Heaven Official's Blessing: Tian Guan Ci Fu (Novel) Vol. 2(108)

“Although you’ve already reached such a height, there are some things that you are still far from understanding and that others can’t teach you. Like that speech you made today at the Palace of Divine Might, that bit about not worshipping gods or something; very few are able to think that far, and that you managed to arrive at such opinions at such a young age is already impressive. However, do not think yourself to be the only one in the world who has had such thoughts.”

Xie Lian’s eyes widened slightly.

The State Preceptor continued, “The things you spoke of today have already been said by others, decades or maybe centuries ago, but their words never gained momentum. Their voices were too small, so not many heard. Have you ever wondered why that is?”

Xie Lian pondered briefly and replied, “Because even if they thought of it, they never acted on it, and weren’t determined enough.”

“What about you? What makes you think you’re determined enough?” the State Preceptor asked.

“State Preceptor, do you think I can ascend?” Xie Lian asked.

The State Preceptor gave him a look and said, “If you can’t ascend, then no one can. It’s only a matter of time.”

Xie Lian smiled. “Then just you watch, sir.” He pointed to the sky. “If one day I ascend, I will surely do all that I said today and become a power to behold!”

Feng Xin and Mu Qing, who were standing behind him, both unconsciously held their heads higher after hearing his declaration. Feng Xin’s lips curved upward, and the light shining in Mu Qing’s eyes was exactly the same as Xie Lian’s. The State Preceptor nodded.

“Very well, I shall wait and see. However, I don’t think it’s a good thing for you to ascend too early. Let me ask you, what is The Path?”

Xie Lian inclined his head. “As you have said, that which is walked is The Path.”

“Indeed,” the State Preceptor said. “But you haven’t walked enough. So, I think it’s time for you to take a walk down the mountain.”

Xie Lian’s face lit up. The State Preceptor continued, “You’re seventeen this year. I will permit you to descend Mount Taicang and gain some experience through travels on the outside.”

“That’s excellent!” Xie Lian exclaimed.

Every day he spent at the imperial capital, just thinking about the king, Qi Rong, and everything else, Xie Lian couldn’t help but feel crabby. Plus, now that such a magnificent Palace of Xianle had been torched, he wouldn’t be able to avoid another bout with his parents. So why not go farther away and focus wholly on walking his own path?

Just then, the State Preceptor added, “Your Highness, throughout the ages there’s a saying that’s been passed down like it’s self-evident truth. But it’s actually wrong, and no one has ever noticed.”

“What saying?”

“When humans ascend, they become gods; when humans fall, they become ghosts.”

Xie Lian gave it some thought. “Is there something wrong with that?”

The State Preceptor replied, “Of course it’s wrong. Remember: when humans ascend, they are still human…when they fall, they are still human.”

Xie Lian chewed on those words, and the State Preceptor patted him on the shoulder and glanced behind.

“In any case, as for that child…don’t take it to heart. Everyone has their fate. Many times, there won’t be a way to help just because you want to. If anything happens, we’ll deal with it then. Go out and experience the world. I pray that when you return you will have matured.”

However, that very night, outside of everyone’s expectations, that child escaped from the Royal Holy Temple and disappeared.

And even further outside of everyone’s expectations, after his travels, at the age of seventeen, Xie Lian the Crown Prince of the Kingdom of Xianle soundly defeated a nameless ghost at Yinian Bridge. Just like that, he ascended to the heavens amidst roars of thunder and lightning.

It was the sensation of the Three Realms.





Characters





The identity of certain characters may be a spoiler; use this guide with caution on your first read of the novel.

Note on the given name translations: Chinese characters may have many different readings. Each reading here is just one out of several possible readings presented for your reference and should not be considered a definitive translation.





MAIN CHARACTERS


Xie Lian 谢怜 “THANK/WILT,” “SYMPATHY/LOVE”

Heavenly Title:?Xianle, “Heaven’s Delight” (仙乐) Four Famous Tales Title:?The Prince Who Pleased God Once the crown prince of the Kingdom of Xianle and the darling of the Heavens, now a very unlucky twice-fallen god who ekes out a meager living collecting scraps. As his bad luck tends to affect those around him for the worse, Xie Lian has spent his last eight hundred years wandering in solitude. Still, he’s accepted his lonely lot in life, or at least seems to have a sense of humor about it. Even for the perpetually unlucky, there’s always potential for a chance encounter that can turn eight hundred years of unhappiness around.

Xie Lian has seen and done many things over his very long life and originally ascended as a martial god. While it was his scrap-collecting that saw him ascend for the third time, Xie Lian’s feats of physicality are hardly anything to scoff at…though he’d sooner use them as part of a busking performance than to win a fight.