Chapter 151-160
Ch.151: Panic Left and Right; East or West Undecided 3
“Really? How can you tell?” Xie Lian asked.
Hua Cheng was about to speak when Pei Su, whose speech was broken, extended his
trembling finger and started writing on the ground. Out of some unknown respect, the group
gathered to watch him, and crookedly, the words ‘battle formation’ were formed under his finger.
Once he was done writing, it was like he had used up the last bit of his energy, clenched his
hand into a fist, and stopped moving.
Hua Cheng raised his head, “This is it exactly. The Protection Steed of the Rain Master is a
black ox transformed from the golden beast on the knocker to the gates of the Royal Cultivation
Hall of the Kingdom of YuShi. Usually when it walked it wouldn’t leave traces, but once it enters
battle, it would change form. So, this hoof mark is different than the shapes of normal hoof
marks; it’s much bigger.”
“Lord Ghost King is shockingly well-informed.” Pei Ming commented.
Hua Cheng pointed at the marks on the ground and continued to speak to Xie Lian, “Gege, look
here.”
Xie Lian moved his head closer, “Yea, you’re right... this hoof mark appeared very suddenly, so
it must’ve also been very sudden when they ran into the enemy.”
“Yea,” Hua Cheng said, “And this hoof mark is deep, so it’s obvious the enemy wasn’t weak.
That ox fought the enemy here with its horns, and was pressed deep into the earth for more
than two inches.”
The two were simulating the fight scene that had just passed, and Pei Ming also didn’t back
down, “But in the end, both sides ended in a tie.”
“That’s right.” Xie Lian agreed.
There was no trace of blood around nor dispersing essences of evil, so it appeared, when they
ran into each other, they matched on quick and hard, but once they found each other a pain to
deal with, they both abandoned the fight.
Hua Cheng informed them that the creature in the east had changed its direction, and the group
continued on westward, but now their pace slowed. Soon, a giant, peculiar building appeared on
the side of the road. Looking from afar, it was more impressive than all the other houses around,
and even though some of its enclosures and eaves were collapsed, it still assumed a presence
of awe. Xie Lian unconsciously stopped in his step, “What is this place?”
Hua Cheng only gave it a glance and answered, “WuYong’s divine temple.”
Pei Ming had one of Pei Su’s arm hooked over his shoulders to drag him along, “And how does
Hua Chengzhu know it’s a divine temple?”
“Because it’s written on it.” Hua Cheng said.
Hearing this, the group looked up. On the surface of the stone beam before the gates of this
building, indeed there were engraved a row of giant characters. Although worn through the
ages, and there were some strange scratch marks, but they were still considerably clear.
However, after some silence, Xie Lian said, “There’s certainly writing, but...”
But he couldn’t understand this writing at all!
He had never imagined that not even something like this could trip up Hua Cheng.
He turned to Xie Lian, “The gist of the meaning to that row of words is ‘Eminent Crown Prince
Descends With Light to Shine Everlasting Unto the Land of WuYong’ and such nonsensical
praises. Gege look, the last couple of characters at the end there, don’t they resemble ‘Wu’ and
‘Yong’?”
When he heard ‘Eminent Crown Prince’, Xie Lian’s expression twitched unnoticeably, and when
he looked closer, sure enough although that row of characters looked like the drawings of
children, all circles and curves mixed with many odd symbols, but the words ‘WuYong’ were in
shapes and strokes he was familiar with, like they were just derivative writing.
“Hua Chengzhu can actually read and interpret the lost writing of an ancient kingdom, I am truly
in awe.” Pei Ming said.
Hua Cheng cocked an eyebrow and smiled fakely, “I’ve stayed in Mount TongLu for ten years.
Much can already be done in a month, if I can’t even interpret some words after ten years, then
what am I doing on this earth, am I right?”
Not even the top ten civil gods in the Upper Heavens might dare proclaim such words, and as a
martial god, what could Pei Ming do? So he could only smile fakely too, “Perhaps.”
Xie Lian puffed a breath lightly, “Thank goodness San Lang is here.”
“I can only maybe translate some rough WuYong words.” Hua Cheng said, “If we run into more
difficult ones then I’ll need to ask gege to help evaluate together.”
Xie Lian sweated, “Um... I’m sure I’m not as good as San Lang in this. But, the god worshipped
by WuYong, is it also their crown prince?”
Hua Cheng hugged his arms, “I think so, yes.”
