He bent down and said to it, "Hello there."
Upon hearing his greeting, the eye squinted even more, forming a crescent shape as if it was smiling. The big eyeball rolled left and right, lively as if it wasn't just a pattern carved on the knife handle but a real eye on a person.
Seeing this, Hua Cheng's lips curled up, and he said, "Brother, it likes you."
Xie Lian looked up and asked, "Really?"
Hua Cheng raised an eyebrow and said, "Yes, really. If it doesn't like someone, it wouldn't even bother to look. It's rare for it to like anyone."
Hearing this, Xie Lian smiled at the eye and said, "Thank you." Then he turned to Hua Cheng and said, "I quite like it too."
Upon hearing this, the eye blinked several times and trembled at Hua Cheng's waist. Hua Cheng said sternly, "No."
Xie Lian asked, "What's not allowed?"
Hua Cheng repeated, "No."
The eye trembled again, as if it couldn't wait to jump out of its sheath. Xie Lian curiously asked, "Are you saying no to it?"
Hua Cheng seriously told Xie Lian, "Yes. It wants you to touch it. I said no."
Xie Lian chuckled and said, "What's wrong with that?" As he spoke, he reached out a hand. The eye widened, seemingly full of anticipation. Xie Lian thought, "I shouldn't touch here; poking the eye would hurt." So he lowered his hand and gently stroked along the curve of the sheath. The eye squinted into a line, trembling even more, as if it was extremely comfortable and enjoying it.
Xie Lian found the sensation quite peculiar. His presence often attracted animals, and when he petted fluffy cats and dogs, they would squint their eyes in comfort and snuggle into his arms. He never expected that touching a cold, silver curved knife, a legendary cursed blade, would feel similar to petting a puppy. How could this be a bloodthirsty, ominous blade?
Xie Lian never believed it in the first place, and seeing it firsthand, he tossed those bad rumors into the "unbelievable" pile. Such a cruel sacrificial method couldn't possibly produce such a well-behaved and adorable spirit.
The two of them admired famous swords and treasured blades in the armory. Xie Lian came out in high spirits, even taking Hua Cheng's hand as they returned to the Elysium Pavilion together.
The young boy, after a wash and change, was brought over in clean clothes and white bandages. Though still wrapped tightly around his head and face, he looked refreshed. He was clearly tall and slender, with delicate features, a promising figure. Now, however, he appeared hunched and timid, not daring to lift his head, which was a pity. Xie Lian pulled the boy to sit down and said, "Before she died, Xiao Ying entrusted you to me, and I promised her. But I still need to ask you personally, from now on, would you like to follow me and cultivate?"
The boy stared at him in disbelief, hesitant yet hopeful. Xie Lian continued, "Although my place isn't the best, I can guarantee you won't have to hide, steal food, or get beaten anymore."
As he spoke, he didn't notice Hua Cheng watching the boy with narrowed eyes, a cold, scrutinizing gaze.
Xie Lian gently said, "Since you can't remember your name, why not choose a new one?"
The boy thought for a moment and said, "Ying."
Xie Lian guessed it was to honor Xiao Ying and nodded, "Good. It's a nice name. You're from the Eternal Peace Kingdom, and the royal surname is Lang. How about you take a new name, Lang Ying?"
The boy finally nodded slowly. Xie Lian understood that this meant he was willing to follow him.
The feast began. This was a small banquet Hua Cheng had specially arranged for Xie Lian, but its grandeur was no less than a grand feast for dozens. Dozens of graceful girls each carried a jade plate with various delicacies, fine wines, fresh fruits, and snacks, walking gracefully around the hall like a revolving lantern. Each one passed by the black jade couch and offered the jade plate in their hands. Lang Ying only watched, not eating, so Xie Lian pushed a few plates towards him, and he began to eat slowly.
Watching the boy, a scene flashed in Xie Lian's mind.
It was also a boy with a face wrapped in bandages, dirty all over, squatting on the ground, holding a sacrificial plate, devouring the fruits and snacks on it.
At this moment, a graceful girl in purple gauze offered a cup of wine. Hua Cheng raised his hand, poured a cup, and said, "Brother, have a drink?"
Xie Lian, distracted by his thoughts, took it without thinking and brought it to his mouth. Only when it entered his mouth did he realize it was wine, and he turned his gaze back. Unexpectedly, he caught sight of the girl behind Hua Cheng winking at him.
He spat out, "Pfft—"
Fortunately, he had already swallowed the wine, so nothing sprayed out, but he choked and coughed uncontrollably. Lang Ying was startled, dropping his pastry on the table. Xie Lian, still coughing, reassured him, "It's okay. It's okay."
Hua Cheng patted his back gently and asked, "What's wrong? Is the wine not to your taste?"
Xie Lian quickly said, "No! The wine is fine. I just suddenly remembered that my cultivation path requires abstaining from alcohol."
Hua Cheng said, "Oh? Then it's my fault for not considering this and making you break your vow."
Xie Lian replied, "It's not your fault. I forgot."
