Heaven Official's Blessing: Tian Guan Ci Fu (Novel) Vol. 2(22)

In his previous youthful form, Hua Cheng always sported a slightly crooked ponytail. But now, his raven-black locks tumbled loose over his vibrant red clothing, and an evil aura radiated from his handsome figure. Only a thin braid on the right side, tied at the end with a red coral bead, brought a hint of mischief to the mix. The vambraces were silver, the straps on his boots were silver, the belt was also silver, even the long, slender scimitar that hung at his waist was silver, its curve smooth and peculiar. Just like that long, slender blade, the man himself was slender and tall. He was leaning against the parted curtains with crossed arms and a faint smile.

“Gege, you’ve beaten me.”

Xie Lian obviously knew what had happened and said in resignation, “Please stop teasing me.”

Hua Cheng quirked his brow. “I’m not. Why would I?”

Down below, the crowd of ghosts were bustling with excitement, bubbling like boiling water, each of them thrilled as they whispered among themselves.

“Chengzhu changed his skin again today?”

“I’m dying, his new skin is killing me! It’s so tender and firm!”

“What do you mean, ‘dying’? Old hag, aren’t you already dead?!”

It would seem that Hua Cheng never showed his true form in public and also changed skins frequently. None of the ghosts in Ghost City knew what he really looked like, and they assumed that this must be another of his fake skins. Only Xie Lian knew that the one standing before him was the genuine Crimson Rain Sought Flower of legend.

Xie Lian stared at the young man in red.

“You…”

He wanted to say something, but countless eyes from all around were focused on them, and Hua Cheng’s attitude was incredibly ambiguous—like he knew him but also didn’t.

Xie Lian didn’t know if Hua Cheng could so publicly admit their acquaintance in Ghost City, didn’t know if he was acting this way intentionally. So he couldn’t say much other than “Thank you.”

“Why thank him?” Lang Qianqiu demanded. “He owns this place; he bore ill intentions from the start.”

“…” Xie Lian replied under his breath. “Your Highness, please stop talking and let’s get out of here.”

If they were to stick around, he really didn’t know what else would come out of Lang Qianqiu’s mouth. Considering the mission at hand, Xie Lian couldn’t afford to stay long. He glanced at Hua Cheng a few more times and pushed Lang Qianqiu toward the exit. But as he was doing so, Hua Cheng’s voice called after him.

“Hold it.”

Xie Lian stopped in his tracks and looked back. The chatter among the crowd started up again.

“Chengzhu, you can’t let them go like this!”

“That guy’s suspicious. Look how strong he is. He’s probably not as simple as he seems. If you ask me, they need to be kept and interrogated.”

“Exactly! Who knows if he’s a spy sent from whatever organization to cause trouble on our turf!”

That last sentence was a dagger to the heart. They really did come from the heavens, but their intent wasn’t to cause trouble but rather to simply investigate the situation. Xie Lian wasn’t sure if Hua Cheng had seen the spiritual light that Lang Qianqiu released in his moment of peril, and he wasn’t a hundred percent certain Hua Cheng would let them go if he did see. Xie Lian was growing increasingly anxious, but the tone Hua Cheng spoke in was laid-back.

“Shouldn’t you leave the prize behind?”

Xie Lian was lost. “Prize?”

Lang Qianqiu put himself in front of Xie Lian and questioned warily, “Are you going back on your word now?”

But Xie Lian thought, San Lang would never go back on his promises. Could he mean something else?

With that, he stepped out from behind Lang Qianqiu and asked, “But didn’t I already win the bet?”

“It’s true that gege won against me just now,” Hua Cheng replied. “But don’t forget, you lost a round before that.”

Xie Lian blinked. “But you said not to worry because it didn’t count, right?”

Even though it took some really thick skin to say something as embarrassing as “It doesn’t count when I lose, only when I win,” Xie Lian still said it.

Hua Cheng replied, “Of course, the rounds when you bet against me didn’t count. What I’m referring to is the first round that you gambled at the long table.”

It was then that Xie Lian finally remembered. Hua Cheng was referring to when he was testing out the lowest he could roll and ended up throwing double sixes instead.

Lang Qianqiu spat darkly, “I told you he had ill intentions and wouldn’t let us leave here that easily. I will not be sealed again.”

It sounded like he was already prepared for another fight and was eager to jump at the chance, but Xie Lian quickly pulled him back.

“It’s fine, don’t be nervous. We don’t need to use our fists.”

On the other end, Hua Cheng tilted his head. “How about it? Gege, do you admit your loss?”

Willing to bet, willing to lose; other than obediently conceding his defeat, what could he do? And so Xie Lian nodded.

“I admit it.”

Hua Cheng extended his left hand with an open palm. “Then give me the promised prize.”