Chapter 231-240
Ch.231: Adroit Dice; Snake Eyes Rolled Alarming the Heart 3
Within the darkness, that figure took a step forward, and was finally revealed under the firelight.
Mu Qing’s face was dark but he didn’t speak, and Feng Xin grabbed onto Xie Lian and added,
“Before at the Heavenly Capital, I was searching for people just fine when someone suddenly
struck me from behind, otherwise why would I have fallen?”
Xie Lian’s mind spun rapidly and blinked, “He was the one who struck you?”
Feng Xin said with absolute certainty, “Without a doubt, it was him!”
“And after he hit you, you were immediately knocked out?” Xie Lian asked.
“Pretty much!” Feng Xin said, “Either way, Your Highness watch out for him, don’t get so close,
or just seize him!”
Mu Qing swore in spite of himself, “Bullsh...”
Xie Lian quickly cut in, “Wait! Feng Xin, there’s a problem here. If he ambushed you from behind
and you were knocked out immediately afterwards – how did you know that the one who struck
you from behind was Mu Qing?”
Feng Xin hadn’t expected that he’d ask this question and was taken a back. Mu Qing instantly
seized that moment and humphed, “At the time, the Heavenly Capital was ablaze in chaos, it
wouldn’t be strange for anyone to have knocked you out, but you just had to throw this mess on
me, can’t you just admit you saw wrong?”
However, Feng Xin held onto Xie Lian and stood up, his tone dark, “No, it was definitely you!”
“On what basis do you make your accusation?” Mu Qing demanded.
Feng Xin enunciated, “It was precisely because the Heavenly Capital was ablaze and there was
firelight all over that the ground reflected the shadow of that person behind me. Even though I
didn’t get the chance to look back, but when I fell, I saw the shape of that shadow and the attack
move. It was your shadow!”
Xie Lian watched intently as the two exchanged verbal blows. Mu Qing still wouldn’t back down,
“All this talk but you still didn’t see anything with your own eyes, and it’s normal for shadows to
blur reality, so how can you determine it was me by just a shadow? What can you see when you
were practically fainting?”
“You know very well whether if I can tell the distinction. His Highness too.” Feng Xin said.
Xie Lian indeed knew. No matter what, the three of them grew up together, cultivated together,
and couldn’t be more than familiar with each other’s forms and moves, so even if they didn’t see
faces, they could still be over eighty percent certain!
“Your Highness, you both came here together?” Feng Xin questioned, “Has he done anything
suspicious en route?”
“Well...” Xie Lian said.
To be honest, Mu Qing had been too suspicious the entire way, nervous and unsteady. But in
their current situation, it wasn’t easy for Xie Lian to say so in front of Mu Qing’s face. Feng Xin
continued, “No! Think closely, the fact that he even came is suspicious. By his personality, why
would he go through the danger to come rescue people? Is that even Mu Qing?”
Mu Qing’s face grew darker, “Don’t say things like they’re absolute. Having a son isn’t
something you’d do, yet here we are?”
“...”
Xie Lian could sense the direction of this conversation was going off and quickly said, “Alright,
don’t argue. If you continue to argue then we’ll have to train idioms to calm down!”
Mu Qing added, “Besides, if it was me who knocked you out, why would I go through all this
effort to lure them over here to find you?”
Feng Xin responded, “Because you didn’t think that after you struck me from behind that I can
still point you out! And who knows what hellish place this is, you luring His Highness and the
others here might not be to find me. Didn’t Crimson Rain Sought Flower separate from you
halfway?”
“Are you trying to call me a fake in order to lure His Highness and the others into a perilous
trap? Well sorry, His Highness and Crimson Rain Sought Flower had been with me the entire
way, there was no way they wouldn’t have noticed anything.”
“That’s true, yes....” Xie Lian said.
But that was only true for the Mu Qing en route. After they had entered the underground
WuYong palace, who’s to say he wasn’t switched? Nothing could be sure.