Xie Lian frowned to think, “If my master knew of the crown prince of WuYong, then he must also
know if he ascended. So why did he tell me that that crown prince ‘died’?”
“There are three possibilities,” Hua Cheng said, “First, he didn’t actually know; second, he’s
lying; third, he didn’t lie, and the crown prince of WuYong really did die, but it wasn’t a typical
death.”
“If the Emperor was here then perhaps we could’ve asked if he knew of this kingdom, if he knew
such a person.” Pei Ming said.
However, Hua Cheng said, “Maybe not. The Kingdom of WuYong disappeared over two
thousand years ago. In comparison, Jun Wu is only a young’un. They’re of completely different
dynasties.”
Jun Wu ascended around one thousand five hundred years ago, and was a famed general of a
warring era who later proclaimed himself king and successfully became an immortal after ruling
for some time. As the number one martial god who ruled for a thousand years, his background
was already completely out in the open. As for the ‘dynasties’ Hua Cheng spoke of, he was
referring to the dynasties of the heavens.
Currently, Jun Wu was the ruler, and hundreds of heavenly officials formed the Upper Court,
making the current dynasty, and the government before them belonged to a different dynasty.
Just as how regimes change in the mortal realm, the heavenly realm would also go through
dynasty changes. Although the time it’d take would be very, very long, but fundamentally they’re
the same. New worshippers would replace the old, and new gods would replace the old ones.
Sometimes, the decline of a god wasn’t caused by any mistakes he might’ve done and was
banished as a result, but because another, more powerful god had appeared, for no other
reason than because people’s lives and beliefs gradually changed and no longer needed him.
For example, a heavenly official who controlled horses must dwell very well because people
couldn’t leave their horses and carriages alone when they were in need of transportation. Who
wouldn’t want their horses to be strong and healthy, their travels safe? Thus, his donations
would never cease.
However, if one day mortals discovered something completely new that ran faster than horses,
then when this new invention overtook horses, worshippers of this heavenly official who
controlled horses would inevitably decrease. Such heavenly officials who flash by like shooting
stars make up the majority of the heavens.
This way of decline was the cruelest, because the process could not be turned around. Unless
that heavenly official jumped down from the heavens and return to being mortal to re-cultivate a
new path, to become a brand new god and ascend, then he would be destined to watch his own
decline until he disappeared. However, not everyone possessed the courage and fortune.
The gods of the previous dynasty were said to have faded thus, and some also said it was
because they caused a great calamity, fought a chaotic battle, which was why they all fell from
grace at the same time. But, it couldn’t be proven, and it wasn’t important anymore. Since, a few
centuries later, Jun Wu was born, and created a new heavenly dynasty. Also, following right
after him, a great number of heavenly officials of the new age ascended incessantly, filling the
gaps for the worshippers, and gradually formed the stable Upper Court of today.
Which meant, unless there were heavenly officials older than the one thousand five hundred
year old Jun Wu, there was no one who could know of how the god worshipped in the Kingdom
of WuYong was silently wiped of all traces.
The group of them crossed over the mostly collapsed enclosure and entered the dark great hall.
It only took a few steps for Xie Lian to notice something amiss.
He had thought the great hall was dark on the inside because the interior hadn’t seen light for
years, the windows all shut. Yet, after looking around, the more he looked the more he found
things peculiar. He walked next to the wall, his fingers brushing lightly across, and when he
brought them before his eyes, he blurted, “This is...”
“Black.” Hua Cheng said.
It wasn’t that the light was dim, it was that the walls of this immense divine hall were all black!
“As far as I know, almost all the divine temples in Mount TongLu are like this,” Hua Cheng said.
It was a chilling sight. Why would the walls of divine temples be painted in the colour as black as
hell? Just seeing the colour makes one anxious, so how could anyone worship the divine with a
sincere heart in this state?
“All like this?” Pei Ming wondered, “Rotten away from neglect perhaps?”
“The houses we passed by earlier were black like this,” Xie Lian said, “Technically, those houses
would’ve been the same in age.”
As he spoke, he continued to feel and lightly explored the walls of this divine temple. Not only
were the walls chillingly black, they were also rugged, like the ruined face of a woman that was
covered with scars, and it was also exceedingly solid. Something clicked in Xie Lian’s mind,
“This divine temple was burnt by fire before.”
“How can you tell?” Pei Ming asked.
