Subject Ache of Separation; Restless Heart Strays the Path of Ink

Xie Lian was slightly taken aback. "Then who could it be? A tempest like this shouldn't involve more than fifty people."

"I suspect it might be the same person who sent that empty-shelled cultivator that led to the Banyue Pass incident."

If that was true, then it did seem like there had always been a hand that had been pushing him to the heart of every case, every time.

Feeling a little baffled, Xie Lian wondered, "What's that person after?"

Hua Cheng shook his head, but seemed to be deep in thought too. Just then, there were the laughing sounds of children playing coming from the outside, and his sharp eyes immediately swept over. Following his gaze, Xie Lian looked out of the window, but he only saw two little children outside playing; Guzi was riding atop of Lang Ying's shoulders, looking carefree and cheery.

Naturally, the Water Master's audacious deception in committing a fraudulent substitution, the Wind Master being a fraud, the Earth Master a fraud too, and that the Water Master's head and body were separated, nowhere to be found—these four cases, each more explosive than the next, blew up the heavens like four bombs, raising a tidal wave that flooded the Upper and Middle Courts.

All of a sudden, everyone was shocked and shaken; no one knew what to say in regards to the matter, and crickets filled the Great Martial Hall. Even Jun Wu's hand didn't seem able to support his head anymore.

Since Ming Yi had never really gone out of his way to be friendly with anyone, and only someone like Shi Qingxuan—who enjoyed pestering others, and assumed overly-familiar relationships—managed to be on good terms with him, barely anyone else was close with him. However, when they realized that one of their own colleagues was that legendary Supreme Ghost King, the shock was truly too great.

In order to play the role of the Earth Master properly, in the past so many years, this Ghost King had worked hard and diligently, gathering a large number of worshippers in the mortal realm. He even managed to make it into the top ten during the Battle of the Lanterns at the Mid-Autumn Festival Banquet; truly terrifying, as expected of a Supreme Ghost King.

Even without mentioning the grudge between Black Water Demon Xuan and Water Master Wudu, the true murderer behind the real Earth Master Yi was Black Water Demon Xuan, no question about it. Thus, the Upper Court officially released an arrest warrant. However, everyone knew that if a Supreme Ghost King wanted to hide, he wouldn't be so easily found.

As they say, once a man falls, all will tread on him. In the past, the Wind and Water Masters stood in greatness and glory, with hundreds at their beck and call. Every time Shi Wudu appeared, he was extolled and celebrated. Yet now, with his abrupt death, suddenly all of his supporters didn't dare breathe a single breath. Shi Qingxuan loved making friends and was generous to all, yet those innumerous "good friends" all disappeared to who knows where. Pei Ming collected Shi Wudu's headless corpse, and on the day of his burial, the ceremony was quiet and empty of people. Other than Xie Lian and Ling Wen, there weren't many other heavenly officials who showed.

Xie Lian noted, in these recent days, there were already bands of people burning down and desecrating the temples of Wind and Water. He couldn't bear the sight of it, and tried to stop them a few times; however, as time went on, when people discovered their prayers were no longer answered, the acts of aggression would only grow worse. He could stop them once, but he couldn't stop them forever. In another ten years—perhaps even in only a few years—people would completely forget the two heavenly officials of Wind and Water who used to rule at the summit of heaven. He couldn't help but feel melancholic.

Once the funeral was over, Xie Lian turned to Ling Wen.

"The whereabouts of Lord Wind Master…of Qingxuan is now in your hands. We're counting on you."

Ling Wen was also looking solemn, having not smiled in days. "Without Your Highness' appeal, I would still do my utmost in my duty."

Pei Ming, however, said, "Your Highness, rather than let the Palace of Ling Wen drag their feet like an old broken ox-cart, why not ask your Crimson Rain Sought Flower directly; see if he can ask that Crazy Black Water where he's taken Qingxuan? He's already taken Water Master-xiong's head, what more does he want?"

Xie Lian shook his head, and replied helplessly, "General Pei, please don't think things so matter-of-fact. If a Supreme Demon King wanted to do something, would he need to report it to the other?"

Thus, Pei Ming didn't say anything further.

When Xie Lian returned to Puqi Shrine, there were many villagers surrounding the shrine, whispering to each other. Xie Lian didn't need to ask to know what was happening, because from within Puqi Shrine there came howling and shrieking. The village head was scared and nervous, tugging at him.

"Daozhang, your mad little cousin, he he he, he's…"

The excuse Xie Lian had given the world was that Qi Rong was his insane younger cousin, rejected by others without anyone willing to care for him, so Xie Lian took him in out of obligation. On some level, this wasn't a lie.

"Is he going mad again? Don't worry, he's properly locked up. He won't escape. Everyone can go home," Xie Lian said.

The villagers all murmured, "Oh. Let's go, let's go."

Before they dispersed, the village head gave Xie Lian a basket of eggs. "Um, Daozhang, your Xiao Hua…"

Xie Lian was bewildered at first. "??? Xiao Hua???" Then, it dawned on him. "Oh, San Lang?"

