Xie Lian's eyes suddenly widened.
His face was full of disbelief.
San Lang asked, "What's wrong?"
How could Xie Lian say anything?
The shame and anger of being deceived and played around with mixed with hot blood rushed to his head. He slammed his palm on the table and said through gritted teeth, "… So, it, was, you!"
The table couldn't withstand his slap and split into pieces on the spot. Fortunately, there was no one else on the second floor of the wine shop.
Otherwise, they would have been scared out of their wits. Xie Lian didn't have a weapon in his hand.
He slammed his palm down again. San Lang was still sitting in his chair.
He only tilted his head slightly.
That palm slammed into the wall behind him. Rubble rustled down.
He didn't move an inch.
He crossed his arms and raised his eyes slightly.
"Taoist priest.
What is the meaning of this? "
Xie Lian's face burned fiercely. He didn't know how red it was right now.
The bones in his other hand cracked. He said angrily, "You … don't pretend anymore. You know very well what you did to me. "
San Lang raised his eyes a few more inches.
He said, "Unfortunately, I really don't know.
What did I do to Taoist priest?
How did I teach you to be so angry? Can you give me a pointer or two? "
"…"
This person was actually asking him to speak with an innocent face. What was he supposed to say? How could he say that kind of thing in broad daylight?! Xie Lian had never seen such a person.
He was so angry that he trembled from his shoulders to his heart. His face grew redder and redder. He cursed incoherently, "Shut up! You … I'm going to beat you to death, you shameless … lowly … despicable … you … "
San Lang sighed. "Taoist priest, I didn't expect that my sincerity would receive such a response from you. How am I shameless, lowly, and despicable? "
Xie Lian finally regained some composure. "Don't try to lie to me anymore! The red line on your hand already proves that you are that … that … "
"Oh?" San Lang didn't panic. He raised his hand and said, "You mean this? Is there a problem with this red line? "
Xie Lian felt as if he was stabbed when he saw the red line. "I saw it. At that time, you … had this red line on your hand … "
San Lang asked, "When?"
"…"
For a moment, Xie Lian really wanted to beat him to death.
Asking a question that you already know the answer to is too despicable!
But for some reason, no matter how angry he was, he couldn't move his hands. Moreover, it wasn't because he was restrained by others that he couldn't move. It was because his own body didn't allow him to move!
At this moment, a few people ran up the stairs and said, "What are you two doing?! How can you recklessly smash it! "
Xie Lian turned around and said, "It's dangerous here! You guys go ahead first … "Who would've thought that with this glance, he would be stunned again.
Each of them had a red string tied to their hands!
Xie Lian blurted out, "What's up with the red thread on your hands?"
Someone said, "Red Thread? Isn't a red line just a red line? What's so strange about it? It's not what's going on … uh, it's not what's going on. "
Xie Lian was confused. Could it be that tying a red string on one's hand was a very common fashion trend in this place?
He turned his head. San Lang seemed to have seen through his thoughts and said, "Daozhang's guess is correct. Tying a red thread on the finger is a custom here. If you don't believe me, please look at the crowd below. "
Xie Lian looked down the restaurant. Sure enough, among the endless stream of people, there were quite a few people who had a red thread tied to their hands. Some even had several. He asked, "What kind of custom is this?"
San Lang smiled slightly and said, "Well, speaking of this, it also has something to do with that Hua Cheng."
"Ah?"
"Because he and the person he loves have such a red thread tied on their hands. So many people have also followed suit, intending to seek marriage or express their love. "
Xie Lian listened in a daze and said, "So … that Hua Cheng is a rather remarkable person? There are actually so many people who are keen to follow suit … "
San Lang said, "Whether he's remarkable or not depends on who you're comparing him to. Oh right, Daozhang, I think I dropped something on the floor. Can I pick it up and take a look? "
Only then did Xie Lian realize that he had been maintaining this attacking posture all along. It turned out to be yet another blunder. His anger dissipated and he hurriedly withdrew his hand. He said, "Sorry, sorry, San Lang. I'm really … really sorry. I was too impatient and misunderstood you again …"
San Lang remained calm and collected. He bent down to pick up an item and said, "No matter. Daozhang, is this something you dropped? "
He rummaged through the mess on the floor and found a golden leaf. It had probably slipped out of Xie Lian's sleeve when he had made his move earlier. Xie Lian was about to speak when he saw San Lang raise the golden leaf to his eyes. He narrowed his eyes and said, "Hey, this golden leaf looks somewhat familiar."
After saying that, he unhurriedly took something out from his waist. It was also a golden leaf.