Mu Qing looked over Feng Xin and added, “Your Highness, I think you best stay away from him.
After all, he’s been lying there since we came, Crimson Rain Sought Flower also vanished, and
now he’s trying to tear us apart, don’t you think he’s the one more like an imposter?”
White No-Face had disguised himself in the appearance of those two before, so to do so again
wouldn’t be surprising. Xie Lian rubbed his forehead, “How about this, why don’t you two say
something that only the three of us know, so we can verify identities?”
“Like what?” Mu Qing asked.
Xie Lian gave it a thought and said casually, “On top of the snowy mountain, what did you two
scream at each other?”
After he gave the suggestion, the face of the other two froze. Xie Lian tucked his hands in his
sleeves, “If your words don’t match each other’s then that means someone among you two
aren’t the real thing. Let’s verify identities before anything else.”
However, those two only looked at each other, neither speaking a word. Xie Lian wasn’t really
that curious at first, but now he couldn’t help but be curious. A moment later, Feng Xin dodge
the question, “You’re both missing the point. I wasn’t suspicious that he isn’t the real thing.”
Mu Qing narrowed his eyes, “So what are you trying to say?”
Feng Xin said straightforwardly, “I’ve thought he’s the real Mu Qing from the beginning. He
couldn’t stand the both of us, so it wouldn’t be strange for him to do anything.”
Mu Qing’s hands clenched into fists, his knuckles cracking, and he flicked his hand, sending a
blow right out!
Feng Xin was wounded and barely just dodged the blow. And thus the two started brawling.
Although Xie Lian had expected it, but he still couldn’t help but feel his head throb, “Calm
down... why don’t we train some idioms, hm?”
With their blows, Xie Lian could sense that the murderous aura all around was growing heavier.
A few balls of firelight flew around haphazardly, brightening the entire chamber, and only then
did Xie Lian see, that all around on the walls and shelves were stacked full of various sabres,
spears, swords, and other such weapons, exceedingly chilling.
So it turns out, this here was an armoury. No wonder the air was filled with cold, murderous aura
all around!
Xie Lian himself used to own such an armoury, very dear to his heart, and he’d often lose sense
of time while spending time in it, but this armoury made him feel extremely uncomfortable, and
he didn’t want to stay here for another minute. But immediately, he didn’t know whose words to
trust, so he didn’t know which side to help – truth to be told, they’re both very suspicious!
In the end, Xie Lian could only call out, “RuoYe!”
Bind both of them first and talk later!
RuoYe who had been waiting finally got a chance to show off, and it flew out. Yet unexpectedly,
before the white silk band even came out Xie Lian suddenly sensed another chill permeating
from behind him.
The direction of his attack instantly changed. He caught onto RuoYe and swung it behind. The
moment he felt the white silk band catching onto something, Xie Lian seized RuoYe and yanked
forcefully, but whatever it was didn’t move.
Xie Lian felt dread, and the next moment, he was yanked by the other end of RuoYe, and his
back solidly crashed into an embrace, and there was even something cold and hard that jabbed
into his waist. Xie Lian, “???”
While his body didn’t look that solid, his physical strength was quite formidable. Unless the other
party was some gigantic creature, otherwise how can he be so easily yanked over?
Xie Lian was just about to fight back when he felt a hand circle around his waist, a voice coming
from above, “Gege, it’s me.”
“San Lang?” Xie Lian asked.
Sure enough, when he looked down, the hand that circled him was wearing a silver vambrace
carved with maple leaves, butterflies, and beasts; when he whipped his head around, the one
who caught him was a tall and slender red-clad man, calm and collected, a silver scimitar
hanging on his waist. The thing that jabbed his waist earlier was most likely this scimitar’s hilt.
Hua Cheng!
Xie Lian instantly understood. Turns out, just now it was RuoYe who purposely dragged him to
Hua Cheng’s side, so he was fighting one against two, so of course he was yanked over so
easily!
