Calm down, stay collected.

Xie Lian quickly convinced himself: Maybe it was because Hua Cheng’s identity in the Brocade Immortal’s Mental State was different from his, so he was assigned elsewhere as soon as he set foot here, and he should come looking for him soon. He could also proactively look for Hua Cheng. It wouldn’t be difficult and there was no need to make a fuss.

Having calmed down like this, Xie Lian immediately started on proper business. There happened to be a few drunken soldiers staggering over on the street, so he hurriedly stopped one and asked, “Excuse me, do you know where General Bai is?”

But the soldier stared at him, “Who’s General Bai? Since when do we have a general named Bai in our Kingdom of Xuli?”

It appeared that Bai Jin had not yet been promoted to general at this point. Xie Lian asked again, “Then may I please ask where Bai Jin is?”

The soldier still stared at him, “And who is Bai Jin?”

That’s odd. According to intelligence, Bai Jin should have made a name for himself on the battlefield from very early on, and all soldiers in the army should more or less know of such a person. Xie Lian didn’t want to ask this way, yet he had no choice but to say, “Then are you aware of a warrior, incomparably brave and mighty, who strikes terror into the hearts of his enemy, but his mind is a little…”

This time, before he could finish, the other party all bursted out laughing, “Oh, you mean him! You should have mentioned it sooner if you are looking for that fool!” What they pointed out to Xie Lian was a piece of small woods. With the small medicine basket on his back, Xie Lian set off to find the person.

Everything went smoothly. As soon as he arrived at the woods, he spotted a young man sitting in a tree from a distance. Xie Lian thought that it was most likely Bai Jin. Unsure if he should directly appear in front of the Brocade Immortal himself in his Mental State, he first chose another tree and climbed up, intending to observe in secret.

Upon observation, he was rather surprised.

It was said that the Brocade Immortal was mentally incompetent, but the young man looked to be a fine fellow. This person must be in his early twenties at the most, his profile was masculine with a touch of naiveness, and his face was so handsome that even Pei Ming, who was of the same type of handsomeness, was actually quite a bit inferior! In addition, the intense focus in his expression and the clarity of his gaze showed none of the imagined muddle. Xie Lian had never seen a person like this, who had the appearance of a tiger or leopard but the demeanor of a deer or sheep.

He appeared to be picking something from the tree, and putting everything he picked into a small bamboo basket next to him. At this time, two more people entered the woods. Xie Lian and the young man looked down at the same time, and saw that the newcomers were a youth and a maiden.

Apparently, this was a secret rendezvous between a pair of young lovers.

The foliage was so dense that they completely failed to notice there were already two people in the woods. They even snuggled under the very tree where Bai Jin was, whispering with their heads touching. Of course, they thought they were whispering, but Xie Lian could hear them clearly from who knew how many meters away, not to mention Bai Jin above their heads.

The two of them nuzzled together for a while, and the young man said, “How long does your father plan to string along that fool?”

The maiden said, “How would I know? I’m also annoyed to death.”

The youth said sourly, “I don’t think you are annoyed at all. I’ve heard that he is invincible on the battlefield, extremely deadly, so impressive! General Du has such a great subordinate that he can’t please him fast enough. After a few more days, it will be time for your engagement, won’t it?”

The maiden slapped him and sneered, “What are you talking about! Who the person I think about is, don’t you heartless thing know? Besides, do you think my dad is so foolish that he would really marry me to him? Simply dangling a bone in front of the dog. I’m scared just thinking about how many people he’s killed and how bloody he is. Why can’t he just die on the battlefield!”

Having only heard a few sentences, Xie Lian guessed who they were talking about.

He anxiously peered at the tree over there, but the young man showed no reaction and remained motionless. The two young people below were still laughing when suddenly the maiden screamed, “Who!”

The youth was startled by her, and the two quickly separated. He asked, “Why are you screaming?”

The maiden covered her head and said with a trembling voice, “Just now, just now, someone, something hit me!”

The youth was also scared when he heard “someone” and scanned around aimlessly, “Someone? Who is it? Then let’s hurry up… … Ouch!”

Before he finished speaking, he also covered his head, blood streaming down from his forehead. When the young man saw this, he swiftly jumped down from the tree.

Xie Lian saw it from a distance and couldn’t stop it in time, thinking shoot, things are about to get ugly!

Sure enough, when the youth and the maiden saw the very person they had been bad-mouthing for a long time fall from the sky, plus being caught on the spot for having a secret rendezvous, they were frightened out of their wits. Even though Bai Jin didn’t scold them and simply asked, “What hit you?” With their guilty conscience, the two dared not say anything, clung onto each other and fled at full speed, leaving the young man alone there, scratching his head. Just as Xie Lian was debating whether to go down and try to connect with him, he heard a crisp laugh.

Bai Jin heard it as well. When he turned around, he didn’t see anyone, but the voice said, “Here!” The voice came from above. Lifting his head, he saw a youth in blue pushing aside the leafy branches and, from amongst the lush green leaves and mottled light, looking at him with a half smile.

The youth appeared sixteen or seventeen years old, with a pale, heart-shaped face, and beautiful and clean features. He tossed a leaf at the person under the tree, “Hey, why did you come out and help them just now?”

Bai Jin was taken aback, then replied with a non sequitur, “Was it you that hit them just now?”

The youth also replied with a non sequitur, “Don’t you know what they were doing?”

Bai Jin finally got in touch, “What were they doing?”

The youth snickered, “Taking advantage of you.”

Bai Jin said, “Were they?”

The youth said, “Weren’t they? She obviously doesn’t like you, but she strings you along with her dad, making you think that she might get engaged to you, and tricking you into charging into battle and risking your life. Isn’t this taking advantage of you?”

Bai Jin considered it, and finally said in all sincerity, “I think she’s assuming too much. When did General Du say he wanted her to get engaged to me? I have barely met her a few times, so of course I can’t go into battle for her.”

The youth in the tree roared with laughter, and Xie Lian also stroked his forehead.

He guessed that Bai Jin’s superior, General Du, might have heavily hinted, “If you serve me well, I will marry my daughter to you and let you inherit my mantle” or something like that, except that… … Bai Jin might not get the hint.

Bai Jin added, “Moreover, she’s right to dislike me, it doesn’t count as taking advantage of me.”

The young man asked, “How so?”

Bai Jin said, “I’m a fool. Who would like a fool?”

He actually said it very seriously. All in all, by this point Bai Jin should already be the Kingdom of Xuli’s invincible God of War on the battlefield, or, the only savior; however, everyone obviously lacked respect for him. Ordinary soldiers didn’t even know his name, merely referring to him as “that fool”, which showed that this was how he was usually mentioned and ridiculed, and he himself also had not a smidgen of self-awareness of being a savior.

The youth also jumped down from the tree after laughing. “I have never seen anyone admit to being a fool with so much conviction like you. Had I known this, I wouldn’t have helped you.”

After he emerged from the thick foliage, Xie Lian looked carefully and finally ascertained one thing –

This youth was none other than Ling Wen in the male form!

The reasons why he couldn’t be certain earlier were, for one, the adoption of the male form; for another, the change in age. Additionally, Ling Wen had always been serious and business-like in the Upper Court, her face expressionless. Xie Lian had never seen such a Ling Wen before, and found it exceedingly novel.

Walking past Bai Jin with hands behind his back, Ling Wen studied him with a grin. Bai Jin also studied him curiously. Ling Wen said, “However, you must be careful when you go back today.”

“Be careful of what?”

Ling Wen said, “Be careful of scoundrels. Those two had their affair busted by you; when they go back, afraid that you will expose this thing, they will for sure spread rumors everywhere and hit back at you instead.”

“Is that so?”

“Mn.” Ling Wen smiled, “Because the only way to ensure that no one believes what you say is to sling mud at you first.”

Bai Jin was very confused, “Why would I expose them? Whatever they like to do is none of my business.”

Ling Wen said, “Because they will expose it if they happen upon such a thing, so they assume you must, too. My guess is, the most likely scenario will be the girl telling her dad that you acted frivolously towards her with ill intentions, but she would rather die than comply. This way, she can smear you in her father’s mind first and reduce your credibility. In short –”

He patted Bai Jin’s significantly taller shoulder, and said, “If I were you, I would hurry up and catch them both right now. The best defense is a good offense.”

