Xie Lian bent down slightly and greeted, “Hello there.”
Hearing the greeting, that eye squinted harder, turning itself into a full crescent shape,
as if smiling. The large eye spun left and right, extremely lively, as if it wasn’t just a
pattern carved onto a scimitar hilt, but a real live eye born of human. Hua Cheng’s lips
lifted upwards, “Gege, it likes you.”
Xie Lian raised his head, “Really?”
Hua Cheng raised his brows, “Really. If it didn’t it’d be too lazy to even blink open. In
fact, there are very few that E-Ming actually likes.”
Hearing this, Xie Lian felt at peace, and said warmly to E-Ming, “Well, thank you.” He
then turned to Hua Cheng, “I rather like it too.”
At his words, that eye blinked madly, and started shaking while still hung around Hua
Cheng’s waist. He reprimanded it, “No.”
“What, ‘no’?” Xie Lian asked.
“No.” Hua Cheng reiterated.
E-Ming shook harder, looking desperate to be freed from the scabbard. Xie Lian asked
curiously, “Are you telling it ‘no’?”
“Yea.” Hua Cheng explained in a serious tone, “It wants you to pet it but I’m telling it no.”
Xie Lian grinned, “Well what’s wrong with that?” And stretched out a hand. E-Ming
widened its eye looking at him expectantly. Xie Lian was going to pet the eyeball, but
thought it’d be poking the eye and hurting it, so he lowered his hand and stroked lightly
along the curve of the hilt. The eye had squinted itself into a full crescent line, and
quivered.
Xie Lian thought it incredibly intriguing, the more he stroked the scimitar. Xie Lian
himself was the type animals liked; when he’d pet those furry dogs and cats, they’d get
comfortable and often throw themselves into his embrace. Who knew that he’d be
petting a cold, silver scimitar – that legendary scimitar no less! - like he would a puppy!
How is it a ‘bloody cursed blade of misfortune’?
Xie Lian didn’t believe it before, but after seeing with his own eyes, he threw away the
awful hearsays to the back burner, into the ‘not believable’ pile of trash. An evil, bloody
ritual would not forge a spirit this clever and cute.
—
The two spent a copious amount of time discussing and critiquing various swords and
blades in detail, and Xie Lian exited the armoury in high spirits after, grabbing hold of
Hua Cheng’s hands to return to Paradise Hall.
That boy had also been brought in after washing up and dressed in clean bandages.
Although his face was still wholly covered, he looked new and refreshed. Looking at him
anew, the boy was slender and delicate, and should have been a seedling with infinite
possibilities, but alas the him now was one with his shoulders slumped and waist bent, a
shrivelled form who couldn’t meet anyone’s eyes. Xie Lian couldn’t help but feel
heartbroken for him.
He pulled the boy to sit, “The last few words Xiao Ying said had the intention of having
me take care of you, and I technically agreed to it. But nevertheless, I still have to ask
for your opinion on it. Would you be interested in following me in cultivation from now
on?”
The boy watched him blankly, as if afraid to believe the words he was hearing, that
someone was actually willing to take him in and cultivate. Xie Lian continued, “I can’t
say the conditions at my place are good, but I can still promise you won’t need to hide
any longer, and won’t need to steal for food or get beaten.”
When he spoke, Xie Lian didn’t notice that next to him, Hua Cheng’s eyes were
narrowed, watching the boy with a cold, judging look.
Xie Lian continued warmly, “If you can’t remember your own name, then why don’t we
come up with a new one?”
The boy thought about it and said, “Ying.”
Xie Lian supposed that the name was to commemorate Xiao Ying and nodded, “Good.
That’s a good name. You’re of the kingdom of YongAn, and YongAn’s national surname
is Lang, so why don’t you use that as your new name and call yourself Lang Ying?”
The boy finally nodded. Xie Lian took that as the boy’s acceptance in following after
him.
The banquet began. It’s a small feast Hua Cheng prepared for Xie Lian, but by its setup,
it’s of a size that could very well host over ten people. Innumerous women had in their
hands a jaded plate, and upon the plates were various kinds of delightful refreshments,
delicate dishes, fresh fruits, and goodies. Their offerings were endless, and their steps
were dainty and light as they walked along the sides of the main hall in a line, each
presenting their jaded plate as they approached the black jaded divan. Lang Ying only
watched but didn’t dare to reach out, and it wasn’t until Xie Lian pushed a few of the
plates toward him before he slowly grabbed a few items to eat.
