Ch.207: Seeking Affection; Ghost King Fakes Displeasure

"…"

Although Hua Cheng only swept a look, Xie Lian wholeheartedly trusted that he wouldn't have counted wrong. He said it in a hushed voice, and no one else heard besides Xie Lian. Xie Lian also swiftly scanned the circle once.

Everyone here was holding hands, so just when did an extra person join?

Could it be that Shi Qingxuan counted wrong?

Xie Lian asked, "Are you sure that you've got the right numbers? You didn't miss anyone?"

Shi Qingxuan swore, "Nope! Didn't you say the headcount is important? So I've been keeping count repeatedly, and the ones who left halfway through were also taken off the count. It's one hundred and forty-eight of us. What is it? Is something wrong?"

It wasn't the right time to explain at the moment, and doing so recklessly would only start unnecessary panic. Xie Lian couldn't have people point out those they didn't recognize either because there were too many onsite, and most people didn't know each other in the first place.

Thus Xie Lian replied, "No, I'm just verifying."

It was even less possible for the spell users' side to have miscounted, since everyone reported the number of their own household's heads to Heaven's Eye before he added them all together. There was no way they didn't know how many from their schools had come.

Xie Lian whispered back, "When did the extra one get mixed in? What is that person planning?"

"They either came right from the start, or they mixed in when the spell users joined. But, they're human for sure."

At least it wasn't a ghost. In order to form this circle everyone had to be human, otherwise they wouldn't be able to keep those resentful spirits in.

This person also didn't seem to want to be exposed for the moment, either. If they had already joined this circle, as long as they let go without warning and a hole appeared, then the entire human array would collapse. However, up until now the circle still remained stable, which meant they had been keeping to the role of the "iron bars" properly.

Which meant that was even more reason for Xie Lian to not act recklessly. If that person had noticed their existence was discovered, then who knows if they would just flee. It also meant it

would be quite difficult if they wanted to find this person without them noticing, and pick them out without disrupting the circle.

However, it didn't take long before Xie Lian got an idea. He turned to Hua Cheng. "San Lang, can you have your wraith butterflies only chase, but not kill those resentful spirits? I mean, chase the spirits in a direction you determine?"

Hua Cheng immediately understood what he wanted to do. "Yes, I can."

Since this person joined in of their own volition, then they must not be any simple character, and had no fear of the resentful spirits.

If Hua Cheng manipulated the wraith butterflies to force the resentful spirits to the edge of the circle, then the spirits would for sure attempt to find any leaks to escape. Almost every mortal could become a leaking hole, but only one person would not.

The one who joined in on their own!

"But this idea is really risky," Xie Lian said. "If we're not careful, then someone might let go from fright. We'd be slapping our own faces."

"Don't worry," Hua Cheng said. "Before that happens I'll have killed the resentful spirits."

The two formulated their plans and Xie Lian suddenly raised his voice and called out. "EVERYONE WATCH OUT! THE RESENTFUL SPIRITS SUDDENLY GOT STRONGER! JUST HOLD ON AND DON'T BE SCARED!"

Heaven's Eye exclaimed, "WHAT?! WHY WOULD THEY SUDDENLY GET STRONGER ALL OF A SUDDEN?"

Hua Cheng didn't move from his spot, but those wraith butterflies started chasing the depraved resentful spirits as they chaotically tried to get away. The others didn't know what was going on, but the spell users noticed something was amiss.

Heaven's Eye was outraged. "HUA CHENG…ZHU! WHAT ARE YOU DOING??"

The two inside the circle had no time to mind him and only watched the pursuit intently. Sure enough—amidst the chaos of black smoggish torrents that filled the air, there was one person those resentful spirits didn't bother to approach at all, and the area before that person was conspicuously empty.

It was him!

Xie Lian flashed forward and grabbed that man's hands while at the same time, bridging the hands of the two next to him, and picked this man out of the loop.

Heaven's Eye and his party were growing restless. "WHAT'S GOING ON??"

Hua Cheng answered rudely, "It's none of your business."