The two golden leaves were actually exactly the same!
Xie Lian blurted out, "So this is yours?"
San Lang said, "Oh, I did indeed drop something, so I came back to look for it …"
Hearing this, Xie Lian was afraid that he would misunderstand and hurriedly said, "San Lang, let me explain."
San Lang said, "No need to be nervous. I will naturally listen to your explanation."
Xie Lian let out a sigh of relief and said, "It's like this. I picked up this golden leaf on the road just now. I originally wanted to wait for the owner to return it, but I waited for more than two hours and no one came to look for it. And I really … "
At this point, he felt a bit ashamed and lowered his head. In a low voice, he said, "So, I … acted on my own and borrowed a bit to buy something to eat. It was that steamed bun … I originally planned to return it several times in the future, but no matter what, in the end, I still took it without asking. I'm sorry. "
San Lang was all smiles and said, "Daozhang, why do you have to be like this? Isn't this normal human nature? Not to mention the fact that I originally intended to invite you to drink with me, didn't I still eat that steamed bun in the end? Don't take such a small matter to heart. Don't you think it's wonderful? Coincidentally, the person who picked up the thing I lost was you, Daozhang. This really is fated to meet from a thousand miles away. "
Xie Lian's heart relaxed as he received his forgiveness. He said, "However, San Lang, you also have to be careful. It was dropped so clearly on the road and you actually didn't see it. Next time, don't be so careless. "
At this time, the cowering shop assistants said, "My two customers, have you two calmed down? If you've calmed down, then come and calculate the price for the broken table! "
Xie Lian was speechless.
In the past, it wouldn't have been a problem for him to pay any amount, but now, he couldn't even afford a steamed bun. San Lang said, "It's nothing. Just put it on me. "
Just now, he was clearly the one who made the first move against San Lang, yet San Lang took the initiative to help him pay for the things he broke. Xie Lian was so moved by his gentleness and consideration that he couldn't speak. His Adam's apple moved as he said, "You …"
The shop assistants also didn't know what was going on, but even after their shop was smashed, they still cheerfully came over to help them get an even more gorgeous table. The two of them sat down again. Xie Lian couldn't help but feel guilty and grateful. He only felt that a thousand words were difficult to express. San Lang then said with concern, "Daozhang, from what you said just now, it seems there's something you're hiding. What's going on? Daozhang, what did someone do to you? "
"…"
How could Xie Lian say that kind of thing? His face, which had just calmed down, blushed again. He stammered, "… Nothing, nothing."
San Lang said, "If you don't mind, could you tell me a little? Who knows, San Lang might be able to help a little. "
Although he had good intentions, Xie Lian was being chased by him until he had nowhere to run. He couldn't sit still and said helplessly, "… It's really nothing. San Lang, you, can you stop asking … … "
It was hard to say.
Since that was the case, San Lang didn't force it. He said, "Fine. Where were we just now? You want to go see Hua Cheng, right? "
Xie Lian gathered his thoughts and said seriously, "Mhm. Does San Lang know how to do it? "
San Lang said, "Of course I know. However, these few days, Hua Cheng won't be able to see him. "
"Why?"
San Lang used his chopsticks to arrange the vegetables on the plate into a big smiling face. He said, "I heard that the person he loves is slightly unwell these few days, so he wants to accompany her. Apart from that, he's not free. "
Xie Lian thought to himself, Sure enough, this Hua Cheng is a man of character and is very sentimental. He admired him even more. He said, "I see. Then, how long do we have to wait before we can see him? "
"At most five days, at least three. I suggest, Taoist priest, there's no need to be anxious. Before that, it's better to rest in peace. "
Xie Lian was just thinking about how he didn't have a place to stay when he heard San Lang say, "If Taoist priest doesn't have a place to stay, why not come to my place and rest for a while? In any case, my house is big and there aren't many people living here. "
Xie Lian couldn't bear it anymore and said softly, "San Lang, you're really … really good."
This was the first time he had used such straightforward words to praise someone. He was a little embarrassed, but other than that, he really couldn't find anything else that suited his mood better. San Lang seemed to enjoy it very much and said with a smile, "Who asked me to hit it off with you, Taoist priest? Oh, right, there's another question I forgot to ask. Taoist priest, how old are you this year? "
Xie Lian said, "Seventeen."
San Lang said, "Ah, seventeen. That's younger than me."
Indeed, he looked to be around twenty years old. San Lang said seemingly casually, "Then in that case, Taoist priest should call me older brother."
