Heaven Official's Blessing

Chapter 58-60

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

?

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

?

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

?

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

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

palace,? ?in? ?the? ?courtyard,? ?the? ?two? ?cultivators? ?who? ?played? ?the? ?roles? ?of? ?god? ?and? ?ghost? ?

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

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

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

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

?

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

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

today!? ?

?

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

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

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

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

?

“Present!”? ? ?

?

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

?

“Present!”? ? ?

?

“Musicians!”? ?

?

“Present!”? ? ?

?

“Calvary!”? ? ?

?

“Present!”? ?

?

“Ghost!”? ? ?

?

“Present!”? ? ?

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

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

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

?

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

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

?

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

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

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

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

?

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

?

Guoshi? ?almost? ?fainted.? ?

?

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

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

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

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

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

?

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

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

promptly.”? ?

?

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

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

?

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

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

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

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

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

?

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

ShangYuan? ?Parade? ?completely.? ? ?

?

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

?

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

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

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

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

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

?

Just? ?then,? ?someone? ?ran? ?across? ?the? ?black? ?palace? ?path,? ?rushing? ?into? ?the? ?palace,? ?shouting,? ?

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

outside? ?is? ?on? ?edge!”? ?

?

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

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

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

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

Where’s? ?His? ?Highness??”? ? ?

?

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

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

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

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

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

?

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

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

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

?

Upon? ?receiving? ?the? ?command,? ?the? ?flutes? ?and? ?strings? ?started? ?to? ?play,? ?and? ?the? ?hundreds? ?of? ?

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

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

?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

?

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

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

black? ?clad? ?ghost,? ?a? ?monstrous? ?mask? ?on? ?his? ?face,? ?a? ?nine? ?feet? ?zanbato? ?in? ?his? ?hand? ?before? ?

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

?

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

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

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

not? ?on? ?stage?”? ? ?

?

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

?

“Where’s? ?brother? ?Lian?”? ? ?

?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

?

Performing? ?a? ?round? ?of? ?chilling? ?slaughter,? ?the? ?black? ?clad? ?youth? ?impressively? ?ended? ?the? ?

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

?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Martial? ?Warrior??”? ?

?

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

?

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

?

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

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

Prince???”? ?

?

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

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

dressed? ?in? ?a? ?light? ?turquoise? ?brocade? ?with? ?a? ?necklace? ?rush? ?to? ?the? ?edge? ?of? ?that? ?platform,? ?

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

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

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

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

and? ?threw? ?it.? ?

?

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

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

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

?

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

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

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

languidly,? ?swinging? ?the? ?zanbato,? ?slaughtering? ?humans.? ?Qi? ?Rong? ?was? ?enraged? ?and? ?was? ?

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

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

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

?

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

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

?

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

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

right? ?before? ?the? ?black? ?clad? ?ghost!? ? ?

?

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

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

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

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

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

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

?

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

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

?

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

?

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

?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

?

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

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

?

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

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

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

exhilarating? ?entrance?? ?How? ?exciting.”? ?

?

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

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

own? ?idea.”? ?

?

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

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

?

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

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

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

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

?

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

?

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

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

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

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

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

Ceremony.”? ?

?

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

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

?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

?

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

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

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

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

?

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

?

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

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

?

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

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

?

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

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

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

cousin? ?Crown? ?Prince!”? ? ?

?

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

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

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

?

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

FIGHT!? ?KILL? ?HIM!”? ? ?

?

“SLAY? ?THE? ?EVIL!”? ? ?

?

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

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

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

SHOW? ?HIM? ?OFF!”? ? ?

?

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

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

?

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

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

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

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

?

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

?

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

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

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

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

?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

?

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

?

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

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

chuckling.? ?

?

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

?

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

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

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

from? ?above!? ?

?

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

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

?

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

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

?

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

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

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

?

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

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

?

?

——–? ?

?

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

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

celestial? ?heavens.? ? ?

?

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

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

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

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

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

?

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

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

and? ?the? ?stars.? ?

?

——–? ?

?

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

?

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

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

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

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

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

?

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

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

?

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

?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

?

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

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

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

?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

?

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

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

?

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

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

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

warrior.? ? ?

?

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

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

?

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

One? ?black? ?one? ?white,? ?sabre? ?and? ?sword? ?clashed? ?once? ?again,? ?heightening? ?the? ?excitement,? ?

electrifying? ?the? ?crowd.? ?Upon? ?the? ?towering? ?platform,? ?the? ?faces? ?of? ?nobles? ?finally? ?relaxed,? ?

looking? ?appeased.? ? ?