Xie Lian turned around, “The walls of this divine temple should’ve been covered with murals
before, painted with a special paint, a very heavy layer. After fires have burnt them, they would
turn black, and parts would melt and change shape. After solidifying, they would feel rugged and
hard like this.”
“Your Highness certainly knows a lot, I might as well be in awe of you too.” Pei Ming said.
Xie Lian rubbed his forehead and lightly cleared his throat, “This... isn’t anything to be in awe of.
I only know because in the past, after many of my crown prince palaces were burnt, they’d end
up like this,”
“...”
Hearing this, the crowd fell silent. Xie Lian suddenly remembered another thing, “And that stone
beam outside! There were many scratch marks on those engraved praises on the stone beam,
and it didn’t look like regular wears and tears, so it must’ve been people who were slashing at it
with blades.”
Pei Ming frowned, “Why would they do that?”
Hua Cheng replied coldly, “Because they don’t agree with the words.”
“That’s right.” Xie Lian said, “It’s the same as breaking an establishment plaque.”
Ban Yue was slightly taken aback, “So, this divine temple was burnt down by the people of
WuYong themselves?”
After some silence, Xie Lian was about to speak when Pei Ming suddenly said, “What’s the
meaning of this?”
Xie Lian turned his head to see, and saw Pei Ming raising his left arm, a scorpion tailed snake
biting deeply into his left hand, and its tail was swinging, trying to sting him. Ban Yue was ready
to kneel again, “I’m sorry, I’ve snakes all over my body...”
Xie Lian didn’t know whether to laugh or cry and held her up, “Ban Yue, don’t get into the habit
of kneeling to apologize. General Pei, how did you get yourself bitten by her snake?”
Pei Ming raised his hand, his expression dark, “How should I know? I was only putting my arms
around her and it became like this.”
Xie Lian asked patiently, “Then, General Pei, what were you doing putting your arm around her
shoulders?”
“...” It was only then that Pei Ming seemed to notice and started to contemplate this question. A
moment later, he answered, “A habit. In a dark, creepy place like this, isn’t it normal to hold
women in your arms to comfort them and calm their fears?”
“I’m sorry, but I wasn’t scared.” Ban Yue said.
“...” Xie Lian understood. This was nothing more than a tragedy inflicted by Pei Ming himself
whose hands were itching unconsciously. Pei Ming finally yanked off that scorpion tailed snake,
and his left hand was already greatly swollen. “Give me the antidote, quick.”
“I’m sorry, all the ShanYue ferns on me are used up.” Ban Yue said.
“It’s alright.” Xie Lian said, “General Pei, you’re a heavenly official. The swelling will go down in
a jiffy.” Then he turned around and continued to examine the walls. Suddenly, his eyes swept a
blackened area, and he instantly froze.
“Everyone, come see.” He called, “There’s still a face here on this wall!”
———-
●MXTX Author Notes: I’ve... never studied the chemical components of mural paints, and
I’ve never researched what they’d be like after being burnt. Everyone, please just take
those mural paints as some sort of mysterious, unique mixture...
———-
Ch.152: Four Heavenly Kings Hidden on Darkened Walls
There really was a face. Maybe it was because the flames didn’t burn thoroughly or maybe the
paint above after having melted flowed down and covered the image prevented it from ruin, but
either way, beneath the tip of Xie Lian’s finger was certainly a small, half a human face. He
started to carefully scratch away that solidified black material, and Pei Ming commented while
holding his very swollen left hand, “Your Highness is that fascinated in some mural?”
“It’s not fascination,” Xie Lian replied, “But I have a daring idea.”
“Let’s hear it.” Pei Ming said.
“Since we’ve obtained this rare chance of coming to Mount TongLu, other than stopping the
potential Ghost King, perhaps we can also seek the source of their origin? For example, who
created them, and what kind of power is supporting this? Perhaps we may even destroy it in one
strike, rid the world of this disaster for good, and never worry for another Ghost King to be born.”
“That really is a daring thought.” Pei Ming said, “But, if Hua Chengzhu hasn’t found anything out,
then we’ll probably end up wasting even more time on it. Under the current circumstances, I
don’t recommend doing so.”
However, Hua Cheng spoke up, “I didn’t find anything out because my talents are dull, and my
abilities are limited. Besides, at the time I was too busy killing. If gege is to take lead on this
investigation then the results will be different.”
“No, no, no. I’m the one whose abilities are limited. San Lang is much more capable than me.”
Xie Lian said.