He steadied himself, and speechlessly picked up RuoYe, muttering at it, “You little traitor...”
RuoYe was wisely playing dead, laying unmoving. Xie Lian didn’t want to say anymore at it
either and threw it aside, “San Lang, what happened just now? Weren’t you following behind
me? Where’s master?”
“This place is very weird.” Hua Cheng said, “Halfway through, the road back was all sealed. We
bumped into something a little difficult, so taking care of it took some time.”
Even Hua Cheng said it was a little difficult, so it seemed it really was something difficult. Xie
Lian felt faintly worried, “Are you alright?”
“Of course.” Hua Cheng said, “But Guoshi’s whereabouts is now unknown, so we may have to
keep going deeper. By the way, what are those two fighting about? So noisy.”
“Oh. Them...” Xie Lian looked over.
On the side, Feng Xin and Mu Qing also finally noticed things on this end, and Mu Qing
immediately shouted, “Hey! Watch out, you! Don’t go near people who just pop out of nowhere
so easily!”
Those two temporarily called a truce and Feng Xin also said, “Your Highness, don’t just glomp
him the moment you see him!”
Xie Lian immediately explained himself, “WHAT! What do you mean by that! I wasn’t the one
who tackled over, it’s RuoYe’s fault...” He trailed off as he suddenly realized why they were so
nervous.
Since both Feng Xin and Mu Qing were suspicious of being imposters, then... wouldn’t Hua
Cheng be no different?
Was the one standing before him the real “Hua Cheng”?
Hua Cheng cocked an eyebrow, “So now you’re all doubting whether if I’m the real thing, are
you?”
Xie Lian had one hand support his elbow while the other hand supported his cheek as he
started to observe him carefully.
Hua Cheng noticed his gaze and moved his eyes over to stare back at him.
“...” Xie Lian couldn’t keep observing anymore with that stare, and after a moment of
contemplation, he came to his conclusion and turned to the other two, “I think this one is real.”
Mu Qing was exasperated, “What you ‘think’ might not be right. Don’t forget where we are. This
is White No-Face’s old lair, anything is possible. Figure out a way yourself to test it.”
Hua Cheng on the other hand, chuckled, “Well, that’s easy. Gege, come over here, I’ll tell you of
a good way that can help you judge immediately.”
Xie Lian thus listened to him and went over, requesting for his guidance guiltily, “What good
way?”
“Can you please not do everything he tells you to do? He’s the one who’s suspicious right now,
do you understand?”
Hua Cheng said, “Recite to me the first half of my communication array verbal password, and I’ll
tell you the second half. You’ll know whether if I’m the real thing then.”
“...”
The two whispered in each other’s ears for a bit, then Xie Lian turned around, lightly clearing his
throat, speaking to the other two, “Well... this one’s the real one.”
Feng Xin finally didn’t look to be as tense anymore, but Mu Qing was doubtful, “Are you sure?
Don’t just look at his face and suddenly lose all your marbles.”
“I already said this one is the real one for sure, why do you both have to say it like I’m some...”
Xie Lian griped.
“Alright, that’s solved and over.” Hua Cheng said, “Back on topic – gege, just why were those
two fighting?”
Xie Lian thus gave a brief account, using his hand to support his forehead, “And that’s about it...
To be honest, I really don’t know who’s more suspicious.”
However, Hua Cheng replied, “Do you even have to ask? Of course he’s the most suspicious
one.”
The direction he was gesturing was at Mu Qing.
Mu Qing was vexed, “If you’re going to accuse me for nothing, at least have a reason? Don’t
throw everything onto me whenever something happens.”
“Fine.” Hua Cheng said, “ Then let me ask you a question – what’s that on your wrist?”
Hearing this, Mu Qing’s face immediately changed colours.
He staggered back a few steps, but Feng Xin was fast, and instantly seized him, “On your
wrist?”