?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

?

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

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

more? ?vigorous,? ?clinking? ?and? ?clanking,? ?Xie? ?Lian? ?received? ?more? ?slashes.? ?Just? ?then,? ?the? ?

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

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

?

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

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

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

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

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

?

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

?

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

?

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

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

?

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

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

?

Above? ?on? ?the? ?platform? ?Qi? ?Rong? ?laughed? ?out? ?loud,? ?applauding,? ?“DEAD!? ?HE’S? ?DEAD!? ?

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

?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

?

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

?

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

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

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

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

?

Inside? ?the? ?tightly? ?closed? ?palace? ?gates,? ?upon? ?the? ?grand? ?stage,? ?the? ?white? ?clad? ?

God-Pleasing? ?Martial? ?Warrior? ?and? ?the? ?black? ?clad? ?ghost? ?both? ?threw? ?their? ?weapons? ?onto? ?

the? ?ground? ?in? ?two? ?clanking? ?sounds,? ?and? ?collapsed? ?heavily? ?on? ?the? ?ground.? ? ?

?

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

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

?

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

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

?

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

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

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

?

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

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

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

?

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

guy?”? ? ?

?

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

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

?

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

witless.”? ?Mu? ?Qing? ?said.? ? ?

?

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

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

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

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

?

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

?

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

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

?

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

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

refusing? ?to? ?let? ?go.? ?

?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

?

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

home,? ?little? ?kid.”? ? ?

?

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

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

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

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

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

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

him.”? ? ?

?

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

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

?

Hearing? ?this,? ?everyone? ?stopped? ?laughing.? ?

?

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

Martial? ?Hall.? ?

?

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

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

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

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

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

?

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

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

?

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

raised,? ?“Present.”? ?

?

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

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

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

?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

?

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

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

?

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

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

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

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

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

?

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

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

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

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

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

?

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

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

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

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

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

happened? ?an? ?accident.”? ? ?

?

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

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

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

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

?

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

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

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

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

?

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

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

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

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

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

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

?

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

?

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

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

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

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

?

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

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

?

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

?

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

?

?

———–? ?

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

?

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

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

?

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

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

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

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

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

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

?

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

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

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

?

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

?

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

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

you? ?intentionally? ?withheld? ?communication?”? ? ?

?

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

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

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

misunderstanding? ?here.”? ? ?

?

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

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

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

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

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

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

draw? ?a? ?conclusion.”? ?

?

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

?

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

to? ?say? ?yesterday.”? ? ?

?

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

tell? ?us?”? ? ?

?

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

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

?

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

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

?

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

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

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

?

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

?

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

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

One? ?of? ?them,? ?the? ?most? ?popular? ?one,? ?was? ?playing? ?cards.? ?

?

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

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

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

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

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

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

?

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

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

?

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

?

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

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

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

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

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

?

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

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

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

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

?

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

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

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

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

?

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

?

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

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

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

?

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

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

?

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

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

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

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

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

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

?

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

?

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

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

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

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

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

?

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

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

?

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

?

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

Qing.? ?

?

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

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

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

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

make? ?a? ?jab.? ?

?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

?

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

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

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

start? ?without? ?delay? ?as? ?planned,? ?that? ?His? ?Highness? ?would? ?be? ?back? ?promptly.? ?High? ?

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

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

?

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

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

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

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

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

?

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

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

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

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

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

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

whatever? ?else? ?you? ?must.”? ? ?

?

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

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

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

?

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

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

said.? ?

?

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

?

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

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

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

?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

lives’;? ?etc.,? ?etc.? ?

?

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

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

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

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

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

?

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

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

not? ?frivolous.? ?In? ?comparison,? ?the? ?black? ?martial? ?gi? ?of? ?the? ?ghost? ?costume? ?was? ?a? ?difference? ?

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

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

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

?

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

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

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

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

?

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

places.”? ?

?

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

?

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

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

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

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

you? ?check? ?him? ?out?”? ? ?

?

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

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

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

?

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

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

?

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

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

he? ?cried? ?from? ?fright.”? ?

?

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

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

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

?

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

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

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

?

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

?

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

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

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

?

Mu? ?Qing’s? ?shoulders? ?tensed.? ?

?

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

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

?

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

on? ?his? ?lips,? ?“Really?”? ? ?

?

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

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

?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

disgrace!”? ? ?

?

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

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

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

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

?

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

?

?

——? ?

?

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