Bai Jin, “What does it mean ‘the best defense is a good offense’?”

Ling Wen, “Just think about it, there are many ways. For example, search their persons for private keepsakes and seize them, or make them write confessions and sign them, and then warn them about making these things public if they talk too much and everyone going down together. As long as you can make them fear something, anything is better than doing nothing.”

Obviously, Bai Jin had never heard such a line of reasoning. He stared at him for a long time without being able to say a word, then finally remembered to ask something very important, “Who are you?”

Ling Wen smiled, “My surname is Wen. It doesn’t matter who I am, what matters is that you remember my words, otherwise you will suffer.”

Bai Jin was still deliberating, but who knew that as soon as he turned around, the youth dodged behind a tree and disappeared, leaving him in surprise. Meanwhile Xie Lian seized this opportunity to present himself and, determined to connect with the Brocade Immortal, leapt right down. Unexpectedly, before he could say anything after getting off the tree, Bai Jin already saw him and actually walked up of his own accord, waving, “Herb Master!”

“Uh… …” Xie Lian hadn’t anticipated Butterfly Dream and the Brocade Immortal to arrange his identity so considerately that he turned out to be a herbalist acquainted with Bai Jin. Bai Jin showed Xie Lian the small bamboo basket he brought, “The herbs you wanted. I’ve gathered a lot. Can you see if I’ve got any wrong?”

Silently reciting in his mind “I am a herbalist”, Xie Lian dutifully flipped through the small basket filled with herbs, which were all herbs for stopping bleeding, reducing swelling, and promoting muscle growth. He said, “You’ve got it right! Thank you so much for the hard work.”

Bai Jin carried the basket on his back, “Then let’s go back!”

So, Xie Lian followed him.

Soon, Xie Lian became very familiar with how the Brocade Immortal’s little inner world operated.

The Kingdom of Xuli had been at constant war in recent years, besieged by various countries. Inside and outside the imperial city were military camps large and small, intermingled with civilian residences. Xie Lian’s identity was a wandering Taoist doctor who visited various military camps. This identity was very convenient; he could visit Bai Jin at any time while simultaneously asking around for news about Hua Cheng.

But the more inquiries he made, the more concerned he became.

Because there was no news about Hua Cheng at all!

Given Hua Cheng’s temperament, he should have taken the initiative to search for him long ago, and how would there be no news whatsoever after several days?

It had been surprisingly easy to approach the owner of the Mental State, which probably meant that the Brocade Immortal didn’t hold much enmity towards him. But, what about towards Hua Cheng?

Xie Lian couldn’t even begin to guess what kind of identity Hua Cheng would be assigned, and didn’t know where to start even if he wanted to make inquiries!

On this day, Xie Lian went out to look for Hua Cheng again under the pretext of picking herbs in the mountains. Just as he donned the bamboo hat and carried the small bamboo basket, Bai Jin said, “Herb Master, please let me accompany you. I heard that recently there have been demons causing trouble inside and outside the city; it’s very unsafe.”

While Xie Lian was not afraid of anything like demons causing trouble, he naturally would not refuse his company, “Thank you for the trouble then.”

The two of them walked together on the street, which was filled with the turmoil and chaos of war, and everyone looked like they were ready to flee at any moment. Bai Jin put a hand behind a covered wagon and helped it all the way up the slope. Suddenly, he said, “By the way, Herb Master, you often travel around the city. Do you know of any young master surnamed Wen? About this tall, sixteen or seventeen years old, very clever.”

Xie Lian of course knew who he was asking about and, thinking to himself this cleverness is unfortunately deadly, he said, “I have actually never heard of such a person. Why do you ask?”

Bai Jin said, “I want to ask him for a favor.”

Xie Lian was intrigued, “Ask him for a favor? What kind of favor?”

In the past few days, Xie Lian kept an eye on Bai Jin whether he had a good excuse or not, focusing on when the source of his resentment should arrive. However, no matter how he looked at it, he didn’t feel Bai Jin to be a person who would harbor resentment.

Resentment was born of desire. But this Bai Jin didn’t seem to have any desire at all.

He had no need for money, harbored no thirst for achievements or renown, and bore no grudges. Even his desire for food was minimal; any money he came into was quickly spent on books and snacks for children he knew or not. It’s no wonder that Bai Jin had been determined to have the potential to ascend. He was almost more like a heavenly official than ninety-nine percent of the heavenly officials Xie Lian had ever seen!

In short, this Bai Jin, though not as mentally sharp as normal people, almost never troubled others. Even many normal people couldn’t achieve this. Xie Lian couldn’t guess what kind of favor he would want to ask of Ling Wen.

Before Bai Jin could answer him, all of a sudden, there was a thunderous quake at the end of the long street. The two paused in their steps, and Xie Lian asked, “What’s coming?”

They heard the wild clip-clops of hooves, and a large group of riders in black rushed over surrounding a black horse.

On the black horse was a rider in red, speeding by so fast like a wind that it’s impossible to make out his face, though he was clearly very athletic. An overwhelming cloud of black mist chased the group of people relentlessly. The person in red urged the horse and charged forward by himself, while the riders in black swung their swords and fought fiercely against the twisted black aura.

There really was some demon causing trouble! While astonished that there could be such a powerful evil spirit in a Mental State, Xie Lian cast aside the small bamboo basket and, with practiced ease, let fly three yellow talismans, “Pardon me!”

Even in a fantasy world, he couldn’t help but clear out evil spirits when he encountered them. Unable to bring either Ruoye or Fangxin, Xie Lian could only defend himself with talismans drawn by his own hand. Bai Jin threw away the herb basket and was ready to help, but Xie Lian said, “I’m enough for here; you go and make sure the people in these streets scatter and don’t congregate!”

Bai Jin turned around as he asked and marched off, leaving Xie Lian here to handle it. In order to close in on the black aura, Xie Lian stepped on the shoulders of several riders in black in quick succession, flipped over in the air, and added three more talismans. Right in the demon’s heart!

Having repelled the black mist with his talismans, Xie Lian landed lightly on the ground. Before he could finish exhaling, a red figure suddenly flashed before his eyes. Having arrived in front of him before he knew it, the person in red swiftly reached out and removed his bamboo hat.

The sun shone so bright that Xie Lian temporarily struggled to keep his eyes open in the glare, and stretched out a hand to block it, “How can you… …”

But he failed to block it because his wrist was tightly grasped by the other party. Xie Lian took a closer look, his eyes widened, “San Lang?!”

The person was a youth of sixteen or seventeen years old, with dazzlingly handsome features, a maple-red riding outfit, a silver girdle that tied his waist very thin, and a pair of shiny black deerskin gloves on his hands. Who else could it be but Hua Cheng whom he hadn’t seen for days?

Grasping his hand, Hua Cheng tilted his head, a pair of sterling silver maple leaf earrings swaying lightly by his cheeks. He lifted his eyebrows and smiled, “Where did this Taoist priest come from? Staring at people, so rude.”

Not having seen Hua Cheng for a long time, Xie Lian was overjoyed at the sudden encounter, but who knew that he struck back as soon as he opened his mouth, and he couldn’t help but feel annoyed as well as amused, “You clearly grabbed me first, I only looked at you, and how is it me that is rude?”

Hua Cheng quirked his eyebrow, but before he could speak, the riders in black behind him said, “You Taoist priest is so audacious! Do you mean that our young master is rude?”

Xie Lian breathed a sigh of relief, “I see, the identity you have been assigned is a young noble master of the imperial city, right? It actually suits you. Okay, San Lang, enough fooling around. We have plenty to do; let’s head back and talk… …San Lang?”

He tried to withdraw his hand, but Hua Cheng didn’t let go. Xie Lian pulled harder, but the hand that was almost clamping on him remained motionless.

Xie Lian finally realized something was amiss.

He tentatively said, “San Lang?”

