there? ?to? ?watch? ?a? ?showdown.? ?He? ?called? ?to? ?


    Feng? ?Xin,? ?“This? ?ancestor’s? ?here? ?to? ?watch? ?a? ?street? ?performance!? ?I’ll? ?say? ?whatever? ?I? ?wanna? ?say,? ?


    you’re? ?here? ?to? ?earn? ?our? ?reward,? ?and? ?you? ?dare? ?to? ?mind? ?us,? ?the? ?ones? ?doing? ?the? ?rewarding?? ?Change? ?


    to? ?a? ?real? ?sword!? ?Use? ?a? ?real? ?sword? ?and? ?this? ?grandmaster? ?will? ?consider? ?whether? ?to? ?grant? ?you? ?some? ?


    seeds!”? ? ?


    The? ?moment? ?he? ?yelled? ?out,? ?the? ?others? ?followed? ?suit.? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?was? ?outraged? ?and? ?was? ?just? ?about? ?


    to? ?act? ?out? ?when? ?suddenly,? ?a? ?white? ?shadow? ?shed? ?by,? ?and? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?was? ?already? ?standing? ?next? ?to? ?


    that? ?man,? ?grabbed? ?him,? ?and? ?threw? ?him? ?high? ?into? ?the? ?air.? ?


    He? ?exhibited? ?such? ?an? ?amazing? ?strength,? ?and? ?that? ?man? ?was? ?thrown? ?meters? ?away,? ?the? ?melon? ?rinds? ?


    tumbling? ?all? ?over? ?the? ?ground,? ?and? ?the? ?crowd? ?were? ?all? ?mouths? ?wide? ?open? ?with? ?shock.? ?That? ?man? ?


    nded? ?heavily? ?with? ?a? ?thud,? ?bleeding? ?from? ?his? ?orifices,? ?letting? ?out? ?a? ?loud? ?and? ?pathetic? ?cry.? ?


    However,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?wasn’t? ?done,? ?and? ?he? ?went? ?up? ?to? ?seize? ?him? ?one? ?more,? ?speaking? ?inly? ?and? ?


    emotionlessly,? ?“There’s? ?no? ?real? ?swords,? ?but? ?I? ?can? ?really? ?take? ?your? ?life,? ?do? ?you? ?want? ?to? ?see?”? ? ?


    The? ?audience? ?all? ?broke? ?away? ?and? ?fled? ?in? ?terror,? ?“SOMEBODY!? ?HELP!? ?MURDER!”? ?


    Feng? ?Xin? ?was? ?even? ?more? ?shocked,? ?“Your? ?Highness!!!”? ?


    Xie? ?Lian? ?pretended? ?not? ?to? ?hear,? ?and? ?was? ?ready? ?to? ?throw? ?that? ?idle? ?man? ?away? ?for? ?another? ?several? ?


    meters? ?and? ?have? ?him? ?fall? ?wherever,? ?but? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?went? ?up? ?and? ?held? ?him? ?down,? ?even? ?forgetting? ?to? ?


    hide? ?his? ?identity? ?as? ?he? ?roared,? ?“YOUR? ?HIGHNESS!!!? ?WAKE? ?UP!? ?YOU’RE? ?GONNA? ?KILL? ?THIS? ?


    MAN!!!”? ? ?


    Both? ?Xie? ?Lian’s? ?eyes? ?were? ?burning? ?with? ?ck? ?mes,? ?and? ?he? ?smacked? ?away? ?that? ?hand,? ?and? ?


    pressed? ?that? ?man? ?down? ?on? ?the? ?ground.? ?That? ?idle? ?man? ?passed? ?out? ?and? ?stopped? ?moving.? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?


    rushed? ?up? ?and? ?was? ?just? ?about? ?to? ?check? ?for? ?his? ?breath? ?when? ?he? ?heard? ?at? ?the? ?end? ?of? ?the? ?street? ?


    someone? ?yelling? ?sharply,? ?“IT’S? ?THEM!? ?OVER? ?THERE!”? ?


    This? ?was? ?bad!? ?The? ?YongAn? ?soldiers? ?had? e!? ?


    Feng? ?Xin? ?bolted? ?instantly,? ?but? ?when? ?he? ?saw? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?was? ?still? ?standing? ?there,? ?ring? ?at? ?those? ?


    YongAn? ?soldiers,? ?as? ?if? ?the? ?was? ?ready? ?to? ?fight? ?them,? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?turned? ?around? ?back? ?and? ?pulled? ?at? ?


    him,? ?“What? ?are? ?you? ?still? ?standing? ?there? ?for?? ?RUN!”? ? ?


    The? ?two? ?hid? ?and? ?went? ?for? ?cover? ?the? ?entire? ?way? ?before? ?they? ?were? ?able? ?to? ?escape,? ?and? ?finally? ?


    returned? ?to? ?that? ?little? ?cottage? ?where? ?they? ?hid.? ?The? ?moment? ?they? ?entered? ?the? ?door,? ?before? ?the? ?


    queen’s? ?face,? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?started? ?yelling,? ?“HOW? ?COULD? ?YOU? ?DO? ?SOMETHING? ?LIKE? ?THAT??”? ? ?


    Feng? ?Xin? ?of? ?the? ?past? ?would? ?absolutely? ?never? ?dare? ?to? ?be? ?so? ?unruly? ?before? ?the? ?two? ?Majesties,? ?but? ?


    after? ?having? ?grinded? ?for? ?so? ?long,? ?there? ?were? ?a? ?lot? ?of? ?things? ?that? ?had? ?already? ?changed.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?


    turned? ?to? ?the? ?queen,? ?“Go? ?to? ?your? ?room.”? ? ?


    “My? ?son,? ?just? ?what...”? ?The? ?queen? ?started? ?and? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?cried,? ?“GO? ?BACK? ?TO? ?YOUR? ?ROOM!”? ? ?


    The? ?queen? ?didn’t? ?dare? ?to? ?ask? ?anymore? ?and? ?went? ?back? ?to? ?the? ?room.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?then? ?turned? ?to? ?Feng? ?


    Xin,? ?“What? ?did? ?I? ?do?”? ? ?


    “You? ?were? ?going? ?to? ?kill? ?that? ?man!”? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?said? ?angrily.? ?


    Xie? ?Lian? ?rebuked,? ?“He? ?didn’t? ?die.? ?And? ?so? ?what? ?if? ?he? ?dies?”? ? ?


    “...”? ?


    Feng? ?Xin? ?was? ?dumbfounded,? ?“What? ?did? ?you? ?say?? ?What? ?do? ?you? ?mean? ?“so? ?what? ?if? ?he? ?dies”?”? ? ?


    “That? ?pleb? ?was? ?asking? ?for? ?it.”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?said,? ?“Since? ?he? ?asked? ?for? ?it,? ?I? ?gave? ?it? ?to? ?him.? ?Was? ?I? ?wrong?”? ? ?


    As? ?if? ?he? ?was? ?stunned? ?by? ?Xie? ?Lian’s? ?vocabry,? ?it? ?was? ?a? ?good? ?moment? ?before? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?said,? ?


    “He...? ?was? ?causing? ?trouble,? ?but? ?you? ?didn’t? ?need? ?to? ?kill? ?him?? ?Smack? ?him? ?around? ?and? ?let? ?it? ?go,? ?he? ?


    didn’t? ?deserve? ?to? ?die? ?over? ?some? ?petty? ?words?”? ? ?


    Xie? ?Lian? ?cut? ?him? ?off,? ?“Of? ?course? ?he? ?did.? ?He? ?dare? ?say? ?it,? ?then? ?he’d? ?need? ?to? ?pay? ?the? ?price.”? ? ?


    “...”? ?


    Feng? ?Xin? ?was? ?filled? ?with? ?disbelief,? ?“How? ?could? ?you? ?say? ?something? ?like? ?that?”? ? ?


    “Like? ?what?”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?asked.? ?


    “You? ?wouldn’t? ?have? ?used? ?the? ?word? ?‘pleb’? ?before? ?in? ?the? ?past.? ?You’ve? ?never? ?said? ?it? ?before.”? ?Feng? ?


    Xin? ?said.? ?


    “What? ?are? ?you? ?trying? ?to? ?say?”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?said,? ?“It’s? ?not? ?like? ?I’m? ?a? ?god,? ?can’t? ?I? ?be? ?angry?? ?Can’t? ?I? ?


    hate?”? ? ?


    Feng? ?Xin? ?was? ?stumped,? ?then? ?a? ?moment? ter,? ?he? ?arduously? ?squeezed? ?out? ?a? ?few? ?words,? ?“That’s? ?


    not? ?what? ?I? ?meant,? ?but? ?no? ?matter? ?what,? ?you? ?didn’t? ?need? ?to...”? ?


    Xie? ?Lian? ?didn’t? ?want? ?to? ?listen? ?anymore? ?and? ?stopped? ?talking? ?to? ?him,? ?going? ?into? ?his? ?own? ?room? ?while? ?


    mming? ?the? ?door? ?heavily.? ?


    The? ?moment? ?the? ?door? ?was? ?shut,? ?he? ?screamed? ?and? ?threw? ?himself? ?onto? ?the? ?bed.? ?


    He? ?was? ?lying? ?to? ?himself? ?and? ?lying? ?to? ?others!? ?All? ?nothing? ?but? ?deceit!? ?


    No? ?matter? ?what,? ?it? ?was? ?impossible? ?to? ?pretend? ?nothing? ?had? ?ever? ?happened,? ?and? ?it? ?was? ?impossible? ?


    to? ?return? ?to? ?before!!!? ?


    That? ?evening,? ?someone? ?knocked? ?on? ?his? ?door,? ?and? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?thought? ?it? ?was? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?so? ?he? ?


    ignored? ?it.? ?A? ?moment? ter,? ?the? ?queen’s? ?voice? ?sounded? ?from? ?the? ?other? ?side,? ?“My? ?son,? ?it’s? ?mother.? ?


    Let? ?mother? e? ?in? ?and? ?take? ?a? ?look? ?at? ?you,? ?alright?”? ? ?


    Xie? ?Lian? ?had? ?just? ?wanted? ?to? ?lie? ?there? ?without? ?moving,? ?but? ?after? ?lying? ?there? ?for? ?a? ?brief? ?moment,? ?he? ?


    still? ?got? ?up? ?and? ?opened? ?the? ?door,? ?asking? ?tiredly,? ?“What?”? ? ?


    The? ?queen? ?was? ?holding? ?a? ?te? ?standing? ?at? ?the? ?door,? ?“My? ?son,? ?you? ?haven’t? ?eaten? ?yet,? ?right?”? ? ?


    Xie? ?Lian? ?watched? ?her,? ?and? ?endured? ?for? ?a? ?long? ?time? ?before? ?he? ?forcefully? ?swallowed? ?down? ?the? ?


    words? ?’Even? ?if? ?I? ?haven’t? ?eaten? ?I? ?don’t? ?want? ?to? ?eat? ?what? ?you’ve? ?made’? ?that? ?were? ?already? ?rolling? ?up? ?


    his? ?throat.? ?He? ?then? ?moved? ?aside? ?to? ?allow? ?his? ?mother? ?in,? ?and? ?the? ?queen? ?ced? ?the? ?te? ?on? ?the? ?


    table,? ?“Look.”? ?


    Xie? ?Lian? ?looked,? ?and? ?got? ?so? ?angry? ?he? ?wanted? ?to? ugh,? ?“What’s? ?that?”? ? ?


    The? ?queen? ?said? ?as? ?if? ?she? ?was? ?offering? ?treasure,? ?“This? ?is? ?’Lovebirds? ?Upon? ?a? ?Branch? ?Meatballs’,? ?


    and? ?this? ?is? ?’Blissful? ?Full? ?Moon? ?Stew’...”? ?


    Those? ?“Lovebirds”? ?looked? ?like? ?death,? ?and? ?that? ?“Blissful? ?Full? ?Moon”? ?was? ?full? ?of? ?craters,? ?and? ?Xie? ?


    Lian? ?had? ?to? ?interrupt? ?her,? ?“Why? ?did? ?you? ?name? ?these? ?things?”? ? ?


    “Don’t? ?dishes? ?all? ?have? ?names?”? ?The? ?queen? ?said.? ?


    “That’s? ?for? ?imperial? ?dining? ?in? ?the? ?pce.”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?said,? ?“Ordinary? ?folks? ?don’t? ?give? ?names? ?to? ?


    dishes.”? ? ?


    Imperial? ?dining.? ?Pce.? ?Ordinary? ?folks.? ?The? ?queen? ?paused? ?for? ?a? ?while? ?then? ?smiled,? ?“Well? ?no? ?one? ?


    said? ?you? ?have? ?to? ?be? ?dining? ?imperially? ?in? ?order? ?to? ?give? ?dishes? ?names,? ?so? ?just? ?take? ?this? ?as? ?a? ?wish? ?


    for? ?good? ?fortune.”? ?Then? ?she? ?passed? ?the? ?chopsticks? ?over.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?however,? ?didn’t? ?smile? ?nor? ?did? ?


    he? ?touch? ?the? ?chopsticks.? ?


    The? ?queen? ?smiled? ?and? ?sat? ?for? ?a? ?while,? ?then? ?her? ?smile? ?gradually? ?fell,? ?“My? ?son.”? ?


    “What,”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?was? ?brusque.? ?


    “Why? ?are? ?you? ?fighting? ?with? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?again?”? ?The? ?queen? ?asked.? ?


    Xie? ?Lian? ?didn’t? ?want? ?to? ?exin? ?at? ?all,? ?and? ?he? ?didn’t? ?have? ?the? ?energy? ?to? ?exin? ?either,? ?“You? ?two? ?


    just? ?stay? ?inside? ?your? ?room? ?and? ?rx.? ?There’s? ?no? ?need? ?to? ?mind? ?these? ?things.”? ? ?


    The? ?queen? ?hesitated? ?for? ?a? ?moment,? ?“Mother? ?knows? ?this? ?probably? ?shouldn’t? ?be? ?said,? ?but,? ?these? ?


    past? ?many? ?days? ?that? ?you’ve? ?been? ?gone,? ?it’s? ?been? ?that? ?child? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?who? ?had? ?been? ?looking? ?after? ?


    us...”? ?


    “Mother,? ?what? ?are? ?you? ?trying? ?to? ?say?”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?demanded.? ?


    The? ?queen? ?quickly? ?said,? ?“My? ?son,? ?don’t? ?be? ?angry,? ?I’m? ?not? ?trying? ?to? ?me? ?you.? ?I’m? ?really? ?not,? ?I? ?


    know? ?you’re? ?having? ?a? ?hard? ?time? ?too.? ?I’m? ?only? ?saying,? ?that? ?child? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?had? ?always? ?followed? ?us,? ?


    followed? ?you,? ?and? ?it’s? ?not? ?easy.? ?I? ?could? ?sense? ?that? ?it’s? ?not? ?that? ?he? ?didn’t? ?want? ?to? ?go,? ?but? ?having? ?


    stayed? ?until? ?today? ?was? ?all? ?because? ?he? ?still? ?remembers? ?the? ?affections? ?between? ?you? ?two...”? ?


    Having? ?listened? ?to? ?this? ?point,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?jumped? ?to? ?his? ?feet,? ?“WHO’S? ?HAD? ?IT? ?EASY?? ?HAS? ?IT? ?BEEN? ?


    EASY? ?FOR? ?ME??? ?MOTHER,? ?CAN? ?YOU? ?PLEASE? ?STOP? ?ASKING? ?QUESTIONS??? ?CAN? ?YOU? ?


    PLEASE? ?NOT? ?INVOLVE? ?YOURSELVES? ?IN? ?THINGS? ?YOU? ?DON’T? ?UNDERSTAND???”? ? ?


    Seeing? ?that? ?he? ?was? ?running? ?out? ?the? ?door,? ?the? ?queen? ?started? ?panicking,? ?and? ?got? ?up? ?to? ?chase? ?after? ?


    him,? ?“My? ?son,? ?where? ?are? ?you? ?going?? ?I’ll? ?stop? ?talking,? ?mother? ?won’t? ?say? ?anything? ?anymore!? ?Come? ?


    back!”? ? ?


    Xie? ?Lian? ?eximed? ?sharply,? ?“I? ?know!? ?Everyone’s? ?having? ?a? ?hard? ?time,? ?but? ?don’t? ?worry!? ?I’LL? ?GO? ?


    MAKE? ?THINGS? ?EASIER? ?FOR? ?EVERYONE!!”? ? ?


    The? ?queen? ?couldn’t? ?keep? ?up? ?with? ?him,? ?and? ?it? ?didn’t? ?take? ?long? ?before? ?she? ?was? ?left? ?behind.? ?It? ?wasn’t? ?


    until? ?evening? ?before? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?returned? ?with? ?a? ?few? ?sacks? ?in? ?hand.? ?When? ?he? ?opened? ?the? ?door,? ?no? ?


    one? ?had? ?gone? ?to? ?bed? ?and? ?they? ?were? ?all? ?up? ?waiting? ?for? ?him,? ?their? ?faces? ?sullen.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?shut? ?the? ?


    door? ?with? ?a? ?backhand? ?and? ?questioned,? ?“What? ?is? ?it?”? ?


    The? ?king? ?seemed? ?to? ?have? ?already? ?lectured? ?the? ?queen,? ?and? ?the? ?rims? ?of? ?her? ?eyes? ?were? ?red.? ?When? ?


    she? ?saw? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?had? ?returned,? ?she? ?let? ?out? ?a? ?long? ?sigh? ?of? ?relief? ?and? ?forced? ?a? ?happy? ?smile,? ?“My? ?


    son,? ?you’ve? e? ?back!? ?I? ?won’t? ?ever? ?ask? ?you? ?anything? ?unnecessary? ?from? ?now? ?on,? ?don’t? ?just? ?


    leave? ?so? ?suddenly,? ?if? ?there’s? ?anything,? ?mother? ?will? ?definitely? ?listen? ?to? ?you...”? ?


    Everyone? ?was? ?scared.? ?Scared? ?that? ?if? ?he? ?just? ?turned? ?around? ?and? ?left,? ?he’d? ?go? ?missing? ?for? ?another? ?


    two? ?months.? ?However,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?said,? ?“You? ?all? ?think? ?too? ?much,? ?I? ?wasn’t? ?going? ?to? ?leave.? ?Just? ?go? ?


    and? ?rest.”? ? ?


    He? ?waited? ?until? ?the? ?king? ?and? ?the? ?queen? ?both? ?entered? ?their? ?room,? ?and? ?after? ?a? ?moment? ?of? ?silence,? ?


    Feng? ?Xin? ?said,? ?“Even? ?if? ?I? ?asked? ?where? ?you? ?went? ?you? ?wouldn’t? ?tell? ?me,? ?right?”? ?


    Xie? ?Lian? ?didn’t? ?speak,? ?and? ?tossed? ?those? ?sacks? ?on? ?the? ?ground,? ?making? ?crisp? ?clinking? ?sounds? ?as? ?


    they? nded.? ?“What’s? ?this?”? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?asked.? ?


    Xie? ?Lian? ?opened? ?the? ?sacks? ?and? ?turned? ?them? ?over,? ?and? ?from? ?within? ?came? ?tumbling? ?a? rge? ?pile? ?of? ?


    gold? ?and? ?silver? ?wares,? ?almost? ?brightening? ?the? ?entire? ?house.? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?instantly? ?stood? ?up,? ?“You...? ?


    Where? ?did? ?those? ?things? e? ?from??”? ? ?


    Xie? ?Lian? ?didn’t? ?bother? ?to? ?look? ?up,? ?and? ?only? ?sat? ?on? ?the? ?ground? ?and? ?counted? ?as? ?he? ?replied,? ?“There’s? ?


    no? ?need? ?to? ?be? ?like? ?that.? ?I? ?only? ?paid? ?a? ?visit? ?to? ?a? ?big? ?household? ?in? ?the? ?city,? ?that’s? ?all.? ?Rx,? ?no? ?one? ?


    saw.”? ? ?


    “YOU!...”? ?Feng? ?Xin’s? ?eyes? ?were? ?round? ?and? ?bulging.? ?


    He? ?remembered? ?that? ?the? ?king? ?and? ?queen? ?were? ?in? ?the? ?next? ?room? ?and? ?lowered? ?his? ?voice,? ?“You? ?


    stole?!”? ? ?


    “You? ?don’t? ?need? ?to? ?look? ?at? ?me? ?like? ?that.”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?said,? ?“Everyone’s? ?having? ?a? ?hard? ?time.? ?Things? ?


    will? ?be? ?easier? ?with? ?this.”? ? ?


    “You? ?still? ?shouldn’t? ?have? ?stolen??”? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?eximed,? ?“We? ?can? ?just? ?busk!”? ? ?


    “And? ?how? ?much? ?do? ?we? ?earn? ?from? ?killing? ?ourselves? ?performing? ?on? ?the? ?streets?”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?said.? ?


    Feng? ?Xin? ?staggered? ?a? ?couple? ?steps? ?back,? ?and? ?it? ?was? ?the? ?first? ?time? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?saw? ?him? ?looking? ?like? ?


    he? ?was? ?going? ?to? ?faint.? ?


    Feng? ?Xin? ?finally? ?steadied? ?himself,? ?made? ?sure? ?that? ?he? ?didn’t? ?hear? ?wrong,? ?and? ?mumbled,? ?“How? ?did? ?


    you? ?be? ?this? ?way?”? ? ?


    Xie? ?Lian? ?looked? ?up? ?and? ?asked? ?back,? ?“What? ?way?”? ?


    Feng? ?Xin? ?was? ?mad,? ?“I? ?don’t? ?want? ?to? ?lecture? ?you,? ?but? ?just? ?look? ?at? ?yourself,? ?at? ?what? ?you’ve? ?be!? ?


    I? ?won’t? ?ask? ?you? ?about? ?the? ?robbery? ?anymore,? ?but? ?how? ?did? ?things? ?get? ?worse??”? ? ?


    Xie? ?Lian? ?snorted,? ?“I? ?knew? ?it.”? ? ?


    “Knew? ?what?”? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?asked.? ?


    Xie? ?Lian? ?rose? ?to? ?his? ?feet,? ?“I? ?knew? ?you? ?kept? ?that? ?robbery? ?thing? ?on? ?your? ?mind.? ?You? ?wanted? ?to? ?ask? ?


    me,? ?but? ?you? ?didn’t? ?have? ?the? ?heart,? ?right?? ?You’ve? ?imagined? ?thousands? ?of? ?scenarios? ?in? ?your? ?head,? ?


    right?? ?Don’t? ?think? ?on? ?it? ?anymore.? ?I’ll? ?tell? ?you.”? ? ?


    Step? ?by? ?step,? ?he? ?came? ?pressing? ?to? ?Feng? ?Xin,? ?“It’s? ?true.? ?I? ?robbed.”? ? ?


    Feng? ?Xin? ?was? ?forced? ?back? ?a? ?step,? ?“You....”? ?Then? ?he? ?advanced? ?a? ?step? ?and? ?said? ?with? ?quiet? ?anger,? ?


    “Then? ?what? ?are? ?we? ?passing? ?our? ?days? ?so? ?hard? ?for?? ?If? ?you? ?were? ?willing? ?to? ?do? ?those? ?things,? ?then? ?we? ?


    could’ve? ?done? ?it? ?already,? ?why? ?suffer? ?until? ?today??? ?Are? ?you? ?aware? ?of? ?what? ?you’re? ?giving? ?up??? ?Are? ?


    you? ?still? ?the? ?Royal? ?Highness? ?from? ?the? ?past??”? ? ?


    “That’s? ?right,? ?why? ?have? ?we? ?suffered? ?until? ?today?”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?said.? ?


    Feng? ?Xin? ?was? ?taken? ?aback,? ?and? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?continued,? ?“What? ?was? ?the? ?me? ?in? ?the? ?past?? ?Doesn’t? ?talk? ?


    back? ?while? ?being? ?cursed? ?at?? ?Doesn’t? ?fight? ?back? ?while? ?being? ?beaten?? ?Overestimating? ?myself?? ?


    Save? ?the? mon? ?people?? ?What? ?is? ?that?? ?Isn’t? ?that? ?a? ?dumbass?? ?Do? ?you? ?think? ?a? ?dumbass? ?is? ?


    better?? ?Do? ?you? ?think? ?that’s? ?the? ?me? ?I? ?should? ?be?? ?If? ?I? ?wasn’t,? ?are? ?you? ?going? ?to? ?be? ?very? ?shocked?”? ? ?


    Feng? ?Xin? ?was? ?stunned,? ?“Are? ?you? ?crazy?? ?Why? ?do? ?you? ?have? ?to? ?say? ?it? ?like? ?that?”? ? ?


    “You’re? ?wrong.? ?I’m? ?not? ?crazy.”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?said,? ?“I’ve? ?just? ?suddenly? ?woken? ?up.? ?Then,? ?I? ?discovered? ?it? ?


    was? ?the? ?past? ?me? ?who? ?was? ?crazy.”? ? ?


    “...”? ?


    Feng? ?Xin? ?mumbled,? ?“Why? ?are? ?you? ?like? ?this?? ?When? ?did? ?you? ?be? ?this? ?way?? ?I,? ?I? ?really? ?don’t? ?


    know,? ?I’m,? ?then? ?why? ?have? ?I? ?followed? ?you? ?all? ?this? ?time...”? ?


    “Then? ?stop? ?following.”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?said.? ?


    Feng? ?Xin? ?hadn’t? ?wrapped? ?his? ?head? ?around? ?it? ?and? ?blurted,? ?“What?”? ? ?


    “I? ?said,? ?don’t? ?follow? ?me? ?anymore.”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?repeated.? ?


    Then,? ?he? ?mmed? ?the? ?door.? ?


    Four? ?hours? ter,? ?there? ?were? ?finally? ?some? ?creaking? ?movements? ?outside? ?the? ?room,? ?and? ?low? ?talking? ?


    voices.? ?


    It? ?seemed? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?was? ?bidding? ?farewell? ?to? ?his? ?father? ?and? ?mother.? ?Feng? ?Xin’s? ?voice? ?was? ?


    extremely? ?low,? ?the? ?queen’s? ?voice? ?was? ?choked? ?with? ?sobs,? ?and? ?the? ?king? ?didn’t? ?say? ?much,? ?but? ?there? ?


    was? ?a? ?lot? ?of? ?coughing.? ?A? ?moment? ter,? ?the? ?door? ?opened,? ?then? ?the? ?door? ?closed,? ?and? ?Feng? ?Xin’s? ?


    voice? ?vanished,? ?the? ?sound? ?of? ?his? ?footsteps? ?going? ?faraway.? ?


    Feng? ?Xin? ?had? ?left.? ?


    Xie? ?Lian? ?was? ?still? ?shut? ?in? ?the? ?room,? ?emotionless? ?and? ?expressionless,? ?and? ?a? ?moment? ter,? ?he? ?


    closed? ?his? ?eyes.? ?


    He’d? ?finally? ?left.? ?


    Ever? ?since? ?Mu? ?Qing? ?had? ?left,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?had? ?always? ?been? ?terrified? ?of? ?this:? ?that? ?one? ?day,? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?


    would? ?also? ?leave.? ?


    Because? ?he? ?was? ?too? ?scared,? ?today,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?could? ?no? ?longer? ?endure? ?the? ?torment? ?of? ?this? ?fear.? ?


    Rather? ?than? ?dragging? ?it? ?out,? ?like? ?sharpening? ?a? ?knife? ?to? ?slowly? ?grind? ?away? ?all? ?the? ?kindness? ?and? ?


    friendship? ?until? ?there? ?was? ?nothing? ?left,? ?until? ?finally? ?both? ?hated? ?the? ?sight? ?of? ?each? ?other? ?and? ?held? ?


    grudges,? ?it? ?was? ?better? ?that? ?things? ?exploded? ?sooner.? ?


    Before? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?went,? ?he? ?was? ?afraid.? ?Now? ?that? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?had? ?gone,? ?he? ?wasn’t? ?scared? ?any? ?


    longer.? ?


    But,? ?even? ?though? ?he? ?wasn’t? ?afraid? ?anymore,? ?he? ?was? ?in? ?deeper? ?agony.? ?


    Originally,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?had? ?held? ?a? ?one? ?in? ?a? ?million? ?bit? ?of? ?hope? ?at? ?the? ?bottom? ?of? ?his? ?heart,? ?hoping? ?that? ?


    even? ?if? ?he? ?was? ?to? ?admit? ?he? ?had? ?done? ?things? ?he? ?shouldn’t? ?have,? ?even? ?if? ?he? ?had? ?be? ?the? ?worst? ?


    of? ?himself? ?like? ?this,? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?would? ?still? ?stay.? ?After? ?all,? ?ever? ?since? ?that? ?year? ?he? ?was? ?fourteen,? ?


    when? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?was? ?selected? ?to? ?be? ?his? ?bodyguard,? ?the? ?two? ?had? ?never? ?left? ?each? ?other’s? ?sides.? ?


    While? ?they? ?were? ?master? ?and? ?servant,? ?they? ?were? ?more? ?so? ?friends.? ?Outside? ?of? ?him? ?who? ?was? ?crown? ?


    prince,? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?didn’t? ?care? ?for? ?anyone? ?else.? ?At? ?most? ?maybe? ?the? ?king? ?and? ?the? ?queen.? ?


    But,? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?really? ?left.? ?


    Xie? ?Lian? ?had? ?already? ?guessed? ?this? ?to? ?be? ?the? ?end,? ?but? ?he? ?also? ?couldn’t? ?stand? ?this? ?end? ?either,? ?and? ?


    he? ?couldn’t? ?take? ?it? ?for? ?the? ?moment.? ?


    Just? ?then,? ?outside? ?the? ?silent? ?room? ?came? ?the? ?queen’s? ?voice,? ?“My? ?son,? ?I’m? ?so? ?sorry.”? ?


    “...”? ?


    Xie? ?Lian? ?crawled? ?up? ?from? ?his? ?bed? ?and? ?opened? ?the? ?door,? ?went? ?out,? ?and? ?said? ?tiredly,? ?“It’s? ?none? ?of? ?


    your? ?business.”? ? ?


    The? ?king? ?and? ?queen? ?were? ?both? ?sitting? ?at? ?that? ?old? ?and? ?creaky? ?table.? ?The? ?queen? ?said,? ?“Father? ?and? ?


    mother? ?dragged? ?you? ?down,? ?and? ?made? ?you? ?do? ?bad? ?things? ?for? ?our? ?sakes,? ?and? ?even? ?made? ?you? ?and? ?


    Feng? ?Xin? ?argue.”? ?


    Xie? ?Lian? ?forced? ?a? ?smile,? ?“What? ?bad? ?things?? ?Aren’t? ?tales? ?and? ?legends? ?all? ?full? ?of? ?stories? ?of? ?stealing? ?


    from? ?the? ?rich? ?to? ?help? ?the? ?poor?? ?Since? ?Feng? ?Xin’s? ?gone,? ?he’s? ?gone,? ?it’s? ?pretty? ?good? ?actually.? ?With? ?


    him? ?gone,? ?things? ?will? ?be? ?more? ?rxed.? ?Rxed? ?on? ?both? ?sides.? ?You? ?two? ?just? ?focus? ?on? ?healing.? ?


    Tomorrow? ?we? ?can? ?go? ?buy? ?the? ?best? ?medicine.”? ? ?


    However,? ?the? ?king? ?red? ?at? ?him,? ?“I? ?won’t? ?use? ?that? ?money.”? ? ?


    The? ?queen? ?elbowed? ?him? ?quietly.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?demanded,? ?“Then? ?what? ?do? ?you? ?want?”? ? ?


    The? ?king? ?coughed? ?a? ?few? ?more? ?times,? ?“You...? ?go? ?chase? ?after? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?and? ?bring? ?him? ?back.? ?I? ?don’t? ?


    want? ?this? ?kind? ?of? ?money.”? ? ?


    Although? ?the? ?queen? ?was? ?elbowing? ?him,? ?she? ?also? ?agreed,? ?“Yea,? ?why? ?don’t? ?you? ?go? ?chase? ?after? ?


    Feng? ?Xin.? ?He’s? ?your? ?most? ?loyal? ?servant,? ?and? ?your? ?best? ?friend...”? ?


    “There? ?is? ?no? ?more? ?loyal? ?servant.”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?said,? ?“Since? ?there’s? ?money,? ?just? ?use? ?it,? ?don’t? ?ask? ?


    anything? ?else.? ?I? ?told? ?you,? ?there? ?are? ?some? ?things? ?you? ?don’t? ?understand.”? ? ?


    After? ?a? ?long? ?silence,? ?in? ?the? ?end,? ?the? ?queen? ?said,? ?“I’m? ?so? ?sorry,? ?my? ?son.? ?Mom? ?and? ?dad? ?can? ?see,? ?


    you? ?have? ?been? ?struggling? ?very? ?hard? ?on? ?your? ?own,? ?but? ?mom? ?and? ?dad? ?are? ?only? ?mortals,? ?we? ?can’t? ?


    help? ?you? ?at? ?all,? ?and? ?need? ?your? ?care? ?too.”? ? ?