There was a cursed shackle on his wrist!
Mu Qing pushed off Feng Xin’s hand, veins popping on his forehead, and he glared at him in
fury, When Xie Lian saw the thing, he dropped his arms and said dumbfoundedly, “Mu Qing,
your hand?”
Mu Qing was unspeaking, his face dark. Hua Cheng spoke up, “I suggest you respond honestly
to the following questions: Why did Jun Wu summon you to the Great Martial Hall? What did he
say to you? Why did you receive a better treatment than the other heavenly officials, and could
return without harm? Why are you behaving so abnormally, volunteering to come rescue people
despite all the dangers here at Mont TongLu? What’s with the thing on your hand? Why did you
lure us here?”
Seeing the situation go downhill, Mu Qing backed a step away and instantly said, “Wait! Don’t
attack first! Let me explain myself.”
Hua Cheng gave an open gesture, “Please. Go on.”
Feng Xin said, “Tell me first, were you the one who struck me?”
After a pause, Mu Qing finally said through gritted teeth, “...Technically it was me. But it’s not
what you’re all thinking!”
Feng Xin was angered, but Xie Lian said, “Let him continue.”
———-
Ch.232: Adroit Dice; Snake Eyes Rolled Alarming the Heart 4
Mu Qing inhaled deeply and admitted, “...That’s right, I was the one who hurt Feng Xin.”
Feng Xin was outraged, “I just knew it was definitely you!”
Mu Qing turned to Xie Lian, “But that was because the Heavenly Capital was done for! At the
time, all the heavenly officials were trying to find ways to escape, but he still stayed there
refusing to leave, and he wouldn’t listen when called either. If he continued to remain he
would’ve been burnt to death by the flames of karma sooner or later, which was why I planned
on knocking him out before tossing him to you!”
“But, you didn’t hand him to me. Feng Xin went missing and ended up here instead.” Xie Lian
said.
“Because a little accident happened on the way.” Mu Qing said.
“What accident?”
“That fetus spirit.” Mu Qing said, “It suddenly ambushed me from behind, biting me not letting
go, refusing to let me take him. I hadn’t had the chance to pull him up before the Heavenly
Capital started reshaping, so...”
So, Feng Xin was somehow moved here along with the piece of land beneath him.
If that was the truth, then it meant Mu Qing had the intention to do a good deed, but accidentally
made things worse and screwed Feng Xin over. A very awkward situation.
Xie Lian said, “Why didn’t you say so sooner earlier...” Feng Xin was also dubious, “Are you
sure you didn’t plan on letting me burn to death at the Heavenly Capital? To just knock me out
and leave me there?”
Mu Qing’s face stiffened and turned to Xie Lian, “The fetus spirit was crouching on his chest the
entire time, and later that female ghost Jian Lan came too, so I figured she would wake or move
Feng Xin instead of watching him get burnt.”
Xie Lian thus understood too. Mu Qing had come out to rescue him out of guilt, after all, he was
the one who knocked Feng Xin out. Out of a sense of responsibility, naturally he had to put in
some effort. No wonder he was so nervous and on edge the entire way, he was probably scared
wondering whether if Feng Xin might have died...
Yet, this set of excuses was hard to believe. Feng Xin pulled at his hair madly, “WHAT A MESS
YOU’VE MADE OF THINGS! DON’T YOU KNOW I WAS LOOKING FOR THEM? IF YOU
DIDN’T KNOCK ME OUT MAYBE I WOULD’VE FOUND THEM!”
Mu Qing said calmly, “That fetus spirit is White No-Face’s subordinate, White No-Face wouldn’t
do anything malicious to them. And they didn’t want to go with you, so you staying behind is just
a waste of time. You can call for them for a thousand times and it’d be pointless, so why not
leave the Heavenly Capital to save your life first then find opportunities later to look for them?