Grinning, and gripping his hand, Hua Cheng pulled Xie Lian so hard that he almost stumbled into his arms, “I’ve been meaning to ask since a moment ago: This Tao Master gege, do I know you? Why do you call me so intimately?”

“… …”

“San Lang, San Lang.” Hua Cheng seemed to be savoring these two words, then flashed a bright smile, “It sounds nice. Not bad.”

“… …”

Wrong. Wrong. Wrong.

What a mess!!!

Xie Lian remembered: Hua Cheng had mentioned earlier that his spiritual energy had not yet fully recovered, and he didn’t know what accidents might happen after entering the Mental State. Could –

Could this be an accident?

Hua Cheng actually didn’t remember him, nor himself!

Xie Lian truly was at a loss about how to handle the current situation. In his moment of confusion, he caught a glimpse of the bamboo hat in Hua Cheng’s other hand, and instinctively reached out to grab it, “Give me back the bamboo hat!”

But Hua Cheng tossed the bamboo hat back into the hands of a rider, bent down slightly and, with the momentum, scooped behind Xie Lian’s knees, somehow managing to scoop Xie Lian onto his shoulder and carried him.

Xie Lian’s world was turned upside down in an instant. He felt like he was being carried away like a sack, and blurted out in astonishment, “What are you doing? Let me down!”

Letting him go was out of the question. Carrying him, Hua Cheng swung around and mounted the horse neatly with ease; holding the reins with deerskin-gloved hands, he said, “Make way, return to the mansion!”

Xie Lian said, “You! … ?”

What’s this? Even if you are a young noble master, could you just grab someone off the street like this?

Xie Lian could fight it, but he didn’t know how strong Hua Cheng was now. Would he hurt Hua Cheng by mistake if he fought it too hard? So he dithered for quite a while, in the end dared not move at all, and could only drape over his back, asking depressedly, “What are you doing?!”

Hua Cheng, “Arrest you.”

Xie Lian, “I’m asking why you’re arresting me?”

Hua Cheng mocked him, “Tao Master gege, you can’t blame me. Troubled time, suspicious person, who else to arrest but you?”

Xie Lian argued, “What’s suspicious about me? I have even just saved you. San… … Could you let me down? This way… … I feel very uncomfortable.”

The softest lower belly being stuck against Hua Cheng’s rigid shoulder, it’s truly uncomfortable. Hua Cheng said, “Alright, as you wish.”

Having said that, he actually put Xie Lian down – in front of himself on the horse. So, it became two people sharing one mount. While Xie Lian, as if enveloped in his embrace, was still dumbfounded, Hua Cheng said, “Here, Tao Master gege should have nothing to say now, right?”

Sitting behind Xie Lian and being taller than Xie Lian, when talking to Xie Lian, he specifically lowered his head and tilted it to his ear, which made Xie Lian deeply embarrassed, feeling like a child sitting in his arms. “… I want to get off.”

He wanted to swing around and dismount, but found his current position truly awkward. He tried to press down somewhere for support, and ended up pressing down on Hua Cheng’s thigh. Before he realized what went wrong, Hua Cheng had already clutched his wrist, held it up, and warned half-seriously, “This Tao Master gege, you are really going too far. It was you who asked to be let down, but now you’ve started getting handsy after I did as you asked. What are you up to, huh?”

Hua Cheng had a sharp tongue to start with, Xie Lian couldn’t even contend with the usual him, and now against this Hua Cheng, when it came to arguing, Xie Lian was all the more defenseless, essentially reduced to staring, speechless. As he was stupefied, Hua Cheng laughed and gave a low yell, and the black horse kicked into a wild gallop, sending Xie Lian crashing back into his arms, really wanting to fall apart, “Slow down!”

Hua Cheng urged the horse with one hand and wrapped him around his waist with the other, “What are you afraid of! With me, you can’t fall!”

Despite the current situation being very peculiar, when he said this, Xie Lian felt inexplicably relieved. Then something dug into his lower back. Xie Lian reached back to touch it, and it turned out to be a horsewhip that Hua Cheng had pinned inside his silver girdle. The horsewhip was spiked, pricking his hand into flinching. Hua Cheng lowered his head slightly, “Don’t touch randomly.”

The silver maple earring by his ear swung and swayed, dazzling his eyes full of stars, and Xie Lian actually no longer dared move randomly.

Grandly returning with his troop in a fierce charge, once they arrived at Hua Cheng’s “mansion”, Xie Lian was astounded: Isn’t this Paradise Manor? This was the Brocade Immortal’s Mental State, and everything should manifest in accordance with memories or wishes of the owner of the Mental State. It was as difficult to create something out of thin air here as it was to soar to the heavens; nevertheless, Hua Cheng was so ruthless that he directly moved a Paradise Manor here!

As soon as they dismounted, Hua Cheng took him to the hall. At the far end was still the familiar black jade couch, covered with a gigantic white tiger skin. Had this tiger been alive, it would surely have been a ferocious beast. Xie Lian was still contemplating when Hua Cheng placed him straight on the tiger skin.

Xie Lian sat upright on the white tiger skin, completely lost. Yet Hua Cheng folded his arms and studied him, seemingly very pleased, making Xie Lian feel like he was some precious ornament. He glanced cautiously at Hua Cheng, unsure how to talk to him when he’s like this, but Hua Cheng slumped into the tiger skin as well, sitting next to him, beaming, “Gege, do you like it?”

When he called “gege”, it was like the usual Hua Cheng had returned, and Xie Lian’s heart stirred, “Huh?”

Hua Cheng patted the tiger’s head, “Do you like it?”

Xie Lian really couldn’t fathom the current Hua Cheng’s way of thinking, so he could only follow along, “The tiger skin? Yes, it is very majestic and luxurious……”

Hua Cheng sat up cross-legged all at once, smiling, “I hunted it, impressive?”

Xie Lian said, “Impressive. Well, this young master, could you please let me go back?”

He had to keep an eye on Bai Jin to ensure that he didn’t miss any important scenes. But Hua Cheng looked askance at him, “Is this how you’ve been calling me just now?”

Xie Lian was rendered helpless, and corrected himself, “San Lang. San Lang, could you please let me go back?”

Switching into a position with his head resting on his arms, Hua Cheng lay down next to him, “No.”

Xie Lian was taken aback. On second thought, why was he taken aback? It seemed that, after all, he had almost never heard Hua Cheng say “no” to him before, and was surprisingly really not used to it. He asked, “Why are you keeping me here?”

Hua Cheng tilted his head, “Why?”

He gave it a little thought, then said frankly, “I don’t know why, either. However, as soon as I saw your face, I felt a great familiarity. Anyway, you can’t leave no matter what, so there’s no point asking why.”

When he heard this, Xie Lian’s heart stirred again, and he truly wished to kiss him on the forehead. Yet, he dared not. What if Hua Cheng were to remember it upon exiting?

He said softly with ostensible struggle, “… But I have something very important, something urgent. Is it really not possible for me to leave?”

Hua Cheng patted the tiger’s head a couple more times, crossed one leg over the other, looking utterly dependable as he said, “What’s the problem? Tell me and I’ll help you take care of it.”

Right then, howlings of some sort entered from outside the window. Hua Cheng’s expression turned solemn, and he rolled up to sitting, reaching out to shield Xie Lian. Xie Lian looked up and saw black aura swirling outside the windows, as if thousands of ghost claws were scratching on the windows, doors, and walls.

The sound was shrill and cacophonous, making one want to cover their ears and scream. At the moment, Hua Cheng had no memory of being the Supreme Ghost King who made everyone in the Three Realms tremble in fear at the mere mention, but what was ingrained in his bones couldn’t be changed. Even when faced with such a terrifying situation, there was no fear on his face, and he merely humphed, “Bummer.”

He thought for a moment, and wrapped Xie Lian in the huge tiger skin.

Wrapped by him in the tiger skin, like a baby wrapped in swaddling cloth, while feeling ironic, Xie Lian also believed that he had somewhat figured out how this Hua Cheng operated.

How to put it – this Hua Cheng seemed easily pleased but also easily peeved. In some respects, he was even more… … unrestrained, filled with a willfulness that was rarely shown by the usual Hua Cheng!

