Ch.128: Blinded by the Heart; Brocade Immortal Forged by Blood
After a pause, Jun Wu asked, “Where’s Qi Ying?”
Xie Lian looked around and indeed there wasn’t a shadow of that young martial god.
Perhaps because incidents upon incidents kept happening in the heavens, the Palace of Ling Wen was so busy it was going to fly off, and Ling Wen also had a few more dark circles under her eyes. “It’s been a long time since Qi Ying came to these meetings. We’ve never been able to connect with him.”
Some heavenly officials on the side clicked their tongues, “Where did that little brat run off to again?”
“Not here again? So envious that he doesn’t need to attend all these meetings.”
“Since we do not know Qi Ying’s whereabouts, once we find him we will let you know and have the two of you coordinate.” Jun Wu said.
Xie Lian inclined his head in acknowledgement, “Yes, My Lord.”
The mortal realm was in the midst of autumn, the weather was chilly, and it was so inside Puqi Shrine. Although Xie Lian wore just the one layer, he didn’t feel cold; however, on the way home, he still used the money he made from collecting scraps to buy two new sets of robes for Lang Ying.
Hua Cheng had returned to the Ghost City and Qi Rong ran away with Guzi in tow, so now there was only Lang Ying left in Puqi Shrine. It had felt cramped before, but now it suddenly became deserted. As he walked, Xie Lian could see from afar Lang Ying sweeping in front of the shrine silently, raking the fallen golden leaves into a pile.
Maybe it was all in his mind, but Lang Ying used to slouch, coiled in fear and nervousness, but now his limbs seemed to be stretched out, finally assuming the appearance of a cheerful boy, and Xie Lian couldn’t help but feel heartened. He approached and took the broom, and was just about to bring him inside when the villagers who had been hiding in wait for some time all ambushed him, aunties and grandpas, uncles and sisters all clamoured around him, “Daozhang, you’re back!”
“Did you go collect scraps in town again? You’ve worked hard, you’ve worked hard… Um, how come we haven’t seen Xiao Hua lately?”
“Yea, yea, we haven’t seen him for days! We miss the little guy.”
“…” Xie Lian smiled awkwardly, “Xiao… Hua went back home.”
“Huh?” The village head was puzzled, “Which home? I thought this was Xiao Hua’s home? Isn’t he living with you???”
“No, no,” Xie Lian replied, “He only came over to play. Now that we’re all busy, we parted ways.”
That night, Hua Cheng had hounded him for answers afterwards, but Xie Lian was stubbornly adamant that the two only had a fight. Now that Mount Tong’lu reopened, Hua Cheng now had more on his plate. If a new Supreme Ghost King really emerged, it would mean an assault on all three realms. Hua Cheng and Black Water, although one was flashy and the other low-key, they both had their own styles and more or less knew their place and kept themselves in order. But who knows what kind of creature would emerge this time. What if Mount Tong’lu birthed a madman like Qi Rong who would fight them for their domains, then that’d be rather difficult to deal with. Thus, Xie Lian used the excuse that he was busy and said the two best not see each other for the time being and focus on their own duties, then the two bid farewell amiably.
Although it seemed sudden and cold, like he turned his back on a friend, but Xie Lian really didn’t know what else to do.
He didn’t have the confidence he could hide his feelings right now.
Just then, behind him, Lang Ying suddenly spoke up, “Fire.”
“…???”
Only then did Xie Lian realize that while he was spacing out lost in thought, he accidentally took up the pot and spatula and ruined all the meat and vegetables he just brought back to Puqi Shrine. The fire under the pot was meters high, almost scorching the ceiling, and Xie Lian hastily slapped at the flames to put it out. However, he slapped too hard and the entire stove collapsed. Much rumbles later, Xie Lian stood there dazed with a pot in hand, not knowing what to do. It was just around meal time and the villagers were all holding their bowls eating happily outside the door. Surprised by the ruckus, they all came around again, “WHAT’S HAPPENED?! WHAT’S HAPPENED?! Daozhang, did your place blow up again?!”
Xie Lian quickly opened the window, “It’s nothing, it’s nothing! Cough cough cough cough…”
The village head came over to take a look, “Jeebus, this is an absolute tragedy!
