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January 31 - February 21, 2023
Hua Cheng encouraged, “You did well. Keep going.” With those words of encouragement coming one after another, for some reason, giggles could be heard all around the hall. Judging by the voices, it appeared they all came from female ghosts.
Hearing him call Xie Lian “gege,” Shi Qingxuan and Lang Qianqiu both wore complicated expressions on their faces. The crowd of ghosts also felt massive shivers run down their spines, and there were even a few who were so shocked that their heads dropped to the ground.
Even Lang Qianqiu couldn’t contain his surprise, and he sputtered, dumbfounded, “What…what’s the meaning of this? Are you saying that I…that I’m only worth a half-eaten bun?!”
There’d been people grumbling earlier, “If this round doesn’t count, then when will it count?” Now, the answer was clear: it counts when this guy wins. That level of generosity was almost insane!
In his previous youthful form, Hua Cheng always sported a slightly crooked ponytail. But now, his raven-black locks tumbled loose over his vibrant red clothing, and an evil aura radiated from his handsome figure. Only a thin braid on the right side, tied at the end with a red coral bead, brought a hint of mischief to the mix. The vambraces were silver, the straps on his boots were silver, the belt was also silver, even the long, slender scimitar that hung at his waist was silver, its curve smooth and peculiar. Just like that long, slender blade, the man himself was slender and tall.
It would seem that Hua Cheng never showed his true form in public and also changed skins frequently. None of the ghosts in Ghost City knew what he really looked like, and they assumed that this must be another of his fake skins.
Truth be told, when he took out the bun, Xie Lian felt the thick skin he’d grown over his eight hundred years crumble a little, unable to hold up.
Hua Cheng had also turned around, still with that half-eaten bun in his hand. He gave it a playful toss, then casually took a bite out of it, his gaze locked on Xie Lian as he did so. Xie Lian’s step faltered at the sight.
Elder… All right, I am a little older, but not by that much. Why is it that when they talk about me, they always make it sound like I’m a grandpa?
This is the Crown Prince of Xianle, Xie Lian, a heavenly official who collects…collects…collects great commendation from the Heavenly Emperor.” Even though Shi Qingxuan stumbled and didn’t say the words, Xie Lian knew exactly what came after: “collects scraps,” what else!
Yet Xie Lian could still remember that night at Puqi Shrine, when Hua Cheng had told him, “The next time we meet, I’ll greet you in my true form.” He thought to himself, It’s real.
“Then of course that plan is not feasible!” Lang Qianqiu said. “Even though a ghost king is no saint, the fact that he went easy on you must mean that he sees you as a friend. And one should never deceive a friend.”
If we report back empty-handed, people will no doubt say that our success rate is even lower than the Palace of Ling Wen’s. And what an utter embarrassment that would be.”
“I’m sorry, Lord Wind Master,” Lang Qianqiu called. “This will be the last time!” Then he jumped into the fight, whacking the ghosts about.
The black-clad figure, like most of the ghosts on the street, wore a mask. It was a funny mask, with a face that was contorted as if it was smiling woefully. The mob muttered under their breath, “It’s the Waning Moon Officer!”,
As his eyes swept idly past the officer’s wrist, he abruptly noticed that it bore a black cursed circle. It was something he was more than familiar with. A cursed shackle?!
If any travelers walking in the night were to accidentally intrude upon this scene, it was hard to say whether they’d be more frightened or enchanted. However, when Xie Lian scanned the main hall, his eyes went straight through those women to the person seated in the back.
When he was younger, he disliked separation by nature, and it didn’t matter what it was—as long as the objects were placed together, Xie Lian would refuse to separate them. So whatever it was he built, he’d forbid anyone to touch it, and he always wished desperately that he could glue the fragile sheets together so that it’d never collapse. When he was even younger, if he saw his golden palace fall apart, he’d be distressed to the point of refusing food and sleep until the king and queen coaxed him from his shell.
“Whether you’re here to see me or not, I’m happy either way.” Xie Lian was startled by those words. He hadn’t had a chance to respond before the women standing on the sides started giggling. Hua Cheng inclined his head, and they all stopped at once, their heads bowed low.
Hua Cheng arched his brows. “Gege, what are you saying? I never go to the red-light district.”
Truth be told, gege’s Puqi Shrine is small, but it’s so much more comfortable than my Paradise Manor. It’s more like a home.”
So many heavenly officials pretend not to care or speak ill of this place, but behind everyone’s back, they often come in disguise and conduct unspeakable business. I’ve seen too much. If they don’t stir up trouble, then I don’t care, and if they do, then even better, because then I can wipe them out all at once.”
He then crossed his arms. “That an idiot like Lang Qianqiu can ascend…the heavens are truly lacking in humanity.”
“If I don’t control a place like this, then someone else will. I’d rather that person be me.”
Xie Lian then asked, “Then where are you from, exactly?” The boy answered arduously: “…Yong’an!” The Human Face Disease had only ever erupted within the Kingdom of Xianle, yet this boy was from the Kingdom of Yong’an!
In his blurred vision, there stood a white silhouette among the fields of corpses just outside the city walls, his giant white sleeves fluttering, his figure distinct. Xie Lian dropped his head to look down at him, and the white apparition raised his head to look at Xie Lian—and waved directly at him.
Hua Cheng sat down next to Xie Lian. “What are your plans for the boy?” Xie Lian gave the question some thought. “Keep him with me and bring him along.” “He’s a ghost, not a human,” Hua Cheng said. “Why don’t you leave him here in Ghost City? I’ll have no trouble feeding another mouth.”