He poked a head out of the tiger skin, “What’s that outside?”

Hua Cheng picked up a book at random and flipped through a couple pages, tossed it aside, then picked up another and flipped through a couple pages. “Don’t worry about it, simply something that shows up every day. We’ll just keep doing what we do. They can’t hurt you as long as you stay here. Want to read a book?”

As if worried that he would be bored, Hua Cheng put the carefully selected book into Xie Lian’s hands. Xie Lian held the book but didn’t read it; after contemplating for a moment, he figured out what exactly was going on.

All these ghost shadows outside were the Brocade Immortal’s defenses against Hua Cheng.

Deep in the Brocade Immortal’s mind, he believed Hua Cheng to be someone dangerous, so demons and ghosts arose in his Mental State, attacking Hua Cheng relentlessly to prevent this dangerous person from having his way in his inner world, wreaking havoc.

However, Hua Cheng also had his ways for dealing with these attacks.

Even though he couldn’t remember himself and had no spiritual energy in the Butterfly Dream because he hadn’t fully recovered, his mind was so exceedingly powerful that he forcefully altered the Brocade Immortal’s Mental State, establishing a site here that belonged solely to him – “Paradise Manor”.

“The manse” was in fact a metaphor for “defense”. In this “Paradise Manor”, Hua Cheng was still the master, and here was absolutely safe. But whenever he went out, he would be attacked by “demons”.

No wonder Bai Jin had said that recently there had been demons causing trouble in the city. Probably it was because, although Hua Cheng would be surrounded by ghost shadows as soon as he stepped out, he still continued to venture outside … … in search of Xie Lian.

Despite not remembering himself, nor Xie Lian, he was sure of one thing: to bring Xie Lian back to “Paradise Manor”. Because he had vaguely sensed that this was the single safest place.

Having thought of this, and then looking at Hua Cheng, who assumed he didn’t like the book and started digging around for any other novel gizmos he might have, Xie Lian was even more determined: he must relieve the Brocade Immortal of his resentment in this Mental State!

He threw off the tiger skin, and Hua Cheng immediately warned, “Tao Master gege! You can’t leave.”

But Xie Lian said, “I’m not trying to leave. I want to take you away.”

Hua Cheng was mildly stunned. Xie Lian coaxed him with utmost gentleness, “Are you willing to come with me? I’ll take you… … out to play? Don’t worry, I will definitely keep you safe.”

How would Hua Cheng disagree? He didn’t want to be bored to death in “Paradise Manor”, either. When he heard Xie Lian say to take him out to play, he was immediately itching to go, but soon he frowned, “There are still things outside, it’s not safe for you to be out.”

He appeared truly tempted, but also equally distressed. Seeing him like this, Xie Lian felt the urge to kiss his forehead or cheek surge anew in his heart, he struggled mightily to suppress it, and finally said after a good while, “It doesn’t matter. Those things can’t hurt me. Watch!”

As he spoke, he flung a talisman to the window, and the ghost shadows screeched, dispersing like thick ink in water. Xie Lian withdrew his hand and smiled, “How’s that? Tao Master gege is not bad, is he? Do you feel better now?” Thinking for a moment, he added, “If you are willing to follow me, I will come and keep you company everyday… … Wow!”

Hua Cheng practically dragged him out as he ran. The handsome and vigorous black horse awaited right in front of the mansion. Xie Lian, who had been self-reflecting on how he had just seemed to be luring a child, paused at the sight of it, looking troubled, “Do we still have to ride a horse?”

Hua Cheng cracked the spiked horsewhip loudly in the air, and said proudly, “Tao Master gege, are you afraid of riding a horse? Don’t worry, I’ll be right behind you. I’ll keep you safe, too.”

Hearing Hua Cheng repeat his solemn promise from a moment ago, Xie Lian wanted to cover his ears, “Stop it! And who said I’m afraid of riding a horse anyway!”

It’s precisely because Hua Cheng would be behind him that he didn’t want to ride!

In the end, he still failed to dissuade Hua Cheng, and the two rode together. As they sped along the road like wind and lightning, Hua Cheng laughed heartily all the way, having the time of his life; Xie Lian, however, was miserable. With the streets lined with astonished onlookers, despite knowing that these were not real people, he still almost wished to bury his head in the horse’s mane!

They didn’t spot Bai Jin in the streets, so the two made their way to the outskirts of the city. Bai Jin had a moderately-sized cabin here, which he built with his own hands. He didn’t live here himself, but many street children and kids from poor families often played or stayed here, and he also frequently visited. Maybe compared to adults, he preferred hanging out with kids when he’s not on the battlefield.

Hua Cheng reined in the horse here and, grabbing Xie Lian’s waist, half dragged, half lifted him off before he could escape. “Tao Master gege, why did you bring me here? What’s fun about it? So many kids.”

Xie Lian thought to himself it’s not like I can’t ride a horse, I’m clearly good at riding, too, how did it come to this? Meanwhile, he said with resignation, “What’s wrong with many kids? Don’t you like them?”

Hua Cheng said, “No, I don’t.”

Could neither laugh nor cry, Xie Lian was just thinking, is that so, I didn’t know that Hua Cheng didn’t like kids before, when Hua Cheng emphasized, “Kids are very annoying!”

Just then, Bai Jin came out of the cabin pulling two bawling children on his legs. Upon seeing him, he hurriedly said, “Herb Master, you are back, please come and help me!”

When Hua Cheng saw him, his expression remained largely unchanged, save for a slight furrowing of his brow that exuded an air of cold indifference. Faced with this uninvited guest, Bai Jin also wrinkled his brow in confusion. It appeared that, although neither party was consciously aware, they both vaguely sensed danger in the other. Xie Lian smoothly inserted himself between them and, with a child in each hand, asked, “What did they do?”

Bai Jin retracted his gaze; scratching his head, he said, “They had a fight and got bumped. I didn’t see you when I went back to the street just now. Where did you go?”

As Xie Lian skillfully checked the wounds of the two children, applied medicine, and soothed them, he smiled and said, “I’m fine, sorry for making you worry. I ran into a friend on the way, and he invited me over to his place for a visit.”

Bai Jin was about to speak, but suddenly his eyes lit up and he dashed right out. Xie Lian followed him with his gaze, and quickly dropped the smile, saying inwardly, “Here he comes!”

He saw a youth in blue ambling over with hands behind his back, as if he was just passing through. Bai Jin called out, “Wait!” That youth was none other than Ling Wen. The moment he looked back, Bai Jin pounced on him, overjoyed, “I’ve been looking everywhere for you! You’re finally here!”

Ling Wen pushed him away unhurriedly with one finger. “Don’t be so touchy-feely.”

Bai Jin let go in a haste. Ling Wen gave him a glance, and said with a smile, “How was it? Last time I told you to be careful, was I right?”

Bai Jin said, “I was just about to tell you this. You are so smart, you’ve got everything right. What they did when they went back turned out to be exactly as you predicted.”

Ling Wen said, “Then did you remember what I told you to remember? Those two are cowards. If you give them a lesson first as I said, they probably wouldn’t dare to spread rumors.”

Bai Jin admitted frankly, “No.” He was expected to do the work of a hundred people all by himself, how could he find the time! Ling Wen let out a long sigh, “You are very dumb. I already told you the answer, but you somehow wouldn’t follow it.”

Yet Bai Jin said, “Let’s not worry about that, I have another favor to ask of you. Wen di (di – younger brother, the counterpart for ge), could you come and teach the kids here?”

Ling Wen looked at him, speechless, unclear whether it was because he hadn’t expected this sort of thing, or because of the way he was addressed. Bai Jin thought he was unwilling, so he promptly took off the small purse hanging at his waist, opened it, and showed it to him, “I’m paying you. These are all for you.”

Ling Wen glanced into the purse, “With so much money, why don’t you go and find a teacher?”

Bai Jin shook his head, “I tried. But they were all no good.”

Xie Lian could actually guess what exactly was no good. It was hundreds of years ago, and there weren’t so many scholars at the time. Bai Jin certainly wouldn’t know any talented scholars, and he couldn’t tell who was the real deal and who was a crooked scoundrel. Even when he occasionally found someone who had in fact studied for a few years, since no one was able to supervise them, mostly they would just go through the motions even if they were here, treating everyone as a fool.