Watching him, another scene flashed in Xie Lian’s mind. It was also another boy whose
face was wrapped in bandages, dirty and unkempt, kneeling on the floor with a plate of
offerings, his head bowed low as he stuffed his face in secret.
Just then, a sashaying lady in purple silk approached, offering a carafe of wine. Hua
Cheng reached out and poured Xie Lian a glass, “Won’t you have one?”
Xie Lian had a bunch of things on mind and wasn’t paying attention, so he carelessly
accepted the glass and drank. It wasn’t til the liquid entered his mouth that he realized it
was alcohol, and moved his gaze back. But this turn made him see what was behind
Hua Cheng’s back. The lady who offered the wine winked at him.
Xie Lian spat on the spot: “PFFFFffttt”
Good thing he already swallowed that sip of wine and nothing came splattering out of
his mouth. He only choked, coughing nonstop. Lang Ying took fright and almost
dropped the cake in his hand. Xie Lian soothed as he coughed, “It’s nothing. It’s
nothing.”
Hua Cheng gently patted his back, “What’s wrong? Is the wine not to your liking?”
Xie Lian hurriedly explained himself, “Oh no! It’s very good. I just suddenly remembered
that my cultivation method forbids alcohol.”
“Oh?” Hua Cheng said, “Then this is my fault for not being considerate, and made gege
break his vow.”
“It’s not your fault,” Xie Lian said, “I’d just forgotten.”
Xie Lian rubbed his forehead, turned around and stealthily glimpsed towards the centre
of the main hall.
That lady who offered wine had her back to him as she sashayed away to the doors, her
figure sensual and seductive. Hua Cheng was only minding his own business or
focused on Xie Lian completely, and had no eye for those beautiful women, and
therefore naturally did not care to see their faces. But the face Xie Lian saw was clear.
That lady who offered wine was none other than the Wind Master Qing Xuan ! ! !
The Lord Wind Master had snuck into Paradise Manor disguised as a woman… that
wink gave Xie Lian quite the shock, and thought ‘you best give me more booze to
swallow this down’. Unaware, Hua Cheng said conversationally, “I had always thought
cultivation was simply for living a carefree, hedonistic life. If you must forbid this and
that, then what’s the point? What do you think?”
Xie Lian steadied himself swiftly, and casually conversed back, “That depends on the
path you choose. Some sects don’t mind earthly pleasures, but my chosen path of
cultivation had always forbidden drinking and promiscuity. Alcohol can be overlooked
once in a while, but abstinence is absolute.”
When he said the word “abstinence”, Hua Cheng cocked his right brow, and displayed
an unreadable expression of either displeasure or annoyance.
Xie Lian continued, “Actually, it also forbids hatred. A gambling hall involves extreme joy
and anguish, and can easily produce hatred, so it should be a place to be avoided. But
if one is sure to maintain peace at heart, unmoved by wins and losses, then avoidance
isn’t technically necessary.”
Hearing this, Hua Cheng laughed out loud, “No wonder gege had the pleasure of
entering the Gambler’s Den.”
Going around in circles, Xie Lian finally brought the subject of the conversation naturally
to ‘gambling’, and said, “Speaking of which, San Lang your gambling techniques are
amazing to behold.”
Hua Cheng chuckled, “It’s just good luck, nothing else.”
“…”
Hearing this, Xie Lian compared himself, and felt rather woeful. He cleared his throat
softly, “Well, look at me…” He waved his hand and didn’t finish. “I’m really curious; is
there really a technique to rolling dice?”
If there wasn’t, then Hua Cheng couldn’t just call the numbers as he wanted back at the
Gambler’s Den, and that XiaXuanYue Officer couldn’t have so easily tossed out two
sixes. Hua Cheng smiled, “Naturally, there is a secret technique, but it’s not something
that’s learned in a day.”
Xie Lian had expected that answer. He wasn’t hopeful with that question anyway and
was trying to come up with other ideas when Hua Cheng continued, “However, I can tell
you of a faster way. I promise gege would be able to succeed as you will, and win every
round.”
“What way?” Xie Lian asked.