Just as he finished his words, he had already moved to Xie Lian's side, guarding against any unexpected trouble that man might cause. Xie Lian restrained that man firmly then twisted him around. That instant when the two faced each other, Xie Lian forcefully swallowed the words "who are you" that were already at the tip of his tongue, and widened his eyes.

Staring at that face, Xie Lian mumbled, "Guoshi, so it really was you…"

That man was also stunned, and it was a moment before he mumbled, "Your Highness…"

This face should've been exceedingly familiar, but it was incredibly foreign instead. In his memories, Guoshi should've been over thirty in age, his disposition fairly calm and composed; with a sweep of his robes and putting on airs, he could fool anyone. However, the man before him right now only looked to be about twenty-five or twenty-six, not much older than himself.

Even if Xie Lian had heard his voice inside the mountain spirit body at Mount Tong'lu, he still kept wondering, perhaps he had mistaken. Even when Jun Wu told him "your master wasn't a simple character, be absolutely cautious", he also thought the Emperor could be mistaken. However, there was no doubt that the man before him was his master, and the last Guoshi of Xianle—Mei Nianqing!

The three of them stared at each other inside a circle formed by three hundred-some people, and the air seemed to have frozen. However, when Mei Nianqing finally snapped out of it, what he did right after was something unexpected.

While Xie Lian was still stunned, he suddenly retaliated and lunged forward, strangling Xie Lian with his hands!

However, Hua Cheng was standing right next to them, so how could he possibly allow Mei Nianqing to succeed? He didn't even need to move before Mei Nianqing was flung out, falling meters away. The sudden stir startled everyone holding hands in the circle.

"WHY DID THEY START FIGHTING??"

"WHAT'S GOING ON?"

"WHO ARE THEY HITTING?"

Hua Cheng exclaimed, "Gege! Are you alright?"

"I'm fine!" Xie Lian replied.

In fact, it was Guoshi who looked to not be fine. Mei Nianqing coughed out blood from the blow, and crawled up to his feet before stumbling away, trying to charge out of the crowd.

When Shi Qingxuan saw him running towards him, he cried anxiously, "WHAT ARE YOU PLANNING?! HEY, I'M WARNING YOU! DON'T YOU DARE COME OVER HERE!? YOUR HIGHNESS! HE'S TRYING TO BREAK THE CIRCLE!"

Xie Lian shouted, "RETURN!"

Ruoye answered and flew out! However, before it could wrap itself around Mei Nianqing, a sword dropped from the sky and plunged into the ground before the Guoshi, blocking his way. Following right after, a white light flashed from the heavens, and several rays dropped down. Along with that curtain of light, a martial god donned in white armour descended from the heavens and sealed Mei Nianqing's retreating path!

Having both the front and the back blocked, Mei Nianqing had nowhere else to run. When he whipped around, he bumped into a Ruoye who seemed to be dancing in mad joy, prancing up as it bound him tight, tumbling him to the ground.

Xie Lian took a step forward. "My Lord? How come you've come personally?"

Jun Wu rose to his feet, his expression solemn. "Mount Tong'lu has been temporarily stabilized, so I've come to see how things are going here on your end."

"How did you manage to stabilize it?" Xie Lian asked.

"I created a new barrier," Jun Wu replied. "And temporarily trapped those three mountain spirits and the other inhuman creatures."

What Xie Lian cared about, however, wasn't those mountain spirits or other unrelated little minions. "Then…White No-Face?"

Jun Wu shook his head slowly. "I did not find him in Mount Tong'lu. I'm afraid he has long since escaped elsewhere."

Xie Lian looked around; a field of blinding light surrounded them, separating them from the three hundred-some people outside holding hands. At the moment, the mortals outside the screen of light could not see what was going on within. Xie Lian then looked to the ground; Guoshi had rolled around and saw Jun Wu, and he probably remembered the vicious fight they had in the

past. He appeared both shocked and furious, yet wisely remained silent even as he raged inwardly.

Jun Wu also inclined his head, watching him from above condescendingly before speaking slowly, "Guoshi of Xianle, long time no see."