    Xie? ?Lian? ?had? ?no? ?more? ?energy? ?to? ?keep? ?talking,? ?and? ?cated? ?them? ?with? ?empty? ?words? ?of? fort? ?


    before? ?sending? ?them? ?back? ?to? ?their? ?rooms.? ?In? ?order? ?to? ?help? ?himself? ?clear? ?his? ?mind,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?


    unwrapped? ?the? ?bandages? ?and? ?stripped? ?all? ?of? ?his? ?clothes,? ?took? ?a? ?rough? ?bath,? ?then? ?passed? ?out.? ?He? ?


    passed? ?out? ?so? ?hard? ?that? ?when? ?he? ?woke? ?the? ?next? ?day,? ?he? ?wondered? ?blearily,? ?“How? e? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?


    didn’t? ?wake? ?me?”? ? ?


    It? ?was? ?a? ?good? ?moment? ?before? ?he? ?remembered? ?that? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?had? ?left.? ?


    Xie? ?Lian? ?flipped? ?over? ?and? ?sat? ?up,? ?fell? ?in? ?a? ?daze,? ?and? ?remembered? ?another? ?thing.? ?


    Even? ?if? ?Feng? ?Xin? ?had? ?left,? ?what? ?about? ?his? ?father? ?and? ?mother?? ?How? e? ?his? ?father? ?and? ?mother? ?


    didn’t? e? ?to? ?rouse? ?him? ?either?? ?


    Usually? ?at? ?this? ?time,? ?he? ?would’ve? ?heard? ?the? ?sound? ?of? ?the? ?king? ?coughing.? ?That? ?sound? ?had? ?never? ?


    ceased,? ?so? ?why? ?was? ?it? ?so? ?quiet? ?today?? ?


    For? ?some? ?reason,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?suddenly? ?felt? ?uneasy.? ?He? ?put? ?on? ?his? ?clothes? ?and? ?got? ?out? ?of? ?bed,? ?


    grabbed? ?for? ?his? ?silk? ?band? ?but? ?found? ?it? ?wasn’t? ?there,? ?then? ?he? ?pushed? ?open? ?the? ?door? ?to? ?the? ?room? ?


    next? ?door,? ?“Mother,? ?have? ?you? ?seen? ?my...”? ?


    The? ?moment? ?he? ?pushed? ?open? ?the? ?door,? ?both? ?his? ?pupils? ?instantly? ?shrank? ?to? ?two? ?very? ?small? ?dots.? ?


    He? ?found? ?his? ?white? ?silk? ?band.? ?


    That? ?white? ?silk? ?band? ?was? ?hung? ?on? ?the? ?beam,? ?and? ?it? ?also? ?dangled? ?two? ?unmoving? ?figures? ?of? ?


    seniors,? ?their? ?bodies? ?long? ?since? ?stiffened.? ?


    It? ?was? ?his? ?father? ?and? ?mother.? ?


    Xie? ?Lian? ?wondered? ?perhaps? ?he? ?was? ?still? ?in? ?a? ?dream? ?and? ?he? ?swayed,? ?reaching? ?out? ?to? ?support? ?


    himself? ?against? ?the? ?wall,? ?but? ?he? ?was? ?swaying? ?so? ?much? ?he? ?didn’t? ?catch? ?on? ?properly,? ?so? ?he? ?slipped? ?


    down? ?along? ?the? ?wall? ?instead.? ?


    He? ?sat? ?on? ?the? ?ground,? ?his? ?hands? ?covering? ?his? ?face,? ?and? ?a? ?sudden? ?abrupt? ?difficulty? ?in? ?breathing? ?


    choked? ?him.? ?He? ?cried? ?and? ughed,? ughed? ?and? ?cried,? ?“I,? ?I,? ?I,? ?I...”? ?


    He? ?rambled? ?and? ?mumbled? ?to? ?no? ?one,? ?then? ?he? ?added,? ?“It? ?wasn’t,? ?no.? ?I,? ?wait,? ?I,? ?you? ?can’t,? ?I...”? ?


    Finally,? ?not? ?even? plete? ?words? ?could? e? ?out,? ?and? ?he? ?turned? ?around? ?and? ?screamed,? ?


    smashing? ?his? ?own? ?head? ?against? ?the? ?wall? ?over? ?and? ?over.? ?


    He? ?should’ve? ?known.? ?His? ?father? ?was? ?such? ?a? ?conservative? ?and? ?traditional? ?king,? ?and? ?his? ?mother? ?


    was? ?the? ?mother? ?who? ?couldn’t? ?bear? ?the? ?sight? ?of? ?her? ?loved? ?ones? ?suffering,? ?especially? ?since? ?it? ?was? ?


    suffering? ?for? ?their? ?sakes.? ?Both? ?of? ?them? ?were? ?nobility? ?who? ?were? ?raised? ?in? ?prestige;? ?that? ?they? ?could? ?


    hang? ?on? ?all? ?this? ?way? ?thus? ?far? ?was? ?already? ?a? ?miracle.? ?


    Xie? ?Lian? ?smacked? ?his? ?head? ?against? ?the? ?wall? ?for? ?over? ?a? ?hundred? ?times? ?and? ?mumbled,? ?“Feng? ?Xin,? ?


    my? ?father? ?and? ?mother? ?are? ?gone.”? ?


    No? ?one? ?was? ?listening.? ?


    Only? ?then? ?did? ?he? ?realize? ?he? ?needed? ?to? ?bring? ?his? ?parents’? ?corpses? ?down.? ?After? ?lowering? ?them,? ?Xie? ?


    Lian? ?acted? ?like? ?he? ?had? ?nothing? ?left? ?to? ?do? ?and? ?walked? ?around? ?the? ?house.? ?He? ?saw? ?upon? ?the? ?table? ?


    were? ?a? ?few? ?tes? ?of? ?horrid? ?looking? ?dishes? ?that? ?were? ?now? ?cold,? ?and? ?they? ?were? ?what? ?he? ?made? ?the? ?


    queen? ?take? ?away? ?without? ?a? ?single? ?bite? ?the? ?night? ?before.? ?Now,? ?he? ?pulled? ?them? ?over? ?


    absent-mindedly,? ?and? ?ate? ?everything,? ?not? ?daring? ?to? ?leave? ?behind? ?a? ?single? ?leaf,? ?afraid? ?to? ?miss? ?a? ?


    single? ?grain? ?of? ?rice.? ?After? ?he? ?ate? ?he? ?started? ?puking.? ?


    All? ?of? ?a? ?sudden,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?grabbed? ?that? ?white? ?silk? ?band? ?and? ?threw? ?it? ?over? ?the? ?beam,? ?and? ?put? ?his? ?


    own? ?neck? ?through? ?the? ?knot.? ?


    Waves? ?of? ?suffocation? ?assaulted? ?him,? ?yet,? ?he? ?remained? ?clear-minded.? ?Even? ?when? ?his? ?eyes? ?were? ?


    filled? ?with? ?blood,? ?his? ?cor? ?bones? ?cracking,? ?he? ?still? ?remained? ?conscious.? ?Then,? ?for? ?some? ?reason,? ?


    as? ?he? ?hung? ?there,? ?that? ?white? ?silk? ?band? ?suddenly? ?loosened? ?on? ?its? ?own.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?fell? ?heavily? ?to? ?the? ?


    ground,? ?and? ?in? ?the? ?midst? ?of? ?dizziness,? ?he? ?found? ?that? ?white? ?silk? ?band? ?actually? ?started? ?moving? ?by? ?


    itself? ?without? ?any? ?breeze? ?Like? ?it? ?was? ?a? ?venomous? ?snake,? ?it? ?started? ?coiling.? ?


    This? ?thing? ?had? ?conceived? ?its? ?own? ?spirit!? ?


    With? ?the? ?injection? ?of? ?spiritual? ?powers,? ?having? ?been? ?dyed? ?with? ?Xie? ?Lian’s? ?blood,? ?and? ?even? ?having? ?


    hung? ?two? ?royals? ?to? ?death? ?–? ?if? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?could? ?die? ?then? ?it’d? ?be? ?three? ?–? ?such? ?a? ?white? ?silk? ?band,? ?


    carrying? ?such? ?a? ?deep? ?resentment? ?and? ?evil,? ?it’d? ?be? ?more? ?strange? ?if? ?it? ?didn’t? ?turn? ?into? ?a? ?spirit.? ?


    The? ?little? ?spirit? ?who? ?had? ?only? ?just? ?arrived? ?in? ?this? ?world? ?didn’t? ?understand? ?how? ?it? ?was? ?born? ?from? ?a? ?


    despairing? ?situation? ?at? ?all,? ?and? ?happily? ?drifted? ?over? ?to? ?the? ?one? ?who? ?gave? ?itself? ?a? ?soul,? ?like? ?it? ?was? ?


    hoping? ?for? ?an? ?intimate? ?gesture.? ?However,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?had? ?no? ?eyes? ?for? ?it.? ?He? ?clutched? ?his? ?head? ?and? ?


    roared,? ?“SOMEBODY!!!? ?SOMEBODY? ?COME? ?KILL? ?ME!!!”? ?


    He? ?could? ?only? ?pray? ?that? ?someone? ?would? e? ?right? ?that? ?second? ?to? ?take? ?his? ?life,? ?and? ?help? ?him? ?


    break? ?free? ?from? ?this? ?endless? ?pain? ?and? ?torture!? ?


    Just? ?then,? ?from? ?the? ?far? ?distance,? ?came? ?the? ?roaring? ?sound? ?of? ?gongs? ?and? ?drums.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?panted? ?


    harshly,? ?his? ?eyes? ?bloodshot,? ?and? ?he? ?wondered? ?inwardly,? ?‘Who?? ?What? ?is? ?that?’? ?


    Some? ?kind? ?of? ?power? ?forced? ?him? ?to? ?his? ?feet? ?and? ?he? ?stumbled? ?out? ?to? ?look.? ?He? ?walked? ?for? ?a? ?long? ?


    time? ?before? ?he? ?finally? ?realized? ?that? ?was? ?the? ?sound? ?of? ?celebrating? ?the? ?newly? ?built? ?Imperial? ?Pce? ?


    after? ?YongAn? ?was? ?established? ?as? ?a? ?new? ?kingdom? ?and? ?the? ?royal? ?capital? ?had? ?moved.? ?


    Even? ?the? ?heavens? ?were? ?celebrating!? ?All? ?the? ?once? ?citizens? ?of? ?XianLe? ?were? ?now? ?cheering? ?for? ?


    YongAn.? ?On? ?the? ?main? ?street,? ?everyone’s? ?faces? ?bore? ?such? ?bright? ?smiles;? ?so? ?familiar.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?


    remembered.? ?This? ?was? ?also? ?how? ?the? ?people? ?at? ?the? ?XianLe? ?imperial? ?capital? ?cheered? ?during? ?the? ?


    ShangYuan? ?Heavenly? ?Ceremonial? ?Procession.? ?


    Xie? ?Lian? ?staggered? ?back? ?and? ?sat? ?listlessly? ?on? ?the? ?ground.? ?


    Why? ?must? ?he? ?witness? ?the? ughter? ?and? ?cheers? ?of? ?‘YongAn? ?people’? ?just? ?when? ?the? ?corpses? ?of? ?the? ?


    king? ?and? ?queen? ?of? ?XianLe? id? ?next? ?to? ?his? ?feet?? ? ?


    Xie? ?Lian? ?buried? ?his? ?face? ?in? ?his? ?hands,? ?crying? ?and? ughing,? ?ha? ?ha? ?ha? ?ha,? ?sob? ?sob? ?sob? ?sob.? ? ?


    A? ?moment? ter,? ?he? ?giggled,? ?“You? ?won’t? ?get? ?off? ?so? ?easily.”? ?


    A? ?voice? ?shed? ?in? ?his? ?mind:? ?the? ?human? ?face? ?disease,? ?it’s? ?resentment...? ?the? ?method? ?to? ?create? ?the? ?


    human? ?face? ?disease,? ?is...? ?


    A? ?savage? ?light? ?shed? ?in? ?his? ?eyes,? ?and? ?he? ?suddenly? ?dropped? ?his? ?voice,? ?“I? ?won’t? ?let? ?any? ?of? ?you? ?off? ?


    so? ?easily.”? ?


    The? ?expression? ?on? ?his? ?face? ?was? ?like? ?crying? ?but? ughing,? ?like? ?joy? ?and? ?sadness? ?mixed? ?together,? ?


    and? ?he? ?slowly? ?rose? ?to? ?his? ?feet? ?alongside? ?the? ?wall,? ?“YongAn,? ?Forever? ?Peace*?? ?Dream? ?on.? ?Dream? ?


    on? ?forever!? ?I,? ?curse? ?all? ?of? ?you.? ?I? ?CURSE? ?ALL? ?OF? ?YOU!!!? ?I? ?WANT? ?YOU? ?ALL? ?TO? ?DIE,? ?PERISH? ?


    COMPLETELY!!? ?HAHA,? ?HAHA,? ?HAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!”? ?


    He? ughed? ?and? ughed,? ?and? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?rushed? ?out? ?like? ?a? ?whirlwind,? ?and? ?when? ?he? ?passed? ?that? ?


    mirror,? ?he? ?suddenly? ?paused? ?and? ?whipped? ?his? ?head? ?around.? ?


    The? ?him? ?inside? ?the? ?mirror? ?had? ?already? ?changed? pletely.? ?


    What? ?he? ?was? ?wearing? ?wasn’t? ?that? ?white? ?cultivator? ?robes? ?that? ?had? ?been? ?worn? ?from? ?wash,? ?but? ?a? ?


    snow? ?white? ?funeral? ?garb? ?with? ?expansive? ?sleeves.? ?His? ?face? ?was? ?no? ?longer? ?his? ?face,? ?but? ?a? ?half? ?


    crying,? ?half? ?smiling,? ?cry-smiling? ?mask!? ?


    If? ?this? ?was? ?the? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?from? ?before,? ?when? ?he? ?saw? ?himself? ?like? ?this? ?in? ?the? ?mirror? ?he? ?would’ve? ?


    screamed? ?in? ?horror.? ?However,? ?the? ?him? ?now? ?wasn’t? ?scared? ?at? ?all.? ?He? ughed? ?maniacally? ?as? ?if? ?he? ?


    saw? ?nothing,? ?and? ?he? ?broke? ?through? ?the? ?door? ?while? ?stumbling,? ?dashing? ?out.? ?


    The? ?old? ?imperial? ?capital? ?of? ?Xian? ?Le? ?was? ?now? ?nothing? ?more? ?than? ?a? ?field? ?of? ?ruined? ?wreckage.? ?


    Nearby? ?the? ?wreckage,? ?there? ?were? ?still? ?some? ?residents? ?who? ?fortunately? ?survived,? ?and? ?refugees? ?


    who? ?had? ?nowhere? ?else? ?to? ?go.? ?Although? ?ever? ?since? ?the? ?human? ?face? ?disease? ?erupted? ?and? ?the? ?


    entire? ?imperial? ?city? ?had? ?fallen,? ?and? ?this? ?once? ?mourous? ?capital? ?had? ?frequent? ?haunting? ?breezes,? ?


    chilling? ?to? ?the? ?bone,? ?today,? ?it? ?seemed? ?to? ?be? ?especially? ?chilling.? ?A? ?few? ?of? ?the? ?disheveled? ?beggars? ?


    all? ?disappeared,? ?watching? ?the? ?skies? ?as? ?they? ?fled.? ?People? ?all? ?sensed? ?that? ?something? ?ominous? ?was? ?


    going? ?to? ?happen,? ?so? ?they? ?best? ?not? ?linger? ?in? ?the? ?streets.? ?


    In? ?front? ?of? ?the? ?broken? ?imperial? ?city? ?gates? ?was? ?the? ?battlefield.? ?Usually,? ?not? ?many? ?dared? ?visit.? ?Now,? ?


    there? ?was? ?only? ?an? ?old? ?cultivator,? ?running? ?here,? ?jumping? ?there,? ?catching? ?some? ?lost? ?wandering? ?


    spirits,? ?stuffing? ?them? ?into? ?his? ?sack? ?once? ?they’re? ?caught,? ?preparing? ?to? ?tie? ?them? ?into? nterns.? ?As? ?he? ?


    ran? ?around,? ?he? ?suddenly? ?discovered? ?that? ?at? ?the? ?edge? ?of? ?the? ?battlefield,? ?a? ?strange? ?white? ?clothed? ?


    silhouette? ?had? ?appeared.? ?


    It? ?truly? ?was? ?strange,? ?truly? ?peculiar.? ?He? ?was? ?donned? ?in? ?a? ?funeral? ?garb,? ?white? ?robes,? ?expansive? ?


    sleeves,? ?a? ?band? ?of? ?white? ?silk? ?tied? ?to? ?a? ?sleeve,? ?floating? ?along? ?with? ?the? ?wind? ?like? ?it? ?was? ?alive.? ?He? ?


    was? ?wearing? ?a? ?tragically? ?pale? ?mask,? ?half? ?of? ?it? ?crying,? ?half? ?of? ?it? ?smiling.? ?


    That? ?old? ?cultivator? ?shuddered? ?violently,? ?and? ?before? ?he? ?knew? ?why,? ?he? ?was? ?fleeing,? ?his? ?legs? ?had? ?


    already? ?carried? ?him? ?out? ?of? ?the? ?battlefield.? ?Before? ?his? ?panic? ?and? ?dread? ?had? ?calmed,? ?he? ?stopped? ?in? ?


    his? ?step? ?and? ?looked? ?back.? ?


    That? ?white? ?clothed? ?man? ?didn’t? ?speak? ?a? ?single? ?word,? ?and? ?was? ?strolling? ?over? ?the? ?battlefield.? ?Chilling? ?


    wind? ?whipped? ?around,? ?and? ?with? ?every? ?step,? ?he? ?trampled? ?the? ?bones? ?of? ?those? ?who? ?died? ?in? ?war.? ?


    Countless? ?spirits? ?of? ?the? ?dead? ?were? ?struggling? ?and? ?wailing? ?on? ?this? ?soil,? ?even? ?the? ?air? ?was? ?ck? ?


    from? ?resentment.? ?


    That? ?white? ?clothed? ?man? ?asked? ?coldly,? ?“Do? ?you? ?hate?”? ? ?


    The? ?dead? ?souls? ?wailed? ?and? ?cried.? ?That? ?white? ?clothed? ?man? ?took? ?another? ?few? ?steps,? ?“The? ?people? ?


    you? ?swore? ?to? ?protect? ?and? ?die? ?for? ?have? ?now? ?be? ?the? ?citizens? ?of? ?the? ?new? ?kingdom.? ?Do? ?you? ?


    hate?”? ? ?


    The? ?wails? ?of? ?dead? ?souls? ?now? ?had? ?shrieking? ?mixed? ?in.? ?


    That? ?white? ?clothed? ?man? ?said? ?slowly,? ?“They’ve? ?forgotten? ?you? ?who? ?have? ?died? ?on? ?the? ?battlefield,? ?


    forgotten? ?your? ?sacrifices,? ?and? ?are? ?cheering? ?for? ?those? ?who? ?robbed? ?away? ?your? ?lives.? ?Do? ?you? ?hate?”? ? ?


    Amidst? ?that? ?shrieking? ?came? ?howling? ?and? ?roaring.? ?


    That? ?white? ?clothed? ?man? ?called? ?out? ?sharply,? ?“What’s? ?the? ?use? ?in? ?screaming?? ?Answer? ?me,? ?DO? ?YOU? ?


    HATE??”? ? ?


    Above? ?in? ?the? ?air? ?over? ?the? ?entire? ?battlefield? ?came? ?the? ?echoing? ?of? ?innumerous? ?voices? ?of? ?resentment? ?


    and? ?agony.? ?


    “I? ?HATE...”? ?


    “I? ?HATE...”? ?


    “KILL...? ?I? ?WANT? ?TO? ?KILL? ?THEM!!!”? ?


    That? ?white? ?clothed? ?man? ?opened? ?his? ?arms? ?towards? ?them? ?and? ?reached? ?out? ?both? ?his? ?hands,? ?“Come? ?


    to? ?my? ?side.”? ? ?


    He? ?enunciated? ?each? ?word,? ?“I? ?promise,? ?the? ?people? ?of? ?YongAn? ?shall? ?never? ?know? ?peace!”? ? ?


    The? ?shrieking,? ?howling,? ?roaring,? ?crying,? ?shook? ?the? ?ground? ?and? ?crashed? ?the? ?heavens.? ?The? ?dead? ?


    souls? ?of? ?the? ?XianLe? ?soldiers,? ?mingled? ?with? ?the? ?deceased? ?of? ?those? ?who? ?died? ?from? ?the? ?human? ?face? ?


    disease,? ?answered.? ?And,? ?in? ?that? ?sky? ?covered? ?in? ?ck? ?mist,? ?they? ?took? ?shape!? ?


    The? ?old? ?cultivator? ?who? ?had? ?witnessed? ?the? ?whole? ?thing? ?from? ?afar? ?was? ?already? ?terrified,? ?“This...? ?


    This? ?is...!!!”? ?


    In? ?an? ?instant,? ?only? ?three? ?words? ?appeared? ?in? ?his? ?mind.? ?


    White? ?Clothed? ?Cmity!? ?


    Just? ?then,? ?that? ?white? ?clothed? ?man? ?heard? ?the? ?voice? ?of? ?a? ?young? ?man? ?from? ?behind? ?him,? ?“Your? ?


    Highness...”? ?


    He? ?looked? ?around.? ?Since? ?who? ?knows? ?when,? ?a? ?ck? ?d? ?youth? ?was? ?already? ?standing? ?behind? ?his? ?


    person,? ?and? ?was? ?bowing? ?down? ?before? ?him,? ?bending? ?one? ?knee? ?to? ?the? ?ground.? ?


    ———? ?


    ●The? ?name? ?“YongAn”? ?means? ?“Forever? ?Peace”? ?


    ——–? ?


    Ch.192:? ?White? ?Clothed? ?Ghost? ?Appoints? ?ck? ?Warrior? ?as? ?General? ?


    He? ?was? ?determined? ?to? ?be? ?a? ?‘youth’? ?based? ?on? ?his? ?voice? ?and? ?physique.? ?


    He? ?was? ?donned? ?in? ?neat? ?and? ?orderly? ?warrior? ?attire,? ?his? ?physique? ?tall? ?and? ?slender,? ?but? ?like? ?fresh? ?


    new? ?bamboo,? ?he? ?emitted? ?the? ?aura? ?of? ?the? ?innocence? ?of? ?youth.? ?ck? ?robes? ?like? ?ink,? ?ck? ?hair? ?like? ?


    ink,? ?tied? ?high.? ?Around? ?his? ?waist? ?hung? ?a? ?sabre,? ?long? ?and? ?slim.? ?He? ?raised? ?his? ?head? ?slowly,? ?and? ?


    upon? ?his? ?face? ?was? ?a? ?snow? ?white? ?mask? ?with? ?a? ?crescent? ?smile.? ?


    Balls? ?after? ?balls? ?of? ?ck? ?mist? ?took? ?shape? ?amidst? ?hissing? ?and? ?wailing,? ?all? ?sucked? ?cleanly? ?into? ?the? ?


    array? ?within? ?that? ?white? ?clothed? ?man’s? ?sleeve,? ?like? ?he? ?was? ?taking? ?in? ?an? ?entire? ?river? ?into? ?a? ?small? ?


    jaded? ?case.? ?As? ?for? ?that? ?young? ?man,? ?he? ?remained? ?steady? ?and? ?still? ?within? ?that? ?chaotic? ?ck? ?


    whirlwind.? ?The? ?white? ?clothed? ?man? ?asked,? ?“Who? ?were? ?you? ?calling?”? ?


    That? ?ck? ?d? ?youth? ?was? ?still? ?down? ?on? ?one? ?knee,? ?submissive? ?like? ?a? ?servant? ?but? ?also? ?like? ?he? ?was? ?


    swearing? ?an? ?oath,? ?and? ?he? ?answered,? ?“I? ?was? ?calling? ?you,? ?Your? ?Royal? ?Highness.”? ? ?


    That? ?white? ?clothed? ?man? ?said? ?coldly,? ?“I’m? ?not? ?the? ?Royal? ?Highness.”? ? ?


    However,? ?that? ?ck? ?d? ?youth? ?replied,? ?“You? ?are.? ?I? ?will? ?never? ?forget? ?your? ?voice? ?and? ?your? ?form.”? ?


    The? ?voice? ?of? ?that? ?white? ?clothed? ?man? ?was? ?now? ced? ?with? ?anger,? ?“I? ?told? ?you,? ?I’m? ?not? ?him.”? ? ?


    This? ?white? ?clothed? ?man? ?was? ?naturally? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?who? ?had? ?donned? ?the? ?funeral? ?garb? ?and? ?put? ?on? ?the? ?


    cry-smiling? ?mask.? ?


    With? ?his? ?face? ?hidden? ?behind? ?the? ?mask,? ?no? ?one? ?could? ?recognize? ?who? ?he? ?was,? ?and? ?he? ?didn’t? ?want? ?


    to? ?be? ?recognized? ?either.? ?Yet,? ?on? ?this? ?battlefield,? ?a? ?drifting? ?ck? ?warrior? ?still? ?called? ?him? ?by? ?his? ?


    identity? ?straight? ?out.? ?


    Suddenly,? ?that? ?white? ?silk? ?band? ?wrapped? ?on? ?Xie? ?Lian’s? ?expansive? ?sleeve? ?lunged? ?out? ?like? ?a? ?viper,? ?


    charging? ?towards? ?that? ?ck? ?d? ?youth.? ?Although? ?from? ?the? ?looks? ?of? ?it,? ?it? ?was? ?a? ?soft? ?and? ?limp? ?white? ?


    cloth,? ?but? ?when? ?it? ?attacked? ?it? ?was? ?savage,? ?its? ?aura? ?of? ?evil? ?sting.? ?It? ?seemed? ?that? ?ck? ?d? ?


    youth? ?was? ?about? ?to? ?be? ?bound,? ?but? ?he? ?suddenly? ?reached? ?out? ?and? ?firmly? ?grabbed? ?hold? ?of? ?that? ?white? ?


    silk? ?band.? ?


    One? ?end? ?of? ?that? ?white? ?silk? ?band? ?was? ?wrapped? ?around? ?Xie? ?Lian’s? ?wrist,? ?the? ?other? ?wrapped? ?on? ?that? ?


    ck? ?d? ?youth’s? ?wrist,? ?and? ?the? ?silk? ?band? ?itself? ?was? ?pulling? ?taut? ?gradually.? ?It? ?wasn’t? ?that? ?it? ?didn’t? ?


    want? ?to? ?break? ?away,? ?but? ?that? ?ck? ?d? ?youth? ?had? ?kept? ?a? ?tight? ?hold? ?on? ?it,? ?like? ?it? ?was? ?squeezing? ?a? ?


    venomous? ?snake? ?at? ?its? ?fatal? ?point,? ?and? ?from? ?his? ?hand? ?emitted? ?endless? ?chilling? ?air.? ?


    There? ?was? ?no? ?doubt? ?that? ?this? ?was? ?a? ?soul? ?of? ?the? ?dead.? ?


    And,? ?it? ?was? ?an? ?extremely? ?powerful? ?dead? ?soul!? ?


    After? ?noticing? ?that? ?a? ?power? ?not? ?to? ?be? ?underestimated? ?was? ?passed? ?over? ?through? ?the? ?white? ?silk? ?


    band,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?demanded,? ?“What? ?is? ?your? ?name?”? ? ?


    After? ?being? ?silent? ?for? ?a? ?moment,? ?that? ?ck? ?d? ?youth? ?replied,? ?“I? ?don’t? ?have? ?a? ?name.”? ? ?


    Xie? ?Lian? ?didn’t? ?push? ?for? ?more? ?either,? ?and? ?said,? ?“Without? ?a? ?name? ?makes? ?one? ?Wu? ?Ming*.”? ? ?


    “You? ?may? ?call? ?me? ?whatever? ?you? ?desire.”? ?That? ?ck? ?d? ?youth? ?said.? ?


    Xie? ?Lian? ?continued,? ?“Are? ?you? ?a? ?soul? ?of? ?a? ?dead? ?soldier? ?from? ?this? ?battlefield?”? ? ?


    “I? ?am.”? ?Wu? ?Ming? ?said.? ?


    Only? ?then? ?did? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?let? ?go,? ?and? ?that? ?white? ?silk? ?band? ?instantly? ?leapt? ?back? ?to? ?his? ?person,? ?swaying? ?


    about? ?to? ?show? ?off? ?its? ?might? ?from? ?afar? ?towards? ?that? ?ck? ?d? ?youth,? ?like? ?it? ?was? ?hissing? ?its? ?


    venomous? ?tongue.? ?


    Since? ?this? ?was? ?a? ?soul? ?of? ?the? ?dead? ?who? ?died? ?in? ?battle,? ?no? ?wonder? ?he? ?heeded? ?his? ?call.? ?This? ?ck? ?


    d? ?warrior? ?must? ?be? ?filled? ?with? ?resentment? ?towards? ?the? ?people? ?of? ?‘YongAn’? ?too.? ?In? ?other? ?words,? ?


    he? ?could? ?be? ?used,? ?because? ?their? ?objective? ?was? ?the? ?same.? ?


    Thus,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?said,? ?“Then,? ?follow? ?me.”? ? ?


    He? ?extended? ?a? ?hand? ?to? ?that? ?ck? ?d? ?warrior,? ?“I? ?will? ?give? ?you? ?what? ?you? ?want.”? ? ?


    That? ?ck? ?d? ?youth’s? ?face? ?was? ?also? ?hidden? ?behind? ?a? ?mask,? ?so? ?his? ?expression? ?couldn’t? ?be? ?told.? ?


    They? ?were? ?both? ?the? ?same.? ?


    After? ?a? ?moment? ?of? ?silence,? ?he? ?unhesitatingly? ?clutched? ?Xie? ?Lian’s? ?extended? ?hand,? ?bowed? ?his? ?head? ?


    deeply,? ?and? ?pressed? ?his? ?cold? ?forehead? ?against? ?the? ?back? ?of? ?Xie? ?Lian’s? ?hand.? ?


    A? ?moment? ter,? ?he? ?said? ?profoundly,? ?“I? ?swear? ?to? ?die? ?following? ?Your? ?Highness.”? ? ?


    Xie? ?Lian? ?however,? ?pulled? ?back? ?his? ?hand,? ?tucking? ?his? ?arms? ?into? ?his? ?sleeves.? ?He? ?turned? ?around? ?and? ?


    said? ?cooly,? ?“You’re? ?already? ?dead.? ?Come.”? ? ?


    That? ?ck? ?d? ?warrior? ?rose? ?to? ?his? ?feet,? ?and? ?when? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?looked? ?back,? ?he? ?discovered? ?that? ?this? ?


    young? ?man? ?was? ?actually? ?much? ?bigger? ?than? ?he? ?had? ?expected.? ?Probably? ?around? ?sixteen? ?or? ?


    seventeen? ?in? ?age,? ?but? ?already? ?enormous? ?in? ?size? ?at? ?this? ?age,? ?and? ?even? ?taller? ?than? ?him? ?by? ?a? ?bit.? ?


    However,? ?this? ?didn’t? ?matter,? ?and? ?he? ?only? ?took? ?a? ?nce? ?before? ?turning? ?back? ?around? ?and? ?


    continuing? ?forward.? ?


    Xie? ?Lian? ?took? ?the? ?lead,? ?and? ?that? ?nameless? ?ck? ?d? ?warrior? ?followed? ?right? ?behind? ?as? ?expected,? ?


    “Your? ?Highness,? ?where? ?do? ?you? ?want? ?to? ?go?”? ? ?


    Xie? ?Lian’s? ?gaze? ?fell? ?into? ?the? ?distance,? ?“The? ?Pce? ?of? ?YongAn.”? ? ?


    The? ?Pce? ?of? ?YongAn? ?sat? ?in? ?another? rge? ?city? ?in? ?the? ?west.? ?This? ?city? ?fortress? ?used? ?to? ?be? ?a? ?


    mourous? ?city? ?as? ?well,? ?but? ?had? ?been? ?kept? ?oppressed? ?by? ?the? ?imperial? ?city? ?of? ?XianLe? ?in? ?the? ?east.? ?


    Now? ?that? ?the? ?imperial? ?city? ?of? ?XianLe? ?had? ?fallen,? ?the? ?new? ?king? ?moved? ?the? ?new? ?capital? ?to? ?here,? ?and? ?


    it? ?wouldn’t? ?take? ?long? ?before? ?it? ?would? ?overtake? ?the? ?old? ?imperial? ?city,? ?basking? ?in? ?its? ?glory.? ?


    Xie? ?Lian? ?arrived? ?deep? ?in? ?the? ?night.? ?Beneath? ?the? ?moonlight,? ?he? ?was? ?like? ?a? ?white? ?cat? ?soundlessly? ?


    flying? ?through? ?the? ?dense? ?and? ?tightly? ?packed? ?spines? ?of? ?roofs? ?of? ?the? ?new? ?imperial? ?city,? ?and? ?that? ?


    ck? ?d? ?warrior? ?was? ?like? ?a? ?ck? ?spirit? ?fox,? ?following? ?closely? ?behind.? ?Soon,? ?the? ?two? ?shadows? ?


    nded? ?before? ?a? rge? ?gate.? ?