Bai Jin mumbled to himself, “Kids will turn into fools if no one looks after them. Never ever turn into fools.” Ling Wen said, “Who said that? I was never looked after, how come I didn’t turn into a fool??”

Bai Jin seemed not to know how to answer and looked at him. Ling Wen added, “And why do you ask me? We have met only once. Do I look like a very nice, very patient person? Why do you think I’d agree to you?”

Bai Jin’s face was turning red, as if he was desperately trying to come up with something else to invite the “master” that he had his eye on to teach. Xie Lian felt sorry for him just looking at him. It must be because when they first met, Ling Wen had warned him to be wary of the young man and woman, so Bai Jin thought the youth smart and kind-hearted, placing infinite hope on him; additionally, having prepared a generous reward, he was not at all prepared to be coldly rejected. If this hadn’t been the Brocade Immortal’s Mental State, and if it weren’t inappropriate for him to randomly tamper with important points in the Brocade Immortal’s memory, he would definitely have gone up to help him out of the fix now. Unexpectedly, just as Bai Jin was at a loss for what to do, Ling Wen sighed again, asking, “Where are they?”

Bai Jin looked at him. Ling Wen said, “You have to show me first what kind of people I will be teaching, don’t you?”

In the end, Ling Wen was still dragged to work like a sack.

It should be said that Ling Wen deserved to be the future number one civil god in the Upper Court. Even when teaching a group of rural orphans with no foundation whatsoever, he could still explain profound things in simple terms. Xie Lian thought that the most remarkable thing about Ling Wen was that he could pique the interest of these children. Once the interest was sparked, they would naturally rush to read. Sure enough, even a single lesson proved to be highly effective. Watching a group of children leaning haphazardly over the table, reading, Bai Jin was beside himself with joy, “Wen di, I have never seen anyone as smart as you!”

Ling Wen supported his forehead with one hand, and wrote down the content of the next lesson on paper with the other, sighing, “It’s because you are too dumb!”

One could indeed say that. While the other children were taking their lessons, Bai Jin also folded his arms and listened attentively. However, after almost an hour, all the students had memorized hundreds of words, but Bai Jin couldn’t memorize any no matter what. He would learn and forget, forget and learn, and fail to memorize even his own name.

But in Xie Lian’s view, his problem was more like an “injury”, such as the weakness in fingers from a hand tendon being damaged, rather than plain stupidity. Xie Lian once had a peer who was originally a smart scholar, but at one point he was shoved and his head hit the corner of a wall. After the injury healed, he had a headache whenever he read. He would widen his eyes and stare intently, but just couldn’t pronounce the originally very familiar words, let alone write them. In the end, he had no choice but to collect scraps.

Ling Wen propped one leg up on the bench and tapped the table, and Bai Jin then automatically started to grind ink for him, while continuing to praise him in all sincerity, “You are not only smart, but also kind.”

Ling Wen snickered, “To tell you the truth, in my entire life, no one has ever said that I’m kind.”

As the lesson took place inside, Xie Lian remained seated at the door of the cabin, grinding herbs, while Hua Cheng stayed next to him, idly helping him sort the herbs. He stretched out his long legs and raised a hand to his eyebrows in the faint sunlight, appearing truly comfortable. However, seeing that Xie Lian had been focusing on the inside the whole time, he tossed a piece of herb in front of Xie Lian.

Xie Lian didn’t notice, so he extended a leg in front of Xie Lian, and lightly bumped Xie Lian’s leg with a silver-chained boot.

Xie Lian finally realized, “What’s the matter?”

Seeing his gaze shifting back, Hua Cheng was happy again. Xie Lian apologized, “I’m sorry, you must be feeling bored.”

Hua Cheng said, “I’m not bored. But what’s so interesting about them learning to write? It’s downright hideous. Don’t look anymore.” Just now, Ling Wen had been teaching the children how to write their own names. White paper scattered all over the floor, stained with ink patches, indeed each more unsightly than the last. Xie Lian was just thinking, You’d better not say that; your handwriting is not necessarily better than theirs, when he saw a few older kids sneaking peeks in their direction, looking rather indignant. However, with Hua Cheng’s arrogant young noble master look, no one dared say anything. But Ling Wen glanced this way and called out to a kid, “Coin.”

The kid went over and listened to him whisper a few words, then came over with a piece of paper and a brush. Xie Lian smiled, “Master Wen, what is this about?”

Ling Wen also smiled, “These children are just starting to learn, and with my limited capabilities, I don’t think I can teach them very well. But I see that this young master has an outstanding demeanor, must be someone extraordinary, and presumably proficient with a brush, too. May I please invite him to write something here and offer us some advice?”

The kid named Coin also smugly copied his tone, “Please!”

Paper and brush already laid out in front of Hua Cheng, compliments fully paid, he was already put on a pedestal, yet Hua Cheng appeared very reluctant. Xie Lian was distressed from holding back laughter. Hua Cheng astutely sensed something, and Xie Lian hastily said, “Um, you, you don’t have to force yourself. Forget it if you don’t want to. We’re not obligated to do it.”

When he said this, Hua Cheng had to prove himself, and grabbed the brush with a swish. But the brush tip hovered three inches above the paper, and it seemed like he couldn’t find the starting point no matter what. Seeing him like this, Xie Lian became even more distressed from holding it in, and said, “San lang.”

Hua Cheng, “What?”

Xie Lian whispered, “The way you are holding the brush is wrong.”

Hua Cheng, “… …”

In the end, Hua Cheng stomped over to a grove alone with a stack of white paper to write. He refused to let others see. Xie Lian went to find him after a while and discovered the ground covered with crumpled, wasted paper. He picked one up, wanting to unfold it and take a look, but Hua Cheng immediately snatched it away, “You can’t look.”

Xie Lian smiled, “Why can’t you show it to me? It’s no big deal?” It’s not like he hadn’t seen it before!

Seeing that he wouldn’t listen, Hua Cheng warned, “Tao Master gege.” As he spoke, he lit a fire and began to burn the stuff he wrote. Xie Lian picked up another paper ball, and Hua Cheng snatched it again. Xie Lian raised his hands and explained, “I’m not trying to look, I’m trying to help you.” Help you eliminate the evidence.

But Hua Cheng refused to even let him touch these things, and promptly burned all paper balls on the ground. Xie Lian watched him fussing around for a good while and setting fires everywhere, he was dying of laughter on the inside, yet he dared not let it show. “Now you feel assured? Alright alright, hurry up and put out the fires, and let’s head back! Back to your place.”

And so, in the many days that followed, Xie Lian settled into a routine, taking Hua Cheng along to keep an eye on Bai Jin during the day, and returning with Hua Cheng to “Paradise Manor” at night.

Having agreed to do Bai Jin the favor, Ling Wen declined any payment, and instead merely requested that he come whenever he saw fit; he would appear or disappear unpredictably, offering a few lessons every few days. While others didn’t know why, Xie Lian knew that it was because he could only come down when there was no official business piling up at the Upper Court.

Regarding him, Bai Jin was all admiration. No matter whether he could understand or memorize anything, he sat on a small bench and listened carefully. Since Ling Wen declined any payment, he felt that he had taken a huge advantage, and was ever ready for Ling Wen’s requests, even though these requests were mostly for him to stop attempting to learn to write, wasting paper and ink.

However, these days only lasted a month before coming to an abrupt end. Ling Wen never visited again after a certain day. By then, the children at the cabin could already roughly read and write on their own, their progress remarkably rapid; for many, this was where they would be even after several years of study. According to what Ling Wen had mentioned before, by this point, they could already learn on their own; additionally, he had long since written down which books they should read next, so it was not necessary for him to teach them anymore. But Bai Jin didn’t think it was unnecessary.

He visited the cabin even more frequently, but no matter how much he waited, he never saw Ling Wen again. Based on what Hua Cheng had told him before, Xie Lian speculated that at this point, Ling Wen must have already been deeply mired in the “Ode to Divine Might” incident in the Upper Court, and naturally wouldn’t be in the mood to come down and play with him.