Xie Lian was a member of the imperial family and the incomparably respected His Highness the Crown Prince. Originally, he shouldn't have called other people brother. Not many people could bear to do so. However, this San Lang gave Xie Lian a very good feeling. He had never called other people older brother, so it was very novel. Thus, Xie Lian smiled and said, "So it's Big Brother San Lang."
"… …"
Xie Lian didn't know if it was an illusion, but after he called him "Big Brother", San Lang's smile suddenly became a little strange.
It was really hard to describe. San Lang's left eye seemed to suddenly burn, so hot that Xie Lian felt his skin burn. Blinking, he asked, "What's wrong?"
That terrifying heat disappeared in a flash, and San Lang immediately returned to normal. Smiling, he said, "It's nothing, I was just too happy. There's no one younger than me in my family, so I've never heard anyone call me that. "
Xie Lian said, "If San Lang doesn't mind, then … how about I call you that?"
San Lang's eyes flashed with a smile, but his mouth still declined. "Oh, of course I definitely won't mind. That depends on whether Taoist priest mind."
Xie Lian said, "I don't mind, of course I don't mind. Big Brother San Lang, are we going back to your house now or? "
San Lang put down his chopsticks and said, "Then, come with me now."
San Lang's residence was an extremely spacious and gorgeous mansion. When Xie Lian entered, he felt that it wasn't much inferior to some of the palace gardens in Xian Le Imperial Palace. This made him even more certain that this San Lang wasn't an ordinary person.
That night, lying alone on his bed, Xie Lian tossed and turned restlessly.
He kept feeling that something was missing next to him, so he tossed and turned restlessly. In addition, his body was faintly uncomfortable. Lying on his back made his waist ache. When he turned over and lay on his stomach, he felt as if something was pressing down on his back.
In a daze, he had many messy dreams. He wanted to move, but he was firmly held down by someone. That voice whispered in his ear. Sometimes it was a man, sometimes it was a youth. Sometimes it called him Big Brother, Big Brother, and sometimes it called him Your Highness. It told him not to be afraid, Your Highness.
It was extremely gentle, extremely evil, but also extremely precious.
When he suddenly woke up, his clothes were completely drenched in sweat. Xie Lian gasped for breath while clenching his fists. Angrily and powerlessly, he fiercely hammered the bed. His fingers inserted into his slightly damp hair as he thought to himself, … … This kind of thing, when can I ever forget! Wait until I catch this shameless bastard, I will definitely … … "
At this time, he discovered that a set of clothes had unknowingly been placed beside his pillow. Although it was also white, the style was the one he liked. Xie Lian felt as if he had been granted amnesty. He hurriedly went to the back of the house to take a quick bath.
After taking off his clothes and soaking himself in the water, he suddenly discovered that he was wearing a thin silver chain around his neck.
At the end of the chain was a sparkling and translucent ring. He didn't know how long he had been wearing it, but in any case, he didn't notice it at all. Feeling strange, he asked, "Do I have such a pendant?"
This ring was really too beautiful. Looking at it, he was practically mesmerized. However, he didn't lose his vigilance. Suddenly, he sensed a flash of silver light beside him. He immediately shouted, "Who is it!"
He slapped the water, causing the water to splash like steel beads, hitting the wall with a crackling sound. However, what he hit wasn't a person, but … … a knife?!
Xie Lian grabbed the hard knife, feeling very puzzled. Suddenly, a silver line on the knife's hilt separated, as if an eye had opened, and the eyeballs began to roll around. Xie Lian was even more shocked.
What kind of strange thing was this?!
The curved knife was slender, and as if it had a life of its own, it very enthusiastically threw itself into his arms. Xie Lian was caught off guard and cried out from the cold, his whole body shivering.
But probably because he didn't sense any murderous intent, he intuitively felt that this curved knife wasn't dangerous. Apart from resisting it with difficulty, he didn't want to do anything more violent to it, such as slapping it to the highest heavens. At this time, a red shadow flashed by and snatched the curved knife, saying in an awe-inspiring voice, "So you're here … …"
Looking carefully, San Lang was already standing by the side of the bathing pool, holding the knife in his hand. Although he still had a smile on his face, faint blue veins could be seen on his forehead. In an extremely rude manner, he slapped the knife and said, "Didn't I say you're not allowed to come over right now?"
Xie Lian asked, "San Lang, this knife is your … … magical artifact?"
San Lang turned to him, the blue veins on his forehead instantly disappearing. Once again, he was calm and composed as he said, "It's nothing but a useless thing. Gege … … Gege, I've let you see a joke."