“...”
Like he couldn’t listen anymore, Pei Ming tossed Pei Su over to Ban Yue and turned to walk out,
“I think I’m gonna go out for some fresh air.”
Over on this side, it actually wasn’t difficult for Xie Lian to brush off a few pieces of those black
hardened substances and he blinked, “These can actually be...”
This layer of seemingly burnt black, hardened material could actually be peeled off in large
pieces!
Between the exchange of some words he had already peeled of a large area, revealing a
human face about the size of a baby’s fist. Although the lines were simple, but the expression
on the face was lively, like it was chasing after something, and even the passion in the eyes
were depicted. That layer of black hardened material seemed to have become a protective layer
of sorts, and the colours of the murals under wraps were still vibrant like it was only recently
completed. Xie Lian turned his head back, “San Lang, let’s do this together...”
Hua Cheng didn’t move, but in the darkness, there was a field of silver light shimmering. Soon,
hundreds of silver butterflies silently appeared, fluttering, and they paused on the blackened
walls. Along with the uniform flapping of their wings, Xie Lian heard a small chipping sound, and
like a mask shattering, innumerous small cracks crawled across the black walls.
And then, crumble.
The black, hardened material that were covering the walls at first had all fallen, revealing the
true image behind –
A giant, colourful mural!
Xie Lian raised his head to look at this wall and could only feel his mind exploding.
The entire mural was visibly divided into four levels. The highest level was shimmering gold light
blanketed with clouds, no people.
The second level, there was only one character painted, and it was a handsome, white clad
young man. Golden light was depicted surrounding his person, and the light was painted with
the same paint as the first level.
The third level, there were four characters depicted. Each of their faces, clothes, expressions,
and gestures were all different, and they were half the size as the white clad young man of the
second level.
The fourth level, which was the lowest level, had countless figures drawn, and they were again,
half the size of those in the third level. Each of their faces were exactly the same, their
expressions open, each full of passion, worship, rapture. The first face Xie Lian had peeled was
one of those faces situated at the very bottom.
The lines of the entire mural were elegant and mature, and Xie Lian was stunned for a long time
before he could speak, “San Lang, have... you ever seen this before?”
Hua Cheng said slowly, “I’ve crossed over half of Mount TongLu and have walked through
almost every single divine temple of WuYong, but I can swear I have never seen something like
this before.”
Xie Lian came to, “I don’t think this mural is from two thousand years ago.”
“There’s no way it can be.” Hua Cheng said, “Look at how well the colours and the overall
condition it’s been kept, I say at most a hundred years. Maybe, it’s even newer than that.”
Which meant, this mural was painted on afterwards!
Xie Lian pointed at the highest level, “That level should be depicting ‘the heavens’, since ‘The
Path of Heavens’ sits above all sentient beings.”
Then he pointed at the second level, “This level should be the crown prince of WuYong. Since
this divine temple was worshipping the Crown Prince of WuYong, then the main character of this
mural is naturally him, so he’s the biggest figure in this painting with the same colour light
surrounding him as the heavens. He’s also only just below the Path of Heaven.”
Then he pointed to the fourth level, “The figures at the lowest level are the smallest, their faces
the same, so they must be the people of WuYong.”
Finally, he pointed at the third level, “But, who are these four? No matter their positions or faces,
they are all situated above the people of WuYongAnd below that of the crown prince. This
means their status should be the same. Governors? Vassals? Or...”
Hua Cheng walked a few steps closer and aid, “Gege, look, they also have a sheen of spiritual
light on their bodies.”
Sure enough, they did, only, because the light from the Crown Prince of WuYong was too
strong, in comparison, the spiritual light on their persons were practically outshone. It dawned
on Xie Lian, “They’re the heavenly officials the crown prince appointed after he ascended.”
Which meant they were the same characters as Feng Xin and Mu Qing once upon a time.
Xie Lian made a round through the great hall, and confirmed it was only this wall facing the
gates that had hidden secrets; the other three walls were so burnt they couldn’t be more ashen.
Just who left this mural behind? Who was it left behind for? What kind of message was being
communicated?
With just this one painting, Xie Lian couldn’t deduce much. After humming for a moment, he
turned to Hua Cheng, “When we continue on the road, let’s pay more attention on the other
WuYong divine temples. I’ve a feeling that a mural like this... isn’t the only one.”
Hua Cheng straightened his head, “I’ve that very intention.”