But Xie Lian also knew that sooner or later, Ling Wen would come to give Bai Jin the fatal blow!

Another few months later, the king of the Kingdom of Xuli announced to all that he would hold a Wave Promenade Literary Conference at the Wave Promenade Tower in the imperial city.

The so-called Wave Promenade Literary Conference, as the name suggested, firstly required a promenading-on-waves appearance, and secondly, was a meeting of literature. Everyone went to the meeting, bringing their beauties, and they had to participate in a writing competition for livening the atmosphere. If someone won first place, they could choose the one they adored the most from among all the beauties present, and ascend to the rooftop of the Wave Promenade Tower alone with her, to embrace the moon and pick the stars. As such, he would for sure become famous across the land.

That night, royals and nobles, generals and young masters arrived early at the Wave Promenade Tower with their gorgeously made-up ladies.

Bai Jin also waited in front of the Wave Promenade Tower.

He stood tall and dignified, towering above all, even when there were plenty of generals present, he still stood out like a crane among chickens. Young ladies’ eyes lit up one after another, and a gorgeously made-up lady said, “I wonder which general this is, and how come you are unaccompanied? Would you care for the company of my sisters?”

She was clinging to the arm of a fearsome bearded man who looked to be a general. Xie Lian vaguely remembered that his surname was Feng and he was of a very high standing. He snorted and didn’t reply, but the deputy general beside him laughed, “My lady, please don’t throw your sisters into the fire pit. Don’t you know who this person is? He’s Bai Jin!”

“Ah, this… …”

Although Bai Jin was brave, his bravery could only make him invincible on the battlefield, and couldn’t garner him any real benefits. He didn’t care for what others cared about, so his every military accomplishment ended up divvied up among his superiors and peers, and all the rewards he received were also given to others, leaving himself with almost nothing. Coupled with the rumor of being “mentally incompetent”, how would there be any young lady willing to get close? So on this Chinese Valentine’s Day, everyone else had a beauty in his arms and enjoyed a large company, and only he remained singularly alone.

The young ladies regretted it much: he had apparently such a dignified appearance, yet he was an idiot. What a pity, pity!

But the officers were rather displeased. The reason why the Kingdom of Xuli was in such a state of decay was because it kept a bunch of drunkards as pillars in courts and on battlefields. The more drunkards they were, the less they could tolerate the sight of someone with real abilities. Having already been constantly poked in the back by clear-eyed common folks, who said that they were even worse than the fool, they had long since been piqued. And now, noticing the young ladies in their arms enamored with Bai Jin’s good looks, they were inevitably overwhelmed with jealousy and came up with various creative ways to belittle him. Xie Lian had been keeping an eye on Bai Jin nearby, it was unavoidable that he would hear such nonsense, and he really couldn’t bear to listen anymore. With Bai Jin’s hearing, it was impossible for him not to hear, so Xie Lian went over, “General Bai, perhaps you may as well go back?”

Bai Jin shook his head, “I’d like to take a look. There is nothing going on in the camp today anyway, and the literary conference will only last a few hours.”

Xie Lian also knew that he would keep on waiting, and only asked because he couldn’t bear it. He was well aware that Bai Jin came here to see if he could catch Ling Wen. Because today also happened to be his birthday.

Others received gifts on their birthdays, but it was the other way around for Bai Jin’s birthday. Those he interacted with daily – mostly kids like Coin, he had gifted them all with small items, and even Xie Lian had received a fine wooden rice spoon. Despite being curious about why it had been a rice spoon, Xie Lian was very happy.

At the end of the day, Bai Jin still had a small paper bag at his chest that he hadn’t sent out, and it’s easy to guess who it was for.

Young masters from aristocratic families certainly wouldn’t miss today’s Wave Promenade Literature Conference, given such a great opportunity to make a name for oneself in front of the world. But the problem was, Ling Wen was not at all a young master of some aristocratic family in the Human Realm as he had assumed.

The longer Bai Jin waited here, the more frivolous and derisive the others’ gazes at him became. Especially since he didn’t eat or drink, didn’t joke or toast, and simply stood there, appearing more and more in line with the rumored mentally incompetent weirdo. After a brief consideration, Xie Lian said, “It’s fine if you want to take a look. But, you don’t have to wait at the door; you can still wait while seated inside.”

This way, he at least wouldn’t stand out like a sore thumb, and others wouldn’t have such a big target to gossip about. Bai Jin said, “There are many people sitting inside, it’s too chaotic and easy to miss.”

Xie Lian smiled, “Can’t we just sit by the door? That’s also where one must pass through. Moreover, with me helping you watch together, could two people and four eyes still miss it?”

He worked hard to convince him, and Bai Jin was slightly swayed. Xie Lian then pulled him towards the inside of the Wave Promenade Tower. Who knew that before they could step through the door, they were blocked by several warriors and questioned, “What are you doing?”

Xie Lian said mildly, “Excuse us, we are here to attend the literary conference.”

The warrior said harshly, “The literary conference started long ago, you are late, come back next time!”

Just moments ago, a number of people had clearly marched straight in without anyone stopping them, but now, when they wished to enter, it was not allowed. Xie Lian knew that they must have been urged by someone to deliberately make things difficult. Just as he was about to speak, suddenly, a burst of thunderous clip-clops rolled in from the street. Looking over his shoulder, he saw a group of riders in black charging towards the Wave Promenade Tower, escorting a figure in red.

Perhaps sensing the extraordinary presence of the newcomer, inside the Wave Promenade Tower, the nobles present slowed down their boisterous drinking and grew quiet. Still wearing the same maple leaf hunting suit, Hua Cheng swung around and dismounted, sending the pair of silver maple earrings into a swaying frenzy. He took off the deerskin gloves, tossed them into the hands of the attendant behind, and smiled before coming to a stop, “Gege!”

Upon seeing him, Xie Lian hastily said, “San Lang, please calm down first!”

But Hua Cheng had already started. He glanced at the plaque on the Wave Promenade Tower, and shifted into a different smile. “Gege, are you blocked at the door?”

Xie Lian, “No no no, I’m not, seriously, please calm down first!”

Hua Cheng had already switched into a sneer, and pulled the spiked horsewhip taut in his hands, making a sharp and dangerous crack. “This whatever literary conference, isn’t it just a bunch of people eating, drinking, and copying essays? How’s that so prestigious?”

Before he could raise his horsewhip and point somewhere to issue an attack command, Xie Lian had pounced on him and dragged him aside. Due to frequent attacks by the fantasy ghost shadows, Hua Cheng was also extremely aggressive towards everything in this Mental State, prone to explode at the slightest touch, utterly incapable of controlling himself. Having spent a stretch of days here, Xie Lian had fully experienced his destructive power. The last time Xie Lian went to a military camp to see patients, he was blocked by several confounded soldiers. Before they could do anything, Hua Cheng almost razed the entire military camp and even the entire street to the ground. If he wasn’t stopped, they would be getting off easy if only the Wave Promenade Tower was demolished. Xie Lian was almost coaxing him, “San Lang, it was our fault for being late to start with. Don’t get upset, don’t get upset. Just let us enter and it’s all good.”

Fortunately, Hua Cheng was also easily appeased, and he calmed down right away. “That’s still their fault. They set the time wrong.”

Xie Lian promptly held his arm, “Right! They set it wrong! Then let’s go in, and don’t let them make even more mistakes.”

Hua Cheng glanced at his hand, “Okay.”

Those warriors glanced at the oppressive darkness in front of the building, recalling the city military camp and half the street that had recently disappeared into thin air, how would they dare to stop them again, and had long since retreated to a safe distance. With a swagger, and Xie Lian and Bai Jin in tow, Hua Cheng strolled into the lobby of the Wave Promenade Tower. A table obstructed their path, so he kicked it away. Flower-like beauties from various stations of life kept their gazes trained here, and discussions buzzed, yet no one dared say anything outright. Xie Lian selected a table near the door and took a seat. Considering that in Bai Jin’s real life, he would have stood outside the door waiting all night, without anyone to bring him in, he couldn’t help but let out a gentle sigh. Hua Cheng asked keenly, “What’s the matter?”

