Ch.243: How My Lord Aches for the Flower; How I Ache for My Lord
Xie Lian tucked the pearl away and gazed over. Several heavenly officials also emerged from the crude, giant hut, “What’s going on with General Nan Feng?”
But then they heard Feng Xin call out, “LOOK WHO I’VE CAPTURED!”
He crashed out of the woods and came dashing up, a black clad individual in his hand, and the heavenly officials were all shocked, “LING WEN!”
The one gripped in Feng Xin’s hand was indeed Ling Wen. Feng Xin turned to Xie Lian, “Just as you suspected, Ling Wen went to steal the Brocade Immortal!”
After removing the cursed shackles, Xie Lian’s spiritual powers explosively increased to the point where he was practically Jun Wu’s equal, so that Brocade Immortal naturally couldn’t do anything to him. Ling Wen was turned into a daruma doll by Hua Cheng, and went missing during the great battle. Once time was up, the spell on her person would release automatically, so she couldn’t be found anywhere. However, Xie Lian figured she would most likely come to steal the Brocade Immortal, so he took off those robes and asked the Ghost City to let word spread. Sure enough, Ling Wen took the bait.
Even as a fugitive, when Ling Wen was arrested and taken to the conference hall, she still didn’t appear panicked. The moment Pei Ming came in he pressed down on her shoulders, and sat her down in front of a table, admonishing in a dark voice, “We’ve finally found you! Ling Wen, you have to pay for your sins!”
“…”
Dozens of heavenly officials also came surrounding her, each of them with eyes of wolves and tigers, their expressions thirsty and starving, practically savage. Only then did Ling Wen felt a bit of trepidation, “…What are you all planning.”
THUMP! A stack of reports and scrolls close to the height of a full grown man were thrown before her, so heavy the table and chairs all shook. Pei Ming PA! And slapped down on the scrolls, “These. Take care of them.”
“…”
Ling Wen seemed to have sighed a breath of relief, then felt inexplicably baffled. Yet unexpectedly, before her breath had fully exhaled, there was another round of “THUMPTHUMPTHUMPTHUMPTHUMPTHUMPTHUMP!”
After dozens of thumps later, dozens of stacks of documents and reports taller than a man had also crashed down, and she was heavily surrounded.
Those dozens of heavenly officials babbled in between the cracks of those stacks: “We’ve been waiting for you for days now! Hurry and help figure this out!”
“Take care of those too.”
“Remember to fill in the missing parts.”
“You better get this done within the hour!” …
Ling Wen: “…”
After a day and a night, Ling Wen was finally released from the temporary conference hall.
After a day and a night of hard battle, all the mess of scrolls and reports had been taken care of, each categorized and organized in order and neatly. The heavenly officials cheered and each received the accounts of their own palace and went to double check. Ling Wen on the other hand, was face blue and steel, and those dark circles under her eyes that had disappeared for a period of time had returned.
On the other side, everyone finished double checking and were all rejoicing, and Pei Ming praised, “It certainly is Noble Jie who is the most efficient! Now everything matches!”
“It’s cleared! Thank so much for Lord Ling Wen!”
As a criminal, Ling Wen chuckled politely amongst all the praises from the crowd of heavenly officials, “It’s nothing, it’s nothing.”
Seeing this, all the heavenly officials in the hall who were still in a mess but didn’t stuff their accounts over couldn’t sit still anymore, and they came circling her, “Um, actually, I’ve some books that I forgot to give my lord, and was wondering if perhaps you’d take a look…”
Ling Wen: “…”
Xie Lian had been eating a steamed bun, crouching outside the temporary conference hall, and after he finished he clapped his hands clean, and finally rescued Ling Wen from suffering, “Everyone, let’s figure this out later. Let Ling Wen catch her breath first.”
Before when he spoke up, there would definitely be no one who cared, but now things weren’t the same. Several people responded, “Your Highness is right.” And didn’t dare to speak more.
Ling Wen sat in her chair, a hand covering over her forehead, her eyes closed, waiting for the other heavenly officials to exit. It was only after the conference hall was deserted before she turned to Xie Lian, “Congratulations, huh, Your Highness, your spiritual powers have returned. What good strategies, now, even ghosts are your worshippers, obeying your orders, how unimaginable.”
“They’re not my worshippers,” Xie Lian replied, “They’re just friends from the Ghost City. I only asked them to help.”
Ling Wen nodded, her face full of understanding. A moment later, Xie Lian spoke up, “Ling Wen, there’s something I’ve wanted to ask you.”
