Heaven Official's Blessing: Tian Guan Ci Fu (Novel) Vol. 2(16)

That man once again took up the gambling cup, trembling as he shook it. If he lost, his daughter would lose twenty years of her life and a perfectly good marriage, which was obviously not ideal…but if he won, all his competitors would drop dead? Although Xie Lian didn’t think Hua Cheng would ever let such a thing happen, after much hesitation, he stepped a little closer. He was just debating whether he should cast some small trick when suddenly, someone grabbed hold of him. He turned his head to see and found Shi Qingxuan.

Shi Qingxuan had returned to his male form, and he whispered, “Don’t be rash.”

Xie Lian whispered back, “Lord Wind Master, why did you transform back?”

“It’s a long story,” Shi Qingxuan sighed. “That group of girlies and aunties dragged me around saying they were going to introduce me to good beauty parlors. I finally escaped, but they caught me again, so I had to change back. They dragged me to a place that smeared so much stuff on my face, pulling, stretching, slapping, smacking—quick, check my face! How is it? Anything wrong? Do you see anything off?”

He pushed his face right up to Xie Lian for inspection, and Xie Lian dutifully scrutinized it before replying truthfully, “I think it looks even smoother and fairer than before.”

Shi Qingxuan brightened immediately. “Really? Oh, good! That’s wonderful! Ha ha ha ha! Is there a mirror? Where’s a mirror? I want to see!”

“Look later,” Xie Lian said. “Ghost City is blocking our spiritual communication, so let’s not lose each other again. By the way, how did you know I was here, Lord Wind Master?”

“I didn’t!” Shi Qingxuan replied. “I came because Qianqiu and I had already agreed to meet here. When we lost each other earlier, I just came here instead, but when I walked in, it turned out you were here too!”

“You called Qianqiu out?” Xie Lian asked. “To meet here?”

“Yeah,” Shi Qingxuan replied. “Qianqiu is Lang Qianqiu, His Highness Tai Hua. You know that much at least, right? He’s the Martial God of the East. Since we’re here, it’ll be best if he comes too. The Gambler’s Den is one of the most bustling, chaotic places in Ghost City. It’s a landmark. People and ghosts alike go in and out in large numbers, so it’s much less conspicuous for us to mingle. That’s why I told him to meet us here.”

Xie Lian nodded. When he turned back to the long table, that man still hadn’t lifted the cup. His eyes were rolled back and he was muttering, not unlike many of the ghosts there. Xie Lian sighed.

“This man…”

Shi Qingxuan, still feeling his face, said, “I know what you want to say, and I agree. But Ghost City is Hua Cheng’s territory, and the rules here at the Den are all followed willingly. You gamble at your own risk. The heavens can do nothing. Let’s just observe for now, and we can come up with something if this gets out of hand.”

Xie Lian hummed, thinking that there was no way San Lang would allow this to get out of hand. It would truly be best just to observe. With that thought, he settled down.

As for the gambling man, he finally seemed to gather enough courage and lifted the cup just a sliver. The outcome was about to be revealed.

Just then, another person burst in and slammed the cup back down with a strike that crushed it to pieces! This strike not only crushed the gambling cup but also the hand that was on top of it. The entire table splintered with a deep crack.

The masked man cradled his crushed hand and rolled all over the floor screaming. The crowd of ghosts also started shouting, some cheering and some crying out in shock.

The person who had smashed their way in yelled, “You! What a vicious heart! A wish for wealth and fortune, fine. But to wish for others’ sudden death?! If you want to bet, have the guts to bet your own life—not the life and marriage of your daughter! You’re not fit to be a man! Not fit to be a father!”

The young man had straight, strong brows and stars for eyes, bursting with heroic aura. Although he was dressed in simple black attire, nothing extravagant, his air of nobility could not be concealed. It was none other than the Crown Prince of Yong’an, Lang Qianqiu.

From their spot in the crowd, Xie Lian and Shi Qingxuan both covered their faces at the same time.

Xie Lian groaned. “…Lord Wind Master, did you not tell him…to be a little more cautious when he’s here…and keep it low-key…”

Shi Qingxuan whined back, “…I…I told him, but…he’s always like that… What can I do… Had I known earlier…I would’ve planned for us to come here together…”

Xie Lian sympathized. “I get it… I understand…”

Just then, Hua Cheng chuckled lightly from behind the curtains.

Xie Lian’s heart skipped a beat.

The youth had often laughed when he was with Xie Lian, so now Xie Lian could judge fairly well when the laughter was genuine versus when it was mocking. Or when it was laced with killing intent.

His voice was languid. “You must have guts of steel to start trouble here in my territory.”

Lang Qianqiu turned to face the direction of the voice with fire in his eyes. “Are you the owner of this Gambler’s Den?”

The crowd jeered from all around.

“Ignorant child, do you know who you’re talking to?! That’s our Chengzhu!”