Xie Lian smiled, “It’s nothing. I was thinking that the Wave Promenade Literary Conference must have truly started. There is a ruckus upstairs, like the writing competition is already underway. I wonder who this year’s winner will be? And which beauty will he choose to take to the rooftop, picking the stars and embracing the moon?”

Hua Cheng asked, “Gege, do you really want to go to the rooftop of the Wave Promenade Tower?”

Xie Lian immediately said, “No!” He must by all means put an end to Hua Cheng’s idea; otherwise, it would be difficult if he decided to compete for first place on a whim. One should know that to enter the writing competition in the Wave Promenade Literary Conference, the essays must be handwritten!

But Hua Cheng nodded, “If gege wants to go to the rooftop of the Wave Promenade Tower to have a look, it’s actually not difficult. Recent literature in the Kingdom of Xuli favors the ornate style. Study one such essay and you can write ten more following the same mold. Nine out of ten of the winners of Wave Promenade Literary Conferences followed this route.” Seeing that Xie Lian was very interested, he commented on the respective strengths and weaknesses of these winners. Bai Jin listened to what they were saying but couldn’t understand, so he resumed watching the door. No one ever came in through the door again.

In the Wave Promenade Tower, the first floor hosted the banquet, and the second floor the writing competition. When the competition reached a conclusion, the winner would come down from upstairs, receiving the warm congrats and praises from the crowd. At this moment, the writing competition was in full swing upstairs, and the roar of voices came one after another. Downstairs, everyone raised their glasses and said, “This year’s writing competition seems to be very intense! The talents are making quite a stir. It probably won’t be easy to come out as the winner.”

Someone asked, “I wonder what the topic is this year?”

Someone answered, “This year’s topic is excellent, and timely! Our Kingdom of Xuli is crowded with acclaimed generals, and the topic of this year’s Wave Promenade Literary Conference is to discuss the generals. Just select a general and write an essay about him.”

At present, in the Kingdom of Xuli, hundreds of generals were languishing, wise individuals were not employed, and people in prominent positions fed at the public trough while neglecting their duties. Still, he had the nerve to say it was “crowded with acclaimed generals”. Xie Lian lightly shook his head. However, everyone didn’t think anything of it and praised each other, “Then it must have a certain general, you, as the topic to win first place.” “No no no, then it has to write about a certain general, you, to become a famous essay that will last forever.” Someone, unclear who, said with a chuckle, “It’s not surprising to have any general as the topic. I’m curious, though, if there is any with General Bai as the topic?”

As soon as these words came out, everyone’s gaze converged this way, piercing Bai Jin alone like a hundred spears. That General Feng gave a furtive look, and a drunken man who looked like a deputy general came forward, smiling, “Have him as the topic? What should they write about? Write about how smart he is? Or write about how he got all handsy with his benefactor’s daughter?”

Stifled laughter arose from all around, and Xie Lian frowned.

But he wasn’t sure if this was a crucial moment that the Brocade Immortal must experience in his life, so he restrained himself for now. He surveyed around; it’s not that no one seemed disapproving, but due to the fact that some high-ranking officers and nobles were also laughing, no one dared say a word to help him out. Only Bai Jin said calmly, “I didn’t.”

The man jeered, “You didn’t? Impossible! You lad is destined to be without a woman. You’d never touched one, right? All of a sudden, seeing such a beautiful girl, could you hold back?”

He came to the conclusion speaking to himself, “You definitely couldn’t hold back!”

Seeing him provoke him while reeking of alcohol, Xie Lian felt this person truly abhorrent. He frowned slightly and was about to speak when suddenly he heard simultaneous gasps for air coming from upstairs.

Everyone downstairs also turned their heads in surprise, “What happened?” “Is the competition over?”

Sure enough, a voice from upstairs said, “The writing, writing competition is over. Here is the winner, winner of this Wave Promenade Literary Conference!”

Everyone wondered, “How come he stammered the announcement? That’s ridiculous!”

But the next moment, they knew why the person upstairs stammered the announcement.

A tall and slender person in blue walked languidly downstairs.

The person was dressed in a blue reminiscent of the sea, the eyes beautiful yet frosty, exuding an air of disdain when scanning around, indeed worthy of being the winner of the Wave Promenade Literary Conference.

Except, what’s unbelievable was that … … this winner … … this winner … …

How come it’s a young lady?!

The quickest ones to catch on were those young noble masters accustomed to playing around. They stepped forward to greet her with faces full of warm smiles and glasses filled with fine wine. However, with a deft move that could shift a ton with one hand, the young lady smilingly brushed aside their wine glasses and hospitality, and directly walked downstairs towards this side. The crowd fell silent and automatically opened a path for her, watching with wide-open eyes as the young lady slowly walked up to Bai Jin.

Bai Jin watched her coming downstairs like so, walking over like so, and forgot even to blink. The young lady tucked her hands behind her back and sighed, “General Bai, it’s truly challenging to write an essay with you as the topic.”

“Thanks for waiting.”

Bai Jin opened his mouth, but no words came out.

The young lady waved her hand in front of him, snapped her fingers, and again said politely, “Please?”

Bai Jin looked at her face, wanted to greet her but didn’t know how.

Of course he would be at a loss.

The young lady’s every tilt of the head, every shift of the gaze radiated charm; yet, this face, wasn’t this the “Wen di” he had been waiting for for a long time?

When he remained still, the young lady shook her head, simply took his arm and, weaving through the crowd, led him towards upstairs. Completely stunned, Bai Jin let her bring him upstairs by the arm, leaving far behind everyone’s shocked exclamations.

Witnessing this sudden change, Xie Lian grabbed Hua Cheng and sprinted out without saying a word. Hua Cheng never questioned what he wanted to do, and merely helped with whatever he wanted to do. Abandoning the stairs and taking to the walls, the two of them actually reached the rooftop of the Wave Promenade Tower before Bai Jin and Ling Wen. They had hidden behind a rockery before hearing someone push open the door and come out.

They saw the young lady leisurely bringing Bai Jin all the way to the small pavilion on the rooftop of the Wave Promenade Tower. Bai Jin only realized when he sat down, and, still couldn’t believe it, he asked, “Are you… … Wen di?”

Without answering, Ling Wen propped up her leg, her boot stepping on the stone bench.

While Xie Lian had never seen such a casual and brusque Ling Wen in the Upper Court, this was a move that Ling Wen often made when lost for words in front of Bai Jin. Bai Jin’s eyes brightened when he saw it, “It’s really you!”

Ling Wen once again pushed him away with one finger, “Now you know to talk loudly. Why didn’t you argue loudly like this just now?”

Bai Jin remained happy even when pushed away by her, “I wasn’t arguing just now! I’d been waiting for you all along. I thought you wouldn’t show up again, but luckily I came today!”

Xie Lian was speechless, but soon began to admire him: In any case, his ability to disregard altogether other people’s gossip was quite remarkable. Ling Wen was speechless as well, and asked, “What are you thinking about in your head everyday?” Bai Jin blurted out, “Thinking about you.”

When this sentence came out, Xie Lian, who was listening in, all of a sudden choked. He thought this was way too straightforward, and subconsciously glanced at Hua Cheng. At this glance, he found that Hua Cheng had also been looking at him and, suddenly catching his gaze, as if catching some small animal emerging from the burrow, was greatly fascinated. He whispered, “Gege, he says whatever he says, what are you so shy for?”

Xie Lian also didn’t know why, when in front of Hua Cheng, he always tended to have an excessive sense of shame. Seeing that he was still looking, Xie Lian held his face with both hands and forcefully turned it aside, “Look over there!”

Over there, Bai Jin blushed after finishing speaking, as if he also noticed that there was something was wrong with himself. For someone who never felt that there was anything wrong with himself, this was truly rare. Ling Wen finally withdrew the finger, “Why do you think about me? Am I very nice?”

Bai Jin was still blushing; nevertheless, he stiffened his neck and managed to spill it, “Very nice! You are… … the nicest person I have ever seen.”