“Your Highness can go ahead.” Ling Wen said.
“San Lang, I mean Hua Chengzhu,” Xie Lian started, “He’s worn this Brocade Immortal of yours, but the Brocade Immortal doesn’t work on him, do you know why?”
“So it’s this question.” Ling Wen said, “I thought Your Highness already knew?”
Xie Lian blinked, “Tell me?”
Ling Wen straightened her sleeves, and sat poisedly, “Your highness, you’ve heard the legend of the Brocade Immortal, right?”
“I’ve heard.” Xie Lian replied, “You forged it yourself.”
“You can say that.” Ling Wen said, “Although I had never thought the resentment gathered on this robe would turn it into a monster, but I did kill Bai Jing to speed up the destruction of the Kingdom of XuLi, that’s not wrong.”
Xie Lian listened intently. Ling Wen continued, “This robe made rounds around the mortal realm, passing through countless hands, and after having it in hand, countless individuals chose to use it for murder, to harm, to deceive. While this can also take away some of its resentment, but, Bai Jing isn’t someone like that.”
“He didn’t like being used by those people, he hated them. So, whenever he met wearers similar to him and the chosen people who were given the robe, his resentment wouldn’t be excited, and instead, he’d become glad.”
“And the wearers and receivers are?” Xie Lian asked.
Ling Wen answered, “You put the Brocade Immortal on Crimson Rain Sought Flower, but in your heart there was not a single trace of malintent or the desire to harm, you trust him with your whole being; and for Crimson Rain Sought Flower, he was the same when it came to you, no, in fact, he was even more – What made it really feel aligned with Crimson Rain Sought Flower was that it didn’t matter if he was wearing the Brocade Immortal, he would do everything you asked him to without hesitation. Including dying for you.”
“…”
“This was also how I guessed that boy next to you was Crimson Rain Sought Flower at the time.” Ling Wen said, “Although I don’t know too much of the affairs between you two, but I figure there wasn’t another who could be like this.”
“Why’s that?” Xie Lian asked.
Ling Wen raised her hand and pointed, “Your Highness, what’s that around your neck?”
Xie Lian was taken aback, and unconsciously moved his hand to cover it.
Ling Wen spoke, “I’ve seen things like it before, the very unique ghosts who gifted their lovers their ashes.”
Countless scrolls and reports had passed through the Palace of Ling Wen, so it wasn’t strange that she had seen it before. But truth to be told, Xie Lian had guessed it himself.
But hearing Ling Wen say so out loud, he still squeezed that crystal clear ring tight.
“It’s a very rare item.” Ling Wen said, ”But because it’s too beautiful, it often ends in tragedy, so my impression of it is stronger.”
“What do you mean it often ends in tragedy?” Xie Lian asked.
“To have love blind your reason, and give objects tied to your life to someone else, would have many tragic and horrifying consequences.” Ling Wen said.
“Something like a genuine heart is made to be trampled. All those keepsakes made of ashes, some were stolen by others, some were shattered by its owners, basically nothing ended well.
But, your highness is an exception. You’ve kept it well, practically impenetrable.”
After a long silence, Xie Lian said, “You said ‘similar to him’. So, was General Bai Jing like this too?”
Ling Wen smiled lightly, “Why else would he be deceived by me?”
“It’s not really deception though, is it?” Xie Lian said, “There was no way you didn’t realize I was intentionally letting the word out, but you still came to take it.”
“It’s a good defense device.” Ling Wen said.
“If it was only a device for defense, you wouldn’t have gone through such risks to steal it in the first place, and after you failed you still took it to Mount TongLu.”
Lin Wen said apathetically, “What else was there to do other than take it to Mount TongLu? I was already exposed. Your Highness was the one who caught me red-handed.”
“But truthfully, if you wanted to find an excuse to cover it up it’d still work.” Xie Lian said, “Bribe your way around a little, even getting demoted or have merits deducted wouldn’t have landed you a fugitive status. The main point being… you wanted to help General Bai Jing in becoming a Supreme, and have him wake to his senses, right?”
Ling Wen gave a small laugh, “Your highness, don’t say it like I would do anything for him. After all, I’m cold-blooded and recognized no loved ones, so why would I do anything like that?”
“Is that right?”
“Let it be.”
.
Xie Lian cleaned up around the wrecked, broken cliffs at the Royal Holy Pavilion, and put up a simple cottage, using it as a temporary residence. It was further away and more deserted. When there was a need for him he’d go to the Conference Hall to help, when there wasn’t anything, he’d stay in the cottage by himself quietly.