Hua Cheng raised his right hand. It was the very same right hand with a red string tied
on the third finger. The red string was tied into a small bow on the back of the hand,
bright and vivid. He extended the hand and beckoned Xie Lian, “Give me your hand.”
Xie Lian didn’t know what it was for, but since Hua Cheng asked for his hand, he gave it
to him. Hua Cheng squeezed his hand and held it for a bit, smiling before he turned his
hand over and tossed two dice in his palm. “Try it now.”
He chanted mentally for sixes, and rolled the dice. Rattling to a stop, the dice indeed
revealed two red sixes.
“What trick is this?” Xie Lian asked curiously.
“No trick.” Hua Cheng replied, “I’d only just lent you some luck.”
“So luck is like spiritual power and can be borrowed.” Xie Lian said in wonder.
Hua Cheng laughed, “Of course. Next time if gege is going to make bets with anyone,
come see me. I’ll lend you as much luck as you want. I promise your opponent will
suffer a loss so great he won’t be able to return in a hundred years.”
The two played around for many rounds and Xie Lian confirmed for himself that it was
indeed so before he stopped to say he was tired. Hua Cheng got up immediately, had
someone take Lang Ying to settle, before personally escorting Xie Lian to the guest
chamber.
Watching as his silhouette disappeared down the hall, Xie Lian closed the door, sat by
the table and used a hand to cover his forehead, supporting his lowered head. The
more thoughtful Hua Cheng was, the more guilty Xie Lian felt. ‘There is really nothing to
criticize about the way San Lang treats me. Hopefully this business has nothing to do
with him, and once the truth comes out I’ll explain everything and apologize.’ Xie Lian
thought.
He had only sat for a moment when he heard someone calling him from outside the
door with a small voice, “Your Highness… Your Highness…”
Recognizing the voice, Xie Lian immediately rose to open the door, and the person just
outside leapt in. It was indeed Shi Qing Xuan in her female form.
She was still in the ghost lady’s get up, a light silk dress, her waist wrapped tight and
dainty. The moment she leapt in, she rolled onto the ground in a heap and transformed
back to a man, hand on his chest: “I can’t breathe! I CAN’T BREATHE! My god, I’m
going to be choked to death by this thing!”
Xie Lian closed the door behind him and when he turned around what he saw was a full
grown man in a wicked purple silk dress, lying on the ground madly ripping at his chest
and waist bindings. Xie Lian couldn’t look and covered his eyes, “Lord Wind Master…
Lord Wind Master! Can you not just change back to your cultivation robes?”
“Am I dumb?” Shi Qing Xuan replied, “Walking around in the dark in a conspicuous
white robe, I’d be a target!”
‘But… in your current get up, on some level, you’re more of a target…’ Xie Lian thought.
Xie Lian crouched down next to him, “Lord Wind Master, how did you sneak in? Didn’t
we agree to meet three days after?”
“Well what was I to do?” Shi Qing Xuan replied, “I asked around on the streets and they
all said Your Highness was sent to the Paradise Manor, and isn’t Paradise Manor the
ghost king’s lair? Even the name of the place sounded bad. I watched from afar and
decided it was definitely an obscene and wanton place, so I was worried about you and
snuck in using all of my power. What an unlucky journey this has been! Either I get
dragged to facials by women and girls, or I had to swallow my honour to dress like this. I
have never, ever, made sacrifices this huge.”
‘Aren’t you rather enjoying yourself….’ Xie Lian thought. “Where’s His Highness Tai
Hua? If you left him waiting outside, what if he starts something?”
Shi Qing Xuan finally ripped out all the bindings, took a deep breath, and flattened on
the ground like a puddle. “Don’t worry. I pulled rank and commanded him to not move a
muscle, so there shouldn’t be any issues. But seriously, Your Highness, you’re so
lucky!”
“Huh?” Xie Lian gaped, “Me? Lucky?”
“Yea!” Shi Qing Xuan exclaimed, “Look how miserable Lang Qian Qiu and I are. We
either get hung with the threat of having our pants pulled, or we wander the streets like
stray dogs without a place to take us in. And here you are, eating well, sleeping well,
and there’s even a ghost king keeping you company!”
….By that comparison, they were indeed rather miserable. Shi Qing Xuan finally pulled
himself up from the floor. “So, Your Highness, do you still remember our objective for
coming to the Ghost City?”