The two and Ban Yue who was supporting Pei Su up left the divine temple, and only then did
Xie Lian remember the other member, “Where’s General Pei?”
Pei Ming said earlier that he was going for some fresh air and came out first, and he didn’t come
back in after they’ve dallied in the great hall for a good while. Xie Lian called out a few times but
there were no responses. “I hope he hasn’t gotten lost at a time like this?”
The four looked around the small, desolate town, and since they couldn’t use the spiritual
communication array in Mount TongLu, their search was fruitless. Just as Xie Lian was feeling a
little desperate, Hua Cheng spoke up, “Gege, don’t worry. I’ve a way.”
He extended a hand, and in his palm a tiny little silver butterfly slowly started flapping its wings,
flew around Xie Lian and circled him a few times. Although Xie Lian thought it was precious, he
didn’t know what it could do, “What...”
Just then, he suddenly heard a series of laboured breathing. Soon after, the voice of a man
came from the body of that silver butterfly.
That man said, “I never thought I’d see you here.”
Pei Ming!
Xie Lian looked to Hua Cheng. Hua Cheng snickered, “Yesterday, I placed a silver butterfly on
everyone.”
Pei Su arduously raised his head, “...So, you can use, that silver butterfly, to mon, itor, the
other’s every movement, without them notic, ing, you? As expected, of Crimson Rain, Sought
Flower.”
“Don’t speak if you don’t know how.” Hua Cheng sniped.
“...”
Xie Lian cupped that little silver butterfly in his palm and called to it, “General Pei? Where are
you? Who’s in front of you?”
“I’m sorry, gege,” Hua Cheng said, “You can only listen, not speak.”
Xie Lian gave it a thought a said, “Fair enough.” If the listener’s voice could also be passed
through, then wouldn’t it be easily noticed by the other party?
Soon after, the frigid voice of another young man said exhaustedly, “Ol’ Pei, a word of warning –
you best not say any ridiculous nonsense right now. Careful I just might smack you to death.”
Hearing that voice, Xie Lian’s eyes slightly widened.
It’s Ling Wen’s male form!
“I see!” Xie Lian exclaimed, “So the black clad man who’s been killing all the way... is Ling Wen
in his male form.”
“Is, it Senior Ling Wen, who took General Pei away?” Pei Su asked.
“I don’t know. I’m still listening.” Xie Lian replied.
On the other end, Pei Ming said, “Noble Jie, what’s with the fury.”
“Shut up.” Ling Wen said, “I told you not to speak. I’m not the furious one, it’s someone else. I’m
telling you now, I can’t control my body right now, so if I wreck you I’m not liable.”
“We’re both in this state right now, can’t even move a muscle, so who’re you scaring?” Pei Ming
said.
Xie Lian raised his head, “It’s not Ling Wen who caught General Pei. Right now they’re both
held prisoner somewhere, bound by someone.” Then he mused, “They can even suppress the
Brocade Immortal, who can it be?”
“Are you still wearing...?” Pei Ming asked.
He didn’t say it out loud, but everyone knew what he was referring to.
The Brocade Immortal!
“Yea. He really doesn’t like you, so watch what you say.” Ling Wen replied.
“How would you know what he’s thinking?” Pei Ming wondered, “Honestly, I can’t believe you.
Why would you stupidly go stir up this trouble. To so recklessly rob the Great Martial Temple,
break your own golden bowl*, and now you’ve come running to Mount TongLu. What, he told
you to do all this?”
“He didn’t make me, I’m the one who wants to come.” Ling Wen said, “Ol’ Pei, stop asking
questions! He’s getting mad. I can feel it.”
Pei Ming shut up. After a while, Ling Wen puffed a light breath, seeming like the Brocade
Immortal had finally calmed. Thus, Ling Wen asked, “And what’s with you, Ol’ Pei? What’re you
doing coming to Mount TongLu? And were you stung by a million hornets on your left arm or
what, looking wounded like that?”
Pei Ming’s voice was also aggrieved and woeful, “Bad luck, it’s complicated. Long story short,
Little Pei isn’t making things easy. Things weren’t supposed to be this pathetic, but who knew
the moment I’ve come I’d run into my unlucky star. Think I’d let anyone drag me to this hellish
place if I wasn’t injured? I didn’t even see who it was.”
‘Will you just say what hellish place it is directly?’ Xie Lian thought, ‘A cave or a house or
something so I’d at least know where to look.’