Why must you force something like recognizing sons during such a dire situation? I only made
the best possible decision for all parties at that moment.”
Feng Xin wasn’t as calm as he was, “Best possible decision my ass! You can only say that
because it’s not your family! Wait, so what you mean to say is, you were trying to save me, and
make me leave?”
However, Hua Cheng cut in, “That’s enough rubbish, just answer my question: what did Jun Wu
say to you?”
Mu Qing shut up and was somewhat hesitant.
Hua Cheng stared at him, “Are you currently under his command?”
Mu Qing instantly replied, “Nothing of the sort!”
“Then please explain this cursed shackle.” Hua Cheng said.
Mu Qing had been arguing for so long, his mouth dry, and a moment later, he said with a hoarse
voice, “I already said... you guys might not believe me.”
“Earlier when we asked you, you denied everything to death, and only now do you admit it, so of
course it’s going to be hard to believe you.” Feng Xin said.
Mu Qing was slightly indignant, “Why didn’t I admit to it? If I told you earlier what had happened,
you would definitely not have believed me anyway! With this attitude, who’d admit to anything?
The moment I admit to anything I wouldn’t be able to explain myself at all, so I might as well not
have admitted to anything!” Besides, obviously having nothing happen to Feng Xin was
fortunate, but the whole incident was rather embarrassing, and by his personality, not wanting to
admit to it was also normal.
Xie Lian had been listening to him patiently the whole time, and said, “Just let him finish.”
Mu Qing glanced at Xie Lian, and it took a moment before he said staggeringly with difficulty,
“This is... Because, he wanted me to, do detrimental things to His Highness, I, refused, so...”
At this point, even he himself felt uncomfortable and couldn’t continue any longer. Hua Cheng
continued for him, “So, in a fit of anger, he put a cursed shackle on you?”
Mu Qing didn’t speak.
“Nothing else?” Feng Xin demanded.
There was nothing particularly notable on Hua Cheng’s expression, “From the bottom of your
heart, do you believe the words you just said?”
“...”
It was as if Mu Qing suffered a great humiliation and he said coldly, “Believe if you will. There’s a
misunderstanding in me knocking Feng Xin out, but I’m not under anyone’s command.”
Feng Xin responded, “Mu Qing... you best just tell the truth.”
When Mu Qing saw his expression his knuckles cracked, “What I said was the truth! What did
you want to hear? That I surrendered to Jun Wu and am out to hurt you all? Is that the person I
am in your minds? Your Highness??”
He gazed to Xie Lian, his eyes emotional. Xie Lian stared at him for a long time, pensive the
whole time, but just as he was about to speak. Hua Cheng crossed his arms and shielded in
front him, meeting Mu Qing’s eyes, speaking quietly, “There’s no need to look at His Highness
like this. After all, you’ve got a track record.”
“I didn’t ask you!” Mu Qing countered, “What track record?”
Hua Cheng smiled, “What track record? How did cultivation go for you after stealing a piece of
auspicious land from His Highness’ hands?”
His smile was laced with chilling air, and his tone was even nastier. Mu Qing was taken aback,
his face paling, and he involuntarily staggered back a few steps, “YOU!...”
Mu Qing himself knew that that incident with fighting Xie Lian over auspicious land wasn’t the
ethical thing to do, thus, he was the most fearful of people bringing it out in the open to point
their fingers at it. While Hua Cheng’s tone was light, his tone was forceful and vicious.
Mu Qing was surprised, but Xie Lian was too. What he was surprised about was, how did Hua
Cheng know about this incident?
Neither Xie Lian nor Feng Xin were the gossipy type, and never enjoyed debating right or
wrongs behind people’s back or spreading anything. While at the time, Mu Qing’s departure was
a huge shock to them, but they never said anything or complained to anyone over it. As for the
fight over that piece of auspicious land, afterwards Xie Lian never mentioned it again, and had
never spoken of it to anyone either. He was sure Feng Xin was the same.