    Xie? ?Lian? ?sensed? ?something? ?amiss.? ?Upon? ?this? ?gate? ?was? ?a? ?faint? ?ominous? ?air,? ?and? ?he? ?paused? ?in? ?his? ?


    step.? ?He? ?was? ?about? ?to? ?reach? ?out? ?to? ?check? ?it? ?when? ?that? ?ck? ?d? ?warrior? ?stepped? ?up? ?and? ?blocked? ?


    before? ?him,? ?extending? ?an? ?open? ?palm? ?and? ?said? ?quietly,? ?“Break!”? ? ?


    From? ?the? ?crack? ?of? ?that? ?door? ?leaked? ?a? ?line? ?of? ?firelight,? ?as? ?if? ?something? ?was? ?burnt? ?away.? ?Only? ?after? ?


    did? ?that? ?ck? ?d? ?warrior? ?reached? ?out? ?to? ?push? ?open? ?the? ?gate,? ?“Your? ?Highness.”? ? ?


    Xie? ?Lian? ?crossed? ?through? ?the? ?door? ?and? ?looked? ?down? ?on? ?the? ?ground.? ?Just? ?as? ?he? ?expected,? ?


    scattered? ?on? ?the? ?ground? ?were? ?some? ?burnt? ?shreds.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?picked? ?a? ?bit? ?of? ?it? ?up? ?and? ?smelled? ?


    herbs? ?and? ?talisman? ?paper,? ?and? ?stole? ?a? ?glimpse? ?at? ?that? ?ck? ?d? ?warrior.? ?


    This? ?ghost? ?was? ?indeed? ?powerful.? ?


    These? ?remaining? ?traces? ?of? ?burnt? ?charms? ?showed? ?that? ?there? ?was? ?obviously? ?someone? ?on? ?the? ?other? ?


    side? ?of? ?the? ?door? ?who? ?casted? ?this? ?defense? ?spell,? ?and? ?this? ?defense? ?wasn’t? ?weak.? ?If? ?ordinary? ?little? ?


    minions? ?were? ?to? ?try? ?and? ?intrude? ?or? ?break? ?through,? ?they? ?would’ve? ?had? ?their? ?entire? ?innards? ?burnt? ?to? ?


    ashes,? ?yet? ?it? ?only? ?took? ?this? ?ck? ?d? ?warrior? ?an? ?instant? ?before? ?the? ?array? ?was? pletely? ?


    destroyed.? ?


    Perhaps? ?it? ?was? ?because? ?this? ?Pce? ?of? ?YongAn? ?was? ?newly? ?erected,? ?it? ?wasn’t? ?extraordinarily? ?


    mourous.? ?On? ?the? ?contrary,? ?it? ?was? ?even? ?a? ?little? ?cold? ?and? ?humble,? ?iparable? ?to? ?the? ?Pce? ?of? ?


    XianLe.? ?This? ?wasn’t? ?what? ?was? ?strange.? ?What? ?was? ?strange? ?was? ?on? ?the? ?entire? ?way,? ?there? ?was? ?an? ?


    incessant? ?number? ?of? ?traps? ?and? ?defense? ?arrays? ?to? ?ward? ?off? ?evil.? ?However,? ?every? ?time? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?


    noticed? ?there? ?was? ?something? ?blocking? ?the? ?way? ?ahead,? ?that? ?ck? ?d? ?warrior? ?would? ?always? ?step? ?


    up? ?first? ?to? ?break? ?through? ?the? ?obstacle,? ?clearing? ?the? ?path? ?for? ?him,? ?so,? ?it? ?was? ?still? ?an? ?unimpeded? ?


    journey.? ?


    After? ?an? ?hour,? ?atop? ?the? ?giant? ?great? ?hall? ?of? ?the? ?Pce? ?of? ?YongAn,? ?two? ?tall? ?and? ?slender? ?shadows? ?


    stood? ?atop? ?the? ?spine? ?of? ?the? ?roof,? ?watching? ?below.? ?


    Both? ?wore? ?a? ?mask.? ?The? ?expansive? ?sleeves? ?of? ?that? ?white? ?clothed? ?man? ?fluttered? ?with? ?a? ?white? ?silk? ?


    band? ?wrapped? ?around,? ?dancing? ?madly? ?in? ?the? ?wind.? ?That? ?ck? ?d? ?man? ?on? ?the? ?other? ?hand,? ?was? ?


    robust? ?and? ?agile,? ?a? ?long? ?sabre? ?hanging? ?on? ?his? ?waist,? ?guarding? ?the? ?side? ?of? ?that? ?white? ?clothed? ?man,? ?


    gazing? ?in? ?the? ?same? ?direction.? ?


    The? ?newly? ?crowned? ?King? ?of? ?YongAn? ?was? ?within? ?this? ?great? ?hall.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?chuckled? ?mockingly,? ?“To? ?


    set? ?so? ?many? ?obstacles? ?to? ?ward? ?off? ?evil? ?within? ?the? ?pce,? ?it? ?seems,? ?he’s? ?really? ?scared? ?of? ?


    something? ?that? ?will? e? ?knocking.”? ? ?


    ———? ?


    ●[?無?名?]? ?“Wu? ?Ming”? ?means? ?“Nameless”? ?


    ●MXTX? ?Author? ?Notes:? ?I’m? ?a? ?little? ?stumped? ?today,? ?sorry.? ?Let? ?me? ?organize? ?my? ?thoughts? ?and? ?


    the? ?chapters? ?will? ?grow? ?longer? ?again.? ?Let’s? ?just? ?eat? ?up? ?some? ?different? ?voured? ?Hua? ?Hua? ?


    today.? ??_(:з?」?∠)_? ?


    ——-? ?


    Ch.193:? ?White? ?Clothed? ?Ghost? ?Appoints? ?ck? ?Warrior? ?as? ?General? ?2? ?


    “Your? ?Highness,? ?I? ?will? ?go? ?open? ?the? ?path,”? ?Wu? ?Ming? ?said.? ?


    However,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?stopped? ?him,? ?“No? ?need,? ?I’ll? ?do? ?it? ?myself.”? ? ?


    Then,? ?he? ?leapt? ?down? ?like? ?a? ?white? ?blossom? ?blown? ?off? ?the? ?tip? ?of? ?a? ?branch? ?by? ?a? ?breeze? ?and? ?


    soundlessly? nded? ?before? ?the? ?pce? ?hall.? ?


    Just? ?as? ?he? ?was? ?about? ?to? ?push? ?open? ?the? ?gates,? ?within? ?the? ?hall? ?came? ?the? ?wailing? ?of? ?a? ?baby.? ?


    Lang? ?Ying? ?didn’t? ?have? ?any? ?consorts,? ?his? ?son? ?had? ?died? ?a? ?long? ?time? ?ago,? ?so? ?where? ?did? ?the? ?baby? ?


    inside? ?the? ?pce? e? ?from?? ?


    Xie? ?Lian? ?didn’t? ?care? ?for? ?it.? ?Nevermind? ?a? ?baby,? ?even? ?if? ?an? ?army? ?of? ?millions? ?was? ?hidden? ?inside? ?he? ?


    wasn’t? ?afraid,? ?and? ?he? ?raised? ?a? ?leg? ?and? ?kicked? ?open? ?the? ?pce? ?door!? ? ?


    Yet? ?the? ?strange? ?thing? ?was,? ?there? ?was? ?only? ?one? ?person? ?within? ?the? ?great? ?hall,? ?not? ?another? ?soul? ?


    present,? ?and? ?there? ?certainly? ?was? ?no? ?baby.? ?When? ?that? ?person? ?saw? ?who? ?it? ?was? ?that? ?had? e,? ?he? ?


    raised? ?his? ?head,? ?“You’ve? e?? ?I’ve? ?been? ?searching? ?for? ?you.”? ?


    The? ?one? ?within? ?the? ?pce? ?was? ?Lang? ?Ying.? ?


    Although? ?he? ?was? ?now? ?an? ?esteemed? ?king,? ?he? ?wasn’t? ?donned? ?in? vish? ?robes,? ?and? ?he? ?sat? ?stiff? ?as? ?a? ?


    board? ?upon? ?the? ?throne.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?was? ?puzzled? ?for? ?a? ?moment? ?that? ?this? ?was? ?his? ?reaction? ?before? ?he? ?


    realized? ?he? ?was? ?currently? ?wearing? ?a? ?funeral? ?garb? ?with? ?a? ?mask? ?on? ?his? ?face,? ?and? ?Lang? ?Ying? ?had? ?


    taken? ?him? ?for? ?White? ?No-Face.? ?


    There? ?were? ?arrays? ?set? ?up? ?within? ?this? ?pce? ?hall? ?too,? ?and? ?when? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?crossed? ?the? ?threshold? ?to? ?


    enter,? ?he? ?could? ?sense? ?there? ?was? ?something? ?blocking? ?his? ?entry.? ?However,? ?he? ?only? ?pushed? ?his? ?foot? ?


    down? ?a? ?little? ?heavily,? ?before? ?he? ?stepped? ?easily? ?onto? ?the? ?floors? ?within? ?the? ?hall,? ?and? ?the? ?sound? ?of? ?


    something? ?shattering? ?rang? ?in? ?the? ?air.? ?


    The? ?chill? ?of? ?winter? ?and? ?the? ?evening? ?air? ?came? ?pouring? ?in? ?from? ?outside? ?the? ?pce? ?hall,? ?filling? ?Xie? ?


    Lian’s? ?sleeves? ?full? ?of? ?wild? ?winds.? ?He? ?said? ?chillingly,? ?“Why? ?were? ?you? ?searching? ?for? ?me?”? ? ?


    When? ?he? ?heard? ?his? ?voice,? ?Lang? ?Ying’s? ?expression? ?changed? ?slightly,? ?“It’s? ?you?”? ?


    Xie? ?Lian? ?approached? ?slowly,? ?his? ?snow? ?white? ?boots? ?stepping? ?on? ?the? ?frozen? ?stone? ?floors? ?step? ?by? ?


    step.? ?“It? ?is? ?I.”? ?


    Lang? ?Ying,? ?a? ?brute? moner,? ?led? ?an? ?army? ?and? ?destroyed? ?XianLe.? ?With? ?the? ?aura? ?of? ?the? ?king? ?


    enveloping? ?his? ?body,? ?ordinary? ?evil? ?wouldn’t? ?be? ?able? ?to? e? ?close? ?to? ?his? ?person.? ?However,? ?at? ?this? ?


    moment,? ?what? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?brought? ?with? ?him? ?were? ?millions? ?of? ?souls? ?of? ?those? ?who? ?died? ?on? ?the? ?


    battlefield!? ?


    He? ?refused? ?to? ?believe? ?that? ?Lang? ?Yibg? ?would? ?be? ?able? ?to? ?defend? ?himself? ?against? ?such? ?an? ?immense? ?


    number? ?of? ?resentful? ?ghosts? ?with? ?such? ?powerful? ?resentment.? ?Sure? ?enough,? ?the? ?resentful? ?spirits? ?


    were? ?agitated,? ?impatiently? ?ready? ?to? ?break? ?free? ?to? ?seize? ?the? ?fresh? ?new? ?flesh? ?of? ?the? ?enemy? ?as? ?host.? ?


    It? ?was? ?impossible? ?for? ?anyone? ?to? ?not? ?have? ?heard? ?the? ?sound? ?of? ?their? ?agitation,? ?but? ?Lang? ?Ying? ?didn’t? ?


    appear? ?to? ?be? ?in? ?shock? ?nor? ?panicking,? ?“You’ve? e? ?to? ?kill? ?me?”? ? ?


    Xie? ?Lian? ?didn’t? ?answer.? ?The? ?next? ?moment,? ?he? ?blitzed? ?right? ?before? ?Lang? ?Yin? ?and? ?gripped? ?his? ?hair,? ?


    pressing? ?him? ?down? ?onto? ?the? ?ground.? ?


    Sess!? ?


    Under? ?the? ?cry-smiling? ?mask,? ?Xie? ?Lian’s? ?lips? ?unconsciously? ?curled? ?up.? ? ?


    He? ?knew? ?it!? ?He? ?knew? ?it!? ?He? ?could? ?now? ?defeat? ?Lang? ?Ying!? ?


    Without? ?the? ?bondage? ?of? ?his? ?heavenly? ?official? ?status? ?that? ?made? ?him? ?powerless? ?before? ?this? ?man? ?


    with? ?the? ?fortune? ?of? ?the? ?king,? ?the? ?him? ?who? ?had? ?thrown? ?away? ?the? ?body? ?of? ?a? ?god? ?could? ?finally? ?defeat? ?


    Lang? ?Ying.? ?Xie? ?Lian’s? ?heart? ?was? ?thumping,? ?and? ?he? ?was? ?just? ?about? ?to? ?move? ?on? ?to? ?the? ?next? ?step? ?


    when? ?his? ?face? ?dropped? ?abruptly,? ?“What’s? ?that? ?sound?”? ?


    Yiieee,? ?wuuuu,? ?he? ?heard? ?that? ?tiny? ?cry? ?of? ?a? ?baby? ?again,? ?but,? ?there? ?was? ?clearly? ?no? ?baby? ?within? ?this? ?


    great? ?hall!? ?


    He? ?listened? ?again.? ?That’s? ?not? ?right.? ?That? ?crying? ?was? ing? ?from? ?the? ?lips? ?of? ?Lang? ?Ying? ?who? ?was? ?


    currently? ?subdued? ?under? ?his? ?hand!? ?


    Or? ?more? ?urately,? ?it? ?was? ?from? ?Lang? ?Ying’s? ?body.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?ripped? ?off? ?Lang? ?Ying’s? ?robe,? ?and? ?his? ?


    eyes? ?widened? ?in? ?an? ?instant,? ?jumping? ?to? ?his? ?feet,? ?“...WHAT? ?IS? ?THIS?!”? ? ?


    Lang? ?Ying? ?slowly? ?flipped? ?over? ?and? ?sat? ?up,? ?“Don’t? ?be? ?scared.”? ?


    Those? ?words? ?weren’t? ?directed? ?at? ?Xie? ?Lian,? ?but? ?to? ?the? ?thing? ?on? ?his? ?body.? ?


    Upon? ?Lang? ?Ying’s? ?chest? ?were? ?two? ?distinct? ?faces,? ?each? ?one? ?about? ?the? ?same? ?size? ?as? ?a? ?real? ?


    person’s? ?face,? ?like? ?two? ?protruding? ?tumours.? ?The? ?big? ?face? ?was? ?elegant? ?and? ?beautiful,? ?easily? ?


    identified? ?as? ?the? ?appearance? ?of? ?a? ?woman;? ?the? ?small? ?one? ?was? ?a? ?little? ?shriveled? ?like? ?a? ?baby,? ?and? ?


    the? ?halting? ?cries? ?had? ?been? ing? ?from? ?this? ?baby’s? ?lips.? ?


    The? ?human? ?face? ?disease!? ?


    Xie? ?Lian? ?was? ?dumbfounded,? ?“How? ?are? ?you? ?infected? ?with? ?the? ?human? ?face? ?disease??”? ? ?


    “This? ?isn’t? ?the? ?human? ?face? ?disease.”? ?Lang? ?Ying? ?said.? ?


    “How? ?is? ?this? ?not? ?the? ?human? ?face? ?disease?? ?What? ?is? ?this,? ?if? ?not? ?the? ?human? ?face? ?disease?”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?


    eximed.? ?


    “This? ?is? ?my? ?wife? ?and? ?my? ?son.”? ?Lang? ?Ying? ?exined.? ?“They’re? ?not? ?the? ?things? ?you? ?described.”? ? ?


    He? ?exined? ?in? ?a? ?soft? ?voice? ?as? ?he? ?raised? ?his? ?hand? ?to? ?gently? ?caress? ?the? ?two? ?faces? ?on? ?his? ?body,? ?


    truly? ?looking? ?like? ?a? ?husband? ?and? ?a? ?father? ?caressing? ?his? ?wife? ?and? ?child.? ?However,? ?those? ?two? ?faces? ?


    couldn’t? ?even? ?open? ?their? ?eyes,? ?and? ?could? ?only? ?open? ?their? ?mouths? ?to? ?cry? ?and? ?sob;? ?they? ?had? ?the? ?


    shape? ?of? ?humans? ?but? ?not? ?the? ?form.? ?


    A? ?moment? ter,? ?Lang? ?Ying? ?looked? ?up,? ?“Where’s? ?White? ?No-Face?? ?He? ?said? ?my? ?wife? ?would? ?return? ?if? ?


    I? ?did? ?this,? ?but? ?it’s? ?been? ?so? ?long,? ?how? e? ?she? ?still? ?can’t? ?talk?? ?Just? ?what? ?is? ?going? ?on?? ?Tell? ?him? ?to? ?


    e? ?find? ?me,? ?quick!”? ? ?


    Hearing? ?this,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?understood.? ?“You? ?let? ?White? ?No-Face? ?nt? ?the? ?resentful? ?spirits? ?of? ?your? ?wife? ?


    and? ?son? ?on? ?your? ?body?”? ? ?


    So? ?that? ?was? ?it.? ?All? ?those? ?spells? ?and? ?arrays? ?along? ?the? ?way? ?to? ?the? ?pce? ?weren’t? ?to? ?impede? ?


    anything? ?from? ?intruding,? ?but? ?were? ?to? ?prevent? ?the? ?things? ?hiding? ?within? ?to? ?escape!? ?Lang? ?Ying,? ?who? ?


    had? ?already? ?be? ?king,? ?was? ?using? ?his? ?own? ?flesh? ?and? ?blood? ?to? ?secretly? ?raise? ?those? ?two? ?


    resentful? ?spirits!? ? ?


    Xie? ?Lian? ?was? ?here? ?to? ?seek? ?vengeance? ?at? ?first,? ?yet? ?who? ?knew? ?that? ?he? ?didn’t? ?even? ?need? ?to? ?do? ?


    anything,? ?and? ?Lang? ?Ying? ?had? ?already? ?nted? ?the? ?human? ?face? ?disease? ?on? ?himself.? ?Those? ?two? ?


    faces? ?must’ve? ?been? ?on? ?his? ?body? ?for? ?a? ?long? ?time? ?now,? ?even? ?tiny? ?arms? ?and? ?feet? ?had? ?grown? ?out,? ?


    heavily? ?drooping? ?down,? ?deformed? ?and? ?horrifying.? ?Moreover,? ?they? ?had? ?already? ?sucked? ?dry? ?their? ?


    host’s? ?nutrients;? ?Lang? ?Ying’s? ?ribs? ?were? ?poking? ?out? ?abnormally,? ?his? ?gut? ?shrunken? ?in,? ?his? ?skin? ?wax? ?


    yellow,? ?his? ?form? ?wan? ?and? ?sallow,? ?looking? ?like? ?he? ?didn’t? ?have? ?much? ?longer? ?to? ?live.? ?He? ?was? ?no? ?


    longer? ?the? ?same? ?person? ?as? ?that? ?brave? ?and? ?savage? ?warrior? ?on? ?the? ?battlefield.? ? ?


    It? ?seemed,? ?while? ?he? ?won? ?the? ?war? ?and? ?became? ?a? ?king,? ?he? ?didn’t? ?live? ?that? ?well.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?didn’t? ?feel? ?


    gratified? ?at? ?all,? ?and? ?he? ?seized? ?Lang? ?Ying,? ?eximing? ?angrily,? ?“WHAT? ?KIND? ?OF? ?JOKE? ?IS? ?THIS?!”? ? ?


    He? ?hadn’t? ?even? ?taken? ?his? ?enemy’s? ?life? ?yet,? ?and? ?the? ?enemy? ?was? ?going? ?to? ?die? ?off? ?on? ?his? ?own!? ?What? ?


    the? ?heck!? ?What? ?should? ?he? ?do??? ? ?


    With? ?this? ?grab,? ?something? ?tumbled? ?down? ?from? ?Lang? ?Ying’s? ?person,? ?shimmering? ?red,? ?bounce? ?and? ?


    bounce,? ?it? ?rolled? ?away.? ?Lang? ?Ying? ?clutched? ?Xie? ?Lian’s? ?hands,? ?looking? ?as? ?if? ?such? ?a? ?simple? ?gesture? ?


    was? ?already? ?something? ?difficult,? ?and? ?he? ?panted,? ?“Pearl...? ?That? ?pearl.”? ? ?


    Xie? ?Lian? ?looked? ?over,? ?and? ?what? ?was? ?rolling? ?on? ?the? ?floor? ?was? ?that? ?red? ?coral? ?pearl? ?he? ?had? ?gifted? ?


    Lang? ?Ying.? ?Lang? ?Ying? ?said,? ?“I’ve? ?always? ?wanted? ?to? ?say? ?this? ?to? ?you:? ?Thank? ?you? ?for? ?the? ?pearl.”? ? ?


    Hearing? ?this,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?was? ?taken? ?aback.? ?He? ?hadn’t? ?thought? ?he’d? ?suddenly? ?say? ?such? ?a? ?thing.? ?


    Something? ?within? ?his? ?heart? ?was? ?about? ?to? ?be? ?unearthed? ?but? ?he? ?forced? ?it? ?down,? ?“YOU!...”? ?


    Lang? ?Ying? ?said? ?softly,? ?“Things? ?would’ve? ?been? ?better? ?had? ?you? ?given? ?it? ?to? ?me? ?sooner.? ?


    Unfortunately...”? ?


    Before? ?he? ?finished,? ?the? ?body? ?gripped? ?in? ?Xie? ?Lian’s? ?hand? ?ckened,? ?and? ?Lang? ?Ying? ?fell? ?just? ?like? ?


    that? ?with? ?his? ?eyes? ?wide? ?open.? ?


    Xie? ?Lian? ?hadn’t? ?had? ?the? ?chance? ?to? ?react? ?yet? ?before? ?Wu? ?Ming? ?said,? ?“Your? ?Highness,? ?he’s? ?dead.”? ?


    “...”? ?


    “Dead?”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?wondered.? ?


    He? ?looked? ?down,? ?and? ?Lang? ?Ying’s? ?pupils? ?were? ?already? ?going? ?dim.? ?He? ?really? ?did? ?die.? ?


    Xie? ?Lian? ?mumbled,? ?“How? ?did? ?he? ?just? ?die?”? ? ?


    He? ?hadn’t? ?done? ?anything? ?to? ?Lang? ?Ying? ?yet,? ?how? ?did? ?he? ?just? ?die?? ?


    And,? ?now? ?that? ?he? ?thought? ?about? ?it,? ?Lang? ?Ying? ?died? ?fairly? ?happily? ?too.? ?He? pleted? ?his? ?revenge? ?


    against? ?Xian? ?Le,? ?and? ?carrying? ?his? ?immediate? ?family? ?on? ?his? ?body,? ?he? ?was? ?prepared? ?to? ?go? ?meet? ?


    them? ?in? ?the? ?underworld.? ?He? ?had? ?suffered? ?enough? ?torment? ?in? ?the? ?living? ?world,? ?so? ?dying? ?was? ?


    actually? ?a? ?form? ?of? ?release,? ?ending? ?it? ?all.? ?On? ?the? ?contrary,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?now? ?didn’t? ?have? ?anything? ?to? ?


    avenge? ?against!? ?


    His? ?chest? ?was? ?filled? ?with? ?grievance? ?and? ?fury,? ?and? ?in? ?the? ?end? ?they? ?transformed? ?to? ?one? ?single? ?


    emotion? ?–? ?hate.? ?How? ?despicable!? ?How? ?absolutely? ?despicable!? ?


    Lang? ?Ying? ?fell? ?and? ?stopped? ?moving,? ?but? ?the? ?two? ?faces? ?on? ?his? ?chest? ?seemed? ?to? ?have? ?sensed? ?their? ?


    host? ?was? ?dead,? ?and? ?suddenly? ?started? ?crying,? ??WOO? ?WOO? ?YIIEE? ?YIEE?,? ?extremely? ?sharp? ?to? ?the? ?


    ears,? ?worse? ?than? ?the? ?sound? ?of? ?nails? ?scratching? ?on? ?gold? ?and? ?silver? ?wares.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?was? ?already? ?


    going? ?mad? ?from? ?fury,? ?and? ?he? ?pulled? ?out? ?that? ?ck? ?sword,? ?ready? ?to? ?strike? ?down? ?to? ?shut? ?them? ?up? ?


    when? ?that? ?ck? ?d? ?warrior? ??SCHWING?? ?and? ?pulled? ?his? ?sabre.? ?The? ?light? ?of? ?the? ?sabre? ?shed? ?


    past,? ?and? ?Lang? ?Ying’s? ?corpse? ?was? ?instantly? ?chopped? ?into? ?pieces,? ?tens? ?of? ?pieces,? ?hundreds? ?of? ?


    pieces...? ?flesh? ?and? ?blood? ?sttered.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?hadn’t? ?yet? ?moved? ?before? ?he? ?was? ?overtaken,? ?and? ?he? ?


    said? ?cooly,? ?“Who? ?told? ?you? ?to? ?do? ?that?”? ? ?


    “There? ?was? ?no? ?need? ?to? ?dirty? ?Your? ?Highness’? ?hands.”? ?Wu? ?Ming? ?replied.? ?


    Just? ?then,? ?sounds? ?of? ?urgent? ?footsteps? ?came? ?from? ?outside? ?the? ?door,? ?and? ?the? ?voice? ?of? ?a? ?young? ?man? ?


    yelled,? ?“UNCLE!”? ? ?


    Who?? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?turned? ?around? ?and? ?saw? ?the? ?doors? ?of? ?the? ?pce? ?hall? ?were? ?wide? ?open,? ?and? ?a? ?


    young? ?man? ?of? ?ten? ?something? ?of? ?age? ?was? ?standing? ?at? ?the? ?entrance,? ?gazing? ?over? ?in? ?this? ?direction.? ?


    He? ?was? ?face? ?full? ?of? ?smiles? ?at? ?first,? ?but? ?when? ?he? ?came? ?in? ?and? ?saw? ?blocks? ?of? ?dead? ?bodies? ?covering? ?


    the? ?floor,? ?he? ?was? ?instantly? ?stupefied.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?felt? ?indifferent,? ?and? ?demanded,? ?“Who? ?are? ?you?”? ? ?


    That? ?young? ?man? ?started,? ?“I...”? ?Then? ?his? ?eyes? ?turned? ?and? ?saw? ?the? ?blocks? ?of? ?dead? ?body? ?on? ?the? ?


    floor? ?and? ?eximed,? ?“UNCLE!”? ? ?


    Just? ?then,? ?there? ?were? ?more? ?people? ?outside? ?calling,? ?“Your? ?Royal? ?Highness!? ?Don’t? ?run? ?around!? ?The? ?


    king? ?said? ?you? ?can’t? ?run? ?around? ?in? ?the? ?pce!? ?Please? ?don’t? ?make? ?things? ?difficult? ?for? ?me? ?in? ?the? ?


    middle? ?of? ?the? ?night...”? ?


    Your? ?Royal? ?Highness?? ? ?


    Lang? ?Ying’s? ?son? ?was? ?dead? ?already,? ?and? ?this? ?young? ?man? ?called? ?Lang? ?Ying? ?‘uncle’,? ?so? ?this? ?must? ?be? ?


    the? ?new? ?crown? ?prince? ?Lang? ?Ying? ?had? ?established,? ?the? ?Crown? ?Prince? ?of? ?YongAn!? ? ?


    Things? ?seemed? ?to? ?have? ?dawned? ?on? ?the? ?little? ?crown? ?prince? ?too,? ?and? ?he? ?cried? ?in? ?terror,? ?“GHOSTS!? ?


    THERE? ?ARE? ?GHOSTS!? ?SOM...”? ?He? ?hadn’t? ?screamed? ?more? ?than? ?a? ?few? ?words? ?before? ?that? ?ck? ?


    d? ?warrior? ?struck? ?his? ?neck,? ?and? ?that? ?Crown? ?Prince? ?of? ?YongAn? ?lost? ?consciousness,? ?falling? ?into? ?


    that? ?pool? ?of? ?blood? ?on? ?the? ?floor.? ?However,? ?the? ?screams? ?had? ?already? ?reached? ?the? ?outside,? ?and? ?


    mouring? ?noises? ?started? ?to? ?rise,? ?“WHAT?? ?DID? ?YOU? ?ALL? ?HEAR? ?THAT?”? ?“GUARDS!? ?GUARDS!”? ? ?


    Xie? ?Lian’s? ?eyes? ?flicked? ?and? ?that? ?ck? ?d? ?warrior? ?inclined? ?his? ?head,? ?indicating? ?he? ?would? ?take? ?


    care? ?of? ?it,? ?and? ?he? ?shed? ?away.? ?In? ?an? ?instant,? ?all? ?the? motion? ?outside? ?was? ?choked? ?off.? ?


    Crossing? ?out? ?of? ?the? ?hall,? ?a? rge? ?number? ?of? ?guards? ?were? ?down? ?on? ?the? ?ground,? ?and? ?that? ?ck? ?d? ?


    warrior? ?stood? ?at? ?the? ?centre,? ?that? ?delicate? ?thin? ?sabre? ?dripping? ?with? ?blood.? ?He? ?actually? ?finished? ?


    them? ?all? ?with? ?but? ?one? ?strike.? ?In? ?the? ?far? ?distance? ?came? ?new? ?sounds? ?of? motion,? ?and? ?a? ?new? ?


    batch? ?of? ?guards? ?had? ?arrived,? ?shouting,? ?“PROTECT? ?THE? ?KING!”? ?“PROTECT? ?HIS? ?HIGHNESS!!”? ? ?


    Xie? ?Lian? ?turned? ?around? ?cooly,? ?ignoring? ?them? pletely.? ?Sure? ?enough,? ?it? ?didn’t? ?take? ?a? ?second? ?


    before? ?those? ?voices? ?were? ?cut? ?down? ?like? ?a? ?harvest? ?by? ?a? ?scythe,? ?vanishing? ?thoroughly.? ?Soon? ?after,? ?


    that? ?ck? ?d? ?warrior? ?soundlessly? ?caught? ?up? ?to? ?him.? ?


    Xie? ?Lian? ?turned? ?his? ?head? ?slightly,? ?“Burn? ?the? ?pce.”? ? ?


    “Yes? ?sir.”? ?Wu? ?Ming? ?bowed? ?his? ?head.? ?


    Roaring? ?mes? ?were? ?set? ?aze,? ?and? ?two? ?tall? ?and? ?slender? ?ck? ?figures? ?stood? ?before? ?the? ?raging? ?


    fire,? ?their? ?shadows? ?writhing? ?and? ?contorting? ?continuously? ?on? ?the? ?ground,? ?changing? ?shapes,? ?pulling? ?


    and? ?twisting.? ?


    After? ?causing? ?such? ?havoc,? ?all? ?the? ?attendants? ?within? ?the? ?YongAn? ?Pce? ?were? ?jolted? ?awake,? ?and? ?


    the? ?air? ?was? ?filled? ?with? ?the? ?cries? ?and? ?curses? ?of? ?those? ?putting? ?out? ?the? ?fires? ?and? ?those? ?making? ?their? ?


    escape,? ?very? ?much? ?the? ?same? ?scene? ?as? ?when? ?the? ?Pce? ?of? ?XianLe? ?was? ?set? ?aze.? ? ?


    “Your? ?Highness,? ?what? ?do? ?you? ?want? ?to? ?do? ?next?”? ?That? ?ck? ?d? ?warrior? ?asked.? ?


    That? ?white? ?clothed? ?man? ?said? ?icily,? ?“To? ?Lang-Er? ?Bay.”? ?


    Before? ?the? ?Kingdom? ?of? ?XianLe? ?fell,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?had? ?visited? ?Lang-Er? ?Bay? ?countless? ?times.? ?Every? ?time? ?


    he? ?went? ?it? ?was? ?to? ?create? ?rain? ?to? ?save? ?the? ?people,? ?his? ?body? ?and? ?heart? ?both? ?exhausted,? ?his? ?steps? ?


    heavy.? ?This? ?time,? ?it? ?was? ?for? ?a? pletely? ?different? ?reason,? ?and? ?his? ?body? ?was? ?light.? ?


    After? ?surviving? ?through? ?the? ?drought? ?and? ?having? ?gained? ?strong? ?support? ?from? ?the? ?new? ?king,? ?


    Lang-Er? ?Bay? ?had? ?already? ?revived? ?its? ?liveliness.? ?Streets? ?and? ?alleys? ?were? ?bustling? ?with? ?joy,? ?the? ?


    people? ?cheerful? ?and? ?happy,? ?a? plete? ?one? ?eighty? ?from? ?the? ?misery? ?of? ?several? ?years? ?ago.? ?Only? ?


    one? ?ce? ?was? ?still? ?miserable? ?like? ?before,? ?and? ?that? ?was? ?the? ?Pce? ?of? ?the? ?Crown? ?Prince? ?of? ?


    XianLe.? ?


    No? ?one? ?would? e? ?to? ?a? ?broken? ?down? ?Pce? ?of? ?the? ?Crown? ?Prince,? ?and? ?so? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?chose? ?this? ?


    ce? ?to? ?rest.? ?At? ?this? ?moment,? ?he? ?was? ?meditating? ?within? ?the? ?pce? ?hall.? ?