However, it wasn’t like there was no clue whatsoever. The Distance Shortening Array couldn’t
be used in Mount TongLu, so Pei Ming mustn’t have gone far. He could hear their voices were
somewhat hollow with faint echoes, so they must be somewhere that was spacious. And, Xie
Lian could faintly hear the sound of water.
They haven’t run across any rivers or lakes along the way earlier, and there wasn’t a building
more spacious than that WuYong divine temple. Therefore, there was only one place they could
be –
Underground!
But, this small town wasn’t that small, so where, underground?
Pei Ming asked, “And what about you? I hear you killed over a thousand monsters and demons,
everyone’s terrified. Congratulations. Well you can’t be the number one civil god anymore, so
why not change careers and join us martial gods? What manner of creature is this that can bind
you here?”
Ling Wen laughed bitterly, “I don’t know either. I accidentally fought with Lord Rain Master, and
was dizzy afterwards, so someone probably took the chance to ambush me from behind. No
need to ask, he’ll show himself sooner or later. Just remember not to expose your identity.”
Just then, a third voice interrupted their conversation, “Pei Ming, Nangong Jie, you fucking pair,
no need to spin your wheel of fortune. Think I don’t know what’s under your fake skins?!”
———
●Golden/Steel bowl is an expression meaning a steady job
———
Ch.153: Why Not Xu Li; Why Not Jing Wen
It was the voice of a man but one very foreign. Even though Xie Lian knew that the other end
couldn’t hear him, he still subconsciously lowered his voice, “Someone’s here. I don’t know if
he’ll do anything to General Pei, we have to find where they are as soon as possible.”
The two on the other end seemed to have been stunned by the newcomer, and it took a
moment before Pei Ming spoke, “Might I ask who My Lord is? Since you’ve reached this point,
why not show your face?”
“You should be the one to answer that question.” That voice said.
“The grudge must be with you.” Ling Wen said, “Probably another female ghost who you
ruined.”
“Keep talking shit with your eyes wide open, why don’t you... Just which part of this... thing...
looks like a female ghost? Besides, he didn’t just capture me, so maybe he’s got grudges with
you?”
“Nevermind. Let’s not push this around courteously at a time like this, and overcome this
obstacle together.” Ling Wen said, “It’s also possible he’s got grudges against the both of us. Do
you recall anyone like that?”
“No. There’s too many.” Pei Ming said.
That man seemed to have approached and his voice became louder, but the strange thing was,
there was no sound of footsteps but instead a series of odd thumping sounds. He griped, “Can
you both be less shameless and stop flirting in front of me?”
It seemed the words he used and his tone exposed something, and after some silence, Ling
Wen said, “You’re... Jing Wen Zhen Jun?”
That voice didn’t respond. Pei Ming also seemed to be a little taken aback, “Jing Wen Zhen
Jun? No way. Did Jing Wen Zhen Jun ever speak so discourteously?”
Ling Wen humphed, “He’s always been this way. Puts on a face in front of others, and another
in front of me, so of course you wouldn’t recognize him.”
On this end, Xie Lian furrowed his brows, “Jing Wen Zhen Jun?”
He seemed to have a faint impression of this title, but he couldn’t be sure. It sounded as if he
was a civil god, but there were much too many civil gods who had such words like “Literature”,
“Respect”, “Quietude” in their titles*. Just then, Pei Su said in a low voice, “Jing Wen Zhen Jun,
is, the, previous number one civil god, who had first, appointed Ling, Wen Zhen Jun to the
heavens.”
Hearing this, Xie Lian finally remembered. The first time he ascended, Ling Wen was still a
junior civil official in the Lower Court. The number one civil god of the Upper Court wasn’t her,
but another civil god, and that civil god appeared to be this Jing Wen Zhen Jun!
However, the god Jing Wen had long since declined; there was not a single Temple of Jing Wen
to be found within any eight hundred mile radius. Xie Lian couldn’t help but wonder, “So
everyone knows each other. So why can’t we just talk peacefully? Must we just fight and
constrain without talking.”
However, Hua Cheng said, “It’s because everyone knows each other that there must be
constraining first.”
Just as the words left his lips, Jing Wen on the other end spoke up again. It seemed since his
identity was revealed, he must put on a front and so he changed his tone, his voice becoming
more polite; only, his words were still embedded with needles, “Nangong, are you pleased being
the top ranking civil god in the Upper Court? Why did you break yo