Daozhang, I think it’s best if you call Xiao Hua back.”
Wordless for a moment, Xie Lian said, “It’s alright. After all… he’s not from my household.”
When he snapped out of it, Lang Ying had already started to help him clean up the mess on the ground, and a plate of something colourfully red and purple was on the table – it was randomly plated when he was zoning out. If the thing he made last time was named ‘Love for All Seasons Stew’, then this time it should be named ‘Fried Riot of Colours’. But other than Hua Cheng, there was probably no second person on this earth who could swallow the stuff. Xie Lian himself couldn’t bear the sight of it and turned around to wash the pot, rubbing his forehead, “Nevermind, don’t eat it. Throw it away.”
However, after he finished washing the pot and turned around, he saw Lang Ying who had taken the plate had already silently eaten the food. Stunned, Xie Lian immediately went over to stop him, and held him by the shoulders, “…God, are you alright? Do you feel bad anywhere???”
Lang Ying shook his head. Since his face was completely wrapped in bandages, his expression was hidden. Even Qi Rong and Black Water would lose their minds when they ate what he cooked, but Lang Ying was actually able to handle it, so just how hungry was he? Or did his strength suddenly increase? Xie Lian teased himself and forced a smile, then cleaned up and went to bed.
There were two mats in Puqi Shrine, one for each person. When Xie Lian was reminded that the mat beneath him was laid upon by both him and Hua Cheng together, he couldn’t sleep, his eyes wide awake, but he didn’t dare to toss and turn lest he rouse Lang Ying. After much internal struggles, he was just thinking he might as well go out for a breath of fresh air when suddenly, he heard the window creak. Someone had pushed open the wooden frame softly and hopped inside.
Xie Lian’s back was facing the window, and he laid there on the ground on his side, shocked.
What kind of person would be so hard on themselves as to come steal in Puqi Shrine?
Wasn’t this just labour without returns?
That person was light on their feet, extremely skilled, and if not for someone like Xie Lian who was extraordinarily sharp in his senses, no one would’ve noticed. Once he hopped in, he ran straight for the donation box. Xie Lian immediately remembered that the donation box was full of gold bars before, so was this person here for the gold? But those gold bars had long been given to Ling Wen to have her find their master. Listening attentively, Xie Lian realized that person wasn’t actually cracking the lock, but was stuffing something one after the other into the donation box!
After that individual had done their work, they seemed to be looking to hop outside of the window to leave. Xie Lian mentally plotted thinking that he’d follow after that person once they were out to see just where they’re going and who they were. Yet unexpectedly, when that person passed the altar table and saw it filled with plates, they seemed to be hungry and didn’t think before munching down on those leftover Fried Riot of Colours, stuffing a few mouthfuls down their throat.
The next second, THUD! And they were knocked out on the ground.
Xie Lian immediately turned over and sat up, ‘My trouble’s actually saved!’ He lit up the lights to look, and on the ground was a purple faced figure lying flat, and Xie Lian hastily went to rescue his life, pouring large mouthfuls of water down his throat before that person slowly came to. The first thing he uttered when he woke was, “WHAT THE HELL WAS THAT THING!”
Xie Lian pretended not to hear and chided solemnly, “Your Highness Qi Ying, you really are too rash, stuffing whatever you find in your mouth without knowing what it is.”
That youth had a straight nose and deep brows, his head full of raven black curly hair; who else could it be but the Martial God of the West, Quan Yizhen?
He glared, “How should I know that anyone would actually poison their own food offered in their own shrine?”
“…” Xie Lian rubbed his forehead and opened that donation box to see it was filled to the rim with gold bars. “Was it also you who filled the box last time?”
Quan Yizhen nodded. Xie Lian asked, “Why are you giving me all this?”
“Because I have a lot.” Quan Yizhen replied.
“…”
Truthfully, even if he wouldn’t say it Xie Lian could probably guess that this was most likely because at the Mid Autumn Banquet, Xie Lian slung out a chopstick to cut down the curtains of the stage. “Take those back with you, I won’t accept rewards without having done anything.” Xie Lian said.
Quan Yizhen didn’t say anything, very obviously not listening.
