Xie Lian bowed slightly and said, "Hello."
Hearing that greeting, the eyes on the sword seemed to narrow even harder, transforming itself into the shape of a full crescent moon, as if smiling. The large eyes rotated left and right, very much alive, as if they were not just a pattern carved into a sword's hilt, but a real living eye that came from the eyes of a human. Hua Cheng's lips rose up, "Gege, he likes you."
Xie Lian raised her head, "Really?"
Hua Cheng raised his eyebrows, "Really. If not, those eyes would be too lazy to blink. In fact, very few are liked by E-Ming."
Hearing this, Xie Lian felt so calm, and said in such a warm tone to E-Ming, "Alright, thank you."
He then turned towards Hua Cheng, "I like it too."
Hearing his words, those eyes flickered so madly, and began to tremble while still hanging on Hua Cheng's waist. He chided her, "No."
"What's the 'no'?" Xie Lian asked.
"Not." Hua Cheng repeated.
E-Ming shook even harder, looking desperate to ask to be released from its sheath. Xie Lian asked curiously, "Did you say 'no' to him?"
"Yes." Hua Cheng explained and answered in a serious tone, "He wants you to pet him but I said no."
Xie Lian grinned, "Is there a problem with that?"
Xie Lian then extended his hand. E-Ming seemed to widen his eyes and look at him hopefully. Xie Lian was about to stroke the eyeball, but thought that what he did would pierce the eye and hurt him, so he then lowered his hand and stroked lightly along the curve of the handle. The eyes narrowed to full moon crescent lines and seemed to tremble.
Xie Lian thought that the sword became very interesting, the more he stroked the sword. Xie Lian himself was the type that animals would like, when he kept dogs and cats with fur before, they would feel comfortable and often throw themselves into his arms. Who knew that he would caress this cold silver sword - a legendary sword that was not lacking in anything! - as if the sword is a puppy! How could this be a 'cursed cursed misfortune'?
Xie Lian did not believe before, but after seeing with his own eyes, he threw the terrible rumor to burn out behind him, into a pile of rubbish which was called 'unbelievable' alias 'making it up'. An evil ritual, a bloody ritual will not forge a spirit as clever and as sweet as this.
Both of them spent a lot of time discussing and criticizing various types of swords and knives in detail, and Xie Lian then came out of the armory in high spirits afterwards, grabbing Hua Cheng's hand to return to the Heaven Manor hall.
The boy had also been taken and entered the hall after bathing and wearing a clean bandage. Although his face was still covered in bandages entirely, he looked so new and fresh. Looking at him again, the boy looked slim and smooth, and should have been a seed with unlimited possibilities, but unfortunately, his body now looked unkind from his sagging shoulders and crooked waist, a wrinkled shape that could not meet his eyes with anyone. Xie Lian couldn't do anything but could only feel sad for her.
He pulled the boy to sit, "The last few words Xiao Ying said earlier had the intention to make me take care of you, and I immediately agreed to them. However, I still have to ask for your opinion on this matter. Are you interested in come with me in cultivation from now on? "
The boy watched him blankly, as if afraid to believe the words he heard, that someone really wanted to accept it and cultivate with him. Xie Lian continued, "I can't say that the conditions at my place are good, but I will promise that you don't need to hide anymore, and don't have to steal food or be beaten again."
When he spoke, Xie Lian did not realize that beside him, Hua Cheng's eyes narrowed, watching the boy with a cold look, a judgmental look.
Xie Lian continued warmly, "If you can't remember your own name, why don't we make a new one?"
The boy thought about it and said, "Ying."
Xie Lian suspected that the name was to commemorate and respect Xiao Ying and nodded, "Good. That's a good name. You are from the Yong An kingdom, and the Yong An family name is Lang, so why don't you use it as your new name and call yourself Lang Ying from now on? "
The boy finally nodded. Xie Lian considered that as an agreement from the boy to start following him now.
Supper when it began. This was a small party prepared by Hua Cheng specifically for Xie Lian, but with the arrangement of the place, it was not a small party, its size could hold more than ten people. Many women hold a jade plate there, and on that plate there are various kinds of refreshing drinks, delicate dishes, fresh fruits, and other foods. Their offerings were endless, and their steps were smooth and light as they walked along the side of the main hall in a line, each of them serving a jade plate in their hands as they approached the black stone futon where the banquet was held. Lang Ying just stared and watched but did not dare to reach the foods, and it wasn't until Xie Lian pushed several plates towards him before he slowly took some food for him to eat.