    Those? ?resentful? ?spirits? ?should’ve? ?quickly? ?found? ?a? ?host,? ?which? ?would? ?also? ?be? ?the? ?subject? ?of? ?his? ?


    revenge,? ?yet? ?because? ?Lang? ?Ying? ?had? ?already? ?died,? ?they? ?were? ?still? ?struggling? ?in? ?agony,? ?wailing? ?


    and? ?screeching? ?at? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?relentlessly,? ?and? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?waved? ?them? ?away? ?with? ?his? ?eyes? ?closed.? ?He? ?


    frowned,? ?“Just? ?wait,? ?don’t? ?be? ?impatient.? ?I? ?will? ?allow? ?all? ?of? ?you? ?to? ?find? ?release!”? ? ?


    Just? ?then,? ?a? ?voice? ?called? ?out,? ?“Your? ?Highness.”? ? ?


    Xie? ?Lian? ?opened? ?his? ?eyes,? ?and? ?saw? ?that? ?ck? ?d? ?warrior? ?was? ?before? ?him,? ?bending? ?one? ?knee? ?to? ?


    the? ?ground.? ?


    ————? ?


    Ch.194:? ?Nameless? ?Ghost? ?Offering? ?a? ?Nameless? ?Flower? ?


    Xie? ?Lian’s? ?emotions? ?were? ?still? ?deeply? ?sunken? ?in? ?the? ?screaming? ?of? ?those? ?resentful? ?spirits,? ?and? ?


    couldn’t? ?quite? ?regain? ?himself? ?for? ?the? ?moment,? ?so? ?he? ?responded? ?distractedly,? ?“...Don’t? ?address? ?me? ?


    by? ?that? ?title.”? ? ?


    Every? ?time? ?he? ?heard? ?someone? ?address? ?him? ?like? ?that,? ?it? ?was? ?as? ?if? ?they? ?were? ?reminding? ?him? ?of? ?


    something,? ?making? ?him? ?feel? ?particrly? ?irritated,? ?every? ?such? ?call? ?would? ?make? ?his? ?heart? ?jolt? ?once.? ?


    However,? ?Wu? ?Ming? ?said,? ?“Your? ?Highness? ?will? ?forever? ?be? ?Your? ?Highness.”? ?


    Xie? ?Lian? ?nced? ?over.? ?Of? ?course,? ?he? ?couldn’t? ?see? ?the? ?face? ?of? ?this? ?ck? ?d? ?warrior,? ?and? ?could? ?


    only? ?see? ?a? ?smiling? ?face.? ?Yet? ?when? ?the? ?other? ?gazed? ?upon? ?his? ?face,? ?he? ?could? ?also? ?only? ?see? ?a? ?


    tragically? ?white? ?mask.? ?


    Xie? ?Lian? ?said? ?coldly,? ?“If? ?you? ?keep? ?calling? ?me? ?by? ?that? ?title? ?I’ll? ?disperse? ?your? ?soul.? ?Don’t? ?think? ?


    yourself? ?to? ?actually? ?be? ?that? ?strong.”? ? ?


    That? ?ck? ?d? ?youth? ?bowed? ?his? ?head? ?and? ?did? ?not? ?speak.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?calmed? ?down,? ?“Go? ?search? ?the? ?


    area? ?around? ?Lang-Er? ?Bay,? ?and? ?find? ?the? ?best? ?location? ?to? ?set? ?up? ?an? ?array? ?to? ?conduct? ?a? ?ritual.”? ?


    “Yes? ?sir,”? ?Wu? ?Ming? ?replied.? ?


    Xie? ?Lian? ?closed? ?his? ?eyes,? ?paused,? ?then? ?opened? ?his? ?eyes? ?again,? ?and? ?gazed? ?at? ?that? ?ck? ?d? ?


    warrior,? ?frowning,? ?“How? e? ?you’re? ?still? ?here?”? ? ?


    That? ?ck? ?d? ?warrior? ?replied,? ?“The? ?location? ?is? ?settled.? ?What? ?about? ?the? ?time?”? ? ?


    “Time?”? ? ?


    “The? ?souls? ?of? ?the? ?dead? ?cannot? ?wait? ?any? ?longer,? ?we? ?must? ?find? ?a? ?subject? ?to? ?curse? ?soon? ?without? ?


    dy.”? ? ?


    It? ?indeed? ?couldn’t? ?dy? ?for? ?too? ?long.? ?After? ?some? ?silence,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?said,? ?“Three? ?days.”? ? ?


    “Why? ?three? ?days?”? ?Wu? ?Ming? ?asked.? ?


    For? ?some? ?reason,? ?every? ?time? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?conversed? ?with? ?him? ?he’d? ?get? ?easily? ?agitated,? ?“In? ?three? ?


    days? ?it? ?will? ?be? ?the? ?full? ?moon.? ?Unleashing? ?the? ?human? ?face? ?disease? ?then? ?will? ?increase? ?the? ?power? ?


    significantly.? ?You? ?ask? ?too? ?many? ?questions,? ?just? ?go.”? ? ?


    Wu? ?Ming? ?nodded? ?and? ?stood? ?down? ?soundlessly.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?closed? ?his? ?eyes? ?again? ?and? ?covered? ?his? ?


    forehead? ?with? ?a? ?hand,? ?hoping? ?to? ?relieve? ?this? ?wave? ?of? ?headache.? ?Just? ?then,? ?he? ?heard? ?a? ?cold? ?


    mocking? ?chuckle? ?from? ?behind? ?him.? ?


    Having? ?heard? ?this? ?familiar? ?mocking? ugh,? ?it? ?was? ?as? ?if? ?all? ?of? ?Xie? ?Lian’s? ?blood? ?had? ?frozen? ?solid.? ?He? ?


    instantly? ?turned? ?around,? ?and? ?sure? ?enough,? ?behind? ?him? ?sat? ?a? ?snow? ?white? ?figure? ?wearing? ?a? ?


    cry-smiling? ?mask,? ?wearing? ?a? ?funeral? ?garb? ?with? ?expansive? ?sleeves,? ?his? ?hands? ?tucked? ?in,? ?watching? ?


    him? ?from? ?the? ?altar.? ?


    White? ?No-Face!? ?


    Xie? ?Lian? ?pulled? ?his? ?sword? ?and? ?lunged,? ?and? ?that? ?white? ?clothed? ?man? ??TING!?? ?and? ?caught? ?the? ?point? ?of? ?


    the? ?de? ?with? ?two? ?fingers.? ?He? ?sighed,? ?“Just? ?as? ?I? ?thought.? ?This? ?appearance? ?suits? ?you? ?very? ?well.”? ? ?


    If? ?they? ?didn’t? ?remove? ?their? ?masks,? ?these? ?two? ?looked? ?exactly? ?the? ?same? ?from? ?head? ?to? ?toe,? ?and? ?after? ?


    a? ?scuffle,? ?the? ?two? ?clothed? ?men? ?shing? ?against? ?each? ?other,? ?no? ?one? ?besides? ?themselves? ?would? ?


    be? ?able? ?to? ?differentiate? ?one? ?from? ?the? ?other.? ?White? ?No-Face? ?easily? ?evaded? ?all? ?of? ?Xie? ?Lian’s? ?strikes? ?


    as? ?he? ?asked,? ?“Your? ?Highness,? ?you? ?buried? ?your? ?parents? ?in? ?such? ?a? ?deserted,? ?strange? ?soil,? ?don’t? ?you? ?


    think? ?it’d? ?wrong? ?them?”? ?


    Xie? ?Lian’s? ?heart? ?sank,? ?“YOU? ?TOUCHED? ?THE? ?BODIES? ?OF? ?MY? ?FATHER? ?AND? ?MOTHER?? ?DID? ?


    YOU? ?DESTROY? ?THEIR? ?CORPSES??”? ? ?


    “No,? ?just? ?the? ?opposite,”? ?White? ?No-Face? ?said.? ?”I? ?helped? ?you? ?give? ?them? ?a? ?proper,? ?solemn? ?burial.”? ?


    Hearing? ?this,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?was? ?taken? ?aback,? ?and? ?White? ?No-Face? ?added,? ?“I? ?helped? ?you? ?carry? ?them? ?to? ?


    the? ?XianLe? ?Royal? ?Mausoleum,? ?and? ?I? ?even? ?helped? ?them? ?put? ?on? ?rare? ?and? ?exquisite? ?robes? ?to? ?


    prevent? ?their? ?cadavers? ?from? ?rotting? ?for? ?thousands? ?of? ?years.? ?So,? ?the? ?next? ?time? ?when? ?you? ?go? ?visit? ?


    them,? ?you? ?will? ?still? ?be? ?able? ?to? ?see? ?the? ?same? ?faces? ?of? ?when? ?they? ?were? ?still? ?alive.”? ?He? ?told? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?


    the? ?location? ?of? ?the? ?Royal? ?Mausoleum? ?and? ?the? ?way? ?to? ?enter.? ?This? ?should’ve? ?been? ?something? ?the? ?


    king? ?and? ?Guoshi? ?would? ?tell? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?personally,? ?but? ?before? ?they? ?were? ?able,? ?they? ?either? ?died? ?or? ?


    disappeared.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?was? ?both? ?stunned? ?and? ?suspicious,? ?“Why? ?do? ?you? ?know? ?the? ?way? ?to? ?enter? ?the? ?


    Royal? ?Mausoleum?”? ? ?


    White? ?No-Face? ?smiled,? ?“I? ?know? ?everything? ?about? ?Your? ?Highness.”? ? ?


    Xie? ?Lian? ?cussed,? ?“You? ?don’t? ?know? ?shit!”? ? ?


    He? ?was? ?still? ?not? ?used? ?to? ?spitting? ?out? ?such? ?vulgar? ?words? ?from? ?his? ?lips,? ?and? ?as? ?if? ?White? ?No-Face? ?


    had? ?seen? ?through? ?his? ?mind,? ?he? ?looked? ?him? ?up? ?and? ?down? ?and? ?said? ?gently,? ?“Don’t? ?worry,? ?it’s? ?alright.? ?


    From? ?now? ?on,? ?there? ?will? ?no? ?longer? ?be? ?anything? ?that? ?can? ?hold? ?you? ?back,? ?there? ?won’t? ?be? ?anyone? ?


    who? ?holds? ?any? ?unnecessary? ?expectations? ?of? ?you,? ?and? ?there? ?certainly? ?wouldn’t? ?be? ?anyone? ?who’d? ?


    know? ?just? ?who? ?you? ?are.? ?So,? ?you? ?can? ?freely? ?do? ?anything? ?you? ?want? ?to? ?do.”? ? ?


    Hearing? ?this,? ?bafflement? ?began? ?to? ?fill? ?Xie? ?Lian’s? ?mind.? ? ?


    Just? ?why? ?was? ?this? ?monster? ?here?? ?


    To? ?express? ?good? ?will.? ? ?


    That’s? ?right.? ?While? ?that? ?might? ?sound? ?hrious,? ?Xie? ?Lian’s? ?instincts? ?told? ?him? ?that? ?this? ?creature? ?was? ?


    here? ?to? ?express? ?his? ?good? ?will.? ?Whether? ?it? ?be? ?providing? ?his? ?parents? ?with? ?a? ?solemn? ?burial? ?or? ?


    encouraging? ?him,? ?it? ?all? ?came? ?from? ?this? ?intent.? ?


    He? ?must? ?be? ?very,? ?very? ?happy,? ?happier? ?than? ?any? ?other? ?time? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?had? ?met? ?him.? ?It? ?was? ?as? ?if? ?


    seeing? ?such? ?a? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?made? ?him? ?exceptionally? ?delighted,? ?and? ?he? ?unconsciously? ?became? ?more? ?


    gentle? ?and? ?kind.? ?This? ?kindness? ?actually? ?gave? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?a? ?shing? ?sense? ?of? ?gratefulness? ?that’d? ?


    bring? ?tears,? ?but? ?much? ?more? ?so,? ?there? ?was? ?disgust.? ?


    Xie? ?Lian? ?said? ?frostily,? ?“Don’t? ?be? ?too? ?happy? ?too? ?soon.? ?Don’t? ?think? ?I? ?will? ?allow? ?a? ?creature? ?such? ?as? ?


    you? ?to? ?remain? ?in? ?this? ?world.? ?Once? ?I’ve? ?wiped? ?YongAn? ?from? ?the? ?map,? ?I? ?will? e? ?for? ?you.? ?You? ?best? ?


    prepare? ?yourself!”? ? ?


    White? ?No-Face? ?flipped? ?open? ?his? ?hands? ?and? ?shrugged,? ?“I? ?wee? ?you? ?with? ?open? ?arms.? ?Even? ?if? ?


    you? e? ?with? ?the? ?intent? ?to? ?kill? ?me,? ?I? ?will? ?still? ?be? ?here? ?waiting? ?for? ?you.? ?When? ?you’ve? ?be? ?truly? ?


    strong? ?enough? ?to? ?kill? ?me,? ?you? ?will? ?be? ?able? ?to? ?seed? ?me.? ?However–”? ?


    The? ?smile? ?under? ?the? ?mask? ?seemed? ?to? ?have? ?faded,? ?“Will? ?you? ?actually? ?destroy? ?YongAn?”? ? ?


    “What? ?do? ?you? ?mean?”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?demanded.? ?


    “You? ?could’ve? ?made? ?your? ?move? ?right? ?now,? ?so? ?why? ?did? ?you? ?choose? ?to? ?move? ?in? ?three? ?days? ?instead?? ?


    Could? ?it? ?be,? ?you’re? ?hesitating? ?when? ?things? ?are? ing? ?to? ?head?? ?Could? ?it? ?be,? ?even? ?with? ?your? ?


    kingdom? ?fallen? ?and? ?your? ?family? ?dead,? ?you? ?still? ?don’t? ?have? ?the? ?courage? ?to? ?seek? ?revenge?? ?Will? ?I? ?


    witness? ?another? ?one? ?of? ?Your? ?Highness’? ?failures?”? ? ?


    The? ?word? ?‘failure’? ?was? ?stabbing? ?his? ?ears.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?raised? ?his? ?sword? ?and? ?lunged,? ?but? ?he? ?was? ?


    tripped? ?and? ?fell? ?over.? ?


    White? ?No-Face? ?snatched? ?his? ?ck? ?sword? ?somehow,? ?and? ?his? ?earlier? ?gentle? ?tone? ?had? ?be? ?


    condescending,? ?“Do? ?you? ?know? ?what? ?you’re? ?like? ?right? ?now?”? ? ?


    Xie? ?Lian? ?grabbed? ?the? ?snow? ?white? ?boot? ?on? ?his? ?chest,? ?but? ?no? ?matter? ?how? ?hard? ?he? ?pushed,? ?it? ?


    wouldn’t? ?move? ?an? ?inch,? ?and? ?he? ?remained? ?firmly? ?pinned? ?down? ?by? ?that? ?foot,? ?unable? ?to? ?get? ?up.? ?


    White? ?No-Face? ?leaned? ?down? ?slightly,? ?“You’re? ?like? ?a? ?sulking? ?child.? ?You? ?haven’t? ?yet? ?the? ?resolve.”? ?


    “Who? ?says? ?I? ?don’t!”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?cried? ?angrily.? ? ?


    “Then? ?what? ?are? ?you? ?doing? ?right? ?now?”? ?White? ?No-Face? ?questioned,? ?“Where’s? ?your? ?curse?? ?


    Where’s? ?all? ?of? ?your? ?dead?? ?Your? ?father? ?and? ?mother,? ?your? ?soldiers,? ?your? ?citizens,? ?how? ?truly? ?pitiful? ?to? ?


    have? ?such? ?a? ?god? ?be? ?thrusted? ?upon? ?them!? ?You? ?couldn’t? ?protect? ?them? ?whilst? ?they? ?were? ?alive,? ?and? ?


    you? ?couldn’t? ?avenge? ?them? ?even? ?after? ?they’ve? ?died!? ?You? ?useless? ?trash!”? ? ?


    He? ?pushed? ?down? ?with? ?his? ?foot,? ?and? ?strings? ?of? ?blood? ?instantly? ?spilled? ?over? ?the? ?edges? ?of? ?Xie? ?Lian’s? ?


    cry-smiling? ?mask;? ?gushing? ?from? ?his? ?throat.? ?


    White? ?No-Face? ?dropped? ?the? ?hand? ?gripping? ?the? ?sword,? ?and? ?that? ?ck? ?jade-like? ?tip? ?prodded? ?


    against? ?Xie? ?Lian’s? ?throat,? ?drawing? ?over? ?that? ?cursed? ?shackle,? ?awakening? ?certain? ?memories? ?within? ?


    Xie? ?Lian.? ?


    “Would? ?you? ?like? ?me? ?to? ?help? ?remind? ?you? ?of? ?what? ?it? ?feels? ?like? ?to? ?be? ?pierced? ?by? ?a? ?hundred? ?swords?”? ? ?


    Overwhelming? ?fear? ?made? ?Xie? ?Lian’s? ?breathing? ?hitch,? ?too? ?terrified? ?to? ?move.? ?And? ?after? ?having? ?


    scared? ?him,? ?White? ?No-Face? ?became? ?amiable? ?again.? ?


    He? ?withdrew? ?his? ?boot,? ?and? ?helped? ?the? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?who? ?was? ?frozen? ?in? ?terror? ?on? ?the? ?ground? ?to? ?sit? ?up,? ?


    grasped? ?his? ?chin? ?and? ?pushed? ?him? ?to? ?look? ?in? ?a? ?certain? ?direction,? ?“Come,? ?look.? ?This? ?is? ?what? ?you? ?


    look? ?like? ?right? ?now.”? ? ?


    What? ?he? ?made? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?look? ?at? ?was? ?the? ?desecrated? ?divine? ?statue? ?upon? ?the? ?desecrated? ?altar.? ?


    “Who? ?do? ?you? ?have? ?to? ?thank? ?for? ?having? ?be? ?like? ?this?”? ?White? ?No-Face? ?asked,? ?“Do? ?you? ?think? ?


    it’s? ?me?”? ? ?


    It? ?was? ?as? ?if? ?Xie? ?Lian’s? ?brain? ?was? ?forcefully? ?washed? ?by? ?him? ?again,? ?and? ?new? ?things? ?were? ?repeatedly? ?


    poured? ?in,? ?making? ?him? ?more? ?and? ?more? ?confused,? ?more? ?and? ?more? ?doubtful.? ?He? ?had? ?even? ?


    forgotten? ?his? ?anger,? ?and? ?he? ?wondered? ?bemusedly,? ?“...What? ?is? ?your? ?objective?? ?Just? ?why? ?do? ?you? ?


    cling? ?to? ?me?”? ? ?


    “I’ve? ?told? ?you,”? ?White? ?No-Face? ?replied,? ?“I’ve? e? ?to? ?guide? ?and? ?educate? ?you.? ?The? ?third? ?thing? ?I? ?am? ?


    teaching? ?you? ?is? ?this:? ?If? ?you? ?cannot? ?save? ?the? mon? ?people,? ?then? ?destroy? ?them.? ?Only? ?when? ?you? ?


    step? ?on? ?them? ?will? ?they? ?revere? ?you!”? ? ?


    After? ?having? ?said? ?those? ?words,? ?Xie? ?Lian’s? ?head? ?suddenly? ?throbbed? ?like? ?it? ?was? ?going? ?to? ?explode,? ?


    and? ?he? ?clutched? ?his? ?head? ?and? ?screamed.? ?


    It? ?was? ?those? ?resentful? ?spirits!? ?


    Countless? ?resentful? ?spirits? ?were? ?shrieking? ?and? ?wailing? ?inside? ?his? ?brain,? ?and? ?Xie? ?Lian’s? ?head? ?hurt? ?


    so? ?much? ?he? ?wanted? ?to? ?roll? ?all? ?over? ?the? ?ground.? ?White? ?No-Face? ?on? ?the? ?other? ?hand,? ?started? ?


    ughing? ?next? ?to? ?him,? ?and? ?he? ?cooed? ?gently,? ?“They? ?cannot? ?wait? ?any? ?longer.? ?In? ?three? ?days,? ?if? ?you? ?


    don’t? ?unleash? ?the? ?human? ?face? ?disease,? ?if? ?you? ?cannot? ?give? ?them? ?a? ?subject? ?to? ?curse,? ?then? ?you? ?will? ?


    be? ?the? ?one? ?they? ?curse.? ?Do? ?you? ?know? ?what? ?you? ?will? ?be? ?then?”? ? ?


    Xie? ?Lian? ?could? ?feel? ?that? ?freezing? ?ck? ?sword? ?was? ?once? ?again? ?stuffed? ?into? ?his? ?hand,? ?and? ?a? ?voice? ?


    resounded? ?next? ?to? ?his? ?ears,? ?“You? ?no? ?longer? ?have? ?the? ?choice? ?to? ?turn? ?back.”? ? ?


    When? ?that? ?throbbing? ?headache? ?gradually? ?faded? ?at? st,? ?after? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?dropped? ?his? ?hands? ?and? ?


    opened? ?his? ?eyes,? ?there? ?was? ?only? ?him? ?left? ?within? ?that? ?broken? ?down? ?Pce? ?of? ?the? ?Crown? ?Prince.? ?


    The? ?other? ?white? ?clothed? ?man? ?who? ?looked? ?exactly? ?like? ?him? ?had? ?long? ?vanished.? ?


    An? ?unknown? ?amount? ?of? ?time? ?had? ?passed,? ?and? ?night? ?had? ?fallen.? ?It? ?was? ?dim? ?and? ?devoid? ?of? ?light? ?


    inside? ?the? ?Pce? ?of? ?the? ?Crown? ?Prince.? ?Xie? ?Lian’s? ?heart? ?stirred? ?as? ?he? ?realized? ?something.? ?


    One? ?day? ?of? ?the? ?three? ?day? ?period? ?had? ?already? ?passed.? ?


    Just? ?then,? ?within? ?the? ?darkness? ?of? ?the? ?hall,? ?there? ?seemed? ?to? ?be? ?a? ?touch? ?of? ?white? ?shing? ?by.? ?It? ?was? ?


    a? ?curious? ?appearance,? ?and? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?turned? ?to? ?look,? ?but? ?when? ?he? ?saw? ?clearly? ?what? ?that? ?touch? ?of? ?


    white? ?was,? ?the? ?pupils? ?underneath? ?the? ?mask? ?shrank.? ?


    He? ?snatched? ?that? ?thing? ?and? ?demanded,? ?“What...? ?What? ?is? ?this? ?flower? ?doing? ?here?”? ? ?


    It? ?was? ?a? ?fresh,? ?tender? ?and? ?weak? ?little? ?white? ?flower? ?ced? ?upon? ?the? ?left? ?hand? ?of? ?that? ?burnt? ?ck? ?


    divine? ?statue? ?with? ?missing? ?limbs,? ?and? ?the? ?contrast? ?made? ?it? ?appear? ?particrly? ?pure? ?like? ?snow,? ?but? ?


    also? ?particrly? ?bleak.? ?It? ?looked? ?as? ?if? ?this? ?divine? ?statue? ?had? nded? ?all? ?those? ?injuries? ?in? ?order? ?to? ?


    protect? ?this? ?little? ?flower.? ?


    Xie? ?Lian? ?didn’t? ?know? ?why? ?seeing? ?this? ?picture? ?would? ?enrage? ?him? ?either,? ?and? ?he? ?shouted,? ?“GHOST!? ?


    COME? ?OUT!”? ? ?


    Soon? ?after,? ?that? ?ck? ?d? ?warrior? ?carrying? ?a? ?sabre? ?appeared? ?as? ?expected.? ?He? ?hadn’t? ?yet? ?spoken? ?


    before? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?demanded,? ?“What’s? ?with? ?this? ?flower?? ?Who? ?did? ?this?? ?You? ?did? ?this?”? ? ?


    Wu? ?Ming? ?bowed? ?his? ?head? ?slightly,? ?and? ?his? ?gaze? ?stopped? ?for? ?a? ?moment? ?on? ?the? ?flower? ?that? ?seemed? ?


    to? ?be? ?crushed? ?to? ?suffocation? ?in? ?Xie? ?Lian’s? ?hand? ?before? ?finally,? ?he? ?said? ?quietly,? ?“It? ?wasn’t? ?me.”? ? ?


    “Then? ?who? ?could’ve? ?done? ?it??”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?eximed.? ?


    “Why? ?does? ?Your? ?Highness? ?be? ?so? ?irritated? ?when? ?seeing? ?this? ?flower?”? ?Wu? ?Ming? ?asked.? ?


    Xie? ?Lian’s? ?face? ?darkened,? ?and? ?he? ?threw? ?that? ?flower? ?onto? ?the? ?ground,? ?“...A? ?prank? ?like? ?this? ?disgusts? ?


    me.”? ?


    Wu? ?Ming? ?however,? ?said,? ?“Why? ?does? ?Your? ?Highness? ?think? ?it’s? ?a? ?prank?? ?Perhaps,? ?there? ?truly? ?are? ?


    believers? ?here? ?who? ?worship? ?Your? ?Highness.”? ? ?


    ————? ?


    Ch.195:? ?Nameless? ?Ghost? ?Offering? ?a? ?Nameless? ?Flower? ?2? ?


    Having? ?heard? ?him,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?felt? ?as? ?if? ?he? ?was? ?pped,? ?and? ?he? ?turned? ?to? ?him,? ?“Are? ?you? ?making? ?fun? ?


    of? ?me?”? ? ?


    “No.”? ?Wu? ?Ming? ?replied.? ?


    “Then? ?don’t? ?say? ?such? ?nonsense!? ?How? ?can? ?there? ?be? ?such? ?a? ?thing?”? ? ?


    After? ?a? ?pause,? ?Wu? ?Ming? ?said,? ?“It’s? ?not? ?impossible.”? ? ?


    “...”? ?


    Xie? ?Lian? ?couldn’t? ?take? ?it? ?anymore? ?and? ?snapped? ?back,? ?“That’s? ?enough.? ?What? ?are? ?you? ?trying? ?to? ?


    say?? ?Weren’t? ?you? ?a? ?soldier? ?of? ?Xian? ?Le?? ?I? ?didn’t? ?rouse? ?you? ?from? ?the? ?battlefield? ?to? ?listen? ?to? ?you? ?


    speak? ?for? ?YongAn,? ?you? ?just? ?need? ?to? ?heed? ?my? mand!”? ? ?


    That? ?flower? ?on? ?the? ?ground? ?pierced? ?his? ?heart? ?and? ?stabbed? ?his? ?eyes,? ?making? ?him? ?feel? ?unkempt? ?all? ?


    of? ?a? ?sudden.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?charged? ?forward? ?and? ?stomped? ?it? ?down,? ?crushing? ?it? ?like? ?he? ?was? ?venting? ?his? ?


    fury.? ?Yet? ?after? ?he? ?was? ?done,? ?he? ?felt? ?baffled? ?by? ?himself.? ?Why? ?must? ?he? ?throw? ?such? ?a? ?huge? ?temper? ?


    against? ?such? ?a? ?small? ?flower?? ?He? ?rushed? ?out? ?of? ?the? ?Temple? ?of? ?the? ?Crown? ?Prince.? ?It? ?was? ?only? ?after? ?


    feeling? ?the? ?cool? ?breeze? ?did? ?he? ?gradually? ?calm? ?down.? ?


    Behind? ?him,? ?that? ?ck? ?d? ?warrior? ?also? ?followed? ?after? ?and? ?came? ?out.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?asked,? ?“You’ve? ?


    investigated? ?this? ?area.? ?Have? ?you? ?found? ?anywhere? ?that? ?appears? ?unusual?”? ?


    “No,”? ?Wu? ?Ming? ?replied.? ?


    “Are? ?you? ?sure?”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?asked,? ?“In? ?order? ?to? ?unleash? ?the? ?human? ?face? ?disease,? ?there? ?can’t? ?be? ?


    anything? ?amiss? ?with? ?time,? ?fortune,? ?or? ?location.”? ?


    “I’m? ?sure,”? ?Wu? ?Ming? ?replied.? ?


    Xie? ?Lian? ?had? ?nothing? ?more? ?to? ?say,? ?and? ?he? ?looked? ?up? ?to? ?the? ?sky.? ?


    After? ?a? ?moment? ?of? ?silence,? ?Wu? ?Ming? ?asked,? ?“Your? ?Highness,? ?have? ?you? ?thought? ?of? ?how? ?to? ?unleash? ?


    the? ?pestilence? ?of? ?the? ?resentful? ?spirits?”? ? ?


    “I’m? ?still? ?thinking,”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?said.? ?


    He? ?looked? ?down? ?at? ?that? ?ck? ?sword? ?hanging? ?off? ?his? ?waist.? ?Millions? ?of? ?resentful? ?spirits? ?were? ?


    sealed? ?within? ?this? ?ck? ?sword,? ?but? ?it? ?could? ?only? ?keep? ?them? ?sealed? ?for? ?so? ?long.? ?


    Just? ?then,? ?Wu? ?Ming? ?spoke? ?up,? ?“Your? ?Highness,? ?I? ?have? ?a? ?presumptuous? ?request.”? ? ?


    “Speak.”? ? ?


    The? ?eyes? ?behind? ?the? ?mask? ?of? ?that? ?ck? ?d? ?warrior? ?were? ?watching? ?him? ?intently,? ?“My? ?beloved? ?


    had? ?sustained? ?grave? ?injuries? ?in? ?this? ?war,? ?suffering? ?a? ?fate? ?worse? ?than? ?death.? ?I? ?could? ?only? ?watch? ?


    with? ?open? ?eyes? ?as? ?they? ?suffer? ?this? ?torment,? ?struggling? ?in? ?agony.”? ?


    “And?”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?said.? ?


    “And? ?so,? ?I? ?hope? ?I? ?could? ?be? ?the? ?one? ?to? ?wield? ?the? ?sword? ?and? ?avenge? ?them.”? ? ?


    His? ?reason? ?was? ?very? ?reasonable,? ?but? ?for? ?some? ?reason? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?found? ?it? ?hard? ?to? ?trust? ?him.? ?He? ?


    narrowed? ?his? ?eyes,? ?“I? ?find? ?you? ?rather? ?odd.”? ? ?


    He? ?turned? ?around? ?and? ?circled? ?Wu? ?Ming? ?as? ?he? ?said? ?cooly,? ?“Based? ?on? ?what? ?I’ve? ?seen,? ?you? ?don’t? ?


    look? ?like? ?an? ?avenger? ?entangled? ?in? ?resentment? ?and? ?hatred.? ?To? ?ask? ?this? ?of? ?me,? ?is? ?it? ?really? ?so? ?you? ?


    can? ?unleash? ?the? ?human? ?face? ?disease?”? ? ?


    While? ?he? ?might’ve? ?said? ?so? ?himself,? ?why? ?else? ?would? ?Wu? ?Ming? ?request? ?to? ?unleash? ?the? ?human? ?face? ?


    disease?? ?


    The? ?nameless? ?ck? ?d? ?warrior? ?bowed? ?his? ?head? ?towards? ?him,? ?“Your? ?Highness,? ?I? ?wish? ?for? ?the? ?


    deaths? ?of? ?YongAn? ?people? ?more? ?than? ?anyone.? ?Furthermore,? ?I? ?wish? ?it’d? ?be? ?in? ?my? ?hands? ?that? ?they? ?


    perish.? ?If? ?you? ?don’t? ?believe? ?me,? ?I? ?can? ?go? ?prove? ?myself? ?to? ?you? ?right? ?now.”? ? ?


    “How? ?do? ?you? ?n? ?on? ?proving? ?yourself?”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?asked.? ?


    The? ?ck? ?d? ?warrior? ?ced? ?his? ?hand? ?on? ?his? ?sabre? ?and? ?slowly? ?stood? ?down.? ?By? ?the? ?third? ?step? ?


    back,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?suddenly? ?realized? ?just? ?what? ?he? ?nned? ?to? ?do.? ?


    He? ?was? ?going? ?to? ?kill? ?to? ?prove? ?to? ?him? ?he? ?had? ?a? ?vengeful? ?heart!? ?


    “Stop!”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?instantly? ?called? ?out.? ?


    Wu? ?Ming? ?stopped.? ?After? ?looking? ?him? ?over? ?critically,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?said? ?resolutely,? ?“No.? ?I? ?will? ?unleash? ?


    them? ?myself.”? ? ?


    That? ?ck? ?d? ?warrior? ?bowed? ?his? ?head,? ?and? ?with? ?the? ?mask? ?on,? ?it? ?was? ?hard? ?to? ?tell? ?what? ?was? ?the? ?


    expression? ?on? ?his? ?face.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?didn’t? ?care? ?for? ?anyone’s? ?else’s? ?reaction? ?either,? ?and? ?he? ?turned? ?


    around,? ?speaking? ?softly,? ?“...However,? ?before? ?that,? ?I? ?have? ?something? ?else? ?to? ?do.”? ? ?


    He? ?said? ?as? ?he? ?raised? ?that? ?frozen? ?jade-like? ?ck? ?sword,? ?and? ?stared? ?at? ?the? ?glistening? ?de? ?in? ?his? ?


    hand,? ?a? ?peculiar? ?light? ?shing? ?through? ?his? ?eyes.? ?That? ?ck? ?d? ?warrior? ?noticed? ?something? ?was? ?


    off? ?and? ?eximed,? ?“Your? ?Highness,? ?what? ?are? ?you? ?nning?!”? ? ?