Hua Cheng approached lazily, and gave Mei Nianqing a brief look before he said, "This Guoshi looks pretty weak, how did he manage to escape back then?"

"He didn't escape by his own strength," Jun Wu said. "At the time, there were three helpers at his side. They were the other three Deputy Guoshi of Xianle."

Having listened to this point, Xie Lian couldn't hold back any longer. He asked, "Guoshi…just, who exactly are you?"

Mei Nianqing watched Jun Wu darkly, his hands clenched tight into fists, veins popping on the back of his hands, and whether he was furious that Jun Wu had ruined his plans or if he was furious Xie Lian exposed him couldn't be said.

It was a moment before he said under his breath, "Haven't you already guessed, Your Highness?"

One of the Four Guardians of the Crown Prince of Wuyong!

"And that Crown Prince of Wuyong?" Xie Lian pressed on. "Is he White No-Face?"

Hearing this, Jun Wu was taken aback. "Xianle, the Crown Prince of Wuyong is?"

Only then did Xie Lian remember that he hadn't yet had the chance to report to Jun Wu about the affairs of Wuyong. Having finally captured Guoshi, Xie Lian had many things to report and many questions to ask, but none of that should be conducted here.

Xie Lian replied, "My Lord, let's talk after returning to the Heavenly Court."

"That may be for the best," Jun Wu said. After humming for a moment, he added, "However, most of the resentful spirits from Mount Tong'lu were sent here to the royal capital, and they can't be suppressed so quickly. Even if I am the one doing the cleansing, it will take at least seven days and seven nights to do so."

Did he have to wait for seven days before he could interrogate Guoshi? That'd be too late, then.

White No-Face was still at large! Xie Lian was still contemplating on what to do when he heard

Hua Cheng speak.

"Leave the mess here to me. You can go up as you will."

Xie Lian turned his head to gaze at him, but Hua Cheng had already guessed what he was going to say.

"There's no need to say anything else. I will wait for you down here. If gege really wants to thank me, then just come back to me quickly after."

"Will that be alright?" Jun Wu said.

Xie Lian relaxed and smiled. "En. Yes."

Just then, there was suddenly a silhouette flickering outside the screen of light, and a person came charging in from the outside. He hobbled and hopped, shouting, "Your Highness! Your Highness, what are you doing in here? Is everything alright?"

It was Shi Qingxuan. Turns out, when Jun Wu had descended and pulled that screen of light, no one outside knew what was happening and they were all scared to death. Shi Qingxuan then stepped up bravely and decided to charge in to see what was going on. If it was anyone else they might have been blocked out, but since he had worked as a heavenly official in the past, that screen of light recognized him and actually allowed him in.

The moment he entered, he was stupefied. "M-M-M-M-My Lord??? How come you've…come personally???"

When Jun Wu saw him he smiled lightly. "Lord Wind Master. How have you been?"

"…"

Shi Qingxuan was hesitant and shy, and somewhat embarrassed. After all, there was no way he didn't know by now the whole affair of Shi Wudu changing his own little brother's fate and sending him up to the heavens; the story had spread, it would for sure cause a riot. To see his former boss now, other than feeling ashamed and guilty, he had nothing else on his mind. However, Jun Wu didn't say anything to him and was still very courteous, giving him full respect. Xie Lian withdrew Ruoye and Mei Nianqing slowly rose to his feet on his own.

After Shi Qingxuan was done being shy, he asked, puzzled, "Who's this? What's happening right now?"

Mei Nianqing glanced at him and suddenly said, "You're Shi Qingxuan, aren't you?"

Shi Qingxuan was taken aback. "And who are you? How do you know my name?"

But the most important question was, how come he still recognized him, even with this appearance???

Mei Nianqing humphed. "Your name's terrible."

"HUH?" Shi Qingxuan was confused.

However, Mei Nianqing didn't speak another word and followed Jun Wu knowingly, looking rather docile. It was probably because he knew that, now that he didn't have any helpers by his side, he couldn't escape from Jun Wu's hand.