Watching him, another scene crossed Xie Lian's mind. Previously, he also remembered that it was another boy whose face was covered with bandages, so dirty and unkempt, kneeling on the floor with a plate of offerings, his head bowed when he bowed his face and as if he were hiding it in secret.
Just then, a woman in purple silk approached them, offering a bottle of wine. Hua Cheng reached out and poured it on Xie Lian's glass, "Do you want to?"
Xie Lian still had many things in his mind and didn't pay attention, so he carelessly accepted the glass and drank it. Until the liquid entered his mouth, he realized it was alcohol, and averted his eyes. But when he averted his gaze, his gaze accidentally saw what was behind Hua Cheng. The woman who offered the wine winked at her.
Xie Lian immediately spit on the spot: "pffttt"
Luckily he had swallowed a sip of wine he drank and nothing came out of his mouth. He just choked, coughing nonstop. Lang Ying was scared and almost dropped the cake in his hand. Xie Lian calmed him down when he coughed, "It's okay. It's okay."
Hua Cheng gently patted his back, "What's wrong? Is the wine not to your liking?"
Xie Lian hurriedly explained, "Oh, no! This is very good. I suddenly remembered that my cultivation method forbids alcohol."
"Oh?" Hua Cheng said, "In that case, it is my fault for not considering it, and making the breaking of your own rules."
"It's not your fault," Xie Lian said, "I just forgot." Xie Lian rubbed his forehead, turned and quietly glanced at the center of the main hall.
The woman who offered the wine looked away from her when she went toward the door, her figure looked so sensual and seductive. Hua Cheng only took care of his own business or focused on Xie Lian completely, and did not pay attention to the beautiful women, and therefore naturally he did not care to look at their faces. But the face Xie Lian had seen before was so clear.
The woman who offered the wine was none other than Mr. Mater Wind Qing Xuan !!! Ah!!!!
Mr. Wind Master sneaked into the Manor of Heaven with a woman ... disguised as someone who blinked and gave Xie Lian a surprise, and thought 'You should give me more liquor to swallow all this'. Not realizing it, Hua Cheng said in his own conversation, "I always thought that cultivation was only for living a free and carefree hedonistic life. If you have to forbid this and that, then what's the point? What do you think?"
Xie Lian calmed himself quickly, and casually chatted again, "It depends on the path you choose. Some sects do not mind worldly pleasures. But the path of cultivation my choice always prohibits drinking and promiscuity. Alcohol can be ignored once, but its restrictions is absolute. "
When he said the word "abstinence", Hua Cheng tilted his right eyebrow, and showed an unreadable expression of displeasure or disturbance.
Xie Lian continued, "Actually, my cultivation path also prohibits hatred. The Gambling House Hall involves extreme joy and sadness, and can easily produce hatred, so that place should be a place to be avoided. But if someone is sure to maintain peace of mind, it is not moved by victory and defeat, avoidance is not technically necessary. "
Hearing this, Hua Cheng burst out laughing, "No wonder if the gege gladly enters the gambling house.",
Going round and round, Xie Lian finally brought the subject naturally to the problem of gambling ', and said, "By the way, your San Lang judging technique is truly extraordinary to see."
Hua Cheng chuckled, "This is just luck, nothing else."
"..."
Hearing this, Xie Lian compared with herself, and felt rather sad. He cleared his throat softly, "Well, look at me .."
He waved his hand and didn't finish his words and just said. "I really want to know; is there really a correct technique for throwing dice?"
If there isn't, then Hua Cheng can't just call him as he wants as before at the Gambling House, and that Officer XiaXuanYue can't easily roll the dice and produce two sixes. Hua Cheng smiled, "Of course, there are secret techniques, but that is not something that can be learned in a day."
Xie Lian had already guessed that answer. He did not expect that question and tried to discuss other ideas as Hua Cheng continued, "However, I can tell you that there is a faster way. I promise that the gege will be able to succeed as you wish, and win every round. "
"How to?" Xie Lian asked.
Hua Cheng raised his right hand. It was the same right hand as before with a red rope tied around his third finger. The red string was tied into a small knot on the back of his hand, so bright and clear. He stretched out his hand and said to Xie Lian, "Give me your hand."