Then, he remembered that Hua Cheng's current identity to the outside world was his younger brother, who ran away from home and came over to play. Xie Lian couldn't help but feel a little flustered.

"Yeah. Your Xiao Hua helped us fix some stuff again today, you'll have to reward him properly tonight," the village head said.

"Yeah! Give him some supplements, get him strong and buff. He'll get even better at labour!"

Xie Lian couldn't help but smile. "I will, I will. For sure, for sure."

When he opened the door, Lang Ying was already asleep, curled up in the corner. Qi Rong was lying on the ground like a corpse; wailing and looking like his innards were on fire. Guzi was massaging his shoulders, and chopping his back.

"Dad, are you better?"

"…"

Xie Lian removed the bamboo hat from his head and put the eggs down. "What's with you? Ate something bad?"

Qi Rong spat, "As long as you don't fucking cook me anything, I won't suffer stomachaches even if I were to lick shit and grime on the ground!"

Listening to him exaggerate, Xie Lian folded his hands across, tucked into his sleeves. "Then, will you really try licking those things, and see if you get stomachaches?"

"P'TUI, P'TUI, P'TUI!" Qi Rong spat again. "What the fuck did this old master say? You're showing your evil heart again, trying to come up with different ways to torture me! AIYOYOYOYOYOYO, my good son, that's good, that's good, now chop this side. Hehehehe~ aiiiieee fuck, what the fuck's going on, I've been nothing but aggravated lately, like a fucking tomcat in rut. AM I SICK?! COUSIN CROWN PRINCE! I'M SICK! IT MUST BE 'CAUSE YOU'VE BEEN TORTURING ME THAT I'M SICK! You god-fucking snow lotus, you're out for blood!"

Xie Lian crouched down and felt his forehead. "Are you burning up?" After a pause, he dropped his hand and frowned. "That's not it. You're not faking it, are you?"

Qi Rong was going to start cussing again, and Guzi said pathetically, "Daozhang, my dad didn't lie to you. He hasn't been feeling well lately, and he's wailed for a long time today."

Watching Qi Rong wiggle on the floor, Xie Lian shook his head and rose to his feet, ready to look for the medicine box. He suddenly noticed that the donation box was heavy. That donation box was newly- built by Hua Cheng, so it shouldn't have anything inside. Puzzled, Xie Lian took the key out and opened it, and was flabbergasted by what he saw. He was once again blinded by a box full of shining gold bars.

PA! Xie Lian quickly shut the donation box again.

Didn't he already return that box of gold bars given by the Water Master? Who else would gift him something like this???

It couldn't be Hua Cheng; he wouldn't do something so simple and crude like stuffing him with gold bars. Xie Lian turned his head around and asked, "Qi Rong, did someone come by?"

Qi Rong pointed at his face and cussed. "OI, WHAT'S WRONG WITH YOU? DO YOU REALLY TAKE ME FOR A GUARD DOG? THINK YOU'RE A SUPREME? EVEN A SUPREME ISN'T THIS SHAMELESS. NOT EVEN THAT SHITTY BLACK WATER AND HUA CHENG THAT FUCKER DARE TAKE ME FOR A GUARD DOG!"

BANG!

The door of Puqi Shrine was kicked open by someone, and that someone was Hua Cheng. The moment he saw him, Qi Rong instantly became mute. He silently wriggled to the side, not daring to make any more mention of what he saw that night.

"San Lang, you're back," Xie Lian said.

Hua Cheng smiled cheerfully. "Yeah."

"Thanks for your hard work," Xie Lian said. "The village head sent along some gifts to have me reward you. We'll eat something good tonight."

"Sounds good," Hua Cheng said. "But, gege, do you want to come over to my place tonight?"

"The Ghost City?" Xie Lian asked.

"En," Hua Cheng replied. "And take this thing along too." He pointed at Qi Rong. "See if there's any way we can pull his soul out."

Humming for a moment, Xie Lian acquiesced, "That's probably a good idea. In any case, it's not good to keep dragging our feet on this."

Of course, the most important reason was that Qi Rong ate too much, and his Puqi Shrine could no longer afford it.

When Qi Rong heard they were going to send him to the Ghost City, he was terrified and objected as hard as he could. However, his objections fell on deaf ears. A blast of smoke later, he was turned into a green daruma by Hua Cheng. Guzi carried him in his hands as they left for Ghost City.

The Ghost City was bustling, as always. Walking down the main street, the ghosts all remembered Xie Lian. Seeing that he had come again, they all shouted.

"GRAND-UNCLE! …Ah, no, Chengzhu's Lord Friend, you've come again!"

"Quack! Is it because you miss our specialty street food, quack?!"

Xie Lian brought that basket of eggs along, and gave them away as souvenirs from the mortal realm. Many who received the eggs were overjoyed; some deciding to eat it along with their own blood, and some proclaiming they would hatch an eight-foot monster. Hua Cheng released the spell on Qi Rong; after a blast of green smoke, the man possessed by Qi Rong appeared on the street, hugging his head and crouching in defense, not speaking a word.