Xie Lian returned to being serious and replied, “Of course I remember. Back at the
Paradise Hall I was preparing for our mission.”
Shi Qing Xuan looked at him in confusion, “Really? What exactly did you prepare at the
Paradise Hall? I only remember you playing around with Crimson Rain Sought Flower
rolling dice. You guys weren’t even playing properly; you feeling up his hands and him
feeling up yours. What kind of play was that?”
“…”
Xie Lian explained himself, “Lord Wind Master, please don’t make it sound so
questionable. We were only trying something out. I’ve found some clues here in the
Paradise Manor and was investigating. To keep going, I needed a little luck.”
Xie Lian raised his right hand, fingers closed tight as if having grabbed hold of
something, and knitted his brows. “I’ve gotten it.”
The two silently snuck out the door, and after two incense time, they successfully found
that small building once more.
Xie Lian approached the woman statue and took out the two dice given to him from
before. He paused and took a deep breath before tossing the dice. The two little objects
rattled before settling, and sure enough, there were two red sixes.
Xie Lian let out a breath of relief, but felt worse remembering that this luck was lent to
him earlier at the Paradise Hall by Hua Cheng. Seeing his remorseful expression, Shi
Qing Xuan patted his shoulders. “Since we’ve come this far, just let it go. But this
Crimson Rain Sought Flower really is quite sincere and treats you well. If I were you, I
would’ve declined this mission from Jun Wu no matter how he begs, lest I be a poor
friend.”
Xie Lian shook his head. In the end, Shi Qing Xuan could only say such words because
he didn’t know Jun Wu very well. This whole business was certainly awkward for Xie
Lian, and Jun Wu had known it. From his understanding of Jun Wu’s character, under
the circumstances he would never have mentioned this, and would’ve appointed
another heavenly official to the mission. But even knowing this would be awkward for
Xie Lian, Jun Wu still requested for his assistance, which could only mean one thing:
Jun Wu had no one else who was better suited to take on this mission, and only asked
him out of necessity. If that was the case, Xie Lian had no choice.
Besides, the missing heavenly official set off the distress signal seven days ago, and
Hua Cheng also left seven days ago. This was a coincidence he couldn’t ignore.
Xie Lian sighed before taking back the dice and pushed the door. Behind the
glamourous gates was no longer the small simple chamber he’d seen before, but a dark
tunnel with a long stairway stretching into the abyss below, and a cold breeze blowing at
them from the blackness.
Xie Lian traded looks with Shi Qing Xuan and nodded. One behind the other, the two
entered the tunnel and entered the darkness. Shi Qing Xuan took the lead; he snapped
his fingers and ignited a palm torch, and lit up the steps under their feet. Xie Lian closed
the door gently and followed behind.
As they descended, Xie Lian inquired with Shi Qing Xuan, “Lord Wind Master, were
there any heavenly officials banished from the heavenly court in recent years? I mean
besides me.”
“There were.” Shi Qing Xuan replied, “Why do you ask?”
“Because I saw on the wrist of that XiaXuanYue Officer from the Ghost City a cursed
shackle. It could only come from the heavens, no?”
Shi Qing Xuan was surprised, “What? Cursed shackle? That Crimson Rain Sought
Flower is using a former heavenly official as his subordinate??? What arrogance???”
“It can’t be arrogance?” Xie Lian responded, “If one no longer belongs to the heavens,
then wherever one goes would be their choice. Originally there really was no need to
question his motives, but that officer’s been acting suspiciously. It’s worrisome, so I
wanted to see what Lord Wind Master’s thoughts are on his identity.”
Shi Qing Xuan gave it some thought 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 Yi Zhen?
Shi Qing Xuan continued, “But, I don’t think that Highness would descend to the ghost
realm to be a ghost officer! He came from an established, traditional background and
his character wasn’t frivolous.”
If that was the case then why was he banished? Xie Lian was about to continue his
inquiry when the two came to flat ground after sixty or so stone steps.
Before them was a road about five to six people wide, going in only one direction that’s
shrouded in darkness, and the staircase right behind. On either side were thick, solid
walls, so there wasn’t any need to debate where to go; just go forward.
Only, after walking along the path for over two hundred steps, a cold stone wall
appeared before the two, blocking their path.