Xie Lian did not know why Hua Cheng asked him, but because Hua Cheng asked for his hand, he gave it to him. Hua Cheng squeezed his hand and held it for a moment, smiling before he turned his hand and threw two dice into his palm. "Try it now."
Xie Lian whispered a few prayers in his heart to ask for the number six to emerge from the dice, and then tossed the dice in his palm. The dice sounded crunching and then stopped, it turned out to reveal two red sixes!
"Ah! What is this trick?" Xie Lian asked curiously.
"There are no tricks." Hua Cheng replied, "I just lent you my fortune."
"So luck is like spiritual power and can be borrowed." Xie Lian said in surprise.
Hua Cheng laughed, "Of course. Next time if the gege will make a bet with whoever it is, come to me. I will lend you the luck I have as much as you want. I promise your opponent will suffer so great a loss that he will never be able to return. in one hundred years. "
The two played around for many rounds and Xie Lian confirmed for herself that it was true before she then stopped to say she was tired. Hua Cheng immediately got up, ordered someone to bring Lang Ying to settle down, before personally escorting Xie Lian to the guest room.
Seeing his silhouette disappear in the hall, Xie Lian closed the door, sat next to the table and used her hands to cover her forehead, supporting her lower head. The more serious Hua Cheng was to him, the more Xie Lian felt guilty. "There is nothing to criticize about the way San Lang treats me. Hopefully this matter and case has nothing to do with him, and once the truth is revealed and known, I will explain everything and apologize to him." Xie Lian thought.
He only sat for a moment when he heard someone calling him from outside the door in a small voice, "Your Majesty ... Your Majesty ..."
Noticing the sound, Xie Lian immediately got up to open the door, and the person outside his room then immediately jumped in. That indeed was Shi Qing Xuan in her female form.
He was still standing in the form of a female ghost, appearing to be wearing a light silk dress, his waist wrapped so tight and petite. When he jumped, he rolled to the ground in a leap, and then he turned back into a man, with his hand on his chest he shouted: "I can't breathe! I CANNOT BREAT! God, I will be suffocated to death by this thing! "
Xie Lian closed the door behind her and when she turned her body, what she saw was a grown man wearing a purple silk dress that was already ripped here and there, pathetic lying on the ground and angrily still tearing his chest and tearing the gown's belt. Xie Lian could not continue to look at it and decided to cover her eyes, "Mr. Wind Master ... Mr. Wind Master! Can't you go back to wearing your cultivation robe like before?"
"Am I stupid?" Shi Qing Xuan replied, "Walking in the dark by wearing a striking white robe, I will become a target easily!"
'But ... when you are in your body now, at some level, you are more than a target that can be easily targeted by someone ...' Xie Lian thought.
Xie Lian crouched next to him, "Mr. Wind Master, how can you sneak in? Didn't we agree to meet again in the next three days?"
"Well, what should I do?" Shi Qing Xuan replied, "I wondered along the streets and they all said that His Majesty had been sent to the Heaven Manor, and wasn't the Heaven Manor the abode of the demon king? Even the name of that place sounded bad. I watched it from afar. and decided that it must be a lewd and naughty place, so you know I was worried about you and decided to sneak up to use all my strength, what an unlucky trip! to dress like this. I've never, never once made such a sacrifice! "
"Wouldn't you rather have fun with ..." Xie Lian thought. "Where is His Excellency Tai Hua? If you leave him and let him wait outside, what if he starts something we cannot imagine more than before?"
Shi Qing Xuan finally tore all the ties on the dress, took a deep breath, and slept on her back on the ground like a puddle. "Don't worry. I pulled the rank and ordered him not to move his muscles in the slightest, so there shouldn't be a problem. But seriously, Your Honor, you are very lucky!"
"Hah?" Xie Lian gaped, "Am I lucky?"
"Yes!" Shi Qing Xuan exclaimed, "Look how sad Lang Qian Qiu and I are. Either we are hanged with the threat of our pants being pulled, or we are walking aimlessly like wild dogs. And here you are, eating so well, sleeping so soundly, and there is even a demon king accompanying you! Oh, the world is not fair! "
.. With a comparison like that, they did suffer a bit. Shi Qing Xuan finally rose from the floor. "So, Your Honor, do you still remember our purpose for coming to this Ghost Town?"
Xie Lian returned a serious expression and replied, "Of course I still remember it. Previously when I was in the Heaven Manor Hall, I was actually preparing our mission."