Some of the ghosts caught the scent on his body, and exclaimed, "Eh? Isn't this the Green Ghost?"

The crowd of ghosts all approached and surrounded him. Sniffing about, they were all thrilled.

"HAHAHAHAHAHA, IT REALLY IS THE GREEN GHOST! THIS DUMB *** IS HERE AGAIN, HAHAHAHAHAHHAHA!"

"HAVEN'T YOU BEEN BEATEN ENOUGH LAST TIME HAHAHAHAHA AND YOU DARE COME AGAIN?!"

"Watch over the little one," Hua Cheng said. "As for the big one, think of a way to drag him out without hurting the body."

"YESSIR! MY LORD!"

Thus, several beautiful female ghosts hugged Guzi, hummed a little lullaby, and put him to sleep. The other demons, monsters, and ghosts then started playing tag with Qi Rong. Rather, it was the latter screaming as he fled, and the former group in hot pursuit behind him. Hua Cheng and Xie Lian watched for a bit, then turned away, heading inside Qiandeng Temple.

The two stepped into the hall leisurely and approached the altar. That altar was still covered with brushes, ink, and paper. Xie Lian had been feeling rather heavy recently, and seeing that stationery, he had the intent to relax his mood.

He smiled softly. "Last time when I taught you, I said you'd need to practice when you've got the time. But, I suppose you haven't been practicing lately."

Hua Cheng cleared his throat. "Gege, you've given away my reward to other people, what will I eat tonight?"

Xie Lian imitated him and raised his brows slightly. "Don't change the subject."

"I can practice the sword, but not calligraphy," Hua Cheng said. "If gege isn't beside me to instruct, I'll probably go astray practicing all by myself, and get worse the more I write."

Xie Lian's brows were rising higher. "San Lang is so smart, how can there be anything he's no good at?"

Hua Cheng picked up a brush and dipped it in a bit of ink, looking very humble. "It's true. Pray gege teach me."

Xie Lian sighed a breath. "Why don't you write something first?"

Thus, Hua Cheng very seriously wrote two verses. Xie Lian watched for a bit, but then really couldn't watch any more.

"…Stop, stop. You…best stop after all."

Don't waste good paper and ink any more.

"Oh," Hua Cheng said obediently, and really did stop, putting the brush away.

Xie Lian shook his head. "San Lang, don't…don't tell anyone that I taught you how to write."

"Gege, I tried my best," Hua cheng pouted.

The way he spoke really sounded like he was aggrieved. A proud Supreme Ghost King; if his name should be announced, all three realms would shiver in fright. Yet right now he stood like a young student, obediently listening to Xie Lian's critique. Having lectured on a few more crucial points, Xie Lian held his hand again like the last time.

"Let's try again. Be serious this time."

"Alright," Hua Cheng said.

The two were then immersed in composition. After writing for a while, Xie Lian asked casually, "Why is it still 'Ache of Separation'¹?"

Hua Cheng also answered casually, "I like this poem."

"I like it too," Xie Lian said. "But, does San Lang have any other poems he likes? Once you're familiar with copying this poem, you can try copying others."

Roughly counting, this poem only had so many words. The two of them had written it over ten times, so it should be time to change to a different one.

However, Hua Cheng was adamant: "This one is fine."

Placing the brush down, he blew lightly at the ink and smiled. "If I like something, then my heart will not have room for any other, and I'll always treasure it. A thousand times, a million times, no matter how many years, this will not change. This poem is the same."

"…" Xie Lian gave a small smile. "Is that right?"

"En," Hua Cheng replied.

"…"

Xie Lian released his hand, and cleared his throat quietly. "Then, very well. San Lang is a sentimental man. That's good…oh, why don't you practice some more by yourself? Ah, that's right. Qi Rong doesn't seem to be feeling well lately."

Hua Cheng put down the paper and picked up the brush again. "How is he unwell?"

Xie Lian turned around, his back facing Hua Cheng. "He said something like, he was feeling agitated all over. But I've looked him over, and it didn't seem to be caused by that man's body. It can't be because the weather's bad?"

Behind him, Hua Cheng questioned, "When did this start?"

"It should be just within the past few days," Xie Lian replied. "Today was especially bad…"

Before he finished his sentence, a sense of foreboding suddenly grew in his mind. Just then, there was a light PA! sound behind him, like an object had fallen to the ground.

Xie Lian whipped around. "SAN LANG?!"

The brush that had been in Hua Cheng's hand had dropped, landing on the snow-white paper, slashing a long erratic trail of ink. Hua Cheng's expression was grim, his body unsteady. He held himself up with a hand clutching the edge of the altar, while the other hand covered his right eye.

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Translator Notes:

¹"Ache of Separation" is the title of the poem Hua Cheng was writing in chapter 97 (chapter 9 of book 3)