He rubbed his forehead and glanced subtly towards the center of the hall.
The girl who had brought the wine was walking away, her back to him, her movements graceful and full of charm. Hua Cheng was either busy with his own tasks or fully focused on Xie Lian, not sparing a glance at these beautiful girls, nor paying attention to their faces. However, Xie Lian's inadvertent glance had seen it clearly.
That graceful girl who brought the wine, wasn't she the Wind Master Shi Qingxuan???
The Wind Master had gone to such lengths to infiltrate the Elysium Pavilion, even disguising as a woman... Xie Lian was truly shocked by that flirtatious wink, thinking he might need another drink to calm down. At this moment, he heard Hua Cheng casually say, "Cultivation, I used to think it was about being carefree and happy. If you have to abstain from this and that, it's better not to cultivate at all. What do you think?"
Xie Lian quickly composed himself and replied as if nothing had happened, "That depends on what path you're cultivating. Some sects don't emphasize these things. But for my path, it's customary to abstain from alcohol and lust. Alcohol can be indulged occasionally, but the latter must never be violated."
When he mentioned "abstaining from lust," Hua Cheng's right eyebrow twitched slightly, showing a hint of either amusement or trouble.
Xie Lian continued, "Actually, there's also abstaining from anger. In a casino, extreme joy and sorrow can easily lead to anger, which should also be avoided. But if you can control your mind and remain calm, there's no need to deliberately abstain from gambling."
Hua Cheng laughed and said, "No wonder you still have an interest in visiting gambling houses."
Going around in circles, Xie Lian finally brought the conversation naturally to the topic of "gambling" and said, "Speaking of which, San Lang's gambling skills are truly extraordinary."
Hua Cheng said, "Nothing special, just lucky."
"......"
Comparing himself, Xie Lian couldn't help but feel a bit bitter and said, "I'm really curious, San Lang, don't tease me. Is there really a secret technique for throwing dice?"
If not, Hua Cheng wouldn't have been able to make the dice land as he wanted in the gambling house. And that Lower Moon official wouldn't have been able to throw two sixes in one go. Hua Cheng, however, laughed and said, "How would I dare to tease you, brother? There is indeed a secret technique, but it's not something that can be mastered in a day, and not everyone can learn it."
Xie Lian had somewhat expected this answer. Then Hua Cheng added, "However, I can tell you a quick method, guaranteed to make you unbeatable."
"What method?"
Hua Cheng raised his right hand. The third finger, the one with the red string tied to it, was on this right hand. The red string formed a small butterfly knot on the back of his hand, very bright. He said to Xie Lian, "Give me your hand."
Xie Lian didn't understand, but since Hua Cheng asked, he offered his hand. Hua Cheng's hand had no temperature, but it wasn't cold. He held Xie Lian's hand for a moment, then smiled slightly and tossed out two dice, saying, "Try it?"
Xie Lian silently wished for double sixes, took the dice, and threw them. Sure enough, they landed as two bright red sixes.
He asked curiously, "What kind of trick is this?"
Hua Cheng said, "No trick. I just lent you a bit of my luck."
Xie Lian asked in surprise, "So luck, like spiritual power, can be lent?"
Hua Cheng laughed, "Of course. Next time you want to gamble with someone, come find me first. I'll lend you as much as you want, making sure your opponent won't win for a hundred years."
The two of them played around with the dice for dozens of rounds. Once Xie Lian confirmed it was true, he said he was a bit tired. Hua Cheng arranged for Lang Ying to be settled in and personally led Xie Lian to rest.
After watching Hua Cheng's red figure walk away, Xie Lian closed the door and sat at the table, holding his forehead. The more considerate Hua Cheng was, the more guilty Xie Lian felt, thinking, "San Lang treats me impeccably. I hope this matter truly has nothing to do with him. Once the truth is revealed, I'll immediately confess and apologize to him."
After sitting for a while, he heard someone outside the door softly calling, "Your Highness... Your Highness... Crown Prince..."
Recognizing the voice, Xie Lian immediately went to open the door. The person outside rushed in, and sure enough, it was Shi Qingxuan in her female disguise.
She was still in the ghostly attire of a girl, a sheer but not indecent gauze dress, her waist tightly bound. Once inside, she collapsed on the ground, reverting to her male form, clutching her chest and saying, "I'm suffocating! Suffocating! My goodness, I'm going to be strangled by this thing!"
Xie Lian closed the door behind him and turned around, only to see a man in a flamboyant purple gauze dress lying on the ground, tearing at his corset and waist belt, unable to look directly. He covered his eyes and said, "Wind Master... Wind Master! Can't you change back to your original white robe?"
Shi Qingxuan said, "Am I stupid? In the middle of the night, wearing a bright white robe, I'd be a target!"
Xie Lian thought, "No... dressed like this, in a certain sense, you're an even more conspicuous target!"
He squatted down and asked, "Wind Master, how did you sneak in? Weren't we supposed to meet up in three days?"