Xie Lian, on the other hand, was filled with deep veneration. His eyes brightened as he grabbed the hem of his red clothes and said, "No, no, no, San Lang gege, you're so amazing! You can actually refine a magical artifact that has its own spiritual awareness! "
Having just been slapped by San Lang, the knife had wrinkled its eyes in grievance. Hearing Xie Lian's praise, its eyes began to spin around in a pleased manner, and it furtively tried to rub itself against Xie Lian's side. Very callously, San Lang slapped it again.
This time, it couldn't take it anymore. With a thump, it fell to the ground, rolling back and forth. It was like a child that had been hit by an adult and was rolling on the ground, crying loudly. Xie Lian felt as if he could hear the knife's wailing next to his ear. Seeing this, he felt a bit distressed. He hurriedly stood up and said, "Wait a moment, San Lang! Forget it, don't hit it anymore. I think it was just being mischievous for a moment and wanted to express goodwill. There's no need to be so harsh on it. "
But as soon as he came out of the water, he remembered that his body was naked underwater. His face inexplicably reddened, and he awkwardly sank back down. However, San Lang had already turned around in a very natural manner and left.
Xie Lian hurriedly climbed out of the water and changed into a new set of clothes. He felt that the material of his undergarments was very fine. Finally, his skin no longer felt uncomfortable from being chafed. Exiting the house, he arrived at the elegant hall used for receiving guests. San Lang was already waiting at the seat of honor.
Xie Lian didn't know how he had taught that knife a lesson, but now it was obediently hanging on San Lang's waist. When it wasn't moving about randomly, it was actually very grave and stern. It was completely impossible to imagine its previous appearance of rolling on the ground shamelessly. Seeing Xie Lian arrive, San Lang smiled and said, "You're up? Did you sleep well last night? "
Xie Lian truthfully answered, "I don't know why I kept dreaming for the first half of the night … … but I slept well for the second half of the night."
San Lang said, "You must have been too tired."
The two of them casually exchanged a few words and exchanged a few small rounds of pointers. The day was more or less over. Probably until that Hua Cheng was free, they would continue getting along like this.
However, at night, Xie Lian lay on his bed alone and had that hot and unsettling dream again.
In the dream, he tossed and turned until he couldn't bear it any longer. When he suddenly woke up, he was drenched in sweat. Angry and helpless, he could only get up and go out. He wanted to walk a few rounds to calm himself down, but then he suddenly heard a sound coming from a distant room on the other side.
That was San Lang's master room. The room's soundproofing was excellent, so the sound was extremely soft. However, Xie Lian's five senses were extremely sharp, so he was able to capture it. He held his breath in rapt attention and noiselessly arrived outside the room.
Looking inside through the crack in the door, he saw San Lang sitting in the middle of the room, holding a purple writing brush in his hand. He seemed to be writing, and his expression was completely different from when he was facing Xie Lian. Beside him was a devil-masked man dressed in black. The man was currently bending over and reporting in a low voice.
For some reason, that devil-masked man's presence was really very low. If he wasn't careful, he might not have noticed him. Xie Lian was about to listen carefully, but that person had already finished reporting. He could only vaguely hear scattered sentences like, "That monster has been causing trouble for a long time", "Presumably, it received a prayer and went to deal with it, but an accident happened", "This is the location we just found out", and so on.
As he slowly combed through his thoughts, he heard San Lang say, "I have to accompany him right now and can't leave. Capture that monster and bring it to me before tomorrow night. "
That devil-masked man said in a low voice, "Yes. Do you want to leave it with one last breath? "
San Lang put down his brush and glanced at what he had written. Seemingly unsatisfied, he crumpled it into a ball and threw it away. Only then did he unhurriedly say, "Leave a few more mouthfuls and let it spit it out. Then, slowly crush its dog head."
When he said this, his expression and tone were both chilling. But surprisingly, Xie Lian didn't feel repulsed or wary. That devil-masked man responded and was about to leave. Xie Lian immediately flashed and hid himself.
Returning to his room, Xie Lian couldn't fall asleep even more. He paced back and forth a few times, thinking to himself, "Who exactly is San Lang? What kind of monster is he talking about? "
It sounded as if something important had been swallowed by a monster that had been causing trouble for a long time. San Lang was rather angry. But because he had to accompany Xie Lian right now, he couldn't free himself to smash that monster's head.
Thinking of this, Xie Lian felt extremely embarrassed. This San Lang really treated him with utmost sincerity.
Suddenly, an idea flashed through his mind. Why was he sitting there doing nothing? In any case, he couldn't see Hua Cheng for the time being, and he had always wanted to do something for his good brother, San Lang. Why not help him capture that monster?