After several days, Mu Qing finally repaired RuoYe and came to deliver it. The moment Xie Lian opened the door he saw something white pouncing at him, and his vision was covered. He raised his hand to yank that thing off, and RuoYe began to twist and swivel again, like it was showing off its beautiful body after being reborn. Xie Lian admonished, “Don’t twist around like that after just getting repaired, be careful of tearing yourself again.”
The moment Mu Qing heard this he had an opinion, “How’s that possible? What robes of yours has torn after I’ve patched it up for you?”
“That’s true.” Xie Lian said.
He caught RuoYe who was twisted like a seaweed to check over it carefully, and it was indeed extremely well sewn, there was practically no trace of it ever being torn, and he praised, “Your craft is still so amazing.”
“A compliment like this won’t delight me.” Mu Qing said, “I’m only doing this once, there won’t be a next time. I’m never doing this again.”
‘You’re clearly super proud of this…’ Xie Lian thought.
Mu Qing nagged for another bit, then said, “Alright, I’ve done my job. I’m gone. I’m just in the middle of getting some things and personnel taken cared of at the Palace of Xuan Zhen.”
“You’re leaving too?” Xie Lian asked, “Alright, I’ll go over to help out in a bit. Remember to give me a shout when you leave, I’ll send you off.”
After capturing Ling Wen, filling in all the missing blanks, and clearing up all that pile of messed up accounts, the heavenly officials finally decided to rebuild the Heavenly Capital. Which meant, this temporary Conference Hall at Mount TaiCang could also be left behind now. Mu Qing waved his hand, neither dismissive nor agreeing, and he took a few steps before halting, and he looked back, “Are you… still going to stay in Mount TaiCang?”
Xie Lian nodded, “En.”
After a moment of hesitation, Mu Qing spoke up, “Why don’t you come with us after all?”
Xie Lian smiled, “Nah, I’ve got someone to wait for.”
“You can still wait after getting to the Upper Court of the new Heavenly Capital.” Mu Qing reasoned.
Xie Lian shook his head, “I think when he comes back, he’d come here first, then I’d be able to meet him the moment he returns. If he doesn’t return to this place, he might return to the QianDeng Temple of Ghost City, and Ghost City isn’t far from here, much more convenient than the new Heavenly Capital.”
“…”
Mu Qing seemed to have held his tongue for a long while now, and he asked with a complicated expression, “You really believe he’ll come back?”
Xie Lian replied like it was the most logical thing in the world, “Of course.”
.
People came like the tide, then left like the tide. Mount TaiCang regained its deserted lonesomeness.
Atop Mount TaiCang, there used to be an enormous field of maple trees. They were all burnt down by that massive fire, but reborn after a thousand years. They were no longer the same ones Xie Lian leapt through to train once upon a time, but the landscape was the same.
Xie Lian often strolled in the maple forest by himself. An entire mountain of red maples that spread like passionate feral fire made him feel as if he was in a giant and warm embrace.
He’s spent over eight hundred years of life passing the days on his own, he was very used to it.
When there was work to be done, he’d go down the mountain to answer some prayers, collect some junk; if there wasn’t anything then he’d plant some vegetables, cook some meals.
Only, what was strange was, days spent on his own like this used to be the most normal thing in the past, but now it’s become hard to pass. Xie Lian had spent a long time before he’d gotten used to it again.
Perhaps, when a person had only ever eaten what was bitter, then he’d be used to the taste of bitterness. But when suddenly one day, someone gave him a taste of sweetness, to eat what was bitter with the thought of sweetness would probably bring a frown to his face.
In the past when Xie Lian passed his days in simplicity and quietude, he’d often secretly hoped someone would come look for him. Seek him out to chat, or seek him out for assistance, at least there’d be a sign of life. But now, he didn’t like that as much anymore.
Since, every time he heard knocking on the door, his heart would always jolt in happiness, filling it with hope. But when he dashed to the door and opened it, the one standing outside the entrance was never the one he was waiting for.
Sometimes it was Feng Xin, sometimes it was Mu Qing, and sometimes it was Shi Qing Xuan.
Sometimes, it was the many ghosts from Ghost City here to “offer respects to their senior”.
Everyone was good. It was just, none of them were the one he was waiting for.
.
In the first month, Xie Lian hauled over several flowering trees to plant by the entrance, beautifying the surroundings a little to hide away the crudeness of that dilapidated cottage. He figured perhaps when Hua Cheng returned, they would’ve blossomed.
.