Xie Lian knew he was in trouble the moment the Officer paused. Hastily, Ruoye flew out and wrapped itself several times around the wooden beam overhead, pulling Xie Lian up to the ceiling where he clung to the beam.
Any man finding himself in an armory such as this, surrounded by all kinds of weaponry, would feel as if he were in heaven, and his blood would boil with excitement. Xie Lian was no exception; his eyes were wide and his face bright. The last time he had felt such exhilaration was in Jun Wu’s armory.
Hua Cheng’s lips curled upwards. “Gege, it likes you.” Xie Lian raised his head. “Really?” Hua Cheng raised his brow. “Really. It’s too lazy to spare a single glance at those it doesn’t like. In fact, there are very few that Eming actually likes.”
I can’t pet here, poking the eye will hurt, Xie Lian thought, then lowered his hand and stroked lightly along the curve of the hilt. The eye squinted into a full crescent line and quivered even harder, as if it was extremely pleased and enjoying the touch very much.
He was the type of person animals liked; when he’d pet furry dogs and cats, they’d squint their eyes like this when they got comfortable and would often throw themselves into his embrace, whining and mewling. Who knew that he’d be stroking a cold, silver scimitar—that legendary cursed blade, no less—like he would a puppy! In what way was this a “bloody, cursed blade of misfortune”?
Xie Lian exited the armory in high spirits after; even grabbing hold of Hua Cheng’s hands on the return to Paradise Hall.
Watching him, another scene flashed in Xie Lian’s mind. It was of another boy whose face was wrapped in bandages, dirty and unkempt; he was kneeling on the floor hugging a plate of offerings, his head bowed low as he stuffed his face.
Hua Cheng said conversationally, “I always thought cultivation was meant simply for living a carefree, pleasurable life. If you must forbid this or that, then what’s the point? What do you think?” Xie Lian steadied himself swiftly and casually said back, “That depends on the path you choose. Some sects don’t mind earthly pleasures, but my chosen path of cultivation has always forbidden drinking and licentious acts. Alcohol can be overlooked once in a while, but abstinence from the latter is absolute.”
Xie Lian closed the door behind him, and when he looked back, what he saw was a full-grown man in a wicked purple silk dress, lying on the ground and wildly ripping at his chest and waist bindings. Xie Lian couldn’t look and covered his eyes.
But…in your current getup, on some level, you’re more of a target… Xie Lian thought.
What an unlucky journey this has been! Either I get dragged to facials by women and girls, or I have to swallow my honor to dress like this. I have never, ever made sacrifices this huge.” But you’re obviously enjoying yourself… Xie Lian thought.
I only remember you playing around with Crimson Rain Sought Flower rolling dice. You guys weren’t even playing properly; you were feeling up his hands, and he was feeling up yours. What kind of new method was that?”
Shi Qingxuan pondered briefly and said, “There was indeed a Martial God of the West who was banished a few years back, and it caused quite the stir at the time.” Martial God of the West? Wasn’t that Quan Yizhen? Shi Qingxuan continued, “But I don’t think That Highness would descend to the Ghost Realm to be a ghost officer! He came from an orthodox background, and his character wasn’t frivolous.”
Xie Lian held back his laughter with immense difficulty as he thought of the way Hua Cheng always lightly curled his lips and shook his head. Rather than calculating, it’s more that he’s…mischievous, Xie Lian thought.
Xie Lian was practiced in the art of escape, so his demeanor and manner were far more relaxed than Shi Qingxuan’s.
Thinking back on when they first met at Banyue Pass, the Lord Wind Master had seemed like such a bright and scintillating figure, and Xie Lian had thought him a powerful being with immeasurable depth—if not a peerless demonic cultivator, then a supreme master. Now that they were better acquainted, he realized all of that was but an illusion…
But why don’t you give it a go? Maybe there’s still some of that luck you borrowed from your San Lang left.” For some reason, Xie Lian felt a little embarrassed when he heard “your San Lang.” He wanted to explain, but at the same time, what was there to explain?
Shi Qingxuan raged at those words and pointed at him with his fan. “Is it so shameful to know me? What hurtful words, Ming-xiong! I’m your best friend!” The man denied it resolutely. “I have no friends who would run around in that sort of attire.” “…”
As expected, Shi Qingxuan was not only passionate about transforming into his own female form, he was also passionate about dragging others into doing the same. No wonder the black-clad lady looked extremely pissed off at the time, like she was disgusted. Recalling how Shi Qingxuan tried to wheedle him into “joining in the fun,” Xie Lian realized that it’d truly been a close call and was glad he didn’t give in.
When the stone door opened this time, it dumped him directly on top of Hua Cheng! He’d fallen into the armory! At the moment, Hua Cheng was sitting on the grand chair of the armory, composedly wiping the scimitar Eming. Even when someone suddenly fell into his lap from above, he’d only moved his hands away and stopped cleaning without any air of surprise. He gazed calmly at Xie Lian, as if waiting for an explanation. Of course, Xie Lian had none and could only lie in his lap and stare back boldly.
Unexpectedly, however, Hua Cheng asked, “Earth Master? What Earth Master?” After a pause, he continued, “Oh, did you mean the one on Wind Master’s back? He’s nothing more than an inept subordinate of mine.”
In a split second, Xie Lian understood everything. So that was what happened! As it turned out, the reason the Earth Master had gone missing and been imprisoned was ultimately because he had gone undercover and concealed his true identity for a decade to serve as a ghost officer under Hua Cheng. To be blunt, he was a spy.
“Lord Wind Master! We haven’t done anything yet!!” Xie Lian was bewildered. “I don’t think either of you are going to make a move first,” Shi Qingxuan said. “So, I’ll be the bad guy. WIIIIIIND! COME TO ME!!”