Those thirty some heavenly officials naturally wouldn’t have voluntarily told anyone they stole
another’s spiritual land for cultivation, so they would’ve either kept everything a complete secret
or twisted the truth. Thus, afterwards, Xie Lian had never heard talk of that incident again.
So if that was the case, then how had Hua Cheng learned of it?
Even if he had planted many spies in the Heavenly Court, that affair really was much too long
ago, it’s been some eight hundred years, and most of those involved never said a single word,
so was it really possible for Hua Cheng to have dug out this aged mess?
Mu Qing questioned, “And how did you know about it? Who told you?” He looked at Feng Xin,
then looked at Xie Lian, and in the end the one he peered at was still Xie Lian. Hua Cheng
jeered, “There’s no need to look at His Highness, His Highness never tells me these things. This
was something you both yelled about at the top of the snowy mountain, did you forget?”
Mu Qing’s face was turning paler. Xie Lian’s confusion was somewhat lessened, and he couldn’t
help but sweat drop.
When Feng Xin and Mu Qing started going at each other’s throats, they’d often revive old
quarrels like mad, and crazily pull rugs from each other’s feet, so they would’ve definitely
bundled aged old messes like dynamite and hurled them at each other. No wonder Hua Cheng
was that angry at the time. But, Xie Lian still vaguely felt there was something deeper than that.
Since, Xie Lian remembered another thing – the Red Clad Ghost and the Burning of the Civil
and Martial Temples. Hua Cheng became famous overnight, after the one battle where he
defeated thirty-three heavenly officials, and one blazing fire scorched all the temples and
shrines they had in the mortal realm.
Xie Lian had long forgotten how many heavenly officials there were who fought him over the
auspicious land, and even their titles, faces, and the words they said were lost to him. He only
vaguely recall there were maybe thirty of them.
Then, what was the count exactly?
Could it be the thirty some heavenly officials of back then?
If it was, then, didn’t this mean Hua Cheng had long since known about the incident?
It was a moment before Mu Qing gritted out, “That time is that time, this time is this time! In any
case, I had never thought of...”
They were just arguing when suddenly, one of Xie Lian’s legs kicked out, and he shouted,
“WATCH OUT!”
Mu Qing wasn’t expecting this at all and was instantly kicked down. Whoosh, whoosh, and two
sharp, chilling air brushed over him, nailing onto the wall. Mu Qing leapt to his feet, and dusted
off the footprint on his chest, “ARE YOU DOING THIS ON PURPOSE?? ATTACKING FIRST?”
Xie Lian replied while his mind was occupied, “Sorry sorry, that really wasn’t intentional!” If it had
been intentional, Mu Qing would’ve crashed into a human shaped hole in the wall by now.
Everyone turned their heads to look, and upon the wall were two sharp swords impaled, and the
blades were still vibrating. Feng Xin shouted, “WHO’S THERE??”
“There’s no one there.” Xie Lian said, “They moved on their own!”
Clink clank, chlink chlunk. From all around them the murderous aura exploded. Those weapons
hung on the walls became aggravated, violently shaking, so much so that the entire chamber
was clamouring from the quaking.
“Let’s get out of here, quick!” Xie Lian exclaimed.
Yet unexpectedly, when he dashed to where the entrance used to be, Feng Xin shouted, “WHY
ARE YOU RUNNING THERE? THERE’S NO PATH OVER THERE! Where’s the door? This
chamber couldn’t not have a door?? HOW DO WE GET OUT?”
“There used to be a door!” Xie Lian exclaimed, “But it’s gone! What’s going on with those arms?
Why did killing intent suddenly explode?”
Hua Cheng used two fingers and caught a long sword that came flying at him, and without
exerting much force that sword snapped, crackling as the pieces fell to the ground. He spoke
up, “It’s been too long since anyone’s used them, and they’ve gotten lonely. When they sense
people come in, they wanted to kill, that’s all.”