Xie Lian didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. Just then, Lang Ying spoke up coldly, “He’s telling you to take those away.”
When had he sat up? Xie Lian looked back to glance at him, feeling strange. In the past, Lang Ying basically made himself invisible, desperately shrinking himself into the ground, so why did he say so much without prompting today? And using such unfriendly tones too. But, he didn’t think too much, and figured if anything, he could just give the box to Ling Wen to stuff it back to Quan Yizhen. He straightened his expression, “Your Highness, you’ve come just in time. You didn’t attend the meeting at the Great Martial Hall today, but Jun Wu has given us a mission, have you seen the scroll? Nevermind, it’s alright, I know you haven’t looked through it. I’ve looked through it already. This time we’re a team together, and the creature we’re responsible for is called the ‘Brocade Immortal’.”
The Venerable of Empty Words was called a ‘venerable’ because people didn’t dare to call it a rogue, a hellion, or an annoying devil so directly, so it was a tentative flattery.
Why was that Brocade Immortal venerated as an immortal? This was because according to legends, that creature truly possessed the ability to become a god once.
Legends say many centuries ago, there was a young man in some ancient kingdom, who although dumb and foolish by nature, his intellect no better than that of a six year old child, but once on the battlefield he was no longer the same. His martial skills were extraordinary and was also brave but kind. When two kingdoms collided in battle, his kingdom was able to claim overwhelming victories because he charged in the front lines. Because he was mentally weak and had no family, all the rewards he gained from battle were taken by others, leaving him penniless. No households were willing to have their daughters marry such a man, and very few girls were willing to come close. That young man was also dumb to a certain point, and ever since he was young he had never made any contacts with ladies, never daring to speak a word.
However, this person possessed the potential to ascend, and he should’ve risen to the heavens in a few years. At first, it didn’t matter if no girls liked him, but the sad thing was, he still fell in love with a girl, and he fell deeply. On the day of his birthday, that girl sewed him a brocade robe as a gift.
Although it was a brocade robe, it was extremely bizarre. It was more like a horrid pocket. This was the first time in that young man’s life that he received a gift from a girl he loved, and filled with exalted joy, plus his natural stupidity, he didn’t notice anything strange with it, eagerly pulling the ‘brocade robe’ over his body. There weren’t any sleeves for the arms to go through, so he asked his beloved girl, “How come my arms can’t stretch out?”
That girl smiled cheerfully, “This is my first time sewing so I’m not very skilled. But, if you don’t have any arms then this won’t be a problem?”
Thus, this young man raised a weapon and chopped off his arms. Now, the robe fit.
However, it wasn’t enough, and he asked again, “How come my legs can’t stretch out?”
That girl replied, “If you don’t have any legs then this won’t be a problem?”
Thus, this young man asked another to chop off his legs too. Finally, he asked, “How come my head can’t peek out?”
The conclusion was easily imaginable.
Originally, Xie Lian had also thought the ‘Brocade Immortal’ was perhaps a monster or a demon wearing a brocade robe, but turns out it was actually the robe itself. When Mount Tong’lu reopened and millions of ghosts were roused, someone had robbed away that robe. Having been smeared by the obsessed blood of that young man, that brocade robe was forged into an exceedingly malicious and powerful spiritual device, and throughout the centuries, it changed hands among ghosts, using it to cause harm.
Therefore, never accept any old, used clothing from unknown origins, and if you are to run into someone who wish to gift you a brocade robe on the street in the middle of the night, never take it. Should you wear this brocade robe, you will become a pig for slaughter.
Of course, this was only a legend and sounded rather outlandish, and the stories could very well be made up by people who simply extracted from the unique nature of the brocade robe. Nevertheless, this Brocade Immortal must be stopped. They must not let it go to Mount Tong’lu.
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●MXTX Author’s Note: First, the real Lang Ying has no relation to Hua Hua whatsoever. But, believe me, there’s only Hua Hua in this world who can eat the things the crown prince cooks (So, Hua Hua never left! He switched Lang Ying out with himself today.)
I don’t understand why no one noticed _(:з」∠)_ I thought I made it very obvious already!!! Since that’s the case, I might as well rip off his mask directly, hahahahaha!
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