    He? ?hadn’t? ?even? ?had? ?the? ?time? ?to? ?stop? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?before? ?the? ?next? ?second,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?turned? ?the? ?point? ?


    of? ?the? ?de? ?on? ?himself,? ?and? ?lunged? ?that? ?ck? ?sword? ?into? ?his? ?own? ?abdomen!? ?


    The? ?next? ?day,? ?on? ?the? ?streets? ?of? ?Lang-Er? ?Bay.? ?


    The? ?weather? ?hadn’t? ?been? ?great? tely,? ?cloudy? ?and? ?gloomy? ?with? ?wild? ?gusts? ?suddenly? ?blowing? ?at? ?


    times,? ?and? ?nefarious? ?rains? ?fell? ?at? ?others.? ?


    Speaking? ?of? ?which,? ?it? ?hadn’t? ?been? ?peaceful? tely? ?no? ?matter? ?the? ?ce,? ?and? ?there? ?had? ?been? ?word? ?


    that? ?even? ?the? ?pce? ?was? ?caught? ?in? ?a? ?fire,? ?the? ?king? ?and? ?the? ?crown? ?prince? ?both? ?down? ?with? ?illness? ?


    to? ?the? ?point? ?where? ?they? ?could? ?grant? ?audience? ?to? ?no? ?one.? ?It? ?was? ?chaos? ?everywhere,? ?filled? ?with? ?


    ominous? ?signs,? ?and? ?the? ?people? ?couldn’t? ?help? ?but? ?grumble,? ?feeling? ?ill? ?at? ?ease.? ?Only? ?ignorant? ?


    children? ?continued? ?to? ?y? ?and? ?run? ?around? ?without? ?a? ?care? ?in? ?the? ?world.? ?


    A? ?wave? ?of? ?gloomy? ?winds? ?swept? ?past,? ?blinding? ?the? ?eyes.? ?And? ?soon? ?after,? ?there? ?was? ?a? ?huge? ?


    BOOM!? ?that? ?suddenly? ?sounded? ?from? ?the? ?intersection? ?of? ?the? ?street.? ?The? ?figure? ?of? ?a? ?man? ?had? ?


    dropped? ?from? ?the? ?skies!? ?


    The? ?crowd? ?on? ?the? ?street? ?were? ?all? ?startled? ?by? ?that? ?sudden? ?booming? ?noise,? ?and? ?they? ?all? ?looked? ?


    towards? ?the? ?end? ?of? ?the? ?street.? ?On? ?the? ?ground? ?there? ?was? ?a? ?human? ?shaped? ?crater? ?formed? ?from? ?the? ?


    crash,? ?and? ?within? ?the? ?hole? ?was? ?a? ?person? ?lying? ?t? ?listlessly,? ?his? ?hair? ?strewn? ?and? ?messy,? ?his? ?body? ?


    covered? ?in? ?blood,? ?so? ?much? ?so? ?that? ?his? ?white? ?robes? ?appeared? ?particrly? ?horrifying.? ?


    All? ?of? ?a? ?sudden,? ?everyone? ?in? ?the? ?entire? ?street? ?came? ?gathering,? ?“WHO?!”? ? ?


    “My? ?heavens,? ?where? ?did? ?he? ?drop? ?down? ?from?? ?The? ?sky??”? ? ?


    “IS? ?HE? ?DEAD??”? ? ?


    “I,? ?I? ?don’t? ?think? ?so,? ?I? ?think? ?he’s? ?still? ?moving!? ?


    “I? ?can’t? ?believe? ?he’d? ?survive? ?a? ?fall? ?like? ?that!!? ?Wait,? ?what’s? ?that? ?on? ?his? ?chest?? ?A? ?SWORD???”? ? ?


    Once? ?the? ?crowd? ?was? ?close? ?enough,? ?the? ?people? ?finally? ?saw? ?that? ?person’s? ?appearance? ?clearly.? ?


    While? ?disheveled,? ?his? ?face? ?was? ?handsomely? ?clean? ?and? ?white.? ?Only,? ?his? ?eyes? ?were? ?gazing? ?


    towards? ?the? ?sky? ?unblinkingly,? ?unlike? ?the? ?living.? ?But? ?he? ?couldn’t? ?be? ?said? ?to? ?be? ?dead,? ?since? ?he? ?was? ?


    still? ?breathing,? ?and? ?that? ?ck? ?sword? ?piercing? ?his? ?abdomen,? ?prating? ?his? ?organs,? ?was? ?still? ?


    rising? ?up? ?and? ?down? ?weakly? ?along? ?with? ?his? ?chest.? ?


    Just? ?then,? ?another? ?person? ?eximed? ?in? ?surprise,? ?“Wait,? ?isn’t? ?this...? ?isn’t? ?this....? ?That,? ?that? ?Royal? ?


    Highness? ?the? ?Crown? ?Prince?!”? ? ?


    Now? ?that? ?he? ?mentioned? ?it,? ?everyone? ?else? ?started? ?to? ?recognize? ?him? ?too,? ?“...It? ?really? ?is.? ?It’s? ?that? ?


    crown? ?prince? ?from? ?the? ?past,? ?the? ?Crown? ?Prince? ?of? ?XianLe!? ?I’ve? ?seen? ?him? ?before? ?from? ?a? ?distance!? ?


    “Didn’t? ?they? ?say? ?that? ?crown? ?prince? ?went? ?missing?”? ? ?


    “I? ?heard? ?he? ?ascended.”? ?


    “Why? ?is? ?he? ?like? ?this...? ?what’s? ?with? ?the? ?sword,? ?is? ?he? ?really? ?stabbed? ?through?? ?Scary...”? ?


    “Enough? ?of? ?that? ?looking,? ?let? ?me? ?through,? ?will? ?y’all? ?let? ?me? ?through?? ?I’ve? ?got? ?ces? ?to? ?be!”? ? ?


    This? ?end? ?of? ?the? ?street? ?was? ?an? ?intersection? ?with? ?the? ?roads? ?heading? ?in? ?two? ?separate? ?directions,? ?and? ?


    since? ?it? ?was? ?blocked? ?by? ?a? ?crowd? ?of? ?people,? ?the? ?carriages? ?that? ?came? ?afterwards? ?couldn’t? ?go? ?


    through,? ?and? ?so? ?everyone? ?descended? ?their? ?vehicles? ?to? ?check? ?things? ?out,? ?causing? ?quite? ?the? ?


    motion.? ?Suddenly,? ?someone? ?called? ?out,? ?“Wait!? ?He? ?seems...? ?to? ?be? ?saying? ?something?”? ? ?


    The? ?crowd? ?quieted? ?down,? ?and? ?everyone? ?held? ?their? ?breaths? ?to? ?listen? ?intently,? ?trying? ?to? ?pick? ?up? ?any? ?


    voices.? ?A? ?moment? ter,? ?no? ?one? ?on? ?the? ?outer? ?edges? ?heard? ?anything,? ?so? ?they? ?shouted,? ?“What? ?did? ?


    he? ?say?? ?Just? ?what? ?is? ?happening?? ?Did? ?he? ?say?”? ? ?


    The? ?ones? ?in? ?the? ?front? ?rows? ?called? ?back,? ?“No!”? ? ?


    “Then? ?what? ?did? ?he? ?say?”? ? ?


    “He? ?said,? ?“Save? ?me”.”? ?


    Xie? ?Lian? id? ?t? ?on? ?the? ?ground,? ?and? ?after? ?having? ?uttered? ?those? ?two? ?words,? ?not? ?another? ?sound? ?


    escaped? ?his? ?lips.? ?The? ?people? ?crowding? ?around? ?him? ?all? ?showed? ?different? ?expressions,? ?with? ?


    varying? ?reactions? ?and? ?various? ?degrees? ?of? ?puzzlement.? ?A? ?chubby? ?man? ?who? ?looked? ?to? ?be? ?a? ?chef? ?


    said,? ?“Save? ?him?? ?How? ?do? ?we? ?save? ?him?”? ? ?


    Someone? ?took? ?a? ?guess,? ?“He? ?probably? ?meant? ?to? ?help? ?pull? ?the? ?sword? ?out?”? ? ?


    That? ?chef? ?looked? ?to? ?be? ?fairly? ?gutsy,? ?and? ?was? ?just? ?about? ?to? ?go? ?up? ?and? ?give? ?it? ?a? ?shot? ?when? ?he? ?was? ?


    instantly? ?held? ?back? ?by? ?several? ?hands,? ?“Don’t? ?don’t? ?don’t,? ?absolutely? ?do? ?not!!!”? ? ?


    That? ?man? ?was? ?confused,? ?“Why? ?not?”? ? ?


    The? ?bystanders? ?exined,? ?“You? ?mustn’t!? ?Haven’t? ?you? ?heard?? ?Didn’t? ?Xian? ?Le? ?lose? ?the? ?war?? ?Why? ?


    did? ?they? ?lose? ?the? ?war?? ?Because? ?of? ?that? ?human? ?face? ?disease.? ?Why? ?was? ?there? ?human? ?face? ?


    disease?? ?Because? ?there? ?was? ?a? ?God? ?of? ?Misfortune,? ?and? ?that’s...”? ?


    “God? ?of? ?Misfortune?!? ?Really??”? ? ?


    The? ?moment? ?those? ?words? ?came? ?out,? ?no? ?one? ?dared? ?to? ?step? ?up? ?recklessly? ?any? ?longer,? ?and? ?all? ?


    around? ?that? ?enormous? ?human? ?shaped? ?pit? ?was? ?suddenly? ?empty? ?of? ?people.? ?


    After? ?all,? ?no? ?one? ?knew? ?just? ?what? ?had? ?happened? ?to? ?the? ?Crown? ?Prince? ?of? ?the? ?previous? ?dynasty.? ?


    Was? ?he? ?a? ?God? ?of? ?Misfortune?? ?Would? ?they? ?contract? ?that? ?horrifying? ?human? ?face? ?disease? ?if? ?they? ?


    came? ?in? ?contact? ?with? ?him?? ?Or? ?would? ?they? ?find? ?themselves? ?in? ?utter? ?misfortune?? ?Besides,? ?it? ?


    appeared? ?that? ?even? ?if? ?they? ?didn’t? ?pull? ?the? ?sword,? ?he? ?wouldn’t? ?die? ?for? ?the? ?moment.? ?If? ?he? ?could? ?fall? ?


    from? ?wherever? ?he? ?fell? ?from? ?at? ?such? ?a? ?height? ?and? ?crashing? ?so? ?loudly? ?too? ?without? ?dying,? ?then? ?he? ?


    was? ?beyond? ?human.? ?


    A? ?moment? ter,? ?someone? ?said? ?timidly,? ?“Maybe? ?we? ?should? ?report? ?this? ?to? ?the? ?authorities...”? ? ?


    “Didn’t? ?they? ?say? ?this? ?Royal? ?Highness? ?ascended? ?and? ?became? ?a? ?god?? ?What’s? ?the? ?use? ?in? ?reporting? ?


    to? ?the? ?authorities?”? ? ?


    “Then? ?what? ?should? ?we? ?do?”? ? ?


    The? ?crowd? ?chattered? ?and? ?babbled,? ?but? ?in? ?the? ?end,? ?they? ?couldn’t? e? ?to? ?a? ?conclusion,? ?so? ?they? ?


    still? ?ended? ?up? ?sending? ?someone? ?to? ?report? ?the? ?incident.? ?Anything? ?else? ?was? ?out? ?of? ?their? ?hands.? ?


    You? ?wanted? ?to? ?lie? ?there?? ?Then? ?just? ?lie? ?there.? ?Let’s? ?leave? ?him? ?be.? ?


    Thus,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?rested? ?like? ?that? ?in? ?that? ?human? ?shaped? ?pit,? ?watching? ?the? ?curious? ?heads? ?of? ?people? ?


    gradually? ?decrease? ?and? ?slowly? ?disappear.? ?The? ?carriages? ?that? ?were? ?blocked? ?detoured? ?around? ?


    him,? ?and? ?the? ?children? ?who? ?were? ?ying? ?around? ?on? ?the? ?streets? ?were? ?all? ?dragged? ?back? ?into? ?the? ?


    house? ?by? ?their? ?parents.? ?There? ?was? ?still? ?a? ?person? ?here? ?and? ?there? ?who’d? ?pass? ?by? ?but? ?they’d? ?be? ?


    further? ?away? ?in? ?the? ?distance.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?remained? ?expressionless? ?throughout,? ?speaking? ?not? ?a? ?


    word.? ?


    There? ?was? ?a? ?little? ?water? ?seller? ?who? ?couldn’t? ?bear? ?the? ?sight,? ?and? ?whispered? ?to? ?his? ?wife? ?watching? ?


    the? ?stall,? ?“Will? ?it? ?really? ?be? ?alright? ?to? ?leave? ?him? ?like? ?this?? ?How? ?about,? ?I? ?give? ?him? ?a? ?cup? ?of? ?water?”? ? ?


    The? ?wife? ?of? ?that? ?little? ?merchant? ?hesitated? ?for? ?a? ?moment? ?and? ?scanned? ?their? ?surroundings,? ?


    whispering? ?back,? ?“...Let’s? ?not.? ?If? ?he? ?really? ?is? ?a? ?God? ?of? ?Misfortune,? ?then? ?no? ?one? ?knows? ?what? ?would? ?


    happen? ?if? ?you? ?get? ?too? ?close.”? ? ?


    That? ?little? ?merchant? ?was? ?also? ?hesitant,? ?looking? ?around,? ?and? ?a? ?group? ?of? ?other? ?merchants? ?like? ?him? ?


    at? ?their? ?stalls? ?were? ?all? ?staring? ?at? ?him,? ?their? ?expressions? ?nervous,? ?as? ?if? ?he? ?should? ?approach,? ?they? ?


    would? ?all? ?draw? ?their? ?lines? ?and? ?stay? ?far,? ?far? ?away.? ?In? ?the? ?end,? ?he? ?still? ?didn’t? ?dare? ?to? ?step? ?out? ?on? ?his? ?


    own,? ?and? ?abandoned? ?the? ?idea.? ?


    And? ?so,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?stayed? ?like? ?that? ?from? ?the? ?thin? ?mist? ?of? ?morning? ?to? ?the? ?zing? ?sun? ?of? ?midday,? ?then? ?


    to? ?dusk,? ?and? ?he? id? ?there? ?until? ?deep? ?into? ?the? ?night.? ?


    In? ?between? ?that? ?time,? ?there? ?were? ?many? ?people? ?who? ?saw? ?him,? ?but? ?those? ?who? ?approached? ?were? ?


    very? ?few,? ?and? ?there? ?certainly? ?wasn’t? ?anyone? ?who? ?would? ?help? ?pull? ?that? ?ck? ?sword? ?from? ?his? ?


    abdomen.? ?


    In? ?the? ?deep? ?night,? ?there? ?was? ?not? ?a? ?soul? ?on? ?the? ?streets,? ?but? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?still? id? ?there? ?on? ?the? ?ground,? ?


    watching? ?the? ?skies? ?above,? ?and? ?in? ?the? ?dark? ?night,? ?the? ?stars? ?twinkled,? ?his? ?thoughts? ?wandering? ?and? ?


    mysterious.? ?Suddenly,? ?a? ?clear,? ?crisp? ughter? ?sounded? ?from? ?above,? ?“Hahahaha...? ?what? ?are? ?you? ?


    doing?”? ? ?


    After? ?so? ?many? ?visits? ?from? ?the? ?owner? ?of? ?that? ?voice,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?no? ?longer? ?reacted? ?as? ?violently? ?as? ?


    before.? ?And? ?not? ?having? ?received? ?his? ?angry? ?and? ?panicky? ?“wee”,? ?the? ?owner? ?of? ?that? ?voice? ?took? ?


    the? ?initiative? ?to? ?walk? ?over? ?himself? ?and? ?stood? ?by? ?Xie? ?Lian’s? ?head,? ?bending? ?down,? ?and? ?his? ?voice? ?


    even? ?seemed? ?to? ?sound? ?a? ?little? ?disappointed,? ?“What? ?are? ?you? ?waiting? ?for?”? ? ?


    That? ?half? ?crying? ?half? ?smiling? ?mask? ?was? ?upside? ?down? ?and? ?coincidentally? ?blocked? ?his? ?entire? ?vision.? ?


    They? ?faced? ?each? ?other? ?with? ?only? ?a? ?few? ?feet? ?between? ?their? ?faces,? ?and? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?said? ?coldy,? ?“Get? ?


    the? ?hell? ?out? ?of? ?here,? ?you’re? ?blocking? ?me? ?from? ?watching? ?the? ?sky.”? ? ?


    To? ?be? ?told? ?to? ?get? ?the? ?hell? ?away,? ?White? ?No-Face? ?wasn’t? ?upset? ?in? ?the? ?least,? ?and? ughingly? ?


    straightened? ?up,? ?sounding? ?more? ?and? ?more? ?affable? ?like? ?an? ?elder? ?who? ?was? ?tolerant? ?of? ?a? ?spoiled? ?


    child,? ?“What’s? ?so? ?good? ?about? ?the? ?sky?”? ? ?


    “It’s? ?prettier? ?than? ?you.”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?snapped? ?back.? ?


    “Why? ?the? ?temper?”? ?White? ?No-Face? ?asked,? ?“It? ?wasn’t? ?me? ?who? ?stabbed? ?you,? ?and? ?it? ?wasn’t? ?me? ?who? ?


    left? ?you? ?here? ?this? ?time.? ?You? ?did? ?this? ?all? ?yourself.? ?Even? ?if? ?you? ?haven’t? ?gotten? ?the? ?results? ?you? ?were? ?


    hoping? ?for,? ?you? ?still? ?can’t? ?me? ?me?”? ? ?


    “It’s? ?none? ?of? ?your? ?shitty? ?business.”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?said.? ?


    White? ?No-Face? ?chuckled? ?sympathetically,? ?“Silly? ?child.? ?Did? ?you? ?think? ?someone? ?would? e? ?help? ?


    pull? ?out? ?the? ?sword?”? ? ?


    ———-? ?


    Ch.196:? ?Man? ?in? ?Abyss? ?Receives? ?a? ?Bamboo? ?Hat? ?in? ?the? ?Rain? ?


    Xie? ?Lian? ?rebuked? ?forcefully,? ?“I? ?know? ?no? ?one? ?will? e,? ?but? ?it’s? ?none? ?of? ?your? ?shitty? ?business.”? ? ?


    White? ?No-Face? nguidly? ?asked,? ?“Then? ?why? ?did? ?you? ?poke? ?a? ?hole? ?to? y? ?yourself? ?in?? ?Are? ?you? ?


    piquing? ?someone?? ?No? ?one? ?will? ?cry? ?over? ?you? ?right? ?now.”? ? ?


    Xie? ?Lian? ?countered,? ?“I’m? ?doing? ?this? ?because? ?I? ?want? ?to.? ?It’s? ?none? ?of? ?your? ?shitty? ?business.”? ? ?


    “If? ?someone? ?does? e? ?to? ?help? ?you,? ?what? ?will? ?you? ?do?? ?And? ?if? ?no? ?one? es? ?to? ?help? ?you,? ?what? ?


    will? ?you? ?do?”? ? ?


    “...”? ?


    Xie? ?Lian? ?started? ?cursing,? ?“WHY? ?ARE? ?YOU? ?SO? ?FULL? ?OF? ?BULLSHIT???? ?I’M? ?GONNA? ?THROW? ?


    UP!? ?IT’S? ?NONE? ?OF? ?YOUR? ?SHITTY? ?BUSINESS,? ?NONE? ?OF? ?YOUR? ?SHITTY? ?BUSINESS!!!”? ? ?


    His? ?words? ?were? ?bing? ?more? ?and? ?more? ?vulgar? ?and? ?rude,? ?his? ?tone? ?more? ?and? ?more? ?aggravated,? ?


    but? ?as? ?much? ?as? ?he? ?swore,? ?he? ?only? ?knew? ?so? ?many? ?words.? ?White? ?No-Face? ?seemed? ?to? ?be? ?very? ?


    amused? ?as? ?he? ughed? ?out? ?loud,? ?then? ?he? ?sighed,? ?“Silly? ?child.”? ? ?


    He? ?turned? ?around,? ?“Just? ?as? ?well.? ?Either? ?way,? ?there? ?is? ?only? ?one? ?day? ?left.? ?Letting? ?you? ?foolishly? ?


    struggle? ?a? ?bit? ?is? ?fine.? ?Either? ?way,? ?no? ?one? ?will? e? ?give? ?you? ?a? ?single? ?cup? ?of? ?water,? ?or? ?help? ?you? ?pull? ?


    out? ?the? ?ck? ?sword.? ?Remember–”? ?


    White? ?No-Face? ?reminded? ?him? ?again:? ?“Tomorrow? ?at? ?sunset,? ?if? ?you? ?still? ?haven’t? ?unleashed? ?the? ?


    human? ?face? ?disease,? ?the? ?curse? ?will? ?fall? ?upon? ?you.”? ? ?


    Xie? ?Lian? ?listened? ?quietly,? ?moving? ?not? ?a? ?limb.? ?


    The? ?third? ?day,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?still? id? ?there? ?in? ?that? ?deep? ?human? ?shaped? ?pit? ?in? ?the? ?middle? ?of? ?the? ?


    intersection;? ?not? ?even? ?his? ?posture? ?had? ?changed.? ?


    The? ?crowd? ?today? ?wasn’t? ?too? ?different? ?than? ?the? ?crowd? ?from? ?the? ?day? ?before.? ?They? ?all? ?detoured? ?far? ?


    away? ?from? ?him,? ?going? ?about? ?their? ?way.? ?Although? ?the? ?incident? ?with? ?a? ?strange? ?man? ?falling? ?from? ?the? ?


    sky? ?had? ?been? ?reported? ?to? ?the? ?authorities,? ?when? ?the? ?other? ?party? ?heard? ?it? ?could? ?be? ?the? ?God? ?of? ?


    Misfortune? ?that? ?wasn’t? ?really? ?causing? ?any? ?trouble,? ?just? ?lying? ?there? ?like? ?a? ?dead? ?body,? ?they? ?didn’t? ?


    want? ?to? ?deal? ?with? ?it,? ?and? ?cated? ?the? ?affair? ?with? ?a? ?vague? ?“We’ll? ?observe? ?for? ?a? ?few? ?days”.? ?Who? ?


    knows? ?what? ?would? ?happen? ?in? ?a? ?few? ?days.? ?


    Several? ?curious? ?children? ?came? ?running? ?over,? ?squatting? ?by? ?the? ?edge? ?of? ?the? ?pit? ?to? ?look? ?at? ?this? ?man,? ?


    and? ?they? ?picked? ?up? ?a? ?tree? ?branch,? ?secretly? ?poking? ?at? ?him,? ?but? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?was? ?like? ?a? ?dead? ?fish? ?


    without? ?any? ?reactions.? ?They? ?were? ?amazed? ?and? ?wanted? ?to? ?throw? ?something? ?at? ?him? ?to? ?see? ?if? ?that? ?


    would? ?elicit? ?anything,? ?but? ?they? ?were? ?discovered? ?by? ?their? ?parents? ?and? ?were? ?harshly? ?lectured? ?


    before? ?getting? ?grounded? ?at? ?home.? ?


    The? ?water? ?merchant? ?from? ?the? ?day? ?before? ?was? ?also? ?still? ?ncing? ?in? ?his? ?direction.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?hadn’t? ?


    taken? ?a? ?single? ?drop? ?of? ?water? ?for? ?a? ?day? ?and? ?a? ?night,? ?and? ?a? yer? ?of? ?dried? ?and? ?withered? ?dead? ?skin? ?


    formed? ?on? ?his? ?lips.? ?That? ?little? ?merchant? ?felt? ?sorry? ?and? dled? ?a? ?bowl? ?of? ?water,? ?seeming? ?to? ?want? ?to? ?


    deliver? ?it,? ?but? ?his? ?wife? ?elbowed? ?him,? ?making? ?him? ?topple? ?the? ?bowl,? ?and? ?so? ?he? ?had? ?to? ?relent.? ?


    Who? ?knows? ?if? ?the? ?heavens? ?also? ?wanted? ?to? ?join? ?in? ?on? ?the? ?fun,? ?and? ?after? ?midday,? ?drizzling? ?rain? ?


    began? ?to? ?fall? ?from? ?the? ?sky.? ?


    The? ?vendors? ?on? ?the? ?streets? ?hurriedly? ?packed? ?up? ?their? ?stalls,? ?and? ?the? ?pedestrians? ?also? ?shouted? ?at? ?


    each? ?other? ?to? ?hurry? ?home,? ?and? ?they? ?all? ?left? ?hastily.? ?After? ?a? ?while,? ?that? ?rain? ?came? ?pouring? ?down? ?


    harder? ?and? ?harder,? ?and? ?Xie? ?Lian’s? ?face? ?was? ?scoured,? ?appearing? ?even? ?more? ?pale,? ?and? ?his? ?entire? ?


    body? ?was? ?soaked? ?through.? ?


    Soundlessly,? ?the? ?shadow? ?of? ?a? ?white? ?clothed? ?man? ?appeared? ?next? ?to? ?Xie? ?Lian.? ?


    No? ?one? ?else? ?on? ?the? ?street? ?seemed? ?to? ?have? ?noticed? ?this? ?peculiar? ?figure.? ?White? ?No-Face? ?looked? ?


    down? ?condescendingly? ?at? ?him,? ?“The? ?sun? ?is? ?about? ?to? ?set.”? ? ?


    Xie? ?Lian? ?was? ?silent.? ?


    “You? ?aren’t? ?the? ?God? ?of? ?Misfortune,? ?but? ?they? ?would? ?rather? ?believe? ?that? ?you? ?are,? ?unwilling? ?to? ?believe? ?


    you? ?aren’t.”? ?White? ?No-Face? ?said,? ?“Once? ?upon? ?a? ?time? ?you? ?defied? ?the? ?heavens? ?and? ?created? ?rain? ?for? ?


    YongAn,? ?yet? ?now? ?they? ?wouldn’t? ?even? ?donate? ?a? ?cup? ?of? ?water? ?to? ?you.? ?To? ?pierce? ?you? ?with? ?a? ?hundred? ?


    swords? ?might? ?have? ?been? ?done? ?out? ?of? ?desperation,? ?but? ?now,? ?they’re? ?not? ?even? ?willing? ?to? ?do? ?


    something? ?simple? ?like? ?helping? ?you? ?pull? ?out? ?a? ?sword,? ?they? ?all? ?found? ?the? ?task? ?too? ?difficult.”? ?


    He? ?said? ?piteously,? ?“I’ve? ?told? ?you? ?this? ?before.? ?No? ?one? ?will? e? ?help? ?you.”? ? ?


    There? ?was? ?a? ?voice? ?screaming? ?hysterically? ?in? ?Xie? ?Lian’s? ?heart:? ? ?


    Admit? ?it.? ?What? ?he? ?said? ?is? ?right.? ?There? ?isn’t,? ?there? ?isn’t,? ?there? ?isn’t!? ?There? ?really? ?isn’t.? ?There? ?isn’t? ?a? ?


    single? ?person!? ?


    As? ?if? ?he? ?had? ?heard? ?this? ?desperate? ?cry? ?in? ?Xie? ?Lian’s? ?heart,? ?White? ?No-Face? ?seemed? ?to? ?have? ?smiled? ?


    a? ?bit,? ?reached? ?out,? ?and? ?gripped? ?the? ?hilt? ?of? ?that? ?ck? ?sword,? ?“But,? ?it’s? ?alright.? ?They? ?won’t? ?help? ?you,? ?


    but? ?I? ?will? ?help? ?you.”? ?


    Then,? ?he? ?exerted? ?some? ?force,? ?lifted? ?his? ?hand,? ?and? ?pulled? ?that? ?ck? ?sword? ?from? ?Xie? ?Lian’s? ?


    abdomen,? ?tossing? ?it? ?aside? ?next? ?to? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?with? ?a? ?soundly? ?ng.? ?


    Soon? ?after,? ?that? ?touch? ?of? ?shadow? ?of? ?white? ?cloth? ?in? ?the? ?rain? ughed? ?lightly? ?as? ?if? ?he? ?had? ?


    seeded,? ?then? ?he? ?backed? ?away,? ?leaving? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?to? ?his? ?own? ?devices,? ?and? ?vanished.? ?


    After? ?having? ?that? ?ck? ?sword? ?pulled? ?out,? ?Xie? ?Lian’s? ?wound? ?was? ?exposed? ?without? ?cover,? ?and? ?to? ?be? ?


    battered? ?by? ?the? ?rain,? ?the? ?already? ?numbed? ?pain? ?started? ?spreading? ?once? ?again.? ?However,? ?this? ?was? ?


    the? ?only? ?thing? ?he? ?could? ?clearly? ?feel? ?at? ?this? ?moment.? ?


    Ssh? ?sploosh,? ?ssh? ?sploosh,? ?the? ?sound? ?of? ?a? ?series? ?of? ?wild? ?footsteps? ?stomping? ?on? ?water? ?


    came,? ?like? ?there? ?was? ?a? ?pedestrian? ?who? ?was? ?rushing? ?over? ?in? ?the? ?rain.? ?However,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?wasn’t? ?


    secretly? ?hopeful? ?like? ?before.? ?


    He? ?sat? ?up? ?slowly,? ?yet? ?unexpectedly,? ?just? ?as? ?he? ?got? ?up,? ?there? ?was? ?a? ?loud? ?“AH!!!”? ?yell,? ?and? ?a? ?man? ?


    fell? ?heavily? ?next? ?to? ?him.? ?


    That? ?man? ?carried? ?a? rge? ?basket? ?on? ?his? ?back? ?and? ?wore? ?a? ?bamboo? ?hat? ?for? ?shielding? ?against? ?the? ?


    rain.? ?It? ?was? ?probably? ?due? ?to? ?the? ?pouring? ?rain? ?that? ?he? ?hadn’t? ?seen? ?there? ?was? ?someone? ?in? ?the? ?pit? ?on? ?


    the? ?road,? ?and? ?only? ?when? ?he? ?had? ?gotten? ?closer? ?and? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?suddenly? ?sat? ?up? ?did? ?he? ?notice.? ?Plus,? ?


    this? ?man? ?was? ?running? ?really? ?fast,? ?and? ?to? ?so? ?forcibly? ?stop,? ?this? ?tripping? ?fall? ?was? ?quite? ?heavy.? ?As? ?he? ?


    tumbled? ?and? id? ?sprawled? ?next? ?to? ?that? ?human? ?shaped? ?pit,? ?he? ?instantly? ?started? ?loudly? ?swearing? ?


    on? ?the? ?spot,? ?“WHAT? ?THE? ?FUCK!!!”? ? ?


    His? ?bamboo? ?hat? ?had? ?flown? ?off,? ?the? ?basket? ?on? ?his? ?back? ?was? ?toppled,? ?all? ?that? ?white? ?rice? ?spilled? ?all? ?


    over? ?the? ?ground.? ?That? ?man? ?sat? ?on? ?the? ?ground? ?and? ?screamed? ?in? ?frustration,? ?pping? ?down? ?at? ?the? ?


    ground,? ?and? ?that? ?wet? ?mud? ?and? ?rice? ?sttered? ?on? ?Xie? ?Lian’s? ?face.? ?The? ?man? ?was? ?outraged,? ?


    jumping? ?three? ?feet? ?in? ?the? ?air? ?and? ?pointed? ?at? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?squarely? ?in? ?the? ?face,? ?“WHAT? ?THE? ?HELL?!? ?


    THIS? ?ANCESTOR? ?WORKED? ?HIS? ?ASS? ?OFF? ?TO? ?EARN? ?A? ?BIT? ?OF? ?MONEY? ?TO? ?BUY? ?A? ?BIT? ?OF? ?


    RICE? ?AND? ?NOW? ?IT’S? ?ALL? ?GONE? ?JUST? ?LIKE? ?THAT,? ?HOW? ?MANY? ?LIFETIME’S? ?WORTH? ?OF? ?


    BLOODY? ?BAD? ?LUCK? ?IS? ?THIS??? ?PAY? ?ME? ?BACK!!? ?DON’T? ?SIT? ?THERE? ?PRETENDING? ?TO? ?BE? ?


    DEAD,? ?PAY? ?ME? ?BACK!!!”? ? ?


    Xie? ?Lian? ?didn’t? ?bother? ?to? ?spare? ?him? ?a? ?look? ?at? ?all? ?and? ?nned? ?to? ?ignore? ?him.? ?However,? ?that? ?man? ?


    was? ?unrelenting,? ?and? ?he? ?grabbed? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?up? ?by? ?the? ?cor,? ?“ARE? ?YOU? ?ASKING? ?FOR? ?YOUR? ?


    DEATH?? ?HUH?? ?I’M? ?TALKING? ?TO? ?YOU!”? ? ?


    “Yes.”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?replied? ?coldly.? ?


    That? ?man? ?clicked? ?his? ?tongue,? ?“WELL? ?IF? ?YOU? ?WANNA? ?FUCKING? ?DIE? ?GO? ?SCAMPER? ?OFF? ?TO? ?