This sentence was absolutely ordinary, but it absolutely came from the bottom of his heart. He dug out the small paper bag that he had carried all day from his chest, and cautiously pushed it before Ling Wen with both hands, “This is for you.”

Ling Wen didn’t take it, instead asked, “What is it?”

Bai Jin then opened it himself, “It’s not anything valuable. It’s Coin and the others; they missed you dearly after you left, so everyone spent a long time writing an essay, and asked me when they could see you, hoping to show them to you. I made them into a booklet.”

He took out the booklet and opened it for her, “Look, I didn’t tell them what topic to write on, but they all wrote about you. I can’t read it, but the handwriting looks very good.”

Ling Wen flipped through a couple pages and commented, “Too horrible to look at.”

With this look, it’s now possible to tell it’s the Ling Wen who would later furiously annotate files sent by other civil god palaces with insulting words. She then added, “You can’t even read them, how do you know they’re about me?”

Bai Jin answered honestly, “I can’t read the essays. But I can read your name, so I know they’re about you.”

He was talking about the pseudonym Ling Wen had casually made up before. Ling Wen lowered her head, seemingly suppressing a laugh. A good while had passed before she finally raised her head, “Why are you giving me this all of a sudden?”

Bai Jin said, “Ah, well, today is my birthday, so I want to give you a gift.”

Ling Wen, “Shouldn’t other people give you gifts on your birthday? Why is it the opposite?”

Bai Jin was confused again, “Birthday is a day of great happiness, and those who are happy should share their happiness with others, so that everyone is happy… … Is it the opposite?”

This person here had his own way of reasoning, which Xie Lian had witnessed long ago. Ling Wen obviously had no intention of debating him, either, “Okay, I understand. In that case, if I ask you to help me with something today, you will definitely agree?”

It was like seeing an enemy draw his sword, Xie Lian instantly held his breath and focused intently.

And Bai Jin already said without hesitation, “Yes!”

Thinking for a moment, Ling Wen corrected herself, “Or, put it this way, it will be great as long as you don’t do one thing.”

Bai Jin sat bolt upright, “What is it? Just tell me.”

Ling Wen looked directly at him, her upper body leaning slightly forward, and spoke word for word, “I want you to, from now on, withdraw worldly affairs, and stop fighting for the Kingdom of Xuli – can you do that?”

Secretly breathing a sigh of relief, Xie Lian took a step back.

Fortunately, Ling Wen didn’t right away demand Bai Jin to die, otherwise it would have been his turn to show up and intervene. Not having expected such a request from her, Bai Jin asked in confusion, “Why?”

Her upper body leaning back, Ling Wen smiled, “Why, are you not willing anymore?”

Bai Jin thought hard and, after a long pause, said, “Wen di, if you make any other request, whatever it may be, I can promise you. But, this one, can you exchange it for another?”

This time, it was Ling Wen’s turn to ask questions. She said, “Oh? Why?”

Although she was still smiling, Xie Lian couldn’t help but feel that there was already a hint of coldness in her smile.

But Bai Jin was completely oblivious, and explained to her earnestly, “Others are all attacking us. If I don’t fight, everyone will be killed. I can’t just ignore everything.”

Ling Wen sipped a little tea and, as if repulsed by the taste, dumped the tea out. “These people bully you like this all day long, but you still care a lot about them, huh.”

Bai Jin scratched his head, “They aren’t the only ones in this world; there are still many others. Anyway, Wen di, could you change it to something else?”

Ling Wen said slowly, “But, if I say that someone is making things difficult for me right now, very detrimental to me, and only when you withdraw from the battlefield and the Kingdom of Xuli is defeated can I survive, would you still refuse to help me?”

Frowning slightly, Bai Jin stood up, “Who’s making things difficult for you? Some noble of the Kingdom of Xuli?”

Ling Wen looked at him for a while, “Why are you standing up? Are you actually going to settle the score with them?”

Bai Jin said solemnly, “I can.”

Indeed he could. Although the nobles and officers of the Kingdom of Xuli did not respect him much from top to bottom, at least there were a few sensible individuals who understood that he was indispensable. What if he gave up and called it quits? If Bai Jin should seriously pursue something, they would have no choice but to afford him a modicum of respect.

What a pity. He wouldn’t understand. The dilemma faced by Ling Wen exceeded human capacity, let alone something that he could tackle alone.

Only by his withdrawal from the battlefield, resulting in the complete defeat of the Kingdom of Xuli and the dispersal of Jing Wen’s followers, could Ling Wen’s pressing dilemma be resolved. And if he refused to withdraw, then the only thing that could alter Ling Wen’s defeat would be his death!

Xie Lian watched helplessly as Ling Wen changed her smile and pulled him down to sit, “Alright, take a seat, please. There is no rush even if you want to cause them trouble. Here, this is for you.”

She pushed over a small wooden box that had been hidden somewhere previously. Bai Jin asked curiously, “What is this?”

Ling Wen smiled, “Are you really a fool? Don’t you know what day it is today? This is your birthday gift.”

Here it was!

Xie Lian stared at the box. Bai Jin opened it and took out a garment.

Headless, sleeveless, and legless – it was indeed the deadly brocade.

The time had come, Xie Lian shot out a talisman, and the “brocade” was instantly burned to ashes!

Simultaneously, the surrounding scenes and figures twisted, and screams echoed from all directions. Xie Lian grasped Hua Cheng’s hand, “Let’s go!”

The Brocade Immortal’s Mental State collapsed!

After a period of chaos, Xie Lian reopened his eyes and found himself back at the edge of the Brocade Immortal’s Mental State, in the fantasy maple forest.

He was sitting on the swing, leaning back. The reason why he didn’t fall to the ground was because a pair of hands adorned with silver vambraces supported him.

Xie Lian turned his head and saw Hua Cheng looking at him. But unexpectedly, the moment Hua Cheng met his gaze, his expression subtly changed.

Even though this change was fleeting like ripples brushed by the wind, Xie Lian immediately understood why he had such a subtle expression. Just as he immediately recalled the many wonderful performances of Hua Cheng in the Mental State.

The two of them stared at each other like this for a long time. In the end, it was still Xie Lian who couldn’t hold it any longer and laughed out first.

“Hahaha… …”

Hua Cheng actually showed a rare helpless look, “Gege.”

Almost falling off the swing with laughter, Xie Lian held on to the ropes, “Okay, okay okay okay, I won’t laugh. I won’t laugh. But, San Lang, you… …”

The way you were in the Brocade Immortal’s Mental State was simply too funny!

Hua Cheng warned again half-seriously, half-jokingly, “Gege.”

Xie Lian was almost in tears, “I won’t laugh anymore. I really won’t laugh this time! But I truly wasn’t laughing because I was mocking you!”

Hua Cheng said, “Then what’s the reason?”

Xie Lian said earnestly, “Because… … you were very adorable.” He was so adorable that Xie Lian more than once had the urge to kiss his forehead and cheeks, and always struggled painfully to suppress it. He added, “The San Lang in the Brocade Immortal’s dream was very willful but also very considerate, actually quite like a sixteen or seventeen-year-old San Lang.”

Hua Cheng said, “I wasn’t like that at all when I was sixteen or seventeen years old.”

Xie Lian was curious, “Really? Then… … what were you like when you were sixteen or seventeen years old?”

He couldn’t help but be curious. People like Hua Cheng, it’s as if they never experienced a youthful period when they escaped from ignorance, as if they were born with the serenity of being omniscient and omnipotent. Yet Hua Cheng didn’t answer, and only turned his head to one side, “I mentioned earlier that my spiritual energy hadn’t recovered, and there might be accidents. Had I known this, I wouldn’t have brought gege into his Mental State.”

Xie Lian hurriedly said, “No way! How could we relieve him of resentment if you wouldn’t let me enter? Well, we’ve already stopped Ling Wen from killing Bai Jin in the Mental State. The Brocade Immortal’s resentment should have eased somewhat by now, right? We should be able to go out.”

Hua Cheng finally turned his head back, “In theory, it should be the case.”

Noticing that something was off, Xie Lian asked, “What does it mean ‘in theory’?”

Hua Cheng said, “It means that I can’t sense any alleviation of his resentment.”