Shi Qing Xuan looked at him with a puzzled look, "Really? What exactly are you preparing in this Heaven Manor Hall? All I remember is you playing with the Blood Rain Reaching the Flowers by throwing dice with him. You don't even play properly; you feel his hand and he feels your hand. What kind of game is that? "
".."
Xie Lian tried to explain, "Master Wind Master, please don't make it sound so strange. We're just trying something. I've found a few clues here in the Heaven's Manor and are investigating it. To do this investigation, I need a little luck."
Xie Lian raised her right hand, her fingers tightly closed as if she had reached for something, and then seemed to knit her eyebrows. "I've got it."
Both of them quietly slipped out the door, and after passing through the incense twice, they managed to find a small building that had once again been.
Xie Lian approached the statue of the woman and took out the two dice given to her earlier. He stopped and took a deep breath before throwing the dice. The two small objects crackled before stopping, and of course, the two dice showed six red dots.
Xie Lian heaved a sigh of relief, but felt worse given that this fortune had been lent to him earlier in the Heaven Manor Hall by Hua Cheng. Seeing the expression of regret, Shi Qing Xuan patted his shoulder. "Since we've come this far, let it go. But this Rain of Blood Reached the Flower really looks so sincere and treats you so well. If I were you, I would reject this mission from Jun Wu no matter how he begged, don't let me be a friend who fails. "
Hearing that made Xie Lian's feelings worse. Shook his head. In the end, Shi Qing Xuan could only say such words because he did not know Jun Wu well. The whole matter of this case is of course very awkward for Xie Lian to do, and Jun Wu knows that. From his understanding of Jun Wu's character, under such circumstances he would never mention this matter, and would appoint other heavenly officials for the mission. But even knowing this situation would cause awkward Xie Lian, Jun Wu still asked for his help, which could only mean one thing: Jun Wu had no one else who was better suited to carry out this mission, and only asked him because that was the only choice. it has. If that's the case, Xie Lian has no other choice.
In addition, the heavenly officials who had disappeared earlier had issued and triggered a warning signal of distress and assistance seven days ago, and Hua Cheng had also left seven days ago. This is a coincidence that he cannot ignore.
Xie Lian sighed before taking the dice back and pushed the door open it. Behind the glorious gate was no longer a simple little room he had seen before, but a dark tunnel with a long staircase that stretched into the ravine below, with a gust of cold wind blowing toward them from the darkness.
Xie Lian exchanged glances with Shi Qing Xuan and nodded. One behind the other, both of them entered the tunnel and entered the darkness there. Shi Qing Xuan led the trip; He snapped his fingers and lit a torch, to light the stairs under their feet. Xie Lian closed the door there gently and followed behind. When they come down,
Xie Lian asked Shi Qing Xuan, "Mr. Wind Master, have there been any heavenly officials who have been driven out of heavenly courts in the past few years? I mean besides myself."
"There is." Shi Qing Xuan answered, "Why do you ask?"
"Because I could see on Officer XiaXuanYue's wrist from the Ghost City before there that there was a cursed shackle. It could only be caused and came from heaven, right?"
Shi Qing Xuan was shocked, "What? Cursed shackles? Rain of Blood Reaching Flowers using former heavenly officials as his subordinates ??? What kind of arrogance is that ???"
"Isn't that a vanity?" Xie Lian replied, "If someone no longer belongs to heaven, then wherever that person goes then that will be their own choice. To be honest there is no need to question what his motives are, but the officer acts so suspiciously. This is worrying, so I want to see what Mr. Wind Master thinks about his identity. "
Shi Qing Xuan thought about it and said, "Indeed, there were martial arts from the western region who were driven out a few years ago, and it caused a huge uproar at that time."
Western martial god? Isn't that Quan Yi Zhen?
Shi Qing Xuan continued, "But, I don't think that His Majesty will go down to the ghost realm to become an evil officer! He comes from an established traditional background and his character is not reckless."
If that's the case, why was he banished? Xie Lian would continue his investigation when the two arrived on the flat ground after sixty or more steps from the stone steps.
In front of them was a path that was so wide and could carry around five to six people, in front of it was a one-way street covered by darkness, and a ladder directly behind them. On both sides of the road were thick and sturdy walls, so there was no need to argue where to go, just go ahead.
Only, after walking along the path for more than two hundred steps, a cold stone wall appeared in front of the two of them, clearly blocking their way.