    THE? ?SIDE? ?AND? ?DIE? ?ON? ?YOUR? ?OWN? ?QUIETLY,? ?WHAT? ?ARE? ?YOU? ?DOING? ?BLOCKING? ?


    PEOPLE’S? ?WAY? ?IN? ?THE? ?MIDDLE? ?OF? ?THE? ?ROAD?? ?CAN’T? ?EVEN? ?DIE? ?IN? ?PEACE,? ?WHAT? ?A? ?


    NUISANCE!!!”? ?


    Xie? ?Lian? ?let? ?himself? ?be? ?shaken? ?wildly? ?by? ?the? ?cor,? ?stoic? ?and? ?expressionless,? ?exceedingly? ?numb.? ?


    Cuss.? ?Cuss? ?all? ?you? ?want.? ?Nothing? ?matters? ?anymore,? ?so? ?just? ?cuss? ?however? ?you? ?want.? ?


    Either? ?way,? ?everything? ?will? ?soon? ?disappear.? ?


    The? ?sun? ?is? ?about? ?to? ?set.? ?


    That? ?man? ?gripped? ?the? ?wooden? ?Xie? ?Lian,? ?pressing? ?to? ?have? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?pay? ?him? ?back,? ?and? ?when? ?Xie? ?


    Lian? ?didn’t? ?respond? ?he? ?cussed? ?to? ?his? ?heart’s? ?content? ?but? ?still? ?wasn’t? ?appeased,? ?and? ?only? ?after? ?


    having? ?pushed? ?and? ?shoved? ?for? ?a? ?long? ?while? ?did? ?he? ?pick? ?up? ?his? ?bamboo? ?hat? ?on? ?the? ?ground,? ?put? ?it? ?


    over? ?his? ?head,? ?and? ?walked? ?away? ?grumbling.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?was? ?thrown? ?back? ?into? ?the? ?pit? ?with? ?a? ?dull? ?


    thud,? ?and? ?gradually,? ?he? ?began? ?to? ?hear? ?a? ?mouring? ?noise? ?louder? ?than? ?the? ?sound? ?of? ?rain.? ?


    It? ?was? ?the? ?shrieking? ?of? ?millions? ?of? ?the? ?souls? ?of? ?the? ?dead? ?sealed? ?within? ?the? ?ck? ?sword.? ?


    Along? ?with? ?the? ?setting? ?sun? ?sinking? ?bit? ?by? ?bit? ?down? ?the? ?west,? ?they? ?started? ?hollering? ?and? ?wailing? ?like? ?


    mad? ?inside? ?Xie? ?Lian’s? ?head,? ?cheering? ?and? ?rejoicing? ?for? ?the? ing? ?arrival? ?of? ?their? ?freedom? ?and? ?


    revenge.? ? ?


    Xie? ?Lian? ?raised? ?a? ?hand? ?and? ?covered? ?his? ?face.? ?


    Just? ?as? ?his? ?other? ?hand? ?was? ?shakily? ?reaching? ?out? ?to? ?grab? ?hold? ?of? ?that? ?ck? ?sword? ?on? ?the? ?ground,? ?


    he? ?suddenly? ?noticed? ?something? ?strange.? ?


    The? ?rain? ?seemed? ?to? ?have? ?stopped.? ?


    No.? ?


    The? ?rain? ?didn’t? ?stop.? ?It? ?was? ?something? ?that? ?was? ?ced? ?over? ?his? ?head,? ?helping? ?him? ?block? ?off? ?that? ?


    pouring? ?rain!? ?


    Xie? ?Lian? ?whipped? ?his? ?head? ?up? ?to? ?look,? ?and? ?saw? ?someone? ?crouched? ?before? ?him,? ?pressing? ?that? ?


    bamboo? ?hat? ?that? ?was? ?on? ?his? ?own? ?head? ?on? ?Xie? ?Lian’s? ?head.? ?


    ...It? ?was? ?that? ?man? ?who? ?was? ?just? ?cussing? ?loudly? ?at? ?him!? ? ?


    He? ?red? ?at? ?the? ?other? ?and? ?the? ?other? ?also? ?red? ?back? ?at? ?him,? ?“What? ?are? ?you? ?looking? ?at? ?me? ?like? ?


    that? ?for?? ?What,? ?it? ?was? ?just? ?some? ?cussin’? ?and? ?you? ?really? ?wanna? ?go? ?die? ?over? ?it?”? ?He? ?spat? ?on? ?the? ?


    ground? ?as? ?he? ?spoke,? ?“Looking? ?so? ?miserable? ?like? ?you’re? ?crying? ?for? ?the? ?dead,? ?how? ?unlucky!”? ? ?


    “...”? ?


    That? ?man? ?was? ?savage? ?and? ?aggressive? ?earlier,? ?and? ?now? ?he? ?seemed? ?to? ?feel? ?a? ?little? ?guilty? ?thinking? ?


    back? ?on? ?it,? ?and? ?after? ?grumbling,? ?he? ?started? ?trying? ?to? ?exin? ?himself,? ?“Alright? ?alright,? ?it? ?was? ?my? ?


    bad? ?earlier.? ?But? ?you? ?deserved? ?all? ?that? ?scolding.? ?Who? ?told? ?you? ?to? ?go? ?all? ?mental?? ?Besides,? ?who’s? ?


    never? ?been? ?cussed? ?at? ?before?”? ? ?


    Xie? ?Lian’s? ?eyes? ?were? ?round? ?and? ?bulging,? ?unable? ?to? ?speak.? ?


    Then,? ?that? ?man? ?grew? ?impatient,? ?“Fine? ?fine? ?fine? ?fine,? ?it’s? ?my? ?bad? ?luck? ?today,? ?you? ?don’t? ?have? ?to? ?pay? ?


    back? ?that? ?rice.? ?What? ?are? ?you? ?doing? ?still? ?lying? ?around? ?here? ?for?? ?You’re? ?a? ?grown? ?man,? ?not? ?a? ?child,? ?


    are? ?you? ?waiting? ?for? ?your? ?ma? ?and? ?pa? ?to? ?pick? ?you? ?up?? ?Get? ?up? ?get? ?up? ?get? ?up? ?get? ?up.”? ? ?


    He? ?urged? ?as? ?he? ?pulled? ?and? ?yanked,? ?pulling? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?up,? ?and? ?forcefully? ?pped? ?him? ?twice? ?on? ?the? ?


    back,? ?“Stand? ?up.? ?Go? ?home? ?now!”? ? ?


    And? ?so? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?was? ?pulled? ?out? ?of? ?this? ?human? ?shaped? ?pit? ?just? ?like? ?that,? ?and? ?almost? ?tumbled? ?to? ?the? ?


    ground? ?by? ?those? ?two? ?ps,? ?feeling? ?dumbfounded.? ?When? ?he? ?snapped? ?out? ?of? ?it,? ?that? ?man? ?had? ?


    already? ?gone.? ?


    What? ?remained? ?was? ?only? ?that? ?bamboo? ?hat? ?still? ?on? ?his? ?head,? ?reminding? ?him,? ?he? ?was? ?just? ?pulled? ?


    out? ?by? ?someone,? ?it? ?wasn’t? ?a? ?hallucination.? ?


    Who? ?knows? ?how? ?much? ?time? ?had? ?past,? ?and? ?White? ?No-Face? ?reappeared? ?behind? ?him.? ?


    This? ?time,? ?he? ?didn’t? ?smile,? ?and? ?his? ?voice? ?wasn’t? ?that? ?easy? ?and? ?carefree? ?anymore,? ?but? ?rather? ?


    vaguely? ?displeased? ?and? ?worried,? ?“What? ?are? ?you? ?doing?”? ? ?


    The? ?rain? ?was? ?still? ?pouring? ?down,? ?but? ?Xie? ?lian? ?was? ?wearing? ?a? ?bamboo? ?hat? ?given? ?to? ?him? ?by? ?


    someone,? ?so? ?while? ?his? ?body? ?was? ?already? ?drenched,? ?at? ?least? ?his? ?head? ?and? ?face? ?were? ?now? ?spared.? ?


    But,? ?still,? ?his? ?cheeks? ?were? ?wet.? ?


    Seeing? ?that? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?wasn’t? ?answering,? ?White? ?No-Face? ?added? ?darkly,? ?“The? ?sun? ?is? ?about? ?to? ?set.? ?


    Take? ?up? ?your? ?sword,? ?otherwise,? ?you? ?know? ?what? ?will? ?happen.”? ?


    Xie? ?Lian? ?didn’t? ?turn? ?his? ?head? ?back,? ?and? ?only? ?said? ?softly,? ?“Fuck? ?you.”? ? ?


    “What? ?did? ?you? ?say?”? ?White? ?No-Face’s? ?voice? ?carried? ?a? ?trace? ?of? ?frost.? ?


    Xie? ?Lian? ?turned? ?to? ?him? ?and? ?said? ?calmly,? ?“Did? ?you? ?not? ?hear? ?me?? ?Then? ?I’ll? ?say? ?it? ?again.”? ? ?


    Suddenly,? ?his? ?leg? ?flew? ?out? ?violently,? ?kicking? ?out? ?thunderously,? ?sending? ?White? ?No-Face? ?flying? ?


    meters? ?away!? ?


    His? ?foot? nded,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?held? ?his? ?wound? ?with? ?a? ?hand? ?while? ?his? ?other? ?pointed? ?at? ?the? ?direction? ?


    White? ?No-Face? ?had? ?gone,? ?and? ?used? ?his? ?loudest? ?voice,? ?giving? ?everything? ?he’s? ?got? ?to? ?yell,? ?“I? ?SAID? ?


    FUCK? ?YOU!!!? ?WHO? ?DO? ?YOU? ?THINK? ?YOU? ?ARE,? ?TO? ?DARE? ?TALK? ?TO? ?ME? ?LIKE? ?THIS??? ?I? ?AM? ?


    THE? ?CROWN? ?PRINCE!!!”? ?


    Upon? ?his? ?face,? ?two? ?lines? ?of? ?tears? ?were? ?already? ?streaming? ?down? ?from? ?his? ?eyes.? ?


    One? ?person.? ?Just? ?one.? ?


    Really.? ? ?


    Just? ?one? ?person? ?was? ?enough!? ?


    ——–? ?


    Ch.197:? ?Man? ?in? ?Abyss? ?Receives? ?a? ?Bamboo? ?Hat? ?in? ?the? ?Rain? ?2? ?


    White? ?No-Face? ?was? ?sent? ?flying? ?by? ?his? ?kick,? ?but? ?he? ?flipped? ?in? ?the? ?air? ?and? nded? ?steadily,? ?yelling,? ?


    “ARE? ?YOU? ?MAD?!”? ? ?


    He? ?was? ?outraged!? ?


    After? ?so? ?long,? ?it? ?was? ?the? ?very? ?first? ?time? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?had? ?witnessed? ?such? ?an? ?intensive? ?emotional? ?


    reaction? ?from? ?this? ?creature,? ?and? ?that? ?made? ?him? ?extremely? ?pleased.? ?He? ?grabbed? ?the? ?ck? ?sword? ?


    that? ?was? ?on? ?the? ?ground? ?and? ?charged? ?forward,? ?“I’m? ?not? ?mad,? ?I’ve? ?just? ?returned!”? ? ?


    That? ?kick? ?earlier? ?was? ?unanticipated,? ?but? ?now? ?the? ?attacks? ?following? ?wouldn’t? ?be? ?as? ?easy.? ?White? ?


    No-Face? ?dodged? ?as? ?he? ?cried? ?frostily,? ?“Have? ?you...? ?forgotten?? ?How? ?your? ?parents? ?left? ?you,? ?how? ?


    your? ?people? ?treated? ?you,? ?how? ?your? ?worshippers? ?betrayed? ?you!? ?Just? ?for? ?this? ?man,? ?this? ?puny,? ?


    insignificant? ?passerby!? ?Now? ?you’ve? ?forgotten? ?everything??”? ?


    “I? ?haven’t? ?forgotten!? ?But–”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?swung? ?the? ?sword,? ?and? ?shouted? ?angrily? ?and? ?vigorously,? ?“IT’S? ?


    NONE? ?OF? ?YOUR? ?SHITTY? ?BUSINESS!!!”? ? ?


    White? ?No-Face? ?seized? ?the? ?tip? ?of? ?the? ?sword,? ?gripping? ?it? ?exceedingly? ?firm,? ?and? ?blood? ?dripped,? ?his? ?


    knuckles? ?cracking.? ?


    He? ?was? ?losing? ?it? ?a? ?little,? ?and? ?muttered? ?incredulously,? ?“...Useless? ?trash,? ?useless? ?trash!? ?You’re? ?truly? ?


    useless? ?trash!? ?Having? e? ?this? ?far? ?to? ?this? ?point,? ?you? ?can? ?actually? ?regret,? ?you? ?can? ?actually? ?turn? ?


    back!”? ? ?


    Xie? ?Lian? ?was? ?also? ?pressing? ?down? ?on? ?the? ?sword,? ?replying? ?with? ?gritted? ?teeth,? ?“...You? ?disgust? ?me.? ?


    So,? ?I? ?refuse? ?to? ?ever? ?be? ?something? ?as? ?disgusting? ?as? ?you!”? ? ?


    “...”? ?


    White? ?No-Face? ?seemed? ?to? ?have? ?calmed? ?down? ?a? ?little,? ?and? ?recovered? ?the? ?tone? ?of? ?voice? ?that? ?


    sounded? ?as? ?if? ?everything? ?was? ?within? ?his? ?control,? ?“Nevermind.? ?This? ?is? ?only? ?your? st? ?bit? ?of? ?struggle? ?


    in? ?the? ?face? ?of? ?death.? ?Have? ?you? ?forgotten? ?what? ?I’ve? ?told? ?you?”? ?


    Xie? ?Lian? ?panted? ?a? ?breath,? ?and? ?White? ?No-Face? ?enunciated? ?each? ?word,? ?“The? ?souls? ?of? ?the? ?dead? ?of? ?


    the? ?battlefield? ?were? ?summoned? ?back? ?by? ?you.? ?Now,? ?it? ?is? ?too? te.? ?They? ?will? ?not? ?be? ?stopped!”? ? ?


    Amidst? ?the? ?heavy? ?rain,? ?that? ?ck? ?sword? ?in? ?Xie? ?Lian’s? ?hand? ?emitted? ?a? ?sharp? ?ringing? ?cry,? ?stabbing? ?


    his? ?ears? ?and? ?head? ?with? ?pain.? ?“What? ?will? ?you? ?do?”? ?White? ?No-Face? ?asked,? ?“Is? ?it? ?worth? ?it?? ?To? ?take? ?on? ?


    the? ?curse? ?of? ?ten? ?thousand? ?lifetimes? ?for? ?those? ?people?”? ? ?


    Ever? ?since? ?that? ?kick? ?earlier,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?had? ?been? ?in? ?a? ?state? ?of? ?blood? ?boiling? ?through? ?his? ?veins? ?and? ?


    blood? ?rushing? ?to? ?his? ?head;? ?all? ?the? ?sword? ?swinging? ?and? ?the? ?words? ?he? ?spat? ?came? ?straight? ?from? ?the? ?


    heart? ?without? ?a? ?thought? ?of? ?what? ?should? ?be? ?done? ?of? ?anything? ?that? ?came? ?afterwards.? ?Now? ?that? ?he’d? ?


    heard? ?White? ?No-Face’s? ?question,? ?he? ?didn’t? ?know? ?how? ?to? ?answer? ?either,? ?“You? ?won’t? ?see? ?what? ?I? ?


    n? ?to? ?do.? ?Before? ?that,? ?I’ll? ?get? ?rid? ?of? ?you!”? ? ?


    White? ?No-Face? ?humphed? ?coldly,? ?“How? ?arrogant.”? ? ?


    Then,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?felt? ?his? ?body? ?go? ?light,? ?and? ?his? ?entire? ?person? ?was? ?sent? ?flying.? ?


    He? ?instantly? ?steadied? ?his? ?mind? ?to? ?find? ?his? ?centre,? ?but? ?before? ?he? ?found? ?his? ?bnce,? ?that? ?white? ?


    figure? ?shed? ?above,? ?and? ?struck? ?down? ?forcefully.? ?It? ?was? ?as? ?if? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?had? ?be? ?a? ?ball? ?of? ?iron? ?


    being? ?heavily? ?slung? ?out,? ?and? ?after? ?a? ?loud? ?crash,? ?he? ?crashed? ?deeply? ?into? ?the? ?ground.? ?


    If? ?it? ?was? ?said? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?had? ?a? ?three? ?part? ?hope? ?in? ?his? ?mind? ?that? ?perhaps? ?if? ?he? ?burst? ?out? ?he? ?could’ve? ?


    won,? ?but? ?after? ?this? ?strike,? ?he? ?was? ?now? ?more? ?than? ?awake.? ?


    He? ?couldn’t? ?win!? ? ?


    Too? ?strong;? ?to? ?him,? ?this? ?creature? ?was? ?overwhelmingly? ?strong!? ?


    Xie? ?Lian? ?had? ?never? ?thought? ?any? ?enemy? ?to? ?be? ?“overwhelming”,? ?and? ?it? ?was? ?only? ?those? ?few? ?times? ?he? ?


    faced? ?Jun? ?Wu? ?when? ?such? ?a? ?rare? ?thought? ?would? ?sh? ?through? ?his? ?mind.? ?However,? ?while? ?Jun? ?Wu? ?


    was? ?genuinely? ?strong,? ?it? ?was? ?a? ?power? ?that? ?was? ?measuredly? ?restricted,? ?deliberate? ?and? ?careful;? ?a? ?


    plete? ?opposite? ?of? ?White? ?No-Face.? ?In? ?his? ?strength,? ?there? ?was? ?a? ?malicious? ?encroaching? ?


    viciousness? ?and? ?a? ?murderous? ?intent? ?filled? ?with? ?resentment.? ? ?


    So,? ?it? ?only? ?took? ?one? ?strike? ?before? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?understood.? ?He? ?would? ?never? ?be? ?able? ?to? ?win? ?against? ?


    White? ?No-Face.? ?Perhaps? ?there? ?was? ?only? ?Jun? ?Wu? ?who? ?could? ?be? ?a? ?match? ?for? ?this? ?creature.? ?


    But? ?the? ?him? ?now? ?would? ?never? ?be? ?able? ?to? ?have? ?his? ?voice? ?reach? ?Jun? ?Wu!? ?


    A? ?violent? ?stomp,? ?and? ?White? ?No-Face’s? ?snow? ?white? ?boot? ?stepped? ?down? ?on? ?Xie? ?Lian’s? ?chest,? ?and? ?


    he? ?said? ?chillingly,? ?“From? ?the? ?start,? ?it? ?was? ?your? ?arrogance? ?and? ?your? ?naive? ?dreams? ?that? ?caused? ?


    everything!”? ? ?


    Xie? ?Lian? ?could? ?feel? ?his? ?organs? ?twist? ?and? ?retract? ?from? ?the? ?stomp,? ?the? ?pain? ?excruciating,? ?but? ?he? ?still? ?


    held? ?back? ?that? ?mouthful? ?of? ?blood,? ?“No.? ?It? ?wasn’t? ?me!”? ? ?


    “Huh?”? ?White? ?No-Face? ?said? ?unpleasantly.? ?


    Xie? ?Lian? ?reached? ?out? ?and? ?clutched? ?firmly? ?onto? ?that? ?boot,? ?his? ?eyes? ?clearer? ?than? ?ever? ?before,? ?


    shining? ?and? ?bright,? ?“It’s? ?you? ?who? ?brought? ?the? ?human? ?face? ?disease.? ?It’s? ?you? ?who? ?caused? ?


    everything!”? ? ?


    “...”? ?


    White? ?No-Face? ?humphed,? ?“Perhaps.? ?If? ?you? ?must? ?think? ?that? ?way.”? ? ?


    Then,? ?he? ?smiled,? ?“But? ?you? ?must? ?understand,? ?that? ?if? ?it? ?wasn’t? ?for? ?your? ?arrogance? ?in? ?defying? ?the? ?


    heavens,? ?I? ?would? ?never? ?have? ?appeared? ?in? ?this? ?world.? ?I? ?was? ?born? ?by? ?the? ?will? ?of? ?heaven.”? ? ?


    The? ?mes? ?in? ?Xie? ?Lian’s? ?eyes? ?weren’t? ?put? ?out? ?by? ?the? ?heavy? ?rain;? ?on? ?the? ?contrary,? ?it? ?was? ?zing? ?


    stronger? ?and? ?stronger,? ?“Stop? ?thinking? ?so? ?highly? ?of? ?yourself!? ?I? ?don’t? ?need? ?you? ?to? ?teach? ?me? ?


    anything,? ?I? ?can? ?learn? ?on? ?my? ?own.? ?If? ?you? ?represent? ?heaven’s? ?will,? ?then? ?something? ?like? ?heaven’s? ?


    will? ?should? ?be? ?destroyed!”? ? ?


    Muffled? ?thunder? ?rolled? ?in? ?the? ?horizon,? ?whirlwinds? ?blew.? ?White? ?No-Face’s? ?voice? ?had? ?dropped? ?


    deeper.? ?


    He? ?said? ?softly,? ?“I? ?took? ?the? ?utmost? ?care? ?in? ?teaching? ?you? ?but? ?you? ?remain? ?obtuse? ?and? ?stubborn.? ?


    Crown? ?Prince,? ?I’ve? ?lost? ?my? ?patience.”? ? ?


    Xie? ?Lian? ?coughed? ?a? ?few? ?times,? ?and? ?White? ?No-Face? ?continued,? ?“However,? ?it? ?makes? ?no? ?difference.? ?


    Either? ?way,? ?you? ?have? ?long? ?since? ?roused? ?them,? ?and? ?now,? ?only? ?the? st? ?step? ?needs? ?to? ?be? ?taken.? ?


    Allow? ?me? ?to? ?help? ?you? ?with? ?this? st? ?step.”? ? ?


    Xie? ?Lian? ?was? ?rmed,? ?“What? ?are? ?you? ?nning?”? ? ?


    White? ?No-Face? ?bent? ?down? ?and? ?seized? ?Xie? ?Lian’s? ?hand,? ?and? ?stuffed? ?that? ?ck? ?sword? ?in? ?his? ?hand,? ?


    forcing? ?him? ?to? ?grip? ?it,? ?and? ?raising? ?it? ?to? ?the? ?sky!? ?


    A? ?shing? ?thunderbolt? ?struck? ?down? ?from? ?the? ?heavens,? ?injecting? ?into? ?that? ?ck? ?sword’s? ?heart? ?of? ?


    the? ?de,? ?and? ?reflected? ?back.? ?Thick? ?and? ?dense? ?gloomy? ?clouds? ?started? ?stirring,? ?and? ?a? ?sea? ?of? ?


    ck? ?clouds? ?enveloped? ?the? ?entire? ?sky? ?of? ?YongAn.? ?Countless? ?faces,? ?arms,? ?legs,? ?and? ?other? ?limbs? ?


    were? ?rolling? ?within? ?it,? ?as? ?if? ?hell? ?was? ?moved? ?to? ?the? ?heavens.? ?


    At? ?the? ?same? ?time,? ?the? ?sun? ?had? ?set.? ?


    Xie? ?Lian? id? ?on? ?the? ?ground,? ?the? ?rolling? ?ck? ?clouds? ?and? ?a? ?sky? ?filled? ?with? ?the? ?shing? ?of? ?lightning? ?


    and? ?the? ?crying? ?of? ?thunder? ?reflected? ?in? ?his? ?eyes.? ?White? ?No-Face? ?tossed? ?him? ?and? ?that? ?ck? ?sword? ?


    also? ?dropped? ?to? ?the? ?ground? ?with? ?a? ?ng.? ?


    It? ?was? ?as? ?if? ?millions? ?of? ?horses? ?were? ?shrieking? ?and? ?howling? ?from? ?the? ?clouds,? ?the? ?very? ?parade? ?of? ?the? ?


    apocalypse,? ?and? ?all? ?over? ?the? ?streets? ?and? ?alleyways,? ?many? ?were? ?startled? ?and? ?came? ?out? ?to? ?see? ?


    what? ?was? ?going? ?on,? ?and? ?they? ?all? ?looked? ?confused,? ?“What’s? ?going? ?on?”? ?


    “What’s? ?with? ?all? ?the? ?noise?”? ? ?


    “What? ?the? ?hell??? ?What’s? ?that? ?in? ?the? ?sky??? ?IS? ?THAT? ?A? ?HUMAN? ?FACE??”? ? ?


    “IT’S? ?CHAOS!? ?IT’S? ?THE? ?OMINOUS? ?SIGN? ?OF? ?THE? ?END? ?OF? ?THE? ?WORLD!”? ? ?


    Xie? ?Lian? ?was? ?covered? ?in? ?mud? ?and? ?grime,? ?and? ?he? ?stumbled? ?as? ?he? ?crawled? ?up? ?from? ?the? ?ground,? ?


    yelling,? ?“GO? ?HOME!? ?GO? ?BACK? ?TO? ?YOUR? ?HOUSES!!? ?DON’T? ?COME? ?OUT!? ?GO? ?HOME,? ?RUN!!!”? ?


    The? ?human? ?face? ?disease? ?was? ?about? ?to? ?be? ?unleashed? ?once? ?again!? ?


    Xie? ?Lian? ?was? ?fervently? ?waving? ?his? ?hands? ?while? ?White? ?No-Face? ?stood? ?on? ?the? ?side? ?and? ?chuckled? ?


    softly.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?whipped? ?his? ?head? ?around? ?and? ?red? ?at? ?him? ?in? ?rage.? ?White? ?No-Face? ?tucked? ?his? ?


    hands? ?in? ?his? ?sleeves,? ?and? ?said? ?calmly? ?and? ?easily,? ?“Why? ?so? ?angry?? ?Either? ?way? ?you? ?can? ?no? ?longer? ?


    turn? ?back,? ?so? ?why? ?not? ?just? ?enjoy? ?the? ?sweetness? ?of? ?revenge?? ?This? ?is? ?all? ?done? ?by? ?your? ?hands,? ?


    appreciate? ?it? ?wholeheartedly.”? ? ?


    “...You...? ?really? ?think? ?I? ?can’t? ?do? ?anything? ?about? ?this?”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?said.? ?


    “If? ?you? ?have? ?a? ?way,? ?then? ?please,? ?go? ?ahead?”? ?White? ?No-Face? ?said.? ?


    Xie? ?Lian? ?sucked? ?in? ?a? ?huge? ?breath,? ?then? ?picked? ?up? ?that? ?ck? ?sword? ?on? ?the? ?ground? ?and? ?walked? ?to? ?


    where? ?the? ?crowd? ?is? ?on? ?the? ?street.? ?


    Everyone? ?recognized? ?him? ?as? ?that? ?Crown? ?Prince? ?of? ?the? ?previous? ?dynasty? ?who? id? ?on? ?the? ?street? ?


    for? ?two? ?days,? ?an? ?unghost-like? ?ghost,? ?an? ?ungodly? ?god,? ?an? ?inhuman? ?human,? ?and? ?they? ?all? ?backed? ?


    away? ?in? ?trepidation.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?shouted,? ?“ALL? ?OF? ?YOU,? ?STOP? ?WHERE? ?YOU? ?ARE!”? ? ?


    For? ?some? ?reason,? ?while? ?he? ?was? ?covered? ?in? ?mud? ?and? ?grime? ?from? ?head? ?to? ?toe? ?at? ?the? ?moment,? ?


    there? ?was? ?a? ?strange? ?aura,? ?and? ?everyone? ?actually? ?stopped.? ?“Do? ?you? ?see? ?those? ?things? ?in? ?the? ?sky?”? ?


    Xie? ?Lian? ?asked.? ?


    The? ?crowd? ?nodded? ?unconsciously.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?continued,? ?“Those? ?things? ?are? ?the? ?resentful? ?spirits? ?that? ?


    will? ?trigger? ?the? ?human? ?face? ?disease.? ?Very? ?soon,? ?the? ?human? ?face? ?disease? ?will? ?erupt? ?once? ?again!”? ? ?


    That? ?ck? ?sea? ?of? ?clouds? ?was? ?indeed? ?terrifying,? ?and? ?without? ?needing? ?much? ?more? ?convincing,? ?the? ?


    crowd? ?believed? ?him,? ?and? ?everyone? ?was? ?horrified,? ?“THE,? ?THE? ?HUMAN? ?FACE? ?DISEASE??”? ? ?


    “WHY? ?HAS? ?IT? ?COME? ?AGAIN?”? ?


    “COULD? ?IT? ?REALLY? ?BE...”? ?


    Some? ?were? ?at? ?a? plete? ?loss,? ?some? ?were? ?turning? ?around? ?to? ?flee,? ?but? ?the? ?majority? ?of? ?them? ?stood? ?


    where? ?they? ?were? ?in? ?fidgety? ?uneasiness,? ?waiting? ?for? ?him? ?to? ?say? ?more.? ?However,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?had? ?no? ?


    more? ?to? ?say,? ?and? ?only? ?gripped? ?the? ?sword? ?in? ?his? ?hand? ?and? ?raised? ?it? ?forward.? ?


    The? ?moment? ?he? ?raised? ?this? ?chilling? ?weapon,? ?the? ?crowd? ?jumped? ?and? ?instantly? ?backed? ?away? ?a? ?few? ?


    meters? ?in? ?fear,? ?but? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?shouted? ?again,? ?“TAKE? ?THIS!”? ? ?


    “...”? ?


    The? ?people? ?gaped? ?in? ?fright,? ?“...What?”? ? ?


    Under? ?the? ?rain,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?was? ?holding? ?that? ?sword? ?up,? ?and? ?he? ?said? ?darkly,? ?“As? ?long? ?as? ?you? ?use? ?this? ?


    sword? ?to? ?pierce? ?me,? ?you? ?won’t? ?be? ?affected? ?by? ?the? ?human? ?face? ?disease.”? ? ?


    “...”? ?


    White? ?No-Face’s? ?smile? ?seemed? ?to? ?have? ?faltered? ?for? ?a? ?moment.? ?


    A? ?brief? ?moment? ter,? ?he? ?spoke? ?up? ?with? ?a? ?rtively? ?calm? ?voice,? ?“Crown? ?Prince,? ?have? ?you? ?gone? ?


    mad?”? ? ?


    The? ?people? ?were? ?bewildered? ?too,? ?“What...? ?What? ?are? ?you? ?saying?”? ? ?


    “Is? ?he? ?crazy?”? ?


    “Take? ?the? ?sword? ?and? ?stab? ?him?? ?For? ?real?? ?What? ?is? ?he? ?nning?”? ? ?


    The? ?crowd? ?babbled? ?and? ?muttered,? ?and? ?a? ?sudden? ?burst? ?of? ughter? ?came? ?from? ?White? ?No-Face,? ?


    “Have? ?you? ?lost? ?your? ?mind? ?or? ?have? ?you? ?not? ?had? ?enough? ?of? ?the? ?taste? ?of? ?being? ?pierced? ?by? ?a? ?hundred? ?


    swords?? ?No,? ?this? ?time,? ?I’m? ?afraid? ?it’ll? ?have? ?to? ?be? ?the? ?pration? ?of? ?a? ?million? ?swords.? ?Open? ?your? ?


    eyes? ?and? ?look? ?at? ?the? ?sky!”? ? ?


    He? ?suddenly? ?stopped? ughing,? ?and? ?he? ?said,? ?pointing? ?to? ?the? ?sky,? ?“The? ?resentful? ?spirits? ?have? ?


    enveloped? ?all? ?of? ?YongAn!? ?Which? ?means,? ?if? ?you? ?want? ?to? ?“save? ?the? mon? ?people”,? ?you? ?will? ?have? ?


    to? ?have? ?all? ?of? ?YongAn? ?stab? ?you,? ?and? ?you? ?will? ?be? ?nothing? ?but? ?a? ?puddle? ?of? ?flesh? ?within? ?a? ?day!? ?


    How? ?is? ?a? ?foolish? ?method? ?like? ?this? ?any? ?different? ?than? ?you? ?trying? ?to? ?defy? ?the? ?heavens? ?and? ?create? ?


    rain? ?back? ?then?? ?Do? ?you? ?think? ?you? ?can? ?save? ?everyone?”? ? ?


    Xie? ?Lian? ?had? ?his? ?back? ?turned? ?to? ?him,? ?“If? ?a? ?day? ?isn’t? ?enough,? ?then? ?let? ?it? ?take? ?a? ?month;? ?if? ?a? ?month? ?


    won’t? ?do? ?then? ?two? ?months,? ?three? ?months!? ?If? ?I? ?can’t? ?save? ?ten? ?thousand,? ?then? ?I’ll? ?save? ?a? ?thousand;? ?


    if? ?I? ?can’t? ?save? ?a? ?thousand? ?then? ?I’ll? ?save? ?a? ?hundred,? ?TEN,? ?EVEN? ?IF? ?IT’S? ?ONLY? ?ONE!!!”? ?


    White? ?No-Face? ?eximed? ?in? ?outrage,? ?“WHY??”? ? ?


    Xie? ?Lian? ?raised? ?that? ?sword? ?with? ?both? ?his? ?hands? ?and? ?roared? ?loudly,? ?“THERE? ?IS? ?NO? ?REASON? ?