The other two subconsciously turned their heads to look at Mu Qing. Mu Qing instantly
exclaimed, “IT’S GOT NOTHING TO DO WITH ME!”
“But,” Hua Cheng said, “You’re the one who led us here.”
“I only pointed this path out because I saw the fetus spirit!” Mu Qing countered.
Hua Cheng countered back, “Only you saw it.”
Mu Qing had nothing to say to that, and clenched his fists. Feng Xin spoke up, “Well what do we
do now? Can’t those weapons calm themselves?”
Before Hua Cheng had answered, Xie Lian suddenly remembered how he used to face similar
monsters and demons, and mumbled, “It’s possible! But... we must let them kill.”
“But there’s no exit to this place right now,” Feng Xin said, “And there’s only the four of us locked
up in here. How do we let them kill? What can they kill?”
Just as Xie Lian was about to speak, Hua Cheng suddenly said, “Three of us.”
“What, three?” Feng Xin questioned.
“Just correcting you, that’s all.” Hua Cheng said, “The ones locked up here are only the three of
us.”
Xie Lian whipped his head around. Sure enough, within the armoury, Mu Qing who used to be
the fourth person had vanished!
It was the truth! Where Mu Qing used to stand, there was now nothing but empty air. Feng Xin
was dumbfounded, “How can this be?? He was standing there just now!”
Hua Cheng wasn’t surprised at all, since he had already run into something like this himself
earlier, and only said, “We’re in White No-Face’s territory right now. Everyone follows his
command, he has nothing to fear, so of course he can take people away as he will.”
“...”
Earlier, when Feng Xin didn’t wholly believe, the sharp words he exchanged with Mu Qing were
uttered mostly out of anger, but now, he really didn’t know what to say. It was a good moment
before he finally said, “Your Highness, Mu Qing, he, could he really have...?”
Xie Lian quickly replied, “Let’s not talk about this right now. These weapons are about to go
violent, we have to think of a way to calm them down first, otherwise we’ll be chopped to mush!”
Then, he pulled out Fang Xin that was carried on his back. However, Hua Cheng resolutely
pressed down on his hand.
Xie Lian was taken aback and looked over, and saw Hua Cheng staring at him intently, red
slowly spreading around the rims of his eyes.
He said darkly, “Gege, what are you planning, pulling out the sword?”
———-
Ch.233: Cliffs Hundred Yards High; Thousand Bends over Lava Falls
Xie Lian blinked, “I wasn’t planning on doing anything?”
“Then why did you pull the sword?” Hua Cheng demanded.
“To... defend myself?” Xie Lian replied.
Hua Cheng’s expression was terrifyingly dark, and he squeezed harder, “How did you plan on
defending yourself? Put your sword down!”
This was the first time Hua Cheng had ever talked to Xie Lian in this kind of expression and
tone, and Xie Lian was completely taken aback. Feng Xin was alarmed, “Who are you to make
him put down his sword? Let him go first!”
A battle axe came flying, and in one swift reaction, Xie Lian raised the sword and slashed it,
sending it flying, “How did I plan on defending myself? ... Like this!”
Only then did Hua Cheng’s demeanour and tone relax somewhat, but he still didn’t let him go,
“You don’t need to defend yourself, just stand behind me. Put your sword down.”
Feng Xin knocked into his bow on the ground with his foot, and he picked it up, gripping it with
both hands, raising it to use as a sword, batting away a meteor hammer, all the while becoming
more suspicious, “What are you doing clutching onto him like that? Are you really the real thing?
Your Highness, is there anyone else besides you two who knows Crimson Rain Sought Flower’s
verbal password?”
It was through this reminder that Xie Lian suddenly remembered that it wasn’t just the two of
them who knew Hua Cheng’s spiritual communication verbal password. There was a third
person who had heard it before.
Jun Wu!
Back at the Palace of Xian Le, when