Shi Qingxuan said, "What could I do? I heard on the way that you were taken to the Elysium Pavilion. Isn't this place a ghost king's lair? Just hearing the name sounds improper. I took one look and thought this place must be a complete den of iniquity, so I was worried about your safety and went through great lengths to sneak in. It was such bad luck along the way, being dragged by women for facials or having to endure wearing this, I've never made such a huge sacrifice."
Xie Lian thought, "You seemed to enjoy it quite a bit..." and said, "What about Prince Taihua? You left him outside alone; don't let anything happen again."
Shi Qingxuan finally tore off the corset and caught his breath, lying on the ground and said, "Don't worry! I ordered him not to move as an elder, so he shouldn't get into trouble again. By the way, Your Highness, you're really lucky!"
"Huh?" Xie Lian said, "Me? I'm lucky?"
Shi Qingxuan said, "Yes, while Qianqiu and I were so miserable in the ghost market, either being humiliated by being hung up or wandering outside like dogs with nowhere to go, you're eating, drinking, and living well, with the Blood Rain Flower as your companion!"
...In comparison, it does seem quite miserable. Shi Qingxuan finally got up and said, "So, Your Highness, do you remember our mission in the ghost market?"
Xie Lian said seriously, "Of course I remember. I was preparing for our mission just now in the Elysium Hall."
Shi Qingxuan asked in confusion, "Were you? What were you preparing in the Elysium Hall? All I remember is you playing dice with the Blood Rain Flower, not even playing properly, touching his hand one moment and him touching yours the next. What kind of new game is that?"
"..." Xie Lian said, "Wind Master, don't make it sound so strange. We were just practicing. I found some clues in the Elysium Pavilion and am investigating. To continue, I need a bit of luck."
He raised his right hand as if he could grasp something in it, tightly holding it, and said, "I've borrowed it."
The two of them quietly left the room and, after burning two incense sticks, successfully found that room.
Xie Lian stood before the lady statue, took out the two dice Hua Cheng had given him, held his breath for a moment, and gently threw them. With a light "thump thump," they landed as two bright red sixes.
Xie Lian breathed a sigh of relief, but thinking that this luck was borrowed from Hua Cheng in the Elysium Hall, he felt even more uncomfortable. Seeing his guilty expression, Shi Qingxuan patted his shoulder and said, "At this point, just let it go. But if I were you, I wouldn't have accepted this task from the Emperor, to avoid being in a difficult position."
Xie Lian shook his head, thinking that Shi Qingxuan didn't quite understand Jun Wu. Indeed, Xie Lian had difficulties with this matter, and Jun Wu knew he had difficulties. Based on Xie Lian's understanding of Jun Wu, in such a situation, Jun Wu wouldn't have brought it up and would have directly sent another official to carry out the task. But Jun Wu, knowing Xie Lian's difficulties, still asked for his willingness. This could only mean one thing: Jun Wu couldn't find another suitable person for this task and had no choice but to ask him.
Moreover, the missing official had sent a distress signal seven days ago, and Hua Cheng had also left seven days ago. This coincidence was very concerning.
Sighing, he put away the dice, pushed open the door, and behind it was no longer the ordinary small room, but a dark underground tunnel, with stairs leading deep underground, cold wind blowing up from below.
Xie Lian and Shi Qingxuan exchanged a glance, nodded, and one after the other, they headed into the depths of the tunnel.
Shi Qingxuan led the way, snapping his fingers to create a flame in his palm, illuminating the stairs. Xie Lian gently closed the door and followed behind.
As they descended, Xie Lian took the opportunity to ask Shi Qingxuan, "Wind Master, in the Heavenly Court in recent years, has there been any official who was demoted? I mean, besides me."
Shi Qingxuan said, "Yes, there have been, but why are you asking?"
Xie Lian said, "Because I saw a curse shackle on the hand of that Lower Moon official in the ghost market. That can only belong to an official from the Heavenly Court, right?"
Shi Qingxuan exclaimed, "What? A curse shackle? The Blood Rain Flower has a former Heavenly Court official as his subordinate??? So bold???"
Xie Lian said, "It's not really bold. Once they no longer belong to the Heavenly Realm, their choices are their own. It's not necessary to ask, but that ghost official's actions are unsettling, so I wanted to ask if you have any ideas about this person's identity?"
Shi Qingxuan thought for a moment and said, "In recent years, there was indeed a Western Martial God who was demoted, and it caused quite a stir at the time."
The Western Martial God? Wasn't that Quan Yizhen?
Shi Qingxuan continued, "But I don't think that prince would become a ghost official in the ghost realm! His background is very proper, and his personality isn't the wandering type."
If that's the case, why was he demoted? Xie Lian was about to ask more when they reached the bottom of over sixty stone steps.
It was a single tunnel wide enough for five or six people to walk side by side, with only one path. Ahead was pitch black, behind was the staircase leading to the surface, and thick walls flanked both sides, so there was no need to worry about which way to go; they just had to keep moving forward.
After walking over two hundred steps along this tunnel, a cold stone wall appeared before them, blocking their way.