"Xianle, I will take him up first," Jun Wu said. "You're coming up in a bit?"

"Yes," Xie Lian replied.

Jun Wu nodded at him. Then, the two of them left first.

Xie Lian turned to Hua Cheng, but before he could say anything, Hua Cheng spoke up first.

"Gege, you don't have to worry about anything. It's only just watching after this circle, making sure they don't start anything. It's nothing hard."

Shi Qingxuan also chimed in, "Your Highness, are you gonna go up? Go, go, I'll watch over things too, don't worry!"

Xie Lian nodded. "Thank you both for your hard work."

If this was in the past, Hua Cheng would most likely reply with "it's nothing" or other such responses. Yet unexpectedly, this time, he hugged his arms and sighed.

"Sigh, it is rather hard work."

"…"

Xie Lian sensed he might be hinting at something. Shi Qingxuan on the other hand, sensed nothing, and said excitedly, "Yeah, remember to reward us for our hard work after, yeah? How about throwing a feast at the best restaurant of the royal capital? Hahaha…"

He still couldn't forget about feasting at the best restaurant of the royal capital, and Xie Lian thought to himself, "…Lord Wind Master, please don't talk anymore, that wasn't what he meant at all…"

Hua Cheng shook his head and casually twiddled that red coral pearl tied at the end of his small braid, wiggling his eyebrows. Speaking with a seemingly nonchalant voice, he said, "If gege was beside me, it would've been fine. But to think gege is going up again, leaving me down here all by myself, hm, I feel even more troubled by the work."

Shi Qingxuan finally noticed something sounded weird, but he still didn't get it. He said, with a face full of smiles, "Crimson Rain Sought Flower, your words are so funny. It sounds like you're saying you're gonna be lonely now that His Highness is going back up to the heavens, just like a newlywed, hahahaha…"

"You're not wrong," Xie Lian thought. "Isn't that exactly what he meant???"

Shi Qingxuan laughed stiffly for a while, and Xie Lian finally couldn't bear it any longer and cleared his throat.

"Um, Lord Wind Master, will you, will you go out first? Just for a moment, okay?"

Shi Qingxuan said, "??? Why?"

Xie Lian couldn't explain. "Just…just go out first. We're just bidding our farewells."

Only then did Shi Qingxuan exit, all confused. There were now only the two of them left inside the screen of light, not a third soul present, and Xie Lian turned back around. Hua Cheng was still watching him with a raised brow, seeming to be waiting for him to say something, or do something.

Thus, Xie Lian gathered his courage, placed two stiff hands on Hua Cheng's shoulders, and steadied himself for a moment before he hopped up forcefully and pecked his cheek.

After having done that, he looked around with a hollow conscience like a thief, and only relaxed when he saw there was no one. Yet unexpectedly, the next second, he felt a tightening on his waist; it was Hua Cheng, who had hugged him close.

"Gege, aren't you just placating me?"

His unhappy tone was half-serious, half-fake, startling Xie Lian. He quickly exclaimed, "I'm not!"

"Really?" Hua Cheng said. "But you weren't like this at all when you were borrowing spiritual powers from me. Can I only get this kind of farewell now that I'm not lending spiritual powers?"

"…"

Now that he thought about it, Xie Lian felt perhaps he really wasn't being sincere at all. A moment later, he said in a small voice, "…I'm sorry. I didn't mean it like that."

After apologizing, however, the more he thought about it the more it did seem like that was how he meant it, and alarms blared in his head. Before Hua Cheng responded, without another word, Xie Lian's body moved before his mind. He jumped up and hugged Hua Cheng around

the neck before he pulled himself close emphatically. This time, he wholly kissed the place Hua Cheng wanted him to kiss.

Yet who knew, Shi Qingxuan's voice just had to come right then all of a sudden. "Your Highness, I keep thinking about it, and the more I think about it, the weirder it feels. If you two are just bidding farewell, there was no need to kick me out? I'm only just…Your Highness? How come he left so fast?"

Xie Lian had fled fumbling and stumbling.