    WHY!? ?BECAUSE? ?I? ?WANT? ?TO!!!? ?EVEN? ?IF? ?I? ?TOLD? ?YOU...”? ?He? ?turned? ?his? ?head? ?back? ?slightly,? ?“–A? ?


    USELESS? ?TRASH? ?LIKE? ?YOU? ?WOULDN’T? ?UNDERSTAND.”? ? ?


    “...”? ?


    The? ?condescending? ?disdain? ?was? ?too? ?obvious? ?and? ?cut? ?too? ?deep,? ?and? ?White? ?No-Face? ?raised? ?his? ?


    voice? ?unconsciously,? ?“You,? ?what? ?did? ?you? ?call? ?me?”? ? ?


    Xie? ?Lian? ?stopped? ?caring? ?for? ?him? ?and? ?turned? ?calmly? ?to? ?the? ?crowd,? ?“Just? ?one? ?stab? ?and? ?everything? ?


    will? ?be? ?alright.? ?I? ?won’t? ?die,? ?you’ve? ?all? ?seen? ?it? ?for? ?yourselves? ?these? ?past? ?two? ?days.? ?However,? ?


    everyone? ?is? ?only? ?allowed? ?one? ?turn,? ?no? ?messing? ?about,? ?and? ?you? ?all? ?must? ?listen? ?to? ?me.? ?If? ?anyone? ?


    tries? ?to? ?start? ?anything? ?I’ll? ?blow? ?up? ?your? ?heads.? ?Trust? ?me,? ?one? ?of? ?my? ?hands? ?can? ?crush? ?a? ?hundred? ?of? ?


    your? ?heads.”? ? ?


    White? ?No-Face? ?was? ?incredulous,? ?“You? ?useless? ?trash? ?who? ?brought? ?ruin? ?to? ?your? ?kingdom? ?dare? ?call? ?


    me? ?useless? ?trash?”? ? ?


    No? ?one? ?dared? ?take? ?the? ?sword? ?in? ?Xie? ?Lian’s? ?hand,? ?but? ?no? ?one? ?dared? ?to? ?flee? ?either.? ?Having? ?been? ?


    ignored,? ?White? ?No-Face? ?was? ?sinking? ?deeper? ?in? ?dark? ?anger,? ?and? ?he? ?said? ?cooly,? ?“...Very? ?well.? ?Then? ?


    I? ?will? ?sit? ?back? ?and? ?watch? ?just? ?how? ?your? ?obstinance? ?will? ?ruin? ?yourself.? ?However,? ?no? ?matter? ?the? ?end,? ?


    you’ve? ?brought? ?it? ?upon? ?yourself.? ?I? ?hope? ?you? ?won’t? ?fall? ?apart? ?in? ?the? ?end? ?and? e? ?crying? ?to? ?me? ?in? ?


    regret.”? ? ?


    Having? ?pushed? ?and? ?shoved? ?back? ?and? ?forth,? ?the? ?ck? ?clouds? ?in? ?the? ?sky? ?were? ?growing? ?denser? ?and? ?


    pressing? ?down? ?heavier,? ?like? ?it? ?was? ?going? ?to? ?copse,? ?and? ?the? ?shrieking? ?cries? ?of? ?countless? ?human? ?


    faces? ?were? ?like? ?they? ?were? ?right? ?by? ?the? ?ears.? ?Finally,? ?there? ?was? ?a? ?father? ?who? ?was? ?so? ?scared? ?he? ?


    couldn’t? ?take? ?it? ?anymore,? ?and? ?dragged? ?a? ?child? ?over? ?and? ?took? ?the? ?sword,? ?“I’ll,? ?I’ll? ?give? ?it? ?a? ?try? ?with? ?


    my? ?Xiao? ?Bao,? ?huh...”? ?


    The? ?people? ?on? ?the? ?side? ?were? ?all? ?still? ?hesitating,? ?and? ?when? ?they? ?saw? ?they? ?eximed? ?in? ?surprise,? ?


    “You’re? ?actually? ?going? ?to? ?try??”? ? ?


    That? ?father? ?also? ?really? ?hesitated,? ?but? ?he? ?forced? ?himself? ?and? ?said? ?boldly,? ?“But...? ?But,? ?he? ?really? ?


    doesn’t? ?look? ?like? ?he’ll? ?die!? ?I’m? ?sorry,? ?buddy,? ?I’m? ?really? ?sorry!? ?My? ?Xiao? ?Bao...”? ?He? ?spoke? ?as? ?he? ?


    raised? ?his? ?hand? ?and? ?covered? ?the? ?eyes? ?of? ?the? ?small? ?child? ?in? ?his? ?arms,? ?letting? ?the? ?child? ?grip? ?the? ?


    ck? ?sword.? ?White? ?No-Face? ?didn’t? ?interfere? ?and? ?only? ?chuckled? ?mockingly? ?on? ?the? ?side.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?


    clenched? ?his? ?fists? ?slightly,? ?waiting? ?for? ?the? ?pain? ?to? ?attack? ?in? ?the? ?next? ?second,? ?telling? ?himself? ?in? ?his? ?


    head:? ?It’s? ?alright.? ?I’ve? ?already? ?hurt? ?too? ?many? ?times,? ?I’ll? ?get? ?used? ?to? ?this? ?soon? ?enough.? ?


    Yet? ?unexpectedly,? ?just? ?as? ?that? ?ck? ?sword? ?was? ?about? ?to? ?prate? ?his? ?gut,? ?it? ?was? ?soundly? ?


    knocked? ?down? ?by? ?someone.? ?


    Xie? ?Lian? ?didn’t? ?receive? ?the? ?excruciating? ?pain? ?he? ?anticipated,? ?but? ?instead? ?there? ?was? ?a? ?loud? ?and? ?


    clear,? ?“YOU? ?CAN’T!!”? ? ?


    “...”? ?


    He? ?whipped? ?his? ?head? ?over? ?to? ?look.? ?The? ?one? ?who? ?knocked? ?that? ?ck? ?sword? ?down? ?was? ?actually? ?


    that? ?little? ?water? ?merchant!? ? ?


    That? ?little? ?merchant? ?was? ?mixed? ?in? ?the? ?crowd,? ?and? ?seemed? ?to? ?be? ?unable? ?to? ?take? ?it? ?anymore,? ?and? ?


    he? ?stepped? ?out,? ?“I? ?say,? ?this? ?really? ?isn’t? ?a? ?pretty? ?sight.? ?Do? ?you? ?all? ?not? ?see? ?the? ?blot? ?on? ?his? ?stomach?? ?


    All? ?bloody.? ?Will? ?he? ?really? ?not? ?die?? ?Even? ?if? ?he? ?doesn’t? ?die,? ?he’d? ?still? ?bleed,? ?no?”? ? ?


    That? ?father? ?scrunched? ?up? ?his? ?face? ?miserably,? ?“But...? ?but...”? ?


    That? ?water? ?merchant’s? ?wife? ?elbowed? ?him? ?secretly? ?again? ?in? ?the? ?crowd,? ?but? ?that? ?little? ?merchant? ?


    turned? ?to? ?her? ?and? ?admonished? ?with? ?a? ?hush,? ?“Stop? ?elbowing? ?me,? ?if? ?you? ?have? ?issues? ?we’ll? ?talk? ?


    ter!”? ?Then? ?he? ?turned? ?back? ?around,? ?“Besides,? ?we? ?don’t? ?know? ?if? ?we? ?really? ?won’t? ?contract? ?the? ?


    disease? ?if? ?we? ?stab? ?him,? ?so? ?let’s? ?not? ?just? ?stab? ?blindly?”? ? ?


    That? ?father? ?pointed? ?to? ?the? ?sky,? ?“But,? ?soon....”? ?


    Just? ?then,? ?the? ?small? ?child? ?in? ?his? ?arms? ?started? ?crying,? ?and? ?that? ?little? ?merchant? ?immediately? ?pointed,? ?


    “Look,? ?look!? ?You? ?making? ?your? ?son? ?stab? ?people? ?is? ?making? ?him? ?cry!”? ? ?


    Sure? ?enough,? ?that? ?small? ?child? ?cried? ?soundly? ?and? ?threw? ?that? ?ck? ?sword? ?to? ?the? ?ground.? ?He? ?


    probably? ?didn’t? ?know? ?what? ?his? ?father? ?was? ?thinking? ?either,? ?but? ?he? ?was? ?scared? ?nheless.? ?Thus,? ?


    this? ?killed? ?any? ?ideas? ?that? ?father? ?had? ?in? ?mind,? ?and? ?he? ?pushed? ?back? ?into? ?the? ?crowd? ?holding? ?his? ?son.? ?


    There? ?were? ?some? ?who? ?were? ?ready? ?to? ?try,? ?but? ?when? ?they? ?saw? ?the? ?first? ?person? ?who? ?stepped? ?up? ?


    was? ?set? ?back,? ?the? ?ones? ?after? ?didn’t? ?feel? ?as? ?brave,? ?and? ?so? ?they? ?yelled? ?from? ?the? ?crowd,? ?“Haven’t? ?


    you? ?heard? ?what? ?he? ?said?? ?The? ?human? ?face? ?disease? ?is? ?about? ?to? ?descend? ?upon? ?us!? ?He’s? ?a? ?God? ?of? ?


    Misfortune,? ?he’s? ?brought? ?this? ?to? ?our? ?heads!”? ? ?


    However,? ?that? ?little? ?merchant? ?countered,? ?“But? ?even? ?if? ?he’s? ?the? ?God? ?of? ?Misfortune,? ?he? ?wouldn’t? ?


    want? ?to? ?do? ?this? ?willingly?”? ? ?


    He? ?kept? ?talking? ?and? ?started? ?to? ?piss? ?some? ?people? ?off,? ?“YOU? ?KNOW? ?HE’S? ?WILLING,? ?SO? ?WHAT’S? ?


    THE? ?PROBLEM?? ?DO? ?YOU? ?WANT? ?EVERYONE? ?TO? ?DIE? ?TOGETHER???”? ? ?


    “Just? ?focus? ?on? ?selling? ?your? ?water.? ?Shortchanging? ?people? ?on? ?the? ?regr,? ?what? ?are? ?you? ?doing? ?


    standing? ?out? ?now...”? ? ?


    The? ?wife? ?of? ?that? ?little? ?merchant? ?kept? ?elbowing? ?him,? ?but? ?when? ?she? ?heard? ?that? ?she? ?instantly? ?


    exploded,? ?yelling? ?with? ?her? ?face? ?red,? ?“MOTHERFUCKING? ?BULLSHIT,? ?WHO’S? ?


    SHORTCHANGING??? ?COME? ?THE? ?HELL? ?OUT? ?AND? ?TELL? ?THIS? ?TO? ?MY? ?FACE!”? ? ?


    The? ?other? ?party? ?instantly? ?shrank? ?back.? ?That? ?little? ?merchant? ?also? ?flushed,? ?but? ?soon? ?after,? ?he? ?


    hardened? ?up? ?and? ?said,? ?“I? ?SAY!? ?Whether? ?he’s? ?willing? ?is? ?his? ?business,? ?but? ?whether? ?we? ?act? ?on? ?it? ?is? ?


    our? ?business?? ?This? ?is? ?taking? ?up? ?a? ?de? ?and? ?stabbing? ?people!? ?If? ?in? ?the? ?past? ?two? ?days? ?I? ?had? ?given? ?


    him? ?water? ?or? ?something,? ?maybe? ?I? ?could’ve? ?given? ?this? ?whole? ?thing? ?a? ?try,? ?but...? ?I? ?didn’t!? ?Who? ?did?? ?In? ?


    any? ?case...? ?I’d? ?feel? ?ashamed!”? ? ?


    ———-? ?


    Ch.198:? ?Man? ?in? ?Abyss? ?Receives? ?a? ?Bamboo? ?Hat? ?in? ?the? ?Rain? ?3? ?


    The? ?moment? ?he? ?said? ?so,? ?everyone? ?fell? ?silent,? ?because? ?he? ?really? ?hit? ?the? ?nail? ?on? ?the? ?head.? ?In? ?the? ?


    past? ?two? ?days,? ?there? ?really? ?wasn’t? ?anyone? ?who? ?came? ?to? ?give? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?a? ?hand.? ?This? ?water? ?


    merchant? ?had? ?at? ?least? ?the? ?mind? ?to? ?help,? ?he? ?just? ?didn’t? ?make? ?it,? ?but? ?the? ?others? ?didn’t? ?even? ?dare? ?


    spare? ?a? ?nce? ?in? ?his? ?direction!? ?


    Someone? ?grumbled,? ?“Then? ?what? ?should? ?we? ?do? ?now?? ?If? ?we? ?can’t? ?do? ?this,? ?then? ?why? ?don’t? ?you? ?


    e? ?up? ?with? ?something??”? ? ?


    The? ?crowd? ?was? ?about? ?to? ?go? ?rowdy? ?again,? ?some? ?even? ?trying? ?to? ?push? ?themselves? ?through? ?to? ?the? ?


    front,? ?and? ?just? ?then,? ?another? ?voice? ?shouted? ?savagely,? ?“WHO’S? ?MAKING? ?ALL? ?THIS? ?RACKET?? ?IF? ?


    ANYONE? ?WANTS? ?TO? ?ROUGH? ?THIS? ?UP,? ?THIS? ?ANCESTOR’S? ?GOT? ?A? ?KNIFE!”? ? ?


    When? ?they? ?looked,? ?it? ?was? ?that? ?chubby? ?chef? ?that? ?was? ?the? ?first? ?who? ?wanted? ?to? ?pull? ?the? ?sword? ?on? ?the? ?


    first? ?day? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?fell? ?from? ?the? ?sky.? ?Something? ?seemed? ?to? ?have? ?provoked? ?him,? ?and? ?he? ?roared,? ?


    “That? ?little? ?buddy? ?is? ?right!? ?If? ?it? ?wasn’t? ?several? ?people? ?holding? ?me? ?back? ?yesterday,? ?I? ?would’ve? ?


    almost? ?pulled? ?out? ?that? ?sword!? ?And? ?now,? ?how? e? ?before? ?I? ?even? ?moved,? ?you? ?lot? ?are? ?the? ?ones? ?


    making? ?the? ?most? ?noise?? ?PATHETIC!? ?Think? ?you’re? ?worthy?? ?Well? ?you? ?certainly? ?don’t? ?see? ?such? ?


    shameless? ?thick? ?skins? ?everyday!”? ? ?


    That? ?chef? ?was? ?a? ?big? ?man,? ?his? ?voice? ?loud? ?and? ?clear,? ?and? ?he? ?was? ?in? ?the? ?height? ?of? ?his? ?anger,? ?a? ?


    butcher? ?knife? ?in? ?his? ?hand,? ?as? ?if? ?he? ?only? ?just? ?came? ?out? ?of? ?the? ?kitchen.? ?The? ?ones? ?who? ?were? ?


    ining? ?the? ?loudest? ?earlier? ?instantly? ?didn’t? ?dare? ?to? ?make? ?any? ?more? ?noise.? ?There? ?were? ?those? ?


    who? ?didn’t? ?know? ?what? ?had? ?happened? ?the? ?past? ?couple? ?of? ?days,? ?and? ?after? ?they? ?inquired,? ?they? ?were? ?


    all? ?surprised,? ?“No? ?way?? ?None? ?of? ?you? ?went? ?up? ?to? ?help?”? ?


    “Yea,? ?you? ?all? ?just? ?left? ?him? ?there? ?lying? ?for? ?two? ?days?? ?Didn’t? ?even? ?help? ?him? ?sit? ?up? ?or? ?anything?”? ? ?


    The? ?more? ?they? ?spoke? ?the? ?more? ?the? ?others? ?felt? ?ashamed,? ?and? ?they? ?countered,? ?“Don’t? ?speak? ?as? ?if? ?


    you? ?would’ve? ?gone? ?up? ?to? ?help,? ?and? ?say? ?all? ?those? ?pretty? ?things? ?after? ?the? ?fact.? ?Don’t? ?forget,? ?when? ?


    those? ?ghastly? ?things? ?descend? ter,? ?none? ?of? ?us? ?will? ?get? ?away!”? ? ?


    “Heh? ?then? ?I’ll? ?tell? ?you,? ?if? ?I? ?was? ?there,? ?I? ?would’ve? ?definitely? ?helped? ?him? ?pull? ?the? ?sword!”? ? ?


    “Of? ?course? ?it’s? ?easy? ?moving? ?your? ?lips? ?after? ?the? ?whole? ?thing? ?is? ?over...”? ?


    “WAIT!? ?What? ?are? ?you? ?all? ?arguing? ?over?? ?Pulling? ?the? ?sword? ?isn’t? ?the? ?problem? ?right? ?now!”? ? ?


    As? ?they? ?argued,? ?both? ?sides? ?were? ?rambunctious? ?and? ?unruly,? ?a? ?brawl? ?waiting? ?to? ?happen,? ?and? ?the? ?


    rain? ?also? ?slowly? ?stopped.? ?However,? ?those? ?ck? ?clouds? ?were? ?growing? ?thicker,? ?the? ?pressure? ?so? ?


    dense? ?it? ?was? ?suffocating? ?the? ?hundreds? ?of? ?people? ?below.? ?Suddenly,? ?there? ?was? ?a? ?scream? ?that? ?


    exploded? ?from? ?within? ?the? ?crowd,? ?and? ?many? ?fingers? ?pointed? ?to? ?the? ?sky,? ?“IT’S? ?COMING!!!”? ?


    Xie? ?Lian’s? ?head? ?also? ?shot? ?up.? ?Those? ?human? ?faces? ?rolling? ?within? ?the? ?ck? ?clouds? ?suddenly? ?


    started? ?insurging,? ?and? ?they? ?rapidly? ?plunged? ?down? ?like? ?ck? ?shooting? ?stars? ?dragging? ?long? ?“tails”? ?


    behind? ?them.? ? ?


    The? ?human? ?face? ?disease? ?was? ing!? ?


    The? ?crowd? ?was? ?petrified? ?as? ?they? ?lost? ?themselves;? ?some? ?bolted,? ?some? ?went? ?to? ?hide? ?inside? ?the? ?


    houses,? ?and? ?there? ?were? ?also? ?a? ?few? ?who? ?went? ?to? ?grab? ?for? ?the? ?ck? ?sword.? ?However,? ?the? ?ck? ?


    sword? ?that? ?was? ?knocked? ?to? ?the? ?ground? ?had? ?vanished? ?since? ?who? ?knows? ?when,? ?and? ?they? ?came? ?up? ?


    empty.? ?


    Xie? ?Lian? ?was? ?too? ?shocked? ?by? ?the? ?people’s? ?reactions? ?earlier? ?and? ?only? ?now? ?did? ?he? ?notice,? ?and? ?he? ?


    eximed,? ?“Where’s? ?the? ?sword?? ?WHO? ?TOOK? ?IT??”? ? ?


    No? ?one? ?had? ?the? ?time? ?to? ?answer? ?since? ?everyone? ?was? ?fleeing? ?in? ?all? ?directions.? ?However,? ?how? ?could? ?


    they? ?possibly? ?be? ?faster? ?than? ?the? ?falling? ?resentful? ?spirits?? ?Soon,? ?all? ?around? ?came? ?the? ?wails? ?and? ?


    screams? ?of? ?the? ?living? ?and? ?the? ?howls? ?of? ?the? ?resentful? ?spirits!? ?


    After? ?those? ?resentful? ?spirits? ?had? ?caught? ?up? ?to? ?the? ?living,? ?they? ?were? ?like? ?rolling? ?thick? ?ck? ?smoke,? ?


    unrelenting? ?and? ?clingy,? ?entering? ?through? ?every? ?pore,? ?slowly? ?melding? ?into? ?their? ?bodies.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?


    fought? ?arduously? ?trying? ?to? ?drive? ?them? ?out,? ?but? ?s,? ?there? ?were? ?still? ?too? ?many? ?resentful? ?spirits,? ?and? ?


    he? ?alone? ?couldn’t? ?drive? ?all? ?of? ?them? ?out.? ?He? ?watched? ?helplessly? ?as? ?countless? ?before? ?him? ?wailed? ?


    and? ?howled? ?as? ?they? ?were? ?chased? ?down? ?by? ?the? ?ghosts,? ?that? ?pair? ?of? ?little? ?water? ?merchant? ?and? ?his? ?


    wife,? ?and? ?that? ?chubby? ?chef? ?were? ?also? ?rolling? ?all? ?over? ?the? ?ground? ?wrestling? ?with? ?the? ?entanglement? ?


    of? ?ck? ?smoke,? ?and? ?all? ?the? ?while,? ?White? ?No-Face? ?stood? ?closeby,? ?jeering? ?unceasingly,? ?watching? ?it? ?


    all.? ?


    Xie? ?Lian? ?was? ?both? ?furious? ?and? ?anxious,? ?and? ?steeling? ?his? ?heart,? ?he? ?roared? ?to? ?the? ?ce? ?that? ?was? ?


    densest? ?with? ?resentful? ?spirits,? ?“HEY—!”? ?


    He? ?was? ?the? ?mastermind? ?behind? ?their? ?awakening? ?after? ?all,? ?and? ?with? ?this? ?call,? ?those? ?creatures? ?very? ?


    naturally? ?noticed? ?him.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?opened? ?his? ?arms? ?wide,? ?“COME? ?TO? ?ME!”? ? ?


    The? ?resentful? ?spirits? ?that? ?already? ?tangled? ?up? ?the? ?living? ?hesitated,? ?undecided? ?whether? ?they? ?should? ?


    go? ?over,? ?but? ?the? ?resentful? ?spirits? ?still? ?in? ?the? ?air? ?instantly? ?changed? ?course? ?and? ?went? ?straight? ?for? ?Xie? ?


    Lian.? ?


    Sess!? ?


    Xie? ?Lian’s? ?heart? ?was? ?beating? ?so? ?fast? ?it? ?was? ?going? ?to? ?stop.? ?He? ?didn’t? ?know? ?what? ?would? ?happen,? ?


    and? ?he? ?didn’t? ?know? ?what? ?would? ?be? ?of? ?him? ?either.? ?But,? ?by? ?just? ?all? ?the? ?blood? ?rushing? ?to? ?his? ?


    head,? ?he? ?was? ?going? ?to? ?give? ?it? ?his? ?all.? ?He? ?felt,? ?even? ?if? ?it? ?was? ?only? ?a? ?strive? ?for? ?vindication? ?and? ?he? ?got? ?


    beaten? ?ck? ?and? ?blue,? ?he? ?would? ?still? ?never? ?back? ?away;? ?even? ?if? ?another? ?hundreds? ?of? ?thousands? ?


    souls? ?of? ?the? ?dead? ?were? ?to? e,? ?he? ?would? ?still? ?be? ?invincible!? ?


    You? ?want? ?to? ?see? ?me? ?feel? ?sorry? ?for? ?myself? ?and? ?self? ?destruct?? ?


    WELL? ?I? ?WON’T!!!? ?


    I? ?WILL? ?NEVER!!!? ?


    Swarms? ?of? ?ck? ?tide? ?that? ?covered? ?the? ?heavens? ?to? ?the? ?earth? ?surrounded? ?Xie? ?Lian,? ?and? ?a? ?resentful? ?


    spirit? ?wailed? ?as? ?it? ?passed? ?through? ?his? ?body.? ?In? ?an? ?instant,? ?it? ?was? ?as? ?if? ?Xie? ?Lian’s? ?heart? ?had? ?frozen? ?


    and? ?his? ?body? ?shuddered.? ?Soon? ?after,? ?a? ?second? ?one? ?came,? ?then? ?a? ?third? ?one...? ?


    Those? ?creatures? ?were? ?like? ?des? ?with? ?sharp? ?auras,? ?striking? ?through? ?him,? ?prating? ?his? ?body,? ?


    and? ?every? ?time,? ?they’d? ?take? ?away? ?a? ?bit? ?of? ?what? ?warmth? ?he? ?had? ?left,? ?and? ?Xie? ?Lian’s? ?face? ?grew? ?


    paler? ?and? ?paler.? ?Nevertheless,? ?he? ?remained? ?determined? ?and? ?never? ?backed? ?away.? ?


    It? ?had? ?only? ?been? ?a? ?few? ?hundred? ?of? ?them,? ?he? ?had? ?only? ?stood? ?his? ?ground? ?for? ?a? ?bit,? ?and? ?there? ?would? ?


    be? ?many? ?more? ?after.? ?This? ?entire? ?sky? ?full? ?of? ?ck? ?clouds? ?were? ?all? ?them!? ?


    Xie? ?Lian? ?closed? ?his? ?eyes,? ?preparing? ?to? ?take? ?on? ?the? ?ming? ?fury? ?of? ?all? ?of? ?the? ?resentful? ?spirits? ?by? ?his? ?


    own? ?powers.? ?Yet? ?unexpectedly,? ?the? ?next? ?resentful? ?spirit? ?never? ?came.? ?Confused,? ?He? ?opened? ?his? ?


    eyes,? ?and? ?to? ?his? ?surprise,? ?that? ?swarm? ?of? ?ck? ?tide? ?that? ?covered? ?the? ?heavens? ?to? ?the? ?earth? ?


    surrounding? ?him? ?had? ?vanished.? ?


    Since,? ?they? ?had? ?all? ?transformed? ?into? ?rolling? ?ck? ?currents,? ?and? ?sucked? ?away? ?to? ?a? ?different? ?


    direction!? ?


    Stunned,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?turned? ?his? ?head? ?to? ?look.? ?At? ?the? ?end? ?of? ?the? ?long? ?street? ?stood? ?a? ?ck? ?d? ?


    warrior,? ?and? ?in? ?his? ?hand? ?gripped? ?that? ?long? ?ck? ?sword.? ?


    Wu? ?Ming?? ?


    Xie? ?Lian? ?had? ?given? ?him? ?the? ?order? ?beforehand? ?to? ?have? ?him? ?walk? ?away? ?while? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?activated? ?the? ?


    human? ?face? ?disease,? ?so? ?why? ?would? ?he? ?appear? ?here? ?in? ?this? ?ce? ?at? ?this? ?time?? ?


    Xie? ?Lian? ?couldn’t? ?figure? ?out? ?what? ?was? ?going? ?on? ?and? ?what? ?that? ?ck? ?d? ?warrior? ?was? ?doing? ?here,? ?


    but? ?after? ?being? ?stunned? ?for? ?a? ?moment,? ?he? ?immediately? ?charged? ?towards? ?him? ?running? ?as? ?he? ?


    shouted,? ?“WAIT!? ?WHAT? ?ARE? ?YOU? ?DOING?? ?DON’T? ?TOUCH? ?THAT!? ?GIVE? ?ME? ?BACK? ?THE? ?


    SWORD!”? ? ?


    That? ?ck? ?d? ?warrior? ?seemed? ?to? ?have? ?heard? ?his? ?voice? ?and? ?looked? ?up? ?slightly.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?couldn’t? ?


    see? ?his? ?real? ?face,? ?and? ?only? ?saw? ?that? ?mask? ?with? ?a? ?drawn? ?smile.? ?However,? ?a? ?strange? ?feeling? ?came? ?


    to? ?him.? ?


    He? ?felt,? ?beneath? ?the? ?mask? ?of? ?that? ?ck? ?d? ?warrior,? ?he? ?was? ?smiling? ?for? ?real.? ?


    However,? ?that? ?feeling? ?was? ?fleeting.? ?Enormous? ?ck? ?torrent? ?and? ?the? ?screaming? ?tide? ?mixed? ?


    together? ?to? ?form? ?a? ?tempest,? ?and? ?it? ?gathered? ?over,? ?swallowing? ?that? ?ck? ?d? ?warrior? ?whole? ?in? ?an? ?


    instant.? ?


    In? ?that? ?moment,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?heard? ?a? ?heart-wrenching,? ?blood? ?curdling? ?scream.? ?


    He? ?seemed? ?to? ?have? ?heard? ?this? ?voice? ?from? ?somewhere? ?before.? ?He? ?must’ve? ?heard? ?this? ?voice? ?


    somewhere? ?before!? ?


    Painful.? ?So? ?painful? ?like? ?he? ?was? ?feeling? ?the? ?same? ?agony;? ?so? ?painful? ?it? ?was? ?a? ?fate? ?worse? ?than? ?


    death;? ?so? ?painful? ?both? ?his? ?heart? ?and? ?body? ?were? ?going? ?to? ?be? ?crushed;? ?so? ?painful? ?he? ?fell? ?heavily? ?to? ?


    the? ?ground? ?on? ?his? ?knees,? ?hugging? ?his? ?head? ?as? ?he? ?screamed? ?along? ?too.? ?


    “AAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!”? ? ?


    That? ?explosion? ?of? ?excruciating? ?pain? ?in? ?his? ?heart? ?came? ?suddenly? ?and? ?left? ?equally? ?fast,? ?and? ?after? ?an? ?


    unknown? ?time? ?had? ?past,? ?silence? ?slowly? ?descended? ?upon? ?the? ?surroundings,? ?and? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?also? ?


    gradually? ?dropped? ?the? ?hands? ?that? ?were? ?hugging? ?his? ?head.? ?


    Slightly? ?dazed,? ?he? ?looked? ?up? ?and? ?scanned? ?the? ?surroundings,? ?and? ?all? ?around? id? ?a? ?ground? ?


    covered? ?with? ?people,? ?most? ?of? ?them? ?unconscious,? ?but? ?all? ?the? ?resentful? ?spirits? ?entangling? ?them? ?had? ?


    vanished.? ?


    This? ?scene? ?confused? ?him.? ?What? ?happened? ?to? ?the? ?human? ?face? ?disease?? ?What? ?happened? ?to? ?the? ?


    resentful? ?spirits?? ?What? ?happened? ?to? ?himself?? ?


    There? ?was? ?no? ?trace? ?of? ?that? ?ck? ?torrent? ?left? ?either,? ?and? ?the? ?only? ?thing? ?that? ?remained? ?where? ?that? ?


    ck? ?d? ?nameless? ?ghost? ?had? ?stood? ?was? ?a? ?ck? ?sword? ?that? ?had? ?fallen? ?to? ?the? ?ground.? ?And,? ?next? ?


    to? ?the? ?point? ?of? ?the? ?de? ?was? ?a? ?tiny,? ?small? ?white? ?flower.? ?


    Xie? ?Lian? ?crawled? ?up? ?staggeringly? ?and? ?walked? ?up,? ?picking? ?up? ?that? ?flower? ?and? ?sword.? ?


    He? ?felt? ?his? ?face,? ?looked? ?at? ?his? ?arms,? ?and? ?didn’t? ?feel? ?anywhere? ?on? ?his? ?body? ?that? ?seemed? ?different,? ?


    like? ?he? ?had? ?taken? ?on? ?some? ?powerful? ?curse.? ?Just? ?as? ?he? ?was? ?still? ?mystified,? ?a? ?sudden? ?voice? ?came? ?


    from? ?behind? ?him,? ?and? ?it? ?said? ?softly,? ?“Ah.”? ?


    XIe? ?Lian? ?turned? ?back,? ?and? ?White? ?No-Face? ?was? ?standing? ?behind? ?him,? ?his? ?arms? ?crossed? ?and? ?


    tucked? ?in? ?his? ?sleeves,? ?his? ?expansive? ?sleeves? ?fluttering? ?in? ?the? ?wind.? ?


    Xie? ?Lian? ?hadn’t? ?yet? ?processed? ?what? ?had? ?happened,? ?but? ?felt? ?a? ?vague? ?sense? ?of? ?foreboding.? ?


    White? ?No-Face? ?nced? ?at? ?him? ?and? ?started? ?chuckling.? ?That? ?sense? ?of? ?foreboding? ?was? ?growing? ?


    stronger,? ?and? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?knitted? ?his? ?brows,? ?“What? ?are? ?you? ughing? ?about?”? ? ?


    White? ?No-Face? ?asked? ?him? ?instead,? ?“You? ?still? ?don’t? ?understand? ?what? ?had? ?happened?”? ? ?


    “What?”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?asked.? ?


    “Do? ?you? ?know? ?who? ?that? ?ghost? ?is?”? ?White? ?No-Face? ?asked.? ?


    “...A,? ?a? ?soul? ?of? ?the? ?dead? ?from? ?the? ?battlefield?”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?tried.? ?


    “Yes.”? ?White? ?No-Face? ?replied,? ?“But? ?at? ?the? ?same? ?time,? ?he? ?was? ?also? ?your? ?very? st? ?believer? ?in? ?this? ?


    world.? ?Now,? ?he’s? ?no? ?more.”? ? ?


    ...Believer?? ?


    Did? ?he? ?actually? ?still? ?have? ?a? ?believer? ?in? ?this? ?world?? ?


    It? ?was? ?a? ?good? ?moment? ?before? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?could? ?squeeze? ?out? ?a? ?few? ?words.? ?


    He? ?said? ?staggeringly,? ?“What,? ?do? ?you? ?mean,? ?no? ?more?”? ? ?


    White? ?No-Face? ?replied? nguidly,? ?“His? ?soul? ?had? ?dispersed.”? ? ?


    Xie? ?Lian? ?was? ?having? ?a? ?hard? ?time? ?epting? ?his,? ?“How? ?did? ?his? ?soul? ?just? ?disperse??”? ? ?


