…

Hua Cheng took it with a grin, lifted it up to have a look, and waved his hand holding it, “I have received the pledge.”

Seeing that he actually accepted it, Xie Lian didn’t know what to say. After a long while, he said, “That’s… cold. It may be a little stiff.”

Hua Cheng said, “It’s okay. I don’t mind.”

Xie Lian said, “Then… I’m leaving?”

Hua Cheng said, “You are leaving already? Well then.”

He still looked a little regretful, but ultimately didn’t get in the way. As for all the ghosts in the hall, they had long since been speechless.

Earlier when they gave way to Xie Lian, they were keen on watching him meet his end, but this time when they gave way to him, they all eyed him with awe and curiosity: this was the first time the City Lord had stepped down to make a bet with someone, and the stake was a half finished steamed bun, but even these were fine, the City Lord was naughty like this after all, who knew if he wasn’t just messing around on a whim. Unexpectedly, the City Lord actually lost! Not only did he lose, but he also requested in all seriousness that the other hand over the half of a steamed bun. As His City Lordship’s juniors and juniors’ juniors, what else did they dare to say but watch in silence?

Good Heavens, was this man really His City Lordship’s own big brother?

Although he was determined not to look back, Xie Lian couldn’t help but glance back over his shoulder after a few steps, and happened to catch Hua Cheng’s candid eyes looking his way. Gazing at him, Hua Cheng gave that half of a steamed bun a toss, lowered his head and took a bite.

“…”

As if he himself had been bitten by him, Xie Lian grabbed Lang Qianqiu and charged right out, almost knocking over a table. The two of them sprinted wildly, and as soon as they ducked into a secluded alley, Shi Qingxuan popped up, fanning his hair all over the place with the folding fan, “So close so close, we finally got out. I was scared to pieces!”

Xie Lian’s heart was still pounding, and Lang Qianqiu said, “You even turned pale from fear.” Shi Qingxuan said, “This is not from fear! This was earlier… Well, this is what I was born with.” Remembering that it was not such an honorable thing for him to be dragged to do facials by the ghost aunts and sisters, he bitterly changed his words half way and remarked seriously, “Qianqiu, why did you jump out at the gambler’s den just now? It’s not like you didn’t know whose turf this is!”

Lang Qianqiu spread his hands, “I had no choice. It was urgent, I couldn’t let the gambler open the gambling cup, so I had to make the move.”

Shi Qingxuan said, “What a bad move. You almost got turned into a crimson rain. We were all discussing where to find a basin to collect you!”

Lang Qianqiu countered, “Then what should I do? Should I wait for others to jump out?”

Shi Qingxuan said frustratedly, “Even so…” Yet Lang Qianqiu had already turned his head to look at Xie Lian and smiled, “Thank you very much just now. Are you the Crown Prince who has ascended three times? Impressive!”

It would no doubt be ridicule if someone else had said this, but Xie Lian fully believed that Lang Qianqiu’s “impressive” came from the bottom of his heart. He said with a grin, “Yes, that’s me.”

Lang Qianqiu truly held not a shred of prejudice against him, having greeted, he naturally switched to talking about others, “Was that Crimson Rain Sought Flower just now? Very powerful indeed. However, he seems different from the legend.”

Xie Lian said, “What was he like in the legend?”

Lang Qianqiu said, “The legend said that he was an eight-year-old child.” Xie Lian let slip a chuckle. Shi Qingxuan waved his hands, “Fake skin! Crimson Rain Sought Flower must have used more than a hundred fake skins. No one knows what he himself looks like. That must be a painted skin.”

But Xie Lian thought, “It’s real.”

Lang Qianqiu added, “But he does have a strange temperament and acts spooky. He messes with people too much!”

Xie Lian almost bursted out laughing, “Okay, that’s enough for the chatter! Don’t forget that we still have official duties.”

Shi Qingxuan said, “Right, duty first. How do we investigate?”

Xie Lian said, “Ghost City is much bigger than I thought. Let’s investigate separately.” Xie Lian explained in detail what the taboos were should they run into some ghosts and how to please certain monsters should they encounter them, and the other two repeatedly nodded. In the end, he said, “I’m not very familiar with Ghost City. I don’t know if there are any more taboos. Let’s go with the flow. We will meet here in twenty-four hours.”

Shi Qingxuan answered “Okay” and rushed off to try out what he had just learned. Lang Qianqiu also said, “Then I’ll be going, too.”

But Xie Lian stopped him, “Your Royal Highness.”

Lang Qianqiu had already taken a few steps and asked over his shoulder, “What is it?”

Xie Lian suddenly put away the smile and solemnly bowed down to him.