The second month, Xie Lian tore down the entire cottage and rebuilt it, and he also pulled all the weeds of the entire Mount TaiCang. Otherwise when Hua Cheng came back and saw this mess, he would definitely send people over to help him clean.
.
The third month, the flowering trees had blossomed. Cherry reds enveloped the trees, and Xie Lian stood under them, his head raised as he gazed. As he enjoyed the blossoms, he thought, the flowers are in full bloom, he should be home soon.
.
The fourth month, all the mountain paths had been reconstructed. That way, when Hua Cheng came back to find him, he could hike the mountain faster.
.
The fifth month, Feng Xin and Mu Qing had come to visit him again. They asked if he wanted to leave the place for a bit to take a walk outside. Xie Lian hosted a meal and they ran off.
.
The sixth month, the flowering period was over.
…
He waited and waited, waited and waited. Xie Lian wasn’t anxious, and he didn’t break down, nor did he cry in agony. Instead, he felt he was becoming more and more calm, and more and more patient.
Thinking of it, who hadn’t experienced the passing, long ages on their own?
Hua Cheng waited for him for over eight hundred years, so what did it matter if he waited for Hua Cheng for another eight hundred?
It could be a thousand years, ten thousand years, and he would still wait, and continue to wait.
Nevermind it’s only been a year?
.
On this day, Xie Lian collected a large pile of junk as usual, and piled it high on the cart pulled by an ox, both of which Xie Lian recently saved for and purchased, and it pulled it up the mountain.
Crossing through the maple forest, halfway up the mountain path, Xie Lian turned his head back inadvertently, and saw some glimmering glows in the night sky.
He stared at them deeply, and discovered they were Everlasting Blessings Lanterns. Then it dawned on him. He mumbled to himself, “So it’s the ShangYuan Festival today.”
At this moment, all the heavenly officials of the Upper Court were probably battling lanterns again. Xie Lian pulled the reins in spite of himself, and stopped where he was, watching dazedly at those Blessings Lanterns.
He suddenly remembered that he and Hua Cheng had first met during the ShangYuan Festival.
That year, a small child with face covered in filth and gashes squeezed through the swarming crowd and looked down the city walls; the seventeen year old Crown Prince of XianLe was glowing, and the moment he looked up, he saw the silhouette of a person falling. Without thinking, he leapt to his feet.
The auspicious ShangYuan Festival, upon the Great Martial Avenue. The awe-inspiring first impression that led to centuries of pinning.
A smile hung on Xie Lian’s face, thinking, he wasn’t the only one who had fallen.
.
Turning around, Xie Lian bowed his head and was ready to keep going up the mountain path.
The cart pulled, creaking for a stretch of the road when suddenly, the path seemed to be illuminated by something far ahead.
Xie Lian lifted his head once more, his eyes widening.
That light was lanterns.
Like millions of fish swimming through the gorges into the sea, countless Blessings Lanterns slowly rose from the mountain peak.
They were brilliant, glowing and shimmering in the black night. The most beautiful dream, exceedingly magnificent, had brightened his path.
Xie Lian had seen this sight before, and now that he was seeing it again, both his breathing and his heart were going to stop. The mountain path turned, and the cart wheels spun. Xie Lian saw that little dilapidated cottage he had built.
There was someone there!
Before that slanted little cottage stood a red-clad man, his figure long and slender, a silver scimitar hung at his waist. His back was facing Xie Lian while he lifted and sent off the last Everlasting Blessings Lantern to the sky errantly.
Xie Lian was frozen in his seat, wondering if he was still in a dream or if this was a hallucination.
Along with the turning of the wheels, he came closer and closer. That man turned around, and so he could also see him clearer and clearer.
With three thousand Blessings Lanterns rising along with the night behind him, that man turned back and gazed at him. Robes redder than maple, skin as white as snow; between the brows of a face so handsome it couldn’t be stared at was still that wildness and feral aura, a proudness that couldn’t be cut down.
Although he was wearing a black eyepatch, but the eye that was as bright as the stars was gazing unblinkingly at Xie Lian.
Xie Lian scrambled down.
There were no words. Both started walking towards the other.
A step, another step, each step faster than the next, then finally, they started running.
He ran forward whilst tears fell behind and stayed in the same spot. Xie Lian voiced in his heart, he believed.
.
He believed that this man would die for him again and again, and would be reborn for him over and over. Even if he fell into the depths of hell, he would break through the abyss for his ‘belief’.
Last time, they spent eight hundred years running towards each other.
This time, it only took an instant to fall into each other’s embrace.
————
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