    “Because? ?he? ?was? ?cursed? ?on? ?your? ?behalf.? ?The? ?souls? ?of? ?the? ?dead? ?you’ve? ?summoned? ?have? ?


    devoured? ?him? ?whole,? ?leaving? ?not? ?a? ?crumb? ?left.”? ?White? ?No-Face? ?said.? ?


    “...”? ?


    The? ?souls? ?of? ?the? ?dead? ?he? ?summoned?? ? ?


    Cursed? ?on? ?his? ?behalf?!? ?


    White? ?No-Face? ?continued,? ?“Oh? ?yes,? ?that’s? ?right.? ?It? ?also? ?wasn’t? ?the? ?first? ?time? ?you’ve? ?met? ?him.”? ? ?


    Xie? ?Lian? ?watched? ?him? ?in? ?a? ?daze.? ?White? ?No-Face? ?seemed? ?to? ?be? ?amused,? ?“This? ?ghost? ?seemed? ?to? ?


    have? ?always? ?followed? ?you.? ?At? ?first? ?I? ?only? ?thought? ?it? ?possessed? ?a? ?rather? ?deep? ?resentment? ?so? ?I? ?


    caught? ?it? ?and? ?interrogated? ?it.? ?Who? ?knew,? ?the? ?answers? ?were? ?quite? ?interesting.? ?The? ?ZhongYuan? ?


    Festival,? ?the? ntern? ?night,? ?a? ?wandering? ?ghost? ?fire? ?soul.? ?Do? ?you? ?still? ?remember?”? ? ?


    Xie? ?Lian? ?mumbled,? ?“The? ?ZhongYuan? ?Festival?? ?Lantern? ?night?? ?Wandering? ?ghost? ?fire? ?soul?”? ? ?


    White? ?No-Face? zily? ?hinted,? ?“This? ?ghost,? ?in? ?life,? ?was? ?a? ?soldier? ?under? ?your? mand.? ?In? ?death,? ?it? ?


    was? ?a? ?soul? ?of? ?the? ?dead? ?that? ?followed? ?you.? ?He? ?died? ?in? ?battle? ?for? ?you;? ?turned? ?into? ?a? ?vicious? ?ghost? ?


    because? ?you? ?were? ?pierced? ?by? ?a? ?hundred? ?swords;? ?but? ?also? ?because? ?of? ?you,? ?his? ?soul? ?perished? ?by? ?


    your? ?unleashing? ?of? ?the? ?human? ?face? ?disease.”? ? ?


    Xie? ?Lian? ?seemed? ?to? ?vaguely? ?recall? ?something,? ?but? ?he? ?hadn’t? ?even? ?seen? ?the? ?face? ?of? ?this? ?believer,? ?


    he? ?didn’t? ?even? ?know? ?his? ?name,? ?so? ?what? ?could? ?he? ?really? ?recall?? ?How? ?much? ?could? ?he? ?really? ?recall?? ?


    “Perhaps,? ?there? ?truly? ?are? ?believers? ?here? ?who? ?worship? ?Your? ?Highness...”? ?


    Yes.? ?There? ?was.? ?


    And,? ?he? ?was? ?his? ?only? ?one!? ?


    White? ?No-Face? ?seemed? ?to? ?have? ?said? ?many? ?other? ?things,? ?but? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?was? ?lost? ?in? ?a? ?daze,? ?taking? ?


    nothing? ?in,? ?until? ?finally,? ?White? ?No-Face? ?said,? ?“A? ?god? ?like? ?you? ?really? ?is? ?quite? ?pathetic? ?and? ?


    ughable.? ?And? ?to? ?be? ?your? ?believer,? ?he’s? ?even? ?more? ?pathetic? ?and? ughable? ?to? ?the? ?extreme.”? ? ?


    “...”? ?


    When? ?he? ?was? ?mocking? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?earlier,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?had? ?no? ?reaction,? ?but? ?when? ?he? ?heard? ?this? ?


    creature? ?so? ?condescendingly? ment? ?on? ?how? ?his? ?believer? ?was? ?pathetic? ?and? ughable,? ?it? ?was? ?


    as? ?if? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?was? ?jolted? ?awake? ?by? ?a? ?stabbing? ?sword,? ?and? ?an? ?uncontroble? ?rage? ?rolled? ?up.? ?


    He? ?charged? ?over? ?but? ?was? ?seized? ?easily,? ?and? ?White? ?No-Face? ?said? ?coldly,? ?“You? ?can’t? ?win? ?against? ?


    me? ?like? ?this.? ?How? ?many? ?times? ?must? ?I? ?tell? ?you? ?before? ?you? ?see? ?the? ?truth?”? ? ?


    Xie? ?Lian? ?hadn’t? ?wanted? ?to? ?win? ?against? ?him? ?in? ?the? ?first? ?ce,? ?and? ?it? ?didn’t? ?matter? ?if? ?he? ?couldn’t? ?win.? ?


    He? ?only? ?simply? ?wanted? ?to? ?beat? ?that? ?thing? ?to? ?a? ?pulp,? ?and? ?he? ?cried? ?angrily,? ?“WHAT? ?DO? ?YOU? ?


    KNOW!? ?HOW? ?DARE? ?YOU? ?MOCK? ?HIM!!”? ? ?


    White? ?No-Face? ?replied,? ?“Why? ?wouldn’t? ?I? ?dare? ?mock? ?a? ?follower? ?of? ?a? ?failure?? ?You’re? ?foolish,? ?and? ?


    your? ?believer? ?is? ?even? ?more? ?foolish.? ?Listen? ?up!? ?If? ?you? ?wish? ?to? ?defeat? ?me,? ?then? ?you? ?must? ?obey? ?my? ?


    teachings.? ?Otherwise,? ?you? ?shall? ?never? ?dream? ?of? ?winning? ?against? ?me!”? ? ?


    Xie? ?Lian? ?wanted? ?to? ?spit? ?at? ?him? ?with? ?everything? ?he’s? ?got,? ?but? ?even? ?breathing? ?was? ?a? ?difficulty.? ?White? ?


    No-Face? ?flipped? ?his? ?hand? ?and? ?opened? ?it,? ?and? ?within? ?his? ?palm? ?another? ?cry-smiling? ?mask? ?


    appeared,? ?“Now,? ?let? ?us? ?start? ?over!”? ?


    He? ?was? ?just? ?pressing? ?this? ?mask? ?onto? ?Xie? ?Lian’s? ?face? ?when? ?unexpectedly,? ?right? ?at? ?that? ?moment,? ?


    there? ?was? ?a? ?loud? ?rumbling.? ?


    In? ?the? ?horizon,? ?lightning? ?shed? ?and? ?thunder? ?roared,? ?and? ?a? ?strange? ?light? ?shot? ?out? ?from? ?the? yers? ?


    of? ?the? ?clouds.? ?White? ?No-Face? ?was? ?rmed? ?and? ?stopped? ?in? ?his? ?action,? ?“What? ?this?? ?A? ?Heavenly? ?


    Cmity?...”? ?


    After? ?a? ?pause,? ?he? ?dismissed? ?it,? ?“No,? ?that’s? ?not? ?it!”? ? ?


    That? ?wasn’t? ?it.? ?


    It? ?was? ?a? ?Heavenly? ?Cmity,? ?but,? ?that? ?wasn’t? ?the? ?only? ?thing!? ?


    The? ?voice? ?of? ?a? ?man? ?resounded? ?deeply? ?upon? ?the? ?entire? ?sky,? ?“If? ?he? ?cannot? ?win? ?against? ?you,? ?how? ?


    about? ?me?”? ? ?


    Xie? ?Lian’s? ?head? ?shot? ?up.? ? ?


    Since? ?who? ?knows? ?when,? ?a? ?young? ?martial? ?god? ?donned? ?in? ?white? ?armour? ?and? ?brimming? ?with? ?


    propitious? ?aura? ?appeared? ?at? ?the? ?end? ?of? ?the? ?long? ?street? ?ahead.? ?A? ?thin? yer? ?of? ?white? ?spiritual? ?light? ?


    enveloped? ?his? ?body,? ?and? ?he? ?held? ?a? ?sword? ?in? ?his? ?hand? ?as? ?he? ?walked? ?towards? ?them? ?step? ?by? ?step,? ?


    breaking? ?out? ?a? ?path? ?of? ?light? ?in? ?this? ?gloomy,? ?dark? ?world.? ?


    Xie? ?Lian? ?widened? ?his? ?eyes? ?in? ?spite? ?of? ?himself.? ?


    Jun? ?Wu!? ?


    ...? ?


    After? ?the? ?rain? ?ceased? ?and? ?the? ?skies? ?cleared,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?sat? ?on? ?the? ?burnt? ?earth? ?panting? ?lightly.? ?


    Jun? ?Wu? ?sheathed? ?his? ?sword? ?and? ?walked? ?over,? ?“Xian? ?Le.? ?Wee? ?back? ?to? ?the? ?ranks.”? ? ?


    He? ?bore? ?a? ?tired? ?expression,? ?traces? ?of? ?blood? ?still? ?on? ?his? ?face,? ?left? ?there? ?by? ?White? ?No-Face.? ?Other? ?


    than? ?that,? ?Jun? ?Wu? ?was? ?covered? ?in? ?innumerous? ?injuries? ?big? ?and? ?small? ?all? ?over.? ?They? ?weren’t? ?not? ?


    serious,? ?but? ?White? ?No-Face’s? ?wounds? ?were? ?more? ?serious,? ?so? ?much? ?so? ?that? ?his? ?body? ?was? ?ripped? ?


    apart,? ?his? ?form? ?dispersed,? ?leaving? ?behind? ?only? ?that? ?shattered? ?cry-smiling? ?face.? ?


    When? ?he? ?heard? ?him? ?say? ?“back? ?to? ?the? ?ranks”,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?was? ?taken? ?aback.? ?He? ?felt? ?his? ?neck? ?and? ?only? ?


    then? ?did? ?he? ?notice? ?that? ?cursed? ?shackle? ?was? ?gone.? ?


    Jun? ?Wu? ?smiled,? ?“As? ?expected,? ?I? ?was? ?not? ?mistaken.? ?The? ?time? ?it? ?took? ?for? ?you? ?to? ?return? ?was? ?shorter? ?


    than? ?I? ?had? ?imagined.”? ? ?


    Xie? ?Lian? ?slowly? ?processed? ?this? ?information? ?then? ?shed? ?a? ?small? ?smile? ?too,? ?but? ?his? ?was? ?a? ?bitter? ?


    one.? ?


    After? ?catching? ?his? ?breath,? ?he? ?spoke? ?up,? ?“My? ?Lord,? ?I? ?want? ?to? ?beg? ?you? ?of? ?something.”? ? ?


    “Permitted.”? ?Jun? ?Wu? ?said.? ?


    “Aren’t? ?you? ?going? ?to? ?ask? ?what? ?it? ?is?”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?asked.? ?


    “Either? ?way? ?you? ?would? ?be? ?asking? ?for? ?a? ?gift? ?upon? ?return? ?to? ?the? ?Heavenly? ?Court,? ?so? ?whatever? ?this? ?is? ?


    might? ?just? ?as? ?well? ?be? ?my? ?gift? ?to? ?you? ?for? ?your? ?returning? ?to? ?the? ?ranks.”? ? ?


    The? ?corners? ?of? ?Xie? ?Lian’s? ?lips? ?twitched? ?and? ?he? ?rose? ?to? ?his? ?feet,? ?looking? ?Jun? ?Wu? ?squarely? ?in? ?the? ?


    eyes? ?and? ?said? ?with? ?the? ?utmost? ?respect,? ?“Then,? ?pray? ?My? ?Lord? ?banish? ?me? ?to? ?the? ?mortal? ?realm? ?once? ?


    more.”? ? ?


    Hearing? ?this,? ?Jun? ?Wu’s? ?smile? ?faded,? ?“Whyever? ?for?”? ? ?


    Xie? ?Lian? ?exined? ?himself? ?truthfully,? ?“I’ve? mitted? ?a? ?crime.? ?The? ?second? ?round? ?of? ?the? ?human? ?


    face? ?disease? ?was? ?unleashed? ?by? ?me.? ?Even? ?though? ?the? ?consequences? ?don’t? ?look? ?too? ?serious.”? ? ?


    Since,? ?only? ?a? ?nameless? ?ghost? ?had? ?vanished,? ?and? ?perhaps? ?in? ?this? ?world,? ?there? ?would? ?be? ?no? ?one? ?


    who? ?cared? ?for? ?this? ?nameless? ?ghost,? ?so? ?in? ?the? ?end,? ?the? ?consequences? ?didn’t? ?look? ?serious.”? ?


    Jun? ?Wu? ?said? ?slowly,? ?“If? ?you? ?knew? ?what? ?was? ?wrong,? ?then,? ?you? ?are? ?already? ?in? ?the? ?right.”? ? ?


    However,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?shook? ?his? ?head,? ?“Just? ?knowing? ?is? ?not? ?enough.? ?If? ?I? ?made? ?a? ?mistake? ?I? ?should? ?be? ?


    the? ?one? ?to? ?ept? ?punishment,? ?but,? ?I? mitted? ?the? ?wrong,? ?but? ?the? ?one? ?who? ?took? ?the? ?punishment? ?


    for? ?me? ?was...”? ?


    He? ?raised? ?his? ?head,? ?“So,? ?as? ?punishment,? ?I? ?pray? ?My? ?Lord? ?will? ?grant? ?me? ?a? ?cursed? ?shackle,? ?no,? ?two? ?


    cursed? ?shackles.? ?One? ?to? ?seal? ?away? ?my? ?spiritual? ?powers,? ?another? ?to? ?disperse? ?all? ?my? ?luck? ?and? ?


    fortune.”? ?


    Jun? ?Wu? ?frowned? ?slightly,? ?“Disperse? ?all? ?of? ?your? ?luck? ?and? ?fortune?? ?Then? ?won’t? ?you? ?be? ?unlucky? ?to? ?


    the? ?extreme,? ?and? ?truly? ?be? ?the? ?God? ?of? ?Misfortune?”? ? ?


    In? ?the? ?past,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?would? ?certainly? ?deeply? ?mind? ?when? ?he? ?was? ?called? ?the? ?God? ?of? ?Misfortune,? ?and? ?


    was? ?very? ?repulsed? ?by? ?it,? ?thinking? ?it? ?was? ?a? ?great? ?humiliation.? ?However,? ?he? ?no? ?longer? ?cared? ?for? ?


    such? ?things,? ?“If? ?I? ?am? ?to? ?be? ?a? ?God? ?of? ?Misfortune? ?then? ?so? ?be? ?it.? ?As? ?long? ?as? ?I? ?know? ?for? ?myself? ?


    that? ?I’m? ?not? ?one.”? ? ?


    Once? ?his? ?fortune? ?was? ?dispersed,? ?it? ?would? ?naturally? ?flow? ?to? ?those? ?who? ?were? ?less? ?fortunate,? ?so? ?it’d? ?


    be? ?a? ?form? ?of? ?atonement.? ?


    “It? ?would? ?be? ?very? ?embarrassing.”? ?Jun? ?Wu? ?reminded? ?him.? ?


    “It? ?doesn’t? ?matter.”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?said,? ?“And? ?to? ?be? ?honest,? ?it? ?feels? ?like...? ?I’m? ?almost? ?used? ?to? ?it? ?by? ?now.”? ? ?


    Although? ?it? ?wasn’t? ?something? ?he? ?wanted? ?to? ?get? ?used? ?to,? ?but,? ?once? ?he? ?did? ?get? ?used? ?to? ?it,? ?it? ?really? ?


    felt? ?like? ?nothing? ?could? ?harm? ?him.? ?


    Jun? ?Wu? ?watched? ?him,? ?“Xian? ?Le,? ?you? ?have? ?to? ?understand,? ?without? ?spiritual? ?powers,? ?you? ?would? ?no? ?


    longer? ?be? ?a? ?god.”? ? ?


    Xie? ?Lian? ?sighed,? ?“My? ?Lord,? ?I? ?know? ?this? ?better? ?than? ?anyone.”? ? ?


    After? ?a? ?pause,? ?he? ?said,? ?a? ?little? ?frustratingly? ?and? ?a? ?little? ?forlornly,? ?“People? ?say? ?I? ?am? ?god? ?and? ?so? ?I? ?


    have? ?spiritual? ?powers.? ?But? ?in? ?truth,? ?I’m...? ?not? ?the? ?god? ?they? ?perceived? ?me? ?to? ?be,? ?and? ?I? ?might? ?not? ?be? ?


    as? ?invincible? ?as? ?they? ?wished? ?for.”? ?


    “Would? ?a? ?god? ?be? ?such? ?a? ?failure?? ?Wishing? ?to? ?protect? ?my? ?own? ?people? ?but? ?I? ?let? ?their? ?corpses? ?spread? ?


    the? ?wild;? ?wishing? ?to? ?avenge? ?them,? ?but? ?at? ?the? ?very? st? ?minute? ?I? ?stopped? ?and? ?abandoned? ?the? ?plot.? ?


    White? ?No-Face? ?wasn’t? ?wrong? ?about? ?me? ?being? ?a? ?‘failure’.”? ?


    “If? ?I’m? ?no? ?longer? ?a? ?god,? ?then? ?so? ?be? ?it.”? ? ?


    Jun? ?Wu? ?looked? ?at? ?him? ?intently,? ?and? ?after? ?a? ?long? ?while,? ?he? ?said,? ?“Xian? ?Le? ?has? ?grown? ?up.”? ? ?


    This? ?should’ve? ?been? ?something? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?heard? ?from? ?his? ?elders.? ?Unfortunately,? ?his? ?father? ?and? ?


    mother? ?had? ?no? ?more? ?chances? ?to? ?say? ?it.? ? ?


    A? ?moment? ter,? ?Jun? ?Wu? ?said,? ?“Since? ?it’s? ?the? ?path? ?you’ve? ?chosen,? ?then,? ?very? ?well.? ?However,? ?I? ?will? ?


    need? ?a? ?reason? ?to? ?banish? ?you? ?to? ?the? ?mortal? ?realm.”? ? ?


    He? ?couldn’t? ?just? ?so? ?casually? ?banish? ?a? ?heavenly? ?official? ?like? ?a? ?child’s? ?game;? ?what? ?did? ?they? ?take? ?the? ?


    heavens? ?for?? ?


    In? ?regards? ?to? ?this,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?had? ?an? ?idea,? ?and? ?he? ?said,? ?“My? ?Lord,? ?it? ?doesn’t? ?seem? ?like? ?we’ve? ?ever? ?


    sparred? ?with? ?everything? ?we’ve? ?got?”? ? ?


    Jun? ?Wu? ?instantly? ?understood? ?what? ?he? ?meant? ?and? ?smiled,? ?“Xian? ?Le,? ?I’m? ?injured.”? ? ?


    “I’m? ?injured? ?too,”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?said,? ?“So? ?we’re? ?even.”? ?


    Jun? ?Wu? ?nodded,? ?“If? ?that’s? ?the? ?case,? ?then? ?I? ?will? ?not? ?hold? ?back.”? ? ?


    Xie? ?Lian? ?smiled,? ?his? ?eyes? ?brightening? ?with? ?the? ?excitement? ?of? ?the? ?prospect,? ?“I? ?won’t? ?either.”? ? ?


    ...? ?


    His? ?Highness? ?the? ?Crown? ?Prince? ?was? ?banished? ?again.? ?


    After? ?the? ?smashing? ?and? ?grandiose? ?second? ?Heavenly? ?Cmity,? ?the? ?Crown? ?Prince? ?of? ?XianLe,? ?


    fierce? ?and? ?truculent,? ?rampaged? ?back? ?to? ?the? ?heavens,? ?and? ?before? ?even? ?one? ?incense? ?time? ?was? ?up,? ?


    he? ?was? ?knocked? ?back? ?down? ?below? ?once? ?more? ?by? ?the? ?Heavenly? ?Martial? ?Emperor.? ?None? ?of? ?the? ?


    heavenly? ?officials? ?could? ?figure? ?out? ?just? ?what? ?that? ?man? ?was? ?thinking???? ? ?


    But,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?couldn’t? ?figure? ?out? ?what? ?the? ?other? ?heavenly? ?officials? ?were? ?thinking? ?either.? ?


    Were? ?they? ?really? ?that? ?curious?? ?Watching? ?him? ?day? ?after? ?day,? ?disguising? ?themselves? ?as? ?mortals? ?to? ?


    watch? ?him,? ?disguising? ?themselves? ?as? ?animals? ?to? ?watch? ?him,? ?it’s? ?been? ?days? ?that? ?they’ve? ?been? ?


    stalking? ?him!? ?Was? ?watching? ?a? ?grown? ?up? ?man? ?carry? ?bricks? ?and? ?mud? ?really? ?that? ?interesting???? ? ?


    Just? ?as? ?he? ?was? ?still? ?wondering,? ?the? ?foreman? ?behind? ?him? ?yelled? ?out,? ?“NEWBIE,? ?YOU,? ?YES? ?YOU,? ?


    I’M? ?TALKING? ?TO? ?YOU!? ?GET? ?BACK? ?TO? ?WORK? ?AND? ?STOP? ?BEING? ?LAZY!”? ? ?


    Xie? ?Lian? ?hastily? ?sat? ?up? ?and? ?answered? ?loudly,? ?“OH!”? ? ?


    Then,? ?he? ?picked? ?up? ?a? ?ragged? ?cattail? ?fan? ?and? ?started? ?fanning? ?the? ?mes.? ?Before? ?him? ?was? ?a? ?small? ?


    stove? ?stacked? ?upon? ?several? ?bricks,? ?and? ?upon? ?the? ?stove? ?was? ?a? rge? ?pot? ?of? ?rice? ?bubbling? ?as? ?it? ?was? ?


    being? ?cooked.? ?


    This? ?was? ?a? ?construction? ?site? ?where? ?he? ?hauled? ?earth? ?and? ?mud.? ?However,? ?the? ?bricks? ?were? ?already? ?


    done? ?being? ?transported.? ?Not? ?far? ?away? ?were? ?two? ?newly? ?built? ?temples,? ?and? ?his? ?task? ?at? ?the? ?moment? ?


    was? ?to? ?cook.? ?He? ?cooked? ?and? ?cooked,? ?and? ?just? ?as? ?he? ?was? ?working? ?very? ?hard,? ?two? ?carriages? ?came? ?


    hauling? ?two? ?very? ?big? ?divine? ?statues.? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?was? ?absentmindedly? ?tossing? ?whatever? ?into? ?the? ?pot? ?


    while? ?stealing? ?nces? ?in? ?the? ?middle? ?of? ?work.? ?


    The? ?two? ?divine? ?statues? ?were? ?each? ?carried? ?into? ?their? ?respective? ?temples.? ?Within? ?the? ?hall? ?of? ?the? ?


    temple? ?on? ?the? ?left,? ?there? ?came? ?cheers,? ?“General? ?Xuan? ?Zhen? ?is? ?great!? ?General? ?Xuan? ?Zhen? ?is? ?


    generous? ?and? ?kind!”? ? ?


    Xie? ?Lian? ?was? ?speechless.? ?


    To? ?use? ?“generous? ?and? ?kind”? ?to? ?praise? ?Mu? ?Qing,? ?were? ?those? ?devotees? ?for? ?real?? ? ?


    But,? ?they? ?seemed? ?to? ?have? ?very? ?good? ?reasons.? ?After? ?all,? ?everyone? ?knew? ?that? ?Mu? ?Qing? ?ascended? ?


    because? ?he? ?cleaned? ?up? ?all? ?the? ?remaining? ?stubborn? ?resentful? ?spirits? ?in? ?the? ?olden? ?capital? ?of? ?XianLe,? ?


    so? ?to? ?understand? ?it? ?as? ?“generous? ?and? ?kind”? ?wasn’t? ?unreasonable.? ?In? ?any? ?case,? ?everyone? ?in? ?the? ?


    old? ?capital? ?of? ?XianLe? ?were? ?all? ?very? ?grateful? ?for? ?him.? ?


    Inside? ?the? ?hall? ?of? ?the? ?temple? ?to? ?the? ?right,? ?the? ?cheering? ?refused? ?to? ?be? ?beaten,? ?and? ?they? ?roared,? ?


    “General? ?Ju? ?Yang? ?is? ?great!? ?General? ?Ju? ?Yang? ?is? ?brave? ?and? ?mighty!”? ? ?


    Xie? ?Lian? ?nodded.? ?This? ?he? ?had? ?no? ?objections.? ?Just,? ?that? ?praise? ?might? ?not? ?hold? ?true? ?when? ?faced? ?


    with? ?women.? ?


    The? ?devotees? ?on? ?both? ?sides? ?were? ?screaming? ?with? ?all? ?their? ?might,? ?doing? ?all? ?they? ?could? ?to? ?win? ?over? ?


    the? ?other,? ?so? ?much? ?so? ?that? ?Xie? ?Lian’s? ?ears? ?were? ?hurting,? ?and? ?he? ?sighed,? ?rubbing? ?his? ?forehead? ?


    thinking,? ?why? ?must? ?they? ?be? ?like? ?this?? ?


    If? ?they? ?hated? ?each? ?other? ?so? ?much,? ?wouldn’t? ?the? ?problem? ?be? ?solved? ?by? ??not?? ?building? ?temples? ?right? ?


    next? ?to? ?each? ?other?? ?


    The? ?answer? ?to? ?that? ?was? ?–? ?of? ?course? ?not!? ?Because,? ?this? ?area? ?was? ?the? ?most? ?bustling? ?domain? ?with? ?


    the? ?best? ?fengshui,? ?so? ?the? ?devotees? ?of? ?those? ?two? ?heavenly? ?officials? ?would? ?never? ?abandon? ?such? ?a? ?


    delectable? nd? ?just? ?to? ?avoid? ?each? ?other;? ?of? ?course? ?they? ?had? ?to? ?do? ?all? ?they? ?could? ?to? ?steal? ?each? ?


    other’s? ?worshippers? ?and? ?disgust? ?one? ?another.? ?


    It? ?didn’t? ?take? ?long? ?before? ?the? ?devotees? ?from? ?either? ?sides? ?went? ?from? ?yelling? ?to? ?fighting.? ?Over? ?on? ?


    this? ?side,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?felt? ?the? ?timing? ?was? ?about? ?right,? ?and? ?started? ?banging? ?the? ?pots,? ?calling? ?out? ?loudly,? ?


    “EVERYONE,? ?STOP? ?FIGHTING!? ?COME? ?EAT!”? ? ?


    They? ?were? ?at? ?the? ?height? ?of? ?their? ?brawl,? ?who? ?had? ?the? ?time? ?to? ?mind? ?him?? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?shook? ?his? ?head? ?


    and? ?opened? ?the? ?pot? ?cover,? ?and? ?the? ?fragrance? ?wafted? ?for? ?ten? ?miles.? ?Now? ?he’d? ?done? ?it.? ?The? ?mob? ?


    instantly? ?stopped? ?and? ?they? ?all? ?started? ?howling,? ?“...WHAT? ?THE? ?FUCK...? ?WHAT’S? ?THAT? ?


    SMELL??”? ? ?


    “WHO’S? ?COOKING? ?SHIT??”? ?


    “AND? ?IT’S? ?SHIT? ?THAT? ?SMELLS? ?LIKE? ?POT? ?BOTTOMS*?!”? ? ?


    Xie? ?Lian? ?argued? ?back,? ?“WHAT!? ?This? ?is? ?a? ?hidden,? ?treasured? ?royal? ?recipe...”? ?


    The? ?foreman? ?came? ?around? ?with? ?his? ?hand? ?covering? ?his? ?nose,? ?his? ?face? ?turning? ?green,? ?and? ?he? ?


    eximed,? ?jumping? ?to? ?his? ?feet,? ?“BULLSHIT,? ?WHAT? ?HIDDEN,? ?TREASURED? ?RECIPE?? ?WHAT? ?


    ROYALTY?!? ?YOU?? ?GET? ?THE? ?HELL? ?OUTTA? ?HERE!? ?DON’T? ?DISGUST? ?PEOPLE!”? ? ?


    Xie? ?Lian? promised,? ?“Alright,? ?fine,? ?I’ll? ?go.? ?But? ?will? ?you? ?please? ?give? ?me? ?my? ?pay? ?first...”? ?


    The? ?foreman? ?eximed? ?angrily,? ?“YOU? ?EVEN? ?DARE? ?MENTION? ?PAY?!? ?Why? ?don’t? ?you? ?tell? ?me,? ?


    HUH!? ?YOU!? ?EVER? ?SINCE? ?YOU? ?CAME!? ?HOW? ?MUCH? ?HAVE? ?I? ?LOST? ?IN? ?DAMAGES???? ?HUH?? ?


    When? ?it? ?rains? ?lightning? ?strikes? ?nothing? ?but? es? ?only? ?for? ?you!? ?Houses? ?caught? ?on? ?fire? ?THREE? ?


    TIMES!? ?AND? ?COLLAPSED? ?THREE? ?TIMES? ?TOO!? ?You’re? ?like? ?a? ?God? ?of? ?Misfortune!? ?AND? ?YOU? ?


    DARE? ?ASK? ?ME? ?FOR? ?PAY!? ?GET? ?OUTTA? ?HERE!? ?COME? ?BACK? ?AGAIN? ?AND? ?I’LL? ?BEAT? ?YOU? ?UP!”? ?


    “Well? ?you? ?can’t? ?say? ?it? ?like? ?that.”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?said,? ?“You? ?already? ?said? ?all? ?those? ?things? ?were? ing? ?


    especially? ?for? ?me,? ?but? ?nothing? ?happens? ?to? ?anyone? ?else? ?every? ?time,? ?so? ?I? ?say? ?you? ?just? ?want? ?to? ?


    escape? ?your? ?bill?...”? ?Before? ?he? ?was? ?done,? ?the? ?foreman? ?and? ?all? ?the? ?other? ?fellow? bourers? ?could? ?no? ?


    longer? ?take? ?the? ?smell? ?wafting? ?out? ?of? ?that? ?pot,? ?and? ?they? ?all? ?fled,? ?leaving? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?in? ?the? ?dust.? ?


    “WAIT??”? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?called? ?out.? ?


    He? ?nced? ?around,? ?and? ?the? ?two? ?parties? ?that? ?were? ?fighting? ?were? ?also? ?chased? ?away? ?by? ?the? ?stench.? ?


    Xie? ?Lian? ?was? ?speechless? ?and? ?mumbled? ?to? ?himself,? ?“If? ?you? ?weren’t? ?going? ?to? ?eat? ?it? ?why? ?have? ?me? ?


    cook? ?such? ?a? rge? ?pot?? ?Don’t? ?waste? ?just? ?because? ?you’ve? ?got? ?the? ?money?”? ? ?


    Shaking? ?his? ?head,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?contemted,? ?then? ?he? dled? ?two? rge? ?bowls? ?of? ?rice,? ?one? ?offered? ?


    inside? ?the? ?Temple? ?of? ?Ju? ?Yang,? ?the? ?other? ?inside? ?the? ?Temple? ?of? ?Xuan? ?Zhen.? ?Finally,? ?feeling? ?that? ?


    everything? ?served? ?its? ?purpose,? ?he? ?pped? ?his? ?hands? ?close,? pletely? ?satisfied.? ?


    He? ?went? ?back? ?outside? ?to? ?pack? ?up? ?his? ?stuff,? ?rolling? ?up? ?the? ?straw? ?mat? ?on? ?the? ?ground? ?very? ?seriously,? ?


    and? ?tied? ?it? ?with? ?the? ?sword? ?before? ?carrying? ?both? ?on? ?his? ?back.? ?The? ?white? ?silk? ?band? ?wrapped? ?around? ?


    his? ?wrist? ?nuzzled? ?secretly? ?and? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?patted? ?it,? ?righting? ?the? ?bamboo? ?hat? ?on? ?his? ?head,? ?“Fine.? ?


    Don’t? ?pay.? ?I’ll? ?go? ?busking.”? ?


    He? ?still? ?had? ?a? ?specialty? ?trick? ?after? ?all? ?–? ?shattering? ?boulders? ?on? ?his? ?chest!? ?


    As? ?he? ?walked? ?down? ?the? ?path,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?suddenly? ?noticed? ?there? ?was? ?a? ?tiny,? ?little? ?red? ?flower? ?on? ?the? ?


    side? ?of? ?the? ?road,? ?quite? ?precious,? ?and? ?he? ?crouched? ?down,? ?gently? ?touching? ?its? ?petals,? ?feeling? ?quite? ?


    cheerful,? ?and? ?he? ?said? ?to? ?it,? ?“I? ?hope? ?we? ?shall? ?meet? ?again.”? ? ?


    Even? ?after? ?he? ?had? ?gone? ?into? ?the? ?distance,? ?that? ?tiny,? ?little? ?red? ?flower? ?was? ?still? ?swaying? ?in? ?the? ?wind.? ?


    ———–? ?


    ●Pot? ?Bottom? ?is? ?that? yer? ?of? ?rice? ?at? ?the? ?very? ?bottom? ?of? ?the? ?cooking? ?pot? ?that’s? ?usually? ?burnt.? ?


    ———–? ?


    